Digital geological mapping data

Digital geological data includes vector coverage of 1:100,000; 1:500,000; 1:1 million, 1:2 million and 1:2.5 million scale geological maps and raster colour scans of 1:250,000 scale geological maps.

You can check whether data is available in the:

Queensland geology and structural framework GIS data DVD (July 2012)

The Queensland geology and structural framework GIS dataset is a digital representation of the distribution or extent of rock units in Queensland, which mirrors the hard copy Queensland geology map that was published in 2012.

Queensland geology GIS

The Queensland geology GIS and map were compiled at a scale of 1:500,000 for output at a scale of 1:2 million by generalisation and simplification of our detailed digital geological data. This involved grouping the approximately 2,000 major rock units recognised in Queensland into 250 map units displayed in the GIS and hard copy map.

Rock units in the Queensland geology GIS are represented as polygons with a range of attributes, including:

  • unit name
  • unit type
  • age
  • lithological description
  • dominant rock type
  • abbreviated symbol to label each polygon.

Lines in the geology GIS represent the boundaries of geological units and other linear features such as faults and folds. A description is provided for each type of line represented.

Structural framework GIS

The structural framework GIS and map shows the distribution or extent of structural or tectonic units in which the rocks formed. These structural and tectonic subdivisions are known as basins (or in some cases troughs and depressions) where the original form and structure are still apparent. The subdivisions are known as provinces and sub-provinces where the basins have been so strongly tectonised and/or metamorphosed that their original extent and form are no longer preserved.

Pre-Mesozoic structural and tectonic units are grouped within orogenic parent units. Intrusive rocks and some volcanic rocks that overlap the basins and provinces have been excluded.

The structural framework GIS was compiled using boundaries modified and generalised from 1:2 million Queensland geology data. Outlines of subsurface basins were based on published interpretations from petroleum exploration and geophysical seismic, gravity and magnetics surveys.

Data format

The data on the DVD contains converted shapefiles, layer files and raster images derived from geodatabases and project .mxd files used to produce the Queensland Geology map and structural framework map published in hard copy format in 2012.

ESRI users

  • A layer file is provided which presents the units in the colours and patterns used on the printed hard copy map.

MapInfo users

  • A simplified colour palette is provided without patterns. However, a geo-referenced image of the hard copy map is included and can be displayed as a background in both ArcMap and MapInfo. Tab files have also been created for MapInfo users.

How to obtain a copy

You can obtain a copy of the Queensland geology and structural framework GIS data DVD from the Geological Survey of Queensland.

Geoldata: Queensland geological digital data – state, regional and detailed mapping (November 2012)

This product contains vector data that represents the current status of available data.

What data is included?

Data is presented on 2 DVDs—one containing detailed geological map data, and another containing regional geological map datasets. It also includes:

  • solid geological interpretation of the North West Queensland Mineral and Energy Province (NWQMEP), Georgetown and Charters Towers GIS areas
  • information about the Queensland Structural Framework
  • information about Queensland geology.

Data coverage

The detailed geological map data DVD includes new and updated seamless geology and data for:

  • North West Queensland Mineral and Energy Province (with topological errors corrected)
  • Hodgkinson Province
  • South East Queensland
  • North Connors Province
  • Drummond Basin (with topological errors corrected).

The regional geological map data DVD contains data captured from 1:500,000 and 1:1 million scale maps covering most of Queensland.

Data formats

Data is supplied as:

  • fully attributed geological lines and polygons in MapInfo tab and ESRI shapefile formats, in geographic coordinates based on the Geocentric Datum of Australia (1994)
  • metadata file attachments in .xml and .html formats for each map tile
  • 1:250,000 tile name_structures.lyr and 1:250,000 tile name_structures.tab to symbolise structural layers
  • geological unit polygons in RGB colours that approximate those defined in the Australian Standard Colour Scheme for geological maps. Colour values have been chosen based on the age and rock unit type attribute of each polygon key held in the source geological resources database. (Note that the colours provided in the .lyr and .tab files are solid colours only and may not exactly match the colour that is printed on the corresponding hard copy geological map.) You can view the colours in the following files:
    • 1:250,000 tile name_rock_units.lyr in ESRI folders
    • 1:250,000 tile name_rock_units_rgb.tab in MapInfo folders

You can download approximately 135 PDF files created from postscripts of recently published 1:100,000 maps or scans of regional sheets from the GSQ Open Data Portal.

How to obtain a copy

You can order a copy from the Geological Survey of Queensland.

Queensland geological mapping raster data images of 1:250,000 geological map sheets (2009)

This DVD contains scans of all published 1:250,000 geological maps. JPEG images of the map faces are geo-referenced to AGD66 latitude/longitude coordinates.

How to get a copy

You can order a copy of the DVD from the Geological Survey of Queensland.

GIS packages containing vector data

Many map areas are also included in GIS information and datasets.

As GIS packages do not usually get updated after their release, map tiles in the Geoldata: Queensland geological digital data – state, regional and detailed mapping product may be more current.

  • Last reviewed: 16 Jun 2020
  • Last updated: 5 Oct 2023