PLate Tectonics Unit Review sheet

1. Name: _____________________________ Date: __________ Group: _______
Plate Tectonics Study Guide
1. What is the idea of Continental Drift?
2. Who came up with the idea of Continental Drift?
3. Provide and explain two pieces of evidence for the Theory of Continental Drift.
(Use the handout from Pangaea Puzzle to help you.)
1.
2.
4. What is the Theory of Plate Tectonics?
5. Using scientific evidence, scientist believe the earth is ______________________
years old. (Hundreds, Thousands, Millions, Billions, or Trillions)
6. Name the four layers of the Earth.
a.
b.
c.

2. 7. Use the circle below to draw a diagram of the earth’s interior. Label the layers
you listed on the previous page.
8. Give one important fact about each layer of the Earth.
a.
b.
c.
d.
9. What layer(s) of the Earth make up the lithosphere?
10. What layer of the Earth contains the convection currents?
11. Describe how convection currents work.

3. 12. Name the 3 types of plate boundaries.
a.
b.
c.
13. At which plate boundary (ies) are earthquakes formed?
14. At which plate boundary (ies) are volcanoes formed?
15. Name the plate(s) that created the Himalayan Mountains and describe how the
Himalayan Mountains formed.
16. Name the 3 types of volcanoes.
a.
b.
c.
17. Where is the Ring of Fire located?
18. What machine do scientists use to measure earthquakes?
19. What is subduction?

4. 20. At what type of plate boundary does subduction occur?
21. What landform is created by subduction?
22. Where is new lithosphere created?
23. Where is old lithosphere destroyed?
24. What type of scientist uses rocks and fossils to understand when historical events
occurred?
25. Do you think nuclear waste should be stored at Yucca Mountain? State your
decision, give evidence to support your decision and state the trade-off. (Use
Activity 36 to help you answer this question.)