DO GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAMS IN THE U'S' AS PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED MEET PRESSING SOCIETAL NEEDS

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DO GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAMS IN THE U.S. AS
PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED MEET PRESSING SOCIETAL
NEEDS?

• Don McKay
• Illinois State Geological Survey
• Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability
• mckay_at_isgs.illinois.edu

Geological Society of America Portland,
Oregon October 17, 2009
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Overview

• Objectives of geologic mapping
• Ongoing programs and progress
• Are programs reaching objectives?
• A role for geologic mapping coalitions
• Charge Make 3-D more than our secret!

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National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program
(NCGMP)
Mission To provide reliable geologic maps and
subsurface frameworks that contribute to
sustaining and improving the quality of life and
economic vitality of the Nation and mitigating
hazardous events and conditions.
A 3-D geologic framework is the integrator of
geoscience information.
Source NCGMP 2009
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Geologic Mapping Programs

• NCGMP
• Since 1992
• Components
• STATEMAP (mapping by state geological surveys)
• EDMAP
• FEDMAP
• Regional Coalitions and Federal Initiatives (NEW)
• Funding (steady and not growing)
• Progress (steady but slow)
• Other mapping in the U.S.
• County and local funds or special projects
  appropriations
• Mainly surficial mapping some 3-D
• Innovative approaches using 3-D
• U.S. Midwest and elsewhere
• International 3-D mapping!
• U. K., Netherlands, Australia, France, Canada,
  Germany, Finland...

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NCGMP Approach

• Mainly bedrock or surficial geology
• 124K and 1100K
• Standard map product
• Map sheet and inset maps
• Cross section(s)
• Explanation and supplemental text
• Digital graphics and sometimes data
• 3-D is a minor component so far

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STATEMAP FUNDING 1993-2009
43 to 47 States Participating
Source NCGMP 2009
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Number of 124K maps funded annually by NCGMP
gt55,000 7.5-min. quads. in the U.S. lower 48 110
yr. _at_ 500 quads/yr.
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Total funding to State Surveys since
1993 81,135,816 Matched for
Source NCGMP 2009
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National Geologic Map Database of Area Mapped
Source NCGMP 2009
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The Fourth NCGMP Component

• Regional Mapping Coalitions
• e.g. Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Coalition
  (GLGMC)
• IL, IN, MI, MN, NY, OH, PA, WI
• Insert funding and 3-D into the NCGMP
• Coalitions are managed as Statemap projects are.
• State geological surveys are eligible
• Dollar for dollar match
• 50 - 4 - 46 split (Fedmap-Edmap-Statemap)
• Annual funding cycle and product delivery
• Oversight by NCGMP staff
• Federal Initiatives requiring geologic mapping
• e.g. Water Census

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The GLGMC seeks to map near-surface (glacial)
geology of select areas in 3-D

• 3-D mapping is needed
• especially near cities where
• Growth has been concentrated.
• Natural resource demands are large.
• Economic development is (can be) rapid.
• Human health and safety issues are potentially
  severe.
• Environmental problems are long-standing and
  widespread.
• Consequences of decisions made in ignorance are
  serious.

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3-D Approach is Optimum for

• Geologic data
• Integration
• Visualization
• Analysis
• Interpretation
• Geologic framework
• Synthesis
• Representation
• Refinement
• Technology transfer
• Input to other models, e.g. groundwater flow
  transport
• Presentation
• Communication to non-scientists
• Intuitive understanding

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Knik Glacier, AK
Bylot Island, Canada
ice
Complex glacial sedimentary environments
sediment
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Glaciated Terrain Demands Subsurface Exploration

• In glacial terrain
• Surficial features dont allow prediction of
  subsurface
• unit character, composition, continuity, depth
  or
• thickness
• Strike and dip are useless
• Facies changes are abrupt
• Erosion surfaces are common
• Structural deformation may be intense

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A State-Federal Partnership since 1997
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Input from map users indentified issues
Stakeholder Forums 1997 1999 2001 2002
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Maps Required to Meet Decision Makers Needs
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Input from map users identifies priority areas
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Congressional Interactions
Coalition members and stakeholders carry the
message to Washington! 1997-2009
Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Coalition
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Hill Visits 2009

• Congressional offices of 6 of 8 Coalition states
• 89 meetings
• Multi-state Congressional delegation letters
  (House Senate)
• Interior Appropriations Staff (Senate and House)
• OSTP, Executive Office of the President
• Office of Management and Budget
• Department of the Interior

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GLGMC delivers maps
5 miles
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Where needed the GLGMC maps the subsurface
using 3-D tools
NW Lake Co.
3-D Geologic model of Quaternary deposits, Lake
Co., IL
aquitards
aquifers
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Drift Thickness
Bedrock Topography
Derivative subsurface maps
Aquifer Extent
Depth to Aquifer
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Adopt New Technology
Projected 3-D image
DEM and DOQ
Seismic profile
Source Virtalis
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Borehole records coded for lithotype, Lake Co.,
IL,
Buried ice-marginal delta
Source Virtalis
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What next?

• 3-D Workshops
• 2001 2002 2004 2005 2007 2009 ...
• 3-D tools, techniques, and products that were
  novel in 2001 are increasingly sophisticated.
• The technology and expertise are maturing.
• The world community of 3-D practitioners is
  interconnected and growing.
• The 3-D approach is a natural evolution of
  geological mapping
• Arent we ready to implement it widely?
• Who better than the practitioners to help take
  3-D to the next step?

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Charge

• Make 3-D more than our secret.
• Be a factor in making 3-D geologic modeling
  mapping the approach of choice.
• Share 3-D technology and resources.
• Network with others using 3-D approaches.
• Promote broader awareness of the need for 3-D.
• Demonstrate the value of 3-D by applying it
  regularly.
• Form or join a mapping coalition.
• Identify and involve stakeholders.
• Contact Congress Administration.
• Seek to increase funding of the NCGMP.
• Support your Geological Survey and Coalition.

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Acknowledgements

• Illinois State Geological Survey
• Dick Berg, Steve Brown, Don Keefer, Jason
  Thomason
• Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability -
  UIUC
• Bill Shilts
• GLGMC Member states
• Indiana - John Steinmetz
• Ohio - Larry Wickstrom
• Michigan - Hal Fitch
• Pennsylvania - Jay Parrish
• New York - Bill Kelly
• Minnesota - Harvey Thorliefson
• Wisconsin - Jamie Robertson
• USGS
• Randy Orndorff
• Dave Soller
• Jim McNeil
• NCGMP team