Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V
SCHOOLS Division ofFICE OF Camarines Sur

SCIENCE 10

Name : ______________________________________________ Quarter: 1st Week : 7

Grade Level/Section: _________________________________ Date: _______________________

MECHANISM OF PLATE TECTONIC: CONVECTION CURRENTS

I. Introductory Concept
Plate tectonics is regarded as the most important theory ever
developed in the field of geology. It is a scientific theory describing the large-scale
motion of seven large plates and movements of a larger number of smaller plates
of the earth’s lithosphere, since tectonic processes began on earth between 3.3 –
3.5billion years ago.

There are 3 forces that drive the

plate tectonics: Convection in the
mantle (heat driven), Slab Pull
(gravitational force in subduction) and
Ridge Push (gravitational force at the
spreading ridges). Convection in the
mantle happens when tectonic plates
are moved passively by convection
currents in earth’s mantle. Mantle rocks
near earth’s ore become extremely
hot, making them less dense than the
Source: https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-2357448e0009ae25d18c27223114032f-pjlq
cooler mantle rocks in the upper layers.
In effect, the hot rocks rise and the
Figure 1. Underlying forces in plate tectonics
relatively cooler rocks sink, creating
slow vertical currents within the mantle. These convection circling within the mantle-
like conveyor belts. The convection currents push the magma up forming new crusts
and exerting a lateral force on the plate, pushing it apart to create sea-floor
spreading.

The ridge push is a gravity-driven mechanism as a result from the elevated

position of the oceanic-ridge, which causes slabs of lithosphere to ‘slide’ down the
flanks of the ridge. Ridge push appears to contribute far less to plate motions than
slab pull. The primary evidence for this comes from comparing rates of seafloor

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 spreading along the ridge segments having different elevations. In addition, fast-
moving plates are being subducted along a larger percentage of their margins
than slow-moving plates. This fact supports the notion that slab pull is a more
significant driving force than ridge push. Slab Pull Theory – states that gravity and
the plates themselves are the ones responsible for the plate tectonics through
subduction process. In the subduction zones, rocks are older, hence they are cooler
and denser compared to those located at the inner layers. The old rocks or slabs
also subduct or sink into the mantle below it, due to the gravitational forces or sink
into the mantle below it, due to gravitational forces.

II. Learning Skills/Competency

Describe the possible causes of plate movements. (S10ES – IA – J -36.5)

III. Activities
ACTIVITY 1: SLAP PULL THEORY

Direction: Study the figure and answer the question that follow.

Source: Lutgens et. al, "Process of Slab Pull", Essentials of Geology, Pearson

Guide Questions:
1. What is the slab pull theory?
2. Identify the boundary where the slab pull theory occurs.
3. Is slab pull theory a form of convection?
4. Describe the direction of motion of a cool, dense slab of the lithosphere.
5. What happens at the subduction zones?
6. Why does dense slab sink faster than a less dense slab?

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 ACTIVITY 2: THE RIDGE PUSH

Direction: Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow.

A.

Source: Jeremy Vo, “Sea Floor Spreading Process”, Geological History of Iceland,
http://jeremyvosplatetectonicstimeline.weebly.com/uploads/5/5/0/4/55042511/4023078.gif?438

Guide Questions:
1. What is the motion of the upwelling magma?

2. If the movement of magma continues to rise, what will be its effect to the
oceanic crust?
B.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey, “Ridge Push”, This Dynamic Earth, 2003,
http://www.visionlearning.com/img/library/modules/mid66/Image/VLObject-846-021205021202.gif

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 Guide Questions:
1. At which type of boundary does ridge push occur?

2. What is the primary force that generates ridge push?

3. Describe how ridge-push is involved in the movement of the tectonic plates.

IV. References
 Science-Grade 10 Learner’s Material. Pasig City: Department of Education.

 Science-Grade 10 Learner’s Module. Legazpi City: Department of Education.

 Valdoz et. al. 2015. Science Links. Quezon City: Rex Publishing.

 Lutgens, et. al. 2012. Essentials of Geology: Pearson Prentice Hall. 11th Edition

 https://rwu.pressbooks.pub/webboceanography/chapter/4-3-mechanisms-for-
plate-motion/

Prepared by:
JOHN B. SAN AGUSTIN
Writer
Quality Assured by:
EMILY B. ESMABE
Education Program Supervisor-1, Science

Address: Freedom Sports Complex, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur

Email: deped.camsur@deped.gov.ph
Website: www.depedcamsur.com
Telephone No.: (telefax) 8713340

ANSWER KEY

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 ACTIVITY 1: SLAP PULL THEORY
Guide Questions:
1. What is the slab pull theory?
- Slab Pull Theory states that gravity and the plates themselves are the ones
responsible for the plate tectonics through subduction process. It is the pulling force
exerted by a cold, dense oceanic plate plunging into the mantle due to its own
weight. Because the oceanic plate is denser than the hotter mantle beneath it, this
contrast in density causes the plate to sink into the mantle.
2. Identify the boundary where the slab pull theory occur.
- Slab pull is the force exerted by a dense oceanic plate sinking into the mantle at a
convergent plate boundary
3. Is slab pull theory a form of convection?
- Slab pull theory is one of the main forces that determine the rate at which tectonic
plates move as part of the mantle convection system.
4. Describe the direction of motion of a cool, dense slab of the lithosphere.
- As lithospheric plates move away from midocean ridges they cool and become
denser. They eventually become denser than the underlying hot mantle. After
subducted, cool, dense lithosphere sinks into the mantle under its own weight. This
helps to pull the rest of the plate down with it.
5. What happens at the subduction zones?
- In the subduction zone, one plate begins to subduct where gravity takes over. A
descending plate is usually referred to as a “slab”. Where very old seafloor is being
subducted, the slab falls almost straight down, and where younger plates are being
subducted, the slab descends at a shallow angle.
6. Why does dense slab sink faster than a less dense slab?
- It is because dense slab is heavier than the less dense slab. The distance a slab sinks
depends on not only its density but also its temperature relative to the mantle: The
colder an object is relative to its surroundings, the faster and further it should sink.

ACTIVITY 2: THE RIDGE PUSH

A. Guide Questions:
1. What is the motion of the upwelling magma? Going up
2. If the movement of magma continues to rise, what will be its effect to the oceanic
crust? It will move in opposite directions
B. Guide Questions:
4. At which type of boundary does ridge push occur? Divergent boundaries
5. What is the primary force that generates ridge push? Convection
6. Describe how ridge-push is involved in the movement of the tectonic plates.
- As an oceanic crust moves away from a divergent boundary, it becomes denser
than the newer oceanic crust. As the older seafloor sinks, the weight of the uplifted
ridge pushes the oceanic crust toward the trench at the subduction zone.

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