A class presentation about Plate Tectonics Theory.

1. The Plate
Tectonics Theory
Scientific Understanding of Earth’s Dynamic Movement
GROUP IV

2. Table of Contents
01
03
02
04
Introduction PlateTectonics Theory
Lithospheric Plates Plate Boundaries
05 Plate Tectonics
Processes
06 Earthquake and
Volcanoes
Overview of Continental Drift
Theory as groundwork for
Plate Tectonics
Overview of Earth’s Layers
and the concept of the
theory.
Definition of Lithosphere and
Major and Minor Plates
2 Types of Crust, Definition and
3 types of Plate Boundaries
Plate Tectonic Processes and
its geologic features
Their relationship in Plate
Tectonics

3. Introduction to the
Historical Context
An Overview of Alfred Wegener’s Continental
Drift Theory and its Contributions to the
Emergence of Plate Tectonics Theory
01

4. Historical Context
He hypothesized that the
continents move around
the Earth’s surface, and
they were once a
supercontinent called
Pangaea 200 million years
ago.
Alfred Wegener proposed
the Continental Drift
Theory in 1912 as he
observed that South
America and Africa fit
together like a jigsaw
puzzle.
The pieces of evidence
supporting the continental
drift theory are: continents
fit together like a jigsaw
puzzle, distribution of
ancient fossils, rock types
and mountain ranges, and
location of ancient climatic
zones.

5. Plate Tectonics
Theory
An Overview of Compositional and Mechanical
Layers of the Earth and Define the Concept of
Plate Tectonics.
02

6. The Earth’s
Compositional Layers
o It refers to the distinctive materials
and elements that make up the
Earth’s layers/structure.
o These are:
a. Crust
b. Mantle
c. Core
Crust
Mantle
Outer
core
Inner
core

7. The Earth’s
Mechanical Layers
o It refers to the division based on the
movement and behavior of the Earth.
o These are:
a. Lithosphere d. Outer Core
b. Asthenosphere e. Inner Core
c. Mesosphere

8. Plate Tectonics
Theory
o A scientific theory that explains how major
landforms are created as a result of Earth’s
subterranean movement.
o The theory was solidified in the 1960’s.
o It transformed the Earth sciences by
explaining many phenomena, including
mountain building, events, volcanoes, and
earthquakes.

9. Lithospheric Plate
Definition of Lithosphere and its composition.
The Major and Minor Plates of the Earth.
03

10. Lithosphere
o Lithosphere is the rigid, outermost rocky shell of a
terrestrial planet.
o It is composed of the crust and the portion of upper
mantle that behaves elastically.
o The movement of the Earth’s lithosphere is a known
to be tectonic activity.
o Tectonic activity describes the interaction of the
huge slabs of lithosphere called tectonic plates.

11. 7 Major Plates
1. African Plate
2. Antarctic Plate
3. Eurasian Plate
4. Indo-Australian Plate
5. North American Plate
6. South American Plate
7. Pacific Plate

12. Minor Plates
1. Arabian Plate
2. Caribbean plate
3. Cocos plate
4. Indian plate
5. Juan de Fuca Plate
6. Nazca Plate
7. Philippine Sea Plate
8. Scotia Plate

13. Plate Boundaries
2 Types of Crust, Definition of Plate
Boundaries, and the 3 Different Types of Plate
Boundaries and its processes.
04

14. 2 Types of Crust
This crust is thicker, less
dense, and primarily
composed of granite. It
forms the continents and
areas above sea level.
This crust is thinner, denser,
and mainly composed of
basalt. It underlies the
ocean basins.
Continental Crust Oceanic Crust

15. o Plate boundaries are the borders
where tectonic plates where large
sections of the Earth’s lithosphere,
interact.
o It is found at the edge of the
lithospheric plates.
o These boundaries can be divergent
(moving apart), convergent (colliding),
or transform (sliding past each other).
Plate
Boundaries

16. o Known as constructive boundary.
o It occurs when tectonic plates move away
from each other, and magma/molten
materials rises to the surface or in the
space between the plates creating new
crust.
Divergent Boundary
(Type of Plate Boundary)

17. o It occurs when tectonic forces pull
landmasses apart, creating a rift in the Earth's
crust. As the plates separate, magma fills the
rift, widening it.
o This gradual process of crustal creation
contributes to the separation of continents,
like the East African Rift System.
Divergent of 2
Continental Plate

18. o When two oceanic plates move apart, the ocean
floor cracks and magma from deep inside the
Earth fills the gap, creating new crust.
o This forms a mountain range under the ocean
called a mid-ocean ridge.
Divergent of 2
Oceanic Plate

19. o Known as destructive boundary.
o It happens when two plates move towards
each other or collide.
o As they collide, one plate is forced to beneath
the other in a process called as subduction.
o This interaction can lead to the formation of
deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and
mountain ranges.
Convergent Boundary
(Type of Plate Boundary)

20. o It will result of collision zone, which cause
shallow earthquakes.
o The it will destroy subduction zone there is no
plate to subduct, instead uplifting will
happen.
o It leads to the formation of giant mountain
ranges like the Himalayas.
Convergence of 2
Continental Plate

21. o A subduction zone occur wherein the older and
denser oceanic plate will always subduct. It leads
to a destructive earthquake
o As the subducting plate descends into the mantle,
it undergoes melting contributing to the
formation of volcanic arcs on the overriding
plate.
o This process generates the formation of volcanic
island arcs like the Pacific Ring of Fire which are
also parallel to the trench.
Convergence of 2
Oceanic Plate

22. o Subduction happens wherein the oceanic plate
will subduct the continental plate.
o The tailing end of the subducted plate will melt in
the mantle, becoming magma. Due to the heat,
magma builds up pressure that enables it to move
upward called mantle plume.
o As process continues, volcanic arc is formed at the
surface of continental plate along the boundary.
o This movement may also cause disturbance in the
ocean causing tsunami.
Convergence of
Oceanic-Continental

23. o A type of tectonic plate boundary where two
plates slide past each other horizontally in
opposite directions.
o Also known as conservative boundary.
o It creates a crack called fault.
o The immense forces exerted by these plates
lead to the formation of faults and
contributing to seismic activity.
Transform Fault Boundary
(Type of Plate Boundary)

24. o When two continental plate slide past each
other, it creates pressure and stress.
o This stress can cause sudden rock movement
that results in earthquakes along the fault
line.
o This ongoing movement can offset contribute
to the formation of rift valleys or other
topographic features over time
Transform of 2
Continental Plate

25. o When an oceanic plate meets a continental plate
at a transform fault, they slide past each other
sideways. The oceanic plate goes under the
continental plate (subduction).
o But along these faults, they move sideways,
causing earthquakes.
o Their horizontal motion forms prominent features
like the San Andreas Fault.
Transform of
Oceanic-Continental

26. Plate Tectonic
Processes
Seafloor Spreading, Subduction, and Mantle
Convection and the formation of their geologic
features.
05

27. o Seafloor spreading is a process occurring at
divergent plate boundaries, where tectonic
plates slowly move away from each other.
o As the plates separate, magma from the mantle
rises to the surface through fractures or rifts in
the ocean floor. This upwelling magma solidifies
upon contact with the cold ocean water, forming
a new oceanic crust.
o The continuous injection of magma and the
subsequent solidification contribute to the
creation of mid-ocean ridges, extensive
underwater mountain ranges.
Seafloor
Spreading

28. o The newly formed oceanic crust at mid-ocean
ridges is characterized by its youthfulness and
distinct magnetic striping, a result of periodic
reversals in Earth's magnetic field.
o This magnetic striping serves as a geological
record, providing insights into the history of
seafloor spreading.
Seafloor
Spreading

29. o Subduction, a process at convergent plate
boundaries, involves the descend of denser plate
beneath the less dense plate, leading to the
formation of geologic features.
o The subduction of an oceanic plate beneath a
continental plate or another oceanic plate results
in the creation of deep-sea trenches.
o These trenches are among the Earth's deepest
features, such as the Mariana Trench in the
western Pacific.
Subduction

30. o The subducting oceanic plate undergoes partial
melting in the mantle, generating magma.
o This magma rises through the overriding plate,
forming volcanic arcs on its surface. The Pacific
Ring of Fire is a renowned example of an area
characterized by intense volcanic activity
associated with subduction zones.
o Earthquakes are common at subduction zones,
as the immense forces involved in the subduction
process generate seismic activity, contributing to
the dynamic nature of these geologic features.
Subduction

31. o It fueled by the Earth's internal heat sources,
initiates the upwelling of molten rock from the
depths of the mantle. As this magma reaches the
surface, it spreads horizontally beneath the
lithosphere.
o At convergent boundaries, the cooled and denser
crust descends back into the mantle, forming
convection currents.
o This continual process of mantle convection is the
driving force behind the necessary movement of
tectonic plates.
Mantle
Convection

32. Earthquakes and
Volcanoes
Relationship of both earthquake and volcanoes
in Plate Tectonics
06

33. o Earthquakes are closely tied to plate tectonics.
o Most earthquakes occur along plate
boundaries, where these plates interact.
Subduction zones, transform faults, and
divergent boundaries are common locations
for seismic activity.
o The movement of plates, whether colliding,
sliding past each other, or pulling apart,
generates stress that, when released, causes
earthquakes.
o Plate tectonics helps explain the distribution
and occurrence of earthquakes worldwide.
Relationship of
Earthquake in
Plate Tectonics

34. o Most volcanoes are found along tectonic plate
boundaries.
o This volcanic activity is often influenced by the
nature of the interacting plates.
o At convergent boundaries involving oceanic and
continental plates, subduction often leads to
explosive volcanic arcs. While divergent
boundaries result in more effusive volcanic activity
along mid-ocean ridges.
o The movement and interactions of tectonic plates
play a role in the distribution, intensity, and
characteristics of both earthquakes and volcanoes
Relationship of
Volcanoes in
Plate Tectonics

35. 1. What theory laid the groundwork for Plate Tectonics and was
proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912?
A. Seafloor Spreading Theory
B. Plate Tectonics Theory
C. Continental Drift Theory
D. Volcanic Arc Theory
2. What was the supercontinent proposed by Alfred Wegener
that existed around 200 million years ago?
A. Pangea
B. Gondwana
C. Laurasia
D. Rodinia

36. 3. What scientific theory provides a comprehensive explanation
for the movement of Earth's continents and is based on the idea that
the lithosphere is divided into plates?
A. Seafloor Spreading Theory
B. Continental Drift Theory
C. Plate Tectonics Theory
D. Mantle Convection Theory
4. Which type of crust is primarily composed of basalt and
underlies the ocean basins?
A. Continental Crust
B. Oceanic Crust
C. Granitic Crust
D. Mantle Crust

37. 5. At a transform fault boundary, how do tectonic plates
interact?
A. Move away from each other
B. Collide with each other
C. Slide past each other horizontally
D. Subduct beneath each other
6. What process occurs at divergent plate boundaries and
contributes to the formation of new crust?
A. Subduction
B. Seafloor Spreading
C. Mantle Convection
D. Continental Collision

38. 7. What is the driving force behind the movement of tectonic
plates in Plate Tectonics Theory?
A. Solar energy
B. Wind erosion
C. Mantle convection currents
D. Oceanic currents
8. What is the significance of Plate Tectonics Theory in Earth Science?
A. Explaining the origins of the Moon
B. Understanding the behavior of ocean currents
C. Describing the formation of sedimentary rocks
D. Providing a unifying framework for various geological
processes

39. 9. Which plate boundary is also known as a constructive boundary in
Plate Tectonics Theory?
A. Convergent Boundary
B. Divergent Boundary
C. Transform Fault Boundary
D. Subduction Boundary
10. What is the primary role of Plate Tectonics Theory in explaining
geological phenomena like mountain building, volcanoes, and
earthquakes?
A. Describing weather patterns
B. Analyzing ocean currents
C. Understanding the movement of tectonic plates
D. Explaining the origin of minerals

40. THANK YOU!

41. Leader:
Morong, Rowela Mariel R.
Members:
Agupasa, Christian James
Onde, John Michael
Bornales, Ruth
GROUP IV