Question

read the passage and then answer the question.

about two hundred million years ago, the supercontinent pangea began to divide. scientists concur that the division was caused by shifting tectonic plates, but they have yet to agree on precisely how this division occurred. one recent theory comes from earth scientist fraser keppie. his research indicates that the breakup of pangea was driven by the loss of a body of water called the tethys ocean, located off the eastern coast of pangea. as earths tectonic plates shifted, the plate holding the tethys ocean slid below a neighboring plate, sinking into earths mantle. this subduction, keppie speculates, gradually reduced the size of the tethys ocean and simultaneously pulled pangea apart, creating a gap between what are now north america and africa. as the tectonic plates continued to move, the tethys ocean eventually disappeared, and the rift between the newly formed continents ultimately widened into the atlantic ocean.

what is the meaning of subduction as used in the passage?

the process by which a tectonic plate passes under another

the process by which two tectonic plates come together

the process by which two tectonic plates separate and create an ocean

Explanation:

The passage states that "the plate holding the Tethys Ocean slid below a neighboring plate, sinking into Earth's mantle. This subduction...". The key action here is one plate sliding below (passing under) another. The other options are incorrect. Option 2 (two plates coming together) is too vague as the passage specifies one going under another. Option 3 (plates separating to create an ocean) is about the result of the subduction (the rift widening into the Atlantic Ocean) not the definition of subduction itself.

Answer:

the process by which a tectonic plate passes under another