Division of Geology and Land Survey
Division of Geology and Land Survey News Archive
Previous releases may be obtained by contacting the communications office.
2012
Earthquake Insight Field Trip Planned for April 10
Eighth annual trip -- participants will visit the heart of the New Madrid Seismic Zone
Tuesday, April 10, the U.S. Geological Survey will host the eighth annual Earthquake Insight Field Trip. This one-day outreach event will start and end in Memphis, Tenn. Field trip participants will learn about the 
earthquake history of the central U.S. and current exposures to earthquake hazards in this area. The trip is especially for non-scientists, such as emergency planners, business leaders, elected officials, media, finance and equity professionals, risk managers, portfolio managers, lenders, and business continuity planners. The field trip will be led by geoscientists, engineers, and emergency planners who are active in current research and practice. The final report of the first Earthquake Insight Field Trip, which was in 2005, is posted online. The route and content of each Earthquake Insight Field Trip since then has been unique. For more information about this year's event, visit this website, email Phyllis Steckel, or call 636-239-4013.
Nominate Your Teacher
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Established by Congress in 1983, the PAEMST program authorizes the President of the United States to bestow up to 108 awards each year. The 2012 Awards will honor math and science teachers working in grades K-6 in a public or private school. Nomination deadline is April 1, 2012 for K-6 grade. Nomination period for teachers of grades 7-12 for the 2013 Awards will be open later. Wouldn't it be great if your nominee won? Learn how to nominate your teacher.
2011
Traveling I-55, southbound? Be sure to visit the Visit the Marston Welcome Center, located at exit 42.4 -- Geological Survey Program director Jerry Prewett and other invited guests spoke during the May 24 ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the completion of the facility. The center highlights the great New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-12 and the region's rich culture.
Citizen assistance requested to locate maps of abandoned underground coal mine -- As part of a continuing effort to protect citizens and expand its existing database of abandoned underground coal mines, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking help from Missouri citizens and industry in locating historic maps of abandoned underground coal mines. Watch video.
Roadside Geology of Missouri book and other educational items offered for sale a Missouri Geology Store -- As you plan road trips throughout the year, consider ordering your copy of Roadside Geology of Missouri.
Plato gets survey marker and Missouri red granite monument designating it as center of U.S. population -- DNR Director Sara Parker Pauley reads and presents Gov. Jay Nixon’s proclamation. Learn more.
Show-Me ShakeOut Video Contest Winners Announced -- Students from Ballwin, Dent County and Rolla were recently named winners in the statewide earthquake preparedness video contest.
Earthquake Preparedness in Missouri -- Missourians learn how to protect themselves, their homes and businesses in case of an earthquake. View video.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources Water Well Technology Conference held June 19, 2011.
Plato gets survey marker and Missouri red granite monument designating it as center of U.S. population -- DNR Director Sara Parker Pauley reads and presents Gov. Jay Nixon’s proclamation. Learn more.
National Level Exercise 2011 was May 16-20 -- This year, the bicentennial of the great New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812, Missourians took part in a five-day training exercise focused on a coordinated local, state and federal response to a magnitude 7.7 New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) earthquake.
Well Installation Board Meeting held Friday, May 13, 2011 -- Video archive.
The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut a Success -- We hope you joined us Thursday, April 28 at 10:15 a.m. for the largest earthquake preparedness exercise in Central U.S. history. More than 3 million people in an eleven-state region are registered to participate in the earthquake drill April 28, 2011, at 10:15 a.m.
Show-Me ShakeOut Video Contest Winners Announced -- Students from Ballwin, Dent County and Rolla were recently named winners in the statewide earthquake preparedness video contest.
Earthquake Preparedness in Missouri -- Missourians learn how to protect themselves, their homes and businesses in case of an earthquake. View video.
Popular Rock and Mineral sets donated by Hutcheson Ford to St. James Middle School -- The St. James School District recently received a rock-solid donation in which Butch Tucker, owner of Hutcheson Ford Sales in St. James, donated eight Missouri Rock and Mineral Sets.
2010
Earth Science Week 2010 -- During Earth Science Week, geologists shared information about the earth sciences with Rolla second grade students when they visited the Rolla campus to learn about rocks, minerals, fossils and ways they can protect the environment. Other activities included presentations to Cub Scout groups in Washington, Missouri. The First Annual National Fossil Day was observed during Earth Science Week, Oct. 10-16.
State survey to play key role in geothermal energy search in Missouri -- The hunt for renewable geothermal energy in Missouri and the nation just got a little easier as part of a $17.79 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy project to assess geothermal energy resources across the country, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Geology and Land Survey will receive approximately $300,000 during the next three years (news release) and see related article: Rolla's Energy Efficient Makeover -- The Buehler and Annex buildings in Rolla are two of the most energy-efficient office buildings operated by Missouri state government.
Gov. Jay Nixon kicks off Height Modernization Survey during Missouri State Fair.
ACSM Bulletin In Point of Fact -- Positioning Missouri for the future
Earthquake Insight Field Trip -- Field Trip filled to capacity. Check in back for next year's trip that will take place in the St. Louis area. -- The seventh Earthquake Insight Field Trip will be held Oct. 6-8, 2010. Beginning and ending in Memphis, this field trip is an intense, professional development experience. It includes one-on-one discussions with technical experts and travel to important earthquake-related sites in the heart of the New Madrid Seismic Zone. The trip is sponsored by the US Geological Survey and is led by geoscientists and engineers. Business professionals, elected leaders, infrastructure managers, and others who need to understand earthquake hazards and earthquake risks in the central US should consider attending. The trip is especially for those in lending, equity, insurance, production, business continuity, logistics, utilities, planning, infrastructure and related areas. There is a cost to cover field trip transportation, meals, hotels and a guidebook. Contact Phyllis Steckel psteckel@charter.net (636-239-4013) for information or to register for the event. See the final report of the first Earthquake Insight Field Trip.
2010 New Madrid Seismic Zone Conference held Oct. 19-20 in Cape Girardeau -- This two-day conference brought together emergency management officials and scientific and technical experts to hear information about a variety of topics related to earthquakes. Those included lessons learned from recent earthquakes, state and federal level planning efforts in Missouri, and the upcoming bicentennial observance of the 1811-12 great New Madrid earthquakes.
New Madrid Quakes: USGS Scientist Dispels Errant Report from National Public Radio (WKMS) -- A little information, out of context, can be dangerous. ...more
Five new geologic maps published -- Areas of map coverage include portions of Callaway and Osage counties. Bedrock and surficial material maps are available for Mokane West and Luystown quadrangles. ...more
A Day at the Fair -- American Surveyor Magazine article about educating the public at the Missouri State Fair about the work of professional land surveyors.
Rolla's Energy Efficient Makeover.
During the month of February, the department participated in numerous statewide events to raise awareness about earthquake hazards in Missouri.
Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010 -- A magnitude 2.8 earthquake occurred near Cape Girardeau 11:37 p.m. Details. Learn more about earthquakes in Missouri and the Central U.S.
Earthquake Awareness Activities in Missouri -- Missourians experience small earthquakes weekly. This is especially true in southeast Missouri and to mark earthquake awareness month in Missouri, the department, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Missouri Seismic Safety Commission and others are partnered during the month of February to provide critical information to Missourians about earthquakes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ).
Gillman chosen as lead geologist in multi-state earthquake association -- Joe Gillman, state geologist and Geology and Land Survey Division director with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, was selected as coordinator for the Association of Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) State Geologists.
2009
Earth Science Week 2009, October 11-17
DGLS staff members helped spread science literacy to benefit Missourians by speaking to students in area classrooms and at outdoor venues during Earth Science Week. ...more
See Gov. Jay Nixon's proclamation
Check out the Earth Science Week website!
Department hosts National Coal Resources Conference -- Geologists and other coal resources experts from around the nation, met at the Department of Natural Resources' Geology and Land Survey Division campus last week to discuss work regarding the National Coal Resources Data System.
International Scientists visit Missouri Cave and Springs -- An International group of speleologists and geologists participated in a three hour lantern tour of Round Spring Cave near Eminence.
Edith Starbuck awarded Best Poster Presentation at Missouri GIS Conference.
Department of Natural Resources to Play Key Role in Green job Creation Under New Director -- Missouri Senate confirms Mark N. Templeton as Director of Department of Natural Resources.