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 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 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)
Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)
National Land Cover Database
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative
Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)
National Land Cover Database
- 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 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 MissionsUSGS 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...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. - 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...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. - Data and More
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