About the Maryland Geological Survey

Since the Maryland Geological Survey was created in 1896, it has been basically a scientific-investigative organization. It is charged with the many-faceted role of investigating the earth resources of Maryland through the application of the various disciplines within the general field of earth science. Thus, its primary mission concerns geologic studies, including geologic mapping, environmental geology, geology of mineral resources, water-resources investigations, coastal and estuarine geology, and topographic and geophysical mapping.

The Maryland Geological Survey has been an agency within the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) since 1969. With a reorganization of DNR in 1995, the Survey is now a division of DNR's Resource Assessment Service.

The Survey carries out its mission through two scientific programs--the Hydrogeology and Hydrology Program and the Coastal and Environmental Geosciences Program. The Hydrogeology and Hydrology Program, in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, is responsible for the maintenance of a statewide water-data network, as well as the investigation of hydrologic and geologic characteristics of Maryland water resources. The Coastal and Environmental Geosciences Program has two broad areas of interest. In the area of coastal geoscience, the Program has the responsibility for basic and applied geological investigations in the coastal zone. In the area of environmental geoscience, the Program encompasses geologic mapping and related geological studies, mapping and assessment of the State's mineral resources, environmental geology applications, and the general dissemination of earth science information about Maryland.