NAME:_________________________________ SECTION:________ TOTAL SCORE:_____ This occurred in Ireland with the closure of the Iapetus Ocean over 450

re of the Iapetus Ocean over 450 million years ago. At the start
UNIT I
EARTH AND SPACE
Module 1: Plate Tectonics
The Earth's crust and upper mantle is broken into many plates called tectonic plates that are like
pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. There are seven major plates that make up 94% of the Earth's surface and
many smaller plates making up the other 6%.
he tectonic plates are in motion and it is thought that they have been in motion since early in earth's
history. The word tectonic refers to the structure of the earth and the processes happening on it.
Ireland has a long and interesting tectonic history and therefore, we have a great diversity of rock-
types in a relatively small area.
The areas where these plates meet are known as plate boundaries. There are three types of plate
boundary:
Divergent or constructive plate boundaries
The plates diverge and this causes the construction of new rock.
It happens when two tectonic plates pull apart and rock from the mantle rises up through the
opening to form new surface rock when it cools. It happens at the start of a new ocean and
continues at the mid-ocean ridge while the ocean is opening. It is associated with rifting (large-scale
faulting) and volcanoes.
the Iapetus oceanic crust was subducted beneath continental crust, but eventually the oceanic crust
was gone and continents collided. The Caledonian mountains formed at this time and it is thought
they were as high as the modern Himalayas when they formed.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Himalayas are an example of the collision of two continental plates where the Indian plate is
crashing into the Eurasian plate and is being forced upwards. They are continually growing at an
average rate of 1cm per year, this will be 10km in 1 million years.
See earthquakes, tsunami, and volcanoes for more on the effects of convergent plate boundaries
(redirect to Topics section).
Passive plate boundaries
Also known as strike-slip or transform boundaries.
This is when two plates slide past each other. When the plates move, the jagged edges of the plate
boundaries snag and catch each other and can get jammed. This causes a build-up of pressure. When
the plates eventually pass each other, the pressure is released in the form of an earthquake. The
closest passive plate boundary to Ireland is the boundary between the African and Eurasian plate
south of Portugal.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

An example of this is the mid-Atlantic ridge.

The Paleogene rocks in Ireland, including at Cooley, Co. Louth and at the Giant's Causeway in Co.
Antrim, formed at the opening of the North Atlantic approximately 60 million years ago.
See volcanoes for more on the effects of divergent plate boundaries (redirect to Topics section).
Convergent or destructive plate boundaries
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The movement of the two plates can be in opposite directions or in the same direction but at
different speeds for example the San Andreas Fault in California.

This is when two tectonic plates move toward each other and collide. The result depends on the type
of plates involved. It is possible to have the collision of two oceanic plates, an oceanic plate and a
continental plate or two continental plates.
Subduction occurs when there is a difference in the density of the plates. Oceanic crust is typically
denser than continental crust and is forced downwards into the hot mantle when it collides with
continental crust. The less dense conitinental crust is forced upward.
ACTIVITY NO. 1 Score:_______ The study of earthquakes is called seismology. Earthquakes are usually quite brief, but may repeat. The
sudden release of tension in the tectonic plates sends waves of energy that travel through the
Earth. Seismology studies the cause, frequency, type and size of earthquakes.
There are large earthquakes and small earthquakes. Large earthquakes can take down buildings and
cause death and injury. Earthquakes are measured using observations from seismometers. The
magnitude of an earthquake, and the intensity of shaking, is usually reported on the Richter scale. The
Richter Scale was invented by Charles Francis Richter in 1935. On the scale, 2 is scarcely noticeable,
and magnitude 5 (or more) causes damage over a wide area.

ACTIVITY NO.2 Score:____

15

17

9 1 14

10

8 2

11

12

3 6

13

16
Module 2: The Earth’s Interior

EARTHQUAKES
An earthquake (also quake or tremor) is the shaking of the surface of the Earth. Earthquakes can be 18
extremely violent. They are caused by sudden movements of the Earth's tectonic plates.
Down
1. The ____ or S waves of an earthquake are
side-to-side vibrations.
2. An earthquake rated as 4 on the Richter scale
is ___ times as powerful as one rated a 3.
3. An earthquake releases energy in the form of
____ waves.
4. The point underground at which an
earthquake starts.
Across
5. Most earthquakes occur along ____ lines, or lines
where tectonic plates meet.
6. The ____ or P waves of an earthquake are back-
and-forth vibrations. A person who experiences an
earthquake will feel this wave first.
7. At a ____ fault boundary, two plates move past and
away from each other.
8. At a ____ boundary, plates move towards each
other.
9. The cracks or breaks in the earth's crust. This is
where the plates that make up the earth's crust rub
against each other.
10. The ____ or L waves of an earthquake travel on
Earth's surface.
11. These often follow an earthquake.
12. At a ____ boundary, plates move away from each
other.
13. This moves, in the form of vibrations, in all
directions from the focus of an earthquake.
14. The point on the surface of the earth directly
above the focus of an earthquake.
15. An instrument that detects and records
earthquake vibrations.
16. The form of energy released by earthquakes.
17. A scale that usually ranges from 1 to 9. This scale
is used to indicate the amount of energy an
earthquake releases.
18. A sudden shift or movement of the earth's crust.
THE CONTINENTAL DRIFT THEORY
Continental drift was a theory that explained how continents shift position on Earth's surface. Set
forth in 1912 by Alfred Wegener, a geophysicist and meteorologist, continental drift also explained
why look-alike animal and plant fossils, and similar rock formations, are found on different
continents
THE SEAFLOOR SPREADING THEORY
Seafloor spreading, theory that oceanic crust forms along submarine mountain zones, known
collectively as the mid-ocean ridge system, and spreads out laterally away from them. This idea
played a pivotal role in the development of plate tectonics, a theory that revolutionized geologic
thought during the last quarter of the 20th century
ACTIVITYE NO. 3 SCORE:______
Answer each question completely in the space provided:
1. Scientists have found Mesosaurus fossils on the east coast of the southern tip of South America
and the west coast of South Africa. Even though we know this animal could swim, does the
presence of the Mesosaurus fossil in two different places support Wegener theory? Give evidence
to support your ideas.
2. Scientists have evidence that Glossopteris was found in what is now India, Antarctica, Australia,
and Madagascar. What does this tell you about Glossopteris? What does it tell you about the
climate and environment of Pangaea?
3. Based on the geologic past, we can assume that Earth is always changing. What modern-day
evidence supports this idea? Hint: Think about natural disasters. Where do they often occur?
_________________________________________________________________
4. How do you think the theory of Continental drift helped in our understanding of plate
tectonics?
5. Given enough time do you think the continents will come back together again? Explain
ACTIVITY No. 4 SCORE:________ SUMMATIVE TEST SCORE:___________

1. All of the following are True about the location of earthquake, volcanoes and mountain
ranges EXCEPT:
A. They are usually located at the edges of continents.
B. Some are found in places where most of volcanic eruption occurs.
C. They are not randomly distributed.
D. They are widely distributed in any areas of the lithosphere.
2. All of the following are necessary precautions before an
earthquake EXCEPT:
A. Prepare an emergency kit for the whole family to be used during and after an
earthquake.
B. Keep updated on the different updates about the occurrence of earthquake on
your areas
C. Stay away from possible falling debris on your location.
D. Ignore precautionary measures given by authorities.
3. You were asked to locate the epicenter of a recent earthquake. Which correct sequence of
events should you follow?
I. Determine the difference in the arrival time of S and P wave recorded from each of the
seismological stations.
II. Use the triangulation method to locate the center.
III. Obtain data from three seismological stations.
IV. Determine the distance of the epicenter from stations.
A. I, III, II, IV C. III, IV, I, II
B. III, I, IV, II D. IV, II, I, III
4. All of the following are basis that an area is an earthquake prone EXCEPT:
A. Volcanic activities in the area openly occur.
B. The area is situated at the fault line
C. Area is a place where mountain range is also located.
D. Area is closer to bodies of water such as rivers and lakes.
5. All of the places in the world are prone to earthquake EXCEPT:
A. Western Coast of North America B. Western Coast of South America
C. East and South East Asia D. Northernmost area
6. In convergent plate boundary, thrust faults occur where forces tends to push sections
of the crust together. Which shows the effect of this situation?
A. Collision of plates
B. Sliding of plates
C. Both A & B
D. None of the above
7. Which examples below will experience a thrust fault? Directions: Write TRUE if the statement if TRUE and write FALSE if is false.
A. Eurasian Plate vs. Philippine Plate ______ 21. A hot spot is an area in the mantle from which hot materials rise as thermal
B. Pacific Plate vs. Nasca Plate plume.
C. South American Plate vs. African Plate ______ 22. As the tectonic plate moves over the stationary hot spot, the volcanoes are
D. Pacific Plate vs. Antarctic Plate rafted away and new ones form in their place.
8. In transform fault boundary, the movement is horizontal- slides or grinds each other. ______ 23. Low heat and higher pressure at the base of the lithosphere facilities melting of
Which situation is associated by this type of fault? the rock.
A. Converging ______ 24. The geologists determined the age of each volcanic island through radioactive
B. Diverging carbon dating.
C. both converging & diverging _______25. As one island volcano becomes extinct, another develops over the hot spot, and
D. w/out converging & diverging the cycle is repeated.
9. Which type of movement can be found on normal and thrust fault, but cannot be found _______26. The P-wave is a pulse energy that travels quickly through the Earth and through
on strike-slip fault? liquids.
A. Subduction B. Sliding C. Grinding D. Slipping _______27. The S-wave travels faster than the S-wave.
10. Which is the best example of strike-slip fault? _______28. P-waves can travel through liquids while S-waves cannot.
A. San Andreas Fault B. San Nicolas Fault _______29. There is a portion inside the Earth that does not conduct the propagation of S-
C. Rift Valley Fault D. Mountain Ridge wave.
_______30. The farther away from the epicenter means the longer time interval between
Fill in the missing word to complete the statement below. Choose your answer in the box the arrival of P and S waves.
below.
Identify the following statement. Choose your answer from the box below.
Mountain range Earthquake _____________31. It is a point in the Earth’s surface directly above the focus.
Subduction Collision zone _____________32. It is a pulse energy that travels slower than a P-wave through Earth and
Pressure solids.
11. When two continental plates converge, a _______________ is formed. _____________33. The boundary between the crust and mantle.
12. What is created during this type of convergence is a large group of tall mountains called _____________34. It is faster than Rayleigh wave and it moves the ground in a side-to-side
_______________________________. horizontal motion, like that of a snake’s causing the ground to twist.
13. Since ___________________ is impossible between two colliding continental plates, _____________35. It is a mechanical vibration that occur inside the Earth which caused by
14. ________________ is released by pushing the crusts upward and forming the peaks. the breakage of
15. ______________ will occur due to the collision of the two plates. rocks.
Mohorovičić discontinuity Love Wave
Secondary Waves Seismic waves
Directions: Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the information below. Epicenter
Classify the following characteristics if it is crust, mantle and the core.
Formation of (16) ______________ and oceanic ridges are indications that crust is ______________ 36. It makes up about 80% of the Earth’s total volume and about 68% of its
(17) __________ or splitting apart. In this case, the plates are forming (18) __________ plate total mass.
boundaries wherein they tend to move apart. Most divergent boundaries are situated along ______________ 37. The thinnest and the outermost layer of the Earth that extends from
underwater mountain ranges called (19) ________________. As the plate separate, new the surface to about 32 kilometers below.
materials from the mantle ooze up to fill the gap. These materials will slowly cool to produce ______________ 38. It is 2250 kilometers thick and is made up of iron and nickel.
new (20) _______________.
______________ 39. Is mainly made up of silicate rocks, and contrary to common belief, is C. It tells us that these animals have several species.
solid, since both S-waves and P-waves pass through it. D. It tells us that animals are travelers.
______________ 40. It consists of oceanic and continental. 48. What clues are useful in reconstructing Pangaea?
A. Fossils B. species of animals
41. Alfred Wegener called the supercontinent _______. C. climate D. plate movement
A. Eurasia 49. Which continents do you think were neighbors before?
B. Pangaea A. South America, Africa, and Antarctica
C. Wegener B. North America, Africa, and Antarctica
D. All lands C. South America, Africa , Eurasia
42. Most geologists rejected Alfred Wegener’s idea of continental drift D. South America, Australia and Antarctica
because_______________.
A. Wegener was interested in what Earth was like millions of years ago.
B. Wegener used several different types of evidence to support his hypothesis.
C. Wegener could not identify a force that could move the continents.
D. They were afraid of a new idea.
43. Which of the following was not used by Wegener as evidence of continental drift?
A. Fossils that were found on different continents.
B. The fit of the continents.
C. Magnetic reversals on the seafloor.
D. Evidence of glacial scratches continents found near the equator
44. Evidence that supports the theory of continental drift has been provided by
A. Coal fields
B. Fossils
C. Glacial deposits
D. All of
45. How do Glossopteris fossils tell us about the early positions of the southern continents?
A. These continents were once joined.
B. These continents are separated.
C. These continents are far from each other.
D. These continents are destroyed into pieces.
46. If Glossopteris fossils (fern) were found in Antarctica, how will you describe the climate
of this continent before?
A. It has an unpredictable climate.
B. It has a tropical climate.
C. It has frequent typhoon.
D. It has a summer season.
47. How does the presence of Mesosaurus fossils used to tell about the initial location and
positioning of South America, Africa, and Antarctica?
A. It tells us that these continents were connected before.
B. It tells us that these animals survive at different weather.