Geology Resources for Educators

MAPS and IMAGES

GEOLOGY MAP of OKLAHOMA - a good, simple resource for locating fossil sites and preliminary identification of fossils founds along roadcuts, streambeds, etc.  This is basically a map of what the lowest level of rock would be, right below the soil.   http://www.okgeosurvey1.gov/level2/geology/ok.geologymap.html

DETAILED GEOLOGY MAPS of OKLAHOMA   The top of this site has huges and very detailed maps.  Also in the site you can downloads geology maps from many counties and special areas ofOlahoma - there are also literally hundreds of publications you can order.  All Oklahoma, and all inexpensive.  http://www.ogs.ou.edu/geolmapping.php 

DETAILED GEOLOGY MAP of OKLAHOMA & TEXAS .  Unfortunately does not include county lines or highways so it's hard to navigate.  Goes into good detail and precision with a nice geological timetable at the bottom.    http://www.uwgb.edu/DutchS/StateGeolMaps/TexasGMap.HTM

HISTORY of the ARBUCKLE MOUNTAINS

This is an older publication (it refers to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area as Platt National Park), but really, how much does geology change?  Good diagrams to understand the formation of the Arbuckles.  http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/chic/barker-jameson/chap2.htm 

RECENT EARTHQUAKES

A map of recent US earthquakes within the last hour to the last week.   Great resource - keep this page running on an extra clunker computer!  There are a LOT more earthquakes than you might think - even on a normal, quiet day.   For even more detail follow their link to ShakerMaps.  http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recentequs/

ORGANIZATIONS

A forum that is friendly, searchable and easy to use.  Lots of pix to help with identification.  Lots of people getting together to make fossil hunting trips.  The most exciting part for students is the section where people post pix of what they found that day - especially right in nearby Denton and Dallas area.  Kid-friendly.  www.thefossilforum.com

Here is a commercial tourism site for Florida, but it's possibly the best site to get students (and teachers) excited about fossil-hunting.  Worth a few minutes to explore and you'll be hooked.  www.fossilexpeditions.com

SHOP and BUY

Large fossil shark teeth from $5 and up and up - other fossils - and hard-to-find books on identification.  www.megalodonteeth.com

Maps and publications on Oklahoma Geology - see "Detailed Geology Maps of Oklahoma" above.

This is the other end of the spectrum.  Most items for sale are "museum-quality", very expensive, but way cool to look at.   Not just fossils, but other primitives too.  www.paleodirect.com