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USGS Map Databases

Use these on-line map indexes to locate, view, or create a map.

The USGS Education Map Catalog
The USGS Education Map Catalog has moved to the USGS Store! Go to the USGS Store and click on "Education Resources". This catalog provides information on the most useful USGS maps for teaching and learning, organized by 12 themes: topography, geology, image, culture and history, national parks and monuments, international and world, water resources, planetary, environmental, land status and land cover, energy and physics, and earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides. Teacher Discounts are available for all USGS paper maps.

Map Locator and Downloader – FREE digital topographic maps
Download and print FREE USGS topographic maps! Go to the USGS Store and click on "Map Locator". Download high-resolution 7.5 minute, 15 minute, and 30 minute topographic maps in a geospatially enabled PDF format. Download an optional FREE toolbar that allows you to view coordinates, reproject user coordinates, measure distance and area, connect to a GPS device, and convert the maps into a tiff format for use in any GIS (Geographic Information System) platform.

National Atlas of the United States
A free, interactive Web site that allows you to design and print your own page-sized maps or download map layers to your computer for use in other programs. Resolution is generally on a national or state scale. Includes hundreds of data layers relating to agriculture, biology, climate, environment, geology, history, people, transportation, and water. A wealth of information, and an outstanding education tool!

The National Map
A free interactive Web site that allows you to design and print your own map or download map layers to your computer for use in other programs. Seamless, high-quality, high-resolution geospatial data and information from multiple partners. Includes surface elevation, topography, boundaries, hydrography, geographic names, transportation, structures, high-resolution orthoimagery, land cover, and more. Download free in increments up to 100 Mb.

The National Map vs. The National Atlas....What's the difference?
There is a small amount of overlap between the two, but in general The National Map has higher-resolution map layers (so you can really zoom in) and more complex functions. It has a slower processing time and some of its map layers only cover limited areas. The National Atlas mostly depicts patterns and trends on a national level; it is more suitable for creating quick maps that cover large areas (one or more states). The National Atlas also has pre-made page-size maps covering specific topics that are ready for easy printing.

Geospatial One-Stop Portal
A central portal for access to maps and geospatial data from multiple agencies (mostly Federal). Categories include Atmosphere, Climate, Culture, Demographic, Business, Economic, Human Health and Disease, Utilities, Communications, and much more. This site is targeted to users with GIS software, but maps suitable for general users can also be found.

Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
GNIS provides a fast search through its Query Form for the United States and Its Territories. A search on GNIS will provide topographic map indexing, longitude& latitude, and feature information, plus direct access to topographic maps and aerial photography via the National Map and other sources.

National Geologic Map Database
An exhaustive database that provides bibliographic access to thousands of geologic, geophysical, and other kinds of maps available in USGS publications, Web sites, and in popular science journals.

This Dynamic Planet
Our best-selling map, revised in 2006. This world map of volcanoes, earthquakes, impact Craters, and plate tectonics can be freely downloaded in PDF format.

A Tapestry of Time and Terrain
Another best-selling map that combines topography and geology of the United States into a composite that is a detailed portrait of the U.S. land surface and the ages of its underlying rock formations. Download the map in PDF format.

Quaternary Fault and Fold Database of the United States
Geologic, geomorphic, and geographic information for about 2,000 Quaternary faults in the U.S. Includes interactive fault maps, Google Earth files, shape files, and detailed information about individual faults.

Seismic Hazard Maps
Maps that display earthquake ground motions for various probability levels.

Did You Feel It?
Communities contribute online information following an earthquake to create a map of shaking intensity and damage.

Custom Seismic Hazard Mapping and Analysis Tools
Interactive sites for customizing USGS maps by inputting your own data.

Shake Maps
Regional maps of ground motion and shaking intensity.

Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica
An interactive, seamless mosaic of virtually cloudless, high resolution satellite views of Antarctica.

Crustal Thickness Maps
Downloadable world maps of crustal Thickness.

Maps from the Astrogeology program
Global and regional maps of planets and moons.

Purchase USGS Maps and Download Free Imagery

USGS Store
A quick and easy way to find and order printed USGS products: paper maps, books, and other publications.

Global Visualization Viewer (GloVis)
The most user-friendly method for browsing and ordering Landsat, Terra ASTER, MODIS, and EO-1 satellite images and NAPP photography. Allows convenient preview of images and scene mosaics. All USGS satellite imagery is available through this Web site. Many products can now be downloaded for free through this site.

Earth Explorer
Order digital USGS data including satellite imagery. Locate products by name, coordinates, or define on map.

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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://education.usgs.gov/common/map_databases.htm
Page Contact Information: USGS Education Web Team
Page Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Dec-2008 16:19:26 EST