THE U.S. NATIONAL KARST MAP PROJECT

Karst topography covers more than 20% of the United States, requiring accurate characterization for informed land-use decisions. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is compiling a web-based GIS to serve dynamic maps at a resolution of 1:1,000,000. This project originated with efforts by the National Speleological Society and has been advanced and financially supported by the USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, National Park Service (NPS) and the National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI). Work by the USGS began in 2001 and should continue for several years. The database will be initiated through integration of diverse existing datasets, then refined by various experts in karst. Our first step is to build a map from existing karst or geologic map datasets provided by the State geological surveys. We presented the project to the Association of American State Geologists and also held regional workshops on karst mapping at the State and national level in Lexington, KY, in 2002, and in Glenwood Springs, CO, in 2003. These meetings have allowed us to: 1. Communicate karst-related activities and intentions of the USGS, NCKRI, and NPS to the States; 2. Establish contacts in the State geological surveys; 3. Identify State karst-related data sources; 4. Share information on karst mapping activities among the States; and 5. Discuss issues related to mapping karst, towards the goal of developing a set of ‘guidelines’ for mapping this multidimensional entity. As a pilot project, we are compiling a karst map of the Appalachian Highlands which will be incorporated into the National Map. Once the data from the States are compiled, they will be returned to the State geological surveys for review and then tested and revised against cave and karst datasets owned by caving groups and karst academicians.