FEDMAP develops new ways to understand basic earth science processes and produces high-quality, multipurpose digital geologic maps, regional analyses, and multidimensional geologic models.
Geologic maps are the primary database for virtually all earth-science applications and issues including mitigation of natural hazards, ground- and surface-water management, land-use management, assessment, and utilization, conservation of natural resources, environmental protection and management, infrastructure development, and resource extraction.
FEDMAP operates within the federal USGS culture of mission-focused projects with outcomes that include map products, and new geologic knowledge and allied research, and is responsive to changing societal and congressional priorities. It is also responsive to the specific needs of sister federal agencies. FEDMAP projects are based on national requirements for geologic map information in areas of multiple-issue need or areas of compelling single-issue need, national requirements for geologic map information in areas where mapping is required to solve critical earth science problems, and the needs of land management agencies of the Department of Interior.
Use the links below to explore USGS Science Centers where FEDMAP geologic mapping and research is carried out by USGS geologists and geophysicists and to learn more about each project.
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project
Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project
Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project
Geology of the eastern Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain along the Fall Zone, Virginia to Georgia
Geology of the eastern Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain along the Fall Zone, Virginia to Georgia
Geology of the eastern Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain along the Fall Zone, Virginia to Georgia
Northeast Bedrock Mapping Project
Northeast Bedrock Mapping Project
Northeast Bedrock Mapping Project
Piedmont and Blue Ridge Project
Piedmont and Blue Ridge Project
Piedmont and Blue Ridge Project
Quaternary Geologic Mapping of the Glaciated Regions
Quaternary Geologic Mapping of the Glaciated Regions
Quaternary Geologic Mapping of the Glaciated Regions
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center
Geoheritage Sites of the Nation
Geoheritage Sites of the Nation
Geoheritage Sites of the Nation
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Northern Rocky Mountains Transect
Northern Rocky Mountains Transect
Northern Rocky Mountains Transect
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
Lower Colorado River Geologic Mapping
Lower Colorado River Geologic Mapping
Lower Colorado River Geologic Mapping
Pacific Northwest Geologic Mapping: Northern Pacific Border, Cascades and Columbia
Pacific Northwest Geologic Mapping: Northern Pacific Border, Cascades and Columbia
Pacific Northwest Geologic Mapping: Northern Pacific Border, Cascades and Columbia
San Andreas Fault System in Southern California
San Andreas Fault System in Southern California
San Andreas Fault System in Southern California
Western Basin and Range - Eastern California Shear Zone
Western Basin and Range - Eastern California Shear Zone
Western Basin and Range - Eastern California Shear Zone
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West, USA
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West, USA
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West, USA
National Geologic Synthesis
National Geologic Synthesis
National Geologic Synthesis
Ozark Dome - Arkoma Basin - Ouachita Transect
Ozark Dome - Arkoma Basin - Ouachita Transect
Ozark Dome - Arkoma Basin - Ouachita Transect
Below are science projects funded through FEDMAP.
Filter Total Items: 17
Argon Geochronology
This project supports the USGS argon geochronology laboratory in Denver. The USGS 40Ar/39Ar geochronology laboratory is a state-of-the-art research facility for determining absolute ages of minerals and rocks. The 40Ar/39Ar laboratory contributes critical geochronology to individual USGS research projects and to partners in academia and other Federal agencies. This laboratory develops methodology...
Quaternary Geologic Mapping of the Glaciated Regions Project
Quaternary Geologic Mapping of the Glaciated Regions Project
Geology of the eastern Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain along the Fall Zone, Virginia to Georgia
This USGS NCGMP Project aims to fill the void in geologic map coverage along the Fall Zone from southeastern Virginia to central Georgia, for critical mineral research, earthquake hazards, and interstate correlation. We are also forging strong cooperative ties within the NCGMP by combining resources across all three Program components by supporting Virginia Energy (Virginia Geological Survey), the...
Northern Rocky Mountains Transect
The goal of the Northern Rocky Mountains Transect (NRMT) project is to produce updated geologic maps of an important and understudied region of Idaho and western Montana that covers a wide array of distinct geologic terrains.
USGS Geochron: A database of USGS geochronological and thermochronological data
When did that volcano erupt? How old are the rocks that might contain critical minerals? The USGS Geochron Database helps answer these questions by providing free, public access to more than 200,000 published measurements from over 35,000 samples of geologic time.
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...
Lower Colorado River Geologic Mapping
This project is a comprehensive scientific investigation into the stratigraphic, structural, and geomorphic framework of the Grand Canyon and the lower Colorado River corridor. We are using multiscale surficial and bedrock geologic mapping in combination with stratigraphic, geochronologic, and geophysical studies to develop a stronger understanding of the of the river, its iconic landscapes, and...
Pacific Northwest Geologic Mapping: Northern Pacific Border, Cascades and Columbia
The Pacific Northwest is an area created by active and complex geological processes. On its path to the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River slices through a chain of active volcanoes located along the western margin of the U.S. in Washington, Oregon, and northern California. These volcanoes rest above the active Cascadia subduction zone, which is the boundary where the oceanic tectonic plate dives...
Ozark Dome-Arkoma Basin-Ouachita Transect
The Ozark Dome-Arkoma Basin-Ouachita Transect (ODABOuT) project examines the three-dimensional geology of a transect of the southern orogenic margin of North America in its best surface exposure in western Arkansas. The Ozark Dome and Arkoma Basin represent a foreland uplift and foreland basin that formed as a result of the impinging Ouachita orogenic belt. Understanding the geometry and evolution...
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West
The Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West (IMW) Project conducts 1:24,000- to 1:100,000-scale geologic mapping to support framework geologic investigations. The IMW project is prioritizing development of a seamless, integrated geologic map database in targeted areas of the Intermountain West region of the United States that host substantial mineral, energy, water, and industrial material...
Western Basin & Range - Eastern California Shear Zone
The Eastern California Shear Zone (ECSZ) Mapping project, funded by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, combines surficial and bedrock geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, and high-resolution topographic data analysis with neotectonic, geomorphic, structural, volcanic, and geochronologic studies to better understand the tectonic framework and landscape evolution of the ECSZ in the...
Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project
The Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project performs geologic mapping at local and regional scales, and geologic research in The Valley and Ridge and Appalachian Plateaus physiographic provinces. These provinces include parts of 11 states and mainly borders the Blue Ridge / Piedmont and North Interior Lowlands Provinces. Only one state has Valley and Ridge geology (NJ), two have Appalachian...
Below are science projects funded through FEDMAP.
Filter Total Items: 17
Argon Geochronology
This project supports the USGS argon geochronology laboratory in Denver. The USGS 40Ar/39Ar geochronology laboratory is a state-of-the-art research facility for determining absolute ages of minerals and rocks. The 40Ar/39Ar laboratory contributes critical geochronology to individual USGS research projects and to partners in academia and other Federal agencies. This laboratory develops methodology...
Quaternary Geologic Mapping of the Glaciated Regions Project
Quaternary Geologic Mapping of the Glaciated Regions Project
Geology of the eastern Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain along the Fall Zone, Virginia to Georgia
This USGS NCGMP Project aims to fill the void in geologic map coverage along the Fall Zone from southeastern Virginia to central Georgia, for critical mineral research, earthquake hazards, and interstate correlation. We are also forging strong cooperative ties within the NCGMP by combining resources across all three Program components by supporting Virginia Energy (Virginia Geological Survey), the...
Northern Rocky Mountains Transect
The goal of the Northern Rocky Mountains Transect (NRMT) project is to produce updated geologic maps of an important and understudied region of Idaho and western Montana that covers a wide array of distinct geologic terrains.
USGS Geochron: A database of USGS geochronological and thermochronological data
When did that volcano erupt? How old are the rocks that might contain critical minerals? The USGS Geochron Database helps answer these questions by providing free, public access to more than 200,000 published measurements from over 35,000 samples of geologic time.
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...
Lower Colorado River Geologic Mapping
This project is a comprehensive scientific investigation into the stratigraphic, structural, and geomorphic framework of the Grand Canyon and the lower Colorado River corridor. We are using multiscale surficial and bedrock geologic mapping in combination with stratigraphic, geochronologic, and geophysical studies to develop a stronger understanding of the of the river, its iconic landscapes, and...
Pacific Northwest Geologic Mapping: Northern Pacific Border, Cascades and Columbia
The Pacific Northwest is an area created by active and complex geological processes. On its path to the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River slices through a chain of active volcanoes located along the western margin of the U.S. in Washington, Oregon, and northern California. These volcanoes rest above the active Cascadia subduction zone, which is the boundary where the oceanic tectonic plate dives...
Ozark Dome-Arkoma Basin-Ouachita Transect
The Ozark Dome-Arkoma Basin-Ouachita Transect (ODABOuT) project examines the three-dimensional geology of a transect of the southern orogenic margin of North America in its best surface exposure in western Arkansas. The Ozark Dome and Arkoma Basin represent a foreland uplift and foreland basin that formed as a result of the impinging Ouachita orogenic belt. Understanding the geometry and evolution...
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West
The Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West (IMW) Project conducts 1:24,000- to 1:100,000-scale geologic mapping to support framework geologic investigations. The IMW project is prioritizing development of a seamless, integrated geologic map database in targeted areas of the Intermountain West region of the United States that host substantial mineral, energy, water, and industrial material...
Western Basin & Range - Eastern California Shear Zone
The Eastern California Shear Zone (ECSZ) Mapping project, funded by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, combines surficial and bedrock geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, and high-resolution topographic data analysis with neotectonic, geomorphic, structural, volcanic, and geochronologic studies to better understand the tectonic framework and landscape evolution of the ECSZ in the...
Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project
The Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project performs geologic mapping at local and regional scales, and geologic research in The Valley and Ridge and Appalachian Plateaus physiographic provinces. These provinces include parts of 11 states and mainly borders the Blue Ridge / Piedmont and North Interior Lowlands Provinces. Only one state has Valley and Ridge geology (NJ), two have Appalachian...