Publications
Here you will find publications, reports and articles produced by geology, energy, and mineral scientists. For a comprehensive listing of all USGS publications, click the button below.
Filter Total Items: 1404
Airborne geophysical efforts for critical mineral systems mapping in the southern Midcontinent, USA Airborne geophysical efforts for critical mineral systems mapping in the southern Midcontinent, USA
The increasing global demand for critical minerals to support energy and technological advancement has accelerated exploration and research efforts for these essential resources. Since 2019, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (EMRI) has worked to modernize geologic mapping of the Nation to better understand its critical mineral resources. To...
Authors
Chelsea Morgan Amaral, Anne E. McCafferty, Dylan Mark Connell
Geology and geochemistry of Ni-Co laterite occurrences of northern California and southern Oregon Geology and geochemistry of Ni-Co laterite occurrences of northern California and southern Oregon
Ni-Co laterite occurrences in the Klamath Mountains of southern Oregon and northern California contain Ni, Co, and Sc values comparable to global deposits. However, they are thin and limited in extent, often occurring as landslides and slumps. Olivine in the parent material contains Ni and Co and enstatite contains Sc. Through pervasive weathering, these elements where concentrated in Fe...
Authors
Erin E. Marsh, Andrea L. Foster, Graham W. Lederer, Heather A. Lowers, Mitchell M. Bennett
In-situ geochronology using LA-ICP-MS/MS: Application of the Lu-Hf system in carbonate, apatite and fluorite In-situ geochronology using LA-ICP-MS/MS: Application of the Lu-Hf system in carbonate, apatite and fluorite
Geochronology is a fundamental tool for reconstructing earth history and constraining the timing of ore deposit formation. Traditionally, U-rich minerals like zircon, titanite, monazite and apatite have been analysed to determine the timing of mineralization and alteration events. However, not all deposits or alteration assemblages contain these minerals, and the U-Pb system can be...
Authors
Jay M. Thompson, Amanda Kate Souders, Kathryn E. Watts, Jacob Evan Poletti, Erin Kay Benson, Nicole Hurtig, Alexander Gysi
USGS addresses needs for lithium calibration and quality control materials for pLIBS analysis USGS addresses needs for lithium calibration and quality control materials for pLIBS analysis
Lithium (Li) is a globally important commodity used for energy storage, national defense, human health, and advanced technologies. Lithium resource development requires identifying deposits with elevated concentrations and optimal mineralogy, typically associated with select clays and pegmatites. Lithium is a light, highly reactive alkali metal with low atomic mass that is difficult to...
Authors
A. Rae Ann Orkild-Norton, Katharina I. Pfaff, John Michael Meyer, Carolyn Cantwell, Erica Key
Quantitative mineral resource assessment of lithium pegmatite deposits in the Appalachian Orogen, USA Quantitative mineral resource assessment of lithium pegmatite deposits in the Appalachian Orogen, USA
Lithium is classified as a U.S. critical mineral commodity, and its demand is projected to drastically increase through 2040, driven by electric vehicle production and energy storage applications (IEA 2021).Most global lithium production is not in the United States increasing vulnerability to a supply disruption. The U.S. Geological Survey is actively assessing domestic lithium deposits...
Authors
Niki E. Wintzer, Joshua Mark Rosera, Christopher S. Holm-Denoma, Dalton M. McCaffrey, Kelsey Elizabeth Crocker, Joshua Aaron Coyan, Graham W. Lederer
Petrogenesis and mineralization potential of the Bradley Peak komatiitic basalts, Wyoming Province Petrogenesis and mineralization potential of the Bradley Peak komatiitic basalts, Wyoming Province
The ca. 2.72 Ga Bradley Peak greenstone terrane in the Wyoming Province contains spinifex- and cumulate-textured komatiitic volcanic rocks that may host Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineralization. New whole rock geochemistry classifies these rocks as Al-undepleted komatiitic basalts derived from a parental melt with ~17 wt. % MgO. Isotopic data (Sm-Nd, Re-Os) and REE profiles suggest a plume...
Authors
Lisa J. Zieman, Michael Jenkins, Michael L. Zientek, Jacob Evan Poletti, Alan D. Rooney
Gravity and magnetic surveys of the Skaergaard intrusion, East Greenland Gravity and magnetic surveys of the Skaergaard intrusion, East Greenland
Aeromagnetic and gravity surveys of the Skaergaard intrusion in East Greenland were carried out in July–August 1971 as part of a grant to the University of Oregon Center for Volcanology to refine the models of crystallization and differentiation of the intrusion, specifically to test whether the intrusion is underlain by dense rocks of a reservoir 20 kilometers (km) thick (referred to as...
Authors
Mark E. Gettings
Reaction kinetics and accelerant effects of sulfides in early mature hydrocarbon generation using hydrous pyrolysis Reaction kinetics and accelerant effects of sulfides in early mature hydrocarbon generation using hydrous pyrolysis
Hydrocarbon generation in organic-rich sediments is influenced by the molecular organic composition and relative abundance of associated minerals. Certain mineral-derived elements act as catalysts and reaction intermediaries, facilitating early-stage hydrocarbon formation in potential source rocks. This study investigated the role of sulfur contributed from pyrite as an accelerant in...
Authors
Tushar Adsul, Paul C. Hackley, Javin J. Hatcherian, Ryan J. McAleer, Carlin J. Green, Alan K. Burnham, Santanu Ghosh, Josef P. Werne, Atul K. Varma
Assimilation of reduced carbon triggers platinum alloy saturation in mafic and ultramafic magmas Assimilation of reduced carbon triggers platinum alloy saturation in mafic and ultramafic magmas
It is generally observed that magmatic sulfide ores have higher ratios of Pd/Pt than the mantle-like values of their parental magmas. This discrepancy has defied simple explanation because the partitioning behavior of both elements between sulfide and silicate liquids is very similar. Assimilation of sulfur- and carbon-rich country rocks by mafic and ultramafic magmas is considered a...
Authors
Ying Zhou Li, William D. Smith, Michael Jenkins, Zhuosen Yao, James E. Mungall
Component identification of solid biomass fuels using reflected light microscopy: Interlaboratory study 2 Component identification of solid biomass fuels using reflected light microscopy: Interlaboratory study 2
As nations transition toward sustainable energy systems, biomass has become a vital component of global energy portfolios. Derived from organic materials such as wood, agricultural residues, forestry byproducts, and organic waste, biomass is a renewable energy source with significant environmental and economic benefits. Responsible biomass energy production can improve waste management...
Authors
Agnieszka Drobniak, Maria Mastalerz, Zbigniew Jelonek, Iwona Jelonek, Menandro Acda, Tushar Adsul, Neža Malenšek Andolšek, Lorenzo Animali, Omid Ardakani, Telma Ataide, Demberelsuren Batbold, Mohd Younus Bhat, Tara Congo, Bryon S. Donohoe, Olugbenga Ehinola, Deolinda Flores, Carolina Fonseca, Santanu Ghosh, Paula Gonçalves, Paul C. Hackley, James C. Hower, Luvsanchultem Jargal, Michelle N. Johnston, Stavros Kalaitzidis, Sławomir Kędzior, Wayne Knowles, Susheel Kumar, Jolanta Kus, Grzegorz Lis, Kacper Lis, Bei Liu, Bangjun Liu, Qingyong Luo, Meili Du, Alessio Mencarelli, Divya Mishra, Magdalena Misz-Kennan, Nicola Mitillo, Roksana Muzyka, Jennifer Nedzweckas, Jennifer M.K. O'Keefe, Silvia Omodeo-Salé, Luvsannyam Oyunjargal, Jackie Park, Aulia Agus Patria, Richard Pearson, Henrik I. Petersen, Georgeta Predeanu, Ganzorig Ranjin, Julito Reyes, Joana Ribeiro, Genaro de la Rosa Rodríguez, Arka Rudra, Marcin Sajdak, Margaret M. Sanders, George Siavalas, Piotr Sosnowski, Atul K. Varma, Małgorzata Wojtaszek-Kalaitzidi, Mateusz Wolszczak, Zhanjie Xu, Alexander Zdravkov, Lei Zhao, Magdalena Zielińska, Konrad Ziemianin
Formation of the Mount Weld rare earth element deposit, Western Australia: A carbonatite-derived laterite Formation of the Mount Weld rare earth element deposit, Western Australia: A carbonatite-derived laterite
Carbonatite-hosted rare earth element (REE) deposits are the primary source of the world’s light REEs. The Mount Weld REE deposit in Western Australia is hosted in a lateritic sequence that reflects supergene enrichment of the underlying carbonatite. Water-rock interaction is a key to the formation of this world-class deposit. REE enrichment in the laterite is controlled by the breakdown...
Authors
Philip L. Verplanck, Jay M. Thompson, Cameron Mark Mercer, Ganesh Bhat, Heather A. Lowers, Adam Boehlke
Enhanced geothermal systems electric-resource assessment for the Great Basin, southwestern United States Enhanced geothermal systems electric-resource assessment for the Great Basin, southwestern United States
The U.S. Geological Survey recently (2025) completed a provisional assessment of the geothermal-electric resources associated with high-temperature, low-permeability rock formations of the Great Basin, Southwestern United States. If sufficient technological advances to commercialize enhanced geothermal systems occur, then a current best provisional estimate for electric-power generation...
Authors
Erick R. Burns, Colin F. Williams, Jacob DeAngelo