Michigan Geological Survey

10/08/2026

MGS geologists Eric and Augustine were back in Tuscola County recently to study exposed layers of sand, gravel, and clay. These layers were deposited thousands of years ago as ice age glaciers retreated from the Thumb of Michigan. Understanding the depositional environment of these layers helps guide our interpretation of the glacial history of Tuscola County, Michigan, and the Great Lakes region as a whole.

10/07/2026

Thank you, AVB!

10/02/2026

Check out our Michigan Rockhounding Map and GeoFinds Reporting Tool!
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/165ac3569c6d4c8794b27f7355a33323/page/Michigan-Rockhounding

Looking for a new place to rockhound in Michigan—or curious about what you might find there? The Michigan Rockhounding Map helps users locate rockhounding areas, review potential finds, and explore where specific rocks and minerals occur across the state.

Found something interesting while out rockhounding? Use the GeoFinds Reporting Tool to document and share your discovery. Submit a photo, location information, and a short description of your find—whether it is a Lake Superior agate, Petoskey stone, fossil coral, copper mineral, glacial erratic, or something you have not yet identified.

Each submission helps build a community-driven record of the rocks, minerals, fossils, and other geological materials people are finding across Michigan. It is a way to share discoveries, support public interest in Michigan geology, and help fellow rockhounds learn what may be found in different parts of the state.

Use the map to plan your next outing, collect only where permitted, respect private property and local rules, and share your GeoFinds afterward.

Find a place to explore. See what may be there. Share what you discover.

10/01/2026

Come see us in Coloma!

New month, new events at your library for all ages!

For adults (ages 18+), we have the Make Your Own Haunted House event this Saturday at 10:30 a.m., a special “Forest Legend, The Tale of Ol’ Split Toe” Author Talk with Dan Ellens next Saturday, Oct. 10th, and our big Book Sale on Saturday, Oct. 24th from 9-2.

For our youngest patrons and their families, Storytimes (ages 2-5) continue every Tuesday @10:30 a.m. and Tiny Tales (infants through 18 months old) every Thursday @10:30 a.m. Special storytimes this month include a Ballet Storytime with Guest Dancers from Fusion! next week at the library, an off-site Storytime at Remi's Wildlife Retreat on Oct. 13th, and our annual costumed Halloween Storytime on Oct. 27th.

Our first Books to Builds monthly program is next Wed., Oct. 7th, and Homeschool Club at the Library with guest educators Chikaming Open Lands on Monday, Oct. 12th. We'll also have the kickoff of LEGO Club at the Library every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, and a special "Little Geologists" program with Lisa Wininger of Michigan Geological Survey and the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education on Sat., Oct. 17th.

For teens, we have a Teen Minecraft Server Launch Party on Thursday, Oct. 22 starting at 4:30 p.m. (bring your own device). More info to come!

Questions about any of our programs? Reach out to us here, email [email protected], or call us at 269-468-3431.

09/29/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the MGS/WMU PFAS Symposium on Friday! We had a great turn out in person and virtually to listen to our expert panel discussion and watch presentations on a variety of PFAS research being conducted at Western Michigan University.

09/28/2026

I don't think we could have asked for better drilling weather last week in Howard City! Nate, Garrett, and the ISGS Drill Team are working hard on the Montcalm County Statemap Grant: confirming map units, and finding lots and lots of sand!

09/21/2026

It's Michigan PFAS Awareness Week! There is still time to register for our FREE VIRTUAL PFAS Symposium.

Our southwest Michigan event along with others across the state will bring together researchers, practitioners, and community members to explore current PFAS research, resources, and response efforts.

The symposium will feature:
• Free Registration
• Expert panel discussion & presentations.
• WMU research showcase and resource tables.
• In-person and virtual attendance options.
• Lunch provided by MGS/WMU

Learn more: https://buff.ly/O0ikMje

Register Here for Virtual or In-Person Attendance: https://buff.ly/dK7Q8S7

09/18/2026

This week, Matt and Sam carried out field verification for map features of interest in Arenac County. Thanks to some extra good luck 🍀 and the welcoming local residents, clarifying mapping information was gathered through soil, subsurface, and bedrock observation.

The Bayport Limestone outcrop pictured shows evidence of historic mining in this former 1940s quarry site, which has now been repurposed as a golf course!

Chert nodules and calcite crystals visible in this outcrop have been previously observed variably in the Bayport, and they can be seen weathering out of the surrounding rock due to their round, lumpy shapes.

09/09/2026

Free registration, in-person or online!

Sign up today, and check out the event schedule on our website.
https://mgs.wmich.edu/education-and-outreach/community-and-state-outreach/mgs-wmu-pfas-symposium/

Join the Michigan Geological Survey (MGS) and Western Michigan University (WMU) for PFAS Awareness Week at the 2026 MGS/WMU PFAS Symposium. The event will bring together researchers, practitioners, and community members to explore current PFAS research, resources, and response efforts.
To learn more information or register for in-person or virtual attendance check out our site: https://mgs.wmich.edu/education-and-outreach/community-and-state-outreach/mgs-wmu-pfas-symposium/

09/07/2026

Michigan Beneath Your Feet