SMALL-SCALE MAPS BRING THE WORLD TOGETHER – THE COMMISSION FOR THE GEOLOGICAL MAP OF THE WORLD (CGMW)

Geologic maps covering large areas and published at very small scales (1:1,000,000 to 1:25,000,000) have many uses, from understanding the evolution of Planet Earth to delineating regions for resources and hazards. One benefit from producing very-small scale maps is the requirement to bring together geoscientists from across continents and the World to share innovative ideas, science, and technologies in the production of geologic thematic maps. Many continent- and hemisphere-scale maps are enabled and published by the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW), an international non-profit organization responsible for designing, coordinating, preparing, and publishing small-scale thematic Earth Science maps of the world, continents, major regions, and the oceans. CGMW is affiliated with the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), and is supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Commission was established at the 12^th International Geological Congress in Toronto, Canada, in 1913. CGMW is organized by continental and thematic subcommissions. Ideas for small-scale thematic maps are brought before the CGMW who then assigns coordinators for them. Examples of maps produced by CGMW include geologic, tectonic, metallogenic, metamorphic, natural hazards, seafloor, hydrogeologic, and geophysical maps between the scales of 1:2,500,000 (large regions) to 1:25,000,000 (world). CGMW facilitates the essential cooperation amongst the international scientific community to compile and publish these maps through agreements established with geological surveys, universities, institutes, and private industry. In times of international political unease, CGMW’s ability to bring individuals and agencies from various countries together to pursue a singular goal is important, and provides the opportunity to advance the geological sciences.