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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: 2539

F is for fuller's earth F is for fuller's earth

Before putting on a wool cardigan, make sure you know how the wool was cleaned.
Authors
W. H. Langer

C is for cactolith C is for cactolith

Geologic jargon - though handy for triple-word scores - should be used in moderation.
Authors
W. H. Langer

K is for potassium K is for potassium

K - the chemical symbol for the element/metal potassium.
Authors
W. H. Langer

I is for isinglass I is for isinglass

Once commonly used in coal and wood-burning stoves, U.S. production of mica has all but ceased.
Authors
W. H. Langer

Algal blooms and "Marine snow": Mechanisms that enhance preservation of organic carbon in ancient fine-grained sediments Algal blooms and "Marine snow": Mechanisms that enhance preservation of organic carbon in ancient fine-grained sediments

Combined petrographic and geochemical methods are used to investigate the microfabrics present in thin sections prepared from representative organic carbon-rich mudstones collected from three successions (the Kimmeridge Clay Formation, the Jet Rock Member of the Whitby Mudstone Formation, and the pebble shale and Hue Shale). This study was initiated to determine how organic carbon-rich...
Authors
Joe H.S. Macquaker, Margaret A. Keller, Sarah J. Davies

Rapid middle Miocene extension and unroofing of the southern Ruby Mountains, Nevada Rapid middle Miocene extension and unroofing of the southern Ruby Mountains, Nevada

Paleozoic rocks in the northern Ruby Mountains were metamorphosed during Mesozoic crustal shortening and Cenozoic magmatism, but equivalent strata in the southern Ruby Mountains were never buried deeper than stratigraphic depths prior to exhumation in the footwall of a west dipping brittle normal fault. In the southern Ruby Mountains, Miocene sedimentary rocks in the hanging wall of this...
Authors
Joseph P. Colgan, Keith A. Howard, Robert J. Fleck, Joseph L. Wooden

Geophysical framework of the northern San Francisco Bay region, California Geophysical framework of the northern San Francisco Bay region, California

We use geophysical data to examine the structural framework of the northern San Francisco Bay region, an area that hosts the northward continuation of the East Bay fault system. Although this fault system has accommodated ∼175 km of right-lateral offset since 12 Ma, how this offset is partitioned north of the bay is controversial and important for understanding where and how strain is...
Authors
Victoria E. Langenheim, Russell W. Graymer, Robert C. Jachens, Robert J. McLaughlin, D.L. Wagner, Donald S. Sweetkind

A review of silver-rich mineral deposits and their metallogeny A review of silver-rich mineral deposits and their metallogeny

Mineral deposits with large inventories or high grades of silver are found in four genetic groups: (1) volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), (2) sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX), (3) lithogene, and, (4) magmatichydrothermal. Principal differences between the four groups relate to source rocks and regions, metal associations, process and timing of mineralization, and tectonic setting. These...
Authors
Frederick Graybeal, Peter G. Vikre

Diatomite Diatomite

Information on the diatomite industry in 2009 is presented. Specifically, details on diatomite production and prices, properties, its future supply, and natural and synthetic substitutes are provided.
Authors
R.D. Crangle

Mineral resource of the month: germanium Mineral resource of the month: germanium

The article provides information on germanium, an element with electrical properties between those of a metal and an insulator. Applications of germanium include its use as a component of the glass in fiber-optic cable, in infrared optics devices and as a semiconductor and substrate used in electronic and solar applications. Germanium was first isolated by German chemist Clemens Winkler...
Authors
David Guberman

Mineral resource of the month: iron ore Mineral resource of the month: iron ore

The article provides information on iron ore, including its use in steelmaking.
Authors
John Jorgenson
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