It shall be the duty of the state geologist and his assistants, under the instructions and directions of the governor, to carry on, with as much expedition and dispatch as may be consistent with minuteness and accuracy, a thorough geological survey of the state, with a view to determine the order, succession, arrangement, relative position, dip or inclination and comparative magnitude of the several strata or geological formations within this state; to discover and examine all beds or deposits of mineral contents and fossils; to determine the various positions, formations, arrangement, composition, and utilization of the many different ores, clays, rocks, coals, mineral oils, natural gas, surface and ground waters, and other mineral substances as may be useful or valuable; to assemble and cause to be published an annual statistical report of the mineral production in the state; to have prepared topographic relief maps of areas and districts of the state toward the end of preparing a complete and accurate topographic relief map of the state; to apply geologic engineering principles to problems of agriculture, conservation, construction and other scientific matters that may be of practical importance and interest to the welfare of the state; to cause to be reported on maps, charts, or by other appropriate means, the results of geologic investigations as said investigations are completed; to publish or cause to be published any reports of work completed, in the form of maps, charts, pamphlets, bulletins, volumes, or circulars for general distribution; and to have prepared, and published, educational bulletins on subjects pertinent to geological studies, for distribution to educational institutions and persons interested in geology, paleontology, mineralogy, physiography, and mining.