The Lithosphere is the solid, outer part of the earth.
The smaller sections of the lithosphere are called
tectonic plates.
Plate boundaries are the edges that separate
tectonic plates with one another. These are the
lines between tectonic plates.
TYPES OF LITHOSPHERIC PLATES
1. CONTINENTAL LITHOSPHERE
2. OCEANIC LITHOSPHERE
Based on the diagram
the
continental crust is
thicker
than the oceanic crust.
however, oceanic crust is
denser compared to
continental crust.
WHAT IS THE BASIS
FOR DIVIDING
LITHOSPHERIC PLATES?
Geologic events and features such as
earthquakes, active volcanoes and major
mountain ranges are distributed near or
along plate boundaries.
Scientist have been using this events
and features as basis for identifying
plate boundaries. they gather data such
as earthquake, volcanic eruption and
present mountain ranges in order for
them to plot this plate boundaries.
What is plate tectonic theory?
Plate tectonics is the theory that
explains the global distribution of
geological phenomena. Principally it
refers to the movement and interaction
of the earth’s lithosphere. This includes
the formation, movement, collision and
destruction of plates and the resulting
geological events such as seismicity,
volcanism, continental drift, and
mountain building.
How are earthquakes epicenter distributed
around the world?
Earthquakes mostly occur at the edges of the
oceanic plates and continental plates. Most
earthquakes around the globe populate areas
that are near the coastline. This is most evident
when you look up the map of the most recent
earthquakes in the world. Most earthquakes
occur where there is an active volcano. active
volcanoes mostly populate areas that are few
kilometers away from the coastlines.
Why are there volcanoes? why do they erupt?
Volcanoes are just a natural way that the earth
and other planets have of cooling off and
releasing internal heat and pressure. Volcanoes
erupt because of density and pressure. The lower
density of the magma relative to the surrounding
rocks causes it to rise (like air bubbles in syrup).
The gas bubbles exert pressure. This pressure
helps to bring the magma to the surface and
forces it in the air, sometimes to great heights.
How are volcanoes formed?
Volcanoes are formed when magma from within
the earth’s upper mantle works its way to the
surface. At the surface, it erupts to form lava
flows and ash deposits. Over time as the volcano
continues to erupt, it will get bigger and bigger.
Describe the distribution of active volcanoes?
Volcanoes are distributed all around the world,
mostly along the edges of tectonic plates,
although there are intra-plate volcanoes that
form from mantle hotspots (e.g. hawaii).
What is mountain belt?
A mountain system or mountain belt is a group of
mountain ranges with similarity in form,
structure and alignment that have arisen from
the same cause, usually an oregeny. mountain
ranges are formed by a variety of geological
processes, but most of the significant ones on
earth are the result of plate tectonics.
How are mountain belts formed and distributed
around the world?
Most mountains and mountain
ranges are parts of mountain
belts that have formed were
two lithospheric plates have
converged and were, in most
cases, they continue to
converge. In effect, many mountain belts mark
the boundaries of lithospheric plates and these
boundaries in turn intersect other such
boundaries.
The distribution of active volcanoes, earthquake
epicenter and major mountain belts are mostly
found along the plate boundaries. Since the
plates are moving slowly, geologic events happen
along their boundary, that is why most active
volcanoes, earthquake epicenter and major
mountain belts are mostly found along plate
boundaries.
A fault line is defined as a
geological fracture wherein
the movement of masses of
rocks have displaced parts
of the earth’s crust.
A rapid movement of a fault
line may produce a powerful
energy that can trigger a strong earthquake.
below is the list of major fault lines of the
philippines
1. Marikina valley fault (Moltalban, San Mateo,
Marikina, Pasig, Taguig, Muntinlupa, San Pedro,
Biñan, Carmona, Sta. Rosa, Calamba, Tagaytay,
Oriental Mindoro.)
2. Western Philippine fault (Luzon Sea, Mindoro
strait, Panay gulf, Sulu Sea)
3. Eastern Philippine fault (Philippine Sea)
4. Southern of Mindanao fault (Moro gulf, Celebes
Sea)
5. Central Philippine fault (entire Ilocos Norte,
Aurora Quezon, Masbate, Eastern Leyte,
Southern Leyte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del
Sur, Davao del Norte)
