Earth Sciences

Branches of science related the Earth, its surface, and its atmosphere.

Sub-headings:

Geosciences (Geology & Geophysics)

A science that deals with the history of the earth and its life, especially as recorded in rocks.

Meteorology/Climatology

A science that deals with the atmosphere and its phenomena, especially with weather and weather forecasting.

Oceanography/Hydrology

A science that deals with the ocean and its phenomena.

Resources in this category:

American Association of Petroleum Geologists
http://www.aapg.org/

"The American Association of Petroleum Geologists is the world's largest geological society, with approximately 31,000 members in 115 countries. AAPG was formed in 1917, to foster the spirit of scientific research among its members and to advance the science of geology - particularly as it relates to petroleum, natural gas, other subsurface fluids and mineral resources." The site for the AAPG, called "GEOBYTE", has a wide collection of resources on publications (some with full text content on-line), membership information, a discussion forum, meeting notices, links to other Internet resources, and searchable databases of members, professional geologists, and students. Some content is restricted to members only.

American Geological Institute
http://www.agiweb.org/

"The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 35 geoscientific and professional associations that represent more than 100,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in our profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in mankind's use of resources and interaction with the environment." The site has a wide variety of resources on geosciences including some full-text content of the Institute's magazine GeoTimes, membership information, career information in the geosciences, and general links to other Internet resources on geosciences. Some content is restricted to subscribers.

American Geophysical Union
http://www.agu.org/

An international scientific society of "researchers, teachers, and science administrators have dedicated themselves to advancing the understanding of Earth and its environment in space... AGU's activities are focused on the organization and dissemination of scientific information in the interdisciplinary and international field of geophysics. The geophysical sciences involve four fundamental areas: atmospheric and ocean sciences; solid-Earth sciences; hydrologic sciences; and space sciences." The site contains various information on conferences and membership, but the most useful feature for the general public is located in the section Science for Everyone which contains full-text articles, reports, and images on categories such as Atmospheric Sciences, Climate and Global Change, Hydrologic Sciences, Ocean Sciences, Planetary Sciences, Solid Earth Sciences, and Space Sciences. The site is searchable.

American Petroleum Institute
http://www.api.org/

"API is the major national trade association representing the entire petroleum industry: exploration and production, transportation, refining, and marketing. "

American Quaternary Association
http://www.amqua.org/

The American Quaternary Association (AMQUA) is a professional organization of scientists studying the Quaternary Period, about the last 2 million years of Earth history. This organization brings together scholarship on many areas of science.

British Cave Research Association
http://www.bcra.org.uk/

"The BCRA is a registered charity whose object is to promote the study of caves and associated phenomena. It attains this object by supporting cave & karst research; by encouraging original exploration (both in the UK and on expeditions overseas); by collecting and publishing speleological information; maintaining a library; and organising educational and scientific conferences and meetings. The Association is also a 'representative body' for individual cavers, within the National Caving Association." The Website includes information on the association, its meetings and publications.

Geospatial Information & Technology Association
http://www.gita.org/

"The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) is a nonprofit education association serving professionals utilizing GIT (including automated mapping, facilities management, geographic information systems, and related technology) in the following industries: utilities (electric, gas, water/wastewater), telecommunications, oil and gas pipelines, transportation, environment, and hardware/software development."

"The GITA Web site includes details about the association and its mission, plus current information on GITA events, publications, members, awards programs and regional chapters. The site also includes industry news."

International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
http://www.isprs.org/isprs.html

"Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing is the art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information from noncontact imaging and other sensor systems about the Earth and its environment, and other physical objects and processes through recording, measuring, analyzing and representation. The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing is a non-governmental organization devoted to the development of international cooperation for the advancement of photogrammetry and remote sensing and their applications. The Society operates without any discrimination on grounds of race, religion, nationality, or political philosophy." Site includes explanations of Technical Commissions (special research committees), ISPRS events, and links page.

International Union of Geological Sciences
http://www.iugs.org/

"Founded in 1961, the IUGS is one of the world's largest and most active non-governmental scientific organizations. The Union promotes and supports the study of geological problems of world-wide significance, and facilitates international and interdisciplinary cooperation in the earth sciences. A prominent member of the International Council of Scientific Unions, the IUGS has more than 110 national members." The site has a large amount of information on "IUGS Commissions, Committees, and Boards [which] are concerned with a wide range of geologic research of direct interest to governments, industry, and academic groups within the earth sciences." Included on the web site is some full-text content of the quarterly publication Episodes. The site is searchable.

Linnean Society of London
http://www.linnean.org/

"The Linnean Society of London, which was founded in 1788, is now the oldest extant scientific society in the world devoted to natural history ...the Society promotes all aspects of biology, but particularly those concerning the diversity and interrelationships of organisms. This involves the examination and collation of a wide range of scientific evidence from such fields as genetics, ecology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and palaeontology and impinges on related disciplines in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, geology, medicine, parasitology and veterinary science where accurate identification is essential to any research." The Linnean Society website provides information concerning some of the Society's grants and awards. A search engine for finding current Society publications and a variety of historical information about the society itself.

Natural Environment Research Council
http://www.nerc.ac.uk/

"NERC is the lead organisation within the UK with responsibility for providing funding and support of research, survey and monitoring in the sciences of the natural environment. To fulfil obligations within its mission, NERC supports an integrated science capability that includes funding to universities, its own Centre/Surveys and provision of a scientific services and facilities infrastructure".

NERC offers in its Web site links to their research sites and the units they support, how NERC works, publications, job opportunities, environmental data and scientific projects.

Soil Science Society of America
http://www.soils.org/

"The Official Web Site for the Soil Science Society of America. The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is the professional home for over 6,000 professionals throughout the world dedicated to the advancement of soil science. The primary purpose of the Society is to advance the discipline and practice of soil science by acquiring and disseminating information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management and recycling, and wise land use." This site provides information about the association, publications, career resources, news and a glossary of soil science terms.