New geologic map of North America illustrates discoveries and advances in geoscience

Boulder, Colo. – The last definitive geologic map of North America was published before the theory of plate tectonics was widely accepted, back in the days when impact craters were known simply as "anomalies" and knowledge of ocean floor geology was in its infancy. The Geological Society of America (GSA) has recently introduced the 2005 Geologic Map of North America.

A work of beauty as well as science, the map is printed in 11 colors with approximately 700 shades and patterns. It distinguishes more than 900 rock units, 110 of which are off-shore. It depicts more than seven times as many on-land units as the 1965 map. Perhaps the most significant additions are detailed features of the seafloor, including spreading centers, seamount chains, and subduction zones.

"Our knowledge of the Earth and how it works has grown exponentially over the last 40 years," said Jack Hess, Executive Director of GSA.  "We are pleased and excited to offer this great mapping achievement to the scientific community."

This map is the result of a cooperative effort by GSA, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). John C. Reed Jr. (USGS) and John O. Wheeler (GSC) compiled the on-land geology, while Brian E. Tucholke (WHOI) mapped and compiled the seafloors. The Pikes Peak Lithographing Company, Colorado Springs, Colorado, printed the map.

More than twenty years in the making, this 3-sheet map which measures 74”x39” and is at a scale of 1:5,000,000, illustrates approximately 15% of Earth's surface. It spans an area from the North Pole to Venezuela and from Ireland to Siberia.

Unlike its predecessor, the map is not a static end-product. Because it was produced with digital technology, a digital database is planned by David Soller of the U.S. Geological Survey. According to Soller, "Geoscientists for years to come will be able to access and analyze the data behind the map. This will stimulate additional research, expanding our body of knowledge at an increasingly rapid rate."

The map is available for purchase through the Geological Society of America.  For additional information visit: www.geosociety.org/bookstore/ or contact GSA Sales and Service,gsaservice@geosociety.org, 1-888-443-4472. This product comes rolled or folded. The non-member price of the rolled version is $155.00.

You may also wish to visit the USGS Central Region Earth Surface Processes Team for an expanded description of the map.