Listen to hear the answer.
Where can I find metadata for USGS products?
Metadata links are included with all individual files listed in the Sciencebase catalog. USGS data that predate 2000 might not have metadata.
Metadata for Publications
Metadata for publications (bibliographic information) authored by USGS scientists are in the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Metadata for The National Map Products and Services
- In The National Map Viewer, click on the "Layer List" icon above the map, then click on the three dots to the right of the layer and select "Description" in the dropdown menu. Most layers in the Viewer are also available as Downloads and/or Services.
- In The National Map Download Client, after performing a search and generating a list of files, select the "Info/Metadata" or "Vendor Metadata" link on the right side of each file.
- Product-level metadata is included with data downloaded in The National Map Download Client along with feature-specific metadata describing source citations and processes applied to each individual feature or collections of features.
- Metadata links are included with individual files listed in the Sciencebase catalog.
Metadata for USGS topographic maps
- GeoPDF versions of Historical Topographic maps, US Topo maps, and OnDemand Topo maps come with an XML metadata file attached to the file. Download the GeoPDF file, open it in Acrobat Reader, click on the paperclip icon, then select a file from the list.
- US Topo maps (only) downloaded through TopoView (only) or OnDemand Topos downloaded through topoBuilder that are in GeoTIFF format come with two metadata XML documents—one for the map and one for the orthoimage.
- For Historical Topographic maps and US Topo maps, do a search on the map name and date in ScienceBase (example: Mammoth WV 2014). The entry for each map includes a link to the metadata.
Metadata for satellite data
- In the Search Results tab of EarthExplorer, click on the “Show Metadata and Browse” icon.
- When the metadata window opens, click on “Open New Window” and scroll to the bottom for more viewing options.
Learn more:
- 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) Product Metadata
- USGS Data Management: Metadata
- Fundamental Science Practices: Metadata for USGS Scientific Information Products
Related Content
What are the differences between data, a dataset, and a database?
Data are observations or measurements (unprocessed or processed) represented as text, numbers, or multimedia. A dataset is a structured collection of data generally associated with a unique body of work. A database is an organized collection of data stored as multiple datasets. Those datasets are generally stored and accessed electronically from a computer system that allows the data to be easily...
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 can I do if I cannot find a publication in the USGS Publications Warehouse?
If you can't find a known publication in our USGS Publications Warehouse , first try contacting the Publications Warehouse Team . If a print copy is readily available to them, they’re sometimes able to scan it and post it online for free download within a few days. If that doesn’t work, chances are good that the publication can be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Ask about Interlibrary Loan...
How do I contact the USGS?
For general science inquiries, call 1-888-392-8545. You can also use this website to send us a message or to initiate a live Web chat with a USGS Science Information Specialist. For questions on the distribution of federal park passes, maps, books and other science products, or the status of existing orders, call 1-888-275-8747 or visit the USGS Store website. Most of our employees are listed in...
How do I get USGS data?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides data on many different science topics. Most of it can be downloaded for free from our website. Our Science Data Catalog is a good starting point. Also try using your browser's search engine and including the keyword "usgs.gov". If you are looking for a particular data set and cannot find it through Internet searches or our Science Data Catalog...
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- FAQ
What are the differences between data, a dataset, and a database?
Data are observations or measurements (unprocessed or processed) represented as text, numbers, or multimedia. A dataset is a structured collection of data generally associated with a unique body of work. A database is an organized collection of data stored as multiple datasets. Those datasets are generally stored and accessed electronically from a computer system that allows the data to be easily...
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 can I do if I cannot find a publication in the USGS Publications Warehouse?
If you can't find a known publication in our USGS Publications Warehouse , first try contacting the Publications Warehouse Team . If a print copy is readily available to them, they’re sometimes able to scan it and post it online for free download within a few days. If that doesn’t work, chances are good that the publication can be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Ask about Interlibrary Loan...
How do I contact the USGS?
For general science inquiries, call 1-888-392-8545. You can also use this website to send us a message or to initiate a live Web chat with a USGS Science Information Specialist. For questions on the distribution of federal park passes, maps, books and other science products, or the status of existing orders, call 1-888-275-8747 or visit the USGS Store website. Most of our employees are listed in...
How do I get USGS data?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides data on many different science topics. Most of it can be downloaded for free from our website. Our Science Data Catalog is a good starting point. Also try using your browser's search engine and including the keyword "usgs.gov". If you are looking for a particular data set and cannot find it through Internet searches or our Science Data Catalog...
- Multimedia
- Publications