WSGS News Releases

2021 News Releases

WSGS Study Examines Critical Minerals in Heavy-Mineral Sandstone
July 20 — The WSGS published a new study examining the mineralogy and geochemistry of a heavy-mineral sandstone deposit in southwestern Wyoming.

WSGS Releases the 2021 Version of the Interactive Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming
July 8 —The WSGS 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 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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

2020 News Releases

WSGS Publishes Study on Groundwater Salinity in Greater Green River Basin
December 14 —This report is a continuation of a series that considers groundwater salinity, which is one method to determine the quality of water for various uses.

Geology of Wyoming Postcard
November 3 —The new postcard is available online and at the WSGS office on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie.

The WSGS Completes Major Update to Online Grounwater Atlas of Wyoming
October 26 —The map offers groundwater datasets from public sources and WSGS products.

Residents Encouraged to Practice Earthquake Preparedness in Upcoming ShakeOut Drill
October 1 —The WSGS is encouraging residents to participate in the annual Great Wyoming ShakeOut drill on Oct. 15.

WSGS Offers Earth Science Week Toolkits
September 23 —The WSGS is once again offering complimentary toolkits to science classrooms across the state in celebration of Earth Science Week 2020.

WSGS Publishes Study of Upper Cretaceous Stratigraphy of PRB
August 17 —A new study from the WSGS aims to better understand the Upper Cretaceous stratigraphy of the basin’s unconventional tight oil and gas reservoirs, their source rocks, and intervening formations.

WSGS Releases Reanalyzed NURE Geochemical Data
June 29 —The WSGS released geochemical data, as Open File Report 2020-7, from a reanalysis of archived stream-sediment samples originally collected under a federal uranium exploration program.

WSGS Publishes Report on Groundwater Salinity in Wyoming
June 4 —The WSGS published a report that examines the salinity of groundwaters that occur throughout Wyoming.

WSGS Launches Interactive Map Detailing the Geology of Yellowstone
May 28 —The WSGS released an interactive map that will provide an opportunity to view datasets relating to the geology of Yellowstone National Park.

WSGS Publishes New Geologic Maps
May 13 — The WSGS released five new geological maps of areas in southwestern and northwestern Wyoming.

WSGS Releases New Bedrock Map of Chugwater Quadrangle
April 21 — WSGS published a new geologic bedrock map of areas covering several counties in southeastern Wyoming and western Nebraska.

WSGS Publishes Buffalo Bill State Park Pamphlet
March 12 — Buffalo Bill State Park is the latest spotlighted in a series of information pamphlets about geology in Wyoming’s state parks.

The WSGS Releases Annual Summary Reports
January 16 — The reports highlight Wyoming's energy industry during the last couple of years.

New Information Pamphlet about Glendo State Park is Available
January 8 — The pamphlet describes geology in Glendo State Park in eastern Wyoming.

2019 News Releases

WSGS Studies Groundwater Resources in Wyoming
December 3 — The study details groundwater resources in the Powder/Tongue/Northeast River Basins.

WSGS Publishes Information Pamphlet about Edness K. Wilkins State Park in Central Wyoming
October 24 — Pamphlet describes geology in Edness K. Wilkins State Park.

WSGS Publishes Information Pamphlet about Bear River State Park in Southwestern Wyoming
October 16 — Pamphlet describes geology in Bear River State Park.

Earth Science Week Celebration is Oct. 19
October 7 — Event celebrates how geology connects to everyday life, past and present.

New Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming Published
September 26 — The WSGS releases updated map of oil and natural gas resources in Wyoming.

Earth Science Week Toolkits Now Available
September 9 — The WSGS offers 50 complimentary Earth Science Week toolkits to Wyoming teachers.

New Information Pamphlet About Keyhole State Park's Geology
July 23 — The WSGS publishes new information pamphlet highlighting geology in Keyhole State Park.

New Report About Gas Hills Uranium Mining District
July 18 — The WSGS publishes new report focused on geology and history of Wyoming's top-producing uranium mining district.

New Geologic Maps Published under STATEMAP Program
June 1 — The WSGS releases new maps of Garden Gulch and Horatio Rock quadrangles.

New Wells Boost State Oil Production to Highest Level in 25 Years
June 4 — The WSGS updates Interactive Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming.

Results of WSGS Landslide Susceptibility Study Available as Map or Interactive Layer on Online Hazards Map
May 30 — The WSGS publishes statewide landslide susceptibility map.

Update Made to Expansive Soils Layer on Online Geologic Hazards Map
May 14 — The WSGS updates statewide expansive soils layer on interactive geologic hazards map.

New Information Pamphlet Shares Geology in Guernsey State Park
April 30 — The WSGS publishes information pamphlet about geology Guernsey State Park.

New Tool to Evaluate Wyoming's Mineral Resources
April 23 — The WSGS creates model that evaluates Wyoming's mineral resources.

Teton Fault Map now Available
April 3 — The WSGS publishes new map of Teton fault in northwestern Wyoming.

WSGS Investigates Influences on Production in Powder River Basin
March 6 — The WSGS publishes study about oil and natural gas production in the Wall Creek and Turner reservoirs in the southern Powder River Basin, Wyoming.

Report About Coal Resources in South-Central Wyoming Now Available
February 12 — The WSGS publishes study about coal resources in the Great Divide and Washakie basins.

Wyoming Geologic Hazards Map
January 10 — The WSGS develops online interactive map of geologic hazards in Wyoming.

New Summary Reports Available
January 3 — The WSGS publishes three summary reports about Wyoming's oil, natural gas, and coal resources; critical minerals; and geologic hazards.

2018 News Releases

New Pamphlet about Seminoe State Park's Geology
October 16 — The WSGS publishes information pamphlet about Seminoe State Park's geology.

'Wyoming ROCKS! The Art of our Geology' Event Happening Oct. 13
September 27 — The WSGS and University of Wyoming Geological Museum are cohosting the event in celebration of Earth Science Week.

Rare Fossil on Display at Wyoming State Geological Survey
September 18 — The WSGS is hosting an open house for the rare mammal fossil discovered near Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Earth Science Week Toolkits Available
August 23 — The WSGS is offering Earth Science Week toolkits to 50 junior high classrooms in Wyoming.

Mines and Minerals Map of Wyoming
August 7 — The WSGS launches online interactive Mines and Minerals Map of Wyoming.

New Pamphlet about Curt Gowdy State Park's Geology
July 20 — The WSGS publishes information pamphlet about Curt Gowdy State Park's geology.

Two New Maps Now Available
June 20 — The WSGS publishes geologic maps of the Gas Hills and Albany quadrangles.

Online Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming is Updated
June 18 — The WSGS completes another update to its online Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming, the second since the map launched nearly two years ago.

New Study on Groundwater Salinity in the Powder River Basin
May 22 — The WSGS publishes a report on groundwater salinity in the Powder River Basin.

Rare Mammal Fossil Discovered in Wyoming
April 27 — A fossil discovered near Kemmerer, Wyoming, may be the first of its kind and is the largest mammal found to date in the 50-million-year-old Green River Formation.

2017 News Releases

Evaluation of Selected Wyoming Silica Sand Deposits as Potential Sources of Proppant: WSGS RI-75
December 19 — The WSGS publishes a report on various silica sand deposits in Wyoming.

New Upper Cretaceous Stratigraphic Correlation Chart for Wyoming now Available
October 16 — The WSGS publishes Upper Cretaceous Stratigraphic Correlation Chart for Wyoming, which is a new tool for onling studies of unconventional reservoirs.

Earth Science Week Event Happening Oct. 14
October 2 — The WSGS and UW Geological Survey are hosting an event, "Wyoming ROCKS! To the Moon and Back," Oct. 14 in celebration of Earth Science Week.

3 New Geologic Maps Now Available
September 29 — The WSGS publishes 3 new geologic maps of areas in Carbon and Fremont counties as part of its StateMap program.

Earth Science Week Toolkits now Available
September 13 — The WSGS is now offering Earth Science Week toolkits to Wyoming junior high science teachers.

New WSGS study on Codell Sandstone oil production trends in Laramie County, Wyoming
May 8 — WSGS publishes preliminary study on Codell Sandstone oil production in northern Denver Basin of Laramie County, Wyoming.

First Update Made to Online Oil and Gas Map
April 20 — WSGS completes first update to online Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming since its launch in July.

New Goundwater Atlas of Wyoming Now Available
March 21 — The WSGS launches online Goundwater Atlas of Wyoming that brings together groundwater information from several agencies.

New WSGS Report on Groundwater Level Changes in the Powder River Basin
March 7 — The study examines groundwater level responses in sandstone aquifers associated with coalbed natural gas production in the Powder River Basin.

How Knightia Became the Wyoming State Fossil
February 16 — The story behind how Knightia became the official state fossil 30 years ago as recalled by teacher involved in the effort.

Fossil Fish Festival is Feb. 18
February 6 — The Fossil Fish Festival is in celebration of Knightia, the extinct fossil fish that has served as Wyoming's State Fossil for 30 years.

Jade Display in Honor of 50 Years as Wyoming State Gemstone
January 12 — More than 50 pieces of jade on display at WSGS in honor of 50 years as Wyoming's state gemstone.

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