Kentucky Geological Survey entucky Geology UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY K Earth Resources—Our Common Wealth Summer 2003 Volume 4, Number 2

Kentucky Geological Geologic feasibility Survey 228 Mining & Mineral Developing coalbed methane Drilling Resources Bldg. ortland Eble, a coal methane in the Illinois Basin Coalbed m University of Kentucky Cgeologist at the Kentucky have been produced, mainly Lexington, KY Geological Survey, received a because historical data have Conventio 40506-0107 A convention grant of $1.5 million from the indicated low, uneconomic gas then fluid is f 859.257.5500 U.S. Department of Energy to contents. More recently releases met fax 859.257.1147 assess coalbed methane acquired data suggest, however, www.uky.edu/KGS resources and test production that gas contents in certain Jim Cobb, State in the Illinois Basin. KGS will areas of the basin may be much collaborate with the geological higher than previously thought. Induced fractures Geologist and in coal enhance Director surveys of Illinois and Indiana As coal production in the basin gas flow. John Kiefer, Assistant in this 3-year project. continues to decline, mainly State Geologist The Illinois Basin has because of the high sulfur Carol Ruthven, Editor, more than 325 billion tons of contents of most of the coals, Kentucky Geology remaining coal resources that production of coalbed methane COAL BED is estimated to contain 11 may be an effective way to use Drilling for coalbed methane: Our mission is to trillion cubic feet or more of this vast energy resource to a conventional well like those increase knowledge and coalbed methane, a gas that serve markets in Illinois and used for natural gas is drilled, understanding of the then fluid is forced down the mineral, energy, and occurs in association with Indiana. Development of this well to fracture the coal, water resources, coal. When coal is formed, resource would also contribute geologic hazards, and large amounts of gas (mainly to the energy security of the which releases methane gas. geology of Kentucky for methane) are produced—more nation as a whole. the benefit of the gas than the coal can hold. The goal of the project is coalbed methane. The results Commonwealth and Some of this gas escapes into to obtain fundamental methane- of the exploration program Nation. other rocks or into the atmo- content, permeability, and well- will be used to identify one sphere, but some remains in completion data for Illinois area that will undergo addi- the coal. More information is Basin coals from a selected set tional closely spaced drilling found in a fact sheet at of core holes. Detailed geologic and serve as a well-completion In this issue www.uky.edu/KGS/education/ analysis will be done to site. Various fracturing Developing coalbed education.html. determine the selection of well methods, designed to enhance methane 1 To date, very limited sites that provide possible areas the flow of gas out of the coal, Helping communities amounts of the coalbed of economic development of will be tested to determine the find water supplies 1 best method for maximizing Director’s desk 2 production. An advanced Abandoned coal mines Geology and planning drilling program, the first of its in Kentucky 2 Helping communities find water supplies kind for coalbed methane Earth Science Week he Kentucky Geological effort by the KIA, KGS, and exploration in the Illinois 2003 2 TSurvey received a grant for local governments, groundwa- Basin, will also be used. The In focus: Digital $50,000 for fiscal year 2003– ter quality and quantity will be analyzed data and results will geologic mapping 04 from the Kentucky Infra- assessed by drilling water be made available to the public for the Common- structure Authority in the wells and sampling water in in publications, on a Web site, wealth Insert Governor’s Office to help coal mines so that local and at regional workshops. Technology transfer 3 communities across the government officials can plan The project results should Spotlight on new Commonwealth develop for future water-supply needs. encourage private industry to publication 3 groundwater supplies for Jim Dinger, head of the Water explore and develop this Calendar of events 4 drinking water. Hydrologists at Resources Section at KGS, is important energy resource. Awards 4 KGS will examine abandoned directing the program. For For more information, underground coal mines and more information, contact contact Eble at 859.257.5500 delineate fracture zones in rock Dinger at 859.257.5500. ext. ext. 149 or by e-mail at that will produce large supplies 163 or by e-mail at [email protected] of groundwater. In this joint [email protected] 1 Director’s Desk

ast summer we held a press confer- quality of public service we are provid- Lence in Lexington to announce the ing. launching of our online system of oil When we established our online and gas well records. As we anticipated, system, we created a single portal where the response from the oil and gas users could access information and data industry and State government officials from all our databases (www.uky.edu/ was extremely positive. KGS/pubs/lop.htm). In effect, we Shortly after the system was wanted to create “one-stop shopping.” launched, an oil and gas producer in Having highly publicized our oil and gas Texas called. He wanted information well records, we were curious to see if about Kentucky oil and gas wells. One there would also be increases in access of our geologists was able to guide him to the other KGS databases available on through our online system, and he had the Web. the information he needed within We recently examined some If we use the conservative number minutes of calling. This client exclaimed statistics that represent the number of of 150 searches a day, 5 days a week for that he did not know of any comparable database searches on our Web site by a normal workweek, for 52 weeks, the online system. Last month, in our Public users on a daily basis. The results were annual total is 39,000 searches. This is Information Center, I met an investor quite remarkable. On a daily basis, the approximately four times more than the from Europe who was accompanied by a number of searches were: number of traditional inquiries (tele- Kentucky oil producer. The investor told ♦ 150 to 200 for all KGS databases phone, fax, e-mail, drop-in customers) me how pleased he was to be able to that we respond to annually. This is just ♦ 100 for oil and gas well records access the oil and gas well records he the beginning! Watch for new develop- needed in Kentucky from the conve- ♦ 30 to 40 for publications ments as we continue to enhance this nience of his office in Europe. He ♦ 15 to 20 for water well and spring vital public service.v described the KGS online system of oil data and gas well records as “the best in the ♦ 5 to 10 for coal borehole and world.” This feedback confirms the thickness records

Digital geologic maps and data Geology and planning in Kentucky n the spring of 2003, a new initiative (www.kaco.org). Drew Andrews, Carol planning and GIS applications was Iwas launched to explain how digital Ruthven, Dave Williams, Dan Carey, presented by Cobb and Ruthven at the geologic maps and data are essential for and Jim Cobb have given presentations spring conference of the Kentucky planning decisions about land use, on geology and planning at seminars in Chapter of the American Planners environmental protection, and mitigation Berea, Elkton, LaGrange, Mount Association in Rough River Dam State of natural hazards in urban and rural Sterling, Lexington, Kentucky Dam Resort Park in western Kentucky on areas. This initiative was undertaken in Village State Resort Park, London, Fort May 23. cooperation with the Kentucky League Mitchell, and Bowling Green. The For more information about the of Cities’ NewCities Foundation seminars will be offered in other geology and planning presentations, Leadership Center Program communities in the future. contact Ruthven at 859.257.5500 ext. (www.newcities.org) and the Kentucky A workshop demonstrating the 128 or by e-mail at Association of Counties use of digital geologic data in land-use [email protected]

Earth Science Week 2003 ark your calendar for October 12–18: Earth Science Week 2003 M(www.earthsciweek.org). This year’s theme is “Eyes on Planet Earth: Monitor- ing Our Changing World.” Join us for an open house on Wednesday, October 15, co- sponsored by KGS, the UK Department of Geological Sciences, the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, and the Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment. For more information, contact Carol Ruthven at 859.257.5500 ext. 128 or by e-mail at [email protected] IN FFOCUS Digital Geologic Mapping for the Commonwealth Warren H. Anderson and Gerald A. Weisenfluh August 2003

The Digital Geologic mandated that the entire United States be tion that relate to the age, composition, mapped geologically. The legislation and structure of mineral features. Mapping Program was reauthorized in 1998. Because of this complexity, the informa- he Digital Geologic Mapping The Kentucky Geological Survey tion cannot be stored in a single data Tprogram (www.uky.edu/KGS/ has used funding from this program to structure. Individual themes must be mapping/mapping.html) has been one of produce 7.5-minute digital geologic created to represent different kinds of the largest and most successful programs quadrangle maps at a scale of 1:24,000 geologic features in a digital format. of the Kentucky Geological Survey (1 inch=2,000 feet). Geologic features are rendered in vector during the past 7 years. It is providing format to permit variation in scale the foundation of digital mapping and Program achievements without degrading quality. The geologic the database structure for future digital map data are supplied in ESRI shapefile and Web-based products and services. It he initial goal was to have format for use in geographic information is a cooperative effort between KGS and Tcomplete digital coverage for the systems. Commercially and publicly the U.S. Geological Survey, as part of entire state by the year 2007. Currently, available software can be used to view the National Cooperative Geologic the program staff are ahead of schedule, or analyze the shapefiles on a personal Mapping Program (ncgmp.usgs.gov). and complete digital coverage is computer. expected by the end of 2004. The program began in the early The availability of the data in GIS 1990’s when Donald Haney, the eleventh When the digital coverage for the format allows the data to be manipulated director of KGS, was instrumental in entire state is completed, Kentucky will and separated into their component securing national legislation that would become the first state in the nation to parts. This is achieved by creating a allow the United States to be mapped achieve this milestone. By the summer database of information that is attached geologically. Of specific interest was a of 2003, more than 650 of the 707 to the digital files. The databases of provision that allowed states such as quadrangles (7.5-minute, 1:24,000 scale) geologic information are referred to as Kentucky, who were already mapped, to had been digitized. “digitally vectorized geologic quad- convert existing maps into digital rangles.” The DVGQ’s are not a products. The versatility and power of facsimile of the original published paper Public Law 102-285, the “National digital data: DVGQ’s map. Geologic Mapping Act,” was signed into eologic maps are complex; they In the DVGQ’s, which are released law by President Bush in May 1992. It Gcontain various kinds of informa- on CD-ROM, geologic features are CINCINNATI Released MAYSVILLE IRONTON MADISON MAYSVILLE IRONTON Digitized and Compiled MADISON FALMOUTHFALMOUTH In Progress HUNTINGTON LOUISVILLE LEXINGTONLEXINGTON MOREHEADMOREHEAD JASPER LOUISVILLE

WEST WILLIAMSON WEST HARRODSBURGHARRODSBURG IRVINE WILLIAMSON FRANKFORT EVANSVILLE TELLTELL CITYCITY ELIZABETHTOWN FRANKFORT EVANSVILLE

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Areas for which DVGQ’s have been released. This map shows 30 x 60 minute quadrangles. Each 30 x 60 minute quadrangle is compiled from multiple 7.5-minute quadrangles. represented as vector points, lines, or digital raster graphic images, and scale compilation of the 7.5-minute data. areas. Characteristics and descriptions of satellite imagery, can also be used as a These paper maps provide a regional the features are also provided. base for the DVGQ data. The digital perspective of geology with the fidelity Geologic features stored in a DVGQ geologic data, when combined with of detail of the original 1:24,000-scale database can include: other spatially referenced data, can geologic quadrangle maps. A county create a powerful geologic information geologic map series is planned as well; ♦ formation area: the surficial areas of management system. the first maps are being published on a rock units that compose a geologic print-on-demand basis for the central map Information about the DVGQ data sets and a sample data set are available Kentucky area. ♦ formation contacts: the upper and at www.uky.edu/KGS/gis/DVGQ/ The digital data are being used to lower surface boundary of each rock homepage.htm. Information on the make maps for county land-use planning. unit digital geologic maps and other GIS Each map provides a simplified geologic ♦ structural features: structure con- products are available at www.uky.edu/ map of the county and an interpretation tours, erosional surface contours, and KGS/gis/intro.html and www.uky.edu/ of the local geology in nontechnical anticlinal and synclinal axes KGS/mapping/mapping.html. language. The maps include information on how the underlying rock in an area ♦ structural measurements: strike and affects land use (for example, excavation dip measurements for bedding and The value of digital and foundations, on-site wastewater joint surfaces geologic maps treatment systems, residential and ♦ faults: faults, fractures, and fault igital geologic information can be industrial developments, highway and scarps Dused for land-use planning, street development, pond and reservoir ♦ thin beds: rocks units that were too environmental protection, hazards construction, etc.). Photographs of sites thin to digitize as polygons mitigation, and mining activities. Digital in the area are used to illustrate the map data are also valuable for assess- geologic discussion. This derivative map ♦ coal locations: coal outcrop locations ment of coal, mineral, and petroleum product can be used by homeowners, ♦ economic features: arcs of mineral resources; construction and urban developers, and planners. veins and mine outlines development; engineering, planning, and reclamation; and water-supply and ♦ economic locations: noncoal and Future directions waste-disposal studies. economically significant mineral he newly created digital map data Geologists at KGS have cooperated outcrops and prospects, mines, Tare being incorporated into a with the Kentucky Transportation quarries, pits, shafts, etc. database of spatial information that will Center at the University of Kentucky be accessible through the Web. An ♦ drillhole locations: locations of and the Kentucky Transportation Internet map server is being used in geologically significant drillholes Cabinet to provide digital geologic conjunction with the database to provide maps for the proposed I-66 highway ♦ intrusive features: dikes and sills easy access to the land-use planning corridor between Somerset and London, ♦ intrusive locations: points of dikes maps. as well as the Glasgow to Bowling and sills Green segment. In 2000 KGS staff used The new maps and derivative map ♦ fossil locations: fossil locations and digital geologic data to assess the products can be viewed using the sample sites remaining near-surface coal resources in Internet map services at kgsweb.uky.edu/ eastern Kentucky for the U.S. Office of arcimsSearch.asp. A tutorial for their use ♦ fossil horizons: fossil layers and is provided. sample transects. Surface Mining. These cooperatively funded projects demonstrate the For information about the Digital As many as 14 different themes that multidisciplinary value of geologic Geologic Mapping program, contact relate to geologic features on the original maps. Warren Anderson at 859.257.5500 ext. geologic quadrangle map make up the 151 or send an e-mail to database, but not all are present for every New geologic maps and [email protected]. For information DVGQ. Of the more than 650 digitized about the DVGQ’s, contact Jerry geologic quadrangle maps, 150 have been derivative map products Weisenfluh at 859.257.5500 ext. 114 or released on CD-ROM as DVGQ’s. he digital geologic data have been send an e-mail to [email protected] Information from other digital Tused to create several new geologic products, such as digital ortho-quarter map series. The first is a 1:100,000- quadrangles, digital elevation models,

Kentucky Geological Survey Visit the KGS online catalog of publications 228 Mining and Mineral Resources Building at www.uky.edu/kgs/pubs/lop.htm Lexington, KY 40506-0107 Public Information Center: 859.257.3896 or Phone: 859.257.5500 1.877.778.7827 (toll free) Fax: 859.257.1147 www.uky.edu/kgs Spotlight on new publication Technology Citizen’s guide to geologic maps ave you had problems with Transfer Hflooding or cracked foundations? Have you wondered why the world- renowned thoroughbred horse farms are Oil and gas well records located in central Kentucky? Have you seen houses, buildings, and cars buried

ince June 1, 2003, the KGS Oil and Gas Well Record Room at the Lexington in rubble from landslides and wondered Soffice has been open by appointment only. The public can now access oil and gas why the landslides occurred? Would you well records on the KGS Web site at www.uky.edu/KGS/pubs/lop.htm without like to know about the quality of well having to travel to the KGS offices in Lexington or Henderson. The online records may water? Do you need also be accessed using computers in the Public Information Center, located in room assistance in finding a 104 of the Mining and Mineral Resources Building on Rose Street in Lexington. KGS suitable location to staff can offer assistance in locating data, and there are facilities for obtaining copies of drill a domestic water the records and other software. well? If you want to If you still wish to examine the paper records, please make an appointment by understand how geologists calling 857.257.5500 ext. 120. Although 24-hour notice is appreciated, KGS staff will use geologic maps to address always try to accommodate your needs.v these issues, a new publica- tion can help. “Geologic Stream data online Maps and Geologic o you need stream data? KGS can help. Did you know that almost 90 percent of Issues in Kentucky: A DKentuckians are served by public water systems? Kentucky has more than 89,400 Citizen’s Guide,” by Carol Ruthven, miles of rivers and streams and 637,000 acres of wetlands. Concerns about Kentucky’s John Kiefer, Steve Greb, and Drew water quality and supply are of interest to all its citizens. Andrews, has colorful illustrations and Kentucky and Hawaii are the only states to have complete hydrographic map photos that complement a simple, easy- coverage. High-resolution national hydrography data sets for Kentucky are available at to-understand explanation of the uses of www.uky.edu/KGS/gis/hydro.html. The data set, completed in March, provides geologic map information. mapping, flow descriptions, and other features of surface water in Kentucky on a The publication, which includes a 1:24,000 scale (1 inch= 2,000 feet). free geologic map, may be ordered by Jim Currens compiled data from regional karst dye-trace experiments in calling 859.257.3896 or 1.877.778.7827 Kentucky. Dan Carey compiled data analyzing water wells in Kentucky. This online (toll free). The publication is also information will make it possible to analyze water chemistry, flow rates, and fish available as a PDF file (www.uky.edu/ habitats. This hydrographic data set can also be used to determine underground water KGS/pubs/lop.htm).v flow, which is valuable information for builders. For more information, contact Dan Carey at 859.257.5500 ext. 157 or by e-mail at [email protected] — Jill Bramwell AAPG National Core and Sample Preservation New location for Committee Henderson field office n May, Patrick Gooding was he KGS field office in Henderson KGS featured on ESRI Iappointed by the Kentucky Society of Thas moved. The new address is Web site Professional Geologists to serve as a 1401 Corporate Court, Henderson, KY, delegate to the American Association of 42420 (telephone: 270.827.3414; fax: n image of one of the KGS Petroleum Geologists for a 3-year term. 270.827.1117).v Agroundwater basin maps is featured The AAPG House of Delegates is on the ESRI (Environmental Systems composed of delegates from affiliated Research Institute) Web site as an professional societies and regional Governer’s Geographic example of the application of ESRI’s representatives from around the world. ArcView software (www.esri.com/ Gooding was appointed by AAPG to Information Advisory industries/cavekarst/examples3.html). serve on the AAPG National Core and Council This will provide considerable publicity Sample Preservation Committee. The n January, Jerry Weisenfluh for the KGS groundwater basin maps, mission of the committee is to promote Iwas reappointed to the Governor’s because ESRI has 11 regional offices in collection, preservation, and use of Geographic Information Advisory the United States, more than 75 interna- samples and cores, as well as those data Council for a 3-year term. He represents tional distributors, and users in more directly attributable to this rock material. the Kentucky Society of Professional than 220 countries.v The Survey has the fifth largest core and Geologists.v sample library in the country.v KGS mailing list ould you like to receive the KGS newsletter and an- “Electronic-Mailing List Addition” in the subject line of your Wnouncements of meetings and new publications? Please message, type your mailing address and phone and fax number in call us at 859.257.5500 ext. 128 or send an e-mail message to the message—and we will include your name and address in our Carol Ruthven at [email protected]—simply type mailing list.v

Calendar of events w September 18–20: KSPG fall field trip to the Middlesboro–Cumberland Gap vicinity, commemorating the designation of the area as Distinguished Geologic Site 3, www.kspg.org w October 12–18: Earth Science Week 2003 (www.earthsciweek.org), KGS Open House on October 15, contact Carol Ruthven at 859.257.5500 ext. 128 or by e-mail at [email protected] w November 2–5: Geological Society of America national meeting, Seattle, Wash., www.geosociety.org/meetings/2003 w November 19: Geology, GIS, and Planning workshop, Lexington, contact Carol Ruthven at 859.257.5500 ext. 128 or by e-mail at [email protected]

Awards had Willis, an agricultural producer who lives in Newbern, randon Nuttall and Steve Cordiviola were honored on CTenn., received an award for outstanding contributions to BMay 10 by the American Institute of Professional Geolo- the University of Kentucky and KGS. The award was presented gists–Kentucky Section. They were joint recipients of the by Assistant State Geologist John Kiefer at the 43rd annual Kentucky Geologist of the Year award, in recognition of their meeting of the Survey in Lexington on May 16. In the past 10 outstanding contributions to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. years, Mr. Willis has cooperated with UK and KGS seismologists They have been instrumental in developing a Web-accessible who set up a seismic station on his property in Fulton County. database for the vast collection of oil and gas well records and His cooperation and assistance has facilitated research on seismic geophysical logs archived by the Kentucky Geological Survey.v activity in the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Kentucky Geological Survey Nonprofit Organization 228 Mining & Mineral Resources Bldg. U.S. Postage University of Kentucky PAID Lexington, KY 40506-0107 Lexington, KY Address service requested

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