Maryland Geological Survey Educational Resources

Earth Science Week - October 12-18, 2025

The American Geosciences Institute organizes Earth Science week to promote a better understanding of Earth sciences. This year’s theme is “Energy Resources for Our Future" There will be a variety of resources and contests available online as the week approaches. For more information related to previous years and past themes see: https://www.earthsciweek.org/resources/#explore-earth-science-week-resources

Maryland Geology

• A brief description of the geology of Maryland
• A Tour of Maryland Geological Features
• Geologic Map of Maryland
• Building Stones of Maryland

Facts and Figures - Maryland Geography

• Maryland’s Lakes and Reservoirs: FAQ
• Maryland's Highest Waterfalls and Mountains
• Highest and Lowest Elevations in Maryland's Counties
• Land Areas, Inland-Water Areas, and Length of Shorelines of Maryland's Counties
• Rivers in Maryland

Earthquakes and Geohazards

• Live Earthquake Data from our Seismometer
• Earthquakes and Maryland
• Radon and Your Home
• Foundation Engineering Problems and Hazards in Karst Terranes

Fossils and Dinosaurs

• Fossil Distribution in Maryland Counties
• Characteristic Maryland Fossils
• Maryland's State fossil shell
• Dinosaur Fossils in Maryland
• Maryland's State dinosaur
• Calvert Cliffs Fact Sheet
• Fossil Collecting at Calvert Cliffs
• Miocene Shark Teeth
• Miocene Fossil Teeth
• Maryland's ancient sea creatures; Coloring and Activities Book

Groundwater

• Groundwater Concepts
• Groundwater Frequently Asked Questions
• Aquifers in Maryland
• Ground Water and Wells in the Maryland Piedmont
• Groundwater Quality
• Groundwater Use
• Information About Your Well
• Is Groundwater Use Sustainable in Maryland?
• MGS Hydrogeology Program

Chesapeake Bay

• Shoreline Change Map Data for Tidewater Maryland
• High-Resolution Shoreline Map Data for Tidewater Maryland
• Sediment Processes in the Chesapeake Bay and Watershed
• Baystat: Tracking the Chesapeake Bay's Health
• Eyes on the Bay: Live monitoring data from around the Chesapeake Bay
• MGS Coastal Geology Program

Mineral and Energy Resources

• Gold
• Natural Gas
• CO² Sequestration
• The Marcellus Shale in Maryland

Caves and Karst Terrain

• Caves in Maryland
• A Gallery of Maryland Caves
• Cave development
• Foundation Engineering Problems and Hazards in Karst Terranes

Maps

• Geologic Map of Maryland
• Physiographic Map of Maryland
• A User's Guide to the Maryland Coordinate System
• Introduction to Topographic Maps
• Index to Maryland Topographic Maps

DNR Wildlife Trunks

Wildlife Education Trunks will be available for checkout at the Maryland Geological Survey (MGS) in Baltimore City resuming October 3, 2022. The trunks available at MGS include:

1. White-tailed deer
2. Black bear
3. Furbearer (14 species of mammals from foxes to raccoons)
4. Wild turkey
5. Growing Up WILD- early childhood kits
6. Project EduBat Trunk - learn about bats

Trunks can be loaned for up to 2 weeks at a time, pending availability. Trunk pickups and returns are scheduled between 1 PM and 5:30 PM Monday through Friday (no holidays) and are by appointment only.

Persons reserving the trunk will be responsible for picking up and returning the trunk to MGS. Proof of ID is required upon picking up the trunk.

To reserve a trunk from the MGS location, please contact:
Heather Quinn via email: heather.quinn@maryland.gov

For directions/maps to MGS click here.
For information on the trunk contents as well as additional trunk locations, please check this DNR webpage.

MGS Library

The MGS Library is open by appointment only from 12pm (noon) until 4:30pm Monday – Friday. To ensure that a Survey employee is available to assist you, please contact us (410-554-5505) at least two days before your intended visit to schedule an appointment. In order for us to better serve you, let us know in advance about your interests.

• MGS Reference Library
• MGS Map and Aerial Photograph Collection