St.

Mary’s College of Baliuag

Baliuag, Bulacan
SY 2022-2023

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

Certificate No. 01 100 1534708 PAASCU Level III Accredited

Subject: Science Grade Level: 10 Quarter: First

Module Number: 1 (2 weeks) Topic: Earth & its Spheres (Plate Tectonics)

I. INTRODUCTION
According to the study of National Geographic,
Earth is estimated to be 4.54 billion years old, plus or
minus about 50 million years. Scientists have scoured
the Earth and used some of the oldest rocks to find
answers on this. In a sample in northwestern Canada,
they discovered rocks that are about 4.03 billion years
old. Also, in Australia, they discovered minerals that
are about 4.3 billion years old.

As the saying “Change is inevitable” goes, our

planet also epitomizes this for it continues to evolve.
While some changes may be evident to our everyday
lives, others carry on until it reaches a time that we
can see and feel its effects.
Figure 1. Planet Earth
(https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-
vector/flat-planet-earth-icon-vector-23229263)

In this module, we are to find out how the structure of the Earth shaped by plate tectonics
influences how organisms live – from the physical features of land and water that make our
planet down to the course of our climate, weather, and livelihood, we cannot escape the great
power of this world.

Let us find out and dig deeper to understand how our planet works and how we can
embrace these changes for us to continually evolve and help sustain it.

II. THIS MODULE WAS MADE FOR YOU TO

1. describe the internal structure of the Earth.
2. describe and relate the distribution of active volcanoes, earthquake epicenters, and
major mountain belts to Plate Tectonic Theory

III. DISCUSSION
A. Presentation of the Lesson
1. The Earth
Before we begin our lesson, let us
have a simple recall about our home
planet, the Earth. It was said that the A B
earth was divided into different parts.
Look at the figure 2.

When seen from outer space,

Earth is a small blue planet. Figure 2
tells us that the planet is composed of
different spheres or layers. LIFE on
Earth is possible because of these C D
major “spheres.” Can you guess what
these are?
Figure 2. Earth’s Spheres
A. (https://ib.bioninja.com.au/_Media/earth-
spheres_med.jpeg)
B.
C.
D.
 Now as you may have guess correctly, the basic spheres of the earth are
geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. They are divided by
geographers to easily classify and organize their studies about our home planet.

Figure 3 briefly discusses each of the spheres, including one that is mainly
responsible and a crucial element as an indicator for the changes in our climate,
Cryosphere.

Figure 3. Earth as a System

(https://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/SpheresDef.png)

For this module, we will be focusing only on one of these spheres, Geosphere. It
is the layer of the Earth that we are most knowledgeable of.

2. Internal Structure of the Earth

Figure 3. Structure of the Earth

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aegdLGV3Iy0/Ug7FaWAd3rI/AAAAAAAAAFI/jIY_SWykvtA/s1600/interior.png )

The Earth’s geosphere is divided into four major layers – the crust, mantle, outer
core, and inner core – each having its own properties. Most of the geologist believes
that as the Earth cooled, the heavier and the denser material sank into the center, and
the lighter ones rose towards the top.

Due to this, the outermost layer is made of the lightest materials such as rocks and
granites and the innermost layer consists of nickel and iron. Let’s discuss different
layers of earth.
Layers of the Earth

Crust - The crust is the outer layer where we live. It’s a solid rock
layer divided into two types:
1) Continental crust covers the land
2) Oceanic crust covers water

Mantle - is the widest section of the Earth. The mantle is mainly

made up of semi-molten rock known as magma. The rock
is hard in the upper part of the mantle, but lower down the
rock is softer and begins to melt.

Outer Core - The outer core of the Earth is like a very hot ball of
metals. It is so hot that the metals inside are all in the liquid
state. It is composed of metals such as Fe and Ni.

Inner Core - It is the center and the hottest layer of the Earth. The
inner core is solid and made up of Fe and Ni. Due to its
intense heat, the inner core is more like the engine room of
the Earth.

Below the lithosphere is the asthenosphere, which contains hot molten rocks or
magma. Due to intense heat in the Earth’s interior, the magma in the mantle moves in
a cyclic pattern forming convection cells.

Figure 4. Convection Currents in the Mantle

(https://cdn.thinglink.me/api/image/794219161310986240/1240/10/scaletowidth )

In the cell, the warmer material from the lower layer of the mantle near the core
rises. As it rises, moving away from the core, it slowly cools down and eventually sinks
again and is replaced by the rising warmer material forming a never-ending cycle. This
movement is extremely slow that its effects can only be discerned after thousands or
millions of years.

Over the last centuries, we have gathered much evidence to support the idea that
Earth's surface is broken up into "lithospheric plates” that are continuously and slowly
moving over the top of the mantle.

It is easier to think of plates as rigid "rafts" floating on the mantle, but some plates
also have some internal deformation. However, the most active deformation of the
plates occurs along their boundaries, where they interact with other plates.
3. Plate Tectonics
From our introduction, “CHANGE is
INEVITABLE.” With that, let us take a step back
and ponder how world would look like, 4 billion
years ago? Where would you distribute the
continents?

Would it still have the seven present

continents? Create an illustration below of your
perception of how the Earth looked like in the
old times inside the box.

Please also support your image by

providing a 3-sentence caption on the lines
below the box.

Earth may appear solid and steady but in truth, it is constantly, slowly,
changing over the years. Many theories have been proposed to explain the
changes of the Earth but only a few showed promises.

More than a century ago, the scientist Alfred Wegener proposed that the
Earth began as a single landmass, a supercontinent, which he named Pangaea
surrounded by a super ocean called Panthalasa. The term Pangaea came from
2 Greek words:
“Pan” – meaning “all”
“gaea” – meaning “Earth”

It was said that today’s continents were once joined and drifted apart
gradually because of tectonic forces. These continents are held by continental
tectonic plates found on the lithosphere.

Figure 5. Splitting of Pangea into the 7 continents

(https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MukkwnPZe2zTtY5NSvyC8X-320-80.jpg)
Theories on the Movement of the Lithosphere
1. Continental Drift theory by Alfred Wegener
This theory states that the Earth was once composed of only one
supercontinent called Pangaea. Through time, this supercontinent split into two
sub-continents, Laurasia, and Gondwanaland.

Million years further, Laurasia split into a few smaller continents forming
the continents in the northern hemisphere of the Earth.
Asia South America
Europe Africa
North America

On the other hand, the continents of the southern hemisphere, Australia,

and Antarctica, are the two continents divided from Gondwanaland.

2. Seafloor Spreading Theory by Harry Hess

This theory states that the seafloor or ocean floors – not the continents - is
continuously moving carrying the continents along with it.

3. Plate Tectonics Theory

This theory incorporates the two theories and states that the crust is
composed of different plates which move either towards, away or past each other.
The modern version of the Continental Drift Theory of Alfred Wegener.

At present there are 15 major tectonic plates that consists of 7 primary

plates and 8 secondary smaller plates.

Primary Plates Secondary Plates

1. Eurasian plate 1. Juan de Fuca Plate
2. Australian Plate 2. Nazca Plate
3. Pacific Plate 3. Cocos Plate
4. North American Plate 4. Caribbean Plate
5. South American Plate 5. Philippine Sea Plate
6. African plate 6. Arabian Plate
7. Antarctic Plate 7. Indian Plate
8. Scotia Plate

Figure 6. Earth’s tectonic plates

(https://static.sciencelearn.org.nz/images/images/000/000/350/embed/Tectonic-plate-
boundaries20151005-11221-173o8u5.jpg?1522293991 )
4. Activities along Plate Boundaries
As you have already learned that the mantle is composed of semifluid molten rock
that moves constantly in a cyclic pattern forming convection cells.

As the molten rock moves in the mantle, with the extreme pressure, some of the
molten rock escapes through the cracks in the crust and along the boundaries of the
tectonic plates resulting in earthquakes and volcanic activities.

Figure 7. Volcanic and Seismic Activities along the boundaries

(https://clarkscience8.weebly.com/uploads/2/6/3/7/2637711/earthquakes-and-volcanoes-plate-
tectonics_1_orig.jpg )

Observe Figure 7, how would you

describe the location of most of the
volcanoes and earthquakes around the
world?

As you may have noticed, epicenters of earthquakes lie along the boundaries.
These boundaries are active margins where most seismic and volcanic activities may
occur.
• Earthquakes are ground vibrations caused by the friction of moving plates.
• Volcanic Eruptions releases molten rocks as dense subducting lithosphere
partially melts as it sinks down the asthenosphere.

The Philippines is in the “Pacific Ring of Fire.” It is a path along the Pacific Ocean
characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Majority of Earth’s
volcanoes and earthquakes take place here. The country has experienced some of the
worst earthquakes in history.

Figure 8. Pacific Ring of Fire

(https://www.geologyin.com/2018/01/the-ring-of-fire.html)
To know more about the acids & bases, follow the links provided below,

Plate Tectonics
Brain Pop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA2-Vc4PIOY

Plate tectonics Theory Lesson

Cary Graham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbtAXW-2nz0

plate tectonics
Geo Dharma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryrXAGY1dmE

IV.REMEMBER
• The Earth’s layer is primarily divided into four – crust, mantle, outer, and inner core.
• These differences enable the Earth to evolve and cause changes to climate, nature,
atmospheric condition, and eventually the lives of its inhabitants.
• The nature of the movements inside the Earth’s structure provides information on the
Earth’s interior
• Throughout the time, Alfred Wegener observed that the continents of the Earth might
have been joined together in one massive land at the old age and presented different
theories of the movement of the lithosphere. Among these are Continental Drift,
Seafloor Spreading, and the infamous Plate Tectonics Theory.
• Plate tectonics is a considered theory that explains the Earth's outer layer is made up
of plates, which have moved throughout Earth's history.

V. REFERENCES
Continental Drift and Seafloor Spreading (n.d.). Dive & Discover.
https://divediscover.whoi.edu/history-of-oceanography/continental-drift-and-
seafloor-spreading/.
Ferriols-Pavico, Ma. Josefina. Morales-Ramos, Anna Cherylle. Bayquen, Aristea. Silverio,
Angelina. Ramos. John Donnie. (2015). Exploring Life Through Science.
Phoenix Publishing House.
Geo Dharma. (2010, September 4) plate tectonics. [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryrXAGY1dmE
Cary Graham. (2016, July 31). Plate tectonics Theory Lesson. [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbtAXW-2nz0
Brain Pop. (2017, August 24). Plate Tectonics. [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA2-Vc4PIOY
Oskin, Becky. (2017, December 19) Continental Drift: Theory and Definition. LiveScience.
https://www.livescience.com/37529-continental-drift.html
Ghose, Tia. (2018, February 23) Facts about Pangaea, Ancient Supercontinent.
LiveScience. https://www.livescience.com/38218-facts-about-pangaea.html
Name: Score:
Grade 10 Section: Date:

Virtual Laboratory Experiment #1

Digging Deeper into the Plates
I. Problem: Where do most active volcanoes,
earthquake epicenters, and major mountain
belts located in relation to the Tectonic
Plates?

II. Resources:
• Activity Sheet
• Internet
• Seismic Explorer https://seismic-
explorer.concord.org/

III. Procedure:
1. Follow the link provided using your pc/laptops. You will see this interface.

2. At the bottom of the interface, you may change the

Map Type, into Satellite, Street, or Relief.

3. At the bottom of the interface, set the Set the Data

Type and place a tick for

✓ Plate Boundaries and

✓ Earthquakes

4. Then hit “Start.”

5. Take a screen shot of the interface at the years 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, 2021
and collate your images in the tables provided in this activity sheet.

6. Repeat steps 1-4 for Volcanic Eruptions.

IV. Observations

Table 1. Earthquakes

1980 1990

2000 2010

2021
Table 2. Volcanic Eruptions

1980 1990

2000 2010

2021
Points to Ponder:
1. Are tectonic plates pieces of crust or lithosphere? What is the best answer?

2. Based on the images you have taken, does the formation of volcanoes occur in
random? How about those of earthquakes? Explain your answer.

3. Why are earthquakes common in some places but rare in others?

4. Using the principle of plate interactions, how would you explain what happened
during the earthquake happened in Bohol back in 2013?

V. Conclusion
What can you conclude based on this simulation?