Iowa Geology We Conduct Investigations
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16 LOESS HILLS: A National Natural CONTENTS Landmark Iowa Jean C. Prior Unusually thick deposits of wind-blown silt in western Iowa contribute to unique 2 STATE GEOLOGIST'S VIEWPOINT topographic forms which have been Geology Donald L. Koch recognized as nationally significant landscapes. Priority topics for investigation and funding include detailed geologic mapping, com- 1987 prehensive evaluation of groundwater 20 ALLUVIAL AQUIFERS: Northwest Iowa resources, assessment of industrial Summary minerals, and the potential for commercial Carol A. Thompson Geological Survey Bureau oil and gas. Studies of groundwater from sand and 123 North Capitol Street gravel deposits along river valleys in north· Iowa City, Iowa 52242 4 GROUNDWATER POLICY AND west Iowa reveal widespread nitrate con- GEOLOGY tamination as well as low concentrations of (319) 335-1575 Bernard E. Hoyer pesticides. Donald L. Koch The Iowa Groundwater Protection Strategy 1987, the fi rst report on an evolving ground· 22 REGIONAL FLOOD PATIERNS: The In- State Geologist and Bureau Chief water policy, recognizes the fundamental fluence of Topography role of geologic conditions in understanding Oscar G. Lara and James D. Giglierano contamination problems. Physical differences in terrain between Iowa Department of Natural Resources various regions of the state can be used to 8 GEODES: A Look At Iowa's State Rock improve estimates of flood magnitude and Brian J. Witzke frequency. Spherically shaped rocks with hollow in· tenors lined with sparkling crystals may be 24 UNDERGROUND LIMESTONE MINING found 1n stream beds or weathering from Robert M. McKay and Michael J. Bounk Cover: shaley strata 1n southeastern Iowa. Some Iowa limestone producers have This thin-section view of a metamorphic rock (gneiss), as seen through shifted to underground operations in a petrographic microscope, shows interlocking mineral crystals of 10 MICROSCOPIC STUDIES OF ROCK response to geologic and market condi· white, gray, and black quartz with varicolored muscovite mica. The THIN-SECTIONS t1ons, and find problems as well as advan- tages to underground stone extraction. rock is from a cored sequence of uplifted Precambrian-age rocks near Greg A. Ludvigson Manson in northern Calhoun County. Thin-section studies provide im Colorful images of refracted light through portant information about the composition. origin, and history of Iowa's thin slices of rock are a valuable method for 27 FOSSIL AMPHIBIAN SITE: A Significant rock materials. Cross-polarized light, magnified 235x. determining the characteristics of Iowa's North American Find rock and mineral resources Robert M. McKay Cover photo by Greg A. Ludvigson Rare. well-preserved fossils of primitive am- Cover design by Patricia Lohmann 12 HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI ph1bians and fish found in Iowa will aid VALLEY paleontologists studying the emergence of E. Arthur Bettis Ill vertebrates from water to the land. A network of buried valleys and the distribu· Jean C. Prior . ...... Editor tion of overlying glacial deposits provide 28 SELECTED SURVEY PUBLICATIONS evidence about the ancestry of the Patricia J. Lohmann .. Publications Designer, Artist An annotated listing of reports published by Mississippi River in the Iowa-Illinois region. the Geological Survey Bureau 1n 1986 pro- Editor's Note.· Appreciation is expressed to Mary Pat Heitman for her vides a guide to completed geological in- secretanal assistance and to the individual authors for their vestigations and to sources of information cooperation. on the state's geology. STATE GEOLOGIST'S VIEWPOINT ith each issue of Iowa Geology we conduct investigations. New techniques County on March 16, 1987. This is should be supported by state appropria W hope to broaden our readers' ac permit further study and understanding perhaps the most significant "geologic iions - these projects and programs quaintance with different aspects of the of our finite natural resources, and new event" in Iowa's history. The information represent an investment by the state in state's geology and hydrology. Past geologic concepts demand reexamina from this intended 15,000-foot test (near the acquisition of information that is issues have included articles on coal ex tion of long-held ideas and theories. ly three times as deep as the current critical to wise development, manage ploration; irrigation of croplands; mineral What areas of investigation remain to be depth record in Iowa) may confirm, deny, ment, and conservation of our natural resources; caves; water resource in addressed? What work remains to be or alter geologic interpretations about resources. Many projects require coor vestigations; topographic mapping; done? the Midcontinent Rift that presently are dination (and often participation) with hazardous-waste disposal; fossils; oil ex The current detail of geologic mapping based upon geophysical data (gravity, other state/federal agencies to assure ploration; and groundwater contamina is inadequate for much of the state. More magnetic, seismic). Whether or not oil or that all interests are considered, that tion. And yet we have hardly scratched accurate information is required for land gas is discovered, the drill-hole data will duplication of effort is avoided, and that the surface of interesting topics and use planning, environmental protection, add immensely to our knowledge about maximum use is made of each bit of in significant matters that could be brought and hazards control. Our groundwater the geologic framework of Iowa. formation derived from the project. to your attention. resources need further evaluation With all that geologic work to be done, Whether a project is large or small, or As you read this issue, you will relative to available supplies, the extent how do we prioritize and fund new proj whether the necessary tools and equip develop a new sense of our state's and type(s) of contamination, and , yes, ects, especially in light of a limited staff ment require high-altitude imagery or a geologic setting, from the megascopic to the impacts of a predictable drought. We and budget, and be responsive to the in microscope, the expertise of the GSB the microscopic. There are high-altitude need to further assess our supplies of in formation needs of taxpayers? Most new staff will assure a quality product. images of the Mississippi Valley and the dustrial minerals (limestone, clay, gravel, projects, once implemented, should be western Loess Hills; magnified details of etc.), particularly where urbanization two years or less in duration so that time crystal configurations; maps to estimate continues to limit extraction of these ly results are available to the user com flood characteristics; monitoring results com modi ties. munity. All expenses for a project must from sand and gravel aquifers; and And of course there is more to learn be fully considered so that no significant underground limestone mines. Thus, you about our state's potential for commer cost overruns occur. Federal funds will become further exposed to the wide cial oil and gas. Additional exploration should be sought for certain projects that Donald L. Koch range of our geological investigations - likely will occur in "shallow" sedimentary provide immediate, direct benefits to the State Geologist and Bureau Chief geographically across the state, vertical rocks of southeast and southwestern state or that otherwise mesh well with ly through the subsurface - at both Iowa, largely through the efforts of in the goals and responsibilities of the large and small scales. dividual operators and small companies. Geological Survey Bureau (GSB). Cer Just as geology itself is dynamic, so AMOCO Production Company started to tainly the longer term projects and on are the tools which geologists utilize to drill their M.G . Eischeid #1 test in Carroll going programs of basic data acquisition 2 3 ings have been chronicled in the press GROUNDWATER over the past five years. Today, the public is concerned. A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) POLICY sponsored public-opinion survey of 400 citizens, taken in the fall of 1986, re AND vealed that 86 percent of Iowans con sidered groundwater contamination as a GEOLOGY serious problem, and 83 percent be lieved more needed to be done to pro tect the resource. Sixty-three percent of Bernard E. Hoyer those who believed there was a problem volunteered ag-chemicals as the most significant source of that contamination. Documentation of water-quality prob Groundwater has always been important lems, combined with widespread media to Iowans, but it has never been regard coverage and the educational efforts of ed as a prominent, front-page issue. agricultural and other professional About 80 percent of the state's popula groups are responsible for developing tion utilizes this resource for their drink the public's awareness and concern for ing water supply, yet most are unaware Iowa's groundwater supplies. The of the geological conditions which supply General Assembly perceived this con water to their wells. Although the occur cern and mandated that the Environmen rence, availability, and quality of ground tal Protection Commission develop a water vary from one region of the state to groundwater protection plan for Iowa. another, its quantity and quality have This plan, the Iowa Groundwater Pro been accepted as inalterable products of tection Strategy 1987, is the state's first the earth, and its purity has been taken comprehensive attempt to design policy for granted. The only hazards to wells related to the protection of groundwater were thought to be associated with poor resources. The strategy was developed construction or improper placement, im by DNR staff, along with advisory com plying risks from local sources such as mittees drawn from government and in septic systems or barnyards. terested public groups. After approval by Findings of the past few years, the Environmental Protection Commis however, have revealed another side to sion in January 1987, the plan was sent the story. Gasoline has leaked into wells to the General Assembly. Legislation to and basements. Leachate from landfills implement the plan will be controversial, has moved off-site.