2024-2026 new mexico statemap geologic mapping in nmproject period: 09 01 2024 through 08 31 2026GEOLOGIC mapping by the new mexico statemap program aims to address the topsocioeconomical issues of…

The U.S. Geological Survey awarded a $1,199,320.00 Cooperative Agreement under the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (CFDA 15.810) to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) to conduct geologic mapping and research activities in New Mexico from September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2026.

The key products to be delivered under this award include:

• Compiling geologic maps at various scales (1:24,000 to 1:100,000) for the Rio Grande watershed, Pecos River watershed, and San Juan Basin regions, providing critical data to support natural resource management, geologic hazard assessment, and land use planning by government agencies and stakeholders.
• Developing 3D subsurface models for the Salt Basin and Tularosa/Jornada del Muerto Basins to support groundwater and hydrocarbon extraction activities.
• Converting legacy geologic maps to modern digital formats with geodatabases, providing standardized geospatial data to support the U.S. GeoFramework Initiative.
• Populating the USGS Geochronology Database with age data from the recipient's 40Ar/39Ar laboratory to support regional mapping and research efforts.

2024-2026 new mexico statemap geologic mapping in nmproject period: 09 01 2024 through 08 31 2026GEOLOGIC mapping by the new mexico statemap program aims to address the topsocioeconomical issues of the region. Geologic maps provide crucial data that allow state andfederal government agencies, tribal leaders, and private citizens and businesses to makeinformed decisions related to the states natural resources, geologic hazards, and land use. THE2024-2026 statemap award to the new mexico bureau of geology and mineral resourceswill be used to continue mapping in three areas of long-term focusthe RIO grande watershed, the pecos river watershed, and the SAN juan basin. Resource extraction (water, oil, gas, andmineral), agriculture, and tourism-based economies of these areas are directly tied to theirgeologic and hydrologic systems. Much of the proposed work is focused on laying thegroundwork to produce future 1:100,000 scale 2D maps and 3D subsurface models in support ofthe of the U.S. Geoframework initiative (usgi).the RIO grande watershed hosts the majority of the states population and criticalinfrastructure. This region also host internationally known geologic features of the RIO granderift. In the northern rift, the recipient will compile the abiquiu 30X60-minute quadrangle (1:100K scale)and a map of the northern and central espaola basin (1:50K scale)two regions that aresignificant for water resources. In the middle rift, mapping will focus on three 7.5-minutequadrangles (1:24K scale) located along and near the near the elephant butte reservoir. Thesemaps will support a future effort to compile the truth or consequences sheet (1:100K scale). Inthe southern rift, the recipient will compile and digitize subsurface data for the tularosa and jornada delmuerto basins to support developing a 3D subsurface model in a subsequent statemapproposal. All project areas will provide valuable data for water managers, as well as for otherfederal and state agencies. Likewise, these maps will better characterized significant geologichazards related to an active rift system.mapping in the pecos river watershed of southeastern NM has been a major focus of thebureau for more than two decades. The area is home to significant oil and gas extraction, whichis critical to the states economy. Map users are increasingly interested subsurface data forgroundwater and hydrocarbon extraction. To support these requests, the recipient will construct a 3DSUBSURFACE map of the salt basin, which will compliment completed and ongoing 3D subsurfacemapping of neighboring regions of southeast new mexico. Funds are also requested to train staffin modern subsurface data compilation and mapping techniques.two 7.5-minute quadrangles (1:24K scale) will be mapped in the northern SAN juanbasin. The bloomfield quadrangle continues efforts to map along the animas and SAN juanrivers, areas of natural gas production where geology impacts the water resources of numerousrural and tribal communities. The LA plata quadrangle will focus on the hogback monocline, thestructural margin of the basin that is critically important for numerous carbon dioxidesequestration projects.two addition usgi-related projects will be completed with this award. Published legacymaps will be converted to modern digital maps with geodatabases. This effort will becompleted by new mexico tech students, providing training to the next generation of geologists.lastly, the recipient will continue to populate the USGS geochronology database with ages generated fromthe bureaus 40AR 39AR laboratory, ensuring that the high-quality data are publicly available tosupport mapping and research projects throughout the western united states.