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Article Geological Map of Colombia 2015

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 Article
By Jorge Gómez Tapias1*, Nohora E. Montes Ramírez1, María F. Almanza Meléndez1,
Fernando A. Alcárcel Gutiérrez1, César A. Madrid Montoya1, and Hans Diederix1
Geological Map of Colombia 2015
1
Colombian Geological Survey, diagonal 53 No. 34-53, Bogotá, Colombia; *Corresponding author, E-mail: mapageo@sgc.gov.co
(Received: November 27, 2015; Revised accepted: July 10, 2016)
http://dx.doi.org/10.18814/epiiugs/2017/v40i3/017023
The Geological Map of Colombia 2015 summarizes the
superficial geological information of Colombia. It is the
final product of a process of integration and generaliza-
tion of the cartographic information of the existing geo-
logical maps published by the Colombian Geological Survey
complemented by the interpretation of remote sensing
imagery of previously unmapped areas. Harmonization was
controlled using remote sensing imagery such as Landsat
TM and DEM shaded relief images. Geological units rep-
resented were defined according to chronostratigraphic-
lithostratigraphic criteria. The Geological Map of Colombia
2015 is presented in two sheets and includes: the information
of 240 geological maps at a scale of 1:100,000; updating
was carried out by means of consultation of scientific papers
published until October 2014; a “Radiometric Dating Cat-
alog of Colombia in ArcGIS and Google Earth” has been
attached; across border harmonization and adjustments
with the geological maps of Peru and Brazil were the result
of feedback discussions during international meetings;
the inset Map of the Tectonic Framework of NW South Amer-
ica and the Caribbean was elaborated making use of dis-
placement vectors based on GPS data updated until 2014;
the chronostratigraphic units patterns were created with
a font, and the map presentation is in Google Earth.
Introduction
The Geological Map of Colombia (GMC) released by the Colom-
bian Geological Survey (CGS) in 2015 is the fruit of 14 years of con-
tinuous data compilation. It includes the information of 240 geological
maps at the scale of 1:100,000 published until December 2013 that
covers 57% of the Colombian territory and complemented by geolog-
ical data published until October 2014.
For those areas where there was no map coverage available, unpub-
lished maps were used from the oil industry or geological consultancy
groups. However, due to the heterogeneous nature of the Colombian
landscape, that includes inaccessible places of high relief and/or cov-
erage by dense tropical forest, considerable gaps remain. Those gaps
were filled with the interpretation from remote sensing imagery (19.2%
of the country). The cartographical sources are included as a layer in
Episodes Vol. 40, No. 3
201
the GMC database.
The base map used for GMC was provided by Geographical Insti-
tute Agustín Codazzi (IGAC), which was prepared from the NASA
SRTM DEM radar interferometric data (USGS, 2004) with 30 m res-
olution. Taking into account the thematic character of the GMC, we
established a visual hierarchy always considering the priority of the
geological information over other map features. Therefore, during the
adaptation of the base map, it was necessary to reduce the complexity
of the information and modify the cartographic style changing the
color patterns, where the basemap data are in grey and the streams and
rivers, in light blue.
Methodology
The principal tool used in the elaboration of the GMC was ESRI’s
ArcMap-ArcGIS 9.3.1 desktop software. The procedure used to per-
form the GMC was to convert the layers of lithostratigraphic units, faults
and folds in different formats to shapefile. Then we proceeded to con-
vert the shapefiles from Bogota datum (prior Colombian datum) to
MAGNA datum. The transfer from the Bogota datum to the MAGNA
system was performed according to the regional processing parame-
ters established by the IGAC (2004). The MAGNA Datum is the offi-
cial coordinate system for Colombia established by the IGAC and it is
noteworthy that it has an associated ellipsoid corresponding to the
GRS80 (Global Reference System 1980), equivalent to WGS84 (World
Geodetic System 1984).
Once the shapefiles had been obtained in MAGNA, they were gen-
eralized to 1:1 M scale for the GMC. Lastly, the shapefiles were transferred
as Feature classes to a Feature Dataset incorporated in a File Geodata-
base containing the integrated geological map named gmc2015.gdb.
One aspect of the process of data integration that required special
attention was the frequency of poor matching of the geological fea-
tures across sheet boundaries. The ArcMap-ArcGIS tools allowed the
display, superimposition and thus the simultaneous comparison of the
compiled cartographic information with remote sensing imagery; while
shaded relief images facilitated the correct positioning of mapped
geological units and structures. Those tools improved matching process
of adjacent map sheets considerably. In order to control the process of
map joining and correlation, extensive use was made of Landsat Tem-
atic Mapper (TM) imagery (bands 457) and shaded relief images.
These shaded relief images in combination with Landsat TM imagery
202
had the capability to accentuate the geomorphologic features, making
it possible to achieve better quality control of the compiled data. In
this way, in sectors where there was no correspondence between
physiographic features and the distribution of rock units and struc-
tures indicated in the maps, harmonization was made with the aid of
these tools.
Shaded relief images were generated in ArcScene-ArcGIS with the
Hillshade tool from NASA SRTM DEM (USGS, 2004). As most of
the Colombian topographic features have a mainly N-NE orientation,
a combination of two shaded relief images (grouped) were used, the
first one created with an azimuth of 45°, a vertical look angle of 45°
and a transparency of 50% superimposed, and the second one with an
azimuth of 315°, a vertical look angle of 45° and without transparency.
This configuration permits an excellent visualization of geomorpho-
logical features for the major part of the Colombian territory, in par-
ticular the Andean part.
Once all the information was integrated and draft maps had been
printed, work proceeded on the digital editing necessary to convert the
innumerable sinuous and zigzagging lines which resulted from reduc-
ing the scale 10 times from the original map information into smooth
and legible boundaries, always subjected to checks by satellite images
and shaded relief images.
In order to update the GMC, all the published geological informa-
tion related to the Colombian geology was reviewed, such as national
and international scientific journals; books; undergraduate, master and
doctorate theses; geology conference proceedings; reports produced
by institutions such as the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH);
unpublished reports of the CGS, and geological maps of neighboring
countries. This information was stored in physical media for quick
consultation, and the references were added to an End Note X4 library.
All of these publications permitted to update the GMC on the following
aspects:
1. Ages of igneous and metamorphic geological units of the map
were updated using geochronological data, mainly ages Ar40-Ar39 and
U-Pb taken from the “Radiometric Dating Catalog of Colombia in
ArcGIS and Google Earth” (Gómez et al., 2015) generated specifi-
cally for this purpose.
2. Structural and subsurface information helped to improve the
definition of the type, nomenclature and traces of the faults included
in the GMC 2015 (e.g., Barrero et al., 1998, and Restrepo-Pace et al.,
2004).
3. Ages of many sedimentary units were updated according to
reports of macro and micropaleontological fossils (e.g., Grösser and
Prössl, 1991; Latrubesse et al., 2010).
4. In order to make the Geological Terranes Map of Colombia, the
geotectonic framework of many areas of Colombia was reviewed,
evaluated and validated. It is worth mentioning the important contri-
butions in the publications of Maya and González (1995), Tassinari
and Macambira (1999), Kerr et al. (2002), Cordani et al. (2005), Weber
et al. (2009), Cardona et al. (2010), Weber et al. (2010), Villagómez et al.
(2011), Restrepo et al. (2011) and Martens et al. (2014).
Currently, the Subcommission for South America of the Commis-
sion for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW) is undertaking the
publication of the Geological and Mineral Resources Map of South
America at a scale of 1:1 M sponsored by the Iberoamerican Mining
and Geology Surveys Association (ASGMI). In this context, in 2009
the geological surveys of Brazil, Colombia and Peru (IMGEMMET)
initiated the preparation of the geological sheets NA.-19, NB.-19 and
SA.-19. For this purpose, three interdisciplinary workshops were held
at the University of Tabatinga in Brazil from the 1st to the 2nd October
2009, from the 10th to the 11th August 2010, and from the 30th Novem-
ber to the 1st December 2011. One of the main results of those work-
shops was the cross border harmonization of the geological maps of
Brazil, Colombia and Peru. This task was achieved using both Geocover
imagery from NASA, and Aeromagnetometry and Aerogamaspec-
trometry maps. The information and feedback resulting from those
meetings with the teams of Peru and Brazil was included in the GMC.
Following the recommendation of McLelland (2006) that points
out that the evaluation by the scientific community is the final part of
the scientific method; the GMC has held extensive divulgation meetings
at universities, formal and informal events and national (e.g., Gómez
et al., 2005; Gómez et al., 2009; Gómez and Montes, 2011) and inter-
national congresses (e.g., Gómez et al., 2008; Gómez et al., 2012).
During the GMC’s divulgation important discussions and valuable
contributions facilitated the identification of misallocated ages and
misinterpretations of some units. The GMC mapping team has accepted
all of these contributions, on the basis of the strength of the arguments
and the data (e.g., Triassic age of the metamorphic rocks of the cordil-
lera Central, considered to be pre-Ordovician in the 2007 edition of
the GMC), and so those contributions were corrected and incorpo-
rated in the version released in 2015.
On the other hand, because of the wide areal extent and distribution
of Cretaceous rocks and their particular importance as the source rock
of hydrocarbons, it was decided to carry out a special study focused
on a better and more complete codification definitions. This study
consisted in a review of the lithostratigraphic ages assigned to each of
the geological cartographic units and the methods used to date those
units (Gaona-Narváez, 2005). Additionally the time intervals that cor-
responds to the ammonite content reported for each unit were validated.
Finally, on this basis, an update of the biostratigraphic correlation
between lithostratigraphic units was achieved. Based on this informa-
tion, 20 Chronostratigraphic Units (CU) were separated within the
Cretaceous rock sequence. This separation permits the figuring out of
the diachronous nature of these units, the spatial and temporal varia-
tion of the sedimentary facies and the subsequential interpretation of
the marine transgressive and regressive phases during the Cretaceous.
Finally, in order to make difficult choices when data collected pre-
sented a great deal of contradiction and ambiguity, 370 days of field
work were made to visit many places around the country between July
2004 and October 2014. Those field visits have helped to solve some
of these geological problems and helped in the decision making pro-
cess. It also provided an opportunity to take more samples for geo-
chronological dates and to discover new fossiliferous localities that
have provided valuable new data.
Radiometric Dating Catalog of Colombia
The science and technology of Geochronology have evolved
during the ultimate decades and this has resulted in greater precision
and reliability in dating. This is of immense value to geologic research
in which correct geochronology constitutes a key factor. During the
September 2017

Figure 1. Geographical distribution of radiometric datings carried out in Colombia.
last decade in Colombia a great number of samples have been col-
lected for geochronological dating. These have been critical to the
understanding of the geological complexity Colombia, and have led
to the development of updated geologic models that have been incor-
porated in the GMC 2015.
As the GMC is a document in a continuous process of updating, it
was considered useful to complement the cartographic part with the
Episodes Vol. 40, No. 3
203
“Radiometric Dating Catalogue of Colombia in ArcGIS and Google
Earth” (Gómez et al., 2015). It constitutes a compilation of all geo-
chronological data in the Colombian territory prior to October 2014
(Fig. 1).
Geochronological dating of samples is based on the measuring
methods of radioactive decay such as: Ar-Ar, Carbon-14, Fission Track,
K-Ar, Pb-Pb, Rb-Sr, Re-Os, Sm-Nd, U-Pb, U-Th, U-Th/He and U-Th/Pb.
204

Table 1. Attributes of the radiometric ages of the radiometric dating catalog of Colombia
Field Explanation
Radiometric dating ID Numeric identifier for each dating, age ordered (youngest to oldest)
Sample code Field or laboratory sample code
Geological unit Formal or informal geologic unit reported by the author where the sample was taken
Lithology Type of rock, sediment or material analyzed
Age years BP Years Before Present obtained with Carbon-14
Error years Error in years obtained with Carbon-14
Ma age Age in millions of years calculated with the geochronological analysis
Error in millions of years as reported by the author without specifying the type (RMSE, 1 sigma, 2 sigma,
Ma Error 95% confidence interval)
Minimum single grain detrital age Minimum age reported for detrital grains of a sample
Major single grain detrital age Maximum age reported for detrital grains of a sample
Stratigraphic age Age reported in the field "Age Ma", according to the International Chronostratigraphic Chart (Cohen et al., 2013)
Inherited ages Age ranges inherited from zircons cores
Methods of radioactive decay: Ar-Ar, Carbon-14, fission tracks (EDM, LA-ICP-MS), K-Ar, Pb-Pb, Rb-Sr,
Dating method Re-Os, Sm-Nd, U-Pb (ID-TIMS, LA-ICP-MS, LA-MC-ICP-MS and SHRIMP), U-Th/He and U-Th/Pb
(LA-ICP-MS)
Material analyzed Material or mineral analyzed
Initial ratio Initial ratio of 87Sr/86Sr in Rb-Sr, 143Nd/144Nd in Sm-Nd and 187Os/186Os in Re-Os method
MSWD Mean Square Weighted Deviation
P(Χ2) % Chi square probability X2 of Galbraith (1981) and Green (1981). Values > 5% represent a single population
Dispersion of central age, algorithm of Galbraith & Lasleth (1993), expressed in percentage. Dispersion >
Dispersion (%) 30% confirms there are more than one population of age
Number of grains analyzed Number of grains used in each sample
Number of aliquots Single grain aliquots taken for U-Th / He method
Georeferencing source Brief description of how the location coordinates were obtained
X coordinate Northing meters in plane cartesian coordinates
Y coordinate Easting meters in plane cartesian coordinates
Origin of coordinates as displayed in ArcMap/ArcGIS: MAGNA Colombia West West, MAGNA_Colom-
Coordinate system bia_Oeste, MAGNA_Colombia_Bogota, MAGNA_Colombia_Este and MAGNA_Colombia_Este_Este
Latitude Latitude in degrees, minutes, seconds and milliseconds in Datum MAGNA
Longitude Longitude in degrees, minutes, seconds and milliseconds in Datum MAGNA
Reference Brief reference
Reference ID Reference identifier. Each reference has its URL when it exists
Comments The age type cf. field "Ma Age", age interpretation by the author and additional information

Each radiometric dating was stored in a File Geodatabase in Arc-
GIS 9.3.1. A total of 4427 records were stored, out of which 3801 are
georeferenced and 626 have no coordinates. Dating information is
available in a table as well as in a Feature Class created as part of a
Feature Dataset in a File Geodatabase using the MAGNA geographic
coordinate system, and also as a KMZ file with the WGS84 coordi-
nate system to display in Google Earth. Table 1 shows the attributes
table that includes all the information compiled.
Each original coordinate was checked and then sourced in the File
Geodatabase. Checking consisted in verifying its coordinate system,
because quite commonly it happens that the coordinates have not been
reported by the author or they proved to have errors. In those cases
where the coordinates were not available but the published informa-
tion contains the figure that indicates the sample point, that figure was
georeferenced. If the figure had coordinates it was georeferenced with
them; if not, use was made of geographical control points such a
drainage links, highways, bridges, cities, etc. which is common carto-
graphic practice at the IGAC’s official cartography (1:100,000). Once
the figure was georeferenced, the sample point of geochronologic dat-
ing was obtained.
In other cases when the coordinates were not available or those
were wrong, the author of the publication was contacted (in fact many
locations were compiled in this way). For each sample the way in which
the coordinates were obtained was reported in the attributes table
(Table 1, cf. column Georeferencing source). When no coordinates were
available that was also reported.
Philosophy and Design
During the process of preparation of the GMC, we developed our
own specific methodology which reflects the characteristics and map-
ping history of Colombia, complemented with elements and experi-
ences obtained from other geological surveys.

September 2017
 205

Figure 2. Sheet 1 of the Geological Map of Colombia 2015.

Episodes Vol. 40, No. 3

206

Figure 3. Sheet 2 of the Geological Map of Colombia 2015.

September 2017
 207

The GMC consists of 2 sheets. Sheet 1 (Fig. 2) being the map and
Sheet 2 the map legend (Fig. 3). The former contains, as the main ele-
ment, the geologic map. This map includes representations of the off-
shore islands of Colombia; but because of their large distance from
the mainland and their small size, those are displayed as insets at a
scale of 1:100,000 (Fig. 4). Displayed in one inset are cited the corpo-
rate credits and author listing and another inset displays the Localiza-
tion of Colombia in South America. In addition, there are diagrams
that provide the reader with a better contextual understanding of the
geology of Colombia. Those include a sketch of the Tectonic Frame-
work of Northwestern South America and the Caribbean; the Colom-
bian Physiographic Map, showing the location of the most prominent
features frequently quoted in geological description of the country,
and the Geological Terranes Map of Colombia (Fig. 4). Finally, there
are insets that display the conventions, which describe the structural
elements and a list that displays the citations used for the Quaternary
volcanoes.
The Tectonic Framework of Northwestern South America and the
Caribbean at a scale of 1:5,000,000 has been plotted on a DEM and
shows the major tectonic features. The principal fold and fault struc-
tures were copied from the GMC 2015. The values of the relative
motion vectors of plates were taken from the GPS data from the
GEORED project of the CGS and Protti et al. (2012). GPS displace-
ment vectors, updated to December 2014, indicate magnitude and azi-
muth. GPS data were compiled from 57 stations that belong to the
International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) 2005.
Sheet 2 presents the CU, accompanied by a brief description of the
rock types and deposits (Fig. 4). The CU are organized according to
their age of formation, with the more recent materials placed at the
top of the sheet. In order to display those elements, the International
Chronostratigraphic Chart (ICC) (Cohen et al., 2013) was reproduced
on the left margin of the sheet.
All map units were defined according to a mixed chronostratigraphic-
lithostratigraphic classification scheme that took into account 3 crite-
ria: age, lithology and geological terrane.
In this classification scheme a distinction was made between rocks

Figure 4. Design of the two sheets of the Geological Map of Colombia. To the left, the sheet 1 insets. (1) Geological Map of Colombia, (2) Geo-
logical Map of San Andrés, (3) Geological Map of Providencia, (4) Tectonic Framework of Northwestern South America and the Caribbean,
(5) Geological Terranes Map of Colombia, (6) Localization Map of Colombia in South America, (7) Physiographic Map of Colombia, (8) sug-
gested citation, (9) cartographic sources of the base map, (10) Quaternary volcanoes of Colombia, (11) geological conventions, (12) lithologic
pattern chart, (13) credits and (14) Geological Map of Gorgona. To the right, the sheet 2. The International Chronostratigraphic Chart (ICC)
was reproduced on the left margin of the sheet. The Geological Map of Colombia 2015 working hypothesis, which takes into account that the
crustal evolution of Colombia is consequence of successive accretion events, was used to design the gray background of the legend sheet on
which chronostratigraphic units (CU) are showed according to their relationship with these tectonic events. 4 chronostratigraphic units’
examples were enlarged with their description of rocks or deposits that compose them. Note the location maps in the lower left corner of each
terrane, 2 were expanded as examples. (RNJP) Río Negro–Juruena Province, (CHT) Chibcha Terrane, (TT) Tahamí Terrane, (AT) Anacona
Terrane, (QT) Quebradagrande Terrane, (ART) Arquía Terrane, (TC) Caribe Terrane and (LGT) La Guajira Terrane.

Episodes Vol. 40, No. 3

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Figure 5. Lithologic pattern chart.
Figure 5. (continued).
and unconsolidated deposits. The latter were subdivided according to
type of deposit in: alluvium, terrace, alluvial fan, paludal, glacial, pyroclas-
tic, dune, swamp and volcanoclastic. On the other hand, rocks were
represented in accordance with their principal types in: igneous, meta-
morphic and sedimentary with volcaniclastic rocks as a separate type.
Igneous rocks were differentiated both according to their composition
(ultramafic, mafic, intermediate and felsic) and to their environment
of formation (plutonic, hypabyssal and volcanic).
Metamorphic rocks were differentiated according to their grade of
metamorphism into very low, low, medium, and high grade and high
pressure (sensu the Geological Map of South America compiled by
Schobbenhaus and Bellizia, 2001, and the International Geological Map
of Europe and Adjacent Areas compiled by Asch, 2005). An exception
was made in the case of marbles due to their occurrence in several grades
of metamorphism and their relative economic importance.
For the sedimentary and volcanoclastic rocks the main environment
of accumulation was indicated as marine, transitional or continental,
whereas transitional environments include delta plains, coastal lagoons,
intertidal flats and coastal fans. However, due to the extent of the out-
crops and to the map scale at which the information is displayed, some
stratigraphic intervals cover diverse environments and for this reason
it was necessary to create subdivisions that considered the merging of
various environments (continental–transitional, continental–transitional–
marine, and transitional–marine).
With respect to the color scheme used to indicate the age of the
GMC’s units, classification and values of Red, Green and Blue (RGB)
were adopted from the Commission for the Geological Map of the
World (Pellé, 2008). In order to improve the identification of the CU
and the readability of the map, a pattern was designed for each type
and formation environment of rocks and deposits (Fig. 5). Half of these
were taken from FGDC (2006) and the other half was developed by
the GMC’s team at the CGS. In this way, each CU is represented by a
color that represents its age and a pattern which corresponds to its
lithology and by extension its formation environment.
For improved visualization patterns were created with a font loaded
in ArcGIS to generate the pattern. This methodology was adapted from
the Geologic Map of North America (Reed et al., 2005) and has the
advantage that the display of the map in ArcGIS is faster, printing time is
reduced around to 80% and the map has a sharper control in the graphics
output, both in paper and in PDF format.
In addition, to each CU was assigned with a code composed by the
recommended notation for geochronologic units (Remane, 2000),
separated by a hyphen from an acronym that shows the rock type and
its formation environment. The main rock type is indicated by uppercase
letters (M: metamorphic, VC: volcaniclastic, etc.) followed by lower-
September 2017
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Figure 6. Geological Terranes Map of Colombia. Terrane abbreviation is in parenthesis in the legend, followed by a hyphen and age notation. K1:
Early Cretaceous, T: Triassic, P: Permian, D: Devonian, C1: Mississippian, MP: Mesoproterozoic, NP: Neoproterozoic, and PP: Paleoproterozoic.

Episodes Vol. 40, No. 3

210

case letters that depict its composition, metamorphic grade or deposi-
tional environment in accordance to whether it is igneous, metamorphic
or sedimentary rock respectively (u: ultramafic, lg: lower grade of
metamorphism, ct: continental–transitional). The following example
illustrates this notation:
Assignment of the age code was made in each case according to the
existing knowledge of the CU geochronological age. In some cases,
because of the uncertainty of available knowledge it was decided to
assign a code of era for the CU (e.g., PZ-Sm corresponds to Paleozoic
marine sedimentary rocks). When geochronological data allowed the pre-
cise definition of the rock age the assignment of the code was specified at
the level of age (e.g., b2-Vf for felsic volcanic rocks of the Valanginian).
When geochronological data indicated time intervals of rock ages, their
limits were shown (e.g., k5E1-Stm indicates Campanian to Paleocene
age sedimentary rocks of transitional and marine environments). When
rock age data was doubtful, uncertainty was expressed with question
marks (e.g., b5?k6-Sctm, it suggests that we deal with sedimentary
rocks accumulated in continental, transitional and marine environ-
ments between the Maastrichtian and possibly the Aptian; n1?n5?-
VCc stands for volcaniclastic rocks accumulated in continental envi-
ronments, possibly between the Aquitanian and Tortonian).
Additionally, when an acronym is followed by one digit, this number
represents the geological terrane (e.g., K2-Vm7 refers to Upper Creta-
ceous mafic volcanic rocks of the Caribbean Terrane). Geological terrane
is used here according to the definition of Neuendorf et al. (2005).
The Geological Terranes Map of Colombia proposal (Fig. 6) was
prepared based on information compiled for the GMC and the “Radiomet-
ric Dating Catalog of Colombia in ArcGIS and Google Earth” (Gómez et
al., 2015). In this map, the Anacona Terrane is used sensu Martens et al.
(2014), the Tahamí and Chibcha terranes sensu Restrepo et al. (2011)
and the Río Negro-Juruena province sensu Tassinari & Macambira (1999).
The boundaries among Arquía, Quebradagrande and Caribbean terranes
are sensu Maya and Gonzalez (1995).
Taking into account that proper map readings of the colors and pat-
terns used for the representation of CU were insufficient, additional
annotations were added containing the map code identification of
individual units, as well as the names of the main tectonic structures.
These annotations were put on the map to facilitate identification of
each polygon in such a way that they do not interfere with the annota-
tions of the base map, which were eventually modified.
Finally, when at the beginning of the age notation appears the letter
ρ (rho), it indicates that the CU can be assigned to any period poste-
rior to that age (e.g., ρT-Sm was assigned to marine sedimentary rocks
with a post-Triassic age).
GIS
As part of constructing the digital database for the GMC a data model
was designed. This data model, in addition to its characteristics as an
independent GIS for an ArcMap-ArcGIS File Geodatabase, could be
implemented into a corporate geodatabase integrated in the CGS´s
GIS. CGS’s GIS is supported by a technological platform that handles
data with the database management system Oracle 10 g, spatial data
engine ArcSDE 9.1 and ArcGIS 9.3.1 for spatial data handling.
For users who do not have ArcGIS, the GMC 2015 were implemented
as image overlays in Google Earth. The CU layer attributes can be
displayed clicking on the map because the CU layer is overlaid with
99% of transparency. Likewise, the Colombian Quaternary volcanoes
are also included as a layer in the KMZ file.
Final Considerations and Conclusions
The GMC 2015, released on 20th August 2015, 99 years after the
anniversary of the installation of the Colombian National Scientific
Commission by Decree of Law 83 of 1916 with the task of surveying
the Colombian territory, summarizes the work of exploration and geo-
logical investigations carried out since then. However, never before
the information has been as accessible as it is now, being available in
GIS format. Nowadays, we have a system that not only permits easy
consultation but also facilitates rapid updating. This task in the CGS is
carried out by an ongoing project whose unique purpose is to produce
periodic versions of the GMC in the light of new information and sci-
entific advances in the interpretation of geological phenomena. Our

Table 2. URL to download the GMC and the radiometric dating catalog of Colombia in different formats
Product Format URL
MXD https://www.sgc.gov.co/ProgramasDeInvestigacion/Geociencias/Documents/Descargables/MXD_GMC.zip
ArcGIS File Geodatabase,
LYR and style https://www.sgc.gov.co/ProgramasDeInvestigacion/Geociencias/Documents/Descargables/SIG_GMC.zip
Geological PDF https://www.sgc.gov.co/ProgramasDeInvestigacion/Geociencias/Documents/Descargables/gmc2015.pdf
Map of
Colombia TIFF https://srvags.sgc.gov.co/Archivos_Geoportal/Geologia/TIFF_GMC.zip
2015
Google Earth (Spanish) https://srvags.sgc.gov.co/Archivos_Geoportal/Geologia/mgc2015.zip
Web service http://srvags.sgc.gov.co/Flexviewer/Mapa_Geologico_Colombia_2015/
ArcGIS Online http://arcg.is/1QJKWCq
ArcGIS File Geodatabase https://www.sgc.gov.co/ProgramasDeInvestigacion/Geociencias/Documents/Descargables/SIG-CDR.zip
Radiometric
dating catalog Google Earth https://www.sgc.gov.co/ProgramasDeInvestigacion/Geociencias/Documents/Descargables/KMZ_CDR.zip
of Colombia
EndNote reference https://www.sgc.gov.co/ProgramasDeInvestigacion/Geociencias/Documents/Descargables/EndNote_References.zip

September 2017

goal is to have a new Geological Map of Colombia updated at least
each four years.
Table 2 contains the URL where the GMC and “Radiometric Dating
Catalog of Colombia in ArcGIS and Google Earth” can be downloaded
in different formats completely free of charge from the website of the
CGS.
The GMC team hope that this model could be useful to different
geological surveys and geoscientists all around the world, with regard
to Earth scientists frequently have to deal with similar compilation
tasks, such as build large scale geological maps.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful with the CGS´s Director, Oscar Paredes Zapata and
with the Basic Geosciences Director, Alberto Ochoa Yarza, for his help,
support and comprehension during the compilation work.
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The equipment works in Geological Map of Colombia Project in the Basic Geosciences Directorate of the Colombian Geological Survey. From left to right:
Jorge Gómez Tapias is the coordinator of the Project, since 2010 is Secretary General for South America of the Commission for the Geological Map of the
World (CGMW); Nohora E. Montes Ramírez is co-author of this continental projects and has a postgraduate degree in Geomatic. María F. Almanza Melén-
dez is geologist and most of her work is concerned with texts edition, she is a Master in Geology candidate with the Honor Degree scholarship at the National
University of Colombia. Hans Diederix works as a consultant at the CGS, he is interested is in neotectonics and paleoseismology, and crustal dynamics of the
Northern Andes. Fernando A. Alcárcel Gutiérrez supports research works, he developed the Google Earth version of the Radiometric Catalog of Colombia
and the Geological Map of Colombia 2015, César A. Madrid Montoya has been working in the actualization of the GMC in the latest two versions, and
Mónica A. Gómez Correa is the new member of the team.

September 2017

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