297 Earth Anatomy Revealed: Geologic Mapping for Our Future

Wednesday, 25 October 2017
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Ballroom 6A

THE STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ROLE IN GEOLOGIC MAPPING NEEDED BY THE NATION

Paper number: 297-5
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:24 AM – 8:34 AM

Authors

  • Steven Masterman Presenting Author
    Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, AK

Abstract

State Geologists recognize that geologic mapping is a core activity for geological surveys that underpins geoscience as a whole. Managers of energy, minerals, water, hazards, climate change, environment, waste, and engineering projects increasingly rely on and need high quality 2-D and 3-D geologic maps, increasingly in electronic formats and platforms. It has been shown that investments in geological mapping return benefits including lives saved, resources discovered, costs avoided, increased efficiency, and fundamental understanding. The Association of American State Geologists (AASG) therefore is very active in supporting geologic mapping. We are pleased to maintain a close partnership and coordination with the US Geological Survey. While USGS has a broad mandate, a budget of >$1B, and ~10,000 staff, state geological surveys individually have more limited mandates, total funding of $230M, and ~1900 staff. State Geologists played an active role in passage of the National Geologic Mapping Act (NGMA) in 1992, and have worked closely with USGS in the management of the NCGMP for the past 25 years. This close relationship continues, with State Geologists recently pleased to work closely with the USGS to produce a new decadal strategic plan for NCGMP. The close relationships state geological surveys have with geoscientists in their state, and the broad geographic distribution of state surveys, places them in a unique position of collectively understanding the geologic mapping needs across the nation from the local to regional perspective. The close relationship between the AASG and numerous federal organizations provides a venue to communicate these needs to the federal agencies. Mapping needs vary across the nation both spatially and temporally, necessitating a flexibility in meeting these changing demands, and continued close relationships with our federal colleagues to communicate changing mapping priorities. State Geologists and the state geological surveys will remain highly engaged, active and effective in responding to the needs of people across the nation, by providing geologic maps that underpin the full spectrum of geoscience needs.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2017AM-297648

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