Landforms Links for Students to Explore


All websites are appropriate for students except for those marked as teacher-only. 

Kite Aerial Photography

URL:  arch.ced.berkeley.edu

Description:  Charles C. Benton of Berkeley, California, has refined the craft of taking aerial photographs from a kite. Learn more about how he does this and see the results at this Web page.

USGS Science Education Website

URL:  www.usgs.gov

Description:  Explore things on, in, around, and about Earth, such as plants and animals, land, water, and maps. Shows how biology, geology, hydrology, and geography help us understand our changing world.

Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University Of Texas Library Online

URL:  www.lib.utexas.edu

Description:  Includes a great variety of digitized maps from around the world, including national parks and state maps.

USGS Publications Online

URL:  pubs.usgs.gov

Description:  Provides access to a variety of electronic documents from the U.S. Geological Survey. Includes the Geologic Time and Fossils, Rocks, and Time brochures.

USGS Topographic Maps

URL:  topomaps.usgs.gov

Description:  The USGS sells nearly 70,000 topographic map titles.

The National Map Viewer

URL:  viewer.nationalmap.gov

Description:  This site provides access to the National Map directly from USGS. Create all sorts of maps and add layers, view digital elevation models, and more. A fast Internet connection is required.

VolcanoWorld

URL:  volcano.oregonstate.edu

Description:  A great resource for information about volcanoes.

Earthquakes for Kids

URL:  earthquakes.usgs.gov

Description:  A great site from the U.S. Geological Survey with all sorts of information about earthquakes, including the science of earthquakes, science fair project ideas, puzzles and games, and information about the latest earthquakes

Grand Canyon Explorer

URL:  Description:  A large resource of information about the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas.

American Experience: Hoover Dam

URL:  www.pbs.org

Description:  A PBS website devoted to the film entitled “Hoover Dam.” Rising more than 215 meters (700 feet) above the raging waters of the Colorado River, it was called one of the greatest engineering works in history. This website includes information about the film, people and events, a timeline, maps, and a teacher guide that supports the film. Includes a teacher guide.

Google Earth

URL:  www.google.com

Description:  Download free software that allows you to view satellite images covering the entire globe. You can fly through landscapes, and you can even tilt the Earth's surface so you can see mountains, and even Grand Canyon, in profile.

Yellowstone National Park

URL:  www.nps.gov

Description:  Find loads of information about Yellowstone National Park at this National Park Service website. Topics include nature and science, for kids, education, and facts.

U.S. Geological Survey/Geography

URL:  geography.usgs.gov

Description:  From here you can learn more about USGS aerial photographs and satellite imagery, as well as locate resources for ordering publications and photographs.

Careers In The Geosciences

URL:  www.agiweb.org

Description:  Includes brochures, articles, profiles, and links to information about careers in the geosciences.

Association Of American State Geologists

URL:  www.stategeologists.org

Description:  Includes links to websites and information from the various state geological surveys.

EROS Data Center

URL:  eros.usgs.gov

Description:  Information about maps and aerial photographs of the U.S. that are available for purchase.

Wonderwise: Women in Science Learning Series

URL:  wonderwise.unl.edu

Description:  Introduces you to women who have made science their career. You can take several field trips, including space geology, African plant exploration, and urban ecology.

Geology Fieldnotes: Carlsbad Caverns National Park

URL:  www.nature.nps.gov

Description:  Learn about the geologic history and environment of Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. This site National Park Service website includes maps, a photo album, other links and resources, a glossary of terms, and teacher features.

Sediment Spews from Connecticut River

URL:  earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Description:  Nearly a week after Hurricane Irene drenched New England with rainfall in late August 2011, the Connecticut River was spewing muddy sediment into Long Island Sound and wrecking the region's farmland just before harvest. The Thematic Mapper on the Landsat 5 satellite acquired this true-color satellite image on September 2, 2011.

Surveyor's Basic Tools

URL:  www.surveyhistory.org

Description:  One of the main tasks of a surveyor is to measure the surface of the Earth.  Check out some early tools used by the surveyor and find out about their purpose and uses.

The Colorado River in Grand Canyon: How Fast Does It Flow?

URL:  water.usgs.gov

Description:  Opening the jet tubes at Glen Canyon Dam on March 26, 1996, released from Lake Powell a controlled flood of water that traveled down the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. How fast did the water move? How long did it take for water to reach a particular point along the river?

U.S. National Parks Page

URL:  www.us-national-parks.net

Description:  Provides information on all U.S. national parks. Includes information that will be of assistance in planning a trip or obtaining data about a park.

Ranger Minutes

URL:  www.nps.gov

Description:  Ranger Minutes are short audiocasts or videocasts in which a park ranger shares interesting stories and information about Grand Canyon National Park. Teachers may want to review this first so they can point students to related videos.

Rivers of Life

URL:  easyscienceforkids.com

Description:  Rivers of Life is a place where students can find a variety of information about rivers from around the world.

EarthExplorer

URL:  earthexplorer.usgs.gov

Description:  Search for digitized aerial photographs for your area, using either a map, key word, or with latitude and longitude

Earth from Space/Water Habitats

URL:  earth.jsc.nasa.gov

Description:  Search this NASA website for images and information about Earth's various water habitats. Photos are aerial views taken from the Space Shuttle.

Careers in the Geosciences

URL:  guide.agiweb.org

Description:  The American Geological Institute has included an online version of their pamphlet concerning earth science careers. It also includes addresses to connect with for more information.

Cascades Volcanoes Images

URL:  vulcan.wr.usgs.gov

Description:  The U.S.G.S. Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington maintains a website with up-to-date information about volcanoes in the northwestern United States and around the world.

Flight Into Grand Canyon

URL:  www.nps.gov

Description:  This animated flight is the product of a partnership between NASA, the NPS, and the USGS, and is a part of the NPS Views Project created for a soon to be released Grand Canyon geology module.

I Know That: Science Lab

URL:  www.iknowthat.com

Description:  This is a great site for activities, animations, simulations and other resources related to the human body, sounds, matter the solar system, weather and other science topics to supplement sound.

U.S. Geological Survey

URL:  Description:  This is the site for the U.S. Geological Survey, a part of Department of Interior. It includes links to the various functions, activities and products of the Survey,

Digitally-shaded Relief Map of the United States

URL:  pubs.usgs.gov

Description:  This map of the lower 48 states of the U.S. is a digitally enhanced, shaded relief map showing many of the significant landforms and physiographic provinces. You can download more information and a digitized version from this site. There is also a link to a map which includes geologic information.

Get Lost: The Compass Game

URL:  www.pbs.org

Description:  This PBS/Nova site includes an interactive game that lets you find your way with a compass. You can play it online if you have right plug-ins or download a Mac or Windows version.

I Was Wondering: Women's Adventures in Science

URL:  Description:  This project of the National Academy of Sciences showcases the accomplishments of contemporary women in science and highlights the varied and intriguing careers of some of today's most prominent scientists.

Career Profiles: Association of Women Geoscientists

URL:  www.awg.org

Description:  This site from the Association of Women Geoscientists includes career information plus profiles of many women who have made geoscience a career.

Making 3D Glasses

URL:  archive.todayDescription:  This site from the USGS includes directions for making your own pair of glasses for viewing special stereo images in three dimensions.

Color Landform Atlas of the United States

URL:  fermi.jhuapl.edu

Description:  This site includes a number of downloadable maps and satellite images for each state.

Geothermal Energy—Energy from the Earth's Core

URL:  www.eia.doe.gov

Description:  This site includes a variety of resources involving energy, including geothermal energy.

Park Geology Tour of National Parks

URL:  www2.nature.nps.gov

Description:  This site includes information about the geology of many U.S. National parks. Includes a geology photo database.

Hoover Dam: A National Historic Landmark

URL:  www.usbr.gov

Description:  This website about Hoover Dam is sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR). It includes the Story of Hoover Dam, Education Information, and notes about visiting Hoover Dam. Adult guidance may be needed.

Schoolyard Geology: U.S. Geological Survey

URL:  education.usgs.gov

Description:  Use resources from the U.S. Geological Survey to create a map of your schoolyard using aerial photographs and try other geology-related activities.

How a sand and gravel quarry works

URL:  www.virtualquarry.co.uk

Description:  Watch a short video of a sand and gravel quarry and see how these earth materials are separated. 2.8 MB file to download.

Control Data and Monuments (Information about Benchmarks on Topographic Maps)

URL:  mapserver.mytopo.com

Description:  Wondering what some of those different symbols mean on topographic maps, especially the different ones for benchmarks? Check out this website for more information.