Dynamic Earth Pre-assessment (Earth Science Regents)

1. Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how interested are you in the dynamic Earth (plate tectonics, deformation of the crust, earthquakes, and volcanoes).

The given answer suggests that the person is equally interested in all aspects of the dynamic Earth, including plate tectonics, deformation of the crust, earthquakes, and volcanoes. They rate their interest as a 1, 2, 3, and 4, which indicates that they have a high level of interest in these topics.

Explanation

The given answer suggests that the person is equally interested in all aspects of the dynamic Earth, including plate tectonics, deformation of the crust, earthquakes, and volcanoes. They rate their interest as a 1, 2, 3, and 4, which indicates that they have a high level of interest in these topics.

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2. Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how much you already know about the dynamic Earth (plate tectonics, deformation of the crust, earthquakes, and volcanoes).

The answer to this question is 1,2,3,4 because the question asks for a rating on a scale of 1-4 to indicate the level of knowledge about the dynamic Earth. By selecting all options (1,2,3,4), it implies that the person has knowledge ranging from the lowest (1) to the highest (4) level on the given topics (plate tectonics, deformation of the crust, earthquakes, and volcanoes).

Explanation

The answer to this question is 1,2,3,4 because the question asks for a rating on a scale of 1-4 to indicate the level of knowledge about the dynamic Earth. By selecting all options (1,2,3,4), it implies that the person has knowledge ranging from the lowest (1) to the highest (4) level on the given topics (plate tectonics, deformation of the crust, earthquakes, and volcanoes).

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3. Mid-ocean ridges (rifts) normally form where tectonic plates are (Standard 2.1l):

Stationary

Sliding past each other

Converging

Diverging

Dormant

Mid-ocean ridges, also known as rifts, form where tectonic plates are diverging. Diverging plates move away from each other, creating a gap in the Earth's crust. As the plates separate, magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap, forming new crust. This process leads to the formation of underwater mountain ranges known as mid-ocean ridges. These ridges are characterized by volcanic activity and the creation of new oceanic crust. The movement of tectonic plates and the formation of mid-ocean ridges are important geological processes that contribute to the shaping of the Earth's surface.

Explanation

Mid-ocean ridges, also known as rifts, form where tectonic plates are diverging. Diverging plates move away from each other, creating a gap in the Earth's crust. As the plates separate, magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap, forming new crust. This process leads to the formation of underwater mountain ranges known as mid-ocean ridges. These ridges are characterized by volcanic activity and the creation of new oceanic crust. The movement of tectonic plates and the formation of mid-ocean ridges are important geological processes that contribute to the shaping of the Earth's surface.

4. Which of the following statements best describe how convection brings material to the surface of a tectonic plate boundary (Standard 2.1k)?

Material expands and rises when heated because the density of the material decreases.

Material contracts and rises when heated because the density of the material increases.

Material expands and rises when cooled because the density of the material decreases.

Material contracts and rises when cooled because the density of the material increases.

Material rises because of weathering, erosion, and deposition.

When material is heated, it expands and becomes less dense. This decrease in density causes the material to rise towards the surface of a tectonic plate boundary.

Explanation

When material is heated, it expands and becomes less dense. This decrease in density causes the material to rise towards the surface of a tectonic plate boundary.

5. Which of the following methods of internal energy transfer drives volcanic activity on Earth’s surface? (Standard 2.1a)

Radioactive decay

Convection

Kinetic transfer

Conduction

Radiation

Convection is the correct answer because it involves the transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid, such as magma in the case of volcanic activity. As the magma heats up, it becomes less dense and rises towards the surface, carrying heat with it. This movement creates convection currents that transfer heat from the Earth's interior to the surface, driving volcanic activity.

Explanation

Convection is the correct answer because it involves the transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid, such as magma in the case of volcanic activity. As the magma heats up, it becomes less dense and rises towards the surface, carrying heat with it. This movement creates convection currents that transfer heat from the Earth's interior to the surface, driving volcanic activity.

6. Which of the following can result in mountain formation (Standard 2.1p)?

Strike-slip faulting

Weathering and erosion

Deposition and isostasy

Seismic gaps

Collisions between continents

Collisions between continents can result in mountain formation. When two tectonic plates carrying continental crust collide, neither can be subducted because they are both less dense than the underlying mantle. Instead, the crust is compressed and folded, leading to the formation of mountains. This process is known as orogeny. An example of this is the formation of the Himalayas when the Indian subcontinent collided with the Eurasian plate.

Explanation

Collisions between continents can result in mountain formation. When two tectonic plates carrying continental crust collide, neither can be subducted because they are both less dense than the underlying mantle. Instead, the crust is compressed and folded, leading to the formation of mountains. This process is known as orogeny. An example of this is the formation of the Himalayas when the Indian subcontinent collided with the Eurasian plate.

7. At which drilling site would the oldest igneous bedrock most likely be found (Standard 2.1l, 2.1m)?

1

2

3

4

5

The oldest igneous bedrock is most likely to be found at drilling site 1. This is because when new layers of sedimentary rock are deposited on top of older layers, the older layers are pushed deeper into the Earth's crust. As a result, the deeper layers are older than the layers closer to the surface. Since drilling site 1 is the deepest, it is more likely to have the oldest igneous bedrock.

Explanation

The oldest igneous bedrock is most likely to be found at drilling site 1. This is because when new layers of sedimentary rock are deposited on top of older layers, the older layers are pushed deeper into the Earth's crust. As a result, the deeper layers are older than the layers closer to the surface. Since drilling site 1 is the deepest, it is more likely to have the oldest igneous bedrock.

8. When did Africa and South America completely separate and move away from each other into two distinct landmasses? This question may require the use of the Earth Science Reference Tables. (Standard 2.1o)

Before the Cambrian Period

During the Carboniferous Period

During the Triassic Period

After the Cretaceous Period

During the Permian Period

Africa and South America completely separated and moved away from each other into two distinct landmasses after the Cretaceous Period. This period occurred approximately 145 to 66 million years ago and marked the end of the Mesozoic Era. During this time, the supercontinent Pangaea began to break apart, leading to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean and the separation of Africa and South America.

Explanation

Africa and South America completely separated and moved away from each other into two distinct landmasses after the Cretaceous Period. This period occurred approximately 145 to 66 million years ago and marked the end of the Mesozoic Era. During this time, the supercontinent Pangaea began to break apart, leading to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean and the separation of Africa and South America.

9. It is suggested that the outer core of the Earth is liquid. Which is the strongest evidence for this? (Standard 2.1j)

P-waves disappear as they move through the outer core.

S-waves disappear as they move through the outer core.

S-waves speed up as they move through the outer core.

P-waves are transmitted through the outer core.

S-waves travel faster than P-waves in the outer core.

The strongest evidence for the suggestion that the outer core of the Earth is liquid is that S-waves disappear as they move through the outer core. S-waves are a type of seismic wave that cannot travel through liquids, only through solids. Therefore, the fact that S-waves disappear when they reach the outer core indicates that the outer core must be liquid.

Explanation

The strongest evidence for the suggestion that the outer core of the Earth is liquid is that S-waves disappear as they move through the outer core. S-waves are a type of seismic wave that cannot travel through liquids, only through solids. Therefore, the fact that S-waves disappear when they reach the outer core indicates that the outer core must be liquid.

10. The epicenter of an earthquake is located near Massena, New York. According to the Earth Science Reference Tables, the greatest difference in arrival times of the P- and S-waves for this earthquake would be recorded in (Standard 2.1j):

Schenectady, NY

Binghamton, NY

Plattsburgh, NY

Albany, NY

Utica, NY

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Explanation

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11. This diagram provides evidence that the Pacific Crustal Plate was moving toward the (Standard 2.1n):

Southeast

South

East

Southwest

Northwest

The diagram shows that the Pacific Crustal Plate was moving towards the northwest. This can be inferred from the arrows or vectors in the diagram that indicate the direction of movement. The vectors are pointing towards the northwest direction, suggesting that the plate was moving in that direction.

Explanation

The diagram shows that the Pacific Crustal Plate was moving towards the northwest. This can be inferred from the arrows or vectors in the diagram that indicate the direction of movement. The vectors are pointing towards the northwest direction, suggesting that the plate was moving in that direction.

12. Which of the following lists the layers of the Earth in order of decreasing density? (Standard 2.1b)

Inner core, outer core, crust, mantle

Outer core, inner core, mantle, crust

Crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

Crust, mantle, inner core, outer core

Each layer has approximately the same density

The correct answer is crust, mantle, outer core, inner core. The Earth is made up of several layers, each with different densities. The crust is the outermost layer and is composed of solid rock. The mantle is the layer beneath the crust and is made up of semi-solid rock. The outer core is the layer beneath the mantle and is composed of liquid iron and nickel. The inner core is the innermost layer and is solid due to the extreme pressure. Therefore, the layers of the Earth are arranged in order of decreasing density.

Explanation

The correct answer is crust, mantle, outer core, inner core. The Earth is made up of several layers, each with different densities. The crust is the outermost layer and is composed of solid rock. The mantle is the layer beneath the crust and is made up of semi-solid rock. The outer core is the layer beneath the mantle and is composed of liquid iron and nickel. The inner core is the innermost layer and is solid due to the extreme pressure. Therefore, the layers of the Earth are arranged in order of decreasing density.