Interest in geology and mining is an integral part of Arizona history. In 1888, the Arizona Territorial Legislature appointed John Blandy as Territorial Geologist. From that point, what became AZGS grew under several names from the University of Arizona Bureau of Mines (1893 – 1915), Arizona Bureau of Mines (1915 – 1977), and the Arizona Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology (1977 – 1988), to the Arizona Geological Survey (1988 to present).

To help celebrate this anniversary, AZGS has created a special webpage:

http://www.azgs.az.gov/125th-anniversary-azgs.shtml

Included on that page is “Geosnaps – Image of the Day” a new photo every day depicting some aspect of Arizona geology or mining history.

Some other features will include:

Arizona Mining Review – a monthly webinar hosted by State Geologist Lee Allison to discuss Arizona mining – past, present and future.

Release of new & old geologic products bearing the 1888 – 2013, 125th anniversary logo.

Timeline graphic demarcating milestones in the history of Arizona geology.

A retrospective review on the state of geology of Arizona ca. 1888. Arizona Geology Magazine 125th year anniversary issue.

125th anniversary field trip(s).

Beginning January 23, there is the “Arizona Mining Review” with news and updates on the state of Arizona mining. Each month they will introduce a new topic and select a format – featured guest, panel discussion, Q&A session – to draw the most out of the topic.

Visit the anniversary site often.

Flagstaff, Arizona sits in the middle of the San Francisco volcanic field and at the northern end of the Lake Mary fault which poses a potential earthquake hazard for the city. The Lake Mary fault (yellow lines in map below) extends about 25 miles from Mormon Lake in the south into the city of Flagstaff on the north.

Dr. David Brumbaugh, Arizona Earthquake Information Center (AEIC) at Northern Arizona University, estimates that there is 50% chance for a magnitude 6.9 to 7.0 earthquake sometime in the next 30 years.  Such an earthquake could do great damage especially to older structures in town.  Three such earthquakes have occurred in the region between 1906 and 1912.   A swarm of very small quakes occurred along the fault this past June.

Flagstaff lies astride the Northern Arizona Seismic Belt and is considered second only to Yuma,  Arizona for potential seismic hazard.

The Arizona Geological Survey is currently featuring a 5-minute video by Dr. Brumbaugh which explains the geology and the hazard at Flagstaff. (Link to video).

The Arizona Geological Survey has two featured sections near the bottom of its webpage dealing with earth fissures and earthquakes.  Take a look at the earthquake hazards page here for some information on past Arizona earthquakes.

See also:

Where the Next Big American Earthquake and Tsunami Might Occur

Lake Mead has series of small earthquakes

Young Volcanic Fields of Arizona

Yellowstone Super Volcano

The Arizona Geological Survey has just released its newest issue of Arizona Geology Magazine. This issue features photos of earth fissures in Cochise County and an update on seismicity in Arizona. Seismometers recorded 17 earthquakes in Arizona from January to March.

Also featured is “SCINEWS” a link between classroom content and everyday life through the use of science current events. This adds relevancy to science education.

The new issue presents a summary of oil and gas activities in Arizona. Included within that article is a report on Potash mining. What’s that? Potash is potassium salts used mainly for fertilizers. Exploration is being conducted west of Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook. Mining is usually by in situ solution extraction rather than digging holes.

Also featured  are papers on evaluation of basins for carbon dioxide sequestration and geothermal potential.

There are also links to new, downloadable publications. One not to miss is a paper on geological hazards in Sabino Canyon. You can see the whole issue here.