Educational Series

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Educational Series 10. Geology of the Root River State Trail Area, Southeastern Minnesota
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1999) Mossler, John H.
The Root River State Trail is a paved walking, bicycling, and cross- country skiing trail in southeastern Minnesota that currently extends from the town of Fountain through Lanesboro to Rushford, and farther east towards Houston. It is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which operates a trail information center in Lanesboro. The Rushford Historical Society operates a trail rest area in Rushford. The trail is part of a planned network of trails throughout southeastern Minnesota, that will ultimately extend into Iowa and Wisconsin. This guide was developed for the Fountain to Rushford segment of the Root River State Trail, but the information will help you learn more about geologic features you see anywhere in southeastern Minnesota. The Root River State Trailtraverses the unique landscape of Minnesota's 'Historic Bluff Country,' and provides us with a birds-eye- view into the processes that have been forming the rocks and the land surfaces in this part of Minnesota during the past 500 million years. Flat- lying layers of limestone and dolostone form high bluffs above narrow river valleys, such as the Root River valley. The limestone uplands are intensively farmed, but many of the fields contain pits or depressions, called sinkholes, that surface water drains into. The sinkholes are usually overgrown with burr oak, stinging nettle, woodbine, and wild cherry. The Root River has eroded a steep-sided valley into the layers of limestone and dolostone. At the base of the cliffs, water that drained into the sinkholes on the uplands emerges as springs, having traveled through passageways in the limestone and dolostone. This booklet summarizes the history of the rocks that you see as you explore the Root River State Trail, and presents a field guide to features of geologic interest.
Educational Series 9. The Geology of Whitewater State Park
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1996) Runkel, Anthony C.
Many attractions of Whitewater State Park are related to its geology. The scenic bluffs, caves, and even the cold streams that support a thriving trout population are all related to a geologic history that spans hundreds of millions of years. You can understand the geology of Whitewater State Park even if you do not have a background in geology. You need only be familiar with the processes of erosion and deposition, and the geologic time scale. Erosion is the natural process whereby water and other agents break down rocks and soil and shape the land. It can be chemical, as when mildly acid water dissolves limestone, or mechanical, as when wind blows away the soil or rainwater washes it away. Deposition is the accumulation of particles into layers, or beds, as small grains are dropped by wind or settle in water to form sandstone, or as elements dissolved in water, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, precipitate to form limestone or dolomite.
Educational Series 8. Using Ground-Water Data for Water Planning
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1987) Olsen, Bruce M.; Mohring, Eric H.; Bloomgren, Patricia A.
Thoughtful and broad-based planning is the foundation for wise use and management of Minnesota's ground-water resources. Effective water planning must match a variety of resource questions with appropriate types of data. The ability to understand ground water is limited because ground water is an "unseen" resource. We must rely on information from single points, such as individual monitoring wells, to piece together the resource picture. Hundreds of thousands of single point observations about Minnesota's ground water have been generated by government and the private sector. These data must be arranged and maintained in storage and retrieval libraries if they are to be used efficiently to answer ground-water questions. Data, however, are merely the tools for decision-making; this cannot be overemphasized. Data arrangement showing ground-water conditions will affect how a water management question is perceived, as well as how accurately or completely it can be answered. Appropriately designed data bases are the best means to ensure that all available ground-water information is used to portray conditions realistically. This booklet is an introduction to the use of existing data systems and the integration and development of data management systems into water planning.
Educational Series 7. Geologic History of Minnesota Rivers
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1990) Wright, H.E. Jr
A glance at a glacial map of the Great Lakes region reveals that all of Minnesota was glaciated at some time, and all but the southeastern and southwestern corners were covered by the last ice sheet, which culminated about 20,000 years ago. Thus all the existing river courses in the state, except the Mississippi River below Hastings, are postglacial in origin. Older river courses were overridden by the ice sheet and buried by glacial deposits. During glaciation, meltwater streams were numerous-some of them flowed under the ice itself, and most of the valleys they cut were abandoned when the ice retreated. Further changes occurred during ice retreat, such as the formation of large glacial meltwater lakes immediately in front of the ice (proglacial lakes), which were drained by streams much larger than their postglacial successors. This account describes the nature of some of the preglacial, glacial, and postglacial rivers in Minnesota.
Educational Series 6. The Search for Oil and Gas in Minnesota
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1984) Morey, G.B.
The fossil fuels-coal, oil, and natural gas-are essential in Minnesota. We use much fuel just to keep warm in winter. Automobiles need gasoline. Trucks and tractors run on diesel fuel. Of the energy consumed in the state, almost 45 percent derives from oil, about 23 percent is natural gas, and roughly 22 percent is coal, about five-sixths of which is used to produce electricity. Nuclear energy, used to produce electricity, makes up the remaining 10 percent of the state's energy consumption. Aside from the unknown potential of the vast peatlands of northern Minnesota, the state has no fossil fuels of its own, and all must be imported from outside the state. The need was acute even during the early days of statehood, when the problem was compounded by the lack of a year-round, reliable transportation network. Aggressive exploration by private individuals for fuel deposits that could be used locally did lead to the discovery of several small coal and natural gas deposits before the turn of the century. None of them, unfortunately, proved to be of commercial importance. Most of the natural gas discoveries in Minnesota were accidental. Many were spectacular. A few were tragic. Not one was profitable as a commercial venture. But the incentives are strong, and the search continues. Today, after millions of dollars have been invested in hundreds of wells, and after 100 years of frustration, what have Minnesotans learned? Not nearly enough is the answer that this history would suggest.
Educational Series 5. Environmental Geology of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1971) Hogberg, R.K.
In recent years there has been growing concern about deterioration of the overall living environment of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Many private citizens and governmental groups are suggesting ways to alleviate this blight. However, few have recognized the substantial influence of geologic factors on the local environment. The overall interlocking, interdependent environmental system is literally built on a geologic framework. This booklet seeks to describe the present status of knowledge of the physical controls and restraints of the environmental system excluding the climate. These physical elements include the type of soil available for raising food and fiber and the materials through which surface and ground waters flow and into which we dispose our wastes. Geologic factors also bear heavily on the nature of the materials in, on, and from which we construct our buildings and other engineering works. Natural physical hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and floods are easily 0bserved geologic events. The mineral resources of the Twin Cities do not include economic deposits of gold, silver, or diamonds, nor is the landscape underlain by thick beds of coal or large pools of oil and gas. But beneath the hills, valleys, and lakes is an abundance of the rather mundane but important materials needed to support life and to build the needed facilities of the post-industrial age. Probably the most important of the Twin Cities' mineral resources is the plentiful supply of water. Also the rolling hills and gently sloping plains, the stream valleys, and the lake basins-the landscape -are important and unique natural resources, the base of our past, present, and future economic and cultural growth.
Educational Series 4. Guide to the Caves of Minnesota
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1967) Hogberg, R.K.; Bayer, T.N.
CAVES have fascinated man since he first used them for shelter some hundreds of thousands of years ago. They have been the subject of many legends and stories that were carried down by word of mouth from generation to generation. The ogres and other cave monsters of European folklore are well known, as are the stories of caves having bottomless pits, disappearing streams, clouds of bats, and unusual rock formations that puzzled yet intrigued the early settlers of the United States. Caves have been described in song and story. "Fingalls Cave Overture" by Felix Mendelssohn portrays the waves washing into a famous cave on one of Scotland's Hebrides Islands. Mark Twain in his popular "Adventures of Tom Sawyer" gave a vivid account of McDougal's cave in which Becky Thatcher and Tom were lost for three days. In the history of our country, caves provided shelter for the aborigines, dens for Spanish treasure in the early exploration period, temporary family shelters in the colonial period, sources of chemicals for fertilizer and explosives in the Revolutionary War, hiding places for escaped slaves in the Civil War, places to hide loot from stage coach holdups in the western frontier, and shelters for people and storage for valuable documents in the nuclear age. Many of the caves in the United States are well known because of their historical and legendary background. However, few people are aware that some of the Nation's most interesting caves are found in Minnesota. Names such as Devil's Den, Indian Treasure, and Horse Thief reflect the romance of these caves. Other fascinating names of Minnesota caves are listed in the Appendix. The majority of Minnesota' s caves occur in the southeastern part of the State --mostly in Fillmore and Olmsted counties (see back outside cover). This area is reached from the north and south by U. S. Highways 52 and 63, and from the east and west via U. S. Highways 14 and 16. Caves also occur in Blue Earth, Dodge, Houston, LeSueur, Mower, Nicollet, Wabasha, and Winona counties and in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Minnesota caves, as we find them today, are the result of some hundreds of millions of years of preparation by interacting earth processes. It is the purpose of this booklet to attempt to describe their natural history in the hope that the account will give the reader a richer and fuller understanding of these subterranean wonders.
Educational Series 3. Geologic Sketch of the Tower-Soudan State Park
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1966) Sims, P.K.; Morey, G.B.
Of the many state parks in Minnesota none is more appropriate than the Tower-Soudan State Park. Situated in the wooded highlands of the Lake Vermilion area, the park is within one of the State's most scenic areas and at the same time is a symbol to Minnesota's heritage -a monument to the vast iron ore resources that have been the backbone of the strength and wealth of the nation. The central feature of the park is the Soudan Iron Mine. This, the first iron mine in the State of Minnesota, was operated nearly continuously from its discovery in 1882 until 1962, when it was closed. Through its active life, the mine yielded a high-grade iron ore that brought premium prices in the iron ore market and provided employment for thousands of miners. Although the Soudan Mine was shut down because of the high cost of its operation and the reduced demand for its ore, in a sense its demise can be attributed to technological progress. Concurrently with the building of the large modern taconite plants, such as those on the Mesabi Range 20 miles to the south, the iron and steel industry has undergone revolutionary changes. The high-grade natural ores such as those from the Soudan Mine have been largely replaced by the marble-sized pellets of the taconite plants as the preferred feed for the steel furnaces. Steel men have found that through the use of pellets, production of the furnaces is greatly increased. As operation of the furnaces is the most costly of all the operations in steel making, it is little wonder that the demand today is for pellets rather than for the natural ores used in the past.
Educational Series 2. Guide to Mineral Collecting in Minnesota_Revision2
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1979) Rapp, G.R. Jr; Wallace, D.T.
Mineral collecting appeals to more than six million Americans. Rocks and minerals provide many clues to what we know about nature. Our knowledge of the age of the earth, the nature of prehistoric life, and the record of the great ice ages comes from what we can determine from the study of rock strata. This booklet is about rocks and minerals in Minnesota. It is intended for the general public, particularly for those individuals that are just awakening to or are renewing an earlier interest in rocks. We hope to point the beginner in a direction that will provide an interesting and rewarding hobby. To do this we offer some essential background on rocks and minerals and a detailed guide to many of Minnesota's more attractive rock and mineral specimens.
Educational Series 2. Guide to Mineral Collecting in Minnesota_Revised
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1974) Rapp, G.R. Jr; Wallace, D.T.
Mineral collecting appeals to more than six million Americans. Rocks and minerals provide many clues to what we know about nature. Our knowledge of the age of the earth, the nature of prehistoric life, and the record of the great ice ages comes from what we can determine from the study of rock strata. This booklet is about rocks and minerals in Minnesota. It is intended for the general public, particularly for those individuals that are just awakening to or are renewing an earlier interest in rocks. We hope to point the beginner in a direction that will provide an interesting and rewarding hobby. To do this we offer some essential background on rocks and minerals and a detailed guide to many of Minnesota's more attractive rock and mineral specimens.
Educational Series 2. Guide to Mineral Collecting in Minnesota
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1966) Rapp, G.R. Jr; Wallace, D.T.
Mineral collecting is a hobby that appeals to more than six million Americans. Rocks and minerals provide many of the clues to what we know about nature. Our knowledge of the age of the earth, the nature of prehistoric life, and the record of the great ice ages comes from what we can determine from the study of rock strata. This booklet is about the rocks and minerals found in Minnesota. It is intended for the general public, particularly for those individuals that are just awakening to or are renewing an earlier interest in rocks. We hope to point the beginner in a direction that will provide an interesting and rewarding hobby. To do this we offer some essential background on rocks and minerals and a detailed guide to many of Minnesota's more attractive rock and mineral specimens.
Educational Series 1. Guide to Fossil Collecting in Minnesota_Revised
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1967) Hogberg, R.K.; Sloan, R.E.; Tufford, Sarah
FOSSILS tell us what life was like on earth in ancient geologic time. A fossil clam, for example, lived on a sea bottom much as its modern relatives do. By finding many fossil clams, we can determine the extent of a prehistoric sea. Fossils also indicate the climates of the geologic past. Fossils show us that life on earth has not always been the same. In fact primitive algae and bacteria have given rise to reptiles, mammals, and finally to man. Fossils aid geologists in finding oil and other mineral deposits.
Educational Series 1. Guide to Fossil Collecting in Minnesota
(Minnesota Geological Survey, 1965) Tufford, Sarah; Hogberg, Rudolph
FOSSILS tell us what life was like on earth in ancient geologic time. A fossil clam, for example, lived on a sea bottom much as its modern relatives do. By finding many fossil clams, we can determine the extent of a prehistoric sea. Fossils also indicate the climates of the geologic past. Fossils show us that life on earth has not always been the same. In fact primitive algae and bacteria have given rise to reptiles, mammals, and finally to man. Fossils aid geologists in finding oil and other mineral deposits.