Summary: Rather than providing a detailed history of MGS, this talk focuses on current and future work as it relates to the collection and spatial interpretation of surface and subsurface data. Mapping tasks are called out specifically because they are fundamental to the MGS mission; maps and their associated databases provide the best understanding of what we know about the distribution of Minnesota’s rock and water resources. I would like to introduce you to current data collection and mapping methods at the Survey and speculate on how these methods might change in light of improved data collection, storage and analysis.

Biography:

Minnesota Geological Survey – 2024 to present

Minnesota Department of Health – 2019 to 2024

Minnesota Geological Survey – 1989 to 2019

While at the Health Department, Bob was a hydrologist supervisor in the Source Water Protection Unit. Prior to that, he was a senior scientist at the Minnesota Geological Survey, and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Earth Sciences and the Water Resources Science program - both at the University of Minnesota. His research interests are in aquifer characterization, groundwater chemistry and groundwater-surface water interaction. Bob has a Ph.D. in Water Resources Science from the University of Minnesota, M.S. in Geology the University of Minnesota, and B.A. in History from Carleton College.

About the Minnesota Geological Survey: MGS is a unit of the Newton Horace Winchell School of Earth Sciences in the University of Minnesota. The Survey is the University outreach center for the science and technology of earth resources in Minnesota. The Survey conducts basic and applied earth science research, conveys that information to the public through publications and service activities, and promotes earth science education. Minnesota is its exclusive focus.