A new digital map of Alaska has been released this week that will provide land users, managers and scientists geologic information for the evaluation of land use in relation to resource extraction, conservation, natural hazards and recreation.
Put together by the United States Geological Survey in collaboration with the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, the map gives visual context to Alaska’s abundant mineral and energy resources in what is intended by its creators to be a detailed and accessible format.
The map and its digital databases are the result of compilation and interpretation of published and unpublished maps. Covering the entire state of Alaska, it reflects more than a century of work by a host of geologists and almost two decades of compilation work. More than 750 references were used in creating the map, some as old as 1908 and others as new as 2015. As a digital map, it has multiple associated databases that allow creation of a variety of derivative maps and other products.
There are two versions of the map, a detailed digital version and a simplified map for print. Its compilation began in 1996, using available data to compile and release a regional map of central Alaska. An ongoing process continued to produce other units for a statewide map, which were released gradually. As additional geologic data were acquired, previously released data, correlations and interpretations were updated as needed.
“This map is the continuation of a long line of USGS maps of Alaska, reflecting ever increasing knowledge of the geology of the state,” said Frederic Wilson, USGS research geologist and lead author of the new map.
Compilation of this map was complex because the original source maps were made by different generations of geologists. The theories they used and approaches differed, and several of the older maps were completed before the concepts of accreted terranes or plate tectonics existed. For balance, researchers adopted a traditional stratigraphic approach and avoided use of the sometimes controversial and commonly inconsistently defined or applied terrane terminology.
“This work is an important synthesis that will both increase public access to critical information and enhance the fundamental understanding of Alaska’s history, natural resources and environment,” said Mark Myers, commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources. In a release Myers went on to conclude the data will be useful for natural disaster preparation, resource development, land use planning and management, infrastructure management, urban planning, education and scientific research.
“A better understanding of Alaska’s geology is vital to our state’s future. This new map makes a real contribution to our state, from the scientific work it embodies to the responsible resource production it may facilitate. Projects like this one underscore the important mission of the U.S. Geological Survey, and I’m thankful to them for completing it,” commented Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
The map and its accompanying resources are available to view at http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sim3340.
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