FOUNDATIONS OF VALUE FOR KENTUCKY GEOLOGIC MAPS

Tremendous value of Kentucky’s statewide digital geologic map geodatabase derives from the information being jurisdictionally complete, digital, freely accessible, and applied for/by a wide spectrum of users. From 1960 to 1978, the USGS published complete coverage of geologic quadrangle maps for the state of Kentucky with the assistance and support of the Kentucky Geological Survey. Between 1996 and 2004, the KGS vector-digitized all of those maps to produce a seamless statewide digital map data set. Those digital map data form the foundation for a robust online map service that serves a wide range of KGS data to the public for no charge. An external study showed a 25x to 39x return on investment derived from the existence of Kentucky’s published (paper!) maps. Much of this examination documented lowered costs through reduced background effort needed for geologic projects, which allows budgetary resources to be directed to more targeted and informative efforts. Since the release of the external study, KGS has seen use of its digital map services and online products increase significantly compared to the sales figures for paper geologic maps.

The KGS data is valuable to users because it is jurisdictionally complete: a Kentucky user can reliably anticipate that geologic map information will be available in an accessible, standardized format, and thus they can design business practices, work flows, and custom applications to utilize the geologic map data. Digital formats allow for multiple visualizations, analytical analysis, and automated data queries. The no-charge business model for data access encourages users to explore and use the basic data and has led to numerous lucrative collaborative interactions with unanticipated audiences. All of these factors have combined to encourage and support the development of derivative maps and applied analytical products which reach a broader non-geological technical audience.