Geologic Mapping of Nebraska: Old Rocks, New Maps, Fresh Insights

Abstract

ic maps employ scientifi c methods just as much as any endeavor in the sciences does, even though mapping is not commonly credited in this regard. What is more, geologic maps remain forms of art, so much so that they have been referred to as "the prettiest information resources" (Swoger 2013) of all. Nevertheless, for all that they are and all the insights that they can provide, geologic maps are either unknown to, or underappreciated by, most of society. Geologic maps convey information about the distribution, nature, and age relationships of Earth materials, which can be subdivided as rock and regolith, the latter being the wide range of loose or unconsolidated materials overlying intact bedrock, including heavily weathered bedrock, soils and soil parent materials, and deposits laid down by wind, water, glacial ice, and mass movements such as landslides. Geologic maps can depict either bedrock alone, regolith alone, or both simultaneously. Th ey may also depict or explain: 1. Geologic structures, such as folds, faults, and joints, among others. Indeed, several long faults have been