Title: montana geologic maps, geohazards, and subsurface mappingproject period: 08 18 2025 to 08 17 2026AWARD purpose

Montana Technological University received a $1,444,885 cooperative agreement award dated August 19, 2025, under the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP, CFDA 15.810) administered by the U.S. Geological Survey. The award supports the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology's (MBMG) geologic mapping initiative for fiscal year 2025 through August 17, 2026. The project delivers comprehensive geologic maps and databases addressing Montana's need for statewide geologic mapping coverage at uniform scales.

The agreement encompasses seven integrated mapping projects producing geologic maps and Geologic Mapping Schema (GEMS) Level 3-compliant databases at 1:24,000 and 1:30x60 scales covering specific Montana quadrangles and regions. Primary deliverables include published geologic maps of the Baldy Lake, Big Fork, Cook Mountain, and Rose Crossing quadrangles; Quaternary fault and landslide maps of southwestern Montana areas; an updated geologic map of the Leadore quadrangle; surficial and subsurface mapping in eastern Montana; and derivative mapping of the Southern Mission Fault. The work is supported by geochemical and geochronological analyses conducted at MBMG facilities and university laboratories, with final products designed for public access to support infrastructure planning, natural hazard assessment, and resource management objectives consistent with the STATEMAP component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program.

The state mapping advisory committee for the montana bureau of mines and geology (mbmg) has established two main goals. The first is to complete the mapping of the entire state at a scale of 1:100,000 to address montanas need for statewide, comprehensive, integrated, and publicly accessible geologic maps at a uniform scale. The second is to publish large-scale maps of montanas intermontane valleys, transportation corridors, and areas with significant structural and or stratigraphic problems, or other significant geologic interests.activities. The mbmg will complete seven mapping projects: 1) geologic mapping in northwest montana 2) derivative mapping of the southern mission fault 3) geologic mapping in the gardiner 7.5 quadrangle 4) updated geologic map of the leadore 30 x 60 quadrangle 5) surficial map compilation in eastern montana 6) subsurface mapping in eastern montana and 7) geochronology data submission to the USGS. The new mapping will be supported by geochemical and geochronological analyses of samples prepped at the mbmg laboratory and analyzed at university laboratories.deliverables and expected outcomes. The final products of mbmgs fiscal year 2025 projects will include: 1) geologic maps of baldy lake, big fork, cook mountain, and rose crossing 7.5 quadrangles (scale 1:24,000), and published level 3 gems databases for the christensen ranch, ELK gulch, home park ranch, and ronan 7.5 quadrangles (scale 1:24,000) 2) derivative quaternary fault map of the saint marys lake and saint ignatius 7.5 quadrangles (scale 1:24,000), and a level 3 gems database for a landslide map of the virginia city area, southwest montana (scale 1:24,000) 3) geologic map of the gardiner 7.5 quadrangle (scale 1:24,000), and a level 3 gems database for the murr peak 7.5 quadrangle (scale 1:24,000) 4) geologic map of the north of the leadore 30 x 60 quadrangle in montana (scale 1:100,000), and a level 3 gems database for the east BAY 7.5 quadrangle (scale 1:24,000) 5) one gems-compliant database compilation of the winifred, zortman, fort peck lake west, fort peck lake east, richey, and sidney 30 x 60 quadrangles (scale 1:100,000) 6) subsurface structure contours and isopach maps of stratigraphic horizons (n 5) in the jordan and miles city 1 x 2 quadrangles, and a database of associated borehole data and formation tops 7) completed ncgmp template of mbmg u-PB zircon geochronology data.intended beneficiaries. The mbmg is a non-regulatory agency with a mandate to collect and publish information about montana s geology to promote the orderly and responsible development of the state s energy, groundwater, and mineral resources. These geologic maps provide the foundation for all other mbmg investigations. Counties, local municipalities, and regulatory agencies use these geologic maps to plan for growth-related issues. Geologic data are frequently sought by the montana department of environmental quality the montana department of natural resources and conservation the U.S. And MT departments of transportation the U.S. Natural resources conservation service the U.S. Geological survey the U.S. Forest service the national park service county water-quality districts and planning boards mining and public utility companies educators and private citizens.