🌍 Part 1: Understanding Plate Movement

1. What are tectonic plates?

Large pieces of Earth's crust that move slowly

Underground rivers of hot lava

Mountains that form on the ocean floor

Cracks in the ground after earthquakes

2. Which of these can happen when tectonic plates move? (Check all that apply)

Earthquakes

Mountain formation

Volcanic eruptions

Ocean formation

3. How fast do tectonic plates typically move?

Several feet per year

A few inches per year

Several miles per year

They don't move at all

4. Fill in the blanks:

The Earth's outer layer is called the ____________. It is broken into large pieces called ____________ ____________ that float on hot, melted rock called ____________.

🔮 Part 2: Predicting Future Changes

5. Scientists predict that in 50 million years, the Atlantic Ocean will be:

Wider than it is today

Narrower than it is today

Exactly the same size

Completely disappeared

6. Explain how scientists can predict future plate movement. Use at least two complete sentences.

7. If two plates are pushing toward each other, what might happen to the land between them over millions of years?

8. Label the diagram below with these terms: Tectonic Plate, Earthquake Zone, Mountain Range, Plate Boundary

📝 Part 3: Critical Thinking

9. Why is it important for scientists to study and predict plate movement?

To help people prepare for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

To find new places to build cities

To predict the weather

To study ocean animals

10. Imagine you could travel 100 million years into the future. Describe what you think Earth's continents might look like and explain your reasoning.