Department of the Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective Date: 07/28/95
Series: Organization
Part 120: U.S. Geological Survey
Chapter 5: Geologic Division
Originating Office: U.S. Geological Survey
120 DM 5
1. General Functions. The Geologic Division is the Nation's primary provider of objective, relevant, and reliable earth-science information on geologic hazards, geologic resources, geologic framework, and marine and coastal processes. To provide this information, the division conducts geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys and investigations throughout the United States and its territories and continental shelves. The division operates seismographic, volcanologic, geomagnetic, marine, erosion, and climatological monitoring networks and arrays that provide information necessary for analysis and modeling of key geologic processes affecting the nature and quality of our Nation's lands and the safety and well-being of our people. It conducts geologic mapping to establish the composition, structure, and geologic history of sediments and rocks at and beneath the earth's surface. These maps convey information critical to understanding and assessing our Nation's endowment of mineral and energy resources, to maintaining the environmental quality of our Nation's lands and waters, and to understanding and mitigating the effects of geologic hazards. The Geologic Division coordinates closely with a broad constituency of Federal, State, and local agencies to assure that their specific earth-science information needs are identified and met in a timely manner. The information is made available as objective, quantitative assessments, interpretative reports, maps, and data bases, and through personal communications such as workshops, forums, and meetings.
In order to accomplish this mission, the Geologic Division conducts surveys, investigations, and research on:
A. natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, subsidence, and erosion from coastal storms and hurricanes that inflict on the Nation an average annual loss of scores of lives and billions of dollars of damage. Division activities provide information and data with which to make informed management and policy decisions that effectively reduce economic risks and improve public safety.
B. natural geologic processes and phenomena and human-induced actions that operate at the earth's surface and control the evolution of landscapes and the resulting quality of our physical environment.
C. the location, quantity, quality, and availability of the Nation's mineral and energy resources. Assessments of undiscovered resources are used to develop effective and balanced land-use policies and to understand the environmental impacts of future mineral and energy production. Based on assessments, cost-effective management plans can be developed to anticipate and mitigate potential environmental problems.
D. the geologic framework and natural processes that shape our Nation's marine and coastal lands. Studies of these lands are necessary to protect coastal wetlands and sea-floor habitats, assess hazards in the marine and coastal realm, and improve coastal ocean environmental health.
E. global change and climate history. Studies of global environmental systems and past and present climate changes are necessary to document the natural variability of the climate system, to establish the environmental consequences of past climate change and likely future climate change for sensitive regions, and to monitor related physical properties that could indicate changing environmental conditions.
F. the physical framework and processes of planetary bodies. These activities include the analysis of remotely-sensed imagery, the preparation of thematic maps and imagery products, and the production of reports and data bases in support of mission activities of NASA.
The Geologic Division also provides scientific and technical assistance, domestically and abroad, to other Federal agencies and foreign governments that have programs requiring geological, geophysical, and/or geochemical support.
2. Headquarters Organization (organization chart). The headquarters office of the Division is located in Reston, Virginia, and consists of the Office of the Chief Geologist.
A. The Office of the Chief Geologist is composed of the Chief Geologist, the Associate Chief Geologist for Scientific Programs, and the Associate Chief Geologist for Program Operations who, with the assistance of immediate staff, exercise the general authority delegated by the Director for the planning, execution, and evaluation of programs and the preparation and production of reports and publications. Program Offices located in the Office of the Chief Geologist are responsible for developing national program plans and annual program operational plans, for coordinating and supporting programmatic activities within and outside of the bureau, for conducting program reviews, and for providing recommendations for program funding at the program and project level. Program Offices are led by Program Coordinators who report to the Associate Chief Geologist for Scientific Programs.
3. Field Organizations. The field organization of the division consists of three regional offices.
A. Regional Offices. Regional Offices are located in the eastern United States (headquarters, Reston, Virginia), the central United States (headquarters, Lakewood, Colorado), and the western United States (headquarters, Menlo Park, California). Regional Offices contain the majority of the division work force performing the programmatic activities of the division. Regional Offices also contain publications units that produce or help to prepare most of the division's reports and maps. Regional Offices are led by Regional Geologists who represent the interests of the Chief Geologist in furthering the objectives, policies, and procedures of the division. Regional Geologists have the responsibility for implementing the majority of the programmatic activities of the division and have line management authority for most of the division program staff. They are the principal division contact with State geologic surveys and other State agencies and are responsible for managing regional outreach and educational activities. Regional Geologists represent the Geologic Division on bureau regional councils.
B. Project Offices. Project operations are carried out by personnel located principally in Regional Centers at Reston, Virginia; Denver, Colorado; and Menlo Park, California; and at field centers located at various points across the country.
07/28/95 #3044
Replaces 09/02/87 #2763