Wyoming State Geological Survey
About the Geologic Hazards Section

The primary purpose of the Geologic Hazards Section is to define, map, and explain geologic hazards and topics related to environmental geology in the State of Wyoming. The secondary purpose of the section is to create and maintain files (to include maps) pertaining to existing and potential geologic hazards and environmental geology in Wyoming. The mapped and compiled information provides the section with resources that allow it to make timely responses, which can mitigate or eliminate problems related to geologic hazards and environmental geology. Topics addresed by the Geologic Hazards Section are: 
Active faults		Geomorphology	   	   Radon
Aerial photography	Geothermal resources	   Shrinking-swelling clay
Caves			Ground water occurrences   Selenium
Climate			Hazardous-waste disposal   Soils
Earthquakes		Landslides		   Surficial geology
Dam siting		Mine subsidence		   Toxic elements
Flood-prone areas	Radiation		   Windblown areas
Another purpose of the section is effective coordination with private, local, county, State and Federal individuals, groups, or agencies that might be affected by potential or existing geologic hazards or environmental geology issues. Coordination is achieved through formal and informal meetings, office visits, telephone conferences, talks or seminars, and the preparation and distribution of published and unpublished maps and reports.

The section operates the Earth Science Information Center (ESIC) for the State of Wyoming. The ESIC, which is a cooperative program with the US Geological Survey, makes multipurpose cartographic, hydrologic, and geologic data, as well as information about the data available to the public and other users. This includes information on maps, charts, aerial photographs, space imagery, and geodetic and other survey data.

In addition, the section functions as an earthquake information center for Wyoming, responding to inquiries and acting as a clearinghouse on earthquake data and seismic events.

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