Maryland Geological Survey

GIS Data Sets

Data Sets for GIS

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"FLAT FILE" DATA SETS
The "flat file" data sets placed on our web server are available for downloading. These data sets are free.   The data sets may be space-, tab-, or comma- delimited, for use in spreadsheets or databases.

We ask that if you download a data set, you also download the metadata file associated with the data set. The metadata exhaustively documents the data set using a federal metadata standard. The metadata contains detailed information on sample collection and analysis techniques.  Metadata documentation may available in several formats - ASCII (*.txt), WordPerfect (*.wpd) or MS Word.

GIS Data Sets
The GIS data sets are designed for use in GIS software packages such as ESRI's ArcGIS products, Autodesk GIS products and many other programs that import GIS data sets.  These files may be in shape file (.shp), .dxf, .e00, or other GIS-consumable formats.  Please refer to accompanying metadata files for information about the uses and sources for these data sets.

INTERACTIVE DATA SETS
Our interactive data sets are accessed through GIS-based interfaces. Data is accessed by selecting locations on a map. The data for the selected location is displayed in your web browser. You must have either Netscape 4.x or Internet Explorer 4.x to view these data sets. You must also install the free browser plug-in WHIP! from Autodesk. Information about WHIP! is included on our web pages. Selecting any of our hypertext links to pages that require WHIP! will display information on downloading and installing this plug-in. The following data set(s) are currently available on our web site. Click on a data set name to access the data.