Understanding Tectonic Plates

What are the physical layers of Earth based on?

• Color

• Temperature

• Behavior and properties

• Chemical composition

Which layer of Earth is described as brittle and rigid?

• Lithosphere

• Outer core

• Mesosphere

• Asthenosphere

How is the asthenosphere best described?

• Liquid and flowing

• Hard and unbreakable

• Solid and brittle

• Soft and pliable

What is a common misconception about tectonic plates?

• They are part of the lithosphere

• They are deep underground

• They are visible on the Earth's surface

• They are made of rock

What is a tectonic plate boundary?

• A gap between plates

• A place where plates meet

• A solid outer shell

• A type of rock

Where are most tectonic plate boundaries located?

• Underwater

• In the mountains

• In the sky

• On land

What causes tectonic plates to move?

• Wind currents

• Convection currents

• Magnetic fields

• Earthquakes

What did Alfred Wegener fail to understand about continental movement?

• Continents move independently

• Continents are made of water

• Continents are part of tectonic plates

• Continents are stationary

What analogy is used to describe the movement of tectonic plates?

• A flying kite

• A spinning top

• A rolling ball

• A conveyor belt

How many major tectonic plates are there on Earth?

• 8

• 5

• 12

• 20