Plate Tectonics Article

What analogy does the author use to describe how Earth's continents fit together?

• The plates on Earth move quickly.

• The mountains and volcanoes on Earth are pieced together.

• The plates on Earth fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

• The plates on Earth are slowly drifting apart.

Which of the following best describes Pangaea?

• The seven continents that we know now

• An area on Earth that contains a ring of volcanoes

• A giant landmass that existed over 250 million years ago

• The process by which plates move

How is Earth's crust recycled?

• Earth's crust is not recycled; it is only created.

• As molten rock seeps out of weak spots in the crust, volcanoes are formed.

• When plates slide past each other, creating friction, an earthquake forms.

• As new crust is created, old crust is forced down deep inside Earth's mantle, where it becomes molten rock again.

Scientists predict that in another 250 million years, the continents will be located in different positions. How is this possible?

• The tectonic plates on Earth are continually moving at a slow rate.

• The gravity on Earth causes the continents to move around.

• Scientists think that the continents will move back into the shape of Pangaea again.

• All of the above

The diagram illustrates a type of plate boundary. Which crustal feature is most likely to form at this type of boundary?

• Mountains

• Ridges

• Tsunami

• Earthquake