National Stratigraphic Synthesis
Subsurface geologic units intercepted in the boreholes are shown in various colors. Boreholes are positioned above the map for visibility but portray geologic units that occur in subsurface below the level of the map.
View of a sedimentary basin from above. Colored surfaces represent the top of geologic units mapped in the subsurface. Younger sedimentary units (in light blue) are not deflected like the deeper units and represent sedimentation after basin formation.
This task will work to develop standard libraries of geologic provinces and stratigraphic terms, and integrate fundamental sedimentary data (e.g., lithology, depth, thickness, age, depositional environments), enabling the definition of regionally significant "key surfaces" that define the geological framework of a broad region or province. Ongoing inventory and cataloging activities will compile 3D maps/models and subsurface data produced by USGS, other Federal agencies, State Geological Surveys, and other Federal data repositories. Database efforts will build on existing stratigraphic frameworks (e.g., AAPG COSUNA charts) and will be adaptable to future stratigraphic reconciliation efforts led by Federal and State working groups, all standardized to meet USGS geologic naming requirements.
The National Stratigraphic Synthesis task activities include:
(1) conversion of existing 3D geologic data for sedimentary basins to a format accessible to a wide variety of users,
(2) compiling and synthesizing subsurface geologic datasets to create new 3D products for sedimentary basins, and
(3) ensuring that detailed sedimentary basin data is integrated into a regional- to national-scale seamless 3D geologic database.
