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New Western Kentucky Geologic Map Released by KGS

Lexington, KY. (May 7, 2006) - A newly-published geologic map of western Kentucky includes useful information for local and regional planners, energy industries and others interested in the geologic resources of this region.

The 30 x 60 inch paper map (created at a 1:100,000 scale) and the digital data used to create it are both published by the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) at the University of Kentucky. They are the result of detailed assembly of digitized 7.5-minute geologic quadrangle maps of the area, known as Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle (DVGQ) maps.

Entitled Geologic map of the Madisonville 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, western Kentucky, it is compiled and authored by KGS geologist Matt Crawford. It is the 11th of a series of such maps being developed and produced by KGS.

Kentucky is geologically mapped at a scale of 1:24,000, by a total of 707 of the 7.5-minute geologic quadrangle maps.  Three years ago, KGS staff completed a $3.8 million project to convert the original paper versions of these large scale maps to digital vector format.

Thirty-two of the digital versions of these maps were compiled to create the new Madisonville-region map at a 1:100,000 scale.  The new map retains the accuracy and detail in the original maps.

“The information about coal resources on the map will be particularly valuable for the coal industry,” says Crawford. “The mapped area is situated in the coal fields of western Kentucky.  And for those interested in traditional geologic mapping, there are numerous rock units depicted and described, along with a lot of structural geologic variety.”

The map includes portions of eleven Kentucky counties and the cities and towns of Madisonville, Providence, Greenville, Central City, Drakesboro, Dawson Springs, and others.

The digital vector files used to create this map are available from KGS on CD-ROM for $10 per individual DVGQ and can be used in geographic information systems (GIS) and other computer software.  The digital data sets allow GIS users to combine the geologic map data with other data for multiple purposes, including geologic hazard mitigation and assessment of energy and mineral resources. The digital data sets can also be used to create custom maps; they are ideal for land-use development and planning.

To view this publication on-line, go to the KGS Publications & Map catalog at http://kgs.uky.edu/kgsweb/findpubsmain.asp. Enter this publication’s number, 13844, in the box next to “Enter Publication or Catalog Number”, and to the right of this box select "exact publication id" from the pull down menu.  Clicking on the “Search” button opens a new page with a link to the map. Paper copies of the Madisonville quadrangle map are available from the KGS Public Information Center on the UK campus for $10 each plus shipping and may be ordered by calling (859) 257-3896 or toll free at (877) 778-7827.

A section of the Madisonville 30 x 60 map showing some of the details in the publication