10

Science
Quarter 1 – Module 2
PLATE TECTONICS:
Types of Plate Boundaries
Science – 10
Self-Learning Module (SLM)
Quarter 1 – Module 2: Types of Plate Boundaries
First Edition, 2020

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Writers: Aisha B. Grafil and Cherry Ann B. Doctora
Editors: Randy E. Porras
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 10

Science
Quarter 1 – Module 2
PLATE TECTONICS:
Types of Plate Boundaries
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Science -10 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on Plate Tectonics:

Type of Plate Boundaries!
This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators
both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

2
For the learner:

Welcome to the Science -10 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on Plate Tectonics

(Type of Plate Boundaries)!
The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of

the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled into process
what you learned from the lesson.

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 What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will
help you transfer your new knowledge or
skill into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

4
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the concept of Plate Tectonics. The scope of this module permits it to be
used in many different learning situations.
Are you excited today? I hope so…! From the previous lesson, you have
explored the world in terms of the distribution of active volcanoes, earthquake
epicenters and mountain ranges around the world. You also learned that plates are
large pieces that floating above the mantle. It is in constant motion. Thus,
geological processes take place such as formation of mountain belts, earthquakes
and volcanoes as moving plates interact along their margins.
Today you will have an exciting way to discover what happens beneath and
above the earth as the plate moves in different directions. This module will help you
understand how the plates move and what the direction the movements are.

Most Essential Learning Competency

Describe the different types of plate boundaries. (Code: S10ES-Ia-j-36.2)

After going through to this module, you can;

1. Identify the types of plate boundaries.

2. Describe the movements of plate boundaries.
3. Classify plate boundaries according to the direction of its movement
4. Draw the direction of plate movements using arrow.
5. Create a model of plate boundary using clay soil.

Alright! Before we start, I would like you to answer the activity below to see
what you know about our topic for today.

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 What I Know

Activity 1A. KNOW MY BOUNDARY

Adopted from: Delos Santos, Marivic E., Types of Plate Boundaries Grade 10 pp. 8
https://lrmds.deped.gov.ph/pdf-view/17998

Direction: The map below shows the major tectonic plates that make up the
earth’s lithosphere and its directions in which they are moving. Identify by
encircling whether the following pair of tectonic plates exhibit movement in CPB if
convergent plate boundary, DPB for divergent plate boundary and TFB for
transform plate boundary.

Figure 1. Earth’s Lithosphere

Lifted from: https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/images/350-tectonic-plate-boundaries

CPB DPB TFB 1. South American Plate and the African Plate
CPB DPB TFB 2. Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate
CPB DPB TFB 3. Nazca Plate and South American Plate
CPB DPB TFB 4. Antarctic Plate and Pacific Plate
CPB DPB TFB 5. Pacific Plate and Australian Plate
CPB DPB TFB 6. North American Plate and Pacific Plate
CPB DPB TFB 7. Pacific Plate and Nazca Plate
CPB DPB TFB 8. Eurasian Plate and North American Plate
CPB DPB TFB 9. Philippine Plate and Eurasian Plate
CPB DPB TFB 10. Cocos Plate and Caribbean Plate

Activity 1B. Guess What?

Direction: Identify the following plate whether it is an oceanic plate or
continental plate. Write OP on the space provided if the given plate is an Oceanic
and C if it is Continental.
_____1. Thicker plate
_____2. Denser plate
_____3. Thinner plate
_____4. Less dense plate
_____5. On ocean floor.

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Lesson
PLATE TECTONICS:
4 Type of Plate Boundaries

What’s In

Good! You are doing it right. How much have you learned in our first
activity? This time let us proceed to the next activity to check further your
understanding. In this part, imagine that the plates are moving in a direction
indicated by the arrow. Now, can you describe the direction of the plates?

Activity 2A. WHERE TO GO?

Direction: Describe the direction of plate movement in the diagram below.

Objective:
1. Describe the movement of plate boundaries.

Plate A Plate B Diagram A: Divergent

____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Plate A Plate B Diagram B: Convergent

____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

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 Plate A

Plate B
Diagram C: Transform fault
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

2. Based on the arrow, is there any difference in the direction of plate

movements in divergent, convergent and transform fault boundaries?
How do they differ?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Excellent! You did great today. Now let us proceed to your next activity.
This time you will be acquainted that Earth’s lithosphere is classified into
two. Now, what makes it more exciting is that you will be given a chance to
discover it. Let see if you can do this.

Activity 2B. LABEL ME!

Direction: Label the diagram below.

Figure 2. Continental and Oceanic Plates

Lifted from: https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=plate-tectonics-quiz_1

Guide Questions:

1. Are you familiar with the picture above? Can you label which is the
continental plate and the oceanic plate? __________________________
2. Which plate is thicker? ___________________________________________
3. Which is thinner? ________________________________________________
4. Which do you think is denser? less dense? Can you tell why?
_________________________________________________________________________

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 What’s New

From the previous lesson, you have learned that the entire lithosphere of the
Earth is broken into numerous segments called plates. These plates are in
constant motion. Thus, three types of plate boundaries formed. Are you now
familiar with the types of plate boundaries? Let us check how much you have
learned now. Using the activity below, identify which characteristics of plate
boundaries are being described.

Activity 3. CHECK MY IDENTITY

Adapted from: Delos Santos, Marivic E., Types of Plate Boundaries Grade 10 pp.6
https://lrmds.deped.gov.ph/pdf-view/17998

Direction: Check (√) whether the following statements describe a convergent plate
boundary, divergent plate boundary or transform-fault boundary.

Objective: Identify the types of plate boundary base on the given characteristics.

Characteristics Convergent Divergent Transform-

Plate Plate Fault
Boundary Boundary Boundary
1. A plate boundary in which two plates
move toward each other.
2. A region where the crustal plates are
moving apart.
3. A plate boundary produced when two
plates slide past each other.
4. The plate boundary that can produce
shallow earthquake.
5. The type of plate boundary where trench
and volcanic island arc can
be formed.
6. A type of plate boundary also known as
the “destructive boundary”.
7. A type of plate boundary also known as
the “constructive boundary”.
8. A type of plate boundary where
subduction process can only occur.
9. A type of plate boundary that can only
form mountains and mountain ranges.

10. The plate boundary where plates slide

past each other causing strong
earthquake.

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 Congratulations! You are doing great to reach this far. This time let us discuss
further what are the types of plate boundary. What are the consequences of the
plate movements? Are you ready?

What is It

Types of Plate Boundaries

(Adapted from RTOT XII in Grade 10, 2018)

1. Convergent (destructive) Boundaries - two plates are colliding.

Subduction zones occur when one or both tectonic plates are composed of
oceanic crust. The denser plate is subducted underneath the less dense
plate. The plate being forced under is eventually melted and destroyed.

Oceanic plate Continental plate

Figure 3. Convergent Boundary

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

i. Where oceanic crust meets ocean crust

Island arcs and oceanic trenches occur when both plates are made of
oceanic crust. Zones of active seafloor spreading can also occur behind
the island arc, known as back-arc basins. These are often associated
with submarine volcanoes.

Figure 4. Ocean-Ocean Convergence

Lifted from: https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens1110/pltect.htm

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ii. Where oceanic crust meets continental crust
The denser oceanic plate is subducted, often forming a mountain range
on the continent. The Andes is an example of this type of collision.

Figure 5. Ocean – Continent Convergence

Lifted from: https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens1110/pltect.htm

iii. Where continental crust meets continental crust

Both continental crusts are too light to subduct, so a continent-continent
collision occurs, creating especially large mountain ranges. The most
spectacular example of this is the Himalayas.

Figure 6. Continent-Continent Convergence

Lifted from: https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens212/earths_interior.htm

2. Divergent (Constructive) Boundaries –two plates are moving apart.

The space created can also fill with new crustal material sourced from
molten magma that forms below. Divergent boundaries can form within
continents but will eventually open and become ocean basins.

Figure 7. Divergent Boundary

Lifted from: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/illustration/geology-plate-tectonics-diverging-
drawing-royalty-free-illustration/508753569?adppopup=true

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i. On land
Divergent boundaries within continents initially produce rifts, which
produce rift valleys.

Figure 8. Divergent Boundary

Lifted from: https://learning.uonbi.ac.ke/courses/SGL301/scormPackages/path_2/71_plate_tectonics.html

ii. Under the sea

The most active divergent plate boundaries are between oceanic plates
and are often called mid-oceanic ridges.

Figure 9.
Diverging Plate Boundary (Oceanic Ridge-Spreading Center)
Lifted from: https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens212/earths_interior.htm

3. Transform (conservative) boundaries –plates slide passed each other.

The relative motion of the plates is horizontal. They can occur underwater or
on land, and crust is neither destroyed nor created.
Because of friction, the plates cannot simply glide past each other. Rather,
stress builds up in both plates and when it exceeds the threshold of the
rocks, the energy is released – causing earthquakes.

Figure 9. Conservative Plate Boundary

Lifted from: https://notesychs.weebly.com/transform-plate-margin.html

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 Good job! You are now on the next level of learning. Can you complete the table
by providing important information?

Activity 4. COMPLETE ME!

Adapted from: Science 10 Learner’s Material

Direction: Complete the table by providing the relative motion of plates and geologic
features and events.

Objective:

1. Describe the relative motion of plate boundaries.

2. Name some results of plate movements.

A B C

Type of Plate Boundary Relative Motion of the Geologic Features/Events

Plates Present
Divergent

Convergent

Transform fault

Great! You are now will informed what are the similarities and differences of the
three types of plate boundaries.

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 What’s More

Activity 5. FILL ME!

(Adopted from RTOT XII in Grade 10, 2018)

Direction: Fill the space of the Venn Diagram by providing information on the
similarities and differences of convergent boundary, divergent boundary and
transform fault boundary.

Objective:
1. Describe plate boundaries through its similarities and differences.

Divergent Convergent

Transform fault

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 What I Have Learned

Excellent, you have reached this far. Let us sum it up!

Activity 6. CONCEPT MAPPING

Adapted from:
https://www.clarkshawnee.k12.oh.us/userfiles/36/Classes/1702/chap08.pdf?id=2780&fbclid=IwAR3ofTl0r4rrVK3amxlgu2A6Wjn
0OPskjUoW_rqgsaV1-JQxi2SrKaII4C4

Direction. Create a concept map about the three types of plate boundaries.

Plate Boundary

Types

Description Description Description

Example Example Example

Note: Please refer to Figure 1 for your answer on the example portion.

1. What are the three types of plate boundaries?

____________________________________________________________________________

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KEY CONCEPTS:

The Earth’s lithosphere is made up of large segments of plates. Plates are

classified as continental plate and oceanic. Continental plates are thicker but less
dense while oceanic plates are thinner but denser and can be found on ocean floor.
The plates are slowly but continuously moving resulting to different types of plate
boundaries. Divergent plate boundary formed when two plates are moving
away/apart from each other. Convergent boundary formed when two plates move
toward each other and collides. On the other hand, transform fault boundary is
characterized by plates that are sliding past each other. This process known as
plate tectonic give rise the development of geologic features and events.

What I Can Do

Excellent, you have reached this far. Let us sum it up!

Activity 7. DRAW ME!

Direction: Draw an arrow inside the box that illustrate the movement of plates
in divergent, convergent and transform fault boundary.
Objective:
Draw the direction of plate movements using arrow.
Divergent Convergent Transform fault

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 Activity 8. MOLD AND MAKE ME
Direction: Create a model for each type of plate boundary using clay soil.
Objective:
Create a model of plate boundary using clay soil. Take a picture or draw it
and submit in the next meeting.

Rubrics in Creating a Model

CRITERIA BEGINNERS (1) ACCEPTABLE (2) PROFICIENT (3)
Learning Student did not Student attempt to Student applied new
attempt to apply apply new learning learning ideas and
new learning ideas but fail to demonstrated it
ideas. express it. clearly.
Concept The model does Models presented the Models presented
Accuracy not present the concept somewhat the concept
concept correctly. correct. correctly.
Creativity The model is not The model is original Model expressed
original and did but mostly ideas are multiple ideas in a
not show new limited unique way
idea

Assessment

Activity 9. MAKE ME A PROFILE

Direction: Provide the necessary information to complete the sentence/paragraph

describing plate tectonics and the details on the types of plate boundaries.

I know something about Plate Tectonics (Types of Plate Boundaries)

I know that Earth’s lithosphere is made up of large segment called ____________.

The plates are classified into _______________________ and ______________________.

I know that they are in constant ____________________.

I know further that it has three types of plate boundaries.

First _____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Second, ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Lastly, _________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________.

Finally, this types of plate movements results to the development of

______________________________________________________.

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 18
What’s In
Activity 2A. Where to Go?
1. Divergent Boundary
- Plates are moving away/apart from
each other
2. Convergent Boundary
- plates are moving towards each other
3. Transform Fault Boundary
- plates slide or grind past each other.
GUIDE QUESTION What I Know
1. YES, in divergent boundary plates move
I.
apart while in convergent boundary
plates move towards each other, and in 1. DPB
transform fault boundary plates are 2. CPB
3. CPB
grinding/sliding past each other.
4. DPB
Activity 2B. LABEL ME! 5. CPB
6. TFB
7. DPB
8. DPB
9. CPB
10.CPB
II.
1.
1. CP
2. Continental Plate 2. OP
3. Oceanic Plate 3. OP
4. Oceanic plate is denser than continental 4. CP
plate, which make the oceanic plate to subduct 5. OP
during the convergence of both plates.
Answer Key
 19
What is It
A B C
Type of Plate Boundary Relative Motion of the Geologic
Plates Features/Events Present
Divergent Two plates are moving Rift valleys, Oceanic
apart ridges, and Earthquakes
Convergent Two plates are colliding Mountains, volcanoes,
trenches, and
earthquakes
Transform fault Two plates sliding past Earthquakes
each other
What's New
Characteristic Convergent Plate Divergent Transform-Fault
Boundary Plate Boundary
Boundary
1 /
2 /
3 /
4 /
5 /
6 /
7 /
8 /
9 /
10 /
 20
What’s More
Transform Fault
Boundary
- plates slide past each
other
Earthquake
Convergent Plate Divergent P late
Boundary Boundary
- plates move - plates move
towards each apart
other - forms Rift
-forms valleys, and
Mountains, Oceanic ridges,
volcanoes, and
trenches
 21
Answer:
What I Have Learned
1. The three types of plate boundaries are:
plate boundary,
DivergentConcept MappingConvergent plate
boundary and Transform fault boundary.
Answers: Answers:
1. Pacific and 1. North
Australian American and
plate Eurasian Plate
2. Cocos plate
2. Philippine and Nazca Plate
and Pacific 3. South
plate American and
3. South African plate
4. African and
American and Antarctic plate
Nazca plate 5. Pacific and
Answer:
4. Caribbean Nazca plate
and Cocos 6. Pacific and
1. North Antarctic plate
American plate 7. Arabian and
and Pacific 5. Eurasian African plate
and Indian 8. African and
plate Indian plate
plate
9. Australian and
Two plates Two plates Two plates
are sliding are colliding are moving
past. apart
Transform Convergent Divergent
Fault Plate Plate
Types
Plate Boundary
 22
Assessment
Activity 9. MAKE ME A PROFILE
I know something about Plate Tectonics (Types of Plate Boundaries)
I know that Earth’s lithosphere is made up of large segment called
plates.
The plates are classified into continental plate and oceanic plate.
I know that they are in constant motion.
I know further that it has three types of plate boundaries.
First,
Divergent plate boundary where two plates are moving away/apart from
each other.
Second,
Convergent plate boundary where two plates are moving toward each
other.
Lastly,
Transform fault boundary where two plates are grinding/sliding past
each other
Finally, these types of plate movements results to the development of
geologic features and events.
What I Can Do
Divergent Convergent Transform fault
References
Delos Santos, Marivic E., Types of Plate Boundaries Grade 10 pp.6, 8.
Retrieved May 7, 2020 from: https://lrmds.deped.gov.ph/pdf-view/17998

RTOT XII in Grade 10, 2018

Science 10 Learner’s Material pp.35

Figure 1. Earth’s Lithosphere

Retrieved May 25, 2020 from: https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/images/350-
tectonic-plate-boundaries

Figure 2. Continental and Oceanic Plates

Retrieved May 25, 2020 from: https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-
school/story.php?title=plate-tectonics-quiz_1

Figure 3. Convergent Boundary

Retrieved May 25, 2020 from: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/plate-
tectonics-older-version.htm

Figure 4. Ocean-Ocean Convergence

Retrieved May 25, 2020 from:
https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens1110/pltect.htm

Figure 5. Ocean – Continent Convergence

Retrieved May 25, 2020 from:
https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens1110/pltect.htm

Figure 6. Continent-Continent Convergence

Retrieved May 25, 2020 from:
https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens212/earths_interior.htm

Figure 7. Divergent Boundary

Retrieved May 25, 2020 from:
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/illustration/geology-plate-tectonics-
diverging-drawing-royalty-free-illustration/508753569?adppopup=true

Figure 8. Divergent Boundary

Retrieved May 25, 2020 from:
https://learning.uonbi.ac.ke/courses/SGL301/scormPackages/path_2/71_plate_t
ectonics.html

Figure 9. Diverging Plate Boundary (Oceanic Ridge-Spreading Center)

Retrieved May 25, 2020 from:
https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens212/earths_interior.htm
Retrieved May 25, 2020 from: https://notesychs.weebly.com/transform-plate-
margin.html

23
Figure 9. Conservative Plate Boundary
Retrieved May 25, 2020 from:
https://notesychs.weebly.com/transform-plate-margin.html

https://www.clarkshawnee.k12.oh.us/userfiles/36/Classes/1702/chap08.pdf?id=
2780&fbclid=IwAR3ofTl0r4rrVK3amxlgu2A6Wjn0OPskjUoW_rqgsaV1-
JQxi2SrKaII4C4

24
 DISCLAIMER
This Self-learning Module (SLM) was developed by DepEd SOCCSKSARGEN
with the primary objective of preparing for and addressing the new normal.
Contents of this module were based on DepEd’s Most Essential Learning
Competencies (MELC). This is a supplementary material to be used by all
learners of Region XII in all public schools beginning SY 2020-2021. The
process of LR development was observed in the production of this module.
This is version 1.0. We highly encourage feedback, comments, and
recommendations.

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – SOCCSKSARGEN

Learning Resource Management System (LRMS)

Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal

Telefax No.: (083) 2288825/ (083) 2281893

Email Address: region12@deped.gov.ph