Our objective is to provide a strategic framework for planning, coordination, and execution of the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) in Alaska. Earth MRI aims to improve knowledge of the U.S. geologic framework through new geological and geophysical mapping and to identify areas that have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources.
Return to Geology or Earth MRI
Science Issue and Relevance
The U.S. is dependent on imports for many critical mineral commodities. The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (EarthMRI) goal is to improve knowledge of the U.S. geologic framework and to identify areas that have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Alaska has significant known or suspected critical mineral potential and is a priority focus region of the USGS Mineral Resources Program and the national Earth MRI. The USGS's initial role is to develop a plan for acquiring geologic, geophysical, and topographic data to help characterize the distribution of critical minerals and identify areas in which more data would improve our understanding of undiscovered critical mineral resources as well as be applied to meet other national, regional or local needs.
Methods to Address Issue
In recognition of Alaska’s unique scientific opportunities and challenges and priority status within the USGS Mineral Resources Program, we are assessing existing USGS Alaska geologic databases and other relevant databases to identify fundamental gaps in the geologic and geophysical understanding of the Alaska’s many metallogenic regions. We work with both the national Earth MRI project and Alaska partners to develop strategic plans for new airborne geophysical surveys and focused geologic research. We use a mineral systems approach at the state scale to inventory information and outline areas of greatest data needs and opportunities.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
GIS Prospectivity Analysis for Critical Minerals in Ore-Forming Systems in Alaska
Alaska Resource Data File
Tectonic and Metallogenic Evolution of the Yukon-Tanana Upland, Alaska
Geologic Map of Alaska
- Overview
Our objective is to provide a strategic framework for planning, coordination, and execution of the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) in Alaska. Earth MRI aims to improve knowledge of the U.S. geologic framework through new geological and geophysical mapping and to identify areas that have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources.
Return to Geology or Earth MRI
Science Issue and Relevance
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Half-meter-thick quartz veins cut across outcrops of granitic gneiss on Divide Mountain along the Alaska-Yukon border, August 2015. (Credit: Jamey V. Jones III, USGS. Public domain.) The U.S. is dependent on imports for many critical mineral commodities. The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (EarthMRI) goal is to improve knowledge of the U.S. geologic framework and to identify areas that have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Alaska has significant known or suspected critical mineral potential and is a priority focus region of the USGS Mineral Resources Program and the national Earth MRI. The USGS's initial role is to develop a plan for acquiring geologic, geophysical, and topographic data to help characterize the distribution of critical minerals and identify areas in which more data would improve our understanding of undiscovered critical mineral resources as well as be applied to meet other national, regional or local needs.
Methods to Address Issue
In recognition of Alaska’s unique scientific opportunities and challenges and priority status within the USGS Mineral Resources Program, we are assessing existing USGS Alaska geologic databases and other relevant databases to identify fundamental gaps in the geologic and geophysical understanding of the Alaska’s many metallogenic regions. We work with both the national Earth MRI project and Alaska partners to develop strategic plans for new airborne geophysical surveys and focused geologic research. We use a mineral systems approach at the state scale to inventory information and outline areas of greatest data needs and opportunities.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Helicopter landing to pick up geologists mapping in the eastern Yukon-Tanana upland near Tok, Alaska.(Credit: Jamey V. Jones III, USGS. Public domain.) - Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
GIS Prospectivity Analysis for Critical Minerals in Ore-Forming Systems in Alaska
Alaska is dominated by a history of tectonic events that foster mobilization and concentration of a wide variety of mineral commodities that are critical to the US economy and are vital to national defense, renewable-energy, and emerging electronics technologies.Alaska Resource Data File
The Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF) site provides descriptions of mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences for individual U.S. Geological Survey 1:250,000-scale quadrangles in Alaska.Tectonic and Metallogenic Evolution of the Yukon-Tanana Upland, Alaska
The Yukon-Tanana upland in eastern interior Alaska is a geologically complex block containing deposits of base-metal, platinum-group-element, and gold-silver-copper mineralization. It also hosts numerous mineral systems that are known or suspected to contain critical minerals.Geologic Map of Alaska
In January 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey released the first ever digital geologic map of Alaska. This map reflects more than a century of work and provides a visual context for the abundant mineral and energy resources found throughout the state. The map also is available to use in three different formats: a professional GIS database, a public interactive version via a web browser, and an... - Data
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