U.S. Department of the Interior- -U.S. Geological Survey USGS Southeastern Coastal Plain Project Current Studies Page The USGS Southeastern Coastal Plain Project presently conducts geologic mapping and regional geologic studies in selected areas of the South Carolina and Georgia Coastal Plains. This project performs a variety of traditional geologic investigations that are summarized in modern geospatial databases for use in addressing applied problems in groundwater-resource management and land-use planning. Return to the Southeastern Coastal Plain Home Page

South Carolina - Eastern Georgia Coastal Plain Study The South Carolina-eastern Georgia Coastal Plain Study conducts surface and subsurface geologic mapping, as well as lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, and paleoenvironmental analyses, of the Cretaceous and Cenozoic sedimentary sections that constitute the South Carolina and Georgia Coastal Plains. The drilling of new, continuously sampled hydrogeologic test holes is a primary component of this study. This study emphasizes the production of regional and local geologic coverages for geographic information systems that describe the three-dimensional physical architecture of the Coastal Plain. Principal cooperators in this study are the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, and Clemson University. Groundwater in Cretaceous and Cenozoic aquifers is an important Coastal Plain resource that is threatened locally by saltwater intrusion, high-demand drawdown, and point-source contamination. The Coastal Plain Study works with State and local agencies to create hydrogeologic databases that provide the geospatial information needed to manage and protect the groundwater resource. For example, we are conducting a pilot study in Charleston County, SC where surface geologic mapping and drill-hole investigations are being combined in a geographic information system that will provide a three-dimensional view of the distributions of surface and subsurface geologic and hydrologic units. We are also engaged in a regional study of the distribution of aquifers and confining units throughout the South Carolina Coastal Plain.

Return to the Southeastern Coastal Plain Home Page USGS Home Page USGS Geologic Information USGS Help Page This page is at URL: http://geology.er.usgs.gov/eespteam/sergp/sebooks.html Maintained by: G.S. Gohn, ggohn@usgs.gov; USGS, 926A National Center, Reston, VA 20192