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Browse recent USGS publications related to energy resources. 

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Equivalent radiolarian ages from ophiolitic terranes of Cyprus and Oman Equivalent radiolarian ages from ophiolitic terranes of Cyprus and Oman

Radiolarian biostratigraphy shows that umberiferous strata overlying the Troodos ophiolite in Cyprus are Turonian in age and are thus essentially contemporaneous with similar strata that overlie the Samail ophiolite in Oman. However, this radiolarian age is markedly older than Campanian isotopic ages measured on the underlying rocks of the Troodos ophiolite. The revised age for the...
Authors
Charles D. Blome, William P. Irwin

Petroleum industry drilling in industrialized and developing areas Petroleum industry drilling in industrialized and developing areas

International drilling statistics show significant differences in target depths as well as the mix between onshore and offshore wells. Unlike the USA, where most of the drilling has been concentrated in depths to 5000 f (shallow depths), the preponderance of wildcat wells drilled in South America and Africa reach much deeper horizons. Offshore wildcat drilling represents less than 4% of...
Authors
Emil D. Attanasi

Fluorine in Colorado oil shale Fluorine in Colorado oil shale

Oil shale from the lower part of the Eocene Green River Formation in the Piceance Creek Basin, Colorado, averages 0.13 weight percent fluorine, which is about twice that found in common shales, but is the same as the average amount found in some oil shales from other parts of the world. Some fluorine may reside in fluorapatite; however, limited data suggest that cryolite may be...
Authors
John R. Dyni

Paleomagnetism and geology of Eocene volcanic rocks of southwest Washington, implications for mechanisms of tectonic rotation Paleomagnetism and geology of Eocene volcanic rocks of southwest Washington, implications for mechanisms of tectonic rotation

Paleomagnetic and geologic investigations in Eocene volcanic rocks of the southwest Washington Coast Range demonstrate a close relationship between tectonic rotations and the local structural geology. The allochthonous middle Eocene submarine basalt basement of the Crescent Formation consists of several fault‐bounded structural domains up to 30 km across that are characterized by...
Authors
Ray E. Wells, Robert S. Coe

Recognition of interstitial anhydrite dissolution: A cause of secondary porosity, San Andres limestone, New Mexico, and Upper Minnelusa Formation, Wyoming Recognition of interstitial anhydrite dissolution: A cause of secondary porosity, San Andres limestone, New Mexico, and Upper Minnelusa Formation, Wyoming

Rectangular and stair-step pore reentrants in carbonate mudstones have been recognized previously as indirect evidence for anhydrite dissolution. In this study, direct evidence for subsurface dissolution of interstitial anhydrite in both dolomite grainstones and quartz sandstones includes: (1) cleavage-related dissolution fringe on anhydrite crystal surfaces, and (2) isolated remnants of...
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Randall W. Richardson

In situ stress, natural fracture distribution, and borehole elongation in the Auburn Geothermal Well, Auburn, New York In situ stress, natural fracture distribution, and borehole elongation in the Auburn Geothermal Well, Auburn, New York

Hydraulic fracturing stress measurements and a borehole televiewer survey were conducted in a 1.6‐km‐deep well at Auburn, New York. This well, which was drilled at the outer margin of the Appalachian Fold and Thrust Belt in the Appalachian Plateau, penetrates approximately 1540 m of lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks and terminates 60 m into the Precambrian marble basement. Analysis of...
Authors
Stephen H. Hickman, John H. Healy, Mark D. Zoback

The Steens Mountain (Oregon) geomagnetic polarity transition: 1. Directional history, duration of episodes, and rock magnetism The Steens Mountain (Oregon) geomagnetic polarity transition: 1. Directional history, duration of episodes, and rock magnetism

The thick sequence of Miocene lava flows exposed on Steens Mountain in southeastern Oregon is well known for containing a detailed record of a reversed‐to‐normal geomagnetic polarity transition. Paleomagnetic samples were obtained from the sequence for a combined study of the directional and intensity variations recorded; the paleointensity study is reported in a companion paper. This...
Authors
Edward A. Mankinen, M. Prevot, C. Sherman Gromme, Robert S. Coe
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