Geological Survey Program
U.S. Geological Survey Director recognizes importance of State Geological Surveys -- USGS Director Marcia McNutt makes statement of support for state geological surveys -- Cites 130 year partnership that has helped the Nation and states address future economic, sociological, environmental and resource challenges now and for generations to come.
Missourians observe Earthquake Awareness Month
Each February, geologists with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources partnere with local, state and federal agencies and organizations by participating in a number of public activities by providing scientific data about the New Madrid Seismic Zone, mapping for risk assessment, and geologic information about the basics of earthquakes. We hope you attended public events intended to raise awareness about earthquake hazard in Missouri.
2012 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut a Success!
Thanks to everyone who participated Feb. 7 in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut! more than 2.4 million people across nine states participated by practicing DROPING to the ground, taking COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and HOLDING ON until the exercise ended.
Learn more about earthquake potential in Missouri. Visit the ShakeOut website for more information about preparedness.
EarthScope Seismographs in Missouri -- The USArray Transportable Array
Earthscope, a program of the National Science Foundation, consists of various experiments to examine the seismicity of the North American Continent. One component of EarthScope is the USArray Transportable Array, a network of 400 high-quality seismographs that are being placed in temporary sites across the United States in a regular grid pattern with station spacing of about 44 miles. After a residence time of two years, instruments are moved to the next carefully selected location on the eastern edge of the array. Stations began arriving in Missouri in 2010 and all are now in place. See if one is near your town. Many stations are on private property, so please honor property rights. Stations transmit data to the Array Network Facility at the University of California, San Diego. The information will provide new insight to address fundamental questions in earthquake physics, volcanic processes, core-mantle interactions, tectonics, continental structure, and more. Once the project is completed in 2012, data will have been collected from nearly 2,000 locations. Read the POPSCI article announcing EarthScope as one of the Universe's Ten Most Epic Projects.
Did you take Part in Earth Science Week 2011? – “Our Ever-Changing Earth,” was the theme of Earth Science Week 2011. During Earth Science Week, Oct. 9-15, we partnered with the American Geological Institute and others to also remind people that Earth science is all around us, to encourage stewardship through understanding and to motivate geoscientists to share their knowledge and enthusiasm about the Earth. Learn more.
Bill Duley, former Assistant State Geologist and Deputy Director of the Geology and Land Survey Division, encourages citizens to loan the department historic maps of abandoned underground coal mines. As part of a continuing effort to protect citizens and expand its existing database of abandoned underground coal mines, maps will be scanned, entered in to the database and returned to owners. Read more and watch our YouTube video featuring Bill as Miner Gus.
Popular Rock and Mineral sets donated by Hutcheson Ford to Steelville Middle School -- The Steelville School District recently received a rock-solid donation in which Butch Tucker, owner of Hutcheson Ford Sales in St. James, donated eight Missouri Rock and Mineral Sets.
Traveling I-55, southbound? Be sure to visit the Visit the Marston Welcome Center, located at exit 42.4 -- Geological Survey Program director Jerry Prewett and other invited guests spoke during the May 24 ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the completion of the facility. The center highlights the great New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-12 and the region's rich culture. News Archive
The Geological Survey Program is organized into three sections that perform the following major functions:
- The Geologic Resources Section fulfills many of the traditional tasks of the Geological Survey. It acquires and maintains basic geologic data that are used by the other sections and provides technical assistance to both the private and public sectors. Staff
- The Environmental Geology Section conducts field investigations and provides services in determining the environmental hazards posed by waste disposal practices and spills. Staff Listing
- The Wellhead Protection Section ensures that any new private water well (this includes domestic and multiple family class wells) is constructed to minimum standards as set by the state regulations. The section regulates the construction of private water wells irrigation wells, monitoring wells and heat pump wells. In addition, we regulate how to properly plug all types of wells. Staff Listing
Program Brochure | Museum | Publications
The Missouri Geology Bibliography
This electronic bibliography brings together the nine books that comprise the Bibliography of the Geology of Missouri, published by the Division of Geology and Land Survey and its predecessor agencies from 1945 through 1972. ...more
Back by popular demand! Missouri Rock and Mineral Sets
Want to delight your favorite rock enthusiast? If so, consider giving a Missouri Rock and Mineral Set. Accompanying the set is a 16-page, full-color booklet that describes each rock and mineral and its uses. To learn more about this set and other educational items, visit the publications desk in Rolla at 111 Fairgrounds Road or order online from the Missouri Geology Store.
Links of Interest
- Survey to play key role in geothermal energy search in Missouri.
- Rolla's Energy Efficient Makeover.
- The Geologic Column of Missouri is online in PDF and is available in print.
- Dyeing to Follow the Water -- Cecil Boswell, technical assistant with the Department, conducts water traces and provides technical assistance to industry and researchers who also conduct water traces.
- Missouri's Black Gold -- Oil and Gas
- STATEMAP AND AIPG -- Mapping for the Future
- Reusing Missouri's Underground Space -- Get Down!
- Proffit Mountain Geology -- Revealed as a result of the Taum Sauk Reservoir failure.
- What to do before, during and after an earthquake
- How sinkholes form?
