A new CD from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History contains four interactive programs based on global-scale datasets for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions since 1960 . A pproximately 55,000 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 5.0 that have occurred since 1960 are sequentially displayed on more than 30 colorful world and regional physiographic maps. The sizes and colors of the dots correspond to the earthquake magnitudes and depths. An option permits the display of tectonic plate boundaries and names. Plate boundries and earthquakes can also be shown.
Indicators reflect eruption magnitudes, and their colors distinguish eruption types.
E arthquake and eruption data are combined on a single world map that dramatically emphasizes the point that earthquakes and volcanic eruptions outline plate boundries. This same program is featured on a 40-inch monitor in the Geology, Gems and Minerals Exhibit Hall in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. S ix major earthquakes are highlighted to show how the resulting seismic-wave fronts travel through the Earth and across its surface.