Alabama Geology

Do you have an interest in critical minerals? If so, please register for the Alabama Critical Minerals Symposium on February 2, 2024. Hosted by The University of Alabama’s Department of Geological Sciences and the Geological Survey of Alabama. tinyurl.com/minerals2024.

A one-day hands-on socially distanced field workshop for teachers on paleoecology and paleoenvironments of Cretaceous chalk. In west Alabama, October 12 2021, $28 registration. Download registration form here: gsa.state.al.us or email dkm@gsa.state.al.us for more info.

A new GSA publication and map: Geology of the Glencoe 7.5 Minute Quadrangle, Etowah and Calhoun Counties, Alabama, Quadrangle Series 72. For a copy of this publication (price, $15.00), please contact the GSA Publications office at publications@gsa.state.al.us, 205-247-3636.

There was an 2.3 magnitude earthquake in Colbert County last night. The seismic station PWLA at Pickwick Lake recorded the event (lower left, black spike).

Announcement letter.

Announcing a new GSA publication: "Biological and Habitat Conditions in the Sipsey River Watershed, Alabama, 2011 to 2013," Circular 205. For more information or to purchase this publication, contact the GSA Publications office at 205-247-3636, publications@gsa.state.al.us.

Announcement letter.

Announcing a new GSA publication: "An Illustrated History of the Original Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway, Alabama," Information Series 84. For more information or to purchase this publication, contact the GSA Publications office at 205-247-3636, publications@gsa.state.al.us.

The 6.4 magnitude Puerto Rico earthquake this morning as recorded by the Grady, Alabama, seismic station. The main shock is the red signature near "8:15" on the right side, and it continues as blue on the left.

A small 2.0 magnitude earthquake occurred yesterday in south Marion County, AL. It was recorded by the Z47B seismic station and can be seen on the helicorder below as the black spikey signature near 14:00 in the upper left.

Did you know reindeer once lived in Alabama? A late Pleistocene fossil of the reindeer Rangifer tarandus, found in Colbert County, is one of the southern-most records of reindeer in North America. Photo: Foot bone, R. tarandus, MSC 6652; McWane Science Center, Birmingham.

This week in 1972, Alabama's largest sinkhole opened in Shelby Co. Known as the "December Giant," it measured ~325 feet long, 300 feet wide and 120 feet deep. The sinkhole formed in the Knox dolomite, a geologic unit known for its sinkholes. Read more at #sinkholesAlabama" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">gsa.state.al.us/gsa/geologic/h….

Thanksgiving fact: Pleistocene fossils of the wild turkey Meleagris gallopavo were excavated from a Colbert County cave in the 1980s. Below is one of the specimens: Distal end of a right tibiotarsus, RMM 3950; photography courtesy of McWane Science Center, Birmingham, AL.

GSA will be closed Monday, Nov. 11th, for Veteran's Day.

There was a small 2.1 magnitude earthquake in Greene County early this morning. It was recorded by the seismic station Z47B in Carrollton, Alabama (see small red signature in the upper right of the seismic record).

Interactive maps are a great way to explore geology in your area. Check out this one (ngmdb.usgs.gov/maps/MapView/) with geology of states, counties, and more -- compiled by the USGS and American Assoc. of State Geologists. *Requires Flash Player.* #EarthScienceWeek #GeologicMapDay

Through USGS's STATEMAP program, GSA has completed over fifty 1:24,000-scale geologic maps, and many more are in progress. The maps with their information booklets are available as hard copies for purchase, or as pdfs for download at gsa.state.al.us/gsa/geologic/m…. #EarthScienceWeek

Today is Geologic Map Day - one of the focus days of Earth Science Week. Geologic mapping is very important in what GSA does and provides a picture of the distribution of geologic resources, structures, hazards, and aquifers across the state. #EarthScienceWeek #GeologicMapDay

Today is "Geoscience for Everyone Day," part of Earth Science Week. Read more on this and explore some of the great organizations showcasing the large diversity of geoscientists in the discipline - earthsciweek.org/geoscience-eve… #EarthScienceWeek

Complete the Seven Steps to Earthquake Preparedness and Safety. earthquakecountry.org/prepare/