The U.S. National Geologic Map Database is a comprehensive resource overseen by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Association of American State Geologists, providing both traditional and interactive tools for accessing geologic research and mapping. Users can navigate the database through various search functions, including a map catalog, interactive maps, and a geological lexicon. This publicly available tool aims to enhance access to geologic information and support research efforts across the United States.

1. U.S. National Geologic
Map Database
Geologic Maps and You!
By Andrew Wagner

2. What Is it?
Overseen by U.S. Geologic Survey and Association of
American State Geologists
Comprehensive coverage of geologic research and mapping
Both traditional and interactive tools to navigate vast
collection
Strict scientific criteria for accepting new material

3. Where can I find it?
• As a free and public utility, the National Geographic Map Database
can be accessed by anyone from any location within the museum
or library
• Simply enter the Database’s name in the search bar of your
preferred search engine. Alternatively, enter
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ngmdb/ngmdb_home.html into the URL
bar of your preferred browser

4. How Did it Come About?
• Current step in development of national archiving of geologic
maps
• National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992
• Attempts at a digital database began in 1998
• Create greater cooperation between Federal and state levels

5. So, How Do You Use It?
• Traditional database search function
• Locating published research and data
• Lexicon of stratigraphic formations
• Identifying geologic units and their associated regionally designated name
• Interactive map of United States with GIS linked research
• Intuitive matching of research/data to their location within United States
• Interactive historical topographic maps
• Tracking changes of topography and settlement in regions over time

6. Performing A Search For Geologic Maps and
Research

7. The Process
• While it is not necessary to have a topic or question in mind, having one
helps to narrow results
• For instance, locating research conducted in Cook County, Illinois
• The main method for searching is the Map Catalog
• MapView provides highly interactive alternative with refinement done
automatically through the application
• TopoView provides access to interactive historic cartographic and
topographic maps
• The Geologic Lexicon provides complementary stratigraphic information

8. Map Catalog
In order to access the catalog, there
are two options:
Click the section tab on the
top navigation bar
Click the first box in the
body of the website

9. Once on the catalog page there are
three options to perform a simple
search:
Title
Author
Map Series
In the upper left-hand corner of the
page, there is an application which
indicates the number of publications in
the database

10. To help answer our question, one option
is to type “Cook County, Illinois” in the
title search bar
As the topic/question is entered and
narrowed on this page, the application
in the top left adjusts to indicate the
corresponding number of publications in
the database covering the search terms

11. As needed, several search limiters are
provided such as:
Theme
Map Scale
Publisher

12. After having entered the search, results
default sort by map scale
Other options, such as author,
can be used to sort
Useful icons in top right-hand corner
indicate whether a particular result is
downloadable and/or contains GIS data

13. With a result selected, the pertinent
information about the map/research is
clearly listed
A link to the full map/research paper is
provided in the lower half of the page
An embedded google map
geographically marks the scope of the
selected item
A hyperlink is provided for the MapView
of the area

14. There is a secondary option to use a
range of geographic coordinates to find
research
In this instance, the map was zoomed in
to a range that largely encompasses
Cook County, Illinois

15. Results provide are of a broader scope
than using title or author searches
However, relevant results not covered
by keyword search may be found using
this tool

16. MapView
There are two means of access MapView
on the site:
Clicking the fourth tab on the
top navigation bar
Clicking the third box in the
body of the website

17. Once in the tool, a map of the U.S. is
presented with a geological formation
overlay

18. Choosing the pan & identify option allows the user to interact with the map
When a point on the map is clicked, a link to a research paper associated with that area is provided

19. Choosing the magnifying glass will allow the user to zoom in on any point
To perform a zoom, simply drag the cursor across the desired section, highlighting and isolating it

20. As the user zooms to a more localized level, greater map detail is revealed
There is also greater ability to access research not identifiable at the larger scales

21. The right sidebar provides useful tools including:
Bar graph: adjust map scale at which to identify research
Computer screen: open catalog search result with all papers pertaining to area of map on screen
Half circle: adjust opacity of map (the degree to which the map stands out from the background)

22. There are also useful tools provided on the pop-out screen for the map point chosen
One such tools is “Browse”

23. The “Browse” page provides
bibliographic data as well as a preview
scan of part of the research item

24. Secondly, the “Publications here” button which links to a catalog result page of all research items
encompassed by that particular point on the map

25. Geolex
There are two methods of accessing
the Geological Lexicon:
The third tab on the top
navigation bar
The second box in the body
of the site

26. If desired geologic unit is already
known, a simple Unit Name search will
prove most effective
Like the catalog, this page tracks
number of units based on search
parameters

27. Let us see what a search for “Abbott”
brings up

28. We are provided with two results:
One for the unit itself
The second for a unit that is
a subset of “Abbott”

29. Clicking on the actual unit result
provides information on such aspects
as usage of unit name and
predominant locations
Additional tools are linked in the top
right, including:
Significant publications
Correlation charts

30. The Significant Publications page
provides concise overviews of all works
related to a unit
There is an accompanying embedded
map to indicate geographic scope of
each work

31. The Correlation Charts page provides
links, subdivided by state, to works
which detail naming of existing geologic
units as well as extent

32. If desired unit is not known, the State and Geologic Age options provide a general search
Just click on preferred State and slide Geologic Age bar either down to prioritize earlier epochs or up
to prioritize more recent ones

33. Additional tools include:
A link to external
stratigraphic resources
Database search
automatically narrowed to
works used to build Geolex
Links to geologic lexicons of
Canada and Mexico

34. TopoView
To access TopoView, click on the fourth
box in the main body of the site

35. Once there, click “Get Maps” to reach
the main tool
As a useful addition, if you slide the bar
to the right…

36. It will preview one of the tool’s main
features

37. Once on the map page, the right
sidebar provides helpful hints in using
the tool
To find a map either click any point on
the United States or enter specific
information in the search
location/MapName bars
Results can be adjusted by time period
and map scale
There is also an option to choose what
format geographic coordinates are
presented in

38. For instance, if we search for Chicago,
IL, 23 results are brought back
Results are sorted by date (from oldest
to most recent), although other
options are available
Each entry had four download options
and a preview of the corresponding
map
However, if you click the “Show”
button in the bottom left of an entry,
then…

39. It will superimpose the entry over the
main map
Further zooming-in can be
accomplished by double-clicking the
map
In the top right of the sidebar, the
“Three Gears” button will open the
options menu

40. These include:
Turning map boundaries on
and off
Degree of map boundary
opacity
Turning the blue marker on
and off

41. Conclusion
• As a tool, the National Geologic Map Database provides a diverse array of
features to connect you to the research questions you need answered
• The catalog and lexicon provide more traditional search methods for
those needed the raw data and research
• MapView and TopoView provide a more visual and interactive means of
relating data to their location
• Ultimately, as a public and scientifically focused project, NGMD is
designed to provide an efficient and engaging means of conducting
research

42. Further Followup
• If you have further concerns or questions, please e-mail the
reference librarian or visit the reference desk located in the
Reading Room in the main library location
• Check the Library’s online catalog for any physical copies of work
featured on the National Geologic Map Database in our collection

43. Bibliography
• United States Geologic Survey. (2018, April 28). The National
geologic map database. Retrieved from
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ngmdb/ngmdb_home.html