Understanding Maps Resources

Base Maps:
Base maps may be obtained from a variety of sources including:

• Service Nova Scotia, Geographic Information
  — Digital Data Products: https://novascotia.ca/snsmr/land/products/topographic2.asp
  — Local offices are found in major centers throughout the province:
  https://novascotia.ca/snsmr/offices.asp
• Natural Resources, Geoscience Publications, Maps and Digital Products: https://novascotia.ca/natr/meb/maps/
• Government of Nova Scotia - GeoNova Portal: https://novascotia.ca/geonova/home/default.asp
• Natural Resources Canada, Earth Sciences, GeoGratis: http://geogratis.gc.ca/geogratis/search?lang=en

Geolgoic Maps:

• A webpage explaining how to interpret geological structures from map data by Steven Dutch: http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/structge/SL48InterpMap.HTM
• A PowerPoint by Thomas Kammer from West Virginia University about reading geologic maps: http://pages.geo.wvu.edu/~kammer/g100/GeologicMaps.pdf

Topographical Maps:

• In this video, Peter Davis explains the basics of countour lines and how to read them on a topographic map: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owwqUYx_o3k
• This four-minute video explains the meaning of countour lines on topographic maps, including spacing, ascent, and descent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcXd4fvpXRQ
• Nova Scotia Topographic Map Database: https://novascotia.ca/snsmr/land/products/hardcopy1.asp

Surficial Geology Maps:

• A Virtual Field Trip of the Landscapes of Nova Scotia by the Department of Natural Resources – a look at Nova Scotia’s geology through aerial photos: https://novascotia.ca/natr/meb/fieldtrip/start.asp
• A presentation describing surficial geology maps from the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources: http://www.nr.gov.nl.ca/nr/mines/geoscience/publications/surficial_geology_mapping.pdf