? Ask a Librarian Find Resources Find

Maps & Atlases

... Prevo Science Library Map Collections

Topographic Maps

  • The US Geological Survey (USGS) publishes topographic maps for every state and territory.  The largest scale US topographic maps are produced at a scale of 1:24,000 and cover an area 7.5" X 7.5" (one-eighth of a degree square). These maps are called 7.5 minute quadrangle maps because each map covers a four-sided area of 7.5 minutes of latitude and 7.5 minutes of longitude.  The USGS also produces intermediate-scale topographic at scales of 1:100,000 and 1:250,000.
  • Topographic maps show relief by contours, lines of equal elevation, cultural features, such as roads, buildings and developed areas, and physical features, such as rivers, streams and lakes.  Some topographic maps show vegetated areas as well.  For more information on USGS topographic maps and topographic map symbols, consult the following USGS web sites:
  • The Prevo Science Library topographic map collection is located in the Map Room on the lower level of the library.  Maps are filed by state and quadrangle name. USGS topographic maps for a particular area can be identified using a paper index in the Map Room.
  • Several web sites can be used to view small areas of topographic maps:

Geologic Maps

  • The library maintains a small collection of USGS geologic maps in the Prevo Library Map Room.  Geologic maps use a combination of lines, symbols and colors to show the composition and structure of earth materials and their distribution across and beneath the Earth's surface.  Geologic maps are filed by lettered series.
  • DePauw has mostly HA’s , I’s and MF’s.
  • Hydrologic Investigations Atlases (HA).  Show a wide range of water-resources information, such as depth to ground water, floods, and chemical content of water.
  • Miscellaneous Investigations (I).  Cover diverse topics such as bedrock and surface geology, marine geology, geochemistry, landforms, and map projections; includes maps of the moon and other planetary bodies.
  • Miscellaneous Field Studies Maps (MF).  Cover most aspects of the USGS. investigations and research, including environmental studies.
  • DePauw’s geologic maps are not in the library's online catalog at this time; to locate a specific map by topic or location, use:
  • Additional Online Indexes to USGS Maps include:
  • Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) - can be used to identify the name of the topographic map for an area by searching for the name of the place.  Enter the place name of interest in the Feature Name field and select the state with the pull-down menu.
  • GeoRef - Select Map as Publication Type.  Type in your search terms, for example hydrology and North Carolina.  Select the appropriate title and note the map series and text number in the report number field of the item record.

World/Theme Maps

  • The Prevo Library Map Room has a small collection of world maps and also theme maps (for example: presidential elections, selected population demographics).  There is a paper index to this collection in a folder in the Map Room.

Checking out Maps

  • All Prevo Science Library maps circulate to DePauw University users. Please bring maps to the circulation desk, along with your university ID.  All USGS maps are part of the Government Documents collection, so non-college patrons may use the map collection in-house and can also check out maps.

Print Atlases

  • Prevo Science Library has a collection of world atlases as well as science-themed atlases.  Most of the print atlases can be found on the Atlas Stand near the Reference collection on the main level of the library.