This page shows questions in the Observations of Plate Motion public release module at MSDE. 8th Grade MISA
"Observations of Plate Motion"

In a science class, students examined a map of Earth’s tectonic plates, and one student observed that the eastern side of South America fits like a puzzle piece with the western side of Africa. The class then began to research scientific information to find data on reasons the coastlines of South America and Africa appear to have once been connected. The class investigated maps of fossils, rocks, and glaciers as well as data about the age of rock near the mid-Atlantic ridge. As the students completed their investigation, they compared the maps found to a map of the current continents, shown below.

The students used the fossil evidence map to observe the locations of the strata in which four different fossil types were found. The fossils are at least 250 million years old.

The students used the rock strata evidence map to observe where rocks from different time periods are found.

The students observed the glacier evidence map to determine where glaciers existed in the Southern Hemisphere and the direction the glaciers moved.

The students’ research indicated that the mid-Atlantic ridge data are based on sediment samples taken from different locations on both sides of the ridge. The data from the mid-Atlantic ridge and a map of where the data were obtained are shown below.

The students used the plate boundary map to observe the locations of Earth’s tectonic plates.

The students found that scientists used the data from the mid-Atlantic ridge to support the claim that continent shape and location change over time due to tectonic plate movement.

Which data best supports this claim?

The students’ research indicated that Lystrosaurus was a slow-moving, plant-eating reptile that lived over 250 million years ago.

The supporting evidence that Lystrosaurus inhabited a single landmass that broke apart is that fossils of Lystrosaurus are found

The students found that the mid-Atlantic ridge data were used to support a scientist’s claim that new crust forms at ridges.

Which graph best represents the mid-Atlantic ridge data?

After examining the tectonic plate maps, the students determined where the plate boundaries exist on Earth.

A student observed the plate boundary map and found that active volcanoes form where two plates currently meet. The student stated that extinct volcanoes are likely found where plates met in the past and wanted to determine if the past eruptions of the extinct volcanoes could be used as evidence of plate motion.

Which evidence found in and around extinct volcanoes would best support the concept of plate motion?

The students’ research indicated that continents on Earth have changed position over time.

Use evidence to explain how the continents on Earth have changed position in the past and how the continents will most likely continue to change in the future.