A new CD from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History contains four interactive programs based on global-scale datasets for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions since 1960. This dynamic $19.95 CD has been designed for home, classroom, or museum use and is currently featured at the Smithsonian Institution in the National Museum of Natural History's Geology, Gems, and Minerals Exhibit.

Program 1 - Earthquakes Through Time:

Approximately 55,000 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 5.0 that have occurred since 1960 are sequentially displayed on more than 30 colorful world and regional physiographic maps. The sizes and colors of the dots correspond to the earthquake magnitudes and depths. An option permits the display of tectonic plate boundaries and names.

A powerful advanced-users mode allows the generation of cross-sectional and 3-dimensional views that provide a window into the Earth's interior.

 

 

Program 2 - Eruptions Through Time:

This program sequentially displays approximately 1300 eruptions from 1960 to 2000 on more than 20 different maps. Plate boundries and earthquakes can also be shown. Indicators reflect eruption magnitudes, and their colors distinguish eruption types. the name of the volcano is displayed for the duration of each eruption, providing a visual primer to the world's most active volcanoes.

Program 3 - Smithsonian Exhibit Version:

Earthquake and eruption data are combined on a single world map that dramatically emphasizes the point that earthquakes and volcanic eruptions outline plate boundries. This same program is featured on a 40-inch monitor in the Geology, Gems and Minerals Exhibit Hall in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

 

 

 

 

 

Program 4 - Seismic Waves :

Six major earthquakes are highlighted to show how the resulting seismic-wave fronts travel through the Earth and across its surface. Three simultaneous views can be seen in this program - a cross-section through the Earth's cernter. a 3-dimensional view of the earth from space, and seismogram traces where seismic stations sequentially record the arrival of different types of earthquake waves.