California Geological Survey

About two months later, the Legislature created the first California Geological Survey headed by Trask, who retained the title of State Geologist.

Whitney chose William Henry Brewer as chief botanist to lead the original field party.

Brewer then added Clarence King, James Gardiner, topographer Charles F. Hoffmann and packer Dick Cotter.

It was one of the most ambitious geological surveys ever attempted and yielded a vast amount of information about California that was hitherto unknown and unpublished.

In 1874 the Survey was officially ended due to hostility between then Governor of California Newton Booth and Whitney.

The establishment of the Bureau was a direct action in response to the need for information on the occurrence, mining, and processing of gold in the state.

In 1891, the Bureau published the first geologic map of the state showing eight stratigraphic units in color, along with numerous blank areas where information was lacking.

In 1952 the Division conducted its first public-safety related effort by documenting the impacts of the 1952 Kern County earthquake and its aftershocks.