Kentucky Geology

Kentucky has a rich and varied geologic history. Explore our resources and information on rock types, natural resources, fossils, geologic hazards, and more.

Getting Started

Educational Resources

K–12 earth science materials, classroom resources, and geology outreach programs.

General Geology of Kentucky

An overview of Kentucky's geologic history, rock units, and regional geology.

Fact Sheets

Informational fact sheets about Kentucky geology, natural resources, and geologic hazards.

Geologic Maps

Access to digital geologic maps, GIS data, and mapping resources for Kentucky.

Natural Resources & Economic Geology

Coal

Coal geology, stratigraphy, reserves, and production data for the Commonwealth.

Oil & Natural Gas

Oil and gas geology, well data, production history, and field information.

Mineral Resources

Industrial minerals, limestone, sand and gravel, and other non-fuel mineral resources.

Fossils, Rocks & Natural Features

Fossils

Kentucky's fossil record, common fossil types, and where to find them.

Rocks & Minerals

Identification guides, rock types found in Kentucky, and collecting resources.

Natural Arches

A catalog of Kentucky's natural rock arches and their geologic origins.

Geologic Hazards

Earthquakes

Seismic hazards, earthquake history, and monitoring in Kentucky and the region.

Karst & Sinkholes

Karst topography, sinkhole formation, groundwater, and cave geology.

Landslides

Landslide inventory, susceptibility mapping, and engineering geology research.

Radon

Indoor radon potential mapping, health risks, and how to get a free test kit.