Catalog of maps
This publication contains brief descriptions about the various types of maps made by the U.S. Geological Survey.
General Information Product↗
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Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.
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Conversion factors: SI metric and U.S. customary units
The policy of the U.S. Geological Survey is to foster use of the International System of Units (SI) which was defined by the 11th General Conference of Weights and Measures in 1960. This modernized metric system constitutes an international "language" by means of which communications throughout the world's scientific and economic communities may be improved. This publication is designed to familiarize the reader with the SI units of measurement that correspond to the common units frequently used in programs of the Geological Survey. In the near future, SI units will be used exclusively in most publications of the Survey; the conversion factors provided herein will help readers to obtain a "feel" for each unit and to "think metric."
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Discover the many types of maps available from the U.S. Geological Survey
This publication briefly describes various types of maps available through the U.S. Geological Survey.
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Earthquakes
One of the most frightening and destructive phenomena of nature that man experiences is a severe earthquake and its terrible aftereffects. Since long before man existed, probably for more than 4 billion years, the forces within the Earth that produce earthquakes have played an active role in shaping the Earth's surface. These unpredictable catastrophic movements of the Earth have caused a great number of human casualties and extensive property damage. Today man is challenging the assumption that earthquakes must present an uncontrollable and unpredictable hazard to life and property. Scientists have begun to explore the means of predicting earthquakes. Sites of greatest hazard are being identified, and definite progress is being made in designing structures that will withstand the effects of earthquakes.
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The EROS Data Center
The Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Program of the U.S. Department of the Interior, administered by the Geological Survey, was established in 1966 to apply remote-sensing techniques to the inventory, monitoring, and management of natural resources. To meet its primary objective, the EROS Program includes research and training in the interpretation and application of remotely sensed data and provides remotely sensed data at nominal cost to scientists, resource planners, managers, and the public.
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EROS: A space program for Earth resources
The EROS Program, administered by the U. S. Geological Survey, works with representatives of departmental bureaus and offices to coordinate research and application of remote-sensing technology to the day to-day operations of the department. Most of the research and applications have been made possible by the experimental data acquisition systems of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In particular, the EROS Program uses data from the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS), from the Earth Resources Experiment Package (EREP) of Skylab, and from NASA's Aircraft Program.
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Building stones of our Nation's Capital
The buildings of our Nation's Capital serve as an unusual geologic display, for the city has been constructed with rocks from quarries throughout the United States and many distant lands. Each building is a unique museum that not only displays the important features of various stones and the geologic environment in which they were formed, but also serves as an historic witness to the city's growth and to the development of its architecture. This booklet describes the source and appearance of the stones used in Washington, D.C.; it includes a map and a walking guide to assist the visitor in examining them.
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The EROS Data Center
The EROS Data Center, 16 miles (25 km) northeast of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is operated by the EROS Program to provide access to NASA's LANDSAT [formerly Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS)] imagery, aerial photography acquired by the U.S. Department of the Interior, and photography and imagery acquired by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from research aircraft and from Skylab, Apollo, and Gemini spacecraft. The primary functions of the Center are data storage and reproduction, and user assistance and training. This publication describes the Data Center operations, data products, services, and procedures for ordering remotely sensed data. The EROS Data Center and its principal facility, the 120,000-square-foot (11,200 m 2 ) Karl E. Mundt Federal Building, were dedicated August 7, 1973.
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Steps to the moon
On July 20, 1969, man walked on the surface of the Moon and began a new chapter of his studies that will eventually disclose the geologic nature of the Earth's nearest neighbor. Although he has finally reached the Moon and sampled its substance, much work and study remain before he will know the full scientific significance of the first landing. This booklet briefly summarizes the steps man has taken to understand the Moon and what he thinks he has learned to date as a result of his centuries-long speculations and studies.
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Access routes to the U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The EROS Data Center is a part of the Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Program of the Department of the Interior, managed by the U.S. Geological Survey. It is the national center for the processing anddissemination of spacecraft and aircraft acquired photographic imagery and electronic data of the Earth's resources. The center also trains and assists users in the application of such data. The EROS Data Center provides access to Landsat data, aerial photography acquired by the U.S. Department of the Interior, and photography and other remotely sensed data acquired by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from research aircraft and from Skylab, Apollo, and Gemini spacecraft.
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Geologic maps : Portraits of the Earth
The picture above is a portrait of many square miles of the Earth's surface. The purpose of this leaflet is to explain how this portrait was made, how it can tell us about what lies beneath the surface of the ground, and other ways in which it can be useful to mankind.
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Geologic time
The Earth is very old 4 1/2 billion years or more according to recent estimates. This vast span of time, called geologic time by earth scientists, is difficult to comprehend in the familiar time units of months and years, or even centuries. How then do scientists reckon geologic time, and why do they believe the Earth is so old? A great part of the secret of the Earth's age is locked up in its rocks, and our centuries-old search for the key led to the beginning and nourished the growth of geologic science.
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Geologic time: The age of the Earth
The Earth is very old 4 1/2 billion years or more according to recent estimates. This vast span of time, called geologic time by earth scientists and believed by some to reach back to the birth of the Solar System, is difficult if not impossible to comprehend in the familiar time units of months and years, or even centuries. How then do scientists reckon geologic time, and why do they believe the Earth is so old? A great part of the secret of the Earth's age is locked up in its rocks, and man's centuries-old search for the key led to the beginning and nourished the growth of geologic science.
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Using maps in genealogy
In genealogy, maps are most often used as clues to where public or other records about an ancestor are likely to be found. Searching for maps seldom begins until a newcomer to genealogy has mastered basic genealogical routines
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Glaciers: A water resource
Most Americans have never seen a glacier, and most would say that glaciers are rare features found only in inaccessible, isolated wilderness mountains. Are they really so rare? Or are they really potentially important sources of water supply?
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Wisconsin, a summary of water-resources activities of the United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey 1986
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Wisconsin↗
The Great Salt Lake
The western part of the conterminous United States is often thought of as being a desert without any large bodies of water. In the desert area of western Utah, however, lies Great Salt Lake, which in 1986 covered approximately 2,300 square miles and contained 30 million acre-feet of water (an acre-foot is the amount of water necessary to cover 1 acre of land with water 1 foot in depth or about 326,000 gallons). To emphasize its size, the Great Salt Lake is the largest lake west of the Mississippi River, larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware.
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How to order maps on microfilm
The collection comprises over 120,000 maps, including some 15-minute quadrangle maps compiled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Parks and Monument maps, River Survey maps, and selected Federal Highway Administration county planning maps. The collection will continue to grow as other types of maps are added.
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