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Project Details

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Project Information Sheet 1999-13

Geologic mapping of the Michiana corridor and Indiana heartland

Funding Source:	U.S. Geological Survey (National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program) and Indiana Geological Survey
Period of Contract:	1 May 1999 to 30 Apr 2000
Status:	completed — Definition of status type
Project Director:	Marni D. Karaffa

Issue

The issues addressed by this project are the dominantly water-related environmental situations and mineral aggregate needs typical of glaciated Midwest; the need for three-dimensional analysis and illustration technique development; and the necessity of developing a standardized digital approach to bedrock mapping.

Objective

The objective of this project is to map glacial and bedrock geology, utilizing the most efficient field approaches and the newest digital analysis and illustration approaches.

Approach

The Indiana Geological Survey (IGS) works with private water-well drilling contractors to obtain geologic samples and down-hole geophysical logs during the construction of domestic water wells. The IGS downhole geophysical logging program was the first of its kind in the Midwest. Having operated the program for more than 25 years, the IGS has created a database of thousands of gamma-ray logs and sample sets focused within glacial terrain. We cooperate with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to edit the water-well database. We are also developing (under separate contracts) three-dimensional visualization, analysis, and presentation tools, as well as a sample study.

Products

We produced digital map products, and visual-dominated explanations that illustrate basic geologic models for regions that combine landscape with subsurface stratigraphy.

Benefits

Accurate geologic maps provide the best possible background for understanding site-specific and regional problems in central Indiana, and can be used for planning exploration and regulatory strategies.

Locations Affected:

Elkhart Grant

Hamilton Howard

Lagrange Madison

Steuben Tipton

Information Updated February 2, 2007

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