CALIFORNIA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Welcome to the California Geological Survey Web Site! This year commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the establishment of a formal geological survey in California.
In April 1860 the California Legislature established the Geological Survey of California that has evolved during its 150 years of service, and several name changes, into today’s modern California Geological Survey (CGS). Of course, the earliest history of CGS has its founding roots entwined with the discovery of gold in 1848.
CGS is dedicated to the fulfillment of its mission to provide scientific products and services about the state's geology, seismology and mineral resources that affect the health, safety, and business interests of the people of California.
CGS geoscientists, engineers and support staff take great pride in upholding the heritage of an organization that has a 150 year legacy of providing the highest quality of scientific and engineering products and services to the State of California.
Altiora Petimus (1860)
News & Events
- June 30, 2010 - DWR with assistance from CGS and other agencies release a draft Handbook for Local Communities
The Department of Water Resources, with assistance from CGS and other agencies, has prepared a guidance document entitled "Implementing California Flood Legislation into Local Land Use Planning: A Handbook for Local Communities." The Handbook describes how the 2007 flood risk management legislation affects city and county responsibilities related to local planning requirements including general plans, development agreements, zoning ordinances, tentative maps and other actions. The draft Handbook is available for a 30-day public review period which ends July 29, 2010. To access this document, please go to the following site www.water.ca.gov/LocalFloodRiskPlanning
- May 16 - 19, 2010 - Workshop on Digital Mapping Techniques DMT '10 has ended. The meeting was very successful -- we hope everyone had an enjoyable time in Sacramento.
- April 27, 2010 - New State Geologic Map and State Fault Activity Map!
Click here to learn more about the History of Geologic Maps of California.
- April 4, 2010 - Baja Earthquake
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck northern Baja California 40 miles south southeast of Calexico, Sunday, April 4, 2010. The Sierra El Mayor earthquake was felt over the southern California region and as far away as Las Vegas, Nevada... Click here to learn more about the earthquake.
- March 22 - 26, 2010 - Tsunami Awareness and Preparedness Week
The California Geological Survey has new tsunami educational materials: student worksheets, poster, videos, brochures, K-12 tsunami curriculum and activity links. Includes step by step guide to locating tsunami inundation areas in the state, information on California tsunamis, and emergency preparedness information. Click here to download tsunami educational materials.
- February 26, 2010 - Chilean Earthquake and Pacific Coast Tsunami
Click here to learn about more about the Earthquake and the Tsunami
- December 16, 2009 - CGS and CalEMA have released new Tsunami Inundation Maps. Click here to view the maps and find out more information.
- SCHOOL REVIEW CHANGES -- (effective this date)
CGS will coordinate review of geologic hazard reports directly with individual school districts. Click here to find out more information.
- Engineering Geologist Exam now available online
Click here to learn more about the exam and take the online test.
- Click here for more news!
