Ric is a Research Geologist for the Alaska Science Center.
Science and Products
Alaska Resource Data File
Alaska Databases and Information Analysis
Geologic Map of Alaska
Geochemical and 40Ar/39Ar Analytical Data of Rocks from Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
U-Pb zircon data for: Cretaceous plutonic rocks of western Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Bedrock geologic map of the 15' Sleetmute A-2 quadrangle, southwestern Alaska
Surficial geologic map of the Dillingham quadrangle, southwestern Alaska
Reconnaissance surficial geologic map of the Taylor Mountains quadrangle, southwestern Alaska
Reconnaissance geologic map of the Kuskokwim Bay region, southwest Alaska
The rocks of the map area range from Proterozoic age metamorphic rocks of the Kanektok metamorphic complex (Kilbuck terrane) to Quaternary age mafic volcanic rocks of Nunivak Island. The map area encompasses much of the type area of the Togiak-Tikchik Complex. The geologic maps used to construct this compilation were, for the most part, reconnaissance studies done in the time period from the 1950s
Reconnaissance geologic map of Kodiak Island and adjacent islands, Alaska
Geologic map of the Cook Inlet region, Alaska, including parts of the Talkeetna, Talkeetna Mountains, Tyonek, Anchorage, Lake Clark, Kenai, Seward, Iliamna, Seldovia, Mount Katmai, and Afognak 1:250,000-scale quadrangles
Geology of the Prince William Sound and Kenai Peninsula region, Alaska: Including the Kenai, Seldovia, Blying Sound, Cordova, and Middleton Island 1:250,000-scale quadrangles
The Prince William Sound and Kenai Peninsula region includes a significant part of one of the world’s largest accretionary complexes and a small part of the classic magmatic arc geology of the Alaska Peninsula. Physiographically, the map area ranges from the high glaciated mountains of the Alaska and Aleutian Ranges and the Chugach Mountains to the coastal lowlands of Cook Inlet and the Copper Riv
Geologic Map of the Yukon-Koyukuk Basin, Alaska
World heritage site - Bien du Patrimoine Mondial - Kluane/Wrangell-St. Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatshenshini-Alsek
Geologic map of Port Moller, Stepovak Bay, and Simeonof Island quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska
Sample locality map and analytical data for potassium-argon ages in the Port Moller, Stepovak Bay, and Simeonof Island quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula
The Lower Cretaceous sequence of western Alaska – demise of the Koyukuk terrane?
Preliminary geologic map of the Greater Antilles and the Virgin Islands
Probabilistic mineral resource assessment of U.S. Territories of the Caribbean Basin and adjacent areas: Progress report
Legacy K/Ar and 40Ar/39Ar geochronologic data from the Alaska-Aleutian Range batholith of south-central Alaska
Alaska geology revealed
Mineral deposits and metallogeny of Alaska
Geologic framework of the Alaska Peninsula, southwest Alaska, and the Alaska Peninsula terrane
Two flysch belts having distinctly different provenance suggest no stratigraphic link between the Wrangellia composite terrane and the paleo-Alaskan margin
Map showing extent of glaciation in the Eagle quadrangle, east-central Alaska
Geologic map of Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska
Preliminary Geologic Map of the Cook Inlet Region, Alaska-Including Parts of the Talkeetna, Talkeetna Mountains, Tyonek, Anchorage, Lake Clark, Kenai, Seward, Iliamna, Seldovia, Mount Katmai, and Afognak 1:250,000-scale Quadrangles
Geologic and Geochronologic Studies of the Early Proterozoic Kanektok Metamorphic Complex of Southwestern Alaska
Geologic Map of Alaska
This is an interactive version of the Alaska geologic map database which allows a user to view and access many features of the database and map through a standard web browser. In other words, there is no need for or knowledge of specialized GIS software.
Science and Products
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Alaska Resource Data File
The Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF) site provides descriptions of mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences for individual U.S. Geological Survey 1:250,000-scale quadrangles in Alaska.Alaska Databases and Information Analysis
We provide GIS and database support for Alaska-based research projects, including database design, data capture, and maintenance, GIS analysis and display, and production of datasets and metadata for publication and data releases.Geologic Map of Alaska
In January 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey released the first ever digital geologic map of Alaska. This map reflects more than a century of work and provides a visual context for the abundant mineral and energy resources found throughout the state. The map also is available to use in three different formats: a professional GIS database, a public interactive version via a web browser, and an... - Data
Geochemical and 40Ar/39Ar Analytical Data of Rocks from Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
This data set contains major and trace element geochemical data and 40Ar/39Ar isotopic data and ages for rock samples collected during 2016 fieldwork in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The plutonic rock samples were collected for radiometric age determinations to test for the presence of the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (130-160 Ma) Saint Elias suite. The age analyses indicate that alU-Pb zircon data for: Cretaceous plutonic rocks of western Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
In 2016, with National Park Service support, several previously undated plutons were sampled in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve along the west side of Glacier Bay for age determinations. Geochronologic analyses were conducted to determine the ages of the plutonic rocks in the Glacier Bay area. Five samples were collected by Frederic Wilson (USGS Alaska Science Center), from Dundas Bay and G - Maps
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Bedrock geologic map of the 15' Sleetmute A-2 quadrangle, southwestern Alaska
Twelve unnamed, bedrock stratigraphic units are recognized within the Sleetmute A-2 1:63,360-scale quadrangle of southwestern Alaska. These units range in age from late(?) Proterozoic through Devonian and can be divided into two distinct facies belts: (1) a southern facies of dominantly shallow-water platform carbonate and minor siliciclastic rocks (including Early Ordovician–Early Devonian platfoSurficial geologic map of the Dillingham quadrangle, southwestern Alaska
The geologic map of the Dillingham quadrangle in southwestern Alaska shows surficial unconsolidated deposits, many of which are alluvial or glacial in nature. The map area, part of Alaska that was largely not glaciated during the late Wisconsin glaciation, has a long history reflecting local and more distant glaciations. Late Wisconsin glacial deposits have limited extent in the eastern part of thReconnaissance surficial geologic map of the Taylor Mountains quadrangle, southwestern Alaska
This map and accompanying digital files are the result of the interpretation of aerial photographs from the 1950s as well as more modern imagery. The area, long considered a part of Alaska that was largely not glaciated (see Karlstrom, 1964; Coulter and others, 1965; or Péwé, 1975), actually has a long history reflecting local and more distant glaciations. An unpublished photogeologic map of the TReconnaissance geologic map of the Kuskokwim Bay region, southwest Alaska
The rocks of the map area range from Proterozoic age metamorphic rocks of the Kanektok metamorphic complex (Kilbuck terrane) to Quaternary age mafic volcanic rocks of Nunivak Island. The map area encompasses much of the type area of the Togiak-Tikchik Complex. The geologic maps used to construct this compilation were, for the most part, reconnaissance studies done in the time period from the 1950s
Reconnaissance geologic map of Kodiak Island and adjacent islands, Alaska
Kodiak Island and its adjacent islands, located on the west side of the Gulf of Alaska, contain one of the largest areas of exposure of the flysch and melange of the Chugach terrane of southern Alaska. However, in the past 25 years, only detailed mapping covering small areas in the archipelago has been done. This map and its associated digital files (Wilson and others, 2005) present the best availGeologic map of the Cook Inlet region, Alaska, including parts of the Talkeetna, Talkeetna Mountains, Tyonek, Anchorage, Lake Clark, Kenai, Seward, Iliamna, Seldovia, Mount Katmai, and Afognak 1:250,000-scale quadrangles
In 1976, L.B. Magoon, W.L. Adkinson, and R.M. Egbert published a major geologic map of the Cook Inlet region, which has served well as a compilation of existing information and a guide for future research and mapping. The map in this report updates Magoon and others (1976) and incorporates new and additional mapping and interpretation. This map is also a revision of areas of overlap with the geoloGeology of the Prince William Sound and Kenai Peninsula region, Alaska: Including the Kenai, Seldovia, Blying Sound, Cordova, and Middleton Island 1:250,000-scale quadrangles
The Prince William Sound and Kenai Peninsula region includes a significant part of one of the world’s largest accretionary complexes and a small part of the classic magmatic arc geology of the Alaska Peninsula. Physiographically, the map area ranges from the high glaciated mountains of the Alaska and Aleutian Ranges and the Chugach Mountains to the coastal lowlands of Cook Inlet and the Copper Riv
Geologic Map of the Yukon-Koyukuk Basin, Alaska
This map and accompanying digital files represent part of a systematic effort to release geologic data for the United States in a uniform manner. All the geologic data in this series will be published as parts of the U.S. Geological Survey Data Series. The geologic data in this series have been compiled from a wide variety of sources, ranging from state and regional geologic maps to large-scale fiWorld heritage site - Bien du Patrimoine Mondial - Kluane/Wrangell-St. Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatshenshini-Alsek
The four parks depicted on this map make up a single World Heritage Site that covers 24.3 million acres. Together, they comprise the largest internationally protected land-based ecosystem on the planet. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established the World Heritage Program in 1972 for the identification and protection of the world?s irreplaceable naturGeologic map of Port Moller, Stepovak Bay, and Simeonof Island quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska
Geologic mapping of Port Moller, Stevopak Bay, and Simeonof Island 1° by 2° quadrangles on the Alaska Peninsula was conducted as part of the Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program (AMRAP). Geologic observations was obtained by using helicopter overflights, vertical aerial photography, and enhanced and extensively processed Landsat imagery (York and others, 1984; Wilson and York, 1985). HelicopSample locality map and analytical data for potassium-argon ages in the Port Moller, Stepovak Bay, and Simeonof Island quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula
Potassium-argon age determinations for 84 volcanic, intrusive, and hydrothermally altered rocks from the Port Moller, Stepovak Bay, and Simeonof Island quadrangles are reported here. Of these age determinations, 78 samples were analyzed as part of Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program (AMRAP) studies in the Port Moller, Stepovak Bay, and Simeonof Island quadrangles. Age deter- minations for 6 - Multimedia
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The Lower Cretaceous sequence of western Alaska – demise of the Koyukuk terrane?
Lower Cretaceous marine sedimentary rocks, deposited in shallow shelf and basin settings and unconformity-bound, are well exposed in southwest Alaska. Collections of Early Cretaceous fossils from across western Alaska show that similar and coeval Lower Cretaceous clastic rocks are widely distributed though only locally exposed. Volcanic rocks become an important part of the Lower Cretaceous sequAuthorsTravis L. Hudson, Robert Blodgett, Frederic H. WilsonPreliminary geologic map of the Greater Antilles and the Virgin Islands
IntroductionThis geologic map of the Greater Antilles and the Virgin Islands is a compilation of information from the literature, integrated to provide a seamless geologic map of the region. The geology shown on sheet 1 covers Cuba, the island of Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. A secondAuthorsFrederic H. Wilson, Greta Orris, Floyd GrayProbabilistic mineral resource assessment of U.S. Territories of the Caribbean Basin and adjacent areas: Progress report
The U.S. Geological Survey is partnering with the IberoAmerican Association of Geological and Mining Surveys (ASGMI) to conduct an assessment of undiscovered metallic and non-metallic resources in the Greater Antilles region. The assessment plans to provide science-based information on the geologic availability of these resources for development, land-use planning, and decision making. The USGS anAuthorsLukas Zürcher, Floyd Gray, Stephen Ludington, Frederic H. Wilson, Greta J. Orris, Mark D. Cocker, Mark E. Gettings, Timothy HayesLegacy K/Ar and 40Ar/39Ar geochronologic data from the Alaska-Aleutian Range batholith of south-central Alaska
Sample descriptions and analytical data for more than 200 K/Ar and 40Ar/39Ar analyses from rocks of the Alaska-Aleutian Range batholith of south-central Alaska are reported here. Samples were collected over a period of 20 years by Bruce R. Reed and Marvin A. Lanphere (both U.S. Geological Survey) as part of their studies of the batholith.Alaska geology revealed
This map shows the generalized geology of Alaska, which helps us to understand where potential mineral deposits and energy resources might be found, define ecosystems, and ultimately, teach us about the earth history of the State. Rock units are grouped in very broad categories on the basis of age and general rock type. A much more detailed and fully referenced presentation of the geology of AlaskAuthorsFrederic H. Wilson, Keith A. LabayMineral deposits and metallogeny of Alaska
Alaska, the largest State within the United States, and mainly located north of latitude 60°, is an important part of the Circum-Arctic region. Alaska is a richly endowed region with a long and complex geologic history. The mining history is short by world standards but nevertheless there are a number of world-class deposits in Alaska, of which Red Dog and Pebble are among the largest of their resAuthorsRichard J. Goldfarb, Corey J. Meighan, Lawrence D. Meinert, Frederic H. WilsonGeologic framework of the Alaska Peninsula, southwest Alaska, and the Alaska Peninsula terrane
The Alaska Peninsula is composed of the late Paleozoic to Quaternary sedimentary, igneous, and minor metamorphic rocks that record the history of a number of magmatic arcs. These magmatic arcs include an unnamed Late Triassic(?) and Early Jurassic island arc, the early Cenozoic Meshik arc, and the late Cenozoic Aleutian arc. Also found on the Alaska Peninsula is one of the most complete nonmetamorAuthorsFrederic H. Wilson, Robert L. Detterman, Gregory D. DuBoisTwo flysch belts having distinctly different provenance suggest no stratigraphic link between the Wrangellia composite terrane and the paleo-Alaskan margin
The provenance of Jurassic to Cretaceous flysch along the northern boundary of the allochthonous Wrangellia composite terrane, exposed from the Lake Clark region of southwest Alaska to the Nutzotin Mountains in eastern Alaska, suggests that the flysch can be divided into two belts having different sources. On the north, the Kahiltna flysch and Kuskokwim Group overlie and were derived from the FarwAuthorsChad P. Hults, Frederic H. Wilson, Raymond A. Donelick, Paul B. O'SullivanMap showing extent of glaciation in the Eagle quadrangle, east-central Alaska
This map covers the Eagle 1:250,000-scale quadrangle in the northeastern part of the Yukon-Tanana Upland in Alaska. It shows the extent of five major glacial advances, former glacial lakes, and present fragmented terrace deposits related to the advances. The Yukon-Tanana Upland is an area of about 116,550 km2 between the Yukon and Tanana Rivers in east-central Alaska that extends into the westernAuthorsFlorence R. Weber, Frederic H. WilsonGeologic map of Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska
Saint Lawrence Island is located in the northern Bering Sea, 190 km southwest of the tip of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, and 75 km southeast of the Chukotsk Peninsula, Russia (see index map, map sheet). It lies on a broad, shallow-water continental shelf that extends from western Alaska to northeastern Russia. The island is situated on a northwest-trending structural uplift exposing rocks as oldAuthorsWilliam W. Patton, Frederic H. Wilson, Theresa A. TaylorPreliminary Geologic Map of the Cook Inlet Region, Alaska-Including Parts of the Talkeetna, Talkeetna Mountains, Tyonek, Anchorage, Lake Clark, Kenai, Seward, Iliamna, Seldovia, Mount Katmai, and Afognak 1:250,000-scale Quadrangles
The growth in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has highlighted the need for digital geologic maps that have been attributed with information about age and lithology. Such maps can be conveniently used to generate derivative maps for manifold special purposes such as mineral-resource assessment, metallogenic studies, tectonic studies, and environmental research. This report is part oGeologic and Geochronologic Studies of the Early Proterozoic Kanektok Metamorphic Complex of Southwestern Alaska
The Kanektok complex of southwestern Alaska appears to be a rootless terrane of early Proterozoic sedimentary, volcanic, and intrusive rocks which were metamorphosed to amphibolite and granulite facies and later underwent a pervasive late Mesozoic thermal event accompanied by granitic plutonism and greenschist facies metamorphism of overlying sediments. The terrane is structurally complex and exhiAuthorsDonald L. Turner, Robert B. Forbes, John N. Aleinikoff, Ian McDougall, Carl E. Hedge, Frederic H. Wilson, Paul W. Layer, Chad P. Hults - Web Tools
Geologic Map of Alaska
This is an interactive version of the Alaska geologic map database which allows a user to view and access many features of the database and map through a standard web browser. In other words, there is no need for or knowledge of specialized GIS software.
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