Editor’s note: This op-ed is by Laurence R. Becker, Vermont state geologist and director of the Vermont Geological Survey.
Earth Week provides an important time to reflect on the mystery and beauty of the natural world. As the 13th state geologist privileged to walk across Vermont’s hillsides in search of clues to our geologic history, I am proud to be able to give Vermonters a different glimpse into our unique state in the form of a new bedrock geology map, just released this month.
Most of us look at the green hills and valleys of Vermont and do not look deeper. Geologists, however, look beneath the forests and fields, to understand what our state’s bedrock and landforms tell us about the natural and human history of this place. This information is both fascinating and useful. The strength of the forces and length of time involved in the creation of our mountains are enormous. The geologic information gathered by my office tells a story dating to long before humans ever walked across this land.
Trying to understand this story is perhaps a sufficient pursuit in itself, but we can also use this information to inform our decisions relating to an array of human activities on the landscape. Whether you are engaged in farming, forestry or mining, or just want to know what to plant in your backyard, an understanding of the state’s geology will be helpful. This information will give you important clues about soil chemistry and types. Understanding what grows best, whether forage, flowers or forests, can be enhanced by knowing the bedrock type below your land. Similarly, if you want to know if geothermal energy is a possibility, knowing the earth materials below your home or business is critical.
The Agency of Natural Resources, where I work, is already using the geologic information in this new map to understand the risks associated with permitting new disposal facilities. We are also using this information to evaluate the risks to groundwater posed by existing or abandoned landfills or spills of hazardous waste. For homeowners with private wells, knowing about the rock formations below your feet can also help us predict whether you ought to test your well for arsenic or radioactivity.
Notably, in the aftermath of the 2011 floods, the geologic history of Vermont’s hills and valleys can also help put some of the changes to our landscape wrought by our untamed rivers into perspective. Our state’s rivers, ponds and lakes were shaped by both recent (in geologic time) forces like glaciers, as well as by ancient forces such as plate tectonics. Understanding how these forces shaped our river valleys can help river scientists and engineers devise long-term plans that will help avoid or reduce flood damage in the future.
I encourage you to celebrate Earth Week by referring to our new geologic map as a way to comprehend our connections to the earth beneath our feet. The new State Bedrock Geologic Map is a captivating and multicolored representation of the very foundations of our working landscape. You may find that, where science and art meet, a wider picture of the natural world emerges. Please take a look.
New State Bedrock Geologic Map: http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/geo/StateBedrockMap2012.htm
Geological Maps and their Uses:
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/geo/MapUses.htm
