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Publications

Results from our Program’s research and minerals information activities are published in USGS publications series as well as in outside journals.  To follow Minerals Information Periodicals, subscribe to the Mineral Periodicals RSS feed.

Filter Total Items: 2294

Porphyry-type metallization and alteration at La Florida de Nacozari, Sonora, Mexico

Pervasive secondary biotite-rich mineral assemblages, characteristic of potassic alteration found in the cores of most commercial porphyry copper systems, are associated spatially with a conspicuous color and a geochemical anomaly at La Florida de Nacozari, Sonora. These composite biotite-magnetite assemblages, with or without actinolite, quartz, rutile, sphene, chalcopyrite, and pyrite assemblage
Authors
Ted G. Theodore, Miguel Priego de Wit

Paleomagnetic evidence for a Late Cretaceous deformation of the Great Valley Sequence, Sacramento Valley, California

Paleomagnetic samples from five localities within the Great Valley sequence range in age from Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous. All samples possess normal polarity, and alternating-field demagnetization experiments show that the remanence was acquired after the sequence was folded. A mean paleomagnetic pole position determined from 17 demagnetized samples is located at 72° N., 181° E., with the ra
Authors
Edward A. Mankinen

Geomagnetic paleointensities from radiocarbon‐dated lava flows on Hawaii and the question of the Pacific nondipole low

Radiocarbon ages have been published for nine basaltic lava flows on the island of Hawaii; the ages range from 2600 to somewhat older than 17,900 years B.P. By using the Thelliers' method in vacuum, geomagnetic paleointensity values were obtained from eight of the lavas; the ninth proved unsuitable. The paleointensities for the four youngest flows (2600–4600 years B.P.) yield virtual dipole moment
Authors
Robert S. Coe, Sherman Gromme, Edward A. Mankinen

Geomagnetic polarity event recorded at 1.1 m.y. B.P. on Cobb Mountain, Clear Lake volcanic field, California

Paleomagnetic studies show that a normal polarity event within the Matuyama reversed polarity epoch is recorded by one of the volcanic units on Cobb Mountain in northern California. K-Ar age determinations show that this event has an age of 1.12 ± 0.02 m.y. and clearly preceded the Jaramillo normal polarity event. These data provide the first confirmation from a subaerial volcano that a brief pola
Authors
Edward A. Mankinen, J.M. Donnelly, C. S. Grommé

Geological Survey research 1978

This U.S. Geological Survey activities report includes a summary of 1978 fiscal year scientific and economic results accompanied by a list of geologic and hydrologic investigations in progress and a report on the status of topographic mapping. The summary of results includes: (1) Mineral and water resources, (2) Engineering geology and hydrology, (3) Regional geology, (4) Principles and processes,
Authors

Distribution and character of upper mesozoic subduction complexes along the west coast of North America

Structurally complex sequences of sedimentary, volcanic, and intrusive igneous rocks characterize a nearly continuous narrow band along the Pacific coast of North America from Baja California, Mexico to southern Alaska. They occur in two modes: (1) as complexly folded but coherent sequences of graywacke and argillite that locally exhibit blueschist-grade metamorphism, and (2) as melanges containin
Authors
D. L. Jones, M. C. Blake, E. H. Bailey, R. J. McLaughlin

Age measurements of potassium-bearing sulfide minerals by the 40Ar/39Ar technique

K-Ar ages have been determined for sulfide minerals for the first time. The occurrence of adequate amounts of potassium-bearing sulfides with ideal compositions K3Fe10S14 (∼10 wt.% K) and KFe2S3 (∼16 wt.% K) in samples from a mafic alkalic diatreme at Coyote Peak, California, prompted an attempt to date these materials. K3Fe10S14, a massive mineral with conchoidal fracture, gives an age of 29.4 ±
Authors
G.K. Czamanske, M. A. Lanphere, Richard C. Erd, M. C. Blake