FIELD NOTES: LASTING STYLES OF TIMELESS VALUE FROM THE LATE ROBERT BUTLER AND LARGE STATE-SPONSORED ENGINEERING GEOLOGY PROJECTS (LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL AND THE SUPER-CONDUCTING SUPER COLLIDER NATIONAL COMPETITION)

Field notes reflect distinct individual field mapping styles (Butler), while large state-sponsored engineering geology project field notes tend to follow a more standardized style to accommodate corporate culture, and internal and external review and technical input. These, perhaps, reflect end points of field note styles developed and refined over many years.

For example, the late Robert Butler mapped the geology of North Carolina for many years. His geologic mapping style was to annotate 7.5-minute topographic maps in the field that showed individual outcrop locations (including size and extent) and geologic descriptions (rock type and structural information). Additional information that he included was the date that he visited each outcrop, contact information for various individuals for property access, geologic traverse information, asides for interpretation, geologic information from other authors if available, and even coffee stains! Following Robert Butler's death, his family graciously donated his many North Carolina geologic mapping field sheets, notes and thin sections to preserve these data and to provide a foundation for subsequent geologic mapping the North Carolina Geological Survey and others. These data provide a continuing wealth of information.

Geological engineering studies for the State of North Carolina result in extensive and voluminous geologic and geotechnical information for very small areas. Examples include sites investigated for a regional low-level radioactive waste disposal facility and the national competition for the Super-Conducting, Super Collider. The data format for these data are typically reflect corporate culture and data formats are highly standardized and may be stored (or presented) in a compartmentalized format for specific audiences or purposes. Large projects produce diverse data from personnel in different disciplines so data integration may be needed for broad overview perspectives.