Abstract: Creating a Geographic Information System (GIS)-Based Inventory of Coal for West Virginia

Nick Fedorko, Bascombe M. Blake Jr., Gayle H. McColloch, Kimberly J. Timberlake

The goal of the Coal Bed Mapping Project at the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey is to produce an accurate Geographic Information System (GIS)-based inventory of the coal beds of West Virginia. GIS computer technology provides new and powerful ways to create, display, and analyze coal information. Geologists are creating maps depicting various aspects of West Virginia coal beds using a system of networked PCs and engineering workstations, coupled with manual map-making methods. The maps created for each coal bed and converted to GIS "layers" or coverages, include: a structural model, the outcrop, the areas mined by surface, auger, and underground methods, coal isopach, and locations of samples taken for chemical analysis.

Mapping is organized around the 7.5-minute quadrangles. Once significant numbers of contiguous quadrangles are mapped, GIS gives the users flexibility to view the information in different combinations of coverages, for any desired geographic window, at any scale. Coverages are designed to take advantage of the analytical capabilities inherent in GIS technology. The coal bed coverages will have significant value to West Virginia and its citizens. Potential uses include a compliance tool for the mineral lands tax program, coal resource estimates, abandoned mine lands risk assessment and amelioration such as mine subsidence, planning and development, and mine permitting.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90950©1996 AAPG GCAGS 46th Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas