USGS expands national geologic map to include US territories for the first time

The United States Geological Survey released Version 2.0 of the Cooperative National Geologic Map, expanding coverage to include most US territories for the first time—bringing Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, parts of the Northern Mariana Islands, and part of American Samoa into a standardized national geologic database.

The update marks the first time a digital geologic map has provided standardized data spanning both all 50 states and most territories. For the territories, the inclusion represents decades of accumulated mapping history, from World War II military geology studies to locally published updates and state-of-the-art compilations from the past year.

The territories’ geology ranges from volcanic islands in the Pacific to coral-built islands and coastal terrain in the Caribbean—environments that present unique mapping challenges and carry significant implications for hazard monitoring, resource exploration, land-use planning, and groundwater characterization.

“Mapping our nation is critically important to identify and access the energy and mineral resources we need to support and grow the American economy,” said Assistant Secretary of the Interior Andrea Travnicek. “Geologic maps highlight locations of minerals, energy potential, and other natural resources. Better information will drive the mineral and energy economy, support advanced manufacturing and national defense, and free us from mineral dependence on foreign adversaries.”

USGS Director Ned Mamula highlighted the geographic sweep of the expanded map. “This comprehensive digital map now covers the geology of nearly the entire nation, from Alaska’s North Slope to Kīlauea in Hawaii, Cerro de Punta in Puerto Rico, and Mount Katahdin, Maine.”

The first version of the Cooperative National Geologic Map, released in August 2025, covered the Lower 48 states. Version 2.0 was built using the same standardized data format—the Geologic Map Schema, or GeMS—established by USGS and the Association of American State Geologists in 2020, allowing the expansion to scale quickly. The map is accessible to the public through an interactive web interface developed by the USGS National Geologic Map Database, allowing anyone to view and explore geologic data by age, material, and rock type without requiring advanced technical software.

The inclusion of the territories, while a significant step, is not yet complete. Coverage of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa is partial, meaning gaps remain for two of the five populated US territories.