A helicopter with a boom that contains sensitive equipment for conducting airborne geophysical surveys.
What is Earth MRI?
The USGS Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI) is a partnership of the USGS, the Association of American State Geologists and other governmental, Tribal and private sector entities to update the nation’s surface and subsurface mapping, to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources.
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What is a critical mineral?
The Energy Act of 2020 defined critical minerals as those that are essential to the economic or national security of the United States; have a supply chain that is vulnerable to disruption; and serve an essential function in the manufacturing of a product, the absence of which would have significant consequences for the economic or national security of the U.S. The act further specified that...
Where can I find information about mineral commodities?
For statistical information about mineral commodities, visit the USGS Commodity Statistics and Information website. For locations outside the United States, USGS International Minerals Statistics and Information is the best starting point.
How do we extract minerals?
The primary methods used to extract minerals from the ground are: Underground mining Surface (open pit) mining Placer mining The location and shape of the deposit, strength of the rock, ore grade, mining costs, and current market price of the commodity are some of the determining factors for selecting which mining method to use. Higher-grade metallic ores found in veins deep under the Earth’s...
What is the National Geologic Map Database?
The National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) is an archive of geoscience maps (including geology maps), reports, and stratigraphic information for the United States. The NGMDB contains information on more than 90,000 maps and related geoscience reports published from the early 1800s to the present day, by more than 630 agencies, universities, associations, and private companies. Much of the content...
Are there geologic maps or publications for where I live?
Detailed geologic mapping has not been completed for the entire United States, but maps are available for most locations. Geologic maps at many scales and from many sources are listed in the National Geologic Map Database. Some geologic maps can be purchased in hard copy through the USGS Store. Download digital geologic maps for entire states from the USGS Mineral Resources Online Geospatial Data...
How many pounds of minerals are required by the average person in a year?
To maintain our standard of living, each person in the United States requires over 40,630 pounds of minerals each year: 10, 765 pounds of stone 7,254 pounds of sand and gravel 685 pounds of cement 148 pounds of clays 383 pounds of salt 275 pounds of iron ore 168 pounds of phosphate rock 35 pounds of soda ash 34 pounds of aluminum 12 pounds of copper 11 pounds of lead 6 pounds of zinc 5 pounds of...
Earth MRI Airborne Geophysical Survey Helicopter with Boom
A helicopter with a boom that contains sensitive equipment for conducting airborne geophysical surveys.
Earth MRI Aircraft with Boom
Airborne geophysical surveys make use of a boom with sensitive equipment installed on small aircraft.
Airborne geophysical surveys make use of a boom with sensitive equipment installed on small aircraft.
Airborne Geophysical Survey Helicopter
A low-flying helicopter towing a geophysical device collects scientific data on groundwater and geology. (Credit: SkyTEM Canada Inc.)
A low-flying helicopter towing a geophysical device collects scientific data on groundwater and geology. (Credit: SkyTEM Canada Inc.)
Earth MRI - Shaded relief map of high-resolution magnetic anomaly data
Earth MRI - Magnetic Map of SE Missouri
Earth MRI - Magnetic Map of SE Missouri
Earth MRI Fact Sheet 2019-3007 Figure 1
Figure 1 from USGS Fact Sheet 2019-3007 The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI): Mapping the Nation’s Critical Mineral Resources.
Figure 1 from USGS Fact Sheet 2019-3007 The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI): Mapping the Nation’s Critical Mineral Resources.
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey
A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.
A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.
Earth MRI - Yukon Tanana Uplands Alaska
Earth MRI - Yukon Tanana Uplands Alaska
Related
What is a critical mineral?
The Energy Act of 2020 defined critical minerals as those that are essential to the economic or national security of the United States; have a supply chain that is vulnerable to disruption; and serve an essential function in the manufacturing of a product, the absence of which would have significant consequences for the economic or national security of the U.S. The act further specified that...
Where can I find information about mineral commodities?
For statistical information about mineral commodities, visit the USGS Commodity Statistics and Information website. For locations outside the United States, USGS International Minerals Statistics and Information is the best starting point.
How do we extract minerals?
The primary methods used to extract minerals from the ground are: Underground mining Surface (open pit) mining Placer mining The location and shape of the deposit, strength of the rock, ore grade, mining costs, and current market price of the commodity are some of the determining factors for selecting which mining method to use. Higher-grade metallic ores found in veins deep under the Earth’s...
What is the National Geologic Map Database?
The National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) is an archive of geoscience maps (including geology maps), reports, and stratigraphic information for the United States. The NGMDB contains information on more than 90,000 maps and related geoscience reports published from the early 1800s to the present day, by more than 630 agencies, universities, associations, and private companies. Much of the content...
Are there geologic maps or publications for where I live?
Detailed geologic mapping has not been completed for the entire United States, but maps are available for most locations. Geologic maps at many scales and from many sources are listed in the National Geologic Map Database. Some geologic maps can be purchased in hard copy through the USGS Store. Download digital geologic maps for entire states from the USGS Mineral Resources Online Geospatial Data...
How many pounds of minerals are required by the average person in a year?
To maintain our standard of living, each person in the United States requires over 40,630 pounds of minerals each year: 10, 765 pounds of stone 7,254 pounds of sand and gravel 685 pounds of cement 148 pounds of clays 383 pounds of salt 275 pounds of iron ore 168 pounds of phosphate rock 35 pounds of soda ash 34 pounds of aluminum 12 pounds of copper 11 pounds of lead 6 pounds of zinc 5 pounds of...
Earth MRI Airborne Geophysical Survey Helicopter with Boom
A helicopter with a boom that contains sensitive equipment for conducting airborne geophysical surveys.
A helicopter with a boom that contains sensitive equipment for conducting airborne geophysical surveys.
Earth MRI Aircraft with Boom
Airborne geophysical surveys make use of a boom with sensitive equipment installed on small aircraft.
Airborne geophysical surveys make use of a boom with sensitive equipment installed on small aircraft.
Airborne Geophysical Survey Helicopter
A low-flying helicopter towing a geophysical device collects scientific data on groundwater and geology. (Credit: SkyTEM Canada Inc.)
A low-flying helicopter towing a geophysical device collects scientific data on groundwater and geology. (Credit: SkyTEM Canada Inc.)
Earth MRI - Shaded relief map of high-resolution magnetic anomaly data
Earth MRI - Magnetic Map of SE Missouri
Earth MRI - Magnetic Map of SE Missouri
Earth MRI Fact Sheet 2019-3007 Figure 1
Figure 1 from USGS Fact Sheet 2019-3007 The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI): Mapping the Nation’s Critical Mineral Resources.
Figure 1 from USGS Fact Sheet 2019-3007 The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI): Mapping the Nation’s Critical Mineral Resources.
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey
A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.
A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.
Earth MRI - Yukon Tanana Uplands Alaska
Earth MRI - Yukon Tanana Uplands Alaska
Updated Date: March 13, 2025