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National Geologic Map Database
  • DMT 2023
    Anchorage, AK | May 21-24, 2023
  • DMT 2023
    Anchorage, AK | May 21-24, 2023
  • DMT 2023
    May 21 - 24, 2023
  • DMT 2023
    Anchorage, AK | May 21-24, 2023
  • DMT 2023
    Anchorage, AK | May 21-24, 2023
  • DMT 2023
    Anchorage, AK | May 21-24, 2023
  • DMT 2023
    Anchorage, AK | May 21-24, 2023
A workshop series that focuses on collegial interaction, to develop efficient and standardized methods for digital geologic mapping, publication, and GIS analysis
About the Workshop

The Digital Mapping Techniques workshop series ("DMT") brings together scientists, cartographers, and GIS specialists, from State and Federal agencies, as well as Universities, the private sector, and international colleagues. This annual series of workshops began in 1997. It is a highly regarded venue that has contributed to the development and evolution of digital mapping techniques, standards, and guidelines both in the United States and internationally.

The workshop's objective is to foster informal discussion and exchange of technical information and expertise, and to develop more efficient methods for the many aspects of creating, managing, and serving digital geoscience map information. There is not, of course, a single "solution" or approach to digital mapping that will work for each agency or for each program or group within an agency. Instead, each agency must plot its own course, based on personnel, funding, and many other constraints. The value of the DMT workshops and similar forums is their role in helping to design or refine these agency-specific approaches to digital mapping, and especially to find applicable approaches used by other agencies.

For information regarding the DMT workshops, or if you wish to attend our next meeting, please contact Dave Soller (drsoller@usgs.gov).


The DMT'23 Meeting

The DMT'23 workshop was held May 21 - 24, 2023 in Anchorage, Alaska. DMT'23 is an in-person event, organized by staff of the Alaska Department of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and the National Geologic Map Database. Selected presentations given at this year's meeting are made available here (see yearly listings of presentations, below). For any of the previous year's listing of presentations, if you find a title interesting, but there's not a presentation linked from that entry, we provide author contact information. For this year's workshop, we hope that the presentations and extended abstracts will be included in a Proceedings volume.

Since the DMT's inception in 1997, the meeting focus has remained consistent, including but not limited to the following topics. Even if you can't attend these meetings, we encourage you to send us ideas and guidance for topics, and we'll try to work them into next year's agenda. Many of the presentations given on these topics become available soon after the workshop.

  • Cartographic techniques for creating paper and digital-format geologic maps from field notes, manuscript maps, and map databases
  • Information management and delivery (e.g. Web-accessible databases, Web Services)
  • Design and implementation of individual and corporate geologic map databases; in particular, continued development of the National Geologic Map Database
  • Migration of map data to new formats (for example, from Arc coverages or shapefiles to ArcGIS Geodatabases)
  • Preservation of unpublished earth science information
  • The use of LIDAR or other advanced terrain models for field work and map/database preparation
  • 3-D databases and/or visualization techniques
Workshop Proceedings and Selected Presentations

The Digital Mapping Techniques workshops are an outcome of collaboration between the state geological surveys (represented by the Association of American State Geologists, or AASG), and the U.S. Geological Survey. In August, 1996, the AASG and USGS met in in St. Louis, Missouri, to plan for development of standards and guidelines under the newly-established National Geologic Map Database. At that meeting, a Data-Capture Working Group was formed, and charged with "Providing guidance on data-capture techniques through facilitation of information exchange" and "conducting workshops to share experiences and insight and evaluate technology." This Working Group organized the first Digital Mapping Techniques workshop, in 1997, and was active for several years thereafter. Some information about each DMT meeting is given below.

Each workshop consists of oral and poster presentations, and numerous informal discussion sessions; many are supported by a paper contained in the Proceedings volumes listed below. These papers describe technical and scientific methods under development or in use in a particular project, agency, or technical community. You're also invited to contact the presenter for further information.

* Indicates Proceedings were not published

Digital Mapping Techniques '23 * Presentations
May 21-24, 2023. The twenty-seventh annual DMT workshop was hosted by the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. 67 technical experts from 32 agencies and universities attended, including representatives from 28 State geological surveys. The agenda, "From field to publication and beyond - Comparing and improving our workflows", was organized into 6 topics and included 33 presentations and 3 Discussion Sessions.

Digital Mapping Techniques '23 Lite * Agenda
April 6, 2023. A half-day meeting to discuss challenges and approaches for releasing geologic maps, reports, and GIS datasets. 140 scientists and technical specialists registered, from 36 State Geological Surveys in addition to colleagues from the USGS, National Park Service, and Canadian agencies. A followup to the discussion was scheduled for DMT'23, and a document summarizing this meeting is planned.

Digital Mapping Techniques '22 Lite * Agenda
November 10, 2022. A half-day meeting to discuss and identify some as-needed (not required) GeMS extension tables, intended to improve discoverability of ancillary geoscience information. 92 scientists and technical specialists registered, from 32 State Geological Surveys in addition to colleagues from the USGS. Based on discussions in this meeting, working groups are being formed to define selected extension tables.

Digital Mapping Techniques '22 * Presentations
May 22-25, 2022. The twenty-sixth annual DMT workshop was hosted by the Missouri Geological Survey, at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla. In this first return to in-person meetings, 63 technical experts from 28 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 23 State geological surveys. The agenda, "From field to publication and beyond - Comparing and improving our workflows", was organized into 6 topics and included 28 presentations and Discussion Sessions for each topic.

Digital Mapping Techniques '21 Lite * Presentations
December 6-7, 2021. A two-day "mid-year" videoconferenced session was held, to support understanding and information-sharing for newly-developing issues related to the GeMS geologic map database schema and the "NGMDB Phase Three" initiative (now renamed as the U.S. GeoFramework Initiative). 371 scientists and technical specialists registered, from 43 State Geological Surveys in addition to colleagues from industry, universities, the Federal government, and Canadian Federal and Provincial agencies. The agenda included 27 presentations and a Discussion Session about State response to the GeMS schema.

Digital Mapping Techniques '21 * Presentations
June 7-10, 2021. The twenty-fifth annual DMT workshop was conducted as a videoconferenced event, organized by staff of the National Geologic Map Database, the Illinois State Geological Survey. Among the 358 registrants, 42 State Geological Surveys were in attendance, in addition to colleagues from industry, universities, the Federal government, Canada, and Denmark and Greenland. The agenda included 40 presentations, and Discussion Sessions about the GeMS schema for geologic maps, the U.S. GeoFramework Initiative, and the review of digital products prior to publication.

Digital Mapping Techniques '20 Lite * Presentations
December 8, 2020. To improve understanding of newly-developing issues related to the GeMS geologic map database schema and the "NGMDB Phase Three" initiative, the Digital Mapping Techniques community gathered together in early December for a one-day videoconferenced session, designed to complement the annual late-Spring DMT meeting. 281 scientists and technical specialists attended, from 42 State Geological Surveys, 5 Federal agencies, and 14 other entities including the international and vendor communities.

Digital Mapping Techniques '20 * Presentations
June 8-10, 2020. The twenty-fourth annual DMT workshop was conducted as a videoconferenced event. It was organized by staff from the National Geologic Map Database and the Illinois State Geological Survey. 262 technical experts from 56 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 38 State geological surveys. Because of the necessarily compact nature of the videoconferenced agenda, the meeting focused rather narrowly on the GeMS database standard for geologic maps, and the National Geologic Map Database's Phase Three initiative.

Digital Mapping Techniques '19 * Presentations
May 19-22, 2019. The twenty-third annual DMT workshop was hosted by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, on the Montana Technological University campus in Butte. 79 technical experts from 36 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 28 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '18 * Presentations
May 20-23, 2018. The twenty-second annual DMT workshop was hosted by the Kentucky Geological Survey, on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington. 97 technical experts from 43 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 30 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '17 * Presentations
May 21-24, 2017. The twenty-first annual DMT workshop was hosted by the Minnesota Geological Survey, on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. 83 technical experts from 37 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 25 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '16 * Presentations
May 22-25, 2016. The twentieth annual DMT workshop was hosted by the Florida Geological Survey, in Tallahassee, Florida. 66 technical experts from 26 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 20 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '15 * Presentations
May 17-20, 2015. The nineteenth annual DMT workshop was hosted by the Utah Geological Survey, in Salt Lake City, Utah. 92 technical experts from 40 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 19 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '14 * Presentations
June 1-4, 2014. The eighteenth annual DMT workshop was hosted by the Delaware Geological Survey, in Newark, Delaware. 70 technical experts from 34 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 24 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '13 * Presentations
June 2-5, 2013. The seventeenth annual DMT workshop was hosted by the Colorado Geological Survey and the Colorado School of Mines, in Golden, Colorado. 73 technical experts from 31 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 19 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '12 Proceedings  |  Presentations
May 20-23, 2012. Hosted by the Illinois State Geological Survey, in Champaign, Illinois. 73 technical experts from 34 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 25 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '11 Proceedings  |  Presentations
May 22-25, 2011. Hosted by the Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources and The College of William & Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia. 77 technical experts from 30 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 19 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '10 Proceedings  |  Presentations
May 16-19, 2010. Hosted by the California Geological Survey, in Sacramento, California. More than 110 technical experts from 40 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 19 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '09 Proceedings  |  Presentations
May 10-13, 2009. Hosted by the West Virginia Geological Survey, in Morgantown, West Virginia. Nearly 90 technical experts from 42 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 24 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '08 Proceedings  |  Presentations
May 18-21, 2008. Hosted by the Idaho Geological Survey, in Moscow, Idaho. More than 100 technical experts from 39 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 19 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '07 Proceedings |  Presentations
May 20-23, 2007. Hosted by the South Carolina Geological Survey, in Columbia, South Carolina. More than 85 technical experts from 49 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 27 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '06 Proceedings |  Presentations
June 11-14, 2006. Hosted by the Ohio Geological Survey, in Columbus, Ohio. More than 110 technical experts from 51 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 27 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '05 Proceedings |  Presentations
April 24-27, 2005. Hosted by the Louisiana Geological Survey, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. More than 100 technical experts from 47 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 25 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '04 Proceedings |  Presentations
May 16-19, 2004. Hosted by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, in Portland, Oregon. Nearly 100 technical experts from 40 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 22 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '03 Proceedings |  Presentations
June 1-4, 2003. Hosted by the Pennsylvania Geological Survey and held in Millersville, PA. Nearly 90 technical experts from 36 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 22 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '02 Proceedings
May 19-22, 2002. Hosted by the Utah Geological Survey, in Salt Lake City, Utah. More than 100 technical experts from 40 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 30 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '01 Proceedings
May 20-23, 2001. Hosted by the Geological Survey of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 108 technical experts from 48 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 31 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '00 Proceedings
May 17-20, 2000. Hosted by the Kentucky Geological Survey in Lexington, Kentucky. 99 technical experts from 42 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 28 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '99 Proceedings
May 19-22, 1999. Hosted by the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey in Madison, Wisconsin. 91 technical experts from 42 agencies, universities, and private companies attended, including representatives from 30 State geological surveys.

Digital Mapping Techniques '98 Proceedings
May 27-30, 1998. Hosted by the Illinois State Geological Survey in Champaign, Illinois. More than 80 technical experts attended, mostly from the State geological surveys and the USGS.

Digital Mapping Techniques '97 Proceedings
June 2-5, 1997. Hosted by the Kansas Geological Survey, in Lawrence, Kansas. 73 technical experts attended, from 30 State geological surveys, the USGS, and the Geological Survey of Canada.