Why are geologic maps useful

Biologic, climatologic, and other scientific data should be considered in the context of the geologic framework provided by mapping at appropriate scales, yielding increased understanding and encouraging further multidisciplinary scientific investigations. Geologic maps are also valuable teaching tools in earth-science classrooms. Geologic maps and their subsequent derivative products have immense economic and societal value. They are particularly useful when in digital format and accessible online.

Geologic maps support our ability to locate and develop mineral, energy, and water resources; assess and protect groundwater quality; safely site solid and hazardous waste disposal facilities; construct, restore, maintain, and protect sensitive ecosystems; and identify and prepare for such natural hazards as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and land subsidence.

Geologic maps enhance our ability to identify health hazards; to site and build the nation's infrastructure of roads and highways, railroads, pipelines, utilities, dams and locks, buildings, and foundations; and to make more informed land-use and planning decisions to meet societal needs.

Geologic maps have proven to be essential elements for informing the policy decisions of federal, state, and local agencies. Traditionally, once the geologist delivered a manuscript map to the cartographer, the job was finished. Map databases are meant to be maintained, and so a map can now be more accurately considered a progress report that can be updated. A critical aspect of the map database is the ability to manage the information and to preserve its integrity, for example, by migrating it to a new data format or structure or to a new standard terminology.

GIS and graphic design software have radically changed the techniques by which map information is published. Traditional film peelcoat technologies have been supplanted by digitally prepared negatives for offset printing of paper maps and by plot-on-demand approaches, which generate one map at a time upon request by users.

Plot-on-demand is useful for producing customized, single-attribute maps for example, showing only the shear strength of the geologic materials or the susceptibility of a groundwater supply to contamination.

Digital cartographic techniques are evolving and becoming capable of producing sophisticated map layouts and products. It is anticipated that digital cartographers will be continually challenged to develop new techniques as software evolves and as geologists and users demand more complex and informative products.

In addition to the conventional venues for obtaining maps such as bookstores and sales offices , GIS and the Internet have made it possible to reach and educate new and potential users of geologic maps. Maps and databases now are available on the Internet in a variety of formats. To provide the public with access to such analyses without requiring them to purchase the software, numerous agencies are experimenting with software that permits users to view maps and to submit queries and view results within a Web browser.

This technology is becoming increasingly widespread and should prove ever more useful as the following conditions are met:. New advances in mapping and preparation of map products made possible by advances in GIS and information technology have not altered the basic science of geology but offer new techniques for organizing, maintaining, and analyzing map data, and, potentially, for increasing its use by the public and by scientists. American scientist-explorers have been making geologic maps since before the Bureau's inception in Learn about some of the premier USGS geologists who, through their work, have done so much to shape our understanding of the geologic framework of the Nation.

Since geologic maps were first constructed in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, they have played a fundamental role in understanding the history of the Earth and providing the information needed to solve practical land-use problems. The U. National Geologic Map Database NGMDB serves as the authoritative, comprehensive resource for information about paper and digital geoscience maps and reports on the Nation's geology and stratigraphy, by all publishers.

Skip to main content. Search Search. National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. Introduction to Geologic Mapping. Science Center Objects Overview Related Science Data and Tools Geologic mapping is a highly interpretive, scientific process that can produce a range of map products for many different uses, including assessing ground-water quality and contamination risks; predicting earthquake, volcano, and landslide hazards; characterizing energy and mineral resources and their extraction costs; waste repository siting; land management and land-use planning; and general education.

Below are other science projects associated with this project. Filter Total Items: 2. What appears to be the case is that the. As evidence of this it should be noted that the mean age of professionals assigned to Regional Geology is 51, 21 percent are over 60, and only 3 percent are younger than As a part of this equation, it was pointed out that past investigators had more freedom.

Constraints imposed by mandated programs have strongly affected the mentor program. Today, projects and areas change location and character rapidly in response to rapidly evolving needs. Thus, an individual may have several mentors and work in several areas. Nonetheless, there is not necessarily a conscious effort to sustain the mentor process, and demands on the organization argue against the process.

The committee believes the mentor system is one method for maintaining the regional capabilities of the USGS. In sum, it appears the mentor system is used in some cases; however, there appears to be little deliberate effort to coordinate the mentor system with geography and geology on a national scale such as has been done with mineral commodities. The mission of the Office of Regional Geology is to determine the geologic framework of the United States and to provide a basis for assessing the land as a resource.

In the Office of Regional Geology, the principal program that conducts geologic mapping is Geologic Framework and Synthesis. Geologic mapping in this program is done under three categories—basic mapping, mapping related to process studies, and regional framework problems.

The principal product of the basic mapping category is geologic maps. Ten to 12 maps at scales from , to , have been produced in the past several years. The rate of production is variable with time. In the category of mapping related to process studies, emphasis is on volcanic, metamorphic, sedimentary, plutonic, glacial, and.

The regional framework problems category emphasizes multidisciplinary and integrated studies. These generally start with a mapping effort. There is no explicit set of criteria for selection of projects in the GFS program. Coordination between divisions, offices, and branches, and programs tends to suffer from this process.

Geologic mapping priorities are set by the branch chiefs who are responsible for organizing programs in their areas of responsibility. The branch chiefs can program studies under any of these categories. The philosophy behind this approach is that the need for framework studies can be generated in any of the regional branches. In truth, it was stated that within GFS, geologic mapping tends to get residual support after the requirements for principal mission and other activities are satisfied.

Thus, GFS funds tend to be diverted to support mandated programs as needed. The GFS program is popular even though, or maybe because, it lacks specific mission orientation, project deadlines, and constraints, and it affords the branch chiefs more flexibility. In consequence, it is widely dispersed and oversubscribed. The program is designed according to a management concept.

Whereas projects are developed and organized in discussions between the branch chiefs and the project chiefs, ultimate approval is with the office chief. However, it was clearly stated that the process is not part of a comprehensive USGS national geologic mapping plan.

There are significant delays up to 5 years in the publication of geologic quadrangles. The commitment to GFS projects and programs appears to be less than that given to mandated and other programs. The primary goals of COGEOMAP are publication of new geologic maps of high quality at scales from , to , and generation of new geologic mapping that fills gaps in state map programs. There were 48 proposals from 35 states; funds were allocated to 23 projects in 18 states.

Fourteen of the projects will continue into FY ; thus, there was only a modest opportunity for new starts in FY It is well-intentioned but severely underfunded. However, final decisions are subject to review and approval by the program coordinator. As with other programs, there is no overall management effort within the context of a specific USGS geologic mapping core program. The response from. The office is charged with determining the origin, size, and distribution of energy resources excepting geothermal but including sedimentary minerals.

The philosophy of the Office towards geologic mapping of offshore areas is dictated by the desire of the Executive Office to bring the Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ into development and for other areas by geologic process studies, which extend beyond land areas.

In offshore areas, the office addresses a wide range of geologic issues such as topography, geomorphology, mineral resources, and hazards. Geologic mapping of onshore areas is done principally where more detail is required for assessment and interpretive purposes. In the offshore branches, reconnaissance geologic mapping of the EEZ is done at scales from , to , Onshore mapping is described as general purpose geologic mapping.

Mapping of coal, uranium, and thorium is very limited; oil and gas mapping is principally in the subsurface. Although funding for mapping of coal resources has terminated, the USGS will complete projects in process 51 of original 80 coal folios will be completed. All those to be completed are in the west; none of the eastern folios will reach publication. Executive Office, congressional, and Department of the Interior support for certain energy programs, such as coal and oil shale, has waned.

In the ESB program, areas selected for study are determined by a management process. Teams are formed for specific basin studies, i. The USGS intends to put out a comparable product.