Eric Anderson is a Research Geophysicist with the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center.
Eric's research is focused on solving mineral resource problems through the theory and application of geophysical methods. He integrates geophysical data with geology and mineral deposit models to understand the three-dimensional geologic framework within which ore deposits occur. He works mostly in the western US on mineral deposits that form in convergent margin settings.
Professional Experience
Supervisory Research Geophysicist, U.S. Geological Survey
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geological Sciences, Colorado School of Mines, 2013
M.S., Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, 2003
B.A., Geological Sciences, Augustana College, 1996
Affiliations and Memberships*
Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Society of Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits
Society of Economic Geologist
Geological Society of America
Science and Products
Porphyry Copper Systems of the Boulder batholith, Montana
A Shallow to Deep View Inside the Hydrothermally Altered and Mineralized Silverton Caldera Complex: New Geologic Insights Gained From Modern Geophysical Interpretations
National Geophysical Data Retrieval and Integration Project
Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey of the Wet Mountains and surrounding region, Custer and Fremont Counties, south-central Colorado, 2021
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, Silverton, Colorado, 2019
Gravity data in the Wet Mountains area, southcentral Colorado, 2021 to 2022
Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, 2021 to 2022
Magnetic susceptibility measurements on hydrothermally altered rocks in the Silverton caldera, southwest Colorado
Airborne Geophysical Survey Inventory of the Conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico (ver. 4.0, April 2023)
A snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin
Data and results for GIS-based identification of areas that have resource potential for lode gold deposits in Alaska
Principal facts of regional gravity data in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, and northeastern Wisconsin
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data of the San Juan-Silverton Caldera complex, Silverton, Colorado, 2019
Density and magnetic susceptibility measurements on Precambrian rocks in the Iron Mountain-Menominee region, Michigan-Wisconsin
Updated aeromagnetic and gravity anomaly compilations and elevation-bathymetry models over Lake Superior
Geologic map of Big Bend National Park, Texas
Precambrian basement structure map of the continental United States - An interpretation of geologic and aeromagnetic data
Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) pilot project progress toward an information management and technology plan
Ediacaran-Ordovician magmatism and REE mineralization in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, USA: Implications for failed continental rifting
Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology Project—Science strategy
U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST)—Information Management Technology Plan
Geophysical data provide three dimensional insights into porphyry copper systems in the Silverton caldera, Colorado, USA
GIS-based identification of areas that have resource potential for lode gold in Alaska
Analytical validation of two RT-qPCR tests and detection of spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) in persistently infected koi Cyprinus carpio
Alkalic-type epithermal gold deposit model; Chapter R in Mineral deposit models for resource assessment
Integrated geophysical analysis provides an alternate interpretation of the northern margin of the North American Midcontinent Rift System, Central Lake Superior
Geological and geophysical data for a three-dimensional view—Inside the San Juan and Silverton Calderas, Southern Rocky Mountains Volcanic Field, Silverton, Colorado
Descriptive models for epithermal gold-silver deposits
Science and Products
- Science
Porphyry Copper Systems of the Boulder batholith, Montana
The project seeks to better understand the mineral systems of the Boulder batholith and surrounding region in Montana using new airborne geophysical data in conjunction with geologic mapping.A Shallow to Deep View Inside the Hydrothermally Altered and Mineralized Silverton Caldera Complex: New Geologic Insights Gained From Modern Geophysical Interpretations
The Silverton caldera complex in southwest Colorado hosts base and precious metals that have been mined since the late 1800s. Extensive mine workings, excellent bedrock exposures, and deeply incised drainages make this area a natural laboratory ideally suited for furthering our understanding of the mineral systems in a volcanic environment. In addition, state-of-the-art geophysical data processing...National Geophysical Data Retrieval and Integration Project
This project helped to streamline the workflow from geophysical data acquisition to data distribution, and additionally provided user support for integration and interpretation of these complex data sets. There were four main objectives: 1) contracting geophysical surveys, 2) converting data from analog to digital format, 3) archiving, retrieving, and integrating geophysical data, and 4) outreach. - Data
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Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey of the Wet Mountains and surrounding region, Custer and Fremont Counties, south-central Colorado, 2021
This data release provides digital flight-line and gridded data for a high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric survey over the region surrounding the Wet Mountains of southern Colorado, including parts of Custer and Fremont Counties. Data for this survey were collected by Sander Geophysics Limited International (SGL) under contract with the USGS. The survey was flown in June and July of 2Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, Silverton, Colorado, 2019
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during April and May 2019 along 1,467 line-kilometers in the San Juan-Silverton Caldera complex, Colorado, in the Southern Rocky Mountain Volcanic Field. Data were acquired by Geotech, Ltd. with the versatile time-domain electromagnetic (VTEM-ET) system together with a Geometrics optically pumped cesium vapor magnetometer. TheGravity data in the Wet Mountains area, southcentral Colorado, 2021 to 2022
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected gravity data in the Wet Mountains, CO from September 2021 to July 2022 to compliment newly collected airborne magnetic data for surface and subsurface geologic mapping. A total of 261 measurements were collected across two Ediacaran-Ordovician alkaline complexes (Gem Park and McClure Mountain) and gabbroic outcrops suspected Ediacaran-Ordovician in age.Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, 2021 to 2022
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected rock magnetic susceptibility measurements to understand the causative sources of airborne magnetic survey anomalies in the Wet Mountains, Colorado. A total of 808 measurements were collected over 50 locations from August 2021 to June 2022 on rocks ranging from Paleoproterozoic to Oligocene age. These measurements aid the interpretation of newly collectedMagnetic susceptibility measurements on hydrothermally altered rocks in the Silverton caldera, southwest Colorado
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected magnetic susceptibility measurements on rock outcrops to help understand causative sources of magnetic survey anomalies in the Silverton caldera region, southwest Colorado. A total of 1,400 measurements of magnetic susceptibility from 87 locations have been conducted on Paleogene volcanic and plutonic rocks that have been hydrothermally altered. MagneticAirborne Geophysical Survey Inventory of the Conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico (ver. 4.0, April 2023)
This data release is a compilation of the locations of airborne geophysical surveys in the United States. The inventory documents public airborne geophysical surveys primarily flown by or contracted by the USGS from 1943 to present. In addition, surveys from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS): Airborne GeophysWeb, the BureauA snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin
Stakeholder science needs were determined by reviewing more than 200 recently published literature items and web pages from Colorado River Basin (CRB) stakeholders. These stakeholder communications were used to characterize over 400 stakeholder science needs by reviewing their priorities, strategies, issues, missions, and concerns related to drought in the CRB. Members of the CRB Integrated SciencByArizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Colorado River Basin: Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and TechnologyData and results for GIS-based identification of areas that have resource potential for lode gold deposits in Alaska
This data release contains the analytical results and evaluated source data files of geospatial analyses for identifying areas in Alaska that may be prospective for different types of lode gold deposits, including orogenic, reduced-intrusion-related, epithermal, and gold-bearing porphyry. The spatial analysis is based on queries of statewide source datasets of aeromagnetic surveys, Alaska GeochemiPrincipal facts of regional gravity data in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, and northeastern Wisconsin
Gravity data were collected from 2016 through 2019 to assist in mapping surface and subsurface geology in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan and in neighboring northeastern Wisconsin. This data release provides principal facts for 1536 new gravity stations that were acquired to supplement existing public gravity data coverage.Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data of the San Juan-Silverton Caldera complex, Silverton, Colorado, 2019
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during April and May 2019 along 1,467 line-kilometers in the San Juan-Silverton Caldera complex, Colorado, in the Southern Rocky Mountain Volcanic Field. Data were acquired by Geotech, Ltd. with the versatile time-domain electromagnetic (VTEM) system together with a Geometrics optically pumped cesium vapor magnetometer. The surDensity and magnetic susceptibility measurements on Precambrian rocks in the Iron Mountain-Menominee region, Michigan-Wisconsin
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected rock physical property measurements to help understand causative sources of gravity and magnetic survey anomalies in the Iron Mountain-Menominee region, Michigan-Wisconsin. A total of 2,356 measurements of magnetic susceptibility and density from 152 locations have been conducted on Precambrian rocks. The measurements aid in interpretation of newly acquiUpdated aeromagnetic and gravity anomaly compilations and elevation-bathymetry models over Lake Superior
New gravity and magnetic compilations and elevation-bathymetry models have been compiled for the Lake Superior region. These data provide continuous sets of observations for geologic interpretations spanning political boundaries such as US States and the US-Canada border where bedrock geology is largely concealed beneath glacial deposits and surface water. These data are providing constraints for - Maps
Geologic map of Big Bend National Park, Texas
The purpose of this map is to provide the National Park Service and the public with an updated digital geologic map of Big Bend National Park (BBNP). The geologic map report of Maxwell and others (1967) provides a fully comprehensive account of the important volcanic, structural, geomorphological, and paleontological features that define BBNP. However, the map is on a geographically distorted planPrecambrian basement structure map of the continental United States - An interpretation of geologic and aeromagnetic data
The Precambrian basement rocks of the continental United States are largely covered by younger sedimentary and volcanic rocks, and the availability of updated aeromagnetic data (NAMAG, 2002) provides a means to infer major regional basement structures and tie together the scattered, but locally abundant, geologic information. Precambrian basement structures in the continental United States have - Publications
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Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) pilot project progress toward an information management and technology plan
Executive SummaryThe U.S. Geological Survey carries out a wide variety of multidisciplinary science projects through the Bureau’s regions, mission areas, programs, and science centers. However, this structure can limit interactions among individual scientists, segregate data holdings, and make it difficult to apply holistic, interdisciplinary science. In addition, technological advances in sensorsAuthorsEric D. Anderson, Jennifer R. Erxleben, Sharon L. Qi, Adrian P. Monroe, Katharine G. DahmEdiacaran-Ordovician magmatism and REE mineralization in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, USA: Implications for failed continental rifting
Structures associated with Ediacaran-Ordovician alkaline magmatism and the timing of rare earth element (REE) mineralization in the Wet Mountains, CO, were analyzed using field, geophysical, and U-Th-Pb isotope methods to interpret their tectonic setting in the context of previously proposed rift models. The Wet Mountains are known for thorium and REE mineralization associated with failed rift-relAuthorsBenjamin Patrick Magnin, Yvette Kuiper, Eric D. AndersonColorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology Project—Science strategy
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts a wide variety of science that improves understanding of droughts and their effects on ecosystems and society. This work includes data collection and monitoring of aquatic and terrestrial systems; assessment and analysis of patterns, trends, drivers, and impacts of drought; development and application of predictive models; and delivery of information andAuthorsKatharine G. Dahm, Todd Hawbaker, Rebecca J. Frus, Adrian P. Monroe, John B. Bradford, William J. Andrews, Alicia Torregrosa, Eric D. Anderson, David Dean, Sharon L. QiU.S. Geological Survey Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST)—Information Management Technology Plan
IntroductionMore than 840 publications, 575 data releases, and 330 project web pages from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) pertain to the Colorado River Basin. Limited interconnections between Colorado River Basin publications, data, and web pages restrict the ability to synthesize and interpret scientific resources. Currently, these pieces are spread across multiple isolated locations, internalAuthorsEric D. Anderson, Jennifer R. Erxleben, Sharon L. Qi, Adrian P. Monroe, Katharine G. DahmGeophysical data provide three dimensional insights into porphyry copper systems in the Silverton caldera, Colorado, USA
The Silverton caldera in southwest Colorado, USA hosts polymetallic veins and pervasively altered rocks indicative of porphyry copper systems. Nearly a kilometer of erosion has exposed multiple levels of the hydrothermal systems from shallow lithocaps down to quartz-sericite-pyrite veins. New airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data are integrated with previous alteration mapping and porpAuthorsEric D. Anderson, Douglas Yager, Maria Deszcz-Pan, Bennett Eugene Hoogenboom, Brian D. Rodriguez, Bruce SmithGIS-based identification of areas that have resource potential for lode gold in Alaska
Several comprehensive, data-driven geographic information system (GIS) analyses were conducted to assess prospectivity for lode gold in Alaska. These analyses use available geospatial datasets of lithologic, geochemical, mineral occurrence, and geophysical data to build models for recognizing different types of gold deposits within physiographic units defined by stream drainage basins that are appAuthorsSusan M. Karl, Douglas C. Kreiner, George N. D. Case, Keith A. Labay, Nora B. Shew, Matthew Granitto, Bronwen Wang, Eric D. AndersonAnalytical validation of two RT-qPCR tests and detection of spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) in persistently infected koi Cyprinus carpio
Spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) ia a carp sprivivirus and a member of the genus Sprivivirus within the family Rhabdoviridae. The virus is the etiological agent of spring viremia of carp, a disease of cyprinid species including koi Cyprinus carpio L. and notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health. The goal of this study was to explore hypotheses regarding inter-genogroup (Ia to Id)AuthorsSharon C Clouthier, Tamara Schroeder, Emma K Bueren, Eric D. Anderson, Eveline EmmeneggerAlkalic-type epithermal gold deposit model; Chapter R in Mineral deposit models for resource assessment
This report summarizes the primary characteristics of alkalic-type epithermal gold (Au) deposits and provides an updated descriptive model. These deposits, primarily of Mesozoic to Neogene age, are among the largest epithermal gold deposits in the world. Considered a subset of low-sulfidation epithermal deposits, they are spatially and genetically linked to small stocks or clusters of intrusions cAuthorsKaren D. Kelley, Paul G. Spry, Virginia T. McLemore, David L. Fey, Eric D. AndersonIntegrated geophysical analysis provides an alternate interpretation of the northern margin of the North American Midcontinent Rift System, Central Lake Superior
The Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) is a 1.1 Ga sequence of voluminous basaltic eruptions and multiple intrusions followed by widespread sedimentation that extends across the Midcontinent and northern Great Lakes region of North America. Previous workers have commonly used seismic-reflection data (Great Lakes International Multidisciplinary Program on Crustal Evolution [GLIMPCE] line A) to demonstrAuthorsV. J. Grauch, Eric D. Anderson, Samuel J. Heller, Esther K. Stewart, Laurel G. WoodruffGeological and geophysical data for a three-dimensional view—Inside the San Juan and Silverton Calderas, Southern Rocky Mountains Volcanic Field, Silverton, Colorado
IntroductionThe San Juan-Silverton caldera complex located near Silverton, Colorado, in the Southern Rocky Mountains volcanic field is an ideal natural laboratory for furthering the understanding of shallow-to-deep volcanic-related mineral systems. Recent advances in geophysical data processing and three-dimensional (3D) model construction will help to characterize shallow properties important forAuthorsDouglas B. Yager, Eric D. Anderson, Maria Deszcz-Pan, Brian D. Rodriguez, Bruce D. SmithDescriptive models for epithermal gold-silver deposits
Epithermal gold-silver deposits are vein, stockwork, disseminated, and replacement deposits that are mined primarily for their gold and silver contents; some deposits also contain substantial resources of lead, zinc, copper, and (or) mercury. These deposits form in the uppermost parts of the crust, at depths less than about 1,500 meters below the water table, and at temperatures below about 300 °CAuthorsDavid A. John, Peter G. Vikre, Edward A. du Bray, Richard J. Blakely, David L. Fey, Barnaby W. Rockwell, Jeffrey L. Mauk, Eric D. Anderson, Frederick T. GraybealByEcosystems Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Laboratories Program, Science and Decisions Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Central Energy Resources Science Center - News
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*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government