Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

Kansas Geological Survey

Advancing Science, Serving Kansas

Research Programs

KGS scientist conducting field work

Water Resources and Geohydrology

Studying aquifers, rivers, and streams to provide a scientific foundation for water management.
Staff testing water quality from a well sample

AWQuA-KAN: Aquifer Water Quality Assessment for Kansas

Assessing groundwater quality in aquifers across the state of Kansas
Drill rig in Barber County

Energy

Exploring oil and gas resources, carbon and hydrogen storage, and other energy initiatives.

Research Programs

Bungee-assisted weight drop attached to Bobcat Toolcat.

Geophysics and Hazards

Monitoring earthquakes, developing seismic techniques, and supporting field-based research.
Scientist examining a rock outcrop

Geology and Mineral Resources

Studying and mapping the geologic resources of the state.
Scientists excavating bison bones

Geoarchaeology

Searching for evidence of the earliest people to inhabit the Central Great Plains.

Outreach, Education, and Publications

Little Jerusalem hoodoo

Educational Resources

Learn about the geology of Kansas featuring geologic sites, classroom activities, and more
Covers of KGS publications

Publications

Books and maps on the geology, minerals, and natural resources of the state.
The KGS Data Resources Library

Archives and Libraries

Kansas Geologic Sample Repository, Data Resources Library, and KGS Drill Core Library.

KGS in the News

KGS researchers take soil infiltration measurements.

KGS to explore on-farm integration of solar energy, water management

Kansas Geological Survey scientists have been awarded nearly $900,000 in grants to spearhead the development of an innovative technology system that will leverage underused corners of farm fields to generate energy and collect water.
Portion of oil and gas interactive mapper displaying information for sample well.

KGS releases new water, oil and gas interactive mappers

The Kansas Geological Survey has released new versions of its online Oil and Gas and Water Well (WWC5) mappers, which allow users to spatially interact with Kansas oil, gas, and water well data along with other complementary data for exploring Kansas’s underground resources.
“Surficial Geology of Lincoln County, Kansas” contains the map as well as a cross section and an illustrated stratigraphic column.

KGS map wins award at professional conference

A new geologic map of Lincoln County received second place in the "Thematic Map" category at the largest international conference dedicated to geographic information system technology.
Map showing flight lines for airborne survey of northwest Kansas

Airborne Survey of Northwest Kansas Aquifer Completed Successfully

The Kansas Geological Survey and its research partners recently completed an airborne survey in northwest Kansas that will allow scientists to create a 3-D image of the High Plains aquifer in that area at a level of detail that has not previously been possible.

Coming Events

September 18: Geology 101—Plate Tectonics

Join us at 1 p.m. to learn about the theory of plate tectonics and its effects on Kansas. This is a live stream event that is free to the public.

September 26: Creeping Glaciers and Ancient Oceans

Educator Andy Connolly will give a presentation at the Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence, Kansas, about the geology of Douglas County.

October 2: Geology 101—Earthquakes and the Interior of the Earth

Join us at 1 p.m. to learn how geologists study earthquakes and use them to decipher the interior of the Earth. This is a live stream event that is free to the public.

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