Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region III
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ZAMBALES
Zone 6, Iba, Zambales
Tel./Fax No. (047) 602 1391
E-mail Address: zambales@deped.gov.ph
website: www.depedzambales.ph

Name: ______________________________________ Grade/Section__________

School: _____________________________________ Date: __________________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

SCIENCE 10

I. Introduction

Have you experienced an earthquake in your area? What do you think

caused that earthquake? Is there a volcano near your location?
Earthquakes are important to understand for a variety of reasons. First,
for all of us who live in earthquake prone locations, earthquake is a serious
threat. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
(PHIVOLCS) Central Luzon, which includes Zambales is one of the seismically
active areas in the country because of the Philippine Fault, Iba Fault, East
Zambales Fault, and Manila Trench, which are the main earthquake generators
that can affect the area. We expect to have a damaging earthquake on those
faults over the course of the coming years. When that happens, buildings are
going to be damaged, people are going to be stranded, and it is going to be a very
serious situation.
The other reason is that we can use earthquake to study the structure of
the earth and the dynamics of the earth to better understand the processes that
causes it.

II. Learning Competency

Describe and relate the distribution of active volcanoes, earthquake
epicenters, and major mountain belts to Plate Tectonic Theory. (LC: S9ES-1a-
36.1)
 III. Objectives:
At the end of this learning activity sheet, you are expected to:

1. Describe and relate the distribution of active volcanoes, earthquake

epicenters, and major mountain belts.
2. Determine the Scientific basis for dividing the Lithospheric plates.

IV. Discussion

The theory of plate tectonics explains most of the features of Earth’s

surface. It explains why earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain ranges are where
they are. It explains where to find some mineral resources. Plate tectonics theory
explains where volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain ranges, ore deposits, and
other earth features are located. It also explains that some continental margins
have a lot of geological activity, and some have none. Plate tectonics is the key
that unlocks many of the mysteries of our amazing planet.
You have learned in grade 8 Science that an earthquake is caused by a
sudden slip on a fault. The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they
get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes
the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel
through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel.
Volcanoes and earthquakes are seemingly very different geological events,
yet they are closely related. Both result from movements of Earth's crust.
Earth's crust, specifically the lithosphere, is composed of several major
plates and many minor plates that change shape and position. Over time, these
tectonic plates move, interact with each other, and are responsible for the
formation of ocean basins, mountain ranges, islands, volcanoes, and
earthquakes.
Some of the biggest earthquakes since the turn of the century have been
in Iran (2003), Sumatra (2004), Pakistan (2005), China (2008), Haiti (2010), and
Japan (2011). The earthquake in Haiti alone accounted for over 160,000 fatalities
and a displacement of 1.5 million people.

In the Philippines with a 7.9 magnitude and almost 3,000 casualties, the
Mindanao earthquake is the strongest and deadliest earthquake in Philippine
history. Almost 40, 000 people in Regions 9 and 12 were also left homeless by
this tragedy .The table below shows the Destructive earthquake in the
Philippines from 2012-2019.
Date Location Epicenters Magnitude
February 6, 2012 Negros Oriental Tayasan, 6.7
Negros
Oriental
October 15, 2013 Bohol Sagbayan 7.2
2017 Surigao del Norte Surigao City 6.7
2017 Leyte Tonganan, 6.5
Ormoc City
2019 Central Luzon Castillejos, 6.1
Zambales
2019 Cotabato Columbio 6.5
December 15, 2019 Davao del Sur Matanao, 6.9
Davao del Sur
Table 1. Destructive earthquake in the Philippines from 2012-2019.
Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
V. Activities
General Directions: Write all your answers in an activity notebook.

A. The SHAKING of CENTRAL LUZON!

The following reading material is the Primer on the April 22, 2019
Magnitude 6.1 Central Luzon earthquake released by PHIVOLCS on April 23,
2019. Read and understand what is happening in Zambales and why do
earthquakes occur in Central Luzon.

PRIMER ON THE 22 APRIL 2019 MAGNITUDE 6.1 CENTRAL

LUZON EARTHQUAKE

At 5:11 PM on 22 April 2019, Monday, a moderate earthquake of

Magnitude 6.1 shook the provinces of Zambales, Pampanga and vicinity. The
epicenter is located 18 kilometers east of Castillejos, Zambales, on a
mountainous area, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Small-magnitude
earthquakes followed afterwards, and as of 8:00 AM of 23 April 2019, 421
aftershocks have been recorded by the PHIVOLCS-DOST seismic monitoring
network.
Based on preliminary intensity reports, the strongest ground shaking
was felt at PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) VI (Very Strong) in
San Marcelino and Subic in Zambales; Olongapo City; Floridablanca, Lubao,
Porac, and Angeles City in Pampanga.
 Central Luzon, which includes Zambales and Pampanga, is one of the
seismically active areas in the country because of the Philippine Fault, Iba
Fault, East Zambales Fault, and Manila Trench, which are the main
earthquake generators that can affect the area. In addition, there are other
nearby local faults, which may be covered by recent deposits, and may be
sources of small- to moderate-magnitude earthquakes.

Although the nearest active volcano in Central Luzon is the Pinatubo

Volcano, the Magnitude 6.1 earthquake was determined to be tectonic in
origin.(Tectonic in origin or Tectonic earthquakes occur at plate tectonic
boundaries . Volcanic earthquake on the other hand is caused by a volcanic
activity.) However, as part of PHIVOLCS-DOST monitoring procedures for
moderate to large earthquakes occurring near active volcanoes, the Institute
will closely monitor earthquake events in relation to any activity that may be
associated to Pinatubo Volcano.
Answer the following questions.

1. What is the magnitude of the earthquake that shook Central Luzon?

Answer : ____________________________________________________________________

2. Where is the epicenter of the earthquake?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________

3. Why do earthquakes occur in Central Luzon?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

4. Can this earthquake indicate volcanic activity? Why or why not?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________

Criteria for grading your essay.

4- Student’s understanding of concept is clearly evident. Student used

logical thinking to arrive at conclusion.
3- Student’s understanding of concept is evident. Student shows
thinking skills to arrive at conclusion.
2- Student has limited understanding of concept. Student attempts to
show thinking skills.
1- Student has a complete lack of understanding of concept. Student
shows no understanding.
 Determining the location of earthquake epicenters plays a vital role in
laying the foundations of plate tectonics. Let us see how early geologist used
the plotted positions of earthquake epicenters throughout the world in
conceptualizing crustal movements.

B. Be aware of Earthquakes!

Study the figure below showing the earthquake distribution around

the world. The yellow dots represent earthquake epicenters.

Figure 1. Map of earthquake distribution around the world.

After studying the figure, please answer the following questions.

5. How are earthquakes distributed on the map?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________

6. Where are they located?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________

7. Where are there no earthquakes?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________

8. Why is it important for us to identify areas which are prone to earthquakes?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________
 Criteria for grading your essay.

4- Student’s understanding of concept is clearly evident. Student used

logical thinking to arrive at conclusion.
3- Student’s understanding of concept is evident. Student shows
thinking skills to arrive at conclusion.
2- Student has limited understanding of concept. Student attempts to
show thinking skills.
1- Student has a complete lack of understanding of concept. Student
shows no understanding.

C. Fiery V’s around the world!

Volcanoes are Earth's geologic architects. They have created more than 80
percent of our planet's surface, laying the foundation that has allowed life to
thrive. Their explosive force crafts mountains as well as craters. Lava rivers
spread into bleak landscapes. But as time ticks by, the elements break down
these volcanic rocks, liberating nutrients from their stony prisons and creating
remarkably fertile soils that have allowed civilizations to flourish. (Wei-Haas
2018)

How many active volcanoes are there on Earth?

There are about 1,500 potentially active volcanoes worldwide. About 500
of those 1,500 volcanoes have erupted in historical time. Many of those are
located along the Pacific Rim also known as the "Ring of Fire."

What is "Ring of Fire"? Most earthquakes and volcanic eruptions do not

strike randomly but occur in specific areas, such as along plate boundaries. One
such area is the circum-Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Pacific Plate meets many
surrounding tectonic plates. The Ring of Fire is the most seismically and
volcanically active zone in the world.

Look at Figure 2 below. What do you observe? Notice the red portion at the
middle of the map? These are clusters of active volcanoes around the pacific
ocean. Study the map and be able to answer the questions that follows.
 Figure 2. The distribution of some of the Earth's 500 active volcanoes

9. How are volcanoes distributed on the map?

Answer: __________________________________________________________________

10. Where are they located?

Answer: __________________________________________________________________

11. What do you call the path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active
volcanoes and frequent earthquakes?

Answer:___________________________________________________________________

12. Based on the map, mention a country that is unlikely to experience a

volcanic eruption.

Answer: __________________________________________________________________

Criteria for grading your essay.

4- Student’s understanding of concept is clearly evident. Student used

logical thinking to arrive at conclusion.
 3- Student’s understanding of concept is evident. Student shows
thinking skills to arrive at conclusion.
2- Student has limited understanding of concept. Student attempts to
show thinking skills.
1- Student has a complete lack of understanding of concept. Student
shows no understanding.

Figure 3. Location of majority of earthquake epicenters with the location

of volcanoes around the world.

13. Look at figure 3. Look at how volcanoes and earthquakes are located around
the world. Compare the location of majority of earthquake epicenters with
location of volcanoes around the world.

Answer: __________________________________________________________________

6. What conclusions can you draw after observing the global patterns of
earthquakes and location of volcanoes?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________
 Criteria for grading your essay is the same as the previous
criteria.

D. The Mighty Chunks!

A mountain range is a series or chain of mountains that are close together.

The world's tallest mountain ranges form when pieces of Earth's crust—called
plates—smash against each other in a process called plate tectonics, and buckle
up like the hood of a car in a head-on collision. You will learn more about this
in our succeeding lessons. The Himalaya in Asia formed from one such massive
wreck that started about 55 million years ago. Thirty of the world’s highest
mountains are in the Himalaya. The summit of Mount Everest, at 29,035 feet
(8,850 meters), is the highest point on Earth. Will you locate the Himalayas in
the map below.

Figure 4. Mountain ranges of the world.

Study Figure 4, the black triangles indicate mountain ranges of the

world.

14. Take a look in figure 3. How will you relate the distribution of mountain
ranges with the distribution of earthquake epicenters and volcanoes?

Answer: ________________________________________________________________
E. Basis of Scientist in dividing earth’s lithosphere

Figure 5. Map of Plate Boundaries (Brown line), Earthquakes (red Line)

and Volcanoes (yellow triangles)

15. Take a look at figure 5. Now that you have seen the location of volcanoes,
mountain ranges and majority of earthquakes epicenters. What do you think is
the basis of scientists in dividing Earth’s Lithosphere into several plates?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________

The places on Earth where most of the earthquakes originated or some

mountains and volcanoes were formed mark the boundaries of each lithospheric
plate. The location of earthquake epicenters, volcanoes and mountain ranges are
related to plate boundaries. Each plate is slowly moving causing geologic events
such as mountain and volcano formation and earthquakes along their
boundaries.

VI. Assessment
A. Fill in the blanks by choosing the word/words from the box below.
Earthquake Plates Volcano
Plate Tectonics Mountain Ranges
1.___________________ a chain of mountains connected by high ground.

2.___________________ a natural opening in the surface of the Earth where

molten rocks, hot gases, smoke and ash are ejected.
3.___________________rigid sections of the lithosphere that move as a unit.

4.___________________ a vibration of Earth due to the rapid release of energy.

5.___________________ a theory which suggests that Earth’s crust is made up of

plates that interact in various ways, thus producing earthquakes, mountains,
volcanoes, and other geologic features.

B. Write the letter of the correct answer.

6. What do earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges have in common?
a. They occur suddenly.
b. They are measured by seismographs.
c. They result from movement of plates.
d. They cause major disasters.
7. Where are the most active volcanoes located?
a. Great Rift Valley in East Africa
b. Pacific Plate, the Ring of Fire
c. San Andreas Fault
d. Himalayas
8. Is there a pattern to the locations of earthquakes and volcanoes around the
globe?
a. No, earthquakes and volcanoes are random.
b. Yes, earthquakes and volcanoes usually occur near the boundaries of
tectonic plates.
c. Yes, earthquakes and volcanoes usually occur in the middle of tectonic
plates.
d. No, earthquakes and volcanoes usually occur under water.
9. Describe the most likely relationship between the mountains and nearby
tectonic plates.
 a. The mountains are probably formed by earthquakes.
b. The mountains are probably formed by the movement of glaciers.
c. The mountains are probably located near the edge of two tectonic
plates.
d. The mountains are probably formed by running water.
10. The theory of plate tectonics explains most of the features of Earth’s
surface. The following statement describe the Plate tectonic theory EXCEPT
a. It explains why earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain ranges are
where they are.

b. It explains why some places are prone to earthquakes while others are
not.
c. It explains why some continental margins have a lot of geological
activity, and some have none.
d. It explains why earth’s geography has not change overtime.

C. Answer the following questions.

11. The location of earthquakes epicenters, volcanoes and mountain ranges are
________________ to Plate boundaries.
12- 14. What is the basis of scientists in dividing Earth’s lithosphere into
several plates? (4 points)
Answer:______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Criteria for grading your essay.

4- Student’s understanding of concept is clearly evident. Student used
logical thinking to arrive at conclusion.
3- Student’s understanding of concept is evident. Student shows
thinking skills to arrive at conclusion.
2- Student has limited understanding of concept. Student attempts to
show thinking skills.
1- Student has a complete lack of understanding of concept. Student
shows no understanding.
VII. Reflection
Natural phenomena like volcanic eruption and earthquakes are often
associated with death and destruction. However, it may be hard to believe but it
can positively impact the environment and the people living in the area. Some of
the positive impacts are atmospheric cooling, fertile soil, land formation,
geothermal energy and raw materials like sulfur and copper.

Can you name other positive impacts of volcanic eruption and

earthquakes? How about mountain ranges?

Answer:

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

VIII. References
n.d. cK-12. Accessed July 19, 2020. https://www.ck12.org/earth-
science/theory-of-plate-tectonics/lesson/Theory-of-Plate-Tectonics-MS-
ES/.

Herma D. Acosta, Liza A. Alvarez, Dave G. Angeles, Ruby D. Arre, Ma. Pilar P.
Carmona, Aurelia S> GArcia, Arlen Gatpo, Judith F. marcaida. 2015.
Science 10 Learner's Material. Department of Education.

n.d. National Park Service. Accessed July 19, 2020.

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/plate-tectonics-older-
version.htm.

PBS LEARNING MEDIA . n.d. "PBS LEARNING MEDIA ." PBS LEARNING MEDIA
. Accessed July 19, 2020.
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.tect
onic/tectonic-plates-earthquakes-and-volcanoes/.

PHIVOLCS-DOST. 2019. "PRIMER ON THE 22 APRIL 2019 MAGNITUDE 6.1

CENTRAL LUZON EARTHQUAKE." PHIVOLCS-DOST. April 23. Accessed
July 18, 2020.
 https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/8233-primer-on-the-
22-april-2019-magnitude-6-1-central-luzon-earthquake-23-april-2019.

Richard Allen. 2016. "Earthquakes." Serious Science. November 23. Accessed

July 18, 2020. http://serious-science.org/earthquakes-
7614#:~:text=As%20plates%20move%20past%20one,for%20a%20variety
%20of%20reasons.

n.d. "Theory of Plate Tectonics." cK-12. Accessed July 19, 2020.

https://www.ck12.org/earth-science/theory-of-plate-
tectonics/lesson/Theory-of-Plate-Tectonics-MS-ES/.

Wei-Haas, Maya. 2018. "NatGeo@Home." National Geographic. January 15.

Accessed July 18, 2020.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-
disasters/volcanoes/.

Prepared by:

NADINE E. DOMINGO
Teacher I
Castillejos Resettlement High School, Castillejos

MARILYN D. JOAQUIN
Teacher II
San Agustin High School, Castillejos