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Project Details

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Project Information Sheet 2004-08

New 1:100,000-scale mapping of the Indiana heartland

Funding Source:	U.S. Geological Survey (National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program)
Period of Contract:	1 May 2001 to 30 Nov 2003
Status:	completed — Definition of status type
Project Director:	Walter A. Hasenmueller and Christina James

Issue

Central Indiana (Indiana heartland) is experiencing an extremely high rate of growth. Planners need accurate bedrock geologic maps to assess local mineral resource deposits that can be used to sustain growth at the lowest possible cost and to identify bedrock aquifers that the increased population is likely to use as a source of ground water.

Objective

We will create and publish 1:100,000-scale maps of the project area depicting the bedrock topography and bedrock geology. Developing digital interpretations of the bedrock surface and the distribution of bedrock units anticipate the demand for computer-generated assessments of resource distribution, quantity, and quality. A relational database will be made available to allow government and industry planners and citizens to rapidly locate geologic data.

Approach

Geologic data from diverse sources were integrated into a relational database for the project area, along with geologic interpretations of those data. Previously tested computer-mapping techniques were used to construct digital interpretations of the bedrock surface and surfaces bounding geologic units in the project area. The bedrock geologic map was constructed by computing and plotting appropriate intersections between the computer-modeled geologic boundary surfaces.

Products

The project database containing the compilation of existing geologic data and new data from water-well logging and field work used to develop interpretations of bedrock geology were made available to the public, a 1:100,000-scale computer-generated bedrock surface, thickness of unconsolidated deposits, and bedrock geologic maps.

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:

Boone Carroll Clinton Delaware Grant

Hamilton Hancock Hendricks Henry Howard

Johnson Madison Marion Montgomery Morgan

Putnam Rush Shelby Tippecanoe Tipton

Information Updated February 2, 2007

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