Missouri Geological Survey celebrates 160 years of service to Missourians

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is celebrating the 160thanniversary celebration of the Missouri Geological Survey by hosting an Open House April 22-26. The public is invited to attend daily presentations that highlight the work of the survey, see special exhibits, visit with staff and tour the Edward L. Clark Museum of Missouri Geology and McCracken Core Library and Research Center that includes a repository of nearly 3,000 drill core samples containing 2 million feet of rock core.

Since 1853, the survey has provided reliable scientific information to describe and understand Missouri's wealth of natural resources in the areas of geology, hydrology, minerals, water resources and energy.

Plan a visit and learn about the survey’s contributions to both the environmental and economic vitality of Missouri. Special presentations will be held from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., so bring your lunch and drop by to learn about these topics:

Monday, April 22 – History and Future of the Geological Survey
Tuesday, April 23 – Geologic Mapping
Wednesday, April 24 – Caves
Thursday, April 25 – Water Wells and Groundwater
Friday, April 26 – Fossils


Register during the open house to win a stay at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, a geologic jewel of the Missouri State Park system.

The Missouri Geological Survey is located in the Buehler Building, 111 Fairgrounds Road, in Rolla. Self-guided tours of the museum are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the museum and presentations is free of charge. Visit the department’s website for additional information at dnr.mo.gov/geology/160/ and don’t miss the recent Missouri Resources magazine article about the great work of the survey atdnr.mo.gov/magazine/2013-winter.pdf.

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Attend the annual Rock Swap June 10-12 at Missouri Mines State Historic Site

 JEFFERSON CITY, MO., MAY  31, 2011 – You can buy, sell, swap or just admire rocks, minerals and fossils at the Missouri Mines Rock Swap June 10-12 at Missouri Mines State Historic Site in Park Hills.  Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the event will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday and is open to the public.

            This event will bring together rock hobbyists from across the Midwest and beyond.  Participants will be selling, swapping or buying mineral specimens, fossils, rock jewelry and other rock-related items. There is no charge to attend.

            Also during the three-day event, there will be free admission to the historic site museum, which interprets Missouri’s mining history and displays restored old mining machinery and an outstanding mineral collection.

            The event is co-sponsored by the Mineral Area Gem and Mineral Society and the Greater St. Louis Association of Earth Science Clubs. 

            Missouri Mines State Historic Site is located in Park Hills, on the south side of Highway 32 at the Flat River Drive overpass, 1.5 miles west of U.S. Highway 67.  For more information about the event, call the historic site at 573-431-6226 or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf).  For more information about Missouri’s state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.