This Web site contains information on activities of the National Geologic Map Database Project (NGMDB). The NGMDB is a collaborative effort primarily involving the USGS and the Association of American State Geologists. This Web site contains informal, generally time-sensitive material intended for project members, cooperators, and interested parties.

The National Geologic Map Database project plan identifies three principal phases [for progress reports and information, please see http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/reports/]:

• Phase 1 -- develop essential supporting databases. These include a Map Catalog (a searchable catalog of simple metadata for paper and digital maps), a Geologic Names Lexicon ("GEOLEX"), a Mapping in Progress Database, and a National Paleontology Database. The Map Catalog naturally preceded the development of an online database of digital maps, as few digital maps existed when the project began. Further, the Catalog was designed to address the user's principal question -- "For a given area, I want to know if a map exists, and where I can find it."



• Phase 2 -- populate the map catalog with links to existing digital data, developed according to an evolving set of standards. The development under the NGMDatabase project of various standards and guidelines is discussed elsewhere.



• Phase 3 -- through a series of prototypes, build an online "living" database of digital geologic map information. The guiding concepts for this online database are:
  • Built from edge-matched geologic maps at various scales
  • Managed and accessed as a coherent body of map information, not as a set of map products
  • Adheres to standard data model, with standard scientific terminology
  • Available to users via browser and common GIS tools (e.g., ArcView)
  • Updated by mappers and/or a committee, "on the fly" with new information

  These guiding concepts have been presented and discussed at numerous public meetings (e.g., see http://pubs.usgs.gov/openfile/of00-325/soller4.html).

  Through a series of prototype databases, we began to build this database. When each prototype reaches maturity, results are presented for discussion at public meetings; this is an essential aspect of the effort -- to provide to the geoscience community a tangible object for discussion and reflection (e.g., "is this what we really want?"). The initial prototype was developed for 1:100,000-scale geologic map quadrangle information in the Greater Yellowstone Area. The next prototype, building on preliminary technical findings in the Yellowstone project, began in 2000, in cooperation with the Kentucky Geological Survey. That effort has matured, and has been publicly discussed (see http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2001/of01-223/soller2.html). The next prototype is being planned; results and discussions will be posted at this site.

  Developing National-scale map databases

  While these prototypes are underway, the National Geologic Map Database project is supporting some activities designed to produce National-scale geologic map information, as described elsewhere.

  Return to the NGMDB project   

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  This page is <URL:http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/info/mapDB/>
  Maintained by Dave Soller
  last update: May 10, 2005