INNOVATIONS IN CURRENT KANSAS GEOLOGIC MAPPING

The Kansas Geological Survey is known as a leader in the design of geologic maps. The newly revised 1:500,000-scale statewide geologic map of Kansas and 1:50,000-scale county geologic maps of Morton (2005) and Wabaunsee (2004) counties are current examples of innovation, incorporating ideas that have appeared in other mapping contexts, yet are not common in geologic maps. These maps incorporate hillshading, through use of digital elevation models (DEMs), to complement the traditional association of colors with geologic features. The statewide geologic map also features a series of index maps that help users easily identify the locations of surficial geology of a particular geologic period. Rather than relying solely on a color key, which can be difficult to use in a geologic map with many similar colors representing different geologic units, the map includes eight small-scale reference maps. One map is provided for each of six geologic periods – Mississippian (the oldest surficial geology in Kansas) to Quaternary. Separate index maps are included for sedimentary and igneous rock in the Cretaceous, the only period in Kansas from which surficial igneous rock appears. Each index map shows only the statewide shaded relief in grayscale, overlain by areal geology shading of that system, making it easier to locate that system on the map.