How to Find USGS Topographic Maps on Google Earth
USGS topographic maps are maps that show the elevations of a physical space and that conform to the U.S. Geological Survey's guidelines. These types of maps can easily be found by downloading the Google Earth program and the DDS MapFinder for Google Earth. Together, these programs allow you to download and view USGS topographic maps.
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Instructions
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Visit the Google Earth website, found in the Resources section below, to download the program. Read the "Google Maps/Earth Terms of Service" and click "Agree and Download."
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Click "Run" from the "File Download" window that appears on your screen. Wait for the program to download. A Google Earth icon should appear on your desktop. Open the program.
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Visit the Digital Data Services Inc. website, located in the Resources section below, to download the DDS MapFinder for Google Earth. This program will allow you to download and view USGS topographical maps in the Google Earth program.
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Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Download" icon that's next to the DDS MapFinder for Google Earth logo.
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Click "Open" from the "File Download" window that appears. Wait for the program to download, and then open it from the window it appears in. The DDS MapFinder will open in the Google Earth program.
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Type in an area or address into the search field on the left-hand side of the program. An example of an area could be a university or a park. A map of the area with a grid will appear on the screen.
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Click on the center of an individual grid square of the area of the map you want to view. In the middle of the square, you'll see an "i" icon. That's where you need to click. An informational window will appear.
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Click "Download this map" from the informational window. Wait for the map to download. Once the download is complete, view the USGS topographic map that appears on your screen.
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