'I. ► ..:, . .. •• • • • • • l • • .,. • • • , • • ,,. , •· . , • • • , .. • .. ' • • . • ... • • • • • • • • •• • •• • • ,,• I • , • • , , . • ~ . • • • TABLE OF CONTENTS THE DIRECTOR'S UGMS Information Public Inquiries ••• • •.• 2 Mineral Lease Contracts, 89-90 ••••.. • ••• 5 PERSPECTIVE byM. Lee Allison New Publica tions from UGMS ••••..• • •• 6 UGMS Special Series - 29 Counties Brochures • ••..• • ••••••••••• • •.. 7 Information Geology - Its UGMS Role •••.• 8 The purpose of the Utah Geological and Mineral Survey Teacher's Corner •• • .••• • •••...••. 10 (UGMS) is to gather and disseminate geologic information for UGMS Participation in Industry Shows •••• 11 the benefit of the citizens of Utah. We do this in two broad Wasatch Mountain Glaciers •...••••••• 12 areas: natural resources and geologic hazards. However, if we Books and Papers ••• •••• ••••••• •• • 14 carry out our research and just place the data in our files, we UGMS Computer System •••..•••• • •• 16 Precambrian Oil Information Paper 17 are not fulfilling our mission. Even if we publish our infor­ Cover design by Patti F. MaCann mation we still aren't completing our mission if those reports lay on our shelves and no one knows of their existence. STATE OF UTAH Historically, the UGMS has followed traditional methods for disbursing our infor­ NORMAN H. BANGERTER, GOVERNOR mation to the public, industry, and decision makers. In recent months however, we DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DEE C. HANSEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR have taken a much more aggressive stance in ensuring that our information gets out and is used. These efforts are specifically being carried out in part by the Industry UGMSBOARD Outreach Geologist and two Information Geologists. More detailed information on LAWRENCE REAVELEY, Chairman what these individuals have been doing make up the theme of this issue of Survey KENNETH R. POULSON Notes. JO BRANDT UGMS has placed an even greater emphasis on information dissemination. In the SAMUEL C. QUIGLEY G. GREGORY FRANCIS area of natural resources, we are attending industry conventions and trade shows and JOSEPH C. BENNETT actively marketing resource opportunities in Utah. Our newly revitalized Petroleum MILTON E. WADSWORTH Section is engaged in a variety of high visibility projects which will soon be providing RICHARD J. MITCHELL valuable information. Staff geologists are working with industry geologists daily. In­ stead of only documenting known energy and mineral resources, UGMS is now also UGMSSTAFF publicizing resource "potential." This is particularly important for smaller companies ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT or companies exploring operating in Utah. M. LEE ALLISON, Director Our information disseminating effort has been organized so that both Information WILLIAM R. LUND, Deputy Director and Industry Outreach Geologists work closely with other UGMS programs as well as WERNER HAIDENTHALLER, Assoc. Dir. on independent projects. Information Geologists, in addition to being highly trained Ros elyn Dechart, Mage Yonetani, Carol scientists, translate technical information in understandable form for the lay person. Park, Jo Miller STAFF SCIENTIST DOUGLAS A. SPRINKEL UGMS' role in identifying potential geologic hazards continues to increase. In past COMPUTER RESOURCES WILLIAM CASE issues or articles, I have talked about the state earthquake program and of our signifi­ Vajdieh Marxen cant part in that program. UGMS geologists are working with the State Legislature, the INFORMATION GEOLOGY Governor's office, and various other entities to develop a comprehensive earthquake Miriam Bugden, Sandra Eldredge, Christine mitigation effort. As part of that effort, geologist Susan Olig has taken an aggressive Wilkerson approach to informing state and national building code officials about the impact her APPLIED GEOLOGY GARY CHRISTENSON recent findings have for building design along the Wasatch Front. These kinds of Bill Black, Kimm Harty, Suzanne Hecker, William Mulvey, Susan Olig, Barry Solomon, strong actions directed to public officia ls responsible to the citizens of the state marks Janine Jarva, Sharon Wakefield the direction of all UGMS programs. ECONOMIC GEOLOGY ROBERT W. GLOYN Besides the personal commitment of staff members, we are branching out into new Charles Bishop, Robert Blackett, Rog er Bon, avenues of information and technology transfer. Computer data bases are either in Thomas Chidsey, J. Wallace Gwynn, Brigitte place or being compiled on many areas of UGMS responsibility. As these become Hucka, Alex C. Keith, Craig Morgan, Michael Shubat, Bryce Tripp, Steve Sommer, Bea available they will be produced on computer diskette as well as the traditional printed Mayes, Carolyn Olsen, Marge Porterfield version. We are also planning to have these databases available to the public at UGMS GEOLOGIC MAPPING HELLMUT DOELLING via a public-access computer. In addition, we hope to have public access and transfer Fitzhugh Davi s, Lehi F. Hintze, Michael L. capabilities via telecommunications. UGMS is also moving into video. We are advis­ Ross, Grant C. Willis, Michael Wright, C.G . ing and helping to finance an earthquake video bei ng produced by sc ientists at Utah Oviatt State University. When it is finished this fall, UGMS will reproduce and distribute it. All in all these are exciting times for UGMS. Our studies are making more of an SURVEY NOTES STAFF impact in the economic development of the state and in being prepared for dealing EDITOR J. STRINGFELLOW with Utah's natural hazards such as earthquakes. This is t he mission of everyone at the EDITORIAL STAFF Survey. It is a vital component of everything we do. Patti F. MaGann, Sharon Hamre CARTOGRAPHERS Survey Notes is published quarterly by Utah Geological and Mineral Survey, 606 Black Hawk Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 (801) Kent D. Brown, Jam es W. Parker, Patri cia H. 581,6831. Th e UGMS inventories the geologic resources of the state, identifies its geologic hazards, disseminates information concerning Utah 's geology, and advises policymakers on geologic isst:es. The UGMS is a division of the Department of Natural Resources. Single Speran za copies ofSurvey Nntes are distributed free of charge to residents within the United Stares and Canada. Reproduction fs encouraged with recognition of source. VOLUME 24 NUMBER 2 SURVEY NOTES PAGE 2 UGMS Information Section Public Inquiries 1988-89 by Miriam Bugden, Information Geologist INTRODUCTION The Utah Geological and Mineral Survey (UGMS) encour­ logist. Initially, the Information Geologist responded to inquir­ ages use of their geological research to stimulate responsible ies and produced a few publications directed at the more development of well-known and little-known resources, pro­ commonly asked questions. Over time, this position evolved vide safety in rural and urban planning, furnish educational into a full-fledged program within the organization. Officially materials, and equip tourists and residents with a better under­ established in 1989, the Information Section employs two standing of Utah's scenic resources. Sharing geological ideas geologists and one geological technician. Along with answer­ and findings provides a tool for effective management of ing non-technical inquiries of all types, the Information staff Utah's geological resources. This integral service is provided manages their own databases, conducts studies, and compiles daily by all members of the UGMS staff through publication of non-technical geological information for publications. our findings as well as by answering all incoming geological Questions answered by the Survey are diverse in both com­ questions. plexity and subject matter. Information geologists and geo­ UGMS receives literally thousands of inquiries about Utah technician respond to all inquiries except those that are of a geology each year from all over the world. Whether they are specific technical nature. Those inquiries are referred to geol­ looking for gold, locating active faults, cinder cones, or depos­ ogists with expertise in Applied, Mapping, and Economic its of artisan's clays, Utahns, tourists, and and decision makers Geology Programs or to appropriate state or federal agencies. use the UGMS as a resource to explore answers to their During the 1988-1989 fiscal year, incoming inquiries received by numerous questions. Travelers, church groups, civic groups, the UGMS Information Section were monitored to determine environmentalists, homeowners and home buyers, advertising the amount and type of incoming inquiries. All questions were agencies, noevelists, engineers, urban planners, county com­ placed in one of four categories. Economic-related questions missioners, legislators, investors, teachers, students, film represented 57% of total inquiries; information-related ques­ makers, etc. are all interested in one or more aspects of tions represented 20%; mapping represented 17%; and geo­ geology. logic hazards represented 6% (figure below). It is important to In order to efficiently address the growing volume of letters, note that the figures used in this article do not include public phone calls and "walk-in" customers, the Survey saw early in its inquiries that were directed to and answered by the other four history the need to establish the position of Information Geo- sections of the UGMS during the last year. Econcrnic ~ Information ~ M:ippi~ Ii App I ied Diagram showing divisions and quantities of questions answered by UCMS Information geologists from mid-1988 to mid -1989. PAGE3 SURVEY NOTES VOLUME 24 NUMBER