Aerial photos can assist in geologic mapping.
In the United States, the major source for funding grants for geologic mapping projects is the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP). Under the administrative umbrella of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the NCGMP has three divisions of grant programs, one directed toward federal mapping, one for state mapping projects and one to train students through higher education geologic mapping programs.
Functions
The USGS defines a geologic map as one that shows geologic features in addition to natural features, such as mountains, rivers and streams. Geologic mapping or geological surveys plot geologic structure, including rocks, minerals and crust features. Knowing and understanding the geologic structure of an area helps seismologists to recognize and map existing faults, geologists to pinpoint ore deposits and scientists in general to understand the historic geologic trends of the planet better.
Federal Projects
What the NCGMP terms the FEDMAP program is available as a means to fund only federal projects. FEDMAP grant proposals are reviewed by a committee consisting of three USGS Earth Surfaces Processes Teams and representatives from pertinent agencies, such as the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Association of American State Geologists and the USGS Water Resources Discipline. Federal projects may take place in any of the states and U.S. territories and may consist of a coordinated effort with STATEMAP projects.
State Projects
STATEMAP is a matching-funds program between the NCGMP and the states to finance state geologic mapping or geological surveys. Geologic mapping projects awarded grant funding through the STATEMAP program go through a competition with other state projects around the nation. To fund the chosen STATEMAP projects, the NCGMP and the state contribute equally to the cost. According to the NCGMP, the states' geological survey workers conduct the mapping process and have one year to complete the grant-funded work. State projects may overlap with ongoing federal plans.
Colleges and Universities
According to the national mapping program, the purpose of the EDMAP component is to fund educational projects in order to "train the next generation of geologic mappers." The EDMAP division of the national mapping program awards grants to college and university projects following a competition among proposals. EDMAP groups often work on current state and federal projects or in close proximity. Grant awards to colleges and universities for geologic mapping projects are matched dollar-for-dollar by the educational institution submitting the proposal. Grant recipients have one year to complete the funded work.
Tags: geologic mapping, mapping projects, federal projects, geologic mapping projects, geologic structure
