PHASE THREE OF THE NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAP DATABASE

In response to mandate in the Geologic Mapping Act of 1992, the National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) was launched in the mid-1990s. To convey the general plan for the NGMDB, the various tasks and aspects were organized into three "phases", intended to begin somewhat sequentially, with each phase continuing in perpetuity. These phases are described in progress reports, at https://ngmdb.usgs.gov. In brief:

- Phase One focuses on building and organizing the content needed by users ranging from geologic mappers to the general public (e.g., the U.S. Geologic Names Lexicon, the Geoscience Catalog, Mapping in Progress);

- Phase Two addresses development of standards and guidelines for geologic map and database content and format; and

- Phase Three is a long-term effort to develop a database (principally vector, GIS-compatible information) that contains national, regional, and detailed geologic map coverage managed according to a complex set of content and format specifications that are standardized through general agreement among all partners in the NGMDB (principally the State geological surveys). This database will be integrated with the databases developed in Phase One.

In late 2019, significant funding was appropriated by Congress to accelerate development of Phase Three. The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program and the State geological surveys (represented by the Association of American State Geologists) then initiated a planning process that considers both an expansion of the foundational roles of the NGMDB and the long-term vision for a 3D geologic framework of the Nation. This presentation will focus on foundational tasks newly undertaken by the NGMDB in support of the long-term vision.