The USGS uses every tool available to make accurate and up-to-date maps. This includes boats and binoculars, as well as airplanes, satellites, and lasers!
Mapping has come a long way from the early days of using pencil, paper, and barometers to produce topographic quadrangles! Modern mapping methods use satellites and airborne sensors to acquire data connected to geographic information, forming digital data layers that comprise geospatial information and map products. Mapping products characterize the surface and subsurface, and cover not just land, but also parts of the seafloor. Information is now primarily delivered in digital format (although printouts are available on demand) and available for public use.
History of USGS Topographic Work
History of USGS Geologic Mapping
Seafloor Mapping
Planetary Mapping
Innovation in Map Product Delivery
USGS is developing new tools and options to help the public access and make use of maps and map data, including topoBuilder, where custom topographic maps are created on demand, and US Topo, where USGS-style topographic maps can be created on demand, where data layers can be turned on and off. USGS is also working on future map delivery methods, such as the U.S. GeoFramework Initiative, an effort to create an integrated, three-dimensional, digital geologic map of the US., with a goal to enable on-demand construction of 2D and 3D geologic maps by 2030. Earth Monitoring, Analyses, and Prediction (EarthMAP) is a framework for how USGS will integrate science, data, current technologies, and the delivery of products in the form of integrated observations and predictions of the current and future state of Earth systems at the scales and timeframes needed to inform decisions.
topoBuilder
U.S. Geoframework Initiative
EarthMAP
Landsat Missions
USGS Geospatial and Mapping Applications
USGS also produces or contributes to other databases and web applications for viewing geospatial and remotely sensed data. Examples are the
- National Land Cover Database: definitive land cover database for the US in cooperation with the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium (MRLC)
- Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET): a training program built around the recognition that the Earth is a fundamental training ground for human and robotic planetary exploration
- Landfire: a complete nationally consistent collection of geospatial layers to support land and wildland fire support
- Global Visualuation Viewer (GloVIS): a tool for accessing publicly available remote sensing data
- Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP): a new generation of land cover mapping and change monitoring
- 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) LidarExplorer: USGS managed program respond to growing needs for high-quality topographic data and for a wide range of other three-dimensional (3D) representations of the Nation's natural and constructed features
National Land Cover Database
LANDFIRE (LF)
Terrestrial Analogs (TARGET)
Global Visualization Viewer (GloVis)
Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP)
3DEP LidarExplorer
USGS Role in Mapping Standards
USGS works with other Federal agencies to ensure mapping, geospatial, and other data products meet standards, delivering map products in a consistent format for use by stakeholders and the public.
U.S. Board on Geographic Names
Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information (CEGIS)
National Geospatial Program Standards
Geoscience Standards
Science
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative
Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
GloVis Short and Simple Tutorial
GloVis Help Index
Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative
Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
GloVis Short and Simple Tutorial
GloVis Help Index
Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)
National Land Cover Database
LANDFIRE-Landscape Fire and Resource Management Planning Tools
- Overview
Mapping has come a long way from the early days of using pencil, paper, and barometers to produce topographic quadrangles! Modern mapping methods use satellites and airborne sensors to acquire data connected to geographic information, forming digital data layers that comprise geospatial information and map products. Mapping products characterize the surface and subsurface, and cover not just land, but also parts of the seafloor. Information is now primarily delivered in digital format (although printouts are available on demand) and available for public use.
History of USGS Topographic WorkHistory of USGS Topographic WorkHistory of USGS Geologic MappingHistory of USGS Geologic MappingSeafloor MappingSeafloor MappingPlanetary MappingPlanetary MappingInnovation in Map Product Delivery
USGS is developing new tools and options to help the public access and make use of maps and map data, including topoBuilder, where custom topographic maps are created on demand, and US Topo, where USGS-style topographic maps can be created on demand, where data layers can be turned on and off. USGS is also working on future map delivery methods, such as the U.S. GeoFramework Initiative, an effort to create an integrated, three-dimensional, digital geologic map of the US., with a goal to enable on-demand construction of 2D and 3D geologic maps by 2030. Earth Monitoring, Analyses, and Prediction (EarthMAP) is a framework for how USGS will integrate science, data, current technologies, and the delivery of products in the form of integrated observations and predictions of the current and future state of Earth systems at the scales and timeframes needed to inform decisions.
topoBuildertopoBuilderU.S. Geoframework InitiativeU.S. Geoframework InitiativeEarthMAPEarthMAPLandsat MissionsLandsat Missions
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Land cover animation of growth in the Palm Springs, CA area. USGS Geospatial and Mapping Applications
USGS also produces or contributes to other databases and web applications for viewing geospatial and remotely sensed data. Examples are the
- National Land Cover Database: definitive land cover database for the US in cooperation with the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium (MRLC)
- Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET): a training program built around the recognition that the Earth is a fundamental training ground for human and robotic planetary exploration
- Landfire: a complete nationally consistent collection of geospatial layers to support land and wildland fire support
- Global Visualuation Viewer (GloVIS): a tool for accessing publicly available remote sensing data
- Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP): a new generation of land cover mapping and change monitoring
- 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) LidarExplorer: USGS managed program respond to growing needs for high-quality topographic data and for a wide range of other three-dimensional (3D) representations of the Nation's natural and constructed features
National Land Cover DatabaseNational Land Cover DatabaseLANDFIRE (LF)LANDFIRE (LF)Terrestrial Analogs (TARGET)Terrestrial Analogs (TARGET)Global Visualization Viewer (GloVis)Global Visualization Viewer (GloVis)Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP)Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP)3DEP LidarExplorer3DEP LidarExplorerUSGS Role in Mapping Standards
USGS works with other Federal agencies to ensure mapping, geospatial, and other data products meet standards, delivering map products in a consistent format for use by stakeholders and the public.
U.S. Board on Geographic NamesU.S. Board on Geographic NamesCenter of Excellence for Geospatial Information (CEGIS)Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information (CEGIS)National Geospatial Program StandardsNational Geospatial Program StandardsGeoscience StandardsGeoscience StandardsScience
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative (USGI) is constructing a multi-resolution, seamless national 2D and 3D geologic maps and framework models by leveraging previous and existing geologic mapping efforts by both the USGS and State Geological Surveys to provide new regional- to National-scale geologic syntheses and support digital databases for 21st Century geologic mappers and many end users. By...Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Science Center (ASC) recently established the Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET) program. This service-oriented program is built around the recognition that the Earth is a fundamental training ground for human and robotic planetary exploration, and that ASC is in a unique position in northern Arizona with...GloVis Short and Simple Tutorial
Since 2001, the USGS Global Visualization Viewer (GloVis) has been used to easily view, order, and download remotely sensed data. The GloVis Tour covers the basic steps for navigating through the website. The Short and Simple Help Document supplements the tour and highlights key features for setting up a search and accessing data. The full Help Document is under development and will provide an...GloVis Help Index
Provided links help explain how to use the GloVis application.Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)
The goal of Earth MRI is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Enhancement of our domestic mineral supply will decrease the Nation’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals that are fundamental to our security and economy. - Publications
- Science
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative (USGI) is constructing a multi-resolution, seamless national 2D and 3D geologic maps and framework models by leveraging previous and existing geologic mapping efforts by both the USGS and State Geological Surveys to provide new regional- to National-scale geologic syntheses and support digital databases for 21st Century geologic mappers and many end users. By...Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Science Center (ASC) recently established the Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET) program. This service-oriented program is built around the recognition that the Earth is a fundamental training ground for human and robotic planetary exploration, and that ASC is in a unique position in northern Arizona with...GloVis Short and Simple Tutorial
Since 2001, the USGS Global Visualization Viewer (GloVis) has been used to easily view, order, and download remotely sensed data. The GloVis Tour covers the basic steps for navigating through the website. The Short and Simple Help Document supplements the tour and highlights key features for setting up a search and accessing data. The full Help Document is under development and will provide an...GloVis Help Index
Provided links help explain how to use the GloVis application.Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)
The goal of Earth MRI is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Enhancement of our domestic mineral supply will decrease the Nation’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals that are fundamental to our security and economy.National Land Cover Database
EROS is central to the creation of the National Land Cover Database (NLCD), which is updated every five years and stands as the definitive land cover database for the United States.LANDFIRE-Landscape Fire and Resource Management Planning Tools
LANDFIRE (LF), a shared program between the wildland fire management programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), represents the first and only complete nationally consistent collection of more than 25 geospatial layers (e.g. vegetation, fuel, disturbance, etc.), databases, and ecological models. - Data and More
- Multimedia
- News