Multimedia College
Biology/Ecosystems|| Geography|| Geology|| Global Change|| Natural Hazards|| Oceans/Coasts|| Water|| Other
Avian Zoonotic Diseases: Work Smart, Stay Safe- Video
A 90-minute online seminar that covers basic disease concepts, common routes of disease exposure, and biosafety recommendations. Avian zoonotic diseases discussed are salmonellosis, chlamydiosis, histoplasmosis, West Nile virus, Newcastle Disease, and avian influenza. Watch the course and download the materials.
Mammalian Zoonotic Diseases: Work Smart, Stay Safe- Video
A 90-minute online seminar that covers basic disease concepts, common routes of disease exposure and biosafety recommendations. Mammalian zoonotic diseases discussed are rabies, plague, baylisascaris, tularemia, Hantavirus, Lyme disease, giardia, and echinococcus. Watch the course and download the materials.
Interactive Human Wildlife Disease Maps- Maps
Dengue Fever reports have been added to the USGS Disease Maps Web site. Provide public assistance in wildlife disease surveillance through a new experimental Web site for reporting wildlife mortality events.
Terrestrial Ecosystems: Isobioclimates of the Conterminous United States- Map
This USGS map is an excellent classroom tool for the study of terrestrial ecosystems. Two other useful Terrestrial Ecosystem maps have also been published: Land Surface Forms of the Conterminous United States and Topographic Moisture Potential of the Conterminous United States. All three maps can be downloaded in PDF format or paper copies can be ordered from the USGS Store.
The National Map- Maps
Download free, seamless orthoimagery, elevation, geographic names, hydrography, boundaries, transportation, structures, and land cover for the entire U.S. Offers interoperability with ArcGIS and viewers like Google Earth, popular GIS tools, and other advanced features. New users might benefit from reading a fact sheet before starting.
USGS Education Map Catalog- Maps
Go to the USGS Store and click on "Education Products" to browse and purchase USGS maps that are popular with educators.
Free Digital USGS Topographic Map Quadrangles- Maps
Go to the USGS Store and click on "Map Locator and Downloader" to download free USGS topographic map quadrangles in georeferenced PDF (GeoPDF) format. Both historical topographic maps and US Topo maps are available. Other file formats for topographic maps are available.
Satellite Image of Your State- Photos
Print a poster size satellite image of your selected U.S. State.
Urban Growth in American Cities- Photos
Explore how USGS uses image pairs to examine landscape change over time. Use land cover data derived from remote sensing data to view our dynamic changing land surface.
US, ROUTES PRINCIPAL EXPLORERS 1501-1844- Map
What routes did the early explorers take across the contiguous United States? This map of early exploration follows the routes these pioneers took across the country's landscape.
Printable Outline Maps of States (plus reference maps and more!)- Map
Download hundreds of reference maps for individual states and for all of the United States. These are specifically designed to print on 8.5"x11" paper for classroom use. Includes unlabeled outline maps of the U.S. Formerly available on the National Atlas website.
AmericaView- Lessons and Photos
USGS is a partner in AmericaView, which has lesson plans and other education resources for working with satellite imagery. Mostly targeted to grades 6-12. Includes links to various lesson plans, games, tutorials, and other educational resources.
Education Map Catalog- Maps
Find useful maps for your classroom! Browse our most popular educational maps.
Printable Outline Maps of States (plus reference maps and more!)
Download hundreds of reference maps for individual states and for all of the United States. These are specifically designed to print on 8.5"x11" paper for classroom use. Includes unlabeled outline maps of the U.S. Formerly available on the National Atlas website.
Satellite Image of Your State- Photos
Print a poster size satellite image of your selected U.S. State.
Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS)- Backgroud Information and Photos
EROS is the repository and source for USGS satellite imagery, aerial photography, and many digital data products. EROS is recognized for its expertise in developing new ways to analyze, visualize, and utilize remotely sensed land data for studying diverse aspects of Earth’s terrestrial environment.
Earth Explorer - Free USGS Remote Sensing Data- Photos
Download digital USGS data including satellite imagery, digital aerial photos, and other data. All products are free except for high resolution scans of aerial photography.
Global Visualization Viewer (GloVis) - Free USGS Remote Sensing Data- Photos
Download free satellite images as well as aerial photography. GloVis is more user-friendly than EarthExplorer but the search options are not as robust.
Satellite Image Gallery- Photos
A special collection of satellite images that record beautiful sights and scenes that stir the imagination. Includes the spectacular 'Earth as Art' collections and satellite mosaics of each state. All images can be downloaded for free. Paper copies of all these images can also be purchased through the USGS Store.
EarthNow!- Photos
Currently only works in Internet Explorer. A mesmerizing, near-real time viewer that displays data received from the Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 satellites as they pass over the United States.
Earthshots: Satellite Images of Environmental Change- Photos
Earthshots is a collection of before-and-after Landsat images (1972-present), showing recent environmental events and introducing the concept of remote sensing. Some changes are due to natural causes and some are due to human causes. Each set of images includes a detailed description, photographs and maps, a list of references, and a question/answer. Images are best used on-line.
Free USGS topographic map quadrangles- Maps
Download free USGS topographic map quadrangles in georeferenced PDF (GeoPDF) format by clicking on "Map Locator" on the USGS Store Web site. These files were created using high-resolution scans and average 10-17 megabytes in size. You can search by location, theme, name, and other means to locate the area of interest.
US Topo: Maps for America- Maps
This site contains information on US Topo, the next generation of topographic maps which integrate historical topographic maps with more frequent GIS updates. US Topo maps are available for any new topographic map produced after 2009 and directions on how to access are available here: https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/accessing-us-topo-through-usgs-store
Tapestry of Time and Terrain- Map
Shaded relief and geology are combined on this map of the 48 conterminous states. It's a useful resource for discussing physiographic provinces and for viewing the location of rocks deposited during different geologic time periods. Download a free PDF or purchase a paper copy through the USGS Store.
Geology of the Southern Appalachian Mountains- Map
Created for use in high school and college classrooms, this double-sided USGS map consists of a geologic map, photographs of geologic features, diagrams of plate movement, and more. The map is a companion to the DVD and Teachers Guide The Southern Appalachians, a Changing World and the brochure Birth of the Mountains.
3D Photographs of Geology in National Parks- Photos
Photographic tours of National Parks (primarily in the western U.S.) in both 3D and standard photographs.
Introduction to Geologic Maps- Maps
Geologic maps describe the rocks and soils at the surface, provide information about what rocks lie at depth, describe the ages of rocks and soils, and show where features such as earthquake faults and landslides lie. This resource page is particularly useful to help students understand geologic maps of areas near where they live or study.
Tapestry of Time and Terrain- Map
Shaded relief and geology are combined on this map of the 48 conterminous states. It's a useful resource for discussing physiographic provinces and for viewing the location of rocks deposited during different geologic time periods. Download a free PDF or purchase a paper copy through the USGS Store.
Geology of the Southern Appalachian Mountains- Map
Created for use in high school and college classrooms, this double-sided USGS map consists of a geologic map, photographs of geologic features, diagrams of plate movement, and more. The map is a companion to the DVD and Teachers Guide The Southern Appalachians, a Changing World and the brochure Birth of the Mountains.
Inorganic Chemical Analysis of Environmental Materials--A Lecture Series- Videos
Compilation of a series of USGS lectures given to graduate level students. Emphasizes the thought processes that should be used when submitting samples for analyses.
Melting Glaciers: Before and After Photographs- Photos
The USGS Repeat Photography Project for Glacier National Park pairs historic images of glaciers with striking contemporary photos to give global warming a face and make climate change a relevant issue.
USGS Emergency Operations Portal and the Hazards Data Distribution System (HDDS)- Backgroud Information and Photos
Explore critical pre- and post-disaster images and datasets online for immediate viewing and downloading. The USGS provides these images for use in disaster preparations, rescue and relief operations, damage assessments, and reconstruction efforts. For a quick introduction to HDDS, read a one-page fact sheet.
National Seismic Hazard Maps- Maps
National maps of ground motion for various probability levels.
Quaternary Faults Web Mapping Application- Map
Use this interactive map to find information about individual Quaternary faults in the United States. Click on a fault to get its name, age, slip rate, slip sense, and a data link.
World Seismicity Information- Maps
Links to seismicity maps and related information that is available for individual countries.
Earthquake Summary Posters- Posters
View and download posters that provide detailed information and a brief discussion about large earthquakes soon after they occur. Images include the epicentral area, plate tectonic environment, earthquake history, and generalized seismic hazard of the region. A one-stop-shop for information about large earthquakes that have occurred since 2002.
Seismicity of the Earth 1900-2007- Map
Download a map that illustrates over 100 years of global seismicity in the context of plate tectonics. This map provides a slightly different perspective from This Dynamic Planet, which is targeted to educators.
Seismicity of the Aleutian Arc 1900-2007- Map
Download a map showing the details of seismicity on the Aleutian Arc, which are not visible on the above global map.
WaterWatch -- Current water resources conditions- Map
Map of flood and high flow condition (United States). A Google Map version is also available.
Maps of Holocene Debris Flows in the Conterminous United States- Maps
This 1999 publications shows the locations of 6,600 debris flows and areas of possible future debris flows in the conterminous U.S.
Coastal and Marine Geology Internet Map Server and GIS Data- Maps
A portal to digital maps and georeferenced data for coastal and marine areas of the U.S.
College-level Training Materials for Groundwater Concepts
Although these materials predate modern computers, the basics of groundwater hydrology don't change and must be mastered before moving on to computer techniques. These publications are useful supplementary materials for students or anyone seeking to learn more about groundwater:
- Concepts and Modeling in Ground-Water Hydrology: A Self-Paced Training Course (1991 - includes questions and answers)
- Introduction to Ground-Water Hydraulics: A Programed Text for Self-Instruction (1989)
- Ground-Water Hydraulics: A Summary of Lectures at Short Courses (1955)
- Technical Training Notes in Ground-Water Hydrology: Radial Flow to a Well (1989)
Ground Water Atlas of the United States- Backgroud Information and Maps
Learn about the ground-water resources of regional areas that collectively cover the U.S. and its territories. Text and maps are used to describe the climate, physiography, geology, land use, major aquifers, and ground-water withdrawals for each region.
WaterWatch -- Current water resources conditions- Map
Map of flood and high flow condition (United States). A Google Map version is also available.
Maps from the Astrogeology program- Maps
A prime activity of the USGS Astrogeology program is the systematic mapping of the stratigraphy and structure of the Moon, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the moons of the outer planets. This site is an index of those maps, covering both global and regional areas. Many can be downloaded for free in PDF format. To purchase printed maps, browse the available selection at the USGS Store.
Regional Planetary Image Facility- Videos and Photos
The USGS was heavily involved in planning and practicing for the Apollo Moon missions. Historical videos, photographs, and online exhibits of this fascinating time are archived here. There is also a database of about 900 published lunar and planetary paper maps of the I-Map and SIM-map series.