This document discusses the mission of ICESat, the benchmark Earth Observing System satellite intended to measure ice sheet mass balance, cloud and aerosol heights, topography, and vegetative cover. Questions of particular interest to the mission include: is sea level is rising?; are the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets growing or shrinking?; are ice sheets are capable of causing large, rapid changes ... Full description.

Users of this portal can access information on mountains, islands, and other landforms of the Earth. Links are provided to a variety of materials, including books, maps, atlases, photographs and imagery, games and quizzes. Full description.

This site allows users to browse Earth science-themed photographs including 3-D images, historic NASA photographs, and images from satellites and manned space missions. Full description.

The most profound deformational event involving the interaction of lithospheric plates is a collision between continents; for example, the collision of the Indian continent with the Eurasian continent, which began in the Eocene. This continuing collision has produced intracontinental thrust sheets responsible for the highest mountains in the world. Mount Everest, the Annapurna Range, and the rest ... Full description.

This lesson focuses on the effects of volcanic eruptions on atmospheric chemistry. Students will use the internet to acquire data, analyze it graphically, and perform further analyses on recent eruptions and on hypothetical eruptions of their own. Procedures, standards, and links to the necessary materials are provided. Full description.

The mental picture of the Appalachian Mountains most of us have is that of long linear ridges and valleys that form a belt some 25 to 100 km wide through Pennsylvania/Virginia/West Virginia and the Carolinas. With relief of 300 to 1000 m or more, these ridges stand out as distinct mountains. This page describes the general geomorphology and geology of the Appalachian Mountains with the use of text ... Full description.

This chapter on the formation of Karst topography discusses susceptible rock types, how dissolution occurs, and the general appearance of Karst landforms. Tables, maps, figures, and photographs of Karst landforms from around the world are included. It is part of 'Geomorphology from Space', an out-of-print publication of the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA). Full description.

Users of this reference can access extensive information on each country, including maps, geographic data, environmental problems, and economic data. The factbook is searchable by country or by keyword. Full description.

This is an introduction to the concept of seafloor spreading proposed by Harry Hess in the early 1960's. This site offers multiple links to further examine this geologic hypothesis. Full description.

The homepage of Mammoth Cave National Park provides visitors with information on tour schedules, surface activities, lodging and camping, and tips on touring caves. Teachers can access an extensive selection of curricular materials, fact sheets and activities for kids, a glossary, and links to other educational programs and sites. Other materials include maps and publications, an image gallery, and ... Full description.