Library Guides: Geology Research Guide: US Geological Survey (USGS)

US Geological Survey (USGS) Resources

Resources Available Online
Resources Available in the Library

Historical Topographic Maps
A digital repository of USGS 1:250,000 scale and larger maps printed between 1884 and 2006.
National Geologic Map Database
The primary source for geologic map and related geoscience information of the United States.
The National Map
The National Map is a collaborative effort among the USGS and other Federal, State, and local partners to improve and deliver topographic information for the Nation. Includes downloadable data.
USGS Books, Reports & Publications
Bulletins (B), Circulars (C), Professional Papers (PP), Scientific Investigations Reports (SIRS), Techniques & Methods (TM), Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations (TWRIS), Water-Resources Investigrations Reports (WRIR), Water-Supply Papers (WSPS)
USGS Earth Explorer
The USGS EarthExplorer (EE) tool provides allows users to query, search, and order satellite images, aerial photographs, and cartographic products from several sources.
USGS Map Locator
Use the map locator to find products available through the USGS Store. PDFs available for free download.
USGS Photographic Collection
An archive of more than 500,000 still photographs and sketches dating from the 1870s and taken by USGS scientists as part of their field studies.
USGS Publications Warehouse
Access to over 180,000 publications written by USGS scientists over the century-plus history of the bureau.

Many of the USGS-authored items owned by MSU Library are stored in the annex location. To request an item from the annex, simply click the "place hold" button for the item you want. It will be brought to the main library and you will be notified when it is available.

USGS Thematic Maps can be found in the Maps Collection, 4th floor:

Antarctic Geologic Maps (A) 1970- I 19.25/8
Coal Investigation Maps (C) 1935- I 19.85:C
Circum-Pacific Maps (CP) I 19.91/2
Geophysical Investigation Maps (GP) 1946- I 19.87:GP
Geologic Quadrangle Maps (GQ) 1949- I 19.88:GQ
Hydrologic Investigation Atlases (HA) 1954- I 19.89
Land Use and Land Cover Maps (L) 1979- I 19.112:L
Miscellaneous Field Studies Maps (MF) 1951- I 19.113:MF
Miscellaneous Geologic Investigation Maps (I) 1955- I 19.91:I
Monographs (Mono) 1928- I 19.2: (Documents)
Mineral Investigations Resource Maps (MR) 1952- I 19.90:MR
Oil and Gas Investigations Charts (OC) 1944- I 19.92:OC
Oil and Gas Investigations Maps (OM) 1943- I 19.93:OM

Other USGS Publications can be found:

Bulletins I 19.3
Open File Reports I 19.76
Professional Papers I 19.16
Water-Resources Investigation Reports I 19.42/4
Water Supply Papers I 19.13