Quakes to craters: free booklets

For a ftee stocking-stuffer geared to budding natural scientists of all ages, consider booklets and reprints of articles by the U.S. Geological Survey While perhaps not every subject offered in the 70-plus titles will keep readers on the edges of their seats, most are timely, interesting, and well illustrated.

For example, Earthquakes is spiced with pictures of cracked houses and buckled railroad tracks. Elevations and Distances helps you locate the geographic center of each state (in California, it's 38 miles east of Madera; in Washington, it's 10 miles west-southwest of Wenatchee). Volcanoes of the U.S. describes our most spectacular eruptions. And Water Dowsing explains how some people use forked sticks, coat hangers, even car keys to find underground sources of water and minerals.

While novices can understand the text, it helps to have a basic understanding of physical sciences. Some booklets list sources for additional information. You can pick up booklets and reprints at any of the following USGS outlets. All are open weekdays only.

Alaska: Room 101, 4230 University Drive, Anchorage; (907) 561-5555. Hours are 8:30 to 4:30.

Also Room F-146, Federal Building (Room 113 after January 1), corner of Seventh and C streets, Anchorage; 271-4307. Hours are 8 to 4:30.

Northern California Building 3, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park; (415) 3294390. Open 8 to 4.

Also 504 Custom House, 555 Battery Street, San Francisco; 556-5627. Hours are 8:30 to 4.

Southern California. Room 7638, Federal Building, 300 N. Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles; (213) 894-2850. Open 8:30 to 4.

Colorado: Room 169, Federal Building, 1961 Stout Street, Denver; (303) 844-4169. Hours are 8:30 to 4.

Utah: Room 8105, Federal Building, 125 S. State Street, Salt Lake City; (801) 5245652. Open 8 to 4:15.

Washington: Room 678, U.S. Courthouse, W. 920 Riverside Avenue, Spokane; (509) 456-2524. Hours are 8:30 to 4:30.

Booklets are also available by mail. Write to Distribution Branch, USGS, Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver 80225. Request General Interest Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey; it includes a description of all titles and tells how to order. There may be a charge for large orders. Delivery takes up to six weeks.