Maps and Mapping

Maps and mapping can take many forms. Maps can be overhead renderings of a landscape created to help communicate earth’s surface features or digital geologic maps showing what is under our feet in 3D. Mapping is done from the sea floor with autonomous submersibles to space with satellites.

Here, information can be found on topics including The USGS National Map, national datasets used to build The National Map which are available to the public (3DEP and Landsat for example), and the mapping of our environment and natural resources by USGS scientists. There is also historic and contemporary information about how data is collected and how maps are made.