Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Maps

A guide from the U.S. Geological Survey that explains basic information about geologic maps and their symbols, and how to read them.

Explanations of geologic maps scales and legends, time scales, how geologists make maps, and the value of geologic maps. This site also has links to specific maps on the environment, hazard mitigation, resource evaluation, and land use planning.

Detailed explanations of the different types of geologic maps, and how to read them.

How to read topographic maps.

A 90-page book on reading and using topographic maps by James R. Chaplin, a geologist at the Oklahoma Geological Survey.

The Map Maker feature at nationatlas.gov enables you to create customized maps incorporating a whole range of characteristics, such as climate data, environmental data, and many geological features.

Offers news, articles, maps, satellite images, an online dictionary of geology terms, and career information.

An index to geologic maps in the United States that you can searched by specific place name, state, and type of map.

This service from the U.S. Geological Survey enables you to make your own current or historical maps within the United States

An initiative by worldwide geological surveys to develop an interactive geological map of the world. You can zoom in on an area and turn map layers on and off.

The map is designed to show Earth's most prominent features when viewed from a distance, and more detailed features upon closer inspection.

Jules Map Server. An interactive map tool for exploration of Earth and other worlds.

Maps the location and temporal distribution of water surfaces at the global scale over the last several decades, and provides statistics on the extent and change of these water surfaces.