Welcome to the Geological Society of Minnesota
The Geological Society of Minnesota is a nonprofit educational organization in operation since 1938. Our mission has been to promote public interest and to supply educational support in the geological sciences. We sponsor free lectures and labs at the University of Minnesota, conduct statewide and regional field trips, hold classroom presentations for schools, maintain a media library, publish relevant information for public distribution, and maintain and expand upon a series of geological markers throughout the state.
GSM Seminars
GSM seminars with slide show presentations are free and open to the public. They are presented by leading professionals in their fields and are aimed at learners from high school to adult. A question-and-answer session concludes each seminar. The labs, also free and open to the public, allow a hands-on learning experience and demonstrate the ideas and principles of geology and earth science. Live lectures and labs require no registration; just show up a few minutes early on the evening of the lecture.
The schedule of seminars and labs for 2026-2027 is here. For a printable version of our schedule of seminars and labs, click here. Our schedule is planned over 6 months in advance, so changes may occur. Always check this website shortly before each lecture for the latest seminar information.
Except as noted, in-person lectures during fall 2026 are Mondays at 7:00 PM CT on the University of Minnesota campus, building & room Tate Hall, Room B20. A lecture with (V) following its title is an online virtual lecture. For these, free registration is required by non-members; the instructions are supplied with the lecture description.
Winter weather will come and snow might impact our lectures. The GSM will make any decision about cancelling or postponing a lecture due to inclement weather no later than 3:00 PM the day of the lecture. This information will be posted on this page. So check our home page shortly before each lecture in case there is a cancellation or a last-minute change. Also, we will e‐mail lecture postponement and cancellation information to our members.
Recordings of some past GSM lectures are available on the Geological Society of Minnesota YouTube channel. Subscribe to this channel for updates.
Next Seminar
Seminar Lab Subject: Multimedia Fate and Transport of PFAS in Minnesota
Seminar Lab Date:
Mon, 2026-09-28
Seminar Lab Presenter:
Michael Ginsbach, M.Sc., Hydrogeologist, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Seminar Lab Location:
In-person only at University of Minnesota, Tate Hall, Room B20
Lecture start time 7:00 PM CT
Seminar Lab Details:
Summary: Minnesota has been working to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) since 2002 when perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were discovered in groundwater in southern Washington County. In the subsequent two decades, additional investigations have been performed across the state with samples being collected not only from groundwater but surface water, soil, sediment, air, and wildlife. These investigations, along with actions such as the MPCA’s 2021 PFAS Blueprint and 2022 PFAS Monitoring Plan, have provided insight into the movement of PFAS throughout the environment in Minnesota. The aforementioned southern Washington County has been the focus of numerous investigations since 2002 due to the presence of several disposal sites and a PFAS manufacturer in the county. Recent investigations have provided additional information about the fate and transport of PFAS through various environmental media in southern Washington County and northern Dakota County, which has helped identify impacted drinking resources in the area and allowed for the development of a site-specific water quality criteria for five PFAS in an eight mile stretch of the Mississippi River between the two counties.
Biography: Michael Ginsbach is a senior hydrogeologist in the Superfund Remedial section of the MPCA where he oversees investigations and cleanups of sites in the Superfund and RCRA Remediation programs. He also aids in the development of technical and programmatic guidance for the MPCA and serves as a technical resource for the Agency’s compliance and enforcement programs. He has been with the MPCA for nine years, is a board member for the Minnesota Ground Water Association, and has served on a number of Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council teams. Michael holds a bachelor’s in earth science education and a bachelor’s in geology from North Dakota State University and a master’s in geology from Idaho State University.
Minnesota’s Geology Markers
Discover Minnesota’s fascinating 3 billion years of geological history by visiting 70-plus geology markers placed around the state by the Geological Society of Minnesota since 1949. Observe and learn about a rift valley, volcanoes, agates, inland seas, glaciers, rivers, caves, sinkholes, iron mining, and more. Click Minnesota’s Geology Markers to see where these markers are located. You can see most markers from your car.
Field Trips
GSM conducts professionally guided geology field trips. These excursions visit locations not usually experienced by the casual traveler. Local field trips can be a few hours long, encompass a weekend, or last longer than a week. Find more information here.
GSM’s Student Outreach
Speakers for metro area elementary schools are available through the Public Service Committee to help enrich the education of young learners, particularly the 2nd to 8th grade levels. Find more information here.
Membership
Membership in the society is open to anyone with an interest in geology. The benefits of membership include:
- The opportunity to meet others of who share an enthusiasm for learning and a curiosity for the natural world.
- The rewarding feeling of supporting a nonprofit organization dedicated to public education.
- GSM Newsletter – A quarterly publication contains announcements of upcoming activities, articles on the earth sciences, and GSM projects and activity reports. Past issues
- Extensive Media Library – GSM maintains a collection of more than 330 geological DVDs. These are available to the members at lectures or through the mail for a nominal rental fee. here
- GSM Directory – This annual book is a handy resource and makes it easy to access the organization.