Earth Science: Unearth the Best Web Sites
Earth science, also known as geoscience, is the study of Earth as a system and all its component parts. Geophysics, oceanography, atmospheric science, geology, and more all fall within its purview. There’s no need to be overwhelmed, however. Earth science inspires some of its brightest minds to share their enthusiasm and expertise online. This Web guide showcases the best sites to explore the sky above you and the depths beneath your feet.
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Expand All Guide SectionsWhat is Earth Science?
The broadness of Earth science as a discipline invites much confusion, lending to the erroneous notion that Earth science is synonymous with geology or seismology. Below you’ll find help understanding what the discipline is, and what its fundamental principles, assumptions, and areas of focus are.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Earth science is a broad arena, and many scientists in it do not call themselves “Earth scientists.” Though the term “Earth science” is a good way to describe a large grouping of interrelated fields, if you’re having trouble finding specific information online, try focusing on a narrower discipline, such as geology or climatology. Some of the disciplines that fall under Earth science are:
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Geodesy
- Seismology
- Oceanography
- Meteorology / Climatology / Atmospheric Science
- Planetary Science
- Environmental Science
- Marine Sciences
- Earth science overlaps quite a bit with environmental science (in fact, the distinction can be downright murky). For more information on that other study of the world around us, find your way to the findingDulcinea Environmental Science Web Guide.
- Though you’ll rarely if ever find “Earth scientists” or “Earth science companies” in the professional world, the academic world tends to use the designation more often, and as a college major its popularity is quite substantial and growing. If you’re looking for Earth science resources beyond what we’ve included in this Web Guide, university departmental Web sites are a good bet, and are authoritative as well.
Dulcinea's Picks
The American Geophysical Union
provides a very basic and clear breakdown of the discipline through a discussion of what earth (and space) scientists actually do. Good for children (or adults who just want a quick rundown), this site is a decent first answer to the question, “What is Earth science?”
HowStuffWorks’
“Earth Science” channel is lively, educating you in the site’s traditional style through articles with intriguing titles in question form, such as “What causes the seasons?” This collection of all of the site’s Earth science–related areas is an entertaining and generally well-written database of answers to some of the most common questions you might have about the field.
Newton BBS
is a Web site of the U.S. Department of Energy; this simple but informative site has been online since the early 1990s. Use the “Ask A Scientist” feature in the “Environmental and Earth Science” section for answers to specific questions: browse nearly 20 years of archives, or submit your own question. All questions are answered by environmental and Earth science experts.
Who knew?
Earth Science Picture of the Day
is a quick and fun way to learn about Earth science in just a minute or two a day. Each beautiful picture is accompanied by a short but educational caption describing the specific phenomena on display.
Earth Science School Resources
Earth science is a great way to introduce young children to the scientific process as well as the world around them. It is also an interest that is easily fostered and developed for years to come, as the subject is expansive and by no means fully understood. Below are resources for students of all ages and the teachers that guide them.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Earth science can be a very hands-on subject. There are great online resources to help teachers plan lessons and projects, but time on a computer is no substitute for firsthand fieldwork and exploration.
- You don’t need the Grand Canyon or the Rockies to make substantive scientific observations; even city parks hold educational wonders. The sites below are useful even for the student or teacher in an urban setting.
- Though we’ve divided the following Picks into student and teacher resources, teachers would be wise to check out all the sites we’ve listed, as many of the student-oriented resources have materials for teachers as well.
Dulcinea's Picks
For resources for children and young adults …
Windows to the Universe
is a playful and superbly designed look at our universe. Adjust any educational page on this site for different levels by clicking the “Beginner,” “Intermediate,” or “Advanced” buttons at the top of the page; there’s a convenient “Spanish/English” language toggle button up there as well. Take a look at the “Our Planet” section to access the Earth science area, or scroll down for more fun features, including a “Science History Calendar.” Teachers should make sure to visit the useful “Teacher Resources” section.
NASA’s
Earth Science Enterprise “For Kids Only” page has various interactive activities and educational resources for children. However, the content isn’t especially tailored to beginning reading levels, so it might help if a parent or teacher guides younger students through the appropriate information and activities. Visit the “People” section for information on careers and educational/extracurricular programs in Earth science.
The GLOBE Program
(Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) unites students, teachers, and scientists on collaborative learning projects. To join the vast number of amateur scientists around the world contributing to our understanding of the Earth, start by exploring the pages For Students or take a look at past Projects. You’ll find help with data collection and organization, classroom projects, and more.
To find educational resources for teachers …
The Digital Library for Earth System Education
is a large database of educational resources and data sets for Earth science. It boasts a powerful search tool to help educators find the right resource according to keyword, grade level, standards, resource type, and source. Funded by the National Science Foundation, this database can be trusted for quality content.
Discovery Education’s
topical lesson plans are well documented and of exceptional professional quality. Look for plans organized by grade level; each one includes procedures, materials, a vocabulary list with audio, a suggested reading list, and lists professional/academic/government standards that it meets. All of the plans come in easy-to-print versions, too.
The National Ocean Service
, a program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is a robust resource for Earth science educators. Its educational materials are divided into “Kits,” “Stories,” and “Classroom” categories. For comprehensive treatments of large oceanographic topics, Kits include tutorials, lesson plans, and guides to other online resources. Stories are informative and rich with anecdotes drawn from case studies. The Classroom section is full of lesson plans that focus on inquiry-based, hands-on activities.
The American Geological Institute
(AGI) has a number of resources and teaching materials available for Earth science educators. The lessons and activities are well organized with goals clearly explained. Visit AGI’s EarthComm site for online geology curriculums tailored to whatever state you choose, giving you area-specific activities and information for the classroom.
For Earth science educator professional organizations …
National Earth Science Teachers Association
publishes a quarterly journal available online to all members; membership starts at $20 for one year. This nonprofit teachers’ organization aims to advance Earth science education and provides a strong community for teachers nationwide. Nonmembers won’t find a great deal of information or resources here but it is a respected and well-known organization in the field.
The National Association of Geoscience Teachers
serves as a good portal to the online and professional world of geoscience for educators. You’ll find links to numerous resources on and off the site, including the Journal of Geoscience Education, and information on membership and programs.
Earth Science News and Blogs
Earth science is an extremely active field, with many of its fundamental discoveries having taken place in just the last few decades or even years. New developments are coming in daily. Professionals and academics in the discipline also do quite a bit of field research in often exotic locales, and they like to write about it, a lot. Below you’ll find some of the best, but certainly not a comprehensive list, of news sites and blogs focused on Earth science.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Many print publications put article abstracts online for free, but require a paid subscription for full access. Ask the librarian at your university or your employer if they hold an institutional subscription; often this will allow free access.
- Many bloggers maintain a list of their favorite blogs in a sidebar, called a blogroll. This is a great way to further explore the mass of blogs far too big to list here. For more on how to find and evaluate blogs (and start your own), check out the findingDulcinea Blogs Web Guide.
- Though many of the news sites below are intended for a general audience, most of the blogs assume more than a basic knowledge of the subject. These blogs are great informal looks at the field for students and professionals, but the layperson shouldn’t expect to understand everything on them.
- In addition to the sites featured in this section, many scientific professional organizations, foundations, or institutes have their own news-tracking pages or links to resources for news in their respective fields.
Dulcinea's Picks
For Earth science news …
ScienceDaily
, voted as one of Popular Science magazine’s “Top 50 Web Sites,” brings an immense number of stories to the fore each day. Look to the “Earth & Climate” section for news and feature articles, multimedia, and book reviews. The journalism and presentation are both top notch.
The Discovery Channel’s
elegant site brings you some of the more interesting and engaging science news online, and this “Planet Earth” section is no exception. Read the featured stories or scroll down to find more news stories of interest. Visit the site’s Global Warming section for extensive coverage of the topic, or use the navigation bar near the top of the page to see content from its various sister sites, including the Science Channel.
Scientific American’s
online “Earth & Environment” section brings you a host of multimedia, blogs, research and political news, analysis, and expert opinion on the topic. SciAm may be “the oldest continuously published magazine” in America, but this Web site takes advantage of the latest Web design and technology.
Nature Geoscience
was first published in January 2008, making it one of the newest in the pantheon of science publications from Nature Publishing Group. Its Web site offers a wealth of journalism backed by the intellectual muscle of Nature Publishing. For even more Earth science, access relevant articles from all Nature publications at its Earth sciences page.
Geotimes
, published by the American Geological Institute, reports on the latest in geoscience and policy. Along with quality journalism, many of the articles include further Web resources and information.
For Earth science blogs …
Highly Allochthonous
is a playful and enthusiastic look at geoscience. Written by a postdoctoral student at the University of Johannesburg, it includes “geopuzzle” posts to test the readership’s geology skills, as well as great photographs from the author’s fieldwork in New Zealand and other exotic locales. Part of the greater ScienceBlogs site, you’ll find many links to other interesting geology and science blogs here.
All of My Faults Are Stress-Related
is aimed toward a more technically inclined audience. The author is a geology professor and it shows, as she elicits responses and interaction with her audience in polls, technical questions, and the like.
Geotripper
seems to focus a great deal on providing beautiful pictures of planetary features, field trips, or other geology-related things. Though most geology blogs often have fabulous images, Geotripper stands out with its consistency.
Earth Science Organizations
Despite its interdisciplinary nature, the world of Earth science has a surprising number of professional and academic organizations. These national and local societies exist to bring together professionals, students, academics, and educators from all corners of the Earth science field.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Many professional organizations’ Web sites tend to offer little content unless you’re a registered member. However, many do publish journals and magazines that can often be found online as well.
- Earth science research often involves enormous amounts of data, and thus Earth scientists tend to share a great deal of their observations and research. Below we’ve included some useful tools to find data on almost any Earth science phenomenon or topic.
- One of the first obstacles to advancing your career in Earth science might be confusion as to what opportunities and careers are available. Check out American Geological Institute’s Guide to Human Resources in the Geosciences for a primer on the types of opportunities available.
- For a host of tips and Web sites related to finding employment, visit the findingDulcinea Job Hunting Web Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For government organizations and sites …
The National Science Foundation
is not specifically an Earth science organization, but this Web site is a crucial resource to anyone in the scientific world. News, publications, funding information, and lots of resources for professionals and students are all easily accessible from the top navigation bar.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
acts as the United States’ steward of the seas and air. The site is neatly organized by the ecosystems and activity NOAA regulates and the types of research it conducts, with each section accessible by a button near the top right of the page. Besides research information, you’ll find links to the services the administration provides, such as the National Weather Service.
For Earth science professional and academic organizations …
The American Geological Institute
has one of the best-looking and informative sites of all the professional organizations listed here. This federation of 44 separate organizations has its hands in every pot, dealing with education, professional development, and policy. Look for links to all its activities and the many online resources it offers, including an “Earth Science World Image Bank,” data repositories, and resources and materials for educators.
The Association for Women Geoscientists
doesn’t have the best-looking site, but despite the lack of flair there is a good amount of content to be found here, including information on all the programs AWG offers. Addressing the longtime problem of a lack of encouragement of and engagement with minorities and women in the scientific world, this organization seeks to promote the presence and success of women in geoscience and help bring in a new generation of female scientists.
The Geological Society of America’s
site can be a bit crowded but a few clicks bring you to a bevy of resources. Students will find information on a large number of grants, intern and employment opportunities, and mentoring. There are also many tools on the site for educators and professionals. Membership costs $30 for students, teachers, and affiliates (nonscientists); and $70 for professionals. Rates are sharply discounted for those living in countries classified as other than high-income by the World Bank.
For databases and data resources …
Global Change Master Directory
is a powerful tool to access data sets on Earth science from a large number of different sources. Easily browse or search the directory; every entry includes a description of the data set, a summary, and links to the original source.
NASA’s
Earth Observatory is a very user-friendly data resource for the student, teacher, amateur earth scientist, or just those curious about the world. The site has a wealth of data from which you can build time-lapse animations, as well as features on different phenomena, problems, and news from around the world. Don’t miss the glossary feature near the top of each page; turn it on to get definitions of technical words.
National Geophysical Data Center
is a no-nonsense source of global data. Not designed for an amateur audience, the site has a lot of technical information and esoteric but powerful data sets.
Nationalatlas.gov
brings you all kinds of maps of the United States full of historical, geophysical, and other types of data. Customize the maps, make them interactive, and order wall-size versions. Also download data from the site for use in your Geographic Information System (GIS) applications, programs designed to create and exploit layered interactive maps. It’s a shame the site’s data covers only the United States, as the tools here are easy to use and very powerful.
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