Division of Geology and Land Survey, 111 Fairgrounds Road, Rolla, Mo.
Welcome to our blog. For more than 156 years, geologists have served Missourians endeavoring to provide products for professional, technical and educational use. We continue to also provide technical analysis for many geologic investigations and issues in the state, assist citizens in interpretation and understanding of our subsurface resources, and serve as the technical assistance agency for the department. We have served the citizens of Missouri since 1853 and are proud of the expertise of our agency.
A primary responsibility of our agency is to investigate and report on the state’s geological resources. We create geologic maps of bedrock and unconsolidated materials, and develop maps that identify areas susceptible to geologic hazards. This includes areas that are collapse-prone or subject to earthquake damage and landslides.
We ascertain that new water wells are constructed to minimum standards as set by the state regulations to ensure that our groundwater resources are protected from contamination due to poor well construction.
At our McCracken Core Library and Research Center, we have more than 2.5 million feet of drill core samples cataloged and stored for the public to examine. Drill cores are used for the study of the rock layers beneath the surface, to aid in the definition of the physical properties of aquifers, to provide data for waste disposal site studies, to assist in characterizing our mineral resources, and for educational purposes. Examination of rock core in this library saves considerable time and money and often eliminates the need for costly, new drill holes. The McCracken Core Library is one of the largest such collections in the nation and is open to the public, by appointment.
You are also welcome to visit where you will you will find educational displays in our Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology. These include rocks, minerals, fossils, and descriptions of the geologic history of Missouri.
However, if you are not able to stop by our Rolla headquarters, please peruse our blog and website to learn more about us and how we may assist you. And perhaps we will meet you on a site where we spend a good deal of time outside the office working with citizens. – Joe Gillman, state geologist and Geology and Land Survey Division director, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Fifth-grade students across Missouri are involved in protecting our environment and are sharing their experience with the world by participating in the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ 2012 Earth Day video and slogan contests. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012.
