Forces of Nature strikes the perfect balance between the two most common kinds of science websites; highlights include a 3D flythrough of the San Andreas fault and the site’s pared-down, intuitive navigation.

The layout is clean and well considered. There was no sensation of information overload, and the payoff was being able to interact with the ‘forces of nature’ that the site was endeavoring to explain.

From the initial main page navigation to the interactive maps and modules, National Geographic’s natural disaster info site is a wealth of smartly positioned content and educational resources.

Just one more in a long line of successful, experiential sites from National Geographic.

Go inside the eye of a hurricane with this fantastic 3D primer and uncover Ivan’s terrible secrets, as well as the science behind other natural disasters. From volcanic geysers and ‘nation building’ in the Pacific, to tornado alley and terrifying temblors in Asia, the forces of nature are a nearly unpredictable brew of meteorological and geologic events.

National Geographic’s Forces of Nature takes an interactive look at some of the planet’s less endearing atmospheric and geologic attributes, and even lets visitors try their own hand at unleashing Nature’s fury. Using a Flash interface and a generous allotment of multi-media, Forces has no trouble keeping the information intelligible and the presentation engaging.