Glacial Boundaries in Illinois

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Frequently-anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title: Glacial Boundaries in Illinois
Abstract:
This is an SDE feature class containing glacial boundary polygons representing the extent of glaciation for major glacial episodes in Illinois. Data are originally from the Quaternary Deposits in Illinois (1:500,000) map by Lineback (1979). Data have been subsequently modified to conform with the reclassification by Hansel and Johnson, ISGS Bulletin 104 (1996). Glacial episode is identified for each polygon. The data include the Wisconsin, Illinois and the Pre-Illinois episodes. Areas not glaciated are also identified. The nominal scale is 1:500,000.
Supplemental_Information:
Origin of the data:

This layer originated with the Integrated Terrain Unit (ITU) digital data set prepared for the ISGS by Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) of Redlands, California in 1984.

The ITU manuscript synthesizes and organizes natural resource information for the state. Data included are natural divisions, bedrock geology, Quaternary geology, STACK units, glacial boundaries, soul associations, SCS land resource areas, ecoregions, and potential natural vegetation. The mapping resolution was generally 640 acres. Waterbodies were mapped to a minimum size of 320 acres. Data were integrated in the following order: Quaternary geology, stack units, glacial boundaries, bedrock geology, soil associations, natural divisions, potential natural vegetation, SCS land resource areas, and finally ecoregions.

Recent updates to the data:

In April 2004 edition 1.1 of the data set was transitioned to storage in an Oracle RDBMS using the ArcSDE geodatabase model. The result (this version) is designated Edition 20040423.

Edition 1.0 of these data were reviewed for internal logical consistency in May, 1998. As a result, tics were replaced, COVER-ID values were recalculated to be unique, and major revisions were made to polygon boundaries and attributes. See logical consistency report and process steps for May, 1998 for more details. The updated data set was edition 1.1.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    Illinois State Geological Survey, 1998, Glacial Boundaries in Illinois: ISGS GIS Database GISDB_QTGEO.IL_Glacial_Bndys_Py, Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, Illinois.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -91.513518
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -87.495214
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.508348
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.969972

  3. What does it look like?

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Calendar_Date: 1996
    Currentness_Reference: publication date of ISGS Bulletin 104.

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • G-polygon (10)

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.

      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
      Altitude_System_Definition:

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    Attribute items are in typical SDE feature class format. Those requiring explanation are:

    GLC-BND - Identifies the glacial episode (using the boundaries and diachronic terminology of Hansel and Johnson, 1996) 2 - Wisconsin 5 - Illinois 6 - Pre-Illinois 9 - Not glaciated

    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: none


Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Contact_Instructions: Please refer to the Distribution Information section.


Why was the data set created?

The data are appropriate as a statewide overview of the extent of the major glacial episodes in Illinois.

The data are not appropriate as a geodetic, legal or engineering base. The data set was not and is not intended as a substitute for surveyed locations, such as can be determined by a registered Public Land Surveyor. Although useful in a GIS as a reference base layer for maps, the data set has no legal basis in the definition of boundaries or property lines.


How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

    none (source 1 of 3)
    J.A. Lineback, Illinois State Geological Survey, 1979, Quaternary Deposits of Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, Illinois, USA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: unknown (paper or mylar)
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 500000
    Source_Contribution: linework and attributes

    none (source 2 of 3)
    Willman, H.B., 1967, Geologic Map of Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, Illinois, USA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: paper
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 500000
    Source_Contribution: unknown

    none (source 3 of 3)
    Hansel, A. and H. Johnson, 1996, Wedron and Mason Groups: Lithostratigraphic Reclassification of Deposits of the Wisconsin Episode, Lake Michigan Lobe Area: Illinois State Geological Survey Bulletin 104, Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, Illinois, USA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: n/a
    Source_Contribution: new attribute values based on reclassification

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: 1984 (process 1 of 4)
    Created in 1984 by ESRI as part of coverage TUPYMG; DISSOLVED from TUPYMG on INFO item GLC_BND.

    Date: unknown (process 2 of 4)
    Renamed to GLCBND

    Date: May-1998 (process 3 of 4)
    Data set was reviewed in May, 1998. Review was limited to internal logical consistency of attribute items. Locations of features and accuracy of item values were not checked, except in cases where possible errors became apparent as a result of logical consistency checks. No checks were performed that involved plotting of hardcopy maps and manual overlay with source materials.

    Some changes were made, as follows:

    The existing set of tics was replaced by the set of tics from the coverage RE-STATE1. These were derived from 7.5 minute quadrangle corners (data set QUAD75) and give a good distribution of tics immediately outside the state boundary. COVER-ID values were recalculated to be unique. The existing state boundary line was replaced with the boundary from coverage state for general update purposes and to remove the portion of the state boundary that lies within the Lake Michigan area.

    Most importantly, the spatial extent and attribute values of several polygons were changed to reflect the lithostratigraphic reclassification of deposits as described in ISGS Bulletin 104 (Hansel and Johnson, 1996). Specifically, polygons coded as Late, Middle or Early Woodfordian were amalgamated into a single polygon coded as Wisconsinan. Polygons coded as Altonian or Illinoian (undifferentiated) were amalgamated into a single polygon coded as Illinoian. Polygons coded as Kansan (undifferentiated) were recoded to Pre-Illinoian. Polygons coded as Not Glaciated were unchanged.

    Date: 23-Apr-2004 (process 4 of 4)
    Source coverage (glcbnd) converted to double precision and reprojected to GCS_NAD83 using Workstation ArcInfo 7.2.1.

    The features were imported into the ISGS SDE enterprise database following steps outlined in ISGS procedure GISDB_0009.

    Metadata updated.

    Person who carried out this activity:

  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

    , ISGS Terms of Use.

    Online Links:

    , University of Illinois Web Privacy Notice.

    Online Links:

    , University Copyright Policy (stated in the General Rules Concerning University Organization and Procedure, Article III, Section 4).

    Online Links:

    , Policy on Appropriate Use of Computers and Network Systems at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

    Online Links:


How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    Data set information was reviewed by ISGS Staff. Information included is accurate in regard to Hansel and Johnson, ISGS Bull. 104. There are no known polygon attribute values outside the appropriate value domains.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    In the ITU data preparation process, glacial boundary lines were adjusted to the boundaries of till members of a Quaternary geology overlay produced during the integration of stack-units and Quaternary geology units. In areas where glacial till was absent (i.e., bedrock, loess, and silt areas) the glacial boundaries were left unchanged. No quantitative assessment of horizontal accuracy is available. These data are intended to show a general statewide overview of the areal extent of glacial episodes. Use at scales greater than 1:500,000 is discouraged.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    All known episodic boundaries that can be appropriately mapped at a scale of 1:500,000 are shown. There may exist site-specific studies containing more recent data that are not included here.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    Polygon and chain-node topology was present in the source coverage. Typically, ISGS Arc/Info coverages are checked for complete chain-node topology (no dangling arcs, except where appropriate), polygon labels (one per polygon, except for universal polygon), boundary values appropriate for map projection and map units, and appropriate "fuzzy" tolerances.


How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints:
ISGS information must be obtained directly from the ISGS or from an authorized distributor. Be aware that ISGS information obtained from an unauthorized third party may have been altered subsequent to original distribution, or may no longer be current.

Any access to these data, Web sites, computer systems, electronic services, and electronic networks is governed by University and campus policies, in particular, but not limited to, the Policy on Appropriate Use of Computers and Network Systems at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the ISGS Terms of Use document available at the ISGS Web site, and the University of Illinois Web Privacy Notice.

Links to these are provided in the Cross References section.

Use_Constraints:
ISGS information is the property of and copyrighted by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois with all rights reserved.  University copyright policy is stated in the General Rules Concerning University Organization and Procedure, Article III, Section 4. A link is provided in the Cross References section.

Individuals or entities may make fair use of copyrighted ISGS material, such as reproducing a single figure or table, or using a brief text quotation, without obtaining formal permission, but in all cases the Illinois State Geological Survey must be credited as the source of the material. To reproduce ISGS information beyond the fair use standard, permission must be obtained from the ISGS Information Office, 615 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, Illinois 61820, 217-333-4747, isgs@isgs.illinois.edu. License fees and a license agreement may be required, depending on the proposed usage.

Any use of these data is governed by University and campus policies, in particular, but not limited to, the Policy on Appropriate Use of Computers and Network Systems at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the ISGS Terms of Use document available at the ISGS Web site, and the University of Illinois Web Privacy Notice. Links to these are provided in the Cross References section.

Map information is to be used at a scientifically and cartographically appropriate scale, that is, at a scale no greater than indicated on the map or as described in the documentation of the map or map data.  Map information is not appropriate for, and is not to be used as, a geodetic, legal, or engineering base. Map information has no legal basis in the definition of boundaries or property lines and is not intended as a substitute for surveyed locations such as can be determined by a registered Public Land Surveyor.

The data do not replace the need for detailed site-specific studies.

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

    Information Office, Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS), a division of the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability (INRS) of the University of Illinois
    615 East Peabody Drive
    Champaign, Illinois 61820
    USA

    217-333-4747 (voice)
    isgs@isgs.illinois.edu

    Hours_of_Service: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, U.S. Central Time
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    Refer to the Legal Notices of Terms and Conditions of the University of Illinois Web Privacy Policy (there is a link in the Cross References section) for policy statements regarding the following:

    Disclaimer of Liability Disclaimer of Warranties and Accuracy of Data Disclaimer of Endorsement Disclaimer for External Links Disclaimer of Duty to Continue Provision of Data Security Choice of Law

    By obtaining these data you agree to the provisions of the University of Illinois Web Privacy Policy, regardless of the manner in which the information was obtained.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

  5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

    The data are intended for use with GIS software. The ISGS uses ESRI ArcGIS software, however, ESRI formats can be imported into many different GIS software packages. It is expected that customers who obtain these data have the technical expertise to use GIS software. The ISGS does not provide software support of any kind.


Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 24-Feb-2009
Metadata author:

Contact_Instructions: Please refer to the Distribution Information section.
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Metadata extensions used:


Illinois Natural Resources Geospatial Data Clearinghouse

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