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Virtual Tour of the USGS Rocky Mountain Mapping
Center
Coming Soon: These pages will take you on a virtual tour of the
USGS Rocky Mountain Mapping Center!
The Rocky Mountain Mapping Center, located in building 810 on the Denver Federal Center in
Denver Colorado USA, is a facility where 350 professionals use geographic information systems
and image processing packages to create computerized databases, paper maps, other
representations of the earth's terrain, maintain a distribution facility of over 50 million maps and
other publications, and serve customers by distributing map data, aerial photographs, satellite
imagery, and a wide variety of other data critically needed in making decisions about our earth.
These decisions range from planning for and mitigating natural disasters, locating a business,
planning a roadway, to ensuring a safe water supply for our nation.
Digital Collection
Production site where digital mapping and terrain data are collected, verified, and made available
to the public using advanced computer software and hardware.
Digital Revision
Site where computerized mapping data are revised using monoscopic and stereoscopic
technology from digital aerial photography, and where paper maps are produced from the digital
files.
Earth Science Information Center
Customer service facility where USGS staffpersons answer questions and assist data users with
aerial photographs, maps, satellite imagery, computer programs, data formats and standards, and
base digital cartographic data.
Map Distribution Facility
Over 50 million maps, books, open files, bulletins, CD-ROMs, posters, and other
publications are stored and distributed to USGS customers worldwide from a single 17-acre
building, representing the largest map storage and distribution facility in the
world.
Spatial Technology Laboratory
Facility where computerized spatial data and geographic information systems are used for
research projects and applications, such as energy exploration, seismic studies, development of
new mapping techniques, and land use change analysis.
Computer Services Section
Facility where computerized maps are plotted on large-format output devices, mapping data
is managed, and data is archived and written to CD-ROM and other media.
Center for Biological Informatics
The Center for Biological Informatics helps make information on
our Nation's resources available to those who need it. Working with
national and international organizations, the Center's
interdisciplinary professionals develop standards and procedures for
collecting, managing, and sharing biological data and information.
Rock Core Research Center
Over 1.4 million linear feet of rock core and stored and exhibited in this world's largest rock
library. Preservation of rock cores and drill samples represents an enormously valuable resource
for the entire earth sciences community. Up to 2,000 scientists per year from around the world
access the collection per year. The facility's holdings are valued at a replacement cost of $10
billion. Tours of the Rock Core Research Center include a section of the library, the educational
rock room, rock cutting machines, and the thin sample room where 15,000 sections are stored.
National Ice Core Laboratory
The National Ice Core Laboratory is the only storage and curatorial facility of its kind in North
America, where 30,000 feet of ice cores are stored. Polar glacier ice from Antarctica and
Greenland is an excellent recorder of climate history, and is the only continuous, direct recorder
of paleoatmospheric composition known. Work conducted on these cores has provided detailed
annual records of climate and weather variations for the past 250,000 years. Public concern
about global climate change resulting from natural and human causes can be addressed by
analyses of ice cores.
Tours stops will include:
The tour will also include:
U.S. Geological Survey
Rocky Mountain Mapping Center
Maintainer:webmaster@rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov
URL:http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov
/outreach/vtour.html
Last modified:16:48:12Fri11Feb2000