Skip to main content

A NSW Government website

Geological mapping

Geological mapping is the process of understanding Earth’s rocks, by examining rocks on the ground and interpreting those beneath the surface. Geological mapping also includes sampling rocks and analysing their geochemistry, petrophysics (physical properties such as magnetism and density), geochronology (age), and any fossil assemblages.

In NSW, the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) is the State government agency that conducts geological mapping. GSNSW geologists have been mapping the geology of NSW since 1875, regularly updating the detail and accuracy of maps in priority areas as new analytical techniques and technology (such as GPS, airborne geophysics and satellite datasets) become available.

View a fact sheet on geological mapping (PDF, 301.95 KB).

View a short video about geological mapping below.

Remote video URL

New MinEx CRC geological mapping updates & products