Geosciences (Geology & Geophysics)

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

Resources in this category:

Amber: Window to the Past
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/amber/

Learn more about amber on this website version of the American Museum of Natural History's exhibition. Learn about the different types of amber and how materials like plants and animals get trapped inside it and become inclusions.

Cascades Volcano Observatory
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/

Information about volcanoes: facts, figures, photos, research, history, definitions, and descriptions.

Descent Into Mt. Blanc
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/mtblanc/

Learn about the dangers of glaciers and the protective equipment that people wear to explore glacial caves. View the life cycle of a glacier.

Earth's Active Volcanoes
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/world.html

Encyclopedia/almanac-type information about individual volcanoes, including photographs. The entries are quite extensive, and include a narrative account of the volcano's history of eruptions.

EarthNet: Virtual Resource Center for Earth Science Educators
http://earthnet-geonet.ca/

Developed by the Geological Survey of Canada, "EarthNet is a virtual resource centre of earth science resource information and contacts for teachers, home educators and students of all levels - elementary, junior and senior high school. Earthquakes, dinosaurs, fossils, evolution, volcanoes, landslides, rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, mountains, canyons, caves, rivers, waterfalls, conservation, the greenhouse effect, global change, oil and gas, energy, mining, ice ages and glaciers, faults, erosion, geological time, planets and space, geoscience careers ... you can search on all these topics. EarthNet can be accessed through an easy to use searchable database which allows searches by: earth science topic, resource type, geographic region, grade level, or resource title."

Earthquake Info from the U.S.G.S.
http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/

Includes maps and statistics on the earthquakes. There is also information on reducing earthquake hazards, seismographic studies, as well as data centers all with numerous links to other web sites.

Extreme Science
http://www.extremescience.com/

"Read about "the biggest, baddest and the best" in the natural world, and get introduced to the "way cool scientists" who study these extreme critters. It's a great site for kids (both in age and at heart), who will be educated and entertained by such features as the 'Biggest, Smallest, Fastest, Deepest: Marine Animal Records.'"

Gemology & Lapidary Pages
http://www.tradeshop.com/gems/index.shtml

"A comprehensive introduction to gemology and gemcutting."

Geography Dictionary and Glossary - ITS Tutorial School
http://www.tuition.com.hk/geography/

A comprehensive dictionary and glossary of terms used in physical and human geography, earth sciences, and related disciplines, developed by ITS Tutorial School in Hong Kong.

Geological and Geophysical Databases, Information, and GIS Map Server
http://atlas.geo.cornell.edu/

"This page is designed to provide information, data, and maps for scientists, students and for those who are interested in the geological sciences. The information here is updated regularly. Although this information server is designed for the entire globe, there are regions of special interest, such as the Middle East and North Africa, where more detailed data sets can be obtained."

Geological Survey of Canada
http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.php

"The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is Canada's premier agency for geoscientific information and research, with world-class expertise focusing on geoscience surveys, sustainable development of Canada's resources, environmental protection, and technology innovation." Site includes information about the agency and its activities, links to related sites, and educational resources. Available in French and English.

Geology.com
http://www.geology.com/

This website provides current information about geological news, terms, maps, even jobs. A highlight of this site is the large number of satellite images of American states and cities, meteor impacts, and Asian and European countries. The site is maintained by Hobart King, an associate professor at Mansfield University.

Geomine
http://www.infomine.com/technology/geomine/

"Original resources, links and an Internet meeting place for anyone interested in mineral exploration."

GeoScience: K-12 Resources
http://www.cuug.ab.ca/~johnstos/geosci.html

Links to useful earth science teaching material. Organized by grade level.

Jewelers of America
http://www.jewelers.org/

Links to an entire series of brochures about fine jewelry and gemstones for the consumer.

Land Use History of the Colorado Plateau
http://www.cpluhna.nau.edu/index.htm

Environmental history; summary of a vast body of research from multiple disciplines in an easily accessible format.

Latest Quake Info
http://quake.usgs.gov/recent/index.html

Recent earthquake maps and lists from U.S. Geological Survey, Earthquake Hazards Program.

Life Along the Fault Line
http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/index.html

"Commemorating the Loma Prieta earthquake, which shook the Bay Area on a warm world-series evening ten years ago, the site features personal recollections, images, and video; a history of the 1906 quake told with evocative black and white photographs; and an introduction to topics in earthquake engineering, architecture, prediction, and preparedness."

Links for Mineralogists
http://www.mineralogie.uni-wuerzburg.de/links.html

"Annotated links to Internet resources, especially for mineralogists, petrologists, crystallographers, geologists." Resources included databases, directories, bibliographies, encyclopedias, and indexes. Includes information on universities and funding organizations.

Lost on Everest
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/

This site is about climbing Mount Everest. It also includes information about the effects of altitude on the human body and talks about the formation of Everest too.

Marine Sediment and Rock Data
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/geology/

"NGDC's Marine Geology and Geophysics global marine sediment and hardrock databases aim at serving as the international focal point for marine geology data management. All data are in the international public domain, available globally to any interested individual or group. On-line searches of NGDC's data holdings and an index to seafloor samples (cores, grabs, dredges, and drill samples) available for futher study from other institutions are offered, along with direct download of many data files. Among the databases searchable on-line are the Marine Geology Data & Reports, The Index to Marine Geological Samples, Searches of Marine Geology Data & Inventories, Sediment Thickness of the World Oceans, Ocean Drilling Data, Marine Minerals Data On-Line & on CD-ROM."

Mineral Collectors Page
http://www.minerant.org/

Produced by the Mineralogy Club of Antwerp, Belgium, with text in English and Dutch, this well organized site includes information about mineral clubs and collectors around the world. There is a science and education section that includes topics such as chemistry, crystallography, and physical properties. Included are several photographic galleries, primarily of fluorescent minerals and featured photographers.

Mineralogical Society of America
http://www.minsocam.org/

The official webpage of the Mineralogical Society of America has a wealth of information about the organization and the study of rocks, minerals, and crystals. Some interesting areas include a collector’s corner, ask-a-mineralogist, and mineralogy for kids. There are also sections about its publications, awards & grants, and other resources.

Minerals of the United States
http://www.tigerminerals.com/

Created by mineral collectors, Bob and Susan Weaver, this site is an on-line display of their collection from around the United States. Click on a state on the U.S. map and photos of minerals collected from that state are displayed. There is also a collection of minerals from around the globe. Each photo gives the type of mineral, where it was collected, and identifies to whose collection it belongs.

National Atlas of the United States
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/

"If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a map is worth ten thousand." Explore hundreds of United States maps, including dynamic maps of invasive species and volcanoes. View and print maps for agriculture, biology, boundaries, climate, environment, geology, government, history, people, transportation and water, or make your own map!

National Geophysical Data Center
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/

"The National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) is the national repository for geophysical data, providing a wide range of science data services and information. NGDC provides long-term stewardship for and access to geophysical data, compiles new, well-documented databases from many sources, and offers value-added data services to researchers and the general public. NGDC acquires and exchanges global data through the World Data Center system and other international programs. To find all data, information, and products available from NGDC, you can follow one of the data discipline links at left (glaciology, marine geology & geophysics, paleoclimatology, solar-terrestrial physics, and solid earth geophysics)." The site is searchable.

National Information Service for Earthquake Engineering
http://nisee.berkeley.edu/

"Established in 1971 at the University of California, Berkeley, the National Information Service for Earthquake Engineering (NISEE) provides timely access to technical research and development information in earthquake engineering and related fields of structural dynamics, geotechnical engineering, engineering seismology, and earthquake hazard mitigation policy. NISEE is located at the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center. The NISEE project is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the University of California, Berkeley and directed by a voluntary Advisory Committee comprised of representatives of the earthquake engineering community".

The Nature of Diamonds
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/diamonds/

"This online exhibit by the American Museum of Natural History covers the properties, origins, history, mining, and use of diamonds."

Northwest Origins: An Introduction to the Geologic History of Washington State
http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/geo_history_wa/

This website begins with an introduction to the basic concepts of geology. It then discusses the geologic history of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska from over 1 billion years ago to the present.

PlanetDiary
http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/index.html

"PlanetDiary records the events and phenomena that affect Earth and its residents. Every week, this site presents geological, astronomical, meteorological, biological, and environmental news from around the globe." The site provides information ranging from a calendar of dates of predictable natural phenomena, current information on important events like hurricanes and volcanoes, and general information on many natural phenomena and topics like: astronomy, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and volcanoes.

Rainbow of Gems
http://www.tradeshop.com/gems/rainbow.html

Descriptions of gemstones and their characteristics. This list seems to be more complete than the Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collection, although the photographs are not always as good. This is connected to a larger site on Gemology and Lapidary.

Savage Earth
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/

Articles "explain the science behind volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis, and feature original animations that illustrate the action of these natural phenomena. You can also Ask the Experts your questions, and explore other Savage Sites on the Web."

Sebastopol College Science Learning Area
http://www.sebas.vic.edu.au/links/sci/sci.htm

Sebastopol College in Victoria, Australia, provides this page to organize URL links for a variety of scientific disciplines. By selecting one of the science subject areas - general science, history of science, astronomy/space, biology, chemistry, environmental science, forensic science, geology/paleontology, investigations, physics, or weather/meterology - users are taken to web pages where lists of appropriate URL links are provided. Sebastopol College last tested the links in November 2002. Links to more general URls such as "How Stuff Works" are also included.

The Talk.Origins Archive
http://www.talkorigins.org/

"Talk.origins is a Usenet newsgroup devoted to the discussion and debate of biological and physical origins. Most discussions in the newsgroup center on the creation/evolution controversy, but other topics of discussion include the origin of life, geology, biology, catastrophism, cosmology and theology.
"This archive is a collection of articles and essays, most of which have appeared in talk.origins at one time or another. The primary reason for this archive's existence is to provide mainstream scientific responses to the many frequently asked questions (FAQs) and frequently rebutted assertions that appear in talk.origins."

United States Geological Survey
http://www.usgs.gov/

Primarily information about USGS who are the creators of the well known set of topographical maps. Directories for the agency's personnel and products are available here, and descriptions of USGS activities and mapping methods. Also of interest are Earth Science issues documents which provide synopses of geoscience issues.

University of California Museum of Paleontology
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/index.php

View the University of California Museum of Paleontology's online exhibits "about the history of life on Earth."

USGS Education
http://education.usgs.gov/

"The U.S. Geological Survey provides scientific information intended to help educate the public about natural resources, natural hazards, geospatial data, and issues that affect our quality of life. Discover selected online resources, including lessons, data, maps, and more, to support teaching, learning, education (K-12), and university-level inquiry and research."

USGS Library: Homepage
http://library.usgs.gov/

The U.S. Geological Survey's library website, "the largest earth science library in the world!" Features a searchable online catalog and databases; links to related map, journal and image archives; and detailed information about the library and its history, including the development of its classification scheme.

Vocanoes: Can We Predict Volcanic Eruptions?
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/volcanoes/

This exhibit explores volcanoes and why eruptions occur. It contains video clips and several hands-on activities. The Related Resources section provides ways to obtain additional information.

Volcano World
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/

Provides various kinds of information about volcanos, including "update on volcanic activity," "how volcanos work," "how to becomes a volcanologist," etc. Pictures of worldwide volcanos are available.

World-Wide Earthquake Locator
http://tsunami.geo.ed.ac.uk/local-bin/quakes/mapscript/home....

Provides basic information about earthquakes, including magnitude, depth and the map of the location, within hours of occurrence.