Techniques for assessing sand and gravel resources in glaciofluvial deposits — An example using the surficial geologic map of the Loudon quadrangle, Merrimack and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire
Professional Paper
1627
By: David M. Sutphin, Lawrence J. Drew, Brian K. Fowler, and Richard Goldsmith
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Abstract
A method for estimating the sand and gravel resources in glaciofluvial systems has been developed based on surficial mapping techniques that use the morphosequence concept and geographic information systems (GIS). Two different strategies are used to estimate gravel resources. One strategy estimates the sand and gravel resources contained in esker deposits; the other, which is more dependent on GIS, estimates resources in non-esker deposits. An attempt has been made to determine which deposits are sterilized; that is, those beneath the water table, adjacent to streams or roads, or encroached on by urbanization. Preliminary estimates using these methods indicate that about 158,000,000 m3 (206,000,000 yd3) of sand and gravel are present in the Soucook River valley part of the Loudon, N.H., 7.5-minute quadrangle. About 64,500,000 m3 (84,400,000 yd3) of these materials are in deposits above the water table. About 26 percent of the sand and gravel resources above the water table are unlikely to be mined because they have been sterilized. Of the remaining resources, 479,000 m3 (627,000 yd3) of gravel and 1,120,000 m3 (1,460,000 yd3) of sand are in esker deposits, and 9,400,000 m3 (12,300,000 yd3) of gravel and 38,300,000 m3 (50,100,000 yd3) of sand are in stratified non-esker deposits. With the addition of new well data, newer and more accurate estimates are possible.
Suggested Citation
Sutphin, D., Drew, L.J., Fowler, B.K., and Goldsmith, R., 2002, Techniques for assessing sand and gravel resources in glaciofluvial deposits — An example using the surficial geologic map of the Loudon quadrangle, Merrimack and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire (Version 1.0): U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1627, HTML Document, https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1627.
ISSN: 2330-7102 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Techniques for assessing sand and gravel resources in glaciofluvial deposits — An example using the surficial geologic map of the Loudon quadrangle, Merrimack and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire |
| Series title | Professional Paper |
| Series number | 1627 |
| ISBN | 10449612 |
| DOI | 10.3133/pp1627 |
| Edition | Version 1.0 |
| Year Published | 2002 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Description | HTML Document |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Belknap County, Merrimack County |
| Other Geospatial | Loudon quadrangle |