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At least 721 records · Page 40Linked to original sources

Lithofacies and sequence stratigraphic description of the upper part of the Avon Park Formation and the Arcadia Formation in U.S. Geological Survey G–2984 test corehole, Broward County, Florida

Rock core and sediment from U.S. Geological Survey test corehole G–2984 completed in 2011 in Broward County, Florida, provide an opportunity to improve the understanding of the lithostratigraphic, sequence stratigraphic, and hydrogeologic framework of the intermediate confining unit and Floridan aquifer system in southeastern Florida. A multidisciplinary approach including characterization of sequence stratigraphy, lithofacies, ichnology, foraminiferal paleontology, depositional environments, porosity, and permeability was used to describe the geologic samples from this test corehole. This information has produced a detailed characterization of the lithofacies and sequence stratigraphy of the upper part of the middle Eocene Avon Park Formation and Oligocene to middle Miocene Arcadia Formation. This enhancement of the knowledge of the sequence stratigraphic framework is especially important, because subaerial karst unconformities at the upper boundary of depositional cycles at various hierarchical scales are commonly associated with secondary porosity and enhanced permeability in the Floridan aquifer system.

Florida↗

Tests and researches on building stones

In 1941, the "Association Francaise de Normalisation" (French Association of Standardization) decided to create a Commission for the purpose of writing out a standard for building stones. When this Commission met under the chairmanship of Mr. Pol Abraham, Architect, they realized how far behind was our precise technical knowledge of this kind of material, and found the necessity of determining exactly the testing and acceptance methods. They expressed the wish that a careful study of the subject be entrusted to a specialized laboratory. This wish was received by the Ministry of Production, which, after an agreement with the competent organizing committees, entrusted our laboratory with this work. The main object was to establish the difficulty of stone-cutting in order to permit a classification of the stones according to the difficulty met when working them up into shape, to refer the other technical properties of the stones to this property, and finally to see what relation exists between the figures obtained. To this end nine stones were chosen by the Commission, from the hardest to the softest: Hauteville, Comblanchien, spotted Larrys, yellow Massangis rock, Euville rock, fine-grained Lavoux, soft Maximin rock, "banc royal" Mery, and "bane royal" Billy. Each type of stone included three large blocks of 0.75 by 0.75 by 0.5 meters to be dressed by hand by specialized workmen, the difficulty of stone-cutting being determined by the time spent for the dressing and preparation of the surfaces. After this operation, detail of which will be given later, we had an important quantity of material which we were to use to the best advantage. I thought that it would be interesting to determine on each one the maximum of physical, chemical and mechanical tests in order not only to be able to compare them in precise conditions, but also to set up each sample as a standard intended for future studies. In other words, each element in the mentioned list must, in my mind, be able to serve in the future as reference to which we will compare the other kinds of calcareous stones used for building. As all the available material was not used, we were able to keep some as a reserve in case later comparisons would be necessary.

Open-File Report↗

Results of pumping test, city well four, Pullman, Washington

The Geological Survey, on July 10, 1957, was requested by the Washington State Department of Conservation to participate in a pumping test to be made by the city of Pullman on their city well 4, scheduled to begin July 15, 1957. The area was visited on July 11 by Mr. Holmberg, and on July 14 by Mr. Foxworthy, both of the Geological Sruvey. Measurements of water level on city well 4 and on nearby wells were continued by them onto July 16. Results of the pumping test are described in this report, and tabulation of water-level measurement, hydrographs, and descriptions of pertinent wells are included.

Washington↗

Interim geological investigations in the U12e.04 tunnel, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada

The Ul2e.04 tunnel is a part of the Ul2e tunnel system, which has been driven southwestward beneath Rainier Mesa in the northern part of the Nevada Test Site. The Ul2e.04 tunnel was driven about S. 15? W. in zeolitic tuff of subunits E and F of Tunnel Bed W near the top of the lower member of the Indian Trail Formation (upper Miocene or lower Pliocene). Dolomite of Paleozoic age lies about 915 feet below the end of the tunnel; vertical cover over the end of the tunnel to the surface of Rainier Mesa is about 1,390 feet. The tuffs in the tunnel strike almost north-south and dip to the west. There are several normal northwest-trending faults with vertical to steep dips and small displacements. The predominant joint set strikes northwest and dips mostly vertically or steeply to the northeast. Petrographically and chemically the tuffs in the U12e.04 tunnel are similar to other tuffs of the Indian Trail Formation from the Nevada Test Site, The tuffs in the tunnel have an average porosity of 38.6 percent, dry bulk density of 1.46 g/cc (grams per cubic centimeter), grain density of 2.38 g/cc, water content of 20.7 percent by weight. Shore hardness of 25.1, and unconfined compressive strength of 4,400 psi (pounds per square inch). Separately, the tuffs from the chamber at the end of the tunnel have an average porosity of 36.8 percent, dry bulk density of 1.51 g/cc, grain density of 2.38 g/cc, water content of 20.0 percent by weight, Shore hardness of 27.2 and unconfined compressive strength of 4,500 psi. An NX-size cored hole was drilled from the surface of Rainier Mesa into the Ul2e.04 chamber.

Open-File Report↗

Tests of crest-stage gage intakes

Various types of c rest-stage gages have been used by the Geological Survey. Most installations consist of a vertically mounted metal pipe, a wooden rod, an intake device, and a small amount of granulated cork. These gages are placed where elevations of flood crests are desired. Water rising and then falling in the gage leaves a high-water mark of granulated cork on the wooden rod. The elevation of this mark can be determined at a date subsequent to the date of the crest. It has been found that the high-water mark left on the rod may not represent the true elevation of the flood crest in the stream at the gage site. The difference between the true elevation of the crest at the gage and the recorded elevation will be designated drawdown if the recorded elevation is less than the true elevation, or pileup if the recorded elevation is greater than the true elevation. Tests of drawdown and pileup effects have been made in the past by Survey personnel and others. (See p. 8.) These investigations have sometimes brought forth conflicting results, probably due to the varied conditions under which the gages were tested. The purpose of this investigation was (1) to determine the pileup and drawdown characteristics of the intakes now being used by the Survey and (2) to design a better intake if existing models were found unsuitable. It was further prescribed that any new design that might result should be easily fabricated from standard pipe fittings, and should be unaffected by pileup or drawdown in excess of 0.1 foot for velocities up to about 8 feet per second.

Open-File Report↗

Chemistry and movement of ground water, Nevada Test Site

Three chemical types of ground water are distinguished at the Nevada Test Site and vicinity. A sodium-potassium water is related to tuff (in part zeolitized) and to alluvium containing detrital tuff. A calcium-magnesium water is related to limestone and dolomite, or to alluvium containing detritus of these rock types. A mixed chemical type, containing about as much sodium and potassium as calcium and magnesium, may result from the addition of one of the first two types of water to the other; to passage of water first through tuff and then through carbonate rock, or vice versa; and to ion-exchange during water travel. Consideration of the distribution of these water types, together with the distribution of sodium in the water and progressive changes in the dissolved solids, suggests that the ground water in the Nevada Test Site probably moves toward the Amargosa Desert, not into Indian Spring Valley and thence southeastward toward Las Vegas. The low dissolved solids content of ground-water reservoirs in alluvium and tuff of the enclosed basins indicates that recharge is local in origin.

Open-File Report↗

Test-observation well near Odessa, Washington: description and preliminary results

The test-observation well drilled near Odessa, Wash., provides information on the area's aquifer characteristics which is not otherwise available from existing deep irrigation wells. The information is of value to the State of Washington Department of Ecology in its management decisions in this area where heavy ground-water withdrawals have resulted in increasing annual water-level declines. The 10-inch well is 750 feet deep and penetrates six aquifer zones (A through F) in basalt. The upper 60 feet of the well is cased while the remainder of the hole is open in the basalt. The well was test pumped during drilling and showed specific capacities of (1) 0.65 gpm (gallon per minute) per foot of drawdown when at the 258-foot depth and open to aquifers A and B. (2) 0.62 gpm per foot of drawdown when at the 540-foot depth and open to aquifers A through D, and (3) 22 gpm foot of drawdown when at full 750-foot depth and open to all six aquifers. To supplement the driller's log of the well, borehole geophysical logging provided information on natural gamma radiation, water temperature and resistivity, downhole movement (via flowmeter) of the water, and borehole diameter (via caliper log). Upon completion of the well each aquifer zone was isolated from the others by cement seals, and piezometer pipes were installed to each zone to allow definition of the vertical hydraulic gradient and an estimate of the vertical ground-water movement in the area, along with chemical-quality sampling of the various zones and monitoring of any changes in water quality with time. The initial measurements of water levels showed that the levels generally decrease with aquifer depth, with about 200 feet of head difference existing between the uppermost and lowermost aquifer zones. Another pipe, installed for providing thermometer access, permits recording the geothermal gradient with depth in the well, and provides another basis for estimating vertical ground-water movement in the area. Prior to isolation of the various aquifer zones, the composite water level was recovering from the cessation of pumping at the end of the 1970 irrigation season. On April 6, 1971, this composite water level had begun declining, presumably as a result of p[umping of an irrigation well 1 mile to the northwest, By May 6, after the aquifer zones had been isolated and piezometer pieces installed, water levels in aquifers E and F had declined 11 feet in 15 days, in response to pumping for irrigation in the area. Water levels in aquifers B, C, and D declined somewhat, but mostly in response to the draining of these aquifers to deeper aquifers down the many deep-well boreholes in the area.

Washington↗

Thermal data from heat-flow test wells near Long Valley, California

As part of the Geological Survey's study of the Long Valley area, an attempt was made to define the regional thermal setting of the caldera. The first phase of this study involved the drilling of four holes in granitic rocks outside of the caldera and two holes within it (Figure 1). LV was drilled as a hydrologic test well. In Figure 1, the light areas are areas of crystalline rocks and the stippled area, volcanic and sedimentary rocks. (For an explanation of the symbols, see Plate 1 of Bateman and others (1963).) Preliminary temperature measurements and thermal conductivity determinations have been completed and are presented in this report. Also presented herein are data obtained in November 1973 from the shallow holes drilled by Lewis (1974) and some thermal conductivity values from these short holes. These preliminary data are being released now because of intense public interest. The study is continuing, and an interpretive report will be written later this year. The temperature measurements are presented in both graphs and tables. Thermal conductivity data are tabulated as a function of depth for each hole. For locations of the shallow test wells, reference should be made to the quadrangle maps shown in Figures 3 through 13 of Lewis (1974).

California↗

Geophysical logs from a geologic test hole near Charleston, South Carolina

On March 2, 1975, the U.S. Geological Survey completed a series of geophysical well logs in the Charleston Project Deep Core Hole No. 1 located at Latitude 32° 53.2 'N and Longitude 80° 21 . 5'W in Dorchester County near Charleston, South Carolina. The land surface is at an elevation of 5.4 m (18 ft) above mean sea level. The total depth of the test hole is 793 m (2,600 ft) and the geophysical logs were recorded through fresh barite mud to the bottom. The deep geologic. test hole penetrated the entire section of Atlantic Coastal Plain sediments and extended about 40 m (130 ft) into basement rock composed of basalt flows. The purpose of the logging is to assist in the interpretation of the depositional environments, stratigraphy, structural, and geological history of the onshore and offshore areas surrounding Charleston, S.C. The purpose of this report is to make the uninterpretated geophysical recordings of the entire log suite publicly available . The logs available are shown in table 1, along with the operating depth intervals, total footage, scale, units of measure, combination log, and other pertinent data.

South Carolina↗

Field trip to Nevada test site

Two road logs guide the reader through the geologic scene from Las Vegas to Mercury and from Mercury through eight stops on the Nevada Test Site. Maps and cross sections depict the geology and hydrology of the area. Included among the tables is one showing the stratigraphic units in the southwestern Nevada volcanic field and another that lists the geologic maps covering the Nevada Test Site and vicinity. The relation of the geologic environment to nuclear-explosion effects is alluded to in brief discussions of collapse, surface subsidence, and cratering resulting from underground nuclear explosions.

Open-File Report↗

Potential for development of ground water at a test site near Truro, Massachusetts

An aquifer test was carried out at a possible ground-water development site in Truro, Massachusetts. Average lateral hydraulic conductivity for material in the screened interval of the test well is 216 feet per day. Specific yield of the material at water-table depth is about 0.10. Anisotropy, or ratio of lateral hydraulic conductivity to vertical hydraulic conductivity, is between 1 and 5 for the uppermost 60 feet of saturated material, but is probably much higher at greater depths. Calculation of drawdown after pumping 200 days at 1 million gallons per day indicates lateral intrusion of saline water from the sea would not reach the well and that the area of ground-water contribution would be sufficient to intercept an amount of average annual recharge equal to pumpage. Using the previously determined aquifer constants and the maximum drawdown after 200 days of pumping at 1 million gallons per day, it was determined that a stable upconing adjustment of the fresh water/saline-water interface would occur below the pumping well, and saline water would not reach the well through vertical intrusion. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Well records, water-level measurements, logs of test holes, and chemical analyses of ground water in the Cache River alluvial aquifer-stream system, northeast Arkansas, 1946-76

Most of the ground-water data for the Cache River alluvial aquifer-stream system in northeast Arkansas were collected between March 1973 and April 1976, but some were collected as early as April 1946. The data includes records of 363 wells and test holes, water-level measurements of 295 wells, logs of 32 test holes, and chemical analyses of water samples from 85 wells.

Arkansas↗

Chemical analysis, physical property tests, and lithologic description of cores and cuttings of lignite and overburden rocks from an area near Watkins, Colorado

The data presented in this report represents analytical and testing information from cores drilled by the Geophysics Department, Colorado School of Mines, assisted by the U.S. Geological Survey. The drilling was done in conjunction with the establishment of a geophysical testing facility by the Colorado School of Mines. Location of the study area and drill holes is shown in Figure 1. A total of 15 holes were drilled and geophysically logged; holes 9-1 and 7-11 were cored, and attempts to core hole 3-1 were made, but the lignite was very incompetent due to weathering and oxidation and recovery was very poor. Lithologic descriptions of the cores and cuttings for holes 9-1, 7-11, and 3-1 are listed on pages 13-21. Calculationdbased on hole 9-1 indicate that of the total lignite zone, 56 percent consists of partings and 44 percent is lignite. These percentages were obtained by statistical analysis of the core description and natural gamma logs of the hole. The total thickness of the lignite zone in hole 9-1 is approximately 18 m.

Colorado↗

Potential sites for a spent unreprocessed fuel facility (SURFF), southwestern part of the Nevada Test Site

In the absence of specific criteria, the topography, geomorphology, and geology of Jackass Flats and vicinity in the southwestern part of the Nevada Test Site are evaluated by arbitrary guidelines for a Spent Unreprocessed Fuel Facility. The guidelines include requirements for surface slopes of less than 5 percent, 61 m of alluvium beneath the site, an area free of active erosion or deposition, lack of faults, a minimum area of 5 km2, no potential for flooding, and as many logistical support facilities as possible. The geology of the Jackass Flats area is similar to the rest of the Nevada Test Site in topographic relief (305-1,200 m), stratigraphy (complexly folded and faulted Paleozoic sediments overlain by Tertiary ash-flow tuffs and lavas overlain in turn by younger alluvium), and structure (Paleozoic thrust faults and folds, strike-slip faults, proximity to volcanic centers, and Basin and Range normal faults). Of the stratigraphic units at the potential Spent Unreprocessed Fuel Facility site in Jackass Flats, only the thickness and stability of the alluvium are of immediate importance. Basin and Range faults and a possible extension of the Mine Mountain fault need further investigation. The combination of a slope map and a simplified geologic and physiographic map into one map shows several potential sites for a Spent Unreprocessed Fuel Facility in Jackass Flats. The potential areas have slopes of less than 5 percent and contain only desert pavement or segmented desert pavement--the two physiographic categories having the greatest geomorphic and hydraulic stability. Before further work can be done, specific criteria for a Spent Unreprocessed Fuel Facility site must be defined. Following criteria definition, potential sites will require detailed topographic and geologic studies, subsurface investigations (including geophysical methods, trenching, and perhaps shallow drilling for faults in alluvium), detailed surface hydrologic studies, and possibly subsurface hydrologic studies.

Nevada↗

In situ bulk density and porosity estimates from borehole gravity data in limestones of the Madison Group; test well No. 1, Crook County, Wyoming

In 1975 the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Old West Regional Commission, prepared a plan of study (U.S. Geological Survey, 1975) for evaluating the water-supply potential of limestone of the Madison Group and associated rocks. To obtain better subsurface hydrologic and geologic information it was recognized that Madison Group test wells would have to be drilled. This report tabulates the results of in situ bulk density and porosity determinations from borehole gravity data obtained in the first of these wells, test well no. 1.

Wyoming↗

Temperature logs of wells and test wells in the Yuma area, Arizona and California

This report consists of 310 temperature logs made in 266 wells and test wells in the Yuma area, Arizona and California during 1963-69. The work was done as part of a geohydrologic study, the results of which are reported in the 1973 U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 486-H; Geohydrology of the Yuma Area, Arizona and California, by Olmsted, Loeltz, and Irelan. Most of the logs are plotted from temperatures measured with two Whitney thermistors at depth intervals of 2 to 20 feet in downward succession in each well or test hole, using land surface as datum. A few logs were made with a truck-mounted wireline logger using thermistor probes and continuously recording equipment. All measurements were in degrees Fahrenheit, later converted to degrees Celsius, and were calibrated with a mercury-in-glass thermometer. Accuracy of most of the measurements was + or - 1.0F and precision was about + or - 0.2F. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Paleohydrology of the southern Great Basin, with special reference to water table fluctuations beneath the Nevada Test Site during the late(?) Pleistocene

Knowledge of the magnitude of water-table rise during Pleistocene pluvial climates, and of the resultant shortening of groundwater flow path and reduction in unsaturated zone thickness, is mandatory for a technical evaluation of the Nevada Test Site (NTS) or other arid zone sites as repositories for high-level or transuranic radioactive wastes. The distribution of calcitic veins filling fractures in alluvium, and of tufa deposits between the Ash Meadows spring discharge area and the Nevada Test Site indicates that discharge from the regional Paleozoic carbonate aquifer during the Late( ) Pleistocene pluvial periods may have occurred at an altitude about 50 meters higher than at present and 14 kilometers northeast of Ash Meadows. Use of the underflow equation (relating discharge to transmissivity, aquifer width, and hydraulic gradient), and various assumptions regarding pluvial recharge, transmissivity, and altitude of groundwater base level, suggest possible rises in potentiometric level in the carbonate aquifer of about -90 meters beneath central Frenchman Flat. During Wisconsin time the rise probably did not exceed 30 meters. Water-level rises beneath Frenchman Flat during future pluvials are unlikely to exceed 30 meters and might even be 10 meters lower than modern levels. Neither the cited rise in potentiometric level in the regional carbonate aquifer, nor the shortened flow path during the Late( ) Pleistocene preclude utilization of the NTS as a repository for high-level or transuranic-element radioactive wastes provided other requisite conditions are met as this site. Deep water tables, attendant thick (up to several hundred meter) unsaturated zones, and long groundwater flow paths characterized the region during the Wisconsin Stage and probably throughout the Pleistocene Epoch and are likely to so characterize it during future glacial periods. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Geologic, hydrologic, and chemical data from test wells in the Dickson area, Tennessee

Seventeen test wells were drilled at 12 sites in south central Dickson County, Tenn. Most of the sites were selected on the basis of carefully developed concepts of groundwater occurrence. These wells range from 20 to 400 feet deep and average 276 feet deep. The yields range from 0 to 300 gal/min and average 69 gal/min, with 6 wells yielding more than 100 gal/min. The water-bearing zones in rock that yield more than 50 gal/min are all between 100 and 200 feet below land surface. Sulfur gas was detected in two of the wells and large concentrations of iron were present in other wells. Capacity tests were conducted on those wells which yield more than 100 gal/min. The specific capacities of these wells range from 1.36 to 8.11 and average 3.46 gal/min for each foot of drawdown.

Tennessee↗