Geological research
Current research focus areas:
- characterizing and evaluating surface water and groundwater resources;
- producing detailed maps of aquifer systems;
- investigating conventional and unconventional sources of oil, gas, and coal and characterizing energy byproducts;
- investigating renewable and low-carbon energy technologies and models of carbon capture and storage;
- investigating industrial minerals critical to national infrastructure and technology;
- mapping the sedimentary sequence and structure of Indiana and the surrounding regions; and
- mapping the location and scale of natural hazards.
Frequently asked questions: Research
IGWS geologists study the geologic hazards and energy, mineral, and water resources of Indiana through applied, unbiased research.
Our research staff has expertise in stratigraphy, sedimentology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, structural geology, and energy resources.
The IGWS receives $2.51 million in state appropriation each year. This funding covers most of our salaries and operating budget.
We receive approximately $2 million in grant awards from federal and state organizations each year to support research, collections, and outreach projects. Current projects are funded by the U.S. Geological Survey, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Hoosier Environmental Council, and IU Research.
Publications created prior to 2019 are available for free download on IGWS Digital Collections.
All maps, reports, and articles published since 2019 are available for free download from our open-access journal, the Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences.
Field maps and maps published by the Indiana Geological and Water Survey prior to 2019 are available for free download on IGWS Digital Collections.
All maps, reports, and articles published since 2019 are available for free download from our open-access journal, the Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences.
The IGWS does not provide digital copies of maps that are held under another organization's copyright.
Geospatial data is available through a number of IGWS web applications and databases here. If you are having trouble finding a specific data set, please email us.
No, we do not visit field sites outside of IGWS research projects.
The IGWS does provide free evaluations of geological hazards and mineral resources for locations in Indiana through our online Environmental Assessment tool. Please fill out the Environmental Assessment form to receive an assessment.
If you are looking for a geologist to help with an environmental or personal property issue, we recommend contacting a geological consultant in your area.
We do not provide geophysical or geochemical testing to samples outside of IGWS research projects.
If you have a rock, mineral, or fossil from Indiana and would like it identified, please email us a description of the object, where it was found, and two to three well-lit, sharply focused photographs. Specimens cannot be identified over the phone. Please limit identification requests to no more than five objects per year.
Please note that the IGWS does not authenticate suspected meteorites.
The Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences (IJES) is an online, open-access serial publication of the Indiana Geological and Water Survey. IJES publishes peer-reviewed earth science research about Indiana and the surrounding region. We accept data sets, GIS layers, StoryMaps, technical notes, and research articles.
For more information, please visit the Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences.
The Indiana Geological and Water Survey’s vast collection of physical samples has been in temporary storage since 2018. Visitation is open by appointment only. Read more about our collections needs here.
Not quite! Although the IGWS has produced geological maps since 1839, new technologies allow us to produce new, more detailed maps of the state's natural resources and hazards each year. Additionally, changes in societal issues prompt citizens, lawmakers, land use planners, emergency responders, and businesses to ask questions that can be answered by new, relevant geologic maps.