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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

PDEPTH—A computer program for the geophysical interpretation of magnetic and gravity profiles through Fourier filtering, source-depth analysis, and forward modeling

PDEPTH is an interactive, graphical computer program used to construct interpreted geological source models for observed potential-field geophysical profile data. The current version of PDEPTH has been adapted to the Windows platform from an earlier DOS-based version. The input total-field magnetic anomaly and vertical gravity anomaly profiles can be filtered to produce derivative products such as
Authors
Jeffrey D. Phillips

Recent trends in Cuba’s mining and petroleum industries

In response to recent diplomatic developments between Cuba and the United States, the National Minerals Information Center compiled available information on the mineral industries of Cuba. This fact sheet highlights a new map and table that identify mines, mineral processing facilities, and petroleum facilities as well as information on location, operational status, and ownership. It also addresse
Authors
Susan Wacaster, Michael S. Baker, Yadira Soto-Viruet, Steven D. Textoris

Analysis of the age and paleomagnetic orientation of the Broadwell Mesa Basalt, Bristol Mountains, CA

To add to the regional paleomagnetic data documenting block rotation in eastern California, we determined the age and paleomagnetic rotation of the Broadwell Mesa basalt, a basalt in the Bristol Mountains, CA as part of an effort to constrain the timing and rotation of blocks adjacent to the fault. The east-striking sinistral Broadwell Mesa fault cuts and separates the basalt into two outcrops. An
Authors
Geoffrey Phelps, John Hillhouse, Robert J. Fleck, David M. Miller, David C. Buesch, Andrew J. Cyr, Kevin M. Schmidt

Spectral properties of anhydrous carbonates and nitrates

No abstract available.
Authors
J.L. Bishop, S.J. King, M.D. Lane, B. Lafuente, A. J. Brown, T. Hiroi, Gregg A. Swayze, J.-F. Lin

Element partitioning in magnetite under low-grade metamorphic conditions – A case study from the Proterozoic Belt Supergroup, USA

The distribution and partitioning of elements in igneous rocks is well established for various melt –(fluid) –solid pairs and provides important insights into the petrogenesis of these rocks. Studies of the partitioning behavior of elements under metamorphic conditions are scarce and commonly focus on high-grade metamorphic facies. Little is known about the partitioning behavior of elements under
Authors
Patrick Nadoll, Jeffrey L. Mauk, Timothy Hayes, Alan Koenig, Stephen E. Box

Evaluation of hypotheses for right-lateral displacement of Neogene strata along the San Andreas Fault between Parkfield and Maricopa, California

We used geological field studies and diatom biostratigraphy to test a published hypothesis that Neogene marine siliceous strata in the Maricopa and Parkfield areas, located on opposite sides of the San Andreas Fault, were formerly contiguous and then were displaced by about 80–130 kilometers (km) of right-lateral slip along the fault. In the Maricopa area on the northeast side of the San Andreas F
Authors
Richard G. Stanley, John A. Barron, Charles L. Powell

Assessment of undiscovered resources in calcrete uranium deposits, Southern High Plains region of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, 2017

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates a mean of 40 million pounds of in-place uranium oxide (U3O8) remaining as potential undiscovered resources in the Southern High Plains region of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. This estimate used a geology-based assessment method specific to calcrete uranium deposits.
Authors
Susan M. Hall, Mark J. Mihalasky, Bradley S. Van Gosen

Alaska and Yukon magnetic compilation, residual total magnetic field

This map is a compilation of aeromagnetic surveys over Yukon and eastern Alaska. Aeromagnetic surveys measure the total intensity of the earth's magnetic field. The field was measured by a magnetometer aboard an aircraft flown in parallel lines spaced at 200 m to 10000 m across the map area. The magnetic field reflects magnetic properties of bedrock and provides qualitative and quantitative inform
Authors
W. Miles, Richard W. Saltus, N. Hayward, D. Oneschuk

Selenium

Selenium (Se) was discovered in 1817 in pyrite from copper mines in Sweden. It is a trace element in Earth’s crust, with an abundance of three to seven orders of magnitude less than the major rock-forming elements. Commercial use of selenium began in the United States in 1910, when it was used as a pigment for paints, ceramic glazes, and red glass. Since that time, it has had many other economic u
Authors
Lisa L. Stillings

Tellurium

Tellurium (Te) is a very rare element that averages only 3 parts per billion in Earth’s upper crust. It shows a close association with gold and may be present in orebodies of most gold deposit types at levels of tens to hundreds of parts per million. In large-tonnage mineral deposits, such as porphyry copper and seafloor volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, sulfide minerals may contain hundreds
Authors
Richard J. Goldfarb, Byron R. Berger, Micheal W. George, Robert R. Seal

Tin

Tin (Sn) is one of the first metals to be used by humans. Almost without exception, tin is used as an alloy. Because of its hardening effect on copper, tin was used in bronze implements as early as 3500 B.C. The major uses of tin today are for cans and containers, construction materials, transportation materials, and solder. The predominant ore mineral of tin, by far, is cassiterite (SnO2).In 2015
Authors
Robert J. Kamilli, Bryn E. Kimball, James F. Carlin

Environmental considerations related to mining of nonfuel minerals

Throughout most of human history, environmental stewardship during mining has not been a priority partly because of the lack of applicable laws and regulations and partly because of ignorance about the effects that mining can have on the environment. In the United States, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, in conjunction with related laws, codified a more modern approach to mining, inc
Authors
Robert R. Seal, Nadine M. Piatak, Bryn E. Kimball, Jane M. Hammarstrom