Peter M Valley, Ph.D.

Current Research

As a research geologist I conduct geologic mapping and research in New England and the northeastern United States. My research is focused on 1) the metamorphic, igneous, and tectonic history of the New England Appalachians, 2) geochronologic and geochemical evolution of orogenic events, and 3) critical mineral resources associated with orogenic events. In addition to mapping, I use whole rock and mineral geochemistry, uranium-lead geochronology, and igneous and metamorphic petrology to better understand complex terranes. Maps are produced in GIS. 

I am the project leader for the USGS bedrock mapping project in the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) of western Maine and New Hampshire. This area of western Maine is known for lithium and beryllium-bearing pegmatite bodies. Prior to the WMNF project I was mapping in the eastern Adirondack Mountains of New York. This area was the main source of iron in the United States for nearly 150 years. Associated with these magnetite ores is rare earth element-rich apatite. When the mines were active, the apatite was left in large tailings. These tailings piles are now a potential source for light rare earth elements.