Understanding Plate Boundaries

What is a plate boundary?

• The center of the Earth where temperatures are highest

• The edge of a tectonic plate where it meets another plate

• A type of rock formation found on continents

• The point on the Earth's surface directly above where an earthquake occurs

Answer explanation

A plate boundary is the edge of a tectonic plate where it meets another plate.

Tags

ESS.2.B

What happens at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a known divergent plate boundary?

• The plates move towards each other

• The plates slide past each other

• The plates move away from each other, and can creating new crust

• The plates melt completely, forming magma

Answer explanation

At a divergent plate boundary, the plates move away from each other, and can create new crust, leading to the correct choice.

Tags

ESS.2.B

Which of the following is an example of a convergent plate boundary?

• The East African Rift

• The San Andreas Fault

• The Himalayas

• The Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Answer explanation

The Himalayas is an example of a convergent plate boundary where two tectonic plates collide, causing the formation of mountains.

Tags

ESS.2.B

What happens at the San Andreas Fault in California?

• New crust is created

• Crust is destroyed

• Plates slide past each other horizontally

• Plates move vertically

Answer explanation

Transform plate boundaries are characterized by the sliding of plates past each other horizontally.

Tags

ESS.2.B

Which of the following is an example of a transform plate boundary?

• The Andes Mountains

• The San Andreas Fault

• The Mariana Trench

• The Great Rift Valley

Answer explanation

The San Andreas Fault is an example of a transform plate boundary because it is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

Tags

ESS.2.B

How do plate boundaries impact California?

• They have no significant impact

• They cause California to experience frequent earthquakes

• They make California colder than surrounding areas

• They result in California having a very flat landscape

Answer explanation

Plate boundaries impact California by causing the state to experience frequent earthquakes.

Tags

ESS.2.B

What is a fault?

• A large ocean wave caused by underwater earthquakes

• A break in the Earth's crust where blocks of the crust slide relative to each other

• A type of volcano

• A mountain range formed by the collision of two tectonic plates

Answer explanation

A fault is a break in the Earth's crust where blocks of the crust slide relative to each other.

Tags

ESS.2.B

What is a characteristic feature of a divergent boundary on oceanic crust?

• The formation of deep ocean trenches

• The creation of new oceanic crust as magma rises and solidifies

• The development of large mountain ranges

• The occurrence of large volcanic eruptions

Answer explanation

At a divergent boundary on oceanic crust, new oceanic crust is created as magma rises and solidifies, making it the characteristic feature of this type of boundary.

Tags

ESS.2.B