MIGE - Midwest Institute of Geosciences and Engineering

Except for the air we breathe, everything we use in our everyday lives is either mined or grown. Water is mined from the ground or through natural and artificial reservoirs and rivers. Metals for cars, buildings, coins, and computers, is all mined. Plastics are derived from petroleum and are mined through the same rocks that give us gasoline. The concrete and pavement you walk and drive on is mined. The food you eat is either grown or taken from animals that feed off what is grown. Paper and the wood for buildings is grown. We can’t keep assuming that the earth will provide uncontaminated resources forever. What we mine from the ground is limited and we are taking far more than we recycle. Although what is grown is a renewable resource if mismanaged they will cease to produce.

MISSION: To increase understanding of the ground beneath our feet through education and research, in order to discover and invent better ways of extracting resources throughout the Midwest.

LOCATION: We are located in Suite 202 at 1723 Simms Street in Aurora Illinois, just down the street from the Montgomery-Eola intersection. Click here to see photos of our office.

AREA OF STUDY: MIGE focuses on the Midwest. This includes all of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa. Parts of Missouri, Kansas, Ohio and Ontario. We have selected certain geologic features as the borders of our study area. Click here for a map of the area in which we study.

LINKS

ONLINE PUBLICATIONS (.pdf format)

C-112006-1A: Core Log Number RI-3001; Mobile Terminal Located in Ripon, WI

C-122006-1A: Core Log Number AU-2102; Hurds Island, Aurora, IL

C-052008-1A: Core Log Number KRSP-C1; Hunting Area 7, Kankakee River State Park, Will County, IL

G-112005: Map of Sugar Run Outcrop Area, Chicago Region

G-122005: Map of Extent of Buried Illinoian Glacial Deposits in Northeastern Illinois

G-122006-1A: Geology of Unincorporated Northern Plainfield, IL, west of DuPage River

G-012007-3A: Stone Ridge Quarry, Rochelle, IL

G-032007-2A: Local Area Geology of Forest Park, IL

G-072007-1A: Rock Outcrop of the south side of I-44 west of Pacific Missouri (possible contact of Everton Formation and St. Peter formation)

G-022009-1A: Depositional setting of late Ordovician deposits (Upper Richmondian) on the mid continent

G-022009-2A: Paleogeography of Illinois during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras

G-032009-1A: Rock Outcrop of the Maquoketa Graf Section and Highway D-17 Section, Iowa (Lower Scales and Neda Formations)

G-072009-1A: Correlation problems with the Cambrian and Ordovician Systems in Illinois with neighboring Wisconsin and Missouri

G-102009-1A: Drastic lithologic variations within glacial deposits (Case Study in Worth, IL)

G-042010-1A: Geology of Black Rock Run at Matthiessen State Park, LaSalle County, IL

Tools and Products:
MIGE utilizes GIS to help understand, map and correlate rock units on the surface and in the subsurface to aid in better planning of water and mineral extraction.

MIGE produces publications on research that is conducted.

MIGE contributes findings to the public at large.

MIGE is funded through members, donations, and grants. We are a non-profit organization.

MIGE publications available for ordering. Click here to view our catalog.

MIGE retains a “Sample Library” of rock cores and samples for public and private use.

MIGE Newsletter called Terracreo. Click each title to view past issues

Services:
Newly created Internship Program. Click here for details.
Workshops
Field Trips
Classroom Lectures

Events:

Fossil Exposition

MIGE will be attending the 32nd annual National Fossil Expo at Western University in Macomb, IL. Pictures and information coming soon.

Fluorescent Mineral Collection

MIGE will be acquiring a collection of fluorescent minerals from New Jersey. Pictures and description of minerals coming soon.

Earthquake Seminar

MIGE would like to thank Dr. Nelson of Illinois State University, David Voorhees of Waubonsee Community College and the Beacon News for attending our seminar. For MIGE's presentation and The Beacon News article click here. For maps presented on Northern Illinois earthquakes, click on the links below:

2-10-2010 Northern Illinois Earthquake

History of Earthquakes in Northern Illinois

The Earthquake Seminar focused on earthquakes in Northern Illinois but also addressed the importance of the EarthScope Project. EarthScope is a 200 million dollar federally funded project that will greatly increase our knowledge of the rocks beneath our feet and how their movements affect us. For further information on EarthScope, click here.

Photos from Earthquake Seminar

MEMBERSHIPS: MIGE has two membership programs. The Standard Membership is $40 per year and you get a free copy of any publications produced during the year, copies of Terracreo, Membership Card, free calendar. The Primary Membership is $175 per year and gives you everything the Standard Membership does plus the right to attend and vote at board meetings, free admission to fieldtrips and workshops, and a copy of all MIGE publications for free. If you are interested in a membership email steveb@migeweb.org

Current MIGE Projects:
In Progress:
Redefinition of the Upper Ordovician Maquoketa Group in Illinois

Geologic Map of Castle Rock State Park, Illinois (due for release 4-2010)

Earthquake Studies in Northern Illinois

MIGE is initiating the Indimap Project in Illinois. The purpose is to help support the Illinois State Geological Survey in it efforts to map the entire State of Illinois. MIGE’s focus will be the area of the Sandwich Fault Zone, in Northern Illinois from 2010 to 2014. A total of 17 maps are planned.

Completed:
Geologic Map of Kankakee River State Park, Illinois (with Report) 80th Anniversary of Athy’s 1928 Publication

Paleozoic Geology from Batavia to Oswego, Illinois

Rock Outcrops of the Maquoketa, Iowa

Depositional Setting of Richmondian Deposits on the Mid-Continent

Geologic Map of Matthiessen State Park

3rd Annual Renewable Energy Fair, Waubonsee Community College, 10-17-2009. Click here for MIGE's presentation "Before Building Green" or here for pictures

CONTACT INFORMATION
Thanks for visiting our website. If you have any questions about our organization, please e-mail us at info@migeweb.org or contact our Founder and CEO, Steven Baumann directly at steveb@migeweb.org.

PHOTO GALLERY


MIGE Booth at 3rd Annual Renewable Energy Fair, October 17, 2009 at Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove

3rd Annual Renewable Energy Fair Inside Science Buidling	3rd Annual Renewable Energy Fair Outside

MIGE Office Main Area	MIGE Office Library Room

Last Update: May 25, 2010