The "Global Conveyer Belt" shows how the oceans move energy from the tropics to the poles and back again in order to moderate Earth's climate. This is accomplished through long-term ocean circulation. This on-line tutorial about ocean circulation features text, pictures, and satellite imagery with links to topics such as ocean heat transport, the coriolis effect, hills and valleys in the ocean, measurement ... Full description.

This document describes how geologic time is approached in discussions of geologic topics. The uses of relative time and absolute time are compared, and a geologic time scale is provided to represent both concepts. References are provided. Full description.

This site describes the distribution and movement of water around, through, and above the Earth as water vapor, liquid water, and ice, with emphasis on the water cycle (hydrologic cycle). It is part of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Science for Schools website. Tables and graphs are provided. The water cycle graphic is available in several languages. Full description.

In this activity, the Earth's crust and mantle are compared to the shell and insides of a boiled egg. A computer simulation is provided in which students can click and drag crustal "plates" to form various types of plate boundaries. Brief descriptions of the boundary types accompany the simulation. Full description.

Visitors to this site can learn about the theory of plate tectonics, the history of its development, and the mechanisms that drive the formation, movement, and destruction of continents and tectonic plates. A selection of animations depicts the movements of crustal plates and continents through time. Each animation is accompanied by an interactive time scale that provides links to descriptions of ... Full description.

At this site, users can read and view pictures and videos that explain the mechanisms that trigger tsunamis, how they travel across great distances of the ocean, and what damage they cause. 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.

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 resource presents information on global warming and the possible impacts of the melting of the Antarctic ice sheets and the resulting rise in sea level. Materials include a video excerpt, interviews with proponents and skeptics on the issue of global warming, maps and descriptions of how the world's coastlines might change as sea levels rise, and the study of ice cores to reveal climatic conditions ... Full description.

Visitors to this site can choose from a set of links to materials on basic astrophysics, cosmic radiation, features and behavior of the sun, and space weather. An "Ask Us" feature, a glossary, and a selection of links to related sites are included. Full description.