10

Science
Quarter 1 - Module 5
Divergent Plate Boundaries

This module was collaboratively developed and reviewed by educators

from public schools. We encourage teachers and other education stakeholders
to email their feedback, comments, and recommendations to the Department
of Education at bukidnon@deped.gov.ph.

We value your feedback and recommendations.

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

 Lesson EARTH AND SPACE

1 Divergent Plate Boundary

What I Need Know
In this particular lesson,
you will learn about
divergent plate boundary
and the three types of
plate boundaries.

Objectives: At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. determine the three types of plate boundaries.

2. describe divergent boundary.

What I Know

Determine whether each of the statement below is true or false. Choose the
letter of your best answer.
1. Divergent plate boundary happens when two plates are moving away from
each other.
A. True B. False
2. Earthquakes and volcanoes do not occur in a divergent plate boundary.
A. True B. False
3. As the two plates separate, hot magma is able to rise to fill the gap creating
new crust.
A. True B. False
4. When magma continues to build up, new mountain ranges are not formed
under the sea creating a mid-ocean ridge.
A. True B. False
5. Ocean ridge and volcanic island are also formed in the divergent plate boundary.
A. True B. False
6. The three types of plate boundaries are convergent, divergent, and transform.
A. True B. False
7. Two plates collide is present in convergent boundary.
A. True B. False
8. Plates that are sliding past each other is characterized by a transform fault
boundary.
A. True B. False

1
 9. The motion of divergent plate boundary is spreading.
A. True B. False
10. Volcanic activity is present in divergent boundary.
A. True B. False
11. In divergent plate boundary, an oceanic lithosphere is formed.
A. True B. False
12. Two plates are moving towards each other in convergent boundary.
A. True B. False
13. Earthquake does not occur in convergent boundary.
A. True B. False
14. Divergent boundaries occur along spreading centers where plates are moving
apart and new crust is created by magma pushing up from the mantle.
A. True B. False
15. Transform –fault boundaries, is a phenomenon where two plates are not sliding
horizontally past one another.
A. True B. False

What ‘s In

In the previous lesson, you have learned about the convergent plate
boundaries, the locations where lithospheric plates are moving towards each other.
The plate collisions that occur in these areas can produce mountains, volcanoes,
trenches, and earthquakes.

shorturl.at/gC
shorturl.at/gCKRV

Fig. 1 Convergent boundary

What’s New

Divergent boundaries are the region where crustal plates are moving away from
each other and in opposite directions. This either happens at mid-ocean ridges (the
so-called seafloor spreading) or at rifted continental margins.

Along these boundaries, earthquakes are common and magma (molten rock)
rises from the Earth’s mantle to the surface, solidifying to create new oceanic crust.

2
 https://bit.ly/2ZUVDLQ

Fig.2. Divergent plate boundary

Activity 1: Am I Right?

Instructions: Refer your answer on the figure shown above. Write yes if the
statement is correct, and write no if the statement is wrong.
1. The motion of divergent plate boundary is spreading. _______________
2. Volcanic activity is present in divergent boundary. __________________
3. Oceanic lithosphere is formed in divergent plate boundary. ___________

What Is It

The occurrence of most seismic activity is due to the movement in the narrow
zones along plate boundaries. It occurs at the three type of plate boundaries –
divergent, convergent, and transform.

As the plates move past each other, pressure builds up. When the plates finally
give and slip-up due to the increased pressure, rapid release of energy as seismic
waves, causing the Earth to vibrate called earthquake.

Some of the plates have ocean water above them. Other plates include
continents, and some plates include both continents and ocean. The movements of
the plates help shape the geological features of our planet. The three main types of
plate movements include: The Earth’s lithosphere, which comprises the crust and
upper mantle, is made up of a series of pieces, or tectonic plates that move slowly
over time.

3
Activity 2. Labelling
Instruction: Label the parts of a divergent boundary.

What’s More

Three types of plate boundaries

1.Converging boundary is present when two plates collide.

2.Divergent boundary is found when plates move apart, creating a zone of tension.
3.Transform fault is characterized by plates that are sliding past each.

Fig.3. three types of plate boundaries

Describe the motion of the three types of plate boundaries. Write your answer
in the table below.
Types of Plate boundary Motion of plates

4
 What I Have Learned

Activity 3. Can You Find Me?

Directions. Find the words in the puzzle and encircle it.

CONTINENTAL BOUNDARIES CONVERGENT

RING OF FIRE DIVERGENT LITHOSPHERE
PLATE BOUNDARY FAULT MOVING PLATES
TRANSFORM FAULT

What I Can Do

What geologic features / events that may occur at divergent

boundaries plate boundaries? (15 pts.)

5
 Assessment

Determine whether each of the statement below is true or false. Write A if it is

true and B if it is false.
A. True B. False

1. The motion of divergent plate boundary is spreading

2. Volcanic activity is present in divergent boundary.
3. In divergent plate boundary, an oceanic lithosphere is formed.
4. Two plates are moving towards each other in convergent boundary.
5. Earthquake does not occur in convergent boundary.
6. Divergent boundaries occur along spreading centers where plates are moving
apart and new crust is created by magma pushing up from the mantle
7. Transform fault boundaries, where two plates are not sliding horizontally past
one another.
8. Divergent plate boundary when two plates are moving away from each other.
9. Earthquakes and volcanoes do not occur in a divergent plate boundary
10. As the two plates separate, hot magma is able to rise to fill the gap creating
new crust.
11. When magma continues to build up, new mountain ranges are not formed
under the sea creating a mid-ocean ridge.
12. Ocean ridge and volcanic island are also formed in the divergent plate
boundary.
13. The three types of plate boundaries are convergent, divergent, and transform.
14. Two plates collide is present in convergent boundary.
15. Plates that are sliding past each other is characterized by a transform fault
boundary.

Additional Activity

Why is it dangerous to live near the divergent plate boundary?

6
 Lesson EARTH AND SPACE

2 Types and Movement of

Divergent Plate Boundary

What I need To Know

In this particular
lesson, you will learn
about the two types of
divergent plate
boundaries, and their
movements.

Objectives: At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Identify the two types of divergent plate boundaries, and
2. determine the movement of the two types of divergent plate boundaries

What I Know

Multiple Choice: Select the correct answer. Write only the letter that corresponds
to your answer.

1. Which type of plate boundaries where two plates are moving away from each
other?
A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Fault D. Transform
2. What type of plate boundary where molten rocks rises from the mantle
creating new oceanic crust?
A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Fault D. Transform
3. What happened when two oceanic plates move away from one another?
A. Magma B. Lava C. Seafloor spreading D. Tectonic
4. Which of the following is the spreading center where most divergent
boundaries are situated?
A. Continent B. Mid-ocean ridge C. Ocean D. Tectonic

7
5. What geologic feature/event that could take place when oceanic plates
diverge?
A. Continental B. Earthquake C. Ocean D. Plate
6. Which of the following is the result of the divergent boundary between
continental plates?
A. Earthquake B. Mid-ocean ridge C. Ocean D. Plate
7. What is the term used for a mass of molten rock from the depth dissolve with
gases and crystals?
A. Earthquake B. Magma C. Mid-ocean ridge D. Ocean
8. Which of the following is defined as a continuous mass of land with long width
and height on the ocean floor?
A. Earthquake B. Magma C. Mid-ocean ridge D. Ocean
9. What do you call this vibration of Earth due to the rapid release of energy?
A. Earthquake B. Magma C. Mid-ocean ridge D. Ocean
10. Which of the following region where the crustal plates are moving apart?
A. Divergent B. Fault C. Transform D. Tectonic
11. Which type of plate boundary occurs when two plates grind past each other?
A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Transform D. Transitional
12. Which type of boundary occurs when two plates move together, causing one
plate rises into the mantle beneath the other plate?
A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Transform D. Transitional
13. Where do earthquakes generally occur at plate boundaries?
A. Magnetic pull is greatest.
B. Stress on rocks is greatest.
C. Stress on rocks is low.
D. The most rock is found
14. Why do earthquakes usually occur at plate boundaries?
A. Rocks in environments near tectonic plate boundaries experienced
little stress.
B. Rocks in environments near tectonic plate boundaries experienced
great stress.
C. The rocks on the edges of tectonic plates is soft and gives in easily to
various pressures.
D. The boundaries between tectonic plates have been seismically
active for millions of years.
15. Which of the following is part of the geologic activity where edges of plate
boundaries meet?
A. Earthquakes B. Divergent C. Stress D. Tension

8
 What’s In

In the previous lesson, you have learned about two plates are moving away
from each other, we call this a divergent plate boundary. Along these boundaries,
magma rises from deep within the Earth and erupts to form new crust on the
lithosphere. Most divergent plate boundaries are underwater and form submarine
mountain ranges called oceanic spreading ridges.

A divergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each
other. Along these boundaries, earthquakes are common and magma (molten rock)
rises from the Earth's mantle to the surface, solidifying to create new oceanic crust.

What’s New

Source: shorturl.at/DLMW6

Fig.1. types of divergent plate boundaries

9
Activity 1. Filling Up!

Direction: Fill in the needed data in the table below:

Types of divergent plate Geologic features present Relative motion of the

boundary plate

What is it

Divergent boundaries occur where two oceanic plates move away from one
another, this is where seafloor spreading takes place the most common example is
the mid-ocean ridge.

In this activity, you are instructed to describe the movement of plates in

divergent boundary.

What’s More

Fig.2.1. Oceanic- oceanic fig.2.2. Continental - continental

10
 Divergent plate boundaries are in continental and oceanic lithosphere. Results
that are found at a divergent boundary between oceanic plates are a submarine
mountain range like Mid-Atlantic Ocean Ridge, volcanic activity in the form of fissure
eruptions, shallow earthquake activity and widening ocean basin. When continental
plates converge, the breaking of the crust into several segments leads to the formation
of down faulted valleys called rift valleys.

Activity 2. Formation check…

Direction: Identify what is/are formed with these types of divergent plate boundaries.

Oceanic –oceanic Continental- continental

What I Have Learned

Discuss the effects that are found at the two types of divergent plate
boundaries.

What I Can Do

Why is earthquake drill in school important? (15 pts.)

Assessment

Multiple Choice: Select the correct answer. Write only the letter that corresponds to
your answer.

1. Which of the following is the effect of the divergence between continental

plates?
A. Earthquake B. Mid-ocean ridge C. Ocean D. Plate
2. What is formed when a mass of molten rock from a depth dissolved with
gases and crystals?
A. Earthquake B. Magma C. Mid-ocean ridge D. Ocean

11
3. Which of the following is a continuous mass of land with long width and height
on the ocean floor?
A. Earthquake B. Magma C. Mid-ocean ridge D. Ocean
4. Which of the following is the vibration of energy due to the rapid release of
energy?
A. Earthquake B. Magma C. Mid-ocean ridge D. Ocean
5. Which of the following region where the crustal plates are moving apart?
A. Divergent B. Fault C. Transform D. Tectonic
6. What type of plate boundary when two plates grind past each other?
A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Transform D. Transitional
7. Which type of plate boundary occurs when two plates move together, causing
one plate rises into the mantle beneath the other plate?
A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Transform D. Transitional
8. Where do earthquakes generally occur at plate boundaries?
a. Magnetic pull is greatest.
b. Stress on rocks is greatest.
c. Stress on rocks is low.
d. The most rock is found.
9. Why do earthquakes usually occur at plate boundaries?
e. Rocks in environments near tectonic plate boundaries experienced little
stress.
f. Rocks in environments near tectonic plate boundaries experienced
great stress.
g. The rocks on the edges of tectonic plates is soft and gives in easily to
various pressures.
h. The boundaries between tectonic plates have been seismically active
for millions of years.
10. Which of the following is part of the geologic activity where edges of plate
boundaries meet?
A. Earthquakes B. Divergent C. Stress D. Tension
11. What type of boundary when the magma rises from deep within the Earth and
erupts to form new crust on the lithosphere?
A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Fault D. Transform
12. What type of plate boundary where molten rocks rises from the mantle
creating new oceanic crust?
A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Fault D. Transform
13. What happened when two oceanic plates move away from each other?
A. Magma B. Molten rocks C. Seafloor spreading D. Tectonic
14. Where do Seafloor spreading center usually happens?
A. Continental B. Mid-ocean ridge C. Ocean D. Tectonic
15. Which of the following is the effect of divergence between oceanic plates?
A. Continental B. Earthquake C. Ocean D. Plate

12
 Additional Activity

Instruction: Create a slogan on the importance of people’s awareness and readiness

about natural disaster such as earthquake.

13
 Lesson EARTH AND SPACE

3 Comparison on the types

of Divergent Plate
Boundaries

What I Need to Know

In this particular
lesson, you will
learn about
precautionary
measures on
divergent plate
boundary movement.

Objectives: At the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. determine the causes of motion of the two types of divergent plate

boundaries, and
2. compare and contrast the two types of divergent plate boundaries.

What I Know

Multiple Choice: Write only the letter that corresponds to your answer.

1. Which feature is formed near the divergent boundaries between two plates
of oceanic crust?
A. Continental rift valley B. Mid- ocean ridge
C. Non- volcanic mountain D. Trench

2. Which feature is formed near the divergent boundaries between two plates
of continental crust?
A. Canyon B. Continental rift valley
C. Oceanic Ridges D. Trench

14
3. Which geologic feature or event would you find most in the divergent
boundary between two pieces of oceanic crust?
A. Island arc B. Mountain C. Rift D. Volcano
4. Which of the following is the result of divergent boundary at two oceanic
plates?
A. Volcanic B. Island arc
C. Rift valley D. Continental volcanic arc
5. What is the motion of the plates at divergent boundaries?
A. Flip around B. Move apart
C. Crash into each other D. Slide past each other
6. Which geologic feature is the result of a molten material rising to the
surface forming a chain of volcanoes?
A. Continental B. Mid- ocean ridge
C. Rift valley D. Volcanic island arc
7. What geologic feature could take place when there is a depression in the
seafloor due to subduction process?
A. Mid-ocean ridge B. Rift valley
C. Trench D. Volcanic arc
8. Which of the following is a process by which new ocean floor is formed
near the mid-ocean ridge and moves outward?
A. Mid- ocean ridge B. Rift valley
C. Seafloor spreading D. Trench
9. What geologic process occurs along mid-ocean ridge causing plates to
separate from each other?
A. Collision B. Seafloor spreading
C. Subduction D. Tectonic
10. Which motion will occur at divergent boundaries?
A. Collide B. Divide C. Multiply D. Slide
11. Where do earthquakes happen?
A. Along the middle of the oceanic- oceanic plates.
B. Along the top of continental –continental plates.
C. Along the lower portion of oceanic – oceanic plates.
D. Along the edge of the oceanic and continental plates.
12. The following are effects that are found at divergent plate boundary except
one:
A. A creation road widening.
B. A submarine mountain range.
C. A shallow earthquake activity.
D. A volcanic activity in the form of fissure eruptions.

15
 13. Which of the following is created when Magma is pushed up from the
mantle?
A. New ozone layer.
B. New fault in the continent.
C. New atmosphere in terrestrial area.
D. New crust at divergent boundaries.
14. Which of the following is the best example of divergent boundaries?
A. Mid- ocean ridge
B. Top – ocean ridge
C. Side- ocean ridge
D. Beneath –ocean ridge
15. Which zone is formed in the divergent plate boundary?
A. Collision B. Erosion C. Explosion D. Tension

What’s In

In the previous lesson, you have learned about the two types of divergent plate
boundaries. Divergent plate boundaries are in continental and oceanic lithosphere.
Effects that are found at a divergent boundary between oceanic plates include; a
submarine mountain range such as Mid-Atlantic Ridge, volcanic activity in the form
of fissure eruptions, shallow earthquake activity and widening ocean basin. When
continental plates converge, the breaking of the crust into several segments leads to
the formation of down faulted valleys called rift valleys. As the valleys continue to
spread it will develop into a linear sea.

What’s New

Describe what causes the motion in the two types of divergent plate
boundaries. Write your answer on the space provided below.

Fig.1. Oceanic –oceanic Fig.1.2. Continental - continental

1. _________________________ 2. _____________________________

16
 What Is It

There are two major types of divergent boundaries continental and continental
lithosphere and oceanic. and oceanic lithosphere oceanic and oceanic divergent
boundaries occur where two oceanic plates move away from one another, this is
where seafloor spreading takes place the most common example is the mid-ocean
ridge.

Describe the movement of plate in divergent boundaries?

What’s More

Activity 1. You compare and contrast the two types of divergent plate boundaries and
write your answer on under the photos shown below.

Fig.1. Oceanic – oceanic Fig.1.2. Continental –continental

What I Have Learned

Discuss what you have learned about divergent plate boundaries.

What I Can Do

How does the plate tectonics theory affect people’s lives? Explain. (15pts.)

17
 Assessment

Multiple choice: Write only the letter that corresponds to your answer.

1. Which geologic feature is the result of a molten material rising to the surface
forming a chain of volcanoes?
A. Continental
B. Mid- ocean ridge
C. Rift valley
D. Volcanic island arc
2. What geologic feature could take place when there is a depression in the seafloor
due to subduction process?
A. Mid-ocean ridge
B. Rift valley
C. Trench
D. Volcanic arc
3. Which of the following is a process by which new ocean floor is formed near the
mid-ocean ridge and moves outward?
A. Mid- ocean ridge
B. Rift valley
C. Seafloor spreading
D. Trench
4. What geologic process occurs along mid-ocean ridge causing plates to separate
from each other?
A. Collision B. Seafloor spreading C. Subduction D. Tectonic
5. Which motion will occur at divergent boundaries?
A. Collide B. Divide C. Multiply D. Slide
6. Where do earthquakes happen?
A. Along the middle of the oceanic- oceanic plates.
B. Along the top of continental –continental plates.
C. Along the lower portion of oceanic – oceanic plates.
D. Along the edge of the oceanic and continental plates.
7. The following are effects that are found at divergent plate boundary except one:
A. A creation road widening.
B. A submarine mountain range.
C. A shallow earthquake activity.
D. A volcanic activity in the form of fissure eruptions.
8.Which of the following is created when Magma is pushed up from the mantle?
A. New ozone layer.
B. New fault in the continent.
C. New atmosphere in terrestrial area.
D. New crust at divergent boundaries.

18
9. Which of the following is the best example of divergent boundaries?
A. Mid- ocean ridge B. Top – ocean ridge
C. Side- ocean ridge D. Beneath –ocean ridge
10. Which zone is formed in the divergent plate boundary?
A. Collision B. Erosion C. Explosion D. Tension
11. Which feature is formed near the divergent boundaries between two plates of
oceanic crust?
A. Trench B. Mid- ocean ridge
C. Continental rift valley D. Non- volcanic mountain
12. Which feature is formed near the divergent boundaries between two plates of
continental crust?
A. Canyon B. Mid-ocean ridge
C. Continental rift valley D. Non- volcanic mountain
13. Which of the geologic feature or event would you find most in divergent boundary
between two pieces of oceanic crust?
A. Island arc B. Mountain C. Rift D. Volcano
14. Which of the following is the result of divergent boundary at two oceanic plates?
A. Volcanic B. Island arc
C. Rift valley D. Continental volcanic arc
15. What is the motion of the plates at divergent boundaries?
A. Flip around.
B. Move apart
C. Crash into each other.
D. Slide past each other.

Additional Activity

Make a list of five things to do before, during, and after an earthquake.

Before During After

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

19
 Assessment - Unit Test (Day 4)

Multiple Choice: Write only the letter that corresponds to your answer.

1. Which of the following motion occurs at divergent boundaries?

A. Plate slide past each other B. Plates flip around
C. Plates move apart D. Plate crash into each other
2. Which word would you use to remember the motion that occurs at divergent
boundaries?
A. Collide B. Divide C. Multiply D. Slide
3. Which of the following is caused by divergent boundaries?
A. Fold mountains B. Island arcs C. Rift valley D. Volcano
4. Which of the following is a boundary between two plates that are moving apart?
A. Convergent B. Covergent C. Divergent D. Transform
5. Which of the following feature forms near divergent boundaries between two
pieces of oceanic crust?
A. Continent rift valley B. Mid-ocean ridge
C. Non- volcanic mountain D. Trench
6. Which of the following feature is formed near the divergent boundaries between
two continental crust?
A. Canyon B. Continental rift valley
C. Mid- ocean ridge D. Non- volcanic mountain
7. Which type of boundaries movement causing the formation of oceanic ridges?
A. Continental –continental divergent plates
B. Ocean- ocean convergent plates
C. Ocean – ocean divergent plates
D. Transform boundaries
8. What will be developed as the rift valley continues to spread?
A. linear sea B. Mountain C. Ocean D. Trench
9. Which geologic feature could take place in the divergent boundary between two
plates of oceanic crust?
A. Island arc B. Mountain C. Rift D. Volcano
10. What event could possibly take place during the divergence of two plates?
A. earthquake B. volcanic eruption C. Tremor D. Tsunami
11. What are the indications or evidence that the crust is splitting apart?
A. Formation of rift valleys and oceanic ridges
B. Melting of ice at the north pole
C. Occurrence of tsunami
D. Presence of Mountain Ranges
12. What is another term used to describe rift valleys?
A. down faulted valleys B. fault-block
C. jagged mountains D. submarine valleys

20
13. Where do earthquakes happen?
A. Along the middle of the oceanic- oceanic plates.
B. Along the top of continental –continental plates.
C. Along the lower portion of oceanic – oceanic plates.
D. Along the edges of the oceanic and continental plates.
14. Below are some of the effects that are found at divergent plate boundary except
one;
A. A creation road widening.
B. A submarine mountain range.
C. A shallow earthquake activity.
D. A volcanic activity in the form of fissure eruptions.
15. Which of the following is created when magma is pushed up from the mantle?
A. New ozone layer
B. New fault in the continent
C. New atmosphere in terrestrial area
D. New crust at divergent boundaries

21