Alabama

Summary

Through STATEMAP, Earth MRI, and NGGDPP, the Geological Survey of Alabama (GSA) is delivering high-value geologic data that supports population growth, mineral exploration, hazard mitigation, and preservation of irreplaceable collections. Since 1993, GSA has received $3.5 million in STATEMAP funding, producing nearly 100 geologic quadrangle maps and dramatically increasing the pace of map publication to meet Alabama’s needs.

STATEMAP

  • Scale of Effort: 96 geologic quadrangle maps (1:24,000-scale, 7.5-min) published or in draft, covering northern, northeastern, and central Alabama.
  • Funding Impact: $3.5 million in federal STATEMAP funds since 1993.
  • Program Efficiency: Shift to a 2-year cycle has tripled the map publication rate, delivering maps and GeMS data faster to end-users.
  • User Engagement: In 2024, GSA geologic map products averaged 1,000 views per month in the National Geologic Map Database, with tripled referrals to the agency’s publication site compared to 2023.
  • Local Impact:
    • Huntsville (pop. 230,402, Alabama’s fastest growing city): Expansion of U.S. Space Command and aerospace industries has increased demand for limestone aggregate. STATEMAP maps are actively requested by mining companies to locate new resources.
    • Data supports regional planning, natural resource extraction, groundwater management, and hazard mitigation.

Earth MRI

  • Completed & Active Projects:
    • 2019 – Regolith-hosted clays (Piedmont Upland): Four new quadrangle maps plus a new geochemistry dataset identified rare earth element potential.
    • 2021– Graphite–Vanadium Belt: Two new quadrangles confirmed high-grade flake graphite deposits with vanadium and barium co-products; led to designation of the expanded Alabama graphite–vanadium belt as a new focus area.
  • Geophysical Advances: Partnered with USGS to acquire high-resolution airborne electromagnetic, magnetic, and radiometric surveys across the Piedmont, East Gulf Coastal Plain, and into the Florida Panhandle.
  • Impact: Expanded knowledge of critical minerals (REEs, graphite, vanadium, barium), strengthened GSA–USGS collaboration, and increased engagement with local industry and universities.

NGGDPP (Data Preservation)

  • Fossil Collections: Since 2010, inventoried and rehoused 8,000+ fossil specimens in the Paleontology Database and USGS ReSciColl. Discoveries include several new species — most recently, a new shark species recognized from Paleocene teeth.
  • Mineral & Rock Collections: Cataloged 841 specimens since 2024.
  • Critical Minerals Data Preservation:
    • Created statewide database of 4,400+ site-specific metadata records from legacy maps and reports.
    • Generated GeMS data for 7 county mineral resource maps and 5 quadrangle maps overlapping 9 Earth MRI focus areas.
  • Future (2025–2028):
    • Metadata for 4,800 fossil specimens and 4,000 mineral/rock specimens.
    • GeMS data for 24 historic county geologic/mineral maps in 2 Earth MRI focus areas (southeastern Alabama).
  • Impact: Preserves irreplaceable collections dating back to the mid-1800s, modernizes digital access, and provides datasets for mapping, mineral-systems research, and land-use planning.

Impact for Alabama

  • Delivers authoritative maps that support urban growth, infrastructure, and industry needs:
  • Expands knowledge of critical minerals essential to U.S. energy security and manufacturing:
  • Preserves historic collections and modernizes digital data for long-term scientific and public use.
  • Demonstrates strong return on investment with maps and datasets directly used by mining companies, planners, and researchers.