EARTH SCIENCE

WEEK 3

INTRODUCTION
EXPECTATION
At the end of our one-week lesson, you are to describe how rocks behave under
different types of stress such as compression, pulling apart, and shearing and
explain how seafloor spreads
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
You must be able to describe to describe how rocks behave under different types
of stress such as compression, pulling apart, and shearing and explain how
seafloor spreads.
OVERVIEW OF THE LESSON
For this week’s lesson, we will begin with the plate tectonic.
Specifically, we will be studying the following:
1. Plate Tectonics
 Plate Tectonic Theory
 Continental Drift
 Tectonic Activity
 Seafloor Spreading

“Recalling on your junior high school, what is your idea about plate tectonics?”
Explain your answer.
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Plate Tectonics Theory

If the earth’s crust experiences
deformations because of various geological
activities, what then is the mechanism as to how
these geological phenomena arise? The theory of
plate tectonics states that the earth’s crust is
subdivided into massive plates that seem to drift
upon the earth’s softer mantle. These large plates
are categorically found in the lithosphere and may
move vertically and horizontally, at an estimated
rate of 1 to 10 cm per year.
Earth is constantly changing. The
various oceanic and continental plates must have
drifted and interacted in many different ways all
over the world through time. The earth’s crust must
be solidified billon years ago. In addition, the
amount of crust that may have been exposed to water must have varied through time,

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 since sea levels must have changed in response to the changing temperatures of the
earth.

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SEATWORK 1
1. What theory of plate tectonics states?
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2. When do Earth’s crust experiences deformations?

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DEVELOPMENT
SELF ASSESSMENT

On the second column of the table, write TRUE if the statement is correct and if FALSE if
incorrect, and underline the words that make the statement wrong.

Statement Answer
1. The theory of the continental drift is
most associated with the scientist
William Shakespear
2. Continental drift theory states that the
continental landmasses were “drifting”
across the Earth
3. The continents rest on massive slabs
of rock called tectonic plates.
4. Crust convection,is the slow, churning
motion of the Earth’s mantle
5. The applied force that causes
deformation is called stress.
6. The plates are always moving and
interacting in a process called plate
tectonics.

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 7. Compressional stress imposes a
squeezing pressure toward a central
plane and results in a decrease in
total volume.
8. The continents are still moving today

9. Seafloor spreading is geologic

process in which tectonic plates split
apart from each other.

10. Tensional stress is the pressure

applied to opposite directions from a
parallel central plane that results in a
significant change in the initial shape
of the rock layer.

PREVIEW OF THE LESSON:

Good day learner.

Today we will begin our lesson in your subject Earth Science.

But before we discuss the details about that, let us first have an activity below.

ARRANGE

Given the images below, observe the following and write your generalization
below.

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  Generalization.
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LESSON PROPER

Good day learner.

Today we will begin our lesson in reviewing the stress.

Specifically, we will be studying the following:

Stress – applied force that causes deformation

Strains - resulting deformations from the stress.

Three Major Types of Stress

a. Tensional stress

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 Figure 2 https://images.app.goo.gl/FF7oiZoUQYJ5bFyP8

– provides a stretching pressure away from a central plane and results in

an increase in total volume.

b. Shearing stress

Figure 3 https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fclassconnection.s3.amazonaws.com%2F754%2Fflashcards%2F1160754%2Fpng
%2Fshearing1328629820878.png&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2F275885jd.weebly.com%2Fstress-in-the-crust.html&tbnid=fBlEefYlnl5RGM&vet=1&docid=ND

– the pressure applied to opposite directions from a parallel central plane

that results in a significant change in the initial shape of the rock layer.

c. Compressional stress

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 Figure 4 https://images.app.goo.gl/cW6qr7UJkNtUimmS9

- imposes a squeezing pressure toward a central plane and results in a

decrease in total volume.

Plate Tectonic Theory

According to this theory, the lithosphere or the Earth’s crust into plates that move over the
atmosphere. Most of the boundaries of between plates are marked by zones of earthquake
activity, volcanic activity, or both. Along these boundaries, plates diverge, converge, or
sideways past each other.

Continental Drift

Figure 5 https://images.app.goo.gl/m3z9dYGqtcLMyfsk6

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 The theory of the continental drift is most associated with the scientist Alfred Wegener. In the
eartly 20th century, Wegener published a paper explaining his theory that the continental
landmasses were “drifting” across the Earth, sometimes plowing through oceans and into
each other. He called this movement continental drift.

Tectonic Activity

Figure 6 https://images.app.goo.gl/SZFukyQw1isLuELF6

Scientists dis not accept Wegener’s theory of continental drift. One of the elements lacking in
the theory was the mechanism for how it works – why did the continents drift and what
aptterns did they follow? Wegener suggested that perhaps the rotation of the Earth caused
the continents to shift towards and apart from each other.

Today, we know that the continents rest on massive slabs of rock called tectonic plates.The
plates are always moving and interacting in a process called plate tectonics.The continents
are still moving today. Some of the most dynamic sites of tectonic activity are seafloor
spreading zones and giant rift valleys.

Figure 7 %2Ffiles%2Fpicture8_0.gif&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvolcano.oregonstate.edu%2Fbook%2Fexport%2Fhtml
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  Seafloor Spreading

\
Figure 8 https://images.app.goo.gl/cXZmFbhJNnigxKS89

Seafloor spreading is geologic process in which tectonic plates split apart from each other.
This and other tectonic activity processes are the result of mantle convection. It is the slow,
churning motion of the Earth’s mantle.

Seafloor spreading occurs at divergent plate movement boundaries. As tectonic plates slowly
move away from each other, heat from the mantle’s convection currents makes the crust
more plastic and less dense. The less-dense material rises, often forming a mountain or
elevated area of the seafloor.

 Oceanic Ridges

Figure 9 https://images.app.goo.gl/cXZmFbhJNnigxKS89

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 Seafloor spreading accurs along mid-ocean ridges – large mountain ranges rising
from the ocean floor. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, for instance, separates the North American
Plate from the Eurasian Plate.

Plates can spread apart by moving away from each other. This creates gaps where
hot molten rock, called magma, from the earth’s mantle can rise up. When the magma
seeps through the gaps, it solidifies as it cools, creating a new layer of ocean crust. This
creates structures such as oceanic ridges, which are continuous mountain chains located
under the surface of the sea.
You can think of their creation in much the same way as a scab gets created over a
wound. For example, when you cut your finger, it bleeds.

ENGAGEMENT
Given the diagram below describe how rocks behave under different types
of stress such as compression, pulling apart, and shearing:
Tensional Stress

Shearing Stress

Compressional Stress

INDEPENDENT WORK

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 1. Exlplain how seafloor spreads. Ellaborate your answer.
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ASSIMILATION
REFLECTIVE WRITING

1. What is the importance of seafloor spreading involving ocean ridges?

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2. Does tectonic activity beneficial? Explain your answer.

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References:

(2017). In M. Y. Acledan, A. A. Cabras, A. S. Espra, Mi, t. N. Medina, Rene, & e. M. Subsuban,

Earth and Life Science for Senior High School (pp. 39-49). Malabon: Mutya Publishing
House, Inc.

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