News
Fri, 03/14/2025
From abandoned coal mines to war zones, Kansas Geological Survey technology reveals underground threats
A hazard detection program begun nearly 40 will enter a new era of artificial intelligence, neural networks, and machine learning, supported in part by a $15 million grant from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
Thu, 03/13/2025
Grant funding received in December, January
The Kansas Geological Survey received $260,990 in grant funding in December and January for projects related to regional stratigraphy, software development, the High Plains aquifer, and salt caverns in Kansas.
Tue, 03/11/2025
Distinguished Alumni Award
Evan Franseen, professor emeritus of geology at the University of Kansas and senior scientist emeritus at the Kansas Geological Survey, is the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Geosciences for “outstanding lifetime professional achievement and service to the University of Wisconsin-Madison." ...
Mon, 03/03/2025
New Kansas Geological Survey publication explores geology of eastern Kansas
The publication integrates data drawn from scientific observations and detailed oil and gas industry well logs to modernize understanding of the geology of eastern Kansas and create a framework to support identification and management of the state’s vital natural resources.
Mon, 02/24/2025
New article examines salt dissolution in western Kansas, eastern Colorado
A new article published in Midcontinent Geoscience, the peer-reviewed journal of the Kansas Geological Survey, examines salt dissolution in the Syracuse basin region in western Kansas and eastern Colorado.
Fri, 02/14/2025
Groundwater levels fall across western, south-central Kansas
Preliminary groundwater level measurements compiled by the Kansas Geological Survey show an overall decline of almost a foot across the High Plains aquifer region in western Kansas in 2024. All areas in western and south-central Kansas experienced declines in water levels.
Fri, 01/31/2025
KGS GRA elected secretary of American Geophysical Union education section
Sunday Siomades will manage the section’s communications team and pursue projects that connect science and society.
Thu, 12/19/2024
Grant funding received in October, November
The Kansas Geological Survey received $420,983 in grant funding in October and November for projects investigating sediment sources in the state’s reservoirs, technology to support state agencies, and water issues.
Tue, 12/17/2024
Kansas Geological Survey, state agency to measure groundwater levels in western Kansas
A crew from the Kansas Geological Survey and staff from the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources will be in western Kansas the first week of January as part of a joint project to monitor the health of the state's aquifers.
Mon, 12/16/2024
Anthropologists call for tracking and preservation of human artifacts on Mars
University of Kansas researcher Justin Holcomb argues physical artifacts of human Martian exploration deserve cataloging, preservation and care.
Thu, 12/12/2024
Kansas Geological Survey to expand drill core storage, analysis capabilities
Construction will begin next month on a 5,500-square-foot addition to the Kansas Geological Survey Drill Core Library in the West District of the University of Kansas Lawrence campus. The library preserves cores from 6,500 wells in Kansas for future study.
Mon, 11/18/2024
KGS editor receives geoscience writing, editing award
Julie Tollefson received the James H. Shea Award from the National Association of Geoscience Teachers in recognition of exceptional contributions in writing and editing of earth science material.
Mon, 11/11/2024
KU researchers help launch free course to promote safety, inclusion in fieldwork
University of Kansas scientists recently helped develop and launch a free online course that provides tools to promote safe and inclusive field environments. The course is geared toward anyone who participates in fieldwork, including researchers, field coordinators, technicians and students.
Wed, 10/30/2024
Kansas Geological Survey launches water quality assessment program
The Kansas Geological Survey has launched a new program to monitor groundwater quality statewide. The Aquifer Water Quality Assessment Program will sample more than 300 public water supply, irrigation and domestic wells.
Mon, 09/23/2024
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.
Mon, 09/16/2024
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.
Tue, 08/27/2024
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.
Mon, 07/29/2024
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.
Wed, 07/03/2024
KGS Assesses Potential for Critical Minerals in Eastern Kansas
The KGS, in collaboration with industry partners, recently drilled and cored a well in Lyon County to evaluate layers of underground rock that may be enriched in critical minerals — non-fuel minerals and elements that are vital to electronics and other advanced technologies.
Tue, 05/21/2024
Airborne Electromagnetic Survey of Aquifer Conditions in Northwestern Kansas
Beginning in late May and continuing for much of June, residents of northwest Kansas may see a low-flying helicopter towing a large hexagonal frame, part of a project to map groundwater conditions in the Ogallala aquifer in that part of the state.
Fri, 05/10/2024
KGS Postdoc Wins Research Travel Award
The Buzas Award for Travel will allow KGS postdoctoral scholar Belkasim Khameiss to study the renowned Cushman Collection of foraminifera at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
Fri, 04/12/2024
Geologic Map for Lincoln County Now Available
Our new full-color geologic map of Lincoln County shows the type and age of rock layers at or near the surface in the north-central Kansas county.
Thu, 03/21/2024
Live Climate-Focused Podcast to Feature KGS Researcher
An interview with KGS postdoctoral researcher Malena Orduña Alegría will be featured in a live episode recording of the climate-themed podcast “The Sweaty Penguin.” “Understanding Water Use in Kansas” will take place at 5:30 p.m. March 25 in the Hawk’s Nest of the Kansas Union.
Thu, 03/14/2024
Groundwater Measurement Results Mixed in Western, South-Central Kansas
Preliminary groundwater level measurements compiled by the KGS show mixed results for western and south-central Kansas in 2023, with some areas in the northwest and west-central part of the state experiencing increases for the first time in three or more years.
Tue, 12/12/2023
KGS, State Agency to Measure Groundwater Levels in Western Kansas
A KGS crew and staff from three field offices of the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources will be in western Kansas measuring groundwater levels the first week of January.
Wed, 12/06/2023
KGS Report Assesses Health of the High Plains Aquifer
A new publication from the Kansas Geological Survey assesses current conditions and trends in water levels and groundwater usage in the High Plains aquifer, the state’s most economically important groundwater resource.
Tue, 10/24/2023
KGS Scientist, Colleagues Receive $1.16 Million NSF Grant
A collaboration of scientists from six organizations, including the KGS, has received a $1.16 million grant from the National Science Foundation to implement and study the effects of a field safety, anti-harassment, and bystander intervention training certificate program.
Mon, 07/31/2023
In New Space Race, KGS Scientists Propose Geoarchaeology Can Aid in Preserving Space Heritage
Two KGS scientists and their colleagues have proposed a new scientific subfield: planetary geoarchaeology, the study of how cultural and natural processes on Earth’s moon, on Mars, and across the solar system may be altering, preserving, or destroying the material record of space exploration.
Mon, 05/22/2023
KU Scientist Receives Honorary Membership Award from International Organization
Evan K. Franseen is the recipient of the 2023 Honorary Membership Award from SEPM, the Society for Sedimentary Geology, for “excellence in professional achievement and extraordinary service to the Society.”
Thu, 05/04/2023
Geochemists at the University of Kansas Determine Age of the Dinosaur Utahraptor
Scientists from three state geological surveys determined that rocks in the Yellow Cat Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation — and the Utahraptor fossils found within — are 10 million years older than previously known. Earlier estimates put the age of the rocks and fossils at 125 million years old.