Great lakes geological mapping coalition 2023: quaternary geologic cross sections in the northernkankakee, chicago, south bend, and elkhart 30- x 60-minute quadranglesperiod of performance: 11 1…

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) awarded a $154,362 Cooperative Agreement under the Federal Grant Program titled "U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection" (CFDA #15.808) to the Trustees of Indiana University, doing business as Indiana University. This 2-year award, effective November 1, 2023 through October 31, 2025, will support the creation of geologic cross-sections depicting glacial (Quaternary) sediments in northern Indiana. Key activities include compiling existing downhole geophysical logs, water well logs, and borehole data, as well as collecting two new deep cores to characterize the sediment properties and chronology. The resulting cross-sections will be formally published and the data added to publicly accessible databases to benefit stakeholders in water resource management, land-use planning, and infrastructure projects across local, state, and federal agencies in the region.

Activities

To create geologic cross sections, this project will compile archived downhole geophysical (gamma-RAY) logs, validated lithological descriptions from water well logs, and archived boreholes and cross sections from previous geological mapping in northern indiana. Compilation of existing data will be supplemented by collecting two cores from deep boreholes drilled to bedrock. We will use wireline coring to collect intact cores. Cores will be described, photographed, and sampled at the igws. Particle size analysis via laser diffraction and sieving will be completed, along with mineralogical characterization of sediments through x-RAY diffraction and x-RAY fluorescence. These analyses will allow for a full characterization of the glacial sediments. Samples for radiocarbon dating and optically-stimulated luminescence also will be collected to constrain the chronology of glacial events.deliverables: this project will produce a set of cross sections of the glacial (quaternary) sediments of northern indiana, which will be formally published in the indiana journal of earth sciences. At least one west-to-east cross section will span the entire width of the state (145 miles CA. 230 KM ). Other cross sections will highlight the glacial geology of each lobe of the ICE sheet (lake michigan lobe, saginaw lobe, huron-erie lobe). The data sets created during the project will be added to existing lithologic, geochemical, geophysical, and stratigraphic databases hosted by the indiana geological and water survey which are in the process of being released as publicly accessible online databases.

Intended beneficiaries

This project will benefit stakeholders at the local (municipal and county planners, individual landowners), state (indiana department of natural resources, indiana department of environmental management, indiana department of homeland security) and federal (U.S. Fish and wildlife service, national park service) levels in northern indiana by providing geologic information relevant to water resource management, land-use change, and infrastructure needs. The project also will provide much-needed data and understanding for future derivative geologic mapping (e.g., aggregate mapping, aquifer mapping). The creation of geologic cross sections in the northern part of the state will serve as a pilot project for future statewide cross sections.

Subrecipient activities

This award has no subrecipients.