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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Welcome to the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center (GGGSC) located in Lakewood, Colorado on the Denver Federal Center. At GGGSC, we apply expertise in geology, geophysics, and geochemistry to interdisciplinary efforts in support of the USGS mission to address the Nation’s important earth science issues, with an emphasis on mineral resources.

Laboratories

Old JEOL Scanning Electron Microscope.

Our center has several laboratories, ranging from geophysics to geochemistry to spectroscopy to scanning electron microscopes.

Center Laboratories

Science Branches

Our strong science portfolio integrates regional and economic geology with a broad range of geophysical, geochemical, analytical expertise. Our center has four scientific branches:

Explore Our Science

News

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EMRF Public Meeting Notice & Public Comment Period for Draft Environmental Assessment

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Back and Forth: Public invited to ask questions and learn more about the low-level helicopter flying above the Illinois River Basin

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Media Alert: The USGS Announces Low-Level Helicopter Flights in Nevada

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Publications

The EnMAP imaging spectroscopy mission towards operations

EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) is a high-resolution imaging spectroscopy remote sensing mission that was successfully launched on April 1st, 2022. Equipped with a prism-based dual-spectrometer, EnMAP performs observations in the spectral range between 418.2 nm and 2445.5 nm with 224 bands and a high radiometric and spectral accuracy and stability. EnMAP products, with a ground
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Tobias Storch, Hans-Peter Honold, Sabine Chabrillat, Martin Habermeyer, Paul Tucker, Maximilian Brell, Andreas Ohndorf, Katrin Wirth, Matthias Betz, Michael Kuchler, Helmut Mühle, Emiliano Carmona, Simon Baur, Martin Mücke, Sebastian Löw, Daniel Schulze, Steffen Zimmermann, Christoph Lenzen, Sebastian Wiesner, Saika Aida, Ralph Kahle, Peter Willburger, Sebastian Hartung, Daniele Dietrich, Nicolae Plesia, Mirco Tegler, Katharina Schork, Kevin Alonso, David B. Marshall, Birgit Gerasch, Peter Schwind, Miguel Pato, Mathias Schneider, Raquel de los Reyes, Maximilian Langheinrich, Julian Wenzel, Martin Bachmann, Stefanie Holzwarth, Nicole Pinnel, Luis Guanter, Karl Segl, Daniel Scheffler, Saskia Foerster, Niklas Bohn, Astrid Bracher, Mariana Soppa, Ferran Gascon, Robert O. Green, Raymond F. Kokaly, Jose M. Moreno, Cindy Ong, Manuela Sornig, Ricarda Wernitz, Klaus Bagschik, Detlef Reintsema, Laura La Porta, Anke Schickling, Sebastian Fischer
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

The truth is in the stream: Use of tracer techniques and synoptic sampling to evaluate metal loading and remedial options in a hydrologically complex setting

Two synoptic sampling campaigns were conducted to quantify metal loading to Illinois Gulch, a small stream affected by historical mining activities. The first campaign was designed to determine the degree to which Illinois Gulch loses water to the underlying mine workings, and to determine the effect of these losses on observed metal loads. The second campaign was designed to evaluate metal loadin
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Robert L. Runkel, Philip Verplanck, Katherine Walton-Day, R. Blaine McCleskey, Patrick Byrne
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Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Paleohydrologic history of pluvial lake San Agustin, New Mexico: Tracking changing effective moisture in southwest North America through the last glacial transition

Paleoclimate records across the Intermountain West region of North America show significant regional variation in timing and magnitude of wet conditions that accompanied the last glacial-interglacial transition. To understand the climate controls on paleohydrologic change, well-dated records are needed across the region. The Plains of San Agustin (New Mexico, USA) is a closed-basin watershed of th
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Adam M. Hudson, Jay Quade, Vance T. Holliday, Brendan Fenerty, Jordon Bright, Harrison J. Gray, Shannon A. Mahan
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
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Science

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plasma lab instruments

From Outcrop to Ions: development and application of in-situ isotope ratio measurements to solve geologic problems

Project objectives are to (1) develop innovative analytical techniques for isotope geochemistry and U-Pb geochronology using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and (2) apply these techniques to collaborative research projects of high priority to the Mineral Resources Program, including studies related to the formation of "critical mineral" deposits, and...
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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From Outcrop to Ions: development and application of in-situ isotope ratio measurements to solve geologic problems

Project objectives are to (1) develop innovative analytical techniques for isotope geochemistry and U-Pb geochronology using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and (2) apply these techniques to collaborative research projects of high priority to the Mineral Resources Program, including studies related to the formation of "critical mineral" deposits, and...
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Salmon River Mountains, ID

Salmon River Mountains Legacy Mining Studies

The objective of this study is to characterize the regional impact of legacy mining in the context of framework geology for the Salmon Mountains in central Idaho. This objective is addressed through three interrelated tasks: 1) framework geology, 2) watershed biogeochemical processes, and 3) characterization of trace metals in colloids (fine particles suspended in water).
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Salmon River Mountains Legacy Mining Studies

The objective of this study is to characterize the regional impact of legacy mining in the context of framework geology for the Salmon Mountains in central Idaho. This objective is addressed through three interrelated tasks: 1) framework geology, 2) watershed biogeochemical processes, and 3) characterization of trace metals in colloids (fine particles suspended in water).
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historic mine in front of dolostone outcrop

Northern Rocky Mountains Transect

The goal of the Northern Rocky Mountains Transect (NRMT) project is to produce updated geologic maps of an important and understudied region of Idaho and western Montana that covers a wide array of distinct geologic terrains.
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Mineral Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Northern Rocky Mountains Transect

The goal of the Northern Rocky Mountains Transect (NRMT) project is to produce updated geologic maps of an important and understudied region of Idaho and western Montana that covers a wide array of distinct geologic terrains.
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