USGS Home Contact USGS Search USGS

Volcano Resources for Educators

USGS volcano fact sheets

Online versions of pamphlets and books

Volcanoes

This Dynamic Earth--the story of plate tectonics

This Dynamic Map - Third Edition

Monitoring Active Volcanoes

Volcanoes of the United States

Fire and Mud (Mount Pinatubo, Philippines)

Mount St. Helens: Past, Present, and Future

Eruptions of Hawaiian Volcanoes: Past, Present and Future

Traditional Books Available

This Dynamic Planet - Third Edition The long awaited third edition of the popular This Dynamic Planet map. The map is designed to show the most prominent features when viewed from a distance, and more detailed features upon closer inspection. The back of the map zooms in further, highlighting examples of fundamental features, while providing text, timelines, references, and other resources to enhance understanding of this dynamic planet. Both the front and back of this map illustrate the enormous recent growth in our knowledge of planet Earth. Yet, much remains unknown, particularly about the processes operating below the ever-shifting plates and the detailed geological history during all but the most recent stage of Earth's development. By Tom Simkin, Robert I. Tilling, Peter R. Vogt, Stephen H. Kirbey, Paul Kimberly, and David B. Stewart Cartography and graphic design by Will R. Stettner, with contributions by Antonio Villaseñor and edited by Katharine S. Schindle

This Dynamic Earth: the story of plate tectonics A beautifully illustrated color book that explains plate tectonics for non-scientists and describes the history of plate-tectonics research. 77 pages. By Jacquelyne Kious and Robert I. Tilling.

Tapping the Earth's Natural Heat A book that uses plain language and lots of color photographs and illustrations to describe the origins and uses of geothermal energy. Book includes numerous short essays including such topics as the history of geothermal energy, its use in Iceland, and geothermal development in Hawaii. By Wendell A. Duffield, John H. Sass, and Michael L. Sorey. (USGS Circular 1125) 63 pages. FREE!

Eruptions of Mount St. Helens: Past, Present, and Future
A lavishly illustrated book that describes in easy-to-understand language the historical eruptions at Mount St. Helens Volcano in Washington, with particular emphasis on the 1980 eruption. By Robert I. Tilling, Lyn Topinka, and Donald A. Swanson. 57 pages.

Eruptions of Hawaiian Volcanoes: Past, Present, and Future
A beautifully illustrated book that describes the eruptions of Hawaii's volcanoes. Includes many spectacular photographs of the features associated with Hawaii's volcanoes, such as lava lakes and lava fountains. By Robert I. Tilling, Christina Heliker, and Thomas L. Wright. 54 pages.

How to order these publications

Other Materials

Build a Model Volcano

* Ambrose Video distributes this video, but it was produced in conjunction with several organizations: Pacific Rim Co-Production Association, KCTS (Television Station: Seattle, Wash.), Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Television New Zealand, Nihon Hoso Kyokai, and Ambrose Video Publishing.

Visit The Learning Web
A USGS web site devoted to learning about earth science

Description of video programs

The Eruption of Kilauea, 1959-60. Call number: 220 (950) E786 1961
Film footage with sound of lava fountains and volcanoes in Hawaii. Illustrates some volcanic processes. Score won 1962 American Film Festival Award.

Inside Hawaiian Volcanoes. Call number: 220 (950) I564 1989
Joint venture by the Smithsonian Institution and the US Geological Survey. Contains mixture of animation, graphics, historic and present-day footage to explain Hawaiian volcanology. Well-rounded educational film for all levels. There is a Teacher's Guide for this video--its call number is (200) R290 no.89-685

Ten Years of Volcanic Activity in Alaska. Call number: (200) R290 no. 95-61
Compilation of Alaskan volcanic activity from 1983 through 1992.

Perilous Beauty: The Hidden Dangers of Mount Rainier. Call number: 220 (284) P474 1996
Explains volcanic activity and enormous landslides of the past as keys to reducing risk from Mount Rainier in the future. Uses computer animation, eruption footage, interviews with scientists, and vivid aerial and ground scenes of the mountain to demonstrate the nature of the hazards posed by Mount Rainier.

Manual for the Installation of Bench Marks on Active Volcanoes. Call number: (200) R290 no.93-176B
Shows various methods of measuring and monitoring active volcanoes. Demonstrates installation techniques for temporary and permanent bench marks in soft soil, hard rock, and soft rock. Also available as US Geological Survey Open-File Report 93-176A. Part B of open-file report is a 33 page manual.

Description of raw video

Footage of Parícutin Volcano in Michoacan, Mexico, 1945-1952
Early color motion picture footage without sound of the famous eruption of Parícutin volcano during the 1940's. Shows ash, pumice, steam, and volcanic bombs.

Cinemetraje de las Actividades del Volcan Parícutin, Michoacan, Mexico, 1945-1952
Spanish version of VHS 123.

August 18, 1992, Eruption of Crater Peak vent on Mount Spurr Volcano, Alaska
Record of the eruption taped from various aircraft.