S CI E N C E 1 0
T E R 1 – M O D U L E 5 :
Q U A R
E S O F P L AT E
E V I DE N C
M O V E M E N T S
REVIEW
You have learned from your previous
lessons that lithospheric plates or the solid
part of the Earth are gradually moving to
form different geologic events such as
earthquakes, mountain buildings, and
volcanoes.
REVIEW
But what causes these plates to move?
What is the evidence that the Earth's Plates
are moving?
REVIEW
These questions ignited our scientists' curiosity to look
for answers and lead to the development of the following
ideas:
*Continental Drift Theory,
*Seafloor Spreading, and Earth’s
*Magnetic Reversal.
OBJECTIVES:
After going through this module, you are expected to enumerate the lines of
evidence that support the plate movement (S9ES –Ia-j-36.6).
Specifically, you will learn to:
Investigate the pieces of evidence of the Continental Drift
Theory;
Demonstrate the evolution of the oceanic crust through Sea
Floor Spreading; and
Realize the importance of the seafloor spreading process
relative to the Continental Drift Theory.
PRE-TEST:
Directions:
Choose the best letter answer in each item.
Write your answer in your answer sheet.
PRE-TEST:
Directions: Choose the best letter answer in each item. Write your answer in
your answer sheet.
1. What evidences do scientists use to support the
Continental Drift Theory?
A. rocks, fossils, air C. rocks,
fossils, climate
B. rocks, water, ice D. rocks,
fossils, human beings
PRE-TEST:
Directions: Choose the best letter answer in each item. Write your answer in
your answer sheet.
2. The youngest crust is found _________ the
mid-ocean ridge.
A. far B. near C. beside
D. away
PRE-TEST:
Directions: Choose the best letter answer in each item. Write your answer in
your answer sheet.
3. If you are a cartographer, what would give
you an idea that the continents were once
joined?
A. ocean depth C. position of
the South Pole
B. shape of the continents D. size of the
Atlantic Ocean
PRE-TEST:
Directions: Choose the best letter answer in each item. Write your answer in
your answer sheet.
4. What discovery provided strong support for
Continental Drift Theory?
A. Geology C.
Electromagnetism
B. Fossil evidence D.
Paleomagnetism
PRE-TEST:
Directions: Choose the best letter answer in each item. Write your answer in
your answer sheet.
5. Which is not evidence of seafloor spreading?
A. molten magma constantly
erupting
B. drilling samples of rock
C. fossil evidence
D. magnetic stripes
Have you seen a
world map before?
Did you notice that the eastern border of South America and
the Western part of Africa seem to fit together like a big jigsaw
puzzle?
He is remembered as the
originator of the Continental
Drift Theory by
hypothesizing in 1912 that the
continents are slowly drifting
around the Earth and is once a
large landmass called
Alfred Lothar Wegener (1880-
1930), who was a German polar Pangaea, a Greek word which
researcher, geophysicist, and
meteorologist. means "All Earth."
The figure above shows the evolution of the supercontinent Pangaea to the present-day
distribution of continents. Can you say that continents are drifting?
The figure above shows the evolution of the supercontinent Pangaea to the present-day
distribution of continents. Can you say that continents are drifting?
The figure above shows the evolution of the supercontinent Pangaea to the present-day
distribution of continents. Can you say that continents are drifting?
The figure above shows the evolution of the supercontinent Pangaea to the present-day
distribution of continents. Can you say that continents are drifting?
Wegener's curiosity about the idea of
drifting continents started when he noticed
the edges of South America and Africa in a
World Map could be fitted like a jigsaw
puzzle.
*Would fitting edges of continents be
enough proof that the continents are
drifting?
*What are the other pieces of evidence
gathered by Wegener to support his
Continental Drift Theory?
Alfred Wegener
collected diverse pieces
of evidence to support
his theory, including
geological "fit" and
fossil evidence.
Eviden
Geological "fit" evidence
is the matching of large-scale
geological features on different
continents. It has been noted
that the coastlines of South
America and West Africa seem
to match up, however more
particularly, the rock terrains
of separate continents confirm
as well.
Eviden
Examples include the
Appalachian Mountains of
eastern North America linked
with the Scottish Highlands,
the familiar rock strata of the
Karroo system of South Africa
matched correctly with the
Santa Catarina system in
Brazil, and Brazil and Ghana
mountain ranges agreeing
over the Atlantic Ocean. Eviden
Glaciers carve
rocks and leave marks
as they move. In this
evidence, scientists
can determine the
direction of movement
of each continent.
Eviden
In addition, the existence
of “coal deposits” in
Antarctica suggested that
it was once located near
the region of the Earth
where the climate is
enough to support
complex life forms such
as plants and tall trees.
Eviden
Fossils of Ancient
Organisms
Eviden
Eviden
