Project abstract summaryproject title: alabama statemap 2024-2026: new field mapping and converting published maps to gemsproject period: 09 15 2024 through 09 14 2024PURPOSETHE mapping from part a of…

This federal Cooperative Agreement award, provided by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (CFDA 15.810), will fund two key projects by the Geological Survey of Alabama (GSA):

Part A will conduct new geologic field mapping in northeastern Alabama, producing the equivalent of three new 1:24,000-scale quadrangle maps in digital format. This mapping will focus on areas of urban and industrial growth along key transportation routes.

Part B will convert 14 previously published 1:24,000-scale quadrangle maps into GEMS-compliant geospatial datasets, including detailed metadata and attribution. This will improve the availability of digital geologic map data to support decision-making for regional planning, resource management, and hazard mitigation.

The total award amount is $550,510, covering a project period from September 15, 2024 through September 14, 2026.

Project abstract summaryproject title: alabama statemap 2024-2026: new field mapping and converting published maps to gemsproject period: 09 15 2024 through 09 14 2024PURPOSETHE mapping from part a of this project will broaden gsas mapping coverage of growthcorridors in northeastern alabama in parts of cherokee and madison counties. The initial aim isto furnish 1:24,000-scale geologic maps of areas of urban and or industrial growth along keytransportation routes. The primary purpose of part B is to create level 3 geologic mapping schema (GEMS)-compliant geospatial datasets of 14 previously published 7.5-minute quadrangle maps at 1:24,000-scale in areas of population growth and near other mapping projects in furtherance of thegeoframework initiative.activitiesmappers will primarily focus on roadcuts, streams, ridgetops, and other scattered rockexposures and will record lithologic and attitude data with GPS locations. Field work is mostefficient from late fall through early spring, when vegetation least obscures outcrop visibility. The previously published PDF maps and partial GIS data from the original publication willbe digitized, when necessary, reprojected, transformed to a 7.5-minute index, and formatted tolevel 3 GEMS-compliant databases with valid metadata for part B.deliverables and outcomesfor part a, the northeastern alabama mapping project will produce the equivalent of threenew quadrangle maps (scale 1:24,000), which will be completed in digital arcgis format anddelivered as high-resolution pdfs. The geologic maps will include map unit descriptions, geologiccross sections, and final technical reports.for part B, the GEMS conversion project will result in topologically sound, fully attributed, and standardized geospatial datasets with valid federal geographic data committee (FGDC)-compliant metadata, a glossary of geologic terms, a description of map units table, and featureleveldata sources.intended beneficiary(IES)beneficiaries of geologic maps produced by GSA have included city, state, and federalagencies geologic, hydrologic, and environmental consulting firms mineral explorationcompanies local and regional planning commissions emergency management agencies urbandevelopers, civil engineers, and builders homeowners and farmers and university researchers.furthermore, level 3 GEMS data produced will improve the gsas ability to supplygeologic map products in a map making and analyses format (GIS) that is commonly used by endusers (geologists, geographers, planners, and others) for various purposes where published gisdata is largely unavailable. The end users often incorporate geologic maps and GIS data as part of their decision-makingprocesses in projects related to regional planning and development, extraction of natural resources, resource conservation and protection, and planning for and mitigating geologic hazards.