Water spilling over the Paleozoic bedrock of Minnehaha Falls in the Twin Cities region.

Welcome to the Minnesota Geological Survey

The Minnesota Geological Survey is a research and service arm of the Newton Horace Winchell School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota. It investigates the geology of Minnesota and provides basic public information on the geology of the state. The Survey works with state, county, and regional offices to set up geologic databases and provide technical guidance for water-resource planning, land management and mineral exploration policy, energy system development, and other planning and resource management activities.
The Minnesota Geological Survey at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities stands firmly against the systemic racism that has long afflicted our society and still causes immeasurable daily harm to Black People, Indigenous Peoples, and People of Color.

Recent News

Olmsted County Geologic Atlas

Minnesota County Geologic Atlas - Part A, Olmsted County

July 8, 2020
Olmsted County Geologic Atlas - Part A, is now available. Check out the geology!
Screenshot of the Dodge County Geologic Atlas Story Map

Dodge County Geologic Atlas, Part A

June 5, 2020
The Dodge County Geologic Atlas - Part A (geology) Story Map is now available.
Bedrock Geology map (Plate 2) of the Olmsted County Geologic Atlas, Part A

Olmsted County Geologic Atlas, Part A

June 5, 2020
The Olmsted County Geologic Atlas - Part A (geology) was recently published by the Survey.
Surficial Geology map (Plate 3) of the Dodge County Geologic Atlas, Part A

Dodge County Geologic Atlas, Part A

June 5, 2020
The Dodge County Geologic Atlas - Part A (geology) was recently published by the Survey.
USGS geologic map of North America

Geologic Mapping Forum 2020

June 5, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Geologic Mapping Forum planned for April will not be held. Further information will be forthcoming.
Geologic Map of Minnesota Quaternary Geology

D-1 Surficial Geology Map of Minnesota

November 19, 2019
This is the inaugural launch of our D-Series (digital) databases that will be continually updated and made publicly available through the web.
More news

Upcoming Events

There are no currently scheduled events.

The MGS is located off-campus at 2609 West Territorial Road, St. Paul, MN 55114. Office hours are between 8:00am and 4:25pm, Monday through Friday.

Please Contact Us if you have any questions about our maps or publications. Printed maps and publications are available to purchase through Map Sales. You can view and download maps and publications through our Map & Data Library or browse our web-based maps through the Open Data Portal. Please use the Ask A Geologist page if you have questions regarding Minnesota geology.

You can also follow our Facebook page to stay current on new publications and other news:

If you would like to translate our website to another language, please click on the appropriate link below.
Si desea traducir nuestro sitio web a otro idioma, haga clic en el enlace correspondiente a continuación.
Hadaad jeceshahay inaad u tarjunto degelkeena luuqad kale, fadlan dhagsii xiriirka kugu habboon ee hoosta ku yaal.
Yog tias koj xav tau txhais peb lub vev xaib ua lwm yam lus, thov nyem rau ntawm kab ntawv txuas tsim nyog hauv qab no.

Español | Soomaali | Hmong

Learn More

Ask A Geologist Minnesota Geology Classroom Materials