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Florida Geological Survey

The Florida Geological Survey (FGS), established in 1907, is a public-service driven organization and part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It provides geological information about Florida to citizens and other local, state and federal agencies, academia and private industry. This information is based upon over a century of geological research and provides the foundation for scientific-based protection and conservation of Florida’s environment, including water, energy and mineral resources. Applied geoscience services are provided to almost all DEP divisions and districts, through maps, data, assessments, samples and reports generated and archived by the FGS. It is one of 48 state geological agencies in the United States.

The FGS is divided into three sections as follows:

• Geological Investigations Section conducts geological research and mapping based on identified agency and state needs; provides data, assessment and research on sinkhole potential and other geological hazards; completes oil-gas-mineral resource assessments on state lands being considered for acquisition; conducts scientific and water well drilling for agency needs; and manages more than 19,700 well samples (cores and cuttings) in the state geological repository. The Section provides outreach and education to a variety of customers, and edits all FGS publications.

• Applied Geoscience Services Section conducts mapping and assessments related to protection and conservation of Florida’s water resources as needed by DEP’s other program areas and external customers. To support those needs, the Section manages and develops geographic information system mapping and data, manages the geological research library services, and oversees the FGS publication production, inventory and distribution. The Section has been involved in development of aquifer vulnerability assessments, evaluating water quality effects and geochemical processes related to aquifer recharge, aquifer storage and recovery, as well as compiling geological data regarding geologic carbon sequestration and geothermal energy.

• Administration Section is responsible for budget, grant, property and personnel management and responds to public records requests. This section also covers IT coordination, interagency liaison, and strategic planning.

History

The roots of the Florida Geological Survey originate in the year 1852 when the office of State Engineer and Geologist received legislative approval. The office was held by “General” Francis L. Dancy, a former militia officer and mayor of St. Augustine. Dancy was not a geologist, but was very experienced in engineering and spent his time draining lowlands for agricultural development. After requesting $500 to do soil tests in Florida, the legislature abolished the office of State Engineer and Geologist in 1855. When commercially valuable phosphate deposits were discovered in Florida in the 1880s, Governor E. A. Perry appointed Dr. John Kost, a medical doctor and amateur geologist, as state geologist in 1886. After Kost completed his studies of phosphate, the legislature abolished his post a year later. Legislation in 1907 finally created an autonomous, permanent Florida Geological Survey, and an office of State Geologist based in Tallahassee.

Florida’s State Geologists

The Director of the FGS serves as the official State Geologist, per Chapter 377.075 Florida Statutes and is a member of the Association of American State Geologists. Past State Geologists include:

E. H. Sellards, 1907-1909
Herman Gunter, 1909-1958
Robert O. Vernon, 1958-1971
Charles W. Hendry, Jr., 1971-1988
Walter Schmidt, 1988-2009
Jonathan D. Arthur, 2009–Present

Products and Services

The FGS provides several products and services including:

geological data
geological and hydrogeological mapping, research and assessments
geological information products and publications
geological sample repository maintenance and access
geological hazard response
library services (including reference and literature searches, reference database maintenance, digital publishing, maintaining a web catalog of all FGS Research Library holdings, and providing inter-library loan services)
response to e-mail or phone inquiries
outreach and public education

Data and Publications

The FGS maintains several geological databases that are available through its website including a lithologic database, subsidence incident reports database, University of Florida/FGS vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology collections, and various geological and hydrogeological GIS-coverages. FGS geological and hydrogeological publications date back to 1908, the year after the FGS was formally established by Florida Statute. More than 95 percent of FGS publications have been digitized and posted on several websites of the University of Florida Libraries. URL links to them are built into the FGS List of Publications (Information Circular 87 revised) which is available through the FGS website, and downloadable as a PDF.

Education and Outreach

The Florida Geological Survey maintains an active Education and Outreach Program. Florida’s geology is unique; topics that may be explored from the FGS website provide an exciting introduction to our fascinating and fragile natural heritage. Videos available to teachers make the sometimes unusual and often wonderful world of Florida geology easily accessible to students. In addition, the FGS hosts an annual Open House in celebration of Earth Science Week that features tours of our facility and interactive earth science activities for students from ages K-12. Home schooling parents and their children are our special guests at this event. The FGS also sends geologists to speak to local schools on a staff-available basis.

References:

Hoenstine, R.W. and Weissinger, S., 1983, The Florida Bureau of Geology, Past, Present and Future: Florida Geological Survey Special Publication No. 26, 49 p.

Lane, B.E., 1998, The Florida Geological Survey: An Illustrated Chronicle and Brief History: Florida Geological Survey Special Publication No. 42, 70 p.

Rupert, F.R., 2007, Timeline of Highlights and Significant Historical Events in the Evolution of the Florida Geological Survey: Florida Geological Survey Leaflet 18, 2 p.