Geomorphology is traditionally taught using content-based lectures, field experiences, aerial stereo pairs, and topographic maps. Google Earth is a powerful and free software tool that combines satellite imagery with terrain features to provide a 3-D rendering (map) of the Earth's surface features in an easy to use interface for the end user. Using Google Earth in an upper division geomorphology course is a highly visual and cost-effective way to integrate technology into the geosciences.

Google Earth was incorporated into geomorphology lab activities at the University of Tennessee at Martin with topographic maps. The advantages of using Google Earth (GE) include: (1) it is a free, easily installed software download (http://earth.google.com/); (2) it allows viewing of an area at multiple scales; (3) it has the ability to show landforms in 3-D; (4) latitude and longitude coordinates may be quickly determined; (5) map areas may be viewed from multiple perspectives in 3-D; (6) geologic, geomorphic, or other information may be applied to a base map; (7) it allows for Google searches for topographic features and locations; (8) one may setup customizable “tours” for students of geomorphic features anywhere in the world; and (9) student presentations may be made and delivered using the GE “tour” function eliminating the text-rich slides commonly associated with student PowerPoint presentation.

Initial student feedback regarding the Google Earth (GE) lab activities was highly favorable with students demonstrating the ability to use both GE and topographic maps to locate, identify, and visualize various geomorphic features. Interestingly, students noted several advantages of the traditional topographic maps over GE. These topographic map advantages included: (1) the ability to view the entire map area without having to scroll around; (2) that surficial elevation data and contour lines are not available on GE, but easy to determine on topographic maps; (3) that many water, land, and man-made features are easy to identify and locate on topographic maps, but in GE the names of many geomorphic and anthropomorphic features may not be displayed depending on the “eye alt” of the end user; and (4) that topographic maps have greater portability in many field situations.