Geologic hazard mapping of northampton county and thecatawissa quadrangle in pennsylvania project period: 08 01 2024 07 31 2026 the pennsylvania bureau of geological surveys statemap 2024 award, at…

The U.S. Geological Survey's National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (CFDA 15.810) awarded a $293,961.74 Cooperative Agreement to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to produce geologic hazard maps for Northampton County and the Catawissa Quadrangle in Pennsylvania. The project period runs from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2026.

The grant will fund the development of 1:50,000-scale bedrock geologic maps highlighting areas susceptible to karst development in Northampton County, as well as a 1:24,000-scale landslide hazard "heat map" for the Catawissa Quadrangle. These maps will support informed decision-making for long-term planning and large-scale project design by state and local agencies, as well as the public. The work will involve compiling existing 1:24,000-scale bedrock maps, inventorying karst features, and analyzing primary controls on karst and landslide development using field data and statistical modeling.

Geologic hazard mapping of northampton county and thecatawissa quadrangle in pennsylvania project period: 08 01 2024 07 31 2026 the pennsylvania bureau of geological surveys statemap 2024 award, at therecommendation of the pennsylvania geologic mapping advisory committee, will focus on thedevelopment of karst and landslide geohazard maps for northampton county and catawissa 7.5-minute quadrangle, respectively, to support informed decision making associated with long-termplanning and large-scale project design. Mapping efforts in northampton county will focus onthe compilation of fifteen USGS 1:24,000-scale bedrock maps, inventory of karst features, andanalysis of the primary control(s) on karst feature development. This work will result in thecreation of a seamless 1:50,000-scale bedrock geologic map of the county highlighting the areaswithin the county most susceptible to karst development. Fieldwork within the catawissaquadrangle will focus on the systematic inventory, characterization, and detailed sampling oflandslides to identify first-order controls on landslide development (e.g., bedrock geology, soiltype, surficial geology, precipitation, geologic structures, etc.). Data collected in the field will beanalyzed using a statistical model to create an intuitive 1:24,000-scale heat map highlightingslopes most prone to landslide development. These maps are being completed at the request ofthe pennsylvania department of transportation, pennsylvania department of environmentalprotection, and northampton county karst working group, but will also support homeowners, contractors consultants, as well as planning divisions.