I. EARTH SCIENCE

 

  1. Inquiry, Reflection, and Social Implications
  2. Earth Systems
  3. The Solid Earth
  4. The Fluid Earth
  5. Earth in Space and Time

 

Additional Sites for Earth Science

  1. Teaching Units / Lesson Plans
  2. Student Activities / Projects / Interactive Sites
  3. Information / Facts / Data / Reports
  4. Videos / Movies / Animations
  5. Photographs / Slides / Diagrams / Graphics
  6. Periodicals / Journals / Newspapers
  7. Searches / Explorations / Investigations
  8. Earth and Space Science Topics for Teachers

 

E3. The Solid Earth

High School

  1. E3.p1 Landforms and Soils (prerequisite)
    Landforms are the result of a combination of constructive and destructive forces. Constructive forces include crustal deformation, volcanic eruptions, and deposition of sediments transported in rivers, streams, and lakes through watersheds. Destructive forces include weathering and erosion. The weathering of rocks and decomposed organic matter result in the formation of soils. (prerequisite)
    1. Earth and Space Science For Middle School Teachers
      Outstanding! Not only does it cover the geosphere, but covers a mulitude of topics that meet several of the Glec's. This site also has links into the NASA web site. You should try this one it is a winner.
    2. National Geologic Map Database (USGS)
      The USGS National Geologic Map Database has many links to other maps and interactive activities. The site contains links to a catalog of paper and digital maps, and where to find them. The Association of American State Geologists provides links to State Geological Surveys and related agencies. Grades 5 - 8.
    3. Soil Forming Factors
      This site is about Earth Deposits: A Basis for Creating Landforms and Soil. The site offers many links and information for students.
    4. Soil/landform Mapping
      Over 200 soil/landform units have been defined for the region. Each soil/landform described includes photographs of the general landscape as well as 3-D block diagrams and topographic section profiles. For each soil-landform appropriate soil sites are listed - that are considered to be good examples of soil types that can occur in these units.
    5. Surface Features of the Earth
      This site will allow students to obtain descriptions, definitions, pictures and animation for the following surface features on Earth: mid-ocean spreading, island formation, continental subduction, volcanoes (including the Ring of Fire, mountain ranges, insland arcs, and faulting. There are three different levels for students: Beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Students can also access additional information from the two interactive and animated links on the page: Plate Tectonics and Earth's Surface and Interior
    6. Topozone.com
      This web site will allow students and teachers to create instant topographical maps anywhere in the United States. In addition, this site also provides the elevation, latitude and longitude for a specific location. Students will find this site interesting as they can obtain a topographical map for their hometown or anywhere of interest.
    7. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Resources
      Image bank of soil profiles taken from around the U.S. (arranged by state)
    8. Visualizing Topography
      Outstanding! This is a highly interactive site that uses animations and movies to help students better understand topographical maps. Students can change maps by tiliting and rotating, shading, water flooding, and profile slicing. It has a teacher content, and student guide that may be utilized as a reference. This site would work well as a cross curriculum site with art.
  2. E3.p2 Rocks and Minerals (prerequisite)
    Igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are constantly forming and changing through various processes. As they do so, elements move through the geosphere. In addition to other geologic features, rocks and minerals are indicators of geologic and environmental conditions that existed in the past. (prerequisite)
    1. Geomysteries
      Outstanding - This is an outstanding interactive web site. It has excellent pictures, video, and animation of several rocks, their properties, and how igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are formed, complete with an interactive geologic timeline. In addition, it also has a question answer section which briefly asks students to respond, to check their understanding of the material. Three major mysteries must be solved by students: Mystery of the Floating Rock (lava), Broken Necklace (fossils), and Golden Cube (Pyrite vs. Gold). Under the mystery of the Golden Cube students will discover why crystals have different shapes and that minerals can be classified according to their hardness, color, density, cleavage and fracture. Students can also see fast facts or check out where they could go for a field trip. Several links for state geological survey units are provided.
    2. Rock Hounds With Rocky the Dog - Sedimentary, Igneous & Metamorphic Rocks
      Describes and provides animation of various rock processes. Shows pictures and describes rocks from each category of rock type. The site is an in depth look at igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.
  3. E3.p3 Basic Plate Tectonics (prerequisite)
    Early evidence for the movement of continents was based on the similarities of coastlines, geology, faunal distributions, and paleoclimatelogical data across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In the 1960s, additional evidence from marine geophysical surveys, seismology, volcanology, and paleomagnetism resulted in the development of the theory of plate tectonics. (prerequisite)
    1. CIESE On Line Classroom Projects - Musical Plates
      A study of Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics Project.  This is an on-line project for students.  They are given a senario where they have to pinpoint recent earthquakes, determine whether or not certain parts of the earth experience more earthquakes than others, determine what is causing the earthquakes, organize the information into a report for the President of the United States.  Student reports can be submitted to be published on-line, if accepted. There are hyperlinks where students can access data for their reports.  There is also a Teacher Area and an On-Line Help.
    2. Geology: Plate Tectonics
      Very basic discussion of plate tectonics. Has some nice animations, but they take a long time to download.
    3. Mountain Maker, Earth Shaker
      A description of plate tectonics and an illustrative exercise are the main activities of this site. Shockwave plugin is required and may be downloaded from this site
    4. Plate Tectonics
      This site describes the different plate tectonics of earth's outermost layer. It describes the 3 types of boundaries. There are several problems presented for students to solve. There is a Problem Solving icon at the bottom of the page that outlines a problem solving process to assist the students.
    5. Plate Tectonic Reconstruction Service
      This model is used to create maps of different stages of continental drift and the plate tectonic theory. By changing the time scale on the data chart, a new map of the location of the continents is brought up.
    6. Savage Earth Animations
      This site has very good animations of several geologic processes that occur on the earth. All animations have written text to provide further information.
    7. SCIGN Education Module
      A proper scientific treatment of plate tectonics includes a history of the subject and types of plate boundary.
    8. The Gateway to Astronaut Photography
      This site focuses on the interconnections among processes taking place in the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. Many processes within the Earth System are being observed and monitored from Earth's orbit. Astronauts have photograph the Earth on a continuous basis. This record spans more than 35 years.
    9. This Dynamic Earth-USGS
      This is an informational website about plate tectonics. It provides some illustrations and maps that may be useful in presentations.
    10. Understanding Plate Motions
      General information about plate tectonics, describing various plates, boundaries and motions.
    11. UNR Seismological Laboratory
      The site takes the student through the basics of plate tectonics and earthquakes. It has lots of links, however, the student will be mainly reading. The pictures are excellent.
    12. USGS
      Includes information about volcanoes, earthquakes, and plate tectonics. Includes activities, models, and much, much more.
    13. Volcano World
      Provides information about every volcano in the world. When it last erupted, etc.
    14. Xpeditions "Ring of Fire"
      This site is one of many lesson plans available at the Xpedition/National Geographic Site. What I like most about this site is that each lesson has many interactive websites linked to it. In this lesson, students will link to an interactive site discussing/showing types of volcanoes as well as allowing them to create their own online volcano (a national geographic forces of nature site).
  4. E3.1 Advanced Rock Cycle
    Igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are indicators of geologic and environmental conditions and processes that existed in the past. These include cooling and crystallization, weathering and erosion, sedimentation and lithification, and metamorphism. In some way, all of these processes are influenced by plate tectonics, and some are influenced by climate.
    1. The Rock Cycle
      The basics on the rock cycle.
    2. The Rock Cycle - Beyond Books
    3. Outstanding! This web site is an excellent tool for student learning. It contains the basics and much more such as: (1) Focus Topics - Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic Rocks, (2) "Read More" sections, (3) write a story called "I, Rock" pretending that they are a rock traveling through the rock cycle and, (4) interactive Monumental stone activity where they can identify rock types for major national monuments.
    4. The Rock Cycle in Michigan
      The Rock Cycle in Michigan - from this PowerPoint presentation students can learn about the geological principals which explain how the rock types are related, with Michigan references.Teacher notes are found at:
      http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ogs-gimdl-SAT.pdf
    5. Rock Cycle: The Story of a Rock New
      In this activity, students will use more creative story telling to describe the rock cycle. This activity is intended to be used at the end of a unit on rocks and minerals, and may even constitute an assessment of the unit.
  5. E3.2 Interior of the Earth
    The Earth can also be subdivided into concentric layers based on their physical characteristics: (lithosphere, asthenosphere, lower mantle, outer core, and inner core). The crust and upper mantle compose the rigid lithosphere (plates) that moves over a “softer” asthenosphere (part of the upper mantle). The magnetic field of the Earth is generated in the outer core. The interior of the Earth cannot be directly sampled and must be modeled using data from seismology.
    1. Earth's Interior
      This site shows the interior of the earth and it various part.
    2. Structure of The Earth
      This site has several animations for teachers. Geophysics, which studies the physics of the Earth, has led to many significant discoveries about the Earth and its make-up. Seismologic studies of the Earth have uncovered new information about the interior of the Earth that has helped to give credence to plate tectonic theory
    3. Surface and Interior of Earth
      The site provides detail views of the earths interior.
    4. The Interior of The Earth
      This site shows the Earth's surface and interior and several other geology areas. Talks about how we explore the interior using Seismic Waves.
  6. E3.3 Plate Tectonics Theory
    The Earth’s crust and upper mantle make up the lithosphere, which is broken into large mobile pieces called tectonic plates. The plates move at velocities in units of centimeters per year as measured using the global positioning system (GPS). Motion histories are determined with calculations that relate rate, time, and distance of offset geologic features. Oceanic plates are created at mid-ocean ridges by magmatic activity and cooled until they sink back into the Earth at subduction zones. At some localities, plates slide by each other. Mountain belts are formed both by continental collision and as a result of subduction. The outward flow of heat from Earth’s interior provides the driving energy for plate tectonics.
    1. CIESE On Line Classroom Projects - Musical Plates
      A study of Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics Project.  This is an on-line project for students.  They are given a senario where they have to pinpoint recent earthquakes, determine whether or not certain parts of the earth experience more earthquakes than others, determine what is causing the earthquakes, organize the information into a report for the President of the United States.  Student reports can be submitted to be published on-line, if accepted. There are hyperlinks where students can access data for their reports.  There is also a Teacher Area and an On-Line Help.
    2. DEQ, Geology in Michigan
      Presentations, classroom materials, and maps of Michigan's geology past and present. Once in this site make sure to go to the "For students and Teachers" link which contains games, lessons, diagrams, pictures, and multimedia.
    3. Earth Science Animations NewThis site contains several plate tectonic, continental drift, and geologic timeline animations.
    4. Geological List of Applets New
      This contains a list of geology related applets.
    5. Geology: Plate Tectonics
      Very basic discussion of plate tectonics. Has some nice animations, but they take a long time to download.
    6. Mountain Maker, Earth Shaker
      A description of plate tectonics and an illustrative exercise are the main activities of this site. Shockwave plugin is required and may be downloaded from this site
    7. Plate Tectonics
      This site describes the different plate tectonics of earth's outermost layer. It describes the 3 types of boundaries. There are several problems presented for students to solve. There is a Problem Solving icon at the bottom of the page that outlines a problem solving process to assist the students.
    8. Plate Tectonics Animations New
      This USGS site contains several animated gifs. You may use these animations for any educational purpose, you just need to cite the USGS as the source.
    9. Plate Tectonic Reconstruction Service
      This model is used to create maps of different stages of continental drift and the plate tectonic theory. By changing the time scale on the data chart, a new map of the location of the continents is brought up.
    10. Regents Prep Earth Science
      This site has a variety of Earth Science resources appropriate for use by students and teachers.
    11. Savage Earth Animations
      This site has very good animations of several geologic processes that occur on the earth. All animations have written text to provide further information.
    12. The Gateway to Astronaut Photography
      This site focuses on the interconnections among processes taking place in the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. Many processes within the Earth System are being observed and monitored from Earth's orbit. Astronauts have photograph the Earth on a continuous basis. This record spans more than 35 years.
    13. This Dynamic Earth-USGS
      This is an informational website about plate tectonics. It provides some illustrations and maps that may be useful in presentations.
    14. Understanding Plate Motions
      General information about plate tectonics, describing various plates, boundaries and motions.
    15. UNR Seismological Laboratory
      The site takes the student through the basics of plate tectonics and earthquakes. It has lots of links, however, the student will be mainly reading. The pictures are excellent.
    16. USGS
      Includes information about volcanoes, earthquakes, and plate tectonics. Includes activities, models, and much, much more.
    17. Xpeditions "Ring of Fire"
      This site is one of many lesson plans available at the Xpedition/National Geographic Site. What I like most about this site is that each lesson has many interactive websites linked to it. In this lesson, students will link to an interactive site discussing/showing types of volcanoes as well as allowing them to create their own online volcano (a national geographic forces of nature site).
  7. E3.4 Earthquakes and Volcanoes
    Plate motions result in potentially catastrophic events (earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, mass wasting) that affect humanity. The intensity of volcanic eruptions is controlled by the chemistry and properties of the magma. Earthquakes are the result of abrupt movements of the Earth. They generate energy in the form of body and surface waves.
    1. CIESE On Line Classroom Projects - Musical Plates
      A study of Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics Project.  This is an on-line project for students.  They are given a senario where they have to pinpoint recent earthquakes, determine whether or not certain parts of the earth experience more earthquakes than others, determine what is causing the earthquakes, organize the information into a report for the President of the United States.  Student reports can be submitted to be published on-line, if accepted. There are hyperlinks where students can access data for their reports.  There is also a Teacher Area and an On-Line Help.
    2. Earthquakes
      This site provides great factual and graphical information concerning earthquakes. Good animated demonstrations.
    3. 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami New
      This contains a list of geology related applets.
    4. Teacher's Guide to Hawaii Volcanoes
      The site is a list of activities and pictures of Hawaii's volcanoes. Terms and general information about volcanoes are also a focus of topic.
    5. USGS - Geosphere
      Includes information about volcanoes, earthquakes, and plate tectonics. Includes activities, models, and much, much more.
    6. Volcanoes
      This site has video clip and information on melting rock, dynamic earth, forecasting, and many related resources.
    7. Volcano World
      Provides information about every volcano in the world. When it last erupted, etc.

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