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Geology News
Indiana Current Events

Stormwater runoff and sewage contaminate many US beaches. A study done by the Natural Resources Defense Council sampled, tested and rated 200 of the most popular beaches in the United States – both ocean and freshwater beaches were included in the study. Some of them had consistently high water quality and some had consistently low. You can view the report and a listing of the beaches on their website.

The U.S. Global Change Research Program released a report that explains how climate change might impact Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. More heavy downpours, higher evaporation, higher temperatures, insect problems, invasive species problems and the impact on human health are a few of the featured problems.

Raven Maps are the most beautiful state wall maps that I have ever seen. They show the elevation and relief of a complete state through a skillful use of vibrant colors and topographic shading. Maps are available for individual states, the Conterminous United States, North America, Mexico and the world.

Learn about the geology of your favorite state as seen along the highway. This series of books by Mountain Press are filled with maps, photos, park locations and detailed descriptions. Get one before your next trip.

The-Vug.com has a comprehensive listing of mineral and lapidary clubs from across the United States. It could be the most complete and up-to-date listing on the web. Included are hundreds of clubs and organizations located in all 50 states.

The-Vug.com has a list of mineral shows being held across the United States in late May and June. Included are shows in Virginia, Nebraska, Montana, Ohio, California, Colorado, Alabama, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Connecticut, Oregon, Indiana and other states.

Severe storms damaged many homes and buildings this past weekend in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa and Michigan. Tornadoes struck three areas near: Laomi, IL; Greenfield, IL and Columbia City, IN.

The USGS has been conducting tests on the mercury levels of Indiana’s streams and precipitation. This report shows some of the findings in recent years.

Atlas Energy Resources has acquired rights to over 250,000 net acres of land above the New Albany Shale in Indiana. They hope to drill over 100 horizontal wells by the end of next year.

“Although Hurricane Ike is long gone, its impact lingers more than a thousand miles from where it made landfall. Runoff from tributaries dumped massive amounts of sediment into Lake Michigan, contaminating the water, compromising near-shore navigation and raising E coli bacteria to levels unsafe for swimming. ” Quoted from the USGS release.

Governors from eight Great Lakes states signed an interstate water compact to protect water levels and water quality of the Great Lakes. The House might act on the issue today. States involved are: Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

This article explores a little history on mastodon fossil finds in Indiana – Where were they found? Who found them? What happened to the fossils? It is unusual to find an article like this. Check it out of you are interested in large mammal fossils, Pleistocene, Indiana history or museum acquisition.

NASA Landsat Image

Governors from eight Great Lakes states signed an interstate water compact to protect water levels and water quality of the Great Lakes. President Bush says that he will sign the water management plan that will benefit Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Severe storms with high winds, hail, tornadoes and very heavy rain hit the US midwest this weekend. Up to 11 inches of rain caused flooding in Indiana, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and other states. Earth Observatory has more details and a rainfall intensity map.

Many streams in central Indiana are flowing at record levels. The link above will take you to the USGS WaterWatch website where you can click on a map of Indiana and see stream levels in near real time.

Heavy rains – up to 10 inches in some areas – have triggered heavy flooding in parts of Indiana, including Indianapolis, Terre Haute and Bloomington. Governor Mitch Daniels has declared most of the counties in the state to be disaster areas.

An earthquake occurred in southeastern Illinois this morning at 4:36 AM central time, Apr 18, 2008. The epicenter was located about 6 miles from West Salem, Illinois, 20 miles southwest of Vincennes, Indiana and 125 miles southwest of Indianapolis, Indiana. Early news postings say that no injuries or deaths have been reported, however, some minor damage has occurred. It was felt by people as far away as Chicago.

Early News Report from Associated Press

USGS Image

USGS has completed an assessment of the undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Illinois Basin which includes parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. The assessment is based on the geologic elements of each total petroleum system defined in the basin and includes: hydrocarbon source rocks, reservoir rocks, and hydrocarbon traps.

Stay Out of Abandoned Mines!

An average of 30 people per year die in abandoned mines. Causes of death include: drownings, falls, asphyxiation, ATV accidents and being shot by a security guard. Pennsylvania leads the nation in abandoned mine deaths for 2000 – 2006. Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky each had ten or more deaths in that time interval. Contact information is provided so that you can report dangerous abandoned mines in your area.