Use this page as a short cut to the links you'll need to complete the WebQuests found in An Explorer's Guide to the Earth System (EGES) by Ellen Metzger. These WebQuests require that you synthesize and apply information from several sources to answer a question or solve a problem. For more specific directions, refer to your EGES workbook. Good luck!

Exploring the Planets
The National Air and Space Museum's on-line gallery of planetary exploration.


The Nine Planets
A multimedia tour of the solar system by Bill Arnett.

General Background:


This Dynamic Earth
This on-line booklet from the United States Geological Survey is an excellent source of basic information about the theory of plate tectonics and how it was developed.

Geologic Hazards:

United States Geological Survey (USGS) Volcanic Hazards Program
Lots of information about the nature, location, and effects of volcanic hazards. Discussion of the monitoring and prediction of volcanic eruptions.

USGS Geologic Hazards Team (Earthquakes/Geomagnetic/Land)
Global earthquake activity, earthquake science, and seismic hazard reduction. The site also features information about geomagnetism and landslides and interactive national seismic hazard maps.

Natural Hazards Data from NOAA's National Data Centers
Data and imagery for tropical cyclones, volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis.


For information about St Louis: St. Louis University Earthquake Center
Seismic activity, past and present, in the New Madrid Seismic Zone of the central United States.


The Mississippi Valley - "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On"
A fact sheet from the United States Geological Survey about the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812 and actions being taken to reduce loss of life and property from future earthquakes in the central Mississippi Valley.


Center for Earthquake Research and Information, University of Memphis
An excellent source of information about earthquake basics and seismic activity in the central United States.


For information about Seattle:


USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
Learn about volcanoes and volcanic hazards in the Cascades.


Pacific Northwest Earthquake information
Pacific Northwest earthquake activity and hazards from the Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network.


Mt. Rainier - Living with Perilous Beauty
Read about the "most dangerous volcano in the United States" and how an eruption might affect the Seattle area.

NOAA's El Niño Theme Page
Extensive background information with good graphics, as well as links to prediction pages.


NOVA On-Line: Tracking El Niño Site
More good background information. Some of the articles are a few years old (referring to the late 1990s El Niño event), but this site is full of readable articles on all aspects of El Niño and La Niña.


Ocean Surface Topography From Space
How satellite observations help scientists understand El Niño/La Niña.


University of Illinois Weather World 2010 Project
A comprehensive instructional module about El Niño, its impacts, and methods for detecting and predicting El Niño events.

Write a letter to the President explaining why you think the United States should or should not support international treaties to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Background Information:
To find out about the believer's point of view see:


Union of Concerned Scientists
A comprehensive scientific treatment of climate change with the theme "global warming is real and underway".

To find out about the skeptic's point of view see:

George Marshall Institute
Emphasis on uncertainties in temperature data and computer modules used to predict climate change.

What Killed the Dinosaurs?
This site from the University of California Berkeley's Museum of Paleontology is filled with paleontological details that probably won't be in your paper, but are useful for evaluating extinction hypotheses.


Dinosaur Extinction
From Enchanted Learning. Fairly straightforward language, moderately thorough content. Also examine the other three main links at this page (short titles: K-T, Other, and Studying).


The Deccan Traps Volcanism-Greenhouse Extinction Theory
A site from Dewey McLean. Professor Emeritus in the Department of Geological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Much (but not all) of the science is fairly technical. The site includes an interesting description of the political aspects of the K-T extinctions debate.