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.
Professional Experience
Research Geophysicist, U.S. Geological Survey, 2007-present
Senior Research Scientist, Dynamics Technology, Inc. (now Raytheon Company), 2004-2007
National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate, Naval Research Laboratory, 2001-2004
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, 2001
M.S. Oceanography, University of Washington, 1996
M.S. Applied Mathematics, New York University, 1990
B.S. Mathematics, Stony Brook University, 1988
Abstracts and Presentations
Shah, A., Walsh, G., Taylor, R., Taylor, C., Aleinikoff, J., Klein, A., Regan, S., and Lupulescu, M., 2016, Geophysical, geochemical, and geological approaches to evaluating rare earth resources in the Eastern Adirondacks, upstate New York, Geological Society of America 2016 Annual Meeting, doi: 10.1130/abs/2016AM-281761.
Boyd, O.S. and A. K. Shah, 2016, Progress on the USGS National Crustal Model for seismic hazard studies, Seismological Society of America Annual Meeting, 2016.
Shah, A., R. Stanley, K.A. Lewis, P.J. Haeussler, C.J. Potter, R.W. Saltus and J. Phillips, 2015, Aeromagnetic survey data used to map features of the Cook Inlet and Susitna basins, Alaska, AGU-SEG Workshop "Potential field and electromagnetic methods applied to basin studies," 2015.
Pratt, T., A. Shah, and J.W. Horton, 2014, Discerning Faults Responsible for the Charleston, SC earthquake of 1886, Seismological Society of America Annual Meeting, 2014.
Science and Products
Thickness of unconsolidated sediments for the USGS National Crustal Model
Depth to Mesozoic basement for the USGS National Crustal Model
Geochemistry of ore, host rock, and mine waste pile samples of iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits of the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York, in relation to potential rare earth elements resources, 2016-2018
Airborne Geophysical Surveys over the Eastern Adirondacks, New York State
Airborne Geophysical Surveys over the 2011 Mineral, Virginia Earthquake Area
Geochemistry and geophysics of iron oxide-apatite deposits and associated waste piles with implications for potential rare earth element resources from ore and historic mine waste in the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York, USA
Depth to basement and thickness of unconsolidated sediments for the western United States—Initial estimates for layers of the U.S. Geological Survey National Crustal Model
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Susitna Basin, southern Alaska, 2017
Rare earth mineral potential in the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain from integrated geophysical, geochemical, and geological approaches
Geologic influence on induced seismicity: Constraints from potential field data in Oklahoma
Sedimentary exhalative (sedex) zinc-lead-silver deposit model
Coastal deposits of heavy mineral sands; Global significance and US resources
The distribution and composition of REE-bearing minerals in placers of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains, USA
Rare earth element (REE) resources are currently of great interest because of their importance as raw materials for high-technology manufacturing. The REE-phosphates monazite (light REE enriched) and xenotime (heavy REE enriched) resist weathering and can accumulate in placer deposits as part of the heavy mineral assemblage. The Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the southeastern United States ar
Placer deposits of the Atlantic coastal plain: Stratigraphy, sedimentology, mineral resources, mining, and reclamation Cove Point, Maryland, Williamsburg and Stony Creek, Virginia
Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of REE in granite-derived regolith: a model for the Southeast United States
Preliminary interpretation of industry two-dimensional seismic data from Susitna Basin, south-central Alaska
First steps of integrated spatial modeling of titanium, zirconium, and rare earth element resources within the Coastal Plain sediments of the southeastern United States
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
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Thickness of unconsolidated sediments for the USGS National Crustal Model
We present a numeric grid containing estimates of the thickness of unconsolidated sediments for the western United States. Values for these grids were combined and integrated from previous studies or derived directly from gravity analyses. The grids are provided with 1-km grid-node spacing in WGS84 latitude-longitude coordinates. Detailed information regarding the derivation of these estimates isDepth to Mesozoic basement for the USGS National Crustal Model
We present a numeric grid containing estimates of the depth to the pre-Cenozoic basement for the western United States. Values for these grids were combined and integrated from previous studies or derived directly from gravity analyses. The grids are provided with 1-km grid-node spacing in WGS84 latitude-longitude coordinates. Detailed information regarding the derivation of these estimates is proGeochemistry of ore, host rock, and mine waste pile samples of iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits of the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York, in relation to potential rare earth elements resources, 2016-2018
Thirty-four ore, twenty-nine mine waste, seven host rock, two pegmatite, and one slag sample were collected from iron oxide-apatite (IOA) mines in the eastern Adirondack Highlands near Mineville and Ticonderoga, New York, from March 2016 to August 2018. The waste pile samples included twenty-five samples collected from rubble-sized mine waste piles and four samples from processed tailings piles.Airborne Geophysical Surveys over the Eastern Adirondacks, New York State
Airborne geophysical surveys were conducted in the eastern Adirondacks from Dec. 7, 2015 - Dec. 21, 2015, by Goldak Airborne Surveys. The area was flown along a draped surface with a nominal survey height above ground of 200 meters. The flight line spacing was 250 meters for traverse lines and 2500 meters for control lines. Here we present downloadable magnetic and radiometric (gamma spectrometry)Airborne Geophysical Surveys over the 2011 Mineral, Virginia Earthquake Area
The 2011 moment magnitude (Mw) 5.8 central Virginia earthquake was felt by millions of people and caused significant damage in the eastern United States. As part of efforts to better understand the faults and geologic features associated with the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey commissioned airborne geophysical surveys over the epicentral area. Here we present the data from those surveys an - Multimedia
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Geochemistry and geophysics of iron oxide-apatite deposits and associated waste piles with implications for potential rare earth element resources from ore and historic mine waste in the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York, USA
The iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits of the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York, are historical high-grade magnetite mines that contain variable concentrations of rare earth element (REE)-bearing apatite crystals. The majority of the deposits are hosted within sodically altered Lyon Mountain granite gneiss, although some deposits occur within paragneiss, gabbro, anorthosite, or potassically alAuthorsRyan Taylor, Anjana K. Shah, Gregory J. Walsh, Cliff D. TaylorDepth to basement and thickness of unconsolidated sediments for the western United States—Initial estimates for layers of the U.S. Geological Survey National Crustal Model
We present numeric grids containing estimates of the thickness of unconsolidated sediments and depth to the pre-Cenozoicbasement for the western United States. Values for these grids were combined and integrated from previous studies or deriveddirectly from gravity analyses. The grids are provided with 1-kilometer grid-node spacing in ScienceBase (https://www.sciencebase.gov).These layers may be uAuthorsAnjana K. Shah, Oliver S. BoydAssessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Susitna Basin, southern Alaska, 2017
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently completed an assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the Susitna Basin of southern Alaska. Using a geology-based methodology, the USGS estimates that mean undiscovered volumes of about 2 million barrels of oil and nearly 1.7 trillion cubic feet of gas may be found in this area.AuthorsRichard G. Stanley, Christopher J. Potter, Kristen A. Lewis, Paul G. Lillis, Anjana K. Shah, Peter J. Haeussler, Jeffrey D. Phillips, Zenon C. Valin, Christopher J. Schenk, Timothy R. Klett, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald M. Drake, Thomas M. Finn, Seth S. Haines, Debra K. Higley, David W. Houseknecht, Phuong A. Le, Kristen R. Marra, Tracey J. Mercier, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Stanley T. Paxton, Ofori N. Pearson, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Cheryl A. Woodall, Margarita V. ZyrianovaRare earth mineral potential in the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain from integrated geophysical, geochemical, and geological approaches
We combined geophysical, geochemical, mineralogical, and geological data to evaluate the regional presence of rare earth element (REE)−bearing minerals in heavy mineral sand deposits of the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain. We also analyzed regional differences in these data to determine probable sedimentary provenance. Analyses of heavy mineral separates covering the region show strong correlationAuthorsAnjana K. Shah, Carleton R. Bern, Bradley S. Van Gosen, David L. Daniels, William Benzel, James R. Budahn, Karl J. Ellefsen, Adam T. Karst, Richard DavisGeologic influence on induced seismicity: Constraints from potential field data in Oklahoma
Recent Oklahoma seismicity shows a regional correlation with increased wastewater injection activity, but local variations suggest that some areas are more likely to exhibit induced seismicity than others. We combine geophysical and drill hole data to map subsurface geologic features in the crystalline basement, where most earthquakes are occurring, and examine probable contributing factors. We fiAuthorsAnjana K. Shah, G. Randy KellerSedimentary exhalative (sedex) zinc-lead-silver deposit model
This report draws on previous syntheses and basic research studies of sedimentary exhalative (sedex) deposits to arrive at the defining criteria, both descriptive and genetic, for sedex-type deposits. Studies of the tectonic, sedimentary, and fluid evolution of modern and ancient sedimentary basins have also been used to select defining criteria. The focus here is on the geologic characteristics oAuthorsPoul Emsbo, Robert R. Seal, George N. Breit, Sharon F. Diehl, Anjana K. ShahCoastal deposits of heavy mineral sands; Global significance and US resources
Ancient and modern coastal deposits of heavy mineral sands (HMS) are the principal source of several heavy industrial minerals, with mining and processing operations on every continent except Antarctica. For example, HMS deposits are the main source of titanium feedstock for the titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigments industry, obtained from the minerals ilmenite (Fe2+TiO3), rutile (TiO2) and leucoxene (AuthorsBradley S. Van Gosen, Donald I. Bleiwas, George M. Bedinger, Karl J. Ellefsen, Anjana K. ShahThe distribution and composition of REE-bearing minerals in placers of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains, USA
Rare earth element (REE) resources are currently of great interest because of their importance as raw materials for high-technology manufacturing. The REE-phosphates monazite (light REE enriched) and xenotime (heavy REE enriched) resist weathering and can accumulate in placer deposits as part of the heavy mineral assemblage. The Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the southeastern United States ar
AuthorsCarleton R. Bern, Anjana K. Shah, William Benzel, Heather A. LowersPlacer deposits of the Atlantic coastal plain: Stratigraphy, sedimentology, mineral resources, mining, and reclamation Cove Point, Maryland, Williamsburg and Stony Creek, Virginia
No abstract available.AuthorsC. Rick Berquist, Anjana K. Shah, Adam T. KarstGeochemical and mineralogical characteristics of REE in granite-derived regolith: a model for the Southeast United States
Rare earth element (REE) ion-adsorption clay deposits are of global economic importance because they currently supply a significant portion of the world’s annual production of both light (LREE) and heavy REE (HREE). There is considerable ambiguity regarding the origin of this deposit type: The main criteria include the presence of large, generally granitic, igneous suites; long periods of intenseAuthorsNora K. Foley, Carleton R. Bern, Robert A. Ayuso, Bernard E. Hubbard, Anjana K. ShahPreliminary interpretation of industry two-dimensional seismic data from Susitna Basin, south-central Alaska
Located approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Anchorage, Alaska, the Susitna Basin is a complex sedimentary basin whose tectonic history has been poorly understood. Recent interpretation of two-dimensional seismic reflection data integrated with well, aeromagnetic, and gravity data provides new insights into the structural and stratigraphic nature of the basin. This report presents an interpretAuthorsKristen A. Lewis, Christopher J. Potter, Anjana K. Shah, Richard G. Stanley, Peter J. Haeussler, Richard W. SaltusFirst steps of integrated spatial modeling of titanium, zirconium, and rare earth element resources within the Coastal Plain sediments of the southeastern United States
The Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States has extensive, unconsolidated sedimentary deposits that are enriched in heavy minerals containing titanium, zirconium, and rare earth element resources. Areas favorable for exploration and development of these resources are being identified by geochemical data, which are supplemented with geological, geophysical, hydrological, and geographical daAuthorsKarl J. Ellefsen, Bradley S. Van Gosen, David L. Fey, James R. Budahn, Steven M. Smith, Anjana K. ShahNon-USGS Publications**
Shah, A. and W. R. Buck, 2006, The rise and fall of axial highs at ridge jumps: Journal of Geophysical Research, 111, B08101, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JB003657.Shah, A., M.-H. Cormier, W. F. Ryan, W. Jin, J. Sinton, E. Bergmanis, J. Carlut, A. Bradley and D. Yoerger, 2003, Episodic dike swarms inferred from near-bottom magnetic anomaly maps at the southern East Pacific Rise: Journal of Geophysical Research, 108 (B2), 2097, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JB000564.Shah, A. and W. R. Buck, 2003, Plate bending stresses at axial highs and implications for faulting behavior, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 211 (3-4), 343-356, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-821X(03)00187-0.Cormier, M.-H., W. B. Ryan, A. Shah, W. Jin, A. M. Bradley, D. Yoerger, 2003, Waxing and waning volcanism along the East Pacific Rise on the millennium timescale: Geology, 31 (7), 633-636, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2003)031<0633:WAWVAT>2.0.CO;2.Shah, A. and W. R. Buck, 2001, Causes for axial high topography at mid-ocean ridges and the role of crustal thermal structure, Journal of Geophysical Research, 106 (B12), 30865-30879, https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JB000079.Shah, A. and J.-C. Sempéré, 1998, Morphology of the transition from an axial high to a rift valley at the Southeast Indian Ridge, and the relation to variations in mantle temperature: Journal of Geophysical Research,103 (B3), 5203-5223, https://doi.org/10.1029/97JB03110.Géli, L., H. Bougalt, D. Aslanian, A. Briais, L. Dosso, J. Etoubleau, J.-P. LeFormal, M. Maia, H. Ondréas, J.-L. Olivet, C. Richardson, K. Sayanagi, N. Seama, A. Shah, I. Vlastelic, and M. Yamamoto, 1997, Evolution of the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge South of the Udintsev Fracture Zone: Science, 278 (5341), 1281-1284, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.278.5341.1281.Goff, J. A., Y. Ma, A. Shah, J. R. Cochran, and J.-C. Sempéré, 1996, Stochastic analysis of seafloor morphology on the flanks of the Southeast Indian Ridge: The influence of ridge morphology on the formation of abyssal hills: Journal of Geophysical Research, 102 (B7), 15521-15534, https://doi.org/10.1029/97JB00781.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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