Formation of Land Forms

Plate Tectonics
The formation of several landforms in the
country lies in the concept of plate tectonics.
The plate’s constant motion and interaction
with each other produce mountains, volcanoes,
and earthquakes.
 According to plate tectonics theory, the lithosphere is a
strong rigid layer the uppermost mantle and crust that
were broken into several major and minor segments
called tectonic plates. The lithospheric crust is thinnest in
the oceans and thicker in continents. It lies on top of the
asthenosphere, a weak and ductile region in the mantle,
which allows the lithosphere to move as a separate
component.
Major Tectonic Plates in the World

North and South America

Pacific
African
Eurasian
Australian Indian
Antarctic Plates
The Philippine Plate belongs to the Minor Tectonic
Plates

The edges of these plates are marked by volcanic

and seismic activities which lead to the formation of
spectacular landforms.
 Plate Boundaries

There are three main types of plate

boundaries, namely: divergent,
convergent, and transform fault.

These plate boundaries also mark the

occurrence of earthquakes and the
formation of volcanoes and mountains.
A divergent boundary is formed when two plates move
away from each other resulting to an upward movement
of molten material and formation of new seafloor. This
type of boundary is also called constructive margin. The
ocean floor is a landform produced by a divergent
boundary. An example would be the Atlantic Ocean
which was formed by the separation of African, Eurasian,
and American continents.
A convergent boundary is formed when two plates
move toward each other. It is also known as a
destructive margin. This type of boundary also
marks subduction zones where the denser
lithospheric plate, which is the oceanic lithosphere,
descends into the mantle. It is where the oceanic
crust is destroyed and recycled.
Transform plate occurs when two plates simply slide past
each other. It is also known as the transform fault
boundary. In this type of boundary, there is no formation
or destruction of the new lithosphere. That is why it is
also called a conservative margin. Most of the transform
fault boundaries can be found on the ocean floor, but
there are instances where they also cut across the
continental crust.