The Oldest Geologic Map And Mapmakers
Most often, when people think of maps, GPS devices are often the first thing that comes to mind. Although, there are a number of other types of maps. In one case, a geological or geologic map pertains to showing geological aspects and locations on geographical maps.
In geological maps, geologic strata and data are shown by colors, symbols and other markings which are often measured from the surface. For example, data such as folds, faults, lineages and plunges are often marked with a dip or strike. In most cases, objects marked with dips and strikes tend to render a three dimensional aspect on geographical maps.
Surface identification and marking can be somewhat more complex. For, if the object has been exposed to topsoil, backfill, bedrock or other materials, distance can often be miscalculated. As such, the individual measuring the distance from the surface to a geological unit will obtain the wrong information if these materials were included in the measurement.
Currently, the oldest geological map known to exist is that of the Turin Papyrus which has been well preserved since being found. Being a map that dates back to 1150 BCE, it was an important archaeological, geographical, geological and historical find. For, the map depicted stone and gold deposits from different areas of Egypt. In fact, it is believed that the map may have even been integral in the building of the pyramids.
Whereas, the earliest map known to exist in the modern era dates back to 1771, the map which shows part of Auyergne is made from basalt using prisms, balls and other markings to denote different locations. While this is the case, there have been a number of other geological maps developed in different areas of the world since that time. As such, there have been a number of archaeological, geographical, geological and historical findings which may have never taken place if not for these early surveyors and mapmakers.
Credit for developing the first geological map in the United States goes to William Maclure. For, in 1807 Maclure undertook the task of traveling to and surveying every state in the Union at the time. During the survey, it is reported that Maclure crossed the Allegheny mountains more than fifty times.
It was a journey and survey which would take over two years to complete. Reports show that the surveyor and mapmaker crossed over the Allegheny Mountains at least, if not more than fifty times in the process. As a result, findings show the distribution of five classes of different rocks now known only to exist in the Eastern most states of present-day United States.
While almost all United States geological maps are similar in comparison to that of the first one, a number are now overlaid on other topographical maps with colors, letters and symbols to mark different geographical aspects of the area. While symbols and letters are often used to notate different areas of the surface, faultlines and fossil findings, color is almost always used to denote the bedrock's exposure to the surface. As such, geological maps are often now used in earthquake sciences, marine biology, history, topology and other subsets of these areas.
In geological maps, geologic strata and data are shown by colors, symbols and other markings which are often measured from the surface. For example, data such as folds, faults, lineages and plunges are often marked with a dip or strike. In most cases, objects marked with dips and strikes tend to render a three dimensional aspect on geographical maps.
Surface identification and marking can be somewhat more complex. For, if the object has been exposed to topsoil, backfill, bedrock or other materials, distance can often be miscalculated. As such, the individual measuring the distance from the surface to a geological unit will obtain the wrong information if these materials were included in the measurement.
Currently, the oldest geological map known to exist is that of the Turin Papyrus which has been well preserved since being found. Being a map that dates back to 1150 BCE, it was an important archaeological, geographical, geological and historical find. For, the map depicted stone and gold deposits from different areas of Egypt. In fact, it is believed that the map may have even been integral in the building of the pyramids.
Whereas, the earliest map known to exist in the modern era dates back to 1771, the map which shows part of Auyergne is made from basalt using prisms, balls and other markings to denote different locations. While this is the case, there have been a number of other geological maps developed in different areas of the world since that time. As such, there have been a number of archaeological, geographical, geological and historical findings which may have never taken place if not for these early surveyors and mapmakers.
Credit for developing the first geological map in the United States goes to William Maclure. For, in 1807 Maclure undertook the task of traveling to and surveying every state in the Union at the time. During the survey, it is reported that Maclure crossed the Allegheny mountains more than fifty times.
It was a journey and survey which would take over two years to complete. Reports show that the surveyor and mapmaker crossed over the Allegheny Mountains at least, if not more than fifty times in the process. As a result, findings show the distribution of five classes of different rocks now known only to exist in the Eastern most states of present-day United States.
While almost all United States geological maps are similar in comparison to that of the first one, a number are now overlaid on other topographical maps with colors, letters and symbols to mark different geographical aspects of the area. While symbols and letters are often used to notate different areas of the surface, faultlines and fossil findings, color is almost always used to denote the bedrock's exposure to the surface. As such, geological maps are often now used in earthquake sciences, marine biology, history, topology and other subsets of these areas.
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