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Name of Members: _______________________________________________ DATE:________
________________________________________________________ SECTION:___________
DIVERGENT PLATE BOUNDARY
Activity 1
Going Separate Ways
Objectives:
• Explain the processes that occur along divergent boundaries.
• Determine the results of plates that are moving apart.
Materials: photographs of Rift Valleys and Oceanic Ridges
Procedure:
1. Analyze the photographs of rift valleys (topmost pictures) and oceanic ridges below, and
answer the questions that follow.
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/216665432044220431/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-mariana-trench-is-7-miles-deep-whats-down-there/
https://pxhere.com/en/photo/632599; https://www.pikist.com/free-photo-siqkm
Q1. What are common in the four pictures? ___________________________________________
Q2. Millions of years ago, the land masses in each picture were once connected. What do you
think is happening to the Earth’s crust in those pictures?
______________________________________________________________________________
Q3. If this event continues for millions of years, what do you think will be the effect on the crust?
______________________________________________________________________________
Q4. Complete the drawing below to illustrate your answer in question number 3.
After millions of years
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Topic: Plate Boundary: Divergent
From the previous lesson, you have learned that the entire lithosphere of the Earth is broken into
numerous segments called plates. These plates are in constant motion. Thus, three types of plate
boundaries formed. Are you now familiar with the types of plate boundaries?
There are three types of plate boundaries namely, convergent, divergent and transform plate
boundary. In this lesson, we will focus on the di
-ESSLM, v.r. 03.00, Effective June 14, 2021
In Figure 1, the plate boundaries move apart or away from each other, creating a zone of tension.
This region of plate boundary is called the Divergent (Constructive) Plate Boundary.
Figure 2: Rift Valley
Lifted from:
https://learning.uonbi.ac.ke/courses/SGL301/scormPackages/path_2/71
_plate_tectonics.html
When a spreading center develops within a continent, the crust may break into several segments.
The breaking leads to the formation of down faulted valleys called rift valleys. It is also
associated with the rising of hot materials from the mantle. The rift valleys increase its length and
depth as the spreading continues. At this point, the valley develops into a linear sea.
FigureOceanic
3: Ridge
Lifted
https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens212/
from:
earths_interior.htm
Most divergent boundaries are situated along underwater mountain ranges called oceanic ridges.
As the plates separate, new materials from the mantle ooze up to fill the gap. These materials will
slowly cool to produce new ocean floor. The spreading rate at these ridges may vary from 2 to 20
cm per year. Although a very slow process, divergence of plates ensures a continuous supply of
new materials from the mantle.
The formation of rift valleys and oceanic ridges are indicators that the crust is spreading or
splitting apart. In this case, the plates are forming divergent plate boundaries wherein they tend to
move apart.
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Activity 1. CHECK MY IDENTITY
Direction: Put a check (√) in the statements that describe the Divergent Plate Boundary.
1. A plate boundary in which two 6. A type of plate boundary also
plates move toward each other. known as the “destructive
boundary”.
2. A region where the crustal plates 7. A type of plate boundary also
are moving apart. known as “constructive boundary”.
3. A plate boundary produced when 8. A type of plate boundary where
two plates slide past each other. subduction process can only occur.
4. A plate boundary that can 9. A type of plate boundary that
produce shallow earthquake. can only form mountains and
mountain ranges.
5. When a spreading center 10. Most of these plate boundaries
develops within a continent, the are situated along underwater
crust may break into several mountain ranges called oceanic
segments. The breaking leads to ridges. As the plates separate, new
the formation of down faulted materials from the mantle ooze up
valleys called rift valleys. to fill the gap.
Guide Questions: 1.What are common in the four pictures? Their common denominator Is that
they are all rift valleys or breaks in the Earth’s crust. 2.Millions of years ago, the landmasses in
each picture were once connected. What do you think is happening to the Earth’s crust in those
pictures?
I think these areas are the regions where tectonic plates move apart. The valleys form when
continental crust is pulling apart allowing the land to drop down between parallel faults. These
valleys also form when oceanic plates are moving apart forming a divergent boundary. These are
the tears in our crust due to tectonic activities. 3.If this event continues for millions of years, what
do you think will be the effect on the crust? If this even continues, there would be more, valley
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rifts, mid ocean ridges, continental rift valleys, great rift valleys, and lake ridges, land forms such
as volcanoes, valleys, mountains, mountain ranges and others would be formed because of the
tectonic plate activities.
Plate Divergence on Land
A divergent plate boundary on land rips apart continents (Figure below).
Clay Model:
Divergent Boundary
Make a wide slab of clay, make a slicepattern on the center but don’t cut entirely.
Place the toy house above it
Pull the clay from different direction
Observe what happened to the clay and thetoy house.
Secretary kindly take note the groupsobservations
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