Basal sliding
Big ice moves on the ground. Water under the ice helps it slide. It can move in quick jumps. This can make new lakes. It is a big, slow dance. Do you like the cold ice?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEarth Science articles — Page 9
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 9 of 30
Basement (geology)
Deep rocks make the ground. These rocks are very old. They sit under other rocks. They help hold the land up. They are like a floor for the Earth. Can you find hard rocks near you?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBasin and Range Province
This land has many mountains. They sit next to flat ground. Some parts are very dry. It is a big place. We can see many hills. Do you like to climb hills?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBastnäsite
Bastnäsite is a special rock. It is found deep in the ground. It has metal inside it. We use this metal for many things. It helps us make tools. Do you like looking at rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBatholith
Big rocks live deep in the Earth. They start as hot, melted stone. The stone cools down under the ground. Then, the ground wears away. Now we can see the rocks. They can look very smooth. Do you like big rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBathymetry
We can map the bottom of the sea. It is like a map for the deep water. This helps boats stay safe. It also helps us see fish. Do you like to explore?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBathypelagic zone
The deep ocean is very dark. It is called the midnight zone. No sunlight reaches this far down. Small bits of food fall from above. This food helps fish live there. It is a big mystery. Do you like the deep sea?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBay mud
Bay mud is soft and wet. It sits at the bottom of the water. It can be very squishy. Birds like to eat in it. It is a busy place for small life. Do you like playing in mud?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBeaufort scale
People use a scale for wind. It tells how strong the wind is. It looks at the sea and trees. Some wind is soft. Some wind is very strong. It helps us stay safe. Do you like the wind?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBedform
Moving water can change the ground. It moves sand and dirt. This makes small hills or bumps. These shapes stay in the rock. They help us learn about the past. Have you seen sand bumps in a river?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBed (geology)
The Earth has many layers. These layers look like flat sheets. They can be made of rock. They can be made of sand. These layers tell us about the past. Can you find layers in the ground?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBed load
Rocks move in a river. They roll and slide on the bottom. They hit each other. This makes them small and smooth. It is fun to watch them go. Can you see rocks in a stream?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBedrock
Hard rock is deep under the ground. It sits under the dirt and sand. It is very strong and solid. We need it to build big things. It is a part of our world. Can you find a rock today?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBedrock river
Some rivers flow over hard rock. The water moves fast. It can wear the rock away. This makes the river deep. It is a cool thing to see. Do you like to look at rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBelize Barrier Reef
A big reef lives in the sea. It is near a place called Belize. Many fish live there. It helps people catch food. It is a beautiful place to see. Do you like the ocean?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBelogradchik Rocks
These rocks look very strange. They are red and yellow. Some rocks are very tall. They look like people or animals. You can see them in Bulgaria. Do you see a bear in the rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBeringia
A long time ago, there was a land bridge. It joined two sides of the world. People and animals walked across it. Now, the sea covers the land. It is under the blue water. Can you imagine walking there?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBiogeochemical cycle
The Earth recycles its parts. Things move from the ground to the air. They also move into living things. This helps plants and animals grow. It keeps our world healthy. Can you see how things move?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBiostratigraphy
Old rocks have fossils inside. These are remains of things that lived long ago. We look at them to learn about time. They help us see how old a rock is. Do you like looking for fossils?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBioturbation
Animals move dirt and sand. They dig deep holes. Some eat the sand and move it. This helps other small things live. It makes the ground new. Do you like to dig in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBiozone
Old bones in rocks tell a story. We find them in the ground. These fossils show us when things lived. They help us learn about the past. It is like a puzzle. Can you find a fossil?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBitumen
This is a black, sticky stuff. It can be a liquid. It can be a solid. We use it to make roads. It helps hold rocks together. It keeps roofs dry. Do you see it on your street?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBlack Saturday bushfires
Big fires hit a place called Victoria. The air was very hot. The wind was very fast. Many fires started on one day. This day was called Black Saturday. It was a very hard day. Do you know about fires?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBlueschist
This rock is a pretty blue color. It lives deep under the ground. Heavy weight from above makes it. It can also look gray or black. We can find it in many places. Do you like blue rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBohai Sea
The Bohai Sea is a big part of the sea. It is near some land. It is a shallow place. Many fish live in its water. We can learn a lot about it. Do you like the sea?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBoninite
This is a special kind of rock. It comes from hot, melted ground. It has a lot of magnesium in it. This rock helps us learn about our Earth. It is very cool to see! Have you ever seen a volcanic rock?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBonneville Salt Flats
There is a big, white place. It is made of salt. It is very flat. Cars go fast there. You can visit this place too. Do you like to go fast?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBoracite
Boracite is a pretty stone. It can be blue or green. It can also be white. These stones grow in the ground. You can find them near other rocks. They are very hard. Do you like shiny stones?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBorate mineral
Some rocks have special parts. These parts are called borate. They are found in the ground. They help make things we use. We can find them in many places. It is a neat find! Have you seen a cool rock?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBornite
This rock is called bornite. It can look like blue and purple. It is also like a peacock. We use it to find copper. Copper helps us make many things. It is a pretty rock. Do you like shiny rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBoudinage
Hard rocks can stretch. They pull and break apart. This makes shapes like sausages. The rocks look like little chunks. It is fun to find them. Do you like looking at rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBoulder
A boulder is a very big rock. Some are too heavy to move. They can stay in one place. You can find them in many lands. They look so cool! Have you seen a big rock?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBowen's reaction series
Hot melted rock cools down. It turns into hard rock. Some parts turn to stone first. This helps us learn about rocks. It is like magic. Do you like rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBrackish water
Some water is a mix. It is not fresh. It is not very salty. It happens when rivers meet the sea. This water helps many fish grow. It is a good home for them. Do you like the water?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBraided river
Some rivers have many paths. They look like hair in a braid. Small islands sit in the water. The paths change when it rains. These rivers move a lot of sand. Can you see the many paths?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBrittle–ductile transition zone
Deep rocks change how they act. Near the top, rocks can snap. Far below, they act like soft clay. This spot is where many shakes happen. It is a very strong place. Can you feel the ground shake? We live on top of…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBrookite
Brookite is a special rock. It is often brown. Some pieces look red. It is very hard. You can find it in many places. It is a pretty thing to see. Do you like rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBrucite
Brucite is a special kind of rock. It can be white, blue, or yellow. It is found in many places. It helps make things like cement. We can find it in the ground. Do you like looking at rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleButte
A butte is a tall hill. It has steep sides. The top is small and flat. Hard rock stays on top. Wind wears the rest away. It looks like a landmark. Can you find one in a book?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleByerlee's law
Rocks can rub against each other. They have rough sides. It takes a lot of force to move them. This helps us know when the ground moves. The earth is very big. Do you like rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCalamine (mineral)
Calamine is a special rock. It helps make brass. Brass is a bright metal. People use it for tools. It is very useful to us. Can you find something brass?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCalcite
Calcite is a common rock part. It can be many colors. It is found all over the world. People use it to make many things. It can even make things look double! Have you seen a shiny rock?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCalcium cycle
Calcium is a part of our world. It helps make your bones and teeth strong. It also helps sea animals make shells. Even plants use it to grow tall. It moves from rocks to the water. It is everywhere! Do you eat foods…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCaldera Basin
There is a big place by the sea. It is in a land called Chile. Many old things are in the ground there. These things help us learn. It is a very cool place. Do you like to look at rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCameroon line
There is a long line of mountains. Some are islands in the sea. Some are high on the land. These mountains help many birds and plants live. They make the land very green. Can you find them on a map?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCampos Basin
The Campos Basin is a big place. It is by the sea. It is near a city in Brazil. This place has oil deep under the ground. It helps people. Can you find Brazil on a map?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCandelaria Caves
These are big caves in a land called Guatemala. A river flows deep inside them. People used these caves a long time ago. They even used them for special parties. Now, you can visit them too! Do you want to see them?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCango Caves
These caves are deep underground. They have many big rooms. People visit them to see the rocks. You can walk in a group. A guide will show you the way. It is a fun place to explore. Do you want to go inside?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article