Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy Division of Mineral Resources

1
Department of Mines, Minerals and EnergyDivision
of Mineral Resources

• Virginias geological survey since 1835

2

• Key Responsibilities
• Geologic Mapping
• Mineral Resource Studies
• Geohazards
• Geologic Research
• Development of underlying geologic framework
• Maintain Repositories and Archives
• Publish and Disseminate Geo-Information
• Act as geologic advisors to state agencies

DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
3

• Accurate elevation data and topo maps are
  essential for geologic studies
• Topographic maps provide the base upon which
  geologic maps are created
• Allows three-dimensional calculations of features
• Rock formations, contacts, faults, ore bodies,
  overburden, trends, etc

DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
4

• DMR Criteria for Useful/Ideal Elevation Data
• Bare-earth digital elevation data
• High resolution
• Scalable
• Ability to generate contours to USGS standards
• Can reacquire periodically for monitoring change
• Defines detailed features on steep slopes
• Detects holes, pits, and local subsidence
• Detects faults and other linear trends

DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
5
1962-72 DMR/USGS co-op program expanded Virginia
124,000 topographic map coverage from 10 to
100.
DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
6
The updates are photorevisions that updated the
culture but not the contours
DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
7
Existing topographic contours useless in areas of
rapid man-made alteration such as coal mining
DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
8
DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
9
TVA did not use the same standards as the USGS
when creating contours and topographic maps.
DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
10

• Additional DMR Uses for
• Detailed Digital Elevation Data

• Geohazards
• Mineral Resource Studies
• Geologic Mapping

DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
11
Geohazards

• Mapping of slope susceptibility to landslides and
  debris flows

• Improved mapping of historical landslides and
  debris flows

DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
12

• 1969 Nelson Co
• Occurred at night
• 150 Dead
• 116 million property damage
• 1995 Madison Co
• Occurred during the work day
• 1 Dead
• 100 million property damage

DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
13
Nelson County - 1969 Hurricane Camille
DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
14
North Carolina Landslide Hazards Program In
2004, Hurricanes Frances and Ivan triggered
landslides in NCs western mountains. Impact 5
deaths 16 homes destroyed 140 total
landslides Response a series of digital county
maps to enable communities to evaluate and reduce
the risks of building homes and other structures
in landslide-prone areas of the NC mountains.
High-resolution LiDAR and post-hurricane
imagery, along with decades of previous soil and
geologic mapping are critical data sets needed to
make the maps.
DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
15
Geohazards

• Mapping of slope susceptibility to landslides and
  debris flows

• Improved mapping of historical landslides and
  debris flows

• Assessment of unstable slopes above surface water
  impoundments in coalfields, and others

• Assess potential for blowouts from underground
  coal mines

• Subsidence related to mining

• Karst-related sinkholes and potential for their
  development

DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
16
Mineral Resource Studies

• Accurate locations of coal outcrop lines
• Accurate locations of surface mines
• Accurate surface elevations for 3D modeling of SW
  VA coalfield
• Mapping surface fracture systems impacting
  production and safety
• 3D models aid planning for drilling coalbed
  methane and unconventional gas targets

• Improve Mine Rescue Planning
• Assessment of trends and controls of mineral
  occurrences

DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
17
Reclamation of Abandoned Mine Lands
Elevation data is necessary to assess the
difference between current and Approximate
Original Ground contours, as required by SMCRA
Before and after photographs of Straight Hollow
Gob Pile Project
DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
18
Accurate elevation data enable volumetric
calculations of spoil piles, tailings, and valley
fills, reducing the cost of reclamation to state
and the operator.
19

• Geologic Mapping
• Identification and accurate location of contacts,
  faults, other surface features
• Differentiation between surface and bedrock
  geology
• Accurate DEM provides greater regional
  perspective and improves planning and
  effectiveness of fieldwork
• Mapping the geologic framework that is essential
  for groundwater characterization studies
• Reviews of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
• Coastal erosion and beach re-nourishment

DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
20
Figure 4 A from 2006 article Mapping Active
Faults in the Houston Area Using LIDAR by
Richard Engelkemeir, Shuhab Khan, and Carl Norman
University of Texas
21
Figure 4 B from 2006 article Mapping Active
Faults in the Houston Area Using LIDAR by
Richard Engelkemeir, Shuhab Khan, and Carl Norman
University of Texas
22

• DMRs Interest Summary
• We are seeking an optimal mix of available tools
  and processes that will provide elevation data at
  an appropriate level of scientific accuracy and
  cost effectiveness to fulfill our mission.
• DMRs highest priorities for elevation data are
  
• Blue Ridge Mtns
• SW Virginia coalfield
• Valley Ridge karst terrains
• Acquire as soon as possible.
• Possible pilot test in one or more of above areas.

DMME - Division of Mineral Resources
23
DMME - Division of Mineral Resources