Plate Tectonics

Part I: Vocabulary Matching — Match each term to the correct definition.

• Extremely hot areas of Earth’s mantle that cause the crust above them to melt and create volcanoes away from plate boundaries

• Supervolcano

• A major geological event that occurs when continental plates of equal density converge, resulting in mountain chains

• Ocean basin

• A depression of Earth’s surface in which an ocean lies

• Hot spots

• A dormant volcano with an eruption rating of 8 on the VEI (Volcano Explosivity Index) meaning erupted material was expelled over 240 cubic miles

• Earthquake

• A major geological event that occurs when plates shift suddenly and release stored energy; a frequent occurrence along all types of plate boundaries

• Mountain building

In the world map diagram which feature is shown by each outlined section?

Answer explanation

Tectonic Plate

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Label the image.

a

b

c

d

e

subduction

Convergent Boundary

Magma

Transform Boundary

divergent boundary

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Based on what you know about plate tectonics, how is it possible that scientists have discovered fossils of the same species in South Africa, India, and Australia?

• The continents were once joined as a supercontinent, and later drifted apart, carrying identical species to different landmasses

• Ocean currents recently transported entire skeletons across vast distances to new shores

• Similar climates independently produced identical species on different continents without any movement of land

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Suppose a photo of Earth is taken from space 25 million years from now. Would the landmasses appear the way they do now, or would they appear different? Choose the best explanation.

• They would appear different because tectonic plates continue to move over millions of years

• They would look the same because continents are locked in fixed positions

• They would disappear beneath rising sea levels in that time span

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The diagram shows an example of ocean basin formation. Which statement identifies the youngest bands of rock and how they were formed?

• A and L are the youngest. The newest rock forms at the edges and moves toward the center as it ages

• F and G are the youngest. The newest rock forms at the center and moves toward the edges as it ages

• A and F are the youngest. The newest rock forms on the left and moves toward the right as it ages

• G and L are the youngest. The newest rock forms on the right and moves toward the left as it ages.

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The distribution of fossils is used as evidence for plate tectonics. The distribution of four different fossil organisms over three different continents is shown in the diagram. The distribution of which organisms can be used as evidence that Africa was once connected to South America?

• Lystrosaurus, Mesosaurus, and Glossopteris

• Cynognathus, Glossopteris, and Lystrosaurus

• Glossopteris, Cynognathus, and Mesosaurus

• Cynognathus, Mesosaurus, and Lystrosaurus

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The earthquakes experienced in California are related to tectonic plates. These events are the result of what process?

• Two tectonic plates sliding past each other

• Tectonic plates melting as they slide into the mantle

• Two tectonic plates pulling away from each other

• Tectonic plates being weathered over time

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The diagram shows evidence of geologic change in an area. The labels for each area are as follows: A is sandstone, B is shale, C is limestone, D is igneous basalt. Which sequence best describes the area’s geologic history?

• The rock layers were deposited in this order: limestone, shale, sandstone. Then, a fault moved the layers. Finally, magma pushed into the rock.

• The rock layers were deposited in this order: sandstone, shale, limestone. Then, magma pushed into the rock. Finally, a fault moved the layers.

• The rock layers were deposited in this order: limestone, shale, sandstone. Then, magma pushed into the rock. Finally, a fault moved the layers.

• The rock layers were deposited in this order: sandstone, shale, limestone. Then, a fault moved the layers. Finally, magma pushed into the rock

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Hot spots are a type of landform caused by plate tectonics. Which of the following correctly identifies how hot spots are formed?

• Hot spots are formed on land when magma escapes from the crust, and the plate moves over time, causing a chain of new land formations

• Hot spots are formed in the ocean when magma escapes from the crust, and the plate moves over time, causing a chain of new land formations

• Hot spots are formed when a volcano erupts on land.

• Hot spots are formed when a volcano erupts in the ocean.