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Monthly Archives: May 2012

Protecting Missouri’s Domestic Drinking Water

Clean, safe drinking water

Protecting Missouri Drinking WaterMore than 150,000 domestic wells are used to supply drinking water to more than half a million Missourians.  Staff with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Geology and Land Survey Division are dedicated to protecting these precious groundwater supplies now and for the future.  One way we protect drinking water is by using equipment to locate problems in domestic wells.  Check out this video to learn more.  –Joe 

 

Posted on May 17, 2012

Can you name our state rock, mineral, fossil, dinosaur?

Geology helps tell our history

Geology symbolsMissouri became a state in 1821 and since then, various symbols have been selected to identify our unique geology and history.  For example, a small ancient animal is our official state fossil and a large vegetarian holds the title as the state dinosaur.  Do you know their names and the names of the official state rock and mineral?  Here are the four geology related symbols. 

  • Rock
  • Mineral
  • Fossil
  • Dinosaur

Visit this link to learn how you fared.  –Joe

 

Posted on May 17, 2012

Miss celebrating with us? Watch a video of our Earth Day celebration!

Hundreds celebrated with us April 20, 2012

Ask A Geologis Booth

If you missed participating during our Earth Day celebration at the Capitol, you can watch a video of our live broadcast.  The department sponsors and hosts the event at the Capitol each year to promote good stewardship of our planet and educate the public about the role we all play.

Earth Day Fun -- Dinosaur Stamping!We were there with rocks, minerals, fossils, dinosaur stamps, educational trading cards about Missouri’s vast natural resources and much more.  Other activities included information booths, displays and games about the environment and our natural resources.  If you find yourself near Rolla, be sure to stop by our Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology to see our amazing collection of minerals, rocks and fossils.

Bean Bag Toss for Educational Trading CardsWe are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours. We are located at 111 Fairgrounds Road in Rolla, Missouri. Admission is free. –Joe

Posted on May 10, 2012

Industrial minerals around the house

Minerals are used in our everyday life

Limestone, a $2 Billion dollar industry in Missouri, is used to produce many things.See how many minerals which make up the common household items (listed below) you know. 

  1. Carpet
  2. Plumbing fixtures
  3. Fireplaces
  4. Nails and screws
  5. Driveway and foundation
  6. Insulation
  7. Solder copper pipes and wiring
  8. Toothpaste
  9. Baby powder
  10. Plant fertilizers

Answers

  1. Carpet contains calcium carbonate and limestone
  2. Plumbing fixtures contain copper, zinc, nickel, chrome, clay, iron
  3. Fireplaces contain stone brick, iron
  4. Nails and screws are made from iron and zinc
  5. Driveway and foundation contain limestone, clay, shale gypsum, aggregate
  6. Insulation contains silica, feldspar, vermiculite
  7. Solder copper pipes and wiring are made from lead or tin
  8. Toothpaste contains calcium carbonate, limestone, sodium carbonate and fluorine
  9. Baby powder contains talc
  10. Plant fertilizers contain potash, phosphate, nitrogen, sulphur

The Missouri Geological Survey determines the availability, quantity and quality of metallic and industrial minerals of the state as well as provides technical assistance and geologic information to those who are developing, marketing, managing or regulating the state’s mineral resources. We also maintain production and value records for minerals and energy commodities produced in the state; compile and maintain databases containing information about drill logs, described sections, mineral prospects, abandoned underground mines, geologic mapping and active mineral producers. Additionally, we maintain a repository of nearly 3,000 drill core containing nearly 3 million feet of core; and conduct programs to improve the public’s understanding of the geologic and mineral resources of the state and to increase the public’s appreciation of geology and mining to our society. Visit our webpage about industrial minerals for additional information.

Stop by our Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology to see our collection of minerals, rocks and fossils. We are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours. We are located at 111 Fairgrounds Road in Rolla, Missouri. Admission is free. –Joe

Posted on May 07, 2012

Missouri University of Science and Technology goes Geothermal

 Geothermal U

Video -- Missouri S&T Geothermal Project Groundbreaking

The groundbreaking ceremony honored the school's heritage as a mining educational institution as a golden drill bit replaced the customary golden shovel.

In an effort to develop a more environmentally friendly and energy efficient heating and cooling system for its campus, Missouri University of Science and Technology broke ground on a comprehensive initiative to develop ground source heating for 15 university buildings.

Ground source technology is a form of geothermal and uses the earth as a heat source or a heat sink depending on local climatic conditions.  These type systems are very energy efficient and typically have low operational costs.  The University estimates that through this effort a 50 percent reduction in energy use will be achieved and result in a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.  In addition, this will allow the University to decommission its 67 year old coal fired power plant.Geothermal ImpactWhen completed in 2014, the system will include approximately 600 wells serving three chiller geothermal plants on campus.  More information can be found on this Missouri S&T website.

Geothermal MissouriI also encourage you to visit our website to learn more about the State Geothermal Data project currently underway at the Division of Geology and Land Survey.  –Joe

Posted on May 02, 2012