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Delineating the Pierre Shale from Geophysical Surveys Within and Near Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, 2019

Scientific Investigations Map 3474
Prepared in cooperation with U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering Center
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3474

Links

  • Document: Pamphlet (2.44 MB pdf) , HTML , XML
  • Sheets:
    • Sheet 1 (8.39 MB pdf) — Electrical resistivity tomography inversion results with depth to Pierre Shale from horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio results for transects 1C1, 1C2, 14, 15, 13A, 13B, 1A, 1B, 4B, and 4C, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
    • Sheet 2 (10.8 MB pdf) — Electrical resistivity tomography inversion results with depth to Pierre Shale from horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio results for transects 4A1, 4A2, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 5, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
    • Sheet 3 (9.47 MB pdf) — Electrical resistivity tomography inversion results with depth to Pierre Shale from horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio results for transects 9A, 9B, 9C, 11, 8A, 8B, 8C, 10, and 12, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
  • Dataset: U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System database — USGS water data for the Nation
  • Data Release: USGS data release - Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) data collected within and near Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, from 2014 to 2019
  • Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering Center, investigated the use of surface geophysical methods to delineate the top of the Cretaceous Pierre Shale along survey transects in selected areas within and near Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Two complementary geophysical methods—electrical resistivity and passive seismic—were used along 26 co-located transect surveys within and near Ellsworth Air Force Base for a total of 12.7 line-kilometers. Electrical resistivity results were analyzed using EarthImager2D electrical resistivity tomography processing and inversion software. Two-dimensional earth models showing the electrical properties of the subsurface were evaluated by directly comparing the high and low subsurface resistivity values to a surficial geologic map and nearby wells with driller logs. Passive seismic data were analyzed using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio method to determine the depth to the Pierre Shale at each survey point. The electrical resistivity and passive seismic results were compared to driller logs from nearby wells to delineate the top of the Pierre Shale. The depth to the Pierre Shale along the transects ranged from about 2.4 to 20.3 meters, and mean and median depths were about 9.2 and 9.0 meters, respectively. The elevation of the Pierre Shale and thickness of unconsolidated deposits generally increased with land-surface elevation from south to north; however, some transects displayed topographically high and low areas that sometimes did not correlate with land-surface topography and may affect local groundwater flow.

Suggested Citation

Medler, C.J., and Anderson, T.M., 2021, Delineating the Pierre Shale from geophysical surveys within and near Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, 2019: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3474, 3 sheets, 16-p. pamphlet, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3474.

ISSN: 2329-132X (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Geophysical Surveying Methods
  • Geophysical Survey Results
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Delineating the Pierre Shale from geophysical surveys within and near Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, 2019
Series title Scientific Investigations Map
Series number 3474
DOI 10.3133/sim3474
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Dakota Water Science Center
Description Pamphlet: ix,16 p.; 3 Sheets: 48.00 x 40.00 inches or smaller; Data Release; Dataset
Country United States
State South Dakota
Other Geospatial Ellsworth Air Force Base
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details