About the Survey

This section features new information, reports, news and publications that have recently been published on the Bureau's website.

Our mission — “To serve the citizens of Pennsylvania by collecting, preserving, and disseminating impartial information on the Commonwealth's geology, geologic resources, and topography in order to contribute to the understanding, wise use, and conservation of its land and included resources.”

The Pennsylvania Geological Survey has been examining Pennsylvania’s geology since 1836, and always with an eye toward meeting the ever-changing needs of the times. Pennsylvania has evolved from a state primarily focused on coal and petroleum resources to one where these still-important commodities compete for attention with other concerns, including finding adequate supplies of water, locating resources for construction and pollution remediation, dealing with geologic hazards such as landslides and sinkholes, and even supporting tourism, which has become an important statewide industry. Providing information that planners can use in making wise decisions on future land use has become an important activity in the 21st century. Our fact sheet "Local Government Services" summarizes the services we can provide to communities and citizens of our state.

The Survey’s present organization dates to 1919, when it was authorized by the General Assembly “to undertake, conduct, and maintain the organization of a thorough and extended survey of the State, for the purpose of elucidating the geology and topography of the State.” It was also given the responsibility to “put the results of the survey, with the results of previous surveys, into form convenient for reference.” Toward that end, the Survey has published hundreds of books, maps, magazines, and pamphlets. New publications continue to be developed every year. More recently, embracing the internet and digital technologies provides yet another medium through which we can put our results "into a form convenient for reference."

Office Locations


Click on the office location for directions and a map.

The Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey, commonly known as the Pennsylvania Geological Survey, studies all aspects of the geology of Pennsylvania and makes its findings available to the public. The Pennsylvania Geological Survey has two offices. The main office is located approximately 12 miles southeast of Harrisburg at 3240 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown, Pa., 17057–3534, phone 717–702–2017. Our Subsurface Geology Section, which deals mostly with our state's subsurface geology and our oil and gas resources, is located at 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222–4745, phone 412–442–4235.

Middletown Office

Pittsburgh Office

Request a transportation map from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

More Information on office hours and services click on FAQs tab.

Middletown Office

Middletown office building – located at Latitude 40º13'38" N; Longitude 76º 43' 21" W.

DCNR Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey
3240 Schoolhouse Road
Middletown, PA 17057
717-702-2017
Fax: 717-702-2065

Middletown Office Location Map and Directions

Click on image to see full-size map

Directions:

From downtown Harrisburg	From western Pa.	From northeastern and eastern Pa.	From the south
From the Harrisburg International Airport	From north-central Pa.	From southeastern Pa. via the Pa. Turnpike	From the Lancaster area

From downtown Harrisburg:
Follow Interstate 83 North to Interstate 283 South. Just before the Pa. Turnpike toll booth, exit onto Pa. Route 283 East toward Lancaster. Continue on Pa. 283 for approximately 3.5 miles. Take the Middletown/Hummelstown Exit for Vine Street. At the end of the exit ramp at the traffic light, turn left onto Vine Street toward Hummelstown. Stay in the left-hand lane to the light at the second intersection. Turn left at the light onto Schoolhouse Road; then make the first left onto Dogwood Lane. At the crest of the hill, take the first right into the parking lot.

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From Harrisburg International Airport:
Follow signs towards Harrisburg, and then take the Lancaster Exit onto Pennsylvania Route 283 East. Take the Middletown/Hummelstown Exit for Vine Street. At the end of the exit ramp at the traffic light, turn left onto Vine Street toward Hummelstown. Stay in the left-hand lane to the light at the second intersection. Turn left at the light onto Schoolhouse Road; then make the first left onto Dogwood Lane. At the crest of the hill, take the first right into the parking lot.

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From western Pennsylvania:
Follow the Pennsylvania Turnpike East to Exit 247 (Old Exit 19), Harrisburg East. After paying the toll, take the first exit towards Lancaster onto Pa. Route 283 East. Continue on Pa. 283 for approximately 3.5 miles. Take the Middletown/Hummelstown Exit for Vine Street. At the end of the exit ramp at the traffic light, turn left onto Vine Street toward Hummelstown. Stay in the left-hand lane to the light at the second intersection. Turn left at the light onto Schoolhouse Road; then make the first left onto Dogwood Lane. At the crest of the hill, take the first right into the parking lot.

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From north-central Pennsylvania:
Follow Route 322/22 East, or follow Routes 11/15 South to Routes 322/22. From 322/22, near Harrisburg, take Interstate 81 North to Interstate 83 South. Follow Interstate 83 South to Interstate 283 South. On Interstate 283 South, just before the Pa. Turnpike toll booth, exit onto Pa. Route 283 East toward Lancaster. Continue on Pa. 283 for approximately 3.5 miles. Take the Middletown/Hummelstown Exit for Vine Street. At the end of the exit ramp at the traffic light, turn left onto Vine Street toward Hummelstown. Stay in the left-hand lane to the light at the secod intersection. Turn left at the light onto Schoolhouse Road; then make the first left onto Dogwood Lane. At the crest of the hill, take the first right into the parking lot.

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From northeastern Pennsylvania or eastern Pennsylvania:
From eastern Pennsylvania, follow Interstate 78 West to Interstate 81 South, or from northeastern Pennsylvania, follow Interstate 81 South to near Harrisburg. Take Interstate 83 South to Interstate 283 South. Follow Interstate 283 South. Just before the Pa. Turnpike toll booth, exit onto Pa. Route 283 East toward Lancaster. Continue on Pa. 283 for approximately 3.5 miles. Take the Middletown/Hummelstown Exit for Vine Street. At the end of the exit ramp at the traffic light, turn left onto Vine Street toward Hummelstown. Stay in the left-hand lane to the light at the second intersection. Turn left at the light onto Schoolhouse Road; then make the first left onto Dogwood Lane. At the crest of the hill, take the first right into the parking lot.

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From southeastern Pennsylvania via the Pennsylvania Turnpike:
Follow the Pennsylvania Turnpike West to Exit 247 (Old Exit 19), Harrisburg East. After paying the toll, take the first exit towards Lancaster onto Pa. Route 283 East. Continue on Pa. 283 for approximately 3.5 miles. Take the Middletown/Hummelstown Exit for Vine Street. At the end of the exit ramp at the traffic light, turn left onto Vine Street toward Hummelstown. Stay in the left-hand lane to the light at the second intersection. Turn left at the light onto Schoolhouse Road; then make the first left onto Dogwood Lane. At the crest of the hill, take the first right into the parking lot.

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From the South:
Follow Interstate 81 North, or Interstate 83 North, or Route 15 North to exits for the Pennsylvania Turnpike East. Follow the Pennsylvania Turnpike East to Exit 247 (Old Exit 19), Harrisburg East. After paying the toll, take the first exit towards Lancaster onto Pa. Route 283 East. Continue on Pa. 283 for approximately 3.5 miles. Take the Middletown/Hummelstown Exit for Vine Street. At the end of the exit ramp at the traffic light, turn left onto Vine Street toward Hummelstown. Stay in the left-hand lane to the light at the second intersection. Turn left at the light onto Schoolhouse Road; then make the first left onto Dogwood Lane. At the crest of the hill, take the first right into the parking lot.

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From the Lancaster area:
Follow Pa. Route 283 West. Take the Middletown/Hummelstown exit for Vine Street. At the exit ramp, turn right onto Vine Street toward Hummelstown. Immediately get into the left turn lane. At the traffic light, turn left onto Schoolhouse Road; then make the first left onto Dogwood Lane. At the crest of the hill, take the first right into the parking lot.

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Pittsburgh Office

Click on picture to view full-size photo.

Latitude 40º27'58" N; Longitude 79º 58' 34" W

Visitor policy

Service Request Policy

Directions:

From the North

DCNR Bureau of Topographic
and Geologic Survey
400 Waterfront Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412–442–4235
412–442–4299
Fax: 412–442–4298

From the West

From the East

From the South

From points north (I-80, I-79, Pennsylvania Turnpike)

Take I-79 South to I-279 South. (You will exit to the left from I-79.)
Follow Interstate 279 South toward Pittsburgh.
Bear right onto the ramp to East Ohio Street
Turn left onto East Ohio Street (also known as Hwy Route 28).
Follow Hwy 28 North to the 31st Street Bridge.
Turn Right onto the 31st Street Bridge (DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY ACROSS THIS BRIDGE).

Proceed about 50 feet, and make a quick right turn onto River Road.
Go about 50 feet further and make a quick left onto Washington’s Landing (also known as Herr’s Island).

Bear left at the end of the bridge and proceed to 500 Waterfront Drive (left side of street).

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From points south (I-79, I-70)

Follow I-79 North to the I-279 North Exit.
Take Interstate 279 through the Fort Pitt Tunnel and across the Fort Pitt upper bridge deck.

Following signs for I-279 North, stay in the left lane and travel across the Ft. Duquesne bridge toward the North Side.

While on the bridge, get into the rightmost lane and bear right onto the ramp for Hwy Route 28.
Take Exit 7C (To Route 28, Chestnut Street, Etna).
Follow Hwy 28 North to the 31st Street Bridge.
Turn Right onto the 31st Street Bridge (DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY ACROSS THIS BRIDGE).

Proceed about 50 feet, and make a quick right turn onto River Road.
Go about 50 feet further and make a quick left onto Washington’s Landing (also known as Herr’s Island).

Bear left at the end of the bridge and proceed to 500 Waterfront Drive (left side of street).

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From points east (Routes 22/30, Pennsylvania Turnpike)

Cars traveling from the east via the PA Turnpike (I-76) should take Exit 57 (Old Exit 6) to Interstate 376 West.

Follow I-376 West toward Downtown Pittsburgh.
Bear right onto Fort Pitt Boulevard.
Bear left onto I-279 north, and travel across the Ft. Duquesne bridge toward the North Side.
While on the bridge, get into the rightmost lane and bear right onto the ramp for Hwy Route 28.
Take Exit 7C (To Route 28, Chestnut Street, Etna).
Follow Hwy 28 North to the 31st Street Bridge.
Turn Right onto the 31st Street Bridge (DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY ACROSS THIS BRIDGE).

Proceed about 50 feet, and make a quick right turn onto River Road.
Go about 50 feet further and make a quick left onto Washington’s Landing (also known as Herr’s Island).

Bear left at the end of the bridge and proceed to 500 Waterfront Drive (left side of street).

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From the west (Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-70, Routes 22/30)

Cars traveling from the west via the PA Turnpike (I-76) should take Exit 28 (Old Exit 3) and follow I-79 South to I-279 South. (You will exit to the left from I-79.)

Follow Interstate 279 South toward Pittsburgh.
Bear right onto the ramp to East Ohio Street
Turn left onto East Ohio Street (also known as Hwy Route 28).
Follow Hwy 28 North to the 31st Street Bridge.
Turn Right onto the 31st Street Bridge (DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY ACROSS THIS BRIDGE).

Proceed about 50 feet, and make a quick right turn onto River Road.
Go about 50 feet further and make a quick left onto Washington’s Landing (also known as Herr’s Island).

Bear left at the end of the bridge and proceed to 500 Waterfront Drive (left side of street).

If traveling from the west via I-70, take the exit for I-79 North at Washington, PA.
Follow I-279 North to Pittsburgh.

Follow I-79 North to the I-279 North Exit.
Take Interstate 279 through the Fort Pitt Tunnel and across the Fort Pitt upper bridge deck.

Following signs for I-279 North, stay in the left lane and travel across the Ft. Duquesne bridge toward the North Side.

Proceed about 50 feet, and make a quick right turn onto River Road.
Go about 50 feet further and make a quick left onto Washington’s Landing (also known as Herr’s Island).

Bear left at the end of the bridge and proceed to 500 Waterfront Drive (left side of street).

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