Earth@Home

Earth@Home is rich with free interactive content about Earth and its life, with a focus on geology, paleontology, climate, and the connections of Earth’s different systems. The major components of this new platform include:

Here on Earth: When people think about geology, they usually envision the Grand Canyon or a majestic mountain range, but many don’t consider the interesting geology right under their feet and what it reveals about the Earth’s history. The "Here on Earth" regional guides to Earth science will encourage website visitors to learn about their local geology and natural environment right outside their backdoor. Our initial focus is on the Earth science of the Northeastern United States, but we plan to eventually provide coverage for the entire country.

Digital Encyclopedia of Earth Science: A free, online, open-access textbook, designed to provide accessible introductions to core topics across the Earth sciences. Chapters online now include: Big Ideas in Earth Systems Science, Minerals, What is Climate, and Evidence for and Causes of Recent Climate Change. Chapters under development currently include Rocks and Plate Tectonics. The Digital Encyclopedia of Earth Science also connects with the existing Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life textbook, which is focused on paleontology (the study of fossils) and is a component of PRI's Digital Atlas project.

Virtual Fieldwork: Fieldwork, the study of a site through firsthand observation, is fundamental to how we have come to understand our environment and Earth processes. The driving question of field work is, “Why does this place look the way it does?” While computer-based simulations of field sites have not managed to replicate the multi-sensory immersive experience of being in the field, Virtual Fieldwork Experiences (VFEs) can offer opportunities to explore sites that are not practical to travel to in person.