ISGS Seminar Series: Data Preservation and Over 100 Years of ISGS Research
Numerous collections and related information have been generated since the modern Illinois State Geological Survey began in 1905. While some major collections have been well-curated, many smaller or lesser-known collections containing valuable information are at risk of being lost and are at best unknown or underutilized.
Since 2008 we have obtained preservation assistance from grants sponsored by the USGS through the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP). We will present an overview of preservation efforts, discuss the geologic importance of the collections, and note some challenges and interesting findings of this work. Recent projects highlighted include the Lead-Zinc district in Jo Daviess County and deep borings from the Chicago-area Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP).