Since its creation in 1882, the USGS Library has grown to become the world's largest library dedicated to earth and natural sciences, holding more than 1.5 million volumes and 800,000 maps. Richard Huffine, Director of the USGS Libraries Program, will highlight some of the rarest, most valuable, and significant materials held by the USGS.
What USGS products are already publicly available?
As the Nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, we have numerous types of products. Most of these--including data, tools, maps, and publications--are publicly available through our website. Almost all digital materials can be downloaded at no cost to the public.
For information about USGS science, products and data, send a message through this website.
Frequently-accessed product websites include:
- USGS Publications Warehouse - access to over 150,000 publications written by USGS scientists. Send questions to the Publications Warehouse team.
- Map Locator on the USGS Store - download free digital topographic maps (current and historical) or order paper maps (for a fee). Find maps by entering a zip code, an address, or navigating on an interactive map. Send questions to usgsstore@usgs.gov or call 1-888-275-8747.
- EarthExplorer - download free satellite and aerial imagery. Alternatively, download the imagery using GloVis, which is less robust but more user-friendly. Send questions to custserv@usgs.gov or call 800-252-4547.
- National Water Dashboard - download free surface water and groundwater data for the Nation.
- Earthquakes Hazards Program - information about seismic hazards and free earthquake data via the Real-time Earthquake Map or the Earthquake Catalog. Find state-specific links and information about individual Quaternary faults.
- Mineral Resources Online Spatial Data - interactive maps and downloadable data for regional and global geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and mineral resources. Explore the National Minerals Information for national and international mineral commodity data and statistics. Send questions to minerals@usgs.gov.
- Energy Resources Program - free data and information about global petroleum and gas assessments, wind energy, coal, and more.
- Real-Time Data - a website with links that point to real-time streamflow, flood, drought, earthquake, volcano, landslide, wildfire, and geomagnetism data.
- Science Data Catalog (SDC) - central access to USGS research and monitoring data from across the nation. Search USGS data plus original metadata describing purpose, scope, structure, and provenance. The SDC also publishes content to downstream federal catalogs, including Data.gov.
- USGS ScienceBase Catalog - a collection of formally released datasets and data products that the USGS created or managed. Facilitates public data sharing and helps establish links to associated publications and projects. Tutorials explain how to navigate and search ScienceBase information. Also see the ScienceBase FAQs.
Related
How can I find publications of the USGS? How can I find publications of the USGS?
The USGS Publications Warehouse is an online catalog for searching all USGS publications and downloading free digital versions. USGS Libraries contain sets of all USGS publications plus many state geological survey publications. The public go in person to any USGS library to do research, but USGS library materials can only be borrowed by placing a request with your local library for Interlibrary...
What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)? What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested under the FOIA unless it falls under one of nine exemptions that protect interests such as personal...
Are there geologic maps or publications for where I live? 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...
What information/data is NOT covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)? What information/data is NOT covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
Information/data that is NOT covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) includes: Non-agency records and personal records. Public requests for access to physical artifacts or scientific samples (e.g. core samples, sediment, rocks, fossils, specimen samples, blood samples). Access to some samples can be arranged through our laboratories. Files that are protected from disclosure by any of nine...
Since its creation in 1882, the USGS Library has grown to become the world's largest library dedicated to earth and natural sciences, holding more than 1.5 million volumes and 800,000 maps. Richard Huffine, Director of the USGS Libraries Program, will highlight some of the rarest, most valuable, and significant materials held by the USGS.
Records Preservation
Older materials and recently arrived items in the Field Records Collection are in various states of preservation and documentation.
Older materials and recently arrived items in the Field Records Collection are in various states of preservation and documentation.
On File at the Field Records Collection
The Field Records Collection in Denver houses materials generated from nearly 130 years of scientific investigations by more than 1200 scientists.
The Field Records Collection in Denver houses materials generated from nearly 130 years of scientific investigations by more than 1200 scientists.
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.
Related
How can I find publications of the USGS? How can I find publications of the USGS?
The USGS Publications Warehouse is an online catalog for searching all USGS publications and downloading free digital versions. USGS Libraries contain sets of all USGS publications plus many state geological survey publications. The public go in person to any USGS library to do research, but USGS library materials can only be borrowed by placing a request with your local library for Interlibrary...
What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)? What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested under the FOIA unless it falls under one of nine exemptions that protect interests such as personal...
Are there geologic maps or publications for where I live? 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...
What information/data is NOT covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)? What information/data is NOT covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
Information/data that is NOT covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) includes: Non-agency records and personal records. Public requests for access to physical artifacts or scientific samples (e.g. core samples, sediment, rocks, fossils, specimen samples, blood samples). Access to some samples can be arranged through our laboratories. Files that are protected from disclosure by any of nine...
Treasures of the USGS Library
Since its creation in 1882, the USGS Library has grown to become the world's largest library dedicated to earth and natural sciences, holding more than 1.5 million volumes and 800,000 maps. Richard Huffine, Director of the USGS Libraries Program, will highlight some of the rarest, most valuable, and significant materials held by the USGS.
Since its creation in 1882, the USGS Library has grown to become the world's largest library dedicated to earth and natural sciences, holding more than 1.5 million volumes and 800,000 maps. Richard Huffine, Director of the USGS Libraries Program, will highlight some of the rarest, most valuable, and significant materials held by the USGS.
Records Preservation
Older materials and recently arrived items in the Field Records Collection are in various states of preservation and documentation.
Older materials and recently arrived items in the Field Records Collection are in various states of preservation and documentation.
On File at the Field Records Collection
The Field Records Collection in Denver houses materials generated from nearly 130 years of scientific investigations by more than 1200 scientists.
The Field Records Collection in Denver houses materials generated from nearly 130 years of scientific investigations by more than 1200 scientists.
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.
Updated Date: May 22, 2026