WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

Earth Science Grade 11, Quarter 2 Week 3B

SEAFLOOR SPREADING

Learning Competency:

Explain how seafloor spreads (MELC S11ES-IIf-32)

(Time Allotment: 2 days)

Specific Objectives:

1. Describe the geologic process of Seafloor Spreading Theory;

2. Examine how the seafloor spreading process affects the evolution of oceanic crust; and
3. Simulate the Seafloor Spreading process.

Key Concepts

• Proposed in 1960 by:

Harry Hess, a petrologist at Princeton
University
Robert Dietz, oceanographer at the US
Coast and Geodetic Survey
• Seafloor spreading is a geologic
process where tectonic plates
split up, move away from each
other and formed new ocean
crust.
source:2.bp.blogspot.com/TEAmwVXH6d4/Vq97qvovljI/AAAAAAAA
• The continuous process resulted Cw8/ZNK_wqUVC44/s1600/2.10.jpg
to the widening of the seafloor.
• Mid-ocean ridge is an area in the
middle ocean where new ocean
floor is created when lava erupts
through the cracks in the earth’s
surface.
• Sea floor spreading is also a
result of mantle convection.
• Mantle convection is a gradual,
churning motion of the earth’s
mantle.
• Convection currents is the
force responsible on the
churning motion and carry the http://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/environment/geolog
heat to the lithosphere. y.php

Author: Kathleen M. Jornales

School/Station: Del Carmen National High School
Division: Siargao Division
email address: [email protected]
 • Steps in the process of
seafloor spreading:

➢ Magma is repeatedly
injected at the mid-oceanic
ridge
➢ Magma cools down and
hardens forming new seafloor
➢ Older seafloor moves sideways
from mid-oceanic ridge.
➢ Seafloor elevation
progressively lowers away
https://24x7careers.net/wp-
from mid ocean ridge content/uploads/2019/07/seafloor_spreading.gif
➢ The continuous process
makes the sea floor spread
which can result with an ever-
widening seafloor.
➢ As the seafloor spread away,
it become cooler and denser,
finally sinking or subducting
into the earth’s interior.
➢ Such process only ends when
mid-ocean ridges are
subducted.
• Ocean trench is a deep
underwater valley caused by
subduction
• The rate of seafloor spreading
is not consistent at all mid-
ocean ridges.
• The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, for
instance, is a slow spreading
center. It spreads 2-5
centimeters every year and forms
an ocean trench about the size of
the Grand Canyon.
• The East Pacific Rise, on the source: https://climatechange-
other hand, is a fast spreading withorwithoutus.weebly.com/case-study.html

center. It spreads about 6-16

centimeters every year.

Exercises / Activities

Activity No. 1: Map Out the Process: Split, Create and Destruct!

Objectives:
1. Describe the geologic process of Seafloor Spreading Theory.
2. Examine how the seafloor spreading process affects the evolution of oceanic crust.

What you need: paper and ballpen

Author: Kathleen M. Jornales

School/Station: Del Carmen National High School
Division: Siargao Division
email address: [email protected]
 What to do:

A. Below are tectonic diagrams and map that will help you understand seafloor spreading
process and explain how it affects the evolution of oceanic crust. Carefully study the visual
presentations below and answer the given questions.
Mid-Oceanic Ridge

Source: weebly.com/uploads/3/8/0/3/38034035/earth_history_quiz_2017__2_.pdf

Figure 1. Cross section of Mid Atlantic Ridge

Guide Questions:

1. What molten material will come out from the ridge? ________Which are likely the oldest
crust? _________________.
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
2. Describe the thickness of the crust near and far from the ridge?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the role of the mid -ocean ridge in seafloor spreading process?
________________________________________________________________________________

Mid-Oceanic Ridge

Figure 2. The pattern of

seafloor spreading can be
presented by the age of
Earth's oceanic crust at
the global scale. The
different colors
correspond to the age of
oceanic crust in million
years.

source: en.wikepedia.org

Author: Kathleen M. Jornales

School/Station: Del Carmen National High School
Division: Siargao Division
email address: [email protected]
Guide Questions:
1.What type of plate movement is happening in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Transform-Fault
2.Based on the visual presentation, what can you tell about the age of Earth’s oceanic crust near
the Mid-oceanic ridge? ____________________far from the Mid-oceanic ridge? ___________
_______________________.
3.Describe what will happen to the ocean basin when Seafloor spreading process continues?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Figure 3. The diagram shows the

movement of oceanic crust as seafloor
elevation progressively lowers away
from mid-ocean ridges.

Source: geologyscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/subduction-zone.jpg

Guide Questions:

1. What geologic process is involved if the older seafloor progressively lowers down away from
the ridges? ___________________________________________________________________

2. Which part of the oceanic crust is denser? ______________ less dense? ________________
Choose your answer: near from the ridge or far from the ridge

3. If new ocean floor is formed near the ridge, what will happen to the old oceanic crust?
___________________________________________________________________________________________

SCORING RUBRIC FOR GUIDE QUESTIONS

2 Points Ideas and concepts are complete, no misconception.
1 Point Ideas and concepts are incomplete and with minor
misconception.
0 Point There is no idea or concept shown.

Activity No. 2 Seafloor Adventure: Spread Across the Ages!

Objective:
1. Simulate the Seafloor Spreading process.
What you need:
for simulation process

Two (2) long pieces of paper Two (2) colored markers

Gap between the desks = mid-ocean ridge

Author: Kathleen M. Jornales

School/Station: Del Carmen National High School
Division: Siargao Division
email address: [email protected]
 Long pieces of paper = spreading ocean floor

What to do: Read and follow the procedure step by step. Then, answer the Guide questions
on the next page.

Note: Before doing the activity, call a member of your household (a brother or a sister) to
assist you in carrying out the task.

Part I-
1. First, slightly pull your desks apart until there is about a 3-
inch space between them.
2. Together with your partner (a family member) take the two
large pieces of paper and place them between the gap. Hold
them at the edges and place them as far down as they can go
while still having a grip on the paper.
3. Next, practice pulling both papers out of the gap at the
same time and same rate of movement. Pull the paper
towards you! (Practice this at least twice!) * This motion
STOP!!! represents the
spreading of the ocean
floor at mid-ocean
ridges. *
Part II-
4.Once you practice, place the long pieces of paper back into
the gap as far down as they will go. Make sure they are the
same on both sides.

5. Now, take the markers and draw a line from left to right on
both pieces of paper.
6. Move the pieces of paper toward yourselves about 6-inches
and draw another line from left to right on both sides!
7. Repeat Step 6 FIVE times! You should have 6 lines on each
piece of paper. The two papers should look identical (same)! * These lines represent
STOP!!! the pattern of magnetic
strips on the ocean
floor. *
Part III-
8. Next, place the long pieces of paper back into the gap as far
down as they will go. Make sure they are the same on both
sides!!
9. Pull the papers out about 6-inches and label these ends of
the paper as OLD ROCKS. Continue pulling the papers and
label the other ends as YOUNG ROCKS.
STOP!!!

* This represents the

ages of the rocks along
the mid-ocean ridges! *

Author: Kathleen M. Jornales

School/Station: Del Carmen National High School
Division: Siargao Division
email address: [email protected]
 Part IV:

10.Place the long pieces of paper back into the gap as far
down as they will go. Make sure they are the same on both
sides!!
11. Next, pull the long pieces of paper toward him or her.
(This represents sea-floor spreading as it adds new material to
the ocean floor.)
12.As the paper reaches the other end of the desk, take the
two papers and wrap them under the desk. (This represents
subduction recycling Earth’s crust back into the mantle.)
13. After wrapping the papers under the desk, push the
papers back through the gap from under the desk. Connect
the two ends and continue moving the paper in a circle.
STOP!!!
14.Repeat the simulation process twice to master the
concepts.

*This represents the

process of sea-floor
spreading and the
process of subduction.
*

Guide Questions:
1. What feature of the ocean floor does the center gap represent? What occur on this region?

__________________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe what process is happening in the Simulation Activity? What does the wrapped paper
under the desk represent?

______________________________________________________________________________________

3. Will there be a possibility of the earth’s surface to increase when seafloor continues to spread
100 years from now?
______________________________________________________________________________________

SCORING RUBRIC FOR GUIDE QUESTIONS

2 Points Ideas and concepts are complete, no misconception.
1 Point Ideas and concepts are incomplete and with minor misconception.
0 Point There is no idea or concept shown.

Reflection:

Siargao is a tear -drop shaped island in the Philippine Sea situated at the northern coasts of
Mindanao in the Province of Surigao del Norte. This island will most likely experience earthquakes
because it is located within the Philippine plate along with the Pacific Plate. Tectonic activities will
occur as a result of the motion of the plates. The locals as well as tourists are enjoying the natural
beauty of the island despite the risks brought about by tectonic activities. What practical application

Author: Kathleen M. Jornales

School/Station: Del Carmen National High School
Division: Siargao Division
email address: [email protected]
of concepts of seafloor spreading process will affect Siargao? Write a 3- 5-sentence answer on the
scientific applications either benefits or risks in a separate sheet of paper.

SCORING RUBRIC FOR REFLECTION

5 Points Practical application is scientifically explained consistent to the
concepts and has no misconception.
4 Points Practical application is scientifically explained consistent to the
concepts but with minimal misconception.
3 Points Practical application is explained consistent to the concepts,
but with misconceptions.
2 Points Practical application is explained consistent to the concepts,
but with many misconceptions.
1 Point Practical application is explained not consistent to the
concepts with many misconceptions.
0 No discussion.

References for learners:

Celestial, Ritchel Razel M., PhD, et.al. Earth Science- Grade 11 Alternative Delivery Mode, Quarte 2-
Module 10: The structure of Ocean Basins. First Edition. Philippines: Department of
Education, 2020.

Dela Cruz, Catherine C., et.al. Science – Grade 10 Self-Learning Module (SLM) Quarter 1 – Module
5: PLATE TECTONICS: Evidences that Support Plate Movement, First Edition. Philippines:
Department of Education, 2020.

Soriano, Marianne D., et.al. Science – Grade 10 Alternative Delivery Mode Quarter 1 – Module 5:
Evidences of Plate Movements, First Edition. Philippines: Department of Education,2020.

STARBOOKS, DOST., Vol.2019-007. Earth Science 11 K-12 Learning Resources. Manila,

Philippines: Department of Science and Technology.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uuJhnTOxS8xjzmJst1Wn8spY0GKqHWtUIy2G4QpJZCc
/htmlpresent

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/seafloor-spreading

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/FreeDownload/Seafloor-Spreading-LabActivity-809747

www.slideshare.net › nairamode › sea-floor-spreading-.

https://www.radford.edu/jtso/GeologyofVirginia/Tectonics/GeologyOfVATectonics6-1c.html

https://socratic.org/questions/how-are-convection-currents-related-to-plate-
tectonicshttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-

Author: Kathleen M. Jornales

School/Station: Del Carmen National High School
Division: Siargao Division
email address: [email protected]
Answer Key

Activity No. 1: Map out the Process: Split, Create and Destruct!

Figure 1. Cross-section of mid-oceanic ridge

1. Magma,1
2. near the ridge- thicker; far the ridge- thinner
3. The mid-oceanic ridges are spreading center where two plates move apart, the site where a new crust is
formed.
Figure 2. Age of oceanic crust in million years
1. B
2. Near the Mid-oceanic ridge- oceanic rocks in is younger.
Far from the Mid-oceanic ridge- age of oceanic rocks is older.
3. The continuous process makes the sea floor spread which can result with an ever-widening seafloor.

Figure 3. Movement of oceanic crust as seafloor elevation progressively lowers away from mid-ocean ridges
1. Subduction
2. Denser- far from the ridge
Less dense- near from the ridge
3. Older oceanic crust will move farther away from the ridge and it will progressively lower down and
destroyed at the trenches or subduction zones.

Activity No. 2 Seafloor Adventure: Spread Across the Ages!

1. The center gap represents the middle slit or mid-ocean ridge where the actual seafloor spreading occurs.
2. The process happening in the activity is the production of a new seafloor in the mid ocean ridge and
destruction of an old seafloor at subduction zones. Wrapped papers represent to the recycling of Earth’s
crust back into the mantle.)
3. Yes, it will increase, if seafloor spreading process continues but it will not be very noticeable because it
took million years before the continents came to where they are now.

Reflection

Answers may vary.

Possible Answers:

1.If an earthquake will strike the island and some part of the crust will catastrophically slides into the Pacific Ocean,
the long-term effect for the remaining crust will began to sink. (subduction)

2. Mid-ocean ridges and seafloor spreading influence sea levels. As oceanic crust moves away from the shallow
mid-ocean ridges, it cools and sinks as it becomes denser. This increase the volume of the ocean basin and decreases
the sea level. Hence, this will prevent Siargao Island to sink and become much wider and bigger. More islets will
rise.

3. Tourism industry will soar high and a possible stable economy for Siargao. The locals will be happy for the
carrying capacity and natural resources will increase since seafloor spreading process form new seabed. New seabed
expands resources that mainly include sand and gravel, deep sea minerals, sea flora and fauna and in the
subsurface which is oil and gas.

Author: Kathleen M. Jornales

School/Station: Del Carmen National High School
Division: Siargao Division
email address: [email protected]