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Energy Resources Program

Addressing the challenge of increasing demand for energy sources by conducting basic and applied research on geologic energy resources

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Mineral Resources Program

Delivering unbiased science and information on mineral resource potential, production, consumption, and how they interact with the environment.

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Science and Decisions Center

An interdisciplinary organization advancing the use of science in natural resource decision making.

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SHRIMP-RG Lab

Supporting scientists and students to analyze specimens for a variety of scientific research objectives.

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TRIGA Reactor

Supporting science by providing information on geologic, plant, and animal specimens to advance methods and techniques unique to nuclear reactors.

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Energy and Minerals

The Energy and Mineral Resources Mission Area conducts research and assessments that focus on the location, quantity, and quality of mineral and energy resources, including the economic and environmental effects of resource extraction and use.

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Energy Resources Program

Eocene basin-floor submarine fan deposits exposed on the mountain, Hyrnestabben.

Conducts basic and applied research on geologic energy resources and on the environmental, economic, and human health impacts of their production and use.The program is also involved in studying the impacts of wind and solar energy development.

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Mineral Resources Program

Geologist doing field work in Alaska

Provides scientific information for objective resource assessments and unbiased research results on mineral potential, production, consumption, and environmental effects. The MRP is the sole Federal source for this information.

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News

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Laying the Groundwork: How the USGS is Deploying the Infrastructure Law’s Investments in Science

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USGS, Apple Develop New Metric to Better Understand Global Mining Impacts of Key Minerals and their Future Supply

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 Six Ways the USGS Celebrates Earth Day Everyday

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Publications

Assessing mineral supply concentration from different perspectives through a case study of zinc

Increasing demand for nonfuel mineral commodities has increased concerns regarding the reliability of their supplies. “Criticality” assessments over the past decade have attempted to capture this concern through a set of indicators, the most common of which quantifies the risk associated with market concentration by applying the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) to the world production of a given c
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Energy and Minerals, Mineral Resources Program, National Minerals Information Center

Methodology and technical input for the 2021 review and revision of the U.S. Critical Minerals List

Pursuant to Section 7002 (“Mineral Security”) of Title VII (“Critical Minerals”) of the Energy Act of 2020 (Public Law 116–260, December 27, 2020, 116th Cong.), the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, is tasked with reviewing and revising the methodology used to evaluate mineral criticality and the U.S. Critical Minerals List no less than every 3 y
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Energy and Minerals, National Minerals Information Center

Geochemical data for Illinois Basin coal samples, 2015–2018

Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and their collaborators conducted a study of the geochemical properties of coals currently produced for electric power generation in the Illinois Basin in Illinois and Indiana. The study follows from recommendations by an expert panel for the USGS to investigate the distribution and controls of trace constituents such as mercury (Hg) in Illinois Bas
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Energy and Minerals, Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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Science

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2022 Post-Doctoral Fellow - Geophysical Techniques for Off-World Resource Surveys

USGS is partnering with NASA and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD) for Research and Engineering to increase capabilities in off-world resource surveying. We propose to explore the utility and feasibility of geophysical techniques to characterize potential resources in the near subsurface of the Moon and Mars, improving our ability to detect, map, and characterize in situ...
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Energy and Minerals, Mineral Resources Program, National Land Imaging Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, National Innovation Center
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2022 Post-Doctoral Fellow - Geophysical Techniques for Off-World Resource Surveys

USGS is partnering with NASA and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD) for Research and Engineering to increase capabilities in off-world resource surveying. We propose to explore the utility and feasibility of geophysical techniques to characterize potential resources in the near subsurface of the Moon and Mars, improving our ability to detect, map, and characterize in situ...
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Dr. Suzanne Nicholson in Isle Royale, 1996

Mineral Resources Program Scientist Receives Meritorious Service Award

Dr. Suzanne Nicholson received the U.S. Department of Interior's second highest honorary award—the Meritorious Service Award— In recognition of her scientific leadership and noteworthy contributions to the Mineral Resources Program of the U.S. Geological Survey.
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Energy and Minerals, Mineral Resources Program
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Mineral Resources Program Scientist Receives Meritorious Service Award

Dr. Suzanne Nicholson received the U.S. Department of Interior's second highest honorary award—the Meritorious Service Award— In recognition of her scientific leadership and noteworthy contributions to the Mineral Resources Program of the U.S. Geological Survey.
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Application to explore Continuous/Unconventional World Oil and Gas Assessment Publications

World Oil and Gas Resource Assessments

The USGS World Energy Project conducts geologic studies that provide an understanding of the quantity, quality, and geologic distribution of world oil and gas resources. Our geologic studies are conducted in an impartial manner and are performed in collaboration and partnership with energy experts within and outside government. Through synthesis and improved understanding of global oil and gas...
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Energy and Minerals, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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World Oil and Gas Resource Assessments

The USGS World Energy Project conducts geologic studies that provide an understanding of the quantity, quality, and geologic distribution of world oil and gas resources. Our geologic studies are conducted in an impartial manner and are performed in collaboration and partnership with energy experts within and outside government. Through synthesis and improved understanding of global oil and gas...
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