Division of Geology and Land Survey Home Page

Geology and Land Survey Welcome to the Geology and Land Survey Division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Our mission is to provide technical assistance, education and guidance in the use and protection of Missouri's natural resources; interpret the state's geological setting; assess the availability of its energy and mineral resources; evaluate and interpret geological hazards; and determine land boundaries. Our offices are in Rolla at 111 Fairgrounds Road. ...more

Meet the Department of Natural Resources Director
Mark N. Templeton

Meet the State Geologist and Geology and Land Survey Director
Joe Gillman

Meet the State Land Surveyor and Land Survey Program Director
Darrell Pratte

In the News ... Archive

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.

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.

Looking for books, cards, posters?

Did You Know?

Land survey corners are the basis for the location of all property in Missouri PDF
You can order land records from our repository containing approximately
2 million documents
What to do before, during and after an earthquake
How sinkholes form

The Geologic Column of Missouri

Published twice yearly by the Division of Geology and Land Survey, The Geologic Column of Missouri is online in PDF and is available in print.

Links of Interest

Land Survey Index--Search for land records
Proffit Mountain Geology--Revealed as a result of the Taum Sauk Reservoir failure

Good Reading

Missouri's Black Gold--Oil and Gas
Career Connection--Land Surveying
2009 State of Missouri's Environment Report--Latest Biennial Report
STATEMAP AND AIPG--Mapping for the Future
Getting More from Your Handheld GPS Unit--The American Surveyor
Reusing Missouri's Underground Space--Get Down!

The Missouri Geology Bibliography
This electronic bibliography brings together the nine books that comprise
the Bibliography of the Geology
of Missouri, published by
the Division of Geology and Land Survey and its predecessor agencies from 1945 through 1972. ...more

Back by popular demand!
Missouri Rock and Mineral Sets

Want to delight your favorite rock enthusiast this Christmas? If so, consider giving a Missouri Rock and Mineral Set. After a 15-year hiatus, these popular, educational rock and mineral sets are once again being offered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey. 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 go online to the Missouri Geology Store. Read the news release.

Earthquake Hazard in the New Madrid Seismic Zone Remains a Concern
There is broad agreement in the scientific community that a continuing concern exists for a major destructive earthquake in the New madrid Seismic Zone.

Earthquake Poster Competition to be Held
The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (New Madrid Chapter) is planning a poster competition for college students in 2010.

Earthquake Facts and Information
Recent Central U.S. Earthquakes, New Madrid and Wabash Valley Zones, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Earthquake Program, What to do before, during and after an earthquake.

Earthquake recording stations to be located in Missouri

Thanks to EarthScope, a National Science Foundation initiative, 43 earthquake recording stations will be placed in Missouri. Placing a dense network of permanent and portable seismographs across the continental United States will afford scientists the opportunity to analyze the records of earthquakes obtained from this dense grid of seismometers. Dr. Steve Gao, a seismologist in the geology and geophysics program at Missouri University of Science and Technology, is working with four students from Missouri universities to conduct field surveys and identify locations for the stations. Are you interested in locating a station on your property, or would you like to adopt a station? ...more

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 Web site!
Enter a Contest

What's for Lunch?
New geology exhibit features "rocky" choices

Fast food takes on new meaning for families vacationing in Missouri in the form of a well-done, well-preserved meal. A well-preserved meal, you ask? Yes, indeed! In fact, tasty treats are on display at two visitor centers in South Central Missouri. However, if you stop by, you will soon realize you are in for an experience that you will not soon forget. ...more

Department announces mapping partnership with State Farm Insurance
News Release

St. Louis Area Earthquake Hazards
Mapping Project