This paper describes how the digital data and published paper map for the new 5th edition 1:625,000
scale bedrock geological map of the United Kingdom were created. The map is published in two
sheets, North and South, covering Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, England and Wales.
The first edition was created in 1948 by the simplification and reduction of more than 500 individual
maps at 1:63,360 scale (one-inch to one-mile) and this remained the basis for revisions up to the 4th
edition. In contrast, the digital data for the map face of the 5th edition were created from two main
sources: a digital geological map dataset of Great Britain at 1:50,000 scale; and the geological map of
Northern Ireland at 1:250,000 scale. The following phases of work are described: a) data analysis and
provisional unit selection; b) re-digitising; c) data review and revision; d) cartography and compilation
of marginalia.
For users of earlier editions the map retains a familiar appearance even though it is completely new.
The rocks are grouped together differently and classified in new ways and they are identified with a
new alphanumeric system of labels. The content and layout of the marginalia have been redesigned
with new explanatory notes and cross sections included. Two explanatory booklets provide succinct
summaries of the geological history of each area.The maps accompanying this article are customised
digital images created especially for publication, for non-commercial use, in the Journal of Maps
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