USGS Science⌕ Search

SEARCH · USGS Science

Results for “Geologic Investigation”

Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
USGS2002

Investigation of the geology and hydrology of the Coconino Plateau of northern Arizona: a project of the Arizona Rural Watershed Initiative

The water resources of the Coconino Plateau in northern Arizona are under increasing demand as a result of development. The population of this arid region continues to grow, and the number of visitors to the many national and state parks and monuments in the region has increased annually. The sustainability, protection, and maintenance of springs and seeps and associated riparian habitat on the Coconino Plateau are major issues that have broad public and governmental support. Regional stakeholders agree that an improved understanding of the regional hydrogeologic system is needed to address the concerns of water supply and ground-water sustainability. The base of information required to adequately describe the hydrogeology of the Coconino Plateau currently does not exist. Hydrogeologic data is most abundant for large population centers like Flagstaff and Sedona, but is sparse for less populated areas like Williams, Tusayan, Valle, and Cameron. There are still large parts of the Coconino Plateau for which there is no basic geologic or hydrologic information available. In order to develop a hydrogeologic framework for the Coconino Plateau, a comprehensive effort is needs to compile existent data and collect additional data to fill in data gaps and reinforce limited information. In 1999, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began an assessment of the hydrogeology of the Coconino Plateau in cooperation with the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) as part of the Rural Watershed Initiative, a program established by the State of Arizona and managed by the ADWR. Assessments also are underway in the upper-middle Verde River watershed (Woodhouse and others, 2002) to the south and in the Mogollon Highlands to the southeast (Parker and Flynn, 2000). Each study has as its objectives: (1) the collection, compilation, and evaluation of all existing geologic, hydrologic, and related data pertaining to the study area and the creation of a database that is readily accessible to the public and (2) the development of an understanding of the hydrogeologic framework, which is the relation between hydrologic and geologic properties, that can be used for water-resources management purposes and that will support the development of conceptual and interpretive models that can be used to evaluate the effects of climate and water use on regional water resources.

Arizona↗
USGS2000

Investigation of the geology and hydrology of the Mogollon Highlands of central Arizona: a project of the Arizona Rural Watershed Initiative

The Mogollon Highlands of east central Arizona is a region of forested plateau and mountains, deep, sheerwalled canyons, and desert valleys. Known for its scenic beauty and characterized by a generally mild climate, the area, though still sparsely populated, attracts an increasing number of tourists and summer residents. Furthermore, the permanent population is expected to nearly double over the next 50 years. Consequently, there is increased pressure on the water resources of this area for several sometimes conflicting uses. Rational management of water resources is necessary to meet increased domestic requirements while ensuring an adequate supply of water for commercial and agricultural use, for Indian lands, and for preservation of valued environmental elements, including surface waters, riparian woodlands, forest and grassland areas, and wildlife and aquatic habitat. Such management requires an understanding of the relations among different components of the hydrologic system—recharge areas, surface flows, shallow aquifers, deep aquifers, discharge areas, and the regional ground-water flow system—and how each is affected by geology, climate, topography, and human use. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting an assessment of the hydrogeology of the Mogollon Highlands in cooperation with the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The study, funded through the State’s Rural Watershed Initiative program, is one of three assessments being conducted by the USGS. Assessments also are underway in the Upper-Middle Verde River watershed and on the Coconino Plateau. Each study has as its objectives: (1) the collection, compilation, and evaluation of all existing geologic, hydrologic, and related data pertaining to the study area and the creation of a data base that is readily accessible to the public and (2) developing an understanding of the hydrogeologic framework, which is the relation between geologic and hydrologic properties, that can be used for water-- resources management purposes and that will support the development of an interpretive and predictive model to estimate the effects of climate and water use on the sustainability of regional water resources. Although the three contiguous areas in north-central Arizona are being studied separately, a single data base is being constructed from which data on each area can be extracted separately.

Arizona↗
USGS2000

Possible costs associated with investigating and mitigating geologic gazards in rural areas of western San Mateo County, California

This publication consists of a digital map database on a geohazards web site, http://kaibab.wr.usgs.gov/geohazweb/intro.htm, this text, and 43 digital map images available for downloading at this site. The report is stored as several digital files, in ARC export (uncompressed) format for the database, and Postscript and PDF formats for the map images. Several of the source data layers for the images have already been released in other publications by the USGS and are available for downloading on the Internet. These source layers are not included in this digital database, but rather a reference is given for the web site where the data can be found in digital format. The exported ARC coverages and grids lie in UTM zone 10 projection. The pamphlet, which only describes the content and character of the digital map database, is included as Postscript, PDF, and ASCII text files and is also available on paper as USGS Open-File Report 00-127. The full versatility of the spatial database is realized by importing the ARC export files into ARC/INFO or an equivalent GIS. Other GIS packages, including MapInfo and ARCVIEW, can also use the ARC export files. The Postscript map image can be used for viewing or plotting in computer systems with sufficient capacity, and the considerably smaller PDF image files can be viewed or plotted in full or in part from Adobe ACROBAT software running on Macintosh, PC, or UNIX platforms.

California↗
USGS1977

Summaries of selected maps, reports, and presentations on energy resources and marine geology approved for release during 1976 and January-May 1977

The U. S. Geological Survey conducts geological and geophysical investigations to assess the Nation's resources of energy minerals, including those that may be located in offshore areas under United States jurisdiction, to identify environmental hazards that may affect or result from energy mineral development activities on the Outer Continental Shelf, and to investigate other geologic resources of the Nation's offshore areas. This scientific research program is divided among six operating branches: Chemical Resources, Coal Resources, Oil and Gas Resources, Uranium-Thorium Resources, Atlantic-Gulf of Mexico Geology, and Pacific-Arctic Geology. The first four branches are organized as the Office of Energy Resources and the last two form the Office of Marine Geology. The scientists and technical personnel of these branches present the results of their research and mapping in reports of many types. Most of these reports are written for specialists in energy resources or marine geology, but even those reports with a broader scientific appeal may have limited distribution and fail to reach many who have interests in the results. Even those that are disseminated widely do not consistently reach the broad audience for which they are intended. This quarterly describes significant results of the research and mapping that are presented in technical reports prepared by scientists of the six branches, and shows how the results contribute to program objectives and to the advancement of public interests and knowledge. In this issue, we provide brief summaries of selected reports and maps that have been published, are pending publication, or have otherwise been released during 1976 and the first five months of 1977. Subsequent issues will include summaries of other articles published during this period as well as those approved for publication subsequently.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1983

Water-resources investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey in Montana, October 1982 through September 1983

The investigative efforts of the U.S. Geological Survey toward the water resources of Montana are described. Hydrologic information and knowledge of the water resources are gained annd disseminated principally by programs of (1) collecting hydrologic data on a continuing basis, (2) conducting water-resources appraisals of surface and ground water, (3) conducting supportive research in hydrology and related fields, (4) disseminating water data and results of investigations to the public, (5) coordinating acquisition of water data by Federal agencies, and (6) providing technical assistance in hydrologic fields to other government agencies. The Montana district of the U.S. Geological Survey conducts its hydrologic work through a headquarters office in Helena, a subdistrict office in Billings, and field offices in Helena, Fort Peck, and Kalispell. The district employs 67 people to work on 24 funded projects that are organized under the general categories of data-collection programs, problem-oriented studies, areal appraisals, coal-related studies, research projects, and hydrologic studies and research performed under a system of contracts to research organizations. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1973

Simultaneous flow of water and solutes through geological membranes-I. Experimental investigation

The relative retardation by geological membranes of cations and anions generally present in subsurface waters was investigated using a high pressure and high temperature ‘filtration cell’. The solutions were forced through different clays and a disaggregated shale subjected to compaction pressures up to 9500 psi and to temperatures from 20 to 70°C. The overall efficiences measured increased with increase of exchange capacity of the material used and with decrease in concentration of the input solution. The efficiency of a given membrane increased with increasing compaction pressure but decreased slightly at higher temperatures for solutions of the same ionic concentration. The results further show that geological membranes are specific for different dissolved species. The retardation sequences varied depending on the material used and on experimental conditions. The sequences for monovalent and divalent cations at laboratory temperatures were generally as follows: Li < Na < NH 3 < K < Rb < Cs Mg < Ca < Sr < Ba. The sequences for anions at room temperature were variable, but at 70°C, the sequence was: HCO 3 < I < B < SO 4 < Cl < Br. Monovalent cations contrary to some field data were generally retarded with respect to divalent cations. The differences in the filtration ratios among the divalent cations were smaller than those between the monovalent cations. The passage rate of B, HCO 3 , I and NH 3 was greatly increased at 70°C.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗
USGS1981

Current water-resources investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey in North Dakota; fiscal year 1981

The U.S. Geological Survey, through its Water Resources Division, investigates the occurrence, quantity, quality, distribution, and movement of the surface and underground water that composes the Nation's water resources. This publication contains a brief description of the ongoing investigations of the North Dakota District. Much of the Geological Survey program is conducted in cooperation with several state agencies and other Federal agencies. The publications resulting from the program are listed periodically in a miscellaneous release titled, "Water Resources Investigations in North Dakota, 19xx." The last such release was issued in 1976. They are also listed in a monthly nationwide release titled, "New Publications of the Geological Survey, List xxx--Publications issued in month 19xx."

North Dakota↗