Unit 5: Plate Tectonics Vocabulary Assessment

What is the term for an explanation of why a phenomenon occurs?

• hypothesis

• theory

• law

• fault

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which describes the process where a dense plate sinks under a less dense plate?

• convergent boundary

• divergent boundary

• transform boundary

• subduction

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

What is magma called once it reaches Earth's surface?

• hot spot

• volcano

• lava

• fault

Which term describes the boundary where tectonic plates move away from each other?

• transform boundary

• convergent boundary

• divergent boundary

• subduction zone

What is the name for vibrations that travel through Earth carrying energy?

• seismic waves

• convection currents

• faults

• hot spots

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which term describes one giant continent that contained most landmasses long ago?

• continental drift

• supercontinent

• ocean basin

• tectonic plate

What is the process of thermal energy transfer where fluids rise and fall due to temperature differences?

• subduction

• superposition

• convection current

• continental drift

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

Which describes the rating system for earthquake magnitude from 0-9?

• seismic waves

• fault lines

• superposition

• Richter scale

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

What is the term for a break in Earth's crust or mantle?

• earthquake

• fault

• subduction

• volcano

What is the area under ocean water called?

• supercontinent

• ocean basin

• hot spot

• fault line