Question

15.
amaia: \since surtsey is part of a mid - ocean ridge, its formation demonstrates how new crust forms and pushes older crust away.\
nolan: \since surtsey is part of a mid - ocean ridge, its formation demonstrates that older crust is being destroyed at seafloor trenches.\
cleo: \since surtsey is located near iceland, its shape and formation suggest that it was once a part of a larger continent.\
which of these student statements best explains how surtsey’s formation and other data patterns can give evidence of past plate motions?
○ cleo’s statement
○ both cleo’s and amaia’s statements
○ nolan’s statement
○ amaia’s statement

Explanation:

• Amaia's statement: Mid - ocean ridges are sites of seafloor spreading where new crust forms (from magma rising) and pushes older crust away. This process is related to plate motion, and the formation of Surtsey (at a mid - ocean ridge) can show how new crust formation is linked to plate movement, which gives evidence of past plate motions.
• Nolan's statement: Seafloor trenches are where subduction (destruction of crust) occurs, but Surtsey's formation at a mid - ocean ridge is about crust creation, not destruction at trenches, so this doesn't explain plate motions related to Surtsey's formation.
• Cleo's statement: Surtsey is a volcanic island formed at a mid - ocean ridge, not from a continent breaking apart. So its formation doesn't suggest it was part of a larger continent.
• The option "Both Cleo’s and Amaia’s statements" is wrong because Cleo's statement is incorrect.

Answer:

D. Amaia’s statement (assuming the options are labeled as follows: A. Cleo's statement, B. Both Cleo’s and Amaia’s statements, C. Nolan’s statement, D. Amaia’s statement)