KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews) header
KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews) profile picture

KY Geological Survey

@KGSNews

News and updates about the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS). Posts also appear on the KGS Facebook page. Visit our website at http://t.co/KHzHTf497w.

 Lexington, KY
uky.edu/KGS/
Joined November 2009
  • Tweets3.9K
  • Following226
  • Followers2.2K
1.6KMedia
Photo by KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews)Photo by KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews)Photo by KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews)Photo by KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews)Photo by KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews)Photo by KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews)Photo by KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews)Photo by KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews)Photo by KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews)Photo by KY Geological Survey (@KGSNews)
#Geology is so awesome. Happy Halloween! From #KGS's brilliant petrographer Cortland Eble: "The attached image is of a 'ghost' I encountered during a petrographic analysis of the Hazard #7 coal collected near Hazard, #Kentucky. The 'ghost' is the coal maceral secretinite, which forms from sclereids (sclerenchyma tissues) found in most arborescent plants. Sclereids are a type of specialized sclerenchyma cells with thick, hardened, secondary cell walls that are typically dead at maturity. They serve to add structural support. The material surrounding the sclereid is a mixture of vitrinite and sporinite, with the sporinite fluorescing bright yellow in ultraviolet (UV) light." #geoscience #Halloween
100 micrometers image of a ghost-like image in white light and the same image in fluorescent (UV) light.

ALT 100 micrometers image of a ghost-like image in white light and the same image in fluorescent (UV) light.

1
2
71
It's a trilobite-o'-lantern, because we like our Halloween with candy + a little Ordovician. Did you find our pumpkin at the McConnell Springs Jack-o'-lantern Trail? And a big thanks to the Ohio Geological Survey for the paleo-themed idea. #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #fossils
Photo of a jack-o'-lantern that's carved like a trilobite and the letters 'KGS' are down the side.

ALT Photo of a jack-o'-lantern that's carved like a trilobite and the letters 'KGS' are down the side.

1
64
Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na...#BATWEEK! It's #BatWeek and we're celebrating our favorite cave-dwelling, flying mammal. Because when it comes to keeping ecosystems healthy, bats are the heroes we need. Ways in which geologists and bats are the same: - Both love caves. - Both hangout around rocks. Bats roost, geologists look. - Both passionate about karst. - Both are nocturnal-adjacent. Working right up until that midnight deadline. #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience @kyfishwildlife
Photo of a little brown bat. Bat Week October 24-31 logo in top left corner. Word bubble says "I am the darkness!" Photo credit: John MacGregor, https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Little-Brown-Bat.aspx.

ALT Photo of a little brown bat. Bat Week October 24-31 logo in top left corner. Word bubble says "I am the darkness!" Photo credit: John MacGregor, https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Little-Brown-Bat.aspx.

2
54
A whole slew of KGSers and Potter summer interns were Rocky Mountain High in Denver at the @geosociety annual conference. They talked #geology, shared #research, and learned new things, all with mile-high enthusiasm. #KGS #Kentucky #geoscience #GSAConnects2026
Photo. Doug Curl standing beside his academic research poster at GSA Connects 2026.

ALT Photo. Doug Curl standing beside his academic research poster at GSA Connects 2026.

Photo. Liz Adams and EES counterpart standing behind a exhibit table with stand-up signs in the background.

ALT Photo. Liz Adams and EES counterpart standing behind a exhibit table with stand-up signs in the background.

Photo. Matt Crawford standing behind a podium and delivering a talk at GSA Connects 2026.

ALT Photo. Matt Crawford standing behind a podium and delivering a talk at GSA Connects 2026.

Photo. Junfeng Zhu receiving an award at GSA Connects 2026.

ALT Photo. Junfeng Zhu receiving an award at GSA Connects 2026.

1
63
It was a rockin', explodin', and knowin' good time! A huge thanks to everyone that attended KGS's Open House. Exhibits/activities/demos covered a variety topics including karst, stormwater runoff, Minecraft, paleontology, seismology, radon, gems and minerals, porosity, caves, meteorites, landslides, fossils, Pokémon, topography, trivia, volcanos, and more! And an extra special earth science thank you to our UK and community partners that participated: @KY_NSF_EPSCoR CLIMBS Enviropods, Blue Grass Gem and Mineral Club, Kentucky Paleontological Society, Kentucky Water Research Institute, UK Earth and Environmental Sciences, UK chapter of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, & Exploration (SME), and the UK Geology Club. #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #outreach
Photo. Crowd gathered around the cave exploration exhibit at the 2026 KGS Open House.

ALT Photo. Crowd gathered around the cave exploration exhibit at the 2026 KGS Open House.

Photo. Ryan Ramsey, Evelyn Bibbins, and Matt Crawford talking with attendees at the 2026 KGS Open House about landslides. Landslide maps on the table along with photos and screens in the back showing the mapped landslides in Kentucky.

ALT Photo. Ryan Ramsey, Evelyn Bibbins, and Matt Crawford talking with attendees at the 2026 KGS Open House about landslides. Landslide maps on the table along with photos and screens in the back showing the mapped landslides in Kentucky.

Photo. KGS's Ray Davis talking with a 2026 Open House attendee. Other people are in the background looking at rock exhibits.

ALT Photo. KGS's Ray Davis talking with a 2026 Open House attendee. Other people are in the background looking at rock exhibits.

Photo. 2026 KGS Open House attendees standing in the courtyard outside the Mining and Mineral Resources Building waiting on the volcano demo.

ALT Photo. 2026 KGS Open House attendees standing in the courtyard outside the Mining and Mineral Resources Building waiting on the volcano demo.

1
72
That Psyduck is our spirit animal this morning. Preparation and setup is underway for TONIGHT's 26th KGS Open House, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 310 Columbia Avenue, Lexington, Kentucky. And, yes, those are brachiopods in a pizza box. #geology #geoscience #outreach
Photo of a messy office. Rolled up signs, brachiopods in a pizza box, A-frame sign, Psyduck on top of a table with a graphic pointing to it saying "spirit animal."

ALT Photo of a messy office. Rolled up signs, brachiopods in a pizza box, A-frame sign, Psyduck on top of a table with a graphic pointing to it saying "spirit animal."

1
56
A big shout-out to the UK undergrads who came to our Lexington Tree Week talk about the Whitfield Stump. We know they were mainly extra-credit motivated, but we’re choosing to believe they also came for the 315-million-year-old tree stump. #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geology #LexTreeWeek
Photo. Tim Demko demonstrating something with his hands next to the Whitfield Stump and a group of undergrads.

ALT Photo. Tim Demko demonstrating something with his hands next to the Whitfield Stump and a group of undergrads.

5
169
#KGS is hiring and more job openings will be posted soon. If you see a position you're interested in, apply early. Do not wait until the application window is about to slam shut. Future You says "thanks!" #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #NowHiring
Graphic about job opening and future openings. Text says "We are hiring! Join our team. Open position: Geologist III; This position will contribute to KGS's subsurface adn energy geology research program though the investigation of energy resources, basin analysis, geophysics, and related geoscience disciplines. Minimum requirements: PhD + 3 years related experience. https://bit.ly/3QY6mkr. Posting Soon: Research Assistant Professor, Critical Minerals; Geologist II, Energy and Subsurface Geology, Geologist I/II, Environmental Geology, https://bit.ly/3QY6mkr." KGS logo and QR code at bottom.

ALT Graphic about job opening and future openings. Text says "We are hiring! Join our team. Open position: Geologist III; This position will contribute to KGS's subsurface adn energy geology research program though the investigation of energy resources, basin analysis, geophysics, and related geoscience disciplines. Minimum requirements: PhD + 3 years related experience. https://bit.ly/3QY6mkr. Posting Soon: Research Assistant Professor, Critical Minerals; Geologist II, Energy and Subsurface Geology, Geologist I/II, Environmental Geology, https://bit.ly/3QY6mkr." KGS logo and QR code at bottom.

55
Earthquakes do occur in Kentucky and this week is Kentucky Earthquake Awareness Week 2026. With the help of Kentucky Emergency Management, we've compiled some of the actions you can take to be better prepared in case of an earthquake. #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #KYEarthquakeWeek
Graphic about Kentucky Emergency Management's Kentucky Earthquake Awareness Week. Graphics show people preparing, packing food and supplies in a backpack, and sheltering under a table. Text says: Plan: Decide how you will communicate, identify a meeting place, discuss what to do if you can’t return home, and consider the individual needs of the household. Prepare: Have supplies in three places: an at-home kit, a to-go kit, and a vehicle kit. At the minimum, have adequate medications, flashlight and batteries, a first-aid kit, and water. Include pets, and their supplies, in your preparations. Earthquake Actions: Drop to your hands and knees, Cover your head and neck; if there’s a sturdy table or desk nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. Hold on to your shelter, or your head and neck, until the shaking stops. October 15: Take part in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut and practice earthquake safety wherever you are. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/SHAKE-OUT."

ALT Graphic about Kentucky Emergency Management's Kentucky Earthquake Awareness Week. Graphics show people preparing, packing food and supplies in a backpack, and sheltering under a table. Text says: Plan: Decide how you will communicate, identify a meeting place, discuss what to do if you can’t return home, and consider the individual needs of the household. Prepare: Have supplies in three places: an at-home kit, a to-go kit, and a vehicle kit. At the minimum, have adequate medications, flashlight and batteries, a first-aid kit, and water. Include pets, and their supplies, in your preparations. Earthquake Actions: Drop to your hands and knees, Cover your head and neck; if there’s a sturdy table or desk nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. Hold on to your shelter, or your head and neck, until the shaking stops. October 15: Take part in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut and practice earthquake safety wherever you are. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/SHAKE-OUT."

3
98
Artistry + science = an interactive, conversational piece about flooding UK PhD anthropology student Nicole Marks reached out to #KGS's Jason Dortch for numerical values representing water and flood data in eastern Kentucky. Jason suggested the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Kentucky River Whitesburg monitoring gage. With this information, Nicole made 'The Tapestry of Catastrophe: Water and Flooding,' which earned a Grand Champion ribbon at the Leslie County Fair. Here’s Nicole explanation of the tapestry: “Each circle represents one year from 2000 to 2025. Each ring in the circle, starting at the center, represents that day's water-level reading and extends to the end of that year. Each event is color-coded by depth. The last two squares/circles after 2025 are the legends, with the very last circle representing the highest levels. I used the cloud color to frame each circle so they can be woven together into a continuous story that represents our environment.” #Kentucky #geology #geoscience
A homemade tapestry with 28 blocks that was created using flood data and the design is based on water levels from 2000-2025.

ALT A homemade tapestry with 28 blocks that was created using flood data and the design is based on water levels from 2000-2025.

6
229
#KGS geologist Donna Robinson led a geoheritage hike as part of Rocktoberfest 2026, the annual rock climbing festival and fundraiser hosted by the Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition (RRGCC). We love Red River Gorge, especially in the fall! #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #RRG
Group photo of a hiking group led by Donna Robinson (far left) beside the trail sign for Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge.

ALT Group photo of a hiking group led by Donna Robinson (far left) beside the trail sign for Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge.

Photo of Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge.

ALT Photo of Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge.

3
88
The cat thought to itself: “The bark is soft, the branches are wobbly, and the tree keeps making weird sounds.” While getting readings from an orphaned well in Menifee County, #KGS's Deron Zierer and Finley Gardner acquired a temporary feline research assistant. #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #FieldWork
Photo. Deron Zierer writing notes in a forest while a cat sits on his shoulder.

ALT Photo. Deron Zierer writing notes in a forest while a cat sits on his shoulder.

4
118
KAMM! = Kentucky Association of Mitigation Managers! #KGS's Matt Crawford, Meredith Swallom, Seth Carpenter, and Junfeng Zhu attended and presented at the KAMM Annual Conference in Hopkinsville, #Kentucky. This year's conference focused on the tangible and intangible technologies used in mitigation-relevant #research, building disaster resilience, and protecting communities. Just one more example of KGS's commitment to making an impact. #geology #geoscience
Photo. Junfeng Zhu, Seth Carpenter, Matt Crawford, and Meredith Swallom standing behind huge KAMM letters.

ALT Photo. Junfeng Zhu, Seth Carpenter, Matt Crawford, and Meredith Swallom standing behind huge KAMM letters.

Photo of a panel of presenters on a stage. KGS's Matt Crawford is holding the microphone.

ALT Photo of a panel of presenters on a stage. KGS's Matt Crawford is holding the microphone.

2
106
Field work inevitably comes with surprises and "What could possibly go wrong?" is not a field safety plan, so we want our geologists to be trained and ready. KGSers participated in a 2-day field safety leadership course led by Dr. Kevin Bohacs, author of an award-winning book on field safety for geologists. Participants learned lots of useful information on how/why accidents happen, as well as best practices for mitigating risk and responding to incidents. #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #FieldWork
Photo. Field safety course. Injured actor in a sling being carried by 4 other trainees.

ALT Photo. Field safety course. Injured actor in a sling being carried by 4 other trainees.

Photo. KGS participants in a field safety course. One actor is playing an injured person and the other participants are being instructed how to make a transport.

ALT Photo. KGS participants in a field safety course. One actor is playing an injured person and the other participants are being instructed how to make a transport.

Photo. Liz Adams, Zach Walton, Deron Zierer, and Zhenming Wang participating in a field safety training that involves Deron's arm being (fake) injured.

ALT Photo. Liz Adams, Zach Walton, Deron Zierer, and Zhenming Wang participating in a field safety training that involves Deron's arm being (fake) injured.

2
71
#KGS had a whole contingent at SuperCollider 2026 (kynsfepscor.uky.edu/highligh…), the all-hands collaboration meeting for @KY_NSF_EPSCoR CLIMBS participants. Not shown here (they ran for the door as soon as they heard "group pic," jkjk), but in attendance, were Sarah Arpin, Zhenming Wang, and Mohimanul Islam. At the meeting, Matt Crawford presented on CLIMBS project 5 (landslide monitoring and modeling), Mike McGlue on project 2 (paleo-records and flood modeling), Junfeng Zhu and Seth Carpenter on project 3 (novel tracers and hydrological models), and Ryan Ramsey displayed a landslides poster. #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #research
Group photo of KGS SuperCollider 2026 attendees: Matt Crawfrod, Ryan Ramsey, Mike McGlue, Doug Curl, Junfeng Zhu, Meredith Swallom, Jason Dortch, Seth Carpenter, Liz Adams, and Bailee Hodelka.

ALT Group photo of KGS SuperCollider 2026 attendees: Matt Crawfrod, Ryan Ramsey, Mike McGlue, Doug Curl, Junfeng Zhu, Meredith Swallom, Jason Dortch, Seth Carpenter, Liz Adams, and Bailee Hodelka.

59
"Geology doesn't stop at the border" is a fundamental maxim in the geosciences, so we're always excited to collaborate and help other organizations striving to address and solve complicated geoscience issues. And one of those issues is inactive, unplugged (or leaking) orphaned oil and gas well with no identifiable owner responsible for plugging them. The University of Oklahoma Institute for Resilient Environmental and Energy Systems invited #KGS's Deron Zierer to Oklahoma to give a guest lecture about KGS's Kentucky Orphan Well Project. Attendees included Institute staff, other OU personnel, and representatives of well plugging programs/EPAs of the Caddo Nation, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and Comanche Nation. The seminar was paired with a next day field demonstration showcasing KGS's methane measurement strategies. Looking forward, this collaboration may result in a publication that analyzes the use case scenario for OU's plume modeling versus KGS's methane measurement strategies in some wellhead infrastructure situations. #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #FieldWork
Photo of Deron Zierer standing at the front of a classroom and beside a screen title page, "Identifying and Quantifying Methane Emission from Kentucky's Abandoned, Orphaned, and Marginal Oil and Gas Wells." At bottom, photo attribution "Photo: OU's Timothy Filley."

ALT Photo of Deron Zierer standing at the front of a classroom and beside a screen title page, "Identifying and Quantifying Methane Emission from Kentucky's Abandoned, Orphaned, and Marginal Oil and Gas Wells." At bottom, photo attribution "Photo: OU's Timothy Filley."

Photo of Deron Zierer holding a methane measurement tool and standing behind a truck parked in a field. At bottom, photo attribution "Photo: OU's Timothy Filley."

ALT Photo of Deron Zierer holding a methane measurement tool and standing behind a truck parked in a field. At bottom, photo attribution "Photo: OU's Timothy Filley."

4
68
You're invited! On Wednesday October 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m., KGS will host its 26th annual Open House, inviting students, families, teachers, and earth-science enthusiasts to explore the many wonders of Kentucky’s geology. This long-running tradition offers a hands-on, engaging experience with the natural forces and materials that shape Kentucky. kygs.uky.edu/news/open-house… #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #KGSOpenHouse2026
Multi-colored graphic about the KGS Earth Science Night. Photos of the different hands-on activities. Details: October 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m., UK mining & Mineral Resources Building, 310 Columbia Avenue, Lexington, KY 40506.

ALT Multi-colored graphic about the KGS Earth Science Night. Photos of the different hands-on activities. Details: October 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m., UK mining & Mineral Resources Building, 310 Columbia Avenue, Lexington, KY 40506.

2
2
89
Besides missing out on the opportunity to name it the "School of Rock," the resurrected ExxonMobil Paleozoic of Appalachia and the Midcontinent Field School was a smashing success! Per lead instructor Dr. Ryan Wilson, this ExxonMobil field school is "designed to tackle critical business challenges for subsurface technical experts working unconventional resource assets in the phases of exploration, development, and optimization." The attendees used outcrops and cores in Kentucky as analogs for subsurface unconventional petroleum system play elements in their working assets and areas (Permian Basin in West Texas and New Mexico). It was a true team effort in hosting this field school and a great big thanks goes out to Liz Adams, Ryan Pinkston, Mallory Sailors, Kurstin Williams, Amanda Reynolds, and Tim Demko. Great job everyone! #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #RocksRock #SchoolOfRock
Photo. In foreground, a orange hazard sign says "Caution Geologists Ahead." Group of people in the background looking up at a roadcut.

ALT Photo. In foreground, a orange hazard sign says "Caution Geologists Ahead." Group of people in the background looking up at a roadcut.

Four people in the photo are looking down at rock cores laid out on a table.

ALT Four people in the photo are looking down at rock cores laid out on a table.

Photo. Lots of people in the Earth Analysis Research Library's core viewing room. Lots of rock cores laid out on the tables.

ALT Photo. Lots of people in the Earth Analysis Research Library's core viewing room. Lots of rock cores laid out on the tables.

Group of geologists in safety vests standing near an outcrop.

ALT Group of geologists in safety vests standing near an outcrop.

3
119
The accolades keep flowing in! This one's in recognition of conserving and protecting #Kentucky’s water. At its 2026 Annual Symposium, the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute presented #KGS's Glynn Beck with the Robert Lauderdale Award for Outstanding Contributions in Water Quality. The Lauderdale Award, named after KWRI’s first director, is presented to an individual who has helped improve the water quality and sustainability of Kentucky’s water resources. Glynn works with edge-of-field monitoring stations, the Kentucky Groundwater Observation Network, groundwater seeps along Little Bayou Creek, water samples from old mine tailings ponds, dye traces, and other hydrogeology projects. Well-deserved and congratulations! #geology #geoscience
Photo. KGS's Glynn Beck receiving an award from KWRI's Jason Unrine.

ALT Photo. KGS's Glynn Beck receiving an award from KWRI's Jason Unrine.

4
89
Join #KGS for a Lexington Tree Week talk about the ancient Whitfield Stump, a lovable 300,000,000 year old fossil lycopod tree with Stigmaria roots, located outside KGS's Mining and Mineral Resources Building on UK's campus. - When: October 15 - Where: outside the Mining and Mineral Resources Building, 310 Columbia Avenue, Lexington, KY 40506 - Why: #fossils AND #trees are awesome Don't miss it! #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #fossils #TreeWeekLexington #TreeWeek2026 #LexingtonKY
Old hand drawn image of the Whitfield Stump's outline and dimensions. Text overlay says "Did you know? The Kentucky Geological Survey has a 300,000,000 year old tree stump? Join us for a Tree Week talk on Oct. 15 at 5:30 p.m."

ALT Old hand drawn image of the Whitfield Stump's outline and dimensions. Text overlay says "Did you know? The Kentucky Geological Survey has a 300,000,000 year old tree stump? Join us for a Tree Week talk on Oct. 15 at 5:30 p.m."

3
74
Load more