Information Systems
How can I find U.S. Bureau of Mines publications?
Are USGS reports copyrighted?
How can I find publications of the USGS?
Where can I find historical photographs from the Great Surveys of the American West?
The USGS has developed many tools and techniques for analyzing data and specialized websites for sharing information and products with the public.
How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data? How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data?
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data is available for download via the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website. You can also download names using a query in Search Domestic Names. GNIS includes official names, their location attributes, variant names, and other data, which can be displayed, printed, and downloaded (in csv format) up to a maximum of 2,000 records. GNIS data can also be...
What are the official definitions of regions in the United States like "the Midwest," "the South," or the “East Coast”? What are the official definitions of regions in the United States like "the Midwest," "the South," or the “East Coast”?
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names does not define the extents of geographic regions, nor are they recorded in Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). The names and boundaries of regions are application-driven; that is, defined by a specific entity on a case-by-case basis according to a specific need, characteristics, or perception. Individuals might agree on the core of a region, but the...
How can I find original field notes made by USGS geologists and geographers? How can I find original field notes made by USGS geologists and geographers?
The USGS Field Records Collection is an archive of unpublished field notes, maps, correspondence, manuscripts, analysis reports, and other data created or collected by USGS Geology Discipline scientists during field studies and other project work. The collection is located in the USGS Library in Denver, Colorado, and is available for on-premises examination during normal library hours. See the...
How often are boundaries, structures, and transportation products and services updated in the National Map? How often are boundaries, structures, and transportation products and services updated in the National Map?
Since the USGS obtains most boundaries, structures, and transportation data from external sources, the frequency of updates depends on the release schedule of the source products. Boundaries - updates are variable. Structures - data content for map services is targeted for quarterly refresh cycles, while updated products are immediately available for download. Transportation - updates range from...
How do I download The National Map data products? How do I download The National Map data products?
Download or access The National Map data products via several applications and websites: The National Map Download Client – The primary site for data downloads. See the training videos (lessons 4a-4d) or click the Help link at the top of the Downloader for detailed instructions. LidarExplorer – Lidar Point Cloud data only. See where lidar is available, get a list of downloadable products, and...
Where can I get metadata for The National Map products and services? Where can I get metadata for The National Map products and services?
Metadata for The National Map products and services is available through the following sources: 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...
What sources were used to create the Boundaries, Structures and Transportation layers in The National Map? What sources were used to create the Boundaries, Structures and Transportation layers in The National Map?
Boundaries: Primary sources include the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), International Boundary Commission (IBC) for the Canadian boundary, and the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) for the Mexican boundary. Boundaries include city, county, State, Federal lands, provinces, and territories; as well as cadastral data (where applicable), associated with Public...
What constitutes the United States? What are the official definitions? What constitutes the United States? What are the official definitions?
Geographically (and as a general reference), the United States of America includes all areas considered to be under the sovereignty of the United States, but does not include leased areas. On May 14, 1959, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names issued the following definitions, which defined the Continental United States as "the 49 States on the North American Continent and the District of Columbia...
How often is the Geographic Names Information System database updated? How often is the Geographic Names Information System database updated?
Federal, tribal, state, local, and non-governmental data partners continuously submit new features and edits to existing features in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Additions and changes are validated by the staff and made available on the Search Domestic Names application. The downloadable files are revised bi-monthly and available via The National Map Downloader. and the GNIS...
What is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)? What is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)?
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), which maintains cooperative working relationships with State Names Authorities to standardize geographic names for Federal use. GNIS contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 states, the...
How can I find U.S. Bureau of Mines publications? How can I find U.S. Bureau of Mines publications?
After 85 years of service, the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) closed in 1996. Certain functions, such as the collection, analysis, and dissemination of minerals information, have been returned to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). For information on former USBM programs or publications, please see the following sources: The National Technical Reports Library (part of the National Technical...
How quickly is earthquake information posted to the USGS website and sent out via the Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) and other feeds? How quickly is earthquake information posted to the USGS website and sent out via the Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) and other feeds?
USGS earthquake information mechanisms are all triggered by the same system, so they all receive the information at the same time. The time it takes for the system to receive the information primarily depends on the size and location of the earthquake: An earthquake in California is processed and posted to the system in 2.5 minutes (on average). This is because our seismic network is very...