Revision of American Geological Institute Glossary


                           UNITED STATES
                    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                         GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
                     Water Resources Division
                        Washington 25, D.C.

In reply refer to:                                May 13, 1958
                                                  Code 4051 0001

GROUND WATER BRANCH MEMORANDUM NO. 58.52

To:       District Chiefs and Staff Officials (GW)

From:     Chief, Ground Water Branch

Subject:  Revision of American Geological Institute Glossary

Most if not all field offices probably have obtained for official
use copies of the "Glossary of Geology and Related Sciences"
prepared and published by the American Geological Institute (AGI)
in 1957.  The glossary presents definitions for and comments
concerning the origin of many terms both in and closely related to
hydrology and ground-water science.  As with any major undertaking
of this nature, there are errors of omission and commission.
Accordingly, in November 1957 the AGI announced formation of a
Glossary Revision Committee to begin the task of compiling changes
for incorporation in a second edition of the glossary.  I was
asked to serve as the committee member for the field of hydrology.

Although no deadlines have been set, the Revision Committee
encourages action which will permit its work to move steadily
forward.  It has asked each committee member to compile
periodically suggestions for additions to, deletions from, or
revisions of the glossary.  As desirable revisions occur to you
please forward them to the Washington office, attention Code 4051
5402, where they will be consolidated and periodically transmitted
to the Revision Committee chairman.  For your information, and to
forestall unnecessary duplication of effort, suggestions have
already been transmitted covering the following terms:

Glossary                                       Recommended
  Page                     Term                  Action
____________________________________________________________

  96         Enormous quantities of water       Deletion
 164         Large quantities of water          Deletion
 179         Meager quantities of water         Deletion
 188         Moderate quantities of water       Deletion
 219         Phreatic                           Revision
 271         Small quantities of water          Deletion
 280         Storage coefficient                Revision
 311         Vadose water                       Revision
 313         Very large quantities of water     Deletion
 314         Very small quantities of water     Deletion
  --         Capillary condensation             Addition--new term
  --         Pore diameter                      Addition--new term
  --         Pheology                           Addition--new term
  --         Specific internal area             Addition--new term



                                  (s) A. N. Sayre

Distribution:  A, B, GS, GFO