Cool Sites on
Geology!
Khan Academy – Earth Geological
and Climatic History
Geology Shop
What is the Earth made up of and how do we know? What causes the
seasons? Are there longer-ranging cycles in Earth’s climate?
A portfolio of some of the
best websites worldwide for
geologists, selected for you
by a professional geologist.
Annenberg Learner – The
Rock Cycle
Discover rock secrets through
these activities. Create a
rock collection as you learn
about the three main types
of rock, find out how to tell
the different rock types apart,
and see how rocks change
from one type into another!
OpenLearn – Geology
The Open University’s free
learning resources in the field
of Geology. You can explore
all sorts of videos and articles
as well as complete some
free courses.
Plate tectonics
Is it a coincidence that Africa and South America could fit like puzzle pieces? Why
do earthquakes happen where they do? What about volcanoes and mountains?
Are all of these ideas linked? Yes, they are. This tutorial on plate-tectonics explains
how and why the continents have shifted over time. In the process, we also
explore the structure of the Earth, all the way down to the core.
Seismic waves and how we know earth’s structure
How do we know what the Earth is made up of? Has someone dug to the core?
No, but we humans have been able to see how earthquake (seismic) waves have
been bent and reflected through our planet to get a reasonable idea of what is
down there.
Earth’s rotation and tilt
What causes the seasons? Even more, can Earth’s climate change over long
period just to “wobbles” in its orbit? This tutorial explains it all. You’ll know more
about orbits (and precession and Milankovitch cycles) than you ever thought
possible. Have fun!
National Atlas – Geology
MIT: Open Courseware
This site contains both
information and articles
about Geology but also a
wide range of geological
maps for you to view.
Introduction To Geology
This course introduces students to the basics of geology. Through a combination
of lectures, labs, and field observations, it will address topics ranging from
formation of the elements, mineral and rock identification, and geological
mapping to plate tectonics, erosion and climate engineering.
The Dynamic Earth
Special Topics in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences: The
Environment of the Earth’s Surface
A great variety of processes affect the surface of the Earth. Topics to be covered
are production and movement of surficial materials; soils and soil erosion;
precipitation; streams and lakes; groundwater flow; glaciers and their deposits.
The course combines aspects of geology, climatology, hydrology, and soil
science to present a coherent introduction to the surface of the Earth, with
emphasis on both fundamental concepts and practical applications, as a basis
for understanding and intelligent management of the Earth’s physical and
chemical environment.
Nearly 4.6 billion years
ago, within a vast cloud of
interstellar space, a small
pocket of gas and dust
collapsed under its own
gravity, and our Solar System
was born. In this interactive
experience, explore the
dynamic forces that formed
– and are continually
reforming – the Earth and
our Solar System.
12 | FUSE
Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
The department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences explores the
the solid earth, fluid earth, the biosphere, and their interactions, as well as
planetary science, solar system dynamics, and observational astronomy. You can
find a huge range of courses here, for free, ranging in difficulty. There really is
something for every budding geologist!
Geology Apps
GeoTime
Android – FREE
iGeology
iPad, iPhone, Android – FREE
Simple and easy to use OFFLINE geological time
scale. Relative time (chronostratic) subdivisions of the
Earth’s geology versus absolute time (chronometric)
in millions of years for the entire Phanerozoic. Some
basic information on climate, animals and geology are
included.
iGeology is for anyone who wants to explore their
local geology, at street-level scale, virtually anywhere
in the UK. Amateur geologists, walkers and gardeners
can look at what’s in their local area, to find out about
the rocks at the surface (superficial deposits) or the
bedrock beneath. Search on place names or the
postcode where you live, then click on the map and
reveal the rocks beneath your feet. iGeology will locate
your iPhone or iPad (if GPS is enabled) and zoom to
your location.
EarthViewer
iPad, iPhone – FREE
What did Earth’s continents and oceans look like
250 million years ago, or even 1 billion years ago?
What do we know about the climate back when our
planet formed? EarthViewer is like a time machine
for exploring Earth’s deep history. Based on the latest
scientific research, it lets you scroll through the last
4.5 billion years with your fingertips. Follow a favorite
landmark, be it Greenland or New York City, as its
position shifts through time, or watch a famous fossil
like Tiktaalik make an incredible journey from its origin
to its current location. Layer your view of shifting
continents with data on atmospheric composition,
temperature, biodiversity, day length, and solar
luminosity, to get a more complete view of our
dynamic planet.
Mineral Identifier
iPad, iPhone – FREE
Mineral Identifier is a app used for identifying minerals
using the optical properties of minerals, when studied
in thin section using an optical microscope. It is a great
tool for any budding Geology student which can save
a lot of time in identifying minerals and in looking
up optical properties of specific minerals. It works
by asking a series of questions which can be easily
answered when the mineral is studied in thin se