Library Home > Research Guides > Geology > Geology Resources on the Web

Geology Resources on the Web

Directories of Geology Resources
Local Geology Resources
Geologic Maps
Online Journals
Government Agencies
Professional Societies
Specific Areas of Geology: Hydrology; Paleontology; Sedimentary Geology; Seismology; Volcanology

Directories of Geology Resources

A Guide to Doing Geology Research in HSU Library (http://library.humboldt.edu/~chadwick/geology.htm): A locally produced research guide tailored to Humboldt State University Library.
Geosciences Links on the Walter Geology Library web page (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/geo/links.html): From the University of Texas at Austin.
IPL2 - Interent Public Library 2 (http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/index.html): A subject directory of high quality websites selected by librarians. You may search the entire directory or click on the Earth Sciences link under Science and Technology.
Yahoo! - Science: Earth Sciences: Geology and Geophysics (http://www.yahoo.com/Science/Earth_Sciences/Geology_and_Geophysics/)

Local/Regional Geology Resources

GEOSPATIAL RESOURCES - Maps and Atlases: Northwestern California Maps: Geology (http://library.humboldt.edu/~rls/geospatial/nwcalmaps.htm#geologic): This page by Bob Sathrum, HSU's Natural Resources Librarian, focuses on geologic maps of Northwestern California..
California Geotour: An Index to Online Geologic Field Trip Guides of California (http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/geotour/): An interactive index of web pages of geologic field trip guides and related Web sites compiled by the California Geological Survey (CGS). Includes guides to Redwood National Park and Patrick's Point State Park.
HSU Department of Geology Home Page (http://www.humboldt.edu/geology/) National Information Service for Earthquake Engineering (NISEE) (http://nisee.berkeley.edu/): Located at UC Berkeley, NISEE has "guided discovery of significant earthquake engineering information resources" since 1972.
Northern California Earthquake Data Center (http://quake.geo.berkeley.edu/): A long-term archive and distribution center for seismological and geodetic data for Northern and Central California.
Northwestern California/Klamath Bioregion Environment Information Sources: Geology (http://library.humboldt.edu/~rls/NorCalEnv.htm#geology): By Bob Sathrum, HSU's Natural Resources Librarian, this page focuses on the Klamath region.
Living on Shaky Ground: How to Survive Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Northern California (http://www.humboldt.edu/shakyground/): A locally produced guide to earthquake preparedness which may also be downloaded as a Magazine.
Real-time Earthquake Map (http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latest.htm): A map showing earthquake activity over the past seven days or thirty days - see Quick Start and User Guide for tips. You can also view an animation of earthquake activity in the United States, including California and Nevada, over the past week.
Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group (http://www.humboldt.edu/rctwg/): From the homepage: "The Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group (RCTWG) is an organization of local, state and federal agencies, tribes, relief and service groups, land managers, and businesses from Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties. The group was formed in July 1996 to define the needs of local jurisdictions to mitigate the North Coast earthquake and tsunami hazard and to promote a coordinated, consistent mitigation program for all coastal areas." Tsunami evacuation maps and flyers are available for most of Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Home Page (http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/): This branch of the USGS conducts multidisciplinary scientific research in the coastal and offshore areas of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, and other US Pacific Islands; and in other waterways of the United States.

Geologic Maps

GEOSPATIAL RESOURCES - Maps and Atlases: Geologic Maps (http://library.humboldt.edu/~rls/geospatial/geolmaps.htm): This page authored by Bob Sathrum, HSU Natural Resources Librarian, is a rich resource of geologic maps.
USGS National Geologic Map Database (http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ngmdb/ngmdb_home.html): A collaborative effort of the USGS and the Association of American State Geologists, this database is a resource of maps and related data about geology, hazards, earth resources, geophysics, geochemistry, geochronology, paleontology, and marine geology. The site includes a searchable Geoscience Map Catalog as well as GEOLEX, a lexicon of geologic names.

Online Journals

Abstracts with programs - Geological Society of America: Available online for 1997 to date. Most earlier years may be found in print in HSU Library (QE1 G270).
AGU Journals (http://www.agu.org/journals/): Tables of contents of the journals published by the American Geophysical Union (AGU). You may sign up for a free subscription to E-Alert Service which will send new tables of contents via email. HSU Library subscribes to several AGU journals which may be located using the Journal and Newspaper Finder
EARTH (http://www.earthmagazine.org/): From the American Geological Institute, EARTH is the monthly news magazine for geoscience professionals and geoenthusiasts. Formerly known as Geotimes, EARTH covers research findings, industry trends, and developments in politics, education, and technology. Selected parts are available electronically. Older issues are archived at EARTH Archive.
Eos Electronic Supplement (http://earth.agu.org/eos_elec/): American Geophysical Union's online supplement to the Union's weekly newspaper. HSU Library has Eos in print (periodicals QE 500 A6) from 1969 to date.
Geological Society of America. Bulletin (http://gsabulletin.gsapubs.org/): Full Text is available for the Bulletin from 1945 on. Abstracts Only are available for December 1918 - December 1944. HSU Library also subscribes to the Bulletin in print format (periodicals QE 1 G2).
Geology (http://geology.gsapubs.org): Full Text is available for Geology from 1973 to date. HSU Library also subscribes to Geology in print format (periodicals QE 1 G53).
GSA Today (http://www.geosociety.org/gsatoday/): The monthly newsmagazine of the Geological Society of America. All GSA Today online articles are open access.
Journal of Environmental Hydrology (http://www.hydroweb.com/journal-hydrology.html): Electronic journal of the International Association for Environmental Hydrology. Full text is freely available for 1995-2006; tables of contents and abstracts only for 2007-present.
Palaeontologia Electronica (http://palaeo-electronica.org/): An electronic journal of paleontology from Coquina Press, its principal objective is to provide instant, free and global access to the latest developments in paleontology and related fields -- full text. There is an archive of issues back to 1998.

Be sure to check the Journal and Newspaper Finder for additional electronic journals as well as print journals in Geology available at HSU Library. You may also use the Category tab if you don't have a particular title in mind.

Government Agencies

California Geological Survey (http://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/): California's State Geological Survey - formerly known as California Division of Mines & Geology.
California State Mining & Geology Board (SMGB) (http://www.consrv.ca.gov/smgb/): Its mission is to "represent the State's interest in the development, utilization and conservation of mineral resources; reclamation of mined lands; development of geologic and seismic hazard information; and to provide a forum for public redress."
California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (http://www.consrv.ca.gov/dog/): The sole public source for information on California's more than 45,000 active oil, gas and geothermal wells. According to the website, "The Division oversees the drilling, operation, maintenance, and plugging and abandonment of oil, natural gas, and geothermal wells."
Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (http://www.nbmg.unr.edu/): The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG) is a research and public service unit of the University of Nevada and is the state geological survey. NBMG is part of the Mackay School of Mines at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) (http://www.oregongeology.com/sub/default.htm): DOGAMI has a "broad responsibility in developing a geologic and engineering understanding of natural hazards, then applying this information to help mitigate the risks of earthquakes, landslides, floods and tsunamis."
Other State Geological Surveys (http://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/information/other_surveys/index.htm): A listing of geological surveys in almost all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico.
USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) (http://ncgmp.usgs.gov/): Its objective is to create geologic maps and digital geologic data bases to solve resource, land use, hazards, and environmental problems and to develop geographic information system (GIS)-based methods for assessing risks, for reducing economic losses from natural hazards, and for making optimal land-use decisions. The NCGMP is the primary source of funds for the production of geologic maps in the United States.
USGS Photographic Library (http://libraryphoto.cr.usgs.gov/): The entire USGS photographic collection of over 30,000 photographs from 1868 to the present is available for viewing and free dowloading. You may search the collection by keyword as well as by subject category.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources -- Geology and Earth Resources Division (http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/GeologyEarthSciences/Pages/Home.aspx): Washington State's geological survey.

Professional Societies


AASP - the Palynological Society (http://www.palynology.org/): AASP was formed in 1967 to promote the science of palynology in academia and industry. Palynology is the study of pollen, spores, dinoflagellates, and other microscopic "palynomorphs."
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (http://www.aapg.org): AAPG was formed in 1917. Its purpose is to foster the spirit of scientific research among its members and to advance the science of geology -- particularly as it relates to petroleum, natural gas, other subsurface fluids, and mineral resources.
American Geological Institute (http://www.agiweb.org/): Founded in 1948, AGI is a nonprofit federation of 50 geoscience societies. Provides access to the Geologic Guidebooks of North America Database which "consists of references to geologic field trip guidebooks of North America. Most of the guidebooks cited are from the period 1940-1988. A few are from earlier years. Geoscience Information Society (GSIS) volunteers have added many post-1988 guidebooks to the database. Beginning in 2002, new guidebooks will be added to GeoRef as part of the regular database production, and then added to the guidebook database from the GeoRef records."
American Geophysical Union (AGU) (http://www.agu.org/): The AGU is an international scientific society dedicated to geophysics with more than 58,000 members from over 135 countries.

American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) (http://aipg.org): Founded in 1963 to certify the credentialing of practicing geologists, AIPG advocates on behalf of the profession and is the largest association dedicated to promoting geology as a profession.
Association of American State Geologists (http://www.stategeologists.org/): The Association of American State Geologists (AASG) is an organization of the chief executives of the state geological surveys in 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Clay Minerals Society (http://www.clays.org/): The primary purpose of the Clay Minerals Society is to stimulate research and to disseminate information relating to all aspects of clay science and technology.
EAGE - European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers (http://www.eage.org): The leading European based international organisation of geoscientists and engineers.
Geological Society of America (http://www.geosociety.org/): Founded in 1888, the Geological Society of America (GSA) has a mission to "be a leader in advancing the geosciences, enhancing the professional growth of its members, and promoting the geosciences in the service to humankind and stewardship of the Earth."
International Association for Environmental Hydrology (http://www.hydroweb.com/index.html): A worldwide association of environmental hydrologists dedicated to the protection and cleanup of fresh water resources.
International Association Of Sedimentologists (http://www.sedimentologists.org/): Founded in 1952, the goal of IAS is to promote the study of sedimentology and the interchange of research, particularly where international cooperation is desirable.
International Glaciological Society (http://www.igsoc.org/): IGS was founded in 1936 to provide a focus for individuals interested in practical and scientific aspects of snow and ice.
Paleontological Society (http://paleosoc.org/): An international organization devoted exclusively to the advancement of the science of paleontology through the dissemination of research by publication and meetings.
SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology)(http://www.sepm.org): SEPM is "dedicated to the dissemination of scientific information on sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleontology, environmental sciences, marine geology, hydrogeology, and many additional related specialties."

Specific Areas of Geology:

Hydrology

California Cooperative Snow Surveys (http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/): California has coordinated Snow Surveys from public and private agencies since 1930 in order to forecast water supply. Results have been published on the Web since early 1994. Snow Pack Conditions, Forecasts, and Snow Course Data may be found here.
The Hydrogeologist's Home Page (http://www.thehydrogeologist.com/index.htm): This page has links to hydrogeological organizations, software and data repositories, publications, and other resources for hydrogeologists.
National Weather Service Water Information Center (http://water.weather.gov/ahps/): From the NOAA, this site has current and historical flooding and hydrologic information.
USGS Water Data for the Nation (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/): From the USGS, this site provides access to water-resources data collected at approximately 1.5 million sites in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Yahoo! - Science:Earth Sciences:Hydrology (http://www.yahoo.com/Science/Earth_Sciences/Hydrology/): Yahoo's directory of web resources in hydrology.

Paleontology

DINOBASE (http://dinobase.gly.bris.ac.uk/): A dinosaur web site provided by the University of Bristol Paleontology Research Group, the DinoBase online dinosaur database allows you to search by genus, species, author (discoverer) or date (of discovery). You may get dinosaur news, read blogs, and visit the DinoKids site for children who love dinosaurs.
PaleoNet Pages (http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/paleonet/Index.html): "PaleoNet is a system of listservers, www pages, and ftp sites designed to enhance electronic communication among paleontologists..."
University of California Museum of Paleontology (http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/): UCMP is a member of the Berkeley Natural History Museums, a consortium of six museums on the Berkeley campus. Its mission is to" investigate and promote the understanding of the history of life and the diversity of the Earth's biota through research and education." Visit the online exhibits and the Paleontology Portal.

Sedimentary Geology

Palaios Supplemental Data (http://palaios.ku.edu/data.html): From the Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) , this site has links to data files corresponding to Palaios from 2000 to date.
Sedimentary Record (http://www.sepm.org/pages.aspx?pageid=37): From the Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM), Sedimentary Record contains peer-reviewed science articles on topics of broad and current interest to the membership of SEPM, as well as shorter, editor-reviewed articles addressing a variety of topics, including society business and media reviews.
USGS Bedform Sedimentology (http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/seds/): Images of bedforms and crossbedding may be found here. You may also download software for simulating ripple and dune bedforms and cross-bedding.
USGS Suspended-Sediment Database (http://co.water.usgs.gov/sediment/seddatabase.cfm): You may retrieve Daily Values of Suspended Sediment and Ancillary Data by State, by Major Hydrologic Region, by Basin Area, or by Time Period. There is also a page showing Spatial Patterns of Sediment Concentration in the United States.

Seismology

ABAG Earthquake and Hazards Program (http://quake.abag.ca.gov/): This site is from the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the regional planning and services agency for the San Francisco Bay Area.
Berkeley Seismological Laboratory (http://www.seismo.berkeley.edu/seismo/Homepage.html): Since 1887, the Seismological Laboratory has been involved in operating seismic networks in central and northern California. It conducts research, provides accurate & timely information on earthquakes, and educates the public about earthquake science.
California Emergency Management Agency (http://www.oes.ca.gov): The Emergency Mangement Agency's Preparedness and Training branch has an Earthquake & Tsunami Program.
IRIS Consortium (http://www.iris.edu/hq/): The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) is a university research consortium dedicated to exploring the Earth's interior through the collection and distribution of seismographic data. Includes SeismoArchives:Seismogram Archives of Significant Earthquakes of the World.
MCEER (formerly Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research) (http://mceer.buffalo.edu/): MCEER is a "national center of excellence dedicated to the discovery and development of new knowledge, tools and technologies that equip communities to become more disaster resilient in the face of earthquakes and other extreme events." MCEER has an information service which provides databases such as Quakeline, a Meetings & Conferences Database, and a Hurricane Database.
Nevada Seismological Laboratory (http://www.seismo.unr.edu/): The Nevada Seismological Lab at the University of Nevada, Reno investigates earthquakes and their effects in Nevada and eastern California.
Northern California Earthquake Data Center (NCEDC) (http://www.ncedc.org/): The NCEDC is a long-term archive and distribution center for seismological and geodetic data for Northern and Central California
Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (http://www.geophys.washington.edu/SEIS/PNSN/): Information on Pacific Northwest earthquake activity and geologic hazards.
The QUAKELINE® Database (http://mceer.buffalo.edu/utilities/quakeline.asp): QUAKELINE® is a bibliographic database produced by the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER) Information Service. The database contains bibliographic information on earthquakes, earthquake engineering, natural hazard mitigation, and related topics. It contains nearly 45,000 records.
Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group (http://www.humboldt.edu/rctwg/): From the homepage: "The Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group (RCTWG) is an organization of local, state and federal agencies, tribes, relief and service groups, land managers, and businesses from Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties. The group was formed in July 1996 to define the needs of local jurisdictions to mitigate the North Coast earthquake and tsunami hazard and to promote a coordinated, consistent mitigation program for all coastal areas." Tsunami evacuation maps and flyers are available for most of Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
Southern California Earthquake Center Data Center (http://www.data.scec.org/): In addition to information on recent earthquake activity in southern California, this site has a searchable earthquake catalog, waveform data and much more.
Tsunami!: Tsunamis – Past and Present (http://www.ess.washington.edu/tsunami/index.html): From the Department of Earth & Space Sciences at the University of Washington, this site was developed to "satisfy the public's need for current, descriptive information about tsunamis and the serious threat they pose to coastal communities." Another purpose is to distribute visual and quantitative data gathered in tsunami surveys.
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program - Advanced National Seismic System(ANSS) (http://www.anss.org/): The mission of ANSS is to provide accurate and timely data and information products for seismic events. This USGS site has much international and national information re: earthquakes, including Real-time Earthquake Maps - Last 7 to 30 Days.
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program- CA/NV (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqscanv/): This USGS site covers the latest earthquakes in California and Nevada.
USGS National Earthquake Information Center: World Earthquake Information by Country/Region (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/world): A wealth of data and maps from the ICSU World Data System.

Volcanology

Cascades Volcano Observatory (http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/): This USGS observatory studies the eruptive history and hazards of the Cascade Range volcanoes, including Mount St. Helens.
Hawaii Center for Volcanology (http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/hcv.html): The Hawaii Center for Volcanology (HCV) was conceived and created in 1992 as a cooperative effort involving over 80 scientists from the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) at UH Manoa, HVO (USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory) on the Big Island of Hawaii, and CSAV (the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes) at UH Hilo and Manoa. A page of Volcanic and Geologic Resources is available from onlinecollegeclasses.com.
How Volcanoes Work (http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/): The Department of Geological Sciences at San Diego State University maintains this educational resource that describes the science behind volcanoes and volcanic processes, this site is intended for use by university students of geology and volcanology and teachers of earth science. Each section in the menu builds upon previous sections.
Smithsonian Institution - Global Volcanism Program (http://www.volcano.si.edu/): From the National Museum of Natural History, "the Global Volcanism Program (GVP) seeks better understanding of all volcanoes through documenting their eruptions--small as well as large--during the past 10,000 years." Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network has volcanic activity reports. There is also the SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report which is updated each Wednesday.
"Volcano Watch" from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/): "Volcano Watch is a weekly newsletter written by the scientists at the US Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. It is published in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald's Sunday newspaper and the West Hawai'i Today's Monday newspaper, and posted here the following Monday or Tuesday."
Volcano World (http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/): This educational site is intended for anyone interested in volcanoes. It is a higher education, K-12, and public outreach project of the Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium administered by the Department of Geosciences at Oregon State University.