Cover-Clockwise from top left: 

Reeds and duckweed on the Milwaukee River, 

Campbellsport, Wis. (Mark A. Hardy; see articles 

p. 19-26). 

Mount Redoubt volcano eruption on the morning of 

April 21, 1990 (copyright 1990 , Robert]. Clucas, 

reprinted by permission; see articles p. 12 and 18) . 

Brooks Falls, Wyo. (Mark A. Hardy; see articles 

p. 19-26). 

Major roads lead to Atlantic City on this portion of the 

newly digitized New Jersey State base map (see 

article p. 66). 

Close 	up of sand boils (from underlying loose , 

saturated sand deposits) at eastern end of Marina 

Green, San Francisco, Calif., caused by the 

October 17 , 1989, Lorna Prieta earthquake (Michael 

J. Bennett; see article p. 3 ). 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

MANUEL LUJAN, Jr., Secretary 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Dallas L. Peck, Director 

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government 

United States Geological Survey Yearbook 

ISSN 0892-3442 

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1991 

For sale by the Books and Open-File Reports Section, U.S. Geological Survey 

Federal Center, Box 25425, Denver, CO 80225 
CONTENTS 


1v Message from the Director 

1 Natural Hazards Research and Response 

19 Water Quality-Addressing a National Need 

27 People and Programs 

41 Geologic Investigations 

51 Water Resources Investigations 

61 National Mapping Program 

69 International Activities 

83 Information Systems Activities 

89 Administration 

93 Organizational Chart 

94 Guide to Information and Publications 

95 Budget Information 

97 U.S. Geological Survey Offices 

101 Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors 

Contents iii 
Message from the Director 

T
he forces of nature, tragically evident in fiscal year 


1990, added a host of new challenges for the U.S. 


Geological Survey. This year also marked significant 


accomplishments and advancements in our mission of provid­


ing "Earth Science in the Public Service." 


The "World Series" Loma Prieta earthquake of October 

17, 1989, was one that will long be remembered for the devastation it caused in northern California and for the scientific 

lessons that it taught. The earthquake followed close after the 

destruction from Hurricane Hugo, which affected our citizens 

from the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to the coastal areas 

of North and South Carolina. Just after the hurricane we 

were able to use our hydrologic knowledge to assist in restoring water resources to the citizens of St. Croix. Then, in 

December, Mount Redoubt volcano in Alaska awoke from a 

dormant period and began periodic eruptions that drastically 

affected air travel and caused concern for oil transport and 

public safety. In Hawaii, Kilauea volcano continued its longest 

lived eruption in this century throughout the year. 

Such natural hazards are sobering reminders that we 

will never control nature. By understanding better the mechanisms of these hazards, we can mitigate the severity of their 

impacts. The theme of preparedness is the emphasis of the 

International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction 

(IDNDR), which began in January 1990. As one of the signatory nations to the United Nations resolution that authorized 

the IDNDR, the United States is developing a national program to prepare for natural hazards. Through scientific 

research, social planning and preparedness, and proper emergency response, we can, as a Nation and as a global community, work to lessen the effects of natural hazards and reduce 

the economic and social losses from natural disasters. 

While the effects of nature's forces can be intense and 

often severe, they are nonetheless short-term events. Other 

issues of concern to the environment are longer term and are 

thus also a challenge to the earth scientist. The cumulative 

impact of human activities on our water resources can result 

in changes to the quality of those resources. Nature itself can 

affect water resources so that the water is not of sufficient 

quality to meet human needs. To address pressing national 

questions, to determine the long-term trends, and to identify, 

describe, and explain the major factors that affect water quality, the USGS has undertaken a first-time-ever comprehensive 

assessment of the quality of the Nation's surface- and groundwater resources. This ambitious task, which was tested in 7 

pilot studies, and begun at 20 study sites in fiscal year 1991, 

will provide the Nation with the information necessary for 

addressing policy and scientific issues related to water quality. 

A long-term environmental issue challenging earth scientists throughout the world is that of interdisciplinary research' 

on global change. The Earth is a dynamic planet, and change is 

occurring always around us. As yet science does not have the 

finite answers to many of the questions concerning the changing environment of our planet. We must develop a sound 

understanding of the cycles of natural change and the impacts 

of human activities on Earth systems and develop the capability 

to predict changes. The mission-oriented geologic, hydrologic, 

geographic, and data management activities of the USGS provide a sound basis of information with which to investigate this 

intriguing area of longer term environmental change. 

Among this year's significant accomplishments was the 

completion of primary topographic mapping of the conterminous United States. With that milestone achieved, the USGS is 

continuing its work to develop more sophisticated technology to 

update existing maps and to make them available in digital 

form. During this year we also completed the Louisiana Barrier 

Island Erosion Study. The maps from this study will be key to 

making accurate and reliable predictions of future conditions 

along the coast and adjacent wetland environments. 

The USGS also completed, in cooperation with the Bureau 

of Mines, an initial assessment of the mineral potential of the 

Bureau of Land Management wilderness areas and is continuing our cooperative efforts with the U.S. Forest Service to 

assess the mineral resources of National Forests. Water 

resources investigations, conducted in every State, were supported by State agencies to increase our understanding of the 

Nation's water resources. Also this year, USGS outreach programs answered the call from Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan 

to address the earth science educational needs of the Nation, 

the role of volunteerism, and the interests of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. We are strongly committed to 

enhancing our support in these areas as part of the conduct 

of our mandated mission in the geologic, hydrologic, and 

mapping sciences. 

As earth scientists we have the opportunity to be the first 

line of defense in meeting present and future environmental 

challenges. We are committed to meeting those challenges and 

in providing the best science possible to meet the needs of the 

Nation we serve. It is with great pleasure that I present to you 

the accomplishments of the USGS for 1990. 

Dallas L. Peck 

iv 
Natural Hazards 

Research and Response 


International Decad e for 

Reducing Loss from 

Natural Disasters 

By Walter W. Hays 

T he United States is planning a balanced and comprehensive program of 

research and applications for the 

1990's as a part of the United Nations International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR). The U.S. program is designed 

to reduce the loss of life and damage to property from natural disasters. Worldwide loss 

from such disasters is increasing rapidly due 

to population growth, urbanization , and the 

concentration of industry and infrastructure 

in areas prone to recurrent natural hazards. 

The U.S. program will complement the programs of 154 other signatory nations of the 

December 1989 IDNDR resolution of the 

44th General Assembly of the United Nations. 

The resolution calls for all nations to develop 

programs to achieve the IDNDR goal of 

reducing the loss of life, economic impact, 

and human suffering resulting from natural 

disasters. 

The IDNDR is both an unprecedented 

opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity 

is to apply new understanding of natural 

forces to regions at risk to minimize loss of 

life . The challenge is that such a multidisciplinary effort must be taken on a global scale, 

an undertaking never before attempted. 

The task of the IDNDR is great. Statistics 

compiled in 1989 by the United Nations 

International Ad Hoc Group of Experts show 

that, by the year 2000, the surface of the 

Earth will be subjected to 

• One million thunderstorms, 

• 100,000 floods , 

• Tens of thousands of damaging landslides, 

earthquakes, wildfires , and tornadoes, and 

• Several hundred to several thousand tropical cyclones and hurricanes, tsunamis, 

droughts, insect infestations, and volcanic 

eruptions. 

Some of these recurrent natural hazards 

will cause a disaster. A disaster occurs when 

people are killed or property is destroyed, 

but, for purposes of planning for assistance, a 

disaster is defined as a disruption of human 

activity that prevents a community from functioning normally. The consequences of disasters are grave. 

Recall these recent U.S. disasters: floods 

in Arkansas, Texas, and Ohio; tornadoes in 

New York, Alabama, and Indiana; wildfires in 

Wyoming, California, and Oregon; earthquakes in California; hurricanes along the 

Gulf and Atlantic Coasts ; volcanic eruptions in 

Hawaii and Alaska; and droughts in the Midwest, Southeast, and California. The worldwide consequences of disasters, taken as a 

whole , are alarming. For example, the World 

Health Organization reports that worldwide 

natural disasters occurring between 1964 and 

1983 killed more than 2 million people and 

left almost 750 million people homeless, 

orphaned, sick, or injured. 

The United States has accepted the challenge of the IDNDR because of its great 

potential to assist in achieving the specified 

goals and because every U.S. State and Territory has communities that are at risk. Some 

are at risk from natural hazards that recur at 

intervals ranging from every year for floods, 

landslides, tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires to once every few years for damaging 

earthquakes and drought. Others face risks 

once every century or more for major earthquakes, such as those in Alaska, California, 

and the Mississippi Valley area, and for large 

volcanic eruptions, such as those in the Pacific 

Northwest and Alaska. 

However infrequently these natural hazards occur, they cause direct economic losses 

of more than $20 billion per year. At risk economically is the multitrillion dollar inventory 

of dwellings , office buildings, government 

facilities and military installations, industrial 

complexes, schools, hospitals, utility and communication systems, and other facilities that 

are located throughout the Nation in hazardprone regions such as 

• In or adjacent to fault zones capable of 

generating damaging earthquakes, 

• Along coasts where hurricanes, storm 

surges, or tsunami flood waves strike, 

• Near active volcanoes, 

• On unstable slopes susceptible to landslides, 

• In flood plains subject to inundation, 

• In regions prone to tornadoes, 

• Along wilderness-urban interfaces vulnerable to wildfires , and 

• In regions subject to drought or insect 

infestation. 

Earthquake Fatalities 

of the 20th Century 

1990 Philippines (M= 7.7) 3,100 

1960 Agadir, Morocco (M= 5.9) 12,000 

1968 Dasht-i Biyaz, Iran (M= 7.3) 12,000 

1962 Buyin Zhara, Iran (M=7.3) 12 1 225 

191 7 Indonesia (M= 7.0+ ) 15,000 

1978 Tabas , Iran (M= 7.7) 18,200 

1905 Kangra , India (M= 8.6) 19,000 

1948 Ashkhabad , USSR (M =7.3) 19,800 

1974 China (M= 6.8) 20,000 

1976 Guatemala City (M= 7.5 ) 23,000 

1988 Armenia, USSR (M= 6.8) 24,944 

1935 Quetta , Pakistan (M =7.5) 25 ,000 

1939 Chillan , Chile (M= 8.3) 28,000 

1915 Avezzano, Italy (M = 7.5) 32,610 

1939 Erzincan , Turkey (M= 8.0) 32,700 

1990 Iran (M= 7.7) 40,000 

1927 Tsinghai , China (M= 8.0) 40,912 

1908 Messina , Italy (M= 7.5) 58,000 

1970 Ankash , Peru (M= 8.3) 66,794 

1923 Kanto, Japan (M= 8.3 ) 142 ,807 

1920 Kansu , China (M= 8.5) 200,000 

1976 Tangshan, China (M= 7.8) 242A69 
URBAN CELL 

PHYSICALSYSTEM EXPOSED 

HOUSING 

TRANSPORTATION 

INDUSTRIAL BUILDING PUBLIC/CO.WVO.UNITY CODE FACILITIES ENFORCEMENT 

ZONING 

ORDINANCE 

ENFORCEMENT 1---+-- -l-- +--- ---1' 

Types of actions that local jurisdi ctions throughout the N at ion will 

take during the 1990's to make 

their communities more resilient to 

natuml hazards. 

Moreover, the Nation's building wealth is 

growing at a rate of $400 billion per year as 

new public and private construction adds to 

the number of buildings and lifeline systems. 

The total value of new construction during 

th e 1990's will reach approximately $4 trillion. 

Earthquakes and hurricanes alone have the 

potential for causing greater average annual 

loss to structures than that for all other hazards combined. Two 1989 events, Hurricane 

Hugo and the Lorna Prieta, Calif. , earthquake, illustrate the devastating effects of a 

category 4 hurricane (see Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, p. 8) and a magnitude 7.1 earthquake. Together they caused direct losses of 

$15 billion and indirect losses of $30 to $45 

billion, resulted in the deaths of more than 

100 people and injured several thousand 

more, rendered tens of thousands homeless 

or jobless, and left communities facing a long, 

complex recovery process. 

The U .S. program for the IDNDR has 

been prepared through a 17 -member national 

committee convened in 1989 by the National 

Research Council of the National Academy of 

Sciences and Engineering and the Federal science and d isaster-reduction agencies. The 

Federal agencies work as the Subcommittee 

on Natural Disaster Reduction under the 

direction of th e President's Office of Science 

and Technology Policy. 

Action at the local and State level will 

rally as many as 30,000 local jurisdictions and 

several million people. Local jurisdiction will 

be encouraged to adopt and enforce policies 

that will reduce losses from natural hazards 

th rough 

• Hazard and risk assessments , 

• Preparedness and mitigation measures, 

• Prediction and warnings for all natural 

hazards, 

• Improved planning, siting, design, and constru ction practices, 

• Awareness and education for all sectors of 

the society, 

• Loss reduction based on lessons learned 

from disasters throughout the world, and 

• Cooperative national and international 

endeavors designed to collect, analyze, and 

share data, experiences, and mitigation techniques for specific natural hazards. 

In each local jurisdiction, three demonstration studies will serve as the means to integrate and coordinate ha?-ard reduction 

efforts: 

• Disaster Prevention Resource Network-A 

national multihazards information system 

available to fulfill local and national needs for 

natural disaster data. 

• Natural Hazard Prediction ExperimentsSpecific hazard-prone locations that will be 

used as natural laboratories to advance prediction techniques for each type of natural 

hazard that jurisdictions are exposed to. 

• Hazard-Reduction Regions-Selected geographic regions having jurisdictions that take 

specific action to reduce hazards. This action 

will result in hazard resistant schools, hospitals, and other essential facilities within those 

jurisdictions. 

The progress of each jurisdiction will be 

monitored as the U.S . program unfolds. Each 

jurisdiction is free to choose th ose program 

elements that best suit their needs. Some of 

the hoped-for changes that will help to measure the success of the IDNDR are increased 

understanding of the physical and social 

aspects of natural disaster reduction, improved risk assessment and emergency 

response and recovery plans, and increased 

awareness by the public, policymakers, 

)~< ~ ycr 


t~ee re .f1/IS 


When a community is prepared, disaster is reduced . 

2 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
emergency planners, and the media of natural 

disasters, preparedness, and mitigation. 

The ultimate test of the success of the 

IDNDR, however, will be whether or not the 

frequency and severity of natural disasters in 

the 21st century are lessened as a consequence of actions implemented during the 

1990's. The key element in reducing the 

severity and number of natural disasters that 

result from natural hazards is preparedness. 

When a community is prepared, disaster is 

reduced; when a community is not prepared, 

disaster occurs. 

The Lorna Prie ta 

Earthquake 

T he magnitude 7.1 Lorna Prieta, Calif., 

earthquake began suddenly and without foreshock warning at 5:04 p.m. 

PDT on October 1 7, 1989. The earthquake 

resulted in 62 confirmed fatalities, 3,757 injuries, more than 12,000 homeless, and property losses and recovery costs estimated to 

exceed $6 billion. Although larger earthquakes have affected the United States in 

recent decades, not since 1906 has an earthquake had such dramatic consequences. 

Indeed, the losses in lives and in public and 

private property place it among the Nation's 

most costly natural disasters. 

The earthquake ruptured a segment of 

the San Andreas fault system that lies within 

the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. This segment had been recognized as early as 1983 as 

having a high probability for failure in the 

following few decades. The Working Group 

on California Earthquake Probabilities concluded in 1988 that this segment had a higher 

probability for producing a magnitude 6 .5 to 

7 earthquake than any other fault segment in 

Northern California. 

Along certain of the crustal plate boundaries of the Earth, large active faults such as 

the San Andreas exist. Along some segments 

ofthese faults, no large earthquakes have 

occurred for long intervals of time. Scientists 

term these quiet segments "seismic gaps" and 

have forecast the time when some of these 

seismic gaps in the record will be filled by 

large earthquakes. The 7.1 Lorna Prieta mainshock filled a gap in the seismicity record of 

the northern San Andreas fault, lending further credibility to the use of seismic gaps in 

earthquake forecasting. While anticipated, the 

earthquake had no obvious short-term seismic 

or strain precursors. The clearest harbinger, a 

marked increase in seismicity in the 16 months 

before the event, was recognized and widely 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\~ . '( Santa 

\ Cruz \ 

20 MILES \ 

~-----.,--~' \ 

20 KILOMETERS '. 

Approximate 

R egion affected by the October 17, 1989, Lama Prieta earthquake (magnitude 7.1) . Hea vy lines are 

active 

shocks. 

faults. 

L, sites 

Gray-tint 

of liquefaction

area containing 

-induced ground 

mainshock 

failure. 

epicenter (s tar) encloses p·rincipal zone of after­ SAN FRANCISCO LOMA PRIETA PARKFIELD 

GAP GAP GAP 

~ ,.---"-------- ~ 

c c :0~ =~~ ~~ U­

~ 10 


~ 15 +-----------.--------------,---------------.------------~,-------T 

~ A 


~ :~~ l~-,----·~-~* ~~~~!; :__::__ ' ·· .t1~~•.,. St· · . :' ------,------,-----r-~­

B 50 100 ISO 200 

I 

DISTANCE , IN MILES 

Seismic gaps are regions where the fault sticks and thus strain accumulates; it is here where large 

earthquakes are likely to occur. Cross section A shows the location of earthquakes that occurred along 

the San Andreas fault from January 1969 to july 1989. Cross section B shows how the Lama 

Prieta gap was filled by the October 17 earthquake and its aftershocks . 

Natural Hazards Research and Response 3 
discussed before the event, but, in the days 

immediately prior to October 17, there were 

no foreshocks. 

Just as the occurrence of this earthquake 

was anticipated, so were its principal effects. 

The extent of damage in San Francisco and 

Oakland, which lie approximately 60 miles 

from the epicenter, has many parallels with 

the 1985 tragedy in Mexico City caused by the 

magnitude 8.1 Michoacan earthquake that 

occurred more than 200 miles away from the 

capital. In both cases, the principal cause of 

damage was young, poorly consolidated, 

water-saturated, fine-grained sediments that 

amplified the ground shaking and were susceptible to ground failure. 

The San Francisco Marina District tragedy is one of special irony; this community 

consists mostly of wood-frame buildings; such 

structures are flexible and ordinarily fare well 

even in strong earthquake shaking if there is 

solid ground beneath them. However, the 

Marina District is built on poorly consolidated 

artificial fill that was originally emplaced for 

the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, 

which celebrated San Francisco's recovery 

from the 1906 earthquake. This artificial fill 

amplified the shaking and failed massively 

and pervasively during the Lorna Prieta earthquake. The Marina District fire resulted from 

a broken gas main, and the efforts to control 

the fire were hampered by broken water 

mains. The gas and water main breaks were a 

Are You Prepared for the Next Big Earthquake? 

result of ground failures. Similar problems 

also had occurred in artificial fills in the 1906 

earthquake. 

The collapsed portion of the Cypress 

Street section of I-880 in Oakland was built 

on San Francisco Bay mud that amplified the 

shaking; the undamaged portions were built 

on firmer ground. These soft soil areas, as 

well as other areas that sustained significant 

but less severe damage, had been identified 

on USGS maps as having a high potential for 

damage. 

In the epicentral region, damage in the 

communities of Watsonville, Santa Cruz, and 

Los Gatos was most severe in unreinforced 

masonry buildings constructed before the 

modernization of California building codes. 

Here, as well as in the Marina District, major 

shaking damage occurred in structures having 

a poorly supported first floor that was unable 

to resist horizontal shear deformation; most 

structures built in the past few decades did 

not sustain major structural damage from the 

earthquake. 

Liquefaction, the transformation of 

loosely packed and fully saturated sediment 

into a fluid mass, was responsible for some of 

the most devastating damage caused by the 

earthquake. Liquefaction occurred in manmade fill around the margins of San Francisco Bay and in flood-plain deposits in the 

Salinas-Santa Cruz area. In the San Francisco 

Bay area, liquefaction-induced ground failure 

A 24-page in sert del1vered in newspapers to some 2.4 million homes in the San 

Francisco Bay area starting September 9, 

1990, asked that 1mportant question . The 

insert was prepared through an unprecedented cooperative effort by many local. 

State, and Federal agencies and pnvate organizations, includtng the Bay Area Regional 

Earthquake Preparedness Project , Association of Bay Area Governments, California 

Division of Mines and Geology, California 

Office of Emergency Services, California 

Seismic Safety Commiss1on , Earthquake 

Engineering Research Institute, Federal 

Emergency Management Agency, Applied 

Technology Council, American Red Cross, 

United Way of Santa Clara County, and 

United Way of the Bay Area . Most of the 

cost of printing the newspaper insert was 

paid by the Northern California Earthquake 

Special Relief and Preparedness Project of 

the American Red Cross and the Northern 

California Disaster Relief Fund through the 

United Way of Santa Clara County and the 

United Way of the Bay Area. 

The earthquake awareness information 

in the full-color insert was organized and 

written by Peter Ward (on right in photograph), a USGS geophysicist in Menlo Park, 

Calif. Ward was recognized for his "imagination , leadership, hard work, and perseverance" with a public affairs award from the 

U.S. Department of the Interior. The award 

was presented to Dr. Ward by Dr. Harlan 

Watson, science advisor to the Secretary 

of the Interior. In presenting the award, 

Watson noted that, while scientists tend to 

communicate with a rather small group of 

fellow spec1alists, Ward, through this special 

publication, communicated useful scientific 

information to millions of people. 

Of the total 3.1 million copies of the 

booklet The Next Big Earthquake: Are You 

Prepared?, 2.4 million were distributed in 

Bay Area newspapers, and another 600,000 

copies were sent on request to individuals, 

schools, libraries, and other interested parties throughout the country. A limited number of copies are available; write to Earthquakes, 345 Middlefield Rd., Menlo Park, 

CA 94025. 

4 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
was most extensive in water-saturated manmade sand fills that subsequently had been 

paved over. Many of these areas also underwent liquefaction during the 1906 earthquake. 

Significantly, no obvious ground failure 

occurred in numerous other extensive bayshore land fills that apparently were better 

engineered. 

The Lorna Prieta earthquake generated 

hundreds of landslides throughout a region 

of approximately 5,400 square miles (see map, 

p. 3). The epicentral region of the earthquake 

in the steep Santa Cruz Mountains historically 

has produced abundant landslides, both during earthquakes and during the rainy winters 

of the region. The largest October 17 landslide damaged dozens of residences. Other 

landslides, including rock falls, rock slides, 

and debris slides, occurred on coastal cliffs, 

steep hillsides, and along roads as far as 80 

miles from the epicenter. 

Although most of the above effects were 

anticipated, the Lorna Prieta earthquake did 

hold some surprises. The forecasts had predicted horizontal motion on a vertical fault, 

but the 6 feet of horizontal motion occurred 

on an inclined fault plane and was combined 

with 4 feet of reverse vertical slip on the same 

plane. In hindsight, this vertical movement 

agrees well with models of earthquake 

motion; however, accurate prediction of the 

motion depended on identifying the dip of 

the fault plane. 

Another surprising aspect was that the 

motion of the earthquake was not observed 

along a single fault break at the surface, 

which suggests that previous magnitude 7 

earthquakes in this area may not have left 

direct evidence in the geologic record. This is 

an important issue because geological estimates of what has happened in the past form an 

important element of long-term forecasting 

and seismic hazard assessment. The motion 

on the fault was distributed across a broad 

zone of complex cracks and fractures. Individual cracks within this zone of unusual 

fractures generally follow, and may have controlled, the formation of the existing topography. These surface displacements have been 

explained as slope-related movements along 

the bedding plane faults that caused the 

strong shaking of the mainshock. Similar surface fissures were observed in this region 

after the 1906 earthquake. 

In the past, the occurrence and effects of 

a major earthquake generally were not predictable. The Lorna Prieta earthquake is 

exceptional because the likelihood of its 

occurrence had been evaluated well in 

advance of the earthquake, and the worst 

damage and destruction occurred in areas 

known to be at greatest risk. The time duration of strong ground motion generated by 

Sand boils in irrigated fields near Watsonville. 

Surface cracks 

l 

(11i 

Fault slip at 

depth in this 

earthquake 

Hypocenter 

Changes in elevation and horizontal strain measured along the 

surface of the Earth after the Loma Prieta earthquake show that the 

Pacific plate moved 6.2 feet to the northwest and 4.3 feet upward 

over the North American plate. This motion was not observed along a 

single fault break at the surface but occurred in a complex series of 

cracks and fractures. 

the Lorna Prieta earthquake was brief, 

scarcely one-third of the duration of the 1906 

earthquake, and was not unusually violent. 

When similar or stronger earthquakes strike 

closer to major population centers, the hazard 

will be significantly greater. Reducing this 

future earthquake hazard across our Nation 

depends on how well we learn from our experience and how well we apply these lessons. 

Natural Hazards Research and Response 5 
. .. ... . .. ... . .. • • 40'

\ 
 . .. ... . .. . .. . .. • • 35' \

--,, 

' .. 

o.-~·-, ·.9/~'? 

.. \ : . HURRlcA'NE: HUGO . 

·'~ ....... . . . .. . .. . .. • • 30' . 
 . . ''~ '9/"~'\. . . . . 
 . ,,(; ...... . SCALE 

100 200 

-~·) i\autJcal I iles. ~ ~'~~~ : : '1~: ' a I v Kilometers 

.. , £'t •· ~ • , , , ,. -.;, , • , • , , ,o ,100 i oo ; oo , • • . .. • • 25' 

BAHAr..}ISlANDS• ' • ' • • • • • • 

.""\" .· ..... ,..... -: . ?·'~ ... \ . 9/"'!.9 . .a·:. -~· ...... . . .. . .. • • 20' e ~--c.,.-• •· -. ~~c~11 ~, \; • ·VI~GIN• a]'\.?, e • 

• • • • • • • CjAMAI~· ~~~ ,' -:-":._-.,)'. f?!!..'f..~LA'?~na· • • • • • • • ' ~ 5;.,,;._.· • ' ~· • .~'": -or :'VEnro~2~(~:.. '• ·~'<)('11 · • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....-l:lt'~ ~ . . ·,;6. 

. . . . . s· . . . . . • ,."-tt,;· • • · q~~ • • • • • ~Hi , , ,-:==-.-;=-,t;____, .;.,_:_ • 9-f\ , ~ ~' . : : : : : : ~ ~ 

. . . ... • • 10' 

55' 45' ~ 0 

z 

The path of Hugo, September 14-22, 1989. 

Hurricane Hugo, 

September 1989 

By R. Erik Schuck-Kolben and 

Lionel Kaufman 

I n September 1989, Hurricane Hugo, a 

very powerful and destructive hurricane 

having winds in excess of 130 miles per 

hour (see Saffir-Simpson scale, p. 8), hit the 

U.S. Virgin Islands, eastern Puerto Rico, and 

the coast of South Carolina. This hurricane 

was one of the most destructive storms to hit 

the Caribbean and the East Coast of the 

United States in the 20th century. Although 

rainfall totals associated with this storm were 

relatively low (4 to 10 inches in the most 

affected areas), high winds and storm-surge 

flooding along the coastal areas caused severe 

damage. The maximum storm surge measured in South Carolina was one of the highest 

ever recorded anywhere on the East Coast of 

the United States. At least 50 persons lost 

their lives as a result of the storm, and storm 

damage is estimated to be about $10.4 billion. 

U.S. Virgin Islands.-Rainfall may have 

produced localized flooding in the islands, but 

total rainfall associated with Hurricane Hugo 

generally was less than 10 inches, which is relatively minor in comparison with rainfall 

totals commonly associated with hurricanes. 

Most of the flood damage in the U.S. Virgin 

Islands occurred in coastal areas as a result of 

tidal flooding. Storm-tide elevations ranged 

from about 3 to 11.5 feet on St. Croix and 

from 4.5 to 6.5 feet on St. Thomas and St. 

John. USGS personnel located and surveyed 

elevations of high-water marks throughout 

the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and 

other nearby islands. 

Damage from Hurricane Hugo was 

severe throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands, 

particularly in St. Croix. Approximately 65 

percent of the buildings in St. Croix were 

destroyed, leaving about 20,000 people homeless. All public utility services were disrupted. 

U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

. . . . • • . • • • • o:...E:;;;·!7 ~c.· 9 ..).. 

' ' • ' ' • ' • • • • • • • • ..~-~ • , , , , .St.luaa4 • , 

St.v-•r •a.tledos 

• • 0 s.. We: . • . ~-: ;··: . . . . 

6 
About 90 percent of all power lines on the 

island were downed by the storm, two of 

three desalination units were out of service, 

one 1 0-million-gallon water storage tank was 

destroyed and another severely damaged, and 

the sewage treatment system was out of service. A USGS employee, Bruce Green, living 

and working in St. Croix, played a key role in 

establishing emergency water supplies (see 

box, p. 8). 

Damage in the U.S. Virgin Islands from 

Hurricane Hugo is estimated to total about $2 

billion. The official death toll for this storm 

is 14. 

Puerto Rico.-Rainfall associated with 

Hurricane Hugo exceeded 10 inches in 48 

hours near the town of Naguabo in eastern 

Puerto Rico. Total rainfall, however, was 

between 4 and 8 inches over much of the east. 

The amount and intensity of rainfall were 

substantially less than those associated with 

other large hurricanes. Inland flooding, however, did occur along some small streams. 

Storm-tide elevations along the eastern and 

northern coasts of Puerto Rico ranged 

between 4 and 10 feet but exceeded 12 feet 

near San Juan. Coastal flooding occurred in 

some beach and low-lying areas. 

The Luquillo Experimental Forest, also 

known as the Caribbean National Forest, was 

severely damaged. The area in and around 

the forest, where rainfall amounts and intensities were high, was also the site of more than 

200 mostly shallow landslides on the steep 

and highly dissected mountain slopes. Half of 

the landslides were associated with highway 

construction and road cuts. 

Other damage from the hurricane 

included the loss of fish and shellfish from 

lagoons along the coast as a result of drastic 

changes in water quality associated with the 

storm. Within several weeks after the hurricane, USGS teams sampled and tested the 

water quality of Laguna de Pinones, Laguna 

La Torrecellia, and Laguna San Jose. The 

most significant changes in water quality were 

noted in Laguna de Pinones where dissolved 

solids concentrations, which normally range 

from 14,000 to 32,000 milligrams per liter, 

had been reduced to 2,600 milligrams per 

liter by the freshwater flowing into the lagoon 

as a result of the heavy rains. Dissolvedoxygen concentrations, which normally exceed 

6 milligrams per liter, were less than 3 milligrams per liter, and concentrations of sulfide, 

normally less than 0.5 milligram per liter, had 

increased to more than 10 milligrams per 

liter. 

Property damage in Puerto Rico is estimated to be about $2.5 billion. Only two 

deaths were directly attributed to the hurricane, but six employees of the power authority 

were killed while repairing downed power 

lines. 

South Carolina.-Rainfall produced by 

Hugo over the State of South Carolina ranged 

from a maximum of 10 inches south of 

Charleston to 2 inches in the upland part of 

the State; more than 4 inches occurred only 

in the southern coastal area. Rainfall from 

Hugo was much less than expected, and no 

serious flooding of inland rivers occurred. 

Severe coastal flooding occurred along much 

of the South Carolina coast. The high-water 

elevation at the Charleston tide gage peaked 

at about 10 feet above sea level shortly before 

1:00 a.m. on September 22 when the hurricane came ashore. This peak was about 8 feet 

higher than the normal (predicted) tide stage. 

A1any mountain roads in eastern 

Puerto Rico were blocked by the 

more than 200 landslides that were 

a result of Hurricane Hugo, which 

hit the island on September 18, 

1989. 
SAFFIR- SI M P S ON H UR R I CANE SCA LE 

Wind speed Storm surge 

Category (in miles (feet above Evacuation 

per hour) normal tides) 

No.1 74-94 4.5 No. 

No.2 96-110 6-8 Some shoreline residences and low-lying 

areas, evacuation required. 

No.3 111-130 9-12 Low-lying residences within several 

blocks of shoreline, evacuation possibly required. 

No.4 131-155 13-18 Massive evacuation of all residences on 

low ground within 2 miles of shore. 

No.5 155 18 Massive evacuation of residential areas 

on low ground within 5-10 miles of 

shore possibly required. 

Hurricane Hugo was one of the most 

destructive storms to hit the Caribbean and 

East Coast of the United States du ring this 

century. The devastating effects from Hugo 

underscore the need to continue efforts to 

study and understand the mechanisms and 

potential effects of hurricanes and other 

coastal storms. By being prepared as best as 

possible for nature's capricious action, we can 

help to reduce a disaster's tolL 

Hurricane Hugo and Puerto Rico 

NATIONAL W EATH ER SERVICE, NOAA 

Water-surface elevations related to the 

storm surge were even higher in other areas 

along the Sou th Carolina coast. Water-su rface 

elevations of 12 to 16 feet above sea level 

were common in m uch of the area from 

Myrtle Beach sou thward to Sullivans Island 

east-northeast of Charleston. High-water elevations, based on more than 300 flood marks, 

were located and surveyed by USGS personnel within a few weeks after the storm. 

T he maximum water-su rface elevations 

associated with the storm occurred in Bull 

Bay. T he absence of barrier islands and the 

trapping effect of the bay on waves driven by 

extremely high onshore winds resulted in 

peak water-su rface elevations of about 20 feet 

above sea leveL Very few storms have ever 

produced storm su rges of this magnitude 

along the East Coast of the United States (see 

"Hurricane Hugo and the Sou th Carolina 

Coast," p . 11 ). 

Damage to property along the South 

Carolina coast was severe and is estimated to 

be abou t $5.9 billion; 29 d eaths have been 

attributed directly or indirectly to the storm. 

By Rafael W . R odriguez and 

R ichard M. T. Webb 

Coastal resources as diverse as offshore sand deposits, recreational beaches, and 

coral reefs were affected severely when Hurricane Hugo struck Puerto Rico. The Puerto 

Rico Marine Geology Program, a cooperative 

study between the Puerto Rico Department of 

Natural Resources and the USGS, assessed th e 

impact of the storm and monitored the recovery of these resou rces in the months following 

the storm. 

Offshore sand deposits are of major 

importance to Puerto Rico because onshore 

sources suitable for use in the construction 

industry and in beach replenishment projects 

have been depleted. Escollo de Arenas, the 

largest offshore sand deposit (more than 3 

billion cubic feet), was severely degraded by 

Hugo. The Escollo de Arenas is a trailing 

edge sand deposit, which lies off the northwest coast of Vieques Island. Soil cores and 

aerial photography show a loss of between 

3.5 and 7 million cubic feet of sand from this 

deposit. The sand from the Escollo de Arenas 

USGS Employee Restores Water Supply to St. Croix Disaster Relief Center 

By Sandra L. Holmes 

During the late evening and early 

morning hours of September 17-'18, 1989, 

Hurricane Hugo, a category 4 storm, hit St. 

Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands with sustained winds of 140 m iles per hour and 

gusts of 200 miles per hour. Hugo battered 

St. Croix for 8 hours, damaged 90 percent of 

all homes and other buildings , destroyed 

the main power station, and cut off all 

sources of freshwater supplies to the island. 

The USGS established a field office in 

December 1988 on St. Croix to support 

water-resources activities with the principal 

local cooperating agency , the Virgin Islands 

Water and Power Authority (VIWPA). Bruce 

1<. Green, a USGS hydrologic technician stationed on St. Croix, had recently completed 

a project with the VIWPA in support of the 

siting and development of new public watersupply wells. 

Green and his family rode out Hurricane Hugo along with fellow residents. In 

the aftermath , Green recognized the need 

for immediate disaster relief, especially the 

need for potable water for basic sustenance 

and disease control. Cutting his way with a 

chain saw to a passable road, he arrived via 

four-wheel-drive vehicle at the center for 

emergency relief operations. At the center, 

Green was asked by personnel of the U .S. 

Army Corps of Engineers , the lead agency 

for recovery operations , to serve on the formal Emergency Response Team. 

Aided by his knowledge of the quantity 

and quality of the ground water in the newly 

developed well fields , Green directed his 

attention to the problem of water supply. 

Working through Army supply channels , he 

obtained miles of PVC pipe and many 

gasoline-powered generators and pumps . 

After cutting and clearing the way to 

the remote well fields , Green directed the 

construction of a temporary water-supply 

line to the disaster relief center. These 

efforts restored at least limited publi c water 

supply to island residents long before any 

other utility was available after the devastating storm. It took 5 months to repai r the 

structure of and reinsta ll telephone and 

electrical lines to the U.S . Department of 

Agriculture building that had housed the 

USGS field office before the hurricane. 

During this time, Green operated the 

USGS field office out of the carport of his 

home. 

For his dauntless courage and unquestioned leadership in an uncertain and 

potentially life-threatening situation, Green 

received the Valor Award of the U.S. Depart ­

ment of the Interior. 

8 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
Track of the eye (15.5 miles in diameter) of 

Hurricane Hugo as it passed over the Island 

of Puerto Rico. 

ATLANTIC OCEAN 

CU L EBRA 

ISLAND 

.: ~~~ 

PUERTO RICO • Mayaguez 

~VIEQUES 

v ISLAND 

18° 

DO ' .~ 

• Ponce 

10 20 

10 

·" 30 KILO METER S 

20 30 MILES CARIBBEAN SEA 

A, Escollo de Arenas before Hugo . Note the welldeveloped bedforms on the surface of the sand deposit. 

The area of the sand deposit is approximately 3 square 

miles. 

B, Escollo de Arenas after Hugo. The hurricane leveled 

the characteristic bedforms on the surface of the deposit 

and dispersed sand over the adjacent sea floor. Seagrass 

meadows to the east of the Escollo were buried. The resulting sand apron and large blowout structures increased the 

area of exposed sand by 60 percent. 

Natural Hazards Research and Response 9 
LO 

<X) > Ol 

60 70 

Ol 

Ol 

BEACH WIDTH (M) 

A 

>­ CI 

::::> 

I­

(/) 

(/) 

::::> 0 

UJ 

a: 

a.. 

B 

>­ CI 

::::> 

1-0l 

(/)<X) Empress Hot el boardwa lk located on Punta Piedrita, a headland i n the tourist section of Sa n juan . ~--~ 

z An extensive boardwalk and bar and pool were built out over the ocea n only 4 years ago. UJ 

a: 

a: 

::::> 

(.) 

0 

c 4 

~ 3 

z 

0 

2 

~ > 

w

uJ 0 -1 

-2 

BEFORE HUGO 

... J.\.' "'"~FTER HUGO , 0 1 0 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 

BARBOSA PROFILES 

Beach profiles at B arbosa P ark in the San juan metr opolitan area, A, befo re and, B, after Hugo. While the beach 

width actually increased after th e storm , th e storm waves 

flattened the p rof ile and, C, eroded the backshore scarp . 

was deposited as a thin 2- to 4-inch-thick 

blanket on top of a muddy substrate typical of 

seagrass bed communities and is therefore 

unlikely to be recovered. In addition, many 

square miles of this highly productive seagrass 

meadow were destroyed by the formation of 

large sediment blowouts. The loss of resources will cost government and industry 

about $2 million. 

The long-term impact of Hurricane Hugo 

on recreational beaches and their subsequent 

recovery are critical to the Puerto Rican tourism industry. Although shoreline position 

remained fairly constant, the margins of the 

beaches along the eastern and northern coasts 

of the island were eroded by 10- to 13-foothigh waves. Storm wave damage was magnified by a high tide and a storm surge in San 

Juan. Beach overwash fans, containing about 

17.5 million cubic feet of sand, were deposited behind the dune line in Pinones (east of 

San Juan). Approximately 90 percent of this 

Villa P esquera , Vieques Island . This community f ish market was impacted by both high swe lls and 

winds of more th an 150 miles p er hour. 

10 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
material is unrecoverable. At other sites, 

material lost from the beach margins was 

deposited in the nearshore zone. 

Preliminary reconnaissance surveys show 

that about 10 percent of the stands of the 

shallow-water elkhorn coral in Vieques Passage were degraded considerably by Hugo. 

However, many deeper water coral colonies 

showed no visible impact. Hurricane Hugo 

left many Puerto Rican beaches, their valuable 

resources of sand, and their economic value 

as recreation sites more vulnerable to damage 

from future tropical storms. 

Hurricane Hugo and the 

South Carolina Coast 

By john W. Hain es 

Sullivans Island and Isle of Palms, two of 

the most heavily developed islands in the 

South Carolina coastal area, were positioned 

to receive the major impact of Hurricane 

Hugo. The storm made landfall in South 

Carolina early on the morning of September 

22 , 1989. Historically, Sullivans Island and 

Isle of Palms have been remarkably stable 

coastal areas. By comparing the positions of 

past shorelines, coastal researchers can show 

that Sullivans Island and the southern twothirds of Isle of Palms have grown slowly seaward during the last 50 years. The effort of 

USGS coastal studies in the wake of Hurricane Hugo is focused on how the coastal 

effects of the storm relate to these long-term 

trends. 

One of the special challenges of coastal 

research is that estimates of coastal erosion 

typically bracket periods of tens of years. 

Present shoreline positions are compared with 

past positions to determine the rate of coastal 

retreat or growth. These erosion estimates 

may or may not include the effects of a number of major storms, depending on how frequently an area has been affected by hurricanes or other coastal storms. Thus, best 

estimates of coastal land loss may mask the 

importance of these extreme, yet short-lived 

events. Coastal erosion in a particular area, 

therefore, may be due primarily to a few 

major storms, or it may reflect less extreme 

but more persistent processes. In addition, 

coastal response to hurricanes may depend on 

the presence of dunes and the width of the 

beach. 

To gain a visual perspective on the 

coastal effects of Hurricane Hugo, the USGS 

and the National Ocean Survey made overflights of the South Carolina coast during the 

week of October 2, 1989. While aerial photography provides a means of rapidly accumulating data covering a wide area, the information 

Severe dune scarping on Folly Island, S .C., after H urricane Hugo. 

Bull Island, an undeveloped area north of the Isle of Palms, S .C., after the hurricane. 

is limited to a few well-defined subaerial features, such as water, land, and vegetation 

boundaries. The poststorm shoreline was 

mapped from the new aerial photography for 

comparison with available prestorm shoreline 

data. 

Beach and nearshore profiles were surveyed by the USGS from October 5-10, 1989, 

on Sullivans Island and Isle of Palms to provide a second source of needed data. This 

Natural Hazards Research and Response 11 
effort resurveyed profiles previously obtained 

during a shoreline monitoring program initiated by the South Carolina Coastal Council. 

While such nearshore profiling provides only 

a local picture of coastal effects and is a slow 

data-collection process, it does show what has 

happened to the shore beneath the waterline 

and is critical in evaluating the redistribution 

of sediment. 

Study of the profile data for Sullivans 

Island confirmed that sediment was removed 

from dunes and the subaerial beach and that 

there was an associated accumulation of material in the nearshore area. The profiles, which 

show only minor changes in the position of 

the shoreline, are consistent with the shorelines derived from the aerial photography. 

Because of this relatively small change in the 

shoreline position, USGS researchers suggest 

that shoreline position alone may not be a 

representative measure of the impact of a 

major storm. While aerial photography shows 

only shoreline position and indicates a negligible response to the storm, the profile data 

clearly show substantial movement of sediment and modification of the beach-dune 

system. 

The coastal effects of Hurricane Hugo 

pose some interesting questions. Clearly large 

amounts of sand have been shifted offshore, 

but only when the ultimate fate of this sand is 

known will the long-term impact of Hugo be 

understood. If this sand is returned to the 

beach, the coastal system will have undergone 

little permanent change. Should the sand be 

transported further offshore, then, retrospectively, Hugo will be considered a major erosive event. 

The role of dunes in the coastal response 

to storms also remains unclear. While protecting inland structures, dunes may concentrate 

wave energy and enhance the offshore movement of sand. Here again, the ultimate fate of 

this sand is critical to understand long-term 

effects. Also, because many of the dune fields 

were removed during Hurricane Hugo, the 

response of the beach to subsequent storms 

may be greatly modified. 

Continued research is needed to determine the impact of hurricanes and other 

major storms on various coastal systems and 

the long-term impacts on coastal erosion and 

wetland environments. The infrequent and 

unpredictable nature of hurricanes pose special problems for the coastal geologist. A critical component in coastal studies will continue 

to be the availability of reliable prestorm data 

that provide a critical baseline for further 

research. The results from the studies of Hurricane Hugo will further efforts to understand and define the response of coastal systems to such devastating and unpredictable 

events of nature. 

Redoubt Volcano, Alaska 

By Thomas P. Miller 

M
 ount Redoubt, an ice-mantled, 


10,197 -foot-high stratovolcano 

located on the west side of Cook 

Inlet in Alaska, began its third major eruption 

this century with an explosive summit event at 

10:14 a.m. AST, December 14, 1989, and 

recorded its last major explosive event on 

April 21, 1990. Although the volcano is 

located in remote Lake Clark National Park, 

115 miles southwest of Anchorage, the eruption caused $50 to $100 million in damagesthe second most costly eruption in North 

American history. 

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) 

monitored the eruption throughout its duration. The AVO is a cooperative effort that 

includes scientists from the USGS, the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska, 

and the Alaska Division of Geological and 

Geophysical Surveys. The AVO was established in 1988 to study and monitor Alaskan 

volcanoes and to provide volcanic hazard 

information to the public and private sectors. 

The principal AVO offices consist of a crisis 

center at the USGS office in Anchorage and a 

seismic interpretation center at the Geophysical Institute in Fairbanks. 

Personnel at both centers continuously 

monitored the volcano during the eruption 

and reported eruption information through a 

series of daily, and sometimes hourly, eruption updates. Tape-recorded messages available to the media and airlines were updated 

on a daily and situation basis. More than 30 

scientists from other USGS centers, principally the Cascades Volcano Observatory, 

aided the Alaska-based personnel. A calldown procedure, part of a preexisting crisis 

response plan, was used extensively to alert 

airports, civil authorities, and the public 

through the news media. 

The existing seismic network around the 

volcano allowed AVO scientists to predict several major eruptive events, to inform appropriate agencies, the public, and the media 

when all major eruptions occurred, and to 

give estimates of relative eruption intensity. 

Overflights and helicopter-supported field 

studies provided critical information on the 

status and effects of the eruption. In spite of 

the bad weather and remoteness of the volcano, scientists successfully observed the volcano on more than 50 percent of the short 

winter days. 

Experimental seismic instruments 

recorded the occurrence and advance of mudflows and floods. A lightning detection 

12 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
62" 

Aleutian \s\al'dS .A HAYES o 0 o ~000 '----------------=-....J 'I[r-· I 

c-·f i ~ I 

MTSPURR 

~ CRATER 41 PEAK 

'_; C1 

t.., 

( MT REDOUBT 

~ VOLCANO. 

I 1-,. 

6 

.· c\G·_: 

( 'f.Q,.­ .·. 

VG .· 

C.·:· VOLCANO A 

'v-F· v--·'-1. 

GULF 

0 F 

ALASKA 

0 50 MILES 

t-1----,....--· 

0 J, KILOMETERS 

Location of Mount Redoubt in Lake 

Clark National Park, Cook Inlet, 

Alaska. 

system, emplaced around the volcano, confirmed the existence of ash versus steam in 

the eruption plumes-a matter of great significance to the airline industry. Data on hypothetical ash plume trajectories, plotted on the 

basis of wind data supplied by the National 

Weather Service, were released on a daily 

basis. Gas from the eruption plume was sampled to detect increases of sulfur dioxide that 

could be a precursor of an impending eruption. Sampling was conducted by using fixedwing aircraft beginning in March. 

The AVO developed a color coded classification system to more concisely describe the 

level of concern about possible eruptive activity at Redoubt volcano. The readiness and 

activity associated with each of the four color 

codes are 

Green: Volcano is in its normal dormant 

state. 

Yellow: Volcano is restless. Earthquake activity is elevated, and a plume of gas and steam 

may be rising several thousand feet above 

the crater. Activity may include extrusion of 

lava and emplacement of a lava dome. 

Orange: Small ash eruptions expected or 

confirmed. Plume(s) not likely to rise to 

more than 25,000 feet above sea level. 

Minor flooding on the Drift River possible. 

Seismic disturbance recorded at Redoubt 

seismic stations, but not recorded at more 

distant stations. , 

Red: Large ash eruptions expected or confirmed. Plume likely to rise to more than 

25,000 feet above sea level. Significant 

flooding in Drift River possible; flooding in 

the Crescent River is also possible but less 

likely. Strong seismic signal recorded at 

all Redoubt stations and, commonly, at more 

distant stations. 

Natural Hazards Research and Response 13 
so· 45' 40' 

Generalized map of Mount Redoubt 

volcano showing location of seismic 

stations monitored by the Alaska 

Volcano Observatory. 0 2 3 4 5 KILOMETERS

Mid-December 1989.-Warnings of a 

potential eruption were issued by the AVO 

about 20 hours before the initial explosive 

event of December 14, 1989. The eruptive 

activity of December 14 to 19 consisted of 

numerous vent-clearing and explosive events 

from the ice-filled summit crater. The largest 

events occurred on December 15 and sent 

eruption columns (initial ejection of hot gases) 

to heights greater than 39,000 feet. Flooding 

in the Drift River, which drains the north side 

of the volcano, threatened but only slightly 

damaged the Drift River Oil Terminal 

(DROT), a large oil-storage facility ( 10 million 

barrels capacity), located 25 miles downstream 

from the volcano at the mouth of the river. 

Airborne ash generated by the numerous explosive events, particularly those of 

EXPLANATION 

IT:TI Glaciers and 

L2:;t ice fields 

Redoubt volcano 

~ lavas 

Pre-1989 crater 

~ 1989-90 vent area 

A Seismic station 

December 15, was carried east and north 

toward the parts of the Cook Inlet region 

where approximately 300,000 people .reside. 

Air traffic was severely disrupted by the cancellation of hundreds of flights. A 74 7 jet airliner, carrying 248 passengers and crew, lost 

all four engines after encountering an ash 

cloud 198 miles northeast of Anchorage. Fortunately, the engines were restarted and a 

crash was averted. Incidents such as this illustrate the extreme importance of volcanic 

eruption prediction and monitoring. 

December 1989 to January 1990.-Growth 

of a lava dome began on December 22, 1989, 

in the Redoubt summit area. The large (approximately 1 billion cubic feet), unstable, and 

oversteepened dome that eventually formed 

was destroyed by two explosive events on the 

14 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
evening of January 2, 1990. Voluminous flows 

of fragmented rocks and hot mud caused 

extensive melting of glacier ice, and mudflows 

and floodwaters from melted glaciers filled 

the 1-mile-wide Drift River valley and carried 

hot dome rocks 16 feet or more in diameter 

to the ocean. DROT buildings (which had 

been evacuated 2 hours earlier following an 

eruption prediction by the AVO) were flooded, but protective dikes around oil-storage 

tanks were not broken. On January 12, 1990, 

USGS Director Dallas Peck informed Alaska 

Governor Steve Cowper of USGS findings on 

the current and future eruptive hazards of 

Redoubt volcano. 

February to Apri/1990.-A new, smaller 

lava dome began to form in the summit area 

in late January and was subsequently destroyed in an eruption on February 15 . Deposits of 

an ensuing debris flow-rocks, hot ash, and 

ice-were less extensive than those of the January 2 eruption. Floodwaters overtopped the 

protective dike around one DROT tank, but 

no damage occurred. Following the February 

15 eruption, 11 domes were emplaced and 

destroyed during events in February, March, 

and April. Although these events had little 

direct effect on DROT, ongoing concern as to 

the risks of storing oil at the facility resulted 

in a shutdown in late March and the suspension of oil production in Cook Inlet. Airborne 

ash continued to impact air traffic and commerce throughout the region, but AVO 

plume-tracking procedures and close communication with the airline industry kept disruption to a minimum. 

As of this writing, Redoubt volcano has 

not had a major explosive event since April 

1990, but further activity is possible. The 

most recent prior eruptive period, which 

began in 1966, continued for 3 years. Continued monitoring and close observation will be 

needed in the coming years until Redoubt 

volcano has clearly returned to dormancy. 

AVO scientists have substantially increased 

monitoring capabilities by enhancing the seismic network and the lightning detection system, by increasing knowledge of the eruptions 

and products of Redoubt volcano, and by 

deploying a satellite-based Global Positioning 

System that may detect the volcanic edifice 

inflating as molten material rises in the volcano. Changes in Drift River hydrology and 

drainage were closely monitored, and considerable research was conducted on the large 

debris flows of January 2 and February 15. 

Many of the lessons we have learned at 

Redoubt about debris flows, windborne ash , 

and other hazards will have wide application 

at similar volcanoes in Alaska and around the 

world. 

Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii 

By Thomas L. Wright 

T he longest-lived eruption of the east 

rift zone of Kilauea volcano in this 

century began in January 1983 and 

has continued through 1990. In February 

1990, lava flows threatened developed property on the east side of the eruption field for 

the first time since December 1986. By April, 

lava had entered the Kalapana Gardens Subdivision. By the end ofJuly, all of Kalapana 

was covered by lava, and flows were moving 

toward the well-known black sand beach of 

Kaimu. Between February and June 1990, 

168 homes and 7 commercial and recreational 

structures were destroyed. 

April 1990.-Personnel from the USGS 

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) 

worked around the clock to advise the Hawaii 

County Civil Defense Agency (HCCDA) on 

the advance of the lava. This information 

became the basis for HCCDA decisions to 

close roads and evacuate residents. The USGS 

gave the HCCDA daily worst-case prognoses 

of where lava flows might move overnight, in 

24 hours, and in 48 hours. The close USGSHCCDA coordination continued, and by 

August more than 100 homes had been evacuated safely. 

The success of this crisis management is 

due to the action taken by the HCCDA, which 

coordinated all of the numerous State and 

County agencies, such as the police department, fire department, Department of State 

Highways , and Department of Land and 

Natural Resources, in providing for orderly 

evacuation. Thus the USGS information 

was delivered to a single source and disseminated consistently to all persons needing the 

information. 

The activity of Kilauea during February 

to April 1990 has led to a greater appreciation of hazard evaluation on the active volcanoes of Hawaii. The timely publication of the 

USGS general interest booklet Volcanic and 

Seismic Hazards on the Island of Hawaii put the 

current eruptive activity in a broader context. 

May 1990.-The State of Hawaii 

requested Federal disaster assistance, and the 

Federal Emergency Management Agency 

(FEMA) came to Hawaii to evaluate the 

request. HVO personnel briefed FEMA on 

the nature of the eruption and associated seismic activity. On the basis of the FEMA investigation, President Bush signed a precedentsetting disaster declaration on May 22. This 

declaration was unusual because it was retroactive to the beginning of the eruption in 

1983 and it was open ended to include areas 

that the HVO predicted could be affected 

over the next few months. FEMA, after 

Natural Hazards Research and Response 15 
October 23, 1990 

August 23, 1990 

\ _,7 \.. N 0 I • :/ Punahaha 

r­

-Q;,='(>.;c, 

HAWAIIAN I SLANDS DHAWAII 

\ 

Area of 

study 

T opographic map showing the extent of K ilau ea lava flows as ofJuly 9 (light shaded area), August 23 (lined pattern), and October 23, 1990 (dark shaded area) . 

consultation with the HVO, also included 

damage claims related to a magnitude 6.1 

earthquake that occurred on the south flank 

of Kilauea in June 1989. They agreed in principle to cover claims for lava damage extending beyond the area anticipated in May and to 

cover damage from future Kilauea south 

flank earthquakes associated with the ongoing 

eruption. 

Easy access to the flows in Kalapana 

allowed the study of lava tube development 

and the varied processes of lava emplacement. 

Monitoring the inflation and the activity of 

different lava tubes within the developed area 

led to more accurate hazard evaluation than 

could be done without detailed knowledge of 

the mechanics of the lava emplacement. The 

eruptive activity at the vent was interrupted 

repeatedly by 2- to 3-day pauses during which 

lava tubes drained and partially collapsed. 

Because the collapsed tubes could not convey 

renewed flow, breakouts of lava occurred and 

adjacent land was enveloped. This activity 

formed the eastward-moving glacier of lava 

that overwhelmed Kalapana, and, by the end 

of 1990, lava had filled Kaimu Bay. 

Where lava entered the ocean, a new 

threat was produced; a hydrochloric acid 

mist (dubbed "laze," for lava haze, by the 

HCCDA), formed where the lava boiled seawater. Fortunately, expansion of the lava field 

at the ocean was consistently into the prevailing northeast trade winds so that laze was carried away from residences, and evacuation 

due to laze itself was infrequent. Because laze 

is a greater hazard when wind conditions are 

reversed, the USGS helped HCCDA prepare 

a pamphlet informing residents of the hazards inherent in being exposed to laze. 

The experience gained during the Kalapana disaster is being used to plan for future 

eruptions in which risk will be greater because 

of greater population density in closer proximity to a rift zone, such as the lower east rift 

zone of Kilauea or in one subdivision adjacent 

to the southwest rift zone of Mauna Loa, or 

because of larger eruptions and faster flows 

that travel rapidly down steep slopes, such as 

on Mauna Loa's southwest rift zone. The 

USGS is currently seeking to broaden its 

cooperative efforts to address these far 

greater potential hazards. 

16 U .S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
Aerial photograph showing the extent of Kilauea lava flows as of August 20, 1990. 

Natural Hazards Research and Response 17 
December 1989 eruption of M ou n t 

R edoubt v olcano, Cook Inlet, 

Alaska. 

Alaska DisastersNatural and Manmade 

By Mark B. Shasby 

T he latest scientific data and computeraided mapping technology helped to 

mitigate the effects of two large-scale 

environmental events in Alaska: the Exxon 

Valdez oil spill and the eruption of Mount 

Redoubt volcano. The Exxon Valdez oil spill, 

a manmade environmental disaster, occurred 

March 24, 1989, in Prince William Sound and 

is the largest offshore oil spill in North American history; cleanup efforts will continue into 

1991. The December 14, 1989, eruption of 

Redoubt volcano produced ash clouds that 

disrupted air traffic and darkened the skies 

intermittently for 5 months. Flooding on the 

Drift River caused by snow and ice melt from 

the volcanic activity resulted in the closing of 

the Drift River Oil Terminal, which is the 

storage and shipping center for oil wells in 

Cook Inlet. 

In response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill 

in Prince William Sound, a joint Federal-State 

Board of Trustees, formed from land management agencies, was established under the 

authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 

Act of 1980. The Board established an Exxon 

Valdez Oil Spill Damage Assessment Team, 

which was assigned responsibility for all operations related to the disaster assessment 

effort. One of the first acts of the team was to 

establish a Geographic Information and Mapping Technical Group, comprising Federal 

and State land and resource management 

agencies as well as the USGS Alaska Field 

Office in Anchorage. 

Initially, the group prepared a series of 

maps that depicted four types of information 

relevant to the oil spill: (1) shoreline sensitivity information from the NOAA Environmental Sensitivity Index Map Series, (2) oil-impact 

data from the Alaska Department of Conservation, (3) land ownership information, and 

(4) coastline information derived from 

1:63,360-scale USGS maps. 

The USGS served as the host site for 

data base compilation, integration, analysis, 

and design and production of maps for the 

damage assessment team. Through the efforts 

of the USGS and its cooperators, a single integrated map was produced for each of the 180 

1 :63,360-scale quadrangles covering the 1,500 

miles of shoreline affected by the oil spill. 

Long-term data-base management was 

assumed by the Alaska Department of Natural 

Resources. The USGS has retained the original data as backup and for use by other agencies that continue to assess and monitor 

cleanup activities. 

During the eruption of Redoubt volcano, 

digital data from a NOAA weather satellite 

were used to monitor the distribution of ash 

in the atmosphere. This information was 

combined with coastline and elevation information to help scientists monitor the activities 

of the volcano (see "Redoubt Volcano, 

Alaska," p. 12). 

Both the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the 

Redoubt volcano eruption underscore the 

value of sound earth science information and 

scientific cooperation in coping with natural 

and manmade disasters. 

18 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
Water QualityAddressing a National Need 

A Perspective for the 

1990's 

By David A. Rickert 

T he protection and enhancement of the 

quality of the Nation's surface and 

ground water are high-priority concerns of the public and government. Since 

1970, Congress has passed several acts that 

created regulatory programs aimed at curtailing the entry of point-source pollution into 

our waters. These programs have the interrelated, basic goals of maintaining or enhancing 

the quality of surface and ground water and 

protecting aquatic resources and human 

health. 

Twenty years ago the major water-quality 

concerns were low dissolved oxygen content 

and accelerated eutrophication of specific rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Accordingly, considerable time and money were spent to reduce 

oxygen-demanding wastes and plant nutrients 

from municipal and industrial point sources. 

These expenditures have abated the worst of 

gross point-source pollution, but more subtle, 

complex problems have become evident. During the 1980's, the effects of acid precipitation, a nonpoint source, were observed, investigated, and politically debated. 

The Nation faces a new water-quality 

challenge in the 1990's- how to reduce 

contamination from potentially toxic trace 

elements and manmade trace organic substances that enter surface and ground water 

largely from nonpoint sources, such as urban 

storm drainage and agricultural and forestry 

practices. 

Water-Quality Information 

The Water Quality Act of 1987 reauthorized and amended the Clean Water Act of 

1977 and switched the focus of new waterquality regulations in the United States from 

point to nonpoint sources. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administers the 

Water Quality Act. Section 316 of the Act 

requires each State to develop and implement 

a plan to identify and limit pollution from 

nonpoint sources. In addition, in I 989, President Bush announced a major multiagency 

water-quality initiative, administered by the 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, to prevent 

and ameliorate contamination from agricultural sources. 

To successfully respond to the Water 

Quality Act and the President's Water-Quality 

Initiative, government agencies and the private sector must address complex, technical 

questions. Questions of policy also must be 

addressed. Are national water-quality goals 

being met? How should funds be allocated to 

solve important water-quality problems? How 

should monitoring networks differ in different areas and hydrologic settings of the country? Can regulations and best management 

practices be targeted to particular geographic 

regions of hydrologic settings? Information 

on the relations among land use practices, relative sources of pollution, and water-quality 

effects is the key to answering first the technical and then the policy questions. And, to be 

most useful, this information must be made 

available at various scales-local, regional, and 

national. 

T he USGS and Water Quality 

As a nonregulatory agency, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) of the U.S. Department 

of the Interior provides objective, interpretive 

information on the quantity, movement, and 

quality of surface and ground water. The new 

(1990) National Water-Quality Assessment 

(NAWQA) program will provide nationally 

consistent information on the Nation's water 

quality that can be used by Congress and 

resource-management agencies to address the 

water-quality issues of the 1990's. The 

NAWQA program is a capstone to the total 

USGS water-quality effort. 

The N A WQA program builds on and 

expands the output from all existing waterquality programs. The overall USGS waterquality effort, including NAWQA, is 

• National in scope, 

• Inclusive of detailed, in-depth studies of 

local areas, 

• Highly interpretive, 

• Based on a continually updated understanding of fundamental chemical and biological processes, 

• Perennial, and 

• Closely linked to present and changing 

information needs of Congress and regulatory 

agenoes. 

IMPORTANT WATERQUALITY QUESTIONS 

Status of Water Quality 

• On the basis of occurrence in 

surface c;tnd ground water , what 

·substances need further studies on 

toxicity and risk assessment and, 

therefore, consideration for regulation? 

• What are the relative magnitudes 

of point- and nonpoint-source con· 

tributions to different types of 

surface- and ground-water contamination? 

• What is the relation between pesc 

ticide application rates , soils, and 

hydrogeologic factors and the 

occurrence of pesticides in surface 

and ground water nationwide? 

• What are the effects of nonpo i nt~ 

source contamination on the biological condition of stream s and rivers 

nationwide? 

Trends in Water Quality 

• How have nitrogen and phosphoru s leveJs j n surface and gr<;>und , 

water chang~ with time in 

response to changes in variou s 

sources? 

• How have best management practices affected surface-water and 

ground-water quality in agricultural 

areas?­

• How have best management practices affected surface-water and 

ground-water quality in forestry 

areas? 

19 
NATIONAL SCALE 

' ' 

REGIONAL SCALE 

Multistudy unit 

STUDY UNIT SCALE 

,_River basins and aquifer systems 

LOCAL SCALE 

Specific river reaches 

and targeted 

ground-water areas 

,,,, 

Areal scales of water-qualit_v studies , 

The total water-quality effort of the 

USGS includes research, monitoring, and 

assessment, which together provide an understanding of water-quality problems and are 

the basis for evaluating resource-management 

decisions. 

• Research.-To provide an understanding 

of fundamental physical, chemical, and biological processes and rates. 

• Monitoring. - To continually measure 

water-quality conditions over space and time 

by using networks that are fixed station and 

fixed in time. 

• Assessment. - To define the status and 

trends of water quality and the causes of 

observed conditions and trends by building on 

research and monitoring. 

Research 

Water-quality research in the USGS is 

primarily conducted under the water resources National Research Program and the 

Toxic Substances Hydrology program. 

National Research Program (NRP). ­

Improves the understanding of the nature 

and rates of physical, chemical, and biological 

processes that affect the movement of water 

and chemical constituents through hydrologic 

systems so that appropriate methods can be 

developed to predict the effects of natural 

and man-induced stresses. The NRP is functionally divided into six research disciplines: 

surface-water hydrology, ground-water 

hydrology, surface-water chemistry, groundwater chemistry, geomorphology and sediment transport, and ecology. 

Toxic Substances Hydrology Program.­

Provides increased understanding of the 

occurrence, movement, and fate of hazardous 

substances in the Nation's surface and ground 

water. Program efforts consist of small-scale 

field studies of point-source contamination 

that has resulted in waste plumes in ground 

water and degraded stream reaches and 

regional-scale field studies of the occurrence 

and movement of toxic substances and the 

controlling of natural and human factors. 

Monitoring 

The USGS operates the only two national 

monitoring networks that measure surfacewater quality, the Hydrologic Benchmark 

Network and the National Stream Quality 

Accounting Network. 

Hydrologic Benchmark Network (HBN). ­

Consists of 58 sites for water quantity and 

quality data collection in relatively small, pristine watersheds. The HBN identifies longterm water-quality trends over time in areas 

unaffected by in-basin activities and provides 

a baseline with which to compare basins 

directly impacted by man. The HBN consists 

of fixed stations having fixed sampling schedules, consistent methods for collecting samples, and a consistent schedule for analysis of 

field parameters, major ions, nutrients, trace 

elements, and coliform bacteria (no trace 

organics are measured). The HBN provides a 

commitment to long-term data collection, 

analysis, and interpretation. 

National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN). - Consists of 411 active stations where outflows from most of the major 

rivers of the country, both to other rivers and 

to the oceans, are measured. NASQAN identifies long-term water-quality trends in the 

major rivers of the country, relates the trends 

to upstream land and water use, and accounts 

for transport (fluxes) of measured constituents off the continent and to critical estuaries 

and the Great Lakes. 

In addition to HBN and NASQAN, the 

USGS coordinates and operates part of the 

Federal National Trends Network for acid 

precipitation, from which weekly samples of 

wet deposition are collected and analyzed 

from 150 network sites nationwide. 

Assessment 

While research and monitoring are wellestablished approaches that provide an understanding of environmental processes and conditions, these approaches do not provide the 

depth and breadth of information necessary 

to address important technical and policy 

questions at a national scale. Research is 

exhaustively detailed, usually areally limited, 

and open ended over time. In contrast, monitoring can provide broad areal coverage and 

continuing observations over time, but it does 

not provide insight into explanations or 

causes. Assessment fills the critical void 

between research and monitoring, building on 

knowledge of processes to explain observations by identifying factors and defining cause 

and effect. 

To date, most water-quality assessment 

has been conducted through the USGS 

Federal-State Cooperative Program. This program, established in 1895, manages agreements wherein State and local agencies provide at least one-half of the funding for USGS 

investigations on statewide and local resource 

issues. As such, the program provides a commitment for funding and allows flexibility in 

monitoring and assessing those issues of 

greatest local and national concern. 

In 1990, the USGS has agreements With 

nearly 1,000 agencies. Many of the current 

investigations include assessing water-quality 

conditions in a particular river reach or part 

of an aquifer. These studies include extensive 

data acquisition that form the core of State 

monitoring programs, interpretation of new 

20 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
and existing data, and computer modeling of 

hydrologic systems to understand the probable consequences of various management 

actions. In many States, the cooperative program has provided extensive long-term data 

bases that are extremely valuable for regional 

and national assessments. 

Water-quality assessments have been conducted by many agencies, academia, and the 

private sector in the United States for about 

100 years. Most previous water-quality assessments, however, have addressed local problems, and all have been limited in scope and 

scale. A national, perennial water-quality 

assessment has never been attempted and, 

in this absence, important national-in-scope 

technical and policy questions are left 

unanswered. 

Challenges of a National 

Water-Quality Assessment 

Assessing the Nation's water quality is 

formidable. The land area to be assessed is 

vast, water quality varies over space and 

time, water-quality problems are numerous, 

and field work and laboratory analyses, especially those for trace organic chemicals, are 

expensive. 

The dual challenge of managing a large 

area and water-quality variability can be lessened because many national issues are actually 

repetitive problems from different climatic or 

geohydrologic environments that represent 

specific regions of the country. For example, 

most questions relevant to national policy on 

the occurrence of pesticides can be answered 

by studying a few types of crops, each treated 

with a typical array of applied pesticides, in a 

few climatic or geohydrologic regions. Those 

questions left unanswered by these small-scale 

studies can then be addressed by combining 

information to cross regional boundaries to 

the national scale. 

Most field research occurs at the local 

(river reach or ground-water contaminant 

plume) scale. In contrast, most water-quality 

monitoring occurs at the statewide (study unit 

to regional) or national scales. To date, waterquality assessments generally have been conducted at the local scale. The water-quality 

program of the USGS is unique because it 

fully integrates research, monitoring, and 

assessment and is conducted at all scales. 

Information derived from the other 

scales can be integrated at the national level 

only if certain factors are consistent within a 

national framework. These factors are (1) 

common study approaches, (2) common protocols for field and laboratory analysis, including descriptions of sampling sites, (3) consistent records of ancillary information, (4) data 

storage in national files, and (5) a nationally 

consistent set of water-quality constituents. 

Certain water-quality constituents and issues 

are of concern only in certain areas of the 

country; therefore, the USGS has stipulated a 

national set of constituents that can be added 

to or reduced, as appropriate, at the other 

scales. At each areal scale, the NAWQA program will result in different information 

products: statistical descriptions, geographic 

descriptions, and explanations of observed 

conditions. 

Why the USGS? 

The USGS is ideally suited to conduct a 

national, perennial water-quality assessment 

because it has 

• Experience in managing national waterquality networks, 

• A national water-resources research program, a large portion of which is focused on 

the chemical, biological, and morphological 

fundamentals of water quality, 

• An existing national water-quality program 

that measures the quantity and flow of surface and ground water and provides the 

hydrologic basis needed to conduct chemical 

and biological studies, 

• A nationally distributed field staff trained 

to collect and interpret chemical and biological data (see map, p. 22), 

• In-depth experience in surface-water, 

ground-water, and linked surface- and 

ground-water studies, 

• Experience in water-quality assessments at 

the local and statewide scales, 

• No regulatory jurisdiction, and 

• Experience working across political 

boundaries on multi-State river basins and 

aquifers. 

NAWQA Program Design 

The NAWQA program will provide a 

nationally consistent description of current 

water-quality conditions for a large part of the 

Nation's water resources, define long-term 

trends (or lack of trends) in water quality, and 

identify, describe, and explain the major factors that affect observed water-quality conditions and trends. In some cases, the program 

also will enable hydrologists to define specific 

cause and effect relations. 

NAWQA combines the surface-water and 

ground-water investigations of 60 areas 

around the country that incorporate about 60 

percent of the Nation's population and water 

use (see map, p. 23). Study units range in size 

from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of square miles. By conducting the 

national program as an aggregation of individual studies, NAWQA results will be useful 

in understanding and managing important 

river basins and aquifers, as well as in 

NAT IONAL SCALE 

• 	 Summaries for a set of study 

units that, in aggregate, represent a large percentage of the 

Nation's water use. 

• 	 Reports th at address key 

specific national issues. 

~ t 


REGIONAL SCALE 

• 	 Summaries for large hydrologic 

regions. 

• 	 Summaries for noncontiguous 

areas defined by specific waterqual ity issues . 

Primary p-roducts fo-r each a-real 

scale of the National Wate-r-Quality 

Assessment p-rogram. 

STUDY UNIT SCALE 

• 	 Broad geographic descriptions 

of water-quality conditions. 

• 	 Problem area identification. 

• 	 Statistical summaries of waterquality conditions and trends . 

LOCAL SCALE 

• 	 Detailed geographic descriptions of specific water-quality 

conditions . 

• 	 Regression models rel ating 

water quality to natural and 

human factors . 

• 	 Deterministic models defining 

cause and effect . 

Water Quality-Addressing a National Need 21 
Offices of the USGS Water 

Resources Division. 

Eastern 


Time Zone 


~';'.:!3 (';,.Qahu 

Honolu~~:r;:aui 

Hawa11 

Alaska Hawaii Guam 

Alaska-Hawaii Time Zone 

answering national-scale questions. This 

approach also readily permits detailed investigations of specific river reaches and small 

parts of aquifers. 

Because of the emphasis in NAWQA on 

defining trends in water quality, the program 

is designed to be perennial. Assessments in 

each of the study units, however, are conducted on a rotational rather than a continuous basis. A subset of only 20 study units is 

studied in detail at a given time. For each 

study unit, 3- to 4-year periods of intensive 

data collection and analysis are alternated 

with 6-year periods during which the assessment activities are less intensive. 

N A WQA focuses on water-quality conditions that affect large areas and are persistent 

in time, that is, on water-quality problems that 

result from nonpoint sources or from an 

aggregation of point sources. All major types 

of water-quality problems, ranging from classical sanitary issues, such as dissolved oxygen 

and bacteria through sediment and nutrients, 

to a major emphasis on toxic substances, 

including trace elements, pesticides, and 

industrial organics, are being investigated. 

Chemical measurements form a national 

target list of variables, including some in situ 

measurements of inorganic constituents and 

organic compounds. Biological measurements 

in N A WQA are used to determine the occurrence and distribution of waters contaminated 

by fecal material, help determine the occurrence and distribution of potentially toxic 

"'' ~'t-:1--WRD 

Headquarters 

(tr) 

EXPLANATION 

C) Regional Otlice 

• District Otlice 

() S1atewide Office 

0 Subdistricl Otlice 

6 Field Otlice 

H Hyaologic 

Instrumentation 

Facility 

L 	 NalionaJWatefOuality laboratory 

R Branch of Regional 

Research Otlice 

T USGS National 

San Juan 

r:!7 

Puerto 

Rico 

St. Thomas 

St.John~ 

~ StCroo• 

Virgin Islands 

Training Center 

- WRD Regional 

Boundary 

·····Time Zone 

Atlantic Time Zone 

substances, and define the relations between 

the physical and the chemical characteristics 

of streams and the functional and structural 

aspects of the biological community. 

Within each study unit, surface-water 

quality is investigated through a combination 

of fixed-station sampling (frequent monitoring), supplemental sampling, and studies of 

selected stream reaches. In contrast, groundwater quality is studied by regional sampling, 

targeted sampling, and long-term sampling 

(less frequent monitoring). 

Coordination With 

Other Agencies 

Historically, the coordinated nature of 

the Federal-State Cooperative Program, plus 

considerable work with other Federal agencies, has kept the USGS abreast of emerging 

water issues and the information needs of 

water management officials. Such close involvement has helped to identify needs that in turn 

have guided many USGS research and monitoring studies. 

External coordination at all levels will be 

an integral component of NAWQA. Effective 

interagency coordination is needed to continually, quickly, and fully understand the waterquality information needs of regulatory and 

resource management agencies, to locate 

existing water-quality and ancillary data to 

help interpret NAWQA data, and to permit 

rapid communication of important findings. 

22 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
,o ~ 

.. 

~~ 

{) 

EXPLANATION 

::::::}:::~STUDY UNIT--to be 

started in fiscal year 1991 

~STUDY UNIT--to be 

started in later years 

Study units for the National WaterQuality Assessmen t program. 

Primary time and areal scales of all major USGS water-quality programs 

Time scale Local 

Short term ... Federal-State Cooperative 

Program. 

Urban hydrology 

Some research on rivers 

Multiyear..... Federal-State Cooperative 

Program. 

Toxic substances hydrology 

program. 

Acid-precipitation studies ..... :. 

Research on rivers, lakes, estuaries, and ground-water contamination. 

Decade ....... Acid-precipitation studies ....... 


Nuclear hydrology ...... ..... ... 

Federal-State Cooperative 

Program. 

Toxic substances hydrology 

program (regional studies). 

Acid-precipitation studies 

Regional aquifer-systems analysis (geochemical studies}. 

Irrigation drainage program 

NAWQA 

Federal-State Cooperative 

,Program (water-quality 

networks). 

NAWQA ..................... : . 


National 

NAWQA. 

NASQAN. 

Hydrologic 

benchmark 

network. 

National tJ;ends 

network 

(wetfall). 

NAWQA. 

Water Quality-Addressing a National Need 23 
To achieve these goals, the USGS has 

formed two committee structures. Each 

NAWQA study unit has a local liaison committee, which provides for information 

exchange at the field level. This liaison committee includes representatives from agencies 

that manage or regulate surface and ground 

water in the project area. A National Coordinating Work Group, which is composed of 

representatives from Federal agencies that 

regulate and manage water resources, meets 

annually to define the information needs, 

from the national perspective, of those Federal agencies responsible for water quality. 

Conclusion 

In its review of the NAWQA program, 

the members of the National Research Council said, "Human health and environmental 

health are inextricably linked to our Nation's 

water quality. As our population grows and 

our water resources become intensively developed and stressed, water quality becomes a 

more important component of our political, 

economic, social, and environmental decisionmaking. Such decisionmaking cannot proceed without adequate information and 

understanding." 

The USGS total water-quality effort, 

capped by NAWQA, is designed to provide 

the kind of information needed about the 

quality of the Nation's waters to Congress and 

the citizens of this country. The information 

will be obtained on a continuing basis and be 

made available to water managers, policymakers, and the public to provide an improved 

scientific basis for evaluating water quality 

and trends in water quality in the United 

States. In fiscal year 1991, the first 20 

NAWQA study-unit investigations will begin, 

ushering in a new era in the longstanding and 

ongoing water-quality efforts of the USGS. 

Water QualityWhat We H ave Learned 

By William G. Wilber 

I n 1986, the USGS began a 4-year pilot 

study, under the National Water-Quality 

Assessment (NAWQA) program, of the 

quality of surface- and ground-water resources in seven areas across the country. 

These seven areas represent diverse hydrologic environments and water-quality conditions. Each pilot study has contributed to a 

growing understanding of the quality of the 

Nation's water resources and to how that 

quality may be changing. 

Nitrate and Herbicides In Ground 

Water-Delmarva Peninsula 

Elevated nitrate concentrations are prevalent in the shallow aquifer of the Delmarva 

Peninsula, located in Delaware, Maryland, and 

Virginia. Sources of nitrate include septic systems, animal wastes, and fertilizers . About 18 

percent of the samples of shallow ground 

water from the peninsula exceed the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

drinking-water standard of 10 milligrams per 

liter of nitrate as nitrogen. The standard is 

based on concerns that excessive nitrate can 

cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in infants. The elevated nitrate concentrations exist both in urbanized areas 

(from septic systems) and in agricultural areas 

(from fertilizers and animal wastes). 

Agriculture, the primary source of herbicides, is the most prevalent land use on the 

peninsula (about half the land area). The 

shallow depths to the water table, the high 

permeability of the soils , and the high rates of 

recharge all favor the migration of herbicides 

to ground water. Low concentrations of herbicides are common in the top part of the shallow ground-water system throughout the peninsula, but concentrations are lower than 

those of the EPA Health Advisories. 

Bromide in Surface WaterKentucky River Basin 

High concentrations of bromide in 

streams in the Kentucky River basin occur 

during low flows in summer and fall and are 

linked to the discharge of brines produced by 

the oil and gas industry. Bromide is a concern 

because of its role in the formation of potentially carcinogenic trihalomethane (THM) 

compounds, such as bromoform, in the Lexington, Ky., drinking-water supply, downstream from major brine discharges. THM 

compounds form during the disinfection of 

water supplies; chlorine and similar ions such 

as bromine react with natural organic substances to form THM's. 

The Maximum Contaminant Level 

(MCL) established by the EPA for total 

THM's in drinking water is 0.10 milligram 

per liter, calculated as a 12-month average. 

The 12-month average concentration of 

THM's in the Lexington water supply has not 

yet exceeded the MCL during low-flow conditions, but THM concentrations in individual 

finished water samples have exceeded 0 .10 

milligram per liter. 

24 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
National Water-Quality Assessment 

program pilot study sites. 

,o 

"':s:;:, 

~0 MIUS v 0 I 0 0 KILOMETERS 

500MILES 

I I 1 1 11 I 11 I I 

0 500 KILOMETERS 

~ {,r,

• 

EXPLANATION 

SURFACE-WATER 

PILOT PROJECT 

GROUND-WATER 

PILOT PROJECT 

Toxic Compounds in Surface 

Water- Upper Illinois River Basin 

Potentially toxic pesticides and other synthetic organic compounds are detected in the 

water, sediment, and fish from streams in the 

upper Illinois River basin. High concentrations of atrazine (an herbicide) are detected in 

those parts of the basin used for agriculture 

(see "Atrazine in Streams of the Midwestern 

United States," p. 55). High concentrations of 

lawn and garden insecticides, such as diazinon, and herbicides, such as 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), also are detected 

in storm runoff from urban and suburban 

catchments. 

High concentrations of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) are detected in the sediments 

and fish tissues from streams in the Illinois 

Waterway. Concentrations of PCB in a significant number of fish samples exceed the Food 

and Drug Administration action level of 2 

parts per million. At this level, the State Environmental Protection Agency warns that the 

fish should not be eaten. 

Low concentrations of volatile organic 

compounds are detected in streams in the 

urban part of the basin. Chlorine in the structure of the compounds indicates that the compounds may be associated with the disinfection of sewage effluent. 

Atrazine in Surface WaterLower Kansas River Basin 

Significant concentrations of atrazine are 

detected at many locations in streams of the 

lower Kansas River basin. For example, during spring runoff in 1987, atrazine concentrations in intensively cultivated cropland in the 

West Fork Big Blue River ranged from 1.7 to 

18 micrograms per liter. The median concentration was 9 micrograms per liter. During a 

low-flow survey of about 50 sites in 1988, 

atrazine was detected in samples collected at 

all of the locations and in higher concentrations than other widely used herbicides. Onethird of the locations had concentrations of 

atrazine exceeding 3 micrograms per liter, 

EPA's proposed lifetime Health Advisory 

level. Monthly concentrations of atrazine at 

the outflow of Perry Lake, a major Federal 

reservoir used for public water supply, recreation, and flood control, ranged from 1.7 to 

7.0 micrograms per liter during the study 

period. 

Inorganic Constituents and 

Pesticides-Central Oklahoma 

Aquifer 

The Central Oklahoma aquifer has elevated levels of trace elements and natural 

radioactivity. Arsenic exceeds EPA drinkingwater standards in about 4 percent of the 

samples studied, and selenium and natural 

alpha radioactivity each exceed the standards 

in 12 percent of the samples. Many of the 

higher concentrations are detected in deeper 

ground water. 

Pesticides are detected in about 16 percent of the wells sampled throughout the 

Central Oklahoma aquifer, most frequently in 

the urban area of Oklahoma City (29 percent 

Water Quality-Addressing a National Need 25 
USGS hydrologist collects a water 

sample from Otter Creek near 

Redhouse, Ky., as part of the investigation in the field for the pilot 

National Water-Quality Assessment 

program study of surface waters of 

the Kentucky River basin. 

of the wells sampled). Most of the detected 

pesticides are those commonly used by homeowners and include dieldrin and chlordane 

for termite control and 2,4-D and prometone 

for weed control. 

Inorganic Constituents in Ground 

Water-Carson Basin, Nevada 

Several naturally occurring inorganic 

constituents exist in ground water throughout 

the Carson basin. These constituents include 

trace elements (particularly arsenic) and natural radioactivity. Trace-element concentrations 

in drinking water are greater in the downgradient portions of the basin; this increase is 

concurrent with a downgradient transition 

from granitic source rocks to lacustrine deposits. For example, more than 50 percent of the 

sampled wells in the Carson Desert, the farthest downgradient valley, exceed the State of 

Nevada drinking-water standard for arsenic. 

The natural radioactivity of the area 

causes radon concentrations to exceed 500 

picocuries per liter in most of the ground 

water in the basin. The highest concentrations 

that locally exceed 14,000 picocuries per liter 

are in granitic rock and its sedimentary derivatives. In the Carson Desert, uranium concentrations locally exceed 1,000 picocuries per 

liter in shallow ground water. Drinking-water 

standards do not currently exist for these constituents, but the levels are unusually high 

and may exceed standards that are under 

review. 

Insecticides in Surface WaterYakima River Basin, Washington 

Use of the insecticides DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and dieldrin was 

banned in the early 1970's. During the irrigation season and during periods of high sediment erosion, however, concentrations of 

these compounds and their metabolites are 

found frequently to exceed EPA chronic toxicity criteria (CTC) and State of Washington 

standards in the water and sediment of the 

lower part of the Yakima River basin. 

The CTC is 0.001 microgram per liter 

for DDT and its metabolites and 0.0019 

microgram per liter for dieldrin. The amount 

of DDT and its metabolites remaining in the 

soil, particularly in agriculture soil, is large. 

Preliminary estimates indicate that, of the pesticides in the soil, less than 1 percent is transported from the basin each year. Thus, even 

though the use of these compounds was 

banned almost 20 years ago, water-quality 

standards will be exceeded for many years to 

come. 

Summary 

The intensive data collection and analyses for the seven pilot studies will be 

completed in 1991, followed by a 6-year 

period of less intensive assessment activities. 

During this 6-year period, other USGS programs, such as the Federal-State Cooperative 

Program, will support the studies of local and 

regional interest that were developed as a 

result of the NAWQA pilot studies. 

In 1988, members of the National 

Research Council (NRC) Water Science and 

Technology Board began a 2-year evaluation 

of the NAWQA pilot program. The evaluation, completed in 1990, strongly supported 

the program. The NRC board members recommended that a national water-quality 

assessment be conducted because it is in the 

best interests of the Nation, and stated that 

the USGS was the appropriate agency to conduct the assessment because of the success of 

the pilot studies. In 1990 the President's fiscal 

year 1991 budget proposed implementation 

of the full-scale program, a proposal endorsed 

by Congress. Accordingly, the USGS fiscal 

year 1991 budget, appropriated by the Congress, includes $18 million to begin the first 

20 studies of the full-scale, 60-study national 

water-quality assessment program. 

26 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
People and Programs 


Programs 

Scientific programs are administered 

through the Geologic, Water Resources, 

and National Mapping Divisions and 

supported by the Information Systems and 

Administrative Divisions. The National Center 

of the USGS is located in Reston, Va., near 

Washington, D.C. Research and investigations 

are carried out through an extensive organization of regional and field offices located 

throughout the 50 States, Puerto Rico, the 

Virgin Islands, and the Territory of Guam. 

Geologic Division 

T he headquarters office of the Geologic 

Division is located in Reston, Va., and 

consists of the Office of the Chief Geologist 

and six subordinate offices: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Engineering; Regional Geology; 

Mineral Resources; Energy and Marine Geology; International Geology; and Scientific 

Publications. Assistant Chief Geologists in the 

Eastern, Central, and Western Regions act for 

the Chief Geologist in carrying out general 

objectives, policies , and procedures for the 

Division. Project operations are conducted by 

personnel located principally in regional centers at Reston , Va.; Denver, Colo.; and Menlo 

Park, Calif.; and at field offices in Flagstaff, 

Ariz.; Anchorage, Alaska; Woods Hole, Mass.; 

Tucson, Ariz.; Reno, Nev.; and Spokane, 

Wash.; and the center for Coastal and 

Regional Marine Studies in St. Petersburg, 

Fla. 

Geologic H azards Surveys.-The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program is a 

national research effort conducted to reduce 

hazards and risks from future earthquakes in 

the United States. Specific tasks include evaluation of earthquake potential for seismically 

active areas of the United States and operation of global seismic networks. 

The Volcano Hazards Program conducts 

research on volcanic processes to help reduce 

the loss of life, property, and natural resources that can result from volcanic eruptions 

and related hydrologic events. The Hawaiian 

Volcano Observatory on the Island of Hawaii 

and the Cascades Volcano Observatory in 

Vancouver, Wash., are the principal field 

research centers for this program. The Alaska 

Volcano Observatory, a cooperative effort 

with State and academic organizations, is 

located in Anchorage. 

The Landslide Hazards Program emphasizes field and laboratory research on the 

active earth processes that result in ground 

failures such as landslides, mudflows, and 

debris flows . 

Geologic Framework a n d P rocesses.-The 

National Geologic Mapping Program conducts 

basic geologic research to acquire fundamental data on the Nation's geologic structure and 

the environmental and dynamic processes that 

have shaped it. Geologic mapping, geophysical research on the properties of Earth materials, age determinations of rocks, and modernization of mapping techniques are the 

main components of the program. Geologic 

maps provide the data required to address 

many societal and environmental issues, such 

as water-quality and toxic-waste issues; earthquake , volcano, and landslide hazards; and 

potential ground-water contamination by 

agrichemicals. 

The Deep Continental Studies Program 

conducts research to obtain information on 

the composition, structure, formation, and 

evolution of the middle and lower crust and 

upper mantle of the Earth. 

The Geomagnetism Program measures 

and interprets changes in the strength and 

direction of the Earth's magnetic field. 

Eleven geomagnetic observatories provide 

data for continually updating global navigational charts and maps produced by Federal 

agenc1es. 

The Climate Change Program conducts 

research on the natural variability of past cli ­

mate , on the extent of human influence on 

natural patterns of change, and on the magnitude of climate change demonstrated in the 

geologic record in support of Federal global 

change research efforts. 

The Coastal Erosion Program provides 

geologic information on the nature, extent, 

and cause of coastal erosion. This information 

is used by Federal and State agencies to mitigate coastal retreat and land loss. 

Offs ho re Surveys.-The Offshore Geologic Framework Program conducts scientific 

investigations to acquire an understanding of 

basic geologic a nd geophysical characteristics 

of the continental margins, adjacent slope and 

deep-ocean areas, and the U.S. Exclusive 

Mission 

T he U.S. Geological Survey, 

a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior, was established by an Act of Congress on 

March 3, 1879, to provide a 

permanent Federal agency to 

conduct the systematic and scientific "classification of the public 

lands and examination of the 

geological structure, mineral 

resources, and products of the 

national domain." 

As a Nation we face serious questions concerning our 

global envimnment. How can 

we ensure an adequate supply of 

critical water, energy, and mineral resources in the future? In 

what ways are we irreversibly 

altering our natural environment when we use these resources? How has the global environment changed over geologic 

time, and what can the past tell 

us about the fitture? Will we 

have adequate supplies of quality water available for national 

needs? How can we predict, 

prevent, or mitigate the effects 

of natural hazards? 

Collecting, analyzing, and 

disseminating the scientific 

information needed to answer 

these questions are the primary 

mission of the USGS. This 

information is provided to the 

public in many forms, such as 

reports, maps, and data bases, 

that provide descriptions and 

analyses of the water, energy, 

and mineral resow·ces, the land 

swface, the underlying geologic 

structure, and the dynamic processes of the EaTth. 

As the Nation's largest 

earth science research and infoTmation agency, the USGS maintains a Long tradition of p,-oviding ·:Ea~:th Science in the Public 

Servzce. 

27 
Economic Zone. Results of these studies and 

analysis of new information are essential for 

energy and mineral resource evaluation and 

assessment. 

Mineral Resource Surveys.-The National 

Mineral Resource Assessment Program provides comprehensive multidisciplinary surveys 

to identify undiscovered mineral resources in 

the conterminous United States and Alaska 

and provides mineral-resource information 

for planning the use of public lands. 

The Strategic and Critical Minerals Program provides comprehensive information on 

domestic and world resources of nonfuel minerals that are essential to a strong national 

economy and defense. 

The Development of Assessment Techniques Program conducts basic and applied 

research on the origin and the geologic, geochemical, and geophysical characteristics of 

mineral deposit systems to develop concepts 

and techniques to, improve the capability to 

identify and evaluate mineral resources. 

Energy Surveys.-The Evolution of Sedimentary Basins Program conducts multidisciplinary research to define the evolution of 

and the energy and mineral commodities in 

sedimentary basins in the United States. 

The Coal Investigations Program conducts geologic, geophysical, and geochemical 

research to develop scientifically based assessments of the quality, quantity, and availability 

of the Nation's coal resources. 

The Oil and Gas Investigations Program 

conducts basic and applied research on the 

generation, migration, and entrapment of 

petroleum and natural gas to provide reliable 

assessments of the oil and gas resources of the 

Nation that are critical to the development 

and implementation of national energy policies and strategies. 

The Oil Shale Investigations Program 

conducts research to assess the Nation's oil 

shale resources, including investigation of the 

structure and chemistry of oil shale deposits 

and identification of oil shale deposits suitable 

for exploitation under current environmental 

and technological constraints. 

The Uranium/Thorium Investigations 

Program conducts basic research to determine 

the nature and distribution of uranium and 

thorium resources, including newly forming 

uranium deposits and daughter products, 

such as radon, that may be health hazards. 

The Geothermal Investigations Program 

conducts basic research to determine the 

nature, distribution, and magnitude of the 

Nation's geothermal resources. These studies 

define the geologic and hydrothermal regimes 

of the various classes of geothermal resources 

and identify the crustal, geochemical, and 

hydrothermal processes that produce geothermal systems. 

The World Energy Resources Assessment 

Program provides information on worldwide 

energy resources for use by other agencies in 

the development of national-energy, 

international-trade, and foreign policies. 

Water Resources Division 

T he headquarters office of the Water Resources Division is located in Reston, 

Va. The Chief Hydrologist, the Associate 

Chief Hydrologist, and five Assistant Chief 

Hydrologists are responsible for the overall 

direction of the Division. National waterresearch programs are developed at Division 

headquarters under the direction of the Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Research and 

External Coordination. 

General direction of the Division's field 

programs is conducted through four Regional 

Hydrologists, located in Reston, Va.; Atlanta, 

Ga.; Denver, Colo.; and Menlo Park, Calif. 

Forty-two District Offices conduct the waterresources investigations and data-collection 

programs of the Division in all 50 States, 

Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the 

Territory of Guam. 

National Water-Quality Assessment.-The 

National Water-Quality Assessment program 

seeks to provide nationally consistent descriptions of the quality of the Nation's water 

resources over a large, diverse, and geographically distributed portion of the country; provide a baseline for evaluating future trends in 

water quality and, where possible, define 

trends in water quality over recent decades; 

and provide an understanding of the factors 

influencing water quality. This information 

provides the basis to forecast change and evaluate the likely effect on water quality of various proposed remedial actions. Initial efforts 

include four surface-water and three groundwater pilot studies; 20 study units are planned 

for operation beginning in fiscal year 1991. 

National Water Summary.-The National 

Water Summary Program provides water 

information on a State-by-State and national 

basis to aid policymakers in the analysis and 

development of water policies, legislation, and 

management actions. Changing patterns in 

availability, quantity, quality, and use of water 

resources are summarized for use by government officials, natural resources managers, 

and the public. 

The principal products of the program 

are National Water Summary reports that 

describe hydrologic events and water conditions for individual water years and provide a 

State-by-State overview of specific waterrelated issues. 

Hazardous Waste Hydrology.-The USGS 

conducts research and investigations into the 

disposal of hazardous chemical and radioactive 

28 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
wastes. This information is useful in alleviating the effects of waste on the Nation's water 

resources. The USGS evaluates the existing 

and potential effects on water resources in 

hazardous-waste disposal and provides baseline data on the chemical contamination of 

surface and ground water to assist the Department of Energy in developing procedures and 

guidelines for identifying suitable wastedisposal sites. 

Radioactive-waste studies are conducted 

in the Nuclear Waste Hydrology Program, the 

principal emphasis of which is a better understanding of radionuclide transport in groundwater systems. Nonradioactive wastes are the 

focus of the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, which provides data to mitigate existing 

and potential contamination problems. 

Regional Aquifer Systems Analysis.-The 

Regional Aquifer Systems Analysis Program is 

a systematic study of a number of regional 

ground-water systems that represent a significant part of the Nation's water supply. The 

program includes assessment of dischargerecharge dynamics, hydrogeologic and chemical controls governing response of aquifer systems to stress, and development of computer 

simulation models. 

Acid Rain.-The USGS provides information needed to improve the scientific 

understanding of the occurrence and effects 

of acid rain, so that judgments can be made 

about effective measures for controlling or 

alleviating the problem. Components of the 

acid rain research and monitoring program 

include determination of the effects of acid 

deposition on lakes, streams, and aquifers; 

operation of the National Trends Network; 

and research into more precise methods of 

measurement. The program is coordinated 

through the Interagency Task Force on Acid 

Precipitation. 

Hydrologic Data Collection.-The Hydrologic Data Collection Program provides information on the quantity, quality, location, and 

use of the Nation's surface and ground water 

to support the needs of Federal, State, and 

local governments. Data collection stations are 

maintained at selected locations to provide 

records on streamflow, reservoir and lake 

storage, ground-water levels, and the quality 

of surface and ground water. These data 

form an information base that supports 

national and regional assessments of water 

resources. 

Federal-State Cooperatives.-The 

Federal-State Cooperative Program, which 

constitutes more than 40 percent of overall 

Division activity, is a partnership for waterresources investigations involving 50-50 cost 

sharing between the USGS and more than 

1,000 State or local government agencies. One 

of the program's unique characteristics is that 

the USGS performs most of the work on 

behalf of the cooperators. Hydrologic data 

collection activities and water-resources investigations are included in the program. 

National Research Program.-Basic 

research in the Water Resources Division 

focuses on increasing understanding of the 

fundamental hydrologic processes of the 

Nation's ground- and surface-water systems. 

Knowledge and techniques derived from 

these efforts are directed at solving current 

problems and anticipating future problems. 

Research studies are concentrated in surfacewater hydrology, geochemistry, ground-water 

hydrology, sediment transport and geomorphology, water chemistry, and ecology. 

State Research Institutes.-The State 

Water Resources Research Institutes Program, 

the costs for which are shared by Federal and 

State governments, supports 54 Water 

Research Institutes at land-grant colleges or 

universities in the 50 States, the District of 

Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, 

and Guam. Research projects at the institutes 

are carried out in all water-related fields 

including engineering and the physical, biological, and social sciences. 

Research Grants.-The Water Resources 

Research Grants program supports research 

as defined in the Water Resources Research 

Act of 1964. Competitive grants are awarded 

on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis to qualified educational institutions, foundations, private firms, individuals, or agencies of local or 

State governments. Research is supported on 

water-resources-related problems of national 

interest. 

Water Data Activities Coordination.-The 

Office of Water Data Coordination is responsible for providing leadership to coordinate 

the water-data acquisition and information 

sharing activities of all agencies of the Federal 

Government. The office was created as part 

of the U.S. Department of the Interior's 

implementation of Office of Management and 

Budget Circular A-67. The scope of the activities includes the quality, quantity, and use of 

streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and 

ground water. 

Much of the program is accomplished 

through two committees that advise the Secretary of the Interior on programs and plans 

related to the implementation of Circular 

A-67. Thirty Federal organizations are represented on the Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data, and more than 100 representatives of those organizations conduct the 

activities of the committee. The second group 

is the Advisory Committee on Water Data for 

Public Use, which is composed of 16 national 

organizations involved in water-related issues. 

This committee operates under the Federal 

Advisory Committee Act. 

People and Programs 29 
National Mapping Division 

T he headquarters office of the National 

Mapping Division is located in Reston, 

Va., and is composed of five primary organizational units: Program, Budget, and Administration; Coordination and Requirements; 

Production Management; Research; and 

Information and Data Services. Four mapping 

centers (Reston, Va.; Rolla, Mo.; Denver, 

Colo.; and Menlo Park, Calif.) and the EROS 

(Earth Resources Observation Systems) Data 

Center (Sioux Falls, S. Dak.) perform operational mapping, remote sensing, printing, 

product distribution, and data dissemination 

activities. 

Mapping Coordination.-The USGS 

annually coordinates requirements for maps 

and digital cartographic data of Federal agencies under authority of Office of Management 

and Budget Circular A-16. The bureau also 

coordinates requirements of State and local 

agencies for maps and map-related products. 

In the area of digital cartography, the USGS 

chairs both the Interior Digital Cartography 

Coordinating Committee (a departmental 

committee) and the Federal Interagency 

Coordinating Committee on Digital Cartography (Federal Geographic Data Committee per 

revised OMB Circular A-16, October 1990) 

and provides leadership in the use of digital 

spatial data and in the development of digital 

data exchange standards. The USGS also provides staff support to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, an interdepartmental board 

that determines the choice, form, spelling, 

and application of official geographic place 

names for Federal use. 

Map and Digital Data Production.-The 

USGS prepares base maps, image map products, digital cartographic data, and selected 

thematic maps of the Nation that are used 

extensively for land planning, land and resource management, and recreation purposes. 

These maps and data are available in printed 

and digital form. Reproductions of aerial photographs and satellite images also are available. Digital data are available from the 

National Digital Cartographic Data Base as 

digital line graphs or digital elevation models. 

Primary topographic maps, including 

7.5-minute maps mostly at 1:24,000 scale for 

almost all areas of the lower 49 States and ISminute maps of Alaska at 1:63,360 scale, are 

especially useful where detailed information is 

needed for all types of land and resource 

management. These detailed maps are periodically inspected and revised to maintain 

data currentness. 

Also available are smaller scale topographic maps, such as the intermediate-scale 

maps prepared at 1: 100,000 scale and the 

1 :250,000-scale map series. These map series 

are widely used by Federal and State agencies 

and the private sector for preparing their own 

special-purpose maps and depicting their 

unique data. Other maps available include 

1 :500,000-scale State base maps and smaller 

scale U.S. base maps. 

The land use and land cover maps, primarily at scales of 1:250,000 and 1:100,000 

for selected areas, provide the only systematic nationwide inventory of land use and 

land cover data. The USGS also prepares 

special-purpose map products, such as orthophotoquads, small-scale image maps, U.S. 

National Park maps. and thematic maps. 

Research and Technology.-The USGS 

has pioneered investigations that have led to 

significant developments and changes in surveying and mapping. Mapping research activities, which are centered primarily on the geographic and cartographic disciplines, currently 

emphasize spatial data analysis, applications of 

remote sensing and geographic information 

systems, and advanced techniques for producing digital cartographic data. 

The Division has embarked on a major 

research and development plan (known as 

Mark II) to move from manual to digital production and revision of map products. The 

goals of Mark II are to implement the 

advanced cartographic systems and procedures required to automate map production 

and to provide digital cartographic data 

required by Federal and State agencies for 

computer-based analysis of spatial data. 

Information Services.-The USG3 disseminates much of the Nation's earth science 

information through its Earth Science Information Centers (ESIC), 61 ESIC-State affiliated offices, and the Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center. The information 

is provided in many forms, from maps and 

books to computer-readable magnetic tapes 

and compact discs. About 125,000 different 

maps, books, and reports and about 9.5 million aerial and space images are available for 

purchase. USGS maps are also available from 

more than 3,500 authorized commercial map 

dealers nationwide. 

International Activities 

T he USGS has conducted earth science 

studies in foreign countries for nearly 50 

years. Authorization is provided under the 

Organic Act, as revised, and the Foreign 

Assistance Act and related legislation when 

such studies are deemed by the U.S. Departments of the Interior and State to be in the 

interest of the U.S. Government. 

Current international program efforts 

focus on technical assistance programs in 

developing countries and scientific cooperation and research through agreements with 

30 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
other countries as an extension and enhancement of USGS domestic programs. Cooperative research activities range from informal 

communications among scientists, through 

formal, jointly staffed projects, to multinationally staffed coordinated programs focused on 

particular problems or topics. 

Related activities that are integral to the 

international programs include institutional 

development, exchange of scientists, training 

of foreign nationals, and representation of the 

USGS or the U.S. Government in international organizations and at international 

conferences and meetings. 

Information Systems Division 

T he Information Systems Division headquarters office is in Reston, Va. The 

Division is composed of five offices: Assistant 

Director, Computer and Communications Services, Customer Services, Field Services, and 

Management Services. Service centers in Reston, Va.; Menlo Park, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; 

and Flagstaff, Ariz., provide a complete range 

of services to users. 

The Assistant Director for Information 

Systems is the Division Chief. He chairs the 

USGS Information Systems Council, which is 

composed of the top automated data processing manager in each Division and in the Central and Western Regions. The council recommends technology-related policies to the 

Director, coordinates computer science 

research and technology, and provides guidelines for the sharing, acquisition, and use of 

major computer systems and information 

management programs for the USGS. 

Administrative Division 

T he headquarters office of the Administrative Division is located in Reston, Va. 

The Division is composed of five headquarters offices. Financial Management and Systems Management are centralized headquarters functions; Facilities and Management 

Services, Personnel, and Procurement and 

Contracts provide operational support at 

headquarters and at USGS field units through 

Regional Management Offices in Denver, 

Colo., and Menlo Park, Calif. The Division 

also manages the development, maintenance, 

and operation of the financial management 

system for the entire U.S. Department of the 

Interior through a sixth component, the 

Washington Administrative Service Center. 

The Assistant Director for Administration is the Division Chief. Under his leadership, the Division provides administrative 

direction and coordination to support the scientific and technical programs of the USGS. 

Budget 

Cooperative agreements with more than 1,000 Federal, State, and local agencies 

and the academic community support a large 

share of research and investigations. In fiscal 

year 1990, the USGS had obligational authority for $723.1 million, $501.5 million of which 

came from direct appropriations, $7.8 million 

from estimated receipts from map sales, and 

$213.8 million from reimbursements. The 

USGS was reimbursed for work performed 

for other Federal, State, and local agencies 

whose needs for earth science expertise complement USGS program objectives. Work for 

State, county, and municipal agencies is most 

often conducted on a cost-sharing basis (see 

p. 96). 

People 

At the end of fiscal year 1990, the 

USGS had 8,595 permanent full-time 

employees. The diversified earth science research programs and services of the 

bureau are reflected in the workforce, about 

half of which possess a bachelor's or higher 

level degree. 

Permanent employees are supported by 

the 1,899 other-than-full-time permanent 

employees, including many university students 

and faculty members. This relation with the 

academic community has made the expertise 

of many eminent scientists available to the 

USGS. Students have proved valuable during 

times of increased workload, especially during 

the field season. Academic institutions have 

provided a means of recruiting qualified 

young professionals for permanent full-time 

positions upon completion of their studies. 

The USGS has several innovative programs 

that provide opportunities for graduate students. Other programs promote interest in 

the earth sciences at historically black colleges 

and universities and at Hispanic-serving institutions. (See "Women, Minorities, and Persons 

with Disabilities," p. 39.) 

Outreach and 

Information 

Dissemination 

I n its continuing commitment to meet the 

earth science needs of the Nation, the 

USGS collects, analyzes, interprets, 

publishes, and disseminates earth science 

- j­

- 3

-

34 

-

~ 

-

19 

-

41 

'--­ -

Percentage of Total 


Funds by Activity 


- :;::­ -== Facilities 

General 

Administration 

Geologic and 

Mineral Resource 

Surveys and 

Mapping 

National Mapping, 

Geography, and 

Surveys 

Water Resources 

Investigations 

People and Programs 31 
Personnel, 


by Occupation 


rc:::::::: - :::::­

1675 

,...._ -

529 

1---­

f-.­ 209 ­

-

923 

r-­ 261 ­ 1-­ -

1565 

- 415 - - -

2854 

1-­

1-­ 164_-

Administrative 

and Clerical 

Cartographers 

Chemists 

Geologists 

Geophysicists 

Hydrologists 

Other Scientists 

and Engineers 

Technical 

Wage Board 

information. The results of USGS investigations are published in scientific reports and in 

topographic, geologic, and hydrologic maps. 

About 125,000 different maps, books, and 

reports are available for purchase. A series of 

general-interest publications is available to 

inform the public about USGS activities. 

Research results and investigations are also 

published in journals of technical and scientific organizations and in publications of cooperating Federal and State agencies. News 

releases, real-time information on earthquakes 

in the United States and around the world, 

and news conferences on reports and events 

of current interest are other important means 

by which the USGS provides earth science 

information to the public. 

During fiscal year 1990, the USGS produced 2,259 new or revised topographic, geologic, and hydrologic maps, bringing the total 

number of maps available to 84,000. Of these, 

more than 9.5 million copies were distributed. 

The number of reports approved for publication in fiscal year 1990 was 4,544, 71 percent 

of which were designated for publication in 

outside professional journals and monographs 

and the remainder for publication by the 

USGS. 

More than 122,756 copies of technical 

reports were distributed. Also, 889 new 

reports were released as open files, making 

the total more than 28,000 open-file reports 

available. More than 914,000 copies of 

general-interest publications were distributed 

in response to inquiries from the public. Of 

the approximately 9.5 million aerial and space 

images available for sale, about 185,000 copies 

are sold annually. 

Awards and Honors 

Each year USGS employees receive 

awards and honors that range from 

certificates of excellence and monetary 

awards to recognition of their achievements 

by election to membership or office in professional societies. Abbreviations used throughout are GD, Geologic Division; WRD, Water 

Resources Division; and NMD, National 

Mapping Division. 

Presidential Rank Awards 

Presidential Rank Awards are presented 

annually by the Office of Personnel Management to career members of the Senior Executive Service for exceptional service. Presidential Rank Awards, the highest civilian honor 

awarded to Federal executives, are given at 

two levels: Distinguished ($20,000 award) and 

Meritorious ($10,000 award). 

John N. Fischer, Jr., Associate Chief Hydrologist, WRD, received the Meritorious Rank 

award for his managerial and executive leadership during the past 10 years. He has directly 

and significantly influenced the philosophy, 

policies, and accomplishments of USGS programs through his leadership abilities and his 

effective communication skills, particularly 

witl~ other Federal agency managers and science practitioners and with congressional 

leaders and their staffs. 

Distinguished Service Awards 

The highest honor given by the Department of the Interior to its employees is the 

Distinguished Service Award. Symbolized by 

a gold medal, this award for outstanding 

achievement was presented to nine USGS 

employees: 

James F. Blakey, Regional Hydrologist, Central Region, WRD, for exceptional contributions to the management of water-resources 

programs that have significantly increased the 

impact of hydrologic research on national 

environmental issues. 

Robert D. Brown, Jr., GD, for outstanding 

contributions to the integration of earth science data with planning and decisionmaking 

processes related to facilities siting and seismic 

hazards. 

Bruce B. Hanshaw, GD, for outstanding contributions to radioactive waste management, 

shale membrane theory, and paleoclimatology 

and for his leadership as Secretary General 

for the 1989 28th International Geological 

Congress. 

L. J. Patrick Muffler, GD, for outstanding 

contributions including establishing a method 

for classifying and assessing geothermal 

resources. 

Gary W. North, Assistant Division Chief for 

Information and Data Services, NMD, for 

outstanding efforts in promoting earth science 

information technology, developing a national 

network of information centers, and for cooperative education efforts with the Historically Black College and University program. 

Stanley P. Sauer, Regional Hydrologist, 

Northeastern Region, WRD, for exceptional 

achievements in addressing water-resources 

problems, including ground-water contamination research, and for management of waterresources programs. 

Kiyoshi J. Takasaki, Assistant Chief, Hawaii 

District Office, WRD, for notable accomplishments in geohydrology and the island hydrology of Hawaii and other Pacific islands. 

Donald E. Vaupel, Chief, New Jersey District 

Office, WRD, for exceptional contributions to 

the development and management of waterresources programs, particularly in advanced 

computer technology, and for cooperation 

with State organizations and associations. 

32 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
Richard E. Witmer, Assistant Division Chief 

for Program, Budget, and Administration, 

NMD, for outstanding contributions to the 

advancement of resource mapping, development of geographic information systems technology, and management of programs to 

accommodate changing technologies in 

cartography. 

Meritorious Service Awards 

The Meritorious Service Award is the 

second highest award granted by the Department of the Interior and is given for significant contributions to the earth sciences and to 

management and administration of USGS scientific programs. Recipients are 

Office of the Director 

Linda D. Stanley 

Geologic Division 

Robert C. Bucknam Jack Rachlin 

M. Devereux Carter John W. Salisbury 

Thomas P. Miller Stanley P. Schweinfurth 

Gary R. Olhoeft Kenneth Watson 

Water Resources Division 

James F. Wilson, Jr. 

National Mapping Division 

Franklin S. Baxter Richard L. Kleckner 

Ernest B. Brunson Joel L. Morrison 

Gary L. Fairgrieve 

Administrative Division 

Aiko C. Hayashi 

Superior Service Awards: 

The Superior Service Award is the third 

highest award granted by the Department of 

the Interior and is given for significant acts, 

services, or achievements that materially aid 

the accomplishment of the Survey's mission. 

Recipients are 

Office of the Director 

Nancy S. Hawkins Patricia Jorgenson 

Geologic Division 

John L. Boatwright Charles S. Mueller 

CarolS. Breed Robert A. Page 

Jerry L. Clayton Daniel J. Ponti 

Patricia Cuneo Cynthia C. Ramseyer 

James H. Dietrich Laurie F. Rinker 

William L. Ellsworth Christopher J. Schenk 

John P. Galloway Katheryn M. Sloan 

Thomas C. Hanks Paul A. Spudich 

Donald B. Hoover Margo I. Toth 

Frederick W. Lester John R. VanSchaack 

CarlL. Long Peter L. Ward 

Water Resources Division 

Claire B. Davidson Harry F. Lins 

Paul V. Dresler Daisie M. Oden 

Sandra L. Holmes Thomas G. Ross 

Robert W. James, Jr. Leanna E. Sweet 

National Mapping Division 

James N. Brooks Michael A. Kelley 

Teresa A. Dean Rodney L. Krone 

George F. Delinski, Jr. Carol A. Lee 

Burley C. Edwards Benjamin S. Ramey 

Janet C. Flanagan Charlene R. Hall Raphael 

Robert L. Gwynn Margaret A. Rawson 

Bradish F. Johnson Ocie V. Sigley 

Mike Karich Judy]. Stella 

Administrative Division 

Connie R. Sanders 

Information Systems Division 

Pedro Cadenas-Planas Linda E. Deiter 

Sharon L. Crown Patrick C. Doherty 

Awards and Honors Received by 

USGS Employees During 1990 

Charles E. Barker, GD, elected President of 

the Society for Luminescent Microscopy and 

Spectroscopy. 

Christopher C. Barton, GD, selected as Distinguished Lecturer by the American Association 

of Petroleum Geologists and elected Secretary 

of the Rocky Mountain Section of the American Geophysical Union. 

Franklin S. Baxter, NMD, received presidential citations from the American Congress on 

Surveying and Mapping for serving on and as 

secretary of the Board of Directors. 

Charles W. Bennett, Manager, Federal Map 

Depository Library Program, NMD, received 

a special award from the American Library 

Association for his guidance to map librarians 

through the depository program. 

M. Clarke Blake, Jr., GD, received the McKay 

Hammer Award from the Geological Society 

of New Zealand for his outstanding contributions to the geology of New Zealand. 

Arthur F. Buddington (deceased), GD, a 

mountain range in the Coast Mountains of 

Alaska has been named the "Buddington 

Range" in his honor by the Alaska State Geographic Names Board in recognition of his 

outstanding research on the geology and mineral deposits of southeastern Alaska. 

William A. Cobban, GD, awarded the Raymond C. Moore Paleontology Medal of the 

Society of Economic Paleontologists and 

Mineralogists. 

J. Thomas Dutro, Jr., GD, is Trustee and VP 

of the Paleontological Research Institution; 

Geological Society of America Representative 

to the AAAS Section on Geology & Geography; Association of Earth Science Editors 

Representative to the AAAS Section on 

Personnel, by Division 

.-=::::::- ::::::­

540 

......_ t­ -

2234 

- 1'51 .:...­ - !""" 

1681 

-

3989 

~.....__ __.____ 

Director's Office 

and 

Administrative 

Division 

Geologic Division 

Information 

Systems Division 

National Mapping 

Division 

Water Resources 

Division 

People and Programs 33 
Information, Computing, and Communication; Research Associate of the Smithsonian 

Institution; Titular Member for the U.S. Carboniferous Subcommission of the International Union of the Geological Sciences Stratigraphic Commission; and U.S. Member of 

Permanent Committee for the Congress of 

Carboniferous and Permian Stratigraphy and 

Geology. 


George E. Ericksen, GD, received the Distin­


guished Alumni Award from the University 


of Montana for his outstanding contributions 

to the understanding of the geology and mineral resources of South America. 

Norman 0. Fredericksen, GD, received the 

Fulbright Senior Partial Award to conduct 

palynological research at the University of 

Gottingen, West Germany. 

Bruce B. Hanshaw, GD, elected VP of the 

International Division of the Geological Soci­


ety of America. 


James L. Hott, lSD, received a special award 


from the Department of the Interior and 


Government Computer News Agency for his 


work in the development of the GEONET 


telecommunications network now used by all 


Interior bureaus. 


Information Systems Division, Branch of 


Telecommunications, received one of seven 


governmentwide awards from the Govern­


ment Computer News Agency for sustained 


excellence in telecommunications planning, 


management, and operations. At the same 


ceremony, the Interagency Working Group 


on Data Management for Global Change was 


honored by the same group for facilitating 


the study of global change. The USGS partici­


pates in this working group with other Fed­


eral agencies involved in global change 


research. 


Marshall E. Jennings, WRD, named Engineer 


of the Year for the USGS by the National 


Society of Professional Engineers. 


Lucille M. Jones, GD, elected to the Board of 

Directors of the Seismological Society of 

America. 

Debra S. Knopman, WRD, named Chairman 

of the American Geophysical Union's Public 

Information Committee. 

Robert M. Kosanke, GD, received the Gilbert 

H. Cady award of the Coal Division of the 

Geological Society of America for his work in 

coal geology including palynology, paleobotany, stratigraphy, coal petrology, coal chemistry, and coal reserves. 

Arthur H. Lachenbruch, GD, received the 

Walter H. Bucher Medal from the American 

Geophysical Union for his outstanding 

research that combined observations of geological phenomena with mathematical representations to provide insight into fundamental 

problems of the lithosphere of the Earth. 

Ricardo Lopez, GD, received the GD Safety 

Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding performance as collateral duty safety 

officer and member of the National Center 

Hazardous Chemical Spill Team. 

Bernard A. Malo, WRD, received the 1990 

American Society for Testing and Materials 

(ASTM) Award of Merit and was made a Fellow of the Society for his outstanding leadership in promoting ASTM standards development in the analysis of water. 

Alan M. Mikuni, Assistant Chief of the Western Mapping Center, NMD, serving as chairman on the Engineering Cartography Committee of the Surveying and Engineering 

Division, American Society of Civil Engineers. 

Bruce F. Molnia, GD, selected as editor of a 

new Geological Society of America publication, "Geology Today." 

Joel L. Morrison, Assistant Division Chief for 

Research, NMD, elected Chairman of the 

Board of Directors of the National Center for 

Geographic Information and Analysis. 

Douglas J. Nichols, GD, served as Sigma Xi 

National Lecturer. 

Gordon L. Nord, Jr., GD, awarded a 1-year 

Guest Research Fellowship by the Royal Society of Great Britain to participate in 

cooperative studies at the University of 

Cambridge. 

John Pojeta, Jr., GD, elected President, Paleontological Society; Secretary, Council of Systematic Malacologists; Secretary, Association 

of North American Paleontological Societies. 

John K. Powell, Mid-Continent Mapping 

Center, NMD, served as Director for the 

American Society for Photogrammetry and 

Remote Sensing, Rolla Region. 

Stephen E. Prensky, GD, elected VP of publications and editor for the Society of Professional Well Log Analysts. 

Dudley D. Rice and Romeo M. Flores, GD, 

received the award for the best paper presented at the Energy Minerals Division of the 

Rocky Mountain Section of the American 

Association of Petroleum Geologists. Rice was 

elected to the office of Treasurer by the 

Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists. 

Paul Segall, GD, received the American Geophysical Union's James B. Macelwane Medal 

in recognition of significant contributions to 

the geophysical sciences by a young scientist. 

Robert L. Smith, GD, received an Honorary 

Doctor of Science degree from the United 

Kingdom's Lancaster University for his outstanding research in the field of volcanology. 

John P. Snyder (retired), NMD, elected President of the American Cartographic Association, of the American Congress on Surveying 

and Mapping. 

Jerry W. Wagner, Mid-Continent Mapping 

Center, NMD, elected President, American 

34 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
Society for Photogrammetry and Remote 


Sensing, Rolla Region. 


Allen H. Watkins, Chief of the EROS Data 


Center, NMD, elected member of the Interna­


tional Academy of Astronautics. 


Outstanding Federal Employees 

with Disabilities 

Each year the USGS nominates one or 

more employees for recognition as Outstanding Federal Employees with Disabilities. Nominations are forwarded through the Interior 

Department for consideration and recognition 

at the Annual Presidential Awards Ceremony 

for Outstanding Federal Employees with 

Disabilities. USGS employees nominated in 

1990 are 

William D. Zitrin, WRD, who is hearing 

impaired, was nominated for his outstanding 

accomplishments in the area of computerized 

administrative systems. He has programmed 

an entire financial system for the USGS eightstate Western Region and has written manuals, trained users, and maintained the system. 

He also assists other hearing impaired people. 

Marcella Bernhard, lSD, who is hearing 

impaired, was nominated for her outstanding 

accomplishments in monitoring regional communications systems, installing local area networks, and troubleshooting and repairing 

computer communication problems. She, too, 

works with other hearing impaired employees 

to help them communicate more effectively. 

Public Service Recognition Awards 

Special awards were presented by the 

USGS to 11 employees in 1990 for their outstanding contributions as public servants. 

These presentations were part of the governmentwide Public Service Recognition Week 

(May 7-11, 1990), which celebrates the indispensable and diverse contributions of the millions of women and men who make up the 

public work force and is a ''time set aside to 

recognize the 'unsung heroines and heroes' 

who give so much to America." 

Two of these USGS employees, Mrs. 

Maxine Millard and Dr. Cornelia Cameron, 

were further honored by the U.S. Department of the Interior at a special ceremony. 

Together these two outstanding women represent a combined Federal service of nearly 

90 years. Mrs. Millard, who is the Chief of the 

Office of Personnel, Administrative Division, 

was cited for her significant accomplishments 

in personnel administration and for her many 

''firsts" as a woman in the personnel field. 

This year, she received special recognition for 

50 years in public service. Dr. Cameron, GD, 

has been an active field geologist for more 

than 50 years and is recognized as the world's 

foremost authority on peat and peat resources. Both women are featured in the Interior Department publication Profile of Women 

at Work. 

Other USGS employees honored for 

their outstanding contributions to public service are Willie McDuffie, Jr., Office of the 

Director; Clara C. Wilson, Administrative 

Division; Flora A. Heggem, GD; Florence R. 

Weber, GD; Mary Ellen Lazarus, lSD; Evelyn 

F. Christian, NMD; Dan A. McCord, NMD; 

Paul R. Beauchemin, WRD; and Bruce K. 

Green, WRD (see box p. 8). 

At a special ceremony in Denver, Colo., 

several USGS employees were honored as 

"Unsung Heroes" for their special achievements both in the workplace and in the community: William C. Butler, GD; Tom Ging, 

GD; Robert O'Donnell, GD; Waverly 

Person, GD; Walter Rast, WRD; and Richard 

Scott, GD. 

USGS employees who are involved in 

other public and community service activities 

are recognized by outside organizations for 

their activities. Employees so honored include 

Waverly J. Person, GD, presented with the 

Boulder County, Colo., special award for 

minorities who make outstanding scientific 

contributions to community action programs. 

David C. Prowell, GD, the first individual to 

receive the Hughes Award for Outstanding 

Co~tributions to Education in Georgia, from 

Atlantic Telephone and Telegraph, for his 

commitment to the advancement of earth science knowledge through public education. 

Stewardship Award For 

Volunteerism 

In support of his initiative on volunteerism, Secretary of the Interior Lujan presented 

the following award: 

Maxine C. Jefferson, Supervisory Employee 

Development Specialist, Administrative Division, in recognition of her outstanding program leadership and contributions to volunteerism at the USGS, in development and 

administration of the Volunteer for Science 

Program. The District of Columbia Public 

Schools named Mrs. Jefferson an Outstanding 

Partner in Education for the years 1988 and 

1989. 

John Wesley Powell Awards 

Each year the USGS presents the John 

Wesley Powell Award to persons or groups 

outside the Federal Government for voluntary 

actions that result in significant gains or 

improvements in the efforts of the USGS to 

provide "Earth Science in the Public Service." 

The Powell A ward is named in honor of 

the second USGS director (1881-84). Powell, 

People and Programs 35 
Volunteer is Honored 

Carolyn Shoemaker, a volunteer with the Geologic Division in Flagstaff, Ariz., received 

an Honorary Doctor of Science 

Degree from Northern Arizona 

University for her outstanding 

achievements in research on 

asteroids and comets. 

a geologist, Civil War hero, and Indian ethnographer, led pioneer explorations of the 

Colorado River. Powell award recipients for 

1990 are Genevieve Atwood, former Utah 

State Geologist, received the Powell Award for 

achievement in State Government, in recognition of her role in the formation of the Utah 

Seismic Safety Advisory Council, which led to 

the adoption of improved seismic safety policies in Utah. She was further cited for her 

cooperative efforts with the USGS that benefited the National Earthquake Hazards 

Reduction Program and for her overall 

efforts to deepen understanding of the scientific and social aspects of natural disaster 

reduction. 

Walter Sullivan, retired science editor of the 

New York Times, received the Powell Award 

for citizen's achievement, in recognition of 

his significant accomplishments as a science 

writer and communicator. In his writings for 

the New York Times and in his books, Sullivan has covered earth science subjects and 

activities of the USGS for more than 40 years, 

beginning with some of the the Survey's early 

scientific work in Antarctica. Sullivan was 

cited for fostering improved public understanding of the earth sciences and for making 

the work of the USGS ''come alive on the 

written page." 

Glass Instruments, Inc., a Pasadena, Calif., 

firm that makes technical glass products and 

specialized light sources for science and industry, received the Powell A ward for industry 

achievement. For more than 25 years the 

firm, through competitive bidding, has supplied the USGS with argon-38 traces for 

potassium-argon age determination and other 

glass specialty products used in age dating of 

rock and mineral samples. The award was 

presented to Thurston LeVay, president of 

Glass Instruments, citing the substantial 

investment in research and equipment by the 

company as a major benefit to the radioisotope geochronology programs of the USGS. 

Special Programs and 

Initiatives 

During fiscal year 1990, the USGS 

increased its participation in programs 

supporting U.S. Department of the 

Interior special initiatives, such as volunteerism, education, and women, minorities, and 

persons with disabilities. The activities of 1990 

reflect intensified efforts in on-going programs that have long been a part of the 

bureau's overall mission. The following are 

highlights of the special programs and efforts 

underway. 

Volunteerism 

T he USGS has an active in-house volunteer program called Volunteer for Science. Since 1986 this successful and rapidly 

growing program has proven to be of mutual 

benefit to the USGS and the volunteers. The 

spirit of volunteerism also is a commitment in 

the lives of many USGS employees, who are 

active in their communities and in various service groups. During the past year, the USGS 

has made special efforts to recognize and 

applaud these extra efforts made by its 

employees. 

Volunteers . .. in a Scientific Agency?­

Most people are surprised to learn that the 

USGS has a volunteer program. Traditionally, 

volunteerism is thought of in relation to hospitals, schools, parks, social service, or other 

activities. The most frequently asked question 

about the USGS Volunteer for Science program is, "What could volunteers do in a scientific agency?'' The answers are many, varied, 

and amazingly interesting. 

Volunteers perform assignments as geologists, geophysicists, cartographers, hydrologists, field assistants, laboratory assistants, 

library aids, and rainfall observers. They 

come from such sources as high schools, colleges and universities, scientific agencies, professional associations, retiree associations, private industry, and the community at large. 

High school students, for example, can investigate career possibilities and develop a 

broader interest in science. College students 

pursuing degrees in the earth sciences and 

other professional fields broaden their knowledge and experience as they work with USGS 

personnel. Teachers welcome access to stateof-the-art equipment and technology. Retirees 

can remain involved in their scientific 

career-or can finally pursue a long-deferred 

interest in science. Community members have 

an opportunity to be involved in public service. Clearly, both the volunteer and the 

USGS benefit from this program. 

The Volunteer for Science program is a 

national effort, and volunteers help in USGS 

offices from Maine to Hawaii. More than 

1,700 volunteers, who help with a variety of 

earth science and administrative efforts, have 

provided more than 419,000 hours, at a 

savings of $4.5 million to the Federal Government. In fiscal year 1990, 489 new agreements were signed, a remarkable addition to 

the Volunteer for Science program. 

Volunteers assist with bedrock mapping 

in Vermont, measure radon in the soils in 

New Jersey, prepare rainfall reports in North 

Carolina, review manuscripts in Colorado, 

study geology and mineral resources of an 

Apache Reservation in Arizona, conduct tours 

and special programs for visitors to the USGS 

36 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
National Center in Reston, Va., and work on 

projects at the Cascades Volcano Observatory 

in Washington. 

A natural link between volunteerism and 

education has been strengthened by efforts to 

promote interest in the earth sciences, especially in the elementary schools. The USGS 

contribution to earth science education 

includes teacher workshops, the Visitors Center program at the National Center, scientist 

visits to schools around the country, and localschool cooperative programs. Increased formal educational partnerships are being 

encouraged to develop programs for teachers 

and mentorships for students. Anyone interested in the Volunteer for Science program 

may write to the Administrative Division, 

Office of Personnel, USGS, 215 National 

Center, Reston, VA 22092, or call (703) 

648-7439. 

Dinosaurs, Tree Rings, Printing Presses.­

Those are some of the features of a visit to 

the USGS National Center. Beginning with a 

brief orientation in the new Visitors Center, 

students and the public are led on a tour of 

exhibits, displays, and laboratories. Guides for 

the tours are retired USGS employees who 

have returned on a volunteer basis. About two 

dozen retirees are now on board as docents, 

leading visiting groups that range in age from 

preschoolers to senior citizens. 

During fiscal year 1990, more than 5,400 

people had an opportunity to learn about the 

work of the USGS . Visitors are treated to 

many sights and activities. Elementary students are taken on orienteering exercises 

around the National Center grounds to learn 

about map scale and how objects in real life 

are portrayed on a map. A visit to the treering laboratory shows them how scientists use 

the information in tree rings to tell a story of 

floods and droughts that occurred hundreds 

of years ago. Surrounded by the roar of fastmoving presses and a bustle of activity, as 

sheet after sheet of colorful maps roll off the 

presses, visitors see first hand how the thousands of maps the Survey produces each year 

are printed. 

A favorite stop is at the dinosaur footprints-a gift from a local Virginia quarry 

where the tracks and trails of a three-toed 

carnosaur were recently uncovered. This 

dinosaur walked the Earth about 210 million 

years ago. Visitors also have a chance to 

browse in the Earth Science Information Center and peruse the thousands of maps and 

book reports available from the USGS. Visits 

are arranged by appointment on selected days 

of the week. Call the Visitors Center at 

703-64VISIT ((703) 648-4748). 

"What's Under Your Feet?"-That was 

the question USGS geologist Eleanora 

Robbins asked young students from a 

Washington, D.C., inner city 

elementary school during a 

summer field course she designed. Raised with the understanding that one person can 

make a difference, Norrie started a geology field course 3 

years ago for inner city children 

in the Anacostia region of the 

Nation's capital. For the program during the 1990 summer season, she contacted the 

principal of Draper Elementary School and asked to 

speak with the 4th and 5th 

grade classes. She invited all 

150 students to join her on a 

field trip. 

Her budding young geologists-about 10 to 15 each 

time-met on five Saturdays 

in July and August. The 

"What's Under Your Feet" 

class included walking with 

the children around their neighborhood to 

learn about watershed divides, looking for 

fossils, examining how water shapes and 

rounds rocks, and panning in a creek for gold 

and magnetite. A special highlight of the field 

trip was a visit out of the neighborhood to a 

nature center. For her efforts, Norrie Robbins 

was recognized as one of the U.S. Department 

of the Interior Points of Light. 

Points of Light Honored.- In support of 

President Bush's Thousand Points of Light, 

Interior Secretary Lujan hosted monthly 

lunches during 1990 to recognize Department 

employees for community volunteer activities. 

In addition to Eleanora Robbins, the following USGS employees were recognized for 

their many hours of service to their fellow 

citizens and their communities: 

C. Michael Hacke, WRD, Doraville, Ga., for 

his nearly 20 years of active service as a volunteer and contributor to numerous 

nonprofit and charitable organizations; Alan 

R. Stevens, NMD, Reston, Va., for his extensive work with drug and alcohol treatment 

programs for young people; Judy A. George, 

Administrative Division, Reston, Va., for her 

extensive work as an instructor in cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Robert E. Wakefield, 

NMD, Reston, Va., for his more than 20 years 

of active volunteer service to many organizations and to church activities; John E. Cotton, 

WRD, Bow, N.H., for his extensive voluntary 

contributions as an ambulance attendant and 

in emergency response; Barbara Herring, 

Office of the Director, Reston, Va., for her 

active involvement in providing services and 

activities for mentally retarded and developmentally disabled adults; Peggy Mervine, 

Administrative Division, Reston, Va., for her 

The "What's Under Your Feet" field 

class begins. 

People and Programs 3 7 
A graduate of Hampton University 

working in the Information Systems 

Division as a mathematical 

statistician. 

countless contributions to local community 

activities; and Olga Sandoval, WRD, Albuquerque, N. Mex., for her active advocacy and 

sponsorship of programs to encourage minority students to pursue careers in mathematics 

and science. 

Education 

T he need for public awareness of science 

issues of national importance and the 

smaller number of students who are preparing for careers in science and engineering has 

prompted the USGS to increase its efforts in 

providing its earth science information to the 

educational community and in encouraging 

more students to pursue careers in the earth 

sciences. During the coming years, the USGS 

will be focusing increased attention on assisting teachers at precollege and college levels to 

have access to and involvement in USGS 

research and program activities and to 

develop materials that will be useful to the 

teacher in the classroom. 

Science Teacher Internship.- In May 

1990, two science teacher students from Elizabeth City State University, a historically Black 

university in North Carolina, spent a 1-month 

geological sciences internship with the USGS. 

This internship program gives minority 

students, whose major is precollege science 

teaching, an opportunity to work in the discipline they intend to teach. 

The students, who spent 4 weeks of indepth work on designated projects, performed field, laboratory, and office work. They 

spent 1 day each week in the field or in discussions with USGS scientists to gain a broad 

view of the different types of research underway at the Survey. 

At the end of the internship program, 

and throughout their first teaching year, the 

participants are expected to design classroom 

activities for use in their local school districts 

and to share those ideas with the USGS for 

use in other educational outreach efforts. 

Elizabeth City State University provided 

each student with credit hours for their 

internship participation, and financial support 

for living expenses was provided by the USGS 

and the Department of the Interior's Historically Black College and University program. 

The success of this first-time internship effort 

has prompted the USGS to expand the program to 12 internships next year. 

Cooperative Education in Computer Applications.-A cooperative education program 

with Hampton University, a historically Black 

university in eastern Virginia, allows students 

to study computer applications in the earth 

sciences. The program offers students cooperative education assignments at the USGS on a 

full-time basis for one to two semesters or 

during the summer. Students work with computer scientists at the USGS in conducting 

technology assessment studies and participating in scientific visualization projects. 

A series of lectures are part of the cooperative education program in which USGS 

computer and information scientists work 

with university faculty to prepare lectures and 

course materials on computer security, artificial intelligence, and on-line information 

retrieval. 

The program provides a special win-win 

combination in that the students gain a 

broader understanding of computer applications in the earth sciences and the USGS can 

gain new employees. Two permanent employees in the Information Systems Division were 

recruited from Hampton University. Future 

plans include identifying additional positions 

that may be filled by students from the cooperative program. 

Bringing Science to the Classroom.-The 

exciting world of real and current scientific 

data is being explored on the desktops of over 

50 schools around the country this year as 

part of the Joint Education Initiative (JEd I) 

project. Three JEdi CD-ROM (compact discread only memory) discs containing earth science data contributed by the USGS, the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration are now available. 

The computer industry also has contributed time and equipment to the project. In a 

3-week science education workshop held during the summer of 1990 at the USGS National 

Center, 20 precollege teachers worked closely 

with computer experts and scientists to 

develop classroom activities for use with the 

CD-ROM discs. The workshop activities, covering data on geophysics, ozone, seismicity, 

ocean temperature and salinity, the sea floor, 

and Antarctica, are included in a published 

USGS report available with the JEdi discs. 

During fiscal year 1990, the USGS western region office in Menlo Park, Calif., played 

a major role in designing a National Science 

Foundation-funded program for teacher 

enhancement. The first part of this program 

was a 4-week summer institute presented at 

San Jose State University. USGS personnel 

provided speakers and tours for the institute. 

The long-term goals of this effort include a 

book of resources for science teachers and 

establishment of a scientific mentor-teacher 

program. 

Many other workshops and teacherinvolvement activities were conducted by the 

USGS around the country during the year. 

At a workshop for Nevada teachers, members 

of the USGS Minerals Information Office 

38 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
provided lectures, hands-on sessions, and field 

trips to local mines and the Nevada Nuclear 

Test Site. 

In an unusual event, the USGS helped to 

set up a life-sized board game as part of a 

nationwide earthquake and national weather 

preparedness program. The game, which 

toured St. Louis, Mo.; Chicago, Ill.; Miami, 

Fla.; and Houston, Tex.; included threedimensional representations of the forces of 

nature. Students walked the board and 

answered questions on safety precautions to 

take during natural disasters. 

An earth science and mapping workshop 

in mid-August gave 200 educators and science 

curriculum administrators in the Denver area 

a chance for experience in cartography, geology, and hydrology. The workshop was designed to foster better communication between scientists and earth science educators, 

to acquaint the educators with the latest 

advances in the earth sciences, and to discuss 

how to make science more relevant to students. USGS scientists led discussions on 

recent advances in their fields of study. Field 

trips were conducted to dinosaur fossil sites 

and gold mines. 

Partners in Education.- The USGS and 

Dogwood Elementary School in Reston, Va., 

have signed a Partnership in Education 

Agreement. The agreement, which marks the 

beginning of a program for an exchange of 

resources and personnel for both Dogwood 

and the USGS, has benefits for teachers, students, and employees. 

Under the agreement, the USGS will 

assist the school with special events, such as 

judging science and invention fairs and literature and essay contests. Employees will provide computer assistance and will develop a 

mentorship program that pairs students with 

employees. The bureau will also provide maps 

and audiovisual materials to the school. Dogwood School was chosen for the partnership 

agreement because of its proximity to the 

USGS-students can walk between the school 

and the National Center-and its designation 

as a special needs school by the Fairfax 

County Public Schools. 

Other USGS offices around the country, 

many of which have had long-term informal 

relationships with schools in their local areas, 

are being encouraged to establish formal partnership programs like that with Dogwood 

School. 

"Helping Your Child Learn Geography."­

This new publication, available in 1990 and 

prepared cooperatively by the U.S. Department of Education and the USGS, is designed 

to help parents stir their children's curiosity 

about geographic knowledge. Suggested 

games and activities in the booklet assist parents in showing their children that learning 

geography is fun. 

Earth Science for the Global Community.­

A 1-day workshop for science teachers, part 

of Federal efforts to gear up for the 20th 

anniversary of Earth Day, focused on such 

timely earth science and environmental issues 

as global change, water quality, and natural 

hazards. Lectures at the USGS National Center focused on global environmental change, 

earthquakes and volcanoes, water quality, and 

ancient climates. Also, the teachers had an 

opportunity to talk with USGS scientists about 

exhibits and demonstrations on acid rain, 

coastal erosion, Arctic and Antarctic research, 

and the local geology of Virginia, Maryland, 

and the District of Columbia. 

In April, USGS scientists in the San 

Francisco, Calif., area planted trees, including 

a living-fossil garden of redwoods, cycads, and 

ginkgos. They also presented lectures on topics such as climate change, water resources 

issues, and problems of arid environments. 

As part of Earth Day events in Denver, 

Colo., USGS and other Federal employees at 

the Denver Federal Center worked on a wildlife enhancement area that will include an 

environmental education center featuring 

interpretive trails. 

Women, Minorities, and Persons 

with Disabilities 

T his broad human resources initiative has long played an important role in addressing the needs of USGS employees. The strong 

program of liaison, training, and recruitment 

that the Survey has through the Department's 

Historically Black College and University program has been an important means of 

encouraging minority involvement in the 

earth sciences and in identifying career 

opportunities for minorities. Another project, 

the USGS Minority Participation in the Earth 

Sciences program, encourages women and 

minorities to develop an interest in the earth 

sciences and supports career opportunities. 

The USGS has an admirable record in 

the employment of persons with disabilities, 

particularly those who are hearing impaired. 

In any given year, more than 1 percent of the 

appointees to the USGS work force have disabilities. Also, more than 1 percent of the disabled persons have disabilities that were targeted for special recruitment efforts. The 

current total USGS work force, of which more 

than 6 percent are persons having disabilities, 

continues to be among the highest in the 

Department of the Interior in the employment of persons having disabilities. 

Because women and minorities have 

traditionally been underrepresented in the 

People and Programs 39 
engineering and science fields , the USGS sees 

a special challenge in encouraging them to 

pursue an interest in the earth sciences . In 

the coming fiscal year, with the increase in 

funding to support Secretarial initiatives , the 

USGS is working to increase internal training 

for women and minorities, to target more 

positions in the upward mobility program, to 

seek more management development opportunities for women and minorities, and to 

promote career counseling that includes all 

series and grades. 

Women's Forum. - A Women's Forum, in 

recognition of Women's History Month and 

cosponsored by the USGS, the Minerals Management Service, and the U.S. Department of 

the Interior, was held in Reston, Va. The 

forum provided an avenue for employees to 

discuss issues and concerns that affect the 

employment and advancement of women 

within the Department and to identify possible mechanisms for resolving those issues and 

improving the workplace. 

Women's Program Established. - A concerted effort is being made within the USGS 

Geologic Division to establish women's programs and to diversify the work force at all 

levels. A Women's Advisory Committee was 

formed to represent the interests of all 

women employees in the division. Advice 

from the committee helps the division to 

improve the quality of the work environment 

and to take action to enhance the professional 

development of all women employees. Shortterm rotational management assignments will 

expand opportunities for leadership experience. Other initiatives for all employees 

include formal mentorship and leadership 

development programs that emphasize the 

participation of women and minorities. 

"Profile of Women at Work." - This publication of the U.S. Department of the Interior 

commemorates the significant contributions 

and achievements made by women in the 

Department. It is anticipated that the publication will attract more women to the broad 

Unit Award for Excellence of Service and 

Minority Business Enterprise Award 

Each year the U .S. Department of the Interior presents the Unit Award for Excellence of Service to those bureaus and (or) offices that have either met or exceeded all of 

their business and econom ic development program goals. In addition , the Department 

selects one bureau or office to receive the Annual M inority Business Enterprise Award 

for outstanding achievement in assuring minority business enterprise participation in 

Interior's acquisition programs . 

At an awards ceremony in May 1990, the Deputy Secretary of the Interior, Frank A. 

Bracken (right, at left), presented both awards for fiscal year 1989 to the USGS Director, 

Dallas L. Peck , and to Betty B. Brodes , Business Util ization and Development Specialist, 

Office of Procurement and Contracts , Administrative Division . The USGS was recognized 

for its outstand ing contributions and continuing support of the Department's Business 

and Economic Development Program. 

spectrum of exciting job opportunities in the 

Department. The career successes of 24 women of the USGS, employed in positions from 

secretary to research geologist to information 

specialist, are recognized in this publication. 

Computer Technology for the Handicapped. - The USGS participated in a national 

convention of the Association for Educational 

Communications and Technology (AECT) at 

which Amy Berger gave a presentation on the 

accessibility of computer technology for visually impaired persons and her own successful 

use of a speech synthesizer with her personal 

computer. Amy will serve on a new AECT 

committee that will address educational and 

computer technologies and their role in providing opportunities for specially challenged 

individuals. 

Science Workshop at a Native American 

College.-A workshop at Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kans., one of two 

Indian colleges nationwide, helped teachers 

extend their skills in science and mathematics 

teaching. The workshop was sponsored by the 

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the 

USGS, along with support from other Interior 

bureaus and private industry. The USGS is 

also working with BIA in a program that will 

provide volunteer opportunities for BIA 

teachers to train with USGS scientists . In 

another effort, plans are underway to establish an electronic mail system through which 

teachers at BIA schools can ask questions of 

USGS scientists. 

HBCU Workshop.- This year, the annual 

USGS Historically Black College and U niversity (HBCU) workshop focused on applications of geographic information systems (GIS) 

and included presentations by faculty members who have used the technologies presented in previous workshops to enhance their 

course offerings and research. Experience in 

using GIS software was included in the workshop, which included representatives from 10 

HBCU's located in the Eastern and Central 

States. 

40 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
Geologic Investigations 


Transportation Planning 

and Geologic Maps 

By Richard L. Bernknopf and 

John F. Sutter 

Detailed, publicly accessible information 

about the character and origin of the 

geology of an area is an essential 

requirement for informed public policymaking and for profitable commerce. Many 

public-policy decisions and commercial enterprises require a specific kind of earth science 

information - that is, spatially based information that is linked to geologic materials and 

geologic structures. The geoscience product 

that captures and displays this kind of information is the general-purpose geologic map, 

the primary product of the National Geologic 

Mapping Program (NGMP) . 

The NGMP provides basic geologic information for use by Federal and State agencies, 

academia, and the private sector. The need 

for this information , in a user-oriented format 

and on a national scale, became evident in the 

1980's as the Nation addressed national environmental and resource issues such as geologic hazards (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, 

landslides, and coastal erosion), land use 

planning, critical facilities siting and management, waste disposal , and the use of mineral, 

energy, and water resources. How geologic 

map information can reduce the cost of highway construction and maintenance serves as 

an example of the practical benefits of geologic mapping. 

Benefit-cost studies to identify the most 

cost-effective approach to the design and construction of road improvement projects are an 

important part of the public decisionmaking 

process. Route selection and capacity, for 

example, are based on many independent factors, each having its own associated costs. 

Because the geologic attributes of land parcels 

affect political, environmental, and engineering variables, geology has an impact on the 

costs of road construction and maintenance. 

All too often, however, costs associated with 

local geology normally are considered only 

after the route has been selected or the extent 

of improvement has been determined. Unforeseen problems, such as the ease with which a 

road cut can be excavated, slope setback, or 

swelling soils (soils that expand when saturated and cause pavement failure), therefore, 

generally are not considered fully in predevelopment cost estimates. Depending on the terrain, these geologic factors can contribute significantly to costs. 

The case of the proposed Washington, 

D.C., Bypass illustrates how digital NGMP 

geologic map information can be helpful in 

reducing potential losses and costs to the public. As part of an ongoing study to estimate 

the economic value of general-purpose geologic map information, the Washington, D.C., 

Bypass was selected as a pilot study to demonstrate the value of geologic data to highway 

construction. 

The Proposed Bypass 

A draft environmental impact statement 

(DEIS) of the Washington Bypass has been 

prepared by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration 

(FHWA), Maryland State Highway Administration, and Virginia Department of Transportation. According to the FHWA, the 

Washington Bypass is a proposed interstatetype highway that would bypass the Washington, D.C., region and provide additional roadway capacity to the area. 

The proposed action consists of an eastern bypass, a western bypass (the USGS study 

only applies to the western bypass), or both. 

The jurisdictions affected by the planned 

bypass are the States of Maryland and Virginia and the cities of Washington and Baltimore. Twenty-three counties, or portions of 

counties, are included. Figure 1 shows the 

location of Loudoun County, Va. , and the 

alternative western bypass routes being considered (see table 1 for detailed costs for each 

of the routes). 

The Geologic Framework 

The Loudoun County population, commercial base, and road network mirrors the 

underlying geologic framework. The western 

portion of the county (west of US 15) is a 

complex group of igneous and metasedimentary rock of the Blue Ridge province (fig. 2). 

The soils, slopes, and water resources of this 

area are natural limitations to economic development unless there is significant alteration of 

the subsurface (including the import and 

Mission 

T he Geologic Division evaluates the Nation's geologic 

structure and the geologic pmcesses that have shaped it, 

assesses the Nation's mineral 

and energy resources, and identifies and investigates geologic 

hazards . 

• Investigations of geologic 

hazards provide information for 

predicting and delineating hazards from earthquakes and volcanoes and for identifying engineering problems related to 

ground failure hazards. 

• Regional geologic studies 

provide geologic maps and 

regional syntheses of detailed 

geologic data essential to 

mineral, energy, and hazard 

assessments. 

• Offshore geologic studies 

identify and describe the mineral 

and petroleum resources of the 

offshore areas of the United 

States, including the Exclusive 

Economic Zone, an area onethird larger than the land area 

of the United States. 

• Mineral resource investigations assess the distribution, 

quantity, and quality of the 

Nation's mineral resources, with 

particular emphasis on strategic 

and critical minerals. 

• Surveys of energy resources 

provide assessments of the 

Nation's coal, petToleum, uranium, and geothermal resources 

and enhance capabilities to 

explore for and develop new 

sources of energy. 

41 
Figure 1. Composite of alternative 

routes and the location of Loudoun 

County, Va. (from DEIS, FHWA). 

ALTERNATIVES W1-a W2 W3 

LENGTH IN 

WILES 77 62 65 

NUWBER or INTERCHANGES 11 9 20 

export of waste materials). East of the US 15 

corridor, the county plan delineates large 

tracts of land for intensive regional growth. 

T hese parcels are underlain by a sedimentary 

sequence of conglomerate , red siltstone, claystone, and sandstone (fig. 2) that are faulted 

and interlayered with massive basalt or 

intruded by diabase dikes and sills. 

All proposed western bypass corridors 

cross through the eastern part of Loudoun 

County. The road lengths of the alternative 

routes in Loudoun County (fig. 1), range 

from 5.6 miles to 25 miles, and the terrain is 

flat to rolling. T he en gineering workability 

(that is, ease of excavating the surficial geologic materials) of the routes varies considerably (fig. 2) from easy (siltstone) to difficult 

(diabase and metamorphosed conglomerate). 

Economic Factors 

All three alternatives would result in an 

increase in population, number of households, and the level of employment in 

Loudoun County. Including geologic information in the consideration of alternatives, however, changes the benefits of the western 

bypass. The total benefits of the western 

bypass, as estimated in the DEIS , are based on 

Table 1. Costs of building the western Washington , D.C. , bypass 

[From Washington Bypass DEIS, FHWA, 1990] 

Costs (in millions of dollars) 1 

Alternative Length 

(in miles) Construction Ri.ght-of-way 

Engineering, 

planning, Total 

and overhead 

76.5 $ 980.0 $170.0 $260.0 $1,410 

82.0 1,060.0 160.0 280.0 1,500 

66.0 1,210.0 180.0 320.0 1,710 

1 Dollar values are at 1990 levels. 

U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

Table 2 . Projected employment and property tax 

revenues by 20 I 0 in Loudoun County, Va. 

[From Washington Bypass DEIS, FHWA , 1990] 

Property 

Alternative Employmene tax revenue 

(in thousands 

of dollars) 

W1-a ............. . 106,436 $119,519 

W2 ............... . 116,951 130,012 

W3 ............... . 116,818 126,281 

No bypass ........ . 98,329 109,030 

1 Figures are the number ofjobs above the 1985 

base of 23 ,297 jobs. 

an increase in the population, number of 

households, level of employment, and property taxes (see table 2). 

Costs without geologic map information.­

The cost estimates for the various Washington 

Bypass alternatives were developed in the 

DEIS for items that determine average construction and right-of-way costs (table 3). Unit 

cost values, such as cost per mile or cost per 

acre, were determined for each of the cost 

elements. Preliminary engineering, planning, 

and overhead costs were estimated by using 

percentages of the construction and right-ofway costs. Maintenance costs, which were not 

included in the DEIS , may be considerable in 

Loudoun County where swelling soils will 

have a substantial impact. 

The DEIS is based on a simplifying 

assumption that all subsurface geologic conditions are the same and that costs related to 

changes in geology do not vary among corridor options. This is simply not true, as shown 

in figure 3. Instead, costs will vary considerably by route, and the cost variations due to 

geology increase the total cost because the 

DEIS is based on the least troublesome geology. Therefore, the benefits of the highway 

are reduced because unexpected costs or 

losses due to uncertain physical conditions 

along the route can be encountered during 

the construction phase of the highway. For 

example , the presence of diabase materials is 

a strong indication of the prese nce of unweathered bedrock near the ground surface. 

T his type of rock unit requires extensive 

blasting, which significantly increases construction costs. Diabase is found throughout the 

eastern portion of Loudoun County (fig. 2). 

On the other hand, swelling soi ls, also found 

in the eastern part of the county, do not significantl y increase construction costs but do 

cause substantial maintenance costs. As illustrated in figure 3, both diabase and swelling 

soi ls occur along each route and are separated 

by very short distances . 

Costs including geologic map information.-The Washington Bypass DEIS contains 

estimates of the total cost of alternative 

highway routes that are based mainly on 

42 
topographic and hydrologic data. However, it 

is geologic map information that improves 

cost effectiveness when used in public-policy 

decisions that include prior planning for mitigation of natural hazards and when making 

route selections. 

The relations among the geology, engineering characteristics of the soils, and weathered rocks of Loudoun County can be combined with demographic and economic data to 

present a more complete picture. This approach demonstrates hmv geologic map information is useful in two ways. First, geologic 

information can be influential in the planning 

and preliminary engineering steps. Since 

DEIS preliminary engineering and overhead 

costs were estimated as a percentage of road­

\·vay, structure , and interchange costs and on 

the basis of discussions \vith the FHWA, we 

assume a 1 percent reduction in the percent 

allocated to these costs with the addition of 

geologic information. Second, the geologic 

information is useful in improving the selection of alternative routes on the basis of construction and right-of-way costs (fig. 3). 

The benefit of the geologic map information is that it can improve the accuracy of 

m\ '1,1.1 

Table 3. Expected costs of building the Loudoun Count_"¥ portion of the western 

Washington, D.C. , bypass with and without geologic information 

[From 'v\'ashington Bypass DEIS, FH\o\' A, 1990] 

Costs (in millions of dollars) 1 

Alternative Length

(in miles) Construction2 Right-of-wal 

Engineering, 

planning, 

and overhead 

Total 

With Without With Without: 

W1-a..... 25.1 $165.8 $55.5 $78.2 $88.7 $299.5 $310.0 

W2....... 15.2 99.7 29.6 46.5 52.4 175.8 181.7 

W3....... 5.6 36.9 15.5 17.8 20.1 70.2 72 .5 

1 Dollar \'alues are at 1990 levels. 2 L'nit construction costs: $2.48 million per mile for the no-geology case for all 

alternatives; $2.54 million per mile for geology case Wl-a due to the terrain ; $2.52 million 

per mil e for geology case W2 due to the terrain; $2.54 million per mile for geology case W3 

due to the terrain. 

:l Unit right-of-way costs: $0.85 million per mile for Wl-a; $0.75 million per mile for 

W2 ; $1.07 million per mile for W3. 

Figure 2. Propo.1wl weste-rn bypass corn:dor-s and selected existing transportation corridors 

superimjJosed on a dig ital g eologic map of Loudoun Coun(v , Va . In the western part of the 

countv , vefl ows, b-row ns, and g ree ns represe nt the igneous, metaigneous, and metasedimentary 

complex of the Blue Ridge p-rovince. In the eastern pa-rt of the county , pink -represents diaba se 

and basalt , greens rep-resent sandstone, siltston e, and cla.vstone (swelling soils), and blue -rep-rese nts cong lomemte. 

N 

1-270 l 

fl . . v I r n I I? 7 

Geologic Investigations 43 
Figure 3. Digitally produced, 

derivative map of eastern Loudoun 

County showing th e percent differ ­

ence in construction costs as geologic 

units change (yellow, 0 percent difference; o-range, 5 p e-rcent increase; 

_and red, 1 0 p ercent increase). Su ­

p erimp osed are the p roposed western 

bypass corridors and exis ting major 

t ransp ortation mutes. 

cost estimates of road development. The geologic map information used for this case study 

was acquired and digitized for $1.2 million. 

With the geologic information as a fact in the 

cost estimates, the change in total costs for the 

Loudoun County segment of the Washington 

Bypass is a savings of $10.5 million for W1-a, 

$5.9 million for W2, and $2.3 million for W3. 

The difference between the total costs of 

each route with and without geologic map 

information illustrates the benefit of using 

geology in planning and development. Geologic maps provide decisionmakers with a 

tool, in this instance, for determining which 

route is the best for the county and, in general, for solving many land use, natural 

hazard-management, and mineral and energy 

resources issues . 

World Energy Resources 

Assessment 

By Donald L. Gautier and 

Charles D. Masters 

During the summer of 1990, political 

developments in the Middle East and 

rapidly rising gasoline prices bluntly 

reminded the people of the United States of 

U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

their precarious petroleum-supply situation. 

While domestic production continues to 

decline, increasing imports, added to by 

growth in demand for crude oil, now amount 

to about 50 percent of supply. The United 

States, having one-twentieth of the world population, consumes more than one-fourth of 

total world crude oil production. Oilproducing countries of the Middle East 

increasingly will dominate world petroleum 

supply. 

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) produced about onethird of the world's oil supply in 1990, but 

their share is increasing and is expected to 

exceed 50 percent by the year 2010. Within 

OPEC, oil production from proven reserves 

and supporting undiscovered resources will be 

dominated by countries of the Persian Gulf 

well into the 21st Century. 

Crucial decisions will have to be made in 

the United States concerning energy conservation, new technologies, use of strategic supplies, exploratory drilling, and the use of coal, 

nuclear, and nonconventional energy sources. 

Despite the indisputable dominance of Middle 

East oil reserves, additional sources of oil 

exist, and it is in the interest of the world's 

consumers that oil supplies remain geographically dispersed to as great a degree as possible. Countries such as Venezuela, the U.S.S.R. , 

China, Indonesia, and Nigeria are large oil 

producers, and other countries may also 

become contributors to world oil supply. 

Energy strategies require a clear understanding of the potential for additional sources of 

petroleum to the U.S. energy supply. This 

understanding depends upon reasoned and 

credible estimates of the undiscovered oil and 

gas resources of the United States and the 

world. 

The World Energy Resources Program 

(WERP) of the USGS was established to provide an unbiased assessment of the occurrence 

of world oil and gas resources. The WERP is 

the only Federal program that makes such 

assessments, and the assessments are made 

available to all government agencies and to 

the public. The program was developed to 

coordinate with the Federal Energy Supply 

Assessment Program of the Energy Information Administration, an Energy Department 

program that focuses on determining world 

reserves of oil and gas. In recent years the 

WERP has conducted several assessments 

of the world's undiscovered oil and gas resources, and the results have been presented 

to the World Petroleum Congress. 

44 
The World Petroleum Congress, a quadrennial technical meeting, was established in 

1933 to give the international exploration and 

production industry a perspective on world 

petroleum activities, capabilities, and resource 

potential. Congress membership is held by 

countries, petroleum companies, and interested professional groups. The 13th Congress 

will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 1991, under the theme of New Horizons 

for the Petroleum Industry-Technical and 

Economic Challenges and Opportunities. 

The WERP continuously conducts assessments of oil and gas resources on a regionby-region basis. Regions are selected according to their significance to world petroleum 

supply. The assessments are supported by 

background information from various types 

of topical and regional studies. Recent accomplishments include a study of the petroleum 

geology and resources of Antarctica, a report 

on the petroleum resources of West Siberia, a 

petroleum basin map of China, and a USGS 

bulletin on the distribution of major petroleum source rock and its relation to discovered occurrences of oil and gas and to plate 

tectonics. 

The world petroleum source rock study 

concluded that the bulk of the world's discovered petroleum has come from several comparatively thin sequences of source rock 

deposited during a relatively small fraction of 

geologic time. For example, two intervals during the Cretaceous Period (138 to 63 million 

years ago) are responsible for more than 54 

percent of all the world's petroleum. Future 

work may identify additional oil source rock 

that has generated significant amounts of 

petroleum. 

During 1990, the WERP has become 

increasingly integrated with the USGS Domestic Resource Appraisal Program. This integration is necessary to meaningfully place 

domestic resources in the context of world 

petroleum supply. The WERP initiated cooperative projects in several areas of the 

world to investigate oil and gas resources of 

critical regions where resources are large and 

geologic uncertainties exist. In particular, 

cooperative projects with scientists of the 

U.S.S.R. Ministry of Geology will redefine categories and methods of resource assessment 

and improve our estimates of the resources 

and reserves of the Soviet Union. Similarly, 

cooperative projects with Saudi Aramco will 

develop a program of mutually beneficial topical research that will update assessments of 

the undiscovered resources of the Arabian 

Peninsula and Persian Gulf. Discussions of 

program cooperation with other countries, 

including Norway and Venezuela, will further 

enhance our global petroleum resource 

understanding. 

Tapping the Potential 

Mineral Resources o f 

Alaska 

By Donald]. Grybeck 

For more than a century, the favorable 

potential of Alaska's mineral resources 

has been cited in the popular and professional press, by politicians, by geologists 

and mining engineers, by industry, and by 

many in the public and private sectors. Since 

systematic work began in Alaska in 1895, the 

USGS has devoted a major share of its work 

to defining those mineral resources. 

The several large mines that have come 

into production in Alaska within recent years 

may signal a promising future for the Alaskan 

mining industry. Future mining activity 

depends on identifying undiscovered deposits 

and delineating other deposits that, while 

known, have not yet been measured with any 

assurance. Undiscovered deposits are those 

that cannot now be identified and are thus by 

definition individually unpredictable in their 

size and location. While many mineral deposits are already known in Alaska, only one in 

several hundred will ultimately prove to be 

mineable. 

How can one predict the number of 

undiscovered deposits in Alaska? One technique is by geologic analogy; that is, study the 

geology of a given area and predict the number of undiscovered deposits by considering 

the type of deposits that are likely to occur 

based on known deposits, worldwide, that 

have comparable geology. 

Other predictions can be based on the 

number and type of mineral deposits found 

during exploration. Some examples are the 

discovery of the Red Dog zinc-lead-silver 

deposit in the western Brooks Range in 1968 

(now the largest zinc mine in the world), the 

Greens Creek lead mine on Admiralty Island 

in 1973, and the U.S. Borax molybdenum 

deposit in southeastern Alaska in 1974-all in 

areas not previously known to be mineralized. 

COM/NCO's "Red Dog" watches 

over zinc-lead-silver production at 

the company's mine and processing 

facility in the Brooks Range, 

Alaska . 

Geologic Invest igations 45 
Red Dog mining waste disposal 

area. Close scrutiny shows a lon e 

caribou at center. These discoveries indicate that more large 

mineral deposits are yet to be found in 

Alaska. 

Another predictive method is to compare 

the mineral production of Alaska with that of 

other producing regions. For instance, most 

Western States have produced many times 

more metals per square mile than Alaska has 

produced or even contains in known deposits. 

The unavoidable conclusions are that Alaska 

almost certainly contains numerous undiscovered metal deposits and that some of them 

probably will be of world-class dimensions. 

The process of assessing Alaska's mineral 

resources and the subsequent mineral exploration and development of those resources 

follows a series of steps: 

1. 	 Regional geologic analysis of the State or 

large areas, 

2. 	 Definition of areas of mineral potential, 

3. Systematic studies, usually 	for specific types 

of deposits, in selected areas, 

4. 	 Detailed studies of deposits or mineralized 

areas, usually by drilling, 

5. 	 Detailed economic, logistical, and metallurgical studies of selected deposits that have 

the potential of becoming a mine, and 

6. 	 The actual development of the property 

into an operating mine. 

The USGS is primarily concerned with 

the first four steps of the process, and, in 

Alaska, has an active role in the first two 

steps, in particular, geologic mapping and 

mineral-resource assessment at the regional 

scale. Detailed studies of selected areas and 

deposits establish the scientific framework for 

studying mineral deposits. Development of 

mineral deposits into actual mines is carried 

U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

out by private industry aided by the U.S. 

Bureau of Mines. 

At this time, about 30 to 40 percent of 

Alaska has potential for undiscovered mineral 

deposits; however, less than 1 percent of 

Alaska will contain mineable mineral deposits. 

A mineral deposit, even one that can be 

developed into a world-class mine, is usually 

difficult to locate. Many deposits are concealed by tundra and soil or are buried 

beneath glacial drift or other transported 

materials. Sophisticated exploration techniques and considerable work are necessary 

to locate them. 

Currently, most USGS Alaskan regional 

mineral-resource work leading to the identification of deposits is being carried out under 

the Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment 

Project (AMRAP). AMRAP, a component of 

the National Mineral Resource Assessment 

Program, includes systematic multidisciplinary 

studies of 1 :250,000-scale quadrangles. Geologic mapping, geochemical techniques using 

sophisticated analyses of stream sediments, 

soils, and heavy minerals concentrated in 

streams, and geophysical techniques that 

measure the magnetic and electrical properties of rocks and mineral deposits are the primary methods used to generate data for a 

mineral assessment. 

In most quadrangles, 3 to 4 years are 

necessary to collect and synthesize field data 

into a regional mineral-resource assessment. 

The goal is to define those areas that have 

mineral potential, to assemble all the geologic 

and mineral deposit data for the quadrangle 

in a usable form, and to predict the number 

and size of undiscovered deposits. To date, 

AMRAP studies have been published or are 

now in press for 38 of the approximately 100 

1 :250,000-scale Alaska quadrangles that have 

mineral potential. An additional 16 quadrangles are under study. 

In 1981 Congress passed the Alaska 

National Interest Lands Conservation Act 

(ANILCA). Among the many provisions of 

the act, Section 1010 charged the Secretary of 

the Interior with assessing the mineral potential of all Federal lands in Alaska. That 

responsibility has been delegated to the USGS 

and the U.S. Bureau of Mines. ANILCA 

placed land management responsibilities for 

most of Alaska's Federal lands with the 

National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management 

and, in the Department of Agriculture, the 

U.S. Forest Service. 

These agencies are engaged in extensive 

land use planning, and the estimated value 

of mineral resources is usually factored 

into these plans. Thus, in addition to the 

46 
traditional clients for minerals information 

(industry and the public), Alaskan land managing agencies increasingly need up-to-date, 

comprehensive mineral-resource data for 

their lands. For example, the USGS currently 

is working with the Bureau of Land Management to assess the geology and mineral potential of the southern part of the National 

Petroleum Reserve in northwestern Alaska 

and with the U.S. Forest Service in assessing 

the mineral potential of the Tongass National 

Forest in southeastern Alaska. 

Common metallic minerals, such as gold, 

silver, copper, molybdenum, lead, and zinc, 

are known or are likely to be present in major 

quantities in Alaska. However, another class 

of minerals in Alaska is especially important 

to the Nation. This class, the strategic and 

critical minerals, includes mineral commodities that play a critical role in modern technology or are largely imported from foreign 

sources. Among these minerals are the 

platinum-group elements, tin, chromium, 

manganese, and certain rare-earth elements, 

commodities that are essential in the production of steel alloys, as chemical catalysts, and 

in the semiconductor industry. 

Many of Alaska's known deposits have 

potential for these strategic and critical minerals. Strategic minerals in Alaska have been 

mined intermittently in the past, usually during periods of war or international unrest. 

The USGS and the U.S. Bureau of Mines currently have plans for an expanded program 

of research on Alaska's strategic and critical 

minerals, not only to better understand and 

inventory known deposits but also to search 

for new deposits. The improved information 

will serve the Nation during periods of 

national emergency and identify new sources 

of strategic and critical minerals to make the 

United States less dependent on foreign 

sources in the future. 

Idaho National Forest 

Roadless Areas 

By Ronald G. Worl 

T he USGS, U.S. Bureau of Mines 

(USBM), and Idaho Geological Survey 

(IGS) are conducting joint mineral 

resource studies of roadless public lands in 

Idaho. These public lands may be included in 

the National Wilderness System. The studies 

will provide geological, geophysical, geochemical, mining, and mineral deposit information 

on roadless public lands that will benefit the 

domestic mining industry and other users of 

earth-science data responsible for making 

informed land use decisions. The roadless 

areas under study are located mainly within 

central Idaho in areas underlain by the Idaho 

batholith, a large composite granitic intrusive 

body, which is 70 to 95 million years old, and 

by younger granitic rock, which is about 50 

million years old. 

Defining the geologic setting of the mineral deposits and determining the extent of 

the important mineral-bearing terranes are 

the focus of the geologic studies. This 3-year 

(fiscal years 1989-91) program of geologic 

mapping by the USGS and IGS will complete 

1: 100,000-scale geologic maps for most of the 

previously unmapped roadless areas. The 

IGS, with funding from the USGS, is mapping more than 3,000 square miles of ground 

in the Elk City and Hamilton 1o x 2° quadrangles. Studies in the Edwardsburg and Profile mining districts indicate that known mineral deposits are aligned along a major shear 

zone that extends through one of the proposed wilderness areas. 

The proximity of many of the known 

gold deposits to 75-million-year-old two-mica 

granite has been shown in several areas. Gold 

in large placer deposits in the Warren and 

Florence mining districts, for example, was 

derived by weathering and erosion of 

networks of precious-metal-bearing quartz 

vein and veinlets emplaced near the upper 

boundary of two-mica granite bodies and 

overlying rock. 

Field interpretation of these regional 

geophysical data indicates that magnetic highs 

correspond to the younger granitic intrusive 

rock, some of which is mineralized. Several 

regional magnetic and radiometric highs indicate the presence of granitic intrusions that 

are not exposed. The regional gravity data 

indicate that younger granitic rock underlies 

more of central Idaho than was previously 

recognized. Site-specific studies include geoelectrical surveys of possible deep-seated fracture systems and gravity surveys in areas that 

may contain unrecognized intrusive bodies. 

Interpreting existing geochemical data 

from the Challis area led to the delineation of 

10 areas that contain significant amounts of 

cobalt in stream sediment samples. Four of 

the areas are associated with exposures of the 

more than !-billion-year-old Yellowjacket Formation, a known host for cobalt deposits elsewhere. Six are in the Bayhorse area and are 

underlain by 45-million-year-old volcanic rock 

not known to host cobalt deposits. 

Site-specific geochemical surveys show 

that black shales and mafic dikes in the Borah 

Geologic Investigations 47 
Peak area may host unrecognized mineral 

deposits. Samples of black shale contain 

anomalous amounts of molybdenum, silver, 

and zinc, and heavy-mineral concentrates of 

stream sediment collected throughout the 

area contain significant amounts of barite. 

Metals associated with the mafic dikes include 

chromium, nickel. cobalt, and copper. In the 

Smokey Mountains area, anomalous amounts 

of gold were found in heavy-mineral concentrates from a cluster of sample sites in an area 

of about 10 square miles. Studies of stream 

sediment and mechanically panned concentrate samples in the northern Lemhi Range 

led to the discovery of a large area containing 

anomalous amounts of gold. 

Detailed mining area studies by the 

USBM have delineated several locations 

where known mineral resources occur within 

roadless areas that are being considered for 

inclusion in the National Wilderness System. 

The areas are within or next to the Profile, 

Edwardsburg. Warren, Relict, Big Smoky, and 

Skeleton Creek mining districts. Known 

resources in these areas include gold, silver, 

lead, and zinc. 

Several mineral deposit models are being 

developed or revised for the assessment of 

undiscovered deposits in Idaho roadless areas. 

Two types of productive gold vein deposits 

have been recognized-massive quartz veins 

and complex quartz veins. The massive quartz 

veins are characterized by several generations 

of quartz deposition, simple mineralogy, and 

close proximity to two-mica granites. The 

structural setting of this deposit type is along 

major fracture systems formed by compression in the Earth's crust. These deposits 

formed 78 to 57 million years ago at depths 

of 5 to 10,000 feet. The complex quartz veins 

are characterized by open-space quartz filling, 

the presence of numerous complex minerals, 

and close proximity to felsic dikes. The structural setting of this deposit type is along 

major fracture systems formed by tension in 

the Earth's crust. These deposits formed 50 to 

25 million years ago at depths of less than 

4,000 feet. 

Summary reports on the accomplishments of all studies under this plan will be 

prepared jointly by the three agencies at the 

end of the project in fiscal year 1991. The 

summary reports will include maps showing 

areas of known mineral resources, maps 

showing areas that have potential for undiscovered resources, descriptions of mineral 

deposit types, and an estimate of the number 

of undiscovered deposits in terranes delineated as having potential for selected mineral 

deposit types. 

Voyage of the CenturyNeptune and Triton 

By Laurence A. Soderblom, 

Randolph L. Kirk, and 

Alfred S. McEwen 

M ore than 12 years after its 1977 

launch, the Voyager 2 spacecraft 

completed its fourth and final planetary encounter-the flyby of Neptune and its 

large companion satellite Triton-in August 

of 1989 (fig. 1). The Voyager spacecraft have 

provided the reconnaissance exploration of 

the major part of the Solar System and have 

revealed a diversity of planets, moons, and 

rings that is almost beyond comprehension. 

Voyager has been the premier extraterrestrial 

exploration of the twentieth century. 

The Voyager project, conducted by the 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been a coordinated effort of Federal 

agencies, industries, research institutions, and 

universities. USGS scientists participated with 

JPL scientists in planning and executing data 

gathering efforts and analyzing the resulting 

information from the Voyager encounters of 

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. USGS 

scientists also mapped and analyzed the surfaces of the 57 known outer-planet moons, 

17 of which were discovered by Voyager. 

The largest of the outer-planet moons-the 

four Galilean satellites (at Jupiter), Titan (at 

Saturn), and Triton (at Neptune)-are about 

the size of Earth's moon. In addition, Voyager 

recorded the surfaces of 12 medium-sized 

moons orbiting Saturn and Uranus. Each of 

these moons were revealed to be unique and 

varied worlds, and they have increased the 

number of bodies available for comparative 

planetary geologic study from 5 (Mercury, 

Venus, Earth, Moon, and Mars) to 23. 

Triton provides some of the major surprises of the Neptune flyby in that it has an 

unusual and geologically young surface and at 

least two active geyserlike plumes (fig. 2). A 

huge polar cap, probably composed of nitrogen and methane ice and frost, covers almost 

the entire southern hemisphere of Triton. 

The cap has a slight reddish tint, possibly due 

to the presence of organic compounds produced from methane and nitrogen by the 

actions of photochemistry and energetic particle bombardment. A very bright and slightly 

bluish fringe occurs around the margin of the 

cap and probably consists of fresh nitrogen 

frost or snow. 

Northward of the polar cap, the surface 

has a variety of exotic terrains. The relatively 

48 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
low number of impact craters attests to the 

geologic youth of the surface. The western 

hemisphere is dominated by a dense concentration of pits crisscrossed by ridges, dubbed 

the cantaloupe terrain. The eastern hemisphere consists of a series of much smoother 

units, including calderalike structures. These 

structures appear to be frozen lakes and are 

surrounded by successive terraces indicative 

of multiple episodes of flooding and collapse. 

The numerous, dark northeast-trending 

streaks seen on Triton's south polar cap are 

similar to wind streaks on Mars. However, 

some Voyager scientists doubt that Triton's 

tenuous atmosphere, exerting only 1/100,000 

the atmospheric pressure at sea level as that 

on Earth, is sufficiently dense to entrain particles from the surface. These scientists propose 

that the streaks are the result of geyserlike 

venting of gas particles (fig. 2). Triton's nitrogen frost migrates from pole-to-pole every 80 

years as the subsolar latitude varies ± 50°; 

therefore, the dark streaks are probably less 

than 80 years old. The presence of more than 

Figure 1. ColoT mosaic of the poTtion of T-riton imaged at high Tesolution (about 0. 6 

mile) in an OTthog-raphic pTojection. PaTt of TTiton 's huge south polaT cap includes 

daTk stTeaks thought to be due to Tecently active geyseTlike eruptions. Th e cantaloupe 

terrain and smooth flood ed aTeas are visible. 

Figure 2. Profile views of Triton's active 

geyserlike plumes. These views are of 

regions in the southern portion of Triton 

(south is up, west is to the right). Th e 

plumes are about 5 miles high, and th e 

east-west dimension of each view is about 

93 miles. 

Geologic Investigations 49 
Figure 3. Composite view showing Neptune on the horizon of Triton . The Neptune disk shows a 

great dark spot (the south pole is to the left). The foreground is a computer-generated view of 

Triton's icy volcanic plains as they would appear from a point about 28 miles above the surface. The 

terraces indicate multiple episodes offlooding, freezing, and collapse. This view was computed from 

a Voyager image and a photoclinometric topographic model. Topographic relief has been exaggerated 

about thirty fold; the actual difference in elevations is about 0.6 mile. 

Figure 4. Color mosaic of 

Triton in polar stereographic 

projection, centered on the 

south pole. Grid indicates 

30° intervals of longitude 

and latitude. The entire 

south polar cap and bright 

fringe are visible. Diffuse 

bright rays extend northnortheast for hundreds of 

miles and emanate preferentially from the points of the 

scalloped cap margin. These 

rays probably consist offinegrained frost or snow from 

the bright fringe that was 

redistributed by prevailing 

northerly winds. 

100 such streaks suggests ongoing venting 

activity. 

Other conclusive evidence exists for 

active venting. By reprojecting and coregistering images acquired at different viewing 

angles, a match was found for all of the features except two sets of long westwardtrending dark streaks. The offsets between 

the paired images of the streaks indicate that 

these materials are located about 5 miles 

above the surface. Closer inspection of the 

images reveals vertical eruption columns 

extending from the surface to the eastern 

ends of the streaks. Apparently, these are 

active geyserlike eruptions in which plume 

material rises vertically for about 5 miles 

before being carried downwind above the 

transition zone between the troposphere and 

the stratosphere. 

Images of Triton's complex surface 

became the highlight of the Voyager and 

Neptune flyby (figs. 3 and 4). About 50 highresolution images of Triton were acquired 

during a complex sequence that commenced 

8 hours prior to the close flyby of the moon 

on August 25, 1989. These images were taken 

through various color filters, at different resolutions, and from rapidly changing spacecraft 

positions. 

The computerized processing of such a 

data set is complex, and, in the past, months 

or years have been required to produce highquality digital cartographic mosaics. For the 

Neptune flyby, however, USGS personnel 

were able to assemble a suite of highresolution, multispectral, geometrically controlled digital mosaics in less than 3 days, 

which gave the public their first glimpse at 

this new world. In addition, the USGS, working in collaboration with the JPL Digital Animation Lab, generated a three-dimensional 

time-lapse simulation of Triton's bizarre surface as it would be viewed by a spacecraft 

descending over the surface. 

Final maps of Triton are being prepared, 

and the USGS is working with the International Astronomical Union to assign names to 

the many new features. The USGS also plans 

to publish a geologic map of Triton. Planetary 

geologic maps are used to gain an understanding of the processes now active on other planets that may have been active on Earth during 

its formation. Geologic maps also are essential 

for future planetary exploration that includes 

manned or unmanned spacecraft landings. 

50 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
Water Resources Investigations 


Flooding in the Arkansas, 

Red , and Trinity Rivers 

By Kenneth L . Wahl 

I n spring 1990, unusual amounts of rain 

produced record or near-record flooding 

during April and May in northeastern 

Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, western 

Arkansas, and along the Red River in Louisiana. The flooding was the culmination of an 

extremely wet winter and early spring. In 

Oklahoma, the statewide average precipitation 

for the first 4 months of 1990 was the largest 

January to April total reported since record 

keeping began in 1892; the 4-month total 

exceeded the previous high for the period by 

about 15 percent. The Dallas-Fort Worth Airport reported total precipitation for January 

to March of 22.05 inches, 129 percent above 

normal. 

These extremely wet conditions were 

conducive to extensive flooding: by mid-April, 

soils were saturated, flows in the principal 

river systems were already near flood stage, 

and reservoirs and lakes were at or near 

capacity. Because of these conditions, two 

major storm sequences in late April and early 

May produced widespread flooding and 

caused new record high levels in most major 

lakes and reservoirs in the area. 

From April 16-26, a series of slowmoving storms developed along a storm 

front that was centered over southeastern 

Oklahoma and extended into northern Texas 

and western Arkansas. These storms produced more than 8 inches of rain over the 

area, and more than 15 inches were reported 

at several locations southwest of Dallas, Tex. 

The late-April rains, which fell on already saturated soils, produced widespread flooding; 

many rivers and streams crested on April 25 

or 26. On the morning of April 30, as the 

floods were beginning to recede, an abnormally strong, cold air mass moved across the 

region. The leading edge of this cold air mass 

stalled on a line from northern Texas to 

southwestern Arkansas, and the system 

remained stationary until May 3. 

During these 4 days, the warm moist air 

being lifted over the cool stationary front produced torrential rains that caused record 

flooding in northern Texas, southeastern 

Oklahoma, and western Arkansas. Rain continued sporadically through mid-May. Total 

precipitation from April 15 to May 19 averaged more than 16 inches over the affected 

Red River at Arthur City, Tex., on May 7, 1990, shortly after flood crest of 34 feet. 

Mission 

T he U.S. Geological Survey 

has the principal res'jJOnsibility within the Federal 

Government to provide the 

hydrologic information and 

understanding needed by others 

to achieve the best use and management of the Nation's water 

resources. To . accomplish this 

mission, the Water Resources 

Division, in cooperation with 

State, local, and other Federal 

agencies, 

• Systematically collects and 

analyzes data to evaluate the 

quantity, quality, and use of the 

Nation 's water resources and 

provides results of these investigations to the public. 

• Conducts water-resources 

appraisals describing the occurrence, availability, and physical, 

chemical, and biological cha,:racteristics of surface and ground 

water. 

• Conducts basic and problemoriented hydrologic and related 

research that aids in alleviating 

water-resources problems and 

provides an understanding of 

hydrologic systems sufficient to 

predict their response to natural 

or human-caused stress. 

• Coordinates the activities of 

Federal agencies in the acquisition ·of water-resources data for 

streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and ground water. 

• Provides scientific and technical assistance in hydrologic 

fields to other Federal, State, 

and local agencies, to licensees 

of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and to inter~ 

national agencies on behalf of 

the Department of State. 

• Administers the State Water 

Resources Research Institutes 

Program and the National 

Water Resources Research 

Grants Program. 

51 
N 

1 

I 

I 

I,.. _________ _ 

--,---~-

1 

I 

~-- -­- -- ­- -- - -

KANSAS 

EXPLANATION 

D 8-12 inches 

D 12-16 inches 

ILLINOIS 

D Greater than 16 inches 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

Total precipitation (in inches) joT 

April 15 through May 19, 1990 

(modified from Weekly Weather and 

Crop Bulletin, published by NOAAUSDA Joint Agricultural Facility) . 

A large amount of debris appears to 

be waiting to be locked through the 

James W. Trimble Lock and Dam 

near Van Buren, Ark., on the 

Arkansas River, May 5, 1990. 

U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

area and more than 24 inches on the 

Arkansas-Oklahoma State line. Rainfall 

recorded at numerous individual precipitation 

stations, however, greatly exceeded the averaged amounts. 

New record-high flows occurred at many 

streamflow gaging stations because of the 

early May storm. Flooding equal to or greater 

than the 50-year recurrence interval occurred 

in streams originating in the areas of greatest 

precipitation; floods of the magnitude of 100­

year or greater recurrence-interval floods 

occurred on many streams. A recurrence 

interval is the probability of occurrence and 

the average number of years between occurrences; for example, a 100-year flood, on 

average, is the flood magnitude that occurs in 

a 1 00-year period. Regularity of occurrence, 

however, is not implied: a 100-year flood 

might be exceeded in consecutive years or 

might not be exceeded in a 50-year period. 

Most major rivers in this area are controlled by dams, many of which have been in 

place for more than 25 years. The levels of 

most of the reservoirs upstream from these 

dams reached new record highs during this 

period. Because these reservoirs were full 

before the storm abated, the runoff from the 

floods could not be contained. As the runoff 

from the tributary streams reached the major 

rivers, the flooding that occurred exceeded all 

previous floods since the major storage reservoirs were completed. 

The Arkansas, Red, and Trinity Rivers 

are the principal river systems that had the 

greatest flooding. Because of the size of the 

52 
area affected by the storms and the saturated 

condition of the soil, the flooding extended 

far downstream from the source areas. In 

addition, the relatively flat slopes of the rivers 

and the need to reduce the storage levels in 

the reservoirs increased the duration of downstream flooding. Downstream from Livingston 

Reservoir on the Trinity River, for example, 

flood stage usually corresponds to a discharge 

of about 52 billion gallons per day; the discharge from that reservoir exceeded that 

amount for 10 consecutive days (May 17-26). 

Because the main-stream impoundments, 

such as Eufaula Lake on the Canadian River 

(tributary to the Arkansas River), Lake 

Texoma on the Red River, and Livingston 

Reservoir on the Trinity River, have large 

storage capacities, major reductions in flooding would be expected to occur as the flood 

peaks passed though the storage systems. All 

three impoundments were full , however, 

when the April 30 to May 3 storm occurred. 

In addition, the extremely large inflows to the 

reservoirs would have taxed the systems even 

if the pool levels had been normal for early 

May. 

The total maximum daily inflow to 

Eufaula Reservoir is estimated to have exceeded 259 billion gallons per day. On 1 day 

alone, about 800,000 acre-feet (an acre-foot is 

the volume of water that covers an acre of 

land to a depth of 1 foot) of water entered 

the reservoir; this is about 20 percent of the 

total capacity of the reservoir. The inflow to 

Livingston Reservoir was greater than 200,000 

acre-feet (about 10 percent of capacity) per 

day for 7 consecutive days (May 10-16). Maximum daily inflow to Lake Texoma was also 

about 10 percent of total reservoir capacity. 

A separate and somewhat isolated thunderstorm during May 19- 20 produced 13 

Flooding continu ed on May 7, 1990, in Lake Texoma 

spillway ove-rflow channel. Lake T exoma forms the bo-rde-r 

of Oklahoma and T exas between A-rdmo-re, Okla., and 

Denison, Tex . 

inches of rain in about 8 hours and caused 

severe flooding in Hot Springs, Ark. T he 

resulting flood peak on the Ouachita River 

(tributary to the Red River) about 20 miles 

downstream from Hot Springs was abou t 103 

billion gallons per day. This peak was 14 percent greater than the previous record peak 

that occurred in 1923. 

Seventeen deaths and millions of dollars 

in damage to public and private property are 

attributed directly to the storms and related 

flooding in the four-State area. Agricultural 

losses were extensive. In Arkansas and 

Oklahoma alone, the homes of more than 

2,000 families were either damaged or 

destroyed. Public facilities in the entire area 

that were damaged or destroyed include 

roads, bridges, and water and sewage treatment facilities. Before the flooding subsided, 

104 counties in the area had been declared 

eligible for Federal disaster assistance. 

Toxic Substances in 

Water Resources 

By Gail E. Mallard and Paul D. Capel 

T he USGS examines the fate and transport of contaminants in the Nation's waters through the Toxic Substances 

Hydrology program. Research concentrates 

on determining the mechanisms and the 

chemical and biological processes that control 

the environmental fate of pollutants at 

selected contaminated field sites. 

Physical, chemical, and biological reactions change the chemical structure of contaminants. Newly produced (daughter) chemicals can have either greater or lesser toxic 

effects and mobility in the environment. Discovering how these transformation reactions 

Ove-rflow of Lake Texoma on May 

7, 1990. Spillway overflow channel 

cuts north from the lake (top of 

photog-raph) . 

Water Resources Investigation s 53 
Type of site Study area Contaminant 

Grouna water ...... . Bemioji, Minnesota .. . .. , ... . .......... . Cruae oil. 


Cape Cod, Massachusetts .... . .......... : Sewage, chlorinateo hydrocarbons. 


Pensacola, Florida.. . .................... Creosote, pentachlorophenol. 


Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey .......... Trichloroethylene. 


Globe; Arizona. . ...... , .. . ........... .. . Trace metals, acid ground water. 

water. 

Surface water. ....... Arkansas River headwaters, Colorado .. Trace metals. 

, Calcasieu River, Louisiana .............. Synrheticorganic chemicals. 

Whitewood Creek, South Dakota .. .... . Arsenic. 

occur and what happens to the daughter 

chemicals produced is an important part of 

investigations sponsored by the Toxic Substances Hydrology program. 

Changes induced by sunlight in the 

chemical form of iron, for example, were 

measured in a stream receiving acid mine 

drainage near the headwaters of the Arkansas 

River in Colorado. These photochemical reactions are responsible for daily changes in the 

chemical form of iron that have been overlooked in previous studies of acidic streams 

and lakes. These overlooked changes may 

account for the reports of wide variations in 

concentrations of iron, copper, and other 

metals in acidic streams and lakes. 

In South Dakota, daily fluctuations in pH 

caused by photosynthetic reactions affect the 

concentrations of dissolved arsenic in Whitewood Creek. This reaction is significant because dissolved arsenic is much more readily 

taken up by organisms than is arsenic associated with particulate material. 

Biologically induced transformations are 

studied extensively at many of the field sites. 

Investigations of a crude-oil spill site in 

Bemidji , Minn., show an anaerobic (oxygenfree) degradation of oil components, a process 

previously thought to be unimportant. At a 

Pensacola, Fla. , creosote site, natural microbiological reactions appear to be removing contaminants. Study of biological degradation at 

this site will .show the potential of using biological remediation of contaminated ground 

water at other sites. 

Many important environmental processes 

occur at the interfaces between air and water 

or between solids and water. The transfer of 

chemicals across an interface can have a profound impact on the transformation and 

transport rates of these chemicals and on 

their availability to organisms. 

For example, at the Whitewood Creek 

field site, arsenic accumulates in benthic invertebrates, and , in the Calcasieu River study in 

Louisiana, synthetic organic compounds accumulate in clams , fish , crabs, and aquatic 

plants. Careful analysis of contaminant concentrations in water, sediment, and tissue taken 

Toxic Substances Hydrology program field sites 

from the Calcasieu River tracks the mechanisms of contaminant uptake. This information is useful in predicting the effects of 

chemicals on organisms living in contaminated 

environments. 

Interface reactions can also be important 

in removing contaminants from the environment. The loss of organic chemicals via volatilization (vapor) from unconfined groundwater contamination sites is demonstrated for 

chlorinated solvents at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., 

and for crude oil components at the Bemidji 

site. In Minnesota, volatilization is the most 

important loss mechanism for the crude-oil 

components and their degradation products. 

Knowing how quickly and in what concentrations chemicals move away from the site 

of contamination is important to environmental managers. In the case of ground water, 

contaminant movement may be only a few 

feet per year; whereas, in surface water, movement may be tens or hundreds of miles per 

year. In the Whitewood Creek and Arkansas 

River study areas, variable flow conditions 

affect the transport of trace metals and 

arsenic in streams. The transport and accumulation of trace metals in surface-water sediments over time can be determined by examining historical concentration profiles in 

reservoirs that receive contaminants from 

upstream sources. 

At the Cape Cod, Mass., site, relating the 

movement of colloidal-sized bacteria to water 

movement has shown the importance of transport mechanisms of chemicals that are not 

diluted or broken down in ground water. 

This is important because many organic 

chemicals of environmental concern may 

travel as or with colloidal material. 

The hydraulic connection between surface and ground water can be an important 

route for contaminant transport. Contaminated surface water, such as waste-disposal 

pits or evaporation ponds, can be a source of 

pollutants to ground water. The reverse is 

also true. At the Globe, Ariz., site, ground 

water contaminated by copper mining is discharging into a perennial stream. Scientists 

have successfully predicted the timing of the 

54 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
appearance in the stream of some of the individual chemicals in the contaminant plume. 

This knowledge is not only valuable to local 

managers, it can also be used to improve general computer models of contaminant transport. The models can in turn be used at 

other sites that have similar conditions and 

problems. 

Studies under the Toxic Substances 

Hydrology program outline the environmental processes that control the transformation, 

availability, and transport of surface- and 

ground-water contaminants. Although much 

of the work has been conducted at a small 

number of field sites; the accumulated knowledge of the processes controlling contaminant 

behavior can be applied on a wider scale at 

other contaminated sites. The program continues to provide information that is useful in 

mitigating existing and future ground- and 

surface-water contamination problems throughout the country and in various geographic 

settings. 

Atrazine in Streams of 

the Midwestern 

United States 

By Donald A. Goolsby 

Atrazine is one of the most extensively 

used pre-emergent herbicides in the 

United States. About 80 million 

pounds of atrazine are used each year, about 

70 percent of which are applied in 12 Midwestern States for weed control in the production of corn and sorghum. Atrazine and its 

metabolic degradation products are being 

transported into surface- and ground-water 

resources of this region. 

A study in Iowa, conducted by USGS scientists in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, shows that 18 

percent of 355 municipal wells contain detectable concentrations of atrazine. In municipal, 

Post-application results for atrazine 


by hydrologic cataloging unit 


Median basin concentration ()Jg/1) 

D <0.05 0 3.1 to 10 .0 

0.05 to 3.0 • > 10.0 

• Sampling site 

Study area for Midwestern herbicide reconnaissance showing cataloging units sampled, location of sampling sites, and 

geographic distribution of atrazine concentrations during a post-application sampling period in 1989. 

Water. Resources Investigations 55 
H erbicides and metabolites detected in preapplication, post-application, and fall low-flow 

samples collected during 1989 

[Values in micrograms per liter; reporting limits are 0.05 

microgram per liter for all compounds except cyanazine , 

which is 0.2 microgram per liter; < ,less than. Ametryn , 

prometryn, and terbutryn were not detected] 

atrazine and other agricultural chemicals in 

surface water in the Midwest, USGS scientists 

conducted a reconnaissance in 1989 under the 

Toxic Substances Hydrology program (see 

p . 53). 

About 150 streams in 122 hydrologic cataloging units, geographically distributed 

across 10 Midwestern States, were sampled 

three times-before herbicide application, 

during runoff just after herbicide application, 

and in the fall during low-flow conditions. 

The median size of the drainage basins sampled is about 800 square miles and the aggregate drainage area of the basins is about 

200,000 square miles. All of the samples were 

screened for atrazine, and most were subsequently analyzed for I 0 additional herbicides 

and 2 atrazine metabolites (see table). 

Results from the reconnaissance show 

that detectable concentrations of atrazine persist year round in most streams throughout 

the Midwest. During spring and early summer 

runoff following herbicide application, atrazine concentrations increase by one to two 

orders of magnitude and then decrease to 

pre-application levels by fall. For an undetermined time following herbicide application, 

more than one-half of the streams sampled 

had atrazine concentrations higher than the 

3 micrograms-per-liter PMCL, and more than 

one-fourth of the streams had concentrations 

of 14 micrograms per liter or higher. Because 

of the random design of the reconnaissance , 

these results are believed to be typical of 

streams throughout the Midwest. 

Low concentrations of atrazine were 

detected in 76 percent of the stream samples 

collected in the fall when streamflow is 

derived primarily from ground water. This 

result strongly suggests that the alluvial 

2 .----------------------------------. 

1.5 ------- - - ---- ------ ---- .......... ---­

0 0 

0 

~ 1 ----------------------------­

a: 

0 

A, Distribution of atrazine concentrations in Midwestern streams 

during pre-application, postapplication, and fall low-flow 

sampling periods in 1989. 

B , Ratio of deethylatrazine to atrazine in Midwestern streams during 

pre-application, post-application, 

and fall low-flow sampling periods 

in 1989. 

1

Atrazine metabolites. 

domestic, and irrigation wells in Minnesota, 

Missouri, and Nebraska, atrazine is detected 

in 30 percent or more of the wells sampled. 

Atrazine concentrations in many of the wells 

exceed 3 micrograms per liter, the proposed 

maximum contaminant level (PMCL) for 

drinking water established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Until recently, most concern about contamination of water resources with atrazine 

and other agricultural chemicals has been 

focused on ground water; contaminated surface water has received scant attention, except 

in a few small watersheds. To develop information on the occurrence and distribution of 

1000 ~-----------------, 

a: 

LJ.J 

1­

:::J 

a: 100 0 EXPLANATION LJ.J 

0.. a (Q) Quartile Cl) 

~ 

<! o- Largest observation a: 

C.!J 10 0 B a: 

~ 0 :§' >0 1.751' 1.51QR ~ 

z B 1i, { -751h '""""''- Q1.751 ~ ...... Med1an - Q (.50) z' 

0 

.E "' f= 

<! 

a: ~ -25th percentile - Q (.25) 1­

LJ.J 

z ~ "'Smallest observation 0.1 u 

z 

0 

u 

0.01 

56 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
aquifers contributing baseflow to these 

streams are contaminated with low concentrations of atrazine and are a nonpoint source 

for contamination of streams during baseflow 

periods. This result also underscores the need 

for further study of the exchange of water 

and contaminants between surface- and 

ground-water systems. 

Atrazine was the most frequently 

detected of the 11 herbicides and 2 metabolites measured during each of the three sampling periods (see table). The second most 

frequently detected compound was the atrazine metabolite deethylatrazine. This compound is not applied as an herbicide but is 

largely derived from the breakdown of atrazine by soil microorganisms. Notably, little 

information is available at this time about the 

toxicity and health effects of deethylatrazine 

or other atrazine metabolites. The ratio of 

deethylatrazine to the parent compound, atrazine, is lowest in late spring and early summer 

after herbicide application and highest in fall 

when the principal source of water in streams 

is from ground water. This ratio may prove to 

be useful in determining sources and mechanisms for atrazine contamination of surface 

and ground water. 

USGS hydrologists are continuing 

research on the occurrence, distribution, and 

fate of atrazine and other agricultural chemicals in water resources of the Midwest. Current research includes studies of the temporal 

distribution of several herbicides, including 

atrazine and its metabolites, in spring and 

summer storm runoff; the occurrence, distribution, and deposition rates of atrazine in 

atmospheric wet deposition; and the regional 

distribution of atrazine and other agricultural 

chemicals in ground water. 

Drought in California, 

1987-90 

By Richard A. Hunrichs 

California marked its fourth consecutive 

year of drought in 1990. Precipitation, 

runoff, and reservoir storage have 

been below normal during each water year 

from 1987 to 1990. Stream runoff in the 

Sacramento River basin in the relatively wet 

northern part of the State is a major source of 

water for State and Federal water-supply 

projects. Runoff is also a widely used indicator of the status of the State's water supply. 

On the basis of runoff in the Sacramento 

River basin, California Department of Water 

Resources (DWR) personnel classified the 

1987, 1988, and 1990 water years as critically 

dry. 

A critically dry year is that which occurs 

about 1 year in 10 in the record of a particular region. Runoff during the 1989 water year 

was below average but was sufficient to prevent the year from being classified as critically 

dry. As late as March (the last month of 

California's winter storm season), watersupply forecasts showed a greater than 50 

percent chance that 1989 would be a critically 

dry year. A series of March storms, however, 

brought plentiful rain and snow over the 

northern half of the State and temporarily 

moderated the severity of the drought. 

Historic Perspective 

Droughts are a recurring feature of 

California's climate. To help put the current 

drought in perspective, hydrologists from the 

USGS water resources office in Sacramento, 

in cooperation with DWR personnel, examined streamflow records from the Sacramento 

River basin and from unregulated long-term 

stations located throughout California. When 

considered individually, no single year of the 

current drought ranks as extreme. When considered as a whole, however, the drought 

aspect of the last 4 years is more evident. 

For the Sacramento River basin, two consecutive critically dry years have occurred only 

twice before, from 1933 to 1934 and from 

1976 to 1977. Three consecutive critically dry 

years are unprecedented in the historical 

record, and three critically dry years during a 

4-year period have occurred only once before, 

from 1931 to 1934, during the Dust Bowl 

Era. The current 4-year drought has three 

critically dry years, two of which are consecutive (1987-88, 1990). Even though the 

drought is less severe in southern California, 

that area's dependence on transfers of water 

from the northern part of the State gives the 

current drought a statewide importance. 

Prior to the drought of 1987-90, the 

droughts of 1928-37 and 1976-77 were considered to be the most severe in the State's 

history. Comparing the current drought to 

these historic droughts provides perspective, 

but comparisons are difficult because the 

droughts have different durations. The severity of multiyear droughts can be measured by 

the accumulated deficit in streamflow (departure below the mean) during the drought. 

Periods of drought of the same duration can 

be directly compared by ranking their accumulated deficits. 

Ranked by accumulated deficits, the 

droughts of 1928-37, 1976-77, and 1987-90 

(in the central part of the State) are equivalent in severity. The drought of 1928-37 is 

Water Resources Investigations 57 
160 

140 w 

0 

<( 

~ 

w 120 

~ 

~ 100 

w 

a::: 

iI 

0 80 z 

0 

_J 

l.&.. 60 0 

iz 

w 40 (.) 

a::: 

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0.... 

20 

0 

1986 

Swmnary of water conditions in 

California, 1986-90 water years. 

Values are in percent of average. 

(Data from the California Department of Water Resources.) 

rza Runoff 

m Precipitation 

111111 End of Year Reservoir Storage 

1987 1988 

WATER YEAR 

the State's most severe drought, however, 

when the duration, the magnitude and areal 

extent of accumulated deficits, and the severity of individual years are taken into account. 

The current drought will have to continue for 

several more years before it would rival the 

drought of 1928-37. 

Impact of the Drought 

Because of the recurrent nature of 

droughts in California, considerable effort has 

been made to lessen their effects. Water supplies have been developed and are managed 

to provide dependable supplies to major agricultural areas and population centers and, 

more recently, for the protection of environmental quality. Isolated dry years and the first 

year of protracted droughts have only limited 

adverse effects on human activities. The most 

seriously affected areas are wildlands and 

nonirrigated agricultural lands. Water-supply 

problems were minimal in 1987, however, 

because surface-water storage was carried 

over from 1986. 

During 1988 and early 1989, water shortages affected about one-third of California's 

population and more than 40 percent of the 

State's irrigated agriculture. Many areas had 

insufficient rainfall for dry-farmed crops, and 

ranchers from 42 counties were accepted into 

Federal emergency feed programs. Drought 

emergencies were declared in 14 counties. 

Many urban areas instituted mandatory or 

voluntary water conservation measures. 

Legend 

1989 1990 

Where available, ground water was used to 

compensate for deficiencies in surface-water 

supplies. In general, ground-water supplies 

were adequate, but water shortages occurred 

in localized areas of excessive drawdown and 

in some upland and coastal areas where 

ground-water reservoirs are small. 

In 1989, managers in both of the State's 

two major water projects, the State Water 

Project and the Federal Central Valley 

Project, announced anticipated reductions in 

water deliveries of as much as 50 percent. 

The wet weather in March 1989 brought 

relief to many water users, however, and permitted full delivery of agricultural water supplies. Drought restrictions were eventually 

lifted in most areas of the State. Water restrictions continued along the central coast, which 

did not benefit from the March rains and is 

not a part of any of the State's large water 

projects. 

In 1990, no relief from spring rains was 

forthcoming. Deliveries of State and Federal 

project water are reduced as much as 50 percent for agricultural customers, and some 

municipal and industrial contractors have 

lesser reductions. Only once before (1977) in 

the history of the water projects were such 

reductions necessary. 

In response to the reductions in surface 

water, farmers are modifying irrigation practices, turning to ground-water supplies (often 

an expensive alternative), taking land out of 

production, and changing crop rotation. 

Reduction in irrigation water causes salt to 

58 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
accumulate in the soil and has a long-term 

impact on agricultural production. Reduced 

agricultural production causes substantial economic losses in many areas. Agricultural advisors are warning orchard crop growers that 

attempting to stretch water supplies by inadequate irrigation may kill trees. 

Most urban areas of the State are instituting drought restrictions. Southern California was little affected during the first 3 years 

of the drought because of diverse sources of 

water supply-northern California, the eastern Sierra Nevada, and the Colorado River 

basin. In 1990, however, this area is also faced 

with possible shortages. 

The response of urban water users to the 

drought of 1976-77 demonstrated that major 

reductions in urban water use are possible. 

Conservation measures include voluntary and 

mandatory rationing, educational programs, 

the use of water-saving devices in homes, 

decreased irrigation of landscapes, reuse of 

industrial water, altered rate (price) 

structures, and penalties (including the threat 

ofjail sentences) for misuse. Santa Barbara is 

probably the most adversely affected community in the State, and a strict mandatory water 

conservation program has been enacted to cut 

water use by 45 percent. It is now illegal to 

water lawns in Santa Barbara. 

35 

The reduction in streamflow has caused 

a hydroelectric-power generation decrease, 

which has forced the use of alternative and 

more costly sources of power. Because utilities 

expect hydroelectric-power generation to be 

40 percent below normal, rate increases may 

be necessary to offset reduced production 

from hydroelectric sources. 

As the drought continues, demands on 

ground-water sources increase as surface supplies in many areas become stressed. The 

resulting drawdown leads to serious overdraft 

in some basins. Using the 1976-77 drought as 

an indicator, ground-water use during the 

current drought can be expected to increase 

about 50 percent above the amount used during a normal year. The increased withdrawals 

in many areas are already causing excessive 

drawdown, water-quality problems, and seawater intrusion into some coastal basins. The 

result is that public water supplies in some 

areas may not meet recommended standards 

for drinking water; depleted ground water 

has increased the potential for land subsidence and associated reduction in storage 

capacity of aquifers because of compaction; 

and some areas now prohibit drilling new 

wells and restrict pumping from present wells. 

Recreational activities, and the associated 

economic benefits for many businesses and 

-10 

-15 

-

I I I I I I I I I I I I 

-

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h 

u ~ -

-

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I I I I I I I I I I I I 

1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 

WATER YEAR 

Annual 1872-1990 departure from average discharge in the Sacramento River flows from the upper Sacramento, Feather, Yuba, and American River basins, 

basin. Solid areas are _vears classified as critical(v dry by the California Depart­ adjusted to represent unimpaired runoff. Flows from 1872 to 1905 are estimated 

ment of Water Resources. The Sacramento River basin discharge is the combined from histoTical data. (Data from the California Department of Water Resounes.) 

Water Resources Investigations 59 
communities, are also adversely affected by 

the drought. Low streamflows and reservoir 

levels restrict boating and fishing. Extreme 

fire danger has led to the closing or restricted 

use of wildlands. The drought has been 

extremely hard on fish and wildlife. Decreased releases of water downstream from 

reservoirs and high air temperatures have 

resulted in a fourth straight year of poor 

anadromous fish spawn. For some species, the 

problem is now compounding: reduced populations that hatched during the first year of 

drought are returning to even worse conditions. Reservoir fisheries are also being 

adversely affected by low water levels. The 

flooding of some waterfowl refuges is incomplete, and forage and cover for upland wildlife is reduced. 

The drought has had a devastating effect 

on California's timberlands. Trees weakened 

by the drought are being killed by insects and 

disease. In the Lake Tahoe basin, about 20 

percent of the trees are already dead, and 

even more trees are in jeopardy this year. 

The danger of forest fires is exacerbated by 

the presence of this added dry fuel. In 

Yosemite National Park, California's famed 

sequoias were sprayed with a fire-retardant to 

protect them from threat of fire. 

Forecast for 1991 

DWR forecasters estimate that if runoff 

is 70 percent of normal next year, there is a 

65 percent chance that most of the State's 

water needs would be met. Carryover storage 

in reservoirs is well below normal, however, so 

reservoir storage would not recover from 

depleted levels. The forecasters also estimate 

that if runoff is 5 percent above normal, reservoir storage levels would return to normal 

and that most of the State's water need would 

be met as well. Because the winter storm season brings most of the State's annual precipitation, it may be spring 1991 before we know 

if California is in for a fifth straight year of 

drought or if the dry spell will be broken. 

60 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
National Mapping Program 


Continuing Evolution in 

Mapping Technology 

By Lindy Mann 

T he initial cycle of detailed topographic 

mapping covering the conterminous 

48 States , begun more than 50 years 

ago, was completed by the USGS during fiscal 

year 1990. Having accomplished this significant milestone , the USGS National Mapping 

Division is focusing on updating the more 

than 57 ,000 maps generated and making 

them available in digital form. New automated methods for processing spatially related 

data are streamlining map production techniques as well as revolutionizing the application of this information to land and resource 

management issues. 

The conterminous United States and 

Hawaii are mapped as quadrangles, each covering 7.5 minutes of latitude and longitude. 

The 7.5-minute mapping program began in 

the late 1930's in a cooperative effort with the 

Tennessee Valley Authority. Most of the 7.5 ­

minute quadrangle maps are printed at a 

scale of 1:24,000 (1 inch on the map represents 2,000 feet on the ground). For a few 

areas, 1 :25,000-scale maps are published in 

which contours are depicted in meters. 

The mainland of Alaska has been 

mapped at a scale of 1:63,360 (I inch represents 1 mile). A few areas of the Alaska peninsula and most of the Aleutian Islands are 

mapped with very general reconnaissance 

maps because the persistent cloud cover over 

these areas makes it difficult to acquire the 

aerial photography needed for map compilation . The final map completed in the first 

cycle of the national program was the Seneca 

quadrangle south of Canyon City in Grant 

County, Oreg. 

One of the key components in the evolution of the National Mapping Program is the 

conversion of the 1:24,000- and 1 :25,000-scale 

topographic maps to digital form. The resulting data will be made available to Federal, 

State, and public users through the National 

Digital Cartographic Data Base, which the 

USGS is assembling as the largest repository 

of map information on the United States and 

its territories. 

Geographic information system (GIS) 

technology has emerged as a powerful new 

means of handling spatially related information and is a major element in the new digital 

direction of USGS mapping efforts. GIS's capture , store, and process data according to 

their geographic or spatial relationships. From 

these systems scientists can produce maplike 

layers of digital data that can be merged, separated, manipulated, and analyzed by computers to support more informed decisionmaking 

for many scientific, engineering, and planning 

purposes. 

The completion of the initial cycle of 

topographic mapping marks the beginning of 

a major new responsibility for the USGS. As 

fiscal year 1991 began, the USGS was assigned the role for the Interior Department 

of coordinating and standardizing digital cartographic data through the Federal Geographic Data Committee (as directed in the Office 

of Management and Budget Circular A- 16, 

Revised). In this role, the bureau will serve as 

the Federal data base manager and coordinator for spatially referenced digital data. 

Building Partnerships for 

Geographic Data Sharing 

By Michael A. Domaratz 

I ncreasingly, the analysis of spatial datageographic and cartographic information 

in computer-readable form-is a requisite 

part of understanding and responding to 

complex societal problems. Computerized 

tools for handling spatial data, such as geographic information systems , are cost-effective 

means of managing large volumes of spatial 

data and performing these analyses. As 

important as these tools have become, their 

effectiveness ultimately depends on the availability and quality of the digital spatial data 

analyzed . The immediate need for highquality spatial data and the cost of collecting 

the data are two factors that encourage new 

partnerships among users in Federal, State, 

and local governments. These partnerships 

prevent wasteful duplication of effort and 

permit increased dedication to solving problems rather than to collecting data. 

Mission 

T he National Mapping 

Division provides accurate 

and up-to-date basic cartographic information for the 

United States in forms that can 

be readily applied to present-day 

problems. Maps, digital data, 

aerial photographs, satellite 

images, and geodetic control 

information represent some of 

the cartographic p1-oducts available. Topographic maps at various scales, which illustrate 

detailed and precisely referenced 

information about natural and 

manmade features on the 

Ea.rth's surface, continue to be 

important products. 

These maps provide basic 

cartographic information that is 

needed by Federal, State, and 

local government agencies in 

, . dealing with key issues ranging 

from satisfying energy demands 

to conserving natural resources, 

from identifying environmental 

problems to developing accept.:. 

able solutions, and from locating commercial facilities to 

designing public works. 

In addition to maps, 

cartographic data in computerreadable form are becoming 

increasingly important. T hese 

data are used in computer-based 

resource and geographic information systems to . evaluate alternative management plans and 

to study the effects of different 

management policies. 

61 
Building innovative partnerships and 

improving coordination processes also 

increase the Nation's ability to solve future 

societal problems and to compete more effectively in the world marketplace. The development of a national digital spatial data infrastructure, including linkages at all levels of 

society, will enable sharing and efficient transfer of digital spatial data between producers 

and users, thus increasing the availability and 

timeliness of spatial information. 

The Federal Interagency Coordinating 

Committee on Digital Cartography (FICCDC) 

coordinates the digital cartographic data activities of Federal agencies. In a 1989 memorandum rechartering the FICCDC, the Director 

of the Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) noted the evolving nature of data handling technology and the need for Federal 

Government programs to evolve with this 

technology. The Director asked the FICCDC 

to evaluate its role in coordinating Federal 

digital spatial data use and to review and recommend revision to OMB Circular A- 16, the 

coordinating mechanism. 

In its report, the FICCDC recommended 

that the breadth of coordination activities be 

increased by adding such types of spatial data 

as geologic, resource, cultural and demographic, and ground transportation; that the 

name of the committee be changed to the 

Federal Geographic Data Committee to reflect 

the broader coordination responsibility; and 

that the new committee and its responsibilities 

be incorporated in a revised and expanded 

Circular A-16. 

The primary objective of the new Federal Geographic Data Committee is to promote the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of surveying, mapping, 

and related spatial data. Subcommittees will 

coordinate activities related to 10 spatial data 

categories, including topographic map, soil, 

wetland, geologic, geodetic, vegetation, cadastral, ground transportation, cultural and 

demographic, and certain international 

boundaries. These activities will identify 

standards of accuracy, content, and format, 

facilitate exchange of information and transfer of data, and coordinate collection of spatial data. Working groups will respond to 

issues common to all spatial data categories, 

such as standards, technology, and liaison 

with the non-Federal spatial data user 

community. 

The new committee will promote the 

development, maintenance, and management 

of spatial data bases . Specifications for these 

systems will ensure data reliability, compatibility, and consistency so data may be used with 

confidence. The committee will also encourage the development of standards and specifications that foster the exchange and multiple 

use of data and promote data sharing. An 

additional important focus of the new committee is to provide guidance and promote 

coordination among Federal, State, and local 

government agencies, the private sector, and 

academia with the objective of developing a 

partnership for a national digital spatial data 

infrastructure. 

The revision of Circular A-16 provides 

the framework for coordinating the programmatic and technical aspects of expanding Federal spatial data activities and for coordinating 

activities for certain categories of spatial data 

that are national in scope. The revision also 

supports development of common standards 

and specifications that remove the impediments to sharing data; promotes technology 

development, transfer, and exchange; and 

encourages sharing of data not only among 

Federal agencies, but also among State and 

local government agencies, the private sector, 

and academia. 

Cartographic Data 

Aid Response to 

National Emergencies 

By Lindy Mann 

Current cartographic information in 

both digital and graphic form assists in 

local and regional planning and in 

responding to national emergencies. The cartographic data depicted on the more than 

57,000 topographic maps covering the Nation 

at scales of 1:24,000 (49 States) and 1:63,360 

(Alaska) are periodically reviewed for updating. These topographic maps and related digital cartographic data are critical national 

resources that can be used to provide a 

benchmark for environmental analysis, for 

planning purposes to help mitigate national 

emergencies, for determining damages from 

natural disasters, and as source data for preparing other map products. 

Maps are periodically revised to reflect 

recent natural and cultural changes and to 

correct deficiencies and inaccuracies in older 

maps. To accomplish a national map revision 

program in a systematic manner and to 

ensure that the highest priorities are addressed, the USGS annually solicits map requirements from Federal, State, and local agencies. 

Joint funding agreements between individual 

States and the USGS help expedite the 

needed revision of existing topographic 

maps. Annually, the USGS has mapping 

agreements with 25 or more States, and the 

support provided by the USGS ranges from 

62 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
revision of existing maps to preparation of 

cartographic data in digital form. The revision program is managed by the National 

Mapping Division, and cartographic production is done in centers in Reston, Va.; Rolla, 

Mo.; Denver, Colo.; Menlo Park, Calif.; and 

Sioux Falls, S. Dak. 

More than 3,000 topographic maps are 

currently in the revision program, and 

between 3,000 and 5,000 maps are inspected 

annually to determine the need for revision. 

Some maps require only minor updates, while 

others require major changes. Revision may 

require scheduling new aerial photography; 

establishing field control and, when needed, 

field inspecting map features depicted on a 

map manuscript before printing; and obtaining source information such as boundary and 

coastline changes and names that are to be 

shown on the revised maps. 

Often, priorities change suddenly when a 

natural disaster occurs. Hurricane Hugo is a 

prime example. Many areas in South Carolina 

were declared disaster areas by the Federal 

Emergency Management Agency. These areas 

are depicted on parts of 280 1 :24,000-scale 

maps, 55 of which cover areas that sustained 

severe damage. Several of these maps are now 

scheduled for revision. To generate up-todate maps of the State areas affected, suitable 

source materials, such as aerial photographs, 

are needed to revise existing maps and digital 

cartographic data. 

To provide current information for production of topographic and soil classification 

maps, orthophotographs, map products for 

land management and land use and land 

cover and for damage assessments of natural 

events and planning purposes to mitigate risks 

associated with natural disasters, a National 

Aerial Photography Program was developed 

and implemented. This Federal program, 

which is managed by the USGS, is funded by 

five major Federal agencies and a few States. 

Under contract, private companies photograph selected State areas annually. The program is designed to provide complete photographic coverage of the conterminous United 

States about every 5 years. This national data 

base of current information is available to all 

users through the USGS Earth Science Information Centers (see "Guide to Information 

and Publications," p. 94) and provides an easily accessible source to help in many aspects of 

national emergencies. 

Revision of existing maps still requires 

cartographers to perform field work in the 

areas affected by natural and cultural 

changes, to search for documentation on 

boundary changes, and to acquire horizontal 

and vertical map control where needed. However, most revision work is done in offices 

where information from aerial photographs, 

existing map data, and cartographic data in 

digital form is reviewed and analyzed. The 

USGS is implementing new technologies and 

acquiring modern digital equipment to 

expand and improve the production of new 

maps and data and to accelerate map revisions and, therefore, accessibility to the latest 

cartographic data. 

Users of maps and cartographic data 

repeatedly tell us that current information is a 

critical need. Likewise, it is important to have 

current information readily available for land 

management studies, including wetlands and 

More than 3,000 of the 57,000 

U.S. topographic maps are being 

revised in fiscal year 1990 as part 

of the USGS National Mapping 

Program. 

Hurricane Hugo left its mark on 

many coastal communities in South 

Carolina, as evidenced by these 

beach homes and a parking lot in 

the Folly Beach area . 

National Mapping Program 63 
Hurricane Hugo and previous 

storms have altered land features 

since the McClellanville, S.C., 

1 :24,000-scale topographic map 

was revised in 1973. Other changes, 

such as the construction of new or 

improved roads, new subdivisions, 

and other cultural changes, have 

also occurred and have increased the 

need for revision. 

A 

B 

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Map location 

LIGHTHOUSE ISLAND "' 

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A T L A N T I c 0 c E A N 

B I 

coastal areas, for various analyses and inven­ ensures that the Nation has available current 

tories, for use in geographic information sys­ cartographic data through its continuing 

tems, and for developing strategies and plans efforts toward revision of map graphics and 

in cases of national emergencies. The USGS digital data. 

64 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
A, Black-and-white 1 :40,000-scale 

photographs, acquired by the 

National Aerial Photography 

Program in 1989 just before 

Hurricane Hugo, were used to 

revise this portion of the map. 

A Revised ( 1989-90) features are c shown in red. 

~..:..­

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; 

~- /j 

i

\ · ....·:,/ 0 R l~·.s . .. ·f 

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A ./ /V •. 

A T L A N T c 0 c E A N 

B 

B, Combination of black-and-white 

1:40,000-scale photographs, 

acquired by the National Aerial 

Photography Program just before 

Hu·rricane Hugo, and color 

1:15,000-scale photographs, 

acquired by the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration just 

after Hurricane Hugo, were used to 

revise this portion of the map. 

R evised ( 1989-90) features are 

shown in red. 

National Mapping Program 65 
Discrete 1 : l 00, 000-scale Digital Revision of the 

DLG source data base units. 

l 

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11;11 

1 

New Jersey State 

Base Map 

By David E. Catts and Robin G. Fegeas 

I 
n a pilot effort, the USGS is updating the 


1 :500,000-scale State base map of New 


Jersey by using all-digital techniques. 


This entirely digital environment stretches the 


limits of technology in a number of areas. 


The most dramatic development is map gen­


eralization-the extremely complicated proc­


ess of combining many detailed maps cover­
 Paneled l: 1 00,000-scale coverage. ing the State at mostly 1:100,000 scale into 

Generalization to l :250,000 scale. just one map at the much smaller and less 

detailed scale of 1:500,000. This process is 

easy to do manually but difficult to accomplish digitally. 

SCR.I.NT ON fooi:!-T(JI¥N BRIDtl:PORT 

, -...... 

AllENTOWN{ ~ NEW A Rfr l<K ISUNl 

I\ ---.. READING TYN TON L<N; IIWOi 

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D 0 V E Ri. KT,tlc

I:;

SEAr ORO -CAP£ IIIAY 

The production of the new New Jersey 

State base map is the lead project of a modernization activity that is evaluating the current state of geographic information system 

(GIS) technology and its integration into 

USGS map production processes. Although 

the work is based on extensive knowledge and 

techniques developed in earlier projects, many 

new technical areas are being explored. 

Research investigations include developing 

automated feature generalization routines, Paneled l :250,000-scale coverage. 

enhancing stream ordering algorithms for Generalization to 1:500,000 scale. 

hydrographic feature identification and selection, assessing alternative automated methods 

SCRAN/O .t?"·.. HARlFORD ~ ) ' 	 of text placement, and compiling software, 

without significant reprogramming, for universal application to production projects. 

The USGS 1 :500,000-scale State base 

map for New Jersey is a natural selection for 

this project because the map was originally 

printed in 1978 and had been scheduled for 

manual revision. Also, the production location 

is near a GIS research laboratory, which proSALISBURY vides ready access to expertise and the latest 

computer resources. 

The digital data required for production 

Paneled l :500,000-scale coverage. 	 of the new New Jersey State base map are 

Symbolization for graphic output. 	 assembled or created from various State and 

Federal sources, including available USGS 

1:100,000-scale digital line graph (DLG) files, 

1 :250,000-scale land use-land cover political 

boundary files, and Geographic Names Information System data. Digital bathymetric data 

<IIIII Figure 1. Conversion of multiple digital line graph 

(DLG) sections to a single smaller scale map of continuous coverage. The creation of continuous coverage 

requires edge matching, paneling, and generalizing to 

combine area coverages at various format stages and 

scales . 

66 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

are supplied by the USGS Exclusive Economic 

Zone sea floor mapping effort and are supplemented with National Ocean Survey charts. 

The State of New Jersey provides information 

on the location of State lands and the use and 

ownership of railroad lines. Existing State 

base map topographic contours are being 

scanned and vectorized (converted into line 

data), and several options are being explored 

to generate the urban area tint. 

GIS technology allows data from these 

varied sources to be integrated into a data 

base by converting map coordinates according 

to a series of identified common control 

points. Other integration steps follow, 

depending on the data source. In most cases, 

non-DLG data are extensively edited manually 

(in the digital environment) to conform to the 

1: 1 00,000-scale DLG base data. 

The use of the 1: 1 00,000-scale DLG data 

files themselves, as well as other data at a 

scale of 1:250,000 or smaller, includes edge 

matching and paneling together of numerous 

files, each covering a small area, into combined areal coverages (fig. 1). Generalization, 

reducing the amount of map detail, is a significant aspect of manual map production. 

This process had to be translated into equivalent computer instructions for digital production. A digital filtering process reduces the 

number of features and the number of coordinates required to describe the remaining 

features. The resultant computer data storage 

for the project files is reduced by as much as 

88 percent. Figure 2 shows the results of generalizing 1: 1 00,000-scale DLG data to 

1:250,000 and 1:500,000 scales. 

Actual map production of the New 

Jersey State base map includes developing 

graphic symbology sets. Much of the symbology used in editing and correcting the data 

did not exist previously and has been developed for this and future projects. The symbology must be developed for final graphicproduction, and the negatives for map 

publication must be created directly on a 

high-resolution digital plotter. Finally, the 

actual conversion from the 1 :500,000-scale 

digital base data to a set of digital graphic 

images for plotting requires an additional filtering process and a resolution of any symbology overprinting problems. 

The digital-to-graphic techniques being 

developed during data preparation stages 

make the digital revision of the New Jersey 

State base map a truly ground-breaking enterprise. At present, it is still costly and labor 

intensive to perform this work in an entirely 

digital environment. The lessons learned and 

technology developed in this project will go 

far toward accomplishing cost-effective digital 

integration, revision, map generalization, and 

map production. 
Figure 2. A , The 1:100,000-scale 

digital line graph data content for 

hydrography and transportation 

categories is genera lized to produce, 

B, 1 :250,000-scale and, C, 

1:500,000-scale data. The area 

shown is the southeast corner of the 

Trenton, N.J., 1: 100,000-scale 

quadrangle and is not to scale. The 

area includes Point Pleasant and 

vicinity and is approximately 20 

miles across. 

National Mapping Program 67 
Using GIS to Link 

Health and 

Earth Science 

Data Bases 

By David R. Wolf 

The National Center for 

Health Statistics (NCHS), one of 

the Federal Centers for Disease 

Control , is the principal Federal 

organization having legislative 

authority to collect statistics on 

many health-related issues. 

Currently , the USGS and the 

NCHS are investigating the 

potential for spatial association 

between national earth science 

data bases and disease mortality data bases. 

GIS (geographic information systems) and statistical 

techniques are being used to 

explore the possibility of spatial 

relationships between the environment and human health, 

which may reveal patterns of 

association that otherwise are 

difficult or impossible to 

detect. For demonstration purposes , u ltraviolet-B radiation 

measurements and malignant 

melanoma mortality data are 

being spatially and statistically 

analyzed. 

USGS water-quality data 

also may be examined and spatially analyzed in conjunction 

with other U .S. public health 

data bases. Examination of 

indigenous (endemic) nephritis 

in Yugoslavia has led to a spatial investigation in the United 

States for kidney disease of 

similar origins. Additional disease candidates for study 

include certain types of cancer 

and other mortality and morbidity conditions occurring in 

the U .S. population . 

Quality Map Products 

From Digital Data 

By Thomas M. McCulloch 

Digital spatial data serve a wide range 

of users, many of whom use the data 

as base information in geographic 

information system (GIS) applications. The 

GIS provides users with a flexible and diverse 

set of computer tools for integrating, analyzing, and displaying different types of data. 

A network of GIS research laboratories 

supports studies relating to GIS development, 

image processing, visualization, and spatial 

data research, collection, and exchange. The 

state-of-the-art software and hardware systems 

in the laboratories are used in cooperative 

projects among the USGS, Federal agencies, 

and State, regional, and local agencies. The 

projects demonstrate the use of GIS hardware 

and software in combining and analyzing spatial data to solve specific problems. 

As GIS technology matures, more users 

are taking advantage of proven GIS capabilities to build digitally based systems for making standard topographic and thematic maps. 

Producing these graphic maps from digital 

data is particularly important because, as the 

data are revised, new maps will be needed to 

reflect the latest information available in the 

data. 

The USGS produces and distributes 

planimetric digital spatial data in digital line 

graph (DLG) format. The DLG data are 

based on two models that represent, in 

computer-readable form, the information 

shown on a printed map. These models are 

the DLG-3 model, the current standard for 

content, and the DLG-E model, designed to 

support advanced cartographic and GIS applications. The DLG-3 model is built on vectorbased data obtained primarily by converting 

to computer-readable form the center line of 

symbols from USGS quadrangle maps. The 

model uses basic spatial elements, topological 

relationships, and descriptive attributes to digitally portray the cartographic features of 

published maps. 

The DLG-E model is also vector based 

but is derived primarily from image sources, 

published maps, and existing DLG-3 data. 

The model adds a feature structure and specific nontopological relationships such as flow 

direction to a reorganized set of spatial elements and a broader set of descriptive 

attributes, including names for selected features. The DLG-E model is designed to represent a wide range of geographic spatial 

information, including additional features and 

attributes the user may define. 

The feature structure for the DLG-E 

model is implemented through a set of rules 

for handling the more than 200 features 

shown on a standard topographic quadrangle 

map. To represent so broad a domain of features, a wide array of rule sets, such as extraction specifications, representation rules, symbol specifications, and product generation 

rules, are needed to support the effective 

implementation of the DLG-E data model. 

This new data model and the rules supporting it will enable the USGS to generate upto-date graphic products from existing digital 

data. 

Graphic production systems are being 

designed to run on high-performance graphic 

workstations. The increased data handling 

capabilities and declining costs of these workstations make them an effective solution to 

the problem of producing graphic products 

from digital spatial data. GIS applications 

software running on a workstation can perform the data manipulations needed for cartographic symbolization and then generate a 

data file that can be plotted on existing largeformat, high-quality plotters. From these film 

plots, press plates can be made to print the 

maps. The combination of digital spatial data 

and GIS's, once limited to demonstration 

projects in the GIS research laboratories, has 

expanded to enable the use of advanced data 

models and structures to produce publicationquality standard and thematic maps. 

68 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
International Activities 


Overview 

Cooperative and assistance programs 

between th e USGS and foreign countries transfer technology to other 

nations by providing advice and training. 

Funds for USGS technical assistance to foreign countries, including all training programs either within or outside the United 

States, are supplied by other Federal agencies , 

international organizations, or foreign governments. Some funds appropriated annually to 

th e USGS for research are allocated to cooperative ventures with foreign counterpart 

organizations that in turn supply funding and 

(or) personnel and printing services. 

Cooperative projects range from individual scientist-to-scientist discussions , correspondence, and exchange visits on topics of 

mutual interest to jointly staffed , formally 

organized, bilateral scientific research and 

multilaterally coordinated in vestigations that 

focus on various scientific phenomena. USGS 

scientists also serve as officers , committee 

members, or participants in international 

organizations , commissions , and associations. 

Currently the USGS and counterpart 

agencies in 4 7 countries have 71 agreements 

under which cooperative research may be 

undertaken ; another 16 agreements are multinational, regional, or worldwide in scope. In 

fiscal year 1990, investigations conducted 

under these agreements include: 

• Data collection by remote sensing from 

AVHRR, Landsat, a nd SPOT imagery, 

• Surveying and ma pping to produce base, 

topographic, geologic, and other thematic 

maps, 

• Surveying and ma pping in polar regions 

to assess changes in glaciers, ice-sheets, and 

climate, 

• A worldwide International Strategic Mineral s Inventory and , in individual countries, 

research, assessment, and modeling of mineral resources, 

• Assessment of worldwide resources of oil 

and gas under the World Energy Resources 

Program and , in individual countries, research, assessment, and modeling of energy 

resources, such as petroleum, coal, peat, and 

geothermal, 

• Research, assessment, and modeling of 

surface- and ground-water resources in various countries and regions, 

• Activities to mitigate geologic and h ydrologic hazards, predictive investigations and 

monitoring for volcanic eruptions, and global 

research on geophysics, seismicity, and 

earthquakes, 

• Exploration research in marine geology, and 

• Research, assessment, and modeling for 

climate-change and atmospheric-deposition 

programs. 

The strengthening of earth science institutions in other countries, training of foreign 

nationals, and exchange of scientists are all 

integral to USGS international programs. 

During fiscal year 1990, 155 nationals from 

41 countries received training in the United 

States. Fifty-seven visiting scientists from 15 

countries conducted research either at USGS 

or other installations in the United States as 

arranged by the USGS. USGS personnel 

trained more than 78 foreign scientists and 

technicians , either individually or in groups, 

in their respective countries. Overseas training 

was concentrated in those countries that have 

long-term projects-Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, 

Bangladesh, Abu Dhabi UAE, Indonesia, 

Venezuela, and Bolivia. 

In the spirit of international openness 

and cooperation underway, new and expanding programs in the Soviet Union and in Eastern European countries are providing exciting 

opportunities for USGS scientists and their 

counterparts in these nations to enhance their 

scientific knowledge of the world. The joint 

studies at Lake Baikal and in the Soviet Far 

East are examples of the effective scientific 

cooperation that is being fostered. Finally, 

continuing partnerships with nations in Central and Latin America underscore the longstanding commitment of the USGS and the 

Nation to pursue scientific investigations and 

cooperation in our own Hemisphere. 

Lake Baikal in the 

Soviet U nion 

By Paul P. Hearn, Steven M . Colman, 

and Peter W. Lipman 

Located just north of the Mongolian 

border in southeastern Siberia, Lake 

Baikal is the oldest (25- 30 million years 

old), the deepest (1,056 feet) , and by volume 

Mission 

I nternational studies in science and technology are an 

important adjunct to the domestic pmgmm of the U.S. Geological Suroey. Authorization joT 

foreign investigations is provided by the Organic Act, the 

Fm·eign Assistance Act, and 

related legislation. Activities are 

conducted tmder bilateml or 

multilateml agreements that 

require appmval by the U.S. 

Departments of the Interior and 

State. The following factm·s are 

-used to detennine if potential 

studies are in the interest of the 

U.S. Government and should be 

pursued: 

• Domestic research objectives 

will be expanded in scope and 

achieved through the comparative studies of scientific 

phenomena nationally and 

internationally. 

• Information about existing 

and potential foreign resources 

of interest to the United States 

will be obtained and incorpomted in wm·ldwide data bases. 

• Scientific knowledge, understanding, expertise, and reputation of the USGS and of the 

United States in the earth 

sciences will be broadened 

and appropriately ucognized 

internationally. 

• Relations with foreign counteTpaTt institutions will be developed and maintained, and the 

pmgmms will facilitate scientific 

coopemtion, technology tmnsfer, 

and data exchange. 

• International p,-ogmms of 

other Fedeml agencies, academia, and the private sector 

will be supported; in particulm·, 

the Department of State will 

receive adequate scientific infoTmation required to formulate 

foreign policy objectives and 

decisions. 

69 
Bathymetric map of Lake Baikal, 

digitized from a Soviet map. Ins et 

shows location of Lake Baikal in 

eastern Asia. 

(5,600 cubic miles) the largest lake in the 

world. Lake Baikal is the most prominent feature of the Baikal rift zone, an area extending 

from northwestern Mongolia to southeastern 

Siberia, where movements of the Earth's crust 

have created a series of troughs and depressions. The Baikal rift, which has been the site 

of numerous large magnitude earthquakes 

during the past 100 years, is still active. The 

extreme age of the lake also makes Baikal an 

incredibly rich page in the world's geologic 

record; lake deposits will provide critical data 

for global change research. 

Intracontinental Rift Comparison 

In 1988 and 1989 geologists from the 

United States and the Soviet Union participated in a joint study to compare the Baikal 

rift zone with the Rio Grande region, a geologically similar rift zone extending from 

Texas to Colorado in the U.S. southwest. The 

exchange, which included field work in the 

United States and the Soviet Union, was sponsored by the Soviet Academy of Sciences, the 

U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the 

USGS . Research focused on the sedimentary 

56o~03,o_E_________1_014_o_E_________l_OT5_oE__________10 ________ oE~------~1 08 ~-------'~ ________ 1 10oE I 56°N 

55°N 55°N 

~ 

~ ~~ 

~ 

~ 

~ ~ 

54°N 54°N 

100 m isobaths 

500 m iso baths 

SOUTHERN BASIN 

51oN L-----------~----------i-----------~----------~----------_L___________L__________~ 51oN 

70 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
record of rift evolution, the relation of volcanic activity to rifting, the study of deep rift 

structures by geophysical methods, and the 

relation of the rifts to the overall geologic 

evolution of the surrounding areas. 

Despite contrasts in geologic setting, both 

rift systems are similar in the timing and 

structural character of their development and 

have similar geophysical signatures. Volcanic 

activity, on the other hand, is much more 

extensive in the Rio Grande rift area than in 

the Baikal region. Longer term cooperative 

exchanges will ( 1) provide more data on 

the timing of rifting by using radiometric 

analyses, (2) determine the exact mechanisms 

of rifting, (3) examine the deep structure of 

the rift areas by using geophysical methods, 

and (4) study the composition of rift related 

rocks. 

Paleoclimate Research on 

Lake Baikal 

As the Baikal rift has opened during the 

last 25 million years, as much as 2.5 miles of 

sediment have accumulated on the bottom of 

the lake. By studying plant and animal matter 

EXPLANATION 

c=J Cenozoic sediments in rift depressions 

- Volcanic districts 

Fault-Long dash where approximately 

located; arrows show relative movement 

o Volcanic cone 

I 

I 

II--.._~ I .

I . 

: / 1 

I 

In Lake Baikal, U.S. and Soviet geologists deploy a giant gravity corer from the RIV Vereschagin, 

a research vessel of the Limnological Institute in Irkutsk. 

Ancient Siberian 


platform 


Rift Depressions 

1 Busignol 

2 Darkhat 

3 Khubsugal 

4 Tunka 

5 South Baikal 

6 North Baikal 

7 Barguzin 

8 Upper Angara 

9 Tsipa 

10 Baunt 

11 Muya 

12 Chara 

13 Tokka 

0 100 200 MILES 

I I 

I 

I 

I 

0 100 200 KILOMETERS 

The general regional geologic setting of the Baikal rift, southeastern Siberia. 

International Activities 71 
Sunset on Lake Baikal near the 

northern end of Olkhon Island. preserved in these sediments and the composition of lake sediment and pore water, scientists can reconstruct a record of past climatic 

conditions. 

Baikal is an especially promising site for 

paleoclimate studies. The high-latitude location (52 to 58° N.) makes the lake particularly 

sensitive to changes in the Sun's radiative heat 

input; these changes are caused by long-term 

variations in the shape of the Earth's orbit. 

Also, the extreme seasonal contrast of the 

highly continental climate in southeastern 

Siberia makes Baikal an ideal location to 

record annual variations. Finally, unlike 

most other lake systems existing today, the 

sediments preserved in Baikal were not 

scoured by advancing ice sheets during the 

last ice age. Consequently, Baikal sediments 

represent one of the longest and most complete continental records of climate change in 

the world. 

During the summer of 1990, scientists 

from the USGS and from U.S . universities 

conducted a joint field study on Lake Baikal. 

They collected samples from miles below the 

sediment surface and cores of bottom sediments at several sites in the lake. 

These data and samples represent the 

first stage of a proposed 5-year joint U.S.­

U.S.S.R. paleoclimate study on Lake Baikal. 

The proposed research will apply micropaleontologic, isotopic, geochronologic, sedimentologic, and geochemical methods to 

reconstruct a record of climate change in 

southeastern Siberia during the last 1 to 2 

million years. The USGS contribution to this 

effort is the Climate Change Program. The 

involvement of U.S. universities is being 

supported through the National Science 

Foundation. 

U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

T he Soviet Far East 

and A laska 

By Warren ]. Nokleberg, 

William W. Patton, Jr., and 

Paul P. Hearn 

Mineral Deposits:-!he form~tion of 

mineral deposits m the Soviet Far 

East and Alaska is the focus of a 

cooperative project by the USGS with the Far 

East Branch of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, the Soviet Ministry of Geology, and the 

Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical 

Surveys (DGGS). This project will allow scientists from both countries to (1) conduct collaborative field studies of lode mineral deposits, bedrock geology, and tectonics in both 

regions, (2) publish a series of metallogenic 

maps that show the distribution of rocks associated with specific types of ore deposits and 

their relations to the overall geologic evolution of the area, and (3) publish interpretive 

articles describing the formation of mineral 

deposits in the context of the geologic and 

tectonic history of the two regions. 

USGS and DGGS geologists visited ore 

deposits in the Magadan and Primor'ye 

regions of the Soviet Far East when project 

work began in 1989. In 1990 the U.S. team 

continued work on a series of metallogenic 

and tectonic maps of Alaska. In addition, two 

groups of Soviet geologists took part in 5 

weeks of detailed field studies in Alaska and 

interpretive discussions at USGS facilities. In 

Alaska, the Soviet geologists examined various 

lode mineral deposits in areas near Nome, 

Fairbanks, McGrath, Homer, and Anchorage. 

U. S. and Sov iet members of the metallogenesis project 

at th e Democrat granite-hosted gold deposit, south of 

Fairbanks, Alaska . 

72 
~. 

Explanation 

.;® Field study area 

13o"E 

0 100 300 500 miles 

o100 300 500 kilometers 

15o"E 17o"E 180' 17o"W 

\. 

170'E 180' 17o"W 

Areas of investigations by joint U.S. and Soviet metallogenesis projects in Alaska and the Soviet Far East. 

At scientific workshops, geologists from private industry, universities, and government 

agencies made considC7rable progress on 

developing a common approach for compilation of the mineral-deposit maps and the 

preparation of scientific publications. 

Ophiolitic Terranes.-Ophiolites are igneous rocks that represent slices of oceanic crust 

preserved in zones where crustal plates have 

collided in the past. These rocks commonly 

host commercial deposits of chromium and 

other metals. In 1989 USGS geologists began 

a cooperative project with geologists from 

the Soviet Academy of Sciences to study 

occurrences of these rocks in Alaska and 

northeastern U.S.S.R. The project began in 

1989 when two Soviet geologists visited key 

ophiolite localities in Alaska and discussed 

project responsibilities for the U.S. and Soviet 

temas. Work continued in 1990 when geologists from USGS and DGGS visited the 

Chukotka region of the Soviet Far East. 

The final product of this project is a 

1 :2,500,000-scale map of ophiolitic terranes in 

both areas, including tables summarizing the 

lithology, geochemistry, age, mineral deposits, 

and geologic setting of the terranes. The map 

and tables will be published in Russian by the 

Soviet Academy of Sciences and in English by 

the USGS. 

U.S. and Soviet members of the ophiolite project during 

field studies conducted in Arctic Alaska in 1989. This 

was the first crossing of the Arctic Circle in Alaska by 

geologists from the Soviet Far East. 

500 1000 KM 

Regions of Alaska and northeastern Soviet Union to be covered by joint ophiolitic terrane map. 

Ophiolitic terranes in patterned areas were investigated by the U.S. and Soviet teams in 1989 and 

1990. 

International Activities 73 
Cooperative 

Mineral Activities in 

Latin America 

By Norman J Page, 


Charles G. Cummingham, 


Gregory E. McKelvey, and others 


T he USGS Center for Inter-American 

Mineral Resource Investigations 

(CIMRI) encourages and advances 

studies of nonfuel mineral resources in 

South America, Central America, and the 

Caribbean. Headquartered in Tucson, Ariz., 

CIMRI projects include mineral information 

exchange, cooperative investigations and 

research, and training aimed at assisting Latin 

American countries in developing their mineral economies. 

Training and 

Technology Transfer 

CIMRI personnel develop and collect 

information relevant to mineral resources 

including geology, geochemistry, geophysics, 

remote sensing, and mineral deposits and 

occurrences for countries in the Caribbean 

and the Americas. The center contributes 

information to several computer data bases 

including the Mineral Resources Data System 

(MRDS), which is available to the public 

through Minerals Information Offices (MIO) 

in Washington, D.C.; Tucson, Ariz.; Reno, 

Nev.; and Spokane, Wash. 

Coverage of mineral deposits and occurrences in the states of Sonora, Baja Sur, 

Baja Norte, and Chihuahua in Mexico, the 

Guayana Shield of Venezuela, the Altiplano 

of Bolivia, northern Chile, and Honduras has 

been greatly expanded. The Tucson MIO has 

taken the lead in assisting CIMRI in collecting, translating, and entering Latin American 

data in MRDS. Publicly available information 

and resources include bibliographies of geosciences related to mineral resources for 

Bolivia and the Guayana Shield of Venezuela 

and a partial bibliography of geophysical information on the Caribbean and the Americas, as 

well as archives of maps, books, and papers 

on Latin American earth science. 

In a symposium on the mineral resources 

of the Chihuahua Desert, CIMRI representatives presented data on mineral deposits and 

occurrences in northern Mexico. At the 

Exposici6n Latinoamericana de Minerfa in 

Santiago, Chile, grade and tonnage models 

were shown to be applicable in the search for 

ore deposits that are amenable to small-scale 

mining, which does not require large capital 

outlays. While small-scale mining can be conducted on large deposits, certain deposits are 

particularly amenable to small-scale operations. By grading deposit sizes from smallest 

to largest, an explorationists can select deposit 

types that have appropriate size ranges for 

small-scale mining. 

Deep weathering in the tropical climates 

in parts of Latin America has produced thick 

and extensive lateritic soils. These soils are 

rich in secondary oxides of iron or aluminum 

or both. Recently, concentrations of gold that 

form mineable deposits have been identified 

in laterites. By developing tonnage and grade 

models for these lateritic-saprolite-gold deposits, Latin American scientists now have 

another tool to aid in mineral exploration. 

The USGS began a 2-year training 

project in May 1990 for earth scientists from 

the national geological institutes of Peru, 

Bolivia, and Chile. Investigations are centered 

on volcanic-hosted, epithermal gold-silver 

deposits of the Central Andes. The project, 

funded by the Inter-American Development 

Bank, includes some of the latest technology 

and concepts in mineral deposits, volcanology, 

geochemistry, and remote sensing. The 

project field areas are within a volcanic field 

of the central Andes and include known mining districts, as well as unexplored areas of 

altered rocks. Training includes learning how 

to use thematic mapper images from the 

Landsat 5 satellite to map the distribution of 

volcanic centers and related altered rock in 

the high Andes. 

CIMRI Program Highlights 

Venezuela 

Cooperative investigations by the USGS 

and Tecnica Minera, C.A. (TECMIN) on 

mineral resources of the Guayana Shield in 

Venezuela are funded by the Corporaci6n 

Venezolana de Guayana. As part of the 

USGS-TECMIN program, the USGS is preparing a set of 1 :500,000-scale geologic and 

tectonic framework maps of the Guayana 

Shield based on an integration of available 

coverage of aeromagnetic data, radiometric 

data, gravity data, side-scanning radar, aerial 

photographs, and reconnaissance field work. 

The first of these maps is of the Puerto 

A yacucho region and shows a large granitic 

intrusion, which is suitable for use as building 

stone, along with potentially mineralized rock 

and several gold deposits. Three, previously 

unknown, ringlike structures have been 

74 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
identified during data interpretation and 

assembly of the map. One of the structures is 

associated with uranium and may be a large 

carbonatite intrusion. Numerous small to 

medium sized buried magnetic bodies are also 

depicted on the map; it is effectively a representation of the top 6 to 9 miles of the Earth's 

crust in this area. This map series is the 

foundation for a detailed mineral-resource 

appraisal (completion: 1991) of the Guayana 

Shield. 

Bolivia 

The Ministry of Mines and Metallurgy 

and the USGS have a cooperative project with 

the Geologic Survey of Bolivia (GEOBOL). 

The project is funded by the Trade and 

Development Program, established by the 

International Development Cooperation 

Agency, to undertake a mineral resource 

assessment, coordinated by CIMRI, of 

the Altiplano-Cordillera Occidental of 

Bolivia. 

As part of this work, geologic maps of 

the Altiplano prepared by GEOBOL at 

1:250,000 scale were scanned into a computer 

system. These maps are used to compile a 

digital Altiplano-Cordillera Occidental geologic map, which will be published at a scale 

of 1:500,000 in a USGS Bulletin. Remote 

sensing imagery for the entire Altiplano is 

being analyzed to map mineralized and 

altered rock. Existing aeromagnetic data for 

nearly half of the Altiplano are obtained by 

GEOBOL, and these data, combined with new 

aeromagnetic data currently being contracted, 

will provide coverage for nearly 70 percent of 

the area. 

Collaborative teams of USGS and 

GEOBOL scientists are visiting known and 

suspected mineral occurrences found during 

an extensive review and cataloging of the 

unpublished literature in Bolivia. Mineral 

occurrence data on about 300 sites are already 

in the MRDS. Field work is completed in 

areas of known copper mineralization and 

regions containing industrial mineral potential. The remainder of the field work, including investigations into precious metals, will be 

completed by the end of 1990. 

Uruguay 

Cooperative investigations are underway 

in Uruguay by the USGS and the Direcci6n 

N acional de Geologia y Minas. Geophysical, 

geological, geochemical, and drill data are 

evaluated with comparable information 

obtained from the Direcci6n N acional de 

Geologia y Minas for intrusive rock in the 

Cerro Mahoma area near San Jose de Mayo. 

This information and further field examinations established that some of the rock in this 

Precambrian intrusion is suitable for use as an 

ornamental stone, called granito negro. This 

intrusive rock may also contain copper-nickelplatinum-group minerals. 

Chile 

Mineral resources of the Taitao ophiolite 

in southern Chile are being studied by the 

USGS in conjunction with the Colorado 

School of Mines and the Servicio N acional de 

Geologia y Mineria de Chile. This research 

project is supported in part by the National 

Science Foundation. 

Remote southern Chile remains a frontier for basic geologic study and mineralresource development. This region, which has 

many similarities to the mountainous region 

of western North America from the eastern 

face of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific 

Ocean, holds promise for mineral wealth. The 

Taitao region offers a unique location for 

studying the plate tectonic process of collision 

between an oceanic ridge and the continental 

boundary and any associated mineralization. 

Here, on the Chile rise, new ocean floor is 

forming by upwelling of the Earth's mantle 

and submarine volcanism, and the ocean 

ridge is being subducted below the South 

American continental plate. 

Geologic mapping, geochemical evaluation of rock and stream sediment, and petrology from the Taitao Peninsula are being used 

to understand the origin of the rock and to 

determine mineral-resource potential. The 

rock of the Taitao Peninsula is a likely host 

for deposits of platinum-group metals, chromium, copper, and gold. Field investigations 

uncovered an occurrence of copper and zinc 

mineralization. The results of this study have 

implications for the mineral-resource potential 

of areas further south in Chile where ridgecontinent collision has occurred in the more 

distant geologic past. 

Future Plans 

CIMRI will continue to provide 

geoscience information relevant to the mineral resources of the Caribbean and the 

Americas with the goal of synthesizing information on large regions in Latin America, 

such as the Andes. Discussions for developing 

mineral-resource assessment programs in 

Honduras, Argentina, and Uruguay and for a 

study of gold placers of the eastern Andes are 

underway. 

International Activities 75 
Computer-Assisted 

Map Revision-Bolivia 

By Richard D. Sanchez 

0 ne of the most significant mapping 

problems facing many Latin American countries today is the revision of 

outdated base maps. Because of the increasing 

cost of acquiring aerial photography-a key 

source of information for map revision-the 

Inter-American Geodetic Survey of the U.S. 

Defense Mapping Agency joined the USGS, 

under the auspices of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History, in examining 

the potential use of computer-assisted techniques and SPOT (Satellite Pour !'Observation 

de la Terre) and Landsat thematic mapper 

(TM) data to detect changes at the scale of 

1:50,000. 

Computer-assisted techniques are distinct from the conventional cartographic techniques used for photointerpretation and map 

revision. These techniques were developed 

with the use of a personal computer and 

include the image processing of electro-optical 

sensor data and the superpositioning of digitally scanned map overlays for visual interpretation of change. The 1:50,000 scale was chosen because it is the standard scale for the 

topographic map series in Bolivia. 

The test area selected is in the eastern 

piedmont region of the Andean Cordillera 

Oriental in the province of Santa Cruz, 

Bolivia. This relatively flat area of woodlands, 

cultivated fields, and pastures lies within the 

Amazon basin. Its principal river is the Rio 

Piray. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the departmental capital, is a rapidly growing center of 

INDICE DE IMAGENES u 

IMAGE INDEX 	 ~ 

TRAYECTO/HILERA IMAGEN FECHA OBTENCION u

PATH/ROW IMAGE DATE ACQUIRED 	 ~ 

0 231/72 LANDSAT TM 14 Nov 1986 2: 

679/385 SPOT PAN 3 Oct 1987 ~ 679/385 SPOT XS 3 Oct 1987 u 

0 

Location of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. 

commerce and a gateway to eastern neighboring nations. 

To detect changes, a digital map file for 

time A is overlaid on a raster image file for 

time B; the two files are compared, and new 

information is noted. In a comparison of the 

1967 planimetric data (time A) of the Santa 

Cruz area with a 1987 SPOT panchromatic 

image (time B), the tremendous expansion of 

the urban area and the striking increase in 

roads and other cultural features are readily 

apparent. On the SPOT image, cultivated 

fields, pastures, and woodlands are distinct 

from the urbanized area. 

Approximately 75 percent of the revised 

features on the Santa Cruz de Ia Sierra map 

were detected by using a combination of 

SPOT panchromatic and Landsat TM imagery and computer-assisted techniques. Problems were encountered in the identification of 

certain features, such as urban structures, that 

require greater spatial detail or resolution 

than the satellite imagery can provide. Even 

though satellite images can detect new buildings and other structures and define new 

urban or suburban areas, supplemental aerial 

photographs or ground surveys may be 

required for the revision of intensely developed areas. 

The joint effort showed that map revision at 1 :50,000 scale is possible when the 

appropriate satellite images and other source 

information are used in conjunction with field 

verification. As a result of the findings in the 

Bolivia project, Mexico has asked the USGS to 

provide technical assistance in developing the 

capacity to do computer-assisted change 

detection and map revision using satellite 

data. Similar interest has been expressed by 

Venezuela. 

76 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
The tremendous growth in urban area and changes in other cultural patterns in Santa Cruz, 

Bolivia, become readily apparent when 1967 planimetric map data are overlaid on 1987 SPOT 

panchromatic imagery of the same area. 

International Activities 77 
Saudi ArabiaNew Directions 

By Kenneth A. Sargent and 

Paul Williams 

T he USGS and the Saudi Arabian 

Directorate General for Mineral 

Resources (DGMR) of the Ministry of 

Petroleum and Mineral Resources have begun 

a new 5-year study project. Cooperative work 

agreements with the Saudi Arabian government date to as early as 1944 and include 

extensive regional geologic mapping and mineral exploration. This latest agreement 

includes gold exploration, evaluation of the 

Al Jalamid phosphate region, and the initiation of a geohazards program. 

Gold Exploration 

The USGS provides cooperative support 

for investigating mineral belts and certain 

gold prospects. Current investigations include 

the Hamdah prospect, an ancient gold mining 

site located in the southern Arabian shield 

about 340 miles southeast of Jiddah. Recent 

core drilling of the bedrock at the Hamdah 

site indicates an average gold grade as high as 

0.18 ounces per ton. In addition, more than 

200,000 tons of ancient mine dump, having as 

much as 0.21 ounces per ton of gold, may be 

present. Data from current drilling, mapping, 

and sampling may substantially increase gold 

reserve estimates. 

Phosphate Exploration 

The DGMR and USGS conducted reconnaissance exploration in Saudi Arabia in 1965 

to determine if the Middle East-Egyptian 

phosphate province extended into the northern region of the Kingdom. This study 

reveals phosphate-rich desert pavement, 

derived from what was to become known as 

the Umm Wu al phosphate deposit, to be part 

of the Sirhan-Turayf basin, which is approximately 42 ,000 square miles in area. Later geologic mapping and stratigraphic studies delineate phosphate deposits at Thaniyat and AI 

Jalamid . The potentially economic phosphorites of Saudi Arabia occur at three horizons 

in rocks of the Sirhan-Turayf basin west of 

the northwest-trending, gently north-plunging 

Hail arch. Rocks in the basin are cut by 

northwest-trending normal faults. 

The AI Jalamid deposit has the greatest 

economic potential of all the known phosphorite deposits in Saudi Arabia. The deposit 

contains about 15.7 percent phosphorite, has 

a thickness of about 10.5 miles, and occurs in 

the lowermost of the three horizons. The beds 

in the deposit dip gently to the west. The rock 

commonly contains small solution cavities, and 

approximately 25 percent of the phosphorite 

is friable (easily broken or crumbled) or semifriable. Data from the few deep boreholes 

that penetrated unoxidized rock outside the 

Locations of current investigations 

-

-

LLr-J-~-+~~~~\1~~~L~~~-+~--~~~~·4B~~-·~~~p-+~--~~ I 

1•1 I I c I D [ f G H I J L " N o I ,. I Q 

in Saudi Arabia . 

78 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
boundaries of Al Jalamid indicate that 

unweathered phosphatic rock is organic rich 

and contains dolomite, an important industrial mineral. 

Geohazards Program 

The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral 

Resources has become increasingly concerned 

about geohazards in the Kingdom. Assessments of volcanism, earthquakes, and ground 

failures were assigned to the USGS by the 

DGMR at the start of the new 5-year agreement. Chief among the efforts in the geohazards program are studies supplementing earlier work in volcanoseismicity at the Harrat 

Rahat lava field in west-central Saudi Arabia 

where, in A.D. 1256, fissure eruptions of olivine basalt threatened the city of AI Madinah. 

A full color geologic map of the lava field 

completed by DGMR will be published in 

1991 . Planning is underway to develop a 

telemetered network of seismographs at the 

Harrat Rahat lava field , and detailed gravity 

work has begun. Evaluations of earthquake 

and ground-failure hazards will begin in fiscal 

year 1991. 

Coal Resou rces in 

Pakistan 

By Peter D. Warwick 

Results of an ongoing project between 

the USGS and the Geological Survey 

of Pakistan (GSP) indicate that known 

and mined coal fields in the southern Sindh 

Province are not isolated coal occurrences. 

The project began in 1985 and is sponsored 

by the U.S. Agency for International Development as part of its Energy Planning and 

Development Project in Pakistan. Goals of the 

project are to train GSP geologists in various 

aspects of geology, improve GSP physical 

facilities, and increase the knowledge of 

Pakistan's coal resources. 

Much of southern Sindh, including the 

Thar Desert, appears to be underlain continuously by strata that contain coal beds. The 

Indus Valley Construction Company, a private drilling contractor, and the GSP drilled 

68 holes as part of efforts to map and assess 

the quantity and quality of the coal resources 

of the Lakhra, Sonda-Thatta, and Indus East 

coal fields in Sindh. Such coal-bearing strata 

may have been deposited on the low-relief 

leading margin of the Indian subcontinent as 

it moved across the equator from the southern hemisphere before its collision with Asia 

some 20 to 25 million years ago. 

More than 400 core and mine sam pies 

were collected from the same coal fields for 

analysis and determination of major, minor, 

and trace elements; also, lithologic logs were 

prepared from descriptions of rock cuttings 

and cores. Geophysical logs were obtained for 

the drill holes to aid in stratigraphic correlations. The coal in these fields ranges from 

lignite to subbituminous. Table 1 shows the 

estimates of coal-bed thickness, coal resources, 

and heating potential for samples from the 

Lakhra, Sonda-Thatta, and Indus East coal 

fields. Analytical results indicate that the coal 

beds contain an average of 33.1 percent oxygen , 28.4 percent moisture, 27.9 percent volatile matter, 25.2 percent fixed carbon, 18.3 

percent ash, and 4.7 percent sulfur. 

Data for selected coal fields in Pakistan 

Resources Bed Heating estimate Field thickness potential (in mill 01~~ (in feet) (in Kcallkg) oftons) 

Lakhra ... ,. .. . . s l6 1,080 1,280-5,250 

Sonda-Thatta... ::S 2l 3,700 1,610--4,830 

Indus East ... . . ::::;8 1,683 3,500--4,95Q 

A second phase of the project, begun in 

1987, includes surface exploration in the Salt 

Range coal field in the Punjab Province; the 

Sor Range and Khost-Sharig-Harnai coal 

fields in the Balochistan Province; and the 

64. 

1 INDUS EAST 

2 SONDA- THATTA CHINA

3 lo!ET ING--JHIMP IR 

4 LAKHRA ../ 5 THAR DESERT 

6 DUREJJ AFGHANISTAN 7 BALGOR I ine 


8 SANNI 
 21 

9 JOHAN . 21'\ /' ' • } Azad Fed . Admrn . <.,e • 22 ~·... . 


10 MACH- AB E GUM Tr i b a I ,/ o 4 - ~.~.~ s b nll r 
 32. 

11 ABI GUL Areas / 

12 MARGAT 

13 PIR ISMAIL ZIARAT 19 ~'0.)

14 \ ' 6 ~J.J'} Punjab 

1; 1.,13 1 

INDIA 9 e " 10 ;' 

• a 

24. 

YUZAFFARABAD 

Bal ochi stan / ___.......\_ 

0 

I 

0 

( 

\ Sindh 

6~ f 1 

Arabi an Sea 

200 Km 

I 

200 Mi 

14 SOR RANGE- DAGHARI 

15 KACH 

16 KHOST-SHAR I G--HARNA I 

17 DUKI 

18 CHAMALONG 

19 BADINZAI 

20 MAKARWAL- KURD-SHO 

21 CHERAT 

22 CHOI 

23 SALT RANGE 

25 KHILLA 

26 HANGU 

_ J 

,~orthe n 

No rth.,­ Areas 

::~~.~.: .............../ 

r' t . ,,.. t2s·. cease-fire \... l.J.e~ ·.,..---­

Location of Pakistan coal fields and occurrences. Box shows Punjab regional 

framework area. 

International Activities 79 
Makarwal and Cherat coal fields in the NorthWest Frontier Province. To supplement coal 

exploration work in the Salt Range-Potwar 

Plateau coal-bearing area, a regional framework study was begun in 1988. This study 

provides training to GSP geologists and technicians who work with USGS counterparts in 

various geologic disciplines and provides a 

comprehensive evaluation of the geologic 

framework of Pakistan's coal fields by mapping at a scale of 1:250,000. Besides continued exploratory drilling and field studies, 

regional framework studies are planned for 

the Balochistan and Sindh coal fields. The 

project has been extended and is scheduled 

for completion in 1993. 

25' 45 ' 

UAL-1 UAL-2 ... 

l-J7 ~ 

UAL-J+ 

l 

N 

25. 30' 

25" 15' 

~UAK-e Tando 

Khan 

25" 00' 

EXPLANATION 

GSP Dr i I I HoI e s 

I vee Dr i I I HoI e s 

• Vi I I age/ei ty 

24" 45' 

10 Km 

68" 15' 6 • 30' 

Bangladesh-Results of a 

10-Year Program 

By M. Dean Kleinkopf and 

John W. Whitney 

J

une 1990 marked the end of a 10-year 

program between the USGS and the 

Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) 

to accelerate exploration for mineral resources and to modernize the GSB. The GSB 

is charged with exploring and identifying 

metallic and industrial mineral deposits, as 

well as conducting basic geologic mapping, 

and providing geotechnical advice for use in 

urban and suburban planning. The cooperative effort between the United States and 

Bangladesh seeks to modernize GSB facilities 

and initiate effective programs in systematic 

geologic mapping of unconsolidated sediments, mineral exploration, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, biostratigraphy, neotectonics, laboratory studies, drilling, 

and scientific publishing and information 

management. 

Coal and Mineral Potential 

Bangladesh is situated on one of the 

great deltas of the world, formed principally 

by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna 

Rivers that carry millions of tons of sediment 

yearly into Bangladesh. The surficial sediments are derived mainly from 5-millionyear-old deltaic and alluvial deposits in the 

Himalaya Mountains. 

The main resource commodities in 

Bangladesh are coal, glass sand, white clay, 

brick clay, and aggregate. Project scientists 

discovered two coal fields in northwestern 

Bangladesh by using geophysical exploration 

techniques and subsequent drilling. Estimates 

of coal resources are as much as 500 million 

tons of bituminous-rank coal. The coal occurs 

in thin sedimentary rock overlying crystalline 

rock that occurs at depths of a few hundred 

to a few thousand feet below the surface; coal 

horizons were delineated by negative ·gravity 

anomalies. At least nine other negative gravity 

anomalies indicate possible minable coalbearing areas as revealed by seismic techniques and corehole drilling. 

Training Assistance 

To improve the technology for mineral 

exploration and to modernize the GSB, visiting USGS scientists conducted field and laboratory studies with GSB colleagues in five 

study areas. Short courses were taught on the 

interpretation of soils, aerial photographs, 

Coal Resource and Assessment Project exploration drill holes in southern Sindh. GSP, Geological and Landsat images. Seminars were presented 

Survey of Pakistan . IVCC, Indus Valley Construction Company. in micropaleontology, palynology, age-dating, 

80 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
I N D I A 

0 f (, A 

GEOLOGICAL MAP OF BANGLADESH 

'll''Wir."Jg~~ 

Geologic map of Banglades h, scale 1:1 ,000,000. 

geophysics, geological mapping of unconsolidated sediment, and geotechnical properties 

and measurements for engineering geology; 

all seminars stressed the importance of multidisciplinary studies. Seventeen of the younger GSB officers completed master of science 

degrees in overseas universities . Forty-five 

senior- and middle-level GSB officers participated in on-the-job training programs at 

USGS facilities in the United States for periods ranging from 1 to 6 months. 

Accomplishments 

Achievements of the project include 

establishing digital computer technology at 

GSB, discovery of two new coal fields, and 

discovery of new geologic evidence suggesting 

recent faulting and subsidence. Also, uplift of 

major landforms was identified as the possible 

cause of the shifting of major river drainages 

and related earthquake and flood hazards. 

Modern geoscience laboratories in geochemistry, biostratigraphy, petrology and mineralogy, engineering geology, and geophysics 

were equipped with new instruments and now 

provide capabilities for high-precision analyses 

in exploration and geologic studies. A new 

1: 1 ,000,000-scale geologic map of Bangladesh 

and companion gravity and magnetic anomaly 

maps were prepared. 

GSB personnel gained training, technology, and expertise in managing a national 

geological survey. Similarly, the project provided USGS scientists an opportunity to study 

one of the largest deltas in the world, to 

refine Quaternary mapping and modern dating techniques, and to improve existing models for deltaic depositional environments and 

mineral resources assessments. 

International Activities 81 
Arctic Sheet 

Northwest Quadrant Northeast Quadrant 

Pacific Basin Sheet 

Southwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant 

Antarctic Sheet 

Boundaries for th e six 1:10,000,000-scale circum-Pacific maps and th e 

1:17,000, 000-scale Pa cific basin sheet. Large parts of both the Arcti c 

and Antarctic sheets are not shown on these index maps. 

Mapping Half the World 

By George Gryc 

The Circum-Pacific Map Project 

(CPMP) began in 1973 as a joint 

endeavor of the Circum-Pacific Council for Energy and Mineral Resources and the 

USGS. The council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization founded to encourage 

international cooperation in the study of the 

geology and resources of the Pacific basin and 

the lands that form its rim. The final 61 maps 

of the CPMP, when complete, will portray 

more than one-half of the Earth's surface. 

The objectives of the CPMP are to (1) 

outline the distribution of resources in the 

Pacific basin, (2) depict the relation between 

the latest geologic and tectonic data and 

known energy and mineral resources, (3) aid 

in the exploration for new resources, (4) compile new basin-wide geologic and resource 

data sets, (5) relate oceanic to continental 

geology, (6) focus on gaps in knowledge and 

encourage research to complete them, and (7) 

provide a mechanism for scientific cooperation among Pacific nations. 

The CPMP is directed by a Council 

Map Committee. Scientific and technical 

coordination, cartography, and, since 1990, 

publication are being carried out by the 

USGS. Although maps are the main products, 

planning, compiling, and publishing geoscience data is of equal value. The American 

Association of Petroleum Geologists previously published, and still distributes, the earlier map products. 

Data are compiled by six panels of the 

Council Map Committee and include international experts who live and work in the Pacific 

region. The CPMP has several unique and 

innovative aspects: 

• Unlike most previous compilations, the 

maps include geologic and resource data for 

both land and ocean areas and have projection points in the mid-Pacific. 

• A new series of equal-area, 1:10,000,000­

and 1:7,000,000-scale base maps depicts data 

with minimal distortion. 

• Base map information and most of the 

already published data sets on the thematic 

maps are computerized, and computer technology is being used in preparing the 

thematic maps. 

• Several new data sets have been specially 

prepared for the map series; among these are 

sea-floor sediment, manganese nodule distribution, sedimentation rates, earthquake firstmotion solutions, plate-motion vectors, Deep 

Sea Drilling Project borehole columns, and 

oceanic crustal ages. 

• A new international network of voluntary 

and nonreimbursed scientific cooperation 

has been established among Pacific nations. 

The circum-Pacific region is divided 

into seven areas: the four quadrants of the 

Pacific basin, the Arctic Ocean basin, all 

of Antarctica, and the entire Pacific basin. 

Base maps for each region have a scale of 

1:10,000,000 on a Lambert Azimuthal equalarea projection and are individually centered 

to minimize distortion. The base map for the 

entire basin is a single sheet and has a scale 

of 1:17,000,000. Base maps and color geographic maps are part of the published series. 

In addition, there are thematic maps for each 

region and plate-tectonic, geodynamic, geologic, energy resources, mineral resources, 

and tectonic maps for the entire basin. 

Publication of the base and geographic 

maps began in 1977, and thematic map publication began in 1981. Special themes of tectonostratigraphic, sea-floor materials, and natural hazards are compiled and published for 

the entire Pacific basin. In addition, a special 

map showing global change in the Pacific 

basin is being compiled, and color proof of a 

map showing sedimentary basins in the southeast quadrant is being reviewed. Thirty-six 

maps are now printed, and 25 more are in 

various stages of completion. 

82 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
Information Systems Activities 


Mass Storage System for 

Earth Science Data 

By J oe A qu ilino and T ad Huff man 

For th e past 25 years, the USGS h as 

u se d computer technology to h elp collect a nd store lar ge volumes of cartogr a phic, geologic, h ydrologic, and other earth 

scie nce d a ta. In th e pas t, these d a ta we r e 

sto r ed in mainframe compute rs. As d a ta 

r equirements a nd computing technology 

becam e m o re so phisticated , d ata-collectio n 

and d a ta-base activiti es becam e m o re distribu ted , that is, ce nte r ed ar ound local or 

regio nal computer networks. Within these 

ne two rks, minicomputer , microcomputer , and 

new hi gh-per fo rma nce wo rksta tion s have 

becom e the primary mean s fo r d a ta collectio n 

and sto r age . 

As th ese di str ibuted computer d a ta -base 

e n vironm ents expa nd , con ve nti o nal a pproaches to d a ta storage and a rchi vin g a r e in ad equa te. T her e is, the r efor e , a n increasin g need 

to upgrad e , ex pa nd , a nd mod e rni ze th e storage, m a nagem e nt, a nd r etri eval of a r chi val 

d a ta . A central USGS d a ta storage facili ty of 

the future must consid er th e followin g: 

• Gl obal clima te ch ange, digital cartogr a phic, 

geogr a phic in fo rmatio n systems, wa ter r esources, and geologic d a ta , as well as internation al d ata exch a n ge and Depa rtmentwide 

administrative and fin a ncial d a ta, will continue to incr ease significantl y. Present hard ­

wa r e and soft ware technology a nd physical 

space ar e insufficie nt to sto re current d ata 

holdings nor ar e they ca pable of ha ndling 

expansive d ata gro wth during the nex t 

d ecad e. 

• Ma n y d ata bases ar e consta ntly ch an gin g, 

and the m ost rece nt updates must be available 

to scie nti sts to carr y out inves tigations. 

• Some d a ta, such as administrative, financial , 

and unpublished scie ntific d a ta, a r e intrinsically proprieta r y. Access to su ch d ata is u suall y restri cted in so m e way . 

• As geogra phically dispersed d ata-base 

develope r s cr eate their own a rchiving method s, the r esulting di ve r sity of archival en vironments ma kes d a ta aggregation a nd sh a ring 

difficult. 

• T r aditional m agn e tic tape archi vin g 

r equires consid er abl e physical space for ta pe 

storage, as we ll as expe n sive m a npower to d o 

ta pe m ounts, whe n around-the-clock availability is n ecessar y. 

• The complexity and cost of computer communicatio ns necessar y to aggregate distributed 

USGS Earth Science Data 

Mass Storage System Prototype 

Mass storage 

devices: 

Local clients 

(UNIX, VMS, 

Mac, & DOS) 

Mass storage 

system 

Remote 

nationwide 

clients 

Local area network MVS/XA

operating system 

VM/UNIX 

operating system 

Mainframe 

mass storage server 

Mission 

T he Tnformation Systems 

Division provides support 

and services to the Director of 

the U.S. Geological Survey, to 

major pTograms in each division 

of the USGS, the U.S. Department of the I nterior, and to 

other government agencies on 

information technology and 

automated data processing 

(ADP). The Division opemtes 

the USGS mainframe computeT 

located in Reston, Va., and 

Technology Information Centers 

and minicomputers in four ADP 

service centers nationwide. 

The Division assists users 

in acquiring ADP and telecommunications hardware, software, 

' 	 and services; coordinates and 

impr-oves information systems 

through systems analysis and 

design; pmvides ~lSer education 

and assistance; and conducts 

research into better ways to 'USe 

computeT technology to solve 

mission-related pToblems. The 

Division coordinates, manages, 

and opemtes voice, data, and 

radio communications for the 

USGS, including GEONET, the 

data communications n etwork of 

the Interior Department, from 

which gateways provide access to 

otheT national networks and 

super computeT systems. 

83 
data for use in nationwide archival and 

retrieval systems are increasing. 

• Providing standardized and systematic 

archival services for centrally stored, as 

opposed to distributed, data is far more effective, efficient, and less expensive. 

During 1990, the USGS developed a prototype mass storage system. The design for 

the mass storage system focuses on a simple, 

straightforward solution to storing and 

retrieving very large files in a networked computing environment. The primary requirements of this design include the following: 

• A storage system that has potential for 

organizing, storing, and managing any set of 

data files, regardless of where the client is 

located geographically. 

• Virtually unlimited file storage capability 

(no system-imposed expansion limits). Initially 

this capability will approximate 1 terabyte 

(10 12 bytes) of storage capacity that can be 

expanded simply by adding units of storage 

hardware. 

• A very large file server accessible to any 

local area subnetwork via USGS telecommunications facilities. 

• Access to the very large file server by using 

simple file transfer, management, and storage 

system command structure and syntax. Regardless of the diverse computing environments of 

users, the connection between client and file 

server will be explicit. All data file transmissions to and from the server, as well as queries and data histories, will be activated by the 

user; the user will have full control over the 

archive process. 

• Compatibility with various communication 

networks and storage hardware. 

• Good file security mechanisms that allow 

the owner to control access to data. 

• The ability to share data files among 

diverse computer environments. 

• A storage server that is constant over evolving generations of client hardware and operating systems. 

• Accessibility, 24 hours a day and 7 days a 

week, at a low cost per gigabyte ( 109 bytes) of 

storage. 

This mass storage system will eventually 

replace data archiving functions now associated with the existing mainframe computer. 

The system will embody all the advantages 

available in the current mainframe storage 

environment as well as vastly increase file 

storage capabilities, improve efficiencies in the 

use of file system hardware, have a new hierarchical library structure, and reduce storage 

costs. 

For the scientific workstation and distributed data-base activities in nonmainframe 

environments, such as UNIX, VAX/VMS, 

Macintosh, and MS/DOS microcomputers, 

this mass storage system will have filename, 

directory structure, and command syntax conventions that are familiar to users of these 

environments, support common network standards and file transport facilities, allow sharing of data between these environments, and 

improve file security. 

The mass storage system user, whether 

using UNIX, VAX, Macintosh, MS/DOS, or 

IBM-like mainframes, will learn one file 

server interface that will work the same for all 

systems. Standard commands will be available 

for connecting to the mass storage system; 

establishing or listing the contents of the user 

directory and detailed file descriptions and 

histories; storing and retrieving file(s) or hierarchical groups of files; adding, changing, 

and deleting files or directories; and invoking 

help commands. Through a file importexport capability, archived files can be stored 

in and retrieved from diverse system and storage media formats, and data sharing and disseminating can be made across various computing environments and data formats. 

Mass storage system software for the 

existing mainframe and a robot tape storage 

device will be used to test a 1 terabyte mass 

storage system during 1991. A sample of representative data-base activities and scientific 

disciplines will be used to evaluate the system. 

This mass storage prototype will become the 

basis for developing the hardware, software, 

and basic data backup and archiving techniques necessary to handle the very large 

USGS data bases of the future. 

Electronic Mail 

By Paul Celluzzi 

Computer electronic mail (Email) is fast 

becoming a vital part of everyday business life. Email, which has evolved 

from simple message sending to complex 

information exchange, provides an efficient 

method of transferring information in electronic form. This information may be simple 

text messages, complex documents, graphics, 

facsimile, or binary programs. In the future, 

Email will even include voice and video 

annotation. 

Email is an effective method for moving 

documents, messages, and data and has 

improved information flow and strengthened 

communication within the USGS. Throughout 

the bureau, scientists are recognizing the 

advantages offered by Email technology for 

communicating with colleagues and for conducting joint research from geographically 

dispersed locations. 

The USGS is investigating technology 

that will allow information of all types to be 

84 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
USGS ELECTRONIC MAIL SYSTEM 


Softswitch 

Email 

switch 

I0 Gateway 

moved across different computer systems, 

application environments, and organizational 

boundaries. The diverse computer hardware 

and communication systems in use, however, 

complicate achieving a bureauwide system. 

Because each system has its own proprietary 

Email, implementing a single Email system is 

impractical. Instead, an alternative is to integrate the many separate USGS systems and 

connect to non-USGS systems. This approach 

gives each user the freedom to choose the 

Email system that best addresses local applications, provides for minimal disruption to 

existing user applications, preserves the 

investment in existing software, and avoids 

expensive retraining of users, who are able to 

continue to use their familiar local Email. 

A central electronic Email switch will 

provide the necessary protocol conversion and 

mail routing when a user is sending information from one Email system to another. Also, 

a common central directory of user names 

and addresses will give USGS employees the 

ability to transfer electronic information to 

any user, regardless of computer system or 

Email software, simply by knowing the destination address. The sender will not need to 

know where the destination user is physically 

Email is an end-user technology that, to 

be truly successful, must conform to design 

criteria that address user needs. The system 

must be universally accessible to users, allow 

transmission of different data types, be easy 

and inexpensive to use, be executable from 

within the user's local computing environment, and support interfaces to Email systems 

external to the USGS. 

In the future, all USGS Email systems 

will support a standard convention for mail 

interchange that is part of a broader communication protocol suite known as GOSIP 

(Government Open Systems Interconnection 

Profile, discussed in "Open Systems Communication Standards," p. 88). 

Arctic Data InteractiveA Hypermedia System 

By Denise A. Wiltshire 

I n May 1988, the USGS and representatives from the Arctic research community 

established a cooperative program for 

located, what computer system is being used, managing and exchanging global environmenor on what Email system the destination user tal change data. The Arctic was selected as the 

is registered. focus for a data management project because 

Information Systems Activities 85 
Figure 1. Computer screen from 

Arctic Data Interactive hypermedia Table of Contents

system. 

Global Change 

E SMR Arctic Sea Ice 1973 • 197G 

Figure 2. Computer screen from 

Arctic Environmental Data Directory section of the hypermedia 

system. 

Click on color for overvie'w' 

(1) climate models suggest that the Arctic will 

be one of the first areas to respond to changing climate, (2) the magnitude of environmental change will be greater in the Arctic than 

on other areas of the Earth's surface, and 

(3) the Arctic scientific community is a relatively small group that has a need to improve 

access to data and information from remote 

locations. 

The USGS is an active member of the 

Arctic Environmental Data Directory Working 

Group, which is sponsored by the Interagency 

Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC). 

The working group is composed of representatives from government agencies and academia. A goal of the working group is to 

establish easy access to, and hence improve 

the dissemination of, earth science data and 

information about the Arctic. 

As a first step, the working group developed the Arctic Environmental Data Directory, which contains more than 300 references 

to Arctic data sets maintained by U.S. Government agencies and other institutions. To meet 

the data management goals of the IARPC, 

the working group developed a pilot study, 

known as the Arctic Data Interactive (ADI), to 

SMMR Arctic Sea Ice 1979 

Arctic Environment 

Hubbard Glacier 

Malaspina Glacier: 


A View Through Ice 


Physical 0 ceanography 

Bathythennographic Data 

,l!.,dditional Entrie s ~ 

integrate information to be published using 

compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) 

technology. The ADI prototype includes the 

following multimedia elements: 

• Arctic Environmental Data Directory, 

• Bibliographic information, 

• Full text of research reports and short 

papers (including illustrations), and 

• Arctic data sets. 

The project will also develop an electronic journal prototype that will include a 

mix of textual, numeric, and spatial data and 

related software for data analysis. The data 

will be in standard formats to correspond with 

other applications software such as spread 

sheets, graphics, and image processing. 

The design of the AD I prototype is 

based on the concept of hypertext technology. 

Hypertext, also known as hypermedia, is 

defined in the computer and information 

science literature as a software environment 

for developing nonsequential data-basemanagement systems. Hypertext techniques 

create associative links between structured and 

unstructured information that may include 

data, text, graphics, imagery, and sound. A 

hypertext link, conceptually similar to a footnote or a parenthetical phrase, directs the 

reader to related points or topics for further 

research. 

A hypertext system is characterized by a 

user interface having icons (graphic representations) and multiple windows on a computer 

monitor. Icons for different functions allow 

readers to browse through information by 

following associative links between bibliographies, numeric data, textual information, 

and spatial imagery. 

The goal of USGS experimentation 

with hypermedia technology is to integrate a 

broad range of multimedia formats into one 

86 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
Side Looking Radar Imagery (SlAR) 

ACRONYM: SLAR 

RESPON. ORG.: USGSINMD 

CONTACT: Meyer, David 

ADDRESS: EROS Data Center 

Science and Application Branch 

U.S. Geological Survey 

CITY/STATE: Sioux Falls SD 571 98 


TELEPHONE: (605) 594-6t 14 


Figure 3 A. The link icon [§I indicates related material 

is available within the hypermedia system. See figure JB. 

AView Through Ice 

Maspine. Glacier: 

Exprn~onsoiSubgktdaiMorpholoiJ)' 

TITLE: CONTENTS: View Ttrough Ice ·Introduction 

• Conclusion 

DATE: 


1989 


LOCATION: 


NearYaktb.~ Alaska 

AUTHOR: 

Bruce F. Molnla 

John E. Jones 

OriginaPublication: EOS,TI'tlfUaCtionsoltheMlericenGeoph~Union, 

v.70,no.28,p.701,710,1989 

Figure JB. Screen showing example of related information contained in hypermedia system as a result of choosing the link icon shown in figure 3 A. 

product, ADI, that allows access to Arctic digital data and information. The ADI hypermedia prototype is based on a printed journal 

format and, therefore, includes a series of 

papers listed in a table of contents (fig. 1). 

The reader can browse through the articles 

within the electronic journal by selecting an 

item from the table of contents or by choosing 

a link icon from within a section. By choosing 

the link icon, the reader then moves to related material. For example, the reader can 

begin searching through a data directory that 

is provided within the ADI (fig. 2). 

While browsing the data directory, the 

reader can choose to link to the actual data 

set that may contain tabular numeric data (fig. 

3A) or spatial imagery (fig. 3B). Upon reviewing the data set, the reader can then link to 

the full text of a journal article that provides 

analysis of the data. In addition to providing 

spatial data, such as side looking airborne 

radar data, the AD I includes image processing software that allows the reader to analyze 

data, such as the ice thickness of an Alaskan 

glacier. 

ADI will be distributed to Arctic researchers and policymakers who use CD-ROM 

technology. Although the hypermedia prototype was developed for Arctic data and information, this technology can be applied to any 

subject. On the basis of the effectiveness of 

ADI as both a learning and a research tool, 

the USGS is considering related projects to 

produce other hypermedia systems on such 

topics as natural hazards reduction and the 

water quality of major river basins in the 

United States. 

Microcomputer 

Graphic Presentations 

By Brian Schachte 

A s a leader in the earth sciences and 


cartography, the USGS continually 


presents research projects and findings to the scientific community and to public 

audiences. Research itself has been greatly 

improved by new computing technologies, 

which enable earth scientists to analyze, 

model, and display complex data sets more 

quickly and efficiently than ever before. Presenting these results, however, is hampered by 

these same technological advances because, 

until recently, user-specific hardware and software could not be linked to communications 

and presentation materials or equipment. 

Microcomputer animation and graphics 

software now make it possible to capture, 

manipulate, and enhance computer-based 

data. Connecting the microcomputer to various output devices produces illustrations 

Laser 


printer 


Color 


printer 


Film 


recorder 


Video cassette 

recorder 

Microcomputer graphics capabilities provide access to a variety 

of output devices. 

Host computer 

* Conversion software 

* Graphics and 

animation software 

* Graphics adapters 

* Output device drivers 

_ Information Systems Activities 87 
that can be carried easily for use at scientific 

meetings and at other presentations. 

Postproduction printers, both color and 

gray scale, produce publication-quality illustrations. High-resolution color-image copiers 

produce high-quality paper and overhead 

transparency hard copies. Microcomputerbased film recorders produce 35-millimeter 

slides and 4- by 5-inch or 8- by 1 0-inch color 

negatives. Large-format posters can be made 

from these negatives. A series of images, output to a video cassette recorder (VCR), when 

combined with voice-over, music, and animated titling on a video tape, provides researchers and scientists with a presentation product 

that requires only a television and a VCR. 

Microcomputer graphics at the USGS 

have produced several video cassette recordings, including one about national streamflow 

conditions and another about sedimentary 

basin analysis as it pertains to petroleum geology. These two videos contain a series of complex images that represent spatially oriented 

research projects. 

Whether the final presentation product 

is paper or overhead transparency, 35­

millimeter slides or video tape, the use of 

microcomputer graphics makes it possible to 

demonstrate current research and results 

more easily and effectively. 

Open Systems 

Communication 

Standards 

By Paul Celluzzi 

T he diverse nature of the USGS mission requires a computing and communication environment to match this 

diversity. Over the years, different computer 

systems have proliferated and evolved independently of the issues of compatibility with 

other computer systems or an overall bureauwide computing strategy. There is now, however, an increased need to exchange information and to integrate applications. 

The USGS situation is not unique; major 

compatibility issues exist throughout government and industry. In response, mechanisms 

are being developed to connect incompatible 

computer systems. A major initiative, sponsored by the International Standards Organization (ISO) and supported by contributions 

from national and international standards 

agencies, has resulted in an internationally 

accepted model for data communication and 

standards that define the protocols for 

communication among different computer 

systems. These standards are referred to as 

open system standards because they are published in the public domain and have unrestricted availability. Open standards provide 

universal connectivity among computer 

systems. 

The U.S. Government, under the direction of the National Institute for Standards 

and Technology, has adopted a set of specifications from the ISO standards that is collectively known as GOSIP (Government Open 

Systems Interconnection Profile). GOSIP 

defines a common method for government 

computer systems to communicate. Because 

GOSIP is published as a government FIPS 

(Federal Information Processing Standard), 

implementation of GOSIP is mandatory for 

all Federal agencies. A series of releases by 

the Federal Government will put GOSIP into 

effect. 

The first release of GOSIP defines lower 

level communication protocols and file transfer and electronic mail applications. Later 

releases will include specifications for terminal 

login, Email directory services, compound 

document content architecture, and additional 

network options. Eventually, all government 

computer and communication systems will be 

required to conform to GOSIP. Government 

systems will then be connected and able to 

share resources. 

The advantages of compatibility among 

computer systems are obvious; the USGS is 

now emphasizing the use of open systems 

protocols. A transition plan, in preparation, 

will convert the current USGS mix of proprietary and restricted protocols to GOSIP compliance. This approach initially provides for 

the use of existing protocols, then parallel and 

mixed protocols, and finally full GOSIP protocol to achieve a gradual transition having 

minimal impact on existing applications. 

Eventually all USGS computer systems 

will be able to communicate and share resources regardless of the type of system. The 

GOSIP protocols will create a single standard 

for networking. Benefits to the USGS include 

a single standard that greatly simplifies the 

design, implementation, operation, and management of complex networks and reduces 

the costs of procuring and implementing the 

networks. Also, the investment in networks is 

protected from future changes because of the 

adoption of industry standard protocols. A 

growth path is established for changing and 

expanding networks. Finally, the resulting 

integration of diverse systems into a single 

manageable network provides a pathway to 

distributed processing and integrated applications across computer systems. 

88 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
Administration 


New Quarters for 

Distribution and DrillingCore Research Centers 

By Eddie G. Powell 

I 
n 1990 the map distribution and core 


research centers moved to Building 810 


in the Denver Federal Center. Building 

810 had served as a regional supply depot for 

more than 20 years, but, because of improvements in the Nation's transportation system, it 

was decided to reduce the number of Federal 

supply depots. The Denver facility was closed 

in 1987. The General Services Administration 

offered the 665,000 square foot building to 

the USGS . This newly acquired space provides an excellent opportunity to consolidate 

the map distribution functions of the National 

Mapping Division and to expand the drillingcore research center of the Geologic Division. 

These moves also permitted expensive leases 

to be discontinued. After renovations were 

completed, a dedication ceremony was held 

June 27, 1990, to commemorate the opening 

of the two centers in Building 810. 

In 1948 the USGS established map distribution branches in Washington, D.C., and 

Denver, Colo. The objectives were, and 

remain, to collect, warehouse, distribute, and 

sell map publications. Over the years, the 

emphasis has changed from providing base 

maps internally for portraying geologic and 

hydrologic information to providing to the 

public all published earth science information 

through the Map Distribution Center and 

more than 3,500 private U.S. map dealers. 

Today, the consolidation of the map distribution branches in Building 810 provides 

an international users' center for all USGS 

published earth science information. Seventytwo employees manage more than 7 acres of 

warehouse space and provide professional 

and recreational users with access to approximately 125,000 different map and book publications. Eleven million products are- distributed or sold annually, resulting in revenues in 

excess of 7.5 million dollars. 

In 1974 the USGS established a drillingcore research center in Denver. The objectives 

of the center are to collect, permanently store, 

and make available to all earth scientists valuable core material from boreholes drilled 

chiefly for oil and gas. Since its establishment, 

the center has grown rapidly both in space 

occupied and in the diversity of material 

stored and processed. The center currently 

occupies about 120,000 square feet of floor 

space in Building 810 and provides archival 

storage for many kinds of geologic material, 

such as mineralized granite, volcanic rock, 

and oil shale. 

The center contains 1 million linear feet 

of core from more than 6,300 wells from all 

over the United States that were donated by 

oil and gas companies, mining companies, and 

other organizations. Of these, 3,700 cores 

have been slabbed and are available for viewing. The remainder can be made available 

upon request. Facilities for examination of 

core material are provided. The center is used 

daily by scientists from industry, government, 

and academia. 

Building 810 houses centers for map distribution and drilling-core research. 
Aluminum can recycling at the 

National Center. 

Recycling Program 

By John E. Cordyack 

I n 1990 the USGS expanded its longstanding commitment to recycling. A new program includes recycling map, computer, 

and office paper, aluminum plates used in 

map production, and aluminum beverage 

cans and recovering silver from photographic 

processing. In addition to direct monetary 

benefits, this recycling program benefits the 

environment by saving energy required to 

produce new products, by reducing the 

impact on landfills, and by fighting litter. 

In March 1990 the USGS began participation in the General Services Administration 

program to recycle all high-grade office 

paper. All National Center employees in Reston, Va., were given desk-top containers for 

collecting recyclable office paper. In the first 

3 months of this program, more than 120 

tons of paper were recycled. The USGS 

regional centers in Denver, Colo., and Menlo 

Park, Calif., also initiated paper recycling programs that resulted in more than 100 tons of 

paper collected this year. In terms of natural 

resources, 148,500 gallons of oil and 3,674 

trees are saved by the recycling of this 220 

tons of paper. 

For many years the aluminum plates 

used in the map production process have 

been recycled at the National Center. Over 

38,000 pounds of these plates were recycled 

this year. A recycling station at the National 

Center is now in place for aluminum cans collected by employees. Proceeds from the can 

recycling effort benefit the Federal Children's 

Center (see "Child Care," p. 91). The USGS 

plans to expand the can recycling program to 

the regional centers in 1991. 

Silver is recovered from the materials 

used in the photographic laboratories at Reston, Va.; Rolla, Mo.; Sioux Falls, S. Dak.; 

Denver, Colo.; and Menlo Park, Calif. More 

than $28,000 in silver was recovered in fiscal 

year 1990. Recycling programs for laser 

printer cartridges and composting plant materials have been in effect since mid-1990. 

90 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

Automation in the 

Office of Personnel 

By Eliot]. Christian 

Great strides have been taken in automating the USGS Office of Personnel 

including four major systems: the Personnel Action System, the Automated 

Vacancy Announcement Distribution System, 

Personnet, and the paperless Time and 

Attendance System. 

Personnel Action System.-The USGS 

Personnel Action System (PAS) automates the 

processing of personnel action requests 

known as SF 52 (Standard Form 52). PAS 

supports on-line processing for SF 52 preparation throughout all offices of the USGS and 

supports many of the tasks that follow from 

the request. The system automatically creates 

electronic transactions that update the Departmental payroll-personnel system. 

The Administrative Division and the 

Information Systems Division (ISD) collaborated to develop PAS. A major hurdle was to 

obtain permission for using electronic signatures to supplant the need for paper copies of 

personnel actions. Security features of the system design were approved and electronic signatures were established. 

The system has many useful features, 

such as detailed status tracking and flexible 

access controls. The system includes an automated interface to the Automated Vacancy 

Announcement Distribution System. PAS has 

won accolades throughout the Department 

and is now being seen as a prototype for the 

SF 52 portion of a future Departmental Federal Personnel Payroll System. Other Federal 

agencies have expressed interest in the 

system. 

Automated Vacancy Announcements.-The 

traditional process of preparing, printing, and 

distributing vacancy announcements is time 

consuming. The Automated Vacancy 

Announcement Distribution System (A V ADS) 

applies automation to this process by transmitting vacancy announcement information to 

designated USGS installations weekly. As with 

PAS, A V ADS was a collaborative effort 

between the Administrative Division and the 

ISD. 

Before A V ADS, each USGS administrative office circulated or posted more than 

1,000 individual announcements as they were 

received, and many announcements were subsequently mailed to field office sites. A V ADS 

provides one listing of vacancy announcements that is circulated or posted each week. 
In addition to the full text of each announcement, A V ADS provides an index of all current announcements. Vacancies can be 

browsed through on-line, and there is also a 

microcomputer version. Since A V ADS transmits directly to the designated field sites, the 

system cuts the time needed for recruitments 

and facilitates the timely receipt of vacancy 

information. Printing and mailing expenses 

are reduced by using electronic rather than 

hard copy distribution. 

Personnet.- Personnet is a subscription 

service offering thousands of pages of crossindexed and up-to-date information on personnel law, manuals, regulations, and related 

legal decisions available on networked 

CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) 

devices. Personnet allows any personal computer user to electronically access current 

information on Federal personnel law and 

on both Federal and Departmental manuals, 

regulations, and related precedent legal decisions. Stand-alone CD-ROM's provide access 

to Personnet in the Rolla, Mo., and Atlanta, 

Ga., personnel offices. 

By using the networked Personnet 

CD-ROM subscription service, all the relevant 

information is provided on-line together with 

comprehensive textual and index retrieval 

mechanisms and cross-indexing. Electronic 

access not only allows much faster and more 

accurate access to the information but also 

offers the ability to conduct extensive searches 

based on words in context. Replacement 

updated CD-ROM's are provided every 60 

days, and interim bulletins of pending 

updates are provided on magnetic media 

every 15 days. 

Time and Attendance.-A paperless Time 

and Attendance System based on personal 

computers was implemented in the Administrative Division and the Office of the Director. 

Plans are to expand the system to other users 

within the USGS. Also, other Federal agencies 

have expressed interest. The system is based 

on a program that was implemented at the 

U.S. Department of Commerce. The USGS 

enhanced the initial version and created a 

product that is applicable throughout the 

bureau. Users have been pleased to find that 

the resulting system provides a drastic reduction in errors. 

The Department of Commerce has, in 

turn, replaced its own version of the system 

with the USGS developed system to take 

advantage of the improvements. The system 

has been demonstrated to other bureaus 

within the U.S. Department of the Interior 

and other Federal agencies. Currently, the 

Time and Attendance System is being enhanced to include core hours, flextime, and 

other refinements. 

Child Care 

By Kathleen B. Rutledge 

T he growing influx of women into the 

workforce has made child care a significant human resources issue for the 

1990's. According to the Hudson Institute in 

its report, "Civil Service 2000," more than 

half of the mothers having children under the 

age of 1 year work outside the home, and 

more than half of the women who work have 

children under the age of 18. The USGS has 

joined an increasing number of Federal agencies in providing child care support for its 

employees in the form of on-site or near-site 

child care centers. 

Under current law, Federal agencies can 

pay for space, utilities, maintenance, security, 

and start-up costs for child care centers when 

the agency determines that these are necessary expenses for recruitment and retention 

of employees. The General Services Administration (GSA), as part of its child care support 

program, will pay certain construction costs 

associated with developing or modifying Federal space to accommodate child care centers. 

These costs are billed back to agencies later 

through rent charges. 

The USGS opened its first on-site child 

care center in Menlo Park, Calif., in June 

1987. The GEOKIDS Daycare Center serves 

60 families from two Federal agencies and 

more than a dozen local firms in a cooperative operation. In a grass-roots endeavor, parents established the center by raising funds, 

obtaining licenses, and hiring caregivers. 

Although the USGS pays space and utilities 

costs on an ongoing basis, all operating 

expenses are covered by tuition and an active 

fund-raising program. 

The USGS participates with 12 other 

Federal agencies in a child care center in Sacramento, Calif. The Cottage Kids Children's 

Center opened in December 1989 and accommodates 60 children. In Denver, the USGS 

has joined with other bureaus of the U.S. 

Department of the Interior to provide child 

Federal Children's Center in 

Herndon, Va. 

Administration 91 
Inside the Herndon Federal 

Children's Center. 

care on-site for 104 children at the Denver 

Federal Center. This center, which opened in 

May 1988, is operated under the auspices of 

the Denver Cooperative Administrative Support Unit. 

The most recent and ambitious child care 

center opened on October 31, 1990, in Herndon, Va., just down the road from the USGS 

National Center in Reston. This center, 3 

years in the making, is the result of the combined efforts of six Federal agencies located 

in Reston: the USGS, the Minerals Management Service (another bureau of the Department of the Interior), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Central 

Intelligence Agency, the Defense Mapping 

Agency, and the Defense Communications 

Agency. The USGS served as lead agency, 

and representatives from the group 

contracted with a child care consultant who 

paved the way for the many steps required to 

develop a center from scratch. 

Working with GSA, the group found 

suitable space located within a predetermined 

radius of the participating agencies; GSA 

leased the space and provided construction 

oversight for the use of design specifications 

prepared by the participating agencies. The 

agency representatives incorporated as the 

Federal Children's Center and elected a 

Founding Board of Directors, which undertook tasks ranging from obtaining permits 

and licenses to selecting and purchasing furniture, toys, and equipment. The Board oversaw the hiring of staff, development of curriculum, selection of a food service program, 

and establishment of policies such as hours of 

operation, application procedures, and a fee 

structure. 

The Federal Children's Center is unique 

in the Reston area in that it addresses the 

severe shortage of space within the community for the care of infants. Sixty percent of 

the available 99 slots are for children ages 3 

and under, and 20 of these spaces are 

reserved for children as young as 3 months 

old. The Center has the capacity to expand to 

150 children if necessary. Plans are being 

made for an emergency drop-off program for 

parents whose child care arrangements are 

interrupted, and the Board is looking into 

programs for after school and summer vacation care. 

As with other USGS child care centers, 

operating expenses will be covered by tuition 

and fees. A scholarship program, for those 

needing tuition assistance, will be established 

with funds from the Center's future participation in the Combined Federal Campaign, 

from an aluminum recycling program (a can 

collection site is on the grounds of the 

National Center), and from parent-sponsored 

fund-raising activities. 

The USGS will continue to support 

efforts to assist employees in finding affordable, quality child care close to the workplace. 

Employees in Flagstaff, Ariz., have developed 

a proposal for a child care center for 30 children, including participation by other local 

Federal agencies; this proposal is being evaluated for funding support. In addition, as centers are developed by other Federal organizations, the USGS will respond to invitations to 

participate where employee needs for child 

care assistance are evident. 

92 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
--

ORGANIZATION OF THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 


U.S. Department of the Interior 

I DIRECTOR I

1 I Auoclate

.

Director j 

STAFF OFFICES 

Washington Liaison 

Equal Employment 

Opportunity 

Congressional Liaison 

Public Affairs 

l ASSISTANT DIRECTORS 

Engineering Geology 


Programs 


Administration 


Research 


lnlormation Systems 


Intergovernmental Affairs 


WATER RESOURCES DIVISION 

Chiel Hydrologist 

Associate Chiel Hydrologist 

Assistant Chief Hydrologist 

for Research and External 

Coordination 

Assistant Chief Hydrologist 

for Program Coordlnatl!ln 

and Technl.cal Support 

Off1ces 

_Q!f~ 

Hydrologic Research 

External Research 

Assistant Chief Hydrologist 

for Water Auessment and 

Data Coordination 

Oflice 

Water Data Coordmation 

Regional Offices 

Atmospheric Deposition 

Analysis 

Ground Water 

Surface Water 

Water Quality 

Northeastern · Reston, VA 

Southeastern • Atlanta, GA 

Central · Denver, CO 

Western · Menlo Park, CA 

District Offices 

NATIONAL MAPPING DIVISION 

Chiel 

Associate Chiel 

Assistant Chief Hydrologist Assistant Chief Hydrologist Assistant Division Chief 

for Program, Budget 

and Administration 

Offices 

Budget and Program 

Development 

Strategic Analysis 

Administration 

Fiscal Control 

Assistant Division Chief 

for Production 

Management 

Offices 

Production Planning and 

Analysis 

Production and 

Management Systems 

Production Contract 

Management 

Assistant Division Chief 

for Operations for Scientific Information for Coordination and 

Management Requirements 

-~ Offices 

External Coordination 

lnlormation Resource 

Management 

International Activities n-1 1 -

~ 

Assistant Division Chief 

for Information and 

Data Services 

Offices 

Earth Science ..... Information 

Product Distribution 

Policy 

Publications Liaison and 

Review 

.... 

Assistant Division Chief 

for Research 

Q 

Offices 

Geographic and ~ Canographic Research 

Systems Development 

Technical Management 

(1Q 

Col 

::;, N. 

a 

s· 

::;, 

e!.. 

n 

:T 

Col 

;:::. 

Field cantera 

Eastern Mapping· Reston, VA 

Mid-Continent Mapping · Rolla, MO 

Rocky Mountain Mapping • Denver, CO 

Western Mapping • Menlo Park, CA 

EROS Data· S1oux Falls, SD 

1,&") 

w 

GEOLOGIC DIVISION 

Chief Geologist 


Associate Chief Geologist 


Assistant Chief Geologist for 
 Program 

Office of Scientific Office of International Geology Publications I Branches 

Central -mlKho Technical ..Repons Ro~~ r Office of Regional Geology Western Technical Reports 


Library and Information 
 Branches 


Services 
 Eastern Regional Geology 


Visual Services 
 Central Regional Geology 

Western Regional Geology 

Isotope Geology 

Paleontology and Stratigraphy Office of Energy and Marine I I I Astrogeology 

Geology 

Branches 


Coal Geology 


Petroleum Geology 
 Office of Earthquakes, Volcanoes Sedimentary Geology and Engineering 
 Pacific Marine Geology 
 Branches Atlantic Marine Geology n 
Tectonophysics 

Engineering Seismology and 

Geology 

Seismology 

Office of Mineral Resources Geologic Risk Assessment 

Branches Global Seismology and 

Geomagnetism Alaskan Geology Igneous and Geothermal Eastern Mineral Resources Processes Central Mineral Resources 

Western Mineral Resources 

Geochemistry 

Geophysics 

Resource Analysis 

Assistant Chief Geologist• 

Eastern Region 

Central Region 

Western Region 

INFORMATION SYSTEMS 

DIVISION 

Chief 


Associate Chief 


Policy, Planning and 

Coordmation Staff 

Off1ces 

Management Services 

Customer ServiCeS 

Computer and 

Communications Services 

1­

Office of Field Servtcea 

Centers 


Denver, CO 


Menlo Park, CA 


Flagstaff, fJJ. 


ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION 

Ch1ef 

tOffices 

Financial Management 

Fac1ht1es and Management 

Services 

Systems Management 

Personnel 

Procurement and Contracts 

Adm1mstrat1ve Service Center 

Management Officea 

Central • Denver. CO 

Western • Menlo Park. CA 
Guide to Inforination and Publications 


Earth Science Information 

Centers 

To obtain information on cartographic data 

and on earth science programs, publications, and 

services, or to obtain copies of reports and maps, 

write or visit U.S. Geological Survey Earth Science 

Information Centers at the following addresses: 

Alaska: 

Room 101 


4230 University Dr. 


Anchorage, AK 99508-4664 


Room G-84 


605 West 4th Ave. 


Anchorage, AK 99501 


California: 

Federal Bldg., Room 7638 


300 N. Los Angeles St. 


Los Angeles, CA 90012 


Room 3128 


532 Bldg. 3 


345 Middlefield Rd. 


Menlo Park, CA 94025 


504 Custom House 


555 Battery St. 


San Francisco, CA 94111 


Colorado: 

169 Federal Bldg. 


1961 Stout St. 


Denver, CO 80294 


Room 1813 


504 Denver Federal Center, Bldg. 25 


Box 25046 


Denver, CO 80225-0046 


District of Columbia: 

Main Interior Bldg., Room 2650 


1849 C St., NW. 


Washington, DC 20240 


(When visiting, useE St. entrance.) 


Mississippi: 

Bldg. 3101 


Stennis Space Center 


Bay St. Louis, MS 39529 


Missouri: 

Room 231 


1400 Independence Rd. 


Rolla, MO 65401 


Utah: 

8105 Federal Bldg. 


125 S. State St. 


Salt Lake City, UT 84138 


Virginia: 

Room lC-402 


507 National Center 


12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 


Reston, VA 22092 


Washington: 

678 U.S. Courthouse 

W. 920 Riverside Ave. 


Spokane, WA99201 


Water Information 

Water-Source Data 

To obtain assistance in locating sources of 

water data, identifying sites at which data have been 

collected, and obtaining specific information, write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

National Water Data Exchange 

421 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 

Reston, VA 22092 

Water-Data Aquisition Activities 

To obtain information on ongoing and planned 

water-data acquisition activities of all Federal agencies and many non-Federal organizations, write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Office of Water Data Coordination 

41 7 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 

Reston, VA 22092 

Water Resources of Specific Areas 

To obtain information on water resources in 

general and about the water resources of specific 

areas of the United States, write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Hydrologic Information Unit 

419 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 

Reston, VA 22092 

Geologic Information 

General Geology 

To obtain information on geologic topics such 

as earthquakes and volcanoes, energy and mineral 

resources, the geology of specific areas, and geologic maps and mapping, write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Inquiries Group 

907 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 

Reston, VA 22092 

Mineral Resources 

To obtain information on mineral resources, 

write or visit: 


Minerals Information Office* 


Main Interior Bldg., Room 2647 


1849 C St., NW. 


Washington, DC 20240 


Minerals Information Office* 


845 N. Park Ave., #100 


Tucson, AZ 85719 


*Joint ventures of the USGS and the U.S. Bureau 

of Mines. 

U.S. Bureau of Mines 

Minerals Information Office 

c/o Mackay School of Mines 

University of Nevada, Reno 

Reno, NV 89557-0047 

U.S. Bureau of Mines 

Minerals Information Office 

U.S. Courthouse, Room 656 

W. 920 Riverside Dr. 

Spokane, WA 99201 

Maps 

Topographic and Thematic 

To buy maps of all areas of the United States 

and to request USGS catalogs, pamphlets, and leaflets (limited quantities free), write or visit: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Map Distribution 

Building 810 

Denver Federal Center, Box 25286 

Denver, CO 80225 

To buy Alaska maps, residents of Alaska may 

write or visit: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Alaska Distribution Section 

New Federal Building, Box 12 

101 12th Avenue 

Fairbanks, AK 99701 

Aerial Photographs and Satellite Images 

To obtain information on aerial photographs 

and satellite and space images, write or visit: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

EROS Data Center 

Sioux Falls, SD 57198 

Books and Reports 

To buy USGS book publications, to request 

USGS circulars, or to obtain information on the 

availability of microfiche or paper-duplicate copies 

of open-file reports, write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Books and Open-File Reports 

Federal Center, Box 25425 

Denver, CO 80225 

Periodicals 

New Publications 

To get on the mailing list for the monthly list 

of New Publications of the U.S. Geological Surve_'l 

(free), write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Distribution Support Section 

582 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive 

Reston, VA 22092 

Earthquakes & Volcanoes 

To subscribe to Earthquakes & Volcanoes, a bimonthly, nontechnical digest that provides up-todate information on earthquakes, volcanoes, and 

related natural hazards around the world, write: 

Superintendent of Documents 

Government Printing Office 

Washington, DC 20402 

94 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
Budget Information 


USGS budget authority for fiscal year 1990, by appropriation, for surveys, investigations, and research (SIR) 

[Dollars in thousands] 

Fiscal year 

Activity/Subactivity/Program element 19901 

enacted 

National Mapping, Geography, and Surveys............... . $111,527 

National Map and Digital Data Production ............... . 46,007 

Cartographic Data and Map Revision ................... . 40,066 

Thematic and Special Data ............................... . 4,461 

SLAR ......................................................... . 1,480 

Information & Data Systems ................................ . 14,598 

National Data Base Management. ....................... . 7,662 

Information Dissemination Services ..................... . 3,977 

Global Change Data Systems ............................. . 2,959 

Research and Technology ................................... . 18,348 

Cartographic and Geographic Research ................ . 8,070 

National Cartographic Requirement Coordination 

and Standards ......................................... . 3,821 

Geographic and Spatial Information Analysis ......... . 6,457 

Advanced Cartographic Systems ........................... . 32,574 

Geologic and Mineral Resource Surveys and Mapping.. . 200,388 

Geologic Haz,ards Surveys ................................... . 66,196 

Earthquake Hazards Reduction .......................... . 46,443 

Volcano Hazards ........................................... . 17,596 

Landslide Hazards ......................................... . 2,157 

Geologic Framework and Processes ........................ . 33,802 

National Geologic Mapping .............................. . 19,132 

Deep Continental Studies ................................. . 3,020 

Geomagnetism .............................................. . 1,710 

Climate Change............................................. . 3,001 

Coastal Erosion ............................................. . 6,939 

Offshore Geologic Surveys .................................. . 26,450 

Offshore Geologic Framework ........................... . 26,450 

Mineral Resource Surveys ................................... . 46,836 

National Mineral Resource Assessment Program ..... . 23,872 

Strategic and Critical Minerals ........................... . 9,708 

Development of Assessment Techniques ............... . 13,256 

Energy Geologic Surveys .................................... . 27,104 

Evolution of Sedimentary Basins ........................ . 5,200 

Coal Investigations ......................................... . 7,288 

Oil and Gas Investigations ................................ . 5,577 

Oil Shale Investigations ................................... . 577 

Geothermal Investigations ................................ . 5,869 

Uranium/Thorium Investigations........................ . 2,087 

World Energy Resource Assessment .................... . 506 

Fiscal year 

Activity/Subactivity/Program element 19901 

enacted 

Water Resources Investigations ............................... $152,904 

National Water Resources Research and Information 

System-Federal Program ............................... . 83,250 

Data Collection and Analysis ............................. . 24,198 

National Water Information Clearinghouse ........... . 3,398 

Coordination of National Water Data Activities ....... . 976 

Regional Aquifer System Analysis ....................... . 10,982 

Core Program Hydrologic Research .................... . 8,565 

Improved Instrumentation ............................... . 1,656 

Water Resources Assessment ............................. . 1,352 

Toxic Substances Hydrology ............................. . 14,174 

Nuclear Waste Hydrology ................................ . 3,814 

Acid Rain .................................................... . 2,895 

Scientific and Technical Publications .................... . 2,228 

National Water-Quality Assessment Program ......... . 7,039 

Climate Change Hydrology............................... . 1,973 

National Water Resources Research and Information 

System-Federal-State Cooperative Program ....... . 58,974 

Data Collection and Analysis, Areal Appraisals, and 

Special Studies ........................................... . 55,070 

Water use .................................................... . 3,904 

National Water Resources Research and Information 

System-State Research Institutes and Research 

Grants Program .......................................... . 10,680 

State Water Resources Research Institutes ............. . 5,600 

National Water Resources Research Grants Program.. 4,322 

Program Administration .................................. . 758 

General Administration ...................................•..... 18,081 

Executive Direction ........................................... . 4,701 

Administrative Operations .................................. . 11,471 

Reimbursements to the Department of Labor ........... . 1,909 

Facilities ........................................................... 18,502 

National Center-Rental Payments to GSA .............. . 14,610 

National Center-Facilities Management ................. . 3,892 

Total, SIR ............................................ $501,402 


1 Funding shown represents current appropriated funding ($478,156), no-year appropriated funding for Mt. Redoubt ($6,256), and no-year 

emergency funding transfers for Lorna Prieta and Hurricane Hugo ($5,000) and Earthquake Disaster Funding ($12,000). 

Budget Information 95 
USGS budget for fiscal _vears 1987 to 1990, b_v activity and sources offund/ 

[Dollars in thousands; totals may not add because of rounding] 

Budget activity 1987 1988 1989 1990 

Total ....•.....• $620,585 $662,101 $670,897 $ 723,137 

Direct program . . . . . 432,114 448,233 451,988 1

501.510 

Reimbursable program . 188,471 213,868 218,909 221.628 

States, counties, and municipalities 63,088 68,609 69,577 74,113 

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources 13,667 12,775 14,194 15,151 

Other Federal agencies ..... . 111,716 132,484 135,138 132,363 

National Mapping, Geography, and Surveys 118,462 120,845 126,457 141,069 

Direct program . . . . . . . . . . . . 88,542 90,541 94,235 111,528 

Reimbursable program . . . . . . . . 29,921 30,304 32,222 29,542 

States, counties, and municipalities 1,841 1,579 1,520 2,132 

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources 10,276 10,021 10,804 10,278 

Other Federal agencies ..... . 17,804 18,705 19,898 17,131 

Geologic and Mineral Resource Surveys and Mapping. 209,553 224,028 215,882 241,739 

Direct program . . . . . . . . . . . 169,239 177,278 178,329 200,472 

Reimbursable program. . . . . . . . 40,314 46,750 37,553 41,267 

States, counties, and municipalities 1,365 1,138 961 1,917 

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources 938 368 682 2,022 

Other Federal agencies ... 38,011 45,244 35,910 37,328 

Water Resources Investigations . 254,288 278,380 287,154 295,128 

Direct program . . . . . . . . . 142,130 149,471 145,635 152.904 

Reimbursable program . . . . . 112,158 128,910 141,520 142.224 

States, counties, and municipalities 59,882 65,893 67,095 70,064 

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources 2,437 2,354 2,700 2,839 

Other Federal agencies 49,839 60,662 71,725 69,321 

General Administration . . . . . . 18,285 17,746 19,059 21,493 

Direct program . . . . . . . . . . 17,084 14,684 16,330 18,081 

Reimbursable program (Federal). 1,201 3,062 2,729 3.412 

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources 1 3 0 1 

Other Federal agencies 1,200 3,060 2.729 3,411 

Facilities . . . . . . . . . 15,109 16,252 17,450 18,502 

Direct program . . . . . . 15,067 16,214 17,421 18,502 

Reimbursable program . . 42 38 29 0 

Computer and administrative services to other accounts. 4,835 4,804 4,856 5,183 

Reimbursable program . . . . . . . . 4,835 4,804 4,856 5,183 

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources 15 29 7 11 

Other Federal agencies ...... . 4,820 4,775 4,849 5,172 

Operation and maintenance of quarters. 52 45 38 23 

Direct program . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 45 38 23 

1 Direct program includes $478,156 for current year, $23,246 for no year, $84 for Contributed Funds, and $23 for Operation and Maintenance of Quarters. 

USGS reimbursable funds from other Federal agencies for fiscal yeaTS 1987 to 1990, b_v agency 

[Dollars in thousands] 

Budget activity 1987 1988 1989 1990 

Department of Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,247 $ 3,392 $ 3,638 $ 3,379 

Department of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . 100 50 0 281 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 7,993 6,138 5,327 1,448 

Department of Defense. . . . . . . . 30,551 39,462 40,478 41,257 

Department of Energy . . . ••• 0. 24,361 26,800 31,630 29,574 

Bonneville Power Administration 274 258 311 358 

Department of the Interior. . . . . 14,787 17,166 14,076 12,728 

Bureau of Indian Affairs ... 4,280 4,664 2,190 2,018 

Bureau of Land Management . 1,748 1,773 1,317 1,239 

Bureau of Mines . . . . . ... 14 29 0 24 

Bureau of Reclamation .... 6.647 6,715 5,926 6,119 

Minerals Management Service . 125 291 222 32 

National Park Service .. 977 1,069 1,304 883 

Office of the Secretary . . 538 1,983 2,206 1,343 

Office of Surface Mining 260 352 264 106 

Fish and Wildlife Service 198 290 648 964 

Department of State ..... 4,740 9,896 10,082 8,144 

Department of Transportation . 300 794 1,479 362 

Environmental Protection Agency 2,726 3,591 3,096 5,279 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 4,380 4,877 4,952 5,607 

National Science Foundation ... 472 535 630 2,328 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1,834 1,589 1,797 1,917 

Tennessee Valley Authority ... 101 269 170 217 

Miscellaneous Federal agencies. . 13,030 13,371 12,623 14,312 

Miscellaneous services to other accounts . 4,820 4,775 4,849 5,172 

Total.......•......• $ 111,716 132,963 135,139 132,363 

96 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 
U.S. Geological Survey Offices 


Headquarters Offices Central Region 

National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive 

Reston, VA 22092 

(FTS prefix 959-) 

Denver Federal Center 

Box 25046 

Denver, CO 80225 

(FTS prefix 776-) 

Office of the Director 

Director 

Associate Director 

Dallas L. Peck 

Doyle G. Frederick 

Special Assistant (Washington Liaison) and Deputy Jane H. Wallace 

Ethics Counselor 

Assistant Director for Research Stephen E. Ragone 

Assistant Director for Engineering Geology James F. Devine 

Assistant Director for Administration Jack J. Stassi 

Assistant Director for Programs Peter F. Bermel 

Assistant Director for Intergovernmental Affairs John J. Dragonetti 

Assistant Director for Information Systems James E. Biesecker 

Congressional Liaison Officer Talmadge W. Reed 

Chief, Public Affairs Office Donovan B. Kelly 

Equal Employment Opportunity Officer Bruce D. Palmer 

Director's Representative-Central Region Harry Tourtelot 

Director's Representative-Western Region George Gryc 

Special Assistant to the Director for Alaska Philip J. Carpenter 

Administrative Division 

Chief Jack J. Stassi 

Administrative Officer Louie Pectol 

Administrative Program Specialist H.T. Davis 

Professional Services Specialist William A. Schmidt 

Office of Personnel, Chief Maxine C. Millard 

Office of Procurement and Contracts, Chief John K. Peterson 

Office of Financial Management, Chief Roy J. Heinbuch 

Office of Facilities and Management Services, Chief William F. Gossman, Jr. 

Office of Systems Management, Chief Phillip L. McKinney 

Administrative Service Center, Chief Phillip L. McKinney 

Central Regional Management Officer F.B. Sower 

Western Regional Management Officer George F. Hargrove, Jr. 

Information Systems Division 

Chief James E. Biesecker 

Associate Chief Doug R. Posson 

Office of Customer Services, Chief Virginia L. Ross 

Office of Computer and Communications Services, Wendy A. Budd 

Chief 

Office of Management Services, Chief Eliot Christian 

Office of Field Services, Chief Fred B. Sower 

National Mapping Division 

Chief Lowell E. Starr 

Associate Chief Roy R. Mullen 

Assistant Division Chief for Research Joel L. Morrison 

Assistant Division Chief for Program, Budget and Richard E. Witmer 

Administration 

Assistant Division Chief for Information and Data Gary W. North 

Services 

Assistant Division Chief for Coordination and Require- Gene A. Thorley 

ments 

Assistant Division Chief for Production Management James R. Plasker 

Western Region 

345 Middlefield Rd. 

Menlo Park, CA 94025 

(FTS prefix 459-) 

(703) 648-7411 

(703) 648-7412 

(202) 343-3888 

(703) 648-4450 

(703) 648-4423 

(703) 648-7200 

(703) 648-4430 

(703) 648-4427 

(703) 648-7108 

(703) 648-4457 

(703) 648-4460 

(703) 648-4417 

(303) 236-5438 

(415) 329-4002 

(907) 271-4138 

101 National Center 

102 National Center 

Rm. 2648, Interior Bldg. 

Washington, DC 20240 

104 National Center 

106 National Center 

201 National Center 

105 National Center 

109 National Center 

801 National Center 

112 National Center 

119 National Center 

116 National Center 

406 Denver Federal Center 

Western Region, Stop 144 

4230 University Drive, Suite 201 

Anchorage, AK 99508 

(703) 648-7200 

(703) 648-7204 

(703) 648-7203 

(703) 648-7221 

(703) 648-7442 

(703) 648-7373 

(703) 648-7604 

(703) 648-7338 

(703) 648-7256 

(703) 648-7256 

(303) 236-5900 

(415) 329-4150 

201 National Center 

203 National Center 

201 National Center 

118 National Center 

215 National Center 

205 National Center 

270 National Center 

207 National Center 

206 National Center 

206 National Center 

201 Denver Federal Center 

Western Region, Stop 211 

(703) 648-7108 

(703) 648-7106 

(703) 648-7178 

(703) 648-7103 

801 National Center 

801 National Center 

805 National Center 

807 National Center 

(703) 648-7245 

(303) 236-4944 

802 National Center 

801 Denver Federal Center 

(703) 648-5748 

(703) 648-5745 

(703) 648-4640 

(703) 648-4611 

516 National Center 

516 National Center 

519 National Center 

514 National Center 

(703) 648-5780 508 National Center 

(703) 648-5742 590 National Center 

(703) 648-4146 511 National Center 

U.S. Geological Survey Offices 97 
National Mapping Division-Continued 


Eastern Mapping Center, Chief 


Mid-Continent Mapping Center, Chief 


Rocky Mountain Mapping Center, Chief 


Western Mapping Center, Chief 


Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center, 


Chief 

Geologic Division 


Chief Geologist 


Associate Chief Geologist 


Assistant Chief Geologist for Program 


Administrative Officer 


Human Resources Officer 


Office of Scientific Publications, Chief 


Office of Regional Geology, Chief 


Office of Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Engineering, 


Chief 


Office of Energy and Marine Geology, Chief 


Office of Mineral Resources, Chief 


Office of International Geology, Chief 


Assistant Chief Geologist, Eastern Region 


Assistant Chief Geologist, Central Region 


Assistant Chief Geologist, Western Region 


Water Resources Division 

Chief Hydrologist 

Associate Chief Hydrologist 

Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Scientific Information 

Management 

Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Operations 

Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Research and External 

Coordination 


Office of Hydrologic Research, Chief 


Office of External Research, Chief 


Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Program Coordination 

and Technical Support 

Office of Atmospheric Deposition Analysis, Chief 

Office of Ground Water, Chief, Acting 

Office of Surface Water, Chief 

Office of Water Quality, Chief 

Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Water Assessment and 

Data Coordination 

Office of Water Data Coordination, Chief 

Northeastern Region, Chief 

Southeastern Region, Chief 

Central Region, Chief 


Western Region, Chief 


District Offices 


Alabama 


Alaska 

Arizona 

Arkansas 

California 

98 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

K. Eric Anderson 

Merle E. Southern 

Randle W. Olsen 

John R. Swinnerton 

Allen H. Watkins 

Benjamin A. Morgan 

William R. Greenwood 

David P. Russ 

Elwood H. Like 

John D. McGurk 

John M. Aaron 

Mitchell W. Reynolds 

Robert L. Wesson 

Gary W. Hill 

Glenn H. Allcott 

A. Thomas Ovenshine 

Jack H. Medlin 

Harry A. Tourtelot 

William R. Normark 

Philip Cohen 

John N. Fischer 

James F. Daniel 

William B. Mann IV 

Robert M. Hirsch 

Roger G. Wolff 

John E. Schefter 

Verne R. Schneider 

Ranard J. Pickering 

Thomas E. Reilly 

Charles W. Boning 

David A. Rickert 

David W. Moody 

Nancy C. Lopez 

Stanley P. Sauer 

James L. Cook 

James F. Blakey 

T. John Conomos 

Hillary H. Jeffcoat 

Philip J. Carpenter 

Robert D. Mac Nish 

Ector E. Gann 

John M. Klein 

(703) 648-6002 

(314) 341-0880 

(303) 236-5825 

(415) 329-4254 

(605) 594-6123 

(703) 648-6600 

(703) 648-660 1 

(703) 648-6640 

(703) 648-6611 

(703) 648-6628 

(703) 648-6077 

(703) 648-6959 

(703) 648-6714 

(703) 648-6470 

(703) 648-6100 

(703) 648-6047 

(703) 648-6660 

(303) 236-5438 

(415) 329-5101 

(703) 648-5215 

(703) 648-5216 

(703) 648-5699 

(703) 648-5031 

(703) 648-5041 

(703) 648-5043 

(703) 648-6800 

(703) 648-5229 

(703) 648-6874 

(703) 648-5001 

(703) 648-5301 

(703) 648-6862 

(703) 648-6856 

(703) 648-5019 

(703) 648-5817 

(404) 331-5174 

(303) 236-5920 

(415) 329-4403 

(205) 752-8104 

(907) 786-7100 

(602) 670-6671 

(501) 324-6391 

(916) 978-4633 

567 National Center 

1400 Independence Rd., 

Rolla, MO 65401 

510 Denver Federal Center 

Western Region, Stop 531 

EROS Data Center, 

Sioux Falls, SD 57198 

911 National Center 

911 National Center 

911 National Center 

912 National Center 

911 National Center 

904 National Center 

908 National Center 

905 National Center 

915 National Center 

913 National Center 

917 National Center 

953 National Center 

911 Denver Federal Center 

Western Region, Stop 19 

409 National Center 

408 National Center 

440 National Center 

441 National Center 

436 National Center 

436 National Center 

424 National Center 

414 National Center 

416 National Center 

411 National Center 

415 National Center 

412 National Center 

407 National Center 

417 National Center 

433 National Center 

Richard B. Russell Federal Bldg. 

75 Spring St., SW., Suite 772 

Atlanta, GA 30303 

406 Denver Federal Center 

Western Region, Stop 470 

520 19th Ave. 

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 

4230 University Dr., Suite 201 

Anchorage, AK 99508 

375 N. Euclid Ave. 

Tucson, AZ 85719 

2301 Federal Office Bldg. 

700 W. Capitol Ave. 

Little Rock, AR 72201 

Rm. W-2234 Federal Bldg. 

2800 Cottage Way 

Sacramento, CA 95825 
Water Resources Division-Continued 

District Offices-Continued 

Colorado 

Connecticut (See Massachusetts) 

Delaware (See Maryland) 

District of Columbia (See Maryland) 

Florida 

Georgia 

Hawaii 

Idaho 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Louisiana 

Maine (See Massachusetts) 


Maryland 


Massachusetts 

Michigan 


Minnesota 


Mississippi 

Missouri 

Montana 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New Hampshire (See Massachusetts) 

New Jersey 

New Mexico 

New York 

Charles A. Pascale 

Irwin H. Kantrowitz 

Jeffrey T. Armbruster 

William Meyer 

Jerry L. Hughes 

Stephen F. Blanchard 

Dennis K. Stewart 

Norwood B. Melcher 

Thomas L. Huntzinger 

Alfred L. Knight 

Darwin D. Knochenmus 

Herbert J. Freiberger 

Ivan C. James II 


T. Ray Cummings 

William J. Herb 

Michael W. Gaydos 

Daniel P. Bauer 

Joe A. Moreland 

Michael V. Shulters 

William J. Carswell, Jr. 

Donald E. Vaupel 

Russell K. Livingston 

L. Grady Moore 

(303) 236-4882 


(904) 681-7631 


(404) 986-6860 


(808) 541-2653 


(208) 334-1750 


(217) 398-5353 


(317) 290-3333 


(319) 337-4191 


(913) 842-9909 


(502) 582-5241 


(504) 389-0281 


(301) 828-1535 


(617) 565-6860 


(517) 377-1608 


(612) 229-2607 


(601) 965-4600 


(314) 341-0824 


(406) 449-5302 


(402) 437-5082 


(702) 887-7600 


(609) 771-3902 


(505) 262-5301 


(518) 472-3107 


415 Denver Federal Center 


Box 25046 


Denver, CO 80225 


227 N. Bronaugh St., Suite 3015 


Tallahassee, FL 32301 


6481-B Peachtree Industrial Blvd. 


Doraville, GA 30360 


677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 415 


Honolulu, HI 96813 


230 Collins Rd. 


Boise, ID 83702 


102 E. Main St., 4th Floor 


Urbana, IL 61801 


5957 Lakeside Blvd. 


Indianapolis, IN 46278 


P.O. Box 1230 


Rm. 269 Federal Bldg. 


400 S. Clinton St. 


Iowa City, lA 52244 


4821 	Quail Crest Pl., 


Lawrence, KS 66049 


2301 Bradley Ave. 


Louisville, KY 40217 


P.O. Box 66492 


6554 Florida Blvd. 


Baton Rouge, LA 70806 


208 Carroll Bldg. 


8600 La Salle Rd. 


Towson, MD 21204 


10 Causeway St., Rm. 926 


Boston, MA 02222 


6520 Mercantile Way, Suite 5 


Lansing, MI 48911 


702 Post Office Bldg. 


180 E. Kellogg Blvd. 


St. Paul, MN 55101 


Suite 710 Federal Bldg. 


100 W. Capitol St. 


Jackson, MS 39269 


1400 Independence Rd., Stop 200 


Rolla, MO 65401 


Drawer 10076, Federal Bldg. 


301 S. Park Ave. 


Helena, MT 59626 


Rm. 406 Federal Bldg. 


100 Centennial Mall, North 


Lincoln, NE 68508 


Rm. 114 Federal Bldg. 


705 N. Plaza St. 


Carson City, NV 89701 


Suite 206, Mountain View Office Park 

810 Bear Tavern Rd. 

West Trenton, NJ 08628 

Pinetree Office Park, Suite 200 


4501 Indian School Rd., NE. 


Albuquerque, NM 87110 


P.O. Box 1669 


343 U.S. Post Office and Courthouse 


Albany, NY 12201 


U.S. Geological Survey Offices 99 

Water Resources Division-Continued 

District Offices -Continued 

North Carolina 


North Dakota 


Ohio 


Oklahoma 


Oregon (See Washington) 


Pennsylvania 

Puerto Rico 

Rhode Island (See Massachusetts) 


South Carolina 


South Dakota 

Tennessee 


Texas 


Utah 


Vermont (See Massachusetts) 


Virginia (See Maryland) 


Washington 


West Virginia 


Wisconsin 


Wyoming 


James F. Turner 

William F. Horak, Jr. 

Steven M. Hindall 

Kathy D. Peter 

David E. Click 

Allen L. Zack 

Rodney N. Cherry 

Richard E. Fidler 

Ferdinand QuinonesMarquez 

Charles R. Burchett 

Harvey L. Case III 


Garald G. Parker, Jr. 

David P. Brown, Acting 

Warren A. Gebert 

James E. Kircher 

(919) 571-4000 


(701) 250-4601 


(614) 469-5553 


(405) 231-4256 


(71 7) 782-3468 


(809) 749-4346 


(803) 750-6100 


(605) 353-7176 


(615) 736-5424 


(512) 832-5791 


(80 1) 524-5663 


(206) 593-6510 


(304) 347-5130 


(608) 276-3801 


(307) 772-2728 


3916 Sunset Rd. 


Raleigh, NC 27608 


821 E. Interstate Ave. 


Bismarck, ND 58501 


975 W. Third Ave. 


Columbus, OH 43212 


220 N.W. 66th, Bldg. 7 


Oklahoma City, OK 73116 


P.O. Box 1107, 4th Floor 


Federal Bldg., 228 Walnut St. 


Harrisburg, PA 17108 


P.O. Box 364424 


GSA Center, Bldg. 692 


Hwy 28, Km. 7.2, Pueblo Viejo 


San Juan, PR 00936 


Stephenson Center, Suite 129 


720 Gracern Rd. 


Columbia, SC 29210 


Rm. 408 Federal Bldg. 


200 4th St., SW. 


Huron, SO 57350 


A-413 Federal Bldg. 


Nashville, TN 37203 


8011 Cameron Rd., Bldg. 1 


Austin, TX 78753 


Rm. 1016 Administration Bldg. 


1745 W. 1700 South 


Salt Lake City, UT 84104 


1201 Pacific Ave., Suite 600 


Tacoma, W A 98402 


603 Morris St. 


Charleston, WV 25301 


6417 Normandy Ln. 


Madison, WI 53719 


2617 E. Lincolnway, Suite B 


Cheyenne, WY 82001 


100 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors 


Cooperators listed are those with whom the 

USGS had a written agreement cosigned by USGS 

officials and officials of the cooperating agency for 

financial cooperation in fiscal year 1990. Parent 

agencies are listed separately from their subdivisions whenever there are separate cooperative 

agreements for different projects with a parent 

agency and with a subdivision of it. Agencies are 

listed in alphabetical order under the State or territory where they have cooperative agreements with 

the USGS. Agencies with whom the USGS has 

research contracts and to whom it supplied research 

funds are not listed. 

Cooperating office of the U.S. Geological Survey 

g-Geologic Division 

n-National Mapping Division 

w-Water Resources Division 

Alabama 

Alabama Department ofEconomic and Community Affairs (w), 

Environmental Management (w), 

Highways (w); 

Anniston, City of (w); 


Birmingham, City of, Water Works Board (w); 


Butler County Water Authority (w); 


Coffee County Commission (w); 


Dauphin Island Water Authority (w); 


Geological Survey of Alabama (n,w); 


Greenville, City of, Water Works and Sewer 


Board (w); 

Huntsville, City of, Public Works (w); 

Jefferson County Commission (w); 

Mobile, City of (w); 

Montgomery, City of, Water Works and Sanitary 

Board (w); 

Sumter, County of (w); 

Tuscaloosa, City of (w); 

University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa (w). 

Alaska 

Alaska Department ofNatural Resources, Division ofGeological and Geophysical Surveys (w), 

Technical Services (w), 

Transportation and Public Facilities (w); 

Alaska Energy Authority (w); 

Alaska Industrial Development and Export 

Authority (w); 

Anchorage, Municipality of (w); 

Annette Islands Reserve Tribal Government (g); 

Fairbanks North Star Borough (w); 

Juneau, City and Borough of (w); 

Kenai Peninsula Borough (w); 

Matanuska Susitna Borough (w); 

Sitka, City and Borough of (w); 

University of Alaska, Fairbanks (g). 

American Samoa 

American Samoa, Government of (w). 

Arizona 

Arizona Department ofEnvironmental Quality (w), 

Water Resources (w); 

Arizona State University (g); 


Colorado Department of Highways (w); 


Gila Valley Irrigation District (w); 


Gila Water Commissioner, Office of (w); 


Maricopa County-


Flood Control District (w), 

Municipal Water Conservation District No. 

(w); 

Metropolitan Water District of Southern 

California (w); 

Pima County Board of Supervisors (w); 

Safford, City of, Water, Gas, and Sewer 

Department (w); 

Salt River Valley Water Users Association (w); 

San Carlos Apache Tribe (g); 

Scottsdale, City of, Water Resources Department 

(w); 

Show Low Irrigation Company (w); 

Tucson, City of (w). 

Arkansas 

Arkansas Department ofParks and Tourism (w), 

Pollution Control and Ecology (w), 

Health (w); 

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Fisheries 

Division (w); 

Arkansas Geological Commission (n,w); 

Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation 

Commission (w); 

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation 

Department (w); 

Arkansas-Oklahoma: Arkansas River Compact 

Commission (w); 

Beebe, City of (w); 

Independence, County of (w); 

Little Rock Municipal Water Works (w); 

North Little Rock Electric Department (w); 

University of Arkansasat Fayetteville (w), 


at Little Rock (w). 


California 

Alameda CountyFlood Control and Water Conservation District 

(Hayward) (w), 

Water District (w); 

Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency (w); 

California Department ofBoating and Waterways (w), 


Conservation (g), 


Health Services (w), 


Parks and Recreation (g,w), 


Transportation (w), 


Water Resources-


Central District (Sacramento) (w), 

Northern District (Red Bluff) (w), 

San Joaquin District (Fresno) (w); 

California Institute of Technology (g); 

California Office of Emergency Services (g); 

California Water Control Board, Colorado 

Region (w); 

Carpinteria County Water District (w); 

Casitas Municipal Water District (w); 

Coachella Valley Water District (w); 

Contra Costa CountyFlood Control and Water Conservation 

District (w), 

Department of Health Services (w); 

Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency (w); 

Desert Water Agency (w); 

East Bay Municipal Utility District (w); 

East Valley Water District (w); 

Eastern Municipal Water District (w); 

Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency 

(w); 

Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (w); 

Georgetown Divide Public Utility District (w); 

Goleta Water District (w); 

Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (w); 

Imperial County Department of Public Works (w); 

Imperial Irrigation District (w); 

Indian Wells Valley Water District (w); 

Inyo County Water Department (w); 

Kings River Conservation District (w); 

Los Angeles County Department of Public 

Works (w); 

Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (g); 

Los Angeles Department ofCity Planning (g), 

Water and Power (w); 

Madera Irrigation District (w); 

Marin County Department of Public Works (w); 

Marin Municipal Water District (w); 

Menlo Park, City of (g); 

Mendocino County Water Agency (w); 

Merced, City of (w); 

Merced Irrigation District (w); 

Metropolitan Water District of Southern 

California (g); 

Mojave Water Agency (w); 

Mono, County of (w); 

Montecito Water District (w); 

Monterey County Flood Control and Water 

Conservation District (w); 

Monterey Peninsula Water Municipal District (w); 

Oakdale-South San Joaquin Irrigation District (w); 

Orange CountyEnvironmental Management Agency (w), 

Water District (w); 

Oroville-Wyandotte Irrigation District (w); 

Palo Alto, City of (w); 

Panoche Water and Drainage District (w); 

Pechanga Indian Reservation (w); 

Poway, City of (w); 

Rancho California Water District (w); 

Regional Water Quality-Lahontan Region (w); 

Riverside County Flood Control and Water 

Conservation District (w); 

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (w); 

Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, 

Department of Public Works (w); 

San Benito County Water District (w); 

San Bernardino Environmental Public Works Flood 

Control District (w); 

San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water 

District (w); 

San Diego, City of, Water Utility (w); 

San Diego, County of, Department ofPlanning and Land Use (w), 

Public Works (w); 

San Francisco, City and County of, Bureau of 

Light, Heat, and Power (w); 

San Francisco State University Foundation (w); 

San Francisco Water Department (w); 

San Luis Obispo County Engineering 

Department (w); 

San Mateo County Department of Public 

Works (w); 

Santa Barbara, City of, Department of Public 

Works (w); 

Santa Barbara CountyFlood Control and Water Conservation 

District (w), 

Water Agency (w); 

Santa Clara Valley Water District (w); 

Santa Cruz, City of (w); 

Santa Cruz County Flood Control and Water 

Conservation Department (w); 

Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District (w); 

Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District (w); 

Scotts Valley Water District (w); 

Siskiyou County Flood Control and Water 

Conservation District (w); 

Sonoma CountyPlanning Department (w), 

Water Agency (w); 

Tahoe Regional Planning (w); 

Terra Bella Irrigation District (w); 

Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors 101 
Tulare County Flood Control District (w): 


Turlock Irrigation District (w): 


United Water Conservation District (w): 


University of California­


at Berkeley (g), 

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Cg): 

Ventura County Public Works Agency (w): 

Water Resources Control Board (w); 

Western Municipal Water District (w); 

Woodbridge Irrigation District (w): 

Yolo County Flood Control and Water 

Conservation District (w): 

Yuba County Water Agency (w). 

Colorado 

Arkansas River Compact Administration (w): 


Arvada, City of (w): 


Aspen, City of (w): 


Aurora. City of (w); 


Bent, County of (w): 


Boulder, City of (w): 


Boulder, County of, Department of Public 


Works (w): 

Breckenridge, Town of (w): 

Broomfield, City of (w): 

Castle Rock, Town of (w): 

Centennial Water and Sanitation (w); 

Cherokee Water and Sanitation District (w); 

Colorado Department of Health (w); 

Colorado Division ofMined Land Reclamation (w), 


Water Resources, Office of the State 


Engineer (w); 

Colorado Geological Survey (g): 

Colorado River Water Conservation District (w): 

Colorado School of Mines (g); 

Colorado Springs. City ofDepartment of Public Ctilities (w), 

Office of the City Manager (w): 

Colorado Water Conservation Board (w): 

Delta County Board of County Commissioners (w): 

Denver, City and County, Board of Water 

Commissioners (w): 

Denver Regional Council of Governments (w): 

Eagle County Board of Commissioners (w): 

Englewood, City of, Wastewater Treatment 

Plant (w): 

Evergreen Metropolitan District (w); 

Fort Collins, City of (w): 

Fountain Valley Authority (w): 

Garfield, County of (w); 

Glendale, City of (w): 

Glenwood Springs, City of (w): 

Golden, City of (w); 

Jefferson County Board of County 

Commissioners (w); 

Longmont, City of (w); 

Loveland, City of (w): 

Lower Fountain Water-Quality Management 

Association (w): 

Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District 

No. l (w); 

Moffat, County of (w): 

Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (w): 

Northglenn, City of (w); 

Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (w); 

Pitkin County Board of Commissioners (w): 

Pueblo Board of Water Works (w); 

Pueblo County Commissioners (w); 

Pueblo County Department of Public Safety and 

Operations (w); 

Pueblo West Metropolitan District (w): 

Rio Blanco, County of (w); 

Rio Grande Water Conservation District (w); 

St. Charles Mesa Water Association (w): 

Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy 

District (w); 

Southern Ute Indian Tribe (g.w): 

102 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

Southwestern Colorado Water Conservancy 

District (w): 

Steamboat Springs, City of (w): 

Thornton, City of (w); 

Trinchera Conservancy District (w); 

Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (w): 

Cpper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (w): 

Upper Arkansas River Water Conservancy 

District (w); 

Upper Eagle Valley Water and Sanitation 

Districts (w); 

Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District (w): 

Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (w); 

Ute Mountain Indian Tribe (w); 

Vail Valley Conservation Water Authority (w); 

Westminster. City of (w): 

Yellow Jacket Water Conservancy District (w). 

Connecticut 

Connecticut Department of Environmental 

Protection (g,n,w); 

Fairfield, Town of, Conservation Commission (w): 

New Britain. City of, Board of Water 

Commissioners (w); 

Norwich Sewer Authority (w); 

South Central Connecticut Regional Water 

Authority (w): 

Torrington. City of (w). 

Delaware 

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and 

Environmental Control (w): 

Geological Survey (n,w). 

District of Columbia 

Department of Public Works (w): 

Metropolitan Washington Council of 

Governments (w). 

Florida 

Boca Raton, City of (w); 


Bradenton, City of (w); 


Brevard County, Board of County 


Commissioners (w): 

Broward CountyEnvironmental Quality Control Board (w), 

Water Resources Management Division (w); 

Cape CoraL City of (w); 


Cocoa, City of (w); 


Daytona Beach, City of (w): 


Florida Department of-


Environmental Regulation, Bureau of 

Laboratories and Special Programs (w), 

Natural Resources (w)­

Division ofMarine Resources (w), 

Recreation and Parks (Hobe 

Sound) (w), 

Recreation and Parks (Tallahassee) (w), 

Survey and Mapping (n), 

Transportation (n,w): 

Florida Institute of Phosphate Research (w); 

Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (w); 

Fort Lauderdale, City of (w): 

Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (w); 

Hallandale, City of (w); 

Highland Beach, Town of (w): 

Hillsborough, County of (w): 

Hollywood, City of (w): 

Jacksonville, City ofDepartment of Health and Environmental 

Services (w), 

Department of Planning (w); 

Jacksonville Electric Authority (w); 

Jacksonville Beach, City of (w); 

Lake County Board of County CommissionersTavares (w), 

Fort Myers (w); 

Lake County Water Authority (w); 

Lake Mary, City of (w); 

Lee County Board of County Commissioners (w); 

Madison. City of (w); 

Manatee CountyBoard of County Commissioners (w), 

Port Authority (w), 

Public Health Unit (w): 

Marion County Board of County 

Commissioners (w); 

Metropolitan Dade County Department of 

Environment Resources Management (w); 

Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Authority (w); 

Northwest Florida Water Management District (w): 

Ocala, City of (w): 

Palm Beach County Board of County 

Commissioners (w); 

Perry, City of (w): 

Pinellas, County of (w): 

Polk County Board of County Commissioners (w): 

Pompano Beach, City of (w): 

Port Orange. City of (w); 

Reedy Creek Improvement District (w): 

Sarasota. City of (w); 

Sarasota, County of (w); 

South Florida Water Management District (w); 

South Indian River Water Control District (w); 

Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (w): 

Southwest Florida Water Management District (w); 

St. Johns, County of (w); 

St. Johns River Water Management District (w); 

St. Petersburg, City of (w); 

Stuart, City of (w); 

Suwannee River Water Management District 

(Live Oak) (w); 

Tallahassee, City ofElectric Department (w), 

Underground Utilities (w). 

Water Quality Laboratory (w); 

Tampa, City of (w); 


Tampa Port Authority (w): 


University of South Florida (g): 


Walton, County of (w): 


West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority (w); 


Winter Park, City of (w). 


Georgia 

Albany, City of (w); 


Albany Water, Gas, and Light Commission (w); 


Bibb County Board of County Commissioners (w); 


Blairsville, City of (w); 


Brunswick, City of (w); 


California Air Resources Board (w); 


Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning 


Commission (w): 

Chestatee-Chattahoochee Resource Conservation 

and Development (w): 

Clayton County Water Authority (w); 

Cobb, County of (w): 

Covington, City of (w): 

Georgia Department ofNatural ResourcesEnvironmental Protection DivisionWater Management Branch (w), 

Water Quality Support Program (w), 

Geologic Survey (n,w), 

Transportation (w)­

at Atlanta (w), 


at Forest Park (w); 


Georgia Mountain Regional Development 

Center (w): 

Georgia State University, Department of 

Geology (g,w); 

Gwinnett, County of (w); 

Helena, City of (w); 

Macon-Bibb County Water and Sewage 

Authority (w); 

Moultrie, City of (w); 

Springfield, City of (w); 

Summerville, City of (w); 

Thomaston, City of (w): 
Thomasville, City of (w); 


Valdosta, City of (w); 


Walton County Board of Commissioners (w). 


Guam 

Guam, Government ofEnvironmental Protection Agency (w), 

Public Utility Agency (w). 

Hawaii 

Hawaii, County of, Department of Water 

Supply (w); 

Hawaii Department ofAgriculture, Division of Agriculture Resource 

Management (w), 

Land and Natural Resources (g), Division of 

Water and Land Development (w), 

Transportation (w); 

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (w); 

Honolulu, City and County of, Department of 

Public Works (g,w); 

Kauai, County of, Department of Water Supply (w); 

Maui, County of, Department of Water Supply (w); 

Office of State Planning (n). 

Idaho 

College of Southern Idaho (w); 

Idaho Department ofHealth and Welfare (w), 

Water Resources (w); 

Nampa, City of (w); 

Nez Perce Tribe (w); 

Shoshone, County of (w); 

Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, (w); 

Southwest Irrigation District (w); 

Teton, County of (w); 

Water District No. 01 (Idaho Falls) (w); 

Water District No. 32D (Dubois) (w). 

Illinois 


Bloomington and Normal Sanitary District (w); 


Cook County Forest Preserve District (w); 


Decatur, City of (w); 


DeKalb, City of, Public Works Department (w); 


DuPage County Forest Preserve, Planning and 


Development Section (w); 

DuPage County Department of Environmental 

Concerns (w); 

Illinois Department ofEnergy and Natural Resources­


Geological Survey Division (n), 


State Water Survey, Special Studies (w), 


Transportation-


Division of Highways (n), 


Division of Water Resources (w); 


Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (w); 

Lake County Stormwater Management Planning 

Committee (n,w); 

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater 

Chicago (w); 

Springfield, City of (w). 


Indiana 


Carmel, Town of (w); 


Elkhart, City of, Water Works (w); 


Indiana Department of-


Environmental Management (w), 


Highways (w), 


Natural Resources (n), Division of Water (w); 


Indianapolis, City of, Department of Public 

Works (w). 

Iowa 

Carroll County Health Department (w); 

Cedar Rapids, City of (w); 

Charles City, City of (w); 

Des Moines, City of (w), Water Works (w); 

Fort Dodge, City of (w); 

Guthrie County Health Department (w); 

Iowa Department ofTransportation, Highway Division (w), 


Natural Resources, Geological Survey 


Bureau (n,w); 


Iowa State University (w); 

Marshalltown, City of (w); 

University of IowaInstitute of Hydraulic Research (w), 


Hygienic Laboratory (w), 


Physical Plant (w), 


Sewage Disposal Plant (w); 


Sioux City, City of (w); 


Union Electric Company (w); 


Waterloo, City of (w). 


Kansas 


Allen Creek Watershed District (w); 


Arkansas River Compact Administration (w); 


Board of Agriculture, Division of Water 


Resources (w); 

Clay, County of (w); 

Emporia, City of, Department of Public Works (w); 

Geary, County of (w); 

Harvey, County of (w); 

Hays, City of (w); 

Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska (w); 

Kansas Department ofHealth and Environment (w), 

Transportation (w); 

Kansas Geological Survey (n,w); 

Kansas State Board of Agriculture, Division of 

Water Resources (w); 

Kansas State University Department of 

Agronomy (w); 

Kansas UniversityCenter for Research, Inc. (w), 

Department of Geology (w); 

Kansas Water Office (w); 


Linn, County of (w); 


Olathe, City of (w); 


Reno, County of (w); 


Rock Creek Watershed District (w); 


Sac and Fox Tribe of Missouri (w); 


Sumner, County of (w); 


Western Kansas Ground Water Management 


District #1 (w); 

Wichita, City of (w). 


Kentucky 


Elizabethtown, City of (w); 


Fulton, City of (w); 


Jefferson, County of, Department of Public Works 


and Transportation (w); 

Kentucky Department of Natural Resources and 

Environmental Protection Cabinet (w); 

Kentucky State University (w); 

Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (w); 

University of Kentucky, Kentucky Geological 

Survey (n,w); 

University of Louisville (w). 


Louisiana 


Alexandria, City of (w); 


Capital-Area Groundwater Conservation 


Commission (w); 

East Baton Rouge Parish (w); 

Jefferson Parish Department of Public Utilities (w); 

Louisiana Department ofEnvironmental Quality (w), 

Transportation and Development, Office of 

Public Works (n,w), 

Wildlife and Fisheries (w); 

Louisiana Geological Survey, Louisiana State 

University (g); 

Sabine River Compact Administration (w); 

St. John the Baptist Water Works (w); 

University of New Orleans (g); 

West Monroe, City of (w). 

Maine 


Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (w); 


Cobbossee Watershed District (w); 


Greater Portland Council of Governments (w); 


Kennebec Regional Planning Commission (w); 


Maine Department ofConservation, Geological Survey (n,w), 

Transportation (n); 

Maine Low Level Radioactive Waste Authority (w); 

North Maine Regional Planning Commission (w); 

Penobscot Valley Council of Governments (w); 

University of Maine (w). 

Maryland 

Anne Arundel County Planning and Zoning 

Office (w); 

Baltimore CountyDepartment of Permits and Licenses (w), 

Department of Public Works (w), 

Office of Planning and Zoning (w); 

Calvert County Courthouse, Planning and 

Zoning (w); 

Caroline County Courthouse (w); 

Carroll County Commission (w); 

Howard County Department of Public Works (w); 

Maryland Department of the Environment (w); 

Maryland Geological Survey (n,w); 

Maryland State Highway Administration (w); 

Maryland Water Resources Administration (w); 

Montgomery CountyDepartment of Environmental Protection, 

Division of Environmental Planning and 

Monitoring (w), 

Storm Water Management (w); 

Poolesville, Town of (w); 

St. Marys County Commissioners (w); 

Upper Potomac River Commission, Waste 

Treatment Facilities (w); 

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (w). 


Massachusetts 


Barnstable County Commissioners (w); 


Cape Cod Commission (w); 


Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (n); 


Mashpee Water Distribution (w); 


Massachusetts Department of-


Environmental Management, Division of Water 

Resources (w), 

Environmental PollutionDivision of Water Pollution Control (w), 

Division of Water Supply (w), 

Fisheries, Wildlife, and Environmental Law 

Enforcement, Division of Fisheries and 

Wildlife (w), 

Public Works (w); 

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (g); 

Metropolitan District CommissionParks, Engineering and Construction 

Division (w), 

Watershed Management Division (w); 

New England Interstate Water Pollution Control 

Commission (w); 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (g). 

Michigan 

Ann Arbor, City of, Wastewater Treatment 

Plant (w); 

Battle Creek, City of, Public Utilities 

Department (w); 

Cadillac, City of. Wastewater Treatment Plant (w); 

Clare, City of (w); 

Coldwater, City of, Board of Public Utilities (w); 

Elsie, Village of, Department of Public Works (w); 

Flint, City of, Department of Public Works and 

Utilities (w); 

Genesee County Drain Commission, Division of 

Water and Waste Services (w); 

Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (w); 

Huron, County of (w); 

Imlay, City of (w); 

Kalamazoo, City of, Department of Public 

Utilities (w); 

Lansing, City of, Board of Water and Light, Water 

and Stream Division (w); 

Macomb, County of (w); 

Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors 1 03 
Mason, City of (w); 

Michigan Department ofNatural Resources (w), 

Transportation (w); 

Monroe County Health Department, Environmental 

Health Division (w); 

Negaunee, City of, Water and Wastewater 

Treatment Plant (w); 

Norway, City of (w); 

Oakland County Drainage Commission (w); 

Otsego County Road Commission (w); 

Portage, City of (w); 

Portland, City of (w); 

Wayne, County of, Division of Environmental 

Health (w); 

Wayne State University (g); 

Ypsilanti, City of (w). 

Minnesota 

Beltrami County SWCD (w); 


Elm Creek Conservation Commission (w); 


Fond Du Lac Reservation Business Committee (w); 


Hennepin County Conservation District (w); 


Leech Lake Reservation Business Committee, 


Division of Resources Management (w); 

Lower Red River Watershed Management 

District (w); 

Metropolitan Waste Control Commission (w); 

Mille Lacs Reservation Business Committee (w); 

Minneapolis Water Works (w); 

Minnesota Department ofNatural Resources (g), Division of Waters (w), 

Transportation (w); 

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (w); 

Northwest Minnesota Ground Water (w); 

Red Lake Reservation Business Committee (w); 

Rochester Public Utilities (w); 

St. Paul, City of, Water Utility (w); 

University of Minnesota, Department of Soil 

Science (w); 

Vadnais Lake Area Watershed Management 

Organization (w); 

White Earth Reservation Business Commission (w). 

Mississippi 

Harrison, County ofBoard of Supervisors (w), 

Development Commission (w); 

Jackson, City of (w); 

Jackson, County ofBoard of Supervisors (w), 

Port Authority (w); 

Mississippi Department ofEnvironmental QualityBureau of Geology (w), 

Bureau of Land and Water Resources (w), 

Bureau of Pollution Control (w), 

Highways (w); 

Pat Harrison Waterway District (w); 

Pearl River Basin Development District (w); 

Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (w). 

Missouri 

Branson, City of (w); 


Cape Girardeau, City of (w); 


Little River Drainage District (w); 


Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (w); 


Missouri Department of-


Conservation (w), 


Health (w), 


Natural Resources-


Division of Environmental Quality (w), 


Division of Geology and Land 


Survey (n,w), 


Land Reclamation Commission (w); 


Missouri Highway and Transportation 


Commission (n,w); 

Springfield, City of, City Utilities (w); 

St. Francis County Environmental Corporation (w); 

Watershed Commission of the Ozarks (w); 

104 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

University of Missouri-Columbia, Department of 

Geology (w). 

Montana 

Blackfeet Nation (w); 


Fort Belknap Indian Community (w); 


Fort Peck Tribes (w); 


Helena, City of (w); 


Lewis and Clark City-County Health 


Department (w); 

Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (w); 

Montana Department ofFish, Wildlife, and Parks (w), 


Health and Environmental Sciences (w), 


Highways (w), 


Natural Resources and Conservation (w), 


State Lands (w); 


Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Flathead 

Reservation (w); 

Wyoming State Engineer (w). 

Nebraska 

Central Platte Natural Resources District (w); 

Kansas-Nebraska Big Blue River Compact 

Administration (w); 

Lincoln, City of (w); 

Little Blue Natural Resources District (w); 

Lower Loup Natural Resources District (w); 

Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (w); 

Lower Republican Natural Resources District (w); 

Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District (w); 

Middle Republican Natural Resources District (w); 

Nebraska Department ofEnvironmental Control (w), 

Water Resources (w); 

Nebraska Natural Resources Commission (w); 

Nemaha Natural Resources District (w); 

North Platte Natural Resources District (w); 

South Platte Natural Resources District (w); 

Twin Platte Natural Resources District (w); 

University of Nebraska, Conservation and Survey 

Division (w); 

Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District (w); 

Upper Loup Natural Resources District (w); 

Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources 

District (w); 

Upper Republican Natural Resources District (w). 

Nevada 

Carson City Department of Public Works (w); 


Clark County Regional Flood Control District (w); 


Clark County Sanitation District (w); 


Douglas, County of (w); 


Elko, County of (w); 


Las Vegas, City of (w); 


Las Vegas Valley Water District (g); 


Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (g,w); 


Nevada Department of-


Conservation and Natural ResourcesDivision of Environmental Protection (w), 

Division of Water Resources (w), 

Human Resources, Division of Health, 

Consumer Health Protection Service (w), 

Transportation (w); 

Regional Water Planning and Advisory Board of 

Washoe County (w); 

South Lake Tahoe Public Utility District (w); 

Summit Lake Paiute Indian Tribe (w); 

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (w); 

University of Nevada (g). 

New Hampshire 

New Hampshire Department of­


Environmental Services (w), 


Transportation (n). 


New Jersey 

Bergen County Department of Public Works (w); 


Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority (w); 


Cape May, City of (w); 


Gloucester County Planning Commission (w); 


Lower, Township of, Municipal Utilities 

Authority (w); 

Morris City Municipal Utilities Authority (w); 

New Brunswick, City of (w); 

New Jersey Department ofAgriculture (w), 

Environmental Protection (n), Division of 

Water Resources (w); 

North Jersey District Water Supply 

Commission (w); 

Passaic Valley Water Commission (w); 

Pinelands Commission (w); 

Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders (w); 

Washington Township Municipal Utilities 

Authority (w); 

West Windsor, Township of (w); 

Wildwood, City of (w); 

Woodstown Sewerage Authority (w). 

New Mexico 

Alamogordo, City of (w); 


Albuquerque, City of (w); 


Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control 


Authority (w); 

Bernalillo, County of (w); 

Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (w); 

Costilla Creek Compact Commission (w); 

Elephant Butte Irrigation District (w); 

Gallup, City of (w); 

Highlands University, School of Science and 

Technology (w); 

Las Cruces, City of (w); 

Las Vegas, City of (w); 

Los Alamos, County of (w); 

Navajo Indian Nation (w); 

New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral 

Resources, Division of Mining and 

Technology (w); 

New Mexico Environmental Improvement 

Division (w); 

New Mexico Department of Highways (w); 

New Mexico Institute of Mining and 

Technology (g); 

New Mexico State University Agricultural 

Experiment Station (w); 

Office of the State Engineer (w); 

Pecos River Commission (w); 

Pueblo of Acoma (w); 

Pueblo of Zuni (w); 

Raton, City of (w); 

Rio Grande Compact Commission (w); 

Rio San Jose Flood Control District (w); 

Ruidoso, Village of (w); 

Santa Fe Metropolitan Water Board (w); 

Santa Rosa, City of (w). 

New York 

Amherst, Town of, Engineering Department (w); 


Auburn, City of (w); 


Brookhaven, Town of (w); 


Chautauqua, County of, Department of Planning 


and Development (w); 

Cheektowaga, Town of (w); 

Chenango, County of (w); 

Cornell UniversityDepartment of Natural Resources (w), 

Department of Utilities (w); 


Cortland County Planning Department (w); 


Dutchess, County of, Environmental 


Management (w); 


Essex, County of, Planning Department (w); 


Hamilton College (g); 


Hudson-Black River Regulating District (w); 


Kiryas Joel, Village of (w); 


Long Island Regional Planning Board (w); 


Monroe, County of, Department of Health (w); 


Nassau, County of-


Department of Health (w), 


Department of Public Works (w); 

New York City Department of Environmental 

Protection, Air and Water Resources-Energy (w); 

New York State Department ofEnvironmental Conservation-


Division of Fish and Wildlife (w), 


Division of Water (w), 


Transportation, Bridge and Construction 

Bureau (w); 

New York State Power Authority (w); 

Nyack, Village of. Board of Water 

Commissioners (w); 

Onondaga, County ofDepartment of Drainage (w). 

Water Authority (w); 

Orange County Water Authority (w); 


Putnam, County of, Department of Planning (w); 


Seneca County Soil Conservation District (w); 


Suffolk, County of-


Department of Health Services (w), 

Water Authority (w); 

Tompkins, County of, Department of Planning (w); 

Ulster, County of. County Legislators (w); 

Vermont Department of Environmental 

Conservation (w). 

North Carolina 

Asheville, City of (w); 


Bethel, Town of (w); 


Brevard. City of (w); 


Chapel Hill, Town of (w); 


Charlotte, City of (w); 


Durham, City of, Department of Water 


Resources (w); 

Fayetteville, City of (w); 

Forsyth, County of (w); 

Greensboro, City of (w); 

Guilford County S.W.C.D. (w); 

Lexington, City of (w); 

Mecklenburg, County of (w); 

North Carolina State Department ofEnvironment, Health, and Natural 


Resources (g.w), 


Natural Resources and Community 


Development (n), 


Transportation, Division of Highways (w); 

Raleigh, City of (w); 

Rocky Mount, City of (w); 

Triangle Area Water Supply Monitoring, Project 

Steering Committee (w). 

North Dakota 

Dickinson, City of (w); 


Lower Heart River Water Resources District (w); 


Minot, City of, Public Works Department (w); 


North Dakota Department of-


Game and Fish (w), 


Health (w), 


Parks and Recreation (w). 


Transportation (w); 


North Dakota Geological Survey (w); 


Oliver County Board of Commissioners (w); 


Public Service Commission (w); 


State Water Commission (w); 


Three Affiliated Tribes Natural Resources 


Department (w). 

Ohio 

Akron, City of (w); 


Canton, City of, Water Department (w); 


Columbus, City of (w); 


Eastgate Development and Transportation 


Agency (w); 

Fremont, City of (w); 

Lima, City of (w); 

Miami Conservancy District (w); 

Oberlin College (g); 

Ohio Department ofNatural Areas and Preserves (w); 


Natural Resources-


Division of Water (w), 


Division of Reclamation (w), 

Transportation (n,w); 

Ohio State University (g.w); 

Ross, County of (w); 

Seneca Soil and Water District (w); 

Sumit, County of (w); 

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of 

Governments (w); 

University of Cincinnati, Department of 

Geology (w); 

University of Toledo (w). 

Oklahoma 

Ada, City of (w); 


Altus, City of (w); 


Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (w); 


Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy 


District (w); 

Fort Cobb Reservoir Master Conservancy 

District (w); 

Foss Reservoir Master Conservancy District (w); 

Lawton, City of (w); 

Lugert-Altus Irrigation District (w); 

Mountain Park Master Conservancy District (w); 

Norman, City of, Public Works (w); 

Oklahoma City, City of, Department of Water 

Resources (w); 

Oklahoma Department of Transportation (n); 

Oklahoma Geological Survey, University of 

Oklahoma (w); 

Oklahoma State Health Department (w); 

Oklahoma Water Resources Board (w); 

Tulsa, City ofWater and Sewer Department (w), 

Department of Storm Water Management (w); 

Wellston, City of (w). 

Oregon 

Clark County Intergovernmental Resources 

Center (w); 

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Indian 

Reservation (w); 

Coos Bay-North Bend Water Board (w); 

Douglas County Board of Commissioners (w); 

Eugene, City of, Water and Electric Board (w); 

Jackson, County of (w); 

Klamath Tribe (w); 

McMinnville, City of, Water and Light 

Department (w); 

Oregon Department ofFish and Wildlife (w), 

Geology and Mineral Industries (n), 

Human Resources, State Health Division (w), 

Natural Resources, Analysis and Planning 

Management Services Division (w), 


Transportation, Highway Division (w), 


Water Resources (w); 


Portland, City ofBureau of-


Environmental Services (w), 


Water Works (w). 


Pennsylvania 

Allentown, City of, Engineering Department (w); 


Bryn Mawr College (g); 


Bethlehem, City of (w); 


Bucks, County of (w); 


Chester, County of, Water Resources Authority (w); 


Delaware County Solid Waste Authority (w); 


Delaware River Basin Commission (w); 


Erie, County of, Department of Health (w); 


Harrisburg, City of, Department of Public 


Works (w); 

Joint Planning Commission of Lehigh-Northampton 

Counties (w); 

Lehigh University (g); 

Letort Regional Authority (w); 

Media Borough Water Department (w); 

New York State Department of Environmental 

Conservation (w); 

North Penn Water Authority (w); 


North Wales Water Authority (w); 


Philadelphia, City of, Water Department (w); 


Pennsylvania Department of-


Environmental ResourcesBureau of Community Environmental 

Control (w), 

Bureau of Mining and Reclamation (w), 

Bureau of Soil and Water 

Conservation (w), 

Bureau of Topographic and Geologic 

Survey (n,w), 

Bureau of Water Quality Management (w), 

Bureau of Water Resources 

Management (w); 

Susquehanna River Basin Commission (w); 

University Area Joint Authority (w); 

University of Delaware, Geological Survey (w); 

Williamsport, City of, Bureau of Flood Control (w). 

Puerto Rico 

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (w); 

Puerto Rico DepartmentHealth (w), 

Natural Resources (w); 

Puerto Rico Energy and Power Authority (w); 

Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (w); 

Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (w); 

Puerto Rico Mineral Resources Development 

Corporation (g); 

Puerto Rico Planning Board (w); 

Virgin Islands Department of Natural 

Resources (w); 

Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (w). 

Rhode Island 

Governor's Office of Housing, Energy, and 

Intergovernmental Relations (w); 

Narragansett Bay Water Quality Commission (w); 

New Shoreham, Town of (w); 

Rhode Island State Department of Environmental 

Management, Division of Water Resources (w); 

State Water Resources Board (w); 

University of Rhode Island (n). 

South Carolina 

Beaufort-Jasper County Water Authority (w); 


Charleston Commission of Public Works (w); 


Cooper River Water Users Association (w); 


Lee, County of (w); 


Myrtle Beach, City of (w); 


North Myrtle Beach, City of (w); 


Oconee County Sewer Commission (w); 


South Carolina State-


Department of Health and Environmental 

Control (w), 

Department of Highways and Public 

Transportation (w), 


Geological Survey (w), 


Public Service Authority (w), 


Water Resources Commission (n,w); 


South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium (w); 


Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District (w); 


Spartanburg Water System (w); 


Waccamaw Regional Planning and Development 


Commission (w); 

Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority (w); 

York, County of (w). 

South Dakota 

Belle Fourche Irrigation District (w); 


East Dakota Water Development District (w); 


Lawrence, County of (w); 


Mellette/Todd County Water Quality Board (w); 


Rapid City, City of (w); 


Rosebud Sioux Tribe (w); 


Sioux Falls, City of (w); 


Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe (w); 


South Dakota Department of-


Game, Fish and Parks (w), 


Custer State Park Division (w), 


Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors 1 05 
Transportation (w), 

Water and Natural ResourcesGeological Survey Division (w), 

Water Resource Management Division (w), 

Water Quality Division (w), 

Water Rights Division (w); 

South Dakota North Central Resource Conservation 

and Development (w); 

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (w); 

South Dakota State University (w); 

Watertown, City of (w); 

West Dakota Water Development District (w). 

Tennessee 

Alamo, City of (w); 

Alcoa, City of (w); 

Bartlett, City of (w); 

Blountville, City of, Utility District (w); 

Collinwood, City of (w); 

Columbia, City of (w); 

Dickson, City of (w); 

Eastside Utility District (w); 

Erwin, Town of (w); 

Franklin, City of (w); 

Germantown, City of (w); 

Hixson Utility District (w); 

Humphreys County Commissioners (w); 

Jackson, City of, Utility Division (w); 

Johnson City, City of (w); 

Knoxville, City of (w); 

Lawrenceburg, City of (w); 

Lebanon, City of (w); 

Lincoln, County of, Board of Public Utilities (w); 

McMinnville, City of (w); 

Memphis, City of, Light, Gas, and Water 

Division (w); 

Memphis State University (w); 

Metropolitan Governments, Nashville, City of, and 

Davidson, County of, Department of Public 

Works (w); 

Murfreesboro, City of, Water and Sewer 

Department (w); 

Rogersville, Town of (w); 

Sevierville, City of (w); 

Shelby, County of, Public Works (w); 

Suck Creek Utility District (w); 

Tennessee Department ofAgriculture (w), 

Health and EnvironmentConstruction, Grants, and Loans (w), 

Office of Water Programs (w), 

Transportation-


Division of Planning (w), 


Division of Structures (w); 


Tennessee State Planning Office (w); 


Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (w); 


Townsend, Town of (w); 


University of Tennessee (w); 


Upper Duck River Development Agency (w); 


Wartrace, City of (w). 


Texas 

Abilene, City of (w); 


Arlington, City of (w); 


Austin, City of, Regulatory Affairs and Quality 


Control (w); 


Bexar-Medina-Atascosa Counties, Water 


Improvement District No. 1 (w); 


Brazos River Authority (w); 


Coastal Water Authority (w); 


Colorado River Municipal Water District (w); 


Corpus Christi, City of (w); 


Dallas, City of, Public Works Department (w); 


Edwards Underground Water District (w); 


El Paso, City of, Public Service Board (w); 


Fort Worth, City of, Water Department, Water 


Pollution Control (w); 


Franklin, County of, Water District (w); 


Gainesville, City of (w); 


106 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

Galveston, County of (w); 


Garland, City of (w); 


Georgetown, City of (w); 


Graham, City of (w); 


Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water 


Authority (w); 

Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (w); 

Harris, County of, Flood Control District (w); 

Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District (w); 

Houston, City of (w); 

Lavaca-Navidad River Authority (w); 

Lower Colorado River Authority (w); 

Lower Neches Valley Authority (w); 

Lubbock, City of (w); 

Lunar and Planetary Institute (g); 

Nacogdoches, City of (w); 

North Central Texas Municipal Water 

Authority (w); 

North Texas Municipal Water District, Research 

and Development (w); 

Northeast Texas Municipal Water District (w); 

Orange, County of (w); 

Pecos River Commission (w); 

Red Bluff Water Power Control District (w); 

Red River Authority (w); 

Rice University (g); 

Sabine River Authority of Texas (w); 

Sabine River Compact Administration (w); 

San Angelo, City of (w); 

San Antonio Alamo Conservation and Reuse 

District (w); 

San Antonio, City ofPublic Service Board (w), 

Water Board (w), 

Water Resources Management Division (w); 

San Antonio River Authority (w); 


San Jacinto River Authority (w); 


Tarrant, County of, Water Control and 


Improvement District No. 1 (w); 

Texas Water Commission (w); 

Texas Water Development Board (w); 

Titus, County of, Fresh Water Supply District 

No.1 (w); 


Trinity River Authority (w); 


University of Texas (g); 


Upper Guadalupe River Authority (w); 


Upper Neches River Municipal Water 


Authority (w); 


West Central Texas Municipal Water District (w); 


Wichita, County of, Water Improvement District 


No.2 (w); 


Wichita Falls, City of (w). 


Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 

Federated States of Micronesia-


State of Kosrae (w), 


State of Ponape (w); 


Northern Mariana Islands, Government of (g,w), 


Commonwealth of, Utility Commission (w), 


Municipality of-


Rota (w), 

Tinian (w); 


Republic of Palau (w); 


Samoa, Government of (w). 


Utah 

Bear River Commission (w); 


Confederated Tribes of the Goshute 


Reservation (g); 

Five County Association (w); 

Moon Lake Electric Association (w); 

Ogden River Water Users (w); 

Salt Lake City-County Department of Health (w); 

Salt Lake, County of, Division of Flood Control (w); 

Tooele, City of (w); 

Tooele, County of (w); 

Utah Department ofAgriculture, Environmental Quality Section (w), 

Health, Division of Environmental Health (w), 

Natural ResourcesGeological and Mineral Survey (g,n,w), 

Oil, Gas, and Mining Division (w), 

State Lands and Forestry Division (g). 

Water Resources Division (w), 

Water Rights Division (w), 

Wildlife Resources Division (w), 

Transportation (w); 

Weber Basin Water Conservancy District (w); 

Weber River Water Users (w). 

Vermont 

Agency of Natural Resources (g,n); 


Department of Environmental Conservation (w). 


Virginia 

Accomack-Northampton Planning District 

Commission (w); 

Alexandria, City of (w); 

Delaware Geological Survey (w); 

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (w); 

Henrico, County of, Department of Public 

Utilities (w); 

James City, County of (w); 

James City Service Authority (w); 

Loudoun, County of (g); 

Maryland, Department ofEnvironment (w), 

State Highways (w); 

Mount Rogers Planning District Commission (w); 

Newport News, City of (w); 

Northern Virginia Planning District 

Commission (w); 

Prince William Health District (w); 

Rappahannock-Rapidan Planning District 

Commission (w); 

Roanoke, City of (w); 

Southeastern Public Service Authority of 

Virginia (w); 

University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences (w); 

Virginia Department ofMines, Minerals, and Energy, Division of 

Mineral Resources (n), 

Transportation (w); 

Virginia Beach, City of, Department of Public 

Utilities (w); 

Virginia State Water Control Board (w); 

Williamsburg, City of (w); 

York, County of (w). 

Washington 

Bellevue, City of, Public Works Department (w); 


Centralia, City of, Light Department (w); 


Chelan, County of, Public Utility District No. 1 (w); 


Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian 


Reservation (w); 

Douglas, County of, Public Utility District No. 1 (w); 

Hoh Indian Tribe (w); 

King, County of, Department of Public Works (w); 

Kitsap, County of, Public Utility District No. 1 (w); 

Lewis, County of, Public Works Department (w); 

Okanogan, County of, Department of Public 

Works (w); 


Pend Oreille, County of, Public Utility District 


No.1 (w); 


Pierce, County of (w); 


Portland, City of, Bureau of Water Works (w); 


Puget Sound Water Quality Authority (w); 


Quinault Business Committee (w); 


Seattle, City of, Department of Lighting (w); 


Seattle-King County Department of Public 


Works (w); 


Skagit, County of (w), Department of Public 


Works (w); 


Snohomish, County of (w); 


Swinomish Tribal Community (w); 


Tacoma, City of, Department of-


Public Utilities (w), 


Public Works (w); 

Thurston, County of, Department ofHealth (w), 

Public Works (w); 

Washington Department ofAdministration, Capitol Buildings and Grounds 

Facilities (w), 


Ecology (n,w), 


Emergency Management (w), 


Fisheries (w), 


Natural Resources (g,n); 


University of Washington (g); 

Whatcom, County of, Department of Public 

Works (w); 

Yakima Tribal Council (w). 

West Virginia 

Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and 

Development Council (w); 

Morgantown, City of, Utility Board (w); 

Region VII Planning and Development Council (w); 

Research Corporation, Marshall university (w); 

Washington Public Service District (w); 

West Virginia Department ofCommerce (w), 


Health, Office of Environmental Health 


Services (w), 


Highways (w), 


Natural Resources, Division of Water 


Resources (w); 

West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey (w). 


Wisconsin 


Bad River Tribal Council (w); 


Balsam Lake Protection and Rehabilitation 


District (w); 

Beaver Dam, City of (w); 

Big Muskego Lake (w); 

Chippewa, County of, Land Conservation 

Department (w); 

Dane, County ofDepartment of Public Works (w), 

Regional Planning Commission (w); 

Delavan, Town of (w); 


Delton, Town of (w); 


Fond Du Lac, City of (w); 


Fowler Lake Management District (w); 


Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District (w); 


Green Lake Sanitary District (w); 


Hillsboro, City of (w); 


Hills Lake Management District (w); 


Lac Courte Oreilles Governing Board (w); 


Little Muskego Lake District (w); 


Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (w); 


Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin (w); 


Oconomowoc Lake, Village of (w); 


Okauchee Lake Management District (w); 


Oneida Tribe of Indians (w); 


Peshtigo, City of (w); 


Powers Lake, District of (w); 


Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewas (w); 


Rock, County of (w); 


Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning 


Commission (w); 

Thorp, City of (w); 

University of Wisconsin, Extension, Geological and 

Natural History Survey (n,w); 

Waukesha Water Utility (w); 

Waupun, City of (w); 

Wind Lake Management District (w); 

Wisconsin Department ofJustice (w), 


Natural Resources (w), 


Transportation, Division of Highways (w); 


Wisconsin Winnebago Business Committee (w); 


Wittenberg, Village of (w). 


Wyoming 


Attorney General (w); 


Cheyenne, City of (w); 


Evanston, City of (w); 


Evansville, Town of (w); 


Gillette, City of (w); 


Laramie, County of (w); 


Midvale Irrigation District (w); 


Northern Arapahoe Tribe (w); 


Pinedale, City of (w); 


Shoshone Tribe (g,w); 


Teton, County of (w); 


Uinta, County of (w); 


Water Development Commission (w); 


Wind River Environmental Quality Commission (w); 


Wind River Indian Reservation (g); 


Wyoming Department of-


Agriculture (w), 


Environmental Quality (w), 


Game and Fish (w), 


Highways (w); 


Wyoming Governor's Office (w); 

Wyoming State Engineer (n,w); 

Wyoming Water Research Center (w). 

Federal Cooperators 

Central Intelligence Agency (g,n) 

Department of Agriculture 

Agricultural Research Service (n,w); 

Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation 

Service (n,w); 

Forest Service (g,n,w); 

National Agricultural Statistics Service (n); 


Soil Conservation Service (n,w). 


Department of the Air Force (w) 


Air Force Academy (w); 


Hanscom Air Force Base (g); 


Headquarters, AFTAC/AC (g); 


MacDill Air Force Base (w); 


Occupational and Environmental Health 


Laboratory (w); 

Patrick Air Force Base (g); 

Vandenberg Air Force Base (w). 

Department of the Army (n,w) 


Aberdeen Proving Ground (w); 


Belvoir RD&E Center (g); 


Corps of Engineers (g,n,w); 


Engineer Topographic Laboratory (g,w); 


Fort Carson Military Reservation (w); 


Lab Command, Adelphi (g); 


Picatinny Arsenal (w); 


Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg (g); 


White Sands Missile Range (w). 


Department of Commerce 


Bureau of the Census (n); 


National Institute of Standards and Technology (g); 


National Oceanic and Atmospheric 


Administration (g,n,w); 

National Weather Service (n,w). 


Department of Defense Agencies 


Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (g); 


Defense Intelligence Agency (g); 


Defense Logistics Agency (w); 


Defense Mapping Agency (g,n); 


Defense Nuclear Agency (g); 


National Guard Bureau (w). 


Department of Energy (g,n,w) 


Bonneville Power Administration (w); 


Hanford Project (w); 


Health and Environmental Research (g); 


Idaho Operations Office (g,w); 


Los Alamos National Laboratory (g); 


Nevada Operations Office (g,w); 


Oak Ridge Operations Office (g,w); 


Sandia National Laboratories (g,w); 


Savannah River Operations Office (g,w); 


Situ-Field Research, Morgantown, West 


Virginia (g); 

Test Operations Office, Las Vegas, Nevada (g). 

Department of the Interior 


Bureau of Indian Affairs (g,n,w); 


Bureau of Land Management (g,n,w); 


Bureau of Mines (n,w); 


Bureau of Reclamation (g,w); 


Minerals Management Service (g); 


National Park Service (g,n,w); 


Office of the Secretary (g,w); 


Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and 


Enforcement (w); 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (g,n,w). 

Department ofJustice (w) 

Department of the Navy (w) 

Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology 

Center (g); 

Naval Oceanographic Office (g); 

Naval Ocean Systems Center (g); 

Naval Weapons Center, China Lake (g,w); 

Office of Naval Research (g); 

U.S. Marine Corps (w). 


Department of State (g) 


Agency for International Development (g,n); 


Foreign and Nonforeign Governments (g); 


Government of Saudi Arabia (g); 


International Boundary and Water Commission, 


U.S. and Mexico (w); 

International Joint Commission, U.S. and 

Canada (w). 

Department of Transportation 

Federal Highway Administration (g,w); 

U.S. Coast Guard (w). 


Environmental Protection Agency (g,n,w) 


Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory (w); 


Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory (g); 


Office of Radiation Programs (g). 


Federal Emergency Management Agency (g,w) 


Federal Energy Regulating Commission 


Licensees (w) 

Library of Congress (n) 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

(g,n,w) 

National Science Foundation (g,n,w) 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (g) 

Tennessee Valley Authority (n,w) 

Veterans Administration (g,w) 

Other Cooperators and 

Contributors 

American Society for Photogrammetry and 

Remote Sensing (n) 

United Arab Emirates (w) 


United Nations (g,w) 


Inter-America Development Bank (g); 


Organization of American States (w); 


United Nations Development Program (n); 


Unesco (w); 


World Bank (g,w). 


Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors 1 07 
Yearbook Staff 


The staff of the USGS Yearbook appreciates comments from readers. If there are features that you particularly enjoy 

reading or information that you would like to have, but is not included, please let us know. Write to Managing Editor, USGS 

Yearbook, 119 National Center, Reston, VA 22092. 

Eloise Byrd National Mapping Division Dave Murphy Graphic Designer 

Bonnie D'Agostino Geologic Division Linda Jacobsen Editor 

Sandye Holmes Water Resources Division Carolyn McQuaig Typographer 

Sandy Jefferson Administrative Division 

Gail Wendt Managing Editor Marti Quigley Information Systems Division 

Please call or write to the following 1990 yearbook authors if you have questions or comments about the information in 

specific articles. (See the top of page 97 for full regional addresses.) 

Joseph A. Aquilino (703) 648-7020 809 National Center Thomas P. Miller (907) 786-7454 Gould Hall, A.P.U. 

Richard L. Bernknopf (703) 648-6726 922 National Center 4200 University Drive 

Paul D. Capel (612) 229-2646 702 Post Office Bldg. Anchorage, AK 99508-4667 

St. Paul, MN 55101 Warren J. Nokleberg (415) 329-5732 904 Bldg. 2 

David E. Catts (703) 648-4587 521 National Center 345 Middlefield Rd. 

Paul Celluzzi (703) 648-7113 801 National Center Menlo Park, CA 94025 

Eliot J. Christian (703) 648-7256 206 National Center William W. Patton, Jr. (415) 329-5717 904 Bldg. 2 

Steven M. Colman (508) 457-2341 Gosnold Bldg. 345 Middlefield Rd. 

Quissett Campus Menlo Park, CA 94025 

Woods Hole, MA 02540 Eddie G. Powell (303) 236-5900 202 Denver Federal Center 

John E. Cordyack (703) 648-7313 208 National Center David A. Rickert (703) 648-6864 412 National Center 

Michael A. Domaratz (703) 648-4533 590 National Center Rafael W. Rodriguez (809) 724-5030 P.O. 5917 Puerta De Tierra 

Robin G. Fegeas (703) 648-4511 521 National Center San Juan, PR 00906 

Donald L. Gautier (303) 236-5711 934 Denver Federal Center Kathleen B. Rutledge (703) 648-7422 215 National Center 

Donald A. Goolsby (303) 236-593 7 406 Denver Federal Center Richard D. Sanchez (703) 648-5121 515 National Center 

Donald J. Grybeck (907) 786-7403 Gould Hall, A.P.U. Kenneth A. Sargent U.S. Geological Survey 

4200 University Drive APO NY 09697-7002 

Anchorage, AK 99508-4667 Brian Schachte (703) 648-7131 804 National Center 

George Gryc (415) 329-4002 144 Bldg. 3 R. Erik Schuck-Kolben (803) 253-3911 Stephenson Center, Suite 129 

345 Middlefield Rd. 720 Gracern Rd. 

Menlo Park, CA 94025 Columbia, SC 29210 

John W. Haines (813) 893-9822 Studebaker Bldg. Mark B. Shasby (907) 786-7020 4230 University Drive, 

600 4th St. South Anchorage, AK 99508-4664 

St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Laurence A. Soderblom (602) 527-7012 Bldg. 1 

Walter W. Hays (703) 648-6711 905 National Center 2255 North Gemini Drive 

Paul P. Hearn (703) 648-6287 957 National Center Flagstaff, AZ 86002 

Tod E. Huffman (703) 648-7128 804 National Center John F. Sutter (703) 648-6964 908 National Center 

Richard A. Hunrichs (916) 978-5441 Federal Bldg. Room W-2234 Kenneth L. Wahl (303) 236-5936 406 Denver Federal Center 

2800 Cottage Way Peter D. Warwick (703) 648-6469 956 National Center 

Sacramento, CA 95825 Richard M.T. Webb (809) 724-5030 P.O. 5917 Puerta De Tierra 

Lionel Kaufman (809) 749-4346 P.O. Box 364424 San Juan, PR 00906 

San Juan. Puerto Rico 00936 John W. Whitney (303) 236-1246 913 Denver Federal Center 

Randolph L. Kirk (602) 527-7015 Bldg. l William G. Wilber (703) 648-6878 412 National Center 

2255 North Gemini Drive Paul Williams U.S. Geological Survey 

Flagstaff, AZ 86002 APO NY 09697-7002 

M. Dean Kleinkopf (303) 236-1412 964 Denver Federal Center Denise A. Wiltshire (703) 648-7114 801 National Center 

Peter W. Lipman (303) 236-1020 903 Denver Federal Center David R. Wolf (703) 648-4538 521 National Center 

Gail E. Mallard (703) 648-6872 412 National Center Ronald G. Worl (303) 236-5603 905 Denver Federal Center 

H. Lindy Mann (703) 648-4608 511 National Center Thomas L. Wright (808) 967-8819 Hawaiian Volcano Observatory 

Charles D. Masters (703) 648-6495 955 National Center P.O. Box 51 

Thomas M. McCulloch (703) 648-4543 521 National Center Hilo, HI 96718 

Alfred S. McEwen (602) 527-7182 Bldg. 1 

2255 North Gemini Drive 

Flagstaff, AZ 86002 

Editor's note: All photographs are by USGS employees unless otherwise noted. 

108 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990 

As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the 

Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our 

nationally owned public lands and natural and cultural 

resources. This includes fostering wise use of our land and 

water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving 

the environmental and cultural values of our national parks 

and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life 

through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our 

energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their 

development is in the best interests of all our people. The 

Department also promotes the goals of the Take Pride in 

America campaign by encouraging stewardship and citizen 

responsibility for the public lands and promoting citizen 

participation in their care. The Department also has a major 

responsibility for American Indian reservation communities 

and for people who live in Island Territories under U.S. 

administration.