This chapter describes the technique of preparing latitude-longitude based data so that it can be imported into a geographic information system (GIS). It describes the steps to create a map to display data and guides users through some basic geographic analyses. The focus of the chapter?s case study is earthquake prediction. Users download and format near real-time and historical earthquake data from ... Full description.

This booklet provides a brief introduction to the concept of plate tectonics and complements the visual and written information in This Dynamic Planet, a map published in 1994 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Smithsonian Institution. The booklet highlights some of the people and discoveries that advanced the development of the theory and traces its progress since its proposal. Although ... Full description.

The PALEOMAP Project illustrates the plate tectonic development of the ocean basins and continents, as well as the changing distribution of land and sea during the past 1100 million years. The reconstruction of paleoclimates is also discussed. Maps are viewed as animations where the time component can be user-manipulated. Included are a variety of background materials which supplement the animations. ... Full description.

This CD-ROM is a reproduction of the out-of-print textbook by the same name developed for the undergraduate to graduate level Earth systems science major to study landforms and landscapes. It presents in-depth coverage of geomorphology as a discipline and the use of satellite imagery in observation, study, and interpretation. It contains a gallery of 237 color and black and white plates of space imagery, ... Full description.

This archive of climatic data houses both national and global datasets as part of the National Climatic Data Center's (NCDC) mission to describe the climate of the United States and to maintain records regarding trends and anomalies of weather and climate. Users may search the archive by data type, national or global coverage, and time period; or by resource type, such as satellite, radar, models, ... Full description.

This PDF document discusses a field activity for K-12 students. The purpose of the activity is to observe type and cover of clouds including contrails. Students will observe ten types of clouds and how many of three types of contrails are visible, how much of the sky is covered with clouds, and how much is covered by contrails. The PDF is an instructor guide with detailed advice for administering ... Full description.

This lesson introduces the basics about how tornadoes are formed, and where and when they are most likely to occur. It includes a review of the current research on tornadoes and how scientists are trying to predict them. The equipment storm chasers use to study tornadoes is included. Students are asked to write a research plan for further study of tornadoes. Full description.

This interactive map allows users to access climate information down to the county level for states or territories of the United States. The data includes wetlands, Temperature and Precipitation Summaries (TAPS), frost free days, and growing season. It is in table or text form, with metadata, and is downloadable. Full description.

Watersheds are those land areas that catch rain or snow and drain to specific marshes, streams, rivers, lakes, or to ground water. This site allows users to locate their watershed by city, county, state, or region. Links provide information about stream flow, water use, conservation efforts, demographics, forest riparian habitats, science in your watershed, water discharges, and assessment of watershed ... Full description.

This Starting Point webpage is a summary of a role-playing resource called Worldwatcher Project: Global Warming Project. In this exercise, students role-play advisors to various heads of state on the subject of global warming. The web site offers a short curriculum to help the students become experts on global warming. It offers lab activities, computer visualizations (using free WorldWatcher software), ... Full description.