Below the Earth’s Surface

In Search of Earth’s Secrets invites audiences of all ages to enjoy hands-on experiences while learning about earthquakes, volcanoes, and the dinosaur extinction. It highlights the JOIDES Resolution, a seagoing research vessel that drills core samples and collects measurements from under the ocean floor. Explore the Earth’s magnetism, extract a core sample, and play with a giant geology map puzzle! 

Earth’s continents hold clues to our past, present, and future. Coring the Continents lets visitors unravel Earth’s stories by investigating research supported by the Continental Scientific Drilling Facility at the University of Minnesota. See fossils from the Green River Formation and get a glimpse into the ancient landscape they came from when you examine core samples, evidence that reveals past environments. Then try your hand at collecting a core sample with real tools in a Minnesota lake, and learn more about our state’s incredible geologic history.

In Search of Earth’s Secrets has been funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Coring the Continents is produced in partnership with CSD Facility. Funding for the CSD Facility is provided by the National Science Foundation.

When you’re done in the gallery, stop by our Rocks! gallery cart to learn how to identify rocks from Minnesota’s ancient past using a few simple tests. And find out even more when you join us for special programs!