Geologic Map
Geologic Map - Related Videos
08:55
Making a Geologic Cross Section
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2023
Source: Laboratory of Alan Lester - University of Colorado Boulder Geologic maps were first made and utilized in Europe, in the mid-to-late 18th century. Ever since, they have been an important part of geological investigations all around the world that strive to understand rock distributions on the surface of the earth, in the subsurface, and their modification through time. A modern geologic map is a data-rich representation of rocks and rock-structures in a two-dimensional plan view. The...
07:13
Using Topographic Maps to Generate Topographic Profiles
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2023
Source: Laboratory of Alan Lester - University of Colorado Boulder Topographic maps are "plan-view" representations of Earth's three-dimensional surface. They are a standard type of map-view that provides an overhead, or aerial, perspective. Among the defining features of a topographic map are the contour lines that indicate locations of constant elevation. The elevation interval between the contour lines is dependent on the level of detail provided by the map and the kind of topography present.
06:58
Fate Mapping
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2023
Fate mapping is a technique used to understand how embryonic cells divide, differentiate, and migrate during development. In classic fate mapping experiments, cells in different areas of an embryo are labeled with a chemical dye and then tracked to determine which tissues or structures they form. Technological improvements now allow for individual cells to be marked and traced throughout embryonic development and adulthood. This video reviews the concepts behind fate mapping, and then details a...
11:03
Motor Maps
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2023
Source: Laboratories of Jonas T. Kaplan and Sarah I. Gimbel—University of Southern California One principle of brain organization is the topographic mapping of information. Especially in sensory and motor cortices, adjacent regions of the brain tend to represent information from adjacent parts of the body, resulting in maps of the body expressed on the surface of the brain. The primary sensory and motor maps in the brain surround a prominent sulcus known as the central sulcus. The cortex...
12:26
Integrating Remote Sensing with Species Distribution Models; Mapping Tamarisk Invasions Using the Software for Assisted Habitat Modeling (SAHM)
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Cited by 34 •
2016
We demonstrate the utility of remotely sensed data and the newly developed Software for Assisted Habitat Modeling (SAHM) in predicting invasive species occurrence on the landscape. An ensemble of predictive models produced highly accurate maps of tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) invasion in Southeastern Colorado, USA when assessed with subsequent field validations.
FAQs
Colors distinguish different rock, sediment, or geologic-age units, while symbols identify structures such as faults, folds, and contacts. Their spatial arrangement helps users recognize where materials change, how units relate across an area, and which structures may influence landscape formation. This visual organization converts varied field and subsurface observations into a consistent framework for environmental interpretation.
No single observation reveals every geologic condition. Field observations provide direct evidence, while rock and fossil identification supports interpretation of material and age. Topographic information, remote sensing, and subsurface data extend coverage beyond accessible exposures. Combining these sources allows geologists to connect surface patterns with conditions below ground and produce a more complete spatial interpretation.
Geologic age provides a time-based context for distinguishing units that may appear spatially similar. When ages are shown alongside rock and sediment distributions, users can interpret how materials relate to the sequence of landscape-forming events. This context supports broader analysis of Earth processes and helps environmental scientists place present-day surface conditions within a longer geologic history.
Subsurface data extend mapping beneath exposed ground, where surface observations alone cannot show the full arrangement of geologic units or structures. Their integration with field and topographic information helps reveal buried conditions that may affect groundwater movement, contamination pathways, or infrastructure suitability. This broader view is especially important when environmental decisions depend on hidden geologic relationships.
A typical workflow combines field observations with rock and fossil identification, topographic information, remote sensing, and subsurface data. Geologists then interpret these observations to distinguish geologic units and identify structures, contacts, and ages. Finally, colors and symbols organize the results spatially, producing a map that can support analysis of landscape variation and environmental conditions.
By showing the distribution of rocks, sediments, structures, and buried conditions, geologic maps provide a spatial framework for evaluating groundwater flow. The same framework helps assess how contamination pathways may relate to geologic materials and structures. Environmental scientists can therefore use mapped geology when interpreting water movement, identifying areas requiring attention, and planning sustainable land and water management.
Geologic maps help assess landslide and earthquake hazards by showing the materials and structures associated with a landscape. They also contribute to evaluating suitable locations for infrastructure, where subsurface and surface conditions matter. Used with other environmental information, the maps support planning decisions that account for geologic variability rather than treating an entire region as uniform.