The destructive force of earthquakes has stimulated human inquiry since ancient times, yet the scientific study of earthquakes is a surprisingly recent endeavor. Instrumental recordings of earthquakes were not made until the second half of the 19th century, and the primary mechanism for generating seismic waves was not identified until the beginning of the 20th century. From this recent start, a ... Full description.

This site from SERC's Starting Point features Gallery Walk questions about coastlines. The questions explore coastal features, contour maps of former glacial lake shorelines, impacts of the rise and fall of the Great Lakes, how plants, animals, soil and groundwater are effected by natural hazards, zoning plan development, and dam removal. The questions are organized according to the cognitive level ... Full description.

This table presents the modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI), a measure of earthquake intensity based on shaking severity and observed effects of earthquakes. It includes MMI value, a description of shaking severity, and a summary and full description of damage effects. Each MMI value is accompanied by an illustration showing its expected effects. Full description.

This resource identifies the sources of the Earth's internal heat energy as extraterrestrial impacts, gravitational contraction of the Earth's interior, and the radioactive decay of unstable isotopes, each of which is explained in detail. A discussion of melting and compositional differentiation of the early Earth is followed by a description of the present layers, including the inner and outer core, ... Full description.

This report contains true stories that illustrate how to survive (and how not to survive) a tsunami. It is meant for people who live, work, or play along coasts that tsunamis may strike. The stories are personal accounts selected from interviews with people who survived a Pacific Ocean tsunami generated by the magnitude 9.5 earthquake that occurred along the coast of Chile on May 22, 1960. Important ... Full description.

Module covering Earth's three fluid spheres: oceans, atmosphere and cryosphere (glaciers). An event seen in each sphere illustrates processes and concepts: El Nino events for oceans; thunderstorm formation for atmosphere; and global temperature change impacts on glaciers. Concepts covered include: properties of air, water, ice as fluids; flow of energy and matter between spheres; short and long-term ... Full description.

Website of USGS' Coastal and Marine Geology Program. Site features an easy to use interactive resource locator with pull down menus. Resources are broken down by topic, region, and resource type. Information includes tsunamis, earthquakes, erosion, hurricanes, and much more. Information available for many different science disciplines. Access SoundWaves, USGS's monthly newsletter, and read impact ... Full description.

This web article is a March 2000 report from Why Files about the risk of a catastrophic impact from space objects such as asteroids and comets. It cites a presentation at a national scientific meeting, which stated that asteroid impacts over the past 10,000 years had a hand in shaping the climate and the nature of civilization itself. Why Files staff interviewed seven scientists, both pessimists and ... Full description.

This National Park Service (NPS) website examines the geology of Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. It highlights the glacier-carved valleys, 1964 Alaskan earthquake, nunataks (peaks), and wildlife of the park. There are links to visitor information, maps, and additional resources. Full description.

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 was the largest volcanic eruption in 80 years. The explosion blew off the volcano's top and deposited tons of ash on the towns and villages near its base. Even more devastating than the eruption, however, were the mudflows that resulted from the accumulated ash. This video segment depicts some of the impacts of the eruption on the communities surrounding the ... Full description.