Geologic map overlaid on topography for the Mountain Pass region in California.
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 be viewed and downloaded through NGMDB.
Related Content
Where can I find information about the geology and natural history of National Parks?
Our National Parks are the showcases of our nation's geological heritage. The National Park Service has websites for most individual parks that include information about their geology and natural history. A source of information from the USGS is our Geology and Ecology of National Parks website. The website has listings for regions of the country; selected parks are listed within each region...
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 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The USGS Field Records Collection is an archive of unpublished field notes, maps, correspondence, manuscripts, analysis reports, and other data created or collected by USGS Geology Discipline scientists during field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...
What is marine geology?
Geology is the study of the Earth. This includes how the Earth was formed, how the Earth has changed since it was formed, the materials that make up the Earth, and the processes that act on it. Marine Geology focuses on areas affected by our oceans including the deep ocean floor, the shallower slopes and shelves that surround the continents, and coastal areas like beaches and estuaries. USGS...
Where can I get data from core samples, or access the actual cores?
The USGS Core Research Center (CRC) is one of the largest public core repositories in the country. It's home to: 9,800 rock cores (full-diameter cores and slabbed cores); 53,000 well cuttings; over 25,000 thin sections taken from cataloged cores and cuttings; a text-based and map-based well catalog search for finding well data and information. This extensive collection is available for study by...
What is Earth MRI?
The USGS Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI) is a partnership of the USGS, the Association of American State Geologists and other governmental, Tribal and private sector entities to update the nation’s surface and subsurface mapping, to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical...
Mountain Pass regional geologic map draped over topography
Geologic map overlaid on topography for the Mountain Pass region in California.
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
National geologic map illustration
Depiction of a national geologic map of the U.S. used as an illustration for EDMAP and STATEMAP outreach
Depiction of a national geologic map of the U.S. used as an illustration for EDMAP and STATEMAP outreach
Geologic Time Scale
The geologic time scale showing each eon, era, period, epoch, and their associated ages.
The geologic time scale showing each eon, era, period, epoch, and their associated ages.
Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone National Park
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.
Geologic Map of the Southern Flank of Mauna Loa Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i
Geologic Map of the Southern Flank of Mauna Loa Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i
Geologic Map of the Southern Flank of Mauna Loa Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i
Related Content
Where can I find information about the geology and natural history of National Parks?
Our National Parks are the showcases of our nation's geological heritage. The National Park Service has websites for most individual parks that include information about their geology and natural history. A source of information from the USGS is our Geology and Ecology of National Parks website. The website has listings for regions of the country; selected parks are listed within each region...
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 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...
What is marine geology?
Geology is the study of the Earth. This includes how the Earth was formed, how the Earth has changed since it was formed, the materials that make up the Earth, and the processes that act on it. Marine Geology focuses on areas affected by our oceans including the deep ocean floor, the shallower slopes and shelves that surround the continents, and coastal areas like beaches and estuaries. USGS...
Where can I get data from core samples, or access the actual cores?
The USGS Core Research Center (CRC) is one of the largest public core repositories in the country. It's home to: 9,800 rock cores (full-diameter cores and slabbed cores); 53,000 well cuttings; over 25,000 thin sections taken from cataloged cores and cuttings; a text-based and map-based well catalog search for finding well data and information. This extensive collection is available for study by...
What is Earth MRI?
The USGS Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI) is a partnership of the USGS, the Association of American State Geologists and other governmental, Tribal and private sector entities to update the nation’s surface and subsurface mapping, to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical...
Mountain Pass regional geologic map draped over topography
Geologic map overlaid on topography for the Mountain Pass region in California.
Geologic map overlaid on topography for the Mountain Pass region in California.
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
National geologic map illustration
Depiction of a national geologic map of the U.S. used as an illustration for EDMAP and STATEMAP outreach
Depiction of a national geologic map of the U.S. used as an illustration for EDMAP and STATEMAP outreach
Geologic Time Scale
The geologic time scale showing each eon, era, period, epoch, and their associated ages.
The geologic time scale showing each eon, era, period, epoch, and their associated ages.
Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone National Park
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.
Geologic Map of the Southern Flank of Mauna Loa Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i
Geologic Map of the Southern Flank of Mauna Loa Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i
Geologic Map of the Southern Flank of Mauna Loa Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i