Geology Programs

Overview

Survey activities include mapping, geologic hazards research, public service and education programs, basic and applied research on geology and critical mineral resources, and publication of geologic information. The survey maintains a well cuttings and core sample library and researches subsurface stratigraphy and structural geology to provide basic geologic information. We also publish maps, charts, and cross sections, and make them available through our maps and publications sales office.

Mapping and Mineral Resources

Geologic mapping is the primary function of the survey. Our geologists perform basic geologic mapping, and compile mineral resources information including the identification, evaluation, and mapping of those resources. Mineral resources information is published in a mineral resources summary that accompanies each published geologic quadrangle map. Also included is information about geologic hazards such as caves, landslides, and sinkholes.

There are 804 7.5-minute quadrangles covering Tennessee. These maps are at a scale of 1:24,000 (1" = 2,000') and each covers an area of about 60 square miles. Since 1960 the survey has mapped and published or released in open-file format 517 quadrangles, placing Tennessee among the top states in the nation in terms of percentage of quadrangles mapped (over 64 percent) at this scale. These efforts have been enhanced since 1994 through cooperative efforts with the U.S. Geological Survey through the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program as summarized in the STATEMAP Fact Sheet.

Coal

The survey historically devoted considerable effort to coal- and oil/gas-related research. In partnership with the USGS, TVA, USBM, and others, the survey carried out a systematic geologic mapping program in the Tennessee coal fields. Some of the information collected by the Survey's coal-related program has been integrated into the National Coal Resources Data System. A large amount of unpublished coal data, including reserve data, samples collected for analysis, published reports, and processing data are also available to the public through the Survey's Data Preservation and Historical Documents Collection.

Historical Collections

Since 2007 the survey has been participating in the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program in order to preserve the survey’s data collections. Nearly all of the survey’s coal mining and zinc mining maps and reports collections are unpublished and in paper/mylar form. As a result, companies, government agencies, and the general public have been unaware of the abundant site-specific data available. Preparing metadata records for upload to the ReSciColl (previously known as the National Digital Catalog) is the first step towards providing the public with a method to search for, locate, and evaluate the type of information that is available in these collections. The coal and zinc mining collections are a valuable source of information that can be used to improve estimates of the state’s remaining coal and zinc reserves and for companies to evaluate potential areas for future exploration. Some of the items in these collections are over 100 years old and rapidly deteriorating. It is therefore imperative that every effort be made to preserve the information contained in them.