Energy and Minerals
News
Critical Cooperation: How Australia, Canada and the United States are Working Together to Support Critical Mineral Discovery
Just as alloys make steel stronger, research allies make mineral science better. Geoscience Australia, the Geological Survey of Canada, and the USGS are coordinating their critical mineral mapping and research efforts to create a shared foundation of mineral information to help ensure a safe and secure supply of the materials needed for each country’s economy and security.
New Patent Helps Coalbed Methane Research
Far underground, in a Wyoming well-bore drilled through rock and coal, exciting research is bubbling up. USGS researchers are studying how bacteria and other microbes may play a role in the formation of natural gas from coal, and they’re using one of USGS’ newest patents to do it. This patent is the subsurface environmental sampler, or SES.
Mixing Oil and Water
In south Texas, a wide band of rocks stretches from the Mexican border all the way to western Louisiana, forming the highly productive Eagle Ford Group. These formations, made up primarily of shale and mudstone, are some of the most prolific oil and gas-producing rocks in the United States.
A Geologist Tongue Twister
Bring out your inner geologist and take the Geologist Tongue Twister Audio or Video challenge!
First, do an audio or video recording of you reading the Tongue Twister. Second, feature a rock or mineral from your rock collection or go outside and find yourself a rock; they are everywhere!
Be sure to hashtag your video #earthscienceweek and #...
Using Remote Sensing to Turn Trash into Treasure
There’s an old saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. At the USGS, we’re taking another look at old mine waste and tailings to see if there might still be mineral potential in them.
Mineral Science Reaches New Heights
When learning more about ancient rocks buried deep beneath the surface of the Earth, it may seem surprising to use futuristic technologies flown hundreds of feet in the air, but that has been central to the USGS Earth Mapping Resource Initiative. One year in, it’s time to take stock of what Earth MRI has achieved & where it’s going, using the results of a recent survey to lead the way.
Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Colorado
A total of $171,555 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Centennial State
Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Indiana
A total of $160,000 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Hoosier State
Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in New Mexico
A total of $133,000 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Land of Enchantment
Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in West Virginia
A total of $125,000 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Mountain State
Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Maine
A total of $118,479 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Pine Tree State
Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Texas
A total of $134,453 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Lone Star State