Maps and Explanatory notes

GFT&M will publish on line original geological and thematic maps with short notes in a pdf format. Maps eligible for publication should concern any possible subject related to the Earth Sciences and Planetary Geology with special emphasis to innovative techniques and applications.

Any kind of new map obtained through traditional mapping surveys or any sort of innovative techniques is welcome (lidar, remote sensing, drone surveys, etc.). In addition, we encourage the submission of contributions dealing with applied cartography, devoted to hazard and risk assessment. The preferred size of the accompanying notes will range between 10 and 30 printed pages. One or more maps can be included in a single paper.

Submission of the maps and notes is online using the ScholarOne platform at the following link:
http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/gft

All the correspondence, including notification of the Editor's decision and requests for revision, will be managed through the ScholarOne system; any mail or letter outside the platform will not be considered by the Editorial Board and office.

When submitting a manuscript and a map through ScholarOne, please provide a cover letter stating that the contribution is fully original and has not been contemporaneously submitted to other journals. Final dimensions of the submitted maps must be clearly stated as well as the permission for the publication of the topographic base map.

The submission system will ask to suggest the names and addresses of at least three potential reviewers, on one side, and, possibly, three possible reviewers, they dislike.

In case of problems, authors are invited to contact the Editorial Office (fabio.petti@socgeol.it; tel. +39 06 4959390).

1) Explanatory Notes: manuscripts preparation 

Manuscripts must be prepared in English (UK grammar and spelling) in editable files for PC (e.g.: .doc, .docx, .odt, .rtf). The manuscript, including references and figure captions, must be double-spaced, with line numbering. A 'standard' font is requested, preferably 12-point Times New Roman. For mathematical symbols, Greek letters and other special characters, normal text or Symbol fonts are requested. Word Equation Editor/MathType should be used only for formulae, which cannot be produced using normal text or Symbol font.

Papers accompanying maps will be printed in A4 format (portrait), double column, following the common format of the publications of the Italian Geological Society.

The word manuscript must be organized according to the following sections.

Cover page
The following information is necessary for the first and second cover page:

  1. Title of the contribution
  2. Complete name and surname of the authors.
  3. Affiliations of the Authors (in full) and their addresses.
  4. e-mail address of the Corresponding Author.
  5. Two nice high-resolution photos/figures of the area; the photo (at least one) should illustrate a panorama and should not be repeated inside the text.

Abstract (maximum 300 words)
General information on the map must be clearly illustrated in the abstract text (content, scale, location, mapping techniques, and results).

Keywords
Between 5 and 10 using standard international terms.

Introduction
This section will contain a general introduction to the geology of the study are including a brief description of available cartographic contributions and a general presentation of the map/maps. A clear statement of the map contents will close the introduction.

Methods and techniques
This section will describe in detail which kind of data and how they have been collected, as well as the purpose of the work.

Technical information, including datum, map projection and coordinate system, topographic reference on which the map was built is needed. A short part of this chapter will be devoted to the description of the software used for map production with specific reference to Geographic Information Systems (if any) or graphic software.

The text, figures and legend of the submitted geological maps must comply with the rules of terminology and stratigraphic nomenclature. Authors must observe a correct use of stratigraphic terminology, avoiding the citation of incorrect or abandoned stratigraphic names.
Web sites and publications such as the International Chronostratigraphic Chart, the International Stratigraphic Guide, the Italian Stratigraphic Guide, and the Catalogue of the Italian geological formations, are recommended as initial sources of stratigraphic information.

Contents description
This section will describe in detail the contents of the thematic map, as well as how represented units and data are organized and displayed in the map. Data must be original; new data coming from the elaboration of previously published information can be accepted as well; in this case, the original source must be clearly acknowledged in this part of the paper. The title of the section will directly depend on the represented data and the authors can define it accordingly. Represented units can be of stratigraphic, tectonic geomorphological type, as well as classes of risk, permeability, stability, etc.

Discussion and Conclusions
A final section containing a discussion and the conclusions will summarize the main achievements obtained by this contribution. A discussion/comparison with published works is here welcome. This section is expected to emphasize the obtained results in the light of the adopted procedure.

Acknowledgements
Public or private organizations, single individuals contributing to the paper, reviewers and editorial staff can be appropriately thanked at the end of the manuscripts. Economical contributions, funding and grants (including numbers) can be mentioned here.

Captions
Prepare the text of each caption using normal characters; each caption must be preceded by "Fig. n -" (example: Fig. 1 - text of the caption). Use the same indication for the calls of the illustrations in the text (Fig. n).

References
Authors are requested to use the same rules described in section A). References should be inserted in parentheses in the text in full for single and dual authored papers (e.g. Lyell and Bertrand, 1987), but using first author and et al. for multiple authored papers (e.g. Lyell et al., 1988). The order in the text should be chronological, then alphabetical.

All references must be listed in alphabetical order at the end of the article in the following standard form:
Reference to a journal article:
Morley C. and Chantraprasert S. (2022) - Plume-related, syn-rift, Neogene volcanism, the interplay with structure in Thailand and comparison with the East
African Rift. Ital. J. Geosci., 141(3), 295-333, https://doi.org/10.3301/IJG.2022.24.
Reference to a journal article with an article number:
Boutoux A., Briaud A., Faccenna C., Ballato P., Rossetti F., Blanc E. (2021) - Slab folding and surface deformation of the Iran mobile belt. Tectonics, 40(6), e2020TC006300, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020TC006300.
Reference to a book:
Masotta M., Beier C., Mollo S. (2021) - Crustal Magmatic System Evolution: Anatomy, Architecture, and Physico-Chemical Processes. American Geophysical Union (AGU), 239 pp., https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119564485.
Reference to a chapter in an edited book:
Brenna M., Ubide T., Nichols A.R., Mollo S., Pontesilli A. (2021) - Anatomy of Intraplate Monogenetic Alkaline Basaltic Magmatism: Clues From Magma, Crystals, and Glass. In: Masotta M., Beier C., Mollo S. (Eds), Crustal Magmatic System Evolution: Anatomy, Architecture, and Physico-Chemical Processes, American Geophysical Union (AGU), 79-103, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119564485.ch4.
Reference to a sheet of the Geological Map of Italy at the scale 1:50.000 (Geological Survey of Italy and CARG Project)
Servizio Geologico d'Italia (2011) - Carta Geologica d'Italia alla scala 1:50.0000, F. 99 Iseo. ISPRA, Roma.
Reference to explanatory notes of the Geological Map of Italy at the scale 1:50.000 (Geological Survey of Italy and CARG Project)
Pantaloni M., Pichezzi R.M., D'Ambrogi C., Pampaloni M.L., Rossi M. (2016) - Note Illustrative della Carta Geologica d'Italia alla scala 1:50.000, F. 280 Fossombrone. 96 pp., S.EL.CA. Firenze.

Please use the standard abbreviation of a journal's name according to the ISSN List of Title Word Abbreviations:
http://images.webofknowledge.com/images/help/WOS/A_abrvjt.html. In case of uncertainty, authors are invited to use the full journal title.

Any links to websites in the text must be referenced in full bibliography, with the name of the site and its URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

In case of more references by the same author in the same year, use letters a, b, c, etc., to identify them. More references consecutively mentioned must be placed in a chronological order separated by semicolons.

2) Illustrations (figures and tables)

All illustrations must be quoted in the text using Arabic numbers (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Tab. 1, Tab. 2, etc.). In case of photographs and detailed maps, the reference scale must be present. Illustrations must be in .eps, .tiff or .jpg format. Each illustration must be numbered and supplied as a single file with the same name as the corresponding caption. Illustrations must have good quality and resolution (300 dpi). In the preparation of the figures, authors must consider that the maximum viewing space reserved for illustrations in the pages of the GFT guide is (h) 18.7cm x (v) 27.4cm, slightly less than the standard A4 portrait format. Larger figures will be reduced accordingly.

Figures should be prepared with lettering and symbols of sufficient size and clarity to be reduced (Arial, 6-8 pt. minimum). After reduction, the smallest lettering should be a minimum of 2 mm high. Tables can be submitted as .xls or .doc files.

Please give indications in the text on the preferred location of figures adding a line with the following indication: Position of figure XX.

In the case of complex illustrations or problems due to file format or specific dimensions, the authors should kindly contact the Editorial Office in advance (fabio.petti@socgeol.it; tel. +39 06 4959390).

In case of reproduction of previously published illustrations, permissions must be provided by the authors (see the Copyright section of the present guidelines: Credits and permissions). The authors must provide, as well, the permission for the publication of the base topographic map before final acceptance of the work.

3) Maps preparation: technical notes

The journal is open to any kind of map representing the spatial distribution of all sorts of data related with Earth Sciences (e.g.: stratigraphic, tectonic and geomorphological units; processes, features, classes, etc.). Cartographic contributions dealing with planetary bodies of the Solar System are welcome. This makes very difficult to establish precise standards; anyway, when available, conventional symbols should be used and the source guidelines correctly cited. Map must be self-consistent; they must contain a detailed legend, which describes represented features. Patterns, symbols and colours must be adequately used in order to emphasize representativeness and readability of the map, especially when it is printed at the reference scale. In this regard, recalling the importance attributed to the use of colours, refer to the "International stratigraphic chart (IUGS)" in the most recent version or to the "Colour code according to the Commission de la carte géologique du Monde (CCGM)" or, for Italy, to the"Colour Guide for the printing of geological maps", manual published by the Geological Survey of Italy in 2001. The author must indicate the reasons for possible chromatic exceptions.

Symbols libraries directly prepared by ISPRA-SGdI are available at the following link:
http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/pubblicazioni/periodici-tecnici/i-quaderni-serie-iii-del-sgi/Carta-Geologica-dItalia-alla-scala-1-50-000.000

In the case of introduction of new symbols, the author must briefly justify this choice.

Headings and title
The map must show the same headings of the paper as it will be directly associated to the corresponding paper as a .pdf file.
A list of the required information follows:

  1. Title of the contribution
  2. Complete name and surname of the authors.
  3. Affiliations of the Authors (in full) and their addresses.
  4. e-mail address of the Corresponding Author.
  5. Reference scale of map presentation and, if different, the scale at which field data have been collected.
To be added only to the accepted final version:
  1. Logos of the two institutions SGI and ISPRA-SGI.
  2. Copyright statement by the two institutions.
  3. Reference number of the related GFT&M paper including DOI.

Legend
This part of the map is of fundamental importance and needs a particular attention from the authors. The legend must be self-explaining, as it must contain enough information in order to illustrate the contents of the maps. All the used symbols, pattern and colours must be listed and clearly explained. Please use standard representations when possible.

Location maps, outline and explanatory schemes
At least one or more locations maps must accompany the main map/maps. Schemes illustrating any sort of relationships among the represented units (stratigraphic, structural, tectonic, geomorphological, hydrogeological, etc.), including any kind of cross sections, or 3D block and fence diagrams, etc., are welcome. When possible, please use the same symbols, colours and units of the map. Add graphic or numerical scales, geographic coordinates and North symbols. Location of cross sections must be clearly indicated in the map. showing to the extremes a distinctive literal or numerical notation and the geographical orientation (the latter to be shown also at vertexes along segmented section traces).

Map number and dimensions
There are no restrictions to the number of maps and to their original dimensions. As these maps can must be easily printable, we suggest preparing them according to standard formats between A0 and A4. Printable dimensions must be clearly defined in the accompanying letter. For any problem, authors are invited to contact the Editorial Office in advance (fabio.petti@socgeol.it; tel. +39 06 4959390).

Topographic base maps
A background topographic base is required. Topographic information can be provided by available data or redrawn and simplified from existing maps. In any case, permissions for publication, directly required and obtained by the authors, are mandatory for the acceptance of the contribution. Clear indications on the source of the topographic data must be clearly reported in the map together with the obtained permission for publication. Plano - altimetry information, river traces and perimeters of significant inhabited areas must be reported in each map together with geographical names, according to their official spelling and they must be easy readable even in the presence of geological elements. It is necessary to ensure the congruence with the scale of the map avoiding improper enlargements or reductions (>3x<).

Georeference
Maps must be accurately georeferenced and indications on the datum, projections and coordinates must be clearly given in the map. Continuous geographic graticules or grids can be represented in the map with clearly referenced tips. Alternatively, only georeferenced tips with co-ordinates can be added to the map frame.

Supplementary materials
GFT&M wants to encourage the free submissions of supplementary materials related to the published contributions. Original files in a vector/raster format can be stored in a repository and freely made available for all the users. Authors must deliver data in specific formats including at least a georeferenced map and the position of significant information (ARC-GIS project, KML Vector/raster for Google Earth). Datum, projection and coordinate systems should be clearly indicated in a separate file. The authors are invited to deliver additional information incluing movies, 3D pdf, etc., which will be stored in a public repository.

4) Review process and Acceptance of maps

All submitted contributions will be subject to peer review (it is intended as obtaining advice on individual manuscripts from reviewers' expert in the field) by two reviewers expert in the specific field of the submitted map and explanatory notes, as well as in the field of cartography. The Editor in Chief select the Associate Editor within the board who will manage the review process by selecting the reviewers from the Editorial Board. The Associate Editor will select one reviewer from the Scientific Board list and the second one from the Technical Advisory Board for Geological Maps. The Associate Editor may not assign any of the suggested peer-reviewers, but he/she will not make the assignment to highlighted reviewers that authors dislike. Reviewers selected by the AE should have no conflict of interest with the authors and must provide objective judgments and point out relevant published work, which is not yet cited. They must provide a positive support to the final preparation of the maps and to the correct use of stratigraphic terminology as stated by national and international stratigraphic rules.
 
The Associate Editor will give an evaluation of the paper after considering the two referees. The final decision (accept/ revise/reject/encouraged resubmission) will be taken by the EiC taking into account the referees and the evaluation of the Associate Editor.
 
In case of request for revisions, the authors must send three separate files as follows:
1. A letter explaining each addressed or rebutted point of the Editor and Reviewer's comments clearly indicating the line numbers.
2. The revised manuscript showing the text changes using the track changes system and revised maps with notes in pdf format with an enclosed letter describing any modification.
3. A clean version of the revised manuscript and map.

Reviewed articles will be treated confidentially.

Accepted manuscripts will be provided with a doi and published in the web site in the submission format before proof preparation.

When the paper is accepted, the Corresponding Author is requested to send the final version of the text, illustrations and maps in the required formats. E-mails of other scientists that work in the field must be suggested by the corresponding author, in order to disseminate the paper, once published.