Geologic Mapping in the western United States

Geologic Mapping in the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

STATEMAP and EDMAP components

Welcome! This page gives information on studies currently underway by State and University partners in the U.S. Geological Survey's National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (known respectively as the Statemap and Edmap components).

State Geologist: Mr. Milton A. Wiltse (907) 451-5050

Under the STATEMAP Program, the Alaska Geological Survey is doing detailed 1:63,360 scale geologic mapping in parts of the Rampart and Hot Springs mining district. The mapping of the Tenana B-1 quadrangle is approximately equivalent to four 1:24,000 scale quadrangles. Digital compilation of the detailed mapping will be done in the McGrath quadrangle at 1:100,000 scale.

The purpose of the detailed geologic mapping is to investigate gold, tin, and other mineral occurrences in support of exploitation that will be economically beneficial to the region and its habitants. The digital compilation is important to assessing the mineral resources including oil and gas.

State Geologist: Dr. Larry D. Fellows (520) 770-3500

Under the STATEMAP Program, the Arizona Geological Survey will be producing both detailed 7.5 minute maps and 1:100,000 scale maps as well as digitizing existing geologic data. The 1:100,000 scale quadrangles to be digitized are the Salome, Little Horn Mountains, Phoenix North, and Phoenix South. The new mapping will be done in the Theodore Roosevelt Lake quadrangle at 1:100,000 scale and new mapping in the Morman Flat Dam and Horse Mesa Dam 1:24,000 quadrangles.

Several important needs are addressed by the new mapping including: groundwater issues, flood plain planning, swelling soils, land-use planning, earthquake faults, subsidence, and landfill siting. An important need for up-to-date digital, standardized geologic map data exists to address many urban problems and urban growth.

Professor: Steven J. Reynolds (602) 965-9049

Student: Steve Wood and Sarah Robinson

Under the EDMAP Program, the Arizona State University will produce both Quaternary and bedrock geologic maps at 1:24,000 scale. Bedrock and surficial mapping will be focused on the White Tank Mountains, and include parts of five 7.5 minute quadrangles: White Tank Mountain Southwest, Valencia, Wagner Wash Well, Daggs Tank, and White Tank Mountains, Northeast.

The White Tank Mountains contain an important and not fully studied record of the Proterozoic and Cretaceous-Tertiary geologic history of central Arizona located near the rapidly growing Phoenix metropolitan region. The purposes and goals of the bedrock and Quaternary geologic mapping are naturally different, but the two studies will together provide a 1:24,000 geologic map of the entire range and its piedmont.

State Geologist: Dr. James F. Davis (916) 445-1923

Under the STATEMAP Program, the California Department of Conservation is undertaking detailed 1:24,000 scale geologic mapping northeast of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area and compilation and digitizing in the Long Beach area. The detailed quadrangles are the El Monte, Baldwin Park, and San Dimas. Digital compilation is in the Long Beach 1:100,000 scale quadrangle.

No other place in the United States are so many people confronted with so many geologic hazards and earth science related problems as in California. High quality geologic maps are needed to address problems related to earthquakes, landslides, flooding, land use planning, and hazard mitigation.

Professor: Ray Weldon, II (541) 346-4584

Student: Miles Kenney

Under the EDMAP Program, the University of Oregon is undertaking detailed geologic mapping in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Two quadrangles along different segments of the San Andreas fault will be mapped, the Mecca Hills and Mescal Creek 7.5 minute quadrangles.

This work is very important and the link between science and society is close. Obviously, trying to unravel the San Andreas fault history has impact on millions of citizens. Furthermore, the science of working out the complex fault tectonics is some of the most challenging structural geology known! This project is coordinated with the USGS Southern California Areal Mapping Project (SCAMP).

Professor: Phil Kern (619) 594-6443

Student: Paul Majors (603) 795-4930

Under the EDMAP Program, the San Diego State University will be producing a Quaternary geologic map in coastal San Diego County. The Quaternary mapping at 7.5 minute scale is the National City 7.5 minute quadrangle.

In the study area the Quaternary shorelines and associated geomorphic and stratigraphic features are deformed in the National City quadrangle by numerous faults in the La Nacion fault zone. Mapping of this quadrangle thus will also provide valuable information bearing on documentation of earthquake hazard in metropolitan San Diego, as has mapping of adjacent quadrangles in the Rose Canyon fault zone.

State Geologist: Mr. Earl H. Bennett (208) 885-7991

Under the STATEMAP Program, the Idaho Geological Survey is mapping three 7.5 minute quadrangles and portions of five others and is compiling digitally three 1:100,000 scale geologic maps. This project will complete the 1:24,000-scale surficial geologic maps for the following quadrangles in the three project areas: Buhl, Pocatello North, Rathdrum, southern portions of the Liberty Lake and Newman Lake. Compilation of 1:100,000 scale Pocatello, Lake Walcott, & Twin Falls quadrangles will be completed.

The bedrock and surficial 7.5 minute geologic maps are centered on Idaho's urban areas and will be used by city and county planners, construction and geotechnical companies, and the general public as construction related to rapid growth places greater demands on the natural resources of the area.

The digital mapping is part of an effort to develop a digital geologic map data base for the State of Idaho. By law, the Idaho Geological Survey is the lead State agency for the collection, interpretation, and dissemination of all geologic and minerals data for Idaho. As the compilation process progresses, this expertise will be fully utilized in editing the maps and in resolving stratigraphic and map interpretation problems.

Professor: David W. Rodgers (208) 236-3365

Student: Nadine McQuarrie

Under the EDMAP Program, the Idaho State University has selected the Inkom 7.5 Minute Quadrangle as a high priority. This quadrangle is within the Pocatello 1:100,000 scale map that has been chosen by the Idaho State Geological Survey for its USGS STATEMAP focus.

The Inkom Quadrangle contains type sections of several late Proterozoic formations as well as structures that formed during Mesozoic thrusting and Cenozoic extension. Mapping will identify the geometry and kinematics of Mesozoic and Cenozoic deformation and characterize the age and distribution of Cenozoic sediments in the valleys in order to better understand the dynamics of the Portneuf Valley aquifer, the sole source of water for the city of Pocatello.

State Geologist: Dr. Jonathan G. Price (702) 784-6691

Under the STATEMAP Program, the Nevada Geological Survey is undertaking 7.5' detailed geologic mapping. The mapping of the three 7.5' quadrangles will be done in three projects: (1) Tuscarora area (Mt. Blitzen), (2) Las Vegas area (Tule Springs Park quadrangle), and (3) Reno area (Griffith Canyon quadrangle).

These projects strike a balance in addressing the major socioeconmic issues of the State, including growth in Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City, the State's largest urban areas, and mineral development and the environmental impact of mining in northeastern Nevada, one of the world's premier mineral belts. Nevada is currently the fastest growing State in the Nation. Las Vegas is the fastest growing urban area in the U.S., and the Reno-Carson City area is in the top 10%. Detailed geologic maps are needed to plan growth and to avoid the many problems that typically affect areas of rapid growth.

Professor: David Weide (702) 895-3118

Student: Jody Zuckerman

Under the EDMAP Program, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas will be mapping immediately north of Las Vegas, Nevada in the Gas Peak Southwest 7.5 minute quadrangle.

This quadrangle is important because the area will ultimately be urbanized as part of the rapid growth of Las Vegas. Local planners will use the map to identify potential geologic hazards from floods, neotectonic faults, swelling soils, and areas of subsidence.

State Geologist: Donald A. Hull (503) 731-4100

Under the STATEMAP Program, the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries is conducting both detailed 7.5 minute mapping and digitizing and compiling at 1:100,000 scale. Detailed geologic maps are being done of the Medford, LaGrande, and Eugene quadrangles. Digital compilation maps to be completed are the Vale, Mahogany Mountain, and Bend quadrangles.

Numerous critical needs are addressed by the 7.5 minute mapping including groundwater, seismicity, slope suitability, mineral resources, ecosystem management, and urban planning. Natural resource management and land-use planning are the chief issues addressed by the 1:100,000 scale map compilation.

State Geologist: Dr. M. Lee Allison (801) 467-7970

Under the STATEMAP Program, the Utah Geological Survey will compile existing mapping of three 1:100,000 scale quadrangles and will be performing new geologic mapping in both 7.5 minute quadrangles and 1:100,000 quadrangles. The 1:100,000 scale quadrangles are the Smoky Mountain, Delta, and LaSalle. The detailed geologic mapping is in the Harrisburg Junction, White Hills, and Spanish Fork 7.5 minute quadrangles. Additionally, new mapping in the Ogden 1:100,000 sheet will also be done.

The mapping on this project addresses numerous socioeconomic issues, some of these include: the impact of coal mining near recreation and wilderness areas; economic interest in petroleum, salt, metals, and gravel; and impact of recreational areas on vulnerable archaeological features and endangered flora and fauna. Also, the geologic map data will be used to evaluate earthquake, slope failure, problem soils, and threatened groundwater resources.

State Geologist: Mr. Raymond Lasmanis (360) 902-1450

Under the STATEMAP Program, the Washington Geological Survey is undertaking both detailed 7.5 minute mapping and 1:100,000 scale geologic map compilation. The 7.5 minute maps are the Deming, Kendall, and Mead quadrangles. The 1:100,000 digital maps are: Astoria, Centralia, Chehalis River, Ilwaco, Mount Baker, Mount St. Helens, Port Townsend, Priest Rapids, Richland, Sauk River, Seattle, Skykomish River, Snoqualmie Pass, Spokane, Tacoma (south half), Vancouver, and Westport.

The detailed geologic mapping will address critical needs that are associated with important land use decisions regarding landslides, earthquake hazards, groundwater supply, and mineral potential. Indian land-use is also an issue. The 1:100,000 scale digital maps are extremely useful in slope stability analysis, ecosystem management, watershed analysis, pollution evaluations, geo hazard prediction, mineral exploration and archaeological evaluations.

Professor: Derek Booth (206) 543-7923

Student: Cathy Troost

Under the EDMAP Program, the University of Washington will produce geologic maps of four adjacent quadrangles through the central part of Pierce County, Washington. The 7.5 minute quadrangles to be mapped include: Tacoma North and Tacoma South, Steilacoom, and Puyallup.

The eastern part of the proposed study area has been identified as the fastest growing part of Pierce County for residential, commercial, and industrial development. The western part of the proposed study area includes several known contamination plumes in the shallow and deep aquifers. Accurate geologic maps and descriptions of the surficial geology and subsurface stratigraphy are essential for resolution of groundwater contamination issues, groundwater protection, and sighting new developments.

The URL for this page is: <http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/wgmt/stateedmap.html>
Page Maintained by: dmiller@isdmnl.wr.usgs.gov
Last Modified: 22 August 1997