3D Maps

NCED is currently involved in researching the effectiveness of anaglyph maps in the classroom and are working with educators and scientists to interpret various Earth-surface processes. Based on the findings of the research, various activities and interpretive information will be developed and available for educators to use in their classrooms. Keep checking back with this website because activities and maps are always being updated. We believe that anaglyph maps are an important tool in helping students see the world and are working to further develop materials and activities to support educators in their use of the maps. 

This website has various 3-D maps and supporting materials that are available for download. Maps can be printed, viewed on computer monitors, or projected on to screens for larger audiences. Keep an eye on our website for more maps, activities and new information. Let us know how you use anaglyph maps in your classroom. Email any ideas or activities you have to ncedmaps@umn.edu 

Anaglyph paper maps are a cost effective offshoot of the GeoWall Project. Geowall is a high end visualization tool developed for use in the University of Minnesota's Geology and Geophysics Department. Because of its effectiveness it has been expanded to 300 institutions across the United States. GeoWall projects 3-D images and allows students to see 3-D representations but is limited because of the technology. Paper maps are a cost effective solution that allows anaglyph technology to be used in classroom and field-based applications. 


Maps are best when viewed with RED/CYAN anaglyph glasses!

A note on downloading: "viewable" maps are .jpg files; "high-quality downloads" are .tif files. While it is possible to view the latter in a web-browser in most cases, the download may be slow. As an alternative, try right-clicking on the link to the high-quality download and choosing "save" from the pop-up menu that results. Save the file to your own machine, then try opening the saved copy. This may be faster than clicking directly on the link to open it in the browser. 



World Map: 3-D map that highlights oceanic bathymetry and plate boundaries.

Continental United States: 3-D grayscale map of the Lower 48. 

Western United States: 3-D grayscale map of the Western United States with state boundaries. 

Regional Map: 3-D greyscale map stretching from Hudson Bay to the Central Great Plains. This map includes the Western Great Lakes and the Canadian Shield. 

Minnesota Map: 3-D greyscale map of Minnesota with county and state boundaries. 

Twin Cities: 3-D map extending beyond Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

Twin Cities Confluence Map: 3-D map highlighting the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. This map includes most of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Minneapolis, MN: 3-D topographical map of South Minneapolis. 

Bassets Creek, Minneapolis: 3-D topographical map of the Bassets Creek watershed. 

North Minneapolis: 3-D topographical map highlighting North Minneapolis and the Mississippi River. 

St. Paul, MN: 3-D topographical map of St. Paul.

Western Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Minnetonka area. 

Minnesota River Valley Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Edina area. 

Southern Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of Burnsville, Lakeville and Prior Lake area. 

Southeast Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of South St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Apple Valley and Eagan area. 

Northeast Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of White Bear Lake, Maplewood and Roseville area. 

Northwest Suburbs, Mississippi River, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of North Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center and Maple Grove area. 

Blaine, MN: 3-D map of Blaine and the Mississippi River.

White Bear Lake, MN: 3-D topographical map of White Bear Lake and the surrounding area. 

Maple Grove, MN: 3-D topographical map of the NW suburbs of the Twin Cities. 

Minnesota River: 3-D topographical map of the Minnesota River Valley highlighting the river bend in Mankato. 

St. Croix River: 3-D topographical map of the St. Croix extending from Taylors Falls to the Mississippi confluence.

Mississippi River, Lake Pepin: 3-D topographical map of the confluence of Chippewa Creek and the Mississippi River. 

Red Wing, MN: 3-D topographical map of Redwing, MN on the Mississippi River. 

Winona, Minnesota: 3-D topographical map of Winona, MN highlighting the Mississippi River. 

Cannon Falls, MN: 3-D topographical map of Cannon Falls area.

Rochester, MN: 3-D topographical map of Rochester and the surrounding area. 

Northfield, MN: 3-D topographical map of Northfield and the surrounding area. 

St. Louis River, MN: 3-D map of the St. Louis River and Duluth, Minnesota. 

Lake Itasca, MN: 3-D map of the source of the Mississippi River. 

Elmore, MN: 3-D topographical map of Elmore, MN in south-central Minnesota. 

Glencoe, MN: 3-D topographical map of Glencoe, MN. 

New Prague, MN: 3-D topographical map of the New Prague in south-central Minnesota.

Plainview, MN: 3-D topographical map of Plainview, MN.

Waterville-Morristown: 3-D map of the Waterville-Morris area in south-central Minnesota.

Eau Claire, WI: 3-D map of Eau Claire highlighting abandon river channels. 

Dubuque, IA: 3-D topographical map of Dubuque and the Mississippi River. 

Londonderry, NH: 3-D topographical map of Londonderry, NH.

Santa Cruz, CA: 3-D topographical map of Santa Cruz, California. 

Crater Lake, OR: 3-D topographical map of Crater Lake, Oregon. 

Mt. Rainier, WA: 3-D topographical map of Mt. Rainier in Washington. 

Grand Canyon, AZ: 3-D topographical map of the Grand Canyon. 

District of Columbia: 3-D map highlighting the confluence of the rivers and the Mall. 

Ireland: 3-D grayscale map of Ireland. 

New Jersey: 3-D grayscale map of New Jersey. 

SP Crater, AZ: 3-D map of random craters in the San Francisco Mountains. 

Mars Water Features: 3-D grayscale map showing surface water features from Mars.