Surface Geologic Map of North Dakota

_{Image courtesy North Dakota Geological Survey}

This is North Dakota's surface blanket—it's bedrock in the west and glacial sand and gravel in the east. The Williston basin in the west is exposed rocks, the brownish tones signifying rocks dating from Tertiary times (younger than 65 million years). An arc of older, Cretaceous rocks to its south includes the famous Hell Creek Formation, which has yielded so many memorable dinosaur fossils.

The rest of North Dakota's surface material was laid down by the Pleistocene ice-age glaciers in the last 2 million years. The two shades of green represent till, mixed sediment of all sizes created and laid down by the grinding and shoving action of the ice. The blue and yellow represent sediment laid down by lakes and rivers, respectively.

The 900x750 pixel version weighs 200 KB, and everything on it is legible. For further precision and enjoyment, or perhaps for printing at higher resolution, try the 1500x1250 pixel version (500 KB). You can buy a printed 8-1/2 x 11 copy from the state; order publication MM-18.

More about North Dakota Geology

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North Dakota Maps
North Dakota Geography, State Symbols & Facts
North Dakota National Parks
North Dakota State Parks
North Dakota Campgrounds
North Dakota Forests
North Dakota Hunting
North Dakota Archaeology

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