GEOLOGY ALONG THE TRAILS: UTILIZING 7.5-MINUTE GEOLOGIC QUADRANGLES TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE GEOLOGY OF THE BLACK HILLS REGION OF SOUTH DAKOTA

The South Dakota Geological Survey (SDGS) has been publishing digital versions of 7.5’ quadrangles of the Black Hills region since 2001. While the 7.5’ quadrangles can be used for a variety of purposes, including the assessment of mineral resources, identification of geologic hazards, and the evaluation of aquifers, these maps can also be used to educate the public about the regional geology. Beginning in the spring of 2023, the SDGS began publishing its Trails Geology maps (TGMs)—derivatives of currently published 7.5’ quadrangles—as part of its Educational Map Series. TGMs depict the geology along popular hiking trails in the Black Hills and can be downloaded as cost-free, georeferenced PDFs. These PDFs can be used in conjunction with mobile phone applications to view the geology while hiking a trail. Photos corresponding to waypoints on the map illustrate areas of geologic interest. Descriptions of rock units have been condensed and simplified so that the information is accessible to a wide audience. TGMs for Crow Peak and Flume trails are currently available on the SDGS website, with those for the Sunday Gulch, Lakeshore, Black Elk Peak, and Little Devil’s Tower planned for the near future.