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Project Details

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Project Information Sheet

Mapping bedrock geology, Monroe County

Funding Source:	U.S. Geological Survey (National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program) and Indiana Geological Survey
Period of Contract:	5 Jan 2004 to 30 Apr 2007
Status:	active — Definition of status type
Project Director:	Walter Hasenmueller, Todd Thompson, and Brian Keith

Issue

Natural resource needs and population-related impacts require geologic maps and map products in urban areas and along transportation corridors. Specific issues in Indiana that this bedrock geologic mapping addresses are: 1) Distribution and availability of carbonate bedrock for construction aggregate and dimension limestone; 2) Geologic hazards and resource availability related to new highway construction.

Objective

This project anticipates the need for more detailed geologic information to guide planning in and around a major population center along the corridor of the of the Interstate 69 extension from Indianapolis to Evansville. The project is also intended to expedite current scientific studies of the economically important Salem Limestone and related rocks in central Monroe County, and to further refine computer mapping techniques. The detailed geologic framework and databases that this project will create are intended to document karst features and to provide data for the quantitative assessment of dimension and crushed stone resources in the county.

Approach

Geologic mapping began at the north end of Monroe County and has proceeded southward. The project mapping database integrates existing data from a variety of sources, including public-domain data such as petroleum-well records, water-well records, highway test borings, work maps, field notes, measured sections, geologic literature, and other available data from state agencies.

Products

Printed and digital versions of 1:24,000-scale geologic maps and text describing the geology and map units,

Benefits

This project addresses an immediate specific need. The Interstate 69 corridor is intended to link transportation and trade between Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The selected route will pass through Monroe County, and will include major interchanges at Bloomington, one of Indiana's population centers. Geologic maps created during this study should satisfy many of Monroe County's and Bloomington's immediate needs, and will provide the Indiana Department of Transportation needed information for highway construction. As a dimension stone resource and a petroleum and gas reservoir, the Salem Limestone is an important local and national natural resource. Urban growth continues to affect the availability of this resource. Maps and databases generated by this project will help planners evaluate potential areas and locate areas where karst is a potential problems.

Locations Affected:

Greene

Monroe

Morgan

Owen

Indiana House Districts Affected:

#Hou 46

47 60

61 62

Indiana Senate Districts Affected:

#Sen

37

39

40

44

Indiana Congressional Districts Affected:

Information Updated February 8, 2007

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