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Finding Geologic Maps in Lindgren Library

Getting Started

To locate a geologic map housed in the Lindgren Library, you might have to consult several reference sources. These include the on-line catalog, map indexes, the Guide to USGS Publications, and Georef (a bibliographic database specializing in geology and the earth sciences; MIT access only). The library staff can provide additional assistance.

Map Room Layout

(see below)

U.S. Geological Survey Maps

USGS maps are arranged by USGS series at Lindgren Library. They are filed in the USGS map cabinets in the Schwarz Map Room in numerical order within the particular series. To find the series and number of the map you need, consult the Guide to USGS Publications (ZG3700 .G8 19xx REF). Under the state name, maps are indexed by 7.5' quadrangle names. To determine the quadrangle name for your area of interest, consult the map indexes stored in the file cabinet in the Reference area.

Map Series

Labelled map cabinets in the Schwarz Map Room contain maps in series. These include Canadian maps, maps issued by state geologic surveys, Geological Society of America (GSA) maps and American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) maps. Indexes to some of these maps are listed in the Index Maps and Reference Aids section below.

Books and Atlases

Many geologic maps are included as plates in books. A subject search in Barton and the card catalog under "Geology--place name" will identify the books at Lindgren which cover your area of interest; choose the "Full display" option when viewing a record in Barton to find out whether maps are included in the book. Books which focus on a particular geographic area may be found in the stacks beginning at QE39.

For atlases, use a combined keyword search on Barton:

sw=place name and w=atlas*.

Check the folio shelves at the back of the library for a geological atlas of your area.

Index Maps and Reference Aids

Located in the file cabinet in the reference area are folders for each U.S. state which contain various state and USGS map indexes and bibliographies.

The following publications (shelved in the reference area) may be helpful in determining which maps cover your area of interest.

1. Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey
   Z1223.G345
   
   
2. Index to Publications, Geological Survey of Canada
   ZQE185.A4
   
   
3. Bibliography and Index of Geology
   ZQE26.G345
   
   
4. Guide to USGS Geologic and Hydrologic Maps
   ZG3700.G8 19xx (latest edition on reference)
   
   
5. International Maps and Atlases in Print
   ZGC1019.I5
   
   
6. Geologic Reference Sources
   ZQE26.2.W3
   
   
7. An Index of State Geological Survey Publications
   ZQE80.C791 (issued in series)
   
   
8. The Map Catalog
   ZGA105.3.M26 1986
   
   
9. Publications Catalogs for State Geological Surveys
   (kept in Princeton files in Reference section)

Finally, a search in the GEOREF database may help you find maps covering your area of interest. Georef is available to the MIT community via the world wide web.