KY Geological Survey @KGSNews

We may be a day late for #InternationalJokeDay, but this is based on the very real travel experiences of some #KGS geologists. #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #FieldWork

On June 29 at 2:05 a.m. (local time), a moment magnitude 3.5 earthquake occurred in southeastern Illinois, 6 km northeast of West Salem, Ill. The faulting mechanism and the relatively deep depth (19 km) for this event are consistent with other earthquakes in the region, which are associated with the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone. The most recent, notable event in this zone was the 2008 Mt. Carmel, Ill., moment magnitude 5.2 earthquake. Shaking from the seismic waves was reportedly felt in four states, including #Kentucky, and was well recorded by the Kentucky Seismic and Strong-motion Network. #KGS #geology #geoscience #seismology #earthquake #seismicity

H₂-Oh! Water in a karstic system is complicated. Surface and underground water are dynamically interconnected, but respond differently. And no matter what the problem is, it is both unique and common. The BBRP team and special guest #KGS geologist Chuck Taylor talk karst #hydrogeology, groundwater monitoring, how the field has progressed over Chuck's career, and all the research that still needs to be done to really understand the water in #Kentucky's #karst system. This one's not to be missed! kgsnews.podbean.com/e/ep-55-water-… #geology #geoscience #BBRP #podcast

From 18:04 to 18:05 local time on June 24, two devastating earthquakes occurred in Venezuela. The first event, a foreshock of moment magnitude (M) 7.2, was followed just 38 seconds later by a M 7.5 mainshock. Damage from these earthquakes was extensive due to their large sizes, proximities to populated regions, their relatively shallow depths, and the exposure of the built environment to extended shaking from this earthquake doublet. The locations of the earthquakes’ sources and the styles of faulting interpreted from global seismic recordings suggest that a large fault associated with the interface between the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates slipped to create these events. Twenty five minutes later a M 6.9 earthquake occurred off the coast of Japan, approximately 30 km from Kuji, Japan. Minor damage and injuries have been reported from this earthquake. Seismic waves produced from these earthquakes were well recorded by the Kentucky Seismic and Strong-motion Network. The first arriving waves from the Venezuela sequence and the Japan earthquake on RRKY are labeled. #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #earthquake #seismology

After spending a few hundred million years lying low, these Kentucky gastropod fossils are now enjoying the Field Museum life, meeting visitors from around the world. Have you spotted a Kentucky fossil while visiting a museum outside the Bluegrass State? uky.edu/KGS/fossils/fo… #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #fossils #FieldMuseum #paleontology

What determines where #Kentucky's natural arches form? The answer may be written in the rock (and this journal article). A new study by #KGS's Steve Martin, 'Distribution of Natural Arches in Kentucky,' examines the distribution, size, orientation, and landscape setting of natural arches across Kentucky, along with the rock joints associated with their formation. By mapping where arches occur and how they are aligned, researchers are uncovering the geologic controls that help shape some of the Commonwealth’s most iconic landforms. Read the article here: southeasterngeology.org/wp-content/upl… #geology #geoscience #research #RRG #RedRiverGorge

Missed out on the Blue Grass Gem and Mineral Club's geode hunt? Name a better way to spend a Saturday. We'll wait. Geodes were found. Rocks were cracked. Treasure was revealed. #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #outreach #SummerFun

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Fun fact: that orange dot is a full-sized geologist in a very large sinkhole. #KGS's Donna Robinson and Hudson Koch collected soil samples in Warren County, #Kentucky for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)'s #STATEMAP grant program. These soil samples will be analyzed to improve our understanding of the county's complex #geology and lithologies. #geoscience #FieldWork #research

*Based on a real email and photo sent in by a #KGS geologist while they were on vacation. #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #VacationMode

With the rainstorms, heat, and humidity, #Kentucky is feeling very much like a Jurassic rainforest, so it's only appropriate to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of THE dinosaur movie Jurassic Park. Though Jurassic Park is fictional, dinosaur fossils are biological records locked in stone, and their history is inseparable from earth science subjects such as plate tectonics, stratigraphy, and paleoclimate. We're going to celebrate this day by changing our bedding to a dinosaur themed set, rewatching the movie for the 476th time, and convincing ourselves that the inevitable nightmares about velociraptors are worth it. Do you remember the first time you saw Jurassic Park? #KGS #geology #geoscience #dinosaurs #JurassicPark

KGS’s Environmental Geology team visited Cave Run Lake as part of their Reservoir Resilience Research project. The team is investigating patterns of sediment accumulation to better understand how severe weather influences erosion and sediment transport from the watershed into the Cave Run Lake/reservoir. Severe storms can trigger landslides along the shorelines that both damage infrastructure (camping sites, picnic areas) and deliver sediment to the reservoir, which can degrade benthic habitats, impact dam and water management infrastructure, and reduce flood water storage capacity. Shown here is #KGS's Bailee Hodelka (orange hat/hoodie) and UK Earth and Environmental Sciences students Luciano Cardone (tan hat) and Sesay Alhaji (blue hat) collecting sediment samples. #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #FieldWork #research #OnABoat

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Despite the "Please Do Not Touch" sign, the irresistible allure of an interesting rock is too strong! Seven University of Kentucky librarians toured the Earth Analysis Research Library (EARL) as part of their summer professional development. In their defense, rocks are basically the library books of Earth history. #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #RocksRock

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When a summer employee chooses to come back, it says a lot about the quality of the workplace and mentorship. Talon Counts is back for summer #2 as a geo tech at the #KGS Henderson office and he’s already off and running and replacing a transducer cable (with an audience) at the Murray State Research Farm. #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #research #FieldWork

It's #CaveWeek2026! It's time to celebrate these incredibly fragile and fascinating subterranean worlds. Want to get underground this weekend? Here's some places to enjoy, celebrate, and learn about caves in Kentucky: - Carter Caves State Park, parks.ky.gov/things-to-do/c… - Mammoth Cave National Park, nps.gov/maca/index.htm - Onyx Cave, onyxcave.com - Mammoth Onyx Cave (at Kentucky Down Under), kentuckydownunder.com - Crystal Onyx Cave, crystalonyxcaveky.com - Diamond Caverns, diamondcaverns.com - Outlaw Cave, jessejamesandoutlawcave.com - Hidden River Cave, hiddenrivercave.com - Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, parks.ky.gov/things-to-do/c… #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #CaveWeek #karst #caves

And that's a wrap on the 65th Annual Kentucky Geological Survey Seminar! This year's seminar brought together geoscientists, researchers, students, and industry professionals for a full day of learning, networking, and collaboration. From emerging energy resources to cutting-edge geologic tools, attendees had the opportunity to explore how geology continues to support innovation, hazard mitigation, and resource development across the Commonwealth. #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #research #outreach #KGSAS2026

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If this slope so much as sneezes, we'll know about it. The #KGS Potter interns recently completed a second drone survey of a landslide at Floracliff Nature Sanctuary. The data will be used to tell us if any change on the slide has occurred since February. Shown here, Jillian Bales and Breana Pollard are leveling the drone station and Grant Keyton is helping mentor Sarah Johnson get a height measurement. #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #research #FieldWork #SummerInternship

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Landslide monitoring station: Lilley Cornett Woods Upper Station integrity: Good. Data collection: Active. Ability to withstand bear snuggles: Unexpectedly excellent. kgs.uky.edu/slope-monitori… #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #research #FieldWork #GladItWasNotACharminBear

♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬ ﾟ Alright stop, collaborate and hike in Cave Fork’s back with a forest rebirth mission Trees once cut down nearly completely Now the Gorge grows back slowly and deeply Will it ever stop? Yo, let’s go see Dan and Judy spot the wildlife and trees Andy talks rocks and the ancient terrain Coal, timber, and the marks they left remain Red River Gorge with its stories untold One hundred years later, the forest’s grown bold ♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬ ﾟ Register ASAP for the free RRGCC hike, Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (limited spots): docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI… #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #RedRiverGorge #RRGCC #hiking

Warning: An emotion support rock may be necessary when you listen to this month's episode of The Big Blue Rock Pod. Warning: This episode contains dangerous levels of enthusiasm for geoscience, student mentorship, and community building. Warning: You may experience an onset of overwhelming appreciation for geoscience teachers, geoscience practitioners, and the entire geoscience community. Warning: You will encounter tectonic levels of wholesomeness. If you do not have your own personal support rock, we have included a graphic of one that you can stare at while you listen to this episode. kgsnews.podbean.com/e/the-enviropo… #KGS #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #research #BBRP #outreach

Procrastinators unite! We know you, because we are you. But with the #KGS Annual Seminar in one week (June 2), the registration deadline approaches without mercy. Register today (don't let the little voice in your head say 'I'll do it later' because we're down to the last later): tinyurl.com/fe5ry824. #Kentucky #geology #geoscience #conference #seminar #KGSAS2026