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- Information and Service:
Publications
Arizona Geological Survey publications include several types of
formal publications (maps, bulletins, and the Down-to-Earth
Series), which undergo formal technical and editorial review,
and informal publications (open-file reports, contributed maps,
or contributed reports) which are not reviewed. More information
about these publication series is included on our publications
page.
Earth Science Information Center (ESIC)
When Congress established the United States Geological Survey
(USGS) it gave the Director responsibility for "classification
of the public lands and examination of the geological structure,
mineral resources, and products of the national domain." The
Arizona Legislature established the Arizona Geological Survey
(AZGS) to investigate and describe the geological character of
Arizona and inform the public. Over the years the USGS and the
AZGS have released thousands of geologic maps and reports. In
order to better serve the public the USGS and AZGS entered into
a formal agreement to establish the Earth Science Information
Center (ESIC) to serve as a distribution point for publications
of both agencies. The ESIC is collocated at the AZGS.
Arizona Geology
Arizona Geology is published quarterly to summarize various
aspects of the geology of Arizona, announce and describe new
geologic maps and reports that have been completed, and to
publicize other activities or events that pertain to "things
geologic" in Arizona. Four issues are published and distributed
during the year.
Arizona Geologic Information System (AGIS)
The AGIS is a computer database that was developed to store and
provide access to data on Arizona geology. Data are compiled
from geological investigations and maps completed by AZGS staff
and other professionals. Major components of the AGIS include
GENLIB, a database of AZGS library holdings; AZGEOBIB, a
bibliography of Arizona geology; AZMIN, a database for metallic
mineral districts and production, mine names, including primary
and secondary references; and AZAGE, a compilation of
radiometric age determinations. R. A. Trapp is the AGIS manager.
AZGEOBIB now has more than 11,100 citations, and new citations
are added to AZGEOBIB on a continuing basis. Each citation has
been key-worded by subject, stratigraphic name, and geographic
area. A map showing the 555 geographic areas used in key wording
was released as Open-File Report 95-2. An unindexed,
alphabetical list, by author, of all citations in the database
was released as Open-File Report 95-4. Bibliographic subsets can
be constructed using combinations of subject and location key
words.
Geology Library
The AZGS library contains more than 25,000 volumes, including
all publications of the AZGS and its predecessors, the Arizona
Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and selected publications
of other governmental agencies. The library also contains theses
and dissertations on Arizona geology, selected technical journal
and bulletin series, textbooks, environmental impact statements
and reviews, and unpublished maps and reports on the geology,
water, energy, and mineral resources of Arizona. The library,
supervised by T. G. McGarvin, is open to the public.
Center for Land Subsidence and Earth Fissure Information (CLASEFI)
In large portions of southern Arizona ground water has been
pumped faster than natural recharge has occurred. As a result
the land surface has subsided and large cracks (fissures) have
formed. Subsidence and fissures may have adverse impacts on many
land- and resource-management activities. To keep governmental
agencies and the public informed, the Arizona Geological Survey
(AZGS) and the Department of Water Resources collaborated to
form the Center for Land-Subsidence and Earth Fissure
Information (CLASEFI). The AZGS serves as a clearinghouse for
pertinent information. A steering committee composed of
representatives of 12 governmental agencies meets annually to
discuss relevant activities.
Well Cuttings and Core Repository
The AZGS has statutory responsibility to maintain a central
repository for well cuttings and cores and associated
supplemental data. Companies that drill for oil, gas, helium, or
geothermal resources are required by Oil and Gas Conservation
statutes to save rock cuttings during drilling and submit them
to the AZGS, together with logs and other pertinent
information. Rock cores, primarily taken during mineral
exploration, are commonly donated to the AZGS. Because of space
limitations, only representative samples of cores are usually
saved. Cuttings from approximately 4,000 oil and water wells and
cores from many mineral tests are in the repository, which is
open for use by the public.
Mapping and Geologic Investigations
AZGS staff map and describe the bedrock and surficial geology of
Arizona with emphasis on the Phoenix-Tucson urban corridor,
which contains 80 percent of the State's population and is
experiencing rapid development. AZGS conducts geologic
investigations and provide information to local, state, and
federal governmental agencies that have responsibility for
prudently managing Arizona's land, water, mineral, and energy
resources.
Oil and Gas
The Oil and Gas Conservation Commission requires that subsurface
data, including rock samples, logs, and testing results, be
submitted for filing and archiving at the AZGS. These data add
to the general understanding of Arizona's geologic framework and
subsurface mineral and energy resources. Well files, organized
by Oil and Gas Conservation Commission drilling permit number,
include information about drilling depth, rock formations
penetrated, casing records, and completion procedures.
Well locations and other information are plotted on a series of
county and regional maps by S. L. Rauzi, Oil and Gas Program
Administrator.
Website: "http://www.azgs.az.gov/"
[Summary provided by AZGS]
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