The Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) was established by the Arizona Legislature

Arizona Legislature

The Arizona Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Senate. There are 60 Representatives and 30 Senators...

 to investigate and describe the geology of Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

 and to educate and inform the public. AZGS issues numerous maps and publications, maintains a large geological library, performs geologic map

Geologic map

A geologic map or geological map is a special-purpose map made to show geological features. Rock units or geologic strata are shown by color or symbols to indicate where they are exposed at the surface...

ping, and assesses geologic hazards

Geologic hazards

A geologic hazard is one of several types of adverse geologic conditions capable of causing damage or loss of property and life. These hazards consist of sudden phenomena and slow phenomena:Sudden phenomena include:...

. AZGS is located in the State Office complex in downtown Tucson.

History

• 1881: Office of the Territorial Geologist was created by the Arizona Territorial legislature.
• 1915: The Arizona Bureau of Mines was established, continuing functions of the Territorial Geologist.
• 1977: The Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology was created, replacing the Arizona Bureau of Mines.
• 1988: The Arizona Geological Survey was established, replacing the Bureau of Geology.