The Survey started its investigations in July 1951 with Johan J. Groot as State Geologist and Lecturer, later Professor of Geology, and Louis P. Vlangas as Geological Field Assistant. The University provided office space, which was shared with the Department of Geography. The cooperative program with the USGS, begun prior to 1951, was continued. Studies of the geology of New Castle County and of the ground-water resources of the Newark area were initiated, the latter with financial support of that city.

First State Geology offers news on Delaware geology and water resources, on recent DGS publications, and on DGS staff activities as a twice-per-year newsletter publication.

In 1977, the Delaware General Assembly, acting on a proposal by the Delaware Mineralogical Society, established sillimanite as the Delaware State Mineral.

John Talley joined the DGS as a project geologist in 1972, became a senior scientist and hydrogeologist by 1986, and rose to director and state geologist by 2004. He’s consulted with dozens of university, state, and federal governments and groups and amassed a list of more than 50 publications and reports.

Robert R. Jordan, Director and State Geologist (1969 - 2003)

In 1951, Delaware passed legislation establishing the present Delaware Geological Survey as a unit of the University of Delaware. Johan J. Groot was installed as State Geologist and Director of DGS until 1969. Groot was also Professor of Geology in the UD Department of Geology.

The Delaware Geological Survey moves into its own home in 1989 after sharing Penny Hall with the UD Department of Geology for over 20 years.

DGS releases first public web site.