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Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Scientists with the GMEG Science Center work on issues related to geologic processes, mineral and energy resource potential, and past climate, primarily in the Western United States. The science staff includes Geologists, Geophysicists, Geochemists, Biologists, and Geographic Information Systems specialists located in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

News

In SF Bay, even an exceptionally wet year can’t supply enough sediment to keep pace with rising seas, new study finds

In SF Bay, even an exceptionally wet year can’t supply enough sediment to keep pace with rising seas, new study finds

Earth Science Matters - Vol. 21 | Issue 1

Earth Science Matters - Vol. 21 | Issue 1

Uncovering the Mysteries of the Bering Land Bridge

Uncovering the Mysteries of the Bering Land Bridge

Publications

Terrain-based map of mélange and intact rock at the junction of Coastal and Central Belt rocks of the Franciscan Complex between Gualala and Ukiah, northern California Coast Ranges Terrain-based map of mélange and intact rock at the junction of Coastal and Central Belt rocks of the Franciscan Complex between Gualala and Ukiah, northern California Coast Ranges

A terrain-based map of a large area of Franciscan Complex between the San Andreas and Maacama faults east of Point Arena, California, provides much new detail compared to prior mapping. The new map reveals an unusual, structurally disrupted area that is defined by northwest-trending patches of erosionally resistant topography interspersed in subdued topography. These two terrain types...
Authors
Carl Wentworth

Impacts of transient critical zone evolution on landslide susceptibility and hazard Across the Utuado batholith, Puerto Rico Impacts of transient critical zone evolution on landslide susceptibility and hazard Across the Utuado batholith, Puerto Rico

Landscapes in humid climates often experience rapid chemical and mechanical weathering that can change groundwater fluxes, drainage pathways, and frictional strength via alterations in subsurface mineral composition and matrix porosity. These changes to hillslope critical zone structure and strength should control landslide susceptibility, size, and failure style. Here we test the impact...
Authors
Jonathan P. Perkins, Mong-Han Huang, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, William H. Schulz, Collin Cronkite-Ratcliff, Kelli Wadsworth Baxstrom, Mason Muir Einbund, Jane Willenbring, Ben Leshchinsky, Samuel Johnstone

Polystyrene microplastics alter the accumulation and elimination dynamics of silver nanoparticles in Daphnia magna Polystyrene microplastics alter the accumulation and elimination dynamics of silver nanoparticles in Daphnia magna

Rationale Microplastics (MPs) can interact with engineered nanomaterials and alter their environmental fate and bioavailability. However, their influence on the bioaccumulation dynamics of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in aquatic filter feeders under environmentally relevant conditions remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) alter the uptake...
Authors
Sara Kamanmalek, Piper MacDonald, Hannah Hutton, Noor Sheikh, Marie Noele Croteau, Mahbub Alam, Mohammed Baalousha, Niveen Ismail

Science

Geologic Mapping for Landscape Resiliency in California, Oregon, and Washington

This project uses geologic and geomorphic mapping in the context of societally relevant problems in the Earth’s critical zone. Leveraging interdisciplinary research ties and interagency collaborations, it utilizes remote sensing data, corroborated with field observations, to determine i) the spatial distribution of geomorphic processes and ages of Quaternary deposits in the context of active...
Geologic Mapping for Landscape Resiliency in California, Oregon, and Washington

Geologic Mapping for Landscape Resiliency in California, Oregon, and Washington

This project uses geologic and geomorphic mapping in the context of societally relevant problems in the Earth’s critical zone. Leveraging interdisciplinary research ties and interagency collaborations, it utilizes remote sensing data, corroborated with field observations, to determine i) the spatial distribution of geomorphic processes and ages of Quaternary deposits in the context of active...
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Controls on Critical Element Enrichment in Carbonatite-Alkaline Igneous Complexes

The project seeks to determine the processes responsible for critical element enrichment in carbonatites and to enhance our ability to identify and assess economic deposits. This project will work at various scales to meet this objective and will primarily focus on deposits within the US or our USGS collaborative Nations.
Controls on Critical Element Enrichment in Carbonatite-Alkaline Igneous Complexes

Controls on Critical Element Enrichment in Carbonatite-Alkaline Igneous Complexes

The project seeks to determine the processes responsible for critical element enrichment in carbonatites and to enhance our ability to identify and assess economic deposits. This project will work at various scales to meet this objective and will primarily focus on deposits within the US or our USGS collaborative Nations.
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Large Magmatic Systems for Minerals

This project continues work on large magmatic systems in the U.S., where critical mineral commodities important to clean energy technologies can be concentrated. Modeling of large mafic intrusion extents will continue, and new geophysical methods will be applied to improve understanding of magmatic systems.
Large Magmatic Systems for Minerals

Large Magmatic Systems for Minerals

This project continues work on large magmatic systems in the U.S., where critical mineral commodities important to clean energy technologies can be concentrated. Modeling of large mafic intrusion extents will continue, and new geophysical methods will be applied to improve understanding of magmatic systems.
Learn More
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