ENVIRONMENT Storms battered the Southern Plains, as far east as Florida and as far south as Mexico, resulting in deadly floods, a rush of tornadoes, and gale-force winds. (CNN) Use our activity to create your own weather map, and take a look at our own with today’s MapMaker Interactive map. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas … Continue reading Storms Sweep through the Southern Plains
SCIENCE April 2011 saw the worst day of U.S. tornadoes since 1974, and a new analysis points to fires in Central America as part of the cause. (National Geographic News) Create your own “perfect storm” of a tornado using our Forces of Nature interactive. Teachers, scroll down for a short list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. DISCUSSION IDEAS Read through the Nat Geo … Continue reading Where There’s Smoke, There’s . . . Tornadoes?
When it comes to our planet, we are used to its seasons and weather patterns. And while we can predict the onset of hurricanes and tornadoes, it is often difficult to determine when earthquakes may strike or when volcanoes may erupt. By studying natural events on Earth, however, scientists can learn about other planets and their moons. By looking for commonalities in natural events and physical land formations, scientists … Continue reading Weekly Warm-Up: What it Means to be Frozen in Space
ENVIRONMENT Tornadoes left at least 17 people dead across much of the U.S. the past week. The devastation is a reminder that forecasting still needs to get better, says a leading government scientist. (National Geographic News) Learn more about preparing for tornadoes and other natural hazards. Click to enlarge and print this handy emergency-kit checklist, from the good folks at FEMA. Discussion Ideas Read through … Continue reading Improving Tornado Forecasts
GEOGRAPHY AWARENESS WEEK! UNITED STATES While the Great Plains states of Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, as well as parts of Texas, are collectively known as Tornado Alley for their frequent storms, the weekend was a reminder that Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin are also tornado-prone. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to map tornadoes in the U.S. Discussion Ideas Read through … Continue reading Are Storms Redefining ‘Tornado Alley’?
