The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is one of the world's largest providers of open geological and topographic data. USGS portals allow you to download maps, digital elevation models (DEMs), and vector geological layers and connect them directly through WMS/WFS web services.
Below are step-by-step instructions and an explanation of how to connect to these services.
How to download data?
Searching through ScienceBase
ScienceBase is the official USGS data repository where vector geological maps are published.
Step 1. Searching for a dataset
Go to the ScienceBase website.
Search for the area of interest, for example: geologic map/geologic GIS
Select the appropriate data set from the results.
Step 2. Downloading Data
Open the dataset card.
Go to the Files tab.
Download the Shapefile or GeoPackage archive.
Unzip the archive and open the data in any GIS software or on the GISCARTA web platform.
Commonly available formats are:
.shp (Shapefile)
.gpkg (GeoPackage)
Geodatabase File (.gdb)
Search the National Geological Map Database
The National Geological Map Database (NGMDB) is a catalog of official geological maps.
How to use?
Open the MapView.
Select the desired region.
Find published maps.
Download the data in .tiff or .jpg formats, or follow the link to the digital data (usually ScienceBase).
NGMDB is convenient for searching, but the GIS files themselves are more often downloaded through ScienceBase.
Connecting via WMS and WFS
USGS publishes some of its data as OGC web services.
What are WMS and WFS?
– WMS (Web Map Service) delivers map images.
– WFS (Web Feature Service) delivers vector features with attributes.
Where to find the service URL?
In the dataset card (ScienceBase).
In the Mineral Resources Online Spatial Data section.
Connecting WMS/WFS to the GISCARTA platform
Step 1. Select the required data
Step 2. Find the links in the data card
Step 3. Paste the links into the Add Data window in the External Sources section
Step 4. Connect to the service by clicking the Connect button. Select the required data.
The data is now displayed on the platform. For more information on adding data from external sources, please refer to the docs and the article.
FAQ
Where is the best place to download USGS geological data?
The primary source is ScienceBase, which publishes GIS files (Shapefile, GeoPackage, GDB).
What is the difference between WMS and WFS?
WMS renders a map as an image for viewing, while WFS renders vector features with attributes for analysis.
Is it possible to connect USGS data without downloading?
Yes, via WMS/WFS services, it can be added directly to the GISCARTA platform or to GIS programs.
Key Takeaways
ScienceBase is the primary repository for downloading USGS geological data in GIS format.
NGMDB is convenient for searching official maps, but the files themselves are more often hosted in ScienceBase.
WMS is suitable for data visualization, while WFS is for full-fledged spatial analysis and attribute manipulation.
2 mar 2026
