Which statements about plate tectonics and subduction are true? Check all that apply.

Question

Earth’s plates are caused by subduction.
In subduction, one plate slides under another.
Earth’s plates carry both water and land.
Two plates meet at a plate boundary.
Earth’s crust is broken into large pieces called continents.
In subduction, plates move apart from each other.

Answer 1

Here are the true statements about plate tectonics and subduction:

1. In subduction, one plate slides under another. - True. This is the fundamental process of subduction where a denser oceanic plate moves under a less dense continental or oceanic plate.

2. Earth’s plates carry both water and land. - True. Tectonic plates can extend under both land (continents) and ocean (which is made up of water).

3. Two plates meet at a plate boundary. - True. Plate boundaries are the zones where two tectonic plates interact with each other.

The following statements are false:

1. Earth’s plates are caused by subduction. - False. Plate movements are driven by several forces, including mantle convection, slab pull, and ridge push. Subduction is a result of plate movement, not the cause of it.

2. Earth’s crust is broken into large pieces called continents. - False. While continents are part of the Earth's crust, the crust is divided into tectonic plates that include continental and oceanic regions.

3. In subduction, plates move apart from each other. - False. During subduction, plates are converging, not moving apart. Plates move apart at divergent boundaries, not at subduction zones.