Background Information for Teachers
Plate Tectonics
This Dynamic Planet Teaching Companion
Students use fossil evidence and other clues to piece together the continents before the supercontinent Pangaea drifted apart, make a plate tectonic model of Earth with a tennis ball, and more.
This Dynamic Earth: the Story of Plate Tectonics
"This Dynamic Earth" is one of the most recommended and referenced primers on plate tectonics. Topics include a history of the theory, scientific developments that spurred its development, the mechanics of plate motions, and the relationship of hotspots to plate tectonic theory. A companion best-selling map, "This Dynamic Planet", is also available online or in print.
This Dynamic Planet: A World Map of Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Plate Tectonics
Plate tectonics are fully illustrated on this best-selling world map (a companion to "This Dynamic Earth: the Story of Plate Tectonics") showing the locations of plate boundaries, volcanoes, earthquakes, and impact craters. Detailed ocean floor bathymetry and discussions of fundamental components are also featured. A paper version is available for purchase or the map can be downloaded free in PDF format.
Some Unanswered Questions: What Drives The Plates?
This page from the This Dynamic Planet Web site addresses the processes associated with heat flow and convection in the Earth.
The Interior of the Earth
An introductory guide to what is known about the interior of our planet.
A Brief Introduction to Geomagnetism
The USGS uses ground-based observatories to provide continuous records of the Earth's magnetic field variations. This simplified description uses images and a time-lapse animation to explain phenomena created by the magnetic field that can be easily monitored and studied.
The North America Tapestry of Time and Terrain
Reveals the geologic history of North America through the interrelation of rock type, topography, and time. Regional surface processes as well as continent-scale tectonic events are exposed in the three dimensions of space and the fourth dimension, geologic time.
Minerals
Mineral Commodity Fact Sheets
Two-page, easily-understood fact sheets about important mineral commodities. Learn where each mineral comes from, how it's used, and why it's important
Mineral Resource of the Month
How is a specific mineral used in the United States? How much of that mineral is produced? These questions are answered in this series of two-page articles written for over sixty different minerals.
Karst
USGS Karst Web site
Information about USGS research on karst aquifers, which are a vital ground-water resource in the United States.
