Geology News
Maryland Current Events

Geology.com and RockTumbler.com are both GeoShops.com websites.

Lots of people enjoy going to fee mining sites where you can prospect inactive surface mines, mine tailings, soil, sediments or outcrops and keep any rocks, gems, minerals or fossils that you find. Examples include: Herkimer Diamond Mines where you can search for doubly-terminated quartz crystals, and Crater of Diamonds where you might be lucky enough to find a real diamond.

Since 1972 the “Roadside Geology” series has provided introductory information on the geology of states and small regions of the United States.

The books provide a combination of maps, travel logs, photos and commentary for the geology that can be seen along highways or visited at parks and public viewing areas. They are popular with geologists, teachers, students and others who are interested in the Earth.

“The U.S. Geological Survey released an analysis of the Watts Branch of the Anacostia River in Prince Georges County, Maryland that documents how restoration work on this urban tributary has had a substantial impact on the local economy, directly or indirectly accounting for 45 jobs, $2.6 million in local labor income and $3.4 million in value added to the area in 2011.” Quoted from the USGS announcement.

Did you know that most homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage from any type of subsidence? That includes collapse from sinkholes, oil production, ground water pumping and underground mining activity. Most insurance companies offering homeowners coverage exclude almost any type of geologic hazard from coverage – unless you make specific arrangements to acquire it yourself.

The folks at MyTopo.com are now printing supersized topo maps; large enough make a huge 8′ x 5′ (or 5′ x 8′) map that will look fantastic on the wall of your office, conference room, lobby, cabin or den. These maps are custom-centered on any location that you pick using their online map-making tool.

We are affiliates of MyTopo.com and receive a commission on sales.

The most recent issue of BOEM Ocean Science has information about beach restoration projects in the Hurricane Sandy recovery effort.

Raven Maps are beautiful examples of shaded-relief wall maps that display the elevation of a state in vibrant colors. These large maps look great in a classroom, den or office. Use one to mark the locations of your work or company.

“The “Geological Map of Garrett, Allegany and western Washington Counties in Maryland” is the first comprehensive geologic map of the region published in more than 50 years. [...] As residential, commercial and recreational development increases in the western portion of the State, and with the potential for the Marcellus Shale to serve as a natural gas resource, the updated map will provide necessary information on the geologic factors that affect and guide decisions about the wise use of the landscape and natural resources.” Quoted from the MGS press release.

An article on the USA Today website explains how Superstorm Sandy should be a “wake-up call” that brings attention to the steady rise in sea level.

Exports of metallurgical coal from the United States to destinations in Europe and Asia remains strong. Ports at Norfolk, Baltimore and New Orleans handle the most coal.

Before Hurricane Sandy hit, NASA’s Earth Observatory captured an interesting satellite image of fall colors on the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia.

The USGS real-time streamflow monitoring system is reporting record high water levels for this date for many streams in eastern New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware. Visit the USGS WaterWatch website for an updated map and access to their thousands of stream gages.

Storm Surge can be the most damaging and deadly aspect of a hurricane. Hurricane Sandy is expected to produce a storm surge that floods broad coastal areas near its landfall.

NOAA has posted a series of “U.S. Rainfall Potential Maps” that show the cumulative geographic distribution of potential rainfall amount across the eastern United States. Very large geographic areas could receive 12 inches of rain or more and experience significant flooding.

How Much Does Exxon Profit on a Gallon of Gasoline?

Pompeii in Ruins, Again

Messier 107 Star Cluster

The Overlooked Natural Gas Basins?

Wyoming Rare Earth Deposit

Landslides Waiting to Happen

In the eastern United States the natural gas rush has focused on the Appalachian Basin. However, there are over a dozen minor basins along the east coast that have received very little attention.

“Reservoirs near the mouth of the Susquehanna River just above Chesapeake Bay are nearly at capacity in their ability to trap sediment. As a result, large storms are already delivering increasingly more suspended sediment and nutrients to the Bay, which may negatively impact restoration efforts.” Quoted from the USGS press release.

Ohio DNR has publised a regional organic-thickness map of the Marcellus Shale with additional organic-rich beds in the Hamilton Group. The map covers areas in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.

“The Chesapeake Bay Program, [...] established a network to monitor changes in nutrients and sediment in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Information from this network is used to help scientists and managers assess water-quality conditions and long-term trends as management practices are implemented.”

The Marcellus Shale (Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland) could overtake the Haynesville Shale (Arkansas, Texas) as the most productive gas shale in the United States.

An article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette explores the slowdown in natural gas drilling experienced in most parts of the Marcellus Shale region. The drillers are not the only ones feeling the drop in activity.

“Rates of sea level rise are increasing three-to-four times faster along portions of the U.S. Atlantic Coast than globally, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey report published in Nature Climate Change.” Quoted from the USGS press release.

Related: Sea Level Rise Map

Mountain Press Publishing has released a new book by Albert B. Dickas titled: 101 American Geo-Sites You’ve Gotta See.

It provides a two-page presentation on each site that features photos, text and a map. It is a good way to get a quick glimpse of these 101 fantastic sites. It sells for $23.99.

See a table of contents.

“Since about 1990, sea-level rise in the 600-mile stretch of coastal zone from Cape Hatteras, N.C. to north of Boston, Mass. — coined a “hotspot” by scientists — has increased 2 – 3.7 millimeters per year; the global increase over the same period was 0.6 – 1.0 millimeter per year.” Quoted from the USGS press release.

Related: Sea Level Rise – New York, Washington DC

The United States Geological Survey has published Fact Sheet 2012–3075…

Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources of the East Coast Mesozoic Basins of the Piedmont, Blue Ridge Thrust Belt, Atlantic Coastal Plain, and New England Provinces, 2011.

Several major natural gas drillers have developed a set of standards for hydraulic fracturing in the Appalachian Basin. The standards recommend practices for drilling, well design, water use, equipment use and public outreach.

The Maryland House approved a bill that would create a 7.5% severance tax on “all natural gas, natural gas liquids, and other fluid hydrocarbons, not defined as oil, which are produced from a natural reservoir.”

An article on the New York Times website explores the impact of sea level rise on the United States. Coastal flooding is expected to become much more common in the near future and millions of people could be displaced by rising waters. Florida, New York, Loisiana, California and the Chesapeake area are at particular risk.

“The U.S. Geological Survey deployed a temporary monitoring network of water-level sensors at 212 locations along the Atlantic coast from South Carolina to Maine during August 2011 to record the timing, areal extent, and magnitude of inland hurricane storm tide and coastal flooding generated by Hurricane Irene. ” Quoted from the USGS publication release.

A $1 billion pipeline has been proposed that will deliver Marcellus Shale gas from northern Pennsylvania to markets in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC.