This page describes El Nino and the Southern Oscillation and how they may contribute to severe weather and the destruction of sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs. It features text, pictures, scientific illustrations, and links to satellite information and weather-related science activities. Full description.

This activity will help students understand how white light is broken up into its component colors by a diffraction grating and what the relationships are between the wavelength, frequency, and energy of light. Objectives, applicable standards, and pre-requisite materials are described, and instructions and a materials list are provided. Full description.

Atmospheric scientists investigating the possibility that human influences are changing the Earth's climate confront a significant problem - how do we actually detect climate change? As they participate in this classroom activity, students will develop the understanding that long-term climate averages are the result of significant annual climate variability and that random climate variability makes ... Full description.

This is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's hurricane website. Features include weather watches, warnings, and forecasts. Also included are links to other NOAA sites, preparedness guides, imagery, and information on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Full description.

This collection of basic definitions and answers to questions about hurricanes and tropical cyclones includes how they form, how they are named, how intensities are measured, and how storms are forecast. Historical information, information on myths surrounding these storms, links to sites displaying real-time storm information, and safety tips are also included. Full description.

Climate is generally defined as average weather over a long period of time. A place or region's climate is determined by both natural and human-induced factors. Students can read an overview of Earth's climate and participate in activities which explain the following concepts: distinctions between weather and climate, variability of daily weather measurements compared to long-term climate data, how ... Full description.

This is a group of frequently asked questions and answers about Earth's magnetic field and poles, the magnetic compass, magnetic reversals, and geomagnetic models. Links to maps and illustrations are embedded in the text. Full description.

The magnetic field of the Earth is contained in a region called the magnetosphere. The magnetosphere prevents most of the particles from the sun, carried in solar wind, from hitting the Earth. This site, produced by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), uses text, scientific illustrations,and remote imagery to explain the occurrence and nature of planetary magnetic fields and ... Full description.