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Project Details

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Project Information Sheet

Gamma-ray logging program

Funding Source:	U.S. Geological Survey STATEMAP Program and Indiana Geological Survey
Status:	ongoing — Definition of status type
Project Director:	Jennifer Olejnik and Marni D. Karaffa

Issue

Subsurface data provide a fundamental background for the exploration of glacial deposits for purposes such as broad terrain mapping, ground-water sensitivity analysis, or specific environmental applications. A cost-effective means of collecting subsurface sediment and sequence data for use in glacial terrain characterization and mapping is needed in order to illustrate lithologic variation, which will have an impact on creating effective maps for various uses.

Objective

The purpose of this project was to use the most cost-effective way to continue to add data to the large amount of gamma-ray log and sediment information at the Indiana Geological Survey.

Approach

The Indiana Geological Survey collects data using a "holes-of-opportunity" approach consisting of following water-well drillers and using their drilled holes to collect information. We continue to collect new gamma-ray log and sediment data (when possible) on a yearly basis, keeping paper and digital records for each of the gamma-ray logs. We will update and maintain a database with location and related information about the water well, as well as processing the digital information. We will archive digital image files for each log.

Products

The publication, Slow-Logging Subtle Sequences: The Gamma-Ray Log Character of Glacigenic and Other Unconsolidated Sedimentary Sequences, by N.K. Bleuer, Indiana Geological Survey Special Report 65, provides an explanation of gamma-ray log use in glacial-terrain characterization. Future products may include online access to scanned gamma logs and their digital data for use in plotting and graphing software.

Benefits

These data provide an extensive resource of subsurface data in the form of analog and digital gamma-ray logs. These logs provide fundamental background material for the exploration of glacial materials for purposes such as broad terrain mapping, ground-water sensitivity analysis, or specific environmental applications.

Locations Affected:

state

Indiana House Districts Affected:

all

Indiana Senate Districts Affected:

all

Indiana Congressional Districts Affected:

Information Updated February 1, 2007

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