Help Contents
Overview
Using the Toolbar
Working with the Tool Windows
Working with Layers and the Table of Contents
Identifying Features on the Map
Querying Layers
Using the Draw and Measure Tool
Tips and Tricks
Still Need Help?
Overview
Interactive map applications at the Washington State Geologic Information Portal allow you to create custom maps, find more information about map features, and download some of the data displayed on the map.
The application window consists of three main parts:
Map Area
This is the main area of the application window, and displays a map according to what area you have zoomed to and what layers you have turned on in the Table of Contents.
Toolbar
The toolbar contains several tools to help you find the map area you want and find out more information about particular map features. For more information on the toolbar, please see Using the Toolbar.
Tool Windows
Some of the tools on the toolbar bring up small windows on the right side of the application window, which allow you to perform various functions such as choosing tool options and modifying the map display. The Table of Contents and the Overview Map windows display by default; others can be brought up by clicking the associated tool on the toolbar. For more information on using the tool windows, please see Working with the Tool Windows.
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Using the Toolbar
The toolbar allows you to interact with the map using various tools. To use a tool in the toolbar, click on the tool you want to use. Some tools do an action immediately upon clicking the toolbar, while others require that you then click on the map; see the instructions below for using each individual tool. The results of using a tool depend on the tool. The map appearance may change, such as zooming in or out, or results may appear in a pop-up window, such as with the Identify tool.
Toolbar - Left Side
Map Theme
Select the map theme you wish to view. Changing the map theme changes what layers are available for viewing. The icon next to the Map Theme list provides a description of the various map themes.
Pan (Recenter)
Click on the tool, then click and hold the left mouse button on the map and drag the map. This will move the map across the screen, moving the location you clicked on to the location where you release the mouse button.
Zoom In
Click on the tool, then click and hold the left mouse button down on the map at one corner of the area to you want to zoom in to. Drag the mouse to the opposite corner of the area to draw a rectangle, and release the mouse button. The map zooms in to the area of the rectangle. Also, you can click once on the map to zoom in one zoom level.
Zoom Out
Click on the tool, then click and hold the left mouse button down on the map, drag the mouse to draw a rectangle, and release the mouse button. The map zooms out so that the current map area fits into the rectangle you drew. The smaller the rectangle you draw, the more the map zooms out. Also, you can click once on the map to zoome out one zoom level.
Zoom to Geographic Area
To zoom to a particular geographic area (such as a particular county, township, section, 7.5-minute quadrangle, or 30- by 60-minute quadrangle), click the tool to display a pop-up window. Select the type of area you want to zoom to from the drop-down list, and then select the particular area from the additional drop-down list(s) that appear.
Zoom to Lat/Long
To zoom to specific latitude and longitude coordinates, click the tool to display a pop-up window. You may enter coordinates in decimal degrees; degrees and decimal minutes; or degrees, minutes, and decimal seconds.
Locate Address
To locate and zoom to an address, click the tool to display a pop-up window. Enter an address (or part of an address), and the map will zoom to that address.
Zoom to Full Extent
To zoom the map out to show the entire state of Washington, click the tool once.
Previous Extent
Click this tool one or more times to step backward through all of the zoom and pan operations that you have performed.
Next Extent
After using the Previous Extent tool (above), click this tool one or more times to step forward through all of the zoom and pan operations you have .
Identify
To display more information about a feature displayed on the map, click this tool, and then click on the feature of interest. A small marker is added to the map and a pop-up widow displays more information about the feature(s) you clicked on. See Identifying Features on the Map for more information on how to use the identification information.
Query Layers
To find features in a layer that meet certain criteria, click this tool to display a pop-up window. The window allows you to specify the criteria to be met; results are presented in a table, where you can click on individual results to zoom to the associated map feature. For more help using the Query Layers tool, please see Querying Layers.
Draw and Measure
To add points, lines, polygons, or text to the map display, click on this tool to display a pop-up window. On the window, select the tool for what you would like to add to the map. If you would also like for the tool to provide you with measurements of the object you draw, make sure the "Show Measurements with Graphics" box is checked; this function is handy for identifying the latitude and longitude of a point on the map. You can delete objects that you have drawn by choosing the Select Graphics tool (white arrow), clicking on the object, and pressing the Delete key on your keyboard. Please note that any objects you draw on the map are only temporary, and will be erased when you close the interactive map application. For more help using the Draw and Measure tool, please see Using the Draw and Measure Tool.
Download Map Snapshot
To save an image of the current map view, click the tool. On the window that is displayed, click the button to download a zip file containing an image of the map view (including any graphics you have drawn). This image is accompanied by a "world file" (ending in .jpgw) and a geographic reference file (ending in .aux.xml), both of which contain information on the geographic location and projection of the downloaded image to allow geographic information system (GIS) software to display the image in its correct geographic location. If you are using ESRI ArcGIS software, ArcMap will automatically read the projection file if it is in the same directory as the image; if you are using another GIS software, you can use a text editor to open and read the projection file; you would then manually enter the projection for the image in your software.
Create PDF for Printing
To save a PDF file of the current map view, click the tool. On the window that is displayed, you may specify the title of the map document, whether or not to include a location/overview map, and which layers' symbols you want included in the legend. Clicking "Create Print Page" then produces a PDF that you can print and/or save to your computer.
Toolbar - Right Side
Table of Contents
Clicking this tool will display the map's table of contents, which shows all of the layers that can be displayed in the map. For more information on the table of contents, please see Working with Layers and the Table of Contents.
Map Legend
Clicking this tool will display the map's legend, which explains all of the colors and symbols appearing in the current map display.
Overview Map
Clicking this tool will display a small window showing the entire map extent, including a red box indicating the current map view. You may center the main map area on a different area by dragging the red box on the overview map.
About the Mapping Application
Clicking this tool will display a window with an overview description of the interactive map application, a link to the help documentation you are reading now, and other links that may be useful.
Geology Dictionary
Clicking this tool will open a website that provides definitions for geologic terms; this can be useful if you come across unfamiliar geologic terms when using the interactive map.
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Working with the Tool Windows
Tool windows always appear in a column along the righthand side of the map area; each subsequent tool window appears at the top of the column (other tool windows shift down to accommodate it). Once a tool window is on the screen, you can move it around by dragging the top of the window (the area where the tool window title appears). A few more things you can do, using the icons in the upper right corner of the tool window:
Once you have moved a tool window away from the righthand side of the map area, you can use this icon to "redock" the tool window at the right side of the map area; the tool window will be placed below any other tool windows that are already docked along the right side (this means that it may be placed below the visible map area, if you have several other docked tool windows).
Clicking this icon will minimize the tool window, collapsing it down to show only the tool window title bar and icon. This is useful if you need to see more of the map area, but don't want to close the tool window completely. To re-expand the tool window, click on the pictorial icon that appears in the tool window title bar.
Close a tool window by clicking this icon.
If you see scroll bars along the bottom and right sides of a tool window, be sure to click and drag the black bars (or click the arrows at either end of each scroll bar) to view additional information in the tool window.
When the map application starts, the Table of Contents and Overview Map tool windows show on the screen by default; other tool windows can be brought up by clicking the associated tool on the toolbar. For more information on the Table of Contents, please see Working with Layers and the Table of Contents.
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Working with Layers and the Table of Contents
The Table of Contents appears on the right side of the map area, and shows all of the map layers available for view. A map layer is a type of data shown on the map, such as geologic polygons, faults, a street map, or a satellite image. You use the Table of Contents to turn on and off layers, access a description of each layer, adjust layer transparency, and download data (where available).
Map layers are organized into groups. Each group has a plus or minus button next to it, which allows you to display or hide the list of map layers within that group. A check box next to each group and layer name indicates whether the group or layer is currently turned on. You can click the check box next to a group or layer name to turn the group or layer on or off. Be aware that in order for a layer to display on the map, both the layer and the group it is in must be turned on.
Next to each layer group is a slider 
that controls the transparency of the group's layers on the map display. This can be handy if you are viewing layers from multiple groups at one time, and need for a layer to be semi-transparent in order to see a layer beneath it.
Normally, when you turn a layer on or off, the map redraws automatically to reflect the changes in layer visibility. However, if you prefer, you can uncheck the "Redraw map automatically" option, and the map will only redraw when you click the "Refresh Map" button.
Some layers may not be visible at the current map scale (zoom level). These layers are called 'scale dependent'. The names of layers that are not visible at the current map scale display in gray italics. You may need to zoom the map in or out to see a particular layer displayed, even if its check box is checked to draw. For information on the scale dependency for all available layers, click the "Scale Information" link in the lower right corner of the Table of Contents.
If a layer has an arrow 
next to the name, you can click on the arrow to download a data file for that layer for use in your geographic information system. Please note that each data file contains the data and metadata only (points, lines, or polygons, with associated attributes and metadata), and does not include symbology. You will need to apply your own symbology within your geographic information system.
To find out more about a layer, click the question mark 
next to the layer name. This will bring up a brief description of the layer's purpose and content.
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Identifying Features on the Map
(Please note: Two of the map themes - Subsurface Geology Information System and Washington State Coal Mine Map Collection - have specialized Identify tools. Please see Identifying Features in the Subsurface Geology Informaton System and Identifying Features in the Washington State Coal Mine Map Collection.)
If you want to get more information about a feature on the map, you can do so using the Identify tool. To identify a feature, click the Identify button on the toolbar, then click on the feature you want to identify. After a few moments, a pop-up window will display the names of layers containing features at (or very near) the location you clicked, and a list of identified features in each layer. Clicking on an item in the list will highlight the feature on the map and cause the details on the selected feature to appear on the righthand side of the pop-up window. Note that the tool will identify features only in layers that are currently visible in the map view.
Identifying Features in the Subsurface Geology Information System
In addition to the standard Identify tool, the Subsurface Geology Information System map theme has an additional customized Identify tool that provides information on the geologic layers encountered beneath the surface at the point locations displayed on the map. (This tool only works on the Subsurface Points layer; use the standard Identify tool for all other layers). To begin using the customized Identify tool in this map theme, click on the Identify icon with a purple diamond on the toolbar; the Subsurface Data tool window will appear, but it will not yet display any data. Once you use the tool to click on a point feature on the map, the Subsurface Data tool window will show the information for each point at (or very near) the location you clicked. The tool window only shows one point at a time; to see the data for other points at or near the location you clicked, use the Next Point and Previous Point buttons. Be sure to use the scroll bar at the right side of the tool window to see more information, including the geologic layers beneath the point location.
Identifying Features in the Washington State Coal Mine Map Collection
To begin using the Identify tool in this map theme, click on the Identify icon on the toolbar; the Coal Mine Maps tool window will appear, but it will not yet display any data. Once you use the Identify tool to click on a polygon on the map, the Coal Mine Maps window will show a list of mine areas that are included (either wholly or in part) within any polygons that overlap the location you clicked. Clicking on the name of a mine area will bring up a second window, listing the coal mine maps available for that mine area. Clicking on an individual map in the list will bring up a PDF file of the actual map, which you can view, print, and/or save to your computer.
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Querying Layers
The Query Layers tool allows you to find all features in a layer that meet a certain set of criteria that you specify. For those familiar with GIS software, this is equivalent to the "Select by Attribute" function. Selecting the Query Layers tool on the toolbar will bring up a window that allows you to specify the criteria for features to be found. Instructions for using this window:
- The first step is to select the layer that you wish to query in the first drop-down box (1). Note that the Query Layers tool can only query one layer at a time.
- Once you have selected the layer of interest, the fields drop-down box (2) will be filled out with the fields available in the selected layer; choose the field you wish to query in this drop-down box. Note that it may take a moment or two for the field list to appear in this box.
- Next, select a logical operator (3). This operator is used to create an expression for comparing the value that you specify in the attribute value box (4) to the attributes of the features in the selected layer to determine which features match your selection criteria. For features for which the expression results in an answer of "true", the feature is returned in the query results; for features for which the expression results in an answer of "false", the feature is not returned in the results. Available operators are: = (equals), <> (is not equal to), < (is less than), > (is greater than), <= (is less than or equal to), >= (is greater than or equal to), and LIKE. The 'LIKE' operator allows you to use wildcards in the attribute value box, to find features that contain a particular sequence of characters somewhere in the specified field (more on this below).
- After selecting an operator, you will need to specify the attribute value (4) that will be compared to the feature attributes in the selected layer. You can do this in one of two ways:
- Type the value directly in the attribute value box (4). If the value you are entering is a string (text), use single quotes around the value (for example, 'Qgd'). This is the method you will probably use if you want to use the 'LIKE' operator, since you will probably be searching for only part of the value of a field; the wildcard character is the percent sign (%).For example, if you want to find all features in the Geologic Units 250K layer that contain the word "argillite" anywhere in the field, your expression would look like this: Geologic Unit Description LIKE '%argillite%'.
OR: - Allow the tool to show you what values are present in the selected field, so you can select the desired value from a drop-down box. To do this, click the 'Get Samples' button (4a). Doing this will cause the entire list of values present in the selected field to be shown in the values drop-down box (4b); selecting a value in this dropdown will cause the value to be automatically entered in the attribute value box (4). Note that it may take a moment or two for the value list to appear in the drop-down box.
- Once you have created a complete expression containing a field name, operator, and attribute value, you must click the Add to Query button (5) to add the expression to the query box (6).
- If you need to further refine your query, you can add more expressions, each separated by AND, OR, or NOT (these can be inserted using the buttons above the Add to Query button).
- Once your complete query is entered into the query box (6), click the Execute Query button. The features matching your query criteria will be highlighted on the map, and a results table will pop up providing details on each feature. Note that the query may take a few moments, particularly if your query is complex and/or the layer you are querying contains a large number of features. Selecting a feature in the results table will zoom the map view to that feature and highlight it in yellow.
Things to note about the query layers tool
- The Query Layers tool will not return more than 1000 features at a time.
- Once you have formed a query expression, make sure you click the Add to Query button to add the expression to the query box before clicking Execute Query. The query will only operate on what is in the query box/ anythin in the field, operator, or attribute value boxes will be ignored if it hasn't been added to the query box.
- The query is case sensitive, meaning that it will only look for values that are capitalized exactly like the value you enter. So, in the "argillite" example above, the query would find instances of "argillite", but not "Argillite" (which might occur at the beginning of a sentence); in this case, your query might look like this: Geologic Unit Description LIKE '%argillite%' OR Geologic Unit Description LIKE '%Argillite%'.
Query Examples
Example 1—You want to find all polygons in the Geologic Units 500K layer that contain alluvium:
- Geologic Unit Description LIKE '%alluvium%' OR Geologic Unit Description LIKE '%Alluvium%'
Example 2—You want to find all oil and gas wells drilled in King and Snohomish Counties:
- County Name = 'King' OR County Name = 'Snohomish'
Example 3—You want to find all permitted surface mines in Thurston and Pierce Counties that produce clay:
- (County = 'Thurston' OR County = 'Pierce') AND Commodity = 'Clay'
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Using the Draw and Measure Tool
This tool allows you to draw points, lines, and polygons, while at the same time allowing you the option of measuring those objects as you draw them. It also allows you to add text to the map. Please note that any objects you draw on the map are temporary; they will disappear if you close or reload the interactive map application. However, the objects will not disappear if you simply change map themes (using the Map Theme drop-down on the toolbar).
Clicking Draw and Measure on the toolbar will bring up a window showing all of the available drawing tools.
- Select Graphic—Use this to select a graphic that you have already placed on the map. Double-clicking on a graphic with this tool will access the appearance properties for the graphic, allowing you to change colors, line weights, and fonts for the selected object. You can also move a graphic by selecting it with this tool, and then dragging it to a new location. You can delete a graphic with this tool by selecting it and pressing "Delete" on your keyboard.
- Add Point—Select this tool, and click once on the map to add a point. To use this tool to find out the coordinates of a location, make sure "Show Measurements with Graphics" is checked.
- Add Line—Select this tool, click once on the map to begin the line, then proceed to click once on the map for each subsequent node/vertex you want on your line. Double-click where you want to end the line.
- Trace a Freehand Line—Select this tool, click and hold your mouse button on the map, and drag your mouse (while still holding down the mouse button) to draw a line. Release the mouse button when you are finished drawing.
- Add Polygon—Select this tool, click once on the map to begin the polygon, then proceed to click once on the map for each subsequent node/vertex you want on your polygon boundary. Double-click where you want to end the polygon.
- Trace a Freehand Polygon—Select this tool, click and hold your mouse button on the map, and drag your mouse (while still holding down the mouse button) to draw a polygon. Release the mouse button when you are finished drawing.
- Add Rectangle—Select this tool, click and hold your mouse button on the map where you want one corner of the rectangle, and drag your mouse (while still holding down the mouse button) to where you want the opposite corner of the rectangle. Release the mouse button when you are finished.
- Add Text—Select this tool and click once on the map where you want to place text; type to insert text at the blinking cursor.
- Set Default Symbology Styles—Selecting this will allow you to set default colors, sizes, and fonts for objects you draw.
- Show Measurements with Graphics—If this is checked, when you finish drawing an object (other than text), a table will appear giving the measurements for the object.
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Tips and Tricks
- If you want to move from one area of the map to another, it may be faster to zoom to full extent and use the Zoom In tool on the area you want, rather than using the Pan tool to drag the map.
- If your mouse has a scroll wheel, rolling the wheel forward will zoom in, while rolling the wheel back will zoom out.
- If the map or any of the tools have trouble loading, try restarting the application (by clicking "Refresh" on your browser), or try closing and restarting your browser. If the problem persists, try deleting cookies and temporary internet files (see the help for your particular browser for instructions), and then closing and restarting your browser.
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Still Need Help?
If you still need help using our interactive maps, or have a comment or question, please contact us (see above right for contact information).
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