Geologic Animations & Paper Models

The following reports are three-dimensional, cut-and-paste paper models and computer animations illustrating geologic processes and other geologic phenomena. Both paper copies and electronic diskette versions are available. Both versions have the same patterns and text, although the diskette version may have animations that describe geologic processes. Requirements for using the diskette version are Apple Computer, Inc.; HyperCard 2.2 software, and an Apple Machintosh computer with an internal disk drive. If you are using System 7, we recommend having at least 8 MB of physical RAM with 4.5 MB of memory available for HyperCard.

Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Paper Copy and Diskette versions are available from 1-888-ASK-USGS.

• Antarctic Ice Sheet
  Illustrates, through computer animation and a paper model, why there are changes on the ice sheet that covers the Antarctic continent. By studying the animations and the paper model, students will better understand the evolution of the Antarctic ice sheet.
  Available Types:
  1. Macintosh HyperCard (938k)
  2. OF 98-0353 A, paper copy, 49 p., $12.25
  3. OF 98-0353 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Sand Dunes
  Illustrates, through computer animation and a paper model, why sand dunes can develop different forms. By studying the animations and the paper models, students will better understand the evolution of sand dunes.
  Available Types:
  1. Macintosh HyperCard (712k)
  2. OF 98-0131 A, paper copy, 64 p., $16.00
  3. OF 98-0131 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.

• Karst Topography
  Illustrates, through computer animations and a paper model, why caves develop in limestone. By studying the animations and the paper model, students will better understand the evolution of karst topography.
  Available Types:
  1. Web version
  2. Model (1MB PDF file)
  3. Teaching guide (364k PDF file)
  4. Macintosh HyperCard (551k)
  5. OF 97-0536 A, paper copy, 36 p., $9.00
  6. OF 97-0536 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Chicxulub
  This report contains two paper models and computer animations which help illustrate how dinosaurs may have become extinct as a result of an asteroid impact.
  Available Types:
  1. 858k Self-extracting archive of a Macintosh HyperCard document
  2. OF 97-442 A, paper copy, 36 p., $5.50
  3. OF 97-441 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Crinoids
  This report shows, through computer animations and a paper model, how crinoids lived and became fossilized.
  Available Types:
  1. 769k Self-extracting archive of a Macintosh HyperCard document
  2. OF 97-91 A, paper copy, 56 p., $9.00
  3. OF 97-91B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Ocean Trenches
  This report contains computer animations and a paper model illustrating how a subduction zone works. Students will better understand the processes that operate at converging margins between tectonic plates and how ocean trenches and the volcanoes associated with them are developed.
  Available Types:
  1. 837k Self-extracting archive of a Macintosh HyperCard document
  2. OF 96-76 A, paper copy, 41 p., $6.25
  3. OF 96-76 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Arctic Delta Processes
  This report shows, by means of a computer animation and paper models, how deltas are affected by fresh and salt water currents, topography, and location. It is intended to help students visualize how ice shapes form a delta.
  Available Types:
  1. 729k Self-extracting archive of a Macintosh HyperCard document
  2. OF 95-843 A, paper copy, 27 p., $4.25
  3. OF 95-843 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Sea-Floor Spreading: A Computer Animation and Paper Model
  Distributed with a Macintosh compatible 3.5-inch diskette, along with the paper copy.
  Available Types:
  1. 610k Self-extracting archive of a Macintosh HyperCard document
  2. OF 95-573, paper copy and 3.5-inch diskette, $15.25

• Make Your Own Paper Fossils
  This report contains animations and paper models of two fossils.
  Available Types:
  1. Nautiloid Model (430k PDF file)
  2. Macintosh Hypercard (863k)
  3. OF 94-667 A, paper copy, 42 p., $6.50
  4. OF 94-667 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Northridge, California Earthquake of January 1994
  This report contains animations and a paper model of the Northridge, California earthquake.
  Available Types:
  1. OF 94-214 A, paper copy, 30 p., $4.50
  2. OF 94-214 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Make Your Own Earth and Tectonic Globes
  This report contains instructions and two patterns for making a terrestrial globe and a tectonic globe that are glued onto a tennis ball.
  Available Types:
  1. Model (445k PDF file)
  2. Macintosh HyperCard (668k)
  3. OF 93-380 A, paper copy, 14 p., $2.25
  4. OF 93-380 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Landslide Effects
  Description, paper models, and animations of four kinds of landslides: slump, slide, flow, and fall.
  Available Types:
  1. Model (471k PDF file)
  2. Macintosh HyperCard (810k)
  3. OF 93-278 A, paper copy, 43 p., $6.50
  4. OF 93-278 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Earthquake Effects: A Computer Animation and Paper Model
  Illustrates by paper model and computer animation how an earthquake occurs and what types of damage may result.
  Available Types:
  1. Web version
  2. Macintosh HyperCard (716k)
  3. OF 92-0200 A, paper copy, 22 p., $3.50
  4. OF 92-0200 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Map Projections
  Describes and illustrates four main types of map projections commonly used to present thematic data.
  Available Types:
  1. Macintosh HyperCard (1Mb)
  2. OF 91-0553 A, paper copy, 92 p., $14.00
  3. OF 91-0553-B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Make Your Own Paper Model of a Volcano
  Shows the inside and outside of a stratovolcano and includes a glossary of volcanic features.
  Available Types:
  1. Web version
  2. Macintosh HyperCard for 68000 and 68020 Macintosh (251k)
  3. Macintosh HyperCard document for 68030 Macintosh (224k)
  4. OF 91-0115 A, paper copy, 4 p., $1.50
  5. OF 91-0115 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Island Coral Reefs
  Comprises four paper models that describe island reefs. The first model is a shield volcano that extends above the sea level, the second is a volcano with a fringing reef of coral, the third is a volcano with a coral reef and a lagoon, and the fourth is an atoll.
  Available Types:
  1. Web version
  2. Macintosh HyperCard (203k)
  3. OF 91-0131 A, paper copy, 20 p., $3.00
  4. OF 91-0131 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• How to construct seven paper models that describe faulting of the Earth
  Describes normal, reverse, right- and left-lateral strike-slip, and oblique-slip faults, and includes models of two fault-produced landforms a graben and a horst.
  Available Types:
  1. Web version
  2. Macintosh HyperCard (289k)
  3. OF 90-0257 A, paper copy, 42 p., $6.25
  4. OF 90-0257 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Effects of ice on a mountain valley
  Includes two models showing a mountain valley partly filled by a glacier and the same valley after the glacier has melted.
  Available Types:
  1. Gif image 1 | Gif image 2
  2. Macintosh HyperCard (165k)
  3. OF 89-0190 A, paper copy, 20 p., $ 3.00
  4. OF 89-0190 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

• Fault motion Loma Prieta, California earthquake of October 17, 1989
  Contains instructions and patterns for preparing a three-dimensional model that schematically illustrates the fault motion that occurred during the earthquake.
  Available Types:
  1. Macintosh HyperCard (166k)
  2. OF 89-0640 A, paper copy, 10 p., $1.50
  3. OF 89-0640 B, 3.5-inch diskette, $10.00

To order USGS teaching packets, call 1-888-Ask-USGS or email ask@usgs.gov.

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