The Plate Tectonics

Theory
Lesson Objectives
1. Explain the Plate Tectonics Theory.
2. Differentiate the types of plate
boundaries.
3. Discuss the geologic events that
happen along plate boundaries.
 What is Plate Tectonics?

The Plate Tectonics Theory states that

the earth’s lithosphere is divided into
sections called plates. These plates are
constantly moving. This constant
motion of the plates is called tectonics.

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tectonics
 The Lithosphere
• The Lithosphere comprises the crust and
the upper part of the mantle. The
Lithosphere is a group of very unstable
Plates.

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lithosphere
The Asthenosphere
• The plastic layer below the
lithosphere = asthenosphere
• The plates of the lithosphere
float on the asthenosphere
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asthenosphere
 2 Types of Plates
• Ocean plates - plates below
the oceans
• Continental plates - plates
below the continents
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types of plate (oceanic
and continental)
 Types of Plates
Continental Plates are
thicker but less
dense than the
Oceanic Plates.
These Plates move
constantly, causing
gradual
deformations on
the Crust leading to
notable geologic
activities.
 Three types of plate boundary
• Divergent

• Convergent

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• Transform types of plate boundaries
 Plate Boundaries
• Divergent boundary is when plates move
away from each other.
• Convergent boundary is when plates move
toward each other or collide against one
another.
• Transform boundary is when plates slide
or grind pass each other.
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types of plate boundaries
 Divergent Boundaries
• Boundary
between two
plates that are
moving apart or
rifting

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boundary
 Divergent Boundaries
• Ocean ridges
• - elevated parts of
the seafloor.
• - formed along
divergent
boundaries when
magma from the
mantle oozes up
and becomes part Add a picture of ocean
of the seafloor. ridges
• - Ridges are like
mountain ranges
found in oceans.
Anatomy of a Mid-Ocean Ridge
 Divergent Boundaries
• Mid-Atlantic
Ridge
• - the result of
the divergence
of the African
Plate and the
North American
Plate.
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Atlantic Ridge
 Divergent Boundaries
• Rift Valley
• - starts with the splitting
of a continent.
• - As the divergence
continues, the rift will get
wider forming a valley.
• - Over time, the rift will
bring about the formation
of bodies of water.

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formation
 Divergent Boundaries
• Rift Valley
• - As the divergence
continues, the rift
will get wider
forming a valley.

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online
 Divergent Boundaries
• Rift Valley
• - Over time, the rift
will bring about the
formation of bodies
of water.

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online
 Divergent Boundaries
• East African Rift
System
• - resulted from
the divergence
of the African
and Arabian
Plates.
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African Rift System
Red Sea Rift
 Red Sea
 Gulf of Eilat
 Dead Sea
 Linear Seas
 Convergent Boundaries
• Boundaries
between
two plates
that are
colliding
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convergent boundary
 3 Types of Convergent
Boundaries
• There are three styles of convergent
plate boundaries
– Continental- oceanic convergence
– Oceanic-oceanic convergence
– Continental-continental convergence
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types of plate boundaries
 Type 1
• Oceanic plate
colliding with a
less dense
continental
plate
• Subduction
Zone: where
the more dense
plate slides
under the less
dense plate
• TRENCH
occurs at the Try to find this picture
subduction online
zone
 Type 1
• Trenches
• - the deepest parts of the ocean.

Example:
Sulu Trench
- the result of the convergence of the Eurasian Plate and the
Philippine Plate.

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Trench
 Add a picture of
subduction zone

Subduction

• Oceanic lithosphere
subducts underneath the
continental lithosphere
• Oceanic lithosphere heats
and dehydrates as it
subsides
• The melt rises forming
volcanism
 Type 1
• Volcanic Island Arc
• - chain of volcanoes formed on top of the continental plate
• - parallel to the trench

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island arc
 Andes Mountains,
South America

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Andes Mountains
 Type 2
• Oceanic plate
colliding with
another oceanic
plate
• The more dense
plate slides
under the less
dense plate
creating a
subduction zone
called a Try to find this picture
online
TRENCH
 Type 2
• Volcanic island
arc
• - chain of islands
with volcanoes
• - parallel to the
trench

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online
 Type 2
• The Philippine
Archipelago
• - believed to be
the product of
the convergence
of the Pacific
plate and the
Philippine plate
• - both are
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oceanic plates Philippine Archipelago
 Type 3
• A continental
plate colliding
with another
continental plate
• Have Collision
Zones:
– a place where
folded and
thrust faulted
mountains Try to find this picture
form. online
Add a picture of the
Himalayas
Himalayas
 Earthquakes
• Earthquakes are
common
geologic events
along all types of
convergent
boundaries.
• The collision
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force brings earthquakes
about the
shaking of the
ground.
Transform Plate Boundaries
• Boundary
between two
plates that are
sliding past each
other
• EARTHQUAKES
along faults

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boundary
 San Andreas Fault, CA

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Andreas Fault
 West Valley Fault, Ph
• Will cause “The Big One” – a major earthquake
• Extends from Bulacan to Cavite
• Will move anytime

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Valley Fault
Plate Tectonics Theory
is the story of how the
Earth came to be.