3 Geology Maps that Explain the History of Earth
Geology Maps of the World
The Earth is covered with rocks. When you look at a rock, you’re looking at history.
At one time, all rocks were molten rocks. With pressure and heat, minerals squeeze together. Then, we can get a new type of rock like marble. Wind and rain can break rocks down into sand. When water flows through dust and sand, it mixes sand. The sand dries out and can turn back into rocks again.
This process where rocks are formed, broken down, and reformed has been happening for billions of years.
Here’s a list of the best global geology maps found online.
Geology Maps Rock!
We can better understand our Earth with geology. For example, we associate phenomena like earthquakes, landslides, and precious minerals with geology. This is why mapping geology is important.
Geologists divide time into eras, periods, and epochs. For example, the Cenozoic era rocks were formed from 65 million years ago to the present. These rocks were created from recent volcanic activity.
When looking at geology maps, you’re looking at the underlying rock formations. In other words, it displays rocks of different ages showing eras, periods, and epochs. And it may include the three main types of rocks: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.
1. USGS – A Tapestry of Time and Terrain
The USGS Tapestry of Time and Terrain merges topography and geology into a single image. It outlines geologic events like continental collisions, mountain-building, and river erosion.
This composite is the most detailed and accurate portrait of the US land surface and the ages of its rock formations.
2. ONE Geology – Global Geology
Where ONE Geology lacks in sheer elegance (see above) it makes up for usability and complete global coverage. OneGeology Portal enables data accessibility to everyone which is pretty powerful. At your fingertips, you can see geologic maps with data consistent across the globe.
Like most ideas that catch the imagination, it was simple, basic, and unifying, but most of all it was timely.
3. NOAA Marine Geology Viewer
Imagine getting a look at the geology under the ocean. The NOAA Marine Geology Viewer lets you do exactly this. Based on geology surveys from sediment data reports, you can cruise geology from the ocean floor.
Geology is the study of solid Earth, including the materials that make up the planet and the processes that shape the planet.
Geology Maps
Rocks have a long history. Actually, much longer than human beings. They were formed in different eras, periods, and epochs billions of years ago.
Earth is covered in rocks of different ages. On this fact alone, it’s pretty amazing that you can see exactly where with geology maps.
If you ever wanted to take a peek at the best geology maps, you can’t live without this list of 3 geology maps.
