to 20 years. Cost of the total program is estimated 

 at $225 to $250 million. The bathymetry, gravity, 

 magnetic, and seismic mapping program should be 

 closely correlated with the priority requirements 

 of the geologic analysis program. 



An understanding of the geologic structure and 

 composition of the continental shelves and slopes 

 is necessary to appraise the resource potential of 

 this vast area. Such an understanding will also aid 

 in determining favorable target areas for mineral 

 resources, provide a basis for wise management of 

 the offshore resources, enhance our understanding 

 of geologic processes that form ore deposits, assist 

 in the selection of safe sites for underwater 

 installations, and help planners in making wise 

 decisions involving multiple uses of the estuaries 

 and shelves. 



Recommendation: 



A geological map and three-dimensional analysis of 

 the continental shelves and slopes should be made 

 at 1:250,000 reconnaissance scale. The mapping 

 and analyses would use as bases the bathymetric 

 maps and would utilize the gravity, magnetic, and 

 seismic data from the surveys previously recom- 

 mended; bottom sampling; examination of out- 

 crops by submersibles and other means; and 

 additional geophysical studies, such as aeromag- 

 netic surveys and seismic profiling for deep struc- 

 tural information. In addition, acquisition of the 

 necessary information for three-dimensional analy- 

 sis will require drilling shallow holes (less than 500 

 feet deep) and approximately 100 deeper holes 

 (500 to 5,000 feet) in undeveloped areas. 



Studies at scales of 1:62,500 and larger will 

 probably be needed in geologically critical areas. 

 The total 1:250,000 scale reconnaissance program 

 should be completed in 20 years. This program can 

 best be carried out by a Government agency, but 

 non-proprietary information available from private 

 industry should be utilized to maximum extent. 

 The geologic analysis program will require the 

 control of ship facilities which preferably should 

 be provided by other Government agencies so that 

 the agency conducting the program would not 

 have to acquire its own vessels. 



Reseafbh on geologic and hydrologic processes 

 that form and modify the earth's crust should be 

 carried out in critical areas concurrently with the 

 geologic mapping to develop new criteria to aid in 



the search for the resources both on land and 

 beneath the sea. 



The following areas should receive the highest 

 priorities in the geologic analysis program: 



—Offshore areas having highest potential for 

 minerals. 



—Areas of significant scientific importance (de- 

 termined mainly by knowledge of the geology on 

 land) that will enhance our understanding of the 

 geologic history of the continental shelves and 

 slopes and the origin and localization of mineral 

 deposits. 



—Coastal areas where population is rapidly ex- 

 panding and where planning and management 

 groups will need sound basic information in order 

 to make judgments on the best use of marine 

 areas. 



Cost of the 20-year geologic analysis program is 

 estimated in the foUowing table: 



1 : 250,000 Mapping Program of the 

 U.S. Continental Shelves 



Total 



In-house 



2500 professional man 

 years @ $60,000 

 (includes technicians) 



Equipment 



Research Contracts 

 University (includes 

 ship time) 



Industry Contracts 

 Ship time 

 Aeromagnetics 

 Submersibles 

 Drilling of holes 500 



to 5000 feet deep 



(100,000 ft.) 

 Drilling of shallow 



core holes (less than 



500 feet deep) 

 Special sampling and 



geophysics 



$423,000,000 

 $150,000,000 



40,000,000 



125,000,000 



108,000,000 

 60,000,000 

 4,000,000 

 5,000,000 



10,000,000 



9,000,000 

 20,000,000 



VII-90 



