Many maps that are used as the base maps for geology are constructed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). USGS maps usually give the scale at the bottom of the map, in this case 1:24000. What this means is that 1 unit of measure on the paper map is equal to 24000 of those same units on the actual ground.

In other words, one inch on the map at left is equal to 24000 inches on the actual ground in the Bumluck area.

One centimeter on the map is equal to 24000 centimeters on the actual ground.

Another way to look at it is that features on the map are 24000 times smaller than the real features on the ground.

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