Plate Motion Evidence - Middle School Earth and Space Science
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What is subduction in plate tectonics?
What is subduction in plate tectonics?
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One plate sinks beneath another into the mantle. Denser oceanic plate descends beneath another plate.
One plate sinks beneath another into the mantle. Denser oceanic plate descends beneath another plate.
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What is the evidence from ocean crust age that supports seafloor spreading?
What is the evidence from ocean crust age that supports seafloor spreading?
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Youngest crust at ridges; older crust farther away. Age increases with distance from ridge, proving seafloor spreading.
Youngest crust at ridges; older crust farther away. Age increases with distance from ridge, proving seafloor spreading.
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Which seafloor feature is the main evidence that new ocean crust forms at divergent boundaries?
Which seafloor feature is the main evidence that new ocean crust forms at divergent boundaries?
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Mid-ocean ridge. New oceanic crust forms at ridges as plates diverge.
Mid-ocean ridge. New oceanic crust forms at ridges as plates diverge.
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What type of boundary forms when two plates slide horizontally past each other?
What type of boundary forms when two plates slide horizontally past each other?
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Transform plate boundary. Plates grind past each other horizontally at transform boundaries.
Transform plate boundary. Plates grind past each other horizontally at transform boundaries.
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Identify the plate-boundary type: one plate sinks beneath another, forming a trench.
Identify the plate-boundary type: one plate sinks beneath another, forming a trench.
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Convergent boundary (subduction zone). One plate descending beneath another defines oceanic-continental convergence.
Convergent boundary (subduction zone). One plate descending beneath another defines oceanic-continental convergence.
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Which plate boundary type is supported by evidence of frequent shallow earthquakes but little volcanism?
Which plate boundary type is supported by evidence of frequent shallow earthquakes but little volcanism?
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Transform boundary. Plates slide horizontally past each other without creating/destroying crust.
Transform boundary. Plates slide horizontally past each other without creating/destroying crust.
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Which plate boundary type destroys crust and is supported by trench evidence?
Which plate boundary type destroys crust and is supported by trench evidence?
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Convergent boundary with subduction. Oceanic crust recycled back into mantle at trenches.
Convergent boundary with subduction. Oceanic crust recycled back into mantle at trenches.
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Which plate boundary type creates new crust and is supported by seafloor spreading evidence?
Which plate boundary type creates new crust and is supported by seafloor spreading evidence?
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Divergent boundary. Plates separate, creating space filled by rising magma.
Divergent boundary. Plates separate, creating space filled by rising magma.
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What does GPS measurement provide as evidence for plate motion?
What does GPS measurement provide as evidence for plate motion?
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Direct measurements of plate movement rates and directions. Satellites track plate positions showing centimeters/year motion.
Direct measurements of plate movement rates and directions. Satellites track plate positions showing centimeters/year motion.
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What is the primary evidence that plates move, based on volcano locations?
What is the primary evidence that plates move, based on volcano locations?
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Volcanoes cluster along plate boundaries and hotspots. Volcanic activity concentrated where plates interact.
Volcanoes cluster along plate boundaries and hotspots. Volcanic activity concentrated where plates interact.
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What is the primary evidence that plates move, based on earthquake locations?
What is the primary evidence that plates move, based on earthquake locations?
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Earthquakes cluster along plate boundaries. Seismic activity maps out plate edges where stress builds.
Earthquakes cluster along plate boundaries. Seismic activity maps out plate edges where stress builds.
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What major evidence shows plate boundaries by the global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes?
What major evidence shows plate boundaries by the global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes?
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Earthquakes and volcanoes cluster in narrow belts. Most seismic and volcanic activity occurs along plate edges, not randomly.
Earthquakes and volcanoes cluster in narrow belts. Most seismic and volcanic activity occurs along plate edges, not randomly.
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What driving force pulls a dense oceanic plate into the mantle at a subduction zone?
What driving force pulls a dense oceanic plate into the mantle at a subduction zone?
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Slab pull. Gravity acts on cold, dense subducting lithosphere, pulling the plate down.
Slab pull. Gravity acts on cold, dense subducting lithosphere, pulling the plate down.
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What pattern in ocean-floor rock ages provides evidence for seafloor spreading?
What pattern in ocean-floor rock ages provides evidence for seafloor spreading?
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Youngest rocks at ridges, older rocks farther away. Age increases with distance from spreading center.
Youngest rocks at ridges, older rocks farther away. Age increases with distance from spreading center.
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Identify the boundary type: plates slide sideways, causing frequent shallow earthquakes.
Identify the boundary type: plates slide sideways, causing frequent shallow earthquakes.
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Transform boundary. Friction from sliding causes earthquakes, no volcanoes.
Transform boundary. Friction from sliding causes earthquakes, no volcanoes.
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What is a transform plate boundary?
What is a transform plate boundary?
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A boundary where two plates slide past each other. Lateral motion causes friction and earthquakes without creating/destroying crust.
A boundary where two plates slide past each other. Lateral motion causes friction and earthquakes without creating/destroying crust.
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What is a divergent plate boundary?
What is a divergent plate boundary?
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A boundary where two plates move apart. Plates separate, creating new crust at spreading centers.
A boundary where two plates move apart. Plates separate, creating new crust at spreading centers.
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What is a convergent plate boundary?
What is a convergent plate boundary?
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A boundary where two plates move toward each other. Plates collide, causing subduction, mountains, or compression.
A boundary where two plates move toward each other. Plates collide, causing subduction, mountains, or compression.
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What causes the alternating magnetic polarity recorded in oceanic basalt?
What causes the alternating magnetic polarity recorded in oceanic basalt?
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Periodic reversals of Earth’s magnetic field during lava cooling. Iron minerals align with Earth's field when lava solidifies.
Periodic reversals of Earth’s magnetic field during lava cooling. Iron minerals align with Earth's field when lava solidifies.
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What pattern of magnetic stripes on the seafloor supports plate motion over time?
What pattern of magnetic stripes on the seafloor supports plate motion over time?
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Symmetrical alternating polarity bands on both sides of ridges. Magnetic reversals create mirror-image patterns as crust spreads.
Symmetrical alternating polarity bands on both sides of ridges. Magnetic reversals create mirror-image patterns as crust spreads.
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What is the main source of heat that drives mantle convection and plate motion?
What is the main source of heat that drives mantle convection and plate motion?
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Earth’s internal heat, mainly from radioactive decay and residual heat. Radioactive elements decay and release energy that heats the mantle.
Earth’s internal heat, mainly from radioactive decay and residual heat. Radioactive elements decay and release energy that heats the mantle.
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What is mantle convection in the context of tectonic plate movement?
What is mantle convection in the context of tectonic plate movement?
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Hot mantle rises, cool mantle sinks, creating circulating flow. Temperature differences cause density variations that drive circular flow.
Hot mantle rises, cool mantle sinks, creating circulating flow. Temperature differences cause density variations that drive circular flow.
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Which plate is denser and more likely to subduct at a convergent boundary: oceanic or continental?
Which plate is denser and more likely to subduct at a convergent boundary: oceanic or continental?
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Oceanic plate. Oceanic crust is made of dense basalt, while continental crust is lighter granite.
Oceanic plate. Oceanic crust is made of dense basalt, while continental crust is lighter granite.
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What type of boundary forms when two plates move away from each other?
What type of boundary forms when two plates move away from each other?
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Divergent plate boundary. Plates separate at divergent boundaries, creating new crust.
Divergent plate boundary. Plates separate at divergent boundaries, creating new crust.
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What does an increasing earthquake depth inland from a trench indicate about plate motion?
What does an increasing earthquake depth inland from a trench indicate about plate motion?
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A subducting slab dipping into the mantle. Deeper earthquakes trace the descending plate's path.
A subducting slab dipping into the mantle. Deeper earthquakes trace the descending plate's path.
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