Director of Indiana Geological Survey to Lead National Association

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John Steinmetz, State Geologist and Director of the Indiana Geological Survey, has been elected to the presidency of the Association of American State Geologists (AASG). Steinmetz was appointed Indiana's State Geologist in 1998; under his direction the Indiana Geological Survey, an institute of Indiana University, has become the primary provider of digital geologic information in the state.

Steinmetz received his B.S. (1969) and M.S. (1975) in geology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his Ph.D. (1978) in marine geology and geophysics from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami. His main areas of research interest are the geology and paleontology of Indiana, and public policy related to the earth sciences. In addition to his duties at the Indiana Geological Survey, he serves on the Governor's Hazard Mitigation Council and the Governor's Groundwater Task Force, and administers the licensing program for professional geologists in the state.

The AASG works to advance the science and practical application of geology. It also serves to coordinate the efforts of state geological surveys and to expand the areas in which state surveys work cooperatively with federal entities. One project of particular importance, in which AASG played a key role, is the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. Today, by working closely with the U.S. Geological Survey and others who are interested in geologic mapping, the program has grown into a successful partnership among state surveys, the federal government, and universities. The AASG also advocates the use of geologic information in the mitigation of natural hazards, provides leadership on the development of digital mapping techniques, supports a cost-efficient federal stream-gauging program, and promotes the preservation geologic data for future generations of scientists.

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