Low-level fixed-wing, helicopter flights to image geology over parts of Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina

The survey is being coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey with the goal of mapping critical minerals, groundwater and hazards, and providing images that expand the fundamental knowledge of geology across the region.

The survey will help map rocks and minerals at the surface across vast regions that may have limited outcrop due to vegetation and unconsolidated rock cover. It will also help map subsurface geology, where some rocks can be located hundred to thousands of meters (more than 3280 feet) below the surface based on their magnetic signature. Such mapping can improve the understanding of the geologic framework within which the potential mineral resource may occur.

The new geophysical data will be processed to develop high-resolution three-dimensional representations of bedrock composition and structure to depths more than 3,280 feet (1 kilometer) below the surface.

The flights will be based out of several airports within the survey areas.

Instruments on the airplane will measure variations in the Earth's magnetic field and natural, low-level radiation created by different rock types beneath vegetation and up to several miles below the surface. This information will help researchers develop geologic maps in three dimensions.

The aircraft will fly along pre-planned fight paths relatively low to the ground at about 300 feet (100 meters) above the surface. The ground clearance will be increased to 1,000 feet (300+ meters) over populated areas and will comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

The aircraft will be equipped with an elongated "boom" that extends either in front of or behind the main cabin that houses sensors. These scientific instruments are completely passive with no emissions that pose a risk to humans, animals, or plant life. No photography or video data will be collected. The data collected will be made freely available to the public once complete. The aircraft will be flown by experienced pilots who are specially trained and approved for low-level flying. These pilots work with the FAA to ensure flights are safe and in accordance with U.S. law. The surveys will be conducted during daylight hours only.

The survey fits into a broader effort by the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, a partnership with the North Carolina Geological Survey, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Virginia Department of Energy, the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey and other states as well as industry and universities.

Flights will cover areas within the following counties:

North Carolina:

Alamance, Alexander, Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Davidson, Davie, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Forsyth, Gaston, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Hoke, Iredell, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Martin, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, and Yadkin.

South Carolina: Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Fairfield, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union, Williamsburg, York.

Virginia: Albemarle, Alleghany, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buena Vista, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Charlottesville, Covington, Craig, Cumberland, Danville, Fluvanna, Franklin, Goochland, Greene, Halifax, Harrisonburg, Henry, Highland, Lexington, Louisa, Lunenburg, Lynchburg, Madison, Martinsville, Mecklenburg, Nelson, Nottoway, Orange, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Roanoke, Roanoke City ,Rockbridge, Rockingham, Salem, Staunton, and Waynesboro.

West Virginia: Grant, Greenbrier, Hardy, Monroe, Pendleton, Pocahontas, and Randolph.