Science 10 Module

SCIENCE 10
Name_________________________________________________ Section: _______________________
PLATE TECTONICS
What is Plate Tectonics?
Earth’s lithosphere consists of layers, the crust and the upper part of the mantle. This part of
the module will focus on the outermost layer which is called crust.
The crust is made of a variety of solid rocks like sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.
It has an average density of 2.8 g/cm3 and its thickness ranges from 5 to 50 km. The crust is thickest
in a part where a relatively young mountain is present and thinnest along the ocean floor .
Types of Plate Boundaries
Studying plate boundaries is important because along these boundaries deformation of the lithosphere is
happening. These geologic events have a great impact not only on the environment but also on us.
There are three distinct types of plate boundaries, which are differentiated by the type of movement they
exhibit. The first type of plate boundary is termed divergent boundary wherein plates move apart, creating a
zone of tension.
The first type of plate

boundary is termed
divergent boundary wherein plates move
apart, creating a zone of tension.
The second type of plate boundary is called

convergent plate boundary.
Wherein two plates are moving toward each
other.
The third type is the transform fault boundary

where plates slide or grind past each other
without diverging or converging.
Converging Continental Plate and Oceanic Plate
Cross-sectional diagram of converging continental and oceanic plates
From the diagram, it is clear that this event gives rise to the formation of a volcanic arc near the edge of a
continental leading plate. The reason for this is because the denser oceanic crust (Plate A) undergoes what we
call subduction process or the bending of the crust towards the mantle. Since the mantle is hotter than the
crust, the tendency is, the subducted crust melt forming magma. Addition of volatile material such as water will
cause the magma to become less dense, hence allowing it to rise and reach the crust once again and causing
volcanic activities on the continental leading 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.
Another subsequent effect of the continuous grinding of plates against each other is the occurrence of
earthquakes. The subduction of plate can cause earthquakes at varying depths. Most parts of the world
experience occasional shallow earthquakes – where the focus is within 60 km of the Earth’s surface. Of the
total energy released by earthquakes, 85% comes from shallow earthquakes. Meanwhile, about 12% of
energy originates from intermediate earthquakes or those quakes with a focal depth range of 60 to 300 km.
Lastly, are the deep earthquakes whose origin is more than 300 km to 700 km below the Earth’s surface.
Convergence of Two Oceanic Plates
Cross-sectional diagram of converging oceanic plates

Convergence of Oceanic Plates
Like the first type of convergent boundaries discussed earlier, converging oceanic plates will cause
formation of trenches, and these trenches will become sources of earthquakes. Underwater earthquakes,
especially the stronger ones, can generate tsunamis. The Japanese term for “harbor wave,” tsunami is a
series of ocean waves with very long wavelengths (typically hundreds of kilometers) caused by large-scale
disturbances of the ocean. The leading edge of the subducted plate will eventually reach the mantle causing it
to melt and turn into magma. The molten material will rise to the surface creating a volcanic island arc
parallel to the trench. Volcanic island arc is a chain of volcanoes position in an arc shape as seen in figure
below.
Formation of a volcanic island arc
Formation of the Philippine Archipelago
Many parts of the Philippines originated from oceanic-oceanic convergence. This resulted from the
collision of two oceanic plates, with one of the plates diving under the other.
Majority of the islands in the Philippine archipelago are considered as part of the Philippine Mobile Belt.
These islands were formed 65 million years ago at the southern edge of the Philippine Sea Plate and are
considered as part of island arcs. Other parts of the Philippines, such as Palawan, Mindoro, and the
Zamboanga Peninsula are all highland sections of the Sundaland block of the Eurasian plate.
The Philippine Mobile Belt eventually collided with the Sundaland block which explains the presence of
trenches, such as the Manila-Negros-Cotabato Trench System, and the Sulu Trench.
On the eastern side of the Philippines, trenches like the Philippine Trench and East Luzon Trough are both
products of subducting Philippine Sea Plate beneath the archipelago.
Subduction of Philippine Sea Plate
Aside from the formation of trenches and troughs, the downward movement of oceanic
lithospheres underneath the Philippine Archipelago creates active volcanic chains. For example, the
descent of the West Philippine Sea oceanic lithosphere along the Manila Trench created a volcanic chain
from Taiwan to Mindoro. Some of the known active volcanoes in this chain are Pinatubo in Central Luzon
and Taal in Batangas.
Also, the constant dipping movement of slabs induces frequent moderate to strong earthquakes at
various depths, gives rise to mountain ranges and develops the geologic character of the Philippine
Archipelago.

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SCIENCE 10

Name___________________________ Section: _

What is Plate Tectonics?

The first type of plate

The second type of plate boundary is called

The third type is the transform fault boundary

Cross-sectional diagram of converging continental and oceanic plates

Convergence of Two Oceanic Plates

Cross-sectional diagram of converging oceanic plates

Formation of a volcanic island arc

Formation of the Philippine Archipelago

Subduction of Philippine Sea Plate

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