Resources for Digital
Geologic Cartography

These are suggested elements of the site -- the website design will occur when the site is populated.
If you'd like to contribute resources or a link, we'd really appreciate it!

MAP LAYOUT:

Examples of well-prepared geologic maps, in formal and informal map series
Templates for geologic maps

MAP SYMBOLS, COLORS, PATTERNS, GEOLOGIC AGE FONTS:

FGDC Geologic map symbol standard
Other standards and resources for suggested text fonts, map symbols, colors, patterns for printed and on-screen display [CMYK, RGB; EPS, Arc]

GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE:

USGS (with RGB and CMYK swatch libraries)
Others

CARTOGRAPHIC TOOLS AND MISC. RESOURCES:

Converter and locator tools
Handy map finders
Map projections
etc...

MAP PUBLICATION GUIDELINES:

USGS Suggestions to Authors
STATEMAP
USGS

CARTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES

BACKGROUND AND MISC. INFORMATION:

What are geologic maps?
What are the essential components of a geologic map?
"Printer's Dummy", showing who's responsible for each aspect of a map, at your agency

MAP LAYOUT

Examples of geologic maps
- STATEMAP maps
- EDMAP maps
- USGS maps
Templates for geologic maps
- USGS I-series map (Atlanta 100K sheet; prepared by Eastern Publications Group, ca. 2003):
  View source map | View template(NOTE: put the SID here) | Download it (20MB .ai file)
- USGS I-series map (Klamath Falls 250K; prepared by Western Pubs. Group, updated by Central Pubs. Group, ca. 2004):
  View source map | View template(NOTE: put the SID here) | Download it (24MB PDF file)
- Arkansas Geol. Commission Digital Geologic Quadrangle map (Center Point 24K quad; ca. 2006):
  Map reference | View template(NOTE: put the SID here) | Download it (13MB JPG file)
- Down memory lane (pre "digital-age"):
  - ca. 1990, USGS MF-series map (Inyo Mountains; 1:62,500):
    Map reference | View template(NOTE: put the SID here) | Download it (6.7MB JPG file)

MAP SYMBOLS, COLORS, PATTERNS, FONTS

FGDC -- the U.S. Federal Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization:
- Includes:
  - Introductory text and guidance on scientific and locational accuracy descriptions for geologic map features
  - Symbols for geologic line and point features
  - Symbols for basemap elements
  - Patterns for geologic units
  - CMYK color chart
  - Suggested stratigraphic-age and volcanic map-unit colors
  - Geologic age symbol font
  - Bar scales
  - Mean declination arrows
  - Quadrangle location maps
- General information
- Download the Standard (PDF)
- Postscript implementation will be available in early 2007
- Arc implementation is being developed in cooperation with ESRI
- Contact us with questions or comments
Geological Survey of Canada cartographic standards
British Geological Survey map symbols and lithological ornaments
CMYK colors for stratigraphic age, according to the Commission for the Geologic Map of the World

GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE

USGS Divisions of Geologic Time
- PDF format
- Time Scale colors, for Adobe Illustrator swatch library:
  - RGB
  - CMYK
International Commission on Stratigraphy (http://www.stratigraphy.org/)
- in USGS color scheme (about 700KB)
- in Commission for the Geological Map of the World color scheme (about 700KB)