Alaska is a major producer of base and precious metals and has a high potential for additional undiscovered mineral resources. However, discovery is hindered by Alaska’s vast size, remoteness, and rugged terrain. New methods are needed to overcome these obstacles in order to fully evaluate Alaska’s geology and mineral resource potential. Hyperspectral surveying is one method that can be used to rapidly acquire data about the distributions of surficial materials, including different types of bedrock and ground cover. In 2014, the U.S. Geological Survey began the Alaska Hyperspectral Project to assess the applicability of this method in Alaska. The primary study area is a remote part of the eastern Alaska Range where porphyry deposits are exposed. In collaboration with the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey is collecting and analyzing hyperspectral data with the goals of enhancing geologic mapping and developing methods to identify and characterize mineral deposits elsewhere in Alaska.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2016 |
---|---|
Title | Hyperspectral surveying for mineral resources in Alaska |
DOI | 10.3133/fs20163029 |
Authors | Raymond F. Kokaly, Garth E. Graham, Todd M. Hoefen, Karen D. Kelley, Michaela R. Johnson, Bernard E. Hubbard |
Publication Type | Report |
Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
Series Title | Fact Sheet |
Series Number | 2016-3029 |
Index ID | fs20163029 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center; Eastern Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center |
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Raymond Kokaly
Research Geophysicist
Garth E Graham
Research Geologist
Todd Hoefen
Geophysicist
Karen Duttweiler Kelley
Research Geologist
Michaela R Johnson
Associate Program Coordinator
Bernard E. Hubbard
Research Geologist
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Raymond Kokaly
Research GeophysicistEmailPhoneGarth E Graham
Research GeologistEmailPhoneTodd Hoefen
GeophysicistEmailPhoneKaren Duttweiler Kelley
Research GeologistEmailPhoneMichaela R Johnson
Associate Program CoordinatorEmailPhoneBernard E. Hubbard
Research GeologistEmailPhone