Plate Tectonics

Scientists hypothesize that a super continent existed 200 million years ago.  This continent is called

• America
• Super Earth
• Pangea
• Eurasia

_______________ Currents within the mantle cause the earth's plates to move and shift s molten material rises and falls due to density and gravity

• Convection
• Radiation
• Conduction
• Wind

A plate boundary where two plates move away from each other is called

• Divergent Boundary
• Convergent Boundary
• Transform Boundary
• Subduction

Divergent Plate movement can create

• Convection Currents
• Conduction
• Mountains
• Rifts and ocean ridges

There are three types of plate boundaries. Which choice is NOT a type of plate boundary?

• convergent
• thrust
• divergent
• transform

When pressure builds between two tectonic plates, it can suddenly release causing a (an) ______________________

• Earthquake
• Volcano
• Convection Current
• Gravitational Pull

In some areas of the world, like California and Japan, earthquakes are a common occurrence. How can this best be explained?

• The strong ocean currents are undermining both areas causing earthquakes.

• Both areas are located near the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the unstable sand causes earthquakes.

• Both areas are subjected to strong ocean wind and waves that causes earthquakes.

• Both areas are on the boundary of active plates, the motion of the plates causes earthquakes.

Subduction zones occur on Earth where dense oceanic crust dives under more buoyant continental crust. These boundaries are characterized by a deep ocean trench next to a high continental mountain range, large numbers of earthquakes and volcanoes. All of this is further evidence for the

• big bang theory.
• theory of plate tectonics.
• origin of the species.
• theory of natural selection.
  

Observe this diagram of a plate boundary. One statement BEST describes what is happening. It is that

• the oceanic crust is melting.

• the denser oceanic crust is subducting under the less dense continental crust

• volcanic islands are forming.

• the tectonic plates are moving away from each other.

The map in the picture shows tectonic plate boundaries. This map would be useful in predicting the location of future

• droughts

• hurricanes

• earthquakes

• tornadoes