QUARTER 1 SCIENCE 10 ACTIVITIES
Processes and Landforms Along Plate Boundaries
Name: ________________________ Score:___________
Section: ______________________ Date: ___________
Let Us Begin The convergence of two oceanic crusts results in
some similar events compared to the first type of
Lesson 1: Processes and Landforms Along with convergence. Tsunamis may be formed. Earthquakes
Convergence of Plates may happen. There is also subduction because one plate
What’s In is denser than the other. The front part of the subducting
plate becomes magma upon reaching the mantle. Then it
You have previously learned that the convection builds up pressure due to heat, pushes the crust above it,
current in the Earth’s mantle caused the crust to break into forming a volcano. This is a continuous process. Since the
smaller segments. Spaces in between or at plate plates are moving, the volcano will move with the plate.
boundaries are created. These plate boundaries are named It becomes extinct when it is no longer above the magma
according to the relative movement of the plates with each deposit in the mantle. A new volcano will then be formed.
other. Do you still remember these three types of plate This series of volcanoes is called volcanic island arc
boundaries? Which type of plate boundary is illustrated in since it is surrounded by water.
each of the following figures below? This explains why the Philippines is mostly
loaded with volcanoes. The different islands were
believed to have originated from the convergence of two
oceanic crusts.
What is It Converging continental crusts or plates result in a
collision zone, which could
In the activity setups, take note that the crusts are cause shallow earthquakes.
moving toward each other. The foams represent different At that place, a crack called
types of crust. The dry foam represents a continental fault is formed. This type of
crust; the wet foam, an oceanic crust. They are convergence will cause no
converging. subduction since the two
A continental crust curves upward on top of the plates have the same
oceanic crust due to its lesser density. The oceanic crust, densities. There would be no volcanoes formed, no
due to its greater density, stays below. tsunamis. The convergence will result in a group of high
landforms that we call mountain ranges.
What’s More
Study the map on the right. Based on the map, answer the
following:
1. Plate Y is an oceanic plate. When it converges with the
When an oceanic crust converges with a continental Plate X, which of the following will most likely
continental crust, a crack between the crusts underwater, happen?
called trench, is formed. Since the oceanic crust has A. Part of the Plate Y will turn into magma.
greater mass due to the presence of water on it, so, its B. Part of the Plate X will turn into magma.
density also is greater. This causes it to dive down or C. Plate Y will vanish and become magma.
subduct under the overriding plate, the continental plate. D. Plate X will become crust above the Nazca Plate.
Subduction is the process by which a plate dives under a 2. Between Plates Y and X, which one will undergo
less dense plate. At the mantle, the leading edge of the subduction?
subducting plate melts or becomes fluid. It turns into a hot A. Plate Y C. none of the two
molten material which we call magma. Due to the heat in B. both of them D. Plate X
the mantle, the magma builds up a pressure that enables it 3. What will be formed on the surface of Plate X along its
to push the ground above it. The column of rising magma convergence zone with Plate Y ?
is called a mantle plume. When there is volcanic activity A. volcanic arc B. fault C. mountain range D. trench
such as an eruption, the ground moves, and so an 4. When two continental crusts converge, both crusts exert
earthquake is felt. Because subduction continues, a group a pressure pushing each other. As the ground rises, a tall
of volcanoes, called volcanic arc, is formed at the surface landform is created. Is it possible to erupt?
of the continental crust along the boundary where the two _____________________________________________
crusts converged. The movement of the ground may cause 5. What process does not take place in this type of
a disturbance in the ocean. The water may flip or kick convergence? _________________________________
upwards to a few meters high. This is what we call
tsunamis, a Japanese term for harbor wave. This event is What I Have Learned
very dangerous when it moves inland, destroying lives
and properties. Fill in each blank with the correct word found in the
In the convergence between two oceanic crusts, parenthesis.
one dives or subducts under the other. A) As continental plate converges with an oceanic plate,
The figure below shows two crusts underwater, the (1) __________ (continental, oceanic) plate dives
so they are both oceanic crusts. You must have noticed under the (2)__________(continental, oceanic) plate. The
that there is a boundary line between the crusts, a trench. process of diving down towards the mantle is called
It is a crack on the crust which is underwater. (3)____________(subduction, floatation).
When the leading edge of the subducting plate ________________________________________________
reaches the mantle, it melts turning into ________________________________________________
(4)________(magma, crust) which builds up a pressure Q4. As the materials at the tension zone reach the surface
making it push the ground above it forming at the surface and cool down, will the materials form a new crust or
a (5) _________(volcano, mountain). another layer of the mantle?
At the oceanic plate, a depression called ________________________________________________
(6)_______(trench, fault) is formed along the boundary. ________________________________________________
Parallel to it, a series of volcanoes called ________________________________________________
(7)___________(volcanic island, volcanic island arc) ________________________________________________
may be formed.
Simultaneous with the convergence, the ground What is It
may shake, and so, we experience an earthquake. This
shaking may disturb the water surface and may make the Divergent plate boundaries mostly happen under
water flip upwards to a certain height. This event is called the oceans. As plates pull away from each other, a vertical
(8)____________(tsunami, wave). space that may extend deep down into the lowest layer of
B) When two oceanic plates converge, the denser the crust is created. It is a rift valley. The force of
plate subducts. Once its leading edge reaches the mantle, separation creates a tension zone. A shallow earthquake
it melts into a magma, builds up a pressure that makes it may happen with this plate movement.
push the ground above it, forming a Plate divergence is believed to be a slow
(9)___________(volcanic island, mountain). At the continuous process. As the plates move away, the gap
collision zone, a crack called (10)___________(trench, between them increases. While this happens, materials
fault) is formed. This depression could be the cause of the from the mantle may rise, filling up the space. These
shaking of the ground, called an materials pile up near the tension zone forming mountain-
(11)_____________(earthquake, storm). At the water like structures called oceanic ridges. But new materials
surface, the overriding plate may push a big amount of from the mantle may push the old ones. The filled-up
water causing it to flip upwards forming a space between the plates becomes a new seafloor. This
(12)____________ (tsunami, wave). process is known as seafloor spreading.
C) The convergence between two continental
plates results to a landform What’s More
called(13)____________(volcanic arc, mountain ranges).
Since both plates have the same densities, no plate Have you tried eating a half-cooked egg? As you
subducts under the other. There is cut open the white part with your spoon, what comes out
(14)_________________(no volcanic, volcanic) of the cooked part? Yes, it is the half-cooked egg yolk.
formation. However, since the ground moves, a The divergence of plates is somewhat similar to a splitting
phenomenon called (15)_______________(earthquake, open egg. As it opens, the half-cooked egg yolk gradually
storm) may be felt in nearby places. flows out.
Q5. If the cooked part of the egg is the crust, with what
Lesson 2: Processes and Landforms Along material could you compare the half-cooked egg yolk?
Why?
Divergent Boundary
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
What’s New ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
With the figure below, analyze the effect of the Q6. If the half-cooked yolk solidifies when it cools off,
separation of the lithospheric plates. Identify the what becomes of the magma when it cools down? Why
landforms created and the processes that take place with did you say so?
this type of boundary. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Q7. The half-cooked egg yolk oozes out only when it is
Q1. From the picture, where does divergence of plates still hot. In the same manner, the magma also rises
usually take place inland or under bodies of water? because of high temperature, in the mantle, or the crust?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Q2. As plates move apart, a tension zone is formed. Which
between magma and water, rises to the tension zone? What I Have Learned
________________________________________________
________________________________________________ Divergence of plates results to the creation of
________________________________________________ down faulted valleys called (Q8)_____________(rift
________________________________________________ valleys, oceanic ridges) and underwater mountain ranges
Q3. If divergence continues, what could probably happen called (Q9)________________(rift valleys, oceanic
to the size of the space between the splitting crusts? Will ridges). At the tension zone, materials from the mantle
it widen or stay the same? may rise to the surface of the ocean floor, cools down and
________________________________________________ become new (Q10) _____________(crust, mantle).
________________________________________________
Lesson 3: Processes and Landforms Along the so-called “BIG ONE” strikes. The “duck, cover, and
Transform Fault Boundary hold” safety tip is practiced in schools among students.
What’s New Q14. The word “duck” in “duck, cover, and hold” safety
tip means that you must
The next type of plate boundary is what everyone A. stand straight B. lie down
fears about these days. It is the transform fault boundary. C. kneel down on one knee D. kneel down on both knees
With this type of boundary, another geologic feature is Q15. During earthquakes, it is advisable to cover one’s
formed, and events happen. Study the figure below. _____________
A. head B. nose C. mouth D. face
What I Have Learned
When plates slide past each other, the geologic
event that may take place is called
(Q16)________earthquake, storm). The geologic feature
formed is known as (Q17)______(fault, trench).
What I Can Do
Q11. As indicated by the arrows, analyze how the two Directions:
plates move relative to each other. Do they move towards, A. Study the illustrations below. Label it with the correct
away, or sliding past each other? type of plate boundary.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________ B. Draw arrows to indicate plate movements.
Q12. Due to this plate movement, what geologic event do
you think may happen? C. Insert in their proper location the geologic feature/s
________________________________________________ formed and indicate the process/es that could take place.
________________________________________________
Q13. Since the two plates move, will a fault be formed or
a trench, at the tension zone?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Oceanic Crusts
What is It
Transform fault boundary is mostly found in
oceans, but there are few that traverse through continental
crust.
Continental – Oceanic Crusts
This is characterized by plates moving
Continental Crusts
horizontally against each other, producing a crack called
fault on the ground. The force, the plates exert can break
the rocks and other materials under the ground. The
shaking usually ends abruptly. This is why it brings about
strong earthquakes. The fault could swallow humans,
cars, and buildings. Murky odorous water from under the
ground may spring up from the fault. Most faults do not Oceanic Crusts
totally close when the shaking ceases since the adjoining
edges have already moved farther from each other.
What’s More
Are you aware of the different places along the
West Valley Fault? What can you advise a friend who
resides in a place traversed by the fault? If you have
strong, sturdy furniture inside your house, can you use Continental Crusts
them to protect yourself from falling objects once the
quake strikes? Different places are now designated as
evacuation areas where people could seek refuge in case