News
Wed, 07/29/2026
Kansas Geological Survey’s Paleocamp gives students hands-on lessons about fossils
The Kansas Geological Survey’s third annual Paleocamp attracted students from towns across Kansas for five days of hands-on activities focused on paleontology. The free, educational camp is offered to fourth- through sixth-grade students during spring break at the KGS headquarters in Lawrence. The camp started in 2023 and now has...
Mon, 05/11/2026
Airborne electromagnetic survey of Ogallala aquifer conditions planned in southwest Kansas
Beginning in late May and continuing until late July, residents of southwest Kansas may see a low-flying helicopter towing a large hexagonal frame. This aerial arrangement is part of a project to map groundwater conditions in the Ogallala aquifer in Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District (GMD) 3.
Mon, 04/20/2026
KU hydrologist receives Fulbright Scholar Award to research High Plains aquifer
Sam Zipper, an ecohydrologist at the Kansas Geological Survey and assistant professor at the University of Kansas, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Thu, 04/02/2026
Groundwater levels in the Kansas High Plains aquifer see first overall increase since 2019
Preliminary measurements by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) show an overall increase in 2025 groundwater levels across Kansas High Plains aquifer regions, due in part to periods of above-average rainfall. In south-central Kansas, water levels increased an average of nearly 2.5 feet — the highest since 2019.
Tue, 03/03/2026
KGS launches updated online database on Kansas oil and gas wells
The Kansas Geological Survey has launched an updated version of its online oil and gas wells database. This database tool allows users to view all available public information related to an oil and gas well in Kansas. ...
Mon, 01/05/2026
New publication analyzes energy value, chemistry of natural gas deposits in central, western Kansas
A new publication from the Kansas Geological Survey offers the most in-depth research to date into the origin and migration of natural gas sources in central and western Kansas. It also provides guidance for future energy research and development efforts.
Fri, 12/19/2025
KGS assistant scientist receives early career award
Kansas Geological Survey assistant scientist Sam Zipper is the recipient of this year's Hydrologic Sciences Early Career Award from the Hydrology Section of the American Geophysical Union. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to hydrology through research, education or societal impacts.
Wed, 12/17/2025
KGS, state agency to measure groundwater levels in western Kansas
A crew from the Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas, along with staff from three field offices of the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources will be in western Kansas to measure groundwater levels the first week of January 2026, weather permitting.
Thu, 12/04/2025
New elevation maps from KGS illustrate state’s varied topography
Two new maps from the Kansas Geological Survey tell the story of how geology and other natural features interact to form the unique and varied landscapes found across Kansas and offer a visual illustration that the state is not as flat as people believe.
Fri, 11/07/2025
KGS expands research, laboratory space for rock core, critical materials analysis
Industry executives, state policymakers and University of Kansas leadership joined the Kansas Geological Survey Nov. 6 for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting of the newly renovated Watney CORELAB, which includes a 5,500-square-foot expansion of the existing laboratory space.
Fri, 10/10/2025
KGS scientist to discuss research during Kansas Economic Policy Conference
KGS scientist Sam Zipper will discuss his work at Ripple Effect: Water and the Kansas Economy, a conference hosted by the University of Kansas Institute for Policy & Research.
Mon, 10/06/2025
Grant funding received in August, September
The KGS received awards totaling more than $2.2 million during August and September.
Fri, 10/03/2025
Critical Materials Crossroads team advances as finalist for NSF award of up to $160M over a decade
University of Kansas researchers join the University of Missouri-Kansas City in a collaboration named one of 15 finalists for the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines award.
Fri, 09/12/2025
Geologic map for Jewell County now available
The Kansas Geological Survey has released a new full-color geologic map of Jewell County, where an ancient inland sea left rocks rich in fossils, time and erosion created a striking landscape, and excavations reveal evidence of prehistoric people.
Fri, 08/15/2025
Water history exhibit grand opening at El Quartelejo Museum in Scott City
Using a variety of multimedia components, a collaborative exhibit that included the Kansas Geological Survey combines the scientific study of water and local history to show the story of water use in western Kansas.
Thu, 07/03/2025
Kansas Geological Survey receives donation from NextEra Energy Resources for continued research
A $10,000 donation to the Kansas Geological Survey is earmarked for the development of an experimental solar array in southwest Kansas.
Fri, 03/14/2025
From abandoned coal mines to war zones, Kansas Geological Survey technology reveals underground threats
A hazard detection program begun nearly 40 will enter a new era of artificial intelligence, neural networks, and machine learning, supported in part by a $15 million grant from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
Thu, 03/13/2025
Grant funding received in December, January
The Kansas Geological Survey received $260,990 in grant funding in December and January for projects related to regional stratigraphy, software development, the High Plains aquifer, and salt caverns in Kansas.
Tue, 03/11/2025
Distinguished Alumni Award
Evan Franseen, professor emeritus of geology at the University of Kansas and senior scientist emeritus at the Kansas Geological Survey, is the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Geosciences for “outstanding lifetime professional achievement and service to the University of Wisconsin-Madison." ...
Mon, 03/03/2025
New Kansas Geological Survey publication explores geology of eastern Kansas
The publication integrates data drawn from scientific observations and detailed oil and gas industry well logs to modernize understanding of the geology of eastern Kansas and create a framework to support identification and management of the state’s vital natural resources.
Mon, 02/24/2025
New article examines salt dissolution in western Kansas, eastern Colorado
A new article published in Midcontinent Geoscience, the peer-reviewed journal of the Kansas Geological Survey, examines salt dissolution in the Syracuse basin region in western Kansas and eastern Colorado.
Fri, 02/14/2025
Groundwater levels fall across western, south-central Kansas
Preliminary groundwater level measurements compiled by the Kansas Geological Survey show an overall decline of almost a foot across the High Plains aquifer region in western Kansas in 2024. All areas in western and south-central Kansas experienced declines in water levels.
Fri, 01/31/2025
KGS GRA elected secretary of American Geophysical Union education section
Sunday Siomades will manage the section’s communications team and pursue projects that connect science and society.
Thu, 12/19/2024
Grant funding received in October, November
The Kansas Geological Survey received $420,983 in grant funding in October and November for projects investigating sediment sources in the state’s reservoirs, technology to support state agencies, and water issues.
Tue, 12/17/2024
Kansas Geological Survey, state agency to measure groundwater levels in western Kansas
A crew from the Kansas Geological Survey and staff from the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources will be in western Kansas the first week of January as part of a joint project to monitor the health of the state's aquifers.
Mon, 12/16/2024
Anthropologists call for tracking and preservation of human artifacts on Mars
University of Kansas researcher Justin Holcomb argues physical artifacts of human Martian exploration deserve cataloging, preservation and care.
Thu, 12/12/2024
Kansas Geological Survey to expand drill core storage, analysis capabilities
Construction will begin next month on a 5,500-square-foot addition to the Kansas Geological Survey Drill Core Library in the West District of the University of Kansas Lawrence campus. The library preserves cores from 6,500 wells in Kansas for future study.
Mon, 11/18/2024
KGS editor receives geoscience writing, editing award
Julie Tollefson received the James H. Shea Award from the National Association of Geoscience Teachers in recognition of exceptional contributions in writing and editing of earth science material.
Mon, 11/11/2024
KU researchers help launch free course to promote safety, inclusion in fieldwork
University of Kansas scientists recently helped develop and launch a free online course that provides tools to promote safe and inclusive field environments. The course is geared toward anyone who participates in fieldwork, including researchers, field coordinators, technicians and students.
Wed, 10/30/2024
Kansas Geological Survey launches water quality assessment program
The Kansas Geological Survey has launched a new program to monitor groundwater quality statewide. The Aquifer Water Quality Assessment Program will sample more than 300 public water supply, irrigation and domestic wells.