Maps, Aerial Photographs & Satellite Images
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Topographic Maps and Resources |
Texas Topographic Maps finding lists:
7.5 minute series (Scale 1:24,000):
A B
C D
E F
G H
I J
K L
M N
O P
Q R
S T
U-V W
Y-Z
15 minute series (Scale: 1:62,500)
Texas topographic maps not
available in the collection
Topographic maps are filed alphabetically by name in the map cases in the Reference Room. In the finding lists above map names followed by "(Tom Green)" are filed separately in the "Tom Green County Topographic Maps" drawer. Second copies of the Tom Green County maps may be found with the main map collection. The Tom Green maps are cataloged and appear in RamCat. Maps for many surrounding counties have also been cataloged. A search in RamCat for the subject Texas--Maps, Topographic will retrieve a complete list of those maps which have been cataloged at this time. Ask the Reference Librarian or Government Documents Librarian for assistance.
Quick Links: Web Sites | Publications
WebSites:
The web sites listed below either will aid in finding topographic map quadrangle names or
in obtaining topographic maps online. Several sites provide a seamless method of viewing quadrangles. One site offers
a glimpse into the future of mapping made possible by the data obtained
by a NASA shuttle mission in 2000.
National Geographic MapMachine
Search US topographic maps to create custom maps. The search presents a seamless method of moving
between topographic quadrangles. This may be one of the most user friendly sites for topographic maps.
Shuttle Radar Topography
Mission
This shuttle mission in 2000 acquired enough data to obtain the most complete near-global
high-resolution database of earth's topography. See the site for more information on this project and its importance
to the future of mapping.
TerraServer-USA
Formerly Microsoft TerraServer "[t]he TerraServer-USA Web site is one of the world's
largest online databases, providing free public access to a vast data store of maps and aerial photographs of
the United States. TerraServer is designed to work with commonly available computer systems and Web browsers
over slow speed communications links." TerraServer-USA contains digitized topographical maps of the United States
provided by the US Geological Survey. The USGS digitized topographical maps cover 100% of the conterminous United
States and Hawaii. Images can be downloaded. Joseph J. Kerski (USGS, Rocky Mountain Mapping Center) has written a
guide for use with this online resource: Downloading and formatting earth images from
TerraServer for recreational, scientific, educational, and GIS use. Other guides are available on the web
site.
TopoWest
Use a clickable map to locate topographic maps. Choose a state from the navigation bar on the
right, then click on the resulting map in the area needed. Includes a thumbnail image of the quadrangles. From an
image click "Zoom Out" to get back to the map of surrounding quadrangles, or click on one of the
directional choices (Go North, Go South, Go East, Go West) to move from one image to another.
TopoZone
The TopoZone, produced by Maps a la carte, Inc., is an interactive, seamless topographic
map of the entire United States. Start at "View Maps" to search by place name.
USGS National Mapping Information
"Query Form for the United States and Its Territories" retrieves detailed information (if any)
about a specific place or point of interest (even libraries and parks) in the U.S. Includes: Elevation, Population,
Description, History Notes, Variant Names, and USGS 7.5' Map Names.
USGS Store
Replaces "Map Finder." Start by "entering" the USGS Store. This site is
helpful if you already know the name of the quadrangle or the USGS product number. If you don't know the map name,
use the "GNIS" search option, which links to the National Mapping Information "Query Form for the United
States and Its Territories" to get the quadrangle map name. Entries for each map include a thumbnail image
(in .jpeg, if
available); coordinates; and dates of version, survey, revisions, and printing. County names are not included.
You can order copies of maps online from this site.
Publications:
The following "publications" present information on the future of mapping, examples of maps
produced using computer technology and several types of map formats, and additional information.
Landforms of the conterminous United States: a digital shaded-relief portrayal: visualizing the landscape
(USGS)
When the necessary information is available in digital format a computer can represent landforms
as they actually are. "This map is the largest single-sheet graphic of relief forms of the United States since the
classic hand-drawn oblique map of the same area by Raisz (1939) ... The new map clearly shows the regional
terrain textures on which physiographic divisions of the United States were largely based on Fenneman and Johnson,
1946." (from section 'The new digital shaded-relief map')."
The National Map: topographic mapping for the 21st century [Final report (PDF, 38 pp.)]
[Issues and actions
(PDF, 41 pp.)]
This is not a map resource, but a report on future mapping activities. "This report defines
a vision for The National Map, a database of continuously maintained base geographic information for the
United States and its territories that will serve as the Nation's topographic map for the 21st century.
Improvements will include greatly increased attention to keeping the information current, seamless national
digital data coverage to avoid problems now caused by map boundaries, higher resolution and positional accuracy
to better support user requirements, thorough data integration to improve the internal consistency of the data,
and dramatically increased reliance on partnerships and commercially available data." (Final report,
Executive summary, p. 1)
The National Map - Texas pilot project (USGS Fact Sheet 119-01, November 2001) [HTML]
A Tapestry
of Time and Terrain: The Union of Two Maps - Geology and Topography (USGS)
More and more map products are combining several different types of maps (e.g.,
topographic, shaded relief, and aerial photographs) to produce blended maps. A Tapestry of Time and Terrain
is one example. This map weaves together, in vivid colors and shadings, the topographical and geological components
of the lower 48 states, as well as the geologic age of those components. It outlines the geologic story of
continental collision and break-up, mountain-building, river erosion and deposition, glaciation, volcanism and
other events and processes that have shaped the region over the last 2.6 billion years. Includes descriptions
of geologic times and selected features (e.g., the Llano Uplift in Central Texas and the Llano Estacado
in the Texas Panhandle). (Also available in paper at the Library. Ask the Government Documents Librarian
for assistance.)
Topographic Map Symbols (USGS)
What is a topographic map? -- Reading topographic maps -- Topographic map information --
Map symbols
USGS
Maps, Online Edition
"Discover a small sample of the millions of maps produced by the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) in its mission to map the Nation and survey its resources. This booklet gives a brief overview of the types
of maps sold and distributed by the USGS through its Earth Science Information Centers (ESIC) and also available
from business partners located in most States. The USGS provides a wide variety of maps, from topographic maps
showing the geographic relief and thematic maps displaying the geology and water resources of the United States, to
special studies of the moon and planets."
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Compiled: March 2004 Janetta Paschal, Government Documents/Reference Librarian |