Section Four-Test 02 (Stnd 19) V1

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Stnd 19: Tectonic Plate Movement

Examine the diagram below of fossils found across multiple continents.

Multi-Select Question
How does the evidence in this diagram support continental drift theory?
(Select 2 of the 5 choices)

a.	Glossopteris fossils across continents shows that there was once a single landmass.
b.	The evidence in this diagram shows that organisms adapted to their local ecosystems.
c.	The variety of species demonstrates that the Earth has a high level of biodiversity.
d.	This fossil evidence supports the claim that extinct species moved the continents.
e.	Mesosaur fossils in S.American & Africa show that these continents were connected.

Early proponents of continental drift/plate tectonics started by examining the shape of the continents as seen below is this diagram.

Multi-Select Question
In his book The Origin of Continents and Oceans published in 1915, Alfred Wegener presented his ideas about the theory of plate tectonics.
What evidence was discovered which supported Wegener’s claims that the continents were once joined together in one giant land mass which broke apart as the continents were moved to their present day locations? (Select 3 of 5 choices).

a.	Fossil evidence was located that revealed that the continents were once connected.
b.	They observed that South American and Africa fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
c.	Evidence of mass extinction events was discovered around the globe.
d.	Experiments revealed that nuclear fusion is the source of solar radiation on the Earth.
e.	Sonar imagery revealed the Mid-Atlantic Ridge formed due to seafloor spreading.

Geologists often track plate movements by using ground based GPS sensors which send signals to satellites in orbit. In this case, computers analyzed the GPS data from two plates in California where the North American plate meets the Pacific plate. The data revealed that one plate is moving North while the other plate is moving South (see diagram below).

Based on the previously mentioned GPS evidence, determine which kind of plate boundary these GPS sensors have revealed.

a.	They revealed a transform boundary with two plates sliding past each other.
b.	They revealed one tectonic plate subducting beneath another tectonic plate.
c.	They revealed a divergent boundary with two plates moving away from each other.
d.	They revealed a convergent boundary with two plates colliding into each other.

Alfred Wegener’s Continental Drift theory was not well received because he could not explain what force could move the continents.

Examine the diagram above of the Earth’s interior.
What cause and effect evidence in this diagram shows how the continents are moved?

a.	This diagram clearly reveals that intense heat from the Earth’s core results in a phase change in the mantle converting the asthenosphere and lithosphere into liquid magma.
b.	Heat rising from the core due to convection makes the asthenosphere ductile. This viscous rock flows against the lithosphere causing the plates to move.
c.	At convergent boundaries, tectonic plates collide resulting in subduction and/or mountain formation. This process formed the Andes mountains in South America
d.	This diagram shows that seafloor spreading at convergent boundaries has been observed in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.

Radiometric dating revealed that rock nearest to the center of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is relatively young, and the age of the rock increases as the distance from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge increases. This dating revealed that lithospheric rock was being formed at this boundary and that seafloor spreading was occurring.

What kind of boundary was confirmed by the age of these rock formations?

a.	It confirms that two plates are sliding past each other as a transform boundary.
b.	The evidence confirms that this is a divergent boundary with new crust being formed.
c.	This is a convergent boundary where two tectonic plates are colliding with each other.
d.	The evidence shows that this is destructive margin which old crust being destroyed.