GEOINT 2026 | Megan Compton - USGS

Live from the GEOINT 2026 Symposium in Denver, Colorado, Project Geospatial’s Adam Simmons catches up with Megan Compton, a key leadership voice within the United States Geological Survey (USGS).In this insightful segment, Megan shares an update on the critical national mapping infrastructure, data delivery models, and cross-agency collaborations that power both the civilian and defense intelligence sectors. Discover how the USGS is scaling its foundational data initiatives—including the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) and high-resolution hydrography data—to meet the accelerating requirements of modern machine learning and real-time situational awareness.Watch the interview to learn how the USGS is transitioning from static datasets to cloud-native, on-demand visual layers, why open public data remains the bedrock of commercial commercial spatial tech innovation, and what the future holds for public-private data integration.Key Highlights in this Video:00:00:32 – Meet Megan Compton and explore her role within the USGS geospatial portfolio.00:01:20 – The Power of Foundational Data: Why federal, commercial, and defense sectors rely on the USGS bedrock.00:02:45 – 3DEP and Beyond: High-resolution lidar mapping updates across the United States.00:04:10 – Transitioning to the Cloud: Making massive geological and terrain datasets instantly accessible to the edge user.00:05:35 – Interoperability and Standards: How the USGS collaborates with NGA and civilian agencies to eliminate data silos.00:07:10 – Fueling AI Models: Training advanced machine learning engines with pristine, uncompromised public-domain geographic basemaps.00:08:50 – Looking Ahead: Next steps for USGS data collection, remote sensing initiatives, and public accessibility.Learn More About USGS Geospatial Programs:🌐 Website: https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/national-geospatial-programAbout Project Geospatial:We connect the geospatial ecosystem with deep dives into emerging technologies, live interviews from key global defense events, and educational podcasts. Subscribe for more expert coverage from GEOINT 2026!#GEOINT2026 #USGS #MeganCompton #NationalMapping #3DEP #Lidar #CloudNative #OpenData #ProjectGeospatial