GLG 103 Module 13 Hometown Geology Lab Assignment Overview
The purpose of this library guide is to assist students taking the online course, Geology (GLG) 103, with their research for the module 13 assignment. The “Hometown Geology” module is an 80 points mandatory assignment which cannot be dropped from your grade.
For the Module 13 assignment, GLG 103 lab students need to find a topographic and a geologic map of their hometown or an area of interest before arriving at the ASU Libraries Map Collection for their assignment. Instructions for finding U.S. topographic maps and U.S. geologic maps can be found in the boxes below.
International students need only to find geologic maps of their home countries. When searching for a geologic map of your home country, try searching your country's name in both the native language(s) and English. Although the ASU Libraries Map Collection tries to collect high quality geological and topographic maps of areas outside the U.S., we may not have them available for everywhere in the world. During this exercise, if you do not find a quality geologic map for your country, you may want to select a place of interest within the U.S.
Online Topographic and Geologic Maps
For students outside of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area who cannot go to the ASU Libraries Map Collection, try this online resources for your map needs:
Topographic Maps
USGS Map Locator and Downloader Free downloads of topographic maps are available from the U.S. Geological Survey. Search for the needed location in the map search box in the center of the page. The search box in the left-hand column will send you to the Map Store.
Google Earth Library has map overlays of the most recent topographic maps for Arizona. Using Google Earth as an advantage in that one can see the topographic maps placed on the "surface" of the Earth.
ArcGIS Explorer has topgraphic map layers.
Geologic Maps
National Geologic Map Database. The USGS (United States Geologic Survey) also hosts many of their geologic maps online. This database also lists maps done in partnership with state geological surveys. Enter your hometown, select your state, select your county. From the results, select your hometown "Type" 0as a "Populated Place." Check only "Bedrock Geology" as the Geologic Theme. Under Product Format, select digital. Go through the list of maps and pick a map using the same selection criteria as described on the Indentifying a Geologic Map video in the box above.
Most states have geologic surveys. Many states host some of their geologic map online. To search for your states geologic survey, simply search for the name of your state and add the words, geologic survey. For example, if you are from Missouri, search for Missouri Geologic Survey to find online geologic maps.
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