Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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

link
Loch Vale lake at Rocky Mountain National Park, CO.

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...

link

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...

Learn More
link
Geologic Map

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...

link

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...

Learn More
link
1951 USGS legacy topographic map of the Monson West, ME

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. USGS topographic maps have been published at many scales, but 1:24,000 (also referred to as a 7.5-minute quadrangle) has been the standard topographic map scale since 1947. For Alaska the standard scale is 1:25,000.  All dates and all scales of our topographic maps can be freely...

link

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. USGS topographic maps have been published at many scales, but 1:24,000 (also referred to as a 7.5-minute quadrangle) has been the standard topographic map scale since 1947. For Alaska the standard scale is 1:25,000.  All dates and all scales of our topographic maps can be freely...

Learn More
No results found.

Divisions of geologic time (Bookmark)

DescriptionThis bookmark presents information that is widely sought by educators and students. This bookmark is adapted from the more detailed U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2018–3054, “Divisions of Geologic Time,” prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Names Committee in cooperation with the Association of American State Geologists. The fact sheet and the bookmark contain names of geo

Database of the geologic map of North America— Adapted from the map by J.C. Reed, Jr. and others (2005)

IntroductionThe Geological Society of America's (GSA) Geologic Map of North America (Reed and others, 2005a; 1:5,000,000) shows the geology of a significantly large area of the Earth, centered on North and Central America and including the submarine geology of parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This map is now converted to a Geographic Information System (GIS) database that contains all geo
By
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Divisions of geologic time—Major chronostratigraphic and geochronologic units

IntroductionEffective communication in the geosciences requires a consistent nomenclature for stratigraphic units and, especially, for divisions of geologic time. A geologic time scale is composed of standard stratigraphic divisions based on rock sequences and is calibrated in years.Geologists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), State geological surveys, academia, and other organizations requi
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

About the geologic map in the National Atlas of the United States of America

Introduction The geologic map in the National Atlas of the United States of America shows the age, distribution, and general character of the rocks that underlie the Nation, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (but excluding other small island possessions). (The National Atlas of the United States can be accessed at URL http://nationalatlas.gov/natlas/Natlasstart.asp.) Th
By
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Geology of the conterminous United States at 1:2,500,000 scale a digital representation of the 1974 P.B. King and H.M. Beikman map

This CD-ROM contains a digital version of the Geologic Map of the United States, originally published at a scale of 1:2,500,000 (King and Beikman, 1974b). It excludes Alaska and Hawaii. In addition to the graphical formats, the map key is included in ASCII text. A geographic information system (GIS) allows combining and overlaying of layers for analysis of spatial relations not readily apparent

Digital files of geologic map symbols with cartographic specifications

The logic of geological maps, with reference to their interpretation and use for engineering purposes

Collecting rocks

link

Stitching Together the New Digital Geologic Quilt of the United States

A carbonatite here, a glacial moraine there, a zig-zagging fault or two, even a behemoth of a batholith. The geology of the 50 States is an enormous...

Read Article

Related Content

  • FAQ
    link
    Loch Vale lake at Rocky Mountain National Park, CO.

    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...

    link

    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...

    Learn More
    link
    Geologic Map

    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...

    link

    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...

    Learn More
    link
    1951 USGS legacy topographic map of the Monson West, ME

    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. USGS topographic maps have been published at many scales, but 1:24,000 (also referred to as a 7.5-minute quadrangle) has been the standard topographic map scale since 1947. For Alaska the standard scale is 1:25,000.  All dates and all scales of our topographic maps can be freely...

    link

    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. USGS topographic maps have been published at many scales, but 1:24,000 (also referred to as a 7.5-minute quadrangle) has been the standard topographic map scale since 1947. For Alaska the standard scale is 1:25,000.  All dates and all scales of our topographic maps can be freely...

    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    No results found.
  • Publications

    Divisions of geologic time (Bookmark)

    DescriptionThis bookmark presents information that is widely sought by educators and students. This bookmark is adapted from the more detailed U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2018–3054, “Divisions of Geologic Time,” prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Names Committee in cooperation with the Association of American State Geologists. The fact sheet and the bookmark contain names of geo

    Database of the geologic map of North America— Adapted from the map by J.C. Reed, Jr. and others (2005)

    IntroductionThe Geological Society of America's (GSA) Geologic Map of North America (Reed and others, 2005a; 1:5,000,000) shows the geology of a significantly large area of the Earth, centered on North and Central America and including the submarine geology of parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This map is now converted to a Geographic Information System (GIS) database that contains all geo
    By
    Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

    Divisions of geologic time—Major chronostratigraphic and geochronologic units

    IntroductionEffective communication in the geosciences requires a consistent nomenclature for stratigraphic units and, especially, for divisions of geologic time. A geologic time scale is composed of standard stratigraphic divisions based on rock sequences and is calibrated in years.Geologists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), State geological surveys, academia, and other organizations requi
    By
    Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

    About the geologic map in the National Atlas of the United States of America

    Introduction The geologic map in the National Atlas of the United States of America shows the age, distribution, and general character of the rocks that underlie the Nation, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (but excluding other small island possessions). (The National Atlas of the United States can be accessed at URL http://nationalatlas.gov/natlas/Natlasstart.asp.) Th
    By
    Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

    Geology of the conterminous United States at 1:2,500,000 scale a digital representation of the 1974 P.B. King and H.M. Beikman map

    This CD-ROM contains a digital version of the Geologic Map of the United States, originally published at a scale of 1:2,500,000 (King and Beikman, 1974b). It excludes Alaska and Hawaii. In addition to the graphical formats, the map key is included in ASCII text. A geographic information system (GIS) allows combining and overlaying of layers for analysis of spatial relations not readily apparent

    Digital files of geologic map symbols with cartographic specifications

    The logic of geological maps, with reference to their interpretation and use for engineering purposes

    Collecting rocks

  • News
    link

    Stitching Together the New Digital Geologic Quilt of the United States

    A carbonatite here, a glacial moraine there, a zig-zagging fault or two, even a behemoth of a batholith. The geology of the 50 States is an enormous...

    Read Article