The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative
Constructing a National 2D & 3D GeoFramework Model by 2030
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative (USGI) is constructing a multi-resolution, seamless national 2D and 3D geologic maps and framework models by leveraging previous and existing geologic mapping efforts by both the USGS and State Geological Surveys to provide new regional- to National-scale geologic syntheses and support digital databases for 21st Century geologic mappers and many end users.
By working with cooperators and stakeholders, the USGI will encourage multi-disciplinary scientific discovery and informed decision-making, producing products that support and inform critical Earth science problems such as drinking water protection, hazards resilience, infrastructure design, natural resource management, and climate change.
Purpose of the USGI
The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s USGI was formed to reconcile existing and new geologic mapping data into a multi-resolution, seamless, well-coordinated national 2D/3D geologic framework model. This model will provide critical geologic information to support resource management, hazards resilience, infrastructure design, and research.
Partners & Contributors
Federal scientists, State Geological Surveys, and academic institutions all contribute towards building the 2D and 3D GeoFramework. USGI activities are conducted by the National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) and the National Geologic Synthesis (NGS) Project, with supporting activities from USGS Science Centers, along with STATEMAP and EDMAP funded projects.
USGI Core Projects
The core components of the USGI, the NGMDB and the NGS, work collaboratively to identify data suitable for the national map and model, determine where new data is needed, and assemble these components into a multi-resolution seamless 2D/3D geologic framework model of the nation.
Who is building the U.S. GeoFramework?
Federal scientists, State Geological Surveys, and academic institutions will all contribute towards building the 2D and 3D GeoFramework (see Figure below). At the Federal level, U.S. GeoFramework Initiative activities are conducted within two core projects – the National Geologic Map Database Project (NGMDB) and the National Geologic Synthesis (NGS) Project – and within multiple accompanying Federal-level supporting projects established at various USGS Science Centers. State Geological Surveys will contribute to the 2D and 3D activities of the GeoFramework model via expanded opportunities within the NCGMP’s STATEMAP Program. Academic Institutions can contribute towards the USGI via the EDMAP Program, which trains the next generation of geologic mappers.
How will we accomplish the USGI?
Scientists will begin by inventorying existing mapping data and publications and mapping in progress. This will identify data gaps, or areas requiring mapping or 3D models to create seamless national coverage at various scales. Concurrently, national coverage will be constructed and/or improved using best available data. The USGS will then solicit targeted mapping projects to fill data gaps and move towards seamless coverage at multiple scales. Existing national map layers will be continuously updated and made available to the public as new geologic products from the USGS and State Geological Surveys help to fill these data gaps.
These steps (depicted in the Figure below) will lead to the ultimate goal of constructing a 2D/3D GeoFramework model, from soil to basement, of the United States.
USGI Supporting Projects and Initiatives
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STATEMAP
The primary objective of the STATEMAP component of the NCGMP is to establish the geologic framework of areas determined to be vital to the economic, social, or scientific welfare of individual States. STATEMAP mapping priorities are established by State Geological Surveys in consultation with a multi-representational State Mapping Advisory Committee. These priorities are based on multiple factors...
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EDMAP
As the educational component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP), EDMAP funds universities to train the next generation of geologic mappers. EDMAP is a 1-year, mentor-guided program designed to teach students geologic mapping techniques through rigorous field mapping. Colleges and universities in the U.S. and its territories are eligible to apply through an annual...
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FEDMAP
FEDMAP develops new ways to understand basic earth science processes and produces high-quality, multipurpose digital geologic maps, regional analyses, and multidimensional geologic models. Geologic maps are the primary database for virtually all earth-science applications and issues including mitigation of natural hazards, ground- and surface-water management, land-use management, assessment, and...
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Northern Rocky Mountains Transect
The goal of the Northern Rocky Mountains Transect (NRMT) project is to produce updated geologic maps of an important and understudied region of Idaho and western Montana that covers a wide array of distinct geologic terrains.
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Atlantic Subsurface Stratigraphic Initiative
The Atlantic Subsurface Stratigraphic Initiative (ASSI) is a project with an interdisciplinary group of scientists focused on documenting the Cretaceous and Cenozoic subsurface geology of the Salisbury Embayment across Maryland and Virginia. Data generated by ASSI is crucial for resolving stratigraphic issues across state boundaries and regions. By working closely with state geologic surveys, ASSI...
Northern Rocky Mountains Transect
National Geologic Synthesis
Geologic Mapping of the Lower Colorado River System
Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Project
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West
The National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB)
Greater Platte River Basins and Northern Plains Geologic Framework Studies
U.S.-Mexico Border Geologic Framework
Projected Climate and Land Use Change Impacts on Aquatic Habitats of the Lower Colorado River Basin (Regional Assessment)
Digital subsurface database of previously published well tops, structural features, and contour maps of the Inyan Kara Group, Minnekahta Formation, Minnelusa Formation, Madison Group, and Deadwood Formation, Black Hills region, South Dakota and Wyoming
Microfossil, grain size, and petrographic data for the Cabin Branch and Cabin Creek (Cappy Avenue) outcrops, Prince George's County, Maryland
Spatial data from An Inventory of U.S. Geological Survey Three-Dimensional Geologic Models, Volume 1, 2004–2022
Digital data of the previously published geologic map showing configuration of the bedrock, North Platte, 1 degree x 2 degrees quadrangle, Nebraska
Digital database of the previously published map showing geology, structure, and oil and gas fields in the Sterling 1 degree x 2 degrees quadrangle, Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas
Digital database of the previously published Geologic Map of the Lamar Quadrangle, Colorado and Kansas
Digital Database of the Previously Published Geologic and Structure Contour Map of the La Junta Quadrangle, Colorado and Kansas
Digital database of the previously published geologic map of the Scottsbluff 1° x 2° quadrangle, Nebraska and Colorado
Digital database of the previously published Geologic maps and cross sections showing configurations of bedrock surfaces, Broken Bow 1 degree x 2 degree quadrangle, east-central Nebraska
Digital database of the previously published Geologic map of the Limon quadrangle, Colorado and Kansas
Data Release - Digital subsurface data from previously published contoured maps of the tops of the Mowry Shale, Morrison Formation, and Minnelusa Formation, Powder River basin, Wyoming and Montana
Digital subsurface data from previously published maps of the base and thickness of post-Eocene continental deposits in the Sacramento Valley, California
The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s U.S. GeoFramework Initiative — Delivering a digital database of geologic map information by 2030
The Seamless Integrated Geologic Mapping (SIGMa) extension to the Geologic Map Schema (GeMS)
A multiscale approach for monitoring groundwater discharge to headwater streams by the U.S. Geological Survey Next Generation Water Observing System Program—An example from the Neversink Reservoir watershed, New York
Astrochronology of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum on the Atlantic Coastal Plain
Implementation plan of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program strategy — Appalachian Piedmont and Blue Ridge Provinces
Surface ocean warming and acidification driven by rapid carbon release precedes Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Evolution and taxonomy of the Paleogene calcareous nannofossil genus Hornibrookina
Testing hypotheses on signatures of precipitation variability in the river and floodplain deposits of the Paleogene San Juan Basin, New Mexico, USA
Status of three-dimensional geological mapping and modeling activities in the U.S. Geological Survey
The three-dimensional geologic model used for the 2003 National Oil and Gas Assessment of the San Joaquin Basin Province, California: Chapter 7 in Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas in the San Joaquin Basin Province, California
A comparison of U.S. Geological Survey three-dimensional model estimates of groundwater source areas and velocities to independently derived estimates, Idaho National Laboratory and vicinity, Idaho
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative (USGI) is constructing a multi-resolution, seamless national 2D and 3D geologic maps and framework models by leveraging previous and existing geologic mapping efforts by both the USGS and State Geological Surveys to provide new regional- to National-scale geologic syntheses and support digital databases for 21st Century geologic mappers and many end users.
By working with cooperators and stakeholders, the USGI will encourage multi-disciplinary scientific discovery and informed decision-making, producing products that support and inform critical Earth science problems such as drinking water protection, hazards resilience, infrastructure design, natural resource management, and climate change.
Purpose of the USGI
The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s USGI was formed to reconcile existing and new geologic mapping data into a multi-resolution, seamless, well-coordinated national 2D/3D geologic framework model. This model will provide critical geologic information to support resource management, hazards resilience, infrastructure design, and research.
Partners & Contributors
Federal scientists, State Geological Surveys, and academic institutions all contribute towards building the 2D and 3D GeoFramework. USGI activities are conducted by the National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) and the National Geologic Synthesis (NGS) Project, with supporting activities from USGS Science Centers, along with STATEMAP and EDMAP funded projects.
USGI Core Projects
The core components of the USGI, the NGMDB and the NGS, work collaboratively to identify data suitable for the national map and model, determine where new data is needed, and assemble these components into a multi-resolution seamless 2D/3D geologic framework model of the nation.
Who is building the U.S. GeoFramework?
Federal scientists, State Geological Surveys, and academic institutions will all contribute towards building the 2D and 3D GeoFramework (see Figure below). At the Federal level, U.S. GeoFramework Initiative activities are conducted within two core projects – the National Geologic Map Database Project (NGMDB) and the National Geologic Synthesis (NGS) Project – and within multiple accompanying Federal-level supporting projects established at various USGS Science Centers. State Geological Surveys will contribute to the 2D and 3D activities of the GeoFramework model via expanded opportunities within the NCGMP’s STATEMAP Program. Academic Institutions can contribute towards the USGI via the EDMAP Program, which trains the next generation of geologic mappers.
How will we accomplish the USGI?
Scientists will begin by inventorying existing mapping data and publications and mapping in progress. This will identify data gaps, or areas requiring mapping or 3D models to create seamless national coverage at various scales. Concurrently, national coverage will be constructed and/or improved using best available data. The USGS will then solicit targeted mapping projects to fill data gaps and move towards seamless coverage at multiple scales. Existing national map layers will be continuously updated and made available to the public as new geologic products from the USGS and State Geological Surveys help to fill these data gaps.
These steps (depicted in the Figure below) will lead to the ultimate goal of constructing a 2D/3D GeoFramework model, from soil to basement, of the United States.
USGI Supporting Projects and Initiatives
-
STATEMAP
The primary objective of the STATEMAP component of the NCGMP is to establish the geologic framework of areas determined to be vital to the economic, social, or scientific welfare of individual States. STATEMAP mapping priorities are established by State Geological Surveys in consultation with a multi-representational State Mapping Advisory Committee. These priorities are based on multiple factors...
-
EDMAP
As the educational component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP), EDMAP funds universities to train the next generation of geologic mappers. EDMAP is a 1-year, mentor-guided program designed to teach students geologic mapping techniques through rigorous field mapping. Colleges and universities in the U.S. and its territories are eligible to apply through an annual...
-
FEDMAP
FEDMAP develops new ways to understand basic earth science processes and produces high-quality, multipurpose digital geologic maps, regional analyses, and multidimensional geologic models. Geologic maps are the primary database for virtually all earth-science applications and issues including mitigation of natural hazards, ground- and surface-water management, land-use management, assessment, and...
-
Northern Rocky Mountains Transect
The goal of the Northern Rocky Mountains Transect (NRMT) project is to produce updated geologic maps of an important and understudied region of Idaho and western Montana that covers a wide array of distinct geologic terrains.
-
Atlantic Subsurface Stratigraphic Initiative
The Atlantic Subsurface Stratigraphic Initiative (ASSI) is a project with an interdisciplinary group of scientists focused on documenting the Cretaceous and Cenozoic subsurface geology of the Salisbury Embayment across Maryland and Virginia. Data generated by ASSI is crucial for resolving stratigraphic issues across state boundaries and regions. By working closely with state geologic surveys, ASSI...