USGS research geologists Richard Lease (left) and Jamey Jones (right) take notes and collect samples of fine-grained metamorphic rock hosted as an inclusion in coarser-grained granodiorite.
How can I find original field notes made by USGS geologists and geographers?
The USGS Field Records Collection is an archive of unpublished field notes, maps, correspondence, manuscripts, analysis reports, and other data created or collected by USGS Geology Discipline scientists during field studies and other project work. The collection is located in the USGS Library in Denver, Colorado, and is available for on-premises examination during normal library hours. See the Denver Library home page for schedules and location information.
For notes made by USGS topographic map surveyors, contact the National Geospatial Technical Operations Center at tnm_help@usgs.gov.
Some USGS records are available in the National Archives.
Related Content
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...
How can I find survey benchmark and triangulation station information?
Most survey marks were set by the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey (now called the National Geodetic Survey ); information for those marks is available online . For further assistance, contact the National Geodetic Survey at 301-713-3242 or ngs.infocenter@noaa.gov. For information about marks set by the USGS, contact the National Geospatial Technical Operations Center at tnm_help@usgs.gov . Learn more...
How can I find out-of-print USGS publications?
Out-of-print USGS publications and maps, depending on series and date, can be obtained in various ways: Check the USGS Publications Warehouse for online availability. If the publication is listed but does not have a link to a digital version, contact the Publications Warehouse Team to request a digital copy. Borrow from your local public, academic, or corporate library through a request for...
How can I find U.S. Bureau of Mines publications?
After 85 years of service, the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) closed in 1996. Certain functions, such as the collection, analysis, and dissemination of minerals information, have been returned to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). For information on former USBM programs or publications, please see the following sources: The National Technical Reports Library (part of the National Technical...
How can I find USGS historical photographs?
The USGS Photographic Library, located at our library in Denver, Colorado , is an archive of still photographs dating from the 1870s and taken by USGS scientists as part of their field studies. The works of pioneer photographers W.H. Jackson, T.H. O’Sullivan, Carleton Watkins, J.K. Hillers, Thomas Moran, A.J. Russell, E.O. Beaman, and William Bell are represented in the collection. Topics include...
Where can I find historical photographs from the Great Surveys of the American West?
A number of images from the "Great Surveys of the American West" can be downloaded through the online USGS Photographic Library . Before the USGS was established by Congress as a part of the Department of Interior, four surveys of the western United States took place between 1867 and 1879. Surveys led by Ferdinand Hayden and John Wesley Powell were sponsored by the Interior Department, and Surveys...
Geologists collect samples and take notes near Lake Clark
USGS research geologists Richard Lease (left) and Jamey Jones (right) take notes and collect samples of fine-grained metamorphic rock hosted as an inclusion in coarser-grained granodiorite.
Central Region Library Field Records Collection
The USGS Denver Library, Field Records Collection is an archive of unpublished field notes, maps, correspondence, manuscripts, analysis reports, and other data created or collected by USGS Geologic Discipline scientists during field studies and other project work.
The USGS Denver Library, Field Records Collection is an archive of unpublished field notes, maps, correspondence, manuscripts, analysis reports, and other data created or collected by USGS Geologic Discipline scientists during field studies and other project work.
New Accessions Arriving at Field Records
Materials arrive from across the country to be accessioned and processed at the Denver Library, Field Records Collection. Geologic Discipline scientists are encouraged to deposit their project materials and with the Field Records Collection. Materials in the collection are managed as Federal records to ensure ongoing access in perpetuity for future researchers.
Materials arrive from across the country to be accessioned and processed at the Denver Library, Field Records Collection. Geologic Discipline scientists are encouraged to deposit their project materials and with the Field Records Collection. Materials in the collection are managed as Federal records to ensure ongoing access in perpetuity for future researchers.
USGS Topographers at Work
Two topographers working with an alidade and plane table. The man on the right is believed to be Roland Whitman Burchard, who was the topographer for the USGS Grand Canyon Expedition of 1923. Author Lewis Freeman described Burchard as a man of "powerful physique, great endurance, and a cool, steady hand."
Two topographers working with an alidade and plane table. The man on the right is believed to be Roland Whitman Burchard, who was the topographer for the USGS Grand Canyon Expedition of 1923. Author Lewis Freeman described Burchard as a man of "powerful physique, great endurance, and a cool, steady hand."
USGS Topographers at Work
Two USGS topographers circa 1925, working with an alidade and plane table. The man on the left is believed to be Roland Whitman Burchard, who was the topographer for the USGS Grand Canyon Expedition of 1923.
Two USGS topographers circa 1925, working with an alidade and plane table. The man on the left is believed to be Roland Whitman Burchard, who was the topographer for the USGS Grand Canyon Expedition of 1923.
Related Content
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...
How can I find survey benchmark and triangulation station information?
Most survey marks were set by the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey (now called the National Geodetic Survey ); information for those marks is available online . For further assistance, contact the National Geodetic Survey at 301-713-3242 or ngs.infocenter@noaa.gov. For information about marks set by the USGS, contact the National Geospatial Technical Operations Center at tnm_help@usgs.gov . Learn more...
How can I find out-of-print USGS publications?
Out-of-print USGS publications and maps, depending on series and date, can be obtained in various ways: Check the USGS Publications Warehouse for online availability. If the publication is listed but does not have a link to a digital version, contact the Publications Warehouse Team to request a digital copy. Borrow from your local public, academic, or corporate library through a request for...
How can I find U.S. Bureau of Mines publications?
After 85 years of service, the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) closed in 1996. Certain functions, such as the collection, analysis, and dissemination of minerals information, have been returned to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). For information on former USBM programs or publications, please see the following sources: The National Technical Reports Library (part of the National Technical...
How can I find USGS historical photographs?
The USGS Photographic Library, located at our library in Denver, Colorado , is an archive of still photographs dating from the 1870s and taken by USGS scientists as part of their field studies. The works of pioneer photographers W.H. Jackson, T.H. O’Sullivan, Carleton Watkins, J.K. Hillers, Thomas Moran, A.J. Russell, E.O. Beaman, and William Bell are represented in the collection. Topics include...
Where can I find historical photographs from the Great Surveys of the American West?
A number of images from the "Great Surveys of the American West" can be downloaded through the online USGS Photographic Library . Before the USGS was established by Congress as a part of the Department of Interior, four surveys of the western United States took place between 1867 and 1879. Surveys led by Ferdinand Hayden and John Wesley Powell were sponsored by the Interior Department, and Surveys...
Geologists collect samples and take notes near Lake Clark
USGS research geologists Richard Lease (left) and Jamey Jones (right) take notes and collect samples of fine-grained metamorphic rock hosted as an inclusion in coarser-grained granodiorite.
USGS research geologists Richard Lease (left) and Jamey Jones (right) take notes and collect samples of fine-grained metamorphic rock hosted as an inclusion in coarser-grained granodiorite.
Central Region Library Field Records Collection
The USGS Denver Library, Field Records Collection is an archive of unpublished field notes, maps, correspondence, manuscripts, analysis reports, and other data created or collected by USGS Geologic Discipline scientists during field studies and other project work.
The USGS Denver Library, Field Records Collection is an archive of unpublished field notes, maps, correspondence, manuscripts, analysis reports, and other data created or collected by USGS Geologic Discipline scientists during field studies and other project work.
New Accessions Arriving at Field Records
Materials arrive from across the country to be accessioned and processed at the Denver Library, Field Records Collection. Geologic Discipline scientists are encouraged to deposit their project materials and with the Field Records Collection. Materials in the collection are managed as Federal records to ensure ongoing access in perpetuity for future researchers.
Materials arrive from across the country to be accessioned and processed at the Denver Library, Field Records Collection. Geologic Discipline scientists are encouraged to deposit their project materials and with the Field Records Collection. Materials in the collection are managed as Federal records to ensure ongoing access in perpetuity for future researchers.
USGS Topographers at Work
Two topographers working with an alidade and plane table. The man on the right is believed to be Roland Whitman Burchard, who was the topographer for the USGS Grand Canyon Expedition of 1923. Author Lewis Freeman described Burchard as a man of "powerful physique, great endurance, and a cool, steady hand."
Two topographers working with an alidade and plane table. The man on the right is believed to be Roland Whitman Burchard, who was the topographer for the USGS Grand Canyon Expedition of 1923. Author Lewis Freeman described Burchard as a man of "powerful physique, great endurance, and a cool, steady hand."
USGS Topographers at Work
Two USGS topographers circa 1925, working with an alidade and plane table. The man on the left is believed to be Roland Whitman Burchard, who was the topographer for the USGS Grand Canyon Expedition of 1923.
Two USGS topographers circa 1925, working with an alidade and plane table. The man on the left is believed to be Roland Whitman Burchard, who was the topographer for the USGS Grand Canyon Expedition of 1923.