Lukas is a Research Geologist and Deputy Center Director with Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. He received a Ph.D. and MS in Geosciences from the University of Arizona, and a BS in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. He has worked on topics under the broad category of mineral resources.
Dr. Zurcher conducts mineral resource assessments and investigates mineral potential mapping techniques to predict the ore-forming environment, quality and quantity of mineral deposits. He has expertise in porphyry, skarn, IOCG, orogenic Au, lateritic Au and impact-generated ore systems, geologic mapping, tectonics and structural geology, igneous and hydrothermal geochemistry, statistical methods, GIS-based prospectivity mapping, and personnel training. He has accumulated 35 years of combined international industry, academic, and government experience and speaks English, Spanish, and German. Dr. Zurcher serves as Deputy Center Director for the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, which has offices in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
Professional Experience
2022-Present, Deputy Center Director, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Tucson, AZ
2011-2022, Research Geologist, United States Geological Survey, Tucson, AZ
2002-2011, Program Manager, Lowell Program in Economic Geology, University of Arizona, and Consulting Geologist, Exploration Services for the Minerals Industry, Tucson, AZ
2002-2005, Postdoctoral Fellow, Lunar and Planetary Sciences Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
1991-2002, Research Associate, Dept. of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
1988-1991, Project Geologist and Field Operations Manager, Dundarave Resources Inc., Vancouver, B.C.
1985-March 1988, Geologist, Compañía Minera de Cananea S.A. de CV., Sonora, Mexico
1981 summer, Intern, Compañía Minera de Cananea S.A. de C.V., Sonora, Mexico
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geosciences, University of Arizona, 2002
M.S., Geosciences, December, University of Arizona, 1994
B.S., Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1985
Affiliations and Memberships*
2009- Present, American Institute of Professional Geologists – CPG, Tucson, AZ
1988 – Present, Society of Economic Geologists – Fellow, Tucson, AZ
1991 –Present, Arizona Geological Society – member, officer 2008-2009
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 14
Mapa metalogenético de América Central y El Caribe
La Asociación de Servicios Geológicos y Mineros de Iberoamérica (ASGMI), bajo los auspicios de la Comisión de la Carta Geológica del Mundo (CCGM) preparó la primera versión del Mapa Metalogénico de América Central y el Caribe. La coordinación general estuvo a cargo del Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino (SEGEMAR), con tres coordinaciones regionales: América Central a cargo del Servicio Geológico
Authors
Eduardo O Zappettini, Gloria Prieto-Rincon, Natalia Amezcua, Santiago Munoz-Tapia, Janeth Sepúlveda-Ospina, Carlos M. Celada-Arango, David Jara, X Cazanas-Diaz, Jorge L. Torres-Zafra, Jorge L. Cobiella-Reguera, Lukas Zürcher, Greta J. Orris, Floyd Gray, Carolina Maldonado-Diaz, Noe Rodriguez, Ramon Mérida-Montiel, Carlos A. Zarruk
Porphyry copper potential of the U.S. Southern Basin and Range using ASTER data integrated with geochemical and geologic datasets to assess potential near-surface deposits in well-explored permissive tracts
ArcGIS was used to spatially assess and rank potential porphyry copper deposits using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data together with geochemical and geologic datasets in order to estimate undiscovered deposits in the southern Basin and Range Province in the southwestern United States. The assessment was done using a traditional expert opinion three-part m
Authors
John C. Mars, Gilpin R. Robinson,, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Lukas Zürcher, Helen A. Whitney, Federico Solano, Mark E. Gettings, Stephen Ludington
Tectono-magmatic evolution of porphyry belts in the central Tethys region of Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, western Pakistan, and southern Afghanistan
Exploration in the central Tethys region of Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, and western Pakistan has led to the identification of the giant Reko Diq (24 Mt Cu and 1300 t Au), Sar Cheshmeh (8.9 Mt Cu and 0.46 Mt Mo), Sungun (5.1 Mt Cu and 0.20 Mt Mo), and Kadjaran (4.6 Mt Cu, 0.94 Mt Mo, and 1100 t Au), and 10 other large (1–2 Mt Cu) porphyry deposits including Saindak, Cevizlidere, Teg
Authors
Lukas Zürcher, Arthur A. Bookstrom, Jane M. Hammarstrom, John C. Mars, Stephen Ludington, Michael L. Zientek, Pamela Dunlap, John Wallis
Probabilistic mineral resource assessment of U.S. Territories of the Caribbean Basin and adjacent areas: Progress report
The U.S. Geological Survey is partnering with the IberoAmerican Association of Geological and Mining Surveys (ASGMI) to conduct an assessment of undiscovered metallic and non-metallic resources in the Greater Antilles region. The assessment plans to provide science-based information on the geologic availability of these resources for development, land-use planning, and decision making. The USGS an
Authors
Lukas Zürcher, Floyd Gray, Stephen Ludington, Frederic H. Wilson, Greta J. Orris, Mark D. Cocker, Mark E. Gettings, Timothy Hayes
Preliminary assessment of porphyry copper deposits in the Sierra Maestra, Cuba
The U.S. Geological Survey’s “three-step” form of mineral-resource assessment was used to obtain a preliminary estimate of copper resources in undiscovered porphyry deposits of the Paleogene Sierra Maestra Arc. Results of this preliminary assessment suggest that a mean of 3.2 undiscovered deposits are likely present. This estimate is comparable to results from an independently-derived porphyry dep
Authors
Lukas Zürcher, Floyd Gray, Timothy Hayes, Greta J. Orris, Mark E. Gettings, Mark D. Cocker, Leila Gass
New method to integrate remotely sensed hydrothermal alteration mapping into quantitative mineral resource assessments
Hydrothermal alteration data mapped using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) were compiled into hydrothermal alteration polygons for use in an assessment of porphyry copper mineral resource potential in the southwestern United States. Hydrothermal alteration polygons along with geochemistry, gravity and magnetic, lithologic, and deposit and prospects data we
Authors
John C. Mars, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Gilpin R. Robinson, Stephen Ludington, Lukas Zürcher, Helen W. Folger, Mark E. Gettings, Federico Solano, Thomas Kress
Geology and mineral resources of the North-Central Idaho Sagebrush Focal Area: Chapter C in Mineral resources of the Sagebrush Focal Areas of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming
SummaryThe U.S. Department of the Interior has proposed to withdraw approximately 10 million acres of Federal lands from mineral entry (subject to valid existing rights) from 12 million acres of lands defined as Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFAs) in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming (for further discussion on the lands involved see Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5089–A). The purpo
Authors
Karen Lund, Lukas Zürcher, Albert H. Hofstra, Bradley S. Van Gosen, Mary Ellen Benson, Stephen E. Box, Eric D. Anderson, Donald I. Bleiwas, Jacob DeAngelo, Ronald M. Drake, Gregory L. Fernette, Stuart A. Giles, Jonathan M. G. Glen, Jon E. Haacke, John D. Horton, David A. John, Gilpin R. Robinson, Barnaby W. Rockwell, Carma A. San Juan, Brian N. Shaffer, Steven M. Smith, Colin F. Williams
By
Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Laboratories Program, Science and Decisions Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, National Minerals Information Center
Geology and mineral resources of the Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Oregon and Nevada), the Southeastern Oregon and North-Central Nevada, and the Southern Idaho and Northern Nevada (and Utah) Sagebrush Focal Areas: Chapter B in
SummaryThe U.S. Department of the Interior has proposed to withdraw approximately 10 million acres of Federal lands from mineral entry (subject to valid existing rights) from 12 million acres of lands defined as Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFAs) in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming (for further discussion on the lands involved see Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5089–A). The purpo
Authors
Peter G. Vikre, Mary Ellen Benson, Donald I. Bleiwas, Joseph Colgan, Pamela M. Cossette, Jacob DeAngelo, Connie L. Dicken, Ronald M. Drake, Edward A. du Bray, Gregory L. Fernette, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Jon E. Haacke, Susan M. Hall, Albert H. Hofstra, David A. John, Stephen Ludington, Mark J. Mihalasky, James J. Rytuba, Brian N. Shaffer, Lisa L. Stillings, John C. Wallis, Colin F. Williams, Douglas B. Yager, Lukas Zürcher
Relationship between porphyry systems, crustal preservation levels, and amount of exploration in magmatic belts of the Central Tethys Region
Tectonic, geologic, geochemical, geochronologic, and ore deposit data from the U.S. Geological Survey-led assessment of 26 porphyry belts identified in the central Tethys region of Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, western Pakistan, and southern Afghanistan relate porphyry mineralization to the tectonomagmatic evolution of the region and associated subduction and postsubduction processes. However, uplif
Authors
Lukas Zürcher, Jane M. Hammarstrom, John C. Mars, Stephen Ludington, Michael L. Zientek
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 scale of 1:1,0
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 Kuşcu, Charles J. Moon, Jeremy P. Richards
Porphyry copper assessment of Central America and the Caribbean Basin
Mineral resource assessments provide a synthesis of available information about distributions of mineral deposits in the Earth’s crust. The U.S. Geological Survey prepared a probabilistic mineral resource assessment of undiscovered resources in porphyry copper deposits in Central America and the Caribbean Basin in collaboration with geoscientists from academia and the minerals industry. The purpos
Authors
Floyd Gray, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Stephen Ludington, Lukas Zürcher, Carl E. Nelson, Gilpin R. Robinson, Robert J. Miller, Barry C. Moring
Tectono-magmatic evolution and distribution of porphyry Cu systems in the Central Tethys Region of Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, and southern Pakistan
Recent compilation of geodynamic, geochemical, geochronologic, and ore deposits data provided an opportunity to review the continental margin, intra-oceanic, and post-collisional tectonic settings in the Central Tethys Region. These settings formed during sequential rifting of microcontinents from the passive margin of Gondwana, their northward transport across the Neo-Tethys Ocean, and their coll
Authors
Lukas Zürcher, Arthur A. Bookstrom, Jane M. Hammarstrom, John C. Mars, Stephen Ludington, Michael L. Zientek, Pamela Dunlap, John C. Wallis
GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements
In response to Executive Order 13817 of December 20, 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to identify 35 nonfuel minerals or mineral materials considered critical to the economic and national security of the United States (U.S.). Acquiring information on possible domestic sources of these critical minerals is the basis of the USGS Earth Mappi
Locatable Mineral Assessment Tracts for the U.S. Geological Survey Sagebrush Mineral Resource Assessment Project
The polygon (vector) feature class represents locatable mineral resource assessment tracts (tracts of land) associated with the Department of the Interior (DOI) Sagebrush Focal Areas in Montana, Wyoming and Utah, central Idaho, and the Oregon-Nevada-Idaho border area. The mineral resources tracts are geographic areas that were assessed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and were determined to be
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 14
Mapa metalogenético de América Central y El Caribe
La Asociación de Servicios Geológicos y Mineros de Iberoamérica (ASGMI), bajo los auspicios de la Comisión de la Carta Geológica del Mundo (CCGM) preparó la primera versión del Mapa Metalogénico de América Central y el Caribe. La coordinación general estuvo a cargo del Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino (SEGEMAR), con tres coordinaciones regionales: América Central a cargo del Servicio GeológicoAuthorsEduardo O Zappettini, Gloria Prieto-Rincon, Natalia Amezcua, Santiago Munoz-Tapia, Janeth Sepúlveda-Ospina, Carlos M. Celada-Arango, David Jara, X Cazanas-Diaz, Jorge L. Torres-Zafra, Jorge L. Cobiella-Reguera, Lukas Zürcher, Greta J. Orris, Floyd Gray, Carolina Maldonado-Diaz, Noe Rodriguez, Ramon Mérida-Montiel, Carlos A. ZarrukPorphyry copper potential of the U.S. Southern Basin and Range using ASTER data integrated with geochemical and geologic datasets to assess potential near-surface deposits in well-explored permissive tracts
ArcGIS was used to spatially assess and rank potential porphyry copper deposits using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data together with geochemical and geologic datasets in order to estimate undiscovered deposits in the southern Basin and Range Province in the southwestern United States. The assessment was done using a traditional expert opinion three-part mAuthorsJohn C. Mars, Gilpin R. Robinson,, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Lukas Zürcher, Helen A. Whitney, Federico Solano, Mark E. Gettings, Stephen LudingtonTectono-magmatic evolution of porphyry belts in the central Tethys region of Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, western Pakistan, and southern Afghanistan
Exploration in the central Tethys region of Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, and western Pakistan has led to the identification of the giant Reko Diq (24 Mt Cu and 1300 t Au), Sar Cheshmeh (8.9 Mt Cu and 0.46 Mt Mo), Sungun (5.1 Mt Cu and 0.20 Mt Mo), and Kadjaran (4.6 Mt Cu, 0.94 Mt Mo, and 1100 t Au), and 10 other large (1–2 Mt Cu) porphyry deposits including Saindak, Cevizlidere, TegAuthorsLukas Zürcher, Arthur A. Bookstrom, Jane M. Hammarstrom, John C. Mars, Stephen Ludington, Michael L. Zientek, Pamela Dunlap, John WallisProbabilistic mineral resource assessment of U.S. Territories of the Caribbean Basin and adjacent areas: Progress report
The U.S. Geological Survey is partnering with the IberoAmerican Association of Geological and Mining Surveys (ASGMI) to conduct an assessment of undiscovered metallic and non-metallic resources in the Greater Antilles region. The assessment plans to provide science-based information on the geologic availability of these resources for development, land-use planning, and decision making. The USGS anAuthorsLukas Zürcher, Floyd Gray, Stephen Ludington, Frederic H. Wilson, Greta J. Orris, Mark D. Cocker, Mark E. Gettings, Timothy HayesPreliminary assessment of porphyry copper deposits in the Sierra Maestra, Cuba
The U.S. Geological Survey’s “three-step” form of mineral-resource assessment was used to obtain a preliminary estimate of copper resources in undiscovered porphyry deposits of the Paleogene Sierra Maestra Arc. Results of this preliminary assessment suggest that a mean of 3.2 undiscovered deposits are likely present. This estimate is comparable to results from an independently-derived porphyry depAuthorsLukas Zürcher, Floyd Gray, Timothy Hayes, Greta J. Orris, Mark E. Gettings, Mark D. Cocker, Leila GassNew method to integrate remotely sensed hydrothermal alteration mapping into quantitative mineral resource assessments
Hydrothermal alteration data mapped using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) were compiled into hydrothermal alteration polygons for use in an assessment of porphyry copper mineral resource potential in the southwestern United States. Hydrothermal alteration polygons along with geochemistry, gravity and magnetic, lithologic, and deposit and prospects data weAuthorsJohn C. Mars, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Gilpin R. Robinson, Stephen Ludington, Lukas Zürcher, Helen W. Folger, Mark E. Gettings, Federico Solano, Thomas KressGeology and mineral resources of the North-Central Idaho Sagebrush Focal Area: Chapter C in Mineral resources of the Sagebrush Focal Areas of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming
SummaryThe U.S. Department of the Interior has proposed to withdraw approximately 10 million acres of Federal lands from mineral entry (subject to valid existing rights) from 12 million acres of lands defined as Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFAs) in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming (for further discussion on the lands involved see Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5089–A). The purpoAuthorsKaren Lund, Lukas Zürcher, Albert H. Hofstra, Bradley S. Van Gosen, Mary Ellen Benson, Stephen E. Box, Eric D. Anderson, Donald I. Bleiwas, Jacob DeAngelo, Ronald M. Drake, Gregory L. Fernette, Stuart A. Giles, Jonathan M. G. Glen, Jon E. Haacke, John D. Horton, David A. John, Gilpin R. Robinson, Barnaby W. Rockwell, Carma A. San Juan, Brian N. Shaffer, Steven M. Smith, Colin F. WilliamsByEnergy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Laboratories Program, Science and Decisions Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, National Minerals Information CenterGeology and mineral resources of the Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Oregon and Nevada), the Southeastern Oregon and North-Central Nevada, and the Southern Idaho and Northern Nevada (and Utah) Sagebrush Focal Areas: Chapter B in
SummaryThe U.S. Department of the Interior has proposed to withdraw approximately 10 million acres of Federal lands from mineral entry (subject to valid existing rights) from 12 million acres of lands defined as Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFAs) in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming (for further discussion on the lands involved see Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5089–A). The purpoAuthorsPeter G. Vikre, Mary Ellen Benson, Donald I. Bleiwas, Joseph Colgan, Pamela M. Cossette, Jacob DeAngelo, Connie L. Dicken, Ronald M. Drake, Edward A. du Bray, Gregory L. Fernette, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Jon E. Haacke, Susan M. Hall, Albert H. Hofstra, David A. John, Stephen Ludington, Mark J. Mihalasky, James J. Rytuba, Brian N. Shaffer, Lisa L. Stillings, John C. Wallis, Colin F. Williams, Douglas B. Yager, Lukas ZürcherRelationship between porphyry systems, crustal preservation levels, and amount of exploration in magmatic belts of the Central Tethys Region
Tectonic, geologic, geochemical, geochronologic, and ore deposit data from the U.S. Geological Survey-led assessment of 26 porphyry belts identified in the central Tethys region of Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, western Pakistan, and southern Afghanistan relate porphyry mineralization to the tectonomagmatic evolution of the region and associated subduction and postsubduction processes. However, uplifAuthorsLukas Zürcher, Jane M. Hammarstrom, John C. Mars, Stephen Ludington, Michael L. ZientekPorphyry 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 scale of 1:1,0AuthorsLukas 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 Kuşcu, Charles J. Moon, Jeremy P. RichardsPorphyry copper assessment of Central America and the Caribbean Basin
Mineral resource assessments provide a synthesis of available information about distributions of mineral deposits in the Earth’s crust. The U.S. Geological Survey prepared a probabilistic mineral resource assessment of undiscovered resources in porphyry copper deposits in Central America and the Caribbean Basin in collaboration with geoscientists from academia and the minerals industry. The purposAuthorsFloyd Gray, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Stephen Ludington, Lukas Zürcher, Carl E. Nelson, Gilpin R. Robinson, Robert J. Miller, Barry C. MoringTectono-magmatic evolution and distribution of porphyry Cu systems in the Central Tethys Region of Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, and southern Pakistan
Recent compilation of geodynamic, geochemical, geochronologic, and ore deposits data provided an opportunity to review the continental margin, intra-oceanic, and post-collisional tectonic settings in the Central Tethys Region. These settings formed during sequential rifting of microcontinents from the passive margin of Gondwana, their northward transport across the Neo-Tethys Ocean, and their collAuthorsLukas Zürcher, Arthur A. Bookstrom, Jane M. Hammarstrom, John C. Mars, Stephen Ludington, Michael L. Zientek, Pamela Dunlap, John C. Wallis - Data
GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements
In response to Executive Order 13817 of December 20, 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to identify 35 nonfuel minerals or mineral materials considered critical to the economic and national security of the United States (U.S.). Acquiring information on possible domestic sources of these critical minerals is the basis of the USGS Earth MappiLocatable Mineral Assessment Tracts for the U.S. Geological Survey Sagebrush Mineral Resource Assessment Project
The polygon (vector) feature class represents locatable mineral resource assessment tracts (tracts of land) associated with the Department of the Interior (DOI) Sagebrush Focal Areas in Montana, Wyoming and Utah, central Idaho, and the Oregon-Nevada-Idaho border area. The mineral resources tracts are geographic areas that were assessed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and were determined to be
*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