Science: Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes Worksheet

Question 1

What is a tectonic plate?

Accepted Answer

A tectonic plate is a large, rigid section of Earth's lithosphere that moves slowly over the softer layer beneath it.

Question 2

Name the three main types of plate boundaries.

Accepted Answer

The three main types of plate boundaries are divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries, and transform boundaries.

Question 3

Describe what happens at a divergent plate boundary.

Accepted Answer

At a divergent plate boundary, two tectonic plates move away from each other, often allowing magma to rise and form new crust.

Question 4

Describe what happens at a convergent plate boundary.

Accepted Answer

At a convergent plate boundary, two tectonic plates move toward each other, which can cause subduction, mountain building, or volcanic activity.

Question 5

Describe what happens at a transform plate boundary.

Accepted Answer

At a transform plate boundary, two tectonic plates slide past each other, which can create stress that is released as earthquakes.

Question 6

What causes most earthquakes?

Accepted Answer

Most earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of energy when built-up stress along faults or plate boundaries causes rocks to break or slip.

Question 7

What is a fault?

Accepted Answer

A fault is a crack in Earth's crust where rocks move past each other.

Question 8

Explain the difference between the focus and the epicenter of an earthquake.

Accepted Answer

The focus is the point inside Earth where the earthquake begins, and the epicenter is the point on Earth's surface directly above the focus.

Question 9

How can the movement of tectonic plates build mountains?

Accepted Answer

Tectonic plates can build mountains when plates collide and push Earth's crust upward, folding or uplifting the land.

Question 10

Why are many earthquakes found near plate boundaries?

Accepted Answer

Many earthquakes are found near plate boundaries because that is where plates interact, build up stress, and suddenly release energy.

Question 11

A student says that continents float on melted rock like boats on water. Is this fully correct? Explain.

Accepted Answer

This is not fully correct because tectonic plates move over the softer, slowly flowing asthenosphere, but they do not float on completely melted rock like boats on water.

Question 12

What evidence supports the idea that Earth's plates move over time?

Accepted Answer

Evidence that Earth's plates move includes matching fossils on different continents, the fit of continental coastlines, patterns of earthquakes and volcanoes, and seafloor spreading.

Question 13

How does seafloor spreading provide evidence for plate tectonics?

Accepted Answer

Seafloor spreading provides evidence for plate tectonics because new crust forms at mid-ocean ridges and moves outward, showing that plates are separating and carrying the seafloor with them.

Question 14

A map shows frequent earthquakes along the west coast of South America. What does this suggest about the plate boundary there?

Accepted Answer

This suggests that the west coast of South America is near an active plate boundary, likely a convergent boundary where one plate is being forced beneath another.

Question 15

Explain one way people can reduce earthquake damage in cities.

Accepted Answer

People can reduce earthquake damage in cities by designing and building structures that can better absorb shaking, which helps prevent collapse during an earthquake.

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Science: Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes

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