Plate tectonic theory

• Tectonicplates - The Earth's lithosphere is divided into segments
• The layers of the earth are as follows innercore , outercore ,mantle and crust
• The mantle is further divided into 3 parts uppermost solid mantle, asthenosphere, and lower mantle (mesosphere)
• Lithosphere - uppermost mantle is of different composition from the crust, together they form a mechanical layer
• Each lithosphere segments share borders with other plates.We call these borders tectonic plate boundaries
• Biggest segments of the Earth's lithosphere are called the 7 major tectonic plates
• 7 major tectonic plates African plate, Eurasian plate Australian plate, north American plate, south American plate, Antarctic plate and pacific plate
• There are also minor plates that are smaller
• Nazca plate- biggest plate in between the south American and pacific plate
• Philippine plate - between the Pacific and Eurasian plate
• Scotia plate - a small plate underneath the south American plate
• Indian plate- includes the subcontinent and country of india
• Arabian plate- shares borders with the African, Indian and Eurasian plates
• Cocos plate - shares borders with the Pacific, Nazca and north American and Caribbean plates
• Caribbean - shares borders with the Nazca, North American, south American, and cocos plate
• The earth surface has a mechanical layer called the lithosphere. It is made up of the crust and uppermost rigid part of the mantle. This mechanical layer is "floating" above the semi-melted layer of the mantle reffered to as the asthenosphere
• The lithosphere is fragmented into several segments called tectonic plates
• A great majority of earthquake epicenters are found near or along the plate boundaries
• Most volcanoes are located near or along the plate boundaries
• Mountain ranges are located near or along the plate boundaries
• The boundaries between tectonic plate are drawn on the map based on information and data gathered form

  1. Location of volcanoes
  2. Distribution of earthquake epicenters
  3. Location of mountain belts
  4. Modern GPS and satellites
• What two major/minor tectonic plates are surroundings the Philippines

  • Eurasian plate and Philippine plate
• On what tectonic tectonic plate is the majority of the Philippines archipelago located?

  • Eurasian plate
• Is the Philippines near a tectonic plate boundary?

  • Yes
• What does this (previous question) tell us about earthquakes volcanoes in the country?

  • There are a lot of volcanoes and frequent earthquakes in the country
• Explain why this is relevant to you as the student and citizen of the Philippines

  • It is relevant because it means that's we have to prepare for possible volcanic eruptions and earthquake