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![STATE GEOLOGIST OFFICE LOGO](images/rigslogo.gif)
Rhode Island Geological Survey
9 East
Alumni Ave., 314 Woodward Hall
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881
401.874.2191/2265
V 401.874.2190 F
rigsurv@etal.uri.edu
Mission
The mission of the Rhode Island Geological
Survey and the Rhode Island State Geologist is to provide the people of Rhode
Island with quality geologic information to facilitate informed decision-making
for natural resource management, economic development, conservation planning,
and regulation; to provide public assistance; and to promote education.
The Geological Survey will map, assess, inventory and interpret Rhode Islands
geology. The Geological Survey will support its mission by using
computerized geographic information systems and databases, and by publishing
maps and reports, including map publication on demand.
Background
Until 1985 Rhode Island had no formally designated State Geologist.
Alonzo W. Quinn served as de facto State Geologist for many decades (1940-1977)
but was not named officially. Robert L. McMaster was appointed Associate State
Geologist for Marine Affairs (1975-1985) but no State Geologist was named. In
1985 the Governor appointed J. Allan Cain State Geologist, working through the
Statewide Planning Program (now Division of Planning). In 1996 Cain resigned and
was replaced by Jon C. Boothroyd, who established the State Geological Survey.
Rhode Island Geology Programs
The Rhode Island Geological Survey supports programs in the following areas:
- Coastal geology - including Block Island Sound,
Narragansett Bay and Little Narragansett Bay; with an emphasis on management
of coastal geologic hazards and placement of dredged materials.
- Hydrogeology - including groundwater and surface
water and contaminant cleanup
- Glacial geology
- including mapping of surficial
deposits with the goal of producing a Quaternary Geologic Map of Rhode Island
- Bedrock geology - including an update of the
Bedrock Geologic Map of Rhode Island
- Environmental geology - combines aspects of the
first four programs; an example was a study of radon in water and
surficial materials and its bedrock source
- Economic geology - combines aspects of all the
programs including sand and gravel resources, bedrock quarries, aquifer
use, and sustainable development of the shoreline.
- Professional Service
- includes conveying geologic information to other State agencies for use in
management and regulatory decisions.
- Education - including K-12 classroom initiatives
and providing information to citizen organizations and groups in the state.
- Public Outreach - including identification of
rocks and minerals, fossil specimens, and providing other general geologic
information to individual citizens of the state.
Publications
- Maps -
Digital Data
- Links
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