Are there geologic maps or publications for where I live?
Detailed geologic mapping has not been completed for the entire United States, but maps are available for most locations.
- Geologic maps at many scales and from many sources are listed in the National Geologic Map Database.
- Some geologic maps can be purchased in hard copy through the USGS Store.
- Download digital geologic maps for entire states from the USGS Mineral Resources Online Geospatial Data (MRDATA) website. Scroll down to the "Geologic Data" section.
- Contact your state geological survey. Many state geological surveys have detailed maps that can be downloaded or purchased.
- The USGS Publications Warehouse lists all published USGS geologic maps (which are also on the National Geologic Map Database). Geologic maps and publications are often referenced to county names and/or topographic quadrangle names, so try searching on those keywords along with other locality keywords.
- Your public library might also have good resources.
Related
How are U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps named?
A USGS topographic map is usually named for the most prominent feature within the bounds of the map, frequently a community. Most topographic maps are named for the most centrally located, well-known, and/or largest community labeled on the map. If the community for which the map should be named falls on two or more maps, a directional term might be used such as East and West. An example is...
What is the National Geologic Map Database?
The National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) is an archive of geoscience maps (including geology maps), reports, and stratigraphic information for the United States. The NGMDB contains information on more than 90,000 maps and related geoscience reports published from the early 1800s to the present day, by more than 630 agencies, universities, associations, and private companies. Much of the content...
Can the USGS do a survey or study of my private property?
No. The USGS Organic Act (43 U.S. Code § 31) prohibits the USGS from making surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations. On rare occasion, however, the USGS might request access to private property as part of a larger study. If you need to engage a professional land surveyor, hydrologist, geologist, or geotechnical engineer, the following organizations should be able to identify...
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. Some of the most well-known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also called 7.5-minute quadrangles . In 2009, the USGS transitioned from our hand scribed historical topographic maps to US Topos , which are computer-generated on a regular schedule using national databases...
What are the earthquake hazards/risks where I live?
Determining your risk with regard to earthquakes, or more precisely shaking from earthquakes, isn't as simple as finding the nearest fault. The chances of experiencing shaking from an earthquake and/or having property damage is dependent on many different factors. The National Hazard Maps use all available data to estimate the chances of shaking (of different strengths and frequencies) across the...
Will I be able to see my house in an aerial photograph? Will enlarging the image let me see more detail?
The ability to see specific items in an aerial image is mostly a function of scale and resolution. The following aerial photography products all have a resolution of 1 meter or better, so you should be able to see an object the size of a house: High Resolution Orthoimagery (HRO) National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) Use EarthExplorer to search for...
PubTalk-08/2022 - The National Geologic Map Database - A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
linkThe National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
PubTalk-08/2022 - The National Geologic Map Database - A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
linkThe National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone, modified from USGS I-711 by Marli Miller, University of Oregon. All rock material resulting from the major caldera-forming eruptions are labelled at Qt, where the dashed caldera boundary highlights the scale of these events. Older volcanic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are found outside of this boundary.
Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone, modified from USGS I-711 by Marli Miller, University of Oregon. All rock material resulting from the major caldera-forming eruptions are labelled at Qt, where the dashed caldera boundary highlights the scale of these events. Older volcanic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are found outside of this boundary.
Generalized surface geology of the Anza–Terwilliger study area, Riverside and San Diego Counties, California (modified from
Rogers, 1965).
Generalized surface geology of the Anza–Terwilliger study area, Riverside and San Diego Counties, California (modified from
Rogers, 1965).
Portion of the Geologic map of the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i by Moore and Trusdell (1991), showing the southeastern part of the Leilani Estates subdivision. Some geologic units depicted here are now buried by 2018 lava flows; a red star marks the location of fissure 8.
Portion of the Geologic map of the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i by Moore and Trusdell (1991), showing the southeastern part of the Leilani Estates subdivision. Some geologic units depicted here are now buried by 2018 lava flows; a red star marks the location of fissure 8.
King and Beikman's 1974 Geologic Map of the United States (1974 Geologic Map of the United States)
King and Beikman's 1974 Geologic Map of the United States (1974 Geologic Map of the United States)
This map detail, of the Anchorage area, shows the city spread out on a plain of loose glacial deposits shown in yellow, and the bedrock making up the hillsides of Anchorage shown in green and brown.
This map detail, of the Anchorage area, shows the city spread out on a plain of loose glacial deposits shown in yellow, and the bedrock making up the hillsides of Anchorage shown in green and brown.
Related
How are U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps named?
A USGS topographic map is usually named for the most prominent feature within the bounds of the map, frequently a community. Most topographic maps are named for the most centrally located, well-known, and/or largest community labeled on the map. If the community for which the map should be named falls on two or more maps, a directional term might be used such as East and West. An example is...
What is the National Geologic Map Database?
The National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) is an archive of geoscience maps (including geology maps), reports, and stratigraphic information for the United States. The NGMDB contains information on more than 90,000 maps and related geoscience reports published from the early 1800s to the present day, by more than 630 agencies, universities, associations, and private companies. Much of the content...
Can the USGS do a survey or study of my private property?
No. The USGS Organic Act (43 U.S. Code § 31) prohibits the USGS from making surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations. On rare occasion, however, the USGS might request access to private property as part of a larger study. If you need to engage a professional land surveyor, hydrologist, geologist, or geotechnical engineer, the following organizations should be able to identify...
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. Some of the most well-known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also called 7.5-minute quadrangles . In 2009, the USGS transitioned from our hand scribed historical topographic maps to US Topos , which are computer-generated on a regular schedule using national databases...
What are the earthquake hazards/risks where I live?
Determining your risk with regard to earthquakes, or more precisely shaking from earthquakes, isn't as simple as finding the nearest fault. The chances of experiencing shaking from an earthquake and/or having property damage is dependent on many different factors. The National Hazard Maps use all available data to estimate the chances of shaking (of different strengths and frequencies) across the...
Will I be able to see my house in an aerial photograph? Will enlarging the image let me see more detail?
The ability to see specific items in an aerial image is mostly a function of scale and resolution. The following aerial photography products all have a resolution of 1 meter or better, so you should be able to see an object the size of a house: High Resolution Orthoimagery (HRO) National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) Use EarthExplorer to search for...
PubTalk-08/2022 - The National Geologic Map Database - A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
linkThe National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
PubTalk-08/2022 - The National Geologic Map Database - A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
linkThe National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone, modified from USGS I-711 by Marli Miller, University of Oregon. All rock material resulting from the major caldera-forming eruptions are labelled at Qt, where the dashed caldera boundary highlights the scale of these events. Older volcanic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are found outside of this boundary.
Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone, modified from USGS I-711 by Marli Miller, University of Oregon. All rock material resulting from the major caldera-forming eruptions are labelled at Qt, where the dashed caldera boundary highlights the scale of these events. Older volcanic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are found outside of this boundary.
Generalized surface geology of the Anza–Terwilliger study area, Riverside and San Diego Counties, California (modified from
Rogers, 1965).
Generalized surface geology of the Anza–Terwilliger study area, Riverside and San Diego Counties, California (modified from
Rogers, 1965).
Portion of the Geologic map of the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i by Moore and Trusdell (1991), showing the southeastern part of the Leilani Estates subdivision. Some geologic units depicted here are now buried by 2018 lava flows; a red star marks the location of fissure 8.
Portion of the Geologic map of the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i by Moore and Trusdell (1991), showing the southeastern part of the Leilani Estates subdivision. Some geologic units depicted here are now buried by 2018 lava flows; a red star marks the location of fissure 8.
King and Beikman's 1974 Geologic Map of the United States (1974 Geologic Map of the United States)
King and Beikman's 1974 Geologic Map of the United States (1974 Geologic Map of the United States)
This map detail, of the Anchorage area, shows the city spread out on a plain of loose glacial deposits shown in yellow, and the bedrock making up the hillsides of Anchorage shown in green and brown.
This map detail, of the Anchorage area, shows the city spread out on a plain of loose glacial deposits shown in yellow, and the bedrock making up the hillsides of Anchorage shown in green and brown.