Earth Science Collection

Founded in 1984 with support from the National Science Foundation, IRIS is a consortium of over 100 US universities dedicated to the operation of science facilities for the acquisition, management, and distribution of seismological data. This weblink is directed to their education and public outreach resources.

POLENET (The Polar Earth Observing Network) is a global network dedicated to observing the polar regions in a changing world. The project is focused on collecting GPS and seismic data from autonomous systems deployed at remote sites spanning much of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. GPS and seismic measurements together provide a means to answer critical questions about ice

This website is an overview of the TAMSEIS project addressing the questions of the Transantarctic Mountain origins and the structure of the East Antarctic craton.

This website is an overview on the Transantarctic Mountains with information on geography, geology, mechanisms for formation, issues, and additional references.

The Roof at the Bottom of the World: Discovering the Transantarctic Mountains comprehensively documents the 1,500-mile length of the Transantarctic Mountains. It is the first atlas of the most remote mountain range on Earth. The presentation is historical, following a narrative of the voyages and traverses of those parties that were first to behold new lands.

The Transantarctic Mountains are an extreme example of rift flank uplift, extending over 3500 km across Antarctica and reaching elevations up to 4500 m (see map of the region). The mountain range was formed in the extensional environment associated with the breakup of Gondwanaland. Geological and geophysical work has shown that the Transantarctic Mountains developed along a long-lived lithospheric boundary

National Earth Science Teachers Association website, Windows to the Universe, presents the basics on mountain building processes.

A one hour webinar by Dr. Samantha Hansen on geology and seismology in Antarctica as part of a webinar series for IRIS Core Programs. (www.iris.edu)

A poster by PolarTREC alum Dan Frost describing the integration of Arctic research into secondary education through a field season in Svalbard. It details possibilities for curriculum building and outreach through Arctic field work experience.

PolarTREC teacher Bruce Taterka's expedition to Toolik Field Station is featured in a local paper.

The Yale Climate Forum released this YouTube video on Permafrost in 2013. The causes and effects of melting permafrost are explained and linked to larger phenomena. Visit the Yale Climate Forum Website to learn more.

Chicago Tribune article describing PolaTREC teacher Mark Buesing's expedition to Greenland with NASA's Operation IceBridge.

Article about earth science and environmental science teacher Mike LeBaron's expedition to Antarctica as part of the WISSARD project (Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling) at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Article describing PolarTREC teacher Mark Buesing's upcoming expedition to Greenland in April to participate in NASA’s Operation IceBridge, a six-year mission to map polar ice.

Working at Terra Nova, Antarctica. This is the Italian Base where PolarTREC teacher Brian Dubay and his team continued their study of the Transantarctic Mountains.

Helicopter flights in Antarctica with annotations on specific geographic and geologic features.

National Geographic article about the WISSARD project that is studying subglacial lakes and streams in Antarctica.

The Gaston Gazette article outlining PolarTREC teacher Liz Ratliff's upcoming expedition to South Pole Station, Antarctica with the IceCube project.

This local TV interview is about PolarTREC teacher Liz Ratliff heading to South Pole Station, Antarctica to work with the IceCube project.

This one hour live event is hosted by PolarTREC teacher Mike LeBaron and his team studying sub-glacial lakes and streams. The team is at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. This event was part of the December 2012 Antarctica Day celebration. The team also speaks about the importance of the Antarctic Treaty and scientific investigations.

PolarTREC teacher Jacquelyn Hams' expedition is featured in Foundations: the Newsletter of the Geo2YC division of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers.

Flying through the Eisenhower Range, Priestley Glacier, and Mario Zuchelli

SpaceWeather.com is an excellent tool used to predict space weather events like the Northern Lights and solar activity levels.

Dr. Samantha Hansen and the team building and installing seismometers in Antarctica.

Overview

Students will conduct a soil study by investigating pH and water absorption.

Objectives

Students will learn: * How to describe the composition of soil and explain how it forms. * That soil is made up of tiny particles of rock, plant, and animal matter. * How to determine whether a solution is acidic, basic, or neutral. *