How should I cite datasets and services from The National Map?
The USGS does not require a specific format when citing data obtained through The National Map. You should follow the citation guidelines provided by instructors or publication editors as appropriate. The following should help you find the information that you need:
Citation for Datasets
-
Author: U.S. Geological Survey
-
Release date: the first four numbers of <pubdate> from dataset metadata for the year of the release date. For example, if the <pubdate> is 20190426, the year is 2019.
-
Title: depends on the dataset. Examples include: National Hydrography Dataset, 3D Elevation Program 1-Meter Resolution Digital Elevation Model, Watershed Boundary Dataset, or 3D Elevation Program Lidar Point Cloud.
-
Version: <title> from dataset metadata
-
Access information: date accessed and URL for webpage used to access the data
Dataset examples:
U.S. Geological Survey, 2019, National Hydrography Dataset (ver. USGS National Hydrography Dataset Best Resolution (NHD) for Hydrologic Unit (HU) 4 - 2001 (published 20191002)), accessed October 23, 2019 at URL https://www.usgs.gov/national-hydrography/access-national-hydrography-products
U.S. Geological Survey, 2019, 3D Elevation Program 1-Meter Resolution Digital Elevation Model (published 20200606), accessed October 23, 2019 at URL https://www.usgs.gov/the-national-map-data-delivery
Citation for Web services
-
Author: U.S. Geological Survey
-
Release date: the date listed in the Copyright Text in the REST service description available at https://apps.nationalmap.gov/services/
-
Title of the data: the Title listed in the Document Info in the REST service description available at https://apps.nationalmap.gov/services/
-
Access information: Date accessed and URL for the map service
Web service examples:
U.S. Geological Survey, 2019, USGS TNM Hydrography (NHD), accessed June 7, 2019 at URL https://apps.nationalmap.gov/services/.
U.S. Geological Survey, 2019, USGS 3D Elevation Program Digital Elevation Model, accessed June 7, 2019 at URL https://elevation.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/3DEPElevation/ImageServer.
Learn more:
Related
What are the Terms of Use/Licensing for map services and data from The National Map? What are the Terms of Use/Licensing for map services and data from The National Map?
Map services and data downloaded from The National Map are free and in the public domain. There are no restrictions; however, we request that the following acknowledgment statement of the originating agency be included in products and data derived from our map services when citing, copying, or reprinting: "Map services and data available from U.S. Geological Survey, National Geospatial Program."...
What sources were used for imagery in The National Map services? What sources were used for imagery in The National Map services?
Sources for orthoimagery in The National Map services: World view to 1:2,300,000 - NASA Blue Marble Next Generation (BMNG) 1:1,150,000 to 1:289,000 - A subset of the Global Land Survey 2000 (Landsat) Scales larger than 1:289,000 - primarily the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP). The data is 1-meter pixel resolution flown during "leaf-on" conditions. Collection of NAIP imagery is...
Related
What are the Terms of Use/Licensing for map services and data from The National Map? What are the Terms of Use/Licensing for map services and data from The National Map?
Map services and data downloaded from The National Map are free and in the public domain. There are no restrictions; however, we request that the following acknowledgment statement of the originating agency be included in products and data derived from our map services when citing, copying, or reprinting: "Map services and data available from U.S. Geological Survey, National Geospatial Program."...
What sources were used for imagery in The National Map services? What sources were used for imagery in The National Map services?
Sources for orthoimagery in The National Map services: World view to 1:2,300,000 - NASA Blue Marble Next Generation (BMNG) 1:1,150,000 to 1:289,000 - A subset of the Global Land Survey 2000 (Landsat) Scales larger than 1:289,000 - primarily the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP). The data is 1-meter pixel resolution flown during "leaf-on" conditions. Collection of NAIP imagery is...