Geologic map of the Vermejo Park quadrangle, Colfax County, New Mexico, and Las Animas County, Colorado

Metadata also available as - [Outline] - [Parseable text] - [XML]

Frequently anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title:
Geologic map of the Vermejo Park quadrangle, Colfax County, New Mexico, and Las Animas County, Colorado
Abstract:
The Raton basin is a large asymmetric syncline (2500 mi2 area) that extends from Huerfano Park, Colorado to Cimarron, New Mexico. As used here, the basin is defined by the limits of the outcrop of the Trinidad Sandstone. The Cretaceous and Tertiary rocks are sharply flexed to form hogbacks along the western margin of the basin on the east flank of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. These rocks assume more gentle dips along the other margins of the Raton basin and are highly dissected. The Late Cretaceous in the Raton basin was a period of emergence of land and retreat of the Cretaceous epeiric sea. The coastline advanced eastward across New Mexico, as broad prograding deltaic and barrier coastal plains were formed seaward of aggrading fluvial systems. This map depicts the stratigraphic context and areal extent of uppermost Cretaceous and Paleocene rocks in the Raton basin including the marine Pierre Shale, marginal-marine Trinidad Sandstone, non-marine coal-bearing Vermejo Formation, non-marine coal-bearing Raton Formation and non-marine, non-coal-bearing Poison Canyon Formation.
Supplemental_Information:
Geospatial datafiles included in this data set:
verm_geol(.shp)  geologic units
verm_coal(.shp)  coal bed line features
verm_cont(.shp)  structure contours
vermejo_base.tif(.tfw)  1:24,000 scale topographic base
Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Although this Federal Geographic Data Committee-compliant metadata file is intended to document the data set in nonproprietary form, as well as in ARC/INFO format, this metadata file may include some ARC/INFO-specific terminology.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Pillmore, Charles L., 2003, Geologic map of the Vermejo Park quadrangle, Colfax County, New Mexico, and Las Animas County, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 03-438, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -105.125
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -105.0
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.0
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.875
  3. What does it look like?
    http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/ofr-03-438/verm.gif (GIF)
    Reduced-size image of the entire map sheet, 400x367 pixels, 65k bytes.
    http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/ofr-03-438/verm.pdf (PDF)
    Printable version of the map sheet, 1.9 megabytes.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Calendar_Date: 2003
    Currentness_Reference:
    publication date
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
      UTM_Zone_Number: 13
      Transverse_Mercator:
      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: .9996
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -105.0
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0
      False_Easting: 0
      False_Northing: 0
      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 1.387825012207
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 1.387825012207
      Planar coordinates are specified in Meters
      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1927.
      The ellipsoid used is Clarke 1866.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378206.4.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/294.98.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    GEOSPATIAL DATAFILES INCLUDED IN THIS DATASET:
    
    -verm_geol
    -verm_coal
    -verm_cont
    
    --VERM_GEOL.PAT--
    
    COLUMN   ITEM NAME        WIDTH OUTPUT  TYPE N.DEC  ALTERNATE NAME
     1  AREA                   4    12     F      3
     5  PERIMETER              4    12     F      3
     9  VERM_GEOL#             4     5     B      -
    13  VERM_GEOL-ID           4     5     B      -
    17  SYMBOL                 4     4     I      -
    21  UNIT                   6     6     C      -
    27  DESCRIPTION          100   100     C      -    DESC
    
    ATTRIBUTE NAMES AND DESCRIPTIONS: SYMBOL, UNIT, DESCRIPTION
    -SYMBOL: Unique value representing color from shadeset color524.shd
    -UNIT: Label given to polygons representing name geological entities
    -DESCRIPTION: Brief geological explanation of unit.
    
    UNIT SYMBOL  DESCRIPTION
    Kp    108    Pierre Shale (Upper Cretaceous)
    Kt    358    Trinidad Sandstone (Upper Cretaceous)
    Kv    359    Vermejo Formation (Upper Cretaceous)
    Qaf   216    Alluvium and fan and sheet wash deposits (Holocene and upper Pleistocene)
    Qal    51    Alluvium (Holocene)
    Qba   378    Barela Alluvium (lower middle Pleistocene)
    Qbe    10    Beshoar Alluvium (lower middle Pleistocene)
    Qbeh  265    Older Beshoar Alluvium (lower middle Pleistocene)
    Qfa    62    Fan alluvium (Holocene and upper Pleistocene)
    Qls   135    Landslide deposits (upper Pleistocene)
    Qsm   295    San Miguel Creek alluvium (lower Pleistocene and Pliocene)
    Qta    38    Terrace alluvium (Pleistocene)
    TKpr  513    Poison Canyon and Raton Formations, undivided (Paleocene and Upper Cretaceous)
    TKr    40    Raton Formation (Paleocene and Upper Cretaceous)
    Tpc   504    Poison Canyon Formation (Paleocene)
    zon   445    Transition zone
    
    
    --VERM_GEOL.AAT--
    
    COLUMN   ITEM NAME        WIDTH OUTPUT  TYPE N.DEC  ALTERNATE NAME
    1  FNODE#                 4     5     B      -
    5  TNODE#                 4     5     B      -
    9  LPOLY#                 4     5     B      -
    13  RPOLY#                 4     5     B      -
    17  LENGTH                 4    12     F      3
    21  VERM_GEOL#             4     5     B      -
    25  VERM_GEOL-ID           4     5     B      -
    29  DESCRIPTION           80    80     C      -
    
    ATTRIBUTE NAMES AND DESCRIPTIONS: DESCRIPTION
    -DESCRIPTION: Brief geological explanation of linear feature.
    
    DESCRIPTION
    contact-certain
    contact-concealed
    dike
    fault-certain
    fault-concealed
    neatline
    
    
    --VERM_COAL.AAT--
    
    COLUMN   ITEM NAME        WIDTH OUTPUT  TYPE N.DEC  ALTERNATE NAME     INDEXED?
    1  FNODE#                 4     5     B      -                        -
    5  TNODE#                 4     5     B      -                        -
    9  LPOLY#                 4     5     B      -                        -
    13  RPOLY#                 4     5     B      -                        -
    17  LENGTH                 4    12     F      3                        -
    21  VERM_COAL#             4     5     B      -                        -
    25  VERM_COAL-ID           4     5     B      -                        -
    29  DESCRIPTION           80    80     C      -                        -
    109  NAME                 100   100     C      -                        -
    
    ATTRIBUTE NAMES AND DESCRIPTIONS: DESCRIPTION, NAME
    -DESCRIPTION: Brief geological explanation of linear feature
    -NAME: proper name of feature where applicable
    
    DESCRIPTION
    coal bed-approximately located
    coal bed-inferred
    
    NAME
    Juan Baca coal contact
    Mestas coal contact
    Raton Formation coal contact
    Rattlesnake coal contact
    Spring Canyon coal contact
    Vasquez coal contact
    coal beds
    kv coal contact
    
    
    --VERM_CONT.AAT--
    
    COLUMN   ITEM NAME        WIDTH OUTPUT  TYPE N.DEC  ALTERNATE NAME     INDEXED?
    1   FNODE#                 4     5     B      -                        -
    5   TNODE#                 4     5     B      -                        -
    9   LPOLY#                 4     5     B      -                        -
    13  RPOLY#                 4     5     B      -                        -
    17  LENGTH                 4    12     F      3                        -
    21  VERM_CONT#             4     5     B      -                        -
    25  VERM_CONT-ID           4     5     B      -                        -
    29  ELEVATION              6     6     I      -                        -
    
    ATTRIBUTE NAMES AND DESCRIPTIONS: ELEVATION
    -ELEVATION: structure contours in feet above sea level
    
    ELEVATION
    6700
    6800
    6900
    7000
    7100
    7200
    7300
    7400
    7500
    7600
    7700
    7800
    
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/ofr-03-438/vermtext.pdf

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Charles L. Pillmore
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    Digital GIS assistance by Sharon Smith and Paco VanSistine, Earth Surface Processes, USGS
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Ren Thompson
    U.S. Geological Survey
    USGS, MS 980, Box 25046, Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO
    USA

    (303) 236-0929 (voice)
    rathomps@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

This is a general-purpose geologic map of bedrock and surficial deposits in the Raton basin of northern New Mexico. It was compiled to provide a geologic context for regional interpretation of stratigraphic relations and coal resources of the Raton basin. This map was published following the untimely death of the author on August 22, 2003.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2000 (process 1 of 7)
    Polygons, lines, and points representing geologic features and data points were digitized from scale-stable compilation materials using the GSMCAD public domain program.
    Date: 2002 (process 2 of 7)
    The map data were exported to ARC/INFO using the GSMCAD export function to create ARC generate ASCII files. The ASCII files were then imported into ArcInfo using the GENERATE routine, and polygon topology built.
    Date: 2002 (process 3 of 7)
    Text map unit descriptors were added to the .AAT and .PAT database files for each coverage.
    Date: 2002 (process 4 of 7)
    Draft check plots of the geologic map and explanation were created and submitted for peer review. Geologists reviewed the plots for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards and stratigraphic nomenclature. Revisions were made to the geospatial database as needed.
    Date: 2003 (process 5 of 7)
    First draft of metadata created by paco vansistine using FGDCMETA.AML ver. 1.32 01/11/99 on ARC/INFO data set <verm_geol>
    Date: 2003 (process 6 of 7)
    database files and metadata were quality checked for completeness and consistency.
    Date: 2003 (process 7 of 7)
    Creation of original metadata record Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Paco VanSistine
    MS 980, box 25046 - Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO
    USA

    (303) 236-5452 (voice)
    dsistine@usgs.gov
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    Original data were drawn on a 1:24,000-scale mylar greenline by the author. Attributes have been checked by both the author and reviewers for accuracy and completeness.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Lines and point locations were primarily mapped by photo-interpretation of field-marked 1:40,000-scale true color aerial photographs using a PG-2 photogrammetric plotter that rectified the position and transferred locations to a 1:24,000-scale base map.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    No features were eliminated or generalized. Unit properties are described in the text explanation.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Polygon and chain-node topology present. Map elements were visually checked for overshoots, undershoots, duplicate features, polygon attributes, and other errors. Automated (ARC/INFO) routines were used to check the databases for polygon label errors, line or point attribution errors, sliver polygons, dangling arcs, intersection errors, and projection information. The map was reviewed by other geologists for consistency with basic geologic principles and general conformity to USGS mapping standards.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints: none
Use_Constraints:
none. However, acknowledgment of the U.S. Geological survey would be appreciated in products derived from these data.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Central Publications Group
    MS 902 Box 25046 - Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO
    USA

    (303) 236-5486 (voice)
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? USGS Open-File Report 03-438
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Although these data have been used by the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the U.S. Geological Survey as to the accuracy of the data.
    The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Geological Survey in the use of this data, software, or related materials.
  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 10-Jun-2016
Last Reviewed: 27-Jul-2004
Metadata author:
Peter N Schweitzer
USGS Midwest Area
Collection manager, USGS Geoscience Data Clearinghouse, http://geo-nsdi.er.usgs.gov/
Mail Stop 954
12201 Sunrise Valley Dr
Reston, VA
USA

703-648-6533 (voice)
703-648-6252 (FAX)
pschweitzer@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

This page is <https://geo-nsdi.er.usgs.gov/metadata/open-file/03-438/metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.48 on Tue Jul 03 20:06:21 2018