Geological Movement
Convergent and Divergent plate movements
Chemical and Physical Processes
100
A student writes down some possible properties of different layers of Earth.
Which layer(s) is (are) matched with the correct properties?
Asthenosphere only
100
Which statement supports the claim that the continental crust was once joined together as one supercontinent, Pangaea?
- The seven continents’ borders match up together similar to puzzle pieces.
- The continent of North America has gradually grown in size over the past 4 billion years.
- Seismic activity occurs at plate boundaries around the world.
- Every continent has at least one major mountain range.
The seven continents’ borders match up together similar to puzzle pieces.
100
The graphic shows the distribution of fossils of four different organisms (Cynognathus, Mesosaurus, Glossopteris, and Lystrosaurus ) spread across different landmasses.
Which theory or law is most likely supported from the information in the graphic?
The Theory of Plate Tectonics
200
A student looks at an image showing the different layers of Earth beneath the Atlantic Ocean.
What process directly moves the plates?
Convection Currents
200
Why do geologists drill through the oceanic crust in their attempt to reach the mantle?
- It is softer than the continental crust.
It is thinner than the continental crust.
It is younger than the continental crust.
It is less dense than the continental crust.
It is thinner than the continental crust.
200
Greenland is very close to the North Pole and is covered with continental glaciers. What conclusion can be made about evidence of glaciers found in the northeastern United States?
It was much colder in the northeastern United States in the past.
300
What is the order of the Earth's interior from surface to center? (4 layers)
Crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
300
How do rock samples collected from the sea floor provide evidence of tectonic plate movement?
- Older rocks are found near the deep-ocean trenches.
- Older rocks are near the center of mid-ocean ridges.
- Younger rocks are near the deep-ocean trenches.
- Younger rocks are mixed with older rocks at mid-ocean ridges.
Older rocks are found near the deep-ocean trenches.
300
A scientist determines the age of fossils found in different rock layers of a region. The table shows the data recorded.
What can be concluded from the data
Rock layer 4 is the oldest of the rock layers examined.
400
What causes the tectonic plates of Earth to continually move?
CONVECTION CURRENTS
400
The diagrams show 4 cross sections of exposed bedrock.
Which cross section of bedrock shows the least evidence of crustal movement?
Diagram 2
400
A paleontologist discovered many Lystrosaurus fossils in South America, Africa, India, and Antarctica. These fossils are found nowhere else on Earth. Based on the species anatomy and rock layer depth, the paleontologist concluded that the now-extinct Lystrosaurus species was a large land reptile that lived during the Mesozoic Era.
What can be inferred from this fossil evidence?
Millions of years ago, South America, Africa, India, and Antarctica were once joined together in a much larger landmass.
500
What is the primary cause for continental drift, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions?
Convection Currents
500
In 1912, Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift, stating that all the continents were once joined together and slowly moved apart. However, his theory was not widely accepted in his time. In 1962, the discovery of sea floor spreading (sea floor being forced apart by the formation of new crust) eventually led to a more modern and widely accepted theory of plate tectonics.
Why did the theory of plate tectonics improve upon Wegener’s theory of continental drift?
The theory of plate tectonics was a more complete theory because it provided a reason and mechanism for why the plates and continents moved.
500
Which explanation best accounts for the fossil evidence?
The continents were once joined together within a larger landmass.