Legacy Geological Maps

Map

GNS Science is custodian of a representative set of more than 9000 geological maps and field sheets that date back to the late 19th century. These historical documents record valuable information and evolving interpretation and understanding of the geology of New Zealand.

Legacy geological maps are printed or marked on paper, film and other hardcopy media. Accessibility to this archive is being improved through scanning and documenting the maps within our digital Geological Map Catalogue.

Background

The Regional Geology Map Archive and Datafile (RGMAD) was recognised as a Nationally Significant Database in 1992 during the formation of the Crown Research Institutes. GNS Science assumed custodianship of RGMAD, and under the QMAP geological mapping project has significantly enhanced the database through the use of GIS software. In 2009, dedicated funding was directed to establishing a digital image map catalogue, in order to increase accessibility and reduce handling of the precious legacy maps.
Contents

The oldest maps within the RGMAD date back to the late 1800s, and are notable for the painstaking production of the topographic base as much as for the superimposed geological information. Many of these maps were created by teams of geologists and surveyors in the field, working with very little prior knowledge of the valley systems let alone the rocks they were to encounter.
Many of the archived geological maps are unpublished but contain information unavailable anywhere else. The unpublished maps include sheets recording field observations, preliminary compilations and advanced interpretations.
The archive includes geological maps published by GNS Science and its predecessors (the New Zealand Geological Survey, DSIR Geology & Geophysics), many of which are still in print and are available for sale.
Scales range from 1:63 360 (‘one inch to the mile’), and the metric equivalent 1:50 000, to 1:25 000 for more detailed maps, or 1:100 000 and 1:500 000 for more regional-scale maps. Some maps are associated with geological bulletins, some have explanatory text booklets, and some have text printed beside the map.
For example, there are urban geological maps of Auckland, Whangarei and Nelson amongst others, resource maps of Te Aute Limestone, Southland Lignite and Waihi, inch to mile maps of Cromwell, Takaka and Ngaruawahia, and 1:50 000 maps of the Wellington, Clarence and Milton areas.
The archive also contains geological maps of Antarctica, particularly around the Dry Valleys area within the New Zealand territory.
Terms of use

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