WorksheetsTectonic plates
Total questions: 74
Worksheet time: 1hrs 20mins
Islands are often formed at the boundaries of tectonic plates. These plates are large portions of lithosphere that move slowly over the more fluid, underlying material in the region below the crust.
What is the term for the region indicated by an X in the diagram?
asthenosphere
hydrosphere
inner core
outer core
How are the lithosphere and the asthenosphere similar?
They are both part of the crust.
They are both part of the mantle.
They both have the same thicknesses.
They both have the same physical properties.
Use the information to answer the question.
Which statements are true?
In 1912, Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift, stating that all the continents were once joined together and slowly moved apart. However, his theory was not widely accepted in his time. In 1962, the discovery of sea floor spreading (sea floor being forced apart by the formation of new crust) eventually led to a more modern and widely accepted theory of plate tectonics.
Why did the theory of plate tectonics improve upon Wegener’s theory of continental drift?
The theory of plate tectonics was a less complete theory because it provided a reason and mechanism for why the plates and continents moved.
The theory of plate tectonics was a more complete theory because it failed to provide reasons and mechanisms for why the plates and continents moved.
The theory of plate tectonics was a less complete theory because it failed to provide complete reasons and mechanisms for why the plates and continents moved.
The theory of plate tectonics was a more complete theory because it provided a reason and mechanism for why the plates and continents moved.
Ancient fossils have been placed on the map indicating where they were found.
The strongest evidence exists for which two continents to have been connected when Pangaea was present?
South America and Africa
North America and Africa
Africa and Australia
South America and Australia
Use the information to answer the question.
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.
Islands are often formed at the boundaries of tectonic plates. These plates are large portions of lithosphere that move slowly over the more fluid, underlying material in the region below the crust.
What is the term for the region indicated by an X in the diagram?
asthenosphere
hydrosphere
inner core
outer core
A student records observations about two different layers of the Earth as shown in the table.
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
How are the lithosphere and the asthenosphere similar?
They are both part of the crust.
They are both part of the mantle.
They both have the same thicknesses.
They both have the same physical properties.
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?
Use the information to answer the question.
Which statements are true?
How do rock samples collected from the sea floor provide evidence of tectonic plate movement?
Older rocks are found near the deep-ocean trenches.
Older rocks are near the center of mid-ocean ridges.
Younger rocks are near the deep-ocean trenches.
Younger rocks are mixed with older rocks at mid-ocean ridges.
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.
In 1912, Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift, stating that all the continents were once joined together and slowly moved apart. However, his theory was not widely accepted in his time. In 1962, the discovery of sea floor spreading (sea floor being forced apart by the formation of new crust) eventually led to a more modern and widely accepted theory of plate tectonics.
Why did the theory of plate tectonics improve upon Wegener’s theory of continental drift?
The theory of plate tectonics was a less complete theory because it provided a reason and mechanism for why the plates and continents moved.
The theory of plate tectonics was a more complete theory because it failed to provide reasons and mechanisms for why the plates and continents moved.
The theory of plate tectonics was a less complete theory because it failed to provide complete reasons and mechanisms for why the plates and continents moved.
The theory of plate tectonics was a more complete theory because it provided a reason and mechanism for why the plates and continents moved.
Ancient fossils have been placed on the map indicating where they were found.
The strongest evidence exists for which two continents to have been connected when Pangaea was present?
South America and Africa
North America and Africa
Africa and Australia
South America and Australia
Greenland is very close to the North Pole and is covered with continental glaciers. What conclusion can be made about evidence of glaciers found in the northeastern United States?
It was much colder in the northeastern United States in the past.
It was much warmer near the North Pole in the past.
The glaciers near the North Pole formed later than the ones farther south.
The northeastern United States was once located closer to the Equator.
Use the information to answer the question.
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.
The image shows fossils in different layers of rocks.
Which layer most likely contains fossils of organisms that resemble the presently living dragonfly?
layer B
layer C
layer D
layer F
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.
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
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.
What type of landform is most likely formed by a divergent tectonic plate boundary?
island arc
oceanic trench
rift zone
folded mountains
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.
A student writes down some possible properties of different layers of Earth.
Which layer(s) is (are) matched with the correct properties?
asthenosphere only
continental crust only
asthenosphere and lithosphere
continental crust and oceanic crust
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
The Mesosaurus was a fresh water reptile that existed on Earth about 250 million years ago. Fossils of the reptile can be found today in some rock layers in both Africa and South America as shown on the map below in locations X and Y.
Which reason bestexplains why fossils of this animal are found on both continents today?
The ocean between the two continents was once frozen, and the Mesosaurus traveled across the ice.
The continents were once joined together as a single land mass.
The Mesosaurus swam across the ocean due to its migration.
During a sea level rise and floods fossil remains of the Mesosaurus were carried across the oceans between the two continents.
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
Describe the most likely relationship between these mountains and nearby tectonic plates.
The mountains are probably formed by earthquakes
The mountains are probably formed by the movement of glaciers
The mountains are probably located near the edge of 2 tectonic plates.
The mountains are probably formed by running water.
Is there a pattern to the locations of earthquakes and volcanoes around the globe?
No, earthquakes and volcanoes are random.
Yes, earthquakes and volcanoes usually occur near the boundaries of tectonic plates.
yes, earthquakes and volcanoes usually occur in the middle of tectonic plates.
No, earthquakes and volcanoes usually occur under water.
Most earthquakes tend to occur at which location?
The central regions of very large continents
Groups of islands farthest from any continents
The boundaries between continents and oceans
The steep slopes of the very oldest mountains
A map is provided that presents information on a certain region of the Earth. Based on the information on the map, at which location are mountains most likely to form?
A
B
C
D
The Ring of Fire is an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. What claim can be made about the Ring of Fire from this information?
It is the only place on Earth where earthquakes can happen.
The edges of the tectonic plates are moving in this area.
It represents the areas where tectonic plates are the thickest.
It has been getting larger since Earth first formed.
A force caused the continents to drift apart over time. Once scientists figured out what that force was, the theory of plate tectonics was born! The image above shows what Geologists think the Earth looked like millions of years ago. What name was given to this land mass.
Plate Tectonics
Oceana
Pangea
North America
Tectonic plates float on top of the ________
Crust
Mantle
Inner Core
Outer Core
The interaction of tectonic plate boundaries is associated with which of the following events?
hurricanes
tornados
earthquakes
Movement between the Pacific plate and the North American plate create the San Andreas Fault in California. What type of motion is occurring?
convergent
divergent
transform
The interaction of two plate boundaries can cause which of the following?
hurricanes and tornadoes
earthquakes and volcanoes
high winds and drought
An image of the relative motion at a tectonic plate boundary is provided. What event will occur at the boundary shown?
mountain formation
an earthquake
volcanic island formation
Where two tectonic plates converge and move toward each other, which of the following is likely to result?
mountain range
rift valley
arid desert
The boundary between the Pacific Plate and the Australian Plate is a transform boundary. What event is likely to occur at this boundary?
mountain formation
earthquakes
volcanic eruptions
When two tectonic plates converge, the land above sea level in this area often generates–
mountain ranges
landslides
tsunamis
A boundary formed when two plates move away from each other.
convergent boundary
divergent boundary
transform boundary
Mountains and __________ can be formed at convergent boundaries.
volcanoes
rift valleys
mid-ocean ridges
When plates move past each other, it can result in a volcanic eruption.
true
false
A boundary formed when two plates move past each other is called a transform boundary.
true
false
A boundary formed when two plates collide.
convergent
divergent
transform
Huge pieces of lithosphere that slowly move on the asthenosphere and consist of the crust and the rigid, uppermost part of the mantle
tectonic plates
North American Plate
Eurasian Plate
African Plate
A tectonic plate division of the lithosphere that includes the continental crust of Greenland, North America, Siberia, and the surrounding oceanic crust.
tectonic plates
African Plate
North American Plate
South American Plate
A tectonic plate division of the lithosphere, including most of the landmasses of Europe and Asia.
South American Plate
North American Plate
Eurasian Plate
African Plate
A tectonic plate division of the lithosphere that includes the continental crust of Africa and the surrounding oceanic crust.
African Plate
South American Plate
North American Plate
Eurasian Plate
A tectonic plate division of the lithosphere that includes the continental crust of South America and the oceanic crust extending to the Mid-Atlantic ridge.
North American Plate
Eurasian Plate
African Plate
South American Plate
A tectonic plate division of the lithosphere that includes the continental crust of India and Australia and the surrounding oceanic crust.
Pacific Plate
Antarctic Plate
Indo-Australian Plate
African Plate
A tectonic plate division of the lithosphere that is composed entirely of oceanic crust and lies beneath the Pacific Ocean
Antarctic Plate
Indo-Australian Plate
Pacific Plate
Atlantic Plate
A tectonic plate division of the lithosphere that includes the continental crust of Antarctica and the surrounding oceanic crust.
Indo-Australian Plate
Antarctic Plate
African Plate
Pacific Plate
the place where two different plates have contact.
Pacific Plate
Mountains
Earthquakes
Plate Boundaries
