COMMUNICATING A DIGITAL GEOLOGIC MAP IN THE DIGITAL WORLD

Digital data products including GIS data and developing on-line map services are making geologic maps more available and accessible to map users. However, what is often not included in many of these developed data products and services is the information present in the “margins of a geologic map”. Without such ancillary information, information that typically includes a correlation of units, cross sections, lithologic descriptions, references and/or related map graphics and text, a geologic map is often of limited utility and value as the interpreted geology isn’t fully communicated to the map user. Add to this that users often have different needs for using a geologic map (e.g., simple visualization vs. in-depth GIS analysis), as well as possessing varying degrees of geologic knowledge and competency with software, and thus the “communication” of any digital geologic map should ideally attempt to accommodate (if possible) user’s and their needs. This poster presents how the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) plans to communicate a digital geologic map by producing digital data as GIS ESRI geodatabase and shapefiles, Google Earth kmz files, and as ESRI on-line map services so users have options more suited to their needs, software ability, and level of geologic knowledge. Each GRI data product and service will also provide users with easy access to all ancillary map component information so the full map is made available regardless of the format and software used.