GEOL 1030/1031 Topical Links

The Solar System and the Universe:

The Nine Planets - Information about our Solar System intended for a general audience.
Mars Global Surveyor - Imagery and explanation of the NASA Mars orbiter.
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
The Hubble Space Telescope
- NASA Pictures of stellar bodies outside the Solar System.
Hubble Heritage Project Pictures

Meteor Strike - Investigate the consequences of a large meteorite strike with the Earth.
All About Meteorites - A comprehensive source of meteorite information.
Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous - Images and information on the recent NASA mission to the Eros asteroid.
Lunar Prospector
- Information on NASA's search for water ice on the Moon's surface.

Chandra X-Ray Observatory Pictures
Boomerang Project - Pictures of the early universe.
NASA STARDUST Mission - Information on NASA's mission to explore cometary matter

Minerals and Rocks

The Physical Characteristics of Minerals - California State University, Long Beach
Minerals by Class - A description of minerals according to their chemical composition.
USGS Mineral Information - Information on the worldwide supply, demand, and flow of minerals essential to the U.S. economy, the national security, and protection of the environment.

Jeremy's Mineral Quizzer - Test your knowledge of minerals.
Paris School of Mines Museum - Excellent descriptions and pictures of many common minerals.
Atlas of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks, Minerals, and Textures
Molecular Expressions Microscopy Primer - Virtual microscopy of all sorts of stuff, including rocks and minerals.
Volcano World  - Igneous Rocks Tour
Atlas of Sedimentary Rocks
- Descriptions and pictures of sedimentary rocks and sedimentary structures


Weathering and Soils

Images of Physical and Chemical Weathering
Natural Resource and Conservation Service - A source for basic soil information.
Land Degredation Photo Gallery
Key to Soil Taxonomy
- Descriptions and taxonomy of the eleven major soil orders (PDF Format).

Mass Wasting

National Landslide Information Center
Real Time Data for an Actual Landslide in California.


Earthquakes

USGS Map of Recent Earthquakes
USGS Earthquake Information

Seismic Risk Maps - Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program
Types of Faults
Virtual Earthquake
- Interactive program introducing concepts of locating an epicenter and determining magnitude.

15 Largest Earthquakes in the United States - Information on each earthquake from the USGS.
The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake (San Francisco)
- A virtual field trip.
The San Andreas Fault and San Francisco Bay Area - A virtual field trip.

Measuring the Size of an Earthquake - USGS
Center for Earthquake Research and Information
- University of Memphis
Saint Louis University Earthquake Center

Plate Tectonics/Earth's Interior

USGS - Introduction to Plate Tectonic Boundaries
USGS - Introduction to the Earth's Interior
USGS - Introduction to Hotspots
USGS - The Dynamic Planet - Map of the Earth's physiographic features, the current movement of its major tectonic plates, and the locations of its volcanoes, earthquakes, and impact craters.
Discovering Plate Boundaries - A classroom/laboratory exercise designed to allow students to discover the properties of tectonic plates and their boundaries.
Plate Tectonics - The Cause of Earthquakes
- Explanation of the relationships between movement of the Earth's lithospheric plates and the occurrence of earthquakes.
The New Madrid Fault Zone
 - Historical accounts of the 1811-1812 New Madrid Earthquakes
Age of the Ocean Floor - National Geographic Data Center
Paleomap Project - C.R. Scotese

Volcanoes

The Pearly Gates - Website on Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano (Tanzania) by Dr. Fred Belton (MTSU Professor)
Volcano World Home Page - Information on current and recent eruptions at the Earth's major volcanoes.
USGS - Introduction to Volcanoes
The Electronic Volcano - Information on currently erupting volcanoes.
Mount St. Helens - Pre- and post-eruption images and explanation of the 1980 eruption.
USGS - Glossary of Volcanic Terms

USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
- Images and information on Cascade Range volcanoes.
USGS Hawaii Volcano Observatory - Images and information on Hawaii volcanoes.
Volcanosurfing Homepage
Global Volcanism Program - Smithsonian Institution
Stromboli Bomb Trajectory Simulator

Geologic Time

The Geologic Time Scale - University of California Museum of Paleontology time machine.
Fossils, Rocks and Time - USGS information on the geologic time scale, fossil succession, rocks and fossils, and radiometric dating.
Paleomap Project - Paleogeographic maps showing ancient mountain ranges and shorelines, active plate boundaries, and paleoclimatic belts.
Smithsonian Dinosaur Exhibit

Paleontology Without Walls - University of California site with information on phylogeny, geologic time and evolution.

 Karst (Caves)

The National Speleological Society - Home page of national cavers organization.
Geology of Cave and Karst Parks - The National Park Service.
Mammoth Cave National Park Home Page

Inside Earth
- National Park Service newsletter on cave and karst programs.

The Atmosphere/Global Warming/Ozone

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Global Warming Site
Pew Center on Global Climate Change - Non-partisan organization providing credible information, straightforward answers, and innovative solutions in an effort to address global climate change.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Global Warming by State - Information on the effects of global warming on each U.S. state.
Ozone Over Your House - Find the total column ozone amount over your house, or anywhere else.
Live Images of the Earth's Atmosphere - From the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS)
Graphing Stratospheric Ozone - Graphing examples and exercises using NASA images and images from the Neumayer Antarctic Station
Auroras: Paintings in the Sky - Explanation of how auroras are created, and how they can be found.
Sprites - Explanation of cloud to ground lightening discharges.
Rainbows - Origins, types, and characteristics of rainbows.
Earth's Magnetosphere - Information on solar winds, auroras and the magnetosphere.


Clouds and Snow

All About Clouds - Basic Summary of cloud characteristics.
Cloud Boutique - Explanation and detailed pictures of basic cloud formations.
Clouds From Space - Satellite imagery of a variety of cloud types.
Snow Crystals - Site dedicated to the description and understanding of how snowflakes form.
Questions and Answers About Snow
- The National Snow and Ice Data Center.


Pressure and Wind

The Wind .... Air in Motion - Basic information on the causes and characteristics of wind.
United States Wind Statistics
Coriolis Effect
- Animation and explanation.
United States Wind Chill Statistics
United States Pressure Statistics
United States Pressure Change Statistics

Topographic and Geologic Maps

Discovering Maps
Reading Topographic Maps
A guide to Topographic Map Symbols
Landforms on Topographic Maps
Reading Geologic Maps
Maps of National Parks and Monuments

Coastal Processes and Coastal Landforms

Hurricane Impacts on the Coastal Environment (USGS)
Evaluation of Erosion Hazards (FEMA)
Coasts in Crisis (USGS)

Water Resources

USGS Groundwater Atlas
USGS Water Use Home Page
Locate Your Watershed (EPA)
Drinking Water's Hidden Dangers (USA Today)

Water on Tap (EPA)

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