MS ESS3 2

Knowing that earthquake and volcanic activity help us to see where the edges of plates are located, what can we conclude about plates based on the patterns we have seen so far? Select all that apply.

• There are many plates of different shapes and sizes that make up the Earth’s surface.

• The plates are defined by the continents. The continent boundaries are the plate boundaries.

• Continents do not define plates - both continent and ocean can be a part of a plate.

• There are many wide gaps or spaces between the plates.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Where is the youngest rock found in relation to a mid-ocean ridge?

• Far from where plates separate, because that is where magma solidifies.

• Far form where plates separate, because that is where plates slide beneath other plates.

• Close to where plates separate, because that is where magma solidifies.

• Close to where plates separate, because that is where plates slide beneath other plates.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which evidence does NOT support Continental Drift Theory?

• Fossils of the same ancient plants and animals are found on different continents.

• Coal, which is evidence of tropical plants, is found in Antarctica.

• Many of the continents appear to fit together like a puzzle.

• Penguins can be found living on Antarctica and in South America.

The age of rock on the ocean floor shows the youngest rock at the center and the oldest rock near the continents. How does this evidence support Continental Drift Theory?

• The younger rocks, in a process called seafloor spreading, are pushing the older rocks on the continents away from each other.

• The older rocks on the continents used to be the connected but are traveling over the younger rocks as the continents drift apart.

• The newer rock is denser and sinks to the bottom of the ocean while the older, less dense rock floats above the water and drifts.

• Volcanoes on the bottom of the ocean are constantly erupting and making new rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which of the following are characteristics of the Earth's plates?

• The plates are different sizes, and the plates are moving.

• The plates are different sizes, and the plates are not moving.

• The plates are the same size, and the plates are moving.

• The plates are the same size, and the plates are not moving.

Which of the following claims can be made from the data and map presented above?

• Sinabung is located over a more active region of tectonic plates than Raung

• There is more tectonic plate activity near Java compared to Sumatra

• Both Sinabung and Raung are located on a divergent plate boundary

• There is a greater convection current under Sumatra than under Java

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

How do patterns in earthquake data compare to the patterns in volcanic data? Select all that apply.

• The shallow parts of the ocean had the most earthquakes and volcanoes.

• Some islands have both volcanoes and earthquakes. 

• Earthquakes and volcanoes overlap in some places. 

• Earthquakes are far more common than volcanoes and are especially frequent where there are larger numbers of volcanoes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What can you conclude based on the patterns you observed across all of the maps you have analyzed? Select all that apply.

• Plate boundaries (dark black lines) are associated with areas of high volcanic and earthquake activity. 

• Volcanoes only happen on land.

• The areas of high elevations are aligned to plate boundaries in some locations and not in others.

• There is very little evidence of a pattern of earthquake and volcanic activity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Wegener also claimed that the continents moved over time to where they currently sit. Given the evidence for Pangaea, why was his theory of continental drift NOT widely accepted?

• He didn’t have enough evidence.

• People didn’t believe that fossils were once living organisms.

• Wegener was not able to explain how the continents could have moved. 

• People knew that large pieces of rock do not move on their own.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

What did Earth look like in the past?

• The Earth has always looked the same as it does today.

• The continents were in different locations than they are today.

• There were more continents than there are today

• There was less water in the oceans as compared to today.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3