Creating a coal bed Geographic Information System (GIS) for West Virginia

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:504626

Fedorko, N; Blake, B M; McColloch, G H; Timberlake, K J ^[1]

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1. West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, Morgantown, WV (United States)

The goal of the Coal Bed Mapping Project at the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey is to produce an accurate Geographic Information System (GIS)-based inventory of the coal beds of West Virginia. GIS computer technology provides new and powerful ways to create, display, and analyze coal information. Geologists are creating maps depicting various aspects of West Virginia coal beds using a system of networked PCs and engineering layers or coverages, include: a structural model, the outcrop, the areas mined by surface, auger, and underground methods, coal isopach, and locations of samples taken for chemical analysis. Mapping is organized around the 7.5-minute quadrangles. Once significant numbers of contiguous quadrangles are mapped, GIS gives the users flexibility to view the information in different combinations of coverages, for any desired geographic window, at any scale. Coverages are designed to take advantage of the analytical capabilities inherent in GIS technology. The coal bed coverages will have significant value to West Virginia and its citizens. For example, potential uses include a compliance tool for the mineral lands tax program, coal resource estimates, subsidence risk assessment and amelioration, planning and development, and mine permitting and regulation.

• OSTI ID: 504626
• Report Number(s): CONF-960954--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL SEAMS
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
MAPS
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
USES
WEST VIRGINIA