National Geologic Mapping
Active
By Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
July 12, 2022
In the foreground are rocks of an Oligocene caldera complex; bedrock in the on the horizon is a slightly younger caldera complex. A challenge for bedrock mapping is inferring what is in the subsurface between exposures like these.
In the foreground are rocks of an Oligocene caldera complex; bedrock in the on the horizon is a slightly younger caldera complex. A challenge for bedrock mapping is inferring what is in the subsurface between exposures like these.
At 1:5 million scale J.C. Reed’s (2004) Geologic Map of North America is the most detailed seamless map of bedrock geology in the United States. Synthesizing nationwide geology in greater detail is a challenge for the coming decade.
At 1:5 million scale J.C. Reed’s (2004) Geologic Map of North America is the most detailed seamless map of bedrock geology in the United States. Synthesizing nationwide geology in greater detail is a challenge for the coming decade.
To “bring together detailed national, and continental resolution 2D and 3D data produced throughout the USGS and state partners,” NGS developed a model in which geologic map databases produced by the USGS and State Geological Surveys can be assembled into compilation maps by an automated process, enabling rapid delivery of a new national map that can grow thereafter with contributions from the community. Key objectives for this task are 1) to collect and standardize source geologic map data suitable for inclusion in a national map built primarily from state-level geologic maps, 2) to identify gaps in nationwide mapping and work to improve them, and 3) to create and update a multi-layer national geologic map.
National Geologic Synthesis
Surface (2D) and subsurface (3D) geologic data are critical for resource management, infrastructure design, hazards characterization, and basic earth science research. To meet these needs in a digital landscape, geologic maps must transition from static publications to machine-readable and discoverable digital databases that enable spatial analyses and queries (Shelton and others, 2022). In 2019...
3D Geologic Models of Regions and Provinces
Water, energy, mineral resource, hazard, and land-use assessments are central to the USGS mission and increasingly rely on subsurface data and 3-D geologic models. Watershed, regional, and national assessments are facilitated the availability of 3-D geologic data and models; in a typical assessment project, numerical simulations and process models cannot proceed without subsurface data and...
National Stratigraphic Synthesis
This task will work to develop standard libraries of geologic provinces and stratigraphic terms, and integrate fundamental sedimentary data (e.g., lithology, depth, thickness, age, depositional environments), enabling the definition of regionally significant "key surfaces" that define the geological framework of a broad region or province. Ongoing inventory and cataloging activities will compile...
Geologic Synthesis Database Development
This task supports the research, development, and maintenance of database-centric solutions that aggregate geologic map and related information at a national scale. To deliver a national geologic map, NGS has developed a “map synthesis engine” that enables the assembly of 2D geologic map databases into a single map by an automated process. Further opportunities for improved synthesis database...
National Geologic Synthesis
Surface (2D) and subsurface (3D) geologic data are critical for resource management, infrastructure design, hazards characterization, and basic earth science research. To meet these needs in a digital landscape, geologic maps must transition from static publications to machine-readable and discoverable digital databases that enable spatial analyses and queries (Shelton and others, 2022). In 2019...
3D Geologic Models of Regions and Provinces
Water, energy, mineral resource, hazard, and land-use assessments are central to the USGS mission and increasingly rely on subsurface data and 3-D geologic models. Watershed, regional, and national assessments are facilitated the availability of 3-D geologic data and models; in a typical assessment project, numerical simulations and process models cannot proceed without subsurface data and...
National Stratigraphic Synthesis
This task will work to develop standard libraries of geologic provinces and stratigraphic terms, and integrate fundamental sedimentary data (e.g., lithology, depth, thickness, age, depositional environments), enabling the definition of regionally significant "key surfaces" that define the geological framework of a broad region or province. Ongoing inventory and cataloging activities will compile...
Geologic Synthesis Database Development
This task supports the research, development, and maintenance of database-centric solutions that aggregate geologic map and related information at a national scale. To deliver a national geologic map, NGS has developed a “map synthesis engine” that enables the assembly of 2D geologic map databases into a single map by an automated process. Further opportunities for improved synthesis database...