Middle School Earth and Space Science : Interpret models of plate tectonics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Middle School Earth and Space Science

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

All Middle School Earth and Space Science Resources

60 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Interpret Models Of Plate Tectonics

Fig21oceancont

What type of plate boundary is depicted?

Possible Answers:

strike-slip

transform

convergent 

divergent

Correct answer:

convergent 

Explanation:

Earth’s crust, also called the Lithosphere, is divided into tectonic plates. These plates move at plate boundaries due to the liquid hot mantle beneath the crust.Plates interact at three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Most of the Earth's geologic activity takes place at plate boundaries.

Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.
Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other.
Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.

At a divergent boundary, volcanic activity produces a mid ocean ridge and small earthquakes. Convergent boundaries create mountains, and transform boundaries cause earthquakes as well.

Example Question #2 : Interpret Models Of Plate Tectonics

Tectonics

Which type of plate boundary is primarily responsible for the volcanic activity in the "Ring of Fire?"

Possible Answers:

transform

divergent

strike-slip

convergent

Correct answer:

convergent

Explanation:

The answer is convergent.

Earth’s crust, also called the Lithosphere, is divided into tectonic plates. These plates move at plate boundaries due to the liquid hot mantle beneath the crust.Plates interact at three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Most of the Earth's geologic activity takes place at plate boundaries. 

Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.
Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other.
Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.

At a divergent boundary, volcanic activity produces a mid ocean ridge and small earthquakes. Convergent boundaries create mountains, and transform boundaries cause earthquakes as well.

Example Question #3 : Interpret Models Of Plate Tectonics

Which of the following would you expect to find at a tectonic plate boundary?

Possible Answers:

volcanoes

mountains and ocean ridges

none of these

all of these

earthquakes

Correct answer:

all of these

Explanation:

Earth’s crust, also called the Lithosphere, is divided into tectonic plates. These plates move at plate boundaries due to the liquid hot mantle beneath the crust.Plates interact at three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Most of the Earth's geologic activity takes place at plate boundaries. 

Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.
Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other.
Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.

At a divergent boundary, volcanic activity produces a mid ocean ridge and small earthquakes. Convergent boundaries create mountains, and transform boundaries cause earthquakes as well.

Example Question #4 : Interpret Models Of Plate Tectonics

Which of the following best describes what happens at a strike-slip fault?

Possible Answers:

extensional motion; the plates move apart, spreading ridges, basin-range

shearing motion; plates slide past each other

none of these

compressional motion; plates move toward each other

Correct answer:

shearing motion; plates slide past each other

Explanation:

Earth’s crust, also called the Lithosphere, is divided into tectonic plates. These plates move at plate boundaries due to the liquid hot mantle beneath the crust. Plates interact at three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Most of the Earth's geologic activity takes place at plate boundaries. 

Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.
Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other.
Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.

At a divergent boundary, volcanic activity produces a mid ocean ridge and small earthquakes. Convergent boundaries create mountains, and transform boundaries cause earthquakes as well.

Example Question #5 : Interpret Models Of Plate Tectonics

Why do tectonic plates on the Earth's crust move?

Possible Answers:

the mantle below the crust is liquid 

the tectonic plates are semi-liquid

earthquakes cause movement of tectonic plates

all of these

none of these

Correct answer:

the mantle below the crust is liquid 

Explanation:

Earth’s crust, also called the Lithosphere, is divided into tectonic plates. These plates move at plate boundaries due to the liquid hot mantle beneath the crust. Plates interact at three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Most of the Earth's geologic activity takes place at plate boundaries. 

Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.
Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other.
Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.

At a divergent boundary, volcanic activity produces a mid ocean ridge and small earthquakes. Convergent boundaries create mountains, and transform boundaries cause earthquakes as well.

Example Question #6 : Interpret Models Of Plate Tectonics

Screen shot 2020 07 28 at 12.14.28 pm

What geographic feature would be expected to appear where the star is on this diagram of plate movement?

Possible Answers:

a mid ocean ridge

a mountain

a canyon

a volcano

Correct answer:

a volcano

Explanation:

The answer is "a volcano."

Earth’s crust, also called the Lithosphere, is divided into tectonic plates. These plates move at plate boundaries due to the liquid hot mantle beneath the crust.

Plates interact at three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Most of the Earth's geologic activity takes place at plate boundaries.

Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.

Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other.

Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.

At a divergent boundary, volcanic activity produces a mid ocean ridge and small earthquakes. Convergent boundaries create mountains, and transform boundaries cause earthquakes as well

Example Question #7 : Interpret Models Of Plate Tectonics

Screen shot 2020 07 28 at 12.21.36 pm

The convection currents of magma below these plates would cause what type of motion in the tectonic plates above?

Possible Answers:

Plate A and Plate B will move away from each other. It is a divergent boundary.

Plate A and Plate B will move toward each other. It is a convergent boundary.

Plate A and Plate B will move away from each other as in a convergent boundary.

Plate A and Plate B will move toward each other. It is a divergent boundary.

Correct answer:

Plate A and Plate B will move away from each other. It is a divergent boundary.

Explanation:

The answer is "Plate A and Plate B will move away from each other. It is a divergent boundary."

Earth’s crust, also called the Lithosphere, is divided into tectonic plates. These plates move at plate boundaries due to the liquid hot mantle beneath the crust.

Plates interact at three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Most of the Earth's geologic activity takes place at plate boundaries.

Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.

Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other.

Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.

At a divergent boundary, volcanic activity produces a mid ocean ridge and small earthquakes. Convergent boundaries create mountains, and transform boundaries cause earthquakes as well.

Example Question #8 : Interpret Models Of Plate Tectonics

At the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, as the tectonic plates move apart, rock is pulled up from depth at the spreading axis and melts as it depressurizes. The molten rock rises to the seafloor and cools to form the layer of crust that paves the ocean floor. This is called "seafloor spreading" and is pictured below.

Screen shot 2020 07 28 at 12.39.34 pm

What type of tectonic plate boundary is present at the Mid Atlantic Ridge?

Possible Answers:

a divergent boundary

a convergent boundary

a strike-slip boundary

none of these

Correct answer:

a divergent boundary

Explanation:

The answer is "a divergent boundary."

Earth’s crust, also called the Lithosphere, is divided into tectonic plates. These plates move at plate boundaries due to the liquid hot mantle beneath the crust.

Plates interact at three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Most of the Earth's geologic activity takes place at plate boundaries.

Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.

Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other.

Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.

At a divergent boundary, volcanic activity produces a mid ocean ridge and small earthquakes. Convergent boundaries create mountains, and transform boundaries cause earthquakes as well.

Example Question #7 : Interpret Models Of Plate Tectonics

Seismichazardmap

The areas of this map highlighted in red are located along a strike-slip fault line. What phenomena is this hazard map most likely referring to?

Possible Answers:

wild fires

volcanic activity

earthquakes

tornadoes

Correct answer:

earthquakes

Explanation:

The answer is "earthquakes."

Earth’s crust, also called the Lithosphere, is divided into tectonic plates. These plates move at plate boundaries due to the liquid hot mantle beneath the crust.

Plates interact at three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Most of the Earth's geologic activity takes place at plate boundaries.

Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.

Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other.

Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.

At a divergent boundary, volcanic activity produces a mid ocean ridge and small earthquakes. Convergent boundaries create mountains, and transform boundaries cause earthquakes as well.

Example Question #8 : Interpret Models Of Plate Tectonics

Csz

The diagram above shows a cross section of the Cascadia subduction. What type of plate boundary is present here?

Possible Answers:

a convergent boundary

a strike-slip boundary

a divergent boundary

none of the above 

Correct answer:

a convergent boundary

Explanation:

The answer is "a convergent boundary."

Earth’s crust, also called the Lithosphere, is divided into tectonic plates. These plates move at plate boundaries due to the liquid hot mantle beneath the crust.

Plates interact at three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Most of the Earth's geologic activity takes place at plate boundaries.

Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.

Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other.

Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.

At a divergent boundary, volcanic activity produces a mid-ocean ridge and small earthquakes. Convergent boundaries create mountains, and transform boundaries cause earthquakes as well.

All Middle School Earth and Space Science Resources

60 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors