🌍 Earth Science CER Data Explorer

Analyze Real Data to Make Scientific Arguments

📊 Dataset: Global Earthquake Patterns (2020-2024)

This dataset shows the relationship between earthquake depth and magnitude for major seismic events worldwide. Data represents significant earthquakes (M>4.0) from tectonic plate boundaries.

🔬 Question: Is there a relationship between earthquake depth and magnitude? What patterns do you observe?
Location Depth (km) Magnitude Plate Boundary Type
Japan Trench357.1Convergent
Chile Subduction1256.2Convergent
Mid-Atlantic Ridge105.8Divergent
San Andreas156.4Transform
Tonga Trench5805.2Convergent
Peru-Chile2005.9Convergent

📝 Build Your CER Argument

Claim:

State your answer to the question. What pattern do you observe?

Evidence:

Describe specific data points from the graph. Include numbers and comparisons.

Reasoning:

Explain the Earth science principle. Why does this pattern occur? Consider plate tectonics.

📊 Dataset: Global Temperature Anomaly (1880-2024)

Temperature deviation from the 1951-1980 average. Data from NASA GISS Surface Temperature Analysis.

🔬 Question: How has Earth's average temperature changed over time? What trend do you observe?

📝 Build Your CER Argument

Claim:

State the temperature trend you observe.

Evidence:

Cite specific years and temperature values. Compare different time periods.

Reasoning:

Explain the greenhouse effect and climate science principles.

📊 Dataset: Global Sea Level Change (1993-2024)

Satellite measurements of global mean sea level from NASA. Values show change relative to 1993 baseline.

🔬 Question: How has global sea level changed since 1993? What is the rate of change?

📝 Build Your CER Argument

Claim:

State what's happening to sea level.

Evidence:

Calculate the rate of change. Compare early vs recent years.

Reasoning:

Explain thermal expansion and ice melt contributions.

📊 Dataset: Atmospheric CO₂ Concentration (1960-2024)

Monthly measurements from Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii. Data shows parts per million (ppm) of CO₂.

🔬 Question: How have atmospheric CO₂ levels changed? What patterns do you notice?

📝 Build Your CER Argument

Claim:

Describe the CO₂ trend and any patterns.

Evidence:

Compare values from different decades. Note seasonal patterns.

Reasoning:

Explain carbon cycle and human impacts.

📊 Dataset: Solar System Data from NYS Reference Tables

This dataset from the NYS Earth Science Reference Tables shows relationships between planetary characteristics including distance from the Sun, revolution period, and diameter.

🔬 Question: What is the relationship between a planet's distance from the Sun and its period of revolution?
Planet Distance from Sun (million km) Period of Revolution Diameter (km)
Mercury57.988 days4,879
Venus108.2224.7 days12,104
Earth149.6365.26 days12,756
Mars228.01.9 years6,792
Jupiter778.511.9 years142,984
Saturn1432.029.5 years120,536
Uranus2867.083.7 years51,118
Neptune4515.0163.7 years49,528

📝 Build Your CER Argument

Claim:

State the relationship between distance and revolution period.

Evidence:

Compare specific planets. Include actual distances and periods.

Reasoning:

Explain using Kepler's Laws and gravitational principles.

📊 Dataset: Atlantic Hurricane Categories (2000-2024)

Distribution of Atlantic hurricanes by category. Data from National Hurricane Center.

🔬 Question: How are hurricanes distributed by intensity? What factors might influence this?

📝 Build Your CER Argument

Claim:

State the pattern in hurricane intensity distribution.

Evidence:

Compare different categories. Note any changes between time periods.

Reasoning:

Explain hurricane formation and factors affecting intensity.