PENNSYLVANIA’S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, A RESOURCE IN ITS OWN RIGHT

The name “Geological Survey” has an unintended negative connotation. To some segments of the political spectrum, geology is a static science — once the rocks are described, what else is there to do? Indeed! The ongoing activities of the various state surveys and the USGS are critical to our standard of living, but these efforts never speak for themselves. It is incumbent upon us as professional practitioners to communicate with the public in a clear and reasoned fashion. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey, aka the Pennsylvania Geological Survey, is an example of the value of a geologically focused organization. Following its creation in 1836, the Survey has served the citizens of Pennsylvania by pursuing its legislatively mandated mission, “… to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania by collecting, preserving, and disseminating impartial information on the Commonwealth's geology, geologic resources, and topography….” This presentation will briefly examine the Survey’s history, outline its public value, describe the industrial uses of the reports, highlight the recent contributions of the PAMAP effort, and outline the present and future objectives of the dedicated team that constitutes the Pennsylvania Geological Survey.