Skip to search Skip to main content
NYU Spatial Data Repository
  • History
  • Login

Find maps and data through NYU

Get started here

View Metadata

  • FGDC

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts 15 Minute Digital Raster Graphic

  • Identification Information
  • Data Quality Information
  • Spatial Data Organization Information
  • Spatial Reference Information
  • Distribution Information
  • Metadata Reference Information
Identification Information
Citation
Originator
Harvard Map Collection, Harvard College Library
Publication Date
200412
Title
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts 15 Minute Digital Raster Graphic
Geospatial Data Presentation Form
remote-sensing image
Online Linkage
https://hgl.harvard.edu/catalog/harvard-usgs15ma-marthasv-1889
Abstract
This layer is a digital raster graphic of the historic 15-minute USGS topographic map of the Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts quadrangle. The survey date (ground condition) of the original paper map is 1887, the edition date is 1894 and this map has a reprint date of January, 1898. A digital raster graphic (DRG) is a scanned image of a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) standard series topographic map, including all map collar information. The image inside the map neatline is geo-referenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Universal Transverse Mercator projection. The horizontal positional accuracy and datum of the DRG matches the accuracy and datum of the source map.
Purpose
One of the most widely used of all maps is the topographic map. The feature that most distinguishes topographic maps from maps of other types is the use of contour lines to portray the shape and elevation of the land. Topographic maps render the three-dimensional ups and downs of the terrain on a two-dimensional surface. Topographic maps usually portray both natural and manmade features. They show and name works of nature including mountains, valleys, plains, lakes, rivers, and vegetation. They also identify the principal works of humans, such as roads, boundaries, transmission lines, and major buildings. The wide range of information provided by topographic maps make them extremely useful to professional and recreational map users alike. Topographic maps are used for engineering, energy exploration, natural resource conservation, environmental management, public works design, commercial and residential planning, urban planning and design, and outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and fishing. These maps can provide an excellent view of the changes that have occurred in the cultural and physical landscape. As this map has been geo-referenced, it may serve as a useful basemap in conjunction with other GIS data.
Supplemental Information
The Harvard Map Collection owns a near-complete set of the 1:62,500 scale 15-minute USGS Topographic Quadrangle series maps. These maps were produced between the early 1880s to the mid-1960s. The Map Collection also holds a collection of 30-minute (1:125,000) historical (1882-1940) USGS maps. Produced at a scale of 1:62,500 (some maps are produced at a scale of 1:63,360), these maps are commonly known as 15-minute quadrangle maps because each map covers a four-sided area of 15 minutes of latitude and 15 minutes of longitude. The United States has been systematically divided into precisely measured quadrangles, and adjacent maps can be combined to form a single large map. Each quadrangle is designated by the name of a city, town or prominent natural feature within it, and the titles of adjoining quadrangles are printed on the margins of each map. The Map Collection also owns numerous other USGS topographic maps in other series with various scales, published earlier in the 20th century (before the 7.5 minute series dominated the work of the USGS) as well as USGS topographic maps published in the late 19th century.
Temporal Extent
Currentness Reference
ground condition
Time Instant
1887
Bounding Box
West
-70.760351
East
-70.392238
North
41.533972
South
41.208295
ISO Topic Category
imageryBaseMapsEarthCover
Theme Keyword
Maps, Topographic
Geological Survey (U.S.)
Land Use
Infrastructure
Human settlements
Bodies of water
Landforms
Theme Keyword Thesaurus
LCSH
Place Keyword
Massachusetts
Chilmark
Edgartown
Gosnold
Oak Bluffs
Tisbury
West Tisbury
Martha's Vineyard
Place Keyword Thesaurus
GNIS
Temporal Keyword
Access Restrictions
None
Use Restrictions
For educational, non-commercial use only. Although this data set has been developed by Harvard University, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the Universityas to the accuracy of the data and related materials. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the University in the use of this data, or related materials.
Status
Complete
Maintenance and Update Frequency
None planned
Point of Contact
Contact Organization
Harvard Map Collection, Harvard College Library
Delivery Point
Harvard Map Collection
Delivery Point
Pusey Library
Delivery Point
Harvard University
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Postal Code
02138
Country
USA
Contact Telephone
617-495-2417
Contact Facsimile Telephone
617-496-0440
Contact Electronic Mail Address
hgl_ref@hulmail.harvard.edu
Hours of Service
Monday through Friday 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. EST-USA
Native Data Set Environment
Microsoft Windows 2000 Version 5.0 (Build 2195) Service Pack 4; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.0.0.535
Data Quality Information
Attribute Accuracy Report
The DRG is an 24-bit per pixel color image that employs a color palette to ensure uniform colors throughout a particular series.
Logical Consistency Report
Completeness Report
The DRG is a faithfully reproduced digital image of the original source map. Some differences may be detected between the source graphic used and the DRG due to the RGB values assigned that particular color. The intent is to recreate those colors as near as possible. Data completeness for DRG files reflect content of the source graphic. Nearly all of the maps have an "edition" date and one or more survey and revision dates. Use the survey and revision dates to determine the vintage of the cartography. These dates are usually found in a map's lower left corner. Edition dates (in the lower right corner) can be confusing, because over time, the USGS has changed the method by which edition dates are assigned. For the earliest maps in the 1880s, new edition dates were assigned nearly every time the map was reprinted. In later years, the original edition date was retained for each subsequent reprinting. Such dates may be assumed to roughly represent the year that the map was first published.
Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report
The original USGS quadrangle paper maps in this series were produced before the National Map Accuracy Standards were developed in 1941. These standards were developed to ensure that Federal Government maps meet the high expectations and requirements of users. These standards require horizontal and vertical map precision; these and other standards of accuracy and content ensure consistency in both the detail and the appearance of maps. They also ensure compatibility among USGS maps made at different times. The positional accuracy of the original map was largely preserved during the digitizing and geo-referenceing processes. Accuracy may be generally characterized as posessing the highest standards of accuracy given the general survey, instrumentation, design and printing technologies and cartographic techniques available during the time the original map was produced. The original map was scanned and geo-referenced (SEE: Process Steps) to produce this digital version. While the data of the published map is retained in the georeferenced image, the image is referenced to the Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system, which is inconsistent with the original projection of the paper map, and may lead to discrepancies in the horizontal accuracy of the DRG. The standard used for georeferencing the image to the UTM coordinates was an RMS error below 50 meters. See the process steps for the actual RMS error achieved.
Lineage
Source
Originator
United States Geological Service
Publication Date
1894
Title
USGS Topographic Quadrangle Map
Geospatial Data Presentation Form
map
Source Scale Denominator
62,500
Type of Source Media
paper
Source Temporal Extent
Time Period Information
Single Date/Time
Calendar Date
1887
Source Currentness Reference
ground condition
Contribution
Original 15-minute USGS Topo Quad was scanned and digitized in preparation for geo-referencing.
Source
Originator
Harvard Map Collection
Publication Date
200412
Title
USGS Topographic Quadrangle Map TIFF
Geospatial Data Presentation Form
raster digital data
Source Scale Denominator
62,500
Type of Source Media
computer program
Source Temporal Extent
Time Period Information
Single Date/Time
Calendar Date
200412
Source Currentness Reference
publication date
Contribution
The digitized version of the USGS Topo Quad was georeferenced and a world file (.tfw) was created.
Spatial Data Organization Information
Direct Spatial Reference Method
Raster
Raster Object Information
Raster Object Type
Pixel
Row Count
6183
Column Count
5083
Vertical Count
1
Spatial Reference Information
Horizontal Coordinate System Definition
Planar
Grid Coordinate System
Grid Coordinate System Name
Universal Transverse Mercator
Universal Transverse Mercator
UTM Zone Number
18
Transverse Mercator
Scale Factor at Central Meridian
0.999600
Longitude of Central Meridian
-75.000000
Latitude of Projection Origin
0.000000
False Easting
500000.000000
False Northing
0.000000
Planar Coordinate Information
Planar Coordinate Encoding Method
row and column
Coordinate Representation
Abscissa Resolution
5.724838
Ordinate Resolution
5.624404
Planar Distance Units
meters
Geodetic Model
Horizontal Datum Name
North American Datum of 1927
Ellipsoid Name
Clarke 1866
Semi-major Axis
6378206.400000
Denominator of Flattening Ratio
294.978698
Distribution Information
Format Name
TIFF
Distributor
Harvard Geospatial Library
Online Access
http://hgl.harvard.edu
Name
Metadata Reference Information
Metadata Date
20050202
Metadata Contact
Contact Information
Contact Organization Primary
Contact Organization
Harvard Geospatial Library
Contact Person
Geospatial Resources Cataloger
Contact Address
Address
Harvard University Library
Address
Office For Information Systems
Address
1280 Massachusetts Avenue
City
Cambridge
State or Province
MA
Postal Code
02138
Country
USA
Contact Voice Telephone
617-495-2417
Contact Facsimile Telephone
617-496-0440
Contact Electronic Mail Address
hgl_ref@hulmail.harvard.edu
Hours of Service
Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm EST-USA
Metadata Standard Name
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata Standard Version
FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata Extensions
Online Linkage
http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
Profile Name
ESRI Metadata Profile
Download

Featured Collections

Vector Map 1 (VMap1) Layers

Highly detailed vector layers depecting terrain, topology, transportation, and civil infrastructure

Latin American Census Geodatabases

ESRI Geodatabases of census data from Latin American countries

NYU Research Data

Geospatial data submitted for preservation by NYU students, faculty, and staff

New York City Open Data

A collection of datasets related to NYC infrastructure, real estate, transportation, and political geography

Featured Maps

NYU Spatial Data Repository

2015 MapPLUTO Brooklyn V. 1

NYU Spatial Data Repository

2015 Aerial Laser and Photogrammetry Survey of Dublin

NYU Spatial Data Repository

2016 LION Single Line Map for New York City

  • New York University Libraries
  • Data Services
  • Contact Us
Link to Data Services Homepage
GBLv4.4.2 SDR v2.0.0