1 / 79

North Carolina Geological Survey

North Carolina Geological Survey. Briefing to the Geological Advisory Committee September 13, 2001. Administrative Overview Staffing Budget Customers Products. N.C. Geological Survey -- 2001. N.C. Geological Survey Geological Staff

guinevere
Download Presentation

North Carolina Geological Survey

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. North Carolina Geological Survey Briefing to the Geological Advisory Committee September 13, 2001

  2. Administrative OverviewStaffingBudgetCustomersProducts

  3. N.C. Geological Survey -- 2001

  4. N.C. Geological Survey Geological Staff Charles H. Gardner -- Division Director and State Geologist Kenneth B. Taylor -- Assistant State Geologist and Chief Senior Geologists Rick Wooten -- Engineering Geology and Geohazards Kathleen M. Farrell -- Stratigraphy and Geomorphology Jeffrey Reid -- Minerals and Geographic Info. Systems Carl Merschat -- Geologist in Charge – Mountain Province Bill Hoffman -- Geologist in Charge – Coastal Plain Province Tyler Clark -- Geologist in Charge – Piedmont Province

  5. Geological Staff (continued) John Nickerson -- Project Geologist – Coastal Plain Office Mary Watson -- Project Geologist -- Education/Outreach Coord. Mark Carter -- Project Geologist – Asheville Kenny Gay -- Geologist I Scott Williams -- Geologist I (temp) Bob Brooks -- Geologist I (temp) Support Staff Tonya Merritt – Lead Section Secretary Paula Maynor – Publications and Sales Office Michael Medina – Digital Cartographer Wendy Sposto – Office Assistant Amy Keyworth – Geological Technician II

  6. Expenditures Salaries & Benefits $844,104 (14 FTEs) Contracts $94,133 Purchase Services $57,433 Supplies $55,409 Sales Office S & B $28,065 (1 FTE) Equipment $27,582 Other $14,440 Intergovt Tran. (Rent) $6,062 Sales Office Pur. Ser. $769 Total$1,127,997 Section Budget Fund Sources Appropriations $744,911 Professional services $82,500 sales – maps & pub $71,000 Surplus Equipment $1,000 Rental of Real Property $28,733 Fed Funds – STATEMAP $120,324 Indirect (overhead) cost $8,830 Petty Cash $50 Transfer from DOT $49,113 Transfer from Parks $5,435 Transfer from DWQ $15,000 Total$1,126,896

  7. General Public Individual Citizens Organizations (PNP, Civic , Assoc) Media Customers Groups Academia Research and Education Industry Environmental Resource Engineering Education Teachers Secondary Schools Governments Counties and Municipalities State Agencies Federal Agencies

  8. Geologic Mapping Products and Services Maps, Publications, and Reports GIS and Digital Products Education and Outreach Geohazards, Environmental, and Engineering Geology Studies Resource Evaluation

  9. N. C. Geological Survey Activities Geohazards, Env., and Eng. Geology Rick Wooten Stratigraphy and Geomorphology Kathleen Farrell Mineral Resources and GIS Jeff Reid Public Education and Outreach Mary Watson Mountain Province Investigations Carl Merschat Coastal Plain Province Investigations Bill Hoffman Piedmont Province Investigations Tyler Clark STATEMAP (USGS/NCGS Geologic Tyler Clark Mapping Cooperative)

  10. Richard M. Wooten, P.G.Senior Geologist for Engineering Geology and Geohazards Slope Instability Investigation of Gorges State ParkGeologic Hazards – Engineering /Environmental Studies (e.g. sinkholes, landslides, acidic rock)Geologic Mapping Henderson 100K in STATEMAP

  11. Recent Investigations Occoneechee Mountain Rockslide Phoenix Mine Collapse North State Mine Subsidence

  12. Publications in the Preparation Queue:Lands Creek Debris Flow Occoneechee Mountain RockslideNorth State Mine Report of InvestigationPhoenix Mine Subsidence Report of InvestigationHayesville-Hiawassee Quad. Geologic MapBlock Slides in Weathered Triassic RockDebris Flow Hazards in Western North Carolina: A Preliminary Overview (poster – geologic note)

  13. Dr. Kathleen M. Farrell, P.G. Senior Geologist for Stratigraphy and Geomorphology Current Geomorphic and Stratigraphic Investigations LIZZIE Site Little Contentnea Watershed Coastal Plain Coalition STATEMAP Compilation

  14. Geomorphic/Stratigraphic Investigations: Goals for Coastal Plain • Produce geologic map that is based on geomorphic mapping, subsurface analysis (cores, borehole geophysics, continuous subsurface imaging) and age dates. • Apply new concepts in sequence stratigraphy, and ensure that the Code is appropriately applied to accommodate modern concepts in landscape evolution. • Produce paleogeographic reconstructions from geomorphology.

  15. Current funded projects • Lizzie project: $25,000 from DWQ to characterize 3D geology at Lizzie Research site; complete by Sept. 30, 2001. • 319A project: pending 16 month, $96,000 grant from EPA through DWQ to characterize geology of Little Contentnea Creek Watershed of Neuse River Basin.

  16. NCGS collaboration with DWQ- Ground Water Section and USGS-WRD: Neuse River Basin modeling efforts Unmapped Pliocene-Quaternary terrain

  17. NCGS Role: Collaboration • To provide a conceptual model for the geomorphic and stratigraphic evolution of the Little Contentnea Creek Watershed (10 digit code) of the Neuse River Basin.

  18. Why? • To understand and model the distribution of shallow aquifer-related facies in a complex assemblage of predominantly Pliocene and younger surficial deposits in a low relief area with few outcrops. • To provide a template for planning the pending subsurface field investigation (319A) to confirm, revise, or reject the proposed conceptual model.

  19. Daniels & Gamble 1974 Daniels et al 1966 Scarps

  20. Paleoshorelines: Falling Stage Systems Tract DEM + R.B. Daniels scarps • stairsteps • marine-estuarine terraces • nested dendritic drainages • bay heads

  21. Complex fluvial-estuarine terraces From Arc Info soils coverages: terraces along drainages floodplain Little Contentnea Creek Watershed 319A Investigation

  22. Site – Specific Study Lizzie Research Station Upscaling Little Contentnea Creek Watershed

  23. Surficial units 20 m 16m 12 m Nestedvalley fills Wicomico Plain = interfluve 1 km

  24. Conceptual Model • Modern drainages follow paleovalleys that existed prior to the mid-late ? Pliocene Yorktown transgression. • Interfluves have been relatively fixed in position for this same period. • Paleovalleys and interfluves have distinctly different stratigraphic signatures.

  25. Iterative Process • Provide overview of Neuse R. Basin geomorphology from existing data sets. • Map geomorphology at site specific scale (100 km2 at the Lizzie Research Station. • Analyze the 3D sequence stratigraphic framework at site specific scale (100 km2). • Produce regional (scale = 102 km2), GIS-based, maps of geomorphic features using concepts from site specific studies. • Extrapolate stratigraphic concepts regionally and plan subsurface analysis for model confirmation (319A).

  26. Surry Paleoshoreline at 30 m Wicomico Plain Interfluve Entrenched, nested paleovalleys Contentea Creek Paleovalley

  27. Other Projects • State Map 9 and 10: work with J. Nickerson, K. Gay to compile Raleigh 100K Coastal Plain quads. (Hoffman) • NPS: collaborate with B. Hoffman to construct geomorphic maps of National Parks on coast. (Hoffman) • Finalize coastal atlas project – “Geologic Environments of the Lower Cape Fear River”

  28. Proposed Projects • Continue mapping Coastal Plain sector of Neuse River Basin: 319 B Project - $300,000 3-year project. Probable funding source = EPA. Deadline for submittal is Spring, 2002. • Continue geomorphic and geologic mapping of Cape Fear River Basin beginning with heavily populated New Hanover and Brunswick Counties, includes sinkholes studies. Funding sources sought (possibly FEMA).

  29. Dr. Jeffrey Reid, P.G., C.P.G. Senior Geologist for Minerals and Geographic Information Systems Mineral Investigations Mining Permit Review Public Inquiries Selected GIS Activities Internet Site

  30. Mineral investigations • Abandoned mines (Open-file reports 2000-2 – 2000-7) CD-ROM publication • Glass sand – Richmond Co. (SEGSA Abs.) • Garnet resource – Bakersville area – bench scale beneficiation testing underway at MRL • Building stones of NC – Internet based • Co-author annual State Minerals Chapter with USGS

  31. Mining permit review • Assist LQ section with mine permit review • ~90 reviews per year • Focus is hazards and geochemistry

  32. Public Inquiries Normal ~ 500 per year Special • Uranium in groundwater • Centers for Disease Control • Selenium in groundwater/osteoporosis –UNC Medical School • “Background geochemistry” information requests • Other collaborative opportunities and assist Land Quality with GIS needs

  33. Selected GIS activities • State digital geologic map and hyperlinked reference localities and digital sample photos • Digital aeromagnetic map of N.C. • Digital aerogravity map of N.C. • National Geologic Map database inventory of non-federal geologic maps

  34. Selected GIS (continued) • Metallogenic map of NC • Sand and gravel, and aggregate resource assessment (inc. National Academy of Engineering) • Cartographic support to STATEMAP and other staff • Topographic index map revised, status of mapping report in progress

  35. Internet site“www.geology.enr.state.nc.us” • Maintain and update • Ave. 113,000 total accesses per month Total Website Accesses 1M 500K 1999 2000 2001

  36. Mary Watson Project Geologist – Education and Outreach Coordinator • Project Earth Science • Where have we been? • Current Focus • Vision for the Future

  37. EducationProject Earth Science Project Earth Science is the NCGS program designed to provide relevant and accurate earth science information for the state's high school students and Earth/Environmental science teachers. Project Earth Science consists of curriculum and professional development programs that meet the Department of Public Instruction's competency-based curriculum objectives.

  38. Where have we been? • Collaborative Projects • DENR, Mining Commission, Industry • Talking Rocks Trail • Mining Commission, DENR, NC DPI, UNC system • North Carolina Rock Kit Project (850,000 reached) • NC DPI • Earth/Environmental ScienceCurriculum for grades 9-12, N. C. Standard Course of Study. • Earth/Environmental Science Reference Tables and Support Documents for grades 9-12, N. C. Standard Course of Study

  39. Outreach • School Programs, Public Programs, Workshops and Field Trips (113,358 teachers, students and citizens reached) • Service • Member of the N. C. Leadership Network for Earth Science Teachers advisory board. • Member of the EarthView advisory board. • Designate for Department of Environment & Natural Resources Strategic Planning Environmental Awareness/Outreach Team • Board member of Education and Industry Committee for Earth Science in N. C.

  40. Current Focus • Shift to education curriculum development • Since Spring 2000 semester, NSF Graduate Research Trainee fellow in earth science education and instructional technology • Inquiry Teaching and Learning of Earth/Environmental Science Concepts using Mapping and New Technologies • A new inquiry-based curriculum about maps, for grades 9-12. The curriculum will support the Earth/Environmental Science course and feature the state's physiography and geology. A digital version will be developed to be served on-line.

  41. Rock Kits for grades 9-12 • Redesign our popular Rock Kit project for grades 9-12. This version is a full kit of mineral and rock specimens plus a inquiry based curriculum activities, data sheets and background materials keyed to the standard course of study. • Service • Maintain the listserv that serves the state's earth science teachers by informing them of workshops, current events, currents ideas and practices in education. • Coordinate the National Association of Geology Teachers Outstanding Earth Science Teachers' Award. • Compiled Resources That Support The Earth/ Environmental Science Requirement For North Carolina Schools • Handle inquiries about education (~30/month)

  42. Vision for the future • Research our clients • Develop NCGS Education GIS project that allows us to track needs and developments over time and to identify those teachers needing but not yet receiving materials and assistance. • Expansion • Obtain funding for this position for travel, professional development and intern.

  43. Write grants to obtain funding to provide our current and future clients with the resources and training they need to successfully implement the Earth /Environmental science curriculum. • Collaboration • Integrate education function with other key functions of NCGS. • Map/Pub Sales • Added items to our stock especially for the teachers: This Dynamic Planet poster, Dynamic Planet booklet, Time and Terrain map, Geology of the Solar System map. Looking at AGI curricula.   • Fund "scholarship" program for the teachers where we issue coupons good for any of the items we sell.

  44. Geology and Mapping • We need to help our earth science teachers understand better how to interpret a geologic map. I propose to develop a series of inquiry investigations aligned with new and published mapping and write grants to conduct workshops to train teachers about their use and value in teaching community geology. • Geohazards • Develop Rick's debris flow hazards poster into a Web resource for educators • GIS/data • Create coverages based on our three years of teacher surveys. This data will uncover how we can better serve the teachers based on what they tell us they want from our agency. • Resource Evaluation • Assist Jeff with Mineral Atlas Web resource for teachers.

  45. Carl Merschat, P.G. Geologist in Charge – Mountain Province MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE ASHEVILLE OFFICEGeologic InvestigationsGeologic Mapping and Mineral Resources InvestigationsBent Creek - US Forest ServiceGorges State Park - Division of Parks and RecreationSTATEMAP - US Geological SurveyBlue Ridge Parkway - National Park Service

  46. Service and InformationTechnical assistance to State and Federal AgenciesDivision of Parks and Recreation - Mount Mitchell, South Mountains, Crowders Mountain, Hanging Rock, Mount Jefferson, and New River.US Forest Service - Selected areas of Nantahala and Pisgah National ForestsN.C. State's Mineral Research Laboratory - sampling, identification, and joint projects

  47. Primary source of geologic information for the citizens of western North Carolina - average about 500 requests per year: (most common inquiries are)Rock and mineral identification, mining activities and mineral resource potential, site assessment for geologic hazards, and potential for potable water.Public educationPublications - Bulletin 98 (BRP), Geologic Note (Geology of Yancey County)Activities - classroom visits, teacher institutes, fieldtripsAffiliate office of the Earth Science Information Center

More Related