Ara M.

Melano

Grade 10-Pythagoras
MY REFLECTION
The first quarter of science has been an exciting and informative learning for me. We

have covered a variety of topics related to plate tectonics, including plate boundaries, seismic

wave, earth mechanism, sea floor spreading and magnetic reversal. I have learned a lot in

science 10, from how the world was created, Science plays a huge role in our everyday lives

because it teaches us about the earth, the universe, electricity, etc., and without learning about

these concepts, we would not even understand the simplest things that we do and that happen

in our daily lives.

One of the most interesting things I learned in quarter 1 was about Plate boundaries,

Plate boundaries are the junctures where Earth’s tectonic plates meet. These regions are

hotbeds of geological activity, making them crucial in understanding the planet’s dynamics.

Three are three primary types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent, and transform

boundaries.

Divergent boundaries are characterized by plates moving away from each other. The

Mid-Atlantic Ridge, an underwater mountain range, is a classic example. As these plates

separate, magma rises to create new crust, which gradually spreads to the seafloor.

Convergent boundaries involve plates colliding or moving towards one another. When an

oceanic plate converges with a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate is subducted

beneath the lighter continental plate. This process often results in the formation of mountain

ranges, such as the Himalayas. Transform boundaries are where plates slide past one another

horizontally. The San Andreas Fault in California is a famous transform boundary. The

friction between plates is responsible for the frequent earthquakes in these regions.
 Understanding plate boundaries has been instrumental in predicting seismic activity

and volcanism, contributing to safer urban planning and disaster preparedness. Also, I have

learned about Seismic waves, Seismic waves are the vibrational energy that travels through

the Earth during an earthquake. They provide vital information about the Earth’s interior.

There are two primary types of seismic waves: body waves (P-waves and S-waves) and

surface waves (Love and Rayleigh waves). P-waves, or primary waves, are the fastest seismic

waves and travel through solids, liquids, and gases. They cause particles to vibrate in the

same direction as the wave’s motions-waves, or secondary waves, are slower and only travel

through solids. They cause particles to move perpendicular to the wave’s direction. The

inability of S-waves to pass through liquids has been crucial in determining the presence of a

liquid outer core beneath the Earth’s solid mantle. Surface waves, on the other hand, are

responsible for most of the damage during an earthquake. They travel along the Earth’s

surface and have both horizontal and vertical motion.

The study of seismic waves has allowed scientists to map the Earth’s interior and

understand its composition. I also learned about Earth mechanism-Earth’s internal structure

consists of several distinct layers. These layers include the inner core, outer core, mantle, and

crust. The inner core is solid and primarily composed of iron and nickel. Surrounding it is the

liquid outer core, responsible for generating Earth’s magnetic field through a process known

as the geodynamics effect. The mantle is a semi-solid layer that extends to a depth of

approximately 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles). It’s responsible for the movement of tectonic

plates due to convection currents. The crust is the Earth’s outermost layer and can be oceanic

or continental in composition.

Understanding Earth’s mechanism, including the composition and movement of these

layers, is essential in comprehending plate tectonics, the generation of seismic waves, and the

processes responsible for the planet’s surface features. I also learned about Seafloor
spreading. Sea floor spreading is a crucial component of plate tectonics. This theory,

proposed by Harry Hess in the early 1960s, explains the formation of new oceanic crust at

mid-ocean ridges. As tectonic plates diverge at these boundaries, magma rises to create a new

ocean floor.

This concept was confirmed by magnetic striping patterns on the ocean floor, known

as magnetic anomalies. These patterns provided evidence of alternating magnetic polarity on

the ocean floor, demonstrating that the Earth’s magnetic field has reversed multiple times in

geological history. These magnetic anomalies offer a record of Earth’s magnetic history, and

they parallel the age of the oceanic crust. As a result, sea floor spreading provides a

mechanism for the movement of tectonic plates and the creation of new oceanic crust. I also

learned about Magnetic Reversal. Magnetic reversal, also known as geomagnetic reversal, is

the phenomenon where the Earth’s magnetic field flips, with the north and south magnetic

poles swapping positions. This process has occurred throughout Earth’s history, as evidenced

by the alternating magnetic striping on the ocean floor.

The study of magnetic reversals has provided significant insights into the Earth’s

geological history and the dynamic nature of the planet. By analyzing the magnetic signature

of rocks and minerals, geologists can determine the age of geological formations and gain a

better understanding of the history of the Earth’s magnetic field. The study of plate

boundaries, seismic waves, the Earth’s structure, the extent of the ocean floor, and magnetic

reversals has helped unravel the mysteries of the Earth. These concepts have not only

improved our understanding of the Earth’s inner workings, but also have practical

implications, from predicting earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to a deeper understanding

of the Earth’s geological history. As our knowledge evolves, these core principles will

continue to be important in shaping our understanding of the dynamic planet we call home.
 Overall, Quarter 1 has been a great learning experience for me. I have gained a better

understanding of the world around me, through studying these, we will not only gain insights

into the Earth past but also better equip ourselves to understand and predict geological event,

such as Earthquake and volcanic eruption of Earth and Space.