Rhode Island Geological Survey

Photo by Praswin Prakashan on Unsplash

Current Projects

Water Quantity / Withdrawl Data

Available at rigs.uri.edu/water

Water Use Needs, Data, and Reporting (WUNDR)

A database developed to further the mission of the RI Water Resources Board (RIWRB) - to assure that Rhode Island has enough fresh, clean water, now and in the future

Saltwater Instrusion Mapping

Identifying locations where saltwater is making the strongest impacts

Funding from USGS STATEMAP Grants in FY2020 and FY2021 to map regions on the southern Atlantic coast of Rhode Island

Watertable Depth Determination

Digitizing and interpolating depth to the water table in Rhode Island

Assembling Digitially-accessible, Geologic Resourses

Maps, booklets and guides

About

The mission of the Rhode Island Geological Survey and the Rhode Island State Geologist is to provide the people of Rhode Island with quality geologic information to facilitate informed decision-making for natural resource management, economic development, conservation planning, and regulation; to provide public assistance; and to promote education. The Geological Survey will map, assess, inventory and interpret Rhode Island's geology. The Geological Survey will support its mission by using computerized geographic information systems and databases, and by publishing maps and reports, including map publication.

The Rhode Island Geological Survey is an unfunded office housed within the Department of Geosciences at the University of Rhode Island and staff by faculty of the Department.

Background

Until 1985 Rhode Island had no formally designated State Geologist. Alonzo W. Quinn served as de facto State Geologist for many decades (1940-1977) but was not named officially. Robert L. McMaster was appointed Associate State Geologist for Marine Affairs (1975-1985) but no State Geologist was named. In 1985 the Governor appointed J. Allan Cain State Geologist, working through the Statewide Planning Program (now Division of Planning). In 1996 Cain resigned and was replaced by Jon C. Boothroyd, who established the State Geological Survey. Simon Engelhart was appointed the State Geologist in 2018. Brian Savage was appointed the State Geologist in 2024.

Programs

The Rhode Island Geological Survey supports programs in the following areas:

  • Coastal geology including Block Island Sound, Narragansett Bay and Little Narragansett Bay; with an emphasis on management of coastal geologic hazards and placement of dredged materials.
  • Hydrogeology including groundwater and surface water and contaminant cleanup
  • Glacial geology including mapping of surficial deposits with the goal of producing a Quaternary Geologic Map of Rhode Island
  • Bedrock geology including an update of the Bedrock Geologic Map of Rhode Island
  • Environmental geology combines aspects of the first four programs; an example was a study of radon in water and surficial materials and its bedrock source
  • Economic geology combines aspects of all the programs including sand and gravel resources, bedrock quarries, aquifer use, and sustainable development of the shoreline.
  • Professional Service includes conveying geologic information to other State agencies for use in management and regulatory decisions.
  • Education including K-12 classroom initiatives and providing information to citizen organizations and groups in the state.
  • Public Outreach including identification of rocks and minerals, fossil specimens, and providing other general geologic information to individual citizens of the state.

Publications

Bedrock Geologic Map of Rhode Island (1:100,000)

Compiled by Hermes, O.D., Gromet, L.P., and Murray, D.P., 1994.

Rhode Island Map Series No. 1, University of Rhode Island;

Size: 42″ x 52″

Folded or Rolled – $8.00

Laminated rolled – $20.00

Rhode Island Minerals

by Clarence E. Miller, 1972, Edited by O. Don Hermes, 83 p. 24. figs

$ 4.00

Block Island Geology

$ 15.00

1998 Northeast Intercollegiate Geologic Conference (NEIGC) Guidebook

Guidebook to Field Trips in Rhode Island and Adjacent Regions of Connecticut and Massachusetts,

1998 New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference 90th Annual Meeting,

Edited by Daniel P. Murray, University of Rhode Island

$ 20.00

Rhode Island Geology for the Non-Geologist

$ 8.00

Maps

Paper Maps for the State of Rhode Island

Statewide
  • Hermes, O.D., Gromet, L.P., and Murray, D.P.(compilers), 1994, Bedrock Geologic Map of Rhode Island: Rhode Island Map Series No. 1, Unversity of Rhode Island, Kingston. Scale = 1:100,000
  • Available for $ 8 plus $ 4 shipping and handling through the Rhode Ilsand Geological Survey, University of Rhode Island, Department of Geology , Kingston, RI 02881, Phone:(401) 874-2265, Fax:(401) 874-2190
7.5' Quadrangles

Available from the United States Geological Survey

  • Feininger,T., 1965, Bedrock geologic map of the Ashaway Quadrangle, Connecticut-Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-403. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Quinn, A.W., and Springer, G.W., 1954, Bedrock geology of the Bristol quadrangle and vicinity, Rhode Island-Massachusetts. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-42. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Moore, G.E.,J.r, 1959, Bedrock geology of the Carolina and Quonochontaug quadrangles, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-117. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Quinn, A.W., 1967, Bedrock geology of the Chepachet quadrangle, Providence County, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1241-G, 26p.
  • Moore, G.E., Jr., 963, Bedrock geology of the Coventry Center quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1158-A, 24p.
  • Quinn, A.W., 1963, Bedrock geology of the Crompton quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1158-B, 16p.
  • Quinn, A.W., 1952, Bedrock geology of the East Greenwich quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-17. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Moore, G.E.,Jr., 1983, Bedrock geologic map of the East Killingly quadrangle, Connecticut and Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-1571. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Richmond, G.M., (1952): Bedrock geology of the Georgiaville quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-16. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Moore, G.E., Jr., 1958, Bedrock geology of the Hope Valley quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-105. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Moore, G. E., Jr., 1964, Bedrock geology of the Kingston quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1158-E, 21p.
  • Nichols, D.R., 1956, Bedrock geology of the Narragansett Pier quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-91. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Moore, G.E., Jr., 1975, Preliminary bedrock geologic map of the Newport and Prudence Island quadrangles and part of the Sakonnet Point quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological survey, Open File Report 75-562.
  • Quinn, A.W., 1951, Bedrock geology of the North Scituate quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-13. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Harwood, D.S., and Goldsmith, R. (1971): Bedrock geologic map of the Oneco quadrangle, Connecticut and Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-930. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Quinn, A.W., Ray,R.G., and Seymour,W.L., 1949, Bedrock geology of the Pawtucket quadrangle, Rhode Island-Massachusetts. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-1. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Quinn, A.W., 1959, Bedrock geology of the Providence quadrangle, RhodeIsland. U.S. Geological Survey. Quadrangle Map. Map GQ-118. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Power, W.R., 1959, Bedrock geology of the Slocum quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-114. Scale 1:24, 000.
  • Dixon, H.R., 1974, Bedrock geologic map of the Thompson quadrangle, Windham County, Connecticut, and Providence County, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-1165. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Pollock, S.J., 1964, Bedrock geology of the Tiverton quadrangle, Rhode Island-Massachusetts. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1158-D, 16p.
  • Feininger, T., 1965b, Bedrock geologic map of the Voluntown quadrangle, New London County, Connecticut, and Kent and Washington Counties, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ-436. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Moore, G.E.,Jr., 1967, Bedrock geologic map of the Watch Hill quadrangle, Washington County, Rhode Island, and New London County, Connecticut. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological quadrangle. Map GQ-655. Scale 1:24,000.
  • Williams, R.B., 1964, Bedrock geology of the Wickford quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1158-C, 15.

Surficial Geologic Maps

7.5' Quadrangles

Available from the United States Geological Survey

  • Schafer, J.P., 1968, Surficial geologic map of the Ashaway quadrangle, Connecticut-Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ712.
  • Feininger, T.G. 1962, Surficial geology of the Hope Valley quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangles. Map GQ166.
  • Schafer, J.P., 1961, Surficial geology of the Narragansett Pier quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ140.
  • Robinson, C.S. 1961, Surficial geology of the North Scituate quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ143.
  • Feininger, T., 1965, Surficial geologic map of the Voluntown quadrangle, Connecticut-Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ469.
  • Schafer, J.P., 1961, Surficial geology of the Wickford quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ136.
  • Schafer, J.P., 1965, Surficial geologic map of the Watch Hill quadrangle, Rhode Island-Connecticut. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle. Map GQ410
  • Smith, J.H., 1955, Surficial geology of the Bristol quadrangle and vicinity, Rhode Island-Massachusetts. U.S. Geological Survey. Geologic Quadrangle. Map GQ70.
  • Smith, J.H., 1956, Surficial geology at the Crompton quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geologic Quadrangle. Map GQ94.
  • Smith, J.H., 1955, Surficial geology of the East Greenwich quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geologic Quadrangle. Map GQ62.
  • Richmond, G.M., 1953, Surficial geology of the Georgiaville quadrangle, R.I. U.S. Geological Survey. Geologic Quadrangle. Map GQ22.
  • Kaye, C.A., 1960, Surficial geology of the Kingston quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1071-I.
  • Chute, N.E., 1949, Surficial geology of the Pawtucket quadrangle, Rhode Island-Massachusetts. U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Quadrangle Maps.
  • Smith, J.H., 1956, Surficial geology of the Providence quadrangle, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey. Geologic Quadrangle. Map GQ84.

Groundwater Maps

7.5' Quadrangles

Available from the United States Geological Survey

  • Johnson, K.E., 1961, Rhode Island part of the Ashaway quadrangle and some adjacent areas of Connecticut. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 16.
  • Johnson, K.E., 1962, Rhode Island parts of the Attleboro, Blackstone, Franklin, Oxford and Uxbridge quadrangles. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 19.
  • Hansen,AJ,Jr; Schiner,GR (1964): Ground-water resources of Block Island, Rhode Island. Rhode Island Industrial Commission Geological Bulletin 14.
  • Bierschenk, W.H. 1954, Ground-water resources of the Bristol quadrangle, Rhode Island-Massachusetts. (Rhode Island Industrial Commission Geological Bulletin, 7.) Rhode Island Industrial Commission, Providence..
  • LaSala, A.M., Jr; and Hahn,G.W., 1960, Carolina quadrangle, Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 9.
  • Hahn, G.W., and Hansen, A.J., Jr., 1961, Chepachet quadrangle, Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 15.
  • Mason, R.A. and Hahn, G.W. 1960, Coventry Center quadrangle, Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 8.
  • Allen, W.B, Johnson, K..F and Mason, R.A., 1959, Crompton quadrangle, Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 3.
  • Allen, W.B.,1956, Ground-water resources of the East Greenwich quadrangle, Rhode Island. (Geological Bulletin, 8.) Rhode Island Industrial Commission, Providence. 56 pages.
  • Allen, W.B., and Gorman, L.A. 1959, East Providence quadrangle, Massachusetts-Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 4.
  • Allen, W.B., and Ryan, D.J. 1960, Fall River quadrangle, Massachusetts-Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 7.
  • Richmond, G.M. and Allen, W.B., 1951, The geology and groundwater resources of the Georgiaville quadrangle, Rhode Island. Rhode Island Port and Industrial Development Commission Geological Bulletin 4, 75.
  • Bierschenk, W.H. and Hahn, G.W., 1959, Hope Valley quadrangle, Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 6.
  • Bierschenk, W.H., 1956, Ground-water resources of the Kingston quadrangle, Rhode Island. (Rhode Island Industrial Commission Geological Bulletin, 9.) Rhode Island Industrial Commission, Providence.
  • Hahn, G.W., 1959, Narragansett Pier quadrangle, Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 4.
  • Schiner, G.R. and Gonthier, J.B., 1965, Ground-water map of Prudence Island and Newport quadrangle, Rhode Island. R.I. Water Resources Coordinating Board. Ground Water. Map GWM 20.
  • Pollock, S.J., 1960, North Scituate quadrangle, Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 12.
  • Johnson,KE; Mason,RA; DeLuca,FA (1960): Oneco quadrangle, Connecticut-Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 10.
  • Quinn, A.W., Ray, R.G., Seymour, W.L., Chute, N.E., and Allen, W.B., 1948, The geology and groundwater resources of the Pawtucket quadrangle, Rhode Island. Rhode Island Industrial Commission Geological Bulletin 3, 85p.
  • Halberg, H.N., Knox, C.E., and Pauszek, .FH., 1961, Water resources of the Providence area, Rhode Island. U.S. Geological Survey Water Supply Papers 1499-A.
  • Hahn, G.W., 1959, Slocum quadrangle, Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 2.
  • Hansen, A.J., Jr., 1962, Rhode Island parts of the Thompson and East Killingly quadrangles. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 18.
  • Schiner, G.R., and Gonthier, J.B. 1965, Ground-water map of the Tiverton and Sakonnet Point quadrangles, Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island portion of the Westport quadrangle Massachusetts. R.I. Water Resources Coordinating Board. Groundwater. Map GWM 21.
  • Randall, A.D., Bierschenk, W.H., and Hahn, G.W,. 1960, Voluntown quadrangle, Connecticut-Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps.Map 13
  • Johnson, K.E., 1961, Watch Hill quadrangle, Connecticut-Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water Maps. Map 14.
  • Johnson, K.E. and Marks, L.Y., 1959, Wickford quadrangle, Rhode Island. RI Water Resources Division of USGS. Ground-water maps. Map 1.

Topographic Maps

Statewide

Available from the United States Geological Survey

  • Boston, Massachussets – Rhode Island – Connecticut, 1985 (1:100,000)
  • Providence, Rhode Island – Massachussets – Connecticut, 1984 (1:100,000)
  • Block Island, Rhode Island – Connecticut – New york – Massachussets, 1984 (1:100,000)
7.5' Quadrangles

Available from the United States Geological Survey

  • Ashaway
  • Attleboro
  • Blackstone
  • Block Island
  • Bristol
  • Carolina
  • Chepachet
  • Clayville
  • Coventry Center
  • Crompton
  • East Greenwich
  • East Killingly
  • East Providence
  • Fall River
  • Franklin
  • Georgiaville
  • Hope Valley
  • Kingston
  • Mystic
  • Narragansett Pier
  • Newport
  • North Scituate
  • Oneco
  • Oxford
  • Pawtucket
  • Providence
  • Prudence Island
  • Quonochontaug
  • Sakonnet Point
  • Slocum
  • Thompson
  • Tiverton
  • Uxbridge
  • Voluntown
  • Watch Hill
  • Westport
  • Wickford

Contact

Rhode Island Geological Survey

335 Woodward Hall

9 East Alumni Ave.

Kingston, RI 02881

 

The survey is located in

Department of Geosciences

College of the Environment and Life Sciences

University of Rhode Island