A Changing Planet

At a convergent boundary, two plates __________. A. collide B. separate C. slide past each other D. move apart

A. collide

After he observed that South America and Africa fit together like pieces of a puzzle, Alfred Wegener developed the theory of __________. A. continental drift B. plate tectonics C. tectonic activity D. the layers of the Earth

A. continental drift

Seafloor spreading and rift valleys occur at __________ boundaries. A. divergent B. convergent C. transform D. supercontinent

A. divergent

The Ring of Fire is a region of tectonic activity. This means that it is an area where __________ are especially common. A. earthquakes B. droughts C. thunderstorms D. tornadoes

A. earthquakes

At a divergent plate boundary, two plates __________. A. separate B. collide C. converge D. slide past each other

A. separate

Which of the layers of the Earth has the following three characteristics? i. It is made of molten rock. ii. It has currents that are constantly moving. iii. Earth's plates float on top of its currents. A. the mantle B. the inner core C. the outer core D. the crust

A. the mantle

What is the theory of continental drift? What did Alfred Wegener notice that helped him to create this theory?

Alfred Wegener noticed that on a world map, South America and Africa look as if they might fit together like pieces of a puzzle. He began to develop a theory he called continental drift. This theory stated that the Earth's continents were once grouped together into a supercontinent called Pangaea. They slowly began to drift away from each other over time. They moved to their current location today, and they are still moving. Wegener's theory helped geographers and geologists to create the theory of plate tectonics.

Which of the following statements is NOT a part of the theory of plate tectonics? A. Plates float on top of the Earth's mantle. B. The Earth's plates never move. C. Tectonic activity happens at plate boundaries. D. The Earth's crust is composed of many plates.

B. The Earth's plates never move.

Analyze the image below and answer the question that follows. The above image shows a supercontinent that is part of a theory by Alfred Wegener. This supercontinent is a part of the theory of __________. A. tectonic activity B. continental drift C. divergence D. the layering of the Earth

B. continental drift

Which of the layers of the Earth has the following characteristics? i. It is solid and extremely hot. ii. It is the innermost layer of the Earth. iii. It is around 800 miles thick. A. outer core B. inner core C. crust D. mantle

B. inner core

Analyze the image below and answer the question that follows. In the image above, the arrow is pointing to the layer of the Earth that is made up of pieces called plates. Which of the Earth's layers is the arrow pointing to? A. the inner core B. the crust C. the outer core D. the mantle

B. the crust

Analyze the image below and answer the question that follows. In the image above, the arrow is pointing to a layer of the Earth that has constantly moving currents. Which of the Earth's layers is the arrow pointing to? A. the crust B. the mantle C. the inner core D. the outer core

B. the mantle

Subduction happens when __________. A. two plates push each other up B. two plates push past each other C. one plate is pushed beneath another D. two plates separate from each other

C. one plate is pushed beneath another

The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth's crust is broken into many pieces called __________. A. supercontinents B. boundaries C. plates D. rings

C. plates

Analyze the image below and answer the question that follows. In the image above, the arrow is pointing to a layer of the Earth that is solid and extremely hot. Which of the Earth's layers is the arrow pointing to? A. the mantle B. the crust C. the inner core D. the outer core

C. the inner core

Which of the layers of the Earth has the following three characteristics? i. It is a solid outer layer. ii. It is between 3 and 30 miles thick. iii. It is separated into plates. A. the outer core B. the inner core C. the mantle D. the crust

D. the crust

Describe the four layers of the Earth. In a response of at least three sentences, name at least one important quality of each layer.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: The Earth's innermost layer is the inner core. It is extremely hot and is completely solid. It is estimated to be around 800 miles thick. The next layer is the outer core, which is a liquid made of melted nickel and iron. It is thicker than the inner core. The mantle, the thickest layer, is a liquid layer made of molten rock. It flows in currents. Finally, the crust is a very thin, solid layer at the Earth's surface. It is divided into plates.

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. Imagine that you're moving to a new home in a country along the Ring of Fire. Your new home will be in New Zealand. When you arrive at your new home, your neighbors tell you about the importance of safely preparing for earthquakes, and this is something new to you! What is the Ring of Fire, and why is it an area that experiences more volcanic eruptions and earthquakes? Why would you have to prepare for these events? Explain your answer in at least three sentences.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: The Ring of Fire is an area that surrounds the edge of the Pacific Plate. The theory of plate tectonics says that the Earth's crust is separated into plates, and this area is located along plate boundaries. At these boundaries, plates are pushing against each other, separating, and shifting past each other. These actions build up energy that can be released in the form of earthquakes. They also push magma to the Earth's surface, causing volcanoes. For these reasons, people living along the Ring of Fire have to be prepared for these natural events.

Use your knowledge of plate tectonics to explain why the supercontinent of Pangaea could have existed long ago. How did Pangaea break apart, and how were our continents formed? Explain your reasons in at least two to three sentences.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: The theory of continental drift said that Pangaea was made up of all of our continents mashed together. This theory still matches plate tectonics. However, plate tectonics explains that it is not the continents themselves that are moving, but the plates that they are a part of. Over the course of millions of years, these plates broke apart. As they slowly moved from place to place and were created and destroyed, our continents moved to their current locations. The theory of plate tectonics explains that our continents are still moving every year.

Describe the three kinds of plate boundaries. Explain your answer in at least three to four sentences.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: There are three major types of plate boundaries. The first is convergent. At convergent boundaries, two plates collide. One might be subducted beneath the other, or the two plates may push together to form mountains. The second is divergent, where two plates separate. This can cause seafloor spreading and rift valleys. The third is transform, where two plates slide past each other. At these boundaries, earthquakes are especially common.