Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (AK DGGS)

What Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (AK DGGS) does

The Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) is a state government agency operating as a division within the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. It conducts geologic, geophysical, and geochemical surveys across Alaska to support oil, gas, coal, and mineral resource discovery, while also protecting Alaskans from geologic hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, volcanic activity, and coastal flooding. The agency is organized around programmatic areas covering Energy Resources, Mineral Resources, Hydrology & Surficial Geology, Geophysics, Geologic Mapping, Natural Hazards, and the Geologic Materials Center.

DGGS delivers its outputs through an interconnected portfolio of products: the Alaska Geoportal and interactive web mapping applications (including the Alaska Minerals Explorer Web App and Geophysics Interactive Map), the Alaska Geochemistry Database, a Geologic Map Search index, a centralized Enterprise Database for Geology structured around the USGS GeMS (Geologic Map Schema) standard, a physical Geologic Materials Center for sample and core access, a real-time weather station network, and a recurring publication series (RI, PIR, SR, GPR, RDF). Data is distributed in standard GIS formats (ASCII, ESRI geodatabase, shapefile, KMZ, Geopackage) and indexed to federal data clearinghouses including data.gov and the National Geologic Map Database.

The agency's business model is fundamentally non-commercial: primary funding comes from Alaska State Legislature appropriations through the Department of Natural Resources, with a marginal secondary revenue stream from printed publication sales (e.g., SR 79 at $9.10, RI 2020-3 at $18.10). Most publications, maps, and data files are available for free digital download through the DGGS website and Geoportal. Its go-to-market is direct-to-stakeholder, serving the State of Alaska and Department of Natural Resources as parent oversight bodies, the Alaska mining and energy industry, Alaska coastal communities, federal partners (USGS, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Earth MRI), and academic researchers.

Name

Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (AK DGGS)

Legal name

Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys

Website

https://dggs.alaska.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys is a state agency under the Alaska Department of Natural Resources that conducts geologic, geophysical, and geochemical surveys to support resource discovery and hazard mitigation, delivering free maps, databases, and publications to industry, government, and the public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Geological Survey Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Support Activities for Mining (213)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382)

akta.pro primary industry

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Satellite/Aerial/Remote Sensing MRV (Methane plumes, land-use change) (EUAHADAL)

Keywords

• Geological survey services
• Geophysical data collection
• Mineral resource assessment
• Natural hazard mapping
• Geospatial data publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Fairbanks

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. State Government Appropriations: Primary funding from Alaska State Legislature appropriations through the Department of Natural Resources. Funding supports ongoing programs including geologic mapping, hazard assessment, and resource evaluation.
2. Publication Sales: Sale of printed geologic maps, reports, and data products. Prices vary by publication type - reports like SR 79 priced at $9.10, with many digital publications available free of charge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DGGS conducts geological and geophysical surveys of Alaska and produces authoritative maps, reports, and digital datasets on mineral resources, energy resources, geologic hazards, and earth-surface processes. It sells and distributes publications and raw/interpreted data products to support industry exploration, hazard planning, and scientific research. Its products and services are funded primarily through state appropriations and supplemented by sales of publications and data.

Product overview

Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) is a state government agency that provides comprehensive geological and geospatial data products and services for Alaska. The organization operates as a data publisher and mapping agency offering a portfolio of interconnected products including interactive web maps and the Geoportal for data discovery, the Alaska Geochemistry Database, the Geologic Materials Center for physical samples, weather station networks for climate monitoring, and specialized programs for coastal hazards and hydropower assessment. DGGS distributes data through multiple channels including downloadable publications (RI, PIR, SR, GPR, RDF series), interactive web applications (Alaska Minerals Explorer, Geophysics Interactive Map), and web map services. The product portfolio includes both direct-to-user web tools and data products (geodatabases, shapefiles, KMZ files) designed for use in GIS software. Key thematic areas include mineral resources, energy resources, geologic hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, coastal erosion), hydrology, and surficial geology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Geologic Maps of Alaska Standardized geologic maps of Alaska delivered as print and digital publications following the AK GeMS schema, used by industry, government, and researchers for regional geologic context.
• Geophysical Survey Data Products Processed geophysical survey datasets and interpretations (e.g., airborne and ground-based surveys) released as digital datasets and reports for mineral and tectonic investigations.
• Geochemistry and Mineral Resource Reports Geochemical analyses, rock and soil sample data, and mineral resource assessment reports that characterize Alaska's mineral potential for exploration and land-use planning.
• Natural Hazard Assessment Reports Reports and maps characterizing geologic hazards such as landslides, earthquakes, and erosion for emergency management, planning, and infrastructure siting.
• Online Geospatial Map Viewers and Web Services Web-based geospatial applications that allow users to browse, query, and download DGGS geologic, geophysical, and hazard datasets online.
• Print and Digital Publication Sales Sale and distribution of DGGS-authored reports, maps, and digital publications to the public through the agency's Fairbanks office and website.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual mineral industry reports providing exploration and production data for Alaska's mining sector
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.

• Alaska Volcano ObservatorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for monitoring and studying volcanic activity in Alaska. DGGS contributes geologic expertise and data to the joint effort protecting Alaska communities from volcanic hazards.
• Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on seismic hazard assessment and safety recommendations for Alaska. DGGS provides technical expertise and data supporting the Commission's mission to reduce seismic risk.
• Alaska Geospatial CouncilmoderateTechnology or IntegrationCoordination on geospatial data standards, interoperability, and statewide geospatial initiatives. Promotes consistent data practices across Alaska state agencies.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for geologic mapping standards (GeMS compliance), national geologic map database, and collaborative research projects. DGGS data is indexed to national databases and follows USGS metadata standards.
• Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal-state partnership for mapping critical mineral resources in Alaska. DGGS contributes geologic mapping and assessment data to the national initiative.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Esri: Leading GIS software and geospatial data platform provider whose ArcGIS platform is used by DGGS and many state geological surveys for data distribution. Indirectly comparable as the enabling infrastructure for DGGS's Geoportal and interactive maps.

Broad incumbents

• Geoscience Australia: Australia's national public-sector geoscience agency producing geological maps, mineral assessments, and hazard data. Comparable public-good data distribution model and similar multi-program structure to DGGS.
• Geological Survey of Canada (GSC): Canada's national geological survey providing geological maps, geophysical data, and mineral resource assessments analogous to USGS. Comparable mandate and product portfolio, with similar public-good data distribution model.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): The federal scientific agency that conducts geological surveys nationwide and defines national geologic mapping standards (GeMS). DGGS partners directly with USGS and contributes data to the National Geologic Map Database, making USGS the closest analogue at the federal scale.
• British Geological Survey (BGS): UK national geological survey conducting geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and hazard assessments with extensive online data portals. Comparable in mission and product mix, though broader in geographic scope and structured as a research organization.

Emerging players

• Schlumberger (SLB): Global oilfield services and geoscience data company providing seismic surveys, well data, and reservoir characterization. Partial overlap with DGGS's energy resources and geophysics programs, but oriented to commercial oil and gas applications rather than public-good data.

Direct peers

• Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI): Oregon's state geological survey providing geologic maps, natural hazard assessments (especially Cascadia subduction zone hazards), and mineral resource information. Directly comparable state-level peer with overlapping hazard and resource programs.
• Washington Geological Survey: Washington state's geological survey division within the Department of Natural Resources, conducting geologic mapping, hazard assessment (lahars, landslides, earthquakes), and surface mining reclamation. Closely matches DGGS's institutional structure as a division within its state DNR.
• Texas Bureau of Economic Geology: State-level geological survey unit (within the University of Texas at Austin) that performs geological mapping, energy and mineral resource assessments, and coastal hazard studies for Texas. Operates with a similar mandate and product portfolio as DGGS, including fee-based and free publications.
• California Geological Survey: California's state geological survey conducting geologic mapping, mineral resource assessment, landslide and earthquake hazard evaluation, and producing GeMS-compliant data products. Highly comparable functional peer to DGGS with a similar multi-program structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AKDGGS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alaska-division-of-geological-and-geophysical-surveys

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (AK DGGS)