Science 10

1st Grading Period

Unit 1: Plate Tectonics

Module 01

Introduction to
Plate Tectonics
{

Overview

Every day we
experience geological
events. The start of
2020 was greeted by
the eruption of Taal
Volcano. This event
led to people
evacuating from their
hometowns to safer
areas. People were
asked to stay at home
to prevent inhalation
of very small particles Figure 1. Taal Volcano
which may result to Eruption in 2020 (Wikipedia)
respiratory problems.

In 2019, some parts of our country experienced high-magnitude earthquakes which

affected many people's lives. Philippines being surrounded by seas and other bodies of
water. We are also prone to tsunamis that can cause loss of lives and properties. These
disasters are indeed devastating. However, we cannot predict the coming of these

Teacher: Blaisie S. Emralino Page 1 of 8

geological events. Instead, disaster preparedness and risk reduction are one of the
mitigations that we can do to survive while we live here in our homeland.

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami and even mountain formations are geological
phenomena that are not solely experienced in the Philippines but also worldwide. How
could these geological events be related to each other? Do earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, tsunamis and mountain formations occur randomly on Earth? Are they
located in every country or continent? What causes the formation of these geological
events? Knowing all these things, how are we going to prepare ourselves in facing the
disasters caused by these geological events?

All these questions can be answered by plate tectonics. The formation of the Philippine
archipelago is a result of the geological activities explained by plate tectonics. The
reasons why the Philippines is prone to disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
and tsunamis and why we are surrounded by mountains can be explained by plate
tectonics. Knowing plate tectonics would help us save our lives in facing these events.

In this unit, you will learn the following:

1. Describe the distribution of active volcanoes, earthquake epicenters, tsunami and

major mountain belts;

2. Describe the different plate boundaries;

3. Explain the different processes that occur along the plate boundaries;

4. Describe the internal structure of the Earth;

5. Describe the possible causes of plate movement;

6. Enumerate the lines of evidence that support plate movement;

7. Infer patterns and relationship among locations of volcanoes, earthquake

epicenters and tsunami and major mountain belts; and

8. Enumerate and explain on how to prepare for disasters like earthquakes,

volcanic eruptions and tsunamis.

Teacher: Blaisie S. Emralino Page 2 of 8

Figure 2 below shows the concept map of this unit.

Figure 2. Concept Map for Unit 1 Plate Tectonics

Teacher: Blaisie S. Emralino Page 3 of 8

 Lesson Proper
Plate Tectonics is the study of the origin and arrangement of the broad structural
features of the earth's surface, including not only folds and faults but also mountain
belts, continents, and earthquake belts. It states that the earth's surface is divided into
few large, thick plates that move slowly and change in size.

These large, mobile slabs of rock that are part of the earth's surface are known today as
tectonic plates. There are primary and secondary tectonic plates that make up the outer
shell of the earth (the crust and the upper mantle).

Primary tectonic plates are major tectonic plates namely:

1. North American Plate 5. Indo- Australian Plate
2. South American Plate 6. Pacific Plate
3. Eurasian Plate 7. Antarctic Plate
4. African Plate 8. Nazca Plate

Secondary tectonic plates are minor tectonic plates. They are relatively smaller than the
primary tectonic plates. Secondary tectonic plates include the following:
1. Arabian Plate 6. Caribbean Plate
2. Indian Plate 7. Scotia Plate
3. Philippine Sea Plate 8. Nazca Plate (can be considered
4. Juan de Fuca Plate primary and secondary at the same
5. Cocos Plate time because of its size)

Teacher: Blaisie S. Emralino Page 4 of 8

 Figure 2. Tectonic Plate Map

Figure 3. World Map

Teacher: Blaisie S. Emralino Page 5 of 8

By comparing the Tectonic Plate Map and the World Map, you will be able to identify the
different countries, continents, seas and oceans that each tectonic plate contains.

Examples:

Pacific Plate: Pacific Ocean, Hawaii

North American Plate: North America

The tectonic plate map does not only show the tectonic plates. It also represents the
plate boundaries. Plate boundaries are of three general types, based on whether the
plates move away from each other, move toward each other, or move past each other.
A divergent plate boundary is a boundary between plates that are moving apart. A
convergent plate boundary lies between plates that are moving toward each other. A
transform plate boundary is one at which two plates move horizontally past each other.

Figure 4. Types of Plate Boundaries

Teacher: Blaisie S. Emralino Page 6 of 8

On your tectonic plate map, find the legend used to represent the convergent plate
boundary, divergent plate boundary and transform plate boundary. In Figure 2, the
legend used for convergent plate boundary is a black toothed line; for the divergent
plate boundary is a red line; and for transform plate boundary is a red line.

Figure 5. A Portion of Tectonic Plate Map

The black toothed line, red line and yellow line represents the plate boundaries.
According to Plate tectonics Theory the tectonic plates are moving, thus two
neighboring tectonic plates may interact at the plate boundaries.

Teacher: Blaisie S. Emralino Page 7 of 8

For example, the black toothed line between Nazca Plate and South American Plate
represents a convergent plate boundary. To name a plate boundary, we just write the
name of the two neighboring tectonic plates. To identify the type of plate boundary, use
the legend used in the map.

Examples:

Convergent Plate Boundary: Juan de Fuca Plate and North American Plate
Divergent Plate Boundary: Pacific Plate and Nazca Plate
Transform Plate boundary: Scotia Plate and Antarctic Plate

Teacher: Blaisie S. Emralino Page 8 of 8