lesson 1
lesson 2
lesson 3
lesson 4
lesson 5
100
Analyze the map to answer the following questions.
1. How do patterns in earthquake data compare to the patterns in volcanic data?
Earthquakes and volcanoes overlap in some places.
Some islands have both volcanoes and earthquakes.
Earthquakes are far more common than volcanoes and are especially frequent where there are larger numbers of volcanoes.
100
This map shows where there is evidence of erosion by glaciers. Glaciers carved grooves on Earth’s surface as they moved. All of the glacial erosion occurred at approximately the same time in Earth’s history. The arrows indicate the direction in which the glaciers moved at each location.
Does this evidence support the theory of Continental Drift? Select the statement that supports your thinking.
It supports it because glacial movement out from a central point suggests that the continents were once much closer than they are now.
100
What are important reasons why scientists use models?
Models are useful to illustrate and explain a phenomenon.
Models can be used to make predictions about a phenomenon.
Models are updated as new evidence is discovered.
100
Deep within the Earth’s rock layers, the conditions are very hot. Where does the heat come from?
The heat deep within the Earth comes from the Earth’s core.
100
What are ways that plates can move in relation to other plates? Select all that apply
a. Plates can move alongside each other
b. Plates can slide on top of another plate
c. Plates can move toward each other.
d. Plates can move away from each other.
a. Plates can move alongside each other
c. Plates can move toward each other.
d. Plates can move away from each other.
200
There are many earthquakes and some volcanoes that occur in the middle of the ocean and in the center of Europe.
There are earthquakes but no volcanoes in Australia.
There are several volcanoes in northern Africa but very few earthquakes.
200
Follow the instructions to complete Parts 1 and 2 below.
Part 1. Wegener claimed that the continents were once one large landmass that he called Pangaea. Which of the following choices did Wegner give as evidence for continental drift?
The fit of continents, rock sequence, glacial evidence
Identical fossil species on different continents (both plant and animal), Antarctic climate changes
200
Which is a better model of the Earth, a world map or a globe?
Whether a world map or a globe is better depends on how they will be used.
200
In class, you used Silly Putty® as a simulation for how metamorphic rocks are formed. What did the simulation suggest about what happens to metamorphic rock as it is formed?
Metamorphic rock forms when rock is heated and slowly deformed, resulting in a foliated/curvy appearance. The rock does not necessarily melt, so the mantle consists of solid rock material that is hot and can deform (but is still solid).
200
The solid rock of the cliff in this photograph is part of a continent. What is the relationship between the continent and Earth’s plates?
The continent is part of a plate.
300
Earthquakes and volcanoes often occur on or near areas of high elevation - on land and in the ocean.
300
Wegener also claimed that the continents moved over time to where they currently sit. Given the evidence for Pangaea, why was his theory of continental drift NOT widely accepted?
Wegener was not able to explain how the continents could have moved. Wegener thought that the continents plowed through the ocean floor, but physicists knew that this could not happen without the continent breaking apart.
300
What do we know about plates that would be important to include when constructing a model to explain what they are?
plates are different shapes and sizes.
plates cover Earth’s entire surface with no significant gaps.
plates are huge, flat, rigid slabs of rock that independently move on the surface of Earth.
300
Which of the following is TRUE about the movement of earth’s plates?
a. They do not move because they sit on a layer of solid rock.
b. They move along with the layer of slightly softened rock below them.
c. They move by floating on a layer of completely melted rock below them.
d. They do not move until the solid rock layer beneath them temporarily melts and moves.
b. They move along with the layer of slightly softened rock below them
300
Which is not a feature of two oceanic plates that move away from each other?
a. New crust is added each time magma erupts, creating a ridge of underwater mountains.
b. As the melted rock is pushed away, it takes the plate with the new crust with it like a conveyor belt.
c. The rocks on the ocean floor are gradually older as you move farther away from the mid-ocean ridges.
d. One crust subducts below another crust and as it subducts it melts. The melted rock rises to the surface and creates a volcano.
One crust subducts below another crust and as it subducts it melts. The melted rock rises to the surface and creates a volcano.
400
There are many plates of different shapes and sizes that make up the Earth’s surface.
Continents do not define plates - both continent and ocean can be a part of a plate.
400
Which of the following phenomena support the theory of Continental Drift and Pangaea? Select all that apply.
The same animal fossils have been found on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.
The same fossil fern plant has been found in South America, India, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and Madagascar.
There are volcanic mountain chains on the West coast of South America.
The rocks from Africa line up perfectly with South America.
The puzzle-like fit of South America and Africa.
The Appalachian Mountain range is mostly made from metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.
The same animal fossils have been found on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.
The same fossil fern plant has been found in South America, India, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and Madagascar
* The rocks from Africa line up perfectly with South America.
*The puzzle-like fit of South America and Africa.
400
Which statements accurately describe Earth’s plates? Select all that apply.
a. Plate maps need to be updated on a yearly basis as many plates move several kilometers a year.
b. Continents and ocean basins are the top parts of plates.
c. Some continents move on their own while others ride on top of plates.
d. The plates are what is moving and carrying the continents and ocean basins with them.
Continents and ocean basins are the top parts of plates.
The plates are what is moving and carrying the continents and ocean basins with them.
400
Which of the following is TRUE about when mountains have developed on Earth?
a. All mountains on Earth today were present when Earth formed.
b. Mountains developed for a while after Earth first formed, but no new mountains are developing today.
c. Mountains have been developing continuously since Earth formed, and mountains are still developing today.
d. Mountains have only occasionally developed since Earth formed.
c. Mountains have been developing continuously since Earth formed, and mountains are still developing today.
500
Plate boundaries (dark black lines) are associated with areas of high volcanic and earthquake activity.
The areas of high elevations are aligned to plate boundaries in some locations and not in others.
500
10.
Fifty years after Wegener’s death, scientists discovered that:
There are mountain ranges on the ocean floor - the major one is known as the mid-ocean ridge.
The ocean floor is made of volcanic rock that varies in age. The youngest rock is near the mid-ocean ridges and gradually gets older far from the ridge.
There are trenches (canyons) on the ocean floor.
After looking at this new data, scientists developed new ideas about how continents appeared to be moving. Which statements below explain ocean floor spreading and how this process is related to the mid-ocean ridge. (Select all that apply.)
a. New rock is formed where the magma from below Earth’s surface rises to the ocean surface and overtime forms an underwater mountain range - a mid-ocean ridge.
b. The new rock cools and pulls away from the ridge which explains why the ocean floor at the mid-ocean ridge is younger compared with the ocean floor moving away from the ridge.
c. Underwater mountain ranges are created the same way that mountain ranges on the land are created. What happens in the ocean also happens on land.
d. Scientists are unable to explain ocean floor spreading without more evidence and processes to determine the correct age of rocks.
a. New rock is formed where the magma from below Earth’s surface rises to the ocean surface and overtime forms an underwater mountain range - a mid-ocean ridge.
b. The new rock cools and pulls away from the ridge which explains why the ocean floor at the mid-ocean ridge is younger compared with the ocean floor moving away from the ridge.