Geology and Land Survey Welcome to the Geology and Land Survey Division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Our mission is to provide technical assistance, education and guidance in the use and protection of Missouri's natural resources; interpret the state's geological setting; assess the availability of its energy and mineral resources; evaluate and interpret geological hazards; and determine land boundaries. Our offices are in Rolla at 111 Fairgrounds Road. ...more

2009 State of Missouri's Environment Report PDF Department releases latest
biennial state of the environment report

Edith Starbuck honored with Public Service Award

Darrell Pratte Promoted--State Land Surveyor and Land Survey Program Director

Joe Gillman named State Geologist and Division of Geology and Land Survey Director 

Looking for books, cards, posters?

St. James and Newburg students and their teachers marked Earth Science Week 2008 by learning about rocks, minerals, fossils and topographic maps. "No Child Left Inside" was this year's theme. Helping young people explore Earth science firsthand was this year's goal for staff members with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey. The division partners annually with the American Geological Institute during Earth Science Week to increase public understanding and appreciation of the earth. ...more

"No Child Left Inside" theme for 10th Annual Earth Science Week
Oct. 12-18, 2008

Fifth grade student Spencer Gordon is joined by Bill Duley and Joe Gillman to announce Earth Science Week. Gordon is in Mrs. Conkling's class at Rolla Middle School. Gillman is the state geologist and director of the Geology and Land Survey Division with the Department of Natural Resources. Duley is assistant state geologist and deputy division director. Download the Educator Guide.

Earthquake Facts and Information
Recent Central U.S. Earthquakes
New Madrid and Wabash Valley Zones
Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Earthquake Program
What to do before, during and after an earthquake

Seismic activity centered in Illinois in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone is independent of the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Scientists understand it runs perpendicular to the New Madrid Fault along the north end of the system.  The largest recorded earthquake on this fault system was in 1968 and it was a magnitude 5.4. In 2002 there was a 4.1 event in the same area. Moderately damaging earthquakes occur on the Wabash Valley fault about once every decade or two. Smaller earthquakes are felt about once or twice a year, which is considerably less active than the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Department announces mapping partnership with State Farm Insurance
News Release

St. Louis Area Earthquake Hazards
Mapping Project

• Land survey corners are the basis for the location of all property in Missouri PDF
• You can order land records from our repository containing approximately
  2 million documents
• What to do before, during and after an earthquake
• How sinkholes form