In August 2005, torrential monsoon rains reactivated an earth fissure near Queen Creek, Pinal County, Arizona. Within days the fissure became an open crevasse 10s of feet in length, 5 to 10 ft wide, and up to 25 ft deep. In response to growing public outcry, the Arizona Legislature drafted legislation that Governor Napolitano signed in to law to address earth fissures in Arizona. Effective September 21, 2006, Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 27-152.01(3) charges the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) with 1) comprehensive mapping of earth fissures throughout Arizona, and 2) delivering earth fissure map data to the State Land Department to be posted online with other GIS map layers for the public to use to build their own customized maps.

The maps and report included on this page are a compilation of previously or reported earth fissures in Cochise, Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties. On these maps we identify 23 discrete study areas hosting one or more earth fissures. For a list of our mapping priorities, please see AZGS Open File Report 07-01.

The AZGS mapping team is currently mapping earth fissures using high resolution meter to sub-meter GPS (global positioning system) receivers. These data will be displayed at 1:24,000 scale by Arizona State Land Department within 90 days of receiving the data from AZGS.

For further information, please refer the included earth fissure planning maps for the four counties, OFR-07-01 “Earth Fissure Mapping Program: 2006 Progress Report” or contact us directly at 520.770.3500.

To purchase hard copies of the maps and text visit us at the AZGS Bookstore at 416 W. Congress, Suite 100. Tucson, AZ. or call 520.770.3500.  Hard copies of the maps are available in Phoenix at the Department of Mines and Mineral Resources at 1502 W. Washington.

Available Planning Maps for Download:

1:250,000 scale map of Cochise County in .pdf ( .jpg)

1:250,000 scale map of Pima County in .pdf ( .jpg)

1:250,000 scale map of Pinal County in .pdf ( .jpg)

1:250,000 scale map of Maricopa County in .pdf ( .jpg)

Related Report for Download:

AZGS Earth Fissure Report, 2006 (OFR 07-01)