Division of Geology and Land Survey
February is Earthquake Awareness Month in Missouri
Each February Missouri observes Earthquake Awareness Month. To raise awareness, geologists with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will partner 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. Missourians are encouraged to attend public events intended to raise awareness about earthquake hazard in Missouri.
2012 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut a Success!
Thank you for participating Feb. 7 in the 2012 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.
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.
Cadastral Standards Rulemaking – Digital cadastral mapping data standards are presently being developed. Interested individuals are encouraged to participate by attending the next stakeholder meeting. Learn more.
Popular Rock and Mineral sets donated by Hutcheson Ford to Seelville 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 Rock and Mineral Sets.
Upcoming Events and Activities – Conferences, activities and more.
Geological Survey
Geological Survey program staff members provide technical assistance to public and private sectors. We conduct geologic investigations at liquid, solid and hazardous waste sites. Staff geologists publish geologic maps and define regional earthquake hazards to assure proper design and safe development in areas prone to earthquake damage. We acquire, manage and maintain databases containing information about geologic and mine maps, springs, sinkholes, well logs, core samples, losing streams, dye traces and stratigraphic sections as well as maintain basic geologic data. We assist the State Oil and Gas Council in regulating oil and gas wells to minimize the impact of petroleum production, in the interest of the public health and the environment. We ensure that new private water wells are constructed to standards, as set by state regulations and regulate the proper plugging of wells, the construction of private water wells, irrigation wells, monitoring wells and heat pump wells. We are home to the McCracken Core Library and Research Center and the state's Mine and Cave Data repositories.
- Survey to play key role in geothermal energy search in Missouri. Related article: Rolla's Energy Efficient Makeover.
- Read about Missouri Rare Earth Elements and newly published geologic maps.
Land Survey
Land Survey program staff members are responsible for restoring and maintaining the U.S. Public Land Survey System in Missouri. These corner markers are the basis for the location of all property boundaries in the state. We define and manage a consistent coordinate system based on latitude, longitude and heights throughout Missouri. The program is responsible for preservation and augmentation of the state horizontal and vertical control network. We maintain current documents in the Land Records Repository through contact with the state's county recorders and surveyors. Requests for documents from land surveyors, other professionals and the public are available in hard copy and digital format.
- Digital cadastral mapping data standards are presently being developed. Interested individuals are encouraged to participate by attending the stakeholder meetings.
- The U.S. Public Land Survey System is the basis for land ownership.
Missouri Rock and Mineral Sets
Want to delight your favorite rock enthusiast? Consider 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.
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. In our continuing effort to protect citizens and expand our existing coal mine database, the 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.