Puente del Inca
A big rock bridge sits in a valley. It goes over a river. Long ago, ice and hot water made it. It is a very cool sight to see. Do you want to visit it?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEarth Science articles — Page 24
Explore rocks, volcanoes, weather, oceans and the processes that shape Earth. Choose an article below; its reading controls let you move between the available levels.
1,427 public articles · Page 24 of 30
Pull-apart basin
The ground can sink down. Big cracks in the earth pull apart. This makes a low spot. This spot can fill with water. It can even hold oil. Do you like to look at rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePumice
Pumice is a light rock. It comes from a volcano. It has many tiny bubbles. These bubbles help it float on water. It can stay on top for a long time. Can you find a rock that floats?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleP wave
Fast waves move through the ground. They come first after an earthquake. These waves can go through rocks and water. They help us know a shake is coming. This helps keep us safe. Can you feel the ground shake?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePyrite
This rock looks like gold. It is called pyrite. Some call it fool's gold. It can make bright sparks. This helps us make fire. Can you find a shiny rock?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePyrolusite
This is a black rock. It can look like tiny needles. It can even make your fingers dirty. Long ago, people used it to paint in caves. It can also help make glass clear. Do you like to paint with black?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleQuartzite
Quartzite is a very hard rock. It can be white or pink. It feels like sandpaper. People used it for tools long ago. We use it for roads today. It is a cool rock. Do you like rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleQuaternary glaciation
Earth has an ice age. Big sheets of ice cover the land. Sometimes the ice grows very large. Other times the ice melts away. This happens over a long time. It changes how our world looks. Can you imagine a world of ice?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRåbjerg Mile
A giant pile of sand moves. The wind pushes it along. It travels across the land. It can even cover a church. Many people come to see it. It is a big wonder. Do you want to see it?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRadiative forcing
The Earth gets heat from the sun. Some things help keep that heat in. This can make our world warmer. Other things can make it cooler. We study how this heat moves. Does the sun feel warm to you?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRadium and radon in the environment
Some gas comes from the ground. It is in the soil. It can go into homes. This can make people sick. We must be careful. Can you stay safe?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRain and snow mixed
Sometimes rain and snow fall together. It looks like soft slush. This happens when the air is not too cold. It can turn snow into rain. It is fun to see! Do you like the snow?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRain shadow
Mountains can block the rain. Wind brings wet air to a hill. The air goes up and drops rain. On the other side, the air is dry. This makes a desert. Do you like the rain or the sun?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRavine
A ravine is a deep cut in the earth. It has steep sides. Running water makes them over time. They are smaller than a canyon. They can look like a narrow valley. Can you find one in a book?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRealgar
Realgar is a bright red stone. It can look like powder. It is found in hot springs. People used it to make red paint. It can also make fireworks. Do you like bright colors?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRecrystallization (geology)
Rocks can change their shape. Heat and weight make them move. The bits inside stay the same. It is like snow turning to ice. This makes new rocks. Can you find a pretty rock?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRedwood National and State Parks
Big trees live in these parks. They are very tall. Some are very old too. These trees help many animals. We can hike or ride horses here. Do you want to see them?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleReef
A reef is a big rock under the sea. It can be made by tiny living things. Many fish live there too. The reef helps keep our shores safe. It is a busy home for sea life. Do you like the ocean?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRegolith
A blanket of dust covers rocks. It is made of small bits. It can be on Earth or the Moon. Plants need it to grow. Animals use it for homes. Do you like to play in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRelative dating
Rocks tell a story. Layers of rock sit on top of each other. The bottom layers are the oldest. The top layers are the newest. We can see which came first. Can you find some rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRemineralisation
Nature recycles its food. Tiny things break down old bits. This makes new food. It helps plants grow again. It keeps our world healthy. Do you like to recycle?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRheic Ocean
A long time ago, there was a big ocean. It sat between two large lands. Small pieces of land moved away. This made the ocean grow very wide. Then, the lands hit each other. Now, the ocean is gone. Can you imagine a…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRhodochrosite
This stone is a pretty pink color. It looks like a rose. Some parts are dark red. People use it for jewelry. It is a special stone in Argentina. Do you like pink stones?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRhyolite
This is a rock called rhyolite. It comes from volcanoes. It is often light in color. Some of it is very hard. People used it to make tools long ago. Do you like looking at rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRichter scale
Some shakes in the ground are big. Some shakes are very small. We use a scale to measure them. It tells us how much energy they have. This helps us stay safe. Do you feel the ground shake?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRidge
A ridge is a long hill. It has a narrow top. The sides go down fast. Some are made of sand. Some are made of rock. They can be very big. Can you find a ridge?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRift
The ground can pull apart. This makes a long crack. It can make a deep valley. Water may fill the valley. This can make a big lake. Do you want to see a rift?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRift lake
Some lakes are very deep. They form when the ground sinks. Big cliffs may sit by the water. Many living things live there. These lakes are amazing to see. Can you find a deep lake?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRift valley
The ground can pull apart. This makes a long, low land. It looks like a deep crack. Big lakes can fill these spots. These valleys are very cool to see. Have you seen a deep valley?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRip current
A rip is a fast stream of water. It flows away from the beach. It looks like a river in the sea. It can pull you out far. Do not swim against it. Swim to the side instead. Can you spot one at the beach?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRipple marks
Water or wind makes small bumps in sand. These bumps are called ripples. They show us where water once moved. They can even be on Mars! Do you see the bumps in the sand?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRiver morphology
Rivers change their shape over time. Water moves dirt and sand. Plants help hold the banks. This makes the river path. It can change how it looks. Do you like to see rivers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRiver mouth
A river mouth is a special place. It is where a river meets the sea. The water slows down there. It drops sand on the ground. This can make new land. Many cities are built there. Do you like the water?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRobert Ballard
Robert Ballard finds lost things in the sea. He looks deep under the blue water. He found a very big old ship. He also found hot spots on the ocean floor. His work helps us learn about the sea. Do you like to explore?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRocher de Sel
There is a big salt rock. It is near a town. It is white and gray. No plants grow on it. The rock is very old. It was pushed up from the ground. It is a cool sight to see. Do you like big rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRock magnetism
Some rocks act like magnets. They have tiny bits of metal inside. These bits can hold onto a pull. This pull tells us about our Earth. It helps us learn about the past. Can you find a magnet?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRock shelter
A rock shelter is a small cave. It sits at the bottom of a cliff. Wind and water make it. It keeps you dry from the rain. Long ago, people lived there. It is a cozy place. Have you seen one?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRockslide
Big rocks can fall down hills. They move very fast. They can smash things in their way. This happens when the hill is too steep. Water can help the rocks move. It is good to watch for this. Have you seen a big rock?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRoderick Murchison
Roderick was a man who loved rocks. He looked at old stones to learn about Earth. He found many new things. He even found gold! His name is on the moon now. Do you like looking at rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRogue wave
Big waves can hide in the sea. These waves are very tall. They are much bigger than other waves. They can be scary for ships. We use tools to find them. Do you like the ocean?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRoss Ice Shelf
A giant wall of ice floats on the sea. It is very, very big. Most of the ice is under the water. It helps keep the land safe. It is a cold and amazing place. Can you imagine being there?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRoundness (geology)
Rocks can change shape. They can be sharp. They can be smooth. Water rubs them down. This tells us how far they moved. Do you like smooth rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRubidium–strontium dating
Scientists can tell how old rocks are. They look at tiny parts inside them. These parts change slowly over a long time. This helps us know how old the Earth is. It is like a secret clock. Do you like old rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRutile
Some rocks have a special part. It can look deep red. It can be a bright white powder. We use it in paint. It can even help in sunscreen. Do you like bright colors?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSaffir–Simpson scale
Big storms have fast winds. We use a scale to name them. It has five levels. Some storms are small. Some are very big. This helps us stay safe. Can you feel the wind?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSahand
Sahand is a very big mountain. It is in a place called Iran. It used to be a volcano. Many plants and animals live there. It is a beautiful place to see. Do you like big mountains?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSakurajima
Sakurajima is a big mountain. It is a volcano in Japan. It can blow ash into the sky. This ash helps plants grow. Many people live near it. Can you see the smoke?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSaline water
Some water has salt in it. This is salt water. It can be a little salty. It can be very salty too. The ocean is salt water. We can find it in the sea. Have you ever tasted salt water?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article