2026 Best Student Geologic Map Competition Winners
The U.S. Geological Survey National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Best Student Geologic Map Competition, which took place at the annual Geological Society of America (GSA) Connects meeting in Denver, CO this past October.
Each year, the NCGMP partners with the Association of American State Geologists, American Institute of Professional Geologists, American Geosciences Institute, Journal of Maps, GSA, and GSA Foundation to host the Best Student Geologic Map Competition during the annual GSA Connects meeting.
This competition highlights the mapping research accomplishments of students worldwide and the important role that students play in the future of geologic mapping.
In 2026, the Best Student Geologic Map Competition showcased 20 graduate and undergraduate student mappers who presented posters with an impressive range of geologic maps, spanning from the Rocky Mountains to central Tibet.
Photos of each winner working in the field and presenting their maps are paired below. Use the slider (where present) in the middle of a photo pair to adjust your view.
First Place
This year's first place winner is Daniel Vega from Idaho State University for his poster titled: Geologic Map of the Southern Portion of the Mount Harrison and Connor Ridge Quadrangles, Cassia County, Idaho. Here he is seen showing off his first place prize and poster at Connects (left) and in the field reviewing a field map on a weathered outcrop of Harrison Summit quartzite, accompanied by his dog Jasper (right).
Second Place
Second place went to Dylan Frawley from the Colorado State University for his poster: Geologic Map of Sand Creek and South Colony Lakes, Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. Here he is seen looking for bedding in the Pennsylvanian-Permian Crestone Conglomerate on top of Crestone Peak (left) and alongside his final geologic map poster at Connects (right).
Third Place
Finally, third place went to Hunter Broeder from Colorado State University for his poster: Geologic mapping of the Gibson Peak syncline and Crestone thrust, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, southern Colorado: New insights into Ancestral Rocky Mountain deformation along the Northeastern Margin of the Uncompahgre Uplift. Here he is seen climbing one of the many 13,000 ft peaks in the study area within the late Pennsylvanian-Permian Crestone Conglomerate member of the Sangre de Cristo Formation (left) and alongside his poster at Connects (right).
Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to all of the participants, judges, and sponsors in this year's competition! Next year's Best Student Geologic Map Competition will take place at Connects 2027 in Montreal, Canada, and NCGMP is looking forward to another round of outstanding map submissions. Stay tuned to the GSA and EDMAP websites for future map competition updates!
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Best Student Geologic Map Competition at the Geological Society of America (GSA) Connects Annual Meeting
EDMAP
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Best Student Geologic Map Competition at the Geological Society of America (GSA) Connects Annual Meeting