Bedrock outcrop from Pipestone County, Minnesota

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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.

Learn more about our DEI Initiative

Who We Are

The Minnesota Geological Survey was established in 1872 by the State of Minnesota and is a research and service arm of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota.

The MGS collaborates with universities, government agencies, industry, and local communities to study Minnesota's geology, create geological maps, and conduct research.

Phone: 
612-626-2969 

Email: 
[email protected]

Office Address: 
2609 W Territorial Rd, St. Paul, MN 55114

Office Hours: 
Public office hours are every Thursday, 8am to 4pm or by appointment only. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Explore Minnesota Geology

Finely-laminated lake (or lacustrine) sediment deposited over pebbly sand outwash sediment from an exposure in Kandiyohi County. The field notebook is placed at the contact between the two deposits.

Glacial Geology

Precambrian rock along Highway 1.

Bedrock Geology

Thin section image in cross-polarized light under a microscope.

Rocks and Minerals

Fossil shark tooth, genus Squalicorax, from Cretaceous bedrock drill core in Aitkin County.

Fossils

Clipped portion of Plate 3, Surficial Geology map in the Steele County Geologic Atlas.

County Geologic Atlas (CGA) Maps

Monitoring well in a field with a water level tape running into it.

County Well Index (CWI) Database

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Recent Publications

MAP

C-59, Geologic Atlas of Pipestone County, Minnesota

REPORT

Geophysical and Petrologic Advances in Understanding the Taunton-Belt Wedge, an Archean Terrane within the Minnesota River Valley Subprovince of the Superior Craton, North-Central U.S.A.

MAP

C-57, Geologic Atlas of Dakota County, Minnesota

MAP

C-55, Geologic Atlas of Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Recent News

University of Minnesota's maroon block M logo and text below that reads "Minnesota Geological Survey".

New Director and Minnesota State Geologist

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Robert (Bob) Tipping as our new MGS Director and State Geologist of Minnesota.
Clipped portion of Plate 3, Surficial Geology map in the Steele County Geologic Atlas.

Steele County Atlas, Part A: Geology Published

The Steele County Atlas, Part A: Geology was recently published, with digital map plates and GIS datasets available online.
3D geologic model of the Cannon River Watershed

New 3D Geologic Models Published for GRAPS Pilot Project

Compilation geologic models for the Cannon, Missouri, and Redeye River Watersheds were recently completed as part of a two-year GRAPS Pilot Project in partnership with MDH.
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Events and Seminars

Dec 19 Thu 12:10pm

Fall 2024 MGS Seminars

Chad Crotty
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Lands and Minerals Division
“Something on DNR’s aggregate mapping”

More events...