The Kentucky Geological Survey now offers near real-time slope monitoring and weather data across Eastern Kentucky’s landslide-prone terrain. View live slope saturation and precipitation data from the monitoring station network, with charts showing current conditions and 14-day trends. This network is operated by the Kentucky Geological Survey Landslides Hazards and Engineering Team and funded through the EPSCOR CLIMBS program.
People People
Expert geologists, researchers, and support staff specializing in landslide monitoring, hydrogeology, mineral resources, and environmental geology.
Labs Labs
State-of-the-art research facilities providing geochemical analysis, materials testing, and hazard assessments for geological research and environmental monitoring across Kentucky.
Monitoring Monitoring
Real-time monitoring of groundwater, seismic activity, landslides, and environmental conditions to protect communities and infrastructure across Kentucky.
News & Events News & Events
Latest KGS research findings, field studies, publications, and community outreach helping Kentucky understand and prepare for geological hazards.
Kentucky Geological Survey
Understanding Earth's Resources for our Commonwealth
Who We Are
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.
Community & Education
Discover comprehensive geological educational resources tailored for K-16 educators and students.
Research & Labs
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.
Current Openings
Check out our current job opportunities and apply today.
Live Slope Hydrologic Monitoring Network
Connect with Us
The Big Blue Rock Pod
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.
Ask a Geologist
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.
Ask Our Experts
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.
How KGS Serves Our Kentucky Community
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 moreGateway to Kentucky's Earth Science Data
The 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.
Explore Data
KGS News and Announcements
KGS in the Media
WKYT
Kentucky landslide prediction project tracks soil, rainfall data in eastern counties
To better understand landslides, the Kentucky Geological Survey has installed monitoring stations across eastern Kentucky to measure soil and rainfall variables.
Kazakhstan Scientists Visit KGS Earth Analysis Research Library to Explore Critical Minerals Research
Scientists from Kazakhstan visited the Kentucky Geological Survey’s (KGS) Earth Analysis Research Library (EARL) as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the foundational professional exchange program of the U.S. government.
KGS to receive more than $168,000 from USGS to preserve and digitize historic maps
The Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) has been awarded $168,584 from the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP) to preserve and improve access to its historic geologic maps.
KGS in the Media
Kentucky Educational Television (KET)'s Kentucky Edition
KET Kentucky Edition segment - Slope Hydrologic Monitoring Network
KGS's Matt Crawford, Sarah Johnson, and Ryan Ramsey are interviewed by KET's Kentucky Edition about the EPSCoR CLIMBS Project 5 Slope Hydrologic Monitoring Network.
Kentucky Shark Week 2026 - Before the Bluegrass, There Were Sharks
Shark Week 2026: Though not common, many kinds of ancient shark and shark-relative teeth can be found in Kentucky in Mississippian and Pennsylvanian strata. More than just having a tooth-like shape, fossil teeth have textural details which allow them to be identified as teeth.
New Grant Supports AI Innovation in Scientific Archives at the University of Kentucky
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.