Summary
The STATEMAP, Earth MRI, and NGGDPP programs are central to the Minnesota Geological Survey’s (MGS) mission of providing geologic information to protect and manage the state’s mineral and water resources. These programs have enabled Minnesota to meet citizen and legislative demand for new maps, advance critical Precambrian terrane mapping, and preserve irreplaceable datasets for future use.
STATEMAP
- Provides federal match funding that allows MGS to expand its County Geologic Atlas mapping program.
- Atlases are requested directly by Minnesota citizens and supported by the state legislature.
- Products provide critical information for groundwater management, mineral resource evaluation, and land-use planning.
Earth MRI
- Accelerates mapping of Minnesota’s Precambrian terrane, one of the most mineral-rich regions in North America.
- Advances the state’s mission to provide geologic information essential to managing critical minerals and water resources.
- Supports exploration for resources that are vital to the domestic critical minerals supply chain.
NGGDPP (Data Preservation)
- Funded the preservation and digitization of foundational geoscience datasets:
- Scanning of field notebooks and paper records.
- Digitization of borehole geophysical logs:
- Organized data into a consistent, digital USGS framework, ensuring accessibility and interoperability.
- Prevented the permanent loss of decades of geologic records, while making them available to scientists, policymakers, and industry.
Impact for Minnesota:
- Meets citizen and legislative demand for County Geologic Atlases to guide local decision-making.
- Advances the understanding of Precambrian terranes, positioning Minnesota as a leader in critical minerals knowledge.
- Preserves and modernizes core datasets, ensuring long-term scientific and public access.
- Strengthens Minnesota’s ability to respond to 21st-century challenges in water, minerals, and environmental management.