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Explore this collection of photos, maps, infographics and videos related to USGS energy and mineral research.
From Maybe to Mineable
Scientists use different terms to communicate the strength of evidence - or uncertainty - for mineable minerals.
On a scale from less information and higher uncertainty to more information and lower uncertainty:
From Maybe to Mineable
Scientists use different terms to communicate the strength of evidence - or uncertainty - for mineable minerals.
On a scale from less information and higher uncertainty to more information and lower uncertainty:
Critical Mineral Focus Areas in the Conterminous United States Infographic Poster (24" X 36" original size)
Critical Mineral Focus Areas in the Conterminous United States Infographic Poster (24" X 36" original size)
The life cycle of molybdenum, from primary material to downstream products.
The life cycle of molybdenum, from primary material to downstream products.
NASA’s ER‑2 high‑altitude research aircraft touches down in Colorado Springs May 11, 2026, after completing a hyperspectral survey flight for the joint USGS–NASA effort to map critical minerals across the western United States.
NASA’s ER‑2 high‑altitude research aircraft touches down in Colorado Springs May 11, 2026, after completing a hyperspectral survey flight for the joint USGS–NASA effort to map critical minerals across the western United States.
U.S. Geological Survey geophysicists Ray Kokaly (left) and Todd Hoefen (right) monitor incoming hyperspectral data in the hangar as NASA’s high‑altitude ER‑2 aircraft conducts mineral‑mapping flights over the western United States.
U.S. Geological Survey geophysicists Ray Kokaly (left) and Todd Hoefen (right) monitor incoming hyperspectral data in the hangar as NASA’s high‑altitude ER‑2 aircraft conducts mineral‑mapping flights over the western United States.
Graph of U.S. production (in millions of metric tons) of materials from 1900 to 2020, adapted from Materials flow in the United States—A global context, 1900–2020.
Graph of U.S. production (in millions of metric tons) of materials from 1900 to 2020, adapted from Materials flow in the United States—A global context, 1900–2020.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across the Western United States and the nation.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across the Western United States and the nation.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across the Eastern United States and the nation.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across the Eastern United States and the nation.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across the Western United States and the nation.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across the Western United States and the nation.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across the Eastern United States and the nation.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across the Eastern United States and the nation.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across Alaska and the nation.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across Alaska and the nation.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across Alaska and the nation.
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is accelerating modern geological and geophysical mapping across Alaska and the nation.