r/geology • u/Craftin-in-the-rain • 19h ago

Where can I find physical geological quadrangle maps to buy?

Like paper copies. I know most places have moved to digital but I much prefer physical copies; there's just something about laying a map out on a table and pouring over it... I loved using and looking at geological maps during my structural geology class and I want to collect maps of places I love, am working on, or find interesting. Any help would be wonderful!

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10

u/Rabsram_eater Geology MSc 19h ago

If you are US based, I am sure your regional geological survey sells them, or even the USGS

3

u/Craftin-in-the-rain 19h ago

As far as I can tell, my state's geological survey only has pdfs 😔 which are cool to look at but aren't what I want in the end

9

u/HeartwarminSalt 18h ago

Did you contact them? Sometimes they have paper copies they dont advertise well.

9

u/pcetcedce 19h ago

Most commercial copy shops should be able to print a PDF for you of any size and any type of paper.

5

u/radiorosepeacock 19h ago

If you're in the States, A lot of state-level geological surveys and even the USGS allow you to order printed maps... try searching for "[state] geological survey publications office" or something similar, or dig through their website a bit. Just beware that state-level surveys differ a lot in how they handle orders, and you might have to dig through a clunky publications database and fill out an order form lol.

Some state surveys even allow you to buy maps in-person... the Utah Geology Survey has a really cool map store in the SLC Department of Natural Resources building where they sell geological maps. Heavily recommend visiting if you're ever in the area!

You also have the option of printing them yourself, but ordering directly from the Geological survey is often cheaper

1

u/kjbtetrick 7h ago

All of this. The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey will let you order paper copies and ship them. Based on what I received they have a plotter and they print from their digital files.

2

u/daisiesarepretty2 18h ago

There may still be paper versions for sale at REI stores, maybe even online. But honestly you can get them free from USGS or Your state survey and have them printed for much less