Chapter 1 Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Chapter 1 Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Plate tectonics:
A large and excellent site. The main section covers plate tectonics, sea-floor spreading, subduction zones, ‘hot spots’ and the ‘ring of fire’. In addition, there are eight detailed case studies of volcanoes and plate tectonics (including Iceland, S. America and Hawaii) and two detailed case studies of plate tectonics and the landscape (both in Washington State). Good maps and graphics, also. http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/PlateTectonics/framework.html

Earthquake information:
US Geological Survey site: details of all the latest earthquakes throughout the world; summaries of ongoing USGS earthquake research; explanations of earthquake hazards and how to prepare for them; and much more! http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/

Home page of VolcanoWorld:
A marvellous site! A huge database of facts, maps and pictures of the world’s volcanoes and volcanic eruptions (recent and historical); general information on volcanoes; news of the latest eruptions; good educational sections. http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vw.html

List of volcano and earth-science-orientated WebServers:
Links to the websites of the US volcano observatories and seismic networks; plus an excellent set of links to related sites. http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Servers/volcservers.html

Bardabunga - Grimsvotn eruption:
Very full details about the start and the ongoing life of this eruption, including information and pictures from the eruptions in August 1997 and December 1998. In addition to the volcanic information, it includes some comments on how human activities have been affected. A good personal site with lots of text as well as good pictures. http://www.geophys.washington.edu/People/Students/throstho/bardb96/bbgos96.html

*Latest Earthquakes:*
Check this site for a list the world’s most recent earthquakes and for a dot map of recent world earthquakes (click on each dot for detailed maps and facts); access links to earthquake distribution maps for the major regions of the world. Also contains general earthquake information and links. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/neis/bulletin/bulletin.html

National Earthquake Information Center Earthquake Lists:
A great source of earthquake statistics Guinness Book of Records-style, including the world’s largest earthquakes, most destructive earthquakes, etc. http://gldss7.cr.usgs.gov/neis/eqlists/eqlists.html

Kobe earthquake, 1995:
Five years after the great earthquake, this site records the social and economic rebuilding of Kobe, Japan. A marvellous, year-by-year archive that records in pictures, maps and statistics, the sudden devastation and then the gradual rebuilding of the city. http://www.city.kobe.jp/cityoffice/15/020/quake/index.html

Earthquake in Turkey, 1999:
Reports on the USGS 1999 Scientific Expedition to Turkey to investigate the Izmit earthquake. Presents the scientific background; the expedition’s field reports; photos, maps and other graphics; the aftershock forecast and event; and a list of references and links. http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/study/turkey/

Earthquake in Taiwan, 1999:
USGS Bulletin on the September 1999 earthquake in Taiwan. http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/bulletin/99_EVENTS/990920174719/990920174719.HTML