Publications
Browse recent USGS publications related to energy resources.
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Exploration decisions and firms in the mineral industries Exploration decisions and firms in the mineral industries
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how physical characteristics of deposits and results of past exploration enter future exploration decisions. A proposed decision model is presented that is consistent with a set of primitive probabilistic assumptions associated with deposit size distributions and discoverability. Analysis of optimal field exploration strategy showed the likely...
Authors
Emil Attanasi
Research in the Geysers-Clear Lake geothermal area, Northern California Research in the Geysers-Clear Lake geothermal area, Northern California
The Geysers-Clear Lake area is one of two places in the world where major vapor-dominated hydrothermal reservoirs are commercially exploited for electric power production. Because energy can be extracted more efficiently from steam than from hot water, vapor-dominated systems are preferable for electric power generation, although most geothermal electric power facilities tap water...
Geologic mapping of Kentucky: A history and evaluation of the Kentucky Geological Survey--U.S. Geological Survey Mapping Program, 1960-1978 Geologic mapping of Kentucky: A history and evaluation of the Kentucky Geological Survey--U.S. Geological Survey Mapping Program, 1960-1978
In 1960, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Kentucky Geological Survey began a program to map the State geologically at a scale of 1:24,000 and to publish the maps as 707 U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Maps. Fieldwork was completed by the spring of 1977, and all maps were published by December 1978. Geologic mapping of the State was proposed by the Kentucky Society of...
Authors
Earle Rupert Cressman, Martin C. Noger
Magnetic effects of maghemitization of oceanic crust Magnetic effects of maghemitization of oceanic crust
Both theoretical considerations and available experimental results indicate that magnetic effects of maghemitization are strongly dependent on the grain size of the originally unoxidized titanomagnetite. Maghemitization of single‐domain titanomagnetite results in a decrease in coercivity, an increase in susceptibility, and a large decrease in Q ratio. Maghemitization of multidomain...
Authors
M. Prevot, A. Lecaille, Edward A. Mankinen
Seismic evidence for an extensive gas-bearing layer at shallow depth, offshore from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska Seismic evidence for an extensive gas-bearing layer at shallow depth, offshore from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska
High-resolution seismic reflection data, recorded offshore from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, were processed digitally to determine the reflectivity structure of the uppermost layers of the seafloor. A prominent reflector, found at 27 m below the mud line (water depths 7-9 m), has a negative reflection coefficient greater than 0.5. The large acoustic impedance contrast, coupled with a report of...
Authors
G. Boucher, E. Reimnitz, E. Kempema
Munsell color value as related to organic carbon in Devonian shale of Appalachian basin Munsell color value as related to organic carbon in Devonian shale of Appalachian basin
Comparison of Munsell color value with organic carbon content of 880 samples from 50 drill holes in the Appalachian basin shows that a power curve is the best fit for the data. A color value below 3 to 3.5 indicates the presence of organic carbon but is meaningless in determining the organic carbon content because a large increase in amount of organic carbon causes only a minor decrease...
Authors
John W. Hosterman, Sallie I. Whitlow
Economics and coal resource appraisal: strippable coal in the Illinois Basin ( USA) Economics and coal resource appraisal: strippable coal in the Illinois Basin ( USA)
Coal-resource appraisals generally describe the location and general characteristics of coal beds. Estimates are made of the average overburden depth (depth of the coal bed below the surface), bed thickness, and perhaps certain chemical properties of the coal [1]. Although such resource compilations represent an important initial step, neither they nor current estimates provide...
Authors
E. D. Attanasi, E.K. Green
Processed and interpreted U.S. Geological Survey seismic reflection profile and vertical seismic profiles, Niobrara County, Wyoming Processed and interpreted U.S. Geological Survey seismic reflection profile and vertical seismic profiles, Niobrara County, Wyoming
No abstract available.
Authors
Myung W. Lee, J. J. Miller, R. T. Ryder, A. H. Balch
Regenerate faults of small Cenozoic offset as probable earthquake sources in the southeastern United States Regenerate faults of small Cenozoic offset as probable earthquake sources in the southeastern United States
No abstract available.
Authors
Carl M. Wentworth, Marcia Mergner-Keefer
Physical factors that could restrict mineral supply Physical factors that could restrict mineral supply
Stages in the metal supply process are affected by each of the following physical (geologic) factors: (1) geographic distribution of concentrations of potential ore minerals, (2) depth of these concentrations, (3) mineralogy, (4) grain size of the minerals, and (5) grade and (6) tonnages of the concentrations. For mineral deposits of each type in each geologic and political environment...
Authors
John H. DeYoung, Donald A. Singer
The relation between exploration economics and the characteristics of mineral deposits The relation between exploration economics and the characteristics of mineral deposits
No abstract available.
Authors
Donald A. Singer, D.L. Mosier
Two examples of seismic zonation in the San Francisco Bay region Two examples of seismic zonation in the San Francisco Bay region
The science of earthquakes in complex, requiring data and research in seismology, geology, soil mechanics, geophysics, hydrology, and engineering. Nevertheless, if earthquake hazards are to be reduced, earth science information must be translated from scientific and technical language into a form that can be effectively used by planners and decisionmakers. Out of the need to use earth...
Authors
W. J. Kockelman, E. E. Brabb