Oklahoma Geological Survey: Protecting and Investigating State Natural Resources
Chartered directly within the Constitution of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS) serves as the state's primary authority for collecting and sharing vital information regarding natural resources, geological formations, and seismic activity. As a cornerstone of the state's scientific infrastructure, the OGS plays a critical role in managing the knowledge necessary for the sustainable and wise use of Oklahoma's diverse environmental assets.
Since its inception, the agency has evolved from a territorial survey into a sophisticated scientific institution. Today, it operates as part of the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy at the University of Oklahoma, maintaining a legacy of research that spans over a century.
Key Facts
- Established: May 29, 1908, via an enabling act signed by Governor Charles Haskell.
- Unique Status: The only state geological survey created by a provision in a state constitution.
- Headquarters: Norman, Oklahoma, located on the University of Oklahoma campus.
- Core Mission: To investigate land, water, mineral, and energy resources to promote wise and environmentally sound usage.
- Research Focus: Includes petroleum, coal, and non-fuel minerals like uranium, helium, and iodine.
A Century of Geological History
The roots of the OGS trace back to the Oklahoma Territorial Survey, which was established in 1900. Following Oklahoma's transition to statehood, the first legislature passed an enabling act on May 29, 1908, officially forming the survey. The agency was founded through a collaboration between OU geology professor Charles N. Gould and Dean of Arts and Sciences, Professor James S. Buchanan. Dr. Gould served as the inaugural director until 1911.
The agency faced a significant period of instability in 1923 when Governor Jack C. Walton discontinued the survey in an attempt to implement major budget cuts at the University of Oklahoma. However, the OGS was successfully revived in March 1924 through negotiations led by Acting President James S. Buchanan, which brought Dr. Gould back to the university as director.
In 1924, the jurisdiction of the OGS was officially placed under the Oklahoma University Board of Regents, a structure that has remained intact for decades. In 2007, the agency integrated into the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy.
Facilities and Specialized Research
The OGS maintains several specialized facilities to support its mission. While the primary headquarters are located at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, the agency also operates a geophysical laboratory near Tulsa. This laboratory is essential for analyzing earthquake activity using data from various seismographs across the state.
A major milestone in the agency's capacity was the 2002 opening of the Oklahoma Petroleum Information Center. This facility houses an extensive library of petroleum data and a massive core and sample library. This collection contains more than 300,000 earth samples, including cores from wells drilled as far back as the 1920s, preserved for long-term scientific study.
Resource Investigation and Economic Impact
The OGS conducts extensive research into resources that drive the Oklahoma economy. While significant attention is given to petroleum and coal, the agency also investigates a wide array of non-fuel mineral resources, such as:
- Clays, shales, limestone, and dolomites
- Crushed stone, copper, and bentonite
- Salt, gypsum, and uranium
- Helium and iodine (notably, Oklahoma is the only producer of iodine in the United States)
Seismic Activity and Earthquake Studies
In recent years, the OGS has been at the forefront of studying increased seismic activity in Oklahoma. Starting around 2005–2006, the state began experiencing swarms of minor earthquakes, often occurring in rural, lightly populated areas. As the frequency and magnitude of these quakes increased—with some exceeding a 5.0 magnitude—the scientific community sought to identify the underlying causes.
Scientific investigation led to a growing consensus regarding the role of wastewater injection. This process involves injecting high-pressure waste water into underground formations, often as a byproduct of oil and gas extraction techniques like fracking (hydraulic fracturing). In April 2015, the OGS issued a statement suggesting that wastewater injections were "very likely" responsible for the majority of the state's earthquakes.
This finding sparked significant debate between scientific bodies and industry representatives. While the OGS emphasized the link between injection practices and seismic events, organizations such as the Oklahoma Oil and Gas Association (OOGA) maintained that more study was required to definitively prove the impact on underground faults.
The Closure of the Leonard Seismic Observatory
As part of its operational evolution, the OGS announced the permanent closure of the Leonard, Oklahoma seismic observatory in the summer of 2015. Originally built in 1961 by a subsidiary of Standard Oil and later used by the U.S. Government to monitor nuclear tests, the facility had been tasked with monitoring earthquake swarms. The decision to close the site was driven by the need for significant maintenance repairs and the desire to centralize activities at the main Norman facility to improve data transmission and efficiency.
Summary of Agency Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 29, 1908 |
| Headquarters | Norman, Oklahoma |
| Parent Institution | University of Oklahoma (Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy) |
| Primary Jurisdiction | Oklahoma |
| Key Research Areas | Energy resources, minerals, and seismology |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary mission of the Oklahoma Geological Survey?
The mission of the OGS is to investigate Oklahoma's land, water, mineral, and energy resources and to share those findings to encourage the wise and environmentally sound use of the state's natural resources.
How does the OGS contribute to Oklahoma's economy?
By providing critical data on petroleum, coal, and various mineral resources (such as uranium and helium), the OGS supports the industries that drive the state's economic development.
What has caused the increase in earthquakes in Oklahoma?
The OGS has stated that wastewater injection into underground formations is "very likely" the cause of the majority of the recent earthquake swarms in the state.
Where can I find OGS research and data?
The agency disseminates its research through books, maps, open files, and digital documents available via their official website at ou.edu/ogs.
Is the OGS a federal agency?
No, the OGS is a state agency chartered by the Constitution of Oklahoma and is part of the University of Oklahoma.