ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT 1 3 



As a base map on which to show the distribution of differ- 

 ent soil types topographic maps are of very great assistance. Not 

 only do they serve as an exact base map for the area to be soil 

 surveyed, thus reducing the cost of the soil map itself, but they 

 facilitate the study of the soils which, as is known, bear close re- 

 lations with drainage and moisture conditions. They are practically 

 indespensable in the preparation of detailed, final geologic maps 

 and reports. 



The accumulation of oil or gas in commercial quantity is 

 greatly dependent upon favorable geologic structure of formations. 

 With the constant increase of interest in the problem of oil and 

 gas being found in Florida, topographic maps could facilitate ac- 

 curate work on geologic structure. In a state like Florida, with 

 comparative little relief and consequently but few continuous ex- 

 posures of the different geological formations, evidence of struc- 

 ture must be gotten from many single disconnected exposures. The 

 working out of structure so as to determine anticlines, synclines 

 and folds in the strata is no easy problem at best, but these maps, 

 showing as they do elevations by means of contours at lo-foot 

 intervals, would make the problem easier of solution. 



CO-OPERATION' WITH UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN TOP- 

 OGRAPHIC MAPPING. 



It is with an appreciation and realization of the value of such 

 maps that the Florida Geological Survey is desirous of co-ope.rat- 

 ing with the United States Geological Survey in their preparation. 

 As many as 24 quadrangles lying wholly or partly within the State 

 and covering about 250 square miles each, have already been topo- 

 graphically surveyed. According to an estimate by the United 

 States Geological Survey the mapping so far completed covers 

 seven per cent of the total area of the State. From the same source 

 it is learned that only one other State in the entire United States 

 falls below this percentage. All of the areas mapped, except seven 

 lying in central peninsular Florida embracing a portion of the hard 

 rock phosphate belt, and surveyed shortly after the discovery of 

 phosphate, have been mapped in recent years. In fact, it was due 

 primarily to military necessity for the information gained from such 

 maps that the War Department co-operated with the United States 



