August 19, 2020 - By Trinda L. Bedrossian - The Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey (DOC/CGS) announces the release of Special Publication 126, a history of work performed by California’s state geological surveys between 1850 and 2015. As one of the first and longest-operating agencies in the state, CGS has weathered more than 165 years of physical and political challenges, financial difficulties, changes in scientific advancement, and public scrutiny. From the sparsely populated Gold Rush days of the early 1850s through years of rapid population growth and development, CGS maintained its goal of providing the citizens of California with sound, unbiased scientific data and advice on the diverse geology of the state, its mineral resources, and its geologic hazards. Such information was used in local decision-making to better protect public health and safety, to improve building standards and codes, and to address the state’s growing environmental concerns. Between 1850 and 2015, there were 22 State Geologists/State Mineralogists and six name changes, some reflecting the changes in focus of CGS’s mandated activities.

In Special Publication 126, CGS activities are described under four general categories: The First Geological Surveys (1850-1880), The Mining Years (1880-1930), Mining and Geology (1930-1970), and Geologic Hazards and the Environment (1970-2015). These sections are organized by decade, as well as by the men who led the organization. The importance of the California Gold Rush, mineral resources, and early mining ventures were crucial to an understanding of assignments given to the first California geological surveys and during the mining years that followed. The shift of focus to mining and geology in the early 1900s reflected the need to better delineate topographic and geologic conditions to meet growth within California. During the late 1960s and early 1970s the focus on environmental hazards, public safety, and protection of the environment resulted in the licensing of geologists and geophysicists, and greater inclusion of geologic analyses and processes in both local and regional-scale land-use planning. Along with its legislative mandates, CGS remained a scientific advisory agency providing maps, published documents, geologic reviews, and advisory services to federal, state, and local agencies responsible for implementing laws and regulations involving geologic issues. In coordination with other emergency response agencies, CGS also developed measures for responding to natural geologic events in the state. Today, CGS continues to provide the Governor, State Legislature, other governmental agencies, and countless others with information on mineral resources and geologic hazards associated with earthquakes, liquefaction, landslides, erosion, alluvial fan flooding, volcanism, tsunamis, and hazardous minerals.

Special Publication 126 is available as a hard copy for $75, plus $8 to cover shipping. It is not available for download. To purchase the book, contact our Publications Sales Desk.
Source: CA. DOC