Research at KGS
The Kentucky Geological Survey conducts applied research to understand Kentucky's geological resources, hazards, and environmental challenges. Our work supports informed decision-making for resource management, hazard mitigation, and sustainable development across the Commonwealth.
Research Teams
Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
This service is provided primarily to researchers at KGS, but also to representatives of academia, government, industry, and the private sector who study the environment and natural resources of Kentucky. As part of our mission to serve the public, we require that results of analyses run for non-KGS researchers enhance our publicly available databases.
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Critical Minerals and Geochemistry
The Critical Minerals and Geochemistry (CMG) Team’s mission is to build a comprehensive understanding of Kentucky’s mineral resources and the environmental impacts of past resource extraction by examining what they are, where they occur, how extensive they are, and the reasons they exist that way.
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Earthquakes and Geophysics
The KGS Earthquakes and Geophysics (E&G) Team conducts field investigations, collects seismic data, and disseminates information on issues related to earthquakes and subsurface characterizations to the benefit of Kentucky through collaborations within KGS, at the University of Kentucky (UK), and beyond.
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Environmental Geology
Environmental geology research to work towards building resiliency in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
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Fossil Energy and Subsurface Geology
The KGS Fossil Energy and Subsurface Geology Team was formed to compile, interpret, and disseminate data on the subsurface geology of Kentucky. By disseminating accurate and timely subsurface data and interpretations, the Team aims to de-risk the subsurface by increasing knowledge of the Kentucky’s structure and stratigraphy below the Earth’s surface, building resilience and economic advantages for Kentucky.
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GeoHealth
Geohealth team
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Hydrogeology and Karst
The KGS Hydrogeology & Karst team was formed to conduct field investigation, research, and dissemination on surface water and groundwater resources in Kentucky to support sustainable water resources management and help build resilience on water availability, flooding, karst and sinkhole hazards.
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Landscape Evolution and Mapping
The Landscape and Mapping Team (LEM) was formed to classify and quantitatively assess the surface and near-surface domains to enable refinement and development of complex and robust numerical models of surface processes to elucidate landscape evolution within the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond.
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Landslides and Engineering Geology
The KGS Landslide Hazards & Engineering Geology Team works to further understand landslide hazards, collect and disseminate landslide data and research results, and foster collaboration with regional hazards groups, government, industry, and other stakeholders, with the goal of reducing risk from landslides in the Commonwealth.
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