Who Should Author a Geologic Map Product?
Each agency must control the content of its products, and this discussion session was not intended to prescribe a uniform approach to how map authors are determined. Geologic mapping is a rigorous intellectual and physical activity, and the people involved deserve appropriate credit for their contributions to the science and to society. In part because of technological advances that promote conversion of published maps to digital format, a product may have an extensive lineage of contributors and source materials, and there exist among the geological surveys many approaches to determining who should receive credit. Discussion participants generally agreed with this position.
