U.S. Department of the Interior- -U.S. Geological Survey

USGS Southeastern Coastal Plain Project
Research and Outreach at Swansea Elementary School

Geohydrologic Research and Science Education are linked at the Swansea Elementary School in Swansea, South Carolina

Return to the Southeastern Coastal Plain Home Page

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) are conducting a cooperative, multi-year study of the hydrogeologic framework of the South Carolina Coastal Plain. One of the most important parts of this study is the drilling of continuously cored stratigraphic and hydrologic test holes. In October, 1997, a hole was drilled at the Swansea Elementary School in Swansea, South Carolina. The hole was drilled to a total depth of 548 feet, completely penetrating the Coastal Plain section and ending in underlying crystalline rocks.

The Swansea test hole was the fourth in a series of test holes drilled by the SCDNR-USGS Project at South Carolina schools. The use of public school land as drill sites provides the opportunity for students and faculty to observe, firsthand, a scientific research effort and to gain an understanding of earth-science problems. In keeping with efforts at the previous school drill sites, a Science Fair was held at the Swansea School. Students, faculty, and visitors had the opportunity to observe the core samples, a fossil display, other drill-site equipment, and, of course, the drill rig. Discussions of geology and hydrology were provided by SCDNR and USGS scientists.

Go to more pictures from the Swansea Elementary School Science Fair