Macrostrat: A Global Geological Map

macrostrat.org

58 points·hownottowrite··5 comments

Geologist here! I'm a fan of this project. The maps are only part of it; they're trying to build a three-dimensional scaffolding (based on drill cores, etc.).

Almost all normal geologic maps are maps of the rocks at the surface, since that's what we can see most easily -- but the rocks are no less complicated with depth, and in principle with enough data you could make the same sorts of map at any depth within the crust.

The same team is also working on data-mining from (academic paper) PDFs - some of the information from which may eventually be tied into the Macrostrat framework: https://geodeepdive.org/

Wow, these maps are so gorgeous that I'm trying to figure out how turn screenshots into high resolution posters. Oh, and the geology is interesting too.

A great map needs a great legend though, and I'm not finding that. But click on the map and it displays nice detail about that point, so you can kind of fill in the legend by clicking around.

Well step one is figure out how to import it to QGIS. Then learn enough to make a map you like ( which is pretty much the getting started tutorial). Then if you know python you can probably write a script to automate it for other chunks of your choosing.

Super cool work!

It has a fossil layer in addition to the geographic features. I have always been curious about actually visualizing the 3D layers of geographical time, including the access to what was living at the time.

And it has an API in addition to its pretty nice layered map overlays.

A magnificent production and an invitation to explore when the opportunity arises.

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