Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 2010 State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys www.dggs.alaska.gov ALASKA DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL & GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS ANNUAL REPORT 2010 Front Cover: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) geologist Bob Gillis collects structural data from the Schrader Bluff Formation along the Colville River near Umiat. Ongoing detailed stratigraphic studies and 1:63,360-scale geologic mapping of surface exposures in the Umiat area are part of a collaborative program between DGGS and the Alaska Division of Oil and Gas (DOG) to de- velop a better understanding of the chronostratigraphic and structural relationships, and oil and gas resource potential of rocks at depth in the State of Alaska region. Renewed exploration interest in the area in recent years makes Department of Natural Resources outgrowths from this work particularly significant. Results will be made available in a timely manner through a series of reports for the benefit Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys of the public, industry, and policy makers. Photo by Trystan Herriott. January 2011 STATE OF ALASKA Sean Parnell, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Daniel S. Sullivan, Commissioner DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL & GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS Robert F. Swenson, State Geologist and Director Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys publications can be inspected on the web at http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/ or at the following locations. Address mail orders to the Fairbanks office. Alaska Division of Geological University of Alaska Anchorage Library & Geophysical Surveys 3211 Providence Drive 3354 College Road Anchorage, Alaska 99508 Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3707 Elmer E. Rasmuson Library Alaska Resource Library University of Alaska Fairbanks 3150 C Street, Suite 100 Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-1005 Anchorage, Alaska 99503 Alaska State Library State Office Building, 8th Floor 333 Willoughby Avenue Juneau, Alaska 99811-0571 Publication of this report is required by Alaska Statute 41.08. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1 Mission Statements ....................................................................................................................... 1 History ........................................................................................................................................ 1 Leadership .................................................................................................................................... 1 Statutory Authority ....................................................................................................................... 1 Location ........................................................................................................................................ 2 Organization ................................................................................................................................. 2 Relationships with other State Agencies ...................................................................................... 6 Relationships with Local Government ......................................................................................... 6 Relationship with the University of Alaska .................................................................................. 7 Relationships with Federal Agencies ............................................................................................ 7 Alaska Geologic Mapping Advisory Board ................................................................................. 8 FY2010 ACCOMPLISHMENTS ........................................................................................................ 9 Major Accomplishments in FY2010 ............................................................................................ 9 KEY ISSUES ....................................................................................................................................... 14 Updating and improving the Alaska Geologic Materials Center .................................................. 14 Renewed focus on natural resource development ........................................................................ 14 Infrastructure projects and public safety ...................................................................................... 14 Changes in local energy supply and consumption ........................................................................ 15 Response to data needs for adaptation to a changing arctic climate ............................................ 15 DGGS FY2011 PROGRAM ............................................................................................................... 16 Program Focus .............................................................................................................................. 16 Minerals Data and Information Rescue in Alaska (MDIRA) ................................................ 16 Program Summaries .................................................................................................................... 17 State Geologist/Director ........................................................................................................ 17 Energy Resources ................................................................................................................. 18 Mineral Resources ................................................................................................................ 20 Engineering Geology ............................................................................................................. 21 Volcanology ........................................................................................................................... 23 Geologic Communications .................................................................................................... 25 Geologic Materials Center..................................................................................................... 26 Administrative Services ........................................................................................................ 27 EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHTS ............................................................................................................... 28 PROJECT SUMMARIES—FY2011 ................................................................................................... 32 PUBLICATIONS RELEASED IN FY2010 AND TO DATE IN FY2011 .......................................... 83 FIGURE DGGS ORGANIZATIONAL CHART ................................................................................................ 3 iii DIRECTOR’S FOREWORD The natural world plays a huge role in the lives of all Alaskans, possibly more than in any other state in America. Our natural resource endowment provides the basis of our economy through development of oil and gas, minerals, timber, fisheries, and tourism, and improves our quality of life through unequaled recreation opportunities, access to open spaces, subsistence opportunities, and a wholesome lifestyle in which to raise our families. We must never take these gifts for granted, and I urge all of us to take time out to enjoy our bounty. More important, let us all make a concerted effort to get our young people outside, away from the cyber world that can override our senses and make us lose track of our natural connections. I hope we will continue to recognize and teach our young people that our natural resources, and their responsible development, affect every aspect of our lives, from when we turn on the lights in the morning to the last lap around the ski trails. Now, more than ever, we must be diligent in our efforts to protect and steward our natural resource base, and our way of life, from the constant onslaught of outside forces. Although many of these efforts are steeped in honorable intentions, misunderstanding or misinformation can cloud judgment, and personal or corporate agendas can rule decision making. Neither locking out all areas for growth nor over-exploitation of finite resources are reasonable paths for the future. Making responsible choices and achieving sustainable compromises require detailed information and reliable data concerning the resources in question. The people at DGGS work very hard to provide unbiased scientific information that is needed for sound policy decisions. The information that results from our work can, at times, be somewhat controversial, but the Alaska public can be assured the data are of highest quality and devoid of political or special-interest influence. Our talented teams of scientists work on a number of geologic issues of critical importance to the state. We are leading or are involved in projects with a wide range of topics that address energy resource potential from the industrial-export to local-consumptive scales; solid-minerals resource assessments that will help the State identify our resource endowment in precious minerals to facilitate the emerging paradigm shift in global energy; and natural-hazards assessments that are crucial for adapting to environmental change, securing public safety, and protecting the State’s investments in infrastructure. 2010 was a very exciting and busy year at DGGS. I was asked by the Governor to take on a six-month interim position managing the Instate Gas Line Project and finalizing