The AZGS' State Mapping Advisory Committee met last week to set priorities for geologic mapping for next year. The SMAC is comprised of geologists from state and federal agencies and the private sector.
The top priority is the Yuma area, selected because of rapid growth, extensive aggregate development, and groundwater issues.
The second area is around Prescott, primarily to provide geologic framework data for groundwater studies. The Chino Valley North quadrangle will be mapped this year. The maps at right show arsenic concentrations in water wells in the Sullivan Buttes in the region.
The third area is the southern San Pedro Valley, particularly the Happy Valley and Tombstone areas. Groundwater again is the driving factor.
The AZGS mapping staff will evaluate individual quadrangles in these three areas and write a cost-share proposal to the USGS Statemap program in the National Cooperative Geologic Program. AZGS has competed successfully for Statemap funds for about 15 years, with our dollar awards typically putting Arizona among the top 3-5 states.
AZGS geologic quadrangle maps are published as digital products although paper copies can be printed on demand.