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AGI Report Reveals Vital Economic Benefits of U.S. Geological Mapping

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) in collaboration with the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) is proud to announce a groundbreaking report, Economic Analysis of the Costs and Benefits of Geological Mapping in the United States of America from 1994 to 2019. This one-of-a-kind study — the first economic analysis of geological mapping encompassing the entire nation — delivers an in-depth economic assessment of geological mapping efforts and illuminates the significant return on investment and critical benefits for industry, government, and society at large.

Led by AASG, the report is the product of the largest and most comprehensive economic analysis of geological mapping ever conducted. The federal government has made substantial investments in geological mapping over the past three decades, with funding increasing significantly after 2019. Are these investments paying off? The answer is a resounding yes — producing economic returns by a factor of at least 7 to 10 times, and in some cases as high as 35 times, the initial costs.

“Geological maps, produced by state geological surveys and the U.S. Geological Survey, are a public good, accessible to all and beneficial to countless stakeholders across generations,” said AGI Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Arthur. “Until now, however, there has not been a robust quantitative analysis of their nationwide economic impact. This report addresses that need and can inform future budget decisions. Funding geologic mapping is a no-brainer.”

Why Geological Mapping Matters

Geological maps provide vital information about the composition, age, location and structure of rock and sediment layers at and near the Earth’s surface. These maps have multiple applications, including:

  • Supporting the development of infrastructure and human environments.
  • Mitigating risks associated with natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, and floods.
  • Supporting resource exploration for minerals, water, and energy sources.
  • Enhancing public safety and environmental water-resource protection.
  • Guiding land-use planning for development.
  • Providing data needed for scientific research and infrastructure projects.

Numbers Tell the Story

Several approaches were utilized to assess the monetary value of geological maps during the period from 1994 to 2019, and all showed a high return on investment. Some key findings:

  • $1.99 billion invested in geological mapping over 25 years (in 2020 dollars).
  • Over 7.1 million geological maps were downloaded or sold during this period.
  • Estimated total economic benefit: between $13.9 billion and $20.6 billion.
  • Conservative return on investment: 7x to 10x the cost.
  • Maximum potential value: up to 35x the cost.

Society-Wide Impact

The study, which surveyed 4,779 stakeholders across all 50 states, confirmed that geological maps provide benefits across many sectors:

  • Construction & Real Estate — Informed site selection, hazard mitigation.
  • Mining & Energy — Smart resource extraction, regulatory compliance.
  • Infrastructure & Transportation — Safe road, bridge, tunnel, and pipeline planning.
  • Environmental Protection — Contaminant tracking, water resource management.
  • Government & Public Policy — Smart growth planning, disaster response.

Future of Geological Mapping

The findings make a strong case for continued and increased investment in geological mapping. The economic, human health and safety, and environmental benefits far outweigh costs, and the data confirm that geological maps remain an essential foundation for decision-making across the country.

The full text of the report and a freely downloadable PDF version are available at https://profession.americangeosciences.org/reports/geological-mapping-economics.

The development of this report was supported through funding to the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno (NBMG) at the University of Nevada, Reno. It was funded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under Award Number G19AC00417. The National Academy of Sciences coordinated feedback on the report from the professional geoscience community.

About AGI

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI), a federation of scientific and professional organizations representing over a quarter-million geoscientists, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the geoscience community and addressing the geoscience needs of society. AGI headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.

Contact: Geoff Camphire, AGI Communications gac@americangeosciences.org