Related Images Gallery

Earthquake distribution map

Earth's tectonic plates, artwork. The Earth's surface is divided up into several major plates. These are rocky slabs that float and move on the more fluid layer beneath them. Current direction of movement is indicated by red arrows. The boundaries between plates are geologically active areas, and are the sites of the majority of the world's volcanoes and earthquakes. Plate tectonics, the study of the plates, has revealed a huge amount about the Earth. For instance, South America's east coast appears to fit into Africa's west coast because they were once joined, but the plates that hold them are moving apart. Also, where the Indian plate collided with the Eurasian plate, the Himalayas were formed

© GARY HINCKS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

17th century world map

World map, published around 1664 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, by Dutch mapmaker Joan Blaeu (c.1599- 1673). The Latin title is Nova et Accuratissima Totius Terrarum Orbis Tabula (new and accurate all world map). Blaeu's maps built on those made by Mercator and Hondius in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The Blaeu maps emphasized fine art and colours, being the most expensive of the time. Two mapmakers are shown at upper right and upper left, together with a wide variety of mythical beings. The poorly-mapped regions include the far north and south, parts of the Americas (left-hand hemisphere), and the Far East. The western coast of Australia (New Holland) was discovered in 1616

© LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, GEOGRAPHY AND MAP DIVISION/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Apollo 17 photograph of whole earth

Home planet. Classic photograph of the Earth, taken from Apollo 17 as it made its way to the Moon in December 1972. The continent of Africa fills the upper left quadrant, with Arabia at top centre. The Antarctic ice cap is seen at bottom centre. Apollo 17 was launched on 7 December 1972. Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt landed on the Moon, whilst Ronald Evans stayed in the command module in lunar orbit. Apollo 17 re-entered on 19 December 1972, and was the last of the Apollo Moon flights. This photograph was taken by Eugene Cernan. Overspilts moved to E050/247; these are also slightly different colour

© NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY