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Publications

Publications from the staff of the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Filter Total Items: 2487

Geomorphic evidence for enhanced Pliocene-Quaternary faulting in the northwestern Basin and Range Geomorphic evidence for enhanced Pliocene-Quaternary faulting in the northwestern Basin and Range

Mountains in the U.S. Basin and Range Province are similar in form, yet they have different histories of deformation and uplift. Unfortunately, chronicling fault slip with techniques like thermochronology and geodetics can still leave sizable, yet potentially important gaps at Pliocene–Quaternary (∼105–106 yr) time scales. Here, we combine existing geochronology with new geomorphic...
Authors
Magdalena A Ellis, Barnes Jason B, Joseph P. Colgan

Hydrogeochemistry of prairie pothole region wetlands: Role of long-term critical zone processes Hydrogeochemistry of prairie pothole region wetlands: Role of long-term critical zone processes

This study addresses the geologic and hydrogeochemical processes operating at a range of scales within the prairie pothole region (PPR). The PPR is a 750,000 km2portion of north central North America that hosts millions of small wetlands known to be critical habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. At a local scale, we characterized the geochemical evolution of the 92-ha Cottonwood Lake...
Authors
Martin B. Goldhaber, Christopher T. Mills, Jean M. Morrison, Craig A. Stricker, David M. Mushet, James W. LaBaugh

Thermochronology of Cretaceous batholithic rocks in the northern Peninsular Ranges batholith, southern California: Implications for the Late Cretaceous tectonic evolution of southern California Thermochronology of Cretaceous batholithic rocks in the northern Peninsular Ranges batholith, southern California: Implications for the Late Cretaceous tectonic evolution of southern California

The thermochronology for several suites of Mesozoic metamorphic and plutonic rocks collected throughout the northern Peninsular Ranges batholith (PRB) was studied as part of a collaborative isotopic study to further our understanding of the magmatic and tectonic history of southern California. These sample suites include: a traverse through the plutonic rocks across the northern PRB (N =...
Authors
Daniel P. Miggins, Wayne R. Premo, Lawrence W. Snee, Ross Yeoman, Nancy D. Naeaer, Charles W. Naeser, Douglas M. Morton

Multielevation calibration of frequency-domain electromagnetic data Multielevation calibration of frequency-domain electromagnetic data

Systematic calibration errors must be taken into account because they can substantially impact the accuracy of inverted subsurface resistivity models derived from frequency-domain electromagnetic data, resulting in potentially misleading interpretations. We have developed an approach that uses data acquired at multiple elevations over the same location to assess calibration errors. A...
Authors
Burke J. Minsley, M. Andy Kass, Greg Hodges, Bruce D. Smith

Petrology and chemistry of the Green Acres gabbro complex near Winchester, Riverside County, California Petrology and chemistry of the Green Acres gabbro complex near Winchester, Riverside County, California

The Cretaceous Green Acres layered igneous complex, northeast of Winchester, California, is composed of a suite of olivine- and hornblende-bearing gabbros in the Peninsular Ranges batholith within the Perris tectonic block. A consistent mineral assemblage is observed throughout the complex, but there is considerable textural and modal heterogeneity. Both preclude a consistent set of...
Authors
Byron R. Berger

Geophysical investigations of the geologic and hydrothermal framework of the Pilgrim Springs Geothermal Area, Alaska Geophysical investigations of the geologic and hydrothermal framework of the Pilgrim Springs Geothermal Area, Alaska

Pilgrim Hot Springs, located on the Seward Peninsula in west-central Alaska, is characterized by hot springs, surrounding thawed regions, and elevated lake temperatures. The area is of interest because of its potential for providing renewable energy for Nome and nearby rural communities. We performed ground and airborne geophysical investigations of the Pilgrim Springs geothermal area to...
Authors
Jonathan M.G. Glen, Darcy McPhee, Paul A. Bedrosian

The Wallula fault and tectonic framework of south-central Washington, as interpreted from magnetic and gravity anomalies The Wallula fault and tectonic framework of south-central Washington, as interpreted from magnetic and gravity anomalies

The Yakima fold and thrust belt (YFTB) in central Washington has accommodated regional, mostly north-directed, deformation of the Cascadia backarc since prior to emplacement of Miocene flood basalt of the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG). The YFTB consists of two structural domains. Northern folds of the YFTB strike eastward and terminate at the western margin of a 20-mGal negative...
Authors
Richard J. Blakely, Brian L. Sherrod, Craig S. Weaver, Ray E. Wells, Alan C. Rohay

Magmatism, ash-flow tuffs, and calderas of the ignimbrite flareup in the western Nevada volcanic field, Great Basin, USA Magmatism, ash-flow tuffs, and calderas of the ignimbrite flareup in the western Nevada volcanic field, Great Basin, USA

The western Nevada volcanic field is the western third of a belt of calderas through Nevada and western Utah. Twenty-three calderas and their caldera-forming tuffs are reasonably well identified in the western Nevada volcanic field, and the presence of at least another 14 areally extensive, apparently voluminous ash-flow tuffs whose sources are unknown suggests a similar number of...
Authors
Christopher D. Henry, David A. John

Trace metals in Saharan dust: The use of in vitro bioaccessibility extractions to assess potential health risks in a dustier world Trace metals in Saharan dust: The use of in vitro bioaccessibility extractions to assess potential health risks in a dustier world

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) is acknowledged as a risk factor for human morbidity and mortality. Epidemiology and toxicology studies have focused on anthropogenic sources of PM and few consider contributions produced by natural processes (geogenic), or PM produced from natural sources as a result of human activities (geoanthropogenic PM). The focus of this study was to...
Authors
Suzette A. Morman, Virginia H. Garrison, Geoffrey S. Plumlee

Formation of a low-crystalline Zn-silicate in a stream in SW Sardinia, Italy Formation of a low-crystalline Zn-silicate in a stream in SW Sardinia, Italy

n southwestern Sardinia, Italy, the Rio Naracauli drains a catchment that includes several abandoned mines. The drainage from the mines and associated waste rocks has led to extreme concentrations of dissolved Zn, but because of the near-neutral pH, concentrations of other metals remain low. In the reach from approximately 2300 to 3000 m downstream from the headwaters area, an amorphous...
Authors
Richard B. Wanty, G. De Giudici, P. Onnis, D. Rutherford, B. A. Kimball, F. Podda, R. Cidu, P. Lattanzi, D. Medas

Contaminants from Cretaceous black shale: II. Effect of geology, weathering, climate, and land use on salinity and selenium cycling, Mancos Shale landscapes, southwestern United States Contaminants from Cretaceous black shale: II. Effect of geology, weathering, climate, and land use on salinity and selenium cycling, Mancos Shale landscapes, southwestern United States

The Cretaceous Mancos Shale (MS) is a known nonpoint source for a significant portion of the salinity and selenium (Se) loads in the Colorado River in the southwestern United States and northwestern corner of Mexico. These two contaminants pose a serious threat to rivers in these arid regions where water supplies are especially critical. Tuttle et al. (companion paper) investigates the...
Authors
Michele L. Tuttle, Juli W. Fahy, John G. Elliott, Richard I. Grauch, Lisa L. Stillings
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