GEOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCE WEBSITES
Access these sites through your
computer’s Internet connection. Open the
underlined address (URL).
Information can be printed or downloaded to your computer. Be sure to follow links to other sites and
find your way back with the “Back” button.
Note that a gateway site is one that is mostly links to a very large
number of other sites on the topic. Also,
we note where we found broken links in our sampling of links within a
site. Teachers will need to replace these
links with their own.
All of the sites listed were
active as of
Note: The abbreviation USGS refers to the United States Geological Survey.
For additional sites, please
refer to the Earthquakes and Volcanoes website list. http://www.cumbavac.org/Earthquakes_Volcanoes.htm
Websites
ADVENTURES AT DRY CREEK
http://www.teachersfirst.com/getsource.cfm?id=4044
“You and your students
are about to embark on an exciting scientific adventure based upon ongoing
research of UC paleontologists studying about life in
BRAINPOP – EARTH
SCIENCE
http://www.brainpop.com/science/earth/
Fun information and activities for students on earth
science. Sections: Plate Tectonics, Rock Cycle, Earth’s Atmosphere, Ozone, Air
Pollution, Weathering, Population Growth, Types of Rocks, Air Pollution
Advanced, Glaciers, Erosion, Weather, Earth’s Structure, Volcano, Water,
Crystals, Mountains, Ocean Floor, Groundwater, Ocean Currents, Mountain Types,
Mineral Identification, and Seasons.
Includes a short video for each section. Excellent
CAVES 
http://www.42explore.com/caves.htm
Basic information on
caves, links to more information and fun activities on caves. Includes links for teachers. Excellent
DISCOVER OUR EARTH http://atlas.geo.cornell.edu/education/“Here you will find a wide range of information related to the Earth sciences, accompanied by images, graphs, maps, and movies. In addition, you will find two Java-based, interactive data analysis and mapping tools that will allow customized access to a large variety of Earth science data sets that are used by research scientists. The first Java applet, called QUEST (Quick Use Earth Science Study Tool), has been designed and developed for high school and college students who are just beginning their study of Earth science. It has an easy-to-use interface that allows access to several key Earth science data sets. The second Java applet, GEOID, is more appropriate for advanced users. It provides a dynamic mapping interface and can be used to access all of the Earth science data sets made available by Cornell.” Best for senior high students. Outstanding. Excellent
EARTH INTRODUCTION 
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/earth.htm
“From the
perspective we get on Earth, our planet appears to be big and sturdy with an
endless ocean of air. From space, astronauts often get the impression that the
Earth is small with a thin, fragile layer of atmosphere. For a space traveler,
the distinguishing Earth features are the blue waters, brown and green land
masses and white clouds set against a black background.” Sections: Earth Statistics; Earth Movies; Views of the
Earth; The Moon; Earth’s Interior and Plate Tectonics; Earth From Space; Clouds
From Space; Terrestrial Impact Craters; Terrestrial Impact Structures; Chain of
Impact Craters; Terrestrial Volcanoes; Hawaiian Volcanoes; Valles Caldera, New Mexico;
Shrinking of Greenland’s Glaciers; IMAGE Spacecraft; Auroral Emissions;
Planetary Icosahedrons; Earth Image/Animation Gallery plus Earth Viewer and
Earth From Space. Excellent
EARTH SCIENCE WORLD
http://www.earthscienceworld.org/
An earth science gateway
site. Sections include: Image Bank,
Earth Data, Earth Science Week, Geoscience Careers, and Games. Also an Interactive Geological Time Scale. Click on Earth Science Week, then Teachers
for classroom activities and more.
Excellent
EARTHNET http://earthnet.bio.ns.ca/english/start_about.html
“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, geosciences
careers ... you can search on all these topics.”
Includes: Resources, Teachers, Activities, Q & As, Glossary, Dynamic Earth, and a Virtual Field Trip. Note: This is a Canadian site. The Activities are extensive. Excellent EXPLORATIONS THROUGH TIME – TEACHING MODULES
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explotime.html
A group of teaching
modules focusing on the history of life on Earth. Includes: Getting into the Fossil Record,
Understanding Geologic Time, and Stories from the Fossil Record. Excellent
FORCES OF NATURE – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/C003603/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on
the forces of nature such as earthquakes, droughts, tornadoes, landslides and
more. Sections: Info, Reality, Interact,
General and Forces. The Interact section
has photos, activities, quizzes and more.
Outstanding. Excellent
GEOLOGY JEOPARDY
http://www.sdnhm.org/kids/minerals/index.html
The familiar game show
online for kids with earth science topics.
Topics: Rocks-n-Minerals, Topography, Weathering & Erosion,
Tectonics, Astronomy and Meteorology.
Students choose the topic and the amount and must answer the
questions. Note: This site does not
provide the answers. Excellent
LAND
FORMATIONS LINKS 
http://www.suelebeau.com/landformations.htm
A page of links to sites for
students on land formations. Sections: Glaciers,
Mountains, Deserts and General.
Excellent
MIND-BOGGLING LEARNING ACTIVITIES ABOUT ROCKS
http://192.241.47.201/ourcommunities/rockology/types.htm
Three
learning activities on sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Excellent
MINERAL MATTERS
http://www.sdnhm.org/kids/minerals/index.html
Information for kids on
minerals. Sections: How to Identify
Minerals, Create a Collection, Mineral FAQs, Grow Your Own
MORE THAN SKIN DEEP –
A TEACHER’S GUIDE TO CAVES
http://www.nps.gov/ozar/skindeep.htm
A teacher’s guide on caves from the National Park Service with information on cave formation, geology, and ecosystems. Includes several classroom activities. Excellent
MOUNTAINS
http://www.42explore.com/mountain.htm
Basic information on mountains with extensive links and classroom activities. Includes links for teachers. Excellent
MUSICAL
PLATES – A STUDY OF EARTHQUAKES AND PLATE TECTONICS
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/musicalplates2/index.shtml
“Musical Plates is an Internet-based multidisciplinary project which will enrich a student's learning experience through "Unique and Compelling" applications of instructional technology. In particular, this project taps into some of the exciting applications of the Internet in education by having students access real time earthquake data, interact with experts online, and publish their own work to the project web site.” Excellent
NATURAL WONDERS OF THE WORLD VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP
http://www.field-trips.org/sci/natwon/index.htm
“In this tour we will
visit some of these Natural Wonders of the World. Along the way, you'll learn
about geography, geology and magnetic forces!”
A virtual tour of some of the world’s natural
wonders. Along the way students learn
about geologic processes. The Teacher’s
Resources section has links. Excellent
ROCKS AND MINERALS 
http://www.42explore.com/rocks.htm
Basic
information on rocks and minerals for students.
Includes activities and links.
Also includes links for teachers.
Excellent
“ROUND ROCKS” TEACHING THE PRINCIPLES OF
EARTH SCIENCE AND PALEONTOLOGY
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fosrec/AllGrif.html
An article on teaching earth science to teachers and high school students. “We present this approach to paleontology and earth science in an exercise we call "round rocks." The rocks we use are not necessarily round. Indeed, we stress (and we really do mean) that it should be possible to carry out the process with literally any rock in your backyard. The process consists of taking a rock in the hand and asking a single, simple question: "How did this rock come to be this way?" We present this exercise to two categories of audience: students (at grades 6-12) and teachers (K-12). Our one-hour presentations to students are intended to encourage them to begin to think in a new way. Our presentations to teachers are intended to encourage them to teach in a new way. During the main part of the exercise, we attempt to derive four basic principles. It is our contention that application of these four principles alone can lead to the successful interpretation of any geological hand specimen.” Excellent
ROCKHOUNDS WITH ROCKY
http://sln.fi.edu/fellows/payton/rocks/index2.html
A site for primary
students on rocks and rock hunting.
Sections: Rock Hound Collection Safety, Rock Collections, Digging for
Information, Discover Earth’s Treasures, Rock Hound Quiz and Pebbling Puzzles. Includes a lesson plan and activities. Excellent
SAVAGE EARTH
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/
A PBS site that examines the Earth and its sometimes violent changes. Sections: Hell’s Crust: Our Everchanging Planet, The Restless Planet: Earthquakes, Out of the Inferno: Volcanoes, and Waves of Destruction: Tsunamis. Includes a separate animation menu. Also Ask the Experts and Savage Sites (links). Each section includes articles and animations. Excellent
SEISMIC AND WAVE PROPAGATION PROGRAMS TO DOWNLOAD
http://www.geol.binghamton.edu/faculty/jones/jones.html#Computer%20Programs
Look at this site for
two simple programs to download to show measure seismic activity and wave
propagation. For senior students or
teachers. You can download both programs
for free from this site. Click on Computer
Programs in the list or scroll down the page.
Note: We downloaded the Seismic Eruption file and ran the program. Excellent
SOIL SCIENCE EDUCATION
http://ltpwww.gsfc.nasa.gov/globe/index.htm
Sections include: Soil
Basics, Soil & Society, Soil & the Environment, Working with Soil, Soil
& Students and Soil & Agriculture.
Also Every Soil Has a Story, Soil in the News, How Much Soil is There?,
Activity of the Month and more.
Excellent
SOILS 
http://www.42explore.com/dirt.htm
Basic information for students on soils. Includes activities and links. Includes websites for teachers with classroom activities. Excellent
THIS DYNAMIC EARTH:
THE STORY OF PLATE TECTONICS
http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/docs/usgsnps/pltec/pltec1.html
The story of plate tectonics from the USGS. Sections: Preface, Historical Perspective, Developing the Theory, Understanding Plate Motions, “Hotspots”: Mantle Thermal Plates, Some Unanswered Questions, Plate Tectonics and People and Endnotes. Excellent
THE
VIRTUAL CAVE
http://www.goodearthgraphics.com/virtcave.html
A virtual cave that students can explore online. “From the comfort of your
keyboard, browse the wonders of the underground! As a caver and photographer
for over 30 years, I've collected images from caves all over the world. This
site tells the story of caves in words and pictures: what's in them and how it
got there. Because caves are so diverse, I've split them into four underground
realms. Grab three sources of light, a helmet, some sturdy boots, and your
mouse, and have fun exploring - there LOTS to see! Please treat all caves with
respect as these fragile formations are easily damaged. Our motto is:
"cave softly." Excellent
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY HOME PAGE
The official site of
the USGS. Sections include: Spotlight,
Regional Information, Events, and Science Features. This is a vast site with a lot of educational
resources in the Education section.
Note: The link at the bar changes providing access to different
features. Excellent
ASK THE ANSWER WORM!
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/education/squirm/skworm.html
“It’s a dirty job but someone has to do
it--S.K.Worm, the official annelid, or worm, of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service answers students questions
about soil. Even their teachers can’t wiggle their way out of this one! Slither
your way through these soiled questions and earn a very special diploma. You
might even get hooked on Soil!” Very Good
THE DANGEROUS EARTH – A LEARNING MODULE
http://www.wiley.com/college/murck/index_old.html
Includes five exercises: What is Geology?, Subsidence and Collapse, Earthquakes, Tsunami!, and Volcanoes. Also Related Web Links. Very Good
DESERTS: GEOLOGY AND RESOURCES 
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/deserts/contents/
An online book from the USGS on deserts. Sections: What is a Desert?, How the Atmosphere Influences Aridity, Where Deserts Form, Types of Deserts, Desert Features, Eolian Processes, Types of Dunes, Remote Sensing of Arid Lands, Mineral Resources in Deserts, and Desertification. Very Good
THE DIRT ON SOIL: WHAT REALLY GOES ON UNDER THE
GROUND
http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/soil/
A
DOUGLAS HENDERSON’S EARTH HISTORY ILLUSTRATIONS
http://gallery.in-tch.com/~earthhistory/
An artist’s
illustrations of various time periods in Earth’s history. Click on Images on the left and then on the
time period. Very Good
THE DYNAMIC EARTH
A site from the
EARTH SCIENCE EXPLORER – EARTH FLOOR http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsys.htmlFun and colorful information for elementary students on earth science topics. Sections: Diversity, Adaptation, Plate Tectonics, Cycles, Spheres, Biomes, and Geologic Time. Each section has several sub-sections. Note: You need to apply for a password to enter the Teacher’s Lounge. Here is the link: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/teacher/teacher.html Very Good EARTH SCIENCES GATEWAY
http://www.psigate.ac.uk/newsite/earth-gateway.html
A gateway
to earth science information. Very Good
EARTH’S CHANGING SURFACE
http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/sciber00/8th/earth/sciber/intro.htm
An 8th grade
science Sci-ber text on the changing surface of the earth. Sections: Earth’s Atmosphere, Earth’s
Climate, Earth’s Surface, Obleck Activity, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Rock and
Roll, Igneous Rocks, Sedimentary Rocks, Weathering & Erosion, Metamorphic
Rocks, and Rock Formation Quiz. Also
Enrichment: Radioactive Lab and Radioactive Lab Answers. Very Good
EARTHFORCE http://sln.fi.edu/earth/earth.htmlExamines the forces with the Earth – both above and below the surface. Sections: Earthforce in the Core, Earthfore in the Crust, and Earthforce in the Water. Each has information and extensive links. Includes classroom activities. Very Good
FIELD DISPATCH – RACE TO THE CENTER OF THE
EARTH
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/caverace/week1/
Dispatches
from a National Geographic Society expedition to explore
FOSSILS, ROCKS AND TIME 
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/fossils/contents.html
An online book from the USGS on fossils and rocks. Sections: Introduction, Putting Events in Order, Scale, Rocks and Layers, Fossils and Rocks, Fossil Succession, and The Numeric Time Scale. Very Good
GEO MYSTERIES
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/index2.html
Children help Rex the
Dino solve geologic mysteries such as how can a rock float. There is also a Geologic Timeline, Fast FAQs
about Rocks and Fossils and Field Tips for Field Trips. Very Good
GEOLOGIC COOKBOOK
http://www.uky.edu/KGS/education/cookbook.html
Follow these tasty recipes for such goodies as
Trilobite Cookies, Cephalopod Celery, Layer-Cake Geology, Ammonites in a
Blanket and more. Very Good
GEOLOGIC RESOURCES OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/
“Geologic Resources of the National Parks
range from the world –renowned sculptured depths of
GEOLOGIC TIME
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/geotime/
An online book from the USGS on geologic time. Sections: Geologic Time, Relative Time Scale, Major Divisions of Geologic Time, Index Fossils, Radiometric Time Scale, and Age of the Earth. Very Good
THE GEOLOGY WING – EXHIBITS
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibit/geology.html
“Information in the
Geology Wing is organized so that you can explore either the stratigraphy,
ancient life, field localities or tectonics associated with each period of
time. Just click on the buttons to
access additional information in these categories.” Very Good
HOTLIST: EARTH
SCIENCE
http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/hotlists/geology.html
A “hotlist” from the Franklin Institute of links to
earth science websites. Sections: Online
Exhibits, General Geology, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Rocks & Minerals,
Ecosystems, Aquatic Ecosystems, Background Information and Facts, Images, and
Teacher Resources. Very Good
JUNIOR ROCKHOUND ONLINE MAGAZINE 
http://www.canadianrockhound.com/junior/index.html
A good
site for upper elementary students on rocks and minerals. Sections: Rocks & Minerals, Geology of
the Earth, Fossils, Mining, Field Trips & Safety, Books and Web Links. Very Good
MRS.
BARRETT’S ROCK RESOURCES
http://www.suelebeau.com/rocks.htm
A page of links to websites about
rocks. Very Good
THE MYSTERIOUS LIFE OF CAVES 
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/caves/
A NOVA site on
caves. Sections: The Lives of
Extremophiles, Journey Into Lechuquilla, Jewel of the Underground and How Caves
Form (last 2 are interactive). Very Good
PUZZLES OF THE EARTH – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/17701/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site examining
plate tectonics, crustal movement and more.
Includes an interactive game and a quiz.
Very Good
ROCK DOCTOR
http://www.cobweb.net/~bug2/rock1.htm
Basic
information on rocks and minerals. Sections: Minerals, Sedimentary, Igneous,
Metamorphic, Earth’s Interior, Seismology, Big T’s World. Very Good
ROCK DOCTOR’S GUIDE TO MINERAL IDENTIFICATION
http://www.cobweb.net/~bug2/rock4.htm
A site for
elementary students on mineral identification from brief descriptions of such
characteristics as color, streak, fracture/cleavage, hardness, luster, crystal
form, taste, specific gravity, magnetism, effervescence (fizz), birefringence,
and fluorescence. There is a Mineral
Flow Chart and a Mineral Quiz. Very Good
SAND 
http://www.paccd.cc.ca.us/instadmn/physcidv/geol_dp/dndougla/SAND/
“This web site is all about sand. It is a place where you can learn about
sand, see a variety of different kinds of sand, and look at sands from
different places around the world. We hope this virtual sand collection can be
used by many people in many different ways.”
Sections: About
Sand, Index to the Virtual Sand Collection, Looking at Sand, Sands of the
World, International Sand Collectors Society, Sand Discovery Kit (note: fee),
Poempage, and Links. Very Good
SANDS OF THE WORLD – AN
INTERACTIVE EARTH SCIENCE PROJECT
http://www.ed.uri.edu/homepage/projects/ocean/Sand4.htm
Examines sand from various sites around the world. Includes audio files of “singing” sands,
Sands of the World Sampler (close-up views of sand grains), Sand-sational
Facts, Sandy Sentiments, and Collect Data plus links. Very Good
TEACHER’S GUIDE TO THE GEOLOGY OF
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/atg.html
A web version of a
book for teachers on
VISIBLE EARTH
A large collection of
satellite images of Earth. Check out the
sections: Land Surface and Solid Earth for geological features. Very Good
A WONDERFUL WORLD OF MINERALS – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002744/adlm.html?tqskip1=1
A student-created site
on minerals. Sections: Minerals, Gems,
Birthstones, Growing
http://www.nps.gov/yose/education/index.htm
Information on
THE ABC’S OF PLATE TECTONICS
http://webspinners.com/dlblanc/tectonic/ptABCs.shtml
Includes Preface,
Remedial Reading and four Lessons (not lesson plans). Good
AQUIFERS
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthgwaquifer.html
Information on aquifers,
how they are formed and how we use them.
Good
THE ARMCHAIR CAVER
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/arthur.vause/
Photo tours of six caves: Gaping
Gill,
ASK-A-GEOLOGIST 
http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/ask-a-geologist/
Students can email a geologist a
question. Before doing so, they need to
check the already asked and answered questions.
Good
ASK AN EARTH SCIENTIST
http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/ASK/askanerd.html
A site where students can
ask an earth scientist questions about his field. The questions and answers are archived so
students need to search them first, if they don’t find their question, they can
use the submission form. Good
BREAKUP OF GONDWANALAND
http://earth.leeds.ac.uk/~greg/Gond.html
An animation of the
breakup of the prehistoric continent Gondwanaland. Good
COLLECTING
ROCKS 
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/collect1/collectgip.html
A brochure from the USGS on rock collecting. Good
COLOR LANDFORM ATLAS OF THE UNITED STATES http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/states/nj_0.htmlIncludes 3-D maps, topographic maps and more. Good CONTINENTAL DRIFT ANIMATION
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/anim9.html
An animation showing the
drifting of the continents over geologic eras to their present positions. Use the Refresh button to play it again. Good
CONTINENTAL DRIFT WORD SEARCH GAME http://kids.mtpe.hq.nasa.gov/archive/pangaea/wordsearch.htmlA word search game on plate tectonics and continental drift. Good
CRATERS http://nasakids.com/SolarSystem/Meteors/Craters.aspInformation for students on craters. Includes a Make a Crater activity. Good http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/crystal.html
A simple classroom activity for elementary students in which they grow crystals. Good
THE DESERT CAVES PROJECT
http://www.saudicaves.com/index.html
“Sixty million years ago, a thick
layer of limestone was slowly formed at the bottom of a shallow sea. Today,
that same rock formation lies beneath the vast deserts of
EARTH SCIENCE GLOSSARY
http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/glossary/
A simple glossary of
terms in earth science. Good
THE EASTERN WATERFALL GUIDE
http://www.aria-database.com/waterfall/
Lists 150 waterfalls
in the eastern US. Includes photos and
descriptions along with locations and recommendations for visiting. Good