Southeast Missouri Helicopter Survey

Residents and visitors should not be alarmed to witness a low-flying helicopter over southeastern Missouri starting in mid to late February, 2014.

U.S. Geological Survey scientists will conduct a comprehensive, high-resolution airborne survey to study the rock layers under parts of Washington, Franklin and Crawford counties. Instruments on the helicopter will collect information about the underground geology and mineral deposits of the region. When the data analysis is complete, resulting state-of-the-art maps will help USGS researchers understand the geology and important concealed iron-oxide, copper, cobalt, gold and rare earth element deposits in the area.