NACIS 2016 Presentation John Lindemann, Consulting Geologist In 1809 William Maclure - one of the first American geologists - published what is arguably the first geologic map of the United States. Over the next three decades this map, little changed with the exception of its topographic base, was republished in four iterations. To the modern earth science community these maps are largely unknown. What caused these seemingly pioneer maps to slip into near obscurity?

1. NACIS 2016
Colorado Springs, CO
J. W. Lindemann, CPG, FGSA

2. Maclure Quote
“The foregoing observations are the result of many
former excursions in the United States, and a knowledge
lately acquired by crossing the dividing line of the principal
formations 15 to 20 different places, from the Hudson to
Flint river; as well as from the information of intelligent
men, whose situation and experience, make the nature of
the place near which they live familiar to them; nor has the
information that could be acquired from specimens, when
the locality was accurately marked, been neglected, nor
the remarks of judicious travelers.”
- Maclure, 1809, p. 426

3. Maclure 1809

4. Maclure 1811

5. Maclure 1817

6. Maclure 1817

7. “ Should this hasty and
imperfect sketch call forth
the attention of those
possessed of more talents
and industry for the accurate
investigation of this
interesting subject, the views
of the author will be fully
accomplished.”
Maclure, 1809, p.428
John W. Lindemann
Consulting Geologist
minexgeol@aol.com