The CGS actively participates in the STATEMAP portion of the US Geological Survey’s National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP), a nation-wide effort to generate comprehensive geologic maps of individual 7-1/2-minute topographic quads. Following one or sometimes two seasons of intensive field work by a team of researchers, field information is carefully compiled, reviewed, and released as one of our geologic quadrangle maps. These are in the form of high-resolution PDF files along with a corresponding package of GIS data.
The Geologic Mapping Advisory Committee (GMAC)—with representatives from State, Federal, and Tribal governments, academia, and the private sector—select which Colorado quadrangles are included in this ongoing program. Our STATEMAP progression map shows the many quads that have been completed, are in progress, or under current consideration across the state. The program provides crucial information to many constituents on geologic hazards, mineral resources, and groundwater, as well as informing a range of land-use issues across the state.
A drone shot of the layered Miocene basalts of the Grand Mesa Volcanic Field. The tan Green River Formation (Paleogene)—forming the hoodoos—is seen beneath talus accumulations at the base of the basalt flows, Lands End, Grand Mesa, Colorado, July 2017. Photo credit: Julian Chesnutt for the CGS.Whitewater Falls along Whitewater Creek, cascades off the Miocene basalt caprock of Grand Mesa at Lands End, August 2017. Photo credit: Martin Palkovic for the CGSThe Miocene basalts of the Grand Mesa form the skyline at around 10,000 ft altitude in this late fall field photo. Aspen, scrub oak, mountain mahogany add their colors to the greens of the juniper and piñon in the foreground. Photo credit: Jonathan White for the CGS.Looking north from Grand Mesa towards the high Roan Cliffs. That same package of rocks also occurs in the steep slopes in the foreground, immediately below the basalt rim. Between the two is the Colorado River that cuts into older Mesaverde Group rocks and is out of sight, set deep in Debeque Canyon, Colorado, October 2017. Photo credit: Jonathan White for the CGS.It is relatively flat in three-quarters of the La Salle quad, with some signs of new housing development on the horizon, Weld County, Colorado, July 2018. Photo credit: Martin Palkovic for the CGS.A typical view of the rural terrain of the La Salle quad, Weld County, Colorado, July 2018. The low rolling hills are possibly dune structures resulting from eolian processes. Photo credit: Martin Palkovic for the CGS.The classic afternoon thunderstorm forming over South Park can make field work … complicated! Antero Reservoir Northeast quadrangle, South Park, Colorado, July 2017. Photo credit: Peter Barkmann for the CGS.Looking northwest across South Park towards Buffalo Peaks Wilderness from the Antero Reservoir Northeast quadrangle, Colorado, October 2017. Photo credit: Peter Barkmann for the CGS.
