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About the Maine Geological Survey
The Maine Geological Survey provides the people and businesses of Maine with essential geologic information about the land where we live and work. Our experienced geologists collect and summarize information about groundwater, mineral resources, surface deposits and bedrock materials, stability of coastal properties, and natural hazards such as storms, floods, landslides, and earthquakes. We continually expand and improve this information, which is presented in thousands of free web pages, and thousands of maps and publications, available both as free digital downloads and in paper formats. Professional geologists in the private sector depend on this information to address issues of engineering safety, environmental impact, and natural resource development and protection. We also serve homeowners and landowners who want to understand their geologic surroundings to make decisions about the highest and best use of their property.
Maine is blessed with beautiful and complex geology, which contributes significantly to the "quality of place" that attracts visitors and has sustained generations of locals. Many of our web pages highlight the geology of some of Maine's treasured outdoor places, in hopes that by gaining a deeper understanding, the students and citizens of Maine will better appreciate and care for the place where we live.
Contact Us
Contact Information and Staff Directory
Maps, Publications, and Data
The Maine Geological Survey publishes a wide variety of geologic maps and reports. Survey staff are working to provide as many of these maps and reports as possible as free PDF online. Visit the Maps, Publications and Online Data page to find geologic maps, publications and data for Maine.
The Maine Geological Survey accepts publications from outside the agency. If you are interested in collaboring with MGS or submitting a map or report for publication, please see the Publication Submission Guidelines.
Geologic Outreach
Staff geologists are available to answer questions from the public via e-mail (mgs@maine.gov) and telephone (207-287-2801). Contact us for more information.
Geologic Reference Library
Our in-house geologic library contains a variety of information about the geology of Maine. Published information from state, federal, and private agencies has been collected and cataloged. The library also contains a wide range of open-file and unpublished maps, progress reports, theses and dissertations. The library is available to the public during normal office hours, but materials may not be removed from the office. Advance notice is recommended.
Aerial Photographs
The Maine Geological Survey has 38 sets of aerial photographs covering different parts of Maine. The photos were collected between 1940 and 1996 at scales from 1:6,000 to 1:80,000 and are available for use at the Maine Geological Survey during office hours. Use the Maine Aerial Photographs map to review photo coverage and availability.
Field Photographs
The Maine Geological Survey has started to compile a database of scanned slides and digital photographs taken by staff or contributed by other geologists working in the state. Many of these photos are now available online in our Digital Maine - Field Photos Collection or from our Maine Field Photos Digital Maine Search tool.
Maine Mineral Collection
A display and reference collection of rocks and minerals is open to the public during office hours. The rock and mineral collection contains specimens from localities in Maine and elsewhere in the country.
Core Repository
The core repository currently contains rock cores from several localities including a tin prospect in the Winslow-Vassalboro area (Billiton Metals and Ores USA), northern Maine (Great Northern Paper Company), the Bald Mountain and Mount Chase base metal prospect areas, copper-zinc deposits in Hancock County, several Aroostook County targets (Chevron Resources and Superior Mining), various manganese prospects in Aroostook County (U. S. Bureau of Mines), pegmatite explorations in Oxford County, and the Union-Warren area near the nickel deposit (Knox Mining Company). See the Core Repository and Exploration Records webpage for additional information.
History of the Maine Geological Survey
The Maine Geological Survey has existed for over 150 years in a variety of organizational structures within state government. Read a complete synopsis of the history of the survey.
Last updated on February 4, 2022