The California Geological Survey , previously known as the California Division of Mines and Geology , is the California state geologic agency.
28-685: Although it was not until 1880 that the California State Mining Bureau , predecessor to the California Geological Survey, was established, the "roots" of California's state geological survey date to an earlier time. As might be expected for a state that owed its existence to the gold rush of 1849, the California State Legislature recognized that geologists could provide valuable information. In 1851, one year after California
56-428: A complex nature, such as an avalanche hitting a lake and causing a debris flow, with consequences potentially hundreds of miles away, or creating a lahar by volcanism. Marine geohazards in particular constitute a fast-growing sector of research as they involve seismic, tectonic, volcanic processes now occurring at higher frequency, and often resulting in coastal sub-marine avalanches or devastating tsunamis in some of
84-521: A large extent (e.g., tsunamis ). Sometimes the hazard is instigated by the careless location of developments or construction in which the conditions were not taken into account. Human activities, such as drilling through overpressured zones, could result in significant risk, and as such mitigation and prevention are paramount, through improved understanding of geohazards, their preconditions, causes and implications. In other cases, particularly in montane regions, natural processes can cause catalytic events of
112-659: The California Division of Mines and Geology , is the California state geologic agency. Although it was not until 1880 that the California State Mining Bureau , predecessor to the California Geological Survey, was established, the "roots" of California's state geological survey date to an earlier time. As might be expected for a state that owed its existence to the gold rush of 1849, the California State Legislature recognized that geologists could provide valuable information. In 1851, one year after California
140-648: The Mining Engineering Branch and the Geology Branch. The Division began processing numerous geological quadrangle maps and reports for publication. In 1952 the Division conducted its first public-safety related effort by documenting the impacts of the 1952 Kern County earthquake and its aftershocks. The 1960s were years of development of new programs and modernization of long-standing programs. In 1962, eighty-one years after its creation,
168-450: The Mining Engineering Branch and the Geology Branch. The Division began processing numerous geological quadrangle maps and reports for publication. In 1952 the Division conducted its first public-safety related effort by documenting the impacts of the 1952 Kern County earthquake and its aftershocks. The 1960s were years of development of new programs and modernization of long-standing programs. In 1962, eighty-one years after its creation,
196-526: The Bureau became the Division of Mines within the Department of Natural Resources. In 1928, with the hiring of the first geologist, the focus of the Division began to shift towards the gathering of basic geologic information. In 1938 a new 1:500,000-scale geologic map was published. During the 1940s and 1950s, the Division developed as a state geological survey and two well-defined branches were established:
224-414: The Bureau became the Division of Mines within the Department of Natural Resources. In 1928, with the hiring of the first geologist, the focus of the Division began to shift towards the gathering of basic geologic information. In 1938 a new 1:500,000-scale geologic map was published. During the 1940s and 1950s, the Division developed as a state geological survey and two well-defined branches were established:
252-450: The Division of Mines was renamed the Division of Mines and Geology (DMG). Its focus had shifted from an organization that was primarily mine-oriented to one responsible for a broader range of practical applications of geology, especially geologic hazards and seismic hazards . A highlight of the decade was the completion in 1966 of the geologic mapping program. From the early 1970s to the present, Division programs have expanded often due to
280-450: The Division of Mines was renamed the Division of Mines and Geology (DMG). Its focus had shifted from an organization that was primarily mine-oriented to one responsible for a broader range of practical applications of geology, especially geologic hazards and seismic hazards . A highlight of the decade was the completion in 1966 of the geologic mapping program. From the early 1970s to the present, Division programs have expanded often due to
308-478: The duties thereof. The act named Josiah D. Whitney (for whom Mount Whitney is named) to fill the office. A Yale graduate, Whitney had worked on several surveys in the east. The act directed Whitney to make an accurate and complete geological survey of the state. Whitney chose William Henry Brewer as chief botanist to lead the original field party. Brewer then added Clarence King , James Gardiner , topographer Charles F. Hoffmann and packer Dick Cotter . It
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#1732773285614336-478: The duties thereof. The act named Josiah D. Whitney (for whom Mount Whitney is named) to fill the office. A Yale graduate, Whitney had worked on several surveys in the east. The act directed Whitney to make an accurate and complete geological survey of the state. Whitney chose William Henry Brewer as chief botanist to lead the original field party. Brewer then added Clarence King , James Gardiner , topographer Charles F. Hoffmann and packer Dick Cotter . It
364-583: The effects of such hazards and developing plans to implement these measures. Mitigation can include a variety of measures: Eleven distinct flood basalt episodes occurred in the past 250 million years, resulting in large volcanic provinces , creating lava plateaus and mountain ranges on Earth. Large igneous provinces have been connected to five mass extinction events. The timing of six out of eleven known provinces coincide with periods of global warming and marine anoxia /dysoxia. Thus, suggesting that volcanic CO 2 emissions can force an important effect on
392-621: The field work was limited and the last field work was done in 1870 by Hoffmann and W. A. Goodyear . In 1874 the Survey was officially ended due to hostility between then Governor of California Newton Booth and Whitney. In 1880 the State Mining Bureau was established by the Legislature. The establishment of the Bureau was a direct action in response to the need for information on the occurrence, mining, and processing of gold in
420-437: The field work was limited and the last field work was done in 1870 by Hoffmann and W. A. Goodyear . In 1874 the Survey was officially ended due to hostility between then Governor of California Newton Booth and Whitney. In 1880 the State Mining Bureau was established by the Legislature. The establishment of the Bureau was a direct action in response to the need for information on the occurrence, mining, and processing of gold in
448-463: The first California Geological Survey headed by Trask, who retained the title of State Geologist. Within a few years the mining of placer gold began to decline and mining of quartz lodes began. These changes, coupled with publication of reports by Trask, created a public clamor for a state geological survey. In 1860 the Legislature passed an act creating the Office of State Geologist and defining
476-410: The first California Geological Survey headed by Trask, who retained the title of State Geologist. Within a few years the mining of placer gold began to decline and mining of quartz lodes began. These changes, coupled with publication of reports by Trask, created a public clamor for a state geological survey. In 1860 the Legislature passed an act creating the Office of State Geologist and defining
504-703: The most densely populated areas of the world Such impacts on vulnerable coastal populations, coastal infrastructures, offshore exploration platforms, obviously call for a higher level of preparedness and mitigation. Sudden phenomena include: Gradual or slow phenomena include: Geologic hazards are typically evaluated by engineering geologists who are educated and trained in interpretation of landforms and earth process, earth-structure interaction, and in geologic hazard mitigation. The engineering geologist provides recommendations and designs to mitigate for geologic hazards. Trained hazard mitigation planners also assist local communities to identify strategies for mitigating
532-540: The new California State Mining Bureau . This was renamed the Division of Mines in 1927. In 1962 the division's name was expanded to be California Division of Mines and Geology , a name that lasted until August 2006, when the state legislature renamed the division the California Geological Survey . California State Mining Bureau The California Geological Survey , previously known as
560-765: The new California State Mining Bureau . This was renamed the Division of Mines in 1927. In 1962 the division's name was expanded to be California Division of Mines and Geology , a name that lasted until August 2006, when the state legislature renamed the division the California Geological Survey . Geologic hazards A geologic hazard or geohazard is an adverse geologic condition capable of causing widespread damage or loss of property and life. These hazards are geological and environmental conditions and involve long-term or short-term geological processes. Geohazards can be relatively small features, but they can also attain huge dimensions (e.g., submarine or surface landslide ) and affect local and regional socio-economics to
588-469: The passage of legislation. Following earthquakes and landslide damage during the 1970s and 1980s, legislation passed which clearly focused DMG's authority on several fronts, including: Language was also added which outlined DMG's responsibilities as encompassing: The California Geological Survey has had many names over its history. The original Geological Survey of California was replaced in April 1880 by
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#1732773285614616-417: The passage of legislation. Following earthquakes and landslide damage during the 1970s and 1980s, legislation passed which clearly focused DMG's authority on several fronts, including: Language was also added which outlined DMG's responsibilities as encompassing: The California Geological Survey has had many names over its history. The original Geological Survey of California was replaced in April 1880 by
644-608: The state. Its focus was on California's mining industry and the Governor appointed the State Mineralogist. In 1891, the Bureau published the first geologic map of the state showing eight stratigraphic units in color, along with numerous blank areas where information was lacking. The second colored geologic map of the state, published in 1916, showed 21 stratigraphic units and was accompanied by an explanatory volume (Bulletin 72, Geologic Formations of California). In 1927
672-484: The state. Its focus was on California's mining industry and the Governor appointed the State Mineralogist. In 1891, the Bureau published the first geologic map of the state showing eight stratigraphic units in color, along with numerous blank areas where information was lacking. The second colored geologic map of the state, published in 1916, showed 21 stratigraphic units and was accompanied by an explanatory volume (Bulletin 72, Geologic Formations of California). In 1927
700-669: Was admitted to the United States, the Legislature named John B. Trask , a medical practitioner and active member of the California Academy of Sciences , as Honorary State Geologist. In 1853 the Legislature passed a joint resolution asking him for geological information about the state. He submitted a report On the Geology of the Sierra Nevada , or California Range . About two months later, the Legislature created
728-421: Was admitted to the United States, the Legislature named John B. Trask , a medical practitioner and active member of the California Academy of Sciences , as Honorary State Geologist. In 1853 the Legislature passed a joint resolution asking him for geological information about the state. He submitted a report On the Geology of the Sierra Nevada , or California Range . About two months later, the Legislature created
756-525: Was one of the most ambitious geological surveys ever attempted and yielded a vast amount of information about California that was hitherto unknown and unpublished. Among the natural features of California they were the first to describe Kings Canyon, which they discovered in 1864. The original California Geological Survey influenced the future of surveying and spurred the creation of the United States Geological Survey . Funding for
784-439: Was one of the most ambitious geological surveys ever attempted and yielded a vast amount of information about California that was hitherto unknown and unpublished. Among the natural features of California they were the first to describe Kings Canyon, which they discovered in 1864. The original California Geological Survey influenced the future of surveying and spurred the creation of the United States Geological Survey . Funding for
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