People Expert geologists, researchers, and support staff specializing in landslide monitoring, hydrogeology, mineral resources, and environmental geology.
Labs State-of-the-art research facilities providing geochemical analysis, materials testing, and hazard assessments for geological research and environmental monitoring across Kentucky.
Monitoring Real-time monitoring of groundwater, seismic activity, landslides, and environmental conditions to protect communities and infrastructure across Kentucky.
News & Events Latest KGS research findings, field studies, publications, and community outreach helping Kentucky understand and prepare for geological hazards.
The Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) is a state-supported research center and public resource within the University of Kentucky. Our mission is to support the sustainable prosperity of the Commonwealth, the vitality of its flagship land grant university, and the welfare of its people. We do this by conducting research in the geological sciences, providing unbiased data and information to the public, and engaging with stakeholders. Research conducted by the KGS serves the Commonwealth and its people by building resilience.
Discover comprehensive geological educational resources tailored for K-16 educators and students.
Our research and laboratories enhance knowledge and understanding of Kentucky's geological resources, hazards, and water systems to support science-based decision making for the Commonwealth.
Check out our current job opportunities and apply today.
Join us in June to discuss energy resources and related environmental projects in Kentucky and participate in hands-on workshops.
The 2026 annual seminar will focus on Kentucky’s energy outlook, highlighting recent geoscience research in hydrogen, critical minerals, oil and gas, and environmental management.
This podcast is a fun, conversational approach to discussing all things geology and earth processes. We primarily focus on Kentucky as we talk about emerging ideas in research, along with classic topics in earth science for all levels of interest.
Have questions about Kentucky's geology? Wondering about rocks, minerals, landslides, or groundwater in your area? Our expert geologists are here to help with answers backed by decades of research and field experience.
Send your geology questions to kgsmail@uky.edu. Please include the topic in your subject line.
For specimen identification (fossils, rocks, minerals), include a high-quality (at least 150 dpi), in-focus photo with an item next to the specimen for
scale (ruler, coin, etc.). If possible, please also provide at least the county-level location where you found the specimen.
Please note: KGS staff and researchers cannot perform land surveying, consulting services, or referrals.
You can find a list of licensed geologists in Kentucky through the Kentucky Board of Registration for Professional Geologists:
bpg.ky.gov.
The Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) traces its roots back to 1838 and has been part of the University of Kentucky since 1948. Our mission is to support the sustainable prosperity of the Commonwealth, the vitality of its flagship university, and the welfare of its people.
We do this by conducting research and providing unbiased information about the geology and natural resources of Kentucky. We focus on issues relevant to the economic prosperity, environmental quality, and practical well-being of the Commonwealth and its people: the things that can make Kentucky a compelling place to live, work, and do business.
KGS provides technical support to several state agencies and organizations, as well as a host of local, county, and federal agencies. We also interact with stakeholders from a wide range of community, industry, environmental, and educational groups, and the KGS website provides free public access to our databases, digital map layers, and reports.
Learn moreThe Kentucky Geological Survey provides free public access to comprehensive databases, digital maps, and research reports through user-friendly interactive interfaces—no specialized software required.
Our Earth Analysis Research Library houses over 2,500 rock cores, 16,000 oil/gas well samples, 8,000 limestone samples, and 5,000 coal samples. The KGS Groundwater Data Repository contains information on over 92,000 water wells, 5,100 springs, and 58,000 water-quality analyses.
Additional databases document Kentucky's landslides, sinkholes, oil and gas wells, earthquakes, mines, and quarries—all supporting resource exploration, environmental protection, and engineering studies.
An interdisciplinary group of UK researchers at the University of Kentucky received a 2026 CURATE to advance a groundbreaking project that applies artificial intelligence to natural science archives.
Join us in June to discuss energy resources and related environmental projects in Kentucky and participate in hands-on workshops. The 2026 annual seminar will focus on Kentucky’s energy outlook, highlighting recent geoscience research in hydrogen, critical minerals, oil and gas, and environmental management.
Rachel Washburn, postdoctoral fellow with the Geohealth Team at the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) and Director of the CHAOS Lab (Center for geoHealth and Applied Omics Studies), recently visited Hidden River Cave and the American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA) to present new research findings generated directly from the cave system.
Woman displaced 10 months by back-to-back floods refuses to leave neighborhood as geological survey tests dewatering wells
More than 500 homes in Franklin County were invaded by the Kentucky River during historic flooding last April. But in some places, homes were also affected by land movement. At that time, it was a difficult task to tell someone they weren't allowed in their own home. But that’s what Autumn Goderwis, the planning director for Franklin County, had to do because of landslides.
