Constructive Forces of Mountain Building Activity Source: Esri. Adapted with permission. Materials Computer with internet access Procedure 1. Start the map at http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?useExisting=1. 2. Explore: Does North or South America have the biggest mountain range? Click Modify Map, and then click the Contents button. Click the Rocky Mountains bookmark, then click the Andes Mountains bookmark for closer examination. Compare and contrast the Andes and Rockies. Measure the Rocky Mountains and the Andes Mountains. [Read More]

Cracked Plates & Tectonics Activity Source: Adapted with permission by Esri. In this activity, you’ll investigate dynamics in Earth’s crust that explain multiple Earth science phenomena. For the full activity, go to http://esriurl.com/ESW2016. Materials A computer/projector with internet connection Take these “tech tips.” Measure: At the top of the map, click the Measure button. Hover and click the Distance button. Click continuously along what you want to measure. Double-click to finish. [Read More]

Parks Past, Present, and Future Activity Source: Adapted with permission by National Park Service. Over Earth’s 4.5 billion-year history, tectonic upheavals and colliding plates formed mountain ranges and carved out basins. Forces of erosion and weathering have been at work to break down these landforms. Records of these processes are imprinted on the land and define distinctive landscapes around the United States and in its national parks. The dynamic processes that formed the spectacular landscapes of many national parks remain active today. [Read More]