Michigan Geological Survey

06/02/2026

We are so excited to see progress on our new repository!

05/30/2026

Sign up for summer reading and you will also be treated to a variety of special activities that explore paleontology and geology. Find 22 different dinosaurs in our biggest scavenger hunt ever! Our friends from the Michigan Geological Survey will bring some amazing fossils and show you why it’s so cool to dig things up!

05/29/2026

Dr. Khalid Omar, Hydrogeologist with the Michigan Geological Survey, made a virtual presentation via Zoom on May 28, 2026, at the
International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) & Society of Canadian Aquatic Sciences (SCAS-SCSA) 2026 Joint Conference, held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

His presentation was part of the Climate Change, Extreme Events & Hydrological Dynamics session.

He discussed MGS's ongoing project titled “Data Gap Analysis and Water Resources Assessment to Support Sustainable Water Management in Michigan.” He and Sara Pearson, MGS Director, are working on this project.

He summarized their two key ongoing water studies, funded by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE):

Water Data Gap Analysis, and
Western Michigan Regional Water Study for Seven Counties

The presentation highlighted the importance of improving water data accessibility, understanding regional water availability, and supporting sustainable water management across Michigan.

For more information, please contact Dr. Omar at [email protected]

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

Less than a month until Summer, but we are loving this Spring weather!

*adding sunscreen to field work supplies*

05/22/2026

It's Field Work Friday! Last week, MGS geologists traveled to Alpena County to investigate glacial landforms such as eskers and shallow bedrock features like limestone pavement. In Alpena County, many glacial landforms are mined for sand and gravel, which are used in road construction. Limestone bedrock is also heavily mined for use in a variety of industries, from beet sugar refining to steel production to concrete manufacturing.

05/20/2026

05/18/2026

Mineral Monday at MGS!

Specular Hematite, or specularite, is just as it sounds – spectacular! This iron oxide has a glittery metallic luster making it very desirable for collecting and jewelry.

This variety of hematite often “sheds” - the metallic glitter flaking off when it is handled.

This mineral can be found around the world like Brazil and Botswana, but also... Michigan! Samples have commonly been located in mine tailings from iron mines around the upper peninsula. This sample is from Marquette County.

Check out this sample and many more at https://sketchfab.com/MGRRE/models

05/15/2026

05/15/2026

It's Field Work Friday! MGS is currently mapping sand and gravel resources across the state. Our geologists (Linda and Matt pictured here) have been busy in Van Buren County completing hand auger borings, visiting sand and gravel pits, evaluating soils at road cuts and stream banks, and when the opportunity arises, investigating ongoing excavation sites. Every look beneath the surface helps us meet our goal: a state-funded, multi-year project to map aggregate resources for road infrastructure and land-use planning.

The landscape of Van Buren County was shaped by glaciers that advanced and retreated between about 20,000 and 13,000 years ago. As the ice moved, it pushed, scraped, and deposited sediment across the region, creating features like moraines (ridges marking former ice edges), till plains (gently rolling areas of unsorted sediment dropped directly by the ice), outwash fans (broad spreads of sand and gravel carried and sorted by flowing meltwater), and glacial lake deposits (flat areas of layered sand, silt and clay). After the glaciers melted, winds reworked these sandy sediments, forming widespread wind-blown (aeolian) deposits across the county.