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M. Christopher Jenkins, PhD

Chris Jenkins is located at GMEG Science Center in Spokane, WA. Chris received a MSc in Earth Science from the University of Toronto in 2017 and a PhD in Earth Science from Carleton University in 2021. Since joining the USGS in 2016, Chris specializes in studying magmatic ore deposits using igneous petrology, numerical modeling, and geostatistics.

Professional Experience

  • 2022 - Present, Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow, Geology Minerals Energy and Geophysics Science Center, Spokane, WA.

  • 2016 - 2022, Physical science technician, Geology Minerals Energy and Geophysics Science Center, Spokane, WA.

Education and Certifications

  • PhD Earth Sciences, Carleton University, 2021

  • MSc Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, 2017

  • BSc Geology, Eastern Washington University, 2015

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • 2014 - Present: Society of Economic Geologists

  • 2014 - Present: American Mineralogical Society

  • 2013 - Present: Geological Society of America

Science and Products

Layered intrusions in the Precambrian: Observations and perspectives

Layered intrusions are plutonic bodies of cumulates that form by the crystallization of mantle-derived melts. These intrusions are characterized by igneous layering distinguishable by shifts in mineralogy, texture, or composition. Layered intrusions have been fundamental to our understanding of igneous petrology; however, it is their status as important repositories of critical metals – such as pl
Authors
William D. Smith, Michael Jenkins, Claudia T. Augustin, Ville J. Virtanen, Zoja Vukmanovic, Brian O'Driscoll
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Geochemistry of Archean komatiitic greenstone terranes of the Wyoming Province: Implications for geodynamic setting and mineralization

No abstract available.
Authors
Lisa Joanne Zieman, Jacob Evan Poletti, Michael Jenkins
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

A multi-methodological approach: Combining textural observations and geochronology to study the J-M Reef Package and its Hanging Wall, Stillwater Complex, Montana

No abstract available.
Authors
Michael Jenkins, Sam R. Corson, Ennis Geraghty, S.L. Kamo, Heather A. Lowers, James E. Mungall
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Unifying the Neoarchean Lac des Iles Complex and implications for the petrogenesis of Pd-enriched noritic breccia pipes in ancient arcs

No abstract available.
Authors
William D. Smith, L. Fay, M.L. Djon, Michael Jenkins, Y. Lin, Z. S. Yao, James E. Mungall
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Melting at the base of the J-M Reef Package, Stillwater Complex

No abstract available.
Authors
Michael Jenkins, Stephen J. Barnes
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

A novel origin for PGE reefs: A case study of the J-M Reef

The origin of meter scale stratiform layers of disseminated sulfides in enriched platinum group element (PGE) tenors and grades, called reef-type deposits, are the world’s most significant source of PGEs. Their origin in layered mafic intrusions remains debated, but in general, most researchers favor an orthomagmatic origin for reef-type deposits and agree that their formation requires the equilib
Authors
Michael Jenkins, James E. Mungall, Michael L. Zientek, Gelu Costin, Zhuo-sen Yao
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Origin of the J-M Reef and Lower Banded series, Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA

The origin and parental magma for layered cumulates in the Lower Banded series (LBS) and the J-M Reef Pd-Pt deposit of the Stillwater Complex remains poorly constrained. We present whole-rock lithogeochemistry and mineral chemistry from LBS rocks collected from drill holes and surface samples from the Mountain View area of the complex that in total span nearly the entirety of the LBS stratigraphy.
Authors
Michael Jenkins, James E. Mungall, Michael L. Zientek, Gelu Costin, Zhuo-sen Yao
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

The nature and composition of the J-M Reef, Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA

In this contribution, we analyze 30 years of mine development data and quantitatively identify the processes that control the grade and tenor of the mineralized rock. An assay database of more than 60,000 samples was used to examine variations in ore grade and tenor of the sulfide mineralization in the J-M reef horizon of the Stillwater Complex along the strike and down the dip of the deposit in t
Authors
Michael Jenkins, James E. Mungall, Michael L. Zientek, Paul Holick, Kevin Butak
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
link
Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

National assessment of Ni, Co, V, Cr, and PGE associated with mafic/ultramafic magmatic mineral systems

Many minerals critical for modern society are found only in a few places in the world. U.S. reliance on minerals imported from other countries can cause supply chain vulnerabilities. This project aims to evaluate critical commodities associated with mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks and highlight areas with mineral potential.
By
Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
link

National assessment of Ni, Co, V, Cr, and PGE associated with mafic/ultramafic magmatic mineral systems

Many minerals critical for modern society are found only in a few places in the world. U.S. reliance on minerals imported from other countries can cause supply chain vulnerabilities. This project aims to evaluate critical commodities associated with mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks and highlight areas with mineral potential.
Learn More

Geochemistry of rocks and rock fabric data near the hanging wall contact to the Reef Package, Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA

The Reef Package is a sequence of coarse-grained cumulates that host the J-M Reef Pd-Pt deposit in the Stillwater Complex of Montana. The top of the Reef Package marks the top of economic-grade platinum-group element mineralization and is identified by a distinct change in rock fabric, from the coarse-grained rocks of the Reef Package to finer-grained cumulates in the hanging wall. This dataset ta
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Titanium-vanadium deposits hosted in mafic-ultramafic layered intrusions and massif anorthosite intrusions from around the world

This data release includes four .csv files and one Esri shapefile which contain data on titanium-vanadium deposits hosted in mafic-ultramafic layered intrusions and massif anorthosite intrusions from around the world. Some of the data was used to create a grade and tonnage model for titanium-vanadium deposits hosted in mafic-ultramafic layered intrusions. Only deposits with reported grade and tonn
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Missouri Breaks Project, Montana - Digitized aeromagnetic data

From February 12 to March 8, 1981, EG and G Geometrics conducted an aeromagnetic survey in Montana for Anaconda Copper Company. A Piper Navajo aircraft was used to conducted the survey. The survey was flown along north-south flightlines spaced 660 feet at a nominal height of 450 feet above the terrain. Five uniformly spaced east-west tie-lines were also flown. During processing, the International
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Science and Products

Layered intrusions in the Precambrian: Observations and perspectives

Layered intrusions are plutonic bodies of cumulates that form by the crystallization of mantle-derived melts. These intrusions are characterized by igneous layering distinguishable by shifts in mineralogy, texture, or composition. Layered intrusions have been fundamental to our understanding of igneous petrology; however, it is their status as important repositories of critical metals – such as pl
Authors
William D. Smith, Michael Jenkins, Claudia T. Augustin, Ville J. Virtanen, Zoja Vukmanovic, Brian O'Driscoll
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Geochemistry of Archean komatiitic greenstone terranes of the Wyoming Province: Implications for geodynamic setting and mineralization

No abstract available.
Authors
Lisa Joanne Zieman, Jacob Evan Poletti, Michael Jenkins
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

A multi-methodological approach: Combining textural observations and geochronology to study the J-M Reef Package and its Hanging Wall, Stillwater Complex, Montana

No abstract available.
Authors
Michael Jenkins, Sam R. Corson, Ennis Geraghty, S.L. Kamo, Heather A. Lowers, James E. Mungall
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Unifying the Neoarchean Lac des Iles Complex and implications for the petrogenesis of Pd-enriched noritic breccia pipes in ancient arcs

No abstract available.
Authors
William D. Smith, L. Fay, M.L. Djon, Michael Jenkins, Y. Lin, Z. S. Yao, James E. Mungall
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Melting at the base of the J-M Reef Package, Stillwater Complex

No abstract available.
Authors
Michael Jenkins, Stephen J. Barnes
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

A novel origin for PGE reefs: A case study of the J-M Reef

The origin of meter scale stratiform layers of disseminated sulfides in enriched platinum group element (PGE) tenors and grades, called reef-type deposits, are the world’s most significant source of PGEs. Their origin in layered mafic intrusions remains debated, but in general, most researchers favor an orthomagmatic origin for reef-type deposits and agree that their formation requires the equilib
Authors
Michael Jenkins, James E. Mungall, Michael L. Zientek, Gelu Costin, Zhuo-sen Yao
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Origin of the J-M Reef and Lower Banded series, Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA

The origin and parental magma for layered cumulates in the Lower Banded series (LBS) and the J-M Reef Pd-Pt deposit of the Stillwater Complex remains poorly constrained. We present whole-rock lithogeochemistry and mineral chemistry from LBS rocks collected from drill holes and surface samples from the Mountain View area of the complex that in total span nearly the entirety of the LBS stratigraphy.
Authors
Michael Jenkins, James E. Mungall, Michael L. Zientek, Gelu Costin, Zhuo-sen Yao
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

The nature and composition of the J-M Reef, Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA

In this contribution, we analyze 30 years of mine development data and quantitatively identify the processes that control the grade and tenor of the mineralized rock. An assay database of more than 60,000 samples was used to examine variations in ore grade and tenor of the sulfide mineralization in the J-M reef horizon of the Stillwater Complex along the strike and down the dip of the deposit in t
Authors
Michael Jenkins, James E. Mungall, Michael L. Zientek, Paul Holick, Kevin Butak
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
link
Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

National assessment of Ni, Co, V, Cr, and PGE associated with mafic/ultramafic magmatic mineral systems

Many minerals critical for modern society are found only in a few places in the world. U.S. reliance on minerals imported from other countries can cause supply chain vulnerabilities. This project aims to evaluate critical commodities associated with mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks and highlight areas with mineral potential.
By
Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
link

National assessment of Ni, Co, V, Cr, and PGE associated with mafic/ultramafic magmatic mineral systems

Many minerals critical for modern society are found only in a few places in the world. U.S. reliance on minerals imported from other countries can cause supply chain vulnerabilities. This project aims to evaluate critical commodities associated with mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks and highlight areas with mineral potential.
Learn More

Geochemistry of rocks and rock fabric data near the hanging wall contact to the Reef Package, Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA

The Reef Package is a sequence of coarse-grained cumulates that host the J-M Reef Pd-Pt deposit in the Stillwater Complex of Montana. The top of the Reef Package marks the top of economic-grade platinum-group element mineralization and is identified by a distinct change in rock fabric, from the coarse-grained rocks of the Reef Package to finer-grained cumulates in the hanging wall. This dataset ta
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Titanium-vanadium deposits hosted in mafic-ultramafic layered intrusions and massif anorthosite intrusions from around the world

This data release includes four .csv files and one Esri shapefile which contain data on titanium-vanadium deposits hosted in mafic-ultramafic layered intrusions and massif anorthosite intrusions from around the world. Some of the data was used to create a grade and tonnage model for titanium-vanadium deposits hosted in mafic-ultramafic layered intrusions. Only deposits with reported grade and tonn
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Missouri Breaks Project, Montana - Digitized aeromagnetic data

From February 12 to March 8, 1981, EG and G Geometrics conducted an aeromagnetic survey in Montana for Anaconda Copper Company. A Piper Navajo aircraft was used to conducted the survey. The survey was flown along north-south flightlines spaced 660 feet at a nominal height of 450 feet above the terrain. Five uniformly spaced east-west tie-lines were also flown. During processing, the International
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

*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

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