Throughout its hundred-year history, the Illinois State Geological Survey has provided accurate, relevant and objective earth science information for the benefit of the state’s citizens and institution s.
Revealing thePast, Discovering theFuture
Story By Cheryl K. Nimz Photos By Joel M. Dexter
Working from a field lab coal research uring a century of change, the geologist’s trained eye, some - station used from 1941 to 1945, geolo- some things remain the same. times by climbing a rock exposure, gists examined samples collected from Understanding Illinois geolo - striking a rock hammer against an rotary drill holes (above). Core samples gy has always required getting outcrop or quarry wall, or following from a recent coalbed methane drilling dirty, sunburnt, cold or wet. evidence along a stream bed. project near Olney were labeled and DRocks, soils and every earth material described by scientists. in between need to be examined by May 2005 Outdoor Illinois / 15 Geologists must sometimes use computer applications were needed Great Depression, wars and oil large rigs to drill far beneath the sur - to manage ever-increasing amounts embargos, to name a few—affected face, removing cores of earth materi - of data, assist interpretations and research directions. als for study, or even descend into share information. Also, the methods Finally, collaboration with other sinkholes, caves and mines. Then it Illinois State Geological Survey individuals and agencies has is back to the laboratory to examine (ISGS) geologists use, and the pro - become increasingly important. the materials, record their properties jects they work on, are refined and Many kinds of experts are needed to and interpret them. redirected to respond to a changing understand geological and societal Over the years, other aspects of society and its shifting demands for issues, develop new products and geologic study changed. resources, energy and environmental technologies, and respond to New, powerful technologies and information. Political events—the requests for information.
100 years of Illinois State Geological Survey
1905–1930 1931–1955 1956–1980 Industrial Expansion The Economic Value of Geology Addressing Society’s Issues I Topographic and geological mapping efforts—often I As international leaders in coal and glacial geology, ISGS I Geologists developed the first groundwater flow conducted on foot or on horseback—identified geologists played an essential role in supporting the Illinois models, added seismic refraction and gravity surveys to major geologic units and provided the foundation for economy during the Depression, the war years and an oil their mapping, and improved the system for mapping a basic understanding of the state’s geology. Mapping boom. They inventoried and classified coal reserves, char - buried bedrock valleys. and research studies provided important technical acterized clay minerals, and came to understand the con - I In response to demand for resources, scientists information about coal, oil, fluorspar, brick clay, sand and nection between oil reserves and buried Silurian age reefs. identified and mapped minable coal reserves and lime - gravel, limestone and sandstone—all important state I Information about the uses and specifications of limestone stone for construction. They also studied the possibility industrial resources. and dolomite provided reference standards for industry. of using limestone in coal scrubbers. I Glacial geologists began to classify glacial drift. I Groundwater research began in earnest as I During the Korean and Vietnam wars, chemists I Hundreds of new types of fossils were described. geophysical methods were found to be helpful in locating developed fungicides to control fungus and mold on vinyl I Work on groundwater was limited, but the need for major water-bearing sand and gravel deposits (aquifers). plastic and cotton fibers used by troops. supplies was already becoming critical for rapidly Scientists also realized through mapping that large I During the OPEC oil embargo, alternative fuels and expanding areas, such as Chicago. undiscovered groundwater supplies generally coincided additional, smaller oil fields were investigated. with ancient preglacial valleys. I Major stratigraphic descriptions and classifications I ISGS studies helped ensure sufficient Illinois fluorspar, were compiled, and terms were standardized. lead and zinc for the war effort. I ISGS geologists began to use the newly developed I Work on blending Illinois coal saved transportation carbon-14 method of dating. costs and added a new coal market. I Knowledge of bedrock strata and Illinois’ structural and I Fossil discoveries refined the way geologists correlate, tectonic history continued to be refined. identify and date geologic units. I Large engineering projects in Illinois included Chica - I As structural features were identified and mapped, go’s sanitary district tunnel (TARP) and gas storage in investigators came to understand the tectonic history of mined caverns, petroleum reservoirs, and saline aquifers. the Illinois Basin. I Societal concerns about geological hazards were I Engineering geology helped construction projects such as addressed through studies of known fault zones, paved roads, dams and reservoirs, recreational lakes, Chica - landslides and shoreline erosion. go subways and buildings, and underground gas storage. I The now international concept of environmental geolo - gy was developed at ISGS and applied to problems such Teachers’ field trip, as groundwater contamination, disposal of solid and liquid Quincy Area, 1930. wastes, leaking landfills, air pollution and urban planning.
An X-ray study of mineral matter distribution in coal, 1940.
Seismic shot for bedrock depth determination, 16 / Outdoor Illinois May 2005 northern Will County, 1960. Over the past 100 years, ISGS has amassed accomplishments that pro - vide vital information for the citizens of Illinois.
Cheryl Nimz, staff writer, and Joel Dex - ter, scientific photographer, are based in the Champaign office of the Illinois State Geological Survey. Material for the article was adapted from a chapter by former ISGS Chief Morris W. Leighton in the centennial publication Geology of Illinois , now in progress.
1981–2005 Healthy Environment, Secure Economy I The research thrusts of previous periods continued to evolve. Scientists searched for ways to improve the 2006 and beyond Gathering water samples for marketability of Illinois coal by managing carbon: make coal processing more efficient to reduce costs, develop Looking Ahead contaminant testing. I Geologic investigations continue to be complex, requir - sorbents to make coal combustion cleaner and capture ing multi-disciplinary teams of experts from many public waste by-products into useful new materials. and private institutions. I Coalbed mapping studies are in progress to study I Increasing global energy demand will require more t was on May 12, 1905, that the Illi - the suitability of extracting methane and storing carbon studies to manage carbon, locate oil and gas reservoirs, dioxide to obtain energy and reduce air emissions. Inois General Assembly by legisla - and research new energy sources and technologies. I Locating high-quality construction aggregate resources I Information gained by three-dimensional, detailed map - tive act re-established the state geo - near urban areas remain a critical concern. ping will become a required component of comprehensive I The detailed topographic mapping of the state has been logical survey, which first existed from land use planning and resource location and protection. completed, and detailed geologic mapping is under way. I Strategies for managing and pricing water resources 1851 to 1875. By this act, the Illinois New geologic mapping techniques, multidisciplinary teams will be needed. and computer visualization are able to provide highly legislators formally recognized the I The ultra-deep geology of the state, not yet penetrated detailed, three-dimensional geological information. This by drill bit, may become accessible to geologists through importance of geological research to information has been found to be extremely useful in locat - advanced processing of geophysical logs. ing and protecting groundwater and aggregate resources, the state’s economic development and I New high-speed methods of data manipulation, assessing contamination potential and siting facilities. visualization and communication will allow the public environmental health. I Ongoing environmental investigations monitor wells greater and faster access to these unique and valuable and contamination sites, improve the understanding of Watch for announcements of spe - resources. how waste migrates, and research ways to contain cial centennial publications and events contaminants and clean already contaminated areas. during the anniversary period of May I Additional studies are concerned with preparation for and mitigation of geological hazards, such as 2005 to May 2006. For current infor - landslides, karst terrain, subsidence, shoreline erosion mation, visit www.isgs.uiuc.edu or con - and earthquakes. I Seismic data provide an improved picture of the tact the Information Office, 615 E. subsurface. Peabody Dr., Champaign, IL 61820 or I Scientists use paleontological information to study paleoclimate. phone (217) 244-2414. I The preservation, digitization and distribution of data holdings becomes a priority.
Modern map product for the Antioch Quadrangle in Lake County, showing three-dimensional, detailed geologic information.
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