Alexandria, VA -- The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce that the theme of Earth Science Week 2013 will be "Mapping Our World." This year's event will promote awareness of the many exciting uses of maps and mapping technologies in the geosciences.

Earth Science Week 2013 materials and activities will engage young people and others in learning how geoscientists, geographers, and other mapping professionals use maps to represent land formations, natural resource deposits, bodies of water, fault lines, volcanic activity, weather patterns, travel routes, parks, businesses, population distribution, our shared geologic heritage, and more. Maps help show how the Earth systems -- geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere -- interact.

"With this theme, Earth Science Week highlights the ways that Earth scientists use maps to understand our planet and how humans use the land," says Geoff Camphire, AGI's Manager of Outreach. "For centuries, people have relied on maps to represent their knowledge of Earth and its systems. From old-world celestial maps and nautical charts to the satellite imaging and digital GIS technology of the 21st century, map-making provides an interactive way of knowing our world."

Reaching over 50 million people annually, AGI leads Earth Science Week in cooperation with its sponsors and the geoscience community as a service to the public. Each year, community groups, educators, and interested citizens organize celebratory events. Earth Science Week offers the public opportunities to discover the Earth sciences and engage in responsible stewardship of the Earth. Earth Science Week is supported by the U.S. Geological Survey, the AAPG Foundation, the National Park Service, NASA, Esri, and the American Geophysical Union.

Earth Science Week 2013 will be celebrated October 13-19. For more about this week and ways to get involved -- including newsletters, local events, and classroom activities -- please see the Earth Science Week web site at http://www.earthsciweek.org/.