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Browse more than 160,000 publications authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS.  Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more.

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Mine waste as a potential source of critical minerals and other commodities: Examples from the Four Corners states, USA Mine waste as a potential source of critical minerals and other commodities: Examples from the Four Corners states, USA

The growing demand for critical minerals and other mineral resources has raised concerns about possible supplies of these essential commodities. Mine waste is a potential source of these essential commodities. We compiled a geospatial database of publicly available data of the largest non-fuel mine waste features (>200,000 m2 in areal extent) in the Four Corners states of the United...
Authors
Jeffrey Mauk, Sean Gaynor, Nick Karl, Andrew Smith

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 Zieman, Michael Jenkins, Michael L. Zientek, Jacob Poletti, Alan D. Rooney

Mechanics and statistics of postseismic shaking Mechanics and statistics of postseismic shaking

Analysis of two weeks of continuous post-seismic shaking after the 2019 M7.1 Ridgecrest, CA earthquake sequence using 4 nearby borehole seismometers reveals that continuous ground motions decay as Omori’s law in time and follow the Gutenberg-Richter distribution in logarithmic amplitude. The measured temporal decay in amplitudes agrees with predictions of the rate-and-state framework and...
Authors
Timothy Hugh Clements, Elizabeth Cochran, Sarah Minson, Nicholas van der Elst, Clara Yoon, Annemarie Baltay Sundstrom, Morgan Page

Airborne radiometric data map alteration of porphyry copper systems in the Elkhorn district, MT Airborne radiometric data map alteration of porphyry copper systems in the Elkhorn district, MT

The Elkhorn district in southwestern Montana is known for past production of high-grade base and precious metals from skarn and carbonate replacement deposits. The district also hosts a porphyry Cu-Mo deposit. A radiometric survey flown over the district and surrounds provides maps of surficial concentrations of potassium, thorium, and uranium. Handheld gamma ray spectrometer...
Authors
Eric Anderson, Kaleb Scarberry, Kyle Eastman, Jonathan Funk, Benjamin Magnin, Joseph Clevenger, John Dilles, Jarred Zimmerman, Snir Attia, Michael Cosca

Tracing fluid evolution during batholith and deposit formation: In-situ and bulk rock Mo isotopes from the Questa porphyry Mo deposit, New Mexico, USA Tracing fluid evolution during batholith and deposit formation: In-situ and bulk rock Mo isotopes from the Questa porphyry Mo deposit, New Mexico, USA

The Oligocene Questa porphyry Mo deposit, located in New Mexico, USA, is a well-characterized system that formed over 400 kyr, punctuating the 8 Myr formation of the Questa-Latir batholith. Detailed sampling of the intrusions and minerals associated with magmatichydrothermal mineralization, as well as bookending barren intrusions, allows for examination of the Mo isotope record of the...
Authors
Sean Gaynor, Nicolas Greber, Qasid Ahmad, Pia Künzi, Ingo Horn, Stefan Weyer

Did they feel it? Legacy maroseismic data illuminates an engimatic 20th century earthquake Did they feel it? Legacy maroseismic data illuminates an engimatic 20th century earthquake

The challenges and the importance of preserving legacy instrumental records of earthquakes are now well-recognized (e.g., Richards & Hellweg, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1785/0220200053). Seismologists may not be aware of parallel challenges and opportunities with legacy macroseismic data for earthquakes in the United States. For much of the 20th century, macroseismic data were collected by...
Authors
Susan Hough, Lori Dengler, Robert McPherson, Lijam Hagos, Margaret Hellweg

Shear surface undulations modulate clayey gouge strength and contribute to divergent landslide acceleration Shear surface undulations modulate clayey gouge strength and contribute to divergent landslide acceleration

Landslides display a spectrum of speeds for incompletely known reasons. Sliding occurs along slickensided undulatory shear surfaces within boundary shear gouge. Laboratory tests reveal that gouge shear strength generally decreases with finite cumulative displacement during relatively rapid failure and may increase or decrease with increasing shear rate; these behaviors can result in...
Authors
William Schulz, Gonghui Wang, Yao Jiang, Brian Collins, Mark Reid, Mason Einbund

A comparison of deep-sea coral and sponge species distribution models and the impact of ocean currents in the Southern California Bight A comparison of deep-sea coral and sponge species distribution models and the impact of ocean currents in the Southern California Bight

Deep-sea corals and sponges (DSCS) are signature taxa of deep-water habitats, but ecological mechanisms that drive their geographic distributions can be difficult to uncover due to the challenges of surveying deep-water ecosystems and limited oceanographic data. A comparison of species distribution models was made for three DSCS (Antipathes dendochristos, Plumarella longispina, and an...
Authors
Nissa Kreidler, Andre Buchheister, David Huff, Jerome Fiechter, Mary Yoklavich, Mark J. Henderson

Sounds of Atlantic sturgeon spawning: First description and opportunities for riverine endangered species conservation with passive acoustic monitoring Sounds of Atlantic sturgeon spawning: First description and opportunities for riverine endangered species conservation with passive acoustic monitoring

Effective recovery plans for endangered species rely on insights into species’ ecology to identify risks and develop population recovery strategies. Data gaps pose challenges for many species of conservation concern, particularly those with cryptic behaviors or that occupy difficult-to-access habitats. Sounds produced by these species offer an effective means of observing many such...
Authors
Rebecca Cohen, Patrick Baker, Christopher Bowser, Matthew Breece, Alexander Flecker, Dewayne Fox, James Henne, Amanda Higgs, Maija Niemistö, Richard Pendleton, Suresh Sethi, Shannon White, Aaron Rice

Distribution, abundance, and habitat characteristics of Coastal Cactus Wrens (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in San Diego County, California—2024 data summary Distribution, abundance, and habitat characteristics of Coastal Cactus Wrens (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in San Diego County, California—2024 data summary

Executive Summary We surveyed for coastal Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in 507 established plots in San Diego County in 2024, encompassing four genetic clusters (Otay, Lake Jennings, Sweetwater/Encanto, and San Pasqual). Of the 507 plots, 376 have been surveyed every year starting in 2020. Two surveys were completed at each plot between March 1 and July 31, 2024. Cactus...
Authors
Suellen Lynn, Barbara E. Kus

Factors influencing spatial and temporal patterns of Lanius ludovicianus (Loggerhead Shrike) occupancy at a grassland-sagebrush ecotone Factors influencing spatial and temporal patterns of Lanius ludovicianus (Loggerhead Shrike) occupancy at a grassland-sagebrush ecotone

Lanius ludovicianus (Loggerhead Shrike) is a predatory songbird that has experienced a severe population decline throughout its range since the 1940s, likely driven by a combination of factors, including habitat loss and fragmentation. Occupying larger territories compared to many other passerines, L. ludovicianus requires open habitat with interspersed trees and shrubs for nesting and...
Authors
Holly Todaro, Scott Loss, Robert Lonsinger, Courtney Duchardt

Understanding market sensitivity: Estimation of supply and demand elasticities for non-fuel minerals Understanding market sensitivity: Estimation of supply and demand elasticities for non-fuel minerals

In today’s rapidly changing economic landscape, understanding market responsiveness to price changes and the factors influencing commodity prices has become increasingly relevant. Price elasticities serve as indicators of how variations in market conditions affect supply and demand, providing insights into the sensitivity of commodity markets to price fluctuations. This paper presents a
Authors
Ensieh Shojaeddini, Elisa Alonso, Nedal Nassar, David Pineault, Sydney Allen, Jamie Brainard, Dalton McCaffrey, Timothy O'Brien, Abraham Padilla, John Ryter
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