Analyzing Hurricanes Using Web and Desktop GIS Activity Source: ESRI, 2007. Adapted with permission. Background Hurricanes are among the most common and most destructive types of natural hazards on Earth. Because they occur across space and time, hurricanes can be better understood using maps, particularly digital maps within a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) environment. GIS allows you to use maps as analytical tools—not maps that someone else has made—but using your own maps to make decisions. [Read More]

Earth’s Magnetic Field Activity Source: Science Friday. Adapted with permission. If you found yourself in the middle of the ocean, do you think you could find your way home? Sea turtles can, thanks in part to Earth’s magnetic field! All around the surface of the Earth, there is a magnetic field generated by the planet’s large metallic core. The magnetic field varies in strength and direction from place to place, giving different locations unique magnetic “maps. [Read More]

Exploring Permafrost in the Arctic Activity Source: Written by AGI with the Natural Resources Conservation Service Permafrost, frozen ground lasting at least two years, is found in Earth’s coldest regions: the Arctic, boreal zones, Antarctica, and high-altitude areas. It profoundly impacts the plant, animal, and human communities in these regions. Permafrost underlies 15% of the northern hemisphere’s exposed land. It is prevalent across the Arctic and extends into areas like Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Russia, and the Tibetan Plateau. [Read More]

Exploring the Age of the Seafloor Activity Source: Written by AGI based on lessons by the International Ocean Discovery Program The Earth’s surface is made up of tectonic plates that fit together something like puzzle pieces, forming fault lines where they meet. There are seven major plates and some smaller ones. These plates move apart at divergent boundaries and collide at convergent boundaries. At transform boundaries, the plates slide past each other. [Read More]

Exploring Watersheds in North America Activity Source: Written by AGI for ESW 2024 Watersheds serve as natural drainage systems, collecting rainfall and channeling it towards a common outlet such as lakes, rivers, or oceans. The health of watersheds directly impacts the availability and cleanliness of water for drinking, agriculture, and ecosystems. Additionally, watersheds play a critical role in regulating water cycles, mitigating floods, and replenishing groundwater reserves. Understanding and managing watersheds is essential for sustainable water resource management and ecosystem conservation, ensuring the well-being of both human and natural communities. [Read More]

Mapping Your Soil Activity Source: Soil Science Society of America. Adapted with permission. The key properties of soil (physical, biological, and chemical) determine recreation, crop production, range, water/erosion conservation, forestry, and engineering uses of the soil. Soil surveys help us understand how soils differ and how they behave under various land management systems. The heart of a soil survey is the soil map showing the spatial distribution and variability of soils on the landscape. [Read More]