Lesson 2: Plates

Get Sliding!

Expectations

You will be able to explain and identify the geologic process that
occurs along a transform plate boundary.

Specifically, this module will help you to:

1. Define the transform plate boundary.

2. Explain the geologic process that occurs along a transform plate boundary.

3. Identify the landforms associated with the geologic process that occurs along
a transform plate boundary.

Let us start your journey in learning more so that you can be able to explain and identify
the geologic process that occurs along a transform plate boundary and the landforms
associated with it. I am sure you are ready and excited to answer the Pre-test. Smile
and cheer up!

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 Pre-Test
Lesson 2: Plates Get Sliding!
On a separate sheet, write the letter of the correct answer.

1. What plate boundary form when two plates slide past each other?

A. Convergent boundary C. Transform fault boundary

B. Divergent boundary D. Fault boundary

2. When two plates move slide horizontally past one another, the resulting
landform is______.

A. fault B. mountain C. volcano D. trench

3. Which geologic process is associated with convergent plate boundary?

A. mountain formation C. shallow earthquake B. oceanic ridge

formation D. fault formation

4. Which of the following is formed at the transform plate boundary?

A. Great Rift Valley of East Africa C.7 East Pacific Rise

B. San Andreas fault D. Mid-Atlantic Ridge

5. Which of the following faults is located between the North American Plate and Pacific
Plate?

A. Great Rift Valley of East Africa C. East Pacific Rise

B. San Andreas Fault D. Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Looking Back to Your Lesson

In the previous lesson, you were able to explain and identify the geologic process
that occurs along divergent plate boundaries and the landforms associated with it, may I
ask you to please answer the simple activity to refresh you of the words associated from
the previous lesson that you have learned.
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 Simple Recall Activity!

Directions: Write True if the statement if correct and False if the statement is incorrect.

1. Shallow earthquakes occur at divergent plate boundaries.

2. The rift valley is formed at a divergent plate boundary.

3. Divergent plate boundary within the ocean results in narrowing the ocean basin.

4. Diverging plate boundary generates an old crust

5. Iceland sits above the Mid- Atlantic Ridge.

Do you think you answered the simple recall activity correctly? It’s nice that you
still remember them. Congratulations! Now, you will know the third type of plate
boundary, explain and identify the geologic processes that occur, and the resulting
landforms.

Brief Introduction

II. Transform Fault Plate Boundary- where two adjacent plates

slide horizontally past one another.

Plates sometimes slide horizontally past each other, resulting to transform fault
boundary. This type of plate boundary does not create nor destroy a crust along them. This
boundary happens mostly on the seafloor, where they form oceanic fracture zones.

Faults are produced when transform boundary occurs on land. Divergent

zones are being connected by fault lines. For example, the San Andreas Fault
connects the South Gorda divergent zone, north, to the East Pacific Rise to the
south.

On the north end, this fault continues out into the Pacific Ocean as the
Mendocino Fracture Zone. Along the San Andreas Fault, the Pacific Plate seems
moving to the northwest and the North American Plate is moving to the southeast.
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 Activities
Activity 1: Transform Fault Boundary
Sliding Sideward!
Objectives:
1. Describe the geologic process that occurs in a transform
fault boundary.

2. Explain the formation of landforms in transform fault boundaries.

3. Identify examples of transform fault around the world.

Materials:
2 blocks of wood (same length and thickness)

Procedures:
1. Place the blocks of wood on a flat surface facing each other.

2. Make sure that the blocks are aligned with each other.

3. Make sure that each block of wood touches each other.

4. Put your palm on top of each block.

5. Press your palm as hard as you can and make sure that both

edges are touching each other. Move the block from side to side
or move back and forth.

6. Observe the alignment as you move the block to and fro.

Guide Questions:
1. What does the block of woods represent?

2. What can you hear as you press the block and move it side to side?

3. What comparison can you give between the sound produced with the
rubbing edges of the two blocks and what is happening if a plate
undergoes an activity along the transform fault boundary?

4. Compare the activity to the geologic activity or process in transform

fault boundary?
5. What landform is associated with transform fault boundary?
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 Remember
Transform fault boundaries occur when plates slide past each other.
Faults can be formed both on land and in the ocean. One classic example

is the San Andreas Fault that lies between the North American Plate and Pacific Plate.

Check Your Understanding

Read and analyze the questions. Apply what you have learned from this

lesson.

1. Why is it dangerous to build a structure near or on top of a fault line?

2. What does it mean if a fault is said to be "on the move"?

Post-Test
On a separate sheet, write the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following describes a transform fault boundary?

A. When two plates interact in any way
B. When to plates slide horizontally past each other
C. When to plates move apart from each other
D. When two plates move and collide with one another

2. Which among the following faults is considered the famous and found at the Pacific
Plate and North American Plate?
A. San Adreas Fault C. Alpine Fault
B. Marikina Valley Fault System D. Kego Fault

3. Which among the types of plate boundaries do not create nor destroy a crust
along them?

A. convergent B. divergent C. transform D. fault

4. Which landform created after the grinding of the plate boundary?

A. trench B. volcanic arc C. mountain D. fault

5. Which best describes the general motion along a transform fault boundary?
A. Slow and continuous sliding at an even rate
B. Continuous sliding that increases in rate over time
C. Slowly building- up of stress followed by an immediate release as
rock breaks and moves

D. Regular pattern of stop-start motion that repeats on the order of

many times per day