EARTHS’ DRIVING

FORCES
LESSON 2.2
W H AT IS

PLATE TECTONICS?
Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that explains
how the Earth's outermost layer or lithosphere, is
divided into several large plates that move relative
to one another. The lithosphere is made up of the
crust and the upper part of the mantle, and the
plates are composed of this material.

The theory of plate tectonics suggests that these plates

move around on the Earth's surface due to the
movement of the underlying molten rock in the
mantle.
 W H AT IS

PLATE BOUNDARIES?
Plate boundaries are the places where tectonic plates, which make up
the Earth's outermost layer, meet and interact with each other. There are
three main types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent, and
transform.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLATE BOUNDARIES

• Divergent boundaries: At divergent boundaries, new

crust is formed as magma rises up from the mantle and
solidifies. Over time, this can lead to the formation of
mid-ocean ridges and the separation of continents.
Divergent boundaries can also cause earthquakes and
volcanic activity as the plates move apart.
EXAMPLE OF DIVERGENT BOUNDARIES

Bridge across the Álfagjá rift valley in southwest Iceland, that is part of the boundary
between the Eurasian and North American continental tectonic plates.
2. Convergent boundaries: At convergent boundaries, the
collision of two plates can cause the formation of mountain
ranges, volcanic activity, and earthquakes. When oceanic
crust collides with continental crust, the denser oceanic crust
is forced under the continental crust in a process called
subduction. This can lead to the formation of trenches and
volcanic arcs. When two plates made of oceanic crust collide,
the older and denser plate is forced under the younger plate
in a process called subduction. This can also result in the
formation of trenches, volcanic activity, and earthquakes.
EXAMPLE OF CONVERGENT BOUNDARIES

The collision between the Eurasian Plate and the Indian Plate that is forming the
Himalayas
3. Transform boundaries: At transform boundaries, the sliding of two plates past
each other can cause earthquakes as the plates grind against each other. This can
lead to the formation of faults and rift valleys.
EXAMPLE OF TRANSFORM BOUNDARIES

San Andreas Transform Plate Boundary part of the North American Plate
and Pacific Plate
EARTHQUAKES AND
VOLCANOES
 W H AT IS

A VOLCANO?
A volcano is an opening in the earth’s
crust through which lava, volcanic ash,
and gases escape. There are 3 kinds of
volcanoes: active, dormant, and
extinct. Active volcanoes have recently
erupted; they are likely to erupt again.
Volcanoes that are dormant have not
erupted in a very long time but still
could do so in the future. It seems
unlikely that extinct volcanoes will
erupt in the near future.
TYPES OF VOLCANOES

[Link] volcanoes- also

called strato volcanoes, are
formed by alternating layers of
lava and rock fragments. This is
the reason they are called
composite.

Mount Fuji or Fugaku, located on the island of Honshū, Japan

 TYPES OF VOLCANOES

2. Shield volcanoes- are huge in

size. They are built by many layers of
runny lava flows. Lava spills out of a
central vent or group of vents. A
broad shaped, gently sloping cone is
formed. This is caused by the very
fluid, basaltic lava which can't be
piled up into steep mounds.
Mt. Kanlaon (also spelled Canlaon) in Negros Island
within the Visayas region
TYPES OF VOLCANOES

3. Cinder cone- is a steep conical hill

formed above a vent. Cinder cones are
among the most common volcanic
landforms found in the world. They
aren't famous as their eruptions usually
don't cause any loss of life. Cinder cones
are chiefly formed by Strombolian
eruptions. The cones usually grow up in
groups and they often occur on the
flanks of strato volcanoes and shield Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaiʻi.

volcanoes.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ERUPTION
 EARTHQUAKES
An earthquake is a sudden and rapid shaking of the Earth's surface
caused by the shifting of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's crust.
Earthquakes can range in intensity from barely noticeable tremors to
devastating events that cause widespread destruction and loss of life.

Earthquakes are measured on the Richter scale, which ranges from 0 to

10. The higher the number on the scale, the more intense the earthquake.
Earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0 or higher are considered major
earthquakes and can cause significant damage and loss of life.
 TYPES OF EARTHQUAKES

1. Tectonic earthquakes: These are the

most common type of earthquake, caused
by the shifting of tectonic plates in the
Earth's crust.

2. Volcanic earthquakes: These earthquakes

are associated with volcanic activity and
occur when magma moves beneath the
Earth's surface.
 TYPES OF EARTHQUAKES

3. Collapse earthquakes: These are

earthquakes that occur when underground
structures, such as mines or caverns,
collapse.

4. Explosive earthquakes: These

earthquakes are caused by the sudden
release of energy in underground
explosions, such as those caused by nuclear
testing.
 EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS AND EFFECTS
Ground rupture: Deformation on the ground that marks, the intersection of the fault with the earth’s surface.
Effects: fissuring, displacement of the ground due to movement of the fault.

Ground shaking: Disruptive up, down and sideways vibration of the ground during an earthquake.
Effects: ground shaking are damage or collapse of structure; may consequently cause hazards such as liquefaction
and landslide

Liquefaction: Phenomenon wherein sediments, especially near bodies of water, behave like liquid similar to a
quicksand.
Effects: sinking and/ or tilting of structure above it; sandboil; fissuring

Tsunami: Series of waves caused commonly by an earthquake under the sea.

Effects: flooding; coastal erosion; drowning of people and damage to properties
WEATHER
AND CLIMATE
2 . 2 E A R T H S ’ D R IV IN G F O R C E S

CLIMATE
• Climate refers to the long-term
patterns and trends of weather over
a large geographical area.

• A region's climate is generated by the

climate system, which has five
components: atmospheric
hydrosphere, cryosphere, land
surface, and biosphere.
2 . 2 E A R T H S ’ D R IV IN G F O R C E S

COMPONENTS OF
CLIMATE
1. Atmosphere
◻ The atmosphere is the layer of gases that
surround the Earth and is held in place by
gravity.

2. Hydrosphere
◻ The hydrosphere is the part of the Earth’s surface
that is covered by water, including oceans, lakes,
rivers, and underground water sources
3. Cryosphere
◻ The cryosphere refers to the frozen parts of the
Earth’s surface, including ice caps, glaciers, snow
cover, and permafrost.

4. Land Surface
◻ The land surface includes all of the solid ground
on Earth, including continents, islands, and
mountains.

5. Biosphere
◻ The biosphere is the part of the Earth system
that includes all living organisms, including
plants, animals, and microorganisms.
2 . 2 E A R T H S ’ D R IV IN G F O R C E S

WEATHER
• Weather refers to the atmospheric
condition at a particular place and
time.
2 . 2 E A R T H S ’ D R IV IN G F O R C E S

COMPONENTS OF
WEATHER
1. Temperature
◻ Temperature is one of the most important
components of climate. It refers to the degree of
hotness or coldness of the atmosphere.

2. Precipitation
◻ It refers to the amount of water that falls from
the atmosphere in the form of rain, snow, sleet,
or hail.
3. Humidity
◻ It refers to the amount of water vapor in the
atmosphere.

4. Wind
◻ It refers to the movement of air from high-
pressure areas to low-pressure areas.

5. Atmospheric pressure
◻ It refers to the force exerted by the weight of the
atmosphere on the Earth’s surface.