Science 10
Science – Grade 10
Quarter 1 – Module 4: Distribution of Volcanoes, Earthquake Epicenter, and
Mountain Ranges Part I
First Edition, 2020
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Science 10
Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module 4
Distribution of Volcanoes, Earthquake
Epicenter, and Mountain Ranges Part I
Introductory Message
For the Facilitator:
Welcome to the Science 10 Self-Learning Module on Distribution of Volcanoes,
Earthquake Epicenter, and Mountain Ranges Part I!
This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and
reviewed by educators from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its
Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of Pasig through its mayor,
Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.
This learning material hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.
In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:
Notes to the Teacher
This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.
As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
For the Learner:
Welcome to the Science 10 Self-Learning Module on Distribution of Volcanoes,
Earthquake Epicenter, and Mountain Ranges Part I!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning material while being an active
learner.
This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:
Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills
that you will learn after completing the module.
Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the lesson
at hand.
Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts
and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.
Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.
Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.
Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and
application of the lesson.
Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the
lesson.
Posttest - This measures how much you have learned from the
entire module.
EXPECTATIONS
This module is designed and written to help you master the lesson on the
distribution of earthquake epicenters, active volcanoes, and major mountain belts
and its relationship to Plate Tectonic Theory.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. plot the active volcanoes, earthquake epicenters, and major mountain belts in
a world map; and
2. describe the distribution of active volcanoes, earthquake epicenters and major
mountain belts; and
3. recognize the importance of preparedness in times of emergency.
PRETEST
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet
of paper.
1. What do you call the point on the Earth’s surface directly above a focus or
hypocenter, the point where an earthquake originates?
A. Epicenter B. Fault C. Intensity D. Magnitude
2. Which of the following countries will likely experience volcanic eruptions?
A. Indonesia B. Japan C. Philippines D. All are correct.
3. Based on the map below, how is the world’s earthquake being distributed on
the map?
A. They are not found on the continents.
B. The world’s earthquake is found everywhere.
C. The world’s earthquake is randomly distributed over the
Earth’s surface.
D. The world’s earthquake is not randomly distributed over
the Earth’s surface.
4. The Philippines is home for many active and inactive volcanoes. Last
January 12, 2020, one of the active volcano in Batangas erupted, what
was the name of this volcano?
A. Hibok-hibok B. Iraya C. Mayon D. Taal
5. What do you think is the importance of determining the location of
earthquake epicenters?
A. Locating earthquake epicenters will not pinpoint which fault lines are
active.
B. So that necessary precautions could not be done if ever you’re living in
one of those places.
C. To determine which fault line stores great amount of energy that may
cause major earthquakes.
D. All of them are correct.
RECAP
In your Grade 8 Science, you have learned about Earthquake and Faults. Can
you still remember your lesson about it? Let’s have some practice exercises to refresh
your mind.
ACROSS
2. The first wave to be
detected by the
seismograph.
5. The actual origin of the
earthquake.
DOWN
[Link] energy released by an
earthquake.
[Link] point that is directly
above the focus.
4. The sudden movement or
vibration of the ground.
6. It measures the damage
caused by an earthquake
LESSON
The Philippines lies along the Pacific
Ring of Fire, which causes the country to
have frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
Many earthquakes of smaller magnitude
occur very regularly due to the movement of
the major and minor tectonic plates. The
1976 Moro Gulf earthquake and tsunami
took place on August 17 near the islands of
Mindanao and Sulu. Its magnitude was
calculated as being as high as 8.0 on the
moment magnitude scale resulting in almost
5, 000 casualties. A magnitude of 7.2 earthquakes struck Bohol on October 15. 2013.
Its epicenter was located 6 kilometers of Sagbayan at a depth of 12 km. According to
the official report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council,
222 were reported dead while 796 people were injured. Thousands of infrastructures
were damaged by the earthquake. Most notable were the historical churches in Bohol
and Cebu.
Batangas experienced an earthquake swarm in April 2017. A magnitude 5.5
earthquake struck Batangas on April 4, 2017, a twin earthquake with magnitudes of
5.6 and 6.0 respectively hit the barangays of Bagalangit and Tanauan both in Mabini,
Batangas. Several aftershocks were recorded and there are reported damages on
buildings and houses.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit the northeast of Governor Generoso, Davao
Oriental on December 29, 2018. Tsunami warnings were raised and waves were
expected to be less one meter.
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake
struck Matanao, Davao del Sur
on December 15, 2019, and 13
people were killed, one remains
missing and 210 others were
injured during the tremor.
Series of an earthquake in
2020 was also recorded by
PHIVOLCS (Philippine Institute
of Volcanology and Seismology)
in areas like Veruela, Agusan del Sur (magnitude 4.0), Sarangani, Davao Occidental
(magnitude 5.6), Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat (magnitude 4.0), San Fernando, La
Union ( magnitude 5.2), Sarangani, Davao Occidental ( magnitude 4.8) and many
more.
The scientific study of earthquakes and its propagation is called seismology.
During an earthquake, geologists identify the actual point below the surface of the
earth where an earthquake originates. This is called the focus or hypocenter. Since
it is not directly observed by the people because they are located underground, the
term epicenter is used to let the people visualize the focus from where the quake
originated. The epicenter is the point that is directly above the focus or hypocenter.
In other words, the focus serves as the actual or the real earthquake originates while
epicenters represent the geographical point of reference in identifying the
relationship of the area and the actual location of an earthquake.
The size of the earthquake is called the magnitude and is determined using
the seismic waves generated by an earthquake. It measures the amount of energy
released by an earthquake while intensity measures the strength of an earthquake
produced in a certain location. It refers to the severity of an earthquake in terms of
its effects on the surface of the earth and on humans and their structures.
Another phenomenon that would greatly affect the world is volcanism.
Volcanism is the phenomenon of eruption of molten materials onto the Earth’s
surface such as lava, pyroclastic and volcanic gases that erupts through the break
in the Earth’s surface called the vent. It includes all the events that would like may
happen to result in and causing magma within the crust to rise and form volcanic
rocks on the surface.
What are the driving forces of volcanism? The movement of molten rock in the
mantle caused by the convection currents coupled with the gravitational effects of
changes on the earth’s surface such as erosion, deposition, and even asteroid impact
and post-glacial rebound drive plate tectonics movement and ultimately volcanism.
Aside from volcanism, the presence of mountain ranges plays a vital role in
laying the foundations of plate tectonics. A mountain range is a series of mountains,
ranged in a line, and connected by high ground. A mountain belt also known as
mountain system is a group of mountain ranges with similar form, structure, and
alignment that have arisen from the same cause usually by the structural
deformation and compositional differentiation of the Earth’s lithosphere at
convergent plate margins. Mountain ranges are formed by a variety of geological
processes but most of the significant ones on Earth are the result of the movement
of plate tectonics. This is usually segmented by highlands and valleys.
Let us see how geologists used the plotted positions of earthquake epicenters,
active volcanoes, and major mountain belts throughout the world in conceptualizing
crustal movements. The next activity will give you a first-hand experience on how
they lay the foundation of plate tectonics.
ACTIVITIES
Module No 4: Activity No.1: Let’s Mark the Boundaries!
Direction:
1. Study and observe the map of the earthquake epicenters around the world.
2. Trace the locations of the earthquake epicenters on a transparent plastic sheet
using a marking pen.
Figure 1. Map of Earthquake Epicenters
Guide Questions:
a. What have you observed about the distribution of earthquakes on the map?
b. Are there any places on the map where no earthquakes are found? Where
are they?
c. Why do you think that earthquakes are found mostly and the edges of the
continents
3. Study and observe the map of the active volcanoes around the world.
4. Trace the location of the active volcanoes on a transparent plastic sheet using
a marking pen.
Figure 2. Map of Active Volcanoes
Guide Questions:
d. How will you describe the location of active volcanoes on the map?
e. What have you observed about the location of the active volcanoes?
f. Based on the given map, identify a continent where most volcanoes are
found. Why is this so?
5. Study and observe the map of the mountain ranges around the world.
6. Trace the location of the active volcanoes on a transparent plastic sheet using
a marking pen.
Figure 3. Map of Mountain Ranges
Guide Questions:
g. How are the mountain/mountain ranges distributed on the map?
8. Where do most of these mountains are located?
9. Why do you think they are located in these places?
Closure:
What have you noticed about the location of the earthquake epicenters, active
volcanoes, and major mountain belts?
Module No 4: Activity No.2: Let’s Mark the Boundaries!
Direction: Plot the following latitude and longitude on the map provided. Use one
color at a given latitude and longitude.
COUNTRIES LATITUDE LONGITUDE
United States 37 ˚ N 96 ˚ W
Indonesia 0˚S 114 ˚ E
New Zealand 41 ˚ S 175 ˚ E
Papua New Guinea 6˚S 144 ˚ E
Philippines 14 ˚ N 121 ˚ E
Guide Questions:
1. What have you noticed about the location of these countries concerning the
map of earthquake epicenters, active volcanoes, and major mountain belts?
2. Do you think these countries are prone to earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions? Why?
3. Why it is a must to determine the location of the countries that you want to
visit?
WRAP-UP
To summarize what have you learned, answer the following. If the statement
is true, write True. If the statement is false, change the underlined word or words to
make the statement true.
___________1. The world’s earthquake is not randomly distributed over the Earth’s
surface.
__________ 2. The majority of the volcanoes are located at the edges of the continents.
___________3. The volcanoes are scattered through the Earth’s surface.
___________4. Majority of Europe does not experience earthquake.
___________5. Locating earthquake epicenters will not pinpoint which fault lines are
active.
___________6. It is important to identify prone areas to the earthquake so that safety
precautionary measures could be done.
___________7. Volcanism is a series of mountains, ranged in a line, and connected by
high ground.
___________8. In plotting the location of the volcanoes, we need prime meridian and
latitude.
___________9. The size of the earthquake is called the magnitude and is determined
using the seismic waves generated by an earthquake.
___________10. The scientific study of earthquake and its propagation is called
seismology.
VALUING
Module No 4: Activity No.3: Be Prepared!
Direction: Study the Distribution of
Active Faults and Trenches in the
Philippines. Take note that the Philippines lie
at the boundary of two converging plates, it
experiences lots of earthquakes and has
many volcanoes. The Philippines is an island
arc; it lies on the circum-Pacific Ring of Fire.
Can the occurrence of earthquakes be
predicted? Why or why not? Knowing that
Pasig City is part of the West Valley Fault
System where active faults are found, what
are things you should consider in your family Figure 4. Distribution of active faults and trenches in
the Philippines
when a disaster like an earthquake hits your
community?
Distribution of active faults and trenches in the
Philippines
POSTTEST
Read and answer the following questions. Encircle the letter of the best answer.
1. Seismic waves generate surface waves when the waves from the focus reach
the epicenter. Which of the following best describes the epicenter of an
earthquake?
A. A measure of the effects caused by an earthquake.
B. It measures the energy released by an earthquake.
C. The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus.
D. The point in the Earth’s interior where seismic waves originate.
2. Which of the following countries most probably will experience an earthquake?
A. Japan C. United States
B. Philippines D. All the choices are correct.
3. How will you describe the distribution of earthquake epicenters around the
world?
A. They are not found on the continents.
B. The world’s earthquake is found everywhere.
C. The world’s earthquake is randomly distributed over the Earth’s surface.
D. The world’s earthquake is not randomly distributed over the Earth’s
surface.
4. Where do volcanoes mostly located on the map?
A. oceans
B. edges of continents
C. mid-continents
D. none of the above
5. Why is there a need to identify the locations that are prone to earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions?
A. In order to prepare for the possibility that they may occur.
B. It is important to identify any areas which are prone to a specific disaster
for awareness and to save lives.
C. Because earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are incredibly powerful
natural phenomena that can cause a huge amount of damage to human
structures and human life.
D. All the answers are correct.
Activity 1
Guide Questions:
1. The world’s earthquake is not randomly distributed over the Earth’s
surface.
2. Yes. Answers may vary. Some possible answers may include large part
of the Pacific Ocean, northernmost Asia, majority of Europe, eastern
portion of Northern and Southern America, and western Africa
3. It is where most of the plate boundaries/margins are located.
4. Volcanoes are not randomly distributed. Majority of them are found along
the edges of the continents.
5. Majority are found along the edges of the continents particularly in the
western coast of North and South America, East and Southeast Asia
6. Answers may vary.
7. Mountains are just like earthquake epicenters and active volcanoes that
are not randomly distributed.
8. Majority are found along the edges of the continents.
9. It is where most of the plate margins are located.
Generalization:
Earthquake epicenters, active volcanoes and major mountain belts tend to
lie on the same location/place.
Activity 2
Guide Questions
1. Earthquake epicenters, active volcanoes and major mountain belts are
situated at the same locations.
2. Yes, they are prone to earthquake and volcanic eruptions. Answers may
vary.
3. Answers may vary.
Wrap-Up
1. True [Link] 3. False, not randomly 4. True
5. False, will pinpoint 6. True 7. False, mountain range
8. False, longitude 9. True 10. True
Activity 3.
Answers may vary.
Post-Assessment
1. C 2. D 3. D 4. C 5. D
KEY TO CORRECTION
6. intensity 5. Focus/hypocenter
3. Epicenter 4. Earthquake 1. Magnitude 2. Primary waves
Recap
5. C 4. D 3. D 2. D 1. A
Pre-assessment
References
A. Books
Madriaga, et. al. 2017. Science Links 8 Revised Edition. Manila. Rex Book
Store, Inc.
Valdoz, et. al. 2017. Science Links 10 Revised Edition. Manila. Rex Book Store,
Inc.
Evangelista, et. al. 2013. Practical Science for Grade 8. Batangas. United
Eferza. Academic Publication Co.
B. Online and Electronic Sources
Photo of Earthquake Epicenter. Accessed June 20, 2020.
[Link]
Photo of Bohol Earthquake. Accessed June 20, 2020.
[Link]
Photo of the Location of earthquakes. Accessed June 20, 2020.
[Link]
Photo of the Bali Volcano. Accessed June 26, 2020.
[Link]
Mount-Agung-eruption-latest-seismic-graphs-news-maps-warnings-
Photo of Top 7 Mountains. Accessed June 26, 2020.
[Link]