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Digital Geologic-GIS Map of Yellowstone National Park and Vicinity, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho (NPS, GRD, GRI, YELL, YELL digital map) adapted from U.S. Geological Survey published and unpublished maps and digital data (1956-2007), a Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Open-File Reports map by Berg et al. (1999), and a Montana State University unpublished master's thesis map by Kragh, N. and M. Myers (2023)

Metadata Updated: November 25, 2025

The Digital Geologic-GIS Map of Yellowstone National Park and Vicinity, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) an ESRI file geodatabase (yell_geology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro 3.X map file (.mapx) file (yell_geology.mapx) and individual Pro 3.X layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) a readme file (yell_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (yell_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (yell_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Also included is a zip containing a Montana State University Master's thesis and supporting documents and data. The thesis focuses on addressing map boundary inconsistencies and remapping portions of the park. Data and documents supporting the thesis are 1.) a geodatabase containing field data points, 2.) a collection of documents describing field sites, 3.) spreadsheets containing geochemical analysis results, and 4.) photographs taken during field work. Please read the yell_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri.htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: U.S. Geological Survey, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology and Montana State University. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (yell_geology_metadata.txt or yell_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:125,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 63.5 meters or 208.3 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

Access & Use Information

Public: This dataset is intended for public access and use. License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

Downloads & Resources

Dates

Metadata Created Date September 12, 2025
Metadata Updated Date November 25, 2025

Metadata Source

Harvested from DOI NPS DCAT-US

Additional Metadata

Resource Type Dataset
Metadata Created Date September 12, 2025
Metadata Updated Date November 25, 2025
Publisher National Park Service
Maintainer
Identifier http://datainventory.doi.gov/id/dataset/nps-datastore-2313956
Data First Published 2025-06-13T00:00:00Z
Data Last Modified 2025-06-13T00:00:00Z
Category geospatial
Public Access Level public
Bureau Code 010:24
Metadata Context https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.jsonld
Metadata Catalog ID https://ddi.doi.gov/nps-data.json
Schema Version https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema
Catalog Describedby https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.json
Harvest Object Id a9e4eb47-5af6-444b-897b-bfbb09913a5b
Harvest Source Id d917c1a9-26b7-43ea-b8c5-c77ec750a850
Harvest Source Title DOI NPS DCAT-US
Homepage URL https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2313956
Metadata Type geospatial
Program Code 010:119, 010:118
Source Datajson Identifier True
Source Hash 4d6bbc2424b40733adc9e138f1ac7fe89d472e3c07fecbd1166342bd03c4ccf9
Source Schema Version 1.1

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