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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: 2523

Contrasting distributions of groundwater arsenic and uranium in the western Hetao basin, Inner Mongolia: Implication for origins and fate controls Contrasting distributions of groundwater arsenic and uranium in the western Hetao basin, Inner Mongolia: Implication for origins and fate controls

Although As concentrations have been investigated in shallow groundwater from the Hetao basin, China, less is known about U and As distributions in deep groundwater, which would help to better understand their origins and fate controls. Two hundred and ninety-nine groundwater samples, 122 sediment samples, and 14 rock samples were taken from the northwest portion of the Hetao basin, and...
Authors
Huaming Guo, Yongfeng Jia, Richard B. Wanty, Yuxiao Jiang, Weiguang Zhao, Wei Xiu, Jiaxing Shen, Yuan Li, Yongsheng Cao, Yang Wu, Di Zhang, Chao Wei, Yilong Zhang, Wengeng Cao, Andrea L. Foster

Petrology and reservoir quality of the Gaikema Sandstone: Initial impressions Petrology and reservoir quality of the Gaikema Sandstone: Initial impressions

The Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) and Division of Oil & Gas (DOG) are currently conducting a study of the hydrocarbon potential of Cook Inlet basin (LePain and others, 2011). The Tertiary stratigraphic section of the basin includes coal-bearing units that are prolific gas reservoirs, particularly the Neogene sandstones. The Paleogene sandstones are locally prolific...
Authors
Kenneth P. Helmold, Richard G. Stanley

Probabilistic 3-D time-lapse inversion of magnetotelluric data: Application to an enhanced geothermal system Probabilistic 3-D time-lapse inversion of magnetotelluric data: Application to an enhanced geothermal system

Surface-based monitoring of mass transfer caused by injections and extractions in deep boreholes is crucial to maximize oil, gas and geothermal production. Inductive electromagnetic methods, such as magnetotellurics, are appealing for these applications due to their large penetration depths and sensitivity to changes in fluid conductivity and fracture connectivity. In this work, we...
Authors
Marina Rosas-Carbajal, Nicolas Linde, Jared R. Peacock, F. I. Zyserman, Thomas Kalscheuer, Stephan Thiel

Mineral Resource of the Month: Lime Mineral Resource of the Month: Lime

Lime is the common term for several chemicals in three major categories: quicklime, hydrated lime and refractory dead-burned dolomite. Lime is almost never found naturally. It is primarily manufactured by burning limestone in kilns, followed by hydration when necessary.
Authors
Lisa A. Corathers

Book review: Natural resources in Afghanistan: Geographic and geologic perspectives on centuries of conflict Book review: Natural resources in Afghanistan: Geographic and geologic perspectives on centuries of conflict

This book is the outcome of four decades of work in Afghanistan by the author, John (Jack) Shroder. His travels and research throughout Afghanistan and his understanding of its place in regional and world history provide the foundation for this comprehensive 572-page reference. The book describes the interrelated nature of Afghanistan’s physical and political landscape over time and the...
Authors
Jeff L. Doebrich

Porphyry copper assessment of the Tethys region of western and southern Asia: Chapter V in Global mineral resource assessment Porphyry copper assessment of the Tethys region of western and southern Asia: Chapter V in Global mineral resource assessment

A probabilistic mineral resource assessment of undiscovered resources in porphyry copper deposits in the Tethys region of western and southern Asia was carried out as part of a global mineral resource assessment led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The purpose of the study was to delineate geographic areas as permissive tracts for the occurrence of porphyry copper deposits at a...
Authors
Lukas Zürcher, Arthur A. Bookstrom, Jane M. Hammarstrom, John C. Mars, Stephen Ludington, Michael L. Zientek, Pamela Dunlap, John C. Wallis, Lawrence J. Drew, David M. Sutphin, Byron R. Berger, Richard J. Herrington, Mario Billa, Ilkay Kuscu, Charles J. Moon, Jeremy P. Richards

Holocene environmental changes inferred from biological and sedimentological proxies in a high elevation Great Basin lake in the northern Ruby Mountains, Nevada, USA Holocene environmental changes inferred from biological and sedimentological proxies in a high elevation Great Basin lake in the northern Ruby Mountains, Nevada, USA

Multi-proxy analyses were conducted on a sediment core from Favre Lake, a high elevation cirque lake in the northern Ruby Mountains, Nevada, and provide a ca. 7600 year record of local and regional environmental change. Data indicate that lake levels were lower from 7600-5750 cal yr BP, when local climate was warmer and/or drier than today. Effective moisture increased after 5750 cal yr...
Authors
David B. Wahl, Scott W. Starratt, Lysanna Anderson, Jennifer E. Kusler, Christopher C. Fuller, Jason A. Addison, Elmira Wan

Limiting age for the Provo shoreline of Lake Bonneville Limiting age for the Provo shoreline of Lake Bonneville

Pluvial Lake Bonneville features a prominent shoreline at the Provo level, which has been interpreted as having formed during a period of threshold-stabilized overflow. The timing of Provo shoreline development is important for paleoclimate interpretations and for inferences on geomorphic process rates. Estimates for the timing of the shoreline formation, based on radiocarbon...
Authors
David M. Miller, David B. Wahl, John McGeehin, Jose J. Rosario, Charles G. Oviatt, Lysanna Anderson, Liubov S. Presnetsova

Conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo—Gold supply chain Conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo—Gold supply chain

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) analyzes mineral and metal supply chains to identify and describe major components of material flows from ore extraction, through intermediate forms, to a final product. Supply chain analyses may be used to identify risks to the United States associated with the supply of critical and strategic minerals and metals and to provide greater supply chain...
Authors
Micheal W. George

Imaging the magmatic system of Mono Basin, California with magnetotellurics in three--dimensions Imaging the magmatic system of Mono Basin, California with magnetotellurics in three--dimensions

A three–dimensional (3D) electrical resistivity model of Mono Basin in eastern California unveils a complex subsurface filled with zones of partial melt, fluid–filled fracture networks, cold plutons, and regional faults. In 2013, 62 broadband magnetotelluric (MT) stations were collected in an array around southeastern Mono Basin from which a 3D electrical resistivity model was created...
Authors
Jared R. Peacock, Margaret T. Mangan, Darcy McPhee, David A. Ponce

Engagement with indigenous peoples and honoring traditional knowledge systems Engagement with indigenous peoples and honoring traditional knowledge systems

The organizers of the 2014 US National Climate Assessment (NCA) made a concerted effort to reach out to and collaborate with Indigenous peoples, resulting in the most comprehensive information to date on climate change impacts to Indigenous peoples in a US national assessment. Yet, there is still much room for improvement in assessment processes to ensure adequate recognition of...
Authors
Julie Maldonado, Bull Bennett, Karletta Chief, Patricia Cochran, Karen Cozetto, Bob Gough, Margaret M. Hiza-Redsteer, Kathy Lynn, Nancy Maynard, Garrit Voggesser

Uranium in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative study area, southwestern Wyoming Uranium in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative study area, southwestern Wyoming

Wyoming has led the nation as the producer of uranium ore since 1995 and contains the largest reserves of any state. Approximately one third of Wyoming’s total production came from deposits in, or immediately adjacent to, the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) study area in the southwestern corner of the state including all of Carbon, Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, Uinta...
Authors
Anna B. Wilson
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