In this lesson, students are introduced to the theory of plate tectonics and explore how the theory was developed and supported by evidence. Through class discussion, videos, and activities, students seek connections between tectonic activity and geologic features and investigate how the theory of plate tectonics evolved. Full description.

This is the home page for California's State Geological Survey. This page has information about hot topics and new products and reports issued by the Division of Mines and Geology. There is a link to their maps, data, and publications that are available online. There is also information about meetings and workshops, links to related agencies, and much more. The Teacher Features page has links to answers ... Full description.

This interactive map shows the major fault systems of the Quaternary for the State of California. It is subdivided into 1x2 degree sheets, each of which is linked to a more detailed map. Users can select a sheet and see an enlargement of the area. Individual fault systems are numbered and keyed to a legend which provides a link to a written synopsis of information for the fault, including fault type ... Full description.

This website describes the Terrain Classification System for British Columbia. This provides a scheme designed for the classification of surficial materials, landforms and geomorphological processes. It also provides an inventory of the terrain features in the landscape and to show their distribution, extent and location. The system is scale independent and provides base data applicable for a wide ... Full description.

This page is an online article that describes the Mid-Ocean Ridge which is the longest mountain chain, the most active volcanic area and until recently, the least accessible region on the earth. It focuses on sea floor spreading, with particular emphasis on the non-rigid discontinuities that break the ridge into segments and how those segments form and evolve. Full description.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument, in the Wasatch Mountains, features spectacularly decorated caverns, each of which has unique colors and formations. Features of the site include park geology information, maps, photographs of cave formations, related links, and visitor information. The park geology section discusses the caves' geologic history, structural geology, and details the discovery of the ... Full description.

This web site is intended to provide a pre-excursion introduction to Siccar Point, on the coast of Scotland. Information on the geologic history of the site is provided using illustrations of plate locations, trenches and tilting over time. Color photographs further illustrate the rock formations found there, including sedimentary structures, such as sandstones and breccia. Full description.

In this activity students draw a geologic map based on a teacher-prepared terrain model with outcrops placed across the landscape according to a predetermined pattern to represent flat, tilted, folded, and/or faulted strata. Students will map the outcrops and indicate their strike, dip and draw lines to indicate contacts. As a result of this activity students will understand how geologists use geologic ... Full description.

In this activity, students will learn why and how rock layers are folded and faulted and learn how to represent the structures in maps and cross sections. They will layer four colors of playdough to represent a horizontally layered rock mass with the oldest layer on the bottom. By pushing on the playdough block from two opposite sides, the students apply a compressive stress resulting in the folding ... Full description.

The RIDGE Program is a National Science Foundation initiative that promotes interdisciplinary study, scientific communication, and outreach related to all aspects of the globe-encircling, mid-ocean ridge system. The RIDGE Multibeam Synthesis Project site provides free access to downloadable multibeam bathymetric images and datasets of suboceanic ridges and vents. From either a hotlinked world map ... Full description.