e-GeoNews
newsletter of the Indiana Geological Survey
March 2007
In This Issue
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In this issue, you'll find information about new publications, research projects, and upcoming events.

Thumbnail image from the Indiana Biofuels Map. Click to link to the map.
But Where Can I Gas Up?

A new Web map showing the location of biofuel production facilities and gas stations that sell these alternative fuels has been developed by the IGS, in conjunction with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. This dynamic map is available on the Survey’s Web site and will soon be linked from the Indiana state government’s Biofuels Indiana Web site.

The growing popularity of biodiesel and ethanol is reflected in the developing alternative fuel industry.

Athough Indiana ranks fourth in the U.S. in soybean production and fifth in corn, no biodiesel plants and only one ethanol plant existed in 1995. Today there are four biodiesel plants operating or under construction and twelve ethanol plants in the planning or construction phases, four of which will start production in 2007.

Thumbnail image showing IGS Minerals and Fossils posters. Click to link to the IGS Bookstore.
Minerals, Fossils Available as Two-Poster Set

Minerals or fossils? Why not both! If you are a rock or fossil hound or just enjoy the beauty of nature's wonders, you can have these IGS posters as a set at a discounted rate. Each poster is 26" by 34" and printed on heavy poster stock. Display the beautiful and interesting in Indiana's geologic history.

Map from the Indiana GIS Atlas. Click to open the interactive map.
New Data, Tools Improve Atlas Capabilities

Work resumed on the “Indiana GIS Atlas” in May 2006. Since then, about 20 new layers have been added, including the 2005 color aerial photography of the Indiana Orthophotography Project, as well as several layers provided by Indiana Department of Transportation that show roads, ramps, mile markers, railroads, rail crossings, and industrial parks. A layer showing alternative fuel sites (ethanol and biodiesel) has also been added. Among notable layers that have been updated are trails and recreational facilities, provided by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and a variety of layers provided by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the usability of the interactive map, the toolbar and menu have been redesigned to provide a more logical grouping of tools and functions. Many layers have been re-symbolized to create a more standard tool set. And several new tools have been created to allow users to more easily save and share their customized maps with others. In particular, the “Print” function has been reconfigured to allow users to print their maps in a wide variety of sizes and formats.

Efforts to improve outreach include the creation of a listserv (named INDIANA_GIS_ATLAS-L). Subscribers to the listserv received periodic newsletters, as well as notices regarding interruptions of service. Since the listserv was initiated in November 2006, more than 240 users have subscribed. Also, links to several video-based tutorials have been provided to users, and additional customized tutorials are currently being produced. These narrated video tutorials will replace older text-based tutorials.

Map from the PDMS map viewer showing well symbols on a topographic map background
New Module Added to Petroleum Database Management System

A significant new feature, the Fields and Production module, was recently added to the Indiana Geological Survey’s online Petroleum Database Management System (PDMS). This module summarizes information on more than 800 oil, gas, and gas storage fields in the state (a field is a group of geographically and/or geologically related wells). Tables and graphs show current and cumulative primary and secondary oil production volumes for each oil field.

The new module replaces the Survey’s annual Mineral Economic Series (MES) report, "Petroleum Exploration, Development, and Production in Indiana," and includes all of the production data reported in 49 earlier MES reports published since 1953. Additional historical information and well tallies for each field are also included in the Fields and Production module.

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