3D Scans of Michigan Rocks and Fossils

Lake Superior Agate
Lake Superior Agate
Trilobite
Trilobite
Honeycomb Coral
Honeycomb Coral
Michigan Native Copper
Michigan Native Copper
Eutrephocerus Dekagi
Eutrephocerus Dekagi
Petosky Stone
Petosky Stone
Calcite in Hematite Breccia
Calcite in Hematite Breccia
Colonial Coral
Colonial Coral

Project Description

We are broadening access to our geological collections via three-dimensional digital imaging to anyone in the world. High-resolution, interactive 3D models of archived cores, rocks, and fossils are continuously uploaded to our free online repository on Sketchfab, which now includes hundreds of specimens. This initiative provides crucial access for research and identification of critical earth materials, including samples obtained through deep drilling that would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to collect today. Key examples include potash-bearing geologic cores scanned from over 7,000 feet deep, originating from Michigan’s world-class deposit. As a major fertilizer component essential for farming and found in few locations globally, the study of potash resources is vital in reducing our reliance upon foreign produced potash and strengthening our national security.

Screenshot of a 3d scanned fossil.
3D model of a fern fossil.

MGS's Role

(1) Preserve, curate, inventory and create 3D models for our collection of ~390 outcrop rocks and ~410 fossil samples. This collection represents all Lower Peninsula formations and all the major invertebrate fossil groups that they preserve. These samples are particularly valuable because thick glacial sediments cover bedrock formations in much of the area, making surface outcrops a rarity. 

(2) Add inventories to our MGRRE Web pages and to the Registry of Scientific Collections (ReSciColl) and ScienceBase.

(3) Provide all digital images freely and publicly accessible online at Sketchfab.

Project Updates

To date, we have preserved, curated, inventoried and created 3D models for about 66% of our collection. Making these rocks and fossils accessible and discoverable will further research and fuel the imaginations for K-University students to inspire the next generation of geoscientists.

Scanned Collections consist of Historic MGS outcrop samples collected pre 1970, a collection of samples from the Michigan State Civilian Conservation Corps (1936).  The largest non-Michigan based collection housed at MGS/MGRRE was donated by Steve Wilson.  This collection consists of many fossils and minerals from around the United States.