Quick overviews of the Earth science topics that are explored in greater detail in each individual region of the United States, along with other related [email protected] resources.
Minerals
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- Mineral resources of the southeastern U.S.: Blue Ridge and Piedmont, Inland Basin, Coastal Plain.
- Mineral resources of the south-central U.S.: Central Lowland, Interior Highlands, Coastal Plain, Great Plains, Basin and Range.
- Mineral resources of the southwestern U.S.: Colorado Plateau, Basin and Range, Rocky Mountains, Great Plains.
- Mineral resources of the western U.S.: Basin and Range, Columbia Plateau, Rocky Mountains, Cascade-Sierra Mountains, Pacific Border, Alaska.
- Mineral resources of Hawai'i.
Rocks
Overview of the three major groups of rocks (sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic), examples of each, and introduction to the rock cycle.
Introduction
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- Rocks of the northeastern U.S.: Inland Basin
- Rocks of the southeastern U.S.: Blue Ridge and Piedmont, Inland Basin, Coastal Plain.
- Rocks of the south-central U.S.: Central Lowland, Interior Highlands, Coastal Plain, Great Plains, Basin and Range.
- Rocks of the southwestern U.S.: Colorado Plateau, Basin and Range, Rocky Mountains, Great Plains.
- Rocks of the western U.S.: Basin and Range, Columbia Plateau, Rocky Mountains, Cascade-Sierra Mountains, Pacific Border, Alaska.
- Rocks of Hawai'i
- Virtual Collection of rocks (3D models)
Plate tectonics
Fossils
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- Fossils of the midwestern U.S.: Superior Highland, Central Lowland, Inland Basin.
- Fossils of the northwest-central U.S.: Central Lowland, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Columbia Plateau, Basin and Range.
- Fossils of the southeastern U.S.: Blue Ridge and Piedmont, Inland Basin, Coastal Plain.
- Fossils of the south-central U.S.: Central Lowland and Interior Highlands, Coastal Plain, Great Plains, Basin and Range.
- Fossils of the southwestern U.S.: Colorado Plateau, Basin and Range, Rocky Mountains, Great Plains.
- Fossils of the western U.S.: Basin and Range, Columbia Plateau, Rocky Mountains, Cascade-Sierra Mountains, Pacific Border, Alaska.
- Fossils of Hawai'i.
- Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life
- Virtual Collection of fossils (3D models)
Climate
Introduction to climate, including what climate is, past climate, present climate of the United States, and future climate.
Introduction
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- Climate by region: Midwestern U.S., northwest-central U.S., southeastern U.S., south-central U.S., southwestern U.S., western U.S. (contiguous states), Alaska, Hawai'i.
- Digital Encyclopedia: Why talk about climate change?, What is Climate, Evidence for and Causes of Recent Climate Change,Climate Change Mitigation
- Climate and Energy FAQ's
- Changing Climate: Our Future, Our Choice (online exhibit)
- Paleontological Research Institution Climate Change & Energy Education
- Playlists on PRI's YouTube channel:
Glaciers
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- Glaciers by region: Midwestern U.S., northeastern U.S., northwest-central U.S., south-central U.S., western U.S.
Energy
Introduction to energy, including definition of energy, fossil fuel types and their extraction, renewable energy, and the future of energy.
Introduction
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- Energy in the midwestern U.S.
- Energy in the northwest-central U.S.: Central Lowland, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Columbia Plateau and Basin and Range.
- Energy in the southeastern U.S.: Blue Ridge and Piedmont, Inland Basin, Coastal Plain.
- Energy in the south-central U.S.: Central Lowland and Interior Highlands, Coastal Plain, Great Plains and Basin and Range.
- Energy in the southwestern U.S.: Colorado Plateau, Basin and Range, Rocky Mountains, Great Plains.
- Energy in the western U.S.: Basin and Range, Columbia Plateau and Rocky Mountains, Cascade-Sierra Mountains and Pacific Border, Alaska.
- Energy in Hawai'i.
- Climate and Energy FAQ's
Earth Hazards
Introduction to major types of Earth hazards, including natural disasters like earthquakes, tornados, and floods.
Introduction
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- Earth hazards by region: Southeastern U.S., south-central U.S., southwestern U.S., western U.S., Hawai'i.
Topography (coming soon)
Coming soon: introduction to topography.
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- Topography of the southeastern U.S.: Blue Ridge and Piedmont; Inland Basin; Coastal Plain.
- Topography of the south-central U.S.: Central Lowland, Interior Highlands, Coastal Plain, Great Plains, Basin and Range.
- Topography of the southwestern U.S.: Colorado Plateau, Basin and Range, Rocky Mountains, Great Plains.
- Topography of the western U.S.: Basin and Range, Columbia Plateau, Rocky Mountains, Cascade-Sierra Mountains, Pacific Border, Alaska.
- Topography of Hawai'i.
Geologic History (coming soon)
Coming soon: introduction to geologic history.
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- Geologic history by region: Midwestern U.S., northeastern U.S., northwest-central U.S., southeastern U.S., south-central U.S., southwestern U.S., western U.S. (including Alaska), Hawai'i.
Resources
Quick overviews of the Earth science topics that are explored in greater detail in each individual region of the United States, along with other related [email protected] resources.
Resources
Dig deeper
- Resources by region: Midwestern U.S., northwest-central U.S., southeastern U.S., south-central U.S., southwestern U.S., western U.S. (including Alaska), Hawai'i.