The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) has been publishing geologic maps of Oregon for 60 years, often in cooperative efforts with federal, state, regional, or local agencies. For many years, the agency has maintained cartographic staff for the production of geologic and mineral resource maps and related publication elements. The familiar multicolored geologic map on an accurate topographic base continues to be the preferred mode in meeting the agency's mandate for earth science information dissemination. However, evolving digital tools and user needs have changed the production and format of geologic map information.
With the availability of digital tools for mapping, DOGAMI sought to gain efficiencies from automated methods while continuing the production of highly refined multicolored geologic maps. In 1992, a CAD system was installed that automated the majority of map production phases. MicroStation CAD on personal computers is used for: digitizing author's original greenline mylars; creating the various geologic line types, symbols, and text; organizing and manipulating these elements into standardized geologic map form; and finally culminating in the direct production of large-format high-resolution imagesetter negatives for offset printing. This major change in the production process resulted in the same high quality final printed map. This established production mode remains in practice today for areas of high demand with both the printed map sheet and CAD files made available to the public.
DOGAMI strives to meet the ever-widening range of needs of geologic map users. Users of geographic information systems (GIS), while able to utilize CAD files with some effort, have further requirements for digital geologic map files. GIS needs easily translatable, properly georeferenced, and attributed map files. As a result of funding from the USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, DOGAMI is currently engaged in converting existing 1:100,000 scale hardcopy maps to digital form. Furthermore, the intent here is to begin creating a statewide digital geologic layer for Oregon. Three 100k geologic maps have been scanned by a contractor and are undergoing data editing, structuring, and attributing. The desktop GIS, MapInfo is being used for most of this project and has been installed in all DOGAMI offices. It is envisioned that the development of a statewide digital geologic layer for Oregon will meet many different user needs. These needs vary from local customized data sets and plot-on-demand products to support of derivative mapping and offset printed products released in high volume for heavily populated urban areas.