Sea level
Sea level is a way to measure water. It tells us how high the sea is. We use it to find how tall mountains are. It helps us know where the land starts. Can you find the sea?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEarth Science articles — Page 6
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 6 of 30
Seamount
Big hills live under the sea. They are like mountains in the deep water. They are made by old volcanoes. Many fish and plants live there. It is a busy home for sea life. Do you like the ocean?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSea of Okhotsk
The Sea of Okhotsk is a big sea. It is near Russia and Japan. In winter, the water turns to ice. Many fish and seals live there. It is a very busy place for sea life. Do you like the ocean?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSediment
Tiny bits of rock move around. Wind and water carry them. They land in new spots. This can make sand or big rocks. It helps make the ground. Do you like playing in the sand?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSedimentary basin
The Earth has big low spots. These spots fill up with sand and mud. Over a long time, they turn into rock. We find fuel for cars there. It is a big treasure! Do you like rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSedimentary rock
Some rocks are made of tiny bits. These bits settle in layers. They can be sand or mud. Over time, they stick together. This makes hard rock. Can you find rocks in layers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSeismology
Some people study how the ground shakes. They look at big shakes called quakes. These shakes can move the land. They can even move the sea. Scientists use tools to feel the shakes. This helps us stay safe. Do you…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSky
The sky is all around us. It is above the ground. We see it during the day. It can look blue. At night, we see stars. The sky is very big. Do you like to look up?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSlate
Slate is a hard rock. It can split into flat sheets. People use it for roofs. It can be grey or purple. It stays strong for a long time. Do you see slate on a house?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSoil fertility
Good soil helps plants grow. It has food and water. It also needs air. This helps the roots stay healthy. We need good soil for food. Do you like to dig in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSoil formation
Rocks turn into soil. Rain and wind break rocks apart. Small bugs and plants help too. This makes the ground good for life. It helps plants grow for us. Do you like playing in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSoil science
People study the dirt on Earth. This dirt helps plants grow. It is very important for food. We need it to live. It is a busy place. Do you like to dig in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSouthern Ocean
The Southern Ocean is very cold. It is near the bottom of the world. It goes all around Antarctica. This water helps our whole world. It is a big and busy place. Do you like the cold?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSpring (hydrology)
Water comes out of the ground. It flows on the land. This water can be fresh. It helps us live. We can swim in it. Do you like to swim?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSpring (season)
Spring is a warm time. It comes after winter. New plants start to grow. The sun stays out longer. This helps things grow big. It is a happy time. Do you like the flowers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSteppe
A steppe is a big, flat land. It has lots of grass. There are not many trees here. It can be very hot or very cold. This land is a special home for plants. Do you like wide, open spaces?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleStratigraphy
Rocks grow in layers. Some layers are on the bottom. Old layers stay down low. We can find old bones in them. This helps us learn. Do you like rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSummer
Summer is a hot time. The sun stays up a long time. The days are very bright. It is a fun time to play. You can go to the beach. Do you like the sun?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTalc
Talc is a very soft rock. It can be a white powder. People use it in many things. It helps make paint and paper. It can even be in soap. Do you know any other soft things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTemperate climate
Some parts of Earth are temperate. These places have many seasons. They can be hot or cold. Most people live in these areas. It helps us grow food. Do you live in a place with seasons?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThermohaline circulation
The ocean has a big loop. It moves water all around the world. Warm water moves to cold places. Cold water sinks down deep. This helps keep our Earth just right. Can you imagine a giant water belt? It is very big and…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThrust fault
The ground can break. Big rocks push each other. Old rocks move on top of new rocks. This can make big mountains. It is a very slow move. Can you see the big rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThunderstorm
A thunderstorm is a big storm. It has bright light and loud noise. It can bring heavy rain. It can even bring ice. These storms can be very strong. Have you seen a storm?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTide
The ocean water moves up and down. This is called a tide. The Moon pulls on the water. It makes the sea rise and fall. This happens every day. Can you see the water move?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTornado
A tornado is a spinning wind. It looks like a long tube. It comes from a big cloud. The wind can move fast. It can move dust and dirt. It is a very strong storm. Have you ever seen a big storm?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTrade winds
Big winds blow across the sea. They blow from one side to the other. These winds help ships move. They can even carry dust far away. They help plants grow in new places. Do you like the wind?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTriassic
A long time ago, the world was hot. Most land was in one big piece. Many new animals lived then. The first dinosaurs appeared too. It was a very big change for Earth. Can you imagine a hot desert?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTriassic–Jurassic extinction
Long ago, the world changed. Many animals died out. Big volcanoes made the air hot. This was hard for life. But dinosaurs stayed safe. They became the kings of the land. Can you imagine a world of dinosaurs?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTropical climate
It is hot in the tropics. The air feels wet. It stays warm all year. There is a rainy season. There is a dry season. Plants grow very well here. Do you like the rain?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTsunami
Big waves can move across the sea. An earthquake can push the water. This makes a giant wave. The water can rush onto the land. It can be very strong. Have you ever seen a big wave?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTuff
Tuff is a special rock. It comes from ash in a volcano. The ash settles and turns hard. People use it to build houses and big statues. It is a soft rock. Do you want to find some?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTundra
The tundra is a cold land. It is very windy. Trees cannot grow there. Small plants grow in the ground. Some animals live in the cold. It is a wild place. Do you like the snow?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleValley
A valley is a low place. It sits between hills. A river may run through it. Moving water helps make them. They can be very long. Do you like to visit valleys?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWalker circulation
Wind moves across the big ocean. It moves warm air to one side. This makes clouds and rain. The wind also brings cold water up. This helps fish grow. Can you feel the wind blow?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWater cycle
Water moves in a big circle. It goes up into the sky. Then it falls as rain. This helps all living things. The water stays on our Earth. Do you like to play in the rain?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWaterfall
A waterfall is water falling down. It flows over a steep rock. The water makes a loud sound. It can be very big. You can see them on trips. Do you like the water?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWater pollution
Dirty things can get into our water. This can happen in lakes and rivers. It can come from trash or from big farms. Dirty water is not safe to drink. We must keep our water clean. Can you help keep water clean?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWater vapor
Water can turn into air. It is hard to see. It comes from lakes and ice. It helps make rain for plants. This helps us live. Can you feel the wet air?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWeather forecasting
People try to guess the weather. They look at the sky. They use big computers to help. This helps us stay safe. It helps us know what to wear. Do you look at the clouds?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWeather front
Air can be hot or cold. Sometimes, different air meets. This meeting can change the weather. It may bring rain or wind. It can even bring storms. Do you like the rain?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWeathering
Rocks can break into small bits. Water and sun help them break. Ice can even crack a rock. Tiny plants can grow in cracks too. This helps make the soil we use. It is a big job for nature. Do you like to look at rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWeddell Sea
The Weddell Sea is very cold. It is full of ice. The water is very clear. Many whales and seals live there. It is a wild place. Do you like the ice?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWetland
A wetland is land with lots of water. The ground is very wet. Plants and animals live there. It helps keep our water clean. This is a special place. Do you like to see birds and frogs?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWildfire
A wildfire is a big fire. It moves through trees and grass. It can happen in the woods. It can hurt homes. Some plants even need fire to grow. Can you see the smoke?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWinter
Winter is the cold time of year. It is very dark too. The sun stays low in the sky. This makes the days short. It can rain or snow. We wear warm clothes. Do you like the snow?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article1815 eruption of Mount Tambora
A big mountain erupted long ago. It was a giant volcano. It sent ash into the air. This ash made the world cold. It even made it snow in summer! This was a very big event. Can you imagine a cold summer?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article1883 eruption of Krakatoa
A big volcano erupted. It was on an island. It made a very loud sound. The sound went around the world. It made big waves in the sea. These waves hit the land. Do you think it was loud?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article1902 eruption of Mount Pelée
A big mountain blew up. It was on a small island. Ash fell from the sky. It made the day dark. This was a very big event. Can you imagine a dark sky?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article