A typical survey airplane. The magnetic sensor is placed in an extension on the back of the airplane to reduce the impact of the airplane’s own magnetic field.
Anjana K Shah
Anji Shah is a research geophysicist with the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center in Denver, CO, specializing in the use of gravity, magnetic and radiometric methods for geologic characterization and interpretation.
She is currently working on several projects involving subsurface geologic characterization for earthquake hazard, mineral resource, and energy resource applications. She also has a background in marine geophysics.
For earthquake hazard studies, Dr. Shah uses gravity and magnetic data to distinguish contacts between subsurface rocks with different densities or magnetic properties. In some regions, these contacts may delineate buried faults and other structures that suggest seismic risk (see this article for application to the 2011 Mw5.8 Mineral, Virginia earthquake). Gravity and magnetic data can also be used to distinguish areas that may be more likely to exhibit seismicity in response to fluid injection (see this article for application to north-central Oklahoma).
Dr. Shah has also led several projects involving imaging and evaluation of rare-earth-element (REE) deposits. Concentrations of REE-bearing minerals in certain geological environments can be detected using radiometric and magnetic methods. Heavy mineral sands are of particular interest because their extraction involves minimal impact; REE-bearing monazite and xenotime have been observed throughout the southeastern U.S. The Eastern Adirondacks were mined in the 1800's and 1900's for magnetite. The ores also contain REE-bearing apatite, and often REE's are present in mining tailings. A combination of geophysical, geological and geochronological approaches is being used to study this area.
Science and Products
Critical Mineral Resources in Heavy Mineral Sands of the U.S. Atlantic Coastal Plain
In many parts of the southeastern U.S., dark-colored sands can be seen at beaches or beneath soil. These sands contain titanium, zirconium, and rare earth elements, which are considered critical mineral resources. Such sands are present in areas from the coast to a hundred miles or more inland beneath soil within the Atlantic Coastal Plain Province. In some locales they are concentrated enough to...
Mineville, Eastern Adirondacks – Geophysical and Geologic Studies
The USGS is using a set of advanced imaging and analysis tools to study the rocks within the eastern Adirondacks of upstate New York. The goal of these studies is to gain a better understanding of the geology and mineral resources in the area.
Geophysical and Geochemical Approaches to Evaluating Rare Earth Element (REE) Potential in the Southeastern U.S.
Rare-earth elements (REE) are an essential component of numerous advanced technology applications including high efficiency batteries, emerging energy technologies, and key defense systems. The goal of this study was to assist in the evaluation of the distribution of rare earth element deposits in the southeastern U.S., with a focus on sediment-hosted resources.
Aircraft with Geophysical Survey Equipment
A typical survey airplane. The magnetic sensor is placed in an extension on the back of the airplane to reduce the impact of the airplane’s own magnetic field.
Pennington Mountain Critical Minerals Earth MRI Geophysical Scan
The anomaly at Pennington Mountain is visible in the geophysical data collected in aerial surveys conducted in 2021.
The anomaly at Pennington Mountain is visible in the geophysical data collected in aerial surveys conducted in 2021.
Pennington Mountain Rock with Critical Minerals
A fine-grained volcanic rock (trachyte) that hosts rare earth elements, niobium, and zirconium, all which are considered critical mineral resources. This rock was found on Pennington Mountain in Maine. Image courtesy of Chunzeng Wang, University of Maine-Presque Isle.
A fine-grained volcanic rock (trachyte) that hosts rare earth elements, niobium, and zirconium, all which are considered critical mineral resources. This rock was found on Pennington Mountain in Maine. Image courtesy of Chunzeng Wang, University of Maine-Presque Isle.
Pennington Mountain Critical Minerals
Geologists in the field at Pennington Mountain. The orange instrument is a portable gamma spectrometer. University of Maine-Presque Isle professor Chunzeng Wang (the lead author) is in front, Preston Bass is carrying the meter.
Geologists in the field at Pennington Mountain. The orange instrument is a portable gamma spectrometer. University of Maine-Presque Isle professor Chunzeng Wang (the lead author) is in front, Preston Bass is carrying the meter.
Science and Products
Critical Mineral Resources in Heavy Mineral Sands of the U.S. Atlantic Coastal Plain
In many parts of the southeastern U.S., dark-colored sands can be seen at beaches or beneath soil. These sands contain titanium, zirconium, and rare earth elements, which are considered critical mineral resources. Such sands are present in areas from the coast to a hundred miles or more inland beneath soil within the Atlantic Coastal Plain Province. In some locales they are concentrated enough to...
Mineville, Eastern Adirondacks – Geophysical and Geologic Studies
The USGS is using a set of advanced imaging and analysis tools to study the rocks within the eastern Adirondacks of upstate New York. The goal of these studies is to gain a better understanding of the geology and mineral resources in the area.
Geophysical and Geochemical Approaches to Evaluating Rare Earth Element (REE) Potential in the Southeastern U.S.
Rare-earth elements (REE) are an essential component of numerous advanced technology applications including high efficiency batteries, emerging energy technologies, and key defense systems. The goal of this study was to assist in the evaluation of the distribution of rare earth element deposits in the southeastern U.S., with a focus on sediment-hosted resources.
Aircraft with Geophysical Survey Equipment
A typical survey airplane. The magnetic sensor is placed in an extension on the back of the airplane to reduce the impact of the airplane’s own magnetic field.
A typical survey airplane. The magnetic sensor is placed in an extension on the back of the airplane to reduce the impact of the airplane’s own magnetic field.
Pennington Mountain Critical Minerals Earth MRI Geophysical Scan
The anomaly at Pennington Mountain is visible in the geophysical data collected in aerial surveys conducted in 2021.
The anomaly at Pennington Mountain is visible in the geophysical data collected in aerial surveys conducted in 2021.
Pennington Mountain Rock with Critical Minerals
A fine-grained volcanic rock (trachyte) that hosts rare earth elements, niobium, and zirconium, all which are considered critical mineral resources. This rock was found on Pennington Mountain in Maine. Image courtesy of Chunzeng Wang, University of Maine-Presque Isle.
A fine-grained volcanic rock (trachyte) that hosts rare earth elements, niobium, and zirconium, all which are considered critical mineral resources. This rock was found on Pennington Mountain in Maine. Image courtesy of Chunzeng Wang, University of Maine-Presque Isle.
Pennington Mountain Critical Minerals
Geologists in the field at Pennington Mountain. The orange instrument is a portable gamma spectrometer. University of Maine-Presque Isle professor Chunzeng Wang (the lead author) is in front, Preston Bass is carrying the meter.
Geologists in the field at Pennington Mountain. The orange instrument is a portable gamma spectrometer. University of Maine-Presque Isle professor Chunzeng Wang (the lead author) is in front, Preston Bass is carrying the meter.