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The U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Conservation and Survey Division released the first statewide map of the geology at Nebraska’s land surface on August 31, 2026. The map shows the younger sediments lying on top of the state, not the bedrock beneath them. It is published in the Journal of Maps and is a regional 1:500,000 synthesis, so it is best used for statewide patterns and context rather than site-level decisions.
What the new map fills in
Nebraska’s earlier statewide geologic map, published in 1986, showed bedrock structure beneath the surface. It did not depict the younger sediments that cover much of the state. The new surface geology map addresses that gap, portraying the materials and landscape history at ground level across the state.
Two coverage figures appear in the release and the journal article, and they differ in precision. The USGS announcement states that more than three-quarters of Nebraska is covered by sediment, most of it wind-blown sand and silt
(U.S. Geological Survey, 2026). The journal article is more specific: more than 87% of the state is covered by post-Miocene surficial sediments, almost exclusively Quaternary in age
(Barrette, Johnstone, Joeckel, and Hanson, Journal of Maps, 2026). Both point to the same conclusion, that sediment rather than exposed bedrock defines most of the state’s surface.
Nebraska sits where the Great Plains and Central Lowland physiographic provinces meet, and the map tracks the surface materials and landforms across that transition. The main features it portrays are described below.
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- Geologic map of Nebraska showing rock formations, mineral deposits, and geological features from the Late 20th Century.
- Made-to-order historical map reproduction suitable for geologists, educators, students, and geology enthusiasts.
- Wall art print for offices, studies, classrooms, and collections interested in U.S. geological history and earth science.
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Wind-blown sand and silt
Wind-deposited sand and silt make up most of the sediment cover that the USGS release describes. These deposits are the dominant surface material across much of the state.
The Nebraska Sand Hills
The Sand Hills are a major part of the surface geology the map shows. Paul Hanson, geologist and director of the Geologic Mapping Program at the Conservation and Survey Division, describes them as the largest area of dunes in the Western Hemisphere.
Loess and river sediments
Thick sequences of loess, wind-deposited silt, and sediments from large river systems are also shown. The Missouri and Platte rivers are the systems named in the release. Hanson said these units are portrayed in a consistent manner here for the first time
across the state.
How the map was built
The map is a synthesis rather than a new field survey of the whole state. The authors evaluated and combined existing maps and datasets, working through the following inputs:
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- Geologic map of Nebraska showing rock formations, mineral deposits, and geological features from the Late 20th Century.
- Made-to-order historical map reproduction suitable for geologists, educators, students, and geology enthusiasts.
- Wall art print for offices, studies, classrooms, and collections interested in U.S. geological history and earth science.
- FINE ART PRINT QUALITY: Printed on heavyweight 230gsm matte paper with archival giclée inks for crisp detail, rich tonal depth, and long-lasting display quality suitable for home, office, or gallery-style framing.
- PRINTED IN THE USA: Professionally printed on heavyweight matte paper and carefully packaged in a durable protective tube for safe delivery. Many sizes fit widely available standard frames. Each artwork is digitally restored to reduce age-related imperfections while preserving the historic texture, detail, and character of the original map.
- Geologic maps of surface units, assembled from earlier mapping.
- Soil and soil parent-material information, which describes what the soil formed from.
- Geomorphic information on landforms.
- LiDAR-derived elevation data, including statewide elevation information from the USGS 3D Elevation Program.
- Integration of these layers into one statewide surface-geology map at 1:500,000 scale.
The source maps ranged from 1:24,000 to 1:1,000,000 scale. Combining them at a single regional scale is what makes the product consistent across the state, but it also limits how fine the detail can be. The map is also intended to feed a future nationwide USGS Quaternary geologic map, adding information on geologic history near the eastern margin of glacial sediment and on western mountain-derived deposits.
Scale: how the new map compares with other Nebraska mapping
Scale determines what a map can show reliably. The table compares the three Nebraska products that the official materials describe.
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| Product | Scale | What it depicts |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska statewide geologic map (1986) | Not stated in the USGS release | Bedrock structure beneath the surface |
| Statewide surface geologic map (2026) | 1:500,000 | Surface sediments, soils, landforms, and elevation, synthesized statewide |
| Nebraska surficial geologic mapping (since the mid-1990s) | Primarily 1:24,000, according to the Journal of Maps article | Detailed surface deposits for local areas |
For a county-level or site-level question, the 1:24,000 mapping is the more suitable starting point. The 2026 map is better for seeing how sediment types and landforms vary across the state.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhy surface deposits matter
USGS describes geologic maps as foundational for evaluating mineral and energy resources and for modeling where resources or hazards may occur. In Nebraska, the release connects surface materials to several practical uses:
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- Detailed bedrock geology map of Nebraska showing rock formations, mineral deposits, and geological structures from 1969 USGS survey data.
- Made-to-order historical map print ideal for geologists, educators, students, offices, studies, and geology enthusiasts.
- High-quality reproduction wall art featuring color-coded geological zones and professional cartographic detail for reference and display.
- FINE ART PRINT QUALITY: Printed on heavyweight 230gsm matte paper with archival giclée inks for crisp detail, rich tonal depth, and long-lasting display quality suitable for home, office, or gallery-style framing.
- PRINTED IN THE USA: Professionally printed on heavyweight matte paper and carefully packaged in a durable protective tube for safe delivery. Many sizes fit widely available standard frames. Each artwork is digitally restored to reduce age-related imperfections while preserving the historic texture, detail, and character of the original map.
- Aquifers: surface deposits carry water into the aquifers beneath them.
- Agriculture: the deposits supply nutrients for crops.
- Wildlife: the landscape supports habitat along the Central Flyway.
- Construction: sand, gravel, and other materials used in construction and infrastructure come from these deposits.
The release presents these as context and potential applications. It does not claim that this statewide map alone determines a particular site’s hazard, groundwater availability, or resource potential. Those questions need site-specific data and more detailed mapping.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the researchers and state officials said
Christopher Swezey, program coordinator of the USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, said: One great consequence of this effort is that it has shown how bringing together the right people can be effective in producing a quality product quickly.
Matt Joeckel, Nebraska state geologist, said: We’re excited about the new map because it’s completely new from the standpoint of synthesis and scale.
He added: Moreover, achieving such a high degree of cartographic quality with this digital product would have been impossible without the help of our USGS colleagues.
Paul Hanson said: Nebraska’s surficial geological materials are truly outstanding, and include those of the Nebraska Sand Hills, the largest area of dunes in the Western Hemisphere, and thick sequences of loess and sediments from several large river systems, including the Missouri and the Platte.
He added: Those units are clearly shown on this map and are portrayed in a consistent manner here for the first time.
Where to find the map and data
- Journal article: Barrette, Johnstone, Joeckel, and Hanson, Journal of Maps, DOI 10.1080/17445647.2026.2691982, available at the Journal of Maps article page. The USGS also hosts an article record and abstract.
- Digital data: the USGS data release “Digital database of the Surficial Geologic Map of Nebraska,” DOI 10.5066/P14QVCCY, available at the USGS digital data release page.
- Map record: the National Geologic Map Database record lists the map scale as 1:500,000 and links GIS data in GeMS format.
- Licensing: the data release is marked CC0 1.0 Universal, which places it in the public domain for reuse.
The official announcement is the USGS release of August 31, 2026. The release points to a journal article and digital map data; it does not describe a printed retail map.
Quick Recap
Using the map well
- Check the scale first. Use the 1:500,000 map for statewide patterns and the 1:24,000 mapping for local work.
- Use the GIS data if you need to combine layers or overlay your own information, since the GeMS format is the one the database links.
- Read the sediment figures with their sources. The 87% figure comes from the journal article, and the “three-quarters” wording comes from the USGS announcement.
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