No. 09-002
January 8, 2009
Contact: Princess Jackson-Smith, 360-902-1066
Washington Geological Survey Introduces Online Interactive Maps
Map information about Washington State’s geology is now easily available online from the state geological survey which is the Division of Geology and Earth Resources of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DGER). Two new interactive mapping applications have been added to the Geologic Information Portal on the internet. These feature-rich applications are designed to make geologic map data more accessible. Both applications allow the user to create, save, and print custom maps, obtain more information about map features, and download data or use in a geographic information system (GIS).
The Washington Interactive Geologic Map (http://wigm.dnr.wa.gov/ ) provides access to geologic mapping at several scales, earthquake and tsunami hazard mapping, and geothermal resource information.
The other interactive map, Earth Resource Permit Locations (http://erpl.dnr.wa.gov/ ), provides access to oil and gas exploration drill hole locations and surface mine reclamation permit sites.
Both applications include base information, such as shaded relief, aerial photography, quadrangle boundaries, highways, rivers, and other geographic reference features. Layers will be added to both applications periodically, as new datasets are prepared.
You can find both applications through the Washington State Geologic Information Portal (http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/Topics/GeosciencesData/Pages/geology_portal.aspx ), DGER’s new gateway for accessing interactive earth science mapping, data, and related information.
Caring for your natural resources. . .now and forever
The Geology and Earth Resources Division (DGER) is the Washington Geological Survey, dedicated to the timely, relevant, and impartial study of the landscape, our natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten us. The division is an excellent reference source for information about the geology, geologic hazards, and mineral resources of Washington. The DGER library in Olympia contains the nation's most comprehensive collection of reference materials about Washington's geology.
DGER offers scientific information to the public, government agencies, and universities. The division’s regulatory responsibilities include aspects of the mineral and fossil fuel industries, such as surface mine and metal mine reclamation; oil and gas drilling; gas storage; geothermal drilling, and underground fluids injection.
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