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Tag Archives: granite

Meet us at the Fair!

The Missouri State Fair — August 9-19, 2012

Meet us at the Fair!

The Missouri State Fair began Thursday, Aug. 9 in Sedalia.   Stop by the historic Womans Building to see our impressive display of rocks, mineral and fossils.  The Womans Building is #13.  We are near the Pepsi Grandstand. See a map of the Fairgrounds.  –Joe  

Posted on Aug 08, 2012

More than 350 Fifth Grade Students learn about DNR

Learning about geology, protecting our drinking water, mineral resources, environmental geology, land surveying, dam safety, illegal dumping, and more!

Rolla School DazeAs usual, we had a wonderful time when more than 350 Rolla 5th grade students visited our campus near the end of the school year.  Students learned about careers in geology, land surveying and other areas of expertise with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  We have partnered with the Rolla Middle School for a number of years to help educate Rolla 5th grade students about careers, environmental stewardship and wise use of our natural resources.  Check out photos from the day.  Thanks to Jeannie Strain at Rolla Middle School for helping coordinate the effort each year and to Shannon Beck (Rolla Daily News reporter) for taking photos and publishing several in the newspaper and online. 

We invite you to visit our Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology.  We are open for self-guided tours weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  We are located at 111 Fairgrounds Road in Rolla, Missouri.  Admission is free.  –Joe

 

 

Posted on Jun 11, 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

Geology in Missouri State Parks

Elephant Rocks State Park

Elephant Rocks State Park

Visit Elephant Rocks State Park

Missouri is blessed to enjoy one of the nation’s premiere State Parks systems. It is no surprise that natural geologic and/or hydrologic features are the main attraction at many of these Parks. World class geologic features can be seen at Bennett Spring, Johnson’s Shut-Ins, Onondaga Cave, and Grand Gulf, just to name a few. One of my favorites is Elephant Rocks. The rounded, oblong granite boulders are not only beautiful, they are a textbook example of weathering granite and provide great outdoor recreational fun. These pink “elephants” lie at the core of the Ozark Mountains and provide us with a rare glimpse of Missouri’s volcanic past. In the coming months, we will highlight several State Parks and briefly discuss the opportunities to enjoy natural geologic wonders found there. We encourage you to get out this summer and experience the geology of one Missouri’s natural gems found in the State Parks. –Joe

Posted on Jul 15, 2011

Plato gets survey marker and Missouri red granite monument designating it as center of U.S. population

Plato is the 2010 Center of Population for the United Sates

In the foreground is a Missouri red granite pedestal containing a stainless steel disc marking Plato, Mo. as the 2010 center of the United States population. L to R: Michael Ratcliffe, Chief Geographer, U.S. Census Bureau; Joe Gillman, Geology and Land Survey Division Director and state geologist, MoDNR, Sara Parker Pauley, Director MoDNR; Dr. Robert Groves, U.S. Census Bureau Director; Juliana Blackwell, National Geodetic Survey Director (NOAA); Rick Reese, Geology and Land Survey Division, Land Survey Program, MoDNR; and Darrell Pratte, Geology and Land Survey Division, Land Survey Program Director and state land surveyor, MoDNR.

2010 Center of Population again in Missouri

Community leaders, state and federal officials, citizens and 600 students from the Plato School District joined U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves Monday, May 10, 2011 in unveiling a Missouri red granite pedestal containing a stainless steel disc marking Plato as the 2010 center of the United States population.

The small Texas County village was congratulated by Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Sara Parker Pauley who represented Gov. Jay Nixon, at the ceremony who read the governor’s proclamation.  After reading the proclamation, Sara presented Bob Biram, Plato village board chairman, the framed proclamation.

The actual, geographic location is about three miles east of Plato on a privately owned farm. The pedestal and disc were placed inside the village of Plato so people can visit it. Located south of Ft. Leonard Wood Army base, the 2010 Census population of Plato is 109, which is an increase of 35 people from 2000. Plato is the fourth Missouri community to receive the honor.

Learn more. – Joe

Posted on Jun 29, 2011