All About the WVGES
Location |
Directors |
Function |
History
- LOCATION:
Mailing Address: West Virginia Geological & Economic Survey
Mont Chateau Research Center
1 Mont Chateau Road
Morgantown, WV 26508-8079
Telephone: 304-594-2331
FAX: 304-594-2575
E-mail: info@geosrv.wvnet.edu
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
(Closed holidays)
Directions: instructions and maps
- HISTORY:
"Experience has shown but one way in which to open up the resources of a
country, and this is a geological Survey . . . ." With these words in 1869, distinguished West Virginia University geologist
John James Stevenson advocated the State's need for a geological survey.
In 1897, the WVGES was established by an act of the Legislature with the
purposes to, in general, (1) investigate the State's geological and physical
resources, (2) make the results of these investigations promptly available to
the public, and (3) provide topographic, geologic, and other maps of the State.
Chosen to head the new Survey was Dr. Israel Charles White, one of the most
prominent geologists of that time. Under his leadership, the Survey soon
became internationally known.
White supervised the preparation of topographic maps covering the entire
State and edited 34 geologic reports. By 1927, the Survey
had made detailed geologic studies of every county except Greenbrier, and it
can be claimed that this geologic record of West Virginia excelled that found
for any like area in the world.
In 1934, Dr. Paul H. Price assumed the position of Director and State
Geologist and the Survey entered a new period, characterized by an intensive
program to examine more fully the physical and chemical properties of the
State's resources. Extensive coal, oil, and natural gas studies were
undertaken. Dr. Price initiated, in 1941, a cooperative U.S. Geological
Survey program to study the ground-water resources of the State. In 1942,
the Survey moved into West Virginia University's new Mineral Industries
Building, later renamed White Hall in honor of Dr. I.C. White.
Map publishing reached a new high in the postwar years of Dr. Price's
directorship and included a new State geologic map, shaded relief map, base
map, mineral resources and mineral industries map, three editions of an oil
and gas map, a limestone map, and, under a cooperative agreement with the
U.S. Geological Survey, nearly 300 topographic maps.
By the late 1960s, the application of geologic information, long restricted
to development of mineral resources, increasingly became part of land-use
planning, water-resource management, building construction, planning of
transportation and utility facilities, and the safe disposal of wastes.
Consequently, when Dr. Robert B. Erwin became Director and State Geologist
in 1969, the Survey enlarged the scope of its activities to include detailed
statewide coal studies, land-use mapping, remote sensing, sophisticated
analytical capabilities, and computerized data processing.
Under Dr. Erwin, the Survey established its unique Coal Program and began a
comprehensive reevaluation of the geology, composition, and extent of all 117
West Virginia coal seams. Increased study of nonfuel mineral resources and
important acid mine drainage research was conducted. Computerization of the
Survey's enormous quantity of geologic data was undertaken. Significant
publications were completed such as the fiftieth anniversary edition of
Springs of West Virginia, and the West Virginia Gazetteer of Physical and
Cultural Place Names. The Survey relocated to Mont Chateau Research Center,
allowing most of the staff to be housed in one building.
The Survey's 100th anniversary year in 1997 found the agency achieving significant economies
in operating costs while expanding public service and outreach functions, participating in
an increased variety of externally funded research projects, and fully computerizing nearly
all geoscience and support functions.
Today, under the leadership of Director and State Geologist Michael Ed. Hohn, the Survey remains committed
to maintaining its long tradition of technical excellence and professionalism, and to providing
quality public service to all West Virginians.
Page last revised: April 21, 2008
Please send questions, comments, and/or suggestions to webmaster.
Page created and maintained by:
West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey
Address: Mont Chateau Research Center
1 Mont Chateau Road
Morgantown, WV 26508-8079
Telephone: 304-594-2331
FAX: 304-594-2575
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday - Friday
Permission to reproduce this material is granted if acknowledgment is given
to the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey.
