The 2025 statewide map Quaternary Geology of Wisconsin captures the geologic features formed in Wisconsin during the Quaternary Period, which spans from approximately 2.58 millions years ago to present. The distribution of these sediments is influenced by wind, rivers, lakes, slopes, and the glacial lobes of the North American ice sheet that covered much of the state over several ice ages. This most recent chapter of Wisconsin’s past defines the observable and unique features of the landscape and controls the distribution of silt, sand, and gravel which in turn influence many factors, including nonmetallic mining, groundwater availability, as well as city and road planning.
Created with input from partners across the state, this map incorporates information from high-resolution elevation data as well as detailed county-scale mapping and drilling that has occurred in the last 50 years. As a result, this new publication contains a more accurate and comprehensive set of sedimentary units and landforms that will be used by decision makers as well as educators and outdoor enthusiasts interested in the Wisconsin landscape.
This map is available for free as a .pdf file to download at its intended size (poster) for printing or use with mobile apps, as well as an interactive, digital format accessible to the blind and visually impaired. More information below!
Explore the audio-based interactive map!
The interactive version of the map Quaternary Geology of Wisconsin is fully keyboard-navigable and screen-reader-friendly, produced with XR Navigation‘s accessibility-focused map platform, Audiom. This is accomplished through audible sounds representing geologic features and accompanying text descriptions of those features. Read more about this project in this article!
Want a printed copy?
Our digital maps are designed to be printed to scale, roughly the size of a poster.
- To print a map to scale: this will require a large-format printer, also called a plotter.
- Download the .pdf file from the Publications Catalog
- Print on a large-format printer, or work with your local print shop
- To print on a standard printer: Due to re-scaling, the text will be very small. A page-sized version will be available soon, please check back!
Want to explore this map with a mobile device?
This statewide map has been georeferenced to allow for added functionality, including viewing within mobile apps.
- To load a map to a mobile app: this will require a GPS-enabled mobile phone and a mobile app such as CalTopo or Avenza Maps.
- Download a copy of the .pdf to the mobile device
- Within the mobile app, import the downloaded file to view
Need geospatial data?
Geospatial datasets are used for creating maps. Download from the Publications Catalog.
Map Files
More information
Read this article to learn more about the project.
For more details, contact one of the following WGNHS Quaternary geologists:
-
J. Elmo Rawling, III, elmo.rawling@wisc.edu, (608) 263-6839
- Eric Carson, eric.carson@wisc.edu, (608) 890-1998