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Natural Disasters: Topographic and Geologic Maps

Provides methods of finding information on such natural disasters as volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, severe weather, and shows how to tap into the worldwide movement to mitigate the severity of disasters and build disaster-resilient communities.

Maps and Natural Disasters

Topographic and geologic maps serve to record the location and size of certain types of features relevant to natural disasters such as the location of volcanoes and certain types of volcanic hazards, the location of faults, the run-up of a tsunami, and the outline of a one-hundred year flood zone.

Topographic Maps

The primary producer and vendor of topographic maps is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).  Topographic maps provide a 3-D view of the earth's surface.  Here is a brief description of topographic maps and how to read them.

Here is an illustrated example of a topographic map.

Topographic maps of Nevada may be purchased at the publication sales office of the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology.  Some maps are available online.

Geologic Map of the Folded Appalachians

Geologic Maps

The principal geologic mapping agency in the United States is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).  

Geologic maps of Nevada may be purchased at the publication sales office of the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology.  Some maps are available online.