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StatusMapping Guidelines
NomenclatureDownload Planetary Geologic Maps
Search Planetary Geologic Maps |
The Astrogeology Team at USGS provides coordination of NASA's planetary geologic mapping program. Geologic mapping investigations of any imaged planetary body (except Earth) are proposed to NASA's Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program on an annual basis (generally due sometime between late April and early June) and then reviewed by the Lunar and Planetary Geoscience Review Panel. USGS map coordination is provided under the auspices of NASA's Planetary Cartography and Geologic Mapping Working Group and its Geologic Mapping Subcommittee. USGS provides (1) participation in working groups charged with developing planetary geologic mapping program plans, (2) management and coordination of individual mapping projects, (3) oversight and expertise in meeting the requirements of USGS map standards, (4) editorial support in map reviews and revisions, (5) generation of geologic base maps and databases for map investigators, and (6) prepress preparation and printing of maps in the USGS Scientific Investigations Map (SIM) Series. Three primary programs underway now are: (1) 1:2,500,000-scale quadrangle mapping of the Moon using Lunar Orbiter and Clementine photomosaics, (2) 1:5,000,000- and 10,000,000-scale quadrangle mapping of Venus using Magellan SAR data, and (3) local (1:200,000) to regional (1:5,000,000) scale mapping of Mars base on medium- to high-resolution Viking and THEMIS images and MOLA topographic data. Work also progresses toward completion of the Galilean satellites using Voyager and Galileo images. In addition, we anticipate more geologic maps will continue to be proposed for and funded based on both existing data and that obtained by Clementine, Galileo, and Mars Global Surveyor. Geologic maps can be produced from existing map bases that are part of established map series (see the Index of Maps of the Planets and Satellites) or ones specifically generated for the geologic map. Active mappers meet once a year during the early summer to present progress on planetary geologic mapping projects. Usually these meetings are held alternately at the USGS Flagstaff and other locations where a geologic field trip can be conducted. Starting in 2000, abstracts began to be accepted for meeting presentations. The following table provides access to abstracts published for given years.
If you would like to propose for a mapping investigation, check the appropriate planetary body in the index to see what geologic maps may have already been published for the area of interest. In addition, look into the current programs for the bodies listed above to examine what maps are in progress. You may wish to download the Venus Geologic Mapper's Handbook (USGS Open-File Report 94-438) and the Use and Presentation of Magellan Quantitative Data in Venus Mapping (USGS Open-File Report 95-519) as well as Additional Guidelines, and Reno Guidelines for general instruction on planetary geologic mapping procedures as well as specific guidelines beneficial for the Venus 1:5,000,000 geologic map series. Also, you may obtain a list of planetary geology map symbols. The symbols are also available as two Acrobat PDF files, geosymbols1.pdf and geosymbols2.pdf. Instructions and assistance in map submission, review, editing, and production are provided. |
For more information on the availability of planetary maps and
educational outreach materials, please contact:
Data Manager, (928) 556-7264.
Contact for the NASA/USGS Planetary Geologic Mapping Program:
Dr. Kenneth L. Tanaka
U.S. Geological Survey, 2255 N Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001