MULTI-PROJECT MAPPING SYNERGY: APPLYING MULTIPLE SPECIALIZED WORKFLOWS TO A SINGLE QUADRANGLE

The Catawissa quadrangle in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, serves as a case study for integrating diverse geoscience workflows into a comprehensive mapping initiative. Started as a bedrock mapping project, the effort expanded to include surficial geologic mapping, automated hydrography classification, top-of-bedrock elevation modeling, and landslide detection. This multi-disciplinary approach yielded three published maps with data releases forthcoming.

Key innovations included the use of lidar, hydrography geometries, and field validation points in an iterative approach to refine mapping accuracy. For instance, elevation-derived hydrography data improved the cartographic representation of stream channel morphology, and therefore surficial geomorphology, while field mapping informed and validated hydrography models. These integrated techniques improved the resolution and context of surficial and bedrock geological interpretations, enhancing topographic and environmental analyses. The completed maps will serve as a foundation for future mapping efforts. Bedrock exposure identification and detailed descriptions of surficial units will be used to inform an updated top-of-bedrock elevation model and an ongoing landslide susceptibility project; more specifically, field validated bedrock exposures will provide known elevations for the top-of-bedrock elevation model, and a comprehensive understanding of surficial geomorphology will support the evaluation of modeled landslide susceptibility outputs.

Digital collaboration between the project teams was facilitated through extensive use of ArcGIS Online tools. Field Maps mobile application was employed to collect and validate field observations. Generated GIS data were shared through cloud-based online groups. Crowdsourced field validation is enabled through a Survey123 application.

This collaborative project highlights the value of multi-project and multi-expert frameworks in geoscience mapping, enabling iterative improvements and fostering intradepartmental cooperation. By showcasing how mapping efforts in Catawissa quadrangle advanced both data integration and geoscientific understanding, this poster advocates for leveraging diverse expertise and technologies in future geoscience mapping endeavors.