Maps, Aerial Photographs and GIS

Maps, aerial photographs and geographic information systems (GIS) is our "catch-all" category for digital data. In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for digital geologic and topographic products, particularly georeferenced data that may be used for spatial analysis in GIS applications. To meet this demand, the Bureau is concentrating on creating products in a digital format (including historic work). Digital maps and data sets will be the primary means of distributing new products. Look for new releases here and in our publications web page.

Map 67, Geologic Shaded-Relief Map of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Land Cover and Digital Shaded Relief maps*

Copies of the Pennsylvania Land Cover and Digital Shaded Relief maps may be requested by calling the Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey at 717–702–2073 or by sending an e-mail to jzipperer@state.pa.us. Information about how to obtain digital data files for this map can be found on the USGS web site at either of the following links:

USGS National Land Cover Characterization Site
USGS National Land Cover Dataset Information

Geologic maps are available for many areas of Pennsylvania. An index map showing the locations and the publication numbers of Pennsylvania's geologic maps is included on page 26 of the List of Publications.*

One of these publications, Map 61, which contains 623 uncolored, page-sized geologic quadrangle maps, is available here by clicking on Map 61.

A digital version of the 1980 Geologic Map of Pennsylvania (1:250,000 scale) is available on the Digital Geospatial Data page.

Many of Pennsylvania's geologic maps are printed in full color. They may be examined in Repository Libraries or purchased from the sales office of the State Book Store as instructed in the List of Publications.* In cooperation with the Penn State University Libraries, these maps are available as digitally scanned files. See "Miscellaneous Geologic Maps of Pennsylvania" at their web site. These are scanned images of geologic maps, many of which were produced by the Pennsylvania Geological Survey.

National Geologic Map Database a searchable database of geologic maps.

Digital Maps

Geologic Map of Pennsylvania - Map 7*

Oil and Gas Fields in PA - Map 10*

Distribution of PA Coals - Map 11*

Physiographic Provinces - Map 13*

Limestone and Dolomite Distribution - Map 15*

Glacial Deposits - Map 59*

Earthquake Epicenter Map

Topographic Maps

Download digital raster graphics (DRGs) of Pennsylvania from PASDA
View 15-minute topographic maps from Penn State University Libraries

Order paper copies from USGS

Find a topographic map in Pennsylvania using USGS Map Finder

Purchase Pennsylvania topographic maps from a Pennsylvania dealer (USGS business partner program)

Aerial Photographs

Digital ortho quarter quads (DOQQ) for parts of Pennsylvania can be downloaded from PASDA at: ftp://www.pasda.psu.edu/pub/pasda/ . There are now two folders that you can download from: doq and doq99.

DOQQs are rectified and projected digital aerial photographs covering one quarter of a 7.5 minute quadrangle. A single DOQQ file is typically 40MB in size, so download times over a modem may be unreasonable. The DOQQs at the PASDA site are in the same projection as the most recently published 7.5-minute quadrangle.

The principal file name of each DOQQ is the same as the 7.5 minute quadrangle with the addition of a suffix (NW, NE, SE, SW) indicating which quarter of the quadrangle it covers. Each DOQQ is comprised of two files; the image file, which has BIL as the filename extension; and a header file, which has HDR as the filename extension.

Find an Aerial Photograph of Pennsylvania using USGS Photo Finder

Copies of geologic and topographic maps and aerial photographs may be examined in the Pennsylvania Geological Survey Library. The phone number is 717–702–2020.

GIS

GIS technology allows the user to study complex relationships between layers of data. It also gives the user new ways of presenting data. Digital data sets are now desired over nearly all other forms of data. Digital data produced by the Pennsylvania Geological Survey will be posted here at our web site.

 

*You will need the Acrobat Reader 3.0 or later to successfully view/print some information. This program can be downloaded to your computer for free; simply click on the "Get Acrobat Reader" button at right to download now.

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