WVGES Programs

Programs

To find out more about specific programs, please select from the following menu or scroll down the page:

Survey Programs

Applied Coal Resources Investigations
Applied Oil and Gas Resources Investigations
General Geoscience
Information Services
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Public Service
Management and Administration

Cooperative Programs at the Survey
- Earth Science Information Center (ESIC)
Recent Activity
- Recent and On-Going Research
- Recent and On-Going Service and Outreach

SURVEY PROGRAMS
- Applied Coal Resources Investigations
  - The Survey calculates remaining Appalachian coal resources available for extraction; documents the location of underground and surface mining activity; collects, prepares, and analyzes coal-bed samples and develops information about the chemical characteristics and properties of coal in West Virginia.
  - National Coal Resources Data System, a cooperative project with the USGS Branch of Coal Resources, develops point-source information characterizing West Virginia coals.
  - Coal resources studies by 7.5' quadrangles include the development of GIS-based structure contour, outcrop, and overburden layers of data and a thickness model for each target coal bed; restrictions to mining reconsidered and original, mined, remaining, restricted, and available resource tonnages for each target coal bed are determined.
  - Surface and underground mine locations, and other related information, are compiled.
  - A computerized coal quality database has been developed, providing information on the chemical and physical properties of various coals at various locations around the State.
- Applied Oil and Gas Resources Investigations
  - The Survey conducts applied research related to the efficient recovery of State oil and gas resources, focusing on future potential; develops and maintains a collection of basic oil and gas well data in computerized and paper form; maintains well-log and core/sample libraries for public access; examines and analyzes production and geologic characteristics of West Virginia oil fields with respect to enhancing oil recovery potential.
  - The Atlas of Major Appalachian Gas Plays is a cooperative project that involved the preparation of text, illustrations, and a summary database describing more than 30 plays in the seven Appalachian basin states; the publication was made available in 1996.
  - A computerized database on more than 100,000 oil and gas wells, along with a publicly-available well log library and core and sample library, are maintained.
  - Applied research has included county-based studies of oil and gas resources and studies of individual major reservoirs (such as the Devonian shales and the Big Injun sand); recent studies of oil fields has been geared toward secondary and tertiary oil recovery potential in the State.
  - Petroleum Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) is a USDOE-sponsored cooperative project to provide small independent operators with awareness of technology, services, and products available to assist them in recovering oil and gas more efficiently and effectively.
- General Geoscience
  - Industrial Minerals - This program determines the quality, quantity, location, production, and producers of non-fuel economic minerals in the State. Generates the Mineral Industries Directory, a biennial publication in both hard copy and digital form, providing information on all mineral production operations in the State.
  - Geologic Mapping - This program creates new, detailed geologic maps used for resource assessment, environmental studies, and land use determinations. Geologic maps have been produced for approximately 40 quadrangles in the eastern panhandle--work is continuing; STATEMAP cooperative mapping project is underway, at a scale of 1:24,000.
  - Advanced Geoscience Research - This research develops new mathematical and statistical methods for analysis of geologic data. Research sponsored by the US Dept. of Agriculture - Forest Service is using spatial statistics is being applied to studies of gypsy moth infestation and eradication in the State; models developed can also be applied to mineral resource exploration.
- Geoscience Education
  - This program conducts earth science training and leadership workshops for K-12 teachers and provides previously-trained teachers with professional outreach opportunities; presents students and teachers with in-classroom earth science activities/lessons through classroom visits and field trips instruction; develops relevant and curriculum-useful earth science activity texts, manuals, and guidebooks. A wealth of informations and tools for teachers are included on our Geoscience Education page.
- Information Services
  - This program provides, maintains, and enhances computing, networking, and communications resources for agency programs; provides programming support for the agency's research, information transfer, service, and administrative operations; provides for cost-efficient access for external users to certain geologic data and information services.
  - Specialized computer programming and consultation support are provided for staff projects.
  - Network and system throughput are maintained for staff to communicate with internal and external computer systems.
  - Fee-based public access to the oil and gas well database is being developed.
  - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - The Survey serves as the fiscal agent in the collaborative effort with the other Mineral Lands Mapping Project participants; supports the characterization of the mineral parcels by the WV Dept. of Tax and Revenue, the development of digital line graphs by the WVU Dept. of Geology and Geography, the mission of the State GIS coordinator, and WVU's Statewide GIS Technical Center; maps the economic coal beds of the State in GIS format.
    - Coal Bed Mapping Project - A GIS-based inventory of coal in West Virginia is being created: new and existing data will be consolidated into a computer database for each 7.5' quad; GIS technology will be utilized to generate structure contour, outcrop, surface and underground mined area, and modelled thickness maps for each coalbed and quadrangle; GIS coal bed data layers will be serve as a compliance tool for the mineral lands tax program of the State Department of Tax and Revenue.
    - Other related projects in this program include those of the WV State GIS Coordinator, the Mineral Lands Mapping Project of the WV Dept. of Tax & Revenue, the Digital Line Graph Development Project of the WVU Department of Geology and Geography, and the WVU GIS Technical Center.
  - Public Service - The Survey provides responses to requests for earth science information; presents informational talks, exhibits, guest lectures, and similar public education efforts; promotes the agency's products and services to the public through participation in various public activities.
    - Requests from the public for geological information are routinely completed, especially for evaluation of mineral resources as they relate to property taxes and from home buyers needing information on the potential of mine subsidence on their property.
    - Presentations on West Virginia geology are routinely made to civic groups, classrooms, and at state parks.
- Management and Administration
  - This program provides management and administrative support for the agency; formulates agency personnel and administrative policies; maintains budgeting and control of the cash flows of the agency's various funds; provides maintenance, security, and custodial support for all agency facilities and operations; provides publication support for agency programs and dissemination of results of agency geoscience investigations.

SURVEY COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS
- Earth Science Information Center (ESIC) - The Survey maintains the State's ESIC as a comprehensive repository of maps and aerial photography.
  - ESIC provides information on aerial photography, flood-prone area maps, and other cartographic information.
SUMMARY OF RECENT ACTIVITY
- Recent and On-going Research - As an information dissemination agency, the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey can only be as good as the scientific information it gathers and interprets. Geologic research, field investigation, analysis, and data collection are keys to the Survey's expertise. At any given time, the agency is involved in a variety of projects aimed at gathering and making available definitive geologic information for West Virginia. Here are recent samplings of scientific research and reports from cooperative research.
- Recent and On-going Service and Outreach - Equal in importance to the research function of the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey are extensive public service and outreach efforts aimed at getting the agency's expertise to as many West Virginians as possible in a useful, informative, and cost-effective manner. From answering service requests, to conducting classroom presentations, to offering a huge variety of maps and publications, the many service and outreach activities assist and inform West Virginians daily. Other forms of outreach include:
  - Earth Science Information Center (ESIC) - Part of a national network providing public access to geographical and geological information, the Survey's popular ESIC office maintains extensive collections of aerial photos, topographic maps, flood-prone area maps, geodetic control information, and much more. Used by a wide variety of individuals and organizations, ESIC materials are available for examination or copying.
  - Visiting Geologists Program - In conjunction with the Division of Parks and Tourism, this program provides Survey geologists to State parks as guest speakers and tour leaders for interpretive walks.
  - Outreach Presentations - The Survey conducts an extensive and on-going program of talks, exhibits, and classes for schools, colleges, civic groups, professional organizations, government agencies, and public events.
  - Service Section - The Service Section responds annually to hundreds of requests for information from the public, industry, government, and academia by phone, letter, and visit. The Section also houses the Publication Sales office, selling the wide variety of Survey maps, reports, bulletins, and open-file reports by mailorder or in person.