GEOLOGIC MAPPING FOR THE FUTURE OF ILLINOIS Department of Energy and Natural Resources GEOLOGICAL ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY jLUHOIS U8RAtV SURVEY 1992 Special Report 1 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://archive.org/details/geologicmappingf01illi GEOLOGIC MAPPING FOR THE FUTURE OF ILLINOIS usa**" su*vef 1992 Special Report 1 prepared in cooperation with Senate Working Committee on Geologic Mapping assisted by Senate Geologic Map Task Force Illinois State Geological Survey Morris W. Leighton, Chief Natural Resources Building 615 East Peabody Drive Champaign, Illinois 61820 July 1991 Cover photo A large slump block of Pounds Sandstone (Caseyville Formation, Lower Pennsylvanian) from adjacent bluff in Feme Clyffe State Park, Johnson County, Illinois. ISGS geologist Russ Jacobson examines the sandstone grains and crossbed sets to add to his understanding of the nature of the Pounds Sandstone as he maps this unit across the Goreville Quadrangle. printedonrecycledpaper ) Printed by authority ofthe State ofIllinois/1992/900 CONTENTS Commentary GEOLOGIC MAPPING—THE NEED IS NOW v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS vi Executive Summary GEOLOGIC MAPPING FOR THE FUTURE OF ILLINOIS 1 STATUS AND FUTURE NEEDS 5 GEOLOGIC MAPS 5 What Geologic Maps Show 5 Why Geologic Maps Are Needed 5 Users and Uses of Geologic Maps 5 STATUS: GEOLOGIC MAPPING IN ILLINOIS 7 Status of Geologic Mapping by Map Scale 7 Maps at 1:24,000 (1 inch equals 2,000 feet) 7 Maps at 1:62,500 (1 inch equals 1 mile) 7 Maps at 1:125,000 (1 inch equals about 2 miles) 11 Maps at 1:250,000 (1 inch equals about 4 miles) 12 Maps at 1:500,000 (1 inch equals about 8 miles) 13 Current geologic mapping effort and rate of progress 15 Status of Geologic Mapping for Groundwater Assessment, Development, and Protection 15 Status of Geologic Mapping for Siting Waste Disposal Facilities 19 Status of Geologic Mapping for Assessing Mineral Resources 21 Fluorspar, lead, zinc, and other mineralization 21 Limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and clay deposits 21 Sand and gravel deposits 22 Coal deposits 22 Oil and gas resources 22 Planning mineral resource development 23 Status of Geologic Mapping for Economic Development and Environmental Planning 23 Seismic risk, landslides, coastal and stream erosion, stormwater and coastal flooding, 28 wetlands, unstable foundation conditions, karst, faulting, underground mining Status of Geologic Mapping for Identifying Naturally Occurring Health Hazards 28 Inferior water quality, radon 28 Status of Geologic Mapping for Surficial Deposits and Soils 33 Status of Geologic Mapping for Education 33 Summary of Needs for Geologic Mapping 34 SUMMARY OF PRIORITIES FOR GEOLOGIC MAPPING IN ILLINOIS 34 Establishing and Reviewing Priorities 34 Mechanism for Establishing and Reviewing Priorities 35 Guidelines for Weighing Priorities 35 POSITION OF ILLINOIS IN A NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM 36 SCOPE OF RECOMMENDED GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM 38 BENEFITS AND COSTS OF GEOLOGIC MAPPING 39 PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION 40 Provision for Stable, Long-Term Funding 40 Impact of Other Legislative Mandates for Geologic Mapping 40 Provision for Geologists Trained in Geologic Mapping 41 Beneficiaries of Geologic Mapping 41 REFERENCES 41 ANNEXES 1 Senate Resolution 98 42 2 Member Organizations of the Illinois Geologic Mapping Advisory Committee 44 FIGURES 1 Summary of first-level needs for geologic mapping 2 2 Geologic maps of the United States, published since 1950 at 1:62,500 or more detailed scale 4 3 Effect of scale on the detail that can be shown on a geologic map A Area (T43N, R3E) of south-central Boone County from the l:62,500-scale map 8 B Area of northern Johnson County from the Creal Springs 7.5-Minute Quadrangle 9 4 Standard multicolor geologic maps of Illinois, published at 1:24,000 scale 10 5 Current geologic mapping program in southern Illinois supported under COGEOMAP 11 6 Geologic maps of Illinois, published at 1:62,500 scale 12 7 Geologic maps of Illinois, published at 1:125,000 scale 13 8 Shallow geologic materials in western Champaign County, l:100,000-scale map 14 9 Geologic maps of Illinois, published at 1:250,000 scale 15 10 Stack-Unit Map ofIllinois, in four plates, covers the entire state 16 11 Statewide geologic maps, published at 1:500,000 scale 16 12 Central Illinois: segment from the 1984 state contamination potential map, 1:500,000 scale 17 13 Studies for groundwater protection at regional, county, and subcounty scales 18 14 First, second, and third levels of need for detailed geologic mapping for A groundwater resource assessment and development 20 B groundwater protection 20 C siting landfills and waste disposal facilities 20 15 First, second, and third levels of need for detailed geologic mapping for assessing A fluorine, lead, and zinc mineralization 24 B tripoli mineralization 24 C clay resources 24 D limestone, dolomite, and sandstone deposits 25 E sand and gravel resources 25 F near-surface coal resources 25 G potential oil and gas resources 25 16 Mineral production in Illinois counties (1988) A commodities and processing plants 26 B coal production 26 C sand and gravel production 26 D aggregate and stone production 26 17 A strippable coal reserve blocks with high development potential 27 B quadrangles containing or adjacent to surface-minable coal reserve blocks 27 18 First, second, and third levels of need for detailed geologic mapping for assessing A damage from earthquakes (seismic risk) 29 B probability of landslides 29 C coastal and stream erosion 29 D susceptability to stormwater and coastal flooding 30 E hydrogeologic conditions of wetlands 30 F unstable foundation conditions 30 G karst features 31 H faulted areas 31 I quadrangles with underground mines 31 19 First, second, and third levels of need for detailed geologic mapping to support A methodology of Quaternary (surficial) mapping 32 B Soil Conservation Service soil mapping program 32 C education and parks 32 20 Weighted cumulative needs for 23 mapping factors 37 TABLES 1 Potential users of geologic maps 6 2 Selected uses of geologic maps 7 3 Rate of publishing 7.5-minute quadrangles at the 1:24,000 scale 10 4 Publication of geologic quadrangles at the 1:62,500 scale 10 5 Need factors for geologic mapping and weights applied for cumulative weighting 36 Commentary GEOLOGIC MAPPING—THE NEED NOW IS The need for geologic maps has never been greater. The Illinois State Geological Survey has prepared The nature, distribution, and structure of earth materi- for passage of federal legislation for several years. In als, as shown on geologic maps, is the vital informa- July 1989, —the Illino—is Geologic Mapping Advisory tion we need to locate and develop mineral resources, Committee IGMAC was formed to assist us in for- mitigate earth hazards, and protect our environment. mulating a comprehensive program and to promote Mapping has been a core mission of the Illinois coordinated geologic mapping in Illinois. Serving on State Geological Survey since the founding of the the committee are representatives from industry, modern Survey in 1905. Over the years, the Survey has universities, professional societies, trade associations, published many geologic maps at various scales, but consultants, and state and federal agencies. detailed maps are available only for selected areas of In March 1991, the IllinoisSenatepassed Resolution the state. The more detailed the scale, the smaller the 98, which modified SR881 as proposed by Senator For- portion of the state that has been mapped. Complete est D. Etheredge in June 1990. These resolutions coverage of the s—tate has only been achieved at the recognized the pending federal legislation with its scale of 1:500,000 the scale at which 1 inch on the component of cooperative geologic mapping and map represents about 8 miles on the ground. These requirement of state matching funds. SR 98 called for maps give the broad, geologic framework suitable for theSurvey to summarize the state ofgeologic mapping regional planning. in Illinois and to identify needs and priorities for But for most of today's projects, we—need maps future mapping. With the cooperation of the Illinois showing the details of our surroundings the pattern Department of Energy and Natural Resources, the of rivers and streams in relation to their deposits, the Department of Transportation, the Environmental lowlandsand floodplainsunsuitable formostconstruc- Protection Agency, several waste management firms, tion and development, the wetlands to avoid when engineering firms, the coal mining industry, and other building roads, a 1/4-mile mound of sand and gravel mineral extraction companies that use geologic maps, supplying water for domestic use or a fractured we have prepared this report. — bedrockaquiferverynearthesurface both vulnerable In Benefits and Costs of Geologic Mapping in Illinois: to contamination from infiltrating water. Maps show- Case Study ofBoone and Winnebago Counties and Its State ing where thick sequences of fine-grained materials lie Applicability, the ISGS Circular released in February between aquifers and potential sources of contamina- 1992, we documented the benefit-to-cost ratio of tion would help us select the safest sites for landfills geologic mapping in twonorthern counties ofthestate. and the best locations to drill for water. Looking only at the avoidable costs associated with the We need maps at the right scale ofdetail for identi- cleanup of landfills and industrial disposal sites, we fying changes in materials along a hillside and the found the benefit-to-cost ratio ranged from 5:1 to 54:1. properties affecting slope stability and susceptibility to In Kentucky, the only large state with a complete set of landslides. What are the characteristics of materials l:24,000-scalegeologicmaps, thebenefit-to-costratioof where we plan to excavate a factory foundation, sink geologic mapping has been estimated to be 50:1. bridge pilings, and build new homes, schools, and The Illinois State Geological Survey is well pre- businesses? Which materials are likely to fail during a pared, by legislative mandate and a strong tradition of majorearthquake? Whereare mineral deposits suitable geologic research and service, to undertake the pro- for mining, and where are the limestone and dolomite gram to map the geology of the entire state at the scale forconstruction projects? Are they within 50 feet ofthe of detail needed for economic development and surface? environmental protection. Forpracticalpurposes, thesegeologic features must be mapped at a much larger scale than 1:500,000. We must have maps at the scale of 1:24,000, which means <rw*itsr that 1 inch on the map represents 2,000 feet on the t ground, or approximately 2Vi inches on the printed sheet represents 1 mile on the landscape. Morris W. Leighton, Chief Maps at this scale of detail are needed not only in Illinois State Geological Survey Illinois, but throughout the nation. The Geologic Map- ping Act of 1991, introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives as HR 2763 and to the U.S. Senate as S 1179, will establish a national geologic mapping program and authorize federal matching funds for state geological surveys that participate. This legisla- tion has passed the House and the Senate. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS State Senate Resolution 98 was adopted on March 6, 1991. SR 98 (Annex 1, this report) superseded Senate Resolution 881 of June 13, 1990, which called for the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) to prepare a document that summarizes the status of geologic mapping in the Illinois. Assisting the ISGS to develop the report was the Senate Working Committee on Geologic Mapping, which consisted of representatives from industry and State agencies: James Blumthal Illinois Oil and Gas Association Richard Cobb Illinois Environmental Protection Agency George Dirkes Illinois Association ofAggregate Producers John M. Healy Illinois Society ofProfessional Engineers American Society ofCivil Engineers William Lang J. Illinois Geologic Mapping Advisory Committee Morris W. Leighton Illinois State Geological Survey, Division ofthe Illinois Department ofEnergy and Natural Resources Joseph S. Spivey Illinois Coal Associatiori John R. Washburn Illinois Department ofTransportation William White Illinois Department ofConservation Thomas Zimmerman F. Illinois Emergency Services and Disaster Agency The committee met in October and December 1990 to evaluate the report, as prepared by ISGS staff with expertiseon keytopics. Heinz H. Damberger,chairman ofthe ISGS Mapping Committee, coordinated compila- tion of a draft report, which was reviewed by IGMAC at the time of their meeting in November 1990. The final document was completed in February 1991. VI Executive Summary GEOLOGIC MAPPING FOR THE FUTURE OF ILLINOIS A serious gap exists in the availability of large-scale, the present rate of progress, detailed mapping to meet detailed geologic maps for use in solving earth-related the state's needs will not be complete for 200 years or problems. In this response to SR 98, the Illinois State more. Geological Survey (ISGS) has summarized the needs, priorities, and plans for geologic mapping in Illinois Economic Value of Detailed Geologic Maps and outlined the costs and benefits of a recommended In a definitive study for Boone and Winnebago Coun- mapping program. To assemble the report, a Senate ties, the benefits were compared with the costs of map- task force assisted a working committee of representa- ping. Calculations were based on quantifiable benefits tives from industry and State government, including resulting from avoidable costs associated with the the ISGS as the lead agency for geologic mapping in cleanup of landfills and industrial disposal sites. The Illinois. benefit-to-cost analysis excludes other benefits that are Geologicmapsillustrate thenatureanddistribution not quantifiable at this time; for example, these maps of geologic materials at and below the earth's surface. havebeen used to identify and recover earth resources Knowledge of the nature ofmaterials such as sand and and to provide industry and government with basic gravel, limestone, dolomite, shale, clay, coal, and other data for siting facilities—data on water supplies, foun- mineral resources is essential to the people of Illinois. dationconditions, and areassuitable forseptic systems. Consumingresourcesmaydepletesupplies. Construct- Results indicated that the payout on an investment ing roads, dams, and buildings calls for sufficient sup- of $300,000 in 1990 dollars was on the order of 23:1 to plies of earth materials and expert attention to the 54:1 for the best-case scenario and 5:1 to 11:1 for the propertiesand characteristicsofsurfaceand subsurface worst-case scenario. Corresponding benefits ranged materials at specific sites. Extracting groundwater and from $1.4 to $3.3 million for the worst-case scenario other minerals and disposing of wastes may cause and from $7 to $16 million for the best-case scenario. environmental problems. Illinois communities, indus- The worst-case scenario discounts 90% of potential tries, and government agencies must also deal with the benefitsand thebest-casescenariodiscounts50% ofthe potential for earthquakes, landslides, subsidence of potential benefits in avoided costs alone. undermined areas, and other geologic hazards. Thescenarios takeintoconsiderationimprovements The Illinois State Geological Survey, a division of in the regulatory procedures and the engineering of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources, has disposal facilities.—Also accounted for is the fact that spentconsiderableeffortinpreparingregionalgeologic geologic mapping although—helpful in the planning maps covering the state, in accordance with State and design of these facilities will not result in avoid- mandates. A lack of funding has prevented the state- ance of all cleanup costs at future disposal and indus- wide development of geologic maps detailed enough trial sites. Costs can be significantly reduced, however, for today's planning and decision-making. through the use of geologic maps at the proper scale. The most effective tool for transmitting geologic Further analysis indicated that if the results of the information to users in the public and private sectors Boone and Winnebago study were projected to all of is a detailed map at the scale of 1:24,000, which means Illinois, the ratio of benefits to costs would range from that 1 inch on the map represents 2,000 feet on the 1.1 to 2.8 for the worst-case scenario (with 90% of the ground. Only about 3% of the state has been mapped benefits discounted). For the best-case scenario (with at the 1:24,000 scale. 50% of the quantifiable benefits discounted), the ratio Detailed maps are required by of benefits to costs would range from 6 to 14. • industry and agriculture to locate mineral resour- Alternative estimates were made on the basis of ces, site facilities, and undertake construction projects; statewide mapping costs 2.6 times higher than those • private and public sectors to develop and protect indicated by the Boone and Winnebago projection. The groundwater resources and identify hazards and the benefit-to-cost ratio for the worst-case scenario ranged potential for damage from earthquakes, landslides, from 0.5 to 1.1, and for the best-case scenario, from 2.3 subsidence, and coastal erosion; to 5.4. It should be emphasized that other benefits, as • community and state schools, libraries, parks, and listed previously, would significantly increase the other facilities to educate and inform; benefit-to-cost ratios when quantified. • municipal, county, state, and federal agencies and In an example from Kentucky, published informa- governing bodies to select sites for landfills, low-level tion suggested a 50:1 payout on an inv—estment of $21 radioactive waste facilities, hospitals, and schools; million to map the whole state in detail a feat accom- develop zoning regulations; assess land and mineral plished in 18 years, mainly in the 1960s and 1970s. values; provide basic information required to attract Recommendations industry;and generallyassesscompetingland usesand plan future development. On the basis of an assessment of map coverage and Focused geologicmapping,now underwayattheISGS, needs (figs. 1A-C) as well as benefits compared to hasbeen functionally and geographically restricted. At costs, the Illinois Senate Geologic Map Task Force and B GROUNDWATER GEOLOGIC HAZARD AND LAND-USE CONSIDERATIONS CONSIDERATIONS first leve 50 km MINERAL RESOURCE CONSIDERATIONS Figure 1 Summary of first-level needs for geologic mapping: A, groundwater resource assessment and protection,landfilland wastedisposalsiting,and wetlands evaluation (see figs. 14A-C); B, seismic risk, landslide hazards, coastal erosion, stormwater and coastal flooding, wetlands,unstablefoundationconditions,karst,faults,and underground mining(see figs. 18A-I); andC, fluorine, lead andzinc,clay, tripoli,limestone,dolomite,sandstone,sand and gravel, coal, and oil and gas (see figs. 15A-G). Com- pare with figure 20, which presents the cumulative, weighted need levels for all factors.