Arabon, Zyrha Kate Elyza B.

April 27, 2023

11A_STEM

1. Identify and describe the tectonic plates and plate boundaries, and faults and
trenches which surround the Philippines.
The term "tectonic plate" refers to a large, unevenly shaped slab of solid rock
that is typically made up of both oceanic and continental lithosphere. It comes in a
variety of sizes, from little units to larger ones. On the other side, lithospheric plate
edges are where you can find plate borders. Convergent, divergent, and transform
borders are the three different types of plate boundaries. In terms of tectonics, the
Philippines Sea Plate is remarkable since nearly all of its boundaries are converging. It
is connected to the Sunda Plate through a zone of oblique convergence. From Luzon in
the north to the islands in the south, this highland convergent plant border runs the
length of the Philippine Islands. The Philippines' tectonic setting is distinctive in a
number of ways, including the oppositefacing subduction systems that are present
on both the east and west flanks.

A significant fault known as the "Philippine Fault" runs through the

Philippines. High seismic activity, faulting, and active volcanoes are features of the
arc complex itself. As the Philippine Trench system slowly moves further north, the
East Luzon Trough is thought to represent an uncommon example of a subduction
zone in the process of creation. The west-facing islands of Luzon and Mindoro are
home to the Pacific Ocean's Manila Trench. Compared to the South China Sea's usual
depth of roughly 1,500 meters, it reached an estimated depth of 5,400 meters.

2. The Philippines is located in the Pacific Rim of Fire. What does this mean, and
what consequences does this have for the inhabitants along the region?
The Circum-Pacific Belt, commonly referred to as the Pacific Ring of Fire, is a
section of the Pacific Ocean marked by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Its
horseshoe-like form gave rise to its name, and no other region on Earth has as many
erupting, active volcanoes or earthquakes. The Philippines is one of the 15 nations
that make up the Pacific Ring of Fire.

The Philippines is situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire along the typhoon belt. 20
typhoons pass through the aforementioned country on average each year, five of them
are catastrophic. Having 300 volcanoes, 24 of which are active, does not assist the
Philippines' vulnerability to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location in
the Ring. The geographic and physical characteristics of the Philippines further
increase the country's sensitivity to tsunamis, sea level rise, storm surges, landslides,
and flooding.