It produces and disseminates geological information on the subsoil and surface features, through its research programs and geological and geophysical field studies for the benefit of governments, developers, manufacturers, and teachers, in France and globally. It has established databases, paper-based and digital geological maps as well as 3D models, which are applicable in the management of water and mineral resources, for prevention of natural risks, in combating land pollution, for developing soil and subsoils, in the geological storage of CO gas, the valorisation of French geological heritage, as well as other uses. The geological maps provides information to the general public on the nature of the rocks and geological faults which can be found in the subsoil of a region or a country. Brief history: A need for a geological map of France goes back in time to a decree promulgated by Napoleon III, dated the First of October 1868, which established the ""Service de la carte géologique de la France et des topographies souterraines"" (English: The geologic map of France and groundwater topography service). The earliest geologic maps date back to 1664 (by ) and 1746 (by Jean-Étienne Guettard). Since 1794, the Corps des mines have been responsible for drawing up geological maps. Jean Baptiste Julien d'Omalius d'Halloy sketched the geology of the Parisian basin and it environs in 1816, scaling the map at 1/800 000. Ours-Pierre-Armand Petit-Dufrénoy and Jean-Baptiste Élie de Beaumont, who were both mining engineers, were charged with the task of drawing up the first French geological map in 1841, using a scale of  1 / 500 000. The decree promulgated by Napoleon III on the First of October 1868 at Biarritz made it clear that the task of drawing up a French geological map would be done at the state's expense, thereby centralizing the task to the state, at least, where it concerns coordinating the surveyors and the publishing. Using its powers, the service undertook the work of bringing to light a geological map, using a scale of 1/80 000, which work was accomplished in 1925, about fifty (50) years later. It produced 268 maps. It continued until 1971 because it was publishing successive editions (about 600 sheets published). At the same time, another French geological surveying program, begun in 1913, was in place and it used a scale of 1/50 000.