Geophysical Institute Sells USGS Maps
Since March 1, U.S. Geological Survey maps of Alaska have been sold from within the institute's GeoData Center, a public browse facility for high-altitude photography, which sells satellite images of the state.
The institute agreed to assume the map sales last year after the federal government announced it would close the USGS map outlet within the federal building in downtown Fairbanks as a cost-saving measure.
The USGS outlet, which had been open since before statehood, closed on February 28. It sold about 100,000 maps annually to a variety of customers ranging from miners, mushers, trappers, skiers, tourists, and school children, to state and federal agencies managing or protecting Alaska's resources.
The GeoData Center will maintain essentially the same stock of maps as the federal USGS store, except that it will not offer wholesale quantities, due to inadequate space within the institute for storage. Wholesale purchases will be handled out of the USGS Denver office.
USGS officials said they chose to open the store within the Geophysical Institute to enhance research opportunities in earth sciences at UAF, and to serve the central Alaska community.