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Tonight’s the Night! Go Caving Inside the Capitol Nov. 2

Cave exhibit at the Missouri State Museum

Onondaga Cave

Onondaga Cave at Onondaga Cave State Park (near Leesburg, Mo.) boasts owering stalagmites, dripping stalactites, and active flowstones which help make the cave a National Natural Landmark.  DNR Photo by Jim Vandike.

Don’t miss your opportunity to explore and learn about different cave features and life within a cave Friday, Nov. 2 where the Missouri State Museum in the State Capitol will be transformed into an underground grotto.  Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, this special program will be held from 6 to 9 p.m.  Cave tours are free and everyone is welcome!

Find out how caves have been used through time by Missouri’s people, from American Indians to outlaws. There will be other cave-related hands-on activities and information as well for this special program about Missouri caves.  Evening entry to the museum will be through the carriage entrance on the south side of the building underneath the grand staircase.

Learn more about tonight’s event! 

The Missouri State Museum, which is part of the Missouri state park system, is located on the first floor of the Missouri State Capitol.   Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  Read more about Missouri caves.  Check out our magazine article about karst, caves and springs in Missouri.

 

 

 

 

Posted on Nov 02, 2012

Halloween Day 1895, M6.6 Earthquake near Charleston, Mo.

The Largest Quake in the Region since Winter 1811-12

A Magnitude 6.6 earthquake – the largest earthquake to occur in the central Mississippi River Valley since the 1811-1812 series in the area of New Madrid, Mo. – occurred near Charleston, Mo., on Halloween Day in 1895.

Isoseismal Map

Isoseismal Map — Magnitude 6.6 earthquake near Charleston, Mo., 1895.  Intensity VIII. This Isoseismal map shows lines of equal felt seismic intensity, measured on the Modified Mercalli scale. It is based on intensity estimates from data.

Structural damage and liquefaction phenomena were reported along a line from Bertrand, Missouri, in the west to Cairo, Illinois, in the east. Many sand blows were observed in an area southwest of Charleston, Missouri, and south of Bertrand, Missouri. Isolated occurrences of sand blows also were reported north and south of Charleston. The most severe damage occurred in Charleston, Puxico, and Taylor, Missouri; Alton, and Cairo, Illinois; Princeton, Indiana; and Paducah, Kentucky. The earthquake caused extensive damage (including downed chimneys, cracked walls, shattered windows, and broken plaster) to school buildings, churches, private houses, and to almost all the buildings in the commercial section of Charleston. – Abridged from Seismicity of the United States, 1568-1989 (Revised), by Carl W. Stover and Jerry L. Coffman, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1527, United States Government Printing Office, Washington: 1993.

Earthquake occurrences in southeast Missouri are not rare.  Sixty-eight earthquakes that ranged between Magnitude 2.0 and Magnitude 3.9 shook southeast Missouri from 2009-2011.  The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) is the most active seismic area in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. The NMSZ is located in southeastern Missouri, northeastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, western Kentucky and southern Illinois. Southwestern Indiana and northwestern Mississippi are also close enough to receive significant shaking from large earthquakes occurring in the NMSZ.  Learn more about the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Also, watch earthquake preparedness videos created by Missouri school children.

 

 

 

 

Posted on Oct 31, 2012

Go Caving Inside the Capitol Nov. 2!

Missouri State Parks presents cave exhibit at the Missouri State Museum

Caves

Caves play key roles in groundwater movement, serve as habitats for threatened and endangered animal species, and often yield the bones of prehistoric animals as well as the artifacts of prehistoric generations of mankind. DNR Photo by Jim Vandike.

Come explore and learn about different cave features and life within a cave Friday, Nov. 2.  This is your opportunity for a special evening where part of the Missouri State Museum in the State Capitol will be transformed into an underground grotto.  Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, this special program will be held from 6 to 9 p.m.  Cave tours are free and everyone is welcome!

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources considers caves important natural resources because of their unique beauty, their history, and their role in a healthy environment. They play key roles in groundwater movement, serve as habitats for threatened and endangered animal species, and often yield the bones of prehistoric animals as well as the artifacts of prehistoric generations of mankind. They provide outstanding opportunities for studying and gaining a better understanding of the geology of our landscape, and the relationships between the environment we see at the surface and the one that is hidden beneath our feet.

Find out how caves have been used through time by Missouri’s people, from American Indians to outlaws. There will be other cave-related hands-on activities and information as well for this special program about Missouri caves.  Evening entry to the museum will be through the carriage entrance on the south side of the building underneath the grand staircase.

The Missouri State Museum, which is part of the Missouri state park system, is located on the first floor of the Missouri State Capitol. For more information, contact the museum at 573-751-2854. For information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  Read more about Missouri caves.  Check out our magazine article about karst, caves and springs in Missouri.

 

 

 

 

Posted on Oct 30, 2012

Come see us in Springfield Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012

We’ll be at the 45th Annual Gem and Jewelry Show

If you are in Springfield, Mo., Saturday, be sure to stop by the 45th Annual Gem and Jewelry Show, to be held at the Expo Center, 653 E. St. Louis Street.  This very popular show is sponsored by the Ozark Mountain Gem and Mineral Society.

Vicki Voigt, one of our geologists, will host an informational booth and give a presentation about minerals in everyday life.  Doors open Saturday, October 20 at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. The show resumes Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission is $3 for adults.  Gate proceeds fund local scholarships.

Earth Science WeekVicki’s presentation is taking place during Earth Science Week.  This year’s theme is “Discovering Careers in the Earth Sciences.” Learn about careers in geology.

Other presenters will provide demonstrations about flint knapping, silversmithing and more.  And of course, a variety of jewelry items, gems, minerals, fossils and other items will be available for purchase from vendors Saturday and Sunday.

Geologic Map Day

Visit our Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology on Geologic Map Day to learn more about geologic maps.  Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., we are located at 111 Fairgrounds Road, in Rolla.  Admission to our museum is always free.

Posted on Oct 19, 2012

Learn about Missouri Geology on Geologic Map Day Today — Friday, Oct. 19, 2012

View, Download and Print Geologic Maps

Celebrate Earth Science Week With Us!

Click on the map above to see, print or download eight maps we are highlighting during Earth Science Week.

Celebrate the first ever Geologic Map Day with us today, Friday, Oct. 19 and visit our Edward L. Clark Museum of Missouri Geology.  Geologic Map Day is being held during Earth Science Week.  Gov. Jay Nixon declared the week of October 14 as Earth Science Week 2012 to bring awareness to the fact that earth sciences are fundamental to the health, safety and welfare of all Missourians.

Our geologists produce maps that provide a baseline for data related to energy resources, mineral resources, natural hazards, water resources, soil conservation and climate science.  Visit this website to view, download and print geologic maps.

Located at 111 Fairgrounds Road, in Rolla, the Edward L. Clark Museum of Missouri Geology is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Admission is always free.  Be sure to watch this cool video about careers in the field of geology.

 

 

 

Posted on Oct 19, 2012

Global Earthquake Preparedness Drill this Morning

Be Prepared

At 10:18 a.m. today, Californians and many others in the U.S., British Columbia, Southern Italy and other countries will take part in the Great ShakeOut, the largest earthquake preparedness drill to date.  The Great ShakeOut earthquake drill helps people in homes, schools, and organizations improve preparedness and practice how to be safe during earthquakes. Check out the ShakeOut website for more information about today’s exercise.

Missouri participates in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut every February, during Earthquake Awareness Month in Missouri.  Last year, more than 2.4 million people across nine states participated by practicing DROPPING to the ground, taking COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and HOLDING ON until the exercise ended.

The 2013 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut will be held at 10:15 a.m. February 7.   Register to participate.   Earthquakes in southeast Missouri are not rare — learn more.

Posted on Oct 18, 2012

Fossil Collectors – Stop Visit our Museum Today, Wednesday, Oct. 17

We’re Celebrating National Fossil Day — Join Us!

National Fossil Day is Wednesday, Oct. 17

Celebrate National Fossil Day with us by visiting our Edward L. Clark Museum of Missouri Geology Wednesday, Oct. 17 to see our impressive display of fossils.  Visitors will also receive a small Crinoid stem fossil (the official state fossil) to add to their personal collections.

The Crinoid is Missouri's Official State FossilThe third annual National Fossil Day is being held during Earth Science Week.  Gov. Jay Nixon declared the week of Oct. 14 through Oct. 20 as Earth Science Week 2012 to bring awareness to the fact that earth sciences are fundamental to the health, safety and welfare of all Missourians.  Learn about the Crinoid, Missouri’s Official State Fossil.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on Oct 17, 2012

Join us for the First Annual Geologic Map Day – Friday, Oct. 19, 2012

 Celebrate Earth Science Week With Us!

Visit our museum Friday, Oct. 19 and celebrate the first ever Geologic Map Day with us.  Geologic Map Day is being held during Earth Science Week.  Gov. Jay Nixon declared the week of Oct. 14 through Oct. 20 as Earth Science Week 2012 to bring awareness to the fact that earth sciences are fundamental to the health, safety and welfare of all Missourians.

“Discovering Careers in the Earth Sciences” was selected by the American Geosciences Institute as the theme of Earth Science Week 2012 to boost awareness about the geosciences and the many exciting career and job opportunities in the field. Through careers in geology, geophysics, oceanography, hydrology, paleontology, earth science education and many other fields, they enhance our understanding of Earth processes and improve the quality of human life.

Geologic Map Day

Learn about the diverse geology in Missouri. Click on the map above to see, print or download eight maps we are highlighting during Earth Science Week.

Geologic Map Day is designed to promote awareness of the study, uses, importance of geologic mapping for education, science, business, and a variety of public policy concerns.  Geologic maps are important for education, science, business, and a variety of other public policy concerns. Geologic Map Day will focus the attention of students, teachers, and the general public on the study, uses, and significance of these tools, by engaging audiences through educational activities, print materials, online resources, and public outreach opportunities.

Our geologist produce maps that provide a baseline for data related to energy resources, mineral resources, natural hazards, water resources, soil conservation and climate science. Virtually all mineral, energy, water, industrial construction, public works and urban development projects can benefit from a geologic map.  Be sure to see some of the geologic maps on our website.  Visit this website to view, download and print them.

Located at 111 Fairgrounds Road, in Rolla, the Edward L. Clark Museum of Missouri Geology is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is always free.  Learn more about our museum, careers in geology, fossils, geology, and other special events to be held during Earch Science Week and watch this cool video about careers in the field of geology.

 

 

 

Posted on Oct 12, 2012

What Are You Doing National Fossil Day 2012 – Wednesday, Oct. 17?

Celebrate Earth Science Week With Us!

Stop by our Edward L. Clark Museum of Missouri Geology Wednesday, Oct. 17 and celebrate National Fossil Day with us.  In addition to seeing our impressive display of fossils, visitors to the museum will receive a small Crinoid stem fossil (the official state fossil) to add to their personal collections.

The third annual National Fossil Day is being held during Earth Science Week.  Gov. Jay Nixon declared the week of Oct. 14 through Oct. 20 as Earth Science Week 2012 to bring awareness to the fact that earth sciences are fundamental to the health, safety and welfare of all Missourians.

“Discovering Careers in the Earth Sciences” was selected by the American Geosciences Institute as the theme of Earth Science Week 2012 to boost awareness about the geosciences and the many exciting career and job opportunities in the field. Through careers in geology, geophysics, oceanography, hydrology, paleontology, earth science education and many other fields, they enhance our understanding of Earth processes and improve the quality of human life. Organized in 1998 by American Geosciences Institute, the Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Geology and Land Survey and other sponsors participate as a service to the public and the geoscience community. The program is supported by the U.S. Geological Survey, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Park Service and other major geoscience groups.

Learn about other activities planned for Earth Science Week.

 

 

Posted on Oct 12, 2012

Learn about the Mines of Phelps County Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012

Celebrate Earth Science Week With Us!

Neil Elfrink, one of our geologists will give a 30-minute presentation about the mining in Phelps County Tuesday, Oct. 16. Neil’s talk will begin at 7 p.m. at the Holloway House, 10th and Holloway, Rolla, Mo. There will be time for questions. This event is sponsored by the Phelps County Genealogical Society. The public is welcome to attend and admission is free.

This special presentation is being held during Earth Science Week, which is October 14-20 and special exhibits will be on display at our Edward L. Clark Museum of Missouri Geology during Earth Science Week. For example, Wednesday, Oct. 17, is National Fossil Day when visitors to the museum will receive a small Crinoid stem fossil (the official state fossil) to add to their personal collections.

A highlight of this year’s activities will include the first-ever Geologic Map Day. Geologic Map Day will be held Friday, Oct. 19 to promote awareness of the study, uses, importance of geologic mapping for education, science, business, and a variety of public policy concerns. Special exhibits and maps will be on display in the museum.

Located at 111 Fairgrounds Road, in Rolla, the museum is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is always free.

 

Posted on Oct 11, 2012