Geology News
Indiana Current Events

The Indiana Geological Survey is helping students (and news reporters) learn about the earthquake history of Indiana and experience simulated ground shaking of up to magnitude 7.0.

The folks at MyTopo.com are now printing supersized topo maps; large enough make a huge 8′ x 5′ (or 5′ x 8′) map that will look fantastic on the wall of your office, conference room, lobby, cabin or den. These maps are custom-centered on any location that you pick using their online map-making tool.

We are affiliates of MyTopo.com and receive a commission on sales.

Raven Maps are beautiful examples of shaded-relief wall maps that display the elevation of a state in vibrant colors. These large maps look great in a classroom, den or office. Use one to mark the locations of your work or company.

The Indiana Geological Survey website has an activity titled “Assessing Potential Seismic Risks of Indiana Urban Populations” that is intended for middle school and high school students. This activity utilizes the IndianaMap online geographic information system to obtain information about historic earthquakes and make conclusions about earthquake hazards in Indiana’s urban areas.

Many other state surveys and the USGS Earthquake Hazards program have historical earthquake data available that could be used to create similar assignments. (Find USGS data for your state.)

Hundreds of people in the central United States are seeing their personal water supply wells going dry or falling to very low levels.

Mountain Press Publishing has released a new book by Albert B. Dickas titled: 101 American Geo-Sites You’ve Gotta See.

It provides a two-page presentation on each site that features photos, text and a map. It is a good way to get a quick glimpse of these 101 fantastic sites. It sells for $23.99.

See a table of contents.

The-Vug.com has an impressive listing of mineral clubs organized by state. You might be surprised at how many clubs are listed and there is probably one that meets within a short drive of your home.

Abandoned mines and quarries are dangerous places! Every year about 20 to 30 people die in accidents that occur in abandoned mines across the United States. The victims range in age from preschool children to an 85 year-old mining veteran.

The Indiana Geological Survey has a new addition to their earthquake outreach program.

“Given Indiana’s proximity to the New Madrid and Wabash Valley fault zones, earthquake preparedness is an important component in any overall emergency planning effort, as recent global events have demonstrated.”

Ball State University just started pumping water through what will be the largest ground-source, closed-loop geothermal system in the United States. The project is still under construction but is partially operational. It will eventually have three wellfields and 3600 wells, heating and cooling 47 buildings, and saving $2 million per year.