Massachusetts Geological Survey

08/24/2026

2026 MassGeo Interns: Erik Richardson

Erik graduated from UMass in 2026 and has been an integral part of our USGS-funded project studying pegmatites and critical minerals in central MA. One of his biggest contributions this summer has been fieldwork, which has included finding exposures, collecting samples, and measuring features and folds in the rocks.

In the lab, Erik has been busy prepping samples by cutting up the rocks from the field and polishing them for analysis in the electron probe. In total, Erik collected over 130 samples from 40 different sites, of which almost half have been prepped for the next stage of investigation. We are extremely grateful for his work with MassGeo Survey!

Erik is now on the job market looking for a position in critical minerals and field geology.

UMass Amherst Dept. of Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences; UMass Amherst; College of Natural Sciences at UMass Amherst; U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

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08/14/2026

MassDEP is committed to climate action now. Be a part of the solution by taking advantage of this public comment opportunity.

08/14/2026

thanks for sharing!

Visit UMass.edu/MassMarsh to learn more about this exciting program supported by MassDEP.

07/27/2026

FYI - a useful resource for ecological restoration professionals.

This Wednesday, July 29, from 12:00–1:00 p.m., MassDEP will host a virtual public information session to provide an overview of the draft ecological restoration regulations and answer questions. The proposed regulations are intended to streamline permitting for beneficial wetland restoration and other projects, including invasive plant management, removal of damaged trees, and limited maintenance and construction of unpaved paths.
Register to attend:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/GKwJF0A0TMeWDSkBbXFwKw

07/21/2026

Proactive and promising work from colleagues at Mass DEP.

MassDEP’s updated Ecological Restoration regulations will speed up approvals for projects like salt marsh restoration, helping these vital ecosystems recover and once again provide wildlife habitat while protecting communities from flooding and sea level rise. MassDEP is hosting two public hearings on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Links to register are in the public notice.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massdep-public-hearings-comment-opportunities -and-policies

07/20/2026

Canadian wildfires and a persistent weather pattern directing smoke south and east has caused low air quality across the Northeast US. The Boston Globe reported two interesting tidbits today:

1. Boston has seen three times as many poor air quality days due to wildfire smoke in the past five years than throughout the 20 years prior (2000 to 2020).

2. Wildfires do naturally occur, and Canada was having a quiet start to the wildfire season. But over the last week, it has soared to the third most intense wildfire season to date, trailing 2023 and 2025.

Geologists look to lake sediments to understand how fires and air quality has changed over millennia. The abundance of charcoal particles and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) correlate to periods of higher fire intensity and low air quality in the past.

📷 Suzanne Kreiter

07/12/2026

love to see it!

learn more at umass.edu/massmarsh

06/20/2026

Scientists at the Massachusetts Geological Survey have been tapped to conduct a statewide assessment of wetland carbon cycling to support decarbonization efforts and wetland restoration decision making. We are thrilled to take this on, in collaboration with colleagues at Boston University, and look forward to working with various partners across the state. Thank you to MassDEP for funding this important work.

More details here:
https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-awards-500000-to-the-massachusetts-geological-survey-at-umass-amherst-to-measure-carbon-storage-in-wetlands

College of Natural Sciences at UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst

06/14/2026

State Geologist, Brian Yellen, attended the annual meeting of State Geologists in Harrisonburg, VA last week. During the mid-week field trip, attendees visited Trimble K**b, the youngest volcano east of the Mississippi, which last erupted about 48 million years ago. The hill in the background is the central magma conduit of this relatively young volcano.