2022 News Releases
Earth Science Week Toolkits Now Available
September 29 — The 2022 Earth Science Week toolkits are available to Wyoming teachers are on first come, first served basis.
The WSGS Publishes Map of Wyoming's Precambrian Basement
August 10 — A new map depicts the structural configuration of the Precambrian basement in Wyoming.
The WSGS Publishes Map of Oil Mountain Quadrangle
June 28 — A new map depicts the bedrock geology of the Oil Mountain quadrangle.
The WSGS Publishes Map of East Half of Jackson Lake Quadrangle
June 8 — A new map depicts the surficial geology of the east half of the Jackson Lake quadrangle.
New Interactive Map Features Wyoming's Geothermal Data
May 31 — A new online map created by the Wyoming State Geological Survey makes it easier to research geothermal groundwater systems, such as hot springs, and other geothermal data for the state.
The WSGS Updates Groundwater Atlas of Wyoming
April 20 — The Wyoming State Geological Survey updated its online Groundwater Atlas of Wyoming that now includes datasets involving oil and gas field water production and injection.
The WSGS Publishes Study about Groundwater Salinity in Wind River and Bighorn Basins
April 12 — The Wyoming State Geological Survey published the final study in a series that examines water quality in selected Wyoming energy-producing basins.
The WSGS Launches Web Map Showcasing Roadside Geology to see when Traveling to Yellowstone National Park
March 31 — In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park, the Wyoming State Geological Survey developed an interactive web map showcasing some of the roadside geology along different routes throughout the state on the way to Yellowstone.
The WSGS Publishes Report on Groundwater Level Changes due to CBNG Production in the Powder River Basin
January 24 — A new study by the Wyoming State Geological Survey examines groundwater level responses in the Tertiary sandstone aquifers associated with coalbed natural gas production in the Powder River Basin.
The WSGS Releases 2021 Summaries of Wyoming's Oil, Natural Gas, and Critical Mineral Resources
January 11 — The Wyoming State Geological Survey released two reports that provide brief status updates on recent and future developments in the state’s hydrocarbon and mineral industries.
The WSGS Studies Chemistry of Kemmerer Coals to Expand Available Data for Understanding Critical Minerals in Wyoming
January 6 — The Wyoming State Geological Survey released a new report on the geochemistry of samples from the Kemmerer coal field. Open File Report 2022-1, by Kelsey Kehoe, Garrett Gay, and Janet Dewey, is part of a statewide effort by the WSGS to study potential occurrences of critical and economic minerals in Wyoming.
2021 News Releases
WSGS Publication Receives National Award
December 2 — The Wyoming State Geological Survey has received the Association of American State Geologists’ 2021 Charles J. Mankin Memorial Award for their publication titled “Upper Cretaceous Strata in the Powder River Basin: Formation Tops Database, Structure and Thickness Contour Maps, and Associated Well Data”.
The WSGS Publishes 2 New Geologic Maps from the Central Laramie Mountains
November 4 — The Wyoming State Geological Survey published bedrock geologic maps of the Poe Mountain and Guide Rock 1:24,000-scale quadrangles, located in the Laramie Mountains in southeast Wyoming.
Drop, Cover, and Hold On!
October 18 — The Wyoming Office of Homeland Security and the WSGS are encouraging residents to participate in the upcoming Great Wyoming ShakeOut.
Earth Science Week 2021 Toolkits Now Available
October 12 — Toolkits are provided by the American Geosciences Institute.
Earth Science Week 2021 is Oct. 10–16.
October 5 — In place of the annual Wyoming ROCKS! event celebrating Earth Science Week in October, the Wyoming State Geological Survey, University of Wyoming Geological Museum, and Science Kitchen partnered to offer Water Science Boxes to Wyoming students.
The WSGS Study Examines Critical Minerals in Heavy-Mineral Sandstone
July 20 — The Wyoming State Geological Survey published a new study examining the mineralogy and geochemistry of a heavy-mineral sandstone deposit in southwestern Wyoming.
The WSGS Releases the 2021 Version of the Interactive Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming
July 8 —The Wyoming State Geological Survey has released updated editions of the map every 5 to 10 years, illustrating the growth of and changes to one of the state’s most important industries.
New Geologic Maps Published Under STATEMAP Program
June 15 —Richards Gap, West Half of Jackson Lake, Goat Mountain, and Rock River quadrangles are published.
Fossil Fish Festival Kits Available to Wyoming Students
May 11 —Kits containing educational activities about Wyoming fossil fish are available complimentary to students across the state.
The WSGS Publishes Oil and Natural Gas Study of the Greater Green River Basin's Subsurface Geology
April 29 —The study establishes a baseline dataset for the stratigraphy and geometry of potential unconventional reservoirs.
The WSGS Publishes Hot Springs State Park Pamphlet
March 18 —Hot Springs State Park is known for world-famous mineral hot springs, travertine deposits and "red beds."
The WSGS Publishes Boysen State Park Pamphlet
January 28 —Boysen State Park is the latest spotlighted in a series of information pamphlets about geology in Wyoming’s state parks.
The WSGS Releases 2020 Snapshot of Wyoming's Oil & Gas Resources
January 19 —The latest Oil and Natural Gas Resources of Wyoming report outlines the significant events that occurred in Wyoming’s oil and natural gas industry during 2020.
2016 News Releases
Statewide Groundwater Study
December 1 — The WSGS develops model to estimate groundwater baseflow, publishes results.
Earth Science Day Celebration Happening Oct. 15
October 3 — The WSGS and UW Geological Museum will celebrate earth sciences with event Oct. 15.
5 New Geologic Maps Available
September 23 — The WSGS publishes 5 new geologic maps of quadrangles in Natrona, Carbon, Sublette, Lincoln, Teton, and Fremont Counties.
Earth Science Week Toolkits now Available
September 6 — The WSGS is now offering Earth Science Week toolkits to Wyoming junior high science teachers.
Uranium Public Information Circular
August 24 — The WSGS publishes public information circular on uranium.
2016 Oil & Gas Map of Wyoming
August 15 — The WSGS publishes updated Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming.
Stratigraphy and Hydrocarbon Potential of Lance and Fort Union Formations in South-Central Wyoming
August 10 — The WSGS publishes a report on stratigraphy and hydrocarbon potential of formations in south-central Wyoming.
Zeolite Resources in Wyoming
July 18 — The WSGS publishes a report on zeolite resources in Wyoming.
Interactive Oil & Gas Map
July 6 — The WSGS now offers an online, interactive oil and gas map.
Rare Earth Elements Report
June 30 — The WSGS recently published a report on rare earth elements.
Groundwater Salinity in the Denver-Julesburg Basin
April 27 — The WSGS recently published a report on groundwater salinity in the Denver-Julesburg (D-J) Basin of southeastern Wyoming.
Sinkholes and Karst Features in the Southern Laramie Basin
April 11 — The WSGS recently published a report on the occurrence of sinkholes and other evaporite related karst features in the southern Laramie Basin, including in and around the city of Laramie.
Wyoming’s Potential Lithium Resources
Feb. 5 — The WSGS recently published a report on Wyoming’s lithium (Li) resources, an important mineral used in the production of rechargeable batteries, aluminum, cement, glass and ceramics.
2015 News Releases
Wyoming Phosphate Rock Shows Potential for Mining
Nov. 23 — Wyoming hosts numerous occurrences of phosphate rock, which is a natural resource crucial to global food security, according to a new report published by the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS).
New Wyoming Guide Explores Culture Through a Geology Lens
Oct. 29 — From the Oregon Trail to Paleo-Indian red ochre mines, Wyoming has many sites where culture and geology merge and stories unfold. The Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) has released a new “intelligent travel” program, which includes a free driving map, videos, and interactive website.
New Geologic Maps Illustrate Investigations of Energy Resources and Geologic Hazards
Oct. 22 — The Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) has published three new geologic maps under its StateMap program. These maps are based on extensive fieldwork and focused on the geology related to energy resources and geologic hazards in Wyoming.
Wyoming Earth Science Week Includes Passport to Learning
Oct. 1 — “Visualizing Earth Systems,” this year’s theme for Wyoming Earth Science Week, Oct. 10-16, explores what it means to see our planet through eyes informed by the geosciences.
New Geologic Signage Installed Off Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Sept. 3 — The public now has the opportunity to learn about the geology of the Medicine Bow Mountains while driving along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway in Albany County, Wyoming. Two new interpretive signs were recently designed by the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) and installed at prominent lookout points along the byway, thanks to a cooperative effort between the agency and the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests.
WSGS Publishes Report on Wyoming’s Potential Iron Deposits
Aug. 27— The Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) recently published a report on Wyoming’s iron (Fe) resources, an important mineral used in the production of steel. Previous iron mining efforts have contributed to Wyoming’s economy, with the potential for the state to once again become an iron-producing state, given the right conditions (iron prices, global demand, etc.).
WSGS Releases Geologic Study on the Great Divide Basin
July 29— New research on the Lance and Fort Union formations has allowed geologists to better define the extent of the coal-bearing strata and potential natural gas reservoir rock in the Great Divide Basin of Wyoming, according to a recent study by the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS).
WSGS Publishes Maps Under Legacy Program
April 9— The Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) has launched Wyoming Legacy Maps, a program for the release of newly published maps based on the agency’s past geologic mapping efforts.
WSGS Publishes Report on Groundwater Recovery from Coalbed Natural Gas Development
Feb. 27— A new Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) study found that recovery of groundwater after coalbed natural gas development
is related to the hydrologic properties of an aquifer and the amount of water pumped out of a coalbed during peak production. The WSGS
study examined the Upper Wyodak coal zone of the Powder River Basin in Wyoming.
WSGS Energy Reports Discuss External Impacts to Production
Feb. 13— Wyoming is well known as one of the nation’s top energy producing states, but this notoriety can come at a price when it comes to volatility in energy markets and other factors, which can then have an affect on production and state revenues.
Famed geologist Dick Jones dies at 67
Jan. 30—For some people, the simplest measure of a meaningful life is their work. This is true for Richard W. Jones, retired coal geologist and editor of the Wyoming State Geological Survey, who died at the age of 67.
2014 News Releases
Jan. 21, 2014—WSGS Releases CBNG Groundwater Monitoring Report Update
Feb. 26, 2014—Wyoming’s Geologic Wonderland Provides Energy for the Nation
April 23, 2014—Platte and Bear River Groundwater Resources Boosted by Record Snowpack
May 19, 2014—Cook Lake Recreational Area/Black Hills National Forest Closed for Public Safety
May 20, 2014—WSGS Launches New Energy Resources Website
July 21, 2014—WSGS Study Shows Snake and Salt Rivers Are Healthy
Aug. 7, 2014—WSGS Releases Geologic Map of the State
Sept. 22, 2014—WSGS Releases Study on Potential Link Between Injection Wells and Earthquakes
Sept. 30, 2014—WSGS Publishes Three New Geologic Maps
Oct. 9, 2014—WSGS Provides Classroom Lessons for Wyoming Earth Science Week
Oct. 13, 2014—WSGS Publishes Field Guide to Some of the World's Best Ancient Stromatolites
Dec. 29, 2014—WSGS Releases CBNG Groundwater Monitoring Report Update