Interview with Minnesota's Harvey Thorleifson

Harvey Thorleifson, State Geologist of Minnesota, is interviewed in the new issue of Skillings Mining Review.  Harvey is Chair of the Minnesota Section of SME (Society of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering).

Ed Ruppel, former State Geologist of Montana

Edward Thomas Ruppel, former State Geologist of Montana, died on June 27, 2014.

Ed spent 30 years with the USGS, including serving as the Chief of the Branch of Central Environmental Geology.   He left the USGS in 1986 to accept the position as Montana’s State Geologist in the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, which he held until retiring in 1994.

A more detailed biography is included in his obituary at
http://mtstandard.com/news/local/obituaries/edward-thompson-ruppel/article_488016c2-001e-11e4-bb5f-0019bb2963f4.html

AASG resolution on future directions of geologic mapping

The Association of American State Geologists passed a resolution at its annual meeting outlining a bold vision for geologic mapping with national goals out to 2030.

RESOLUTION ON AASG COMMITMENT TO THE ROLE OF GEOLOGIC MAPPING IN SOCIETY 

WHEREAS geologic mapping is a core activity for geological surveys that underpins geoscience as a whole and that provides the framework and understanding that supports subsurface prediction;

WHEREAS managers of energy, minerals, water, hazards, climate change, environment, waste, and engineering increasingly rely on and therefore need to invest in well-devised applications of geologic mapping;

WHEREAS investments in geological mapping return benefits including lives saved, resources discovered, costs avoided, increased efficiency, and fundamental understanding of earth composition, structure, and history;

WHEREAS geological surveys can accelerate progress in response to societal needs through proven collaboration methods, concurrent with efforts in program administration, infrastructure, formats, and accessibility;

WHEREAS benefits will be enhanced by this nationwide acceleration, including updating, coordination, and seamless compilation of multi-resolution plan view and 3D onshore and offshore geological mapping; and

WHEREAS with adequate funding, the following key objectives could be achieved by 2030: an ongoing vibrant pace of detailed mapping, regular updating, nationwide multi-resolution seamless coverage, and 3D mapping at least of depth to bedrock and basement as well as subdivision of sediments and/or little-deformed rock strata where data allow;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that members of AASG believe that state geological surveys should increase their commitment to work with USGS and other partners through the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program to ensure timely provision of optimal geological mapping that will progressively be more:

·         focused on immediate user needs while accommodating unanticipated applications, and being designed   with reference to ongoing statewide assessment of the status of databases and mapping;

·         focused on the most detailed mapping where needed, while committed to statewide completion at an appropriate scale;

·         reconciled with integrated, appropriate topographic and bathymetric data, integrated from onshore to offshore, and coordinated with soil mapping;

·         based as needed on compilation ideally of all public domain drillhole and other relevant data, along with strategic drilling and newly acquired geochronology, geochemistry, and geophysics;

·         based on sound stratigraphic naming, and categorized using broadly accepted query language; ·         committed to regular updating of maps as science and technology progress, and assembled as statewide seamless compilations;

·         3D, in which the extent, thickness, and properties of all little-deformed sediment and rock units, and selected complex structural features such as faults and folds, are distinguished;

·         coordinated with increasingly 3D versions of state, continental, and global-scale maps, while being fully accessible through robust and open-source software for conveying subsurface mapping; and

·         linked to a complete compilation of scanned and searchable publications, as well as consistent and comprehensive geological, geophysical, and geochemical databases,

thus better fulfilling the essential role that geological surveys play in response to the needs of society.

Lexington, Kentucky, June 11, 2014

Position opening: Director, Oklahoma Geological Survey

DIRECTOR
OKLAHOMA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Applications are being solicited for the position of Director, Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS). The OGS is located on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman, Oklahoma, and is under the direction and supervision of the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma. Organizationally, the OGS is located within the Mewbourne College of Earth & Energy, which also includes the ConocoPhillips School of Geology & Geophysics and the Mewbourne School of Petroleum & Geological Engineering. The Director of the OGS reports administratively to the Dean, Mewbourne College of Earth & Energy. If appropriate, the successful candidate may hold a dual appointment as a faculty member within the College as an Associate or Full Professor, renewable term or tenured. Candidates should hold a doctorate in geology, geophysics or a closely related field. Prior experience with a public agency would be beneficial.

The objectives and duties of the Oklahoma Geological Survey include the following:
(a) A study of the geological formations of the state with special reference to its natural resources, including coal, oil, gas, asphalt, gypsum, salt, cement, stone, clay, lead, zinc, iron, sand, road building material, water resources and all other mineral resources.
(b) Management of the Oklahoma seismic recording network, and the reporting and analysis of earthquake activity in the state.
(c) The preparation and publication of bulletins and reports, accompanied with necessary illustrations and maps, including both general and detailed descriptions of the geological structure and mineral resources of the state.
(d) The consideration of such other related scientific and economic questions that shall be deemed of value to the people of Oklahoma.

The Director of the OGS has the responsibility of overseeing activities related to geological and geophysical studies of Oklahoma and adjacent areas, preparation of reports documenting the findings of these studies, and communication of these results to individuals, agencies and the general public as appropriate and/or required. The position requires supervision and administration of an organization of approximately 50 staff and associated facilities including offices, labs and the Oklahoma Petroleum Information Center (OPIC), which contains an extensive collection of rock cores and samples, other well information and selected facilities for the examination of these cores and samples. It is anticipated that the Director of the OGS will work with Oklahoma universities, state and federal agencies, industry and other entities to conduct research in areas of public interest, as well as providing advice and service in the areas of geology, geophysics and natural resources. One particular area of current high interest is the recent, significant increase in Oklahoma earthquake activity. The successful candidate will have the demonstrated experience and ability to oversee these activities, while acting as the State Geologist of Oklahoma. Areas of experience that could be considered include an appropriate background with state or national surveys, administration in academia, experience in industry or research, or other related areas.

Review of candidates will begin June 1, 2014 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated starting date is January 1, 2015. Applicants are requested to submit a complete resume, statement of relevant experience and a list of five references who can be contacted, including names, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and complete mailing addresses.

Questions or requests for additional information may be addressed to Larry R. Grillot, Dean of the Mewbourne College of Earth & Energy, and Chair of the OGS Director Search Committee, at 405-325-3821, or lrgrillot@ou.edu. Applications and nominations should be addressed to OGS Director Search Committee, University of Oklahoma, Sarkeys Energy Center, 100 East Boyd Street, Room 1510, Norman, OK 73019-1008.

The University of Oklahoma is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.
Women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Donald Haney, former State Geologist of Kentucky

It is with the deepest sadness that I pass along the news of Don Haney’s death on June 8, 2014 at the UK Hospital. Don had undergone back surgery on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. He was recovering and expected to go home when he died suddenly. The link below will take you to Don’s obituary.

His death came June 8 and the AASG Annual meeting was starting in Lexington, exactly 26 years after Don hosted the meeting here when his wonderful new KGS office building opened on the UK campus. Word of Don’s passing came as the bus heading to the Sunday all-day field trip to Cumberland Gap had just reached Pineville Kentucky. I was able to leave the trip bus and head back to Richmond to see Don’s wife Shirley. It was tragic and unexpected. Don was a giant in AASG and never missed an AASG annual meeting from 1978 to 1999, his active service, and even after retirement as Honorary representative he went to Liaisons and annual meetings through the 2000’s. He left a giant imprint on AASG and of course KGS and the entire state of Kentucky.    [Photo credit, University of Kentucky]

Jim Cobb, State Geologist & Director,  Kentucky Geological Survey

Don's obituary is available online at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kentucky/obituary.aspx?n=donald-haney&pid=171298549&fhid=7541&eid=sp_shareobit

USGS Director lays out vision for partnerships with State Geological Surveys

USGS Director Suzette Kimball [right] called the agency's partnership with the State Geologists as critical to its success.  Her remarks were part of extended comments at the opening session of the AASG Annual Meeting today in Lexington, Kentucky.

She singled out successful AASG-USGS collaboration in landslide hazards, informatics, and international programs.

The AASG meeting has special focus on natural hazards, but other topics include natural resources, science education and policy, water, and more.

Future opportunities include earthquake early warning, landslide hazards, state emergency operation centers, and climate change.    She said a landslide hazards program needs $50 million to meet national needs.

USGS and AASG are signing a 5-year extension of a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue these collaborations.

AASAG Charles Mankin Award to Texas Bureau of Economic Geology

The recipient of the 2014 Charles J. Mankin Memorial Award, to be presented at the Geological Society of America Annual Meetng in Vancouver, will be:

Wolfberry (Wolfcampian-Leonardian) Deep-Water Depositional Systems in the Midland Basin: Stratigraphy, Lithofacies, Reservoirs, and Source Rocks, by H. Scott Hamlin and Robert. W. Baumgardner; Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, Reports of Investigations RI0277; 61 p., 38 figs., 4 plates in pocket, 1 appendix, 2012.

http://begstore.beg.utexas.edu/store/reports-of-investigations/1915-ri0277-wolfberry-wolfcampian-leonardian-deep-water-depositional-systems-in-the-midland-basin.html

 

Harvey Thorleifson, State Geologist of Minnesota, and chair of the selection committee, said "I believe all of the nominated publications are excellent examples of the crucial role that state geological surveys play in society.  Congratulations to the winning authors, to all nominated authors, and their respective state geological surveys!"