10

Science
Quarter 1 – Module 4
PLATE TECTONICS:
Processes that Occur Along
Plate Boundaries
Science – Grade 10
Self-Learning Module (SLM)
Quarter 1 – Module 3: Processes that Occur Along Plate Boundaries
First Edition, 2020

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 10
Science
Quarter 1 – Module 4
PLATE TECTONICS:
Processes that Occur Along
Plate Boundaries
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Science 10 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on Processes that

Occur Along Plate Boundaries!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Science 10 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on Processes that Occur

Along Plate Boundaries!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of

the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or

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 skill into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the Processes that Occur Along Plate Boundaries. The scope of this module
permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used
recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to
follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them
can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Explain the processes that occur along the plate boundaries
2. Determine the consequences of plate movement

What I Know

Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. What layers of Earth make up the lithosphere?

a. the crust and lower mantle
b. the crust and upper mantle
c. the continental crust and oceanic crust
d. the upper and lower mantle
2. A _______ boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move towards one another.
a. convergent
b. divergent
c. hydrodynamics
d. transform
3. Tectonics plates float on the _____________________
a. outer core
b. inner core
c. asthenosphere or mantle
d. lithosphere
4. Large pieces of the lithosphere that float on the asthenosphere are called:
a. asthenosphere
b. the mid-ocean ridge
c. deep-sea trenches
d. tectonic plates
5. The partly melted lower mantle is called:
a. magma
b. lithosphere

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 c. core
d. asthenosphere
6. A boundary where plates move away from each other is called:
a. divergent
b. convergent
c. transform
d. shear boundary
7. Why is a divergent boundary also called a constructive boundary?
a. Magma flows up between the plates and forms new crust.
b. Animals in the ocean construct nests there.
c. Old ocean floor is re-melted into magma
d. Pacific Ocean becomes wider
8. An example of a transform/shear/sliding boundary is a:
a. volcano
b. mid-ocean ridge
c. deep-sea trench
d. fault
9. A deep crack in the earth’s surface is called a:
a. ridge
b. fault
c. plate
d. mountain
10. How do the plates move at a transform boundary?
a. They move toward each other.
b. They move past each other.
c. They move away from each other.
d. they do not move.
11. Which plate boundary is formed between the Philippine plate and the
Eurasian plate?
a. Convergent
b. Divergent
c. Reverse fault
d. Transform fault
12. At what type of plate boundary do shallow-focus earthquakes occur?
a. Convergent
b. Divergent
c. transform fault
d. all of these
13. What is the name of the Mesozoic supercontinent that consisted of all of the
present continents?
a. Eurasia
b. Laurasia
c. Pangea
d. Iseltwald
14. Through which Earth layer are S waves NOT transmitted?
a. continental crust
b. inner core

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 c. ocean crust
d. outer core
15. What is the primary cause of volcanoes and earthquakes?
a. Crustal plate movement
b. Higher than usual tides
c. Earth’s gravitational force
d. Solar magnetic storms

Great job! You have successfully answered the questions above. In the next part,
let us try to test what have you learned on the previous topic.

Lesson
Processes that Occur Along
6-7 Plate Boundaries

Plate boundaries are areas where deformation of the lithosphere is happening.

This geologic event has a great impact in the environment and human life. Thus,
there is a need to explain the processes occurring therein.

Let us explore this next activity.

What’s In

Activity 1: “PAIR ME UP”

Directions: Cut out the boxes at the bottom of the page. Glue each box under the
correct heading.

CONVERGENT DIVERGENT TRANSFORM

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 What’s New

Activity 2: “PUZZLE PUZZLE”

Directions: Complete the puzzle using the words and definitions below.

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 What is It

GUIDE CONCEPTS
Earth is made up of three types of plate boundaries. These are convergent,
divergent and transform boundaries. Each of these is made up of continental and
oceanic plates.

Convergent Plate Boundary

A convergent plate boundary is a location where two tectonic plates are moving
toward each other, often causing one plate to slide below the other in a process
known as subduction. The collision of tectonic plates can result in earthquakes,
volcanoes, the formation of mountains, and other geological events.
Earth's surface is made up of two types of lithospheric plates: continental and
oceanic. The crust that makes up continental plates is thicker yet less dense than
oceanic crust because of the lighter rocks and minerals that compose it. Oceanic
plates are made up of heavier basalt, the result of magma flows from mid-ocean
ridges.

When plates converge, they do so in one of three settings:

 oceanic plates collide with each other (oceanic-oceanic boundaries),
 oceanic plates collide with continental plates (oceanic-
continental boundaries),
 continental plates collide with each other (continental-
continental boundaries).

Oceanic-Continental Boundary

When continental and oceanic plates collide, the thinner and denser oceanic
plate is overridden by the thicker and less dense continental plate. The oceanic
plate is forced down into the mantle in a process known as "subduction." As the
oceanic plate descends, it is forced into higher temperature environments.
Materials in the subducting plate begin to approach their melting temperatures and
a process of partial melting begins. This partial melting produces magma
chambers above the subducting oceanic plate.

For the oceanic crust, one important geologic feature is formed, and that is the
trench. Also called submarine valleys, ocean trenches are the deepest part of the
ocean. One of the deepest is the Philippine trench with a depth of 10,540 meters.

Effects of a convergent boundary between an oceanic and continental plate include:

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  a zone of earthquake activity at varying depths
 ocean trench
 volcanic eruptions

Oceanic-Oceanic Boundary

When a convergent boundary occurs between two oceanic plates, one of those
plates will subduct beneath the other. Normally the older plate will subduct
because of its higher density. The subducting plate is heated as it is forced deeper
into the mantle, and at a depth of about 100 miles (150 km) the plate begins to
melt. Magma chambers are produced as a result of this melting, and the magma is
lower in density than the surrounding rock material. Magma chambers that reach
the surface break through to form a volcanic island arc parallel to the trench. In
the early stages of this type of boundary, the cones will be deep beneath the ocean
surface but later grow to be higher than sea level. This produces an island chain.
Many parts of the Philippines originated from oceanic-oceanic convergence.

Effects that are found at this type of plate boundary include:

 a zone of progressively deeper earthquakes;

 an oceanic trench;
 a chain of volcanic islands

Continental-Continental Boundary
Continental-continental convergent boundaries pit large slabs of crust against
each other. This results in very little subduction, as most of the rock is too light to
be carried very far down into the dense mantle. Instead, the continental crust at
these convergent boundaries gets folded, faulted, and thickened, forming great
mountain chains of uplifted rock.

Divergent Plate Boundary

Formation of rift valleys and oceanic ridges are indications that the crust is
spreading or splitting apart. In this case, the plates are forming divergent
boundaries wherein they tend to move apart. Most divergent boundaries are
situated along underwater mountain ranges called oceanic ridges. As the plates
separate, new materials from the mantle ooze up to fill the gap. These materials will
slowly cool to produce new ocean floor.

Transform Plate Boundary

In the transform fault, where plates slide past one another without the
production or destruction of crust. Because rocks are cut and displaced by
movement in opposite direction, rocks facing each other on two sides of the fault
are typically of different type and age. These structures are so-called strike-slip
faults.
When strike-slip movement halts due to increased friction at some location,
stresses can build up that are released in sudden slips. These may result in some

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of the most damaging earthquakes on continental crust. The San Andreas Fault,
the North Anatolian Fault (Turkey) or the Dolores-Guayaquil Megafault in the
northern Andes are some examples of huge strike-slip faults transecting
continental crust.

What’s More

Activity 3: Understanding Science Words

Great work! You can still recall your previous lessons. This time, you will
discover and explain different processes that occur along the plate boundaries. In
this activity you will use Oreo cookies in making a model to explain the interactions
of tectonic plate boundaries.

Time Frame: 5 days

Material:

 2 packs Oreo Cookies/ Presto Cream Cookies

 Paper
 Pen/Pencil
 Coloring Materials

Activity 3: Convergent Boundary

Objectives:
 Explain the processes that occur along convergent boundaries
 Determine the consequences of colliding plates

A. Converging Continental Plate and Oceanic Plate

Procedure:
1. Carefully remove the top biscuit
of an Oreo cookie.

2. Once removed, break the biscuit

(the one without the creamy
center) in half. This will be your
Plate A.

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 3. Put the broken biscuit on top of
the other biscuit which is the
one with the creamy white
center.
4. Gently press down the two
broken biscuit and push towards
each other.
5. One half of the broken biscuit
should be below the other half
biscuit.
6. Illustrates the model and label
the parts inside the box below

Drawing

Questions:

1. What type of plate is the top part of the biscuit?

______________________________________________________________________
2. Describe what happens to Plate A as it collides with Plate B? Why?
______________________________________________________________________
3. What do you think may happen to the leading edge of Plate A as it
continues to move downward? Why?
______________________________________________________________________

4. What do you call this molten material?

______________________________________________________________________
5. As the plates continue to grind against each other, what other geological
events could take place? Explain.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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B. Convergence of Two Oceanic Plates
Procedure:
1. Carefully remove the top
biscuit of an Oreo cookie.

2. Once removed, break the

biscuit (the one without the
creamy center) in half. This
will be your Plate A.

3. Put the broken biscuit on top

of the other biscuit which is
the one with the creamy
white center.
4. Gently press down the two
broken biscuit and push
towards each other.
5.One half of the broken biscuit
should be below the other
half biscuit.
6.Illustrates the model and label
the parts inside the box below

Drawing

Questions:

1. What are the geological processes/events that occur because of plate

movement as shown by the activity?
__________________________________________________________________
2. What geological features might form at the surface of Plate A?
__________________________________________________________________
3. If the edge of plate A suddenly flicks upward, a large amount of water
maybe displaced. What could be formed at the surface of the ocean?
__________________________________________________________________

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C. Two Continental Plates Converging

Procedure:
1. Carefully remove the top
biscuit of an Oreo cookie.

2. Once removed, break the

biscuit (the one without the
creamy center) in half. This
will be your Plate A.

3. Put the broken biscuit on top

of the other biscuit which is the
one with the creamy white
center.
4. Gently press down the two
broken biscuit and push
towards each other.
5.Observe what happen when
the plates are pushed towards
each other
6.Illustrates the model and label
the parts inside the box below

Drawing

Questions:

1. What happened to Plate A as they were pushed from opposite ends?

__________________________________________________________________
2. If Plate A represents the earth’s lithosphere, what do you think is formed
in the lithosphere?
_________________________________________________________________
3. What are the other geological events that could take place with this type of plate
movement?
_________________________________________________________________
4. In terms of consequences on the Earth’s lithosphere, how will you
differentiate this type of convergent plate boundary with the other two.

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Activity 4: Divergent Boundary
Objectives:

 Explain the processes that occur along divergent boundaries.

 Determine the results of plates that are moving apart.

Procedure:

1. Carefully remove the top

biscuit of an Oreo cookie.

2. Once removed, break the

biscuit (the one without the
creamy center) in half. This will
be your Plate A.

3. Put the broken biscuit on top of

the other biscuit which is the
one with the creamy white
center.
4. Gently press down the two
broken biscuit as you slowly
push them down and away from
one another in opposite
direction.
5. Observe what happen when the
plates are away from each other
6. Illustrates the model and label
the parts inside the box below

Drawing

Questions:
1. What does the Plate A represent? ___________________________________

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 2. What happened to the creamy white center of the two broken biscuit as
you pressed? __________________________________________________________
3. What landform is being formed in this kind of plate boundary?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 5: Transform-Fault Boundary

Objective:

 Determine the effect of transform-fault boundary on the Earth’s crust

Procedure:

1. Carefully remove the top biscuit

of an Oreo cookie.

2. Once removed, break the biscuit

(the one without the creamy
center) in half. This will be your
Plate A.

3. Put the broken biscuit on top of

the other biscuit which is the
one with the creamy white
center.

4. While gently pushing the biscuit

together, slide one biscuit
towards you and another biscuit
away from you so they grind
against one another.
5. Observe what happen when the
broken biscuit grind against one
another.
6. Illustrates the model and label
the parts inside the box below

Drawing

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Questions:
1. Provide an example of a location where this type of boundary is found on
Earth. (Recall your previous lessons). ___________________________________
2. What real geologic event is simulated when the crackers finally move past
each other? ____________________________________________________________
3. What will happen to the crackers when the pressure is increased? Explain
how this is similar to the situation along the San Andreas Fault.
________________________________________________________________________

What I Have Learned

Directions: Complete the Concept Map using the terms in the list below and
answer the following questions.

Mid-ocean ridges Volcanic islands major earthquakes

rift valleys deep-sea trenches volcanic mountains

Plate
Boundaries

Convergent Divergent Transform

Questions:

1. Convergent Plate Boundary will result to earthquakes, volcanoes, formation of

mountains, and other geological events. Explain how these geological
processes/events occur due to this plate movement?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

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2. Site an evidence that prove Divergent Plate Boundaries can produce new
ocean floor. _____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
3. Explain the interaction between two plates sliding past each other. What
geological process/event may occur? _____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

At this point, we are quite aware that our country is susceptible to different
disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruption, and tsunamis. Therefore, it is a
must for us to prepare and ensure our safety and survival when these disasters
strike.
For this activity, your goal is to help your family prepare for an impeding
emergency. Your task is to prepare an emergency kit for the whole family. Decide
what items should be in your emergency kit.
Draw essential tools needed for your emergency kit.

Question:

What can you do to prepare for a disaster in your community? How can you
help others affected by disasters? ________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

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 Assessment

Answer the following questions. Encircle the letter of the correct answer

1. Predict what geologic features could result out of this plate boundary

a. Mountains
b. Volcanoes
c. Trenches
d. None of the above
2. Right in the middle of an island, you can find a rift valley as shown by the
diagram below. What type of plate boundary exists?

a. Convergent
b. Divergent
c. normal fault
d. transform fault
3. Plates A and B shows a divergent boundary. If plate C is adjacent to both
plates and does not show any relative motion, what type of plate boundary
is present between A and C?
a. Convergent
b. Divergent
c. normal fault
d. transform fault
4. What geologic event is most likely to happen at the given type plate
boundary in number 4?
a. earthquake
b. Divergent
c. normal fault
d. transform fault
5. What do you expect to find parallel to a trench?
a. Hot spot

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 b. Ocean Ridge
c. rift valley
d. d. volcanic arc

Direction: Complete the table below and answer the following questions.

Diagram Type of Diagram Type of

boundary, boundary,
motion and motion and
brief brief
explanation of explanation
the processes of the
occurring at processes
boundary occurring at
boundary
6. 8.

7. 9.

10. Which of the above boundaries can produce volcanoes? ________________

11. At which of the above boundaries is sea floor created? _________________
12. At which of the above boundaries is sea floor destroyed? _______________
13. What are the three sub-types of convergent plate boundaries? __________
14. Which of the above boundaries can generate tsunamis? ________________
15. How can transform-fault boundary may generate a strong earthquake?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

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 Additional Activities

Direction: Label each plate boundary by using the following vocabulary word bank.
Some words may be used more than once.

Vocabulary Terms:

-Volcanic arc -Continental crust

-Lithosphere -Mountain range
-Oceanic Crust -Volcanic Island
-Asthenosphere -Mid-ocean ridge
-Trench -Magma
-Crust -Rift Valley
-Rift

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 22
Assessment
1. D
2. B
Additional Activities 3. D
4. A
5. D
6. Convergent
-move into one another
7. Divergent
- move away from one
another
8. Oceanic-Oceanic
Convergence
- subduction
9. Transform
-slide past each other
10. Oceanic-oceanic
convergence
11. Divergent boundary
12. Convergent Boundary
13. -Oceanic-Oceanic
-Oceanic- Continental
-Continental-Continental
14. Oceanic-Oceanic
Convergence
15. Plates slide past each
other and creates huge
stresses resulting in
earthquakes
What I’ve Learned What’s New What I know
Convergent Across 1. b
Volcanic Mountains 1.Subduction 2. a
Deep-sea trenches 3.volcanic island arc 3. c
Volcanic island 4.geology 4. d
Divergent 6.divergent boundary 5. d
Rift valley Down 6. a
Mid-ocean ridge 1. earthquake 7. a
Transform 5.convergent boundary 8. d
Major earthquakes 7.transform boundary 9. b
8.fault 10. b
9.trench 11. a
10.crust 12. c
13. c
14. d
15. a
Answer Key
References

Printed Material:

Acosta, H., Alvarez, L., Angeles, D., Arne, R., Carmona, M., Garcia, A., Gatpo, A.,
Macaida, J., Olarte, M., Rosales, M., Salazar, N. (2015). First Edition. Science 10
Learner’s Material. Department of Education. Republic of the Philippines

Acosta, H., Alvarez, L., Angeles, D., Arne, R., Carmona, M., Garcia, A., Gatpo, A.,
Macaida, J., Olarte, M., Rosales, M., Salazar, N. (2015). First Edition. Science 10
Teachers Guide (Unit1). Department of Education. Republic of the Philippines

Electronic Sources:
Brooks Mitchell (March 19, 2020). “Introduction to Convergent Plate Boundaries”
Retrieved from: https://www.thoughtco.com/convergent-plate-boundaries-
3866818
“Convergent Plate Boundaries” (Geology.com). Retrieved from:
https://geology.com/nsta/convergent-plate-boundaries.shtml
“Tasty Tectonics” (rcsdk12.org). Retrieved from:
https://www.rcsdk12.org/cms/lib/NY01001156/Centricity/Domain/9785/tasty_t
ectonics.pdf

“Plate Boundaries” (geo.fu-berlin.de). Retrieved

from:https://www.geo.fuberlin.de/en/v/geolearning/mountain_building/pl
ate_tectonics/plate7/index.html

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 DISCLAIMER
This Self-learning Module (SLM) was developed by DepEd SOCCSKSARGEN
with the primary objective of preparing for and addressing the new normal.
Contents of this module were based on DepEd’s Most Essential Learning
Competencies (MELC). This is a supplementary material to be used by all
learners of Region XII in all public schools beginning SY 2020-2021. The
process of LR development was observed in the production of this module.
This is version 1.0. We highly encourage feedback, comments, and
recommendations.

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – SOCCSKSARGEN

Learning Resource Management System (LRMS)

Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal

Telefax No.: (083) 2288825/ (083) 2281893

Email Address: region12@deped.gov.ph