National Geographic
National Geographic: Encyclopedia: Mantle
An in-depth look at the structure and composition of Earth's mantle, with lots of visuals. Covers lithosphere, Mohorovicic discontinuity, asthenosphere, transition zone, lower mantle, the d double-prime region, mantle convection, mantle...
Other
Digital Library for Earth System Education: Teaching Box: Mountain Building
A suite of lessons focusing on all aspects of how mountains are formed. Inquiry-based exploration of mountain building includes the rock cycle, mountain formation, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion, rocks, minerals, and...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Dynamic Planet
Seven hands-on lessons module where students learn about our dynamic planet. These inquiry-based explorations investigate scientific models, earthquakes and seismic waves, Earth's interior, Earth movements, the lithosphere, plate...
Other
The Geological Society: Plate Tectonics: Mechanical Properties: 'Lithosphere' and 'Asthenosphere'
This resource describes how the mechanical properties of the lithosphere and asthenosphere change as the temperature and pressure increase. This can cause rocks to flow and become plastic-like.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Earth's Tectonic Plates Study Guide
This comprehensive study guide covers the main terms and concepts needed for an earth science unit on the earth's tectonic plates. Review questions are included at the bottom of the study guide.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Volcanoes at Plate Boundaries
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Volcanoes most often occur at plate boundaries.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Hotspot Lesson: Mantle Plumes
A lesson plan that explains a theory on magma generation at hotspots called the mantle plume theory. The goal of this lesson plan is to introduce students to a theory that scientists are actively trying to prove or refute. Through this,...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Volcanoes at Plate Boundaries
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Volcanoes most often occur at plate boundaries.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Mantle Convection and Earth's Features
A resource to help understand that the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates is caused by convection. The plates' movements cause geologic features on the Earth's surface.
Libre Text
Uc Davis Geo Wiki: Mantle Thermal Plumes
The vast majority of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur near plate boundaries, but there are some exceptions. Learn here all about mantle thermal plumes.
PBS
Pbs: Scientific American Frontiers: Earth on the Move
The interactive resource examines the plate tectonics, magnetic reversals, and continental drift of the Earth. An animation of the Earth's continental drift over the last 750 million years is included.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Hotspot Lesson: Final Project
Student groups work on a assigned hotspot chain in this culminating assignment for a series of activities about hotspots and plate motions. Each group gets to study a seamount trail from around the world and presents their findings to...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Plate Tectonics Intro
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart will take several class periods. This lesson begins to look at how the different landforms are created. There will be two follow up lessons - one on volcanoes and one on mountains.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Plate Tectonics Volcano
[Free Registration/Login Required] This lesson will take several class periods. This lesson begins to look at how volcanoes are created.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Intraplate Activity
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers volcanic activity occurrence within oceanic and continental plates.
Nine Planets
The Eight Planets: Earth
Excellent Eight Planets site that provides a vast amount of information about planet Earth. Very comprehensive and complete site.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Volcanoes: Forecasting Eruptions
A look at some of the methods and problems with forecasting volcanic eruptions.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Inside the Earth
This is a website to learn not only about the inner and outer core, but also about the crust and the mantle of the interior of the earth.
Other
Spacetech's Orrery: Earth Our Home Planet
This site provides a very interesting overview of our home planet, Earth. Content includes a focus on the atmosphere, the pull of gravity, and the active surface.
Geography 4 kids
Geography4 kids.com: Earth Structure
Brief informational site provides information about the Earth's structure, plates and core.
National Earth Science Teachers Association
Windows to the Universe: Volcano Formation
Explanation of the factors that result in the formation of volcanoes, some basic but helpful animations and photographs.
Purdue University
Purdue University: Earth's Interior Structure
Purdue University provides a great lesson plan for learning about the Earth's interior structure. Focuses on the crust, mantle and core. Also includes examples and great charts that students will enjoy looking at.
Libre Text
Libre Texts: Geochemistry: The Earth and Its Lithosphere
The Earth has been in a state of continual change since its formation. The major part of this change, involving volcanism and tectonics, has been driven by heat produced from the decay of radioactive elements within the Earth. The other...
