Tectonic Plates and Landforms

Which explanation best accounts for the fossil evidence?

• The continents were once connected by a large land bridge.

• The reptile species evolved on the two different continents at the same time.

• The continents were once joined together within a larger landmass.

• The reptile species floated across the Atlantic Ocean on logs.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A student makes a model to show two continental plates at a convergent boundary by first breaking a clay block into two pieces. He then pushes the two pieces against one another with constant force, as shown in stages 1 and 2. The student concludes that mountains are formed when two continental plates collide at a convergent boundary. Which statement best supports the student’s conclusion?

• Both halves of the block are equal in dimensions.

• The texture of the block resembles continental crust.

• The fault line in stage 1 is vertical, and this is descriptive of all continental boundaries.

• Both stages 1 and 2 have the same densities, and one plate cannot sink under the other.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What type of landform is most likely formed by a divergent tectonic plate boundary?

• island arc

• oceanic trench

• rift zone

• folded mountains

What do Layers 1 and 2 represent?

• Layer 1: asthenosphere; Layer 2: continental crust

• Layer 1: continental crust; Layer 2: lithosphere

• Layer 1: asthenosphere; Layer 2: lithosphere

• Layer 1: lithosphere; Layer 2: asthenosphere

Assume that the diagram below shows a cross section of part of the lithosphere.

Which diagram correctly shows what will happen to the lithosphere when pushed by tectonic forces?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which statement describes the differences between continental and oceanic crust?

• Continental crust is thin with low density, while oceanic crust is thick with high density.

• Continental crust is thick with low density, while oceanic crust is thin with high density.

• Continental crust is thick with high density, while oceanic crust is thin with low density.

• Continental crust is thin with high density, while oceanic crust is thick with low density.

A student prepared a list of changes that can occur to landforms through volcanic eruptions.

Which changes in the student’s list are correct?

• 1 and 2

• 1 and 3

• 2 and 3

• 3 and 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Earthquakes occur along the San Andreas Fault in California. Which statement best describes plate motion in the area during the time between earthquakes?

• Plate motion stops, and plate tension decreases.

• Plate motion continues, and plate tension increases.

• Plate motion continues, and plate tension increases. Plate motion stops, and only the mantle moves.

• Plate motion reverses, and plates return to their original positions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

The map below shows the present day locations of South America and Africa. Remains of Mesosaurus, an extinct fresh water reptile have been found in similarly aged rock layers formed from lake sediments.

Which statement represents the most logical conclusion from this evidence?

• Mesosaurus migrated across frozen oceans from Africa to South America during an ice age.

• The continents of South America and Africa were once joined when the Mesosaurus lived.

• The continents of South America and Africa once had underground waterways where the Mesosaurus travelled from continent to continent.

• The continents of South America and Africa had very different climates from each other which caused the Mesosaurus to migrate from season to season.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The diagram below shows the continents present day continents once joined together as one super continent.

What is the name of this one large landmass?

• Eurasia

• Gondwanaland

• Laurasia

• Pangaea