This site offers the online version of a book published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It is intended to provide a brief introduction to the concept of plate tectonics, highlighting some of the people and discoveries that advanced the development of the theory. It is the companion volume to the map, 'This Dynamic Planet', which shows the locations of major volcanic belts, fault systems, ... Full description.

This article provides a brief introduction to the processes of weathering and erosion in desert environments. Topics include the differences in the way these processes proceed in wet and arid environments, the role of flash floods and debris flows in moving large amounts of material very quickly, the influence of bedrock type on sediment characteristics, and the decrease in particle size with increasing ... Full description.

This portal provides access to resources on geologic mapping, and to sources of geologic maps. There is an introduction to geologic mapping, which summarizes its principles and practices, and a history of United States Geological Survey (USGS) mapping activities from 1879 to the present, as well as links to papers on the values and hazards associated with geologic maps and mapping. Online sources ... Full description.

This topical directory provides an alternate way to browse United States Geological Survey (USGS) science programs and activities. It is not an exhaustive list of all USGS science topics but provides a categorization using a thesaurus of related terms that will give definitions, links to science content, and a structured approach to discovery. The directory is divided into fourteen major topic headings, ... Full description.

This virtual tour features three-dimensional images from the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) collection. It introduces visitors to the geology, landforms, and history of Crater Lake in Oregon, a lake filling the caldera of what was Mount Mazama, an ancient volcano in the Cascades Range that erupted and collapsed about 7,700 years ago. The 3-D images are anaglyphs and require red and cyan ... Full description.

This virtual tour features three-dimensional images from the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) collection. It introduces visitors to the geology, landforms, and volcanic history of Sunset Crater National Monument, which was the scene of volcanic activity beginning in 1064 to 1065 AD and continuing for approximately 200 years. Visitors can see Sunset Cater itself, cinder and spatter cones, the ... Full description.

This virtual tour features three-dimensional images from the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) collection. These images are restored versions of famous 'stereographs' shot in the park by Frank Jay Haynes in the 1880s. They introduce visitors to the volcanic deposits and features of Yellowstone National Park, including geysers, hot springs, and deposits of tuff and rhyolite associated with massive ... Full description.

This teacher's guide provides an introduction to the process of finding or exploring for a mineral deposit, extracting or mining the resource, recovering it, and reclaiming the mined area (sometimes called 'beneficiation' or 'life cycle'). Topics include what a mineral deposit is; how they are identified and measured, how the minerals are extracted; and how the mining site is reclaimed. There is also ... Full description.

This guide provides illustrated descriptions of 46 common and important varieties of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock found in the San Francisco Bay region. Rock types are described in context of their identification qualities, how they form, and where they occur. The guide also provides a discussion of regional geology, plate tectonics, the rock cycle, the significance of the selected rock ... Full description.

This poster summarizes common uses of mineral resources in our homes, offices, and equipment we use daily. It shows a diagram of a house surrounded by various mineral names and some of the products made from them. There are also some definitions of the various classes of mineral commodities. Full description.