geologic map

Clear as Black and White

What are some of the factors that might unnecessarily exclude people from learning about or working in the geosciences? Culture? Ethnicity? Sex? Language? A disability? Where they live? How much they earn? Something else?

Different Times, Different Environment

Geologic maps show the locations of various kinds of rocks at the surface. In places where rivers have eroded the surface, deeper layers become exposed. The opposite occurs when lake levels rise; rocks along the shore are covered by water. Geologic clues in each layer can be used to tell a story of Earth’s history. Differences between one layer and the next reveal changes in the Earth system.

Geologic Map Day Resources

To learn more about geologic maps, see:

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

USGS/AASG National Geologic Map Database

USGS/AASG MapView

USGS’s Geologic Maps of the U.S. States

Getting Creative - Geologic Map Day Learning Activities

“America the Beautiful” has inspired patriotism in Americans for generations. But few today realize that the song’s lyrics were originally written in the late 1800s by Katharine Lee Bates as a poem — one that she first called “Pike’s Peak.”

Looking Below Earth’s Surface

The Utah Geologic Survey’s interactive “Geologic Map Portal” (https://bit.ly/21xGMD3) allows you to see the geologic map on top of a 3-dimensional surface and topographic map. This is helpful for visualizing how the geology shown on the map appears in nature (image below). Geologists also

Processes Below The Water

Geologic maps and Google Earth™ images provide images that are snapshots of the times they were made. Weathering, erosion, and deposition continue to break down and build up Earth’s surface. In this activity you will explore the channel of the Colorado River that is submerged by Lake Powell and look for evidence of change.

Surface Processes

Part A: Younger Deposits

Active erosion wears away surface rocks while deposition piles loose sediments on top of existing surfaces. Over time loose sediments may be compacted and cemented, which forms sedimentary rocks. Younger rocks and sediments are also shown on the geologic map. Let’s look for evidence of young rocks and active deposition using the map and other tools.

What's Under My Feet? Learning to Use a Geologic Map

Try this activity from the Association of American State Geologists!