%0 Conference Proceedings %B Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %D 2003 %T Converting paper geologic maps to digital products; the search for an effective method %A Stephen B Mabee %A Newton, R. %A Stepanov, A. %A Ene, D. %A Ivanov, D. %K #StaffPubs %K cartography %K data bases %K data processing %K digital cartography %K digital data %K geographic information systems %K geomorphology %K Geomorphology 23 %K government agencies %K information systems %K mapping %K massachusetts %K National Geologic Map Database %K NGMDB %K survey organizations %K United States %X MassGIS and the Office of the Massachusetts State Geologist are working collaboratively with the USGS to vectorize 85, published 7.5-minute surficial geologic maps in order to prepare a statewide coverage of the till-glacial stratified drift boundary. Conversion of old geologic maps from paper copies to new digital products is a complex task requiring an efficient method that minimizes errors and limits the need for heads-up digitizing. The main issue in the conversion is the accurate separation of line work (geologic contacts) on the map from the halftone colors in the polygon fills and achieving this without creating an extensive editing effort in the GIS environment. For this project, we elected to process the scanned and rectified images of the surficial geologic maps in Photoshop and adjust the resulting line work in ArcScan before vectorizing the polygons. Photoshop is an extremely sophisticated, commercial raster image editing software with a very user-friendly interface. Using tools such as the "Magic Wand" (selection of similar pixels with variable threshold control), "Select Color Range" (find all instances of similar colors), "Grow and Contract Selection", "Stroke Selection", and Photoshop "Layers", we are able to create a set of very accurate, noise free boundary lines, before the vectorization process occurs. This methodology is, in effect, "on the fly" editing of the boundary lines, eliminating the large number of errors and artifacts that "automated" vectorizing processes inevitably generate (and which must be tediously edited and/or removed later with vector editing software). Line tracings produced in Photoshop are exported to ArcScan where, using the original raster image as a background, a preview of the proposed vector is adjusted, if needed, using simple editing tools in ArcScan. Once an optimal match is achieved visually, the vectors are generated. The advantage of this approach is that the bulk of the line editing occurs early in the process, prior to vectorization, and can be achieved by moderately trained personnel using "off the shelf" commercial software. This provides greater control of the quality of the finished product because there are no computer generated false lines that need to be found and removed later with a much more complex process. %B Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %I Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States %C United States %V 35 %P 276 - 276 %8 2003/11/01/ %@ 00167592 %G eng %U https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2003AM/finalprogram/abstract_64322.htm %N 66 %! Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %0 Conference Proceedings %B Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %D 2009 %T Embracing the digital revolution; issues of concern to geological surveys %A Joseph P Kopera %K #StaffPubs %K cartography %K digital cartography %K digitization %K geographic information systems %K Geologic maps 14 %K information systems %K mapping %K techniques %X Advancements in GIS and digital mapping techniques have improved the efficient production and visualization of geologic data. The Office of the Massachusetts State Geologist (OMSG) utilizes these tools extensively to produce geologic maps and fulfill its mission of making geologic data freely accessible to the public. Such tools have increased efficiency at the OMSG in fieldwork preparation and map production, in addition to creating new types of geologic maps. This same technology also creates new problems that need to be addressed: 1.) Accessing digital data inherently requires more specialized knowledge than reading a paper document. Most citizens do not have access to commercial GIS software, know how to use it, or know where to get digital data. 2.) The longevity of digital data at present is problematic. Various proprietary data formats and unstable digital media quickly become antiquated and unusable. 3.) Digital geospatial datasets tend to lack uniform and adequate metadata on their quality, origin, purpose, context, and appropriateness of use. In the rush to embrace digital technology it is useful to keep in mind that such tools should simplify our work as geologists and increase the utility and availability of the data we produce. Issues of accessibility can be addressed by education and the adoption of non-proprietary open-source software, data formats and standards. Problems with the viability of data may eventually be solved by advances in technology. In the meantime, stable paper or mylar maps should be not be abandoned. The creation and maintenance of high-quality metadata and well-organized, thorough, centralized databases is critical in keeping the flood of new digital data navigable. In the end, we must be able to easily modify any new technology we adopt to address the problems it presents, or we risk compromising our discipline to fit the limitations of that technology. %B Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %I Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States %C United States %V 41 %P 99 - 99 %8 2009/02/01/ %@ 00167592 %G eng %U https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2009NE/finalprogram/abstract_155603.htm %N 33 %! Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %0 Conference Proceedings %B Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %D 2004 %T Fracture characterization of crystalline bedrock for groundwater investigations; an example from the Marlborough Quadrangle, Massachusetts %A Scott A Salamoff %A Stephen B Mabee %A Joseph P Kopera %A Donald U Wise %K #StaffPubs %K aquifers %K Assabet River Fault %K BEDROCK %K characterization %K controls %K crystalline rocks %K fractured materials %K fractures %K geographic information systems %K ground water %K Hydrogeology 21 %K hydrology %K information systems %K joints %K Marlborough Quadrangle %K massachusetts %K Middlesex County Massachusetts %K permeability %K preferential flow %K recharge %K style %K testing %K theoretical models %K United States %X Integration of a wide array of structural data with well-field hydrologic testing is increasingly recognized as a critical step in understanding groundwater flow behavior and recharge in crystalline bedrock aquifers (Lyford et al., 2003, Walsh and Lyford, 2002). The Marlborough Quadrangle, about 40 km west of Boston, was selected as a test case of how a state geological survey can most effectively and efficiently collect and present such data in order to better constrain conceptual models of groundwater flow in general and to be of maximum use for hydrologists and consultants working on specific local problems. In this study, 3200 structural measurements were taken by a two-person team over a nine-week period at 68 stations distributed throughout the quadrangle and keyed into a GIS database. Specialized data sheets allowed efficient recording and digitization of orientations, lengths, spacing and mineralization, and separation of various classes of joints and veins. Fault data also included motion direction and sense. Summary maps in GIS format include standard geologic map bases overlain by typical rose diagrams and stereograms and maps such as fracture domains and trajectories, sheeting distribution, foliation trajectories, bedrock elevations, generalized piezometric surface configuration, and overburden type and thickness with separations into permeability class. Geology of the quadrangle can be separated into three zones: (a) north of the Assabet River Fault (ARF), (b) the area between the ARF and 1.5 km-wide Bloody Bluff Fault Zone (BBFZ), and (c) south of the BBFZ. Generalized foliations in the zones are: (a) 215, 50N, (b) 240, 65N, and (c) 270, 45N. Two pervasive, steeply-dipping (>60 degrees ) fracture sets occur throughout the quadrangle: an older 150 degrees set that includes sulfide-bearing veins and fracture surfaces along the ARF and a 015 degrees set of largely unmineralized common joints, macrojoints (>3 m length) and joint zones (av. 1.2 m width). Sheeting and unloading joints are generally coincident with shallow dipping foliation in (c) but cross-cut foliation in (a) and (b). We believe this approach will provide hydrologists and consultants with basic framework data that will expedite and improve the planning of subsurface investigations, construction activities and groundwater exploration. %B Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %I Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States %C United States %V 36 %P 113 - 113 %8 2004/03/01/ %@ 00167592 %G eng %U https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2004NE/finalprogram/abstract_70321.htm %N 22 %! Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America %0 Journal Article %J International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences [1997] %D 2010 %T Comparison of three fracture sampling methods for layered rocks %A Alex K Manda %A Stephen B Mabee %K #StaffPubs %K Big Quarry %K carbonates %K case studies %K data acquisition %K data processing %K dolomite %K Door Peninsula %K fractures %K geographic information systems %K ground water %K information systems %K joints %K layered materials %K mapping %K methods %K movement %K multiple scanline method %K northeastern Wisconsin %K numerical models %K permeability %K sampling %K selection method %K simulation %K single scanline method %K statistical analysis %K Structural geology 16 %K style %K three-dimensional models %K United States %K Wisconsin %X Three methods of fracture data collection are tested against each other in layered dolomitic rocks to evaluate the effectiveness of each method in sampling fracture properties. The methods tested are the single scanline method (SSM), selection method (SM), and multiple scanline method (MSM). Finite element techniques were first used to build a base model with the exact locations, sizes and orientations of each fracture observed in the natural fracture network. Then, a second set of models were stochastically generated using statistics from each sampling technique. For each network, the overall fracture intensity was used to assess the effectiveness of each sampling technique in capturing the real fracture properties. Fracture network permeability was also calculated for each of two directions to evaluate the transmissive properties of the networks. Although all three methods produced good matches of relative intensity and permeability between natural and synthetic fractures, the results reveal that a well-placed scanline performed the best at recreating natural fractures. However, the results from one variation of the SSM were only slightly better than the results from both versions of the SM. In general, the SSM provides the best results but possibly at heavy costs in time and labor, whereas the SM gives comparable results with less expenditure of energy and time. Thus, the SM is an adequate technique and recommended for use at large outcrops or where time, access or budget constraints are a concern. %B International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences [1997] %I Elsevier : Oxford-New York, International %C International %V 47 %P 218 - 226 %8 2010/02/01/ %@ 13651609 %G eng %U http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1365160909001804 %N 22 %! International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences [1997] %0 Journal Article %J Special Paper - Geological Society of America %D 2013 %T Overcoming the momentum of anachronism; American geologic mapping in a twenty-first-century world %A House, P. Kyle %A Clark, Ryan %A Joseph P Kopera %K #StaffPubs %K applications %K areal geology %K cartography %K computer programs %K data processing %K digital cartography %K geographic information systems %K Geologic maps 14 %K Global Positioning System %K history %K information systems %K laser methods %K lidar methods %K mapping %K methods %K technology %K United States %X The practice of geologic mapping is undergoing conceptual and methodological transformation. Profound changes in digital technology in the past 10 yr have potential to impact all aspects of geologic mapping. The future of geologic mapping as a relevant scientific enterprise depends on widespread adoption of new technology and ideas about the collection, meaning, and utility of geologic map data. It is critical that the geologic community redefine the primary elements of the traditional paper geologic map and improve the integration of the practice of making maps in the field and office with the new ways to record, manage, share, and visualize their underlying data. A modern digital geologic mapping model will enhance scientific discovery, meet elevated expectations of modern geologic map users, and accommodate inevitable future changes in technology. %B Special Paper - Geological Society of America %I Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States %V 502 %P 103 - 125 %8 2013/09/01/ %@ 00721077 %G eng %U http://specialpapers.gsapubs.org/content/502/103.abstract %! Special Paper - Geological Society of America