Why are Geologic Maps Important?
Hasnt It Been Mapped Before? What Do All Those Lines, Colors, and Symbols Represent? How is a Geologic Map Made? References In addition to the many uses of geologic maps noted in the previous section, geologic mapping will continue to be important because it is cost effective. For example, looking only at the avoidable costs associated with the cleanup of landfills and industrial disposal sites, the Illinois State Geological Survey documented a benefit-to-cost ratio that ranged from 5:1 to 54:1 for geologic mapping. The U.S. Geological Survey also conducted a rigorous assessment of the value of new geologic mapping in Loudoun County, Virginia and found net positive benefits considering just two uses of the map information (for siting a new landfill and a new highway). Similar assessments in Kentucky show the benefit-to-cost ratio of geologic mapping there to be 50:1. Rigorous benefit-to-cost studies have not been done in Utah. However, a single example here points to the value of geolo
