Concept Review - Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift

What forms when oceanic plates move apart from each other (diverge)?

• New crust/seafloor is formed at places called mid-ocean ridges

• Volcanoes form on the land along edges of plate boundaries

• Mountains form because of the uplift of material

• Faults, like San Andreas, form

Answer explanation

When oceanic plates diverge, magma rises to fill the gap, creating new crust at mid-ocean ridges. This process forms new seafloor, making it the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A mid-ocean ridge is located at the boundary of two oceanic plates. Which diagram correctly models the relative plate motion on each side of a mid-ocean ridge?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

How do plates move at CONVERGENT boundaries?

• Collide (together)

• Move apart

• Slide past each other

Answer explanation

At convergent boundaries, tectonic plates collide (together), leading to various geological features such as mountains, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. This is why 'Collide (together)' is the correct answer.

Choose all the features that can be formed at CONVERGENT boundaries.

• Volcanoes/Mountains

• Faults

• Trenches

• Mid Ocean Ridge

• Rift Valley

Answer explanation

At convergent boundaries, tectonic plates collide, leading to the formation of volcanoes and mountains due to subduction. Trenches also form as one plate is forced under another, making them correct features. Faults and mid-ocean ridges are not typical here.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Choose all the features that can be formed at DIVERGENT boundaries.

• Volcanoes/Mountains

• Faults

• Trenches

• Mid Ocean Ridge

• Rift Valley

Answer explanation

At divergent boundaries, tectonic plates move apart, creating features like the Mid Ocean Ridge and Rift Valley. Volcanoes and mountains typically form at convergent boundaries, while trenches are associated with subduction zones.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

How do plates move at TRANSFORM boundaries?

• Collide (together)

• Move apart

• Slide past each other

Answer explanation

At transform boundaries, tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. This movement can cause earthquakes but does not involve the plates colliding or moving apart, making 'slide past each other' the correct choice.

Choose all the features that can be formed at TRANSFORM boundaries.

• Volcanoes/Mountains

• Faults

• Trenches

• Mid Ocean Ridge

• Rift Valley

Answer explanation

At transform boundaries, tectonic plates slide past each other, primarily forming faults. Unlike convergent or divergent boundaries, features like volcanoes, trenches, and mid-ocean ridges are not typically formed here.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

If you lived near a Transform Boundary, what even would you experience?

• Volcanic eruptions

• Earthquakes

• Mountains

• Finding fossils

Answer explanation

Near a Transform Boundary, tectonic plates slide past each other, causing friction and stress that often results in earthquakes. While volcanic eruptions and mountains can occur in other settings, earthquakes are the primary event experienced here.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Name the boundary

• convergent boundary

• divergent boundary

• transform boundary

• sergent boundary

Answer explanation

A convergent boundary occurs where two tectonic plates collide, often leading to mountain formation or subduction. This is the correct choice, as it describes the interaction of plates, unlike divergent or transform boundaries.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Name the boundary

• convergent boundary

• divergent boundary

• transform boundary

• sergent boundary

Answer explanation

A transform boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. This movement can cause earthquakes, making it distinct from convergent and divergent boundaries, which involve plate collision and separation, respectively.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3