Land use planning, resource evaluation,
groundwater issues, and geologic hazards all require comprehensive understanding
of geology and the system based on the relationships between surficial
and bedrock geology. Mapping of earth materials, features, and structures
is not done in Vermont by remote sensing. Mapping is done on foot and
we seek to collect as much data as possible in our limited field season.
We are very grateful to the many Vermont landowners who annually allow
us on their land to investigate Vermont geology.
Mapping scheduled
for 2010:
We will be mapping surficial
geology and/or bedrock geology plus producing groundwater resource maps for Craftsbury and Randolph during
the 2010 field season. Please check the photogallery pages for pictures of geologically interesting features in these areas.
Mapping completed, Summer 2009:
Projects focused on creating surficial and bedrock geologic maps and
databases in order to provide Vermonters with information they need
for aquifer identification, understanding groundwater resources, and
protecting public health and safety. Traditional bedrock and surficial
geologic maps were produced and will be used as the foundation to address
current issues of water supply and radioactivity in groundwater in Vermont.
Integration of surficial and bedrock geologic data broadens the view
for evaluating any geologic issue. This year the focus was on mapping
surficial and bedrock geology as a system in areas that will benefit
from having the data as a base for defining groundwater resources and
protection.
Geologic mapping was conducted during the summer of 2008 & 2009. A University of Vermont student is pursuing structural geology
studies for a senior thesis. John Van Hoesen mapped surficial geology in Rutland; George Springston and Stephen Wright mapped the surficial geology of Charlotte. Marjorie Gale, Jon Kim and students mapped the bedrock geology of Charlotte. Town volunteers completed the water well location project.
To view the new maps on-line go to : 1)
Charlotte Bedrock Map, Plate 2, Plate 3 , 2 ) Charlotte Surficial Map and 3) Rutland Surficial Map, Plate 2. To obtain higher resolution
images, paper copies, or geodatabase files of the maps, please contact us at 802-241-3608. Please check the photogallery pages for pictures of geologically interesting features in these areas.
The New Bedrock Geologic Map of Vermont
Vermont Geological Survey (VGS) directed by Laurence Becker at the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), United States Geological Survey (USGS), University of Vermont geologists and students, and geologists affiliated with other New England colleges have participated since the early 1980's in a cooperative venture to produce the new bedrock geological map of Vermont at a scale of 1:100,000. The bedrock map under production, the first complete map since 1961, will make available to the public a geological map based on work which incorporates the understanding of plate tectonic theory. Editors for the Vermont map are Nicholas Ratcliffe (USGS), Rolfe Stanley (UVM, posthumous), Marjorie H. Gale (VGS) and Peter Thompson (UNH). The one-degree sheets were compiled by Nicholas Ratcliffe (USGS), Rolfe Stanley (UVM), Barry Doolan (UVM), Charlotte Mehrtens (UVM), Norman Hatch (USGS), Douglas Rankin (USGS), Peter Thompson (UNH), Marjorie Gale (VGS), Jon Kim (VGS), and Greg Walsh (USGS). Greg McHone contributed data for the compilation of Mesozoic dikes and John Aleinikoff (USGS) contributed much of the geochronological data. Editors N. Ratcliffe, M.H. Gale, and P. Thompson compiled the complete map, and prepared the map and cross-sections for scientific review. A hand-colored/drafted map was presented at the NE GSA meeting in Virginia in 2004. In 2006-2007 USGS cartographers digitized the hand-drafted/colored maps, correlation chart and description of map units in Adobe Illustrator. Cross-sections and a tectonic map were completed in August 2008. The map entered scientific review on August 25, 2008 and comments have been returned to the editors. The geologic names still need to be reviewed. The map will be published as four large sheets - 2 for the map and additional sheets for unit descriptions, correlation of units, cross-sections, and references. The map incorporates detailed field studies conducted over 25 years by more than 60 geologists, including many students mentored by R. Stanley, B. Doolan, and C. Mehrtens. We are presenting the map at The New Bedrock Geologic Map of Vermont: New Answers, New Problems, and New Uses of Bedrock Geologic Data, a symposium at NE/SE GSA in March 2010 and anticipate publication soon thereafter.
Geology and Mineral Resources Division 
dec calendar 
