Bill Clendenin retires as South Carolina State Geologist

Charles William (Bill) Clendenin, Jr. has completed 25 years as South Carolina State Geologist. He holds a B.S. degree from Southeast Missouri State University, an M.S. from Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology, and a Ph.D. from University of the Witwatersrand. His geological expertise is in structural styles of faulting and reactivation, depositional systems and sequence stratigraphy, regional basin analysis and studies of syndepositional tectonics with emphasis on rifting and basin inversion, as well as movement of fluids in sedimentary basins.

Vicki McConnell named an AAAS Fellow

Vicki McConnell, Executive Director of the Geological Society of America, has been named an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow, in recognition of outstanding research, leadership, project management and service to the community in geology and volcanology. Vicki was State Geologist of Oregon from 2003 to 2015. She was AASG Secretary from 2007 to 2009, VP in 2009/2010, President Elect in 2010/2011, President in 2011/2012, and Past President in 2012/2013. Vicki received her Ph.D. in geology/volcanology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1995.  She has also been a Research Associate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an Adjunct Professor of Geology at Eastern Oregon University.

Frye Award to Missouri

The AASG/GSA Frye Award recognizes the best nominated state geological survey & GSA publications in environmental geology. The 2020 Frye Award has been presented to the James W. Duley and Cecil Boswell of the Missouri Geological Survey for the report “Revised Recharge Areas of Selected Large Springs in the Big Four Region of the Ozarks”.

Jamie Robertson receives the Campbell Medal

AGI has announced that Jamie Robertson, State Geologist of Wisconsin from 1993 to 2015, is the 2020 Campbell Medal recipient. Jamie played a steadfast role in AASG Liaison, he was the 96/97 AASG Secretary, and he worked his way up to 99/00 AASG President. He also held leadership roles with AGI and GSA, and other bodies. Prior to his service in Wisconsin, he was with New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, Hudson's Bay Oil & Gas Co. Ltd., and Michigan Tech. He holds degrees from Carleton College and Michigan. The Campbell Medal is given in recognition of singular performance in and contributions to the profession of geology. Candidates are measured against the distinguished career of Ian Campbell, whose service to the profession touched virtually every facet of the geosciences.

Mankin Award to Delaware

The 2020 AASG Mankin Award recipient is the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) for their publication: “The Geologic Map of Offshore Delaware” by C. Robin Mattheus, Kelvin W. Ramsey and Jamie L. Tomlinson.  The Charles J. Mankin Award is an annual AASG award given to a nominated geological map, compilation, or report on regional, energy, or mineral resource geology. The award honors Charles Mankin (1932-2012), who as Director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey for forty years (1967-2007) was a tireless advocate for geologic mapping. Here is a link to the map:

https://www.dgs.udel.edu/sites/default/files/publications/geomap25_0.pdf

Geologic Mapping Forum Online 2020-2021

 

As you know, exciting developments are happening in the world of geologic mapping! Societal needs are escalating, our capabilities are dramatically improving, and new funding is arriving.

We therefore are pleased to announce that the Geologic Mapping Forum for 2020 and 2021 will take place online this winter, as meetings of up to two hours duration on Thursdays at Noon Central, on Oct 8, Nov 5, & Dec 3, 2020, and Jan 28, Feb 25, Mar 25, & Ap 22, 2021. Also, please stay tuned for DMT and additional important meetings.

The intended GMF audience is geological map authors and program managers, and the focus again will be on geology rather than funding or GIS. Abstracts for the 20-minute invited GMF talks will be requested. Discussion will be arranged. GMF20 invited speakers will be re-invited, GMF20 submitted abstracts will carry over, and we will invite each State, Fedmap leader, and additional colleagues.

Depending on the number of abstracts, we might schedule this as regional meetings as needed, in the New Year. Talks will be recorded and made available unless speakers request otherwise. Please mark your calendars. This is going to be great! Sincerely,

John Brock, US Geological Survey; Harvey Thorleifson, Minnesota Geological Survey

Jim Butler, Kansas Geological Survey, 2020 recipient of the Hubbert Award

Jim Butler, senior scientist and geohydrologist at the Kansas Geological Survey, is the 2020 recipient of the National Ground Water Association’s M. King Hubbert Award. The association’s highest scientific honor, the award is given annually for major scientific or engineering contributions that advance the understanding of groundwater through research, writing, teaching and practical applications.

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California Geological Survey History 1850-2015

California Geological Survey has released Special Publication 126, a history of work performed by California’s state geological surveys between 1850 and 2015. As one of the first and longest-operating agencies in the state, CGS has weathered more than 165 years of physical and political challenges, financial difficulties, changes in scientific advancement, and public scrutiny. From the sparsely populated Gold Rush days of the early 1850s through years of rapid population growth and development, CGS maintained its goal of providing the citizens of California with sound, unbiased scientific data and advice on the diverse geology of the state, its mineral resources, and its geologic hazards.

Special Publication 126 is available as a hard copy for $75, plus $8 to cover shipping. It is not available for download. To purchase the book, contact our Publications Sales Desk.

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Nicholas Hayman, Oklahoma Geological Survey Director

The new director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey is Dr. Nick Hayman, who previously worked at the Institute for Geophysics at the University of Texas. He follows former director Jerry Boak who retired in 2019. Nick’s research has addressed the oceanic lithosphere, continental margins, and trench settings as well as fundamental properties of sediments and rocks. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington.

AASG takes steps to more actively oppose racism

In the context of the present national and international outcry over continuing unjust treatment toward people of color in this country, the Association of American State Geologists, during our annual meeting held the week of June 8th, 2020, took steps to ensure that we will more actively face injustices and commit to challenging and changing the biases that lead to discriminatory practices against people of color.

David Wunsch to serve on the National Petroleum Council

David R. Wunsch, State geologist and Director of the Delaware Geological Survey has been invited by U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette to serve on the National Petroleum Council (NPC), representing the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). David is the President-Elect of AGI. The NPC is a federally chartered and privately funded advisory committee established by President Truman in 1946 to provide advice, information and recommendations on matters related to the oil and gas industries. David will serve a two-year term on the council. Source

John Yellich, AASG President, 2020-2021

On July 1^st, 2020, John Yellich, Director of the Michigan Geological Survey, will be the 2020-2021 AASG President. John received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Western Michigan University, and his professional geologist certification from the American Institute of Professional Geologists. Previously John had more than forty years of geologic experience in mineral exploration and development, environmental consulting, business operations, and safety compliance. He has worked in more than thirty states conducting mineral and petroleum assessments in the United States, Canada, Australia and China. Source: WMU

AASG Presidential Award to Dick Berg

On June 11^th, 2020, AASG President Richard Ortt of Maryland presented the AASG Presidential Award to Dick Berg, State Geologist of Illinois, for his steadfast service to AASG over the past year. Dick is AASG Editor, and he has helped in many additional ways, as he has for many years

AASG 2020 Annual meeting, completed online!

The 2020 Annual Meeting of the Association of American State Geologists was very successfully completed online, on June 10^th and 11^th, 2020. All customary business was completed. New Members and new Associates were welcomed. The passing of former State Geologists over the past year was recognized. Reporting, budget, and audit was tended to. Reports were received, and actions were taken. The new Executive was elected. We are looking forward to awesome Annual Meetings in Nevada in 2021, and Colorado in 2022. All is well, despite the pandemic

DMT 2020, online, June 8-10

The Digital Mapping Techniques workshop brings together scientists, cartographers, and GIS specialists, from States, Federal agencies, Universities, the private sector, and international colleagues. This annual series of workshops began in 1997. It is a highly regarded venue that has contributed to the development and evolution of digital mapping techniques, standards, and guidelines in the US and internationally.

The DMT'20 workshop will be held June 8-10, 2020, as a virtual event - two 90-minute sessions per day, including lightning talks, 20-minute presentations, discussion sessions, and a Map Blast. A Proceedings volume will be published, as was done from 1997 to 2012. You're welcome to attend!

Please register here: https://www.isgs.illinois.edu/dmt/2020

2019 Association of American State Geologists (AASG) Journal

AASG Editor Dick Berg, State Geologist of Illinois, working with his highly capable staff, has released the 2019 AASG Journal, which outlines the ongoing, comprehensive role played by state geological surveys across the USA. The Journal illustrates the earlier quantitative report by AASG Statistician Jerry Boak, State Geologist of Oklahoma, who reported last year that funding to state geological surveys in FY18 was stable as a whole at $231 million, and total staffing was at 1853 person-years. A slight increase was projected for FY19. Gender balance among geoscientists is gradually rising, and is now at 28%. The Journal is available here:

https://www.stategeologists.org/system/files/historicaldocuments/AASG%20Journal%202019.pdf

Steve Bohlen, State Geologist of California

Beginning June 1, 2020, Steve Bohlen will serve as State Geologist and head of the California Geological Survey. He is a Dartmouth College alum, and he received a Ph.D. in geochemistry from University of Michigan in 1979. Previously, Steve has been with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, he served as State Oil and Gas Supervisor in 2014/2015, and he has served with USGS, the Joint Oceanographic Institutions, and Stony Brook University. Welcome Steve!

Bill Haneberg appointed to NGAC

The Department of the Interior has appointed William Haneberg, State Geologist of Kentucky, to serve on the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC). NGAC provides advice and recommendations on national geospatial policy and management issues, the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), and the implementation of the Geospatial Data Act of 2018.

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Acting State Geologist for Vermont, Jon Kim

Jon Kim will serve as Acting State Geologist for Vermont. Jon has a PhD in Geology (1996) from SUNY Buffalo, an MS in Geology (1984) from the University of Southern Florida and a BS in Geology (1981) from Colgate University. He is also a registered professional Geologist in New York. Jon has worked for the Vermont Geological Survey since 1997, spent many years mapping bedrock in the state and currently leads projects for aquifer characterization and contamination issues such as PFAS and nitrates.

Marjorie Gale to complete her time as Vermont State Geologist

On April 24^th, 2020, Marjorie Gale will complete her time as State Geologist of Vermont, having served in this capacity since late 2014. She has been with the Vermont Geological Survey since 1996. She is well known for her role, with USGS and the University of Vermont, in the spectacular Bedrock Geologic Map of Vermont, published in 2011. She has also worked in groundwater, energy, and ecological studies. She received a BA in Geology from the University of New Hampshire in 1974, and an MS in Geology from the University of Vermont in 1980.

Conferences Cancelled

The Geologic Mapping Forum in April, Digital Mapping Techniques in May, and the AASG Annual Meeting in June have been cancelled, due to the coronavirus pandemic

Digital Mapping Techniques, Rolla Missouri, May 17-20 2020

The Digital Mapping Techniques workshop series ("DMT") brings together scientists, cartographers, and GIS specialists, from State and Federal agencies, as well as Universities, the private sector, and international colleagues. This annual series of workshops began in 1997. It is a highly regarded venue that has contributed to the development and evolution of digital mapping techniques, standards, and guidelines both in the United States and internationally.
https://dmt-2020-modnr.hub.arcgis.com/

Geologic Mapping Forum, Minneapolis, April 7-9, 2020

At the Geologic Mapping Forum in Minneapolis in April, ~100 geological map authors, program managers and allied professionals from geological surveys and associated agencies will meet to discuss the status and future of geological mapping in the USA. The meeting will be hosted by Minnesota Geological Survey on the University of Minnesota campus.
https://www.mngs.umn.edu/GMF2020.html

AASG Annual Meeting at Lake Tahoe, NV (June 7-11)

The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology is hosting the 2020 annual meeting for AASG at a stunning location. Situated in the Carson Range above Lake Tahoe, The Ridge Tahoe Resort overlooks beautiful Carson Valley and its fascinating geology and is surrounded by the rich natural beauty and mining history of the west. The area is a popular destination for outdoor recreation and offers world class hiking and biking trails, water activities, skiing and much more.

https://www.unr.edu/aasg

2020 Pick and Gavel recipient, US Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia

The 2020 recipient of the AASG Pick and Gavel award is US Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. The Pick and Gavel Dinner is held in Washington D.C.  at the Cosmos Club, whose history is steeped in geology. One of its founders and first presidents was John Wesley Powell, 1881 -1894 USGS Director and explorer of the Grand Canyon, and its membership has included many renowned geologists. The Award consists of a mounted mineral, fossil, or rock, with a symbol that includes a geologist's pick, a policy-maker's gavel, and the Capitol, where geologists and policy-makers work together to respond to the needs of the nation.

Go-ahead for NGMDB Phase Three

In 1992, the National Geologic Mapping Act (NGMA) authorized the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP), now led by John Brock of USGS, whose purpose is to build the National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB). Under the leadership of Dave Soller of USGS, NGMDB consists of the Phase One Catalog, the Phase Two standards, and the Phase Three seamless database. In December 2019, Congress directed that Phase Three go ahead, to bring together detailed, national, and continental-resolution 2D and 3D information produced throughout the Survey and by federal and state partners.