"In one of Verne's supreme adventures, Professor Lidenbrock discovers a centuries-old document which, when decoded by his brilliant nephew Axel, offers instructions to the Earth's core. Accompanied by an Icelandic guide, they set off on a dangerous and exciting trek that begins with a descent into an extinct volcano. As the explorers travel through geologic time, they encounter a living past that holds the secrets to the origins of humanity"--

For decades, scientists have worked to develop technologies that can unlock the energy from coal while reducing the risks of digging it up and burning it. Now entirely new industries are booming as they tap into coal seams either too gassy or too deep to be mined by conventional methods. Watch this video clip to learn about these new methods and what new risks and consequences come along with them.

Studies of our planet's crust, or lithosphere, suggest that it's not a single solid layer at all. This video illustrates the process of scientific inquiry by studying the evolution of our understanding of plate tectonics, the dynamics of those ever-shifting slabs of earth we call solid ground. Beginning with Alfred Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift, the program discusses major and minor plates, types of plate boundaries, and the concepts of...

The map of the Earth is a flat picture of the Earth's surface; this BBC Horizon program presents the story of how Harold Wellman changed that picture. Hired by the New Zealand Geological Survey to map the underlying bedrock of the Southern Alps region, he noticed that there were invariably only two kinds of rock, granite and schist. His search for the boundary between the two led to the discovery of the longest straight line on Earth and a radical...

Satellite images could point scientists to the volcanoes most likely to erupt.

In this program a young environmental engineer takes viewers into the field for an in-depth look at the rock cycle and the geologic processes that occur within Earth's core, mantle, and crust. Using dynamic graphics to illustrate essential terms, the video covers the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; their physical and chemical properties; subgroups and examples of each; and where they fit in to the rock cycle. The video also...

The Earth's surface is a fragile mask, and this Science Screen Report reveals the turmoil beneath it. A cutaway view of the planet depicts its layers-including its crust, hot mantle, and superheated core-and leads to an outline of plate tectonic theory. The Himalayas, the Matterhorn, and the Hawaiian Islands are analyzed as examples of tectonic and volcanic activity, while the core's relationship to Earth's magnetic field is also studied. The program...

The 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand was devastating for the city's residents and the surrounding landscape. This program presents an in-depth case study of the event, focusing on both the science behind it and its social impact. Using firsthand accounts from seismology experts, emergency response leaders, rebuilding and reconstruction co-coordinators, and local people, the video explains what causes earthquakes, their effects on the environment...

In the middle of the North Atlantic, at the edge of the Arctic Circle, lies the island nation of Iceland. This film explores one of the most volatile places on Earth. Made by volcano-spewed molten rock over millions of years, Iceland was settled by Norsemen more than 1,500 years ago. This island's isolation, continued volcanic activity, and soil conditions make living here a unique challenge.

The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake of 2004 is estimated to have released the energy of 23,000 atomic bombs, inundating coastal communities with tsunami waves up to 100 feet high. This program explains the undersea geologic forces that create tsunamis - and considers the possible consequences if a landslide-generated mega-tsunami were to strike the East Coast.