Mapping and digitization of coastal plain (i-95 and santee area) and piedmont 7.5-minute quadrangles (GC 1), south carolina, compiling i-73 corridor 1:24,000-scale maps (GC3), publishing gems…

The U.S. Geological Survey awarded Natural Resources South Carolina Department a $843,039 cooperative agreement on March 1, 2026, under the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (CFDA 15.810) to produce original detailed geologic maps and complementary databases across South Carolina's Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions.

The award funds six subprojects spanning geologic mapping and data compilation activities. Project 1 consists of original detailed 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping of six quadrangles in the Coastal Plain along I-95 to support highway expansion efforts. Project 2 delivers original detailed 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping of two quadrangles in the Coastal Plain west of Georgetown, South Carolina, addressing subsidence and development issues. Project 3 produces original detailed 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping of three quadrangles in the Piedmont to address seismic hazards related to the Eastern Piedmont Fault System and support critical mineral studies. Project 4 compiles existing 1:24,000-scale maps to produce new 100,000-scale maps for the proposed I-73 corridor to support land-use and development studies. Project 5 develops GEMS Level-3 map databases for forty-one 7.5-minute quadrangles using a database standard. Project 6 involves an interstate field conference with North Carolina to resolve mapping questions and map unit delineation along the North Carolina–South Carolina border.

Performance spans the period March 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, with work conducted throughout South Carolina.

Mapping and digitization of coastal plain (i-95 and santee area) and piedmont 7.5-minute quadrangles (GC 1), south carolina, compiling i-73 corridor 1:24,000-scale maps (GC3), publishing gems level-3 map databases (GC 5), and interstate collaboration ? North carolina (GC 12) project period: 1 march 2026 to 30 september 2027 project abstract summary ?award purpose ? New geologic map information is needed across south carolina to inform decision makers and to solve important scientific questions. This project consists of six (6) subprojects that will address these needs. Project 1 will aid highway expansion efforts along a northern portion of i-95. Project 2 will address subsidence and development issues west of georgetown, S.C. Project 3 will address seismic hazard related to the eastern piedmont fault system and critical mineral studies in the piedmont. Project 4 will aid land-use and development studies in the proposed i-73 corridor. Project 5 will provide gems level-3 databases for forty-one 7.5-minute quadrangles. Project 6 will refine stratigraphy in the inner piedmont terranes and develop a mapping strategy for quadrangles along the north carolina-south carolina border ?activities to be performed ? Project 1 will consist of original detailed geologic mapping of six (6) quadrangles in the coastal plain along i-95. Project 2 will consist of original detailed geologic mapping of two (2) quadrangles in the coastal plain west of georgetown, SC. Project 3 will consist of original detailed geologic mapping of three (3) quadrangles in the piedmont. Mapping for projects 1-3 will be done at the 1:24,000-scale. Project 4 will compile existing 1:24,000-scale maps to produce new 100,000-scale maps. Project 5 will develop new map databases using a database standard. Project 6 will involve an interstate field conference to resolve mapping questions and map unit delineation. ?deliverables and expected outcomes ? Deliverables are as follows: project 1 six (6) new geologic maps in darlington, dillon, florence, LEE, marlboro, and sumter counties, south carolina; project 2 two (2) new geologic maps in berkeley, georgetown and williamsburg counties, south carolina; project 3 three (3) new geologic maps in edgefield, greenwood and mccormick counties, south carolina; project 4 a compiled regional geologic map database consisting of twenty-three (23) detailed geologic maps; project 5 citable gems level-3 map databases for forty-one (41) detailed quadrangles; and, project 6 a report detailing the outcomes of the field conference, including any stratigraphic reconciliation and unresolved mapping questions. All deliverables will be added to existing data holdings that contribute to the geologic understanding of south carolina. ?intended beneficiaries include federal agencies, state agencies, local governments and governmental organizations, academics, geologic consultants, exploration companies, environmental consultants, and the customers who use geologic maps will be the primary beneficiaries of these products.