Geologic GIS Map of Joshua Tree National Park with Ancillary Documentation

A 2015 digital geologic-GIS map of Joshua Tree National Park, California, adapted from U.S. Geological Survey and ESRI source data. The dataset includes GIS data layers and tables available in multiple formats, such as a file geodatabase, OGC geopackage, and KMZ/KML files. It was produced by the National Park Service's Geologic Resources Inventory program and is supported by ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, and QGIS project files.

Use Cases

• Analyze geologic unit descriptions and ancillary map information from the provided PDF documents for stratigraphic studies.
• Visualize fault lines and geologic contacts using the 'Faults Jotrflt' and 'Geologic Contacts Jotrglga' GIS layers for structural geology analysis.
• Map colluvial deposit distributions using the 'Colluvial Deposits Jotrsur' and 'Colluvial Deposit Contacts Jotrsura' layers for geomorphological investigations.
• Examine geologic point features and attitude observation localities from the 'Geologic Point Features Jotrgpf' and 'Geologic Attitude Observation Localities Jotratd' layers for field data synthesis.

Strengths

• Includes multiple GIS format options: a 10.1 file geodatabase, an OGC geopackage, and a KMZ/KML file for Google Earth.
• Supported by project files for major GIS platforms: an ArcGIS Pro map file (.mapx), an ArcMap document (.mxd), and a QGIS project (.qgz) file.
• Comes with three comprehensive PDF documents: a readme, an ancillary map information document with unit descriptions, and a user-friendly FAQ metadata file.

Limitations

• The KMZ/KML format version is limited in the data layers presented and lacks access to ancillary table information.
• The dataset's primary source geologic maps are from 2015 and 2013, which may not reflect recent geological changes or discoveries.
• Specific quantitative details like row counts, column counts, and total file size are not provided in the available metadata.

Provenance

Source

National Park Service (NPS) Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, adapted from U.S. Geological Survey and ESRI source maps.

Collection Method

Digitally adapted and compiled from a U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report map by Powell, Matti and Cossette (2015) and an ESRI USA Topo Web Map Service map (2013).

Time Range

Source maps are from 2015 and 2013.

Freshness

The dataset metadata was last updated on 2026-03-04, though the source maps are from 2015 and 2013.

Geography

Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA.