USGS Topo Data on the Go

USGS TNM Topographic Data as viewed in AlpineQuest.

USGS TNM Topographic Data as viewed in AlpineQuest.

The USGS issued a press release at the beginning of May highlighting the possibility of accessing USGS topo maps and other USGS imagery on mobile devices such as Android, iPhone and iPad. The USGS is not producing apps, but they are making the data available to developers. They highlight two Android apps using the data:

Currently, two Android applications are using USGS data, OruxMaps (http://www.oruxmaps.com/index_en.html) and AlpineQuest (http://alpinequest.psyberia.net/). These apps include USGS services in the list of available online maps.

The most likely candidate for an app for iOS is called Galileo. It sounds like you need to do some legwork before using the apps. They discuss a Java-Based open source project that allows you to create “mobile atlases” on your desktop PC or Mac based on USGS maps at various scales that you can transfer to various mobile apps to take the maps with you on your device for use when you are outside cell phone coverage. The program you need is called Mobile Atlas Creator. There are some basic instructions in the full USGS Press Release. [Source: USGS Press Release via Geology.com. Image: USGS]

2 Comments

  1. Thanks, James. To clarify, if you follow the links in your blog post on your iOS device, you can open the file in the Galileo app and it will add the USGS maps/imagery sources in your Map Sources list. Is that a fair summary?

    I am still playing around with your Galileo app, but I’m looking forward to trying it out this summer on a camping trip or two and possibly a project or two as well.

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