About

In Support of Our Mission

To support our mission and meet state statute responsibilities, the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) will:

• provide geologic information to enhance public understanding of the state's geologic character, geologic hazards and limitations, and mineral resources;
• inform, advise and assist the Arizona public in matters concerning the geological processes, Earth materials, landscapes, and the development and use of mineral resources;
• provide technical advice and assistance to industry while encouraging the wise and prudent use of Arizona lands and mineral resources;
• provide technical geologic advice and assistance to state, tribal, and local civil authorities.

Research Topics

For more than 100 years, AZGS geologists have mapped and described the bedrock and surficial geology of Arizona, with emphasis on densely populated central and southeastern Arizona.

Early geologic investigations at AZGS focused on mineral resources. Over the past 50 years, however, we have increasingly focused on identifying, documenting, and communicating geologic and environmental hazards to civil and tribal authorities, the public, and Arizona's industries and businesses. Our researchers also investigate mineral resources, resources found in Arizona's sedimentary basins, and use data science to advance mapping efforts and analytical capacity (i.e., geoinformatics).

The AZGS Online Document Repository is the AZGS publication catalog, comprising PDF copies of nearly 2,000 reports, bulletins, and geologic maps published since 1915. All materials are free to download; no log-in required.

Information and Services

The AZGS publishes and disseminates geologic maps, reports, and databases to inform our stakeholders of the geologic setting, resources, and hazards of Arizona. We build, deploy, and curate digital geologic information databases - Database & Map Services. Additionally, we engage in science outreach through our Geologic Extension Service, and maintain a central repository for well cuttings, core, and associated supplementary data.

The Arizona Geological Survey: A Short History

The Arizona Geological Survey is the latest in a line of academic departments and state agencies serving the people of the Arizona Territory and now the State of Arizona. In 1883, then Territorial Governor Tritle, requested federal assistance to establish a geologic survey for the Arizona Territory. The U.S. Congress responded in 1888 by creating the post of Territorial Geologist of Arizona. The unpaid position of Territorial Geologist first went to John F. Blandy, who served until the mid-1890s. Upon gaining statehood in 1912, the position of Territorial Geologist was abolished. Below we list, in chronological order from most recent to earliest, the territorial and state geologic agencies:

2016 - Present: Arizona Geological Survey - University of Arizona

1988 - 2016: Arizona Geological Survey - State of Arizona

1977 - 1988: Arizona Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology

1915 - 1977: Arizona Bureau of Mines

1893 - 1915: The University of Arizona Bureau of Mines

1888 - 1890, 1898 - 1912: Office of the Territorial Geologist

From 1893 until 1915, the role of geologic mapping and reporting was handed off to the University of Arizona Bureau of Mines. In 1915, the Arizona Bureau of Mines was established at the University of Arizona with Charles Willis as its first director.

World War II was a fertile time for the Arizona Bureau of Mines. The hunt for strategic metals from large volume, low-grade deposits involved Bureau geologists in research and design of ore concentrating facilities at five major low-grade copper deposits. Following WW II, renewed emphasis on geologic mapping led to the publication of county geologic maps between 1957 and 1960.

In 1971, the first volume of “Fieldnotes,” a non-technical geologic newsletter was published; its successor, “Arizona Geology,” was first issued in the Fall of 1988. In 2010, Arizona Geology transformed into a wholly online e-Magazine. That same year Dr. William H. Dresher was named Director, and for the first time, “State Geologist”. In 1977, the Bureau became the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology, comprising the geological survey and a mineral technology branch. The geologic survey branch became responsible for assessing and informing the public about geologic hazards in Arizona.

The Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) was established as an independent state agency on July 1, 1988; we maintained, however, strong collegial ties with faculty and staff at the University of Arizona. In 1991, the AZGS became the institutional home of Arizona’s Oil & Gas Conservation Commission – a five-member commission charged with supporting and monitoring oil and gas exploration in the state. The US Geological Survey in conjunction with the AZGS opened the jointly run “Tucson Earth Science Information Center” in August 1992. The AZGS moved to 416 W. Congress St., Tucson in July 1995.

On 1 July 2016, the AZGS was transferred from state government to the College of Science at the University of Arizona. At the same time, AZGS staff was reduced by 50%, our state budget was zeroed out, and we moved from 416 W. Congress to the University of Arizona's Arid Lands Building at 1955 E 6^th St. The University of Arizona received $941,000 from the legislature that year to fund the Survey through FY2017; this was a one-time award.

Senator Gail Griffin (R, Cochise County) introduced SB1184 in January 2017 to fund the AZGS at FY2016 levels of $941,000. The bill was passed by the Arizona Senate and House and was signed into law by Gov. Doug Ducey.