Plate Tectonics, Fossils, and Natural Hazards

A collision between two pieces of continental crust at a converging boundary produces a...

• mid-ocean ridge

• deep-ocean trench

• rift valley

• mountain range

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Using what we know about plate tectonics and how Mt. Everest was formed, what caused fossils of this sea creature to end up near the top of Mt. Everest?

• An ancient ocean once covered Mt. Everest, and the fossil was left behind when the water dried up.

• 
  Powerful winds and erosion carried the fossil from the ocean to the top of the mountain.

• Two continental crusts collided, pushing up rock layers that were once at the bottom of the ocean.

• 
  A volcanic eruption lifted the fossil from the ocean floor to the top of the mountain.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

The Andes Mountains are growing taller due to interactions between the Nazca Plate and the South American Plate.

Based on what we have learned in class, why are the Andes Mountains growing?

• The Nazca Plate is moving away from the South American Plate, causing the mountains to expand.

• The Nazca Plate is subducting beneath the South American Plate, forcing the continental crust upward and causing the mountains to grow.

• The South American Plate is sinking beneath the Nazca Plate, creating more landmass.

• Earthquakes in the region are pushing the mountains upward without any plate interactions.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Lystrosaurus was a slow-moving, plant-eating reptile that lived over 250 million years ago. Fossils of Lystrosaurus have been found in the brown areas shown below.

How is this explained by the existence of Pangaea?

• 
  Lystrosaurus swam across the oceans from one continent to another.

• 
  Africa, Antarctica, and India used to be joined together into a single landmass.

• Lystrosaurus drifted on rafts of vegetation from one continent to another.

• 
  Land bridges once crossed oceans to connect Africa, Antarctica, and India.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

A type of rock that forms when sediment accumulates and compacts and cements together is called...

• sedimentary rock

• igneous rock

• metamorphic rock

• magma

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-5

What processes are occurring at letter A?

• Cementation and compaction

• Cooling and hardening

• Weathering and Erosion

• Melting and crystallization

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

A shallow earthquake of 8.2 magnitude occurred along a colliding plate boundary in the Pacific Ocean. Should authorities immediately send tsunami warning signals to countries that touch the Pacific Ocean?

• No, because earthquakes of this magnitude are not strong enough to generate tsunamis.

• Yes, because all earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean automatically trigger tsunami warnings.

• Yes, because shallow, high-magnitude earthquakes at colliding plate boundaries can generate tsunamis.

• No, because only deep earthquakes can generate tsunamis.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

A coastal town wants to protect itself from tsunamis. Which solution best follows the rules for a good design by considering scientific principles, safety, environmental impact, and cost as a constraint?

• Building a sea wall without studying how it might change ocean currents, harm marine life, or if the town can afford it.

• 
  Creating a submerged breakwater that helps reduce wave energy, does not harm marine ecosystems, and is affordable for the town.

• Constructing a recurved wall to deflect waves, but without testing if it is strong enough or fits within the town's budget.

• Planting mangroves without checking if they can survive in the town’s climate, provide enough protection, or fit within the budget.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

A coastal town needs to choose the best solution to protect against tsunamis. Evaluate these options based on how well they meet the needs for safety, cost, and the environment.

1. 1. Recurved Wall – Stops tsunami waves, but is expensive and may harm marine life.

2. 2. Mangroves – Natural protection, helps the environment, but takes time to grow and may not thrive in the town's climate.

3. 3. Submerged Breakwater – Reduces wave energy without harming marine life, is effective and environmentally friendly, and reasonably priced.

4. 4. Sea Wall – Blocks waves, but is very expensive and can damage the environment.

Which solution is the best?

• 
  Recurved Wall – It’s effective, but too expensive and harms the environment.

• Mangroves – Inexpensive and good for the environment, but slow and may not work well in this area.

• Submerged Breakwater – It works well, helps nature, and is reasonably priced.

• Sea Wall – It blocks waves but is too expensive and harms nature.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3