Geological cartography
Geological maps display a multitude of geologically relevant information in a concise manner. They are an important basis for geotechnical and environmental decisions. .

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Summary
A geological map provides information on the topmost rock layers of the Earth’s crust. The geological formations are assessed according to their:
- material composition (Lithology)
- age sequence (Stratigraphy)
- development (Tectonics)
The geological formations are recorded with different graphical elements (symbols, shapes and colors) on a topographical foundation. Today there are geological maps in printed format and digitally as pixel or vector data sets.
Most of the geological maps in Switzerland are recorded and published by the Swiss Geological Survey in collaboration with universities, commissions and private bureaus. The geological national survey also has at its disposal many unpublished master mapping and out of print special geological maps.
Data capture software ToolMap
Geological maps can be directly recorded into a geographical information system (GIS). For this purpose the Swiss Geological Survey, in collaboration with the Centre de recherche en environnement alpin (Crealp), has developed the data capture software ToolMap. It is specifically targeted at the needs of geological maps.
Free download ToolMap

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The "National Geological Mapping and Raw Materials" group of the Swiss Geological Survey is gladly at your disposal for answering questions or for additional tools used to create geological maps.
See link below.

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Who is who
The Swiss Geological Survey has an extensive knowledge and a lot of experience in the fields of geological mapping, geological cartography and stratigraphy, as well as a good network in the practice, research and in commissions on geology in Switzerland and neighboring countries.
We are happy to assist you or help you search for the right contact.
Data
The Geological Dataviewer of Switzerland provides visual access to the data of the Swiss Geological Survey and other institutions in the field of earth sciences. It displays map series, maps and data sets or their availability. For professionals and all interested parties, the Geological Data Viewer serves as a tool for preliminary investigations of geological projects or as a reference work. Geological data can be searched in a user friendly manner by title, author, coordinates or postal code. The data can be studied in the viewer and the extracted portioned printed out.
Orders via swisstopo
You can order geological maps and data from the Swiss Geological Survey directly via swisstopo Onlineshop bestellen.
Geological information: printed or digital
Here you will find geological information in printed and digital formats: Basic data
Revision service
Swisstopo has a revision service at their disposal. With this, you can easily and precisely report your georeferenced corrections for maps. Revision service swisstopo
Special requests
Please send special requests regarding unpublished master maps or special formats directly to infogeol@swisstopo.ch.

Head of Geological Mapping
swisstopo / Swiss Geological Survey
Seftigenstrasse 264
P.O. Box
3084 Wabern
- Tel.
- +41 58 469 05 72
Andreas Möri
Dr. phil. nat., Geologist
Head of Geological Mapping
swisstopo / Swiss Geological Survey
Seftigenstrasse 264
P.O. Box
3084 Wabern
Geological Vector Datasets GeoCover
Geological Atlas of Switzerland 1:25000
Geological Map of Switzerland 1:500000