virginia

Interactive map of the United States' geology and natural resources

The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Mineral Resources Program's interactive Geologic Map of U.S. States provides a large amount of information on geology, natural resources, and environmental data for every U.S. state, including:

  • Surface and bedrock geology
  • Mineral resources
  • Geochemical and geophysical data
  • Water monitoring sites
  • Partial soil and land use data

All of the maps are also available as Google Earth files that can be downloaded and used on personal computers and mobile devices.

2014 Critical Issues Forum: America's Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas: Benefits and Risks of a Methane Economy

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The development of unconventional natural gas resources in the last decade has reshaped the energy mix in the U.S. Decisions that are being made now – often in sectors that may not have an obvious connection to gas production – will determine the energy mix over the coming decades. The 2014 Critical Issues Forum, entitled America’s Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas: Benefits and Risks of a Methane Economy, reflected the strong interest and concerns associated with the development of natural gas resources. The two-day event was held at the Forth Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 19-20, 2014.

The Forum examined the 5- to 30-year outlook for the development of a natural gas-dominant energy sector in North America and discussed the associated benefits and risks. Presentations highlighted our current understanding of the interrelated geological, environmental, and economic aspects of natural gas development and stimulated discussion on two overarching questions:

  • Is a natural gas-dominant economy achievable in North America?
  • Would a natural gas-dominant economy be desirable?

Forum Sponsorship support was provided by the Geological Society of America, the Society for Sedimentary Geology, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and The Geological Society

For more information about the Forum, please visit the 2014 Critical Issues Forum home page.

2014 Forum: Selected Clips

Visualization of average per person energy use for each state

The U.S. Department of Energy's visualization of per person energy use allows you to explore what the average energy usage for your state looks like in the form of burritos, dynamite, and other more relatable metrics. Because most people can't visualize what it means to use 148,600,000 BTU, this visualization is particularly useful for putting personal energy usage into perspective.

The data for this visualization come from the EIA State Energy Data System and represent 2012 energy use.

Water as One Resource: How interactions between groundwater and surface water impact water availability

Monday, July 13, 2015

Overarching questions addressed in this webinar include:

  • How do surface water and ground water interact and what implications do these interactions have for sustainable water management?
  • Are there new tools/resources/partnerships that can be used to better manage surface water and groundwater as connected resources?
  • What policy limitations exist for managing water as one resource?
  • Are there best practices that water management organizations can implement?

Our speakers include:

  • Ken Bradbury, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey | pdf download iconSlides YouTube download icon Video
  • William M. Alley, National Ground Water Association | pdf download icon Slides YouTube download icon Video
  • Thomas Harter, University of California, Davis | Slides YouTube download icon Video

Webinar Co-Sponsors:
National Ground Water Association, Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey, Association of American State Geologists

CEU Credits

To earn CEU credits, please complete the associated on-demand GOLI course that was developed from this webinar with a grade of 70% or higher and then submit your application for CEUs. CEUs are awarded from the American Institute of Professional Geologists. To view the full list of on-demand GOLI courses, please browse the GOLI course catalog.

Resources to learn more:

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets on water resources.

Water As One Resource: How Groundwater Interacts with Lakes and Streams

Interactive map of thermal springs in the United States

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's thermal springs map displays the location and temperature of thermal springs throughout the U.S. The hot springs shown on the map are color-coded based on recorded temperature (red = boiling, orange = hot, yellow = warm, black = information not available). Users can click on individual hot spring locations to find the hot spring name, location, and most recently recorded temperature.

Click here to use the thermal springs viewer.

Interactive map of weather hazard warnings in the United States

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service Watch, Warning, and Advisory Display map shows up-to-date weather warnings and advisories for the continental U.S. The map covers a wide range of weather hazards including tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricanes, tropical storms, flash and coastal floods, blizzards, winter storms, snow, freezing rain and ice storms, and high winds.

Users can click on individual parts of the map for more specific information down to the county level.

Interactive map of abandoned mines in Virginia

The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy's interactive map shows the locations of abandoned coal mines throughout the state of Virginia. The map allows users to explore a range of mine features. These features are important because abandoned mines have many land-related problems such as landslides, stream sedimentation, hazardous structures, dangerous highwalls, subsidence, loss of water, acid mine drainage, and open mine portals.

Interactive map of Virginia's geology and natural resources

The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy provides a large amount of information on Virginia's geology and natural resources in interactive map form, including:

  • Surface geology
  • Geothermal suitability
  • Sinkholes
  • Water wells
  • Mineral resources and mining operations
  • Topographic maps and aerial imagery

The map allows users to select multiple layers that can be overlain on each other. By doing this, users can see how different features are related.

Interactive map of operating nuclear power reactors in the United States

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) Operating Nuclear Power Reactors interactive map shows all the nuclear power reactors that are regulated by the NRC and provides information about the operator, model, and power output for each reactor. 

Click here to access the Operating Nuclear Power Reactors interactive map

Source: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

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