Current, detailed geological information about mine subsidence potential, aquifer sensitivity to contamination, karst density, and landslide potential is urgently needed by area planners and policy makers. Production of detailed geological maps of the surficial and bedrock geology is in progress for the Grafton, Elsah, Alton, and O Fallon Quadrangles. Field work to map the Millstadt, French Village, and Cahokia Quadrangles is underway. Karst region in the Metro-East St. Louis area.
Karst land is susceptible to sinkholes, water contamination, and damage from earth hazards.
During the mapping project, Survey geologists learned that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Water Resources had concerns about siltation in Mississippi flood plain wetlands, which is related to the landslide potential of the region. The banks of the creeks draining the bluff areas were experiencing severe erosion and slumping and were delivering large quantities of sediment to the wetlands below. Groundwater and geophysical experts from the Illinois State Geological Survey are working in the Metro-East St. Louis area in Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe Counties, where an ISGS geomapping team is mapping surficial and bedrock geology. Sam Panno examining a water sample in southwestern Illinois. The close physical proximity of the two teams encourages frequent communication, which improves the efficiency and effectiveness of both.