MAKING THE MOST OF 21ST CENTURY GEOLOGIC MAPS

For centuries, geologic maps have provided an informational basis for managing and mitigating the effects of natural hazards; for commerce, energy, agricultural, and mineral development; for protecting and ensuring access to clean water; and for exploring, developing, and defending territory. Each decade, geologic maps have improved because of increased understanding of the composition, structure, and genesis of geologic features on Earth’s surface and in the subsurface and our ability to generate and validate maps at different scales using data collected from satellite and airborne sources or from individual hand samples. The amount of data that can be contained in a single map has also increased dramatically because of advances in computational speed and storage, and visualization techniques. Nationally and globally, we are in an era when many people—members of the public—are generally familiar or even comfortable with the concept and use of digital maps and place-based data through the many mapping and navigation applications available on hand-held devices. This combination of greater geologic knowledge and understanding, access to multiple data streams, computational and visualization capacity, and a public appetite for maps and place-based information should make 21^st century geologic maps indispensable for decision and policy makers, the general public, industry, and scientists. How do we make the most of this national opportunity? Can we continue to advance our understanding of the “anatomy of the Earth” through new geologic maps at the same time that we make these maps accessible and meaningful to society? Several examples that highlight use of geologic maps for addressing national priorities and regional decisions related to natural resources and hazards will be used to stimulate discussion.