Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology

Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology is the State Geological Survey, and the principal source of earth science information for the citizens of Montana.

06/10/2026

Major news for the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology! Our Anaconda Research Collection is now an official International Commission on Geoheritage Geo-collection - one of only 32 in the entire world!

This recognition acknowledges the global scientific, historical, and educational significance of our collection.

Here's why this matters: These rock and mineral samples were collected from Montana mines between 1940 and 1981. Many of those mines don't exist anymore - they're flooded, collapsed, or no longer accessible. So in many cases, these samples are basically the only geological records left of that era of Montana's incredible mining history.

Today, our team at the MBMG remembers the Granite Mountain Speculator Disaster and those affected by this tragic event i...
06/08/2026

Today, our team at the MBMG remembers the Granite Mountain Speculator Disaster and those affected by this tragic event in Montana's mining history.

Our Archives team has put together a free pamphlet honoring the history and the people connected to this disaster - both those we lost and those who survived. Pick up a copy at our Publications office or the Mineral Museum at Montana Technological University .

Preserving these stories is part of understanding Montana's past. They deserve to be remembered.

Montana Seismic Activity Roundup for May 2026!May was a little shakier than April, with 148 earthquakes in Montana this ...
06/04/2026

Montana Seismic Activity Roundup for May 2026!

May was a little shakier than April, with 148 earthquakes in Montana this month! The largest had a magnitude of 3.2, southwest of Dillon.

Wondering what you're looking at?
--- Circle size = magnitude
--- Circle color = depth

Montana averages 7-10 small earthquakes every day, so this is just another month of normal seismic activity in the state.

Want to know if there are active faults or earthquakes near you? Check out the "Geohazards / Earthquake Studies" section of our website under Montana Geology!

Data: MBMG & USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

from the Blackfoot River📍Western MontanaFrom quiet back channels to powerful floodwaters, this river is constantly sha...
06/02/2026

from the Blackfoot River

📍Western Montana

From quiet back channels to powerful floodwaters, this river is constantly shaping Montana’s landscape — one rock at a time.

Swipe through, then explore this geosite for yourself in 360° on our YouTube channel! - https://youtu.be/e1_JksdFsXQ?si=AAT1IjUAoW3MakkF

Visit Montana

Last week, MBMG Billings staff Elizabeth Meredith and Ryan Davison attended a roundtable with Principal Deputy Assistant...
05/28/2026

Last week, MBMG Billings staff Elizabeth Meredith and Ryan Davison attended a roundtable with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli and State, Tribal, labor, and industry leaders to discuss coal exports, infrastructure, workforce needs, and America’s growing energy demand.

The roundtable highlighted the important role Montana coal producers play in supporting export markets, industrial growth, and reliable energy production at home and abroad.

Former MBMG Director John Metesh, currently the Executive Director of Critical Materials Initiatives at Montana Tech, also attended.

🚨 This weekend! 🚨Looking for something fun to do for the whole family? Be sure to stop by the annual Butte Mineral and G...
05/15/2026

🚨 This weekend! 🚨

Looking for something fun to do for the whole family? Be sure to stop by the annual Butte Mineral and Gem Show!

There will be amazing displays, rocks for sale to add to your own collection, and more! This is a great event that you don't want to miss!

🗓️ May 16 & 17
📍 Butte Civic Center

Visit Butte Montana

05/12/2026

Water shortages in Fairfield have been making headlines, and our MBMG GWIP team has been studying why.

What's Happening: The aquifer that supplies drinking water to the Fairfield region depends heavily on irrigation water to recharge. When snowpack is low and irrigation seasons are shorter, groundwater levels drop, creating water supply challenges for homes and schools.

It's a complicated connection between irrigation, groundwater, and drinking water that shows how interconnected Montana's water systems really are. Our research helps communities understand these relationships and plan for the future.

Learn more about the project and study here: https://www.mbmg.mtech.edu/WaterEnvironment/GWIP/ProjectUpdate.asp?projectid=GWIPGF&&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZGJZT0RLNEgwUGxBVUFmNXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4zCcktCQpesu0WBuYGDiHbt8zIc_h3CnVjrLiCSF6v_lpa_N5ygaXn8H09lA_aem_Oeg_IXKtVLmyMt4C4cNbQw .tab=0

Read the full article and video from KRTV Great Falls here: https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/water-shortage-worsens-in-fairfield-prompting-emergency-response-at-schools

Thanks, USGS Volcanoes , for highlighting Mike Stickney! For 45 years, Mike was Montana's earthquake expert - building o...
05/11/2026

Thanks, USGS Volcanoes , for highlighting Mike Stickney!

For 45 years, Mike was Montana's earthquake expert - building our seismic monitoring network from ONE station to over 50, mapping faults across the state, and helping Montanans understand earthquake hazards.

His story starts with the famous 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake. As a kid in Missoula, he felt his bed shaking against the wall. That experience might have sparked a career that made Montana significantly safer.

Mike retired in 2025 after an incredible career. Thanks for everything, Mike, Montana rocks a little safer because of you!

Read the full article here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/a-tribute-mike-stickney-montanas-earthquake-expert?fbclid=IwY2xjawRuz3pleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFTTGx5aW80aGJKMWtXWktzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuHCiBIB0jIHhc8FATTL1iUZHa5LZsBc-_txJe7l2kRxPwGzutRwGFN2AaKY_aem_JmlBcIXu9l27tc2sIZCs7Q

Montana Seismic Activity - April 2026We just released our first-ever monthly seismic activity map for April 2026! The la...
05/04/2026

Montana Seismic Activity - April 2026

We just released our first-ever monthly seismic activity map for April 2026! The largest quakes this month hit magnitude 2.9 near Butte and Hebgen Lake.

Wondering what you're looking at?
--- Circle size = magnitude
--- Circle color = depth

This is now a new monthly series, so be sure to follow along to see what's shaking beneath your feet!

Data: MBMG & USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

Last chance to catch our 2026 Seminar Mini Series!Join us this week as Paul Bartos presents on gold-rich and gold-poor v...
04/27/2026

Last chance to catch our 2026 Seminar Mini Series!

Join us this week as Paul Bartos presents on gold-rich and gold-poor veins in Colorado's San Juan Mountains - fascinating stuff for anyone interested in mining geology and how these mineral systems work!

📅 April 29 at 4pm
📍 Montana Tech Campus, Natural Resources Building, Room 123

Free and open to all - see you there!

Address

1300 W Park Street
Butte, MT
59701

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(406) 496-4180

Website

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