What is GeoMark and do USGS topographic maps have it?
Almost all historical topographic maps and all US Topo maps produced before June of 2017 were georeferenced using software from the company TerraGo. Those maps are all GeoMark enabled.
GeoMark is TerraGo's geospatial data extension to PDF markup. GeoMark allows notes and geometric objects (lines, polygons, etc.) to be added to a GeoPDF and allows these objects to be exported to GIS files.
Users of these products can add and export Geomarkup using free Adobe Reader software and the Terrago Toolbar plugin. Exact behavior of the GeoMark tools varies between versions of Adobe Reader and the TerraGo Toolbar. GeoMark functions might not work on USGS topographic maps if you are using older versions of these software tools.
USGS topographic maps (US Topos) created after June 2017 are NOT GeoMark enabled because we no longer use Terrago software to produce our maps.
Learn more:
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What does "georeferenced" mean?
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How accurate are US Topo maps, and why don't they have an accuracy statement?
How do US Topo maps differ from historical USGS topographic maps?
US Topo Product Standard
This document defines a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) digital topographic map. This map product series, named “US Topo,” is modeled on the now historical USGS 7.5-minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic map series produced and printed by the USGS from 1947 to 2006. US Topo maps have the same extent, scale, and general layout as the historical...
Davis, Larry R.; Fishburn, Kristin A.; Lestinsky, Helmut; Moore, Laurence R.; Walter, Jennifer L.
Scanning and georeferencing historical USGS quadrangles
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program is scanning published USGS 1:250,000-scale and larger topographic maps printed between 1884, the inception of the topographic mapping program, and 2006. The goal of this project, which began publishing the Historical Topographic Map Collection in 2011, is to provide access to a digital...
Fishburn, Kristin A.; Davis, Larry R.; Allord, Gregory J.
US Topo—Topographic maps for the Nation
Building on the success of 125 years of mapping, the U.S. Geological Survey created US Topo, a georeferenced digital map produced from The National Map data. US Topo maps are designed to be used like the traditional 7.5-minute quadrangle paper topographic maps for which the U.S. Geological Survey is so well known. However, in contrast to paper-...
Fishburn, Kristin A.; Carswell, William J.
Standard for the U.S. Geological Survey Historical Topographic Map Collection
This document defines the digital map product of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Historical Topographic Map Collection (HTMC). The HTMC is a digital archive of about 190,000 printed topographic quadrangle maps published by the USGS from the inception of the topographic mapping program in 1884 until the last paper topographic map using...
Allord, Gregory J.; Fishburn, Kristin A.; Walter, Jennifer L.
Historical Maps at Your Fingertips
Earlier this month, the USGS launched “TopoView 2.1”, an enhancement to the current popular TopoView mapping service that lets users discover, interact, and download historical USGS topographic maps scans.
Finding Yourself Outdoors
Updated USGS digital topographic maps feature more trails and other recreation points of interest
Lesson 8a: US Topos Created after June 2017
In this lesson we will demonstrate how to open and manipulate data layers using Adobe Reader DC and Adobe Acrobat Pro. We will also learn how to use basic tools like panning, zooming and making measurements.
Lesson 9a: Accessing US Topo and Historical USGS Topographic Maps
In this lesson, we will discuss the USGS Store and how it can be used to access the US Topo and historical USGS Topographic maps. Specifically, this lesson will talk about the USGS Store, both where it’s accessed and what’s available at the store, as well as how you can locate and download free topographic maps through the store.
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
A tutorial by USGS scientist and topoView developer Chris Garrity demonstrating how to use topoView version 2.1. TopoView let's you access and download maps free of charge from the USGS's Historical Topographic Map Collection, published between 1884 and 2006.
Resources:
An Introduction to TopoView (version 1.0)
US Topo Story Map – Topographic Maps for the Nation
US Topo Story Map – Topographic Maps for the Nation
US Topo
US Topo is the next generation of topographic maps from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Arranged in the familiar 7.5-minute quadrangle format, digital US Topo maps are designed to look and feel (and perform) like the traditional paper topographic maps for which the USGS is so well known. In contrast to paper-based maps, US Topo maps provide modern technical advantages