Kentucky Geological Survey entucky Geology UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY K Earth Resources—Our Common Wealth Winter 2004 Volume 5, Number 1

Kentucky Geological Potential in the Rough Creek Graben Survey 228 Mining & Mineral New natural gas research planned Resources Bldg. he Kentucky Geological Survey is planning a new research consortium to study the deep natural University of Kentucky Tgas potential of the Rough Creek Graben in western Kentucky. The project will focus on the Lexington, KY Cambrian (Rome/Eau Claire) and possibly Precambrian rocks in the graben and surrounding areas in 40506-0107 Kentucky and southern Illinois. This research is dependent on funding from the U.S. Department of 859.257.5500 Energy and joint industry participation. The project would be structured similarly to the recently fax 859.257.1147 completed Rome Trough Consortium project in eastern Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. Final www.uky.edu/KGS products will include: James Cobb, State ♦ Structural and stratigraphic well- Geologist and log cross sections vo™—tion2w—p2for2‚ough2greek2qr—˜en2ƒtudy Director ♦ Digitized well logs ƒtudy2ere— John Kiefer, Assistant ‚ough2greek2qr—˜en State Geologist ♦ Interpretation of available seismic @™onne™ts2with2‚eelfoot2‚ift2to2southwestA Carol Ruthven, Editor, data Kentucky Geology ♦ Structure and isopach maps of potential reservoir intervals and Our mission is to basement increase knowledge and ♦ Core descriptions understanding of the mineral, energy, and ♦ Exploration models and final water resources, report geologic hazards, and Companies interested in partici- H PS wiles geology of Kentucky for pating in this project are encouraged to the benefit of the contact Dave Harris at 859.257.5500 Commonwealth and ext. 173 (e-mail [email protected]) or Jim Drahovzal at 859.257.5500 ext. 175 (e-mail Nation. [email protected]).v In this issue New natural gas Funding renewed for 2004 research planned 1 KGS Digital KGS Digital Geologic Mapping Program Geologic Mapping arren Anderson and Drew Andrews of This is the ninth consecutive year of Program 1 Wthe Geospatial Analysis Section of KGS funding from the USGS. Since 1996 the Digital Quaternary mapping received a 1-year, $245,350 grant from the U.S. Geologic Mapping Program has generated total in Kentucky, Indiana, Geological Survey for the 2004 continuation of project awards of $1.6 million. and Illinois 1 the USGS STATEMAP Program. The funding The digital geologic map information is Geology, GIS, and will be used to convert geologic maps for important for the long-term growth and devel- planning 2 Land-use planning Kentucky into digital format and to conduct opment of the Commonwealth. For more maps 2 new mapping of surficial materials along the information, contact Warren Anderson, In Focus: Reducing Ohio River in western Kentucky. principal investigator of the Digital Geologic global warming by Mapping Program, at 859.257.5500 ext. 151 or storing CO beneath 2 by e-mail at [email protected] the earth’s surface Insert Spotlight on new Disaster preparedness for Greater Evansville area publications 3 Quaternary mapping in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois Technology transfer 3 KGS annual meeting 3 he Western Kentucky western Indiana hosted a tri- review the current understand- Calendar of events 4 TOffice of the Kentucky state Quaternary mapping ing of the Quaternary for the Geological Survey and the conference in Evansville, Ind., Greater Evansville area and to Disaster Prepared Communi- November 18–19. The purpose lay the groundwork for ties Corporation of South- of the conference was to (continued on page 4) 1 Director’s Desk

he future development of coalbed gas escapes into other rocks or into the Tmethane resources and implementa- atmosphere, but some of it remains in tion of carbon sequestration operations the coal. Assessing the coalbed methane in Kentucky offer the prospect of resource in the Eastern and Western significant economic and environmental Kentucky Coal Fields is essential if we benefits for the Commonwealth. During are to understand the economic potential the past 3 years, we have been leaders in for coalbed methane production. With the development of carbon sequestration the support of Federal and State technology and assessment of coalbed agencies, KGS has begun a program to methane potential in Kentucky. assess the coalbed methane potential of The production of coal, along with various coal beds in western Kentucky. the related generation of electricity from We are also seeking Federal and State We are now engaged in detailed coal-fired power plants, has been a support to supplement industry support assessments of specific sites for mainstay of Kentucky’s economy for that we have secured for a similar potential carbon sequestration in decades. Although vast undeveloped resource assessment in eastern Ken- Kentucky. We intend to test some of reserves of coal remain in Kentucky, tucky. these sites to determine if they might developing all of these reserves may not Carbon sequestration refers to a provide safe, long-term CO storage. 2 be economic or technically feasible at process of capturing and safely storing The development of coalbed existing market prices for coal. There is in underground reservoirs carbon methane resources and implementation tremendous economic potential on the dioxide (CO ) from emission stacks of 2 of carbon sequestration operations horizon, however, to use our coal coal-fired power plants and other provide an opportunity to use state-of- resources to develop coalbed methane industrial plants. It has two major the-art technology and geologic research and for carbon sequestration operations. benefits. Reduction of CO in the 2 to maximize the future use of our rich Coalbed methane is a gas that atmosphere can help address problems endowment of energy resources. occurs in association with coal. When associated with global warming. coal is formed underground over Injection of CO into oil reserves can 2 millions of years, large amounts of gas enhance the recovery of oil; and the (mainly methane) are produced—more injection of CO into coal seams can 2 gas than the coal can hold. Some of this produce coalbed methane.

Geology, GIS, and planning GIS 3.x,” taught by Dan Carey, an planning. The maps provide information 1-day workshop to discuss ESRI-certified instructor at KGS. on how the underlying rock in an area Atechnical issues, research expertise, A similar workshop may be hosted affects excavation and foundations, and online data and mapping resources by KGS in the spring of 2004. If you are onsite wastewater treatment systems, for geology, GIS, and planning was interested, please contact Carol residential and industrial developments, hosted by KGS in Lexington on Novem- Ruthven at 859.257.5500 ext. 128 or by highway and street construction, and ber 19. Speakers from KGS, the Natural e-mail at [email protected] pond and reservoir construction. Resources Conservation Service, and the Photographs of sites in the area illustrate Northern Kentucky Area Planning Generalized geologic maps for the geologic concepts discussed in the Commission discussed soils and land-use planning text. geology, building on karst terrain, s economic growth continues in These maps have been published geologic hazards, geologic maps and AKentucky, there is an increasing for six counties (Butler, Edmonson, GIS, and GIS and planning. need for a better understanding of the Jessamine, Scott, Warren, and Wood- The PowerPoint presentations from potential impact that local geology can ford), Lexington and Fayette County, the workshop are available on the News have on land use. KGS is cooperating and the Berea 7.5-minute quadrangle. and Announcements section of the KGS with the U.S. Department of Agricul- They are available on the KGS Web site Web site (www.uky.edu/kgs). The ture–Natural Resources Conservation at www.uky.edu/KGS/pubs/lop.htm. For workshop was followed by a 2-day Service to produce generalized geologic more information, contact Dan Carey at training class, “Introduction to ArcView maps that can be used for land-use 859.257.5500 ext. 157 or by e-mail at [email protected]

2 IN FFOCUS Reducing Global Warming by Storing Carbon Dioxide beneath the Earth’s Surface—Exploring the Prospects for Carbon Sequestration Carol L. Ruthven February 2004

Carbon dioxide emissions climate_change_position.html).The Wyoming, and New Mexico, to produce and global warming environmental impact of global oil remaining in reservoir pores after primary production is complete. The ydrocarbons (oil, natural gas, and coal) warming is not well understood but injected CO affects chemical interac- Hare expected to be the primary source of diverse and widespread; it includes 2 tions among the reservoir rock and oil. energy in the United States for at least the glaciers melting more rapidly than in When CO mixes with the remaining oil, next 50 years. There is mounting scientific the past, increased loss of forests 2 it can expand its volume and reduce its evidence that increasing concentrations of damaged by pests (e.g., budworm and viscosity (thickness), making it easier carbon dioxide (CO ) are contributing to pine beetle), and earlier spring 2 to pump to the surface. This process is global warming. Carbon dioxide is released weather and hotter summer weather in referred to as “enhanced oil recovery” to the atmsophere when carbon-containing places around the globe. Although roughly half of the CO released in the or “EOR.” fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal are 2 burned. This problem is compounded by atmosphere is absorbed by plants and The success of EOR operations carbon emissions from forest fires and trees in forests as part of photosyn- has spurred scientists to investigate forests burned to clear land. thesis or absorbed by oceans, a coal seams to determine if they may significant amount of CO remains Carbon dioxide increases the capacity of 2 the atmosphere to trap heat (the “green- in the atmosphere. house effect”) and this contributes to global warming. Daily activities by all of us add to Carbon sequestration the problem—CO is released in emissions 2 technology from vehicles, large industrial complexes, and power plants. arbon sequestration research Cis focused on finding ways to In 1988, the World Meterological capture and safely store CO from Organization and the United Nations 2 emission stacks of coal-fired power Environmental Programme established the plants and other industrial plants. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Carbon dioxide can be captured (www.ipcc.ch) to assess scientific, technical, from a power plant’s flue-gas and socioeconomic factors relevant for stream (i.e., the gas produced as a understanding climate change. In its 2001 byproduct of burning coal). The report, the IPCC concluded that the atmo- flue gas can be “scrubbed” or spheric concentration of CO increased 31 2 “cleaned” to remove the CO . The CO also absorb CO and displace methane percent from 280 parts per million in 1750 to 2 2 2 can be converted into a concentrated as a recoverable product to enhance 367 ppm in 1999. It also concluded that the stream, pressurized until it becomes a natural gas production. global average surface temperature (the liquid, and then transported by average of near-surface air temperature over pipeline to a site for injection into land and sea surface temperature) increased Research at KGS underground reservoirs for long-term over the 20th century by about 0.6 degrees eologists at KGS are providing storage. Celsius. The IPCC reported, “Globally, it is Gregional leadership in carbon very likely that the 1990s was the warmest In projects across the nation, sequestration research. With current decade and 1998 the warmest year in the geologists are evaluating the potential funding of more than $680,000 from the for sequestering CO in traditional and instrumental record, since 1861.” 2 U.S. Department of Energy and (www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/ unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, industry partners, KGS geologists are 016.htm) uneconomic coal seams, and saline active in numerous carbon sequestra- aquifers. They are also evaluating In a December 2003 policy statement, tion research projects. potential economic benefits of “Human Impacts on Climate,” the Council of enhanced production of oil and MIDCARB. The Survey’s involvement the American Geophysical Union said that coalbed methane that might result in carbon sequestration research began “it is virtually certain that increasing from carbon sequestration operations. in 2000 with the Midcontinent Interac- atmospheric concentrations of carbon During the past 20 years, CO has tive Digital Atlas and Relational dioxide and other greenhouse gases will 2 Database (MIDCARB) project cause global surface climate to be warmer.” been injected into mature oil fields, (www.midcarb.org). For the past 3 (www.agu.org/sci_soc/policy/ particularly in Texas, Colorado, years, KGS has cooperated with the detail the prospects for carbon seques- Devonian black shales are organic- geological surveys of Illinois, Indiana, tration in the Midwest and Appalachia. rich rocks that serve as a source and trap Kansas, and Ohio to evaluate the KGS geologists are studying the for natural gas. Most of the natural gas potential for carbon sequestration in the geologic framework of the regions in is adsorbed on clay and kerogen Midwest. The Ohio River Valley has the order to get a better understanding of (fossilized insoluable organic material) largest concentration of power plants in CO storage options. They are also surfaces; this is similar to the way in 2 the nation. including geographic information which methane gas is stored in coal The MIDCARB team built an system (GIS) data to identify pipelines beds. It has been demonstrated that in high-rank coal, on average, CO is integrated database of informa- 2 tion and maps that could be used preferentially adsorbed, displacing by decision-makers in the public The MIDCARB Internet mapping site was the methane at a ratio of two for one. and private sectors to evaluate first system developed in the nation for the In other words, approximately two options for the future manage- CO molecules will adsorb to every U.S. Department of Energy that successfully 2 ment of CO emissions. This one methane molecule released. In 2 research has been timely—a linked and integrated geologic maps and data a similar way, black shales may question being debated publicly from multiple states. desorb methane in the presence of adsorbing CO . If this is the case, is whether Congress should 2 begin to regulate CO emissions and preliminary research is 2 from coal-fired power plants. indicating that it is, black shales and other infrastructure that could be may be an excellent trap for storing CO The five-state MIDCARB team 2 used to transport CO from emission and it could have the added economic identified the locations of large sources 2 of CO emissions, such as coal-fired sources to storage sites. The goal is to incentive of enhancing natural gas 2 power plants, petroleum refineries, eventually drill wells to demonstrate the production. feasibility of sequestering CO in cement plants, and other large industrial 2 complexes in the Midwest. They also various geologic storage sites. Benefits of carbon identified potential sites for storage of In the study of the Midwest region, sequestration CO , including oil and gas reservoirs, coal KGS is collaborating with the Illinois 2 he potential benefits of carbon beds, organic-rich shales, and saline and Indiana geological surveys. KGS Tsequestration are numerous. It could aquifers. An Internet mapping site was received a grant of $200,842 from DOE provide revenue for the petroleum then constructed to link geologic data for this research. industry from enhanced production of and maps from the five states and allow In the study of the Appalachian oil and natural gas. It could allow our decision-makers to evaluate alternative region, KGS is collaborating with nation to continue to use its abundant carbon sequestration options. Battelle National Energy Technology and inexpensive coal resources to Laboratory; the geological surveys of In 2004, the MIDCARB project is generate electricity; this would benefit Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West being expanded to include geologic data coal producers, as well as electricity Virginia; Ohio State University; Penn- and maps for 33 states. The data and consumers. It could also provide a sylvania State University; Purdue maps are being compiled by seven bridge to ease the transition away from University; West Virginia University; regional sequestration partnerships. KGS dependence on fossil fuels toward and seven energy companies. DOE is participating in two of the seven increased reliance on renewable fuels, provided KGS with a grant of $50,066 for partnerships (the Midwest and Appala- energy efficiency, and energy conserva- this 2-year project. chia partnerships discussed below). KGS tion in this century. is also helping West Virginia and Penn- For information about carbon sylvania to add information about CO Devonian black shale. Researchers at 2 sequestration research at KGS, contact sources and potential geologic sites for KGS are also investigating the potential to dispose of CO by sequestering it in Jim Drahovzal, head of the Energy and carbon sequestration in their states. KGS 2 Minerals Section, at 859.257.5500 (ext. received $100,000 from DOE for the 1-year black shales in Kentucky. In this 3-year 175) or send an e-mail to extension of the MIDCARB project. project (July 1, 2002–June 30, 2005), funded with a DOE grant of $532,966, [email protected]. Additional informa- Carbon sequestration in the Midwest and KGS is collaborating with scientists at tion about carbon sequestration Appalachia. Building on the expertise and the University of British Columbia and research projects is found on the KGS data we acquired in the MIDCARB DOE’s National Energy Technology Web site at www.uky.edu/kgs. project, KGS is researching in greater Laboratory.

Kentucky Geological Survey Visit the KGS online catalog of publications, 228 Mining and Mineral Resources Building databases, and Internet mapping service at Lexington, KY 40506-0107 www.uky.edu/kgs/pubs/lop.htm Phone: 859.257.5500 Public Information Center: 859.257.3896 or Fax: 859.257.1147 1.877.778.7827 www.uky.edu/kgs Spotlight on new publications Water well and spring maps Technology he Kentucky Groundwater Data Reposi- Ttory has a wealth of data useful for Transfer environmental consultants, engineers, and citizens. Since the spring of 2002, Bart Davidson, manager of the repository, has New GIS data available on KGS Web site compiled 23 maps (1:100,000 scale) showing everal new data sets are available in the GIS data library on the KGS Web site the distribution and location of water wells S(www.uky.edu/KGS/gis/mapimages.html). The new data sets include wetlands and springs in the following 30 x 60 minute maps, landslide potential maps, and mapped sinkholes. quadrangles: The wetlands maps, produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, show • Beaver Dam categorized wetland areas on a 7.5-minute topographic base. A chart that explains • Bowling Green the map symbols, “Key to Wetlands Symbols,” is available as a PDF file • Campbellsville (kgsweb.uky.edu/download/water/wetlandskey.pdf). GIS data organized by county • Corbin are also available at www.uky.edu/KGS/gis/hydro.html. • Elizabethtown The landslide potential maps, produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, depict • Evansville generalized slope-stability conditions at the time of field checking (1977–79). • Falmouth-Cincinnati-Madison They are available for most of southeastern and south-central Kentucky. Mapped • Harrodsburg units depict the dominant stability conditions in delineated areas. These are • Hazard • Hopkinsville preliminary maps and are suitable for general planning purposes only. • Huntington The wetlands and landslide maps were scanned in MrSid format and • Irvine georeferenced in the Kentucky Single Zone coordinate system. Georeferencing • Lexington allows users to view the maps with other similarly referenced data in GIS or CAD • Louisville software. • Madisonville KGS has also added the capability to view and download images of 7.5- • Morehead minute geologic quadrangle and 7.5-minute topographic maps, georeferenced in • Murray the Kentucky State Plane Single Zone projection. • Paducah These products can be searched for on the KGS Web site in two ways. If you • Pikeville are seeking a number of adjacent maps, the following links provide an index map • Somerset on which quadrangles can be selected by state tile codes: • Tell City • Wetlands maps: www.uky.edu/KGS/gis/wetlands/index.html • Tompkinsville • Landslide maps: www.uky.edu/KGS/gis/landslide/index.html • Williamson • 7.5-minute geologic quadrangle maps: www.uky.edu/KGS/gis/gqmaps/ Each map, which covers an area of index.html approximately 31 by 54 miles, displays the • 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle maps: www.uky.edu/KGS/gis/ locations of springs and four types of water krgweb/index.html wells (domestic or private, industrial, public, Alternatively, if you are looking for a particular quadrangle by name, you can and monitoring). Detailed information about search for these maps from the KGS online list of publications at www.uky.edu/ the wells and springs identified on the maps is KGS/pubs/lop.htm. available from the Kentucky Groundwater Mapped sinkhole data, compiled by KGS and the Kentucky Speleological Data Repository, which is maintained by Survey, Inc., were delineated from the outermost closed depression contour on KGS. Each map is available as a PDF file at USGS 1:24,000-scale digital topographic maps. These are vector data in ESRI www.uky.edu/KGS/pubs/lop.htm, or can be shapefile format, in latitude and longitude coordinates (NAD83 datum). The files purchased from the Public Information Center. and associated metadata are available at www.uky.edu/KGS/gis/sinkpick.htm. For more information, contact Davidson at For more information, contact Dan Carey at 859.257.5500 ext. 157 or by 859.257.5500 ext. 162 or by e-mail at e-mail at [email protected] [email protected]

New Internet mapping location tool new Internet mapping location tool, ArcIMS Geographic Query Tool, allows Mark your calendar! Ayou to enter geographic information such as county, quadrangle, town, or he 44th annual meeting of the Kentucky coordinates (in any datum and projection) and will open the ArcIMS site you are TGeological Survey will be held on Friday, interested in (from the pull-down list). This tool, which can be found at April 30. Forthcoming details of the technical kgsweb.uky.edu/arcimsSearch.asp, will work with any IMS site that is in Kentucky program will be posted on the KGS Web site State Plane Single Zone projection. If you would like your ArcIMS site added to the at www.uky.edu/kgs.v list (if it is in Single Zone), please contact Doug Curl at 859.257.5500 ext. 140 or send an e-mail to [email protected]

3 KGS mailing list ould you like to receive the KGS newsletter and an- Mailing List Addition” in the subject line of your message, type Wnouncements of meetings and new publications? Please your mailing address and phone and fax number in the mes- call us at 859.257.5500 ext. 128 or send an e-mail message to sage—and we will include your name and address in our mailing Carol Ruthven at [email protected]—simply type “Electronic- list.v

Calendar of events w April 18–21: AAPG annual meeting, Dallas, Tex., www.aapg.org/meetings/dallas04 w April 30: Kentucky Geological Survey 44th annual meeting w May 15: Spring field trip and awards banquet, Kentucky Section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville, Ky., www.professionalgeologist.org w October 3–6: Eastern Section AAPG, annual meeting, Columbus, Ohio, www.ohiodnr.com/geosurvey/aapg04.htm w October 10–16: Earth Science Week 2004, “Living on a Restless Earth,” www.earthsciweek.org w October 21–23: Kentucky Society of Professional Geologists annual fall field conference w November 7–10: Geological Society of America annual meeting, Denver, Colo., www.geosociety.org/meetings/2004 w Nov. 17: GIS Day, www.gisday.comv

(“Quaternary mapping,” continued from page 1) organizing a cooperative effort for geologically mapping these Geologists, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Evansville Building sediments. The participants discussed the mapping requirements Commission, the Indiana Geological Survey, the Illinois State necessary to support the detailed assessment of earthquake Geological Survey, the Kentucky Geological Survey, the Univer- hazards of a seven-quadrangle region. sity of Kentucky, Purdue University, the University of Southern The conference included field trip stops along the Ohio Indiana, and Western Michigan University. For more information, River Valley in Henderson, Evansville, and Owensboro and contact Dave Williams, manager of the Western Kentucky paleoliquifaction features in the Wabash River Valley north of Office, at 270.827.3414 or by e-mail at [email protected] Evansville. Attendees included researchers and representatives from the Central United States Earthquake Consortium–State

Kentucky Geological Survey 228 Mining & Mineral Resources Bldg. Nonprofit Organization University of Kentucky U.S. Postage Lexington, KY 40506-0107 PAID Lexington, KY Address service requested Permit No. 51

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