Ocean98 Facts and Information
http://www.ocean98.org/info.htm
Ocean98, which is part of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, offers the Facts and Information page as part of their main Web site. Here, visitors can learn ocean physical and biological facts and statistics, browse individual topics for further information, explore a oceanography encyclopedia of terms, read featured articles related to oceans, and more. The site does a good job of presenting the material in a nontechnical and interesting way, making it good for people of all ages. As is stated within the mission statement and is accomplished within the site, "increasing awareness of the oceans must begin with a basic educative attempt to make people 'see' the oceans and to understand the role they play in life on our planet." [JAB]
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NOAA Central Library: Historical Maps and Charts
http://www.lib.noaa.gov/docs/historic_maps.html
The mission of the NOAA Library and Information Services is to ensure the delivery of scientific, technical, and legislative information to users, including NOAA staff, the general public, academia, industry, and other government agencies. The library's Historical Maps and Charts Web site contains over 20,000 maps and charts from the late 1700s to the present, some of the nation's earliest nautical charts, hydrographic surveys, topographic surveys, geodetic surveys, city plans, and Civil War battle maps. The Historical Map and Chart Project View or Download link contains the search interface, which allows users to look by keyword, region, type, year, or chart number. Once found, the charts and maps can be viewed in fine detail by zooming in and out and panning via the navigation buttons. Anyone interested in historical maps, nautical navigation, or similar subjects should thoroughly enjoy exploring what is offered on the site. [JAB]
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Earth Watch
http://www.earthwatch.com/
The Earth Watch-Weather on Demand Web site is provided by Digital Cyclone of Minnetonka, Minnesota. Visitors of the site can get up-to-the-minute information and news on the latest weather watches and warnings, Atlantic and Pacific Satellite Images and radar maps, local weather forecasts, and more. One highlight of the site is the Hurricane and Tropical Storm Archives link, which contains more than thirty historical satellite images of past events such as Hurricane Gordon of 2000 and Hurricane Andrew of 1992. Although the local forecasts are offered by outside links, the site does a good job of offering a mix of nationwide weather information and other unique features that many should find interesting. [JAB]
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The Mineralogy Database
http://webmineral.com/
Created by petroleum geology consultant David Barthelmy, the Mineralogy Database Web site reportedly contains 4,281 individual minerals and descriptions. Visitors can browse the minerals by crystal system, by x-ray powder diffraction properties, by chemical composition, by the Dana system or the Strunz system, by physical and optical properties, alphabetically, and by mineral pictures. The large amount of information available for each specimen is impressive, especially for a personal Web site. Everyone from curious kids and adult hobbyists to academics and researchers will find something worth exploring on this extensive site. [JAB]
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Paleontology at the US Geological Survey [pdf]
http://geology.er.usgs.gov/paleo/
"Paleontology, the science which uses fossils to study life in past geologic time, has served an important role in geologic studies at the USGS since its establishment in 1879." The Paleontology at the US Geological Survey Web site contains a broad introduction to the subject and provides links to various products produced by the agency. The Fossil Groups link lets visitors learn about the different types of fossils, how they lived, and how they are used to answer important questions about the world we inhabit, including well written descriptions and many photographs. A products link offers a large list of paleontological publications. The educational resources page rounds out the informative and interesting site, giving anyone interested something to enjoy. [JAB]
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US Department of Energy: Waste Management
http://www.em.doe.gov/em30/index.html
The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management's goals include minimizing the waste generated by DOE, and pursuing compliance with all applicable environmental regulations. The Waste Management Web site contains information on how the DOE directs the treatment, storage, and disposal of waste generated by DOE's activities, nuclear and otherwise. A whole host of reports and other informational products such as the Standard Operating Practices and Procedures link and Waste Management Privatization information is available. [JAB]
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National Wetlands Inventory
http://www.nwi.fws.gov/
The National Wetlands Inventory is a product of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which produces information on the characteristics, extent, and status of the Nation’s wetlands and deepwater habitats. The user-friendly Wetlands Interactive Mapper allows visitors to display national coverage of spatial themes, including wetlands data, high resolution hydrology and transportation, and US Fish and Wildlife refuges. The impressive amount of information available in the inventory currently includes 90 percent of the lower 48 states and 34 percent of Alaska. A great resource for citizens and decision makers alike, the site effectively combines technology and information with easy access and use.
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Minerals Yearbook [pdf]
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/myb.html
According to the Minerals Yearbook Web site, the US Geological Survey Minerals Information Team's mission is to collect, analyze, and disseminate information on the domestic and international supply of and demand for minerals and mineral materials essential to the US economy and national security. The yearbook reviews the mineral and material industries of the United States and foreign countries, contains statistical data on materials and minerals, and includes information on economic and technical trends and development. Volume I contains metals and minerals information, volume II US area reports, and volume III international reports. A lot of data is presented in the various documents; thankfully, the site is organized well and easy to navigate. [JAB]
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