Plate Tectonics and Succession

Which of the following causes Earth's tectonic plates to move?

• Energy from the Sun

• Magnetic Pole Reversal

• Convection currents in the mantle

• Faults in Mountain Ranges

Answer explanation

Convection currents in the mantle are caused by the heat from Earth's core, creating movement in the semi-fluid mantle. This movement drives the tectonic plates above, causing them to shift and interact.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What type of event will occur at this boundary?

• Earthquake

• Volcano Eruption

• Tornado

• Mountain Building

Answer explanation

At tectonic plate boundaries, stress builds up and is released as seismic energy, causing earthquakes. Therefore, the correct event that occurs at this boundary is an earthquake.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What type of plate boundary is this?

• Plate

• Divergent

• Convergent

• Transform

Answer explanation

A convergent boundary occurs where two tectonic plates collide, often causing one plate to be forced beneath the other. This is the correct choice as it describes the interaction leading to mountain formation or subduction.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A divergent boundary occurs when plates ....

• Pull apart

• Come together

• Slide past each other

• subducting

Answer explanation

A divergent boundary occurs when tectonic plates pull apart from each other, leading to the formation of new crust. This is in contrast to convergent boundaries where plates come together.

Which of the following is the name of the ancient supercontinent formed 280 Million Years ago.

• Pangea

• Gondwanda

• Laurasia

• Neverland

Answer explanation

Pangea is the name of the ancient supercontinent that existed around 280 million years ago. It eventually broke apart to form the continents we know today, unlike Gondwana and Laurasia, which were parts of Pangea.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of the following is NOT evidence to support the theory of plate tectonics?

• Fossils

• Mountains

• Glaciers

• Sand Erosion

Answer explanation

Sand erosion does not provide direct evidence for plate tectonics, unlike fossils, mountains, and glaciers, which show historical geological activity and continental movement.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What geologic feature/event would you most likely to find at a divergent boundary between two pieces of oceanic crust?

• Rift Valley

• Mid-Ocean Ridge

• Island Arc

• Flat land

Answer explanation

At a divergent boundary between two oceanic crusts, tectonic plates move apart, creating new oceanic crust. This process forms a Mid-Ocean Ridge, characterized by underwater volcanic activity and rift valleys, making it the correct answer.

What geologic feature/event would you most likely to find at a convergent boundary between two pieces of continental crust?

• Volcano

• Mountain

• Rift

• Island Arc

Answer explanation

At a convergent boundary between two continental crusts, the collision leads to the formation of mountains due to the intense pressure and folding of the crust. This is why 'Mountain' is the correct answer.

Which piece of evidence did Wegener use to prove continental drift?

• The shape of the continents

• Similar fossils found on separate continents

• Tree fossils found in odd places

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Wegener used multiple pieces of evidence to support continental drift, including the shape of the continents, similar fossils found on separate continents, and tree fossils in unusual locations. Thus, the correct answer is 'All of the above'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

As you travel from the inner core to the crust, how would temperature, pressure and density of the material change?

• The would all increase

• The would all decrease.

• Nothing, the layers are made of the same material throughout

• Temperature would decrease, but pressure and density would increase

Answer explanation

As you move from the inner core to the crust, temperature decreases due to the loss of geothermal heat, while pressure and density also decrease because the weight of overlying material is less. Thus, all three properties decrease.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1