Ryan J McAleer, Ph.D.
Ryan J McAleer is a Research Geologist at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center.
I am a Research Geologist at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center in Reston, VA. I received a PhD in Geology from Indiana University in 2016. I currently run the 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, electron microprobe, and mineral separation laboratories in Reston, VA. I contribute to National Cooperative Geologic Mapping, Energy, and Mineral program projects as well as collaborative work with universities. I use detailed optical and electron petrography, metamorphic petrology, 40Ar/39Ar and U/Pb geochronology, and a variety of other analytical tools in my research. Some current research projects that I am a part of include work on:
- Determining the age of bedrock beneath the coastal plain of the southeastern U.S.
- Assessing the age and deformation mechanisms along the Blue Ridge Thrust
- The age(s) of the Petersburg Granite
- Causes and uses of photoluminesence in zircon
- Coupled substitution in sphalerite with a focus on germanium
- The age and origin of manganese oxide deposits in Virginia.
Professional Experience
2016-present, Research Geologist, USGS, Reston, VA
2011-2015, Graduate Student, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
2011-2015, SCEP/Pathways student appointment, USGS, Reston, VA
2007-2010, Geologist, USGS, Reston, VA
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Metamorphic Petrology, Indiana University, 2016 (Advisor: Bob Wintsch)
M.S. Geology, 2006 (Advisor: Jim Spotila)
B.S. Geology, 2004 (Senior Thesis Advisor: Terry Engelder)
Affiliations and Memberships*
2016-present, Mineralogical Society of America
2011-present, Geological Society of America
2019-present, Microscopy Society of America/Microanalysis Society
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 27
Evidence for strain induced graphitization across a ductile fault zone Evidence for strain induced graphitization across a ductile fault zone
A suite of slate samples collected along a 2 km transect crossing the Lishan Fault in central Taiwan were evaluated to assess the role of ductile strain energy in natural graphitization at greenschist facies metamorphic conditions. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging documents phyllosilicate and quartz replacement textures consistent cleavage development via dissolution...
Portable Raman spectroscopic analysis of bulk crushed rock Portable Raman spectroscopic analysis of bulk crushed rock
This study presents a simplified method and empirical relationships for determining organic matter thermal maturity using a portable Raman system equipped with a 785 nm laser, for analysis of crushed, whole-rock samples. Several sets of rocks comprised of shale and coal samples with various mineralogical composition, thermal maturity, total organic carbon (TOC), and age were used to test...
40Ar/39Ar data from the Gidami gold deposit, Egypt 40Ar/39Ar data from the Gidami gold deposit, Egypt
This data release includes 40Ar/39Ar data from the U.S. Geological Survey for samples from the Gidami gold deposit in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Rock samples were collected by Basem Zoheir--Benha University/University of Kiel. Potassium-bearing mineral grains were separated from the bulk sample and analyzed by argon geochronology at the U.S. Geological Survey Bascom ARgon Dating (BARD)
Whole Rock Geochemistry and Uranium Lead Isotopic Data from the Dinwiddie Terrane, Virginia, USA Whole Rock Geochemistry and Uranium Lead Isotopic Data from the Dinwiddie Terrane, Virginia, USA
This data release includes whole rock geochemical data, and uranium-lead isotopic data collected by both Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe-Reverse Geometry (SHRIMP-RG) methods. Whole rock geochemistry was collected by Activation Laboratories in Ancaster, Ontario. LA-ICP-MS data was collected at the PLASMA...
Strain induced molecular heterogeneity in ancient sedimentary organic matter mapped at nanoscales using optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy Strain induced molecular heterogeneity in ancient sedimentary organic matter mapped at nanoscales using optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy
Here we report ultra-high resolution infrared mapping of organic matter functional group distribution in Tasmanites (algal microfossils) from the Upper Devonian Ohio Shale using optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy (O-PTIR). O-PTIR is capable of rapidly measuring the vibrational response of samples in situ with ~500-nm spatial resolution, well below the infrared diffraction limit...
Electron microprobe analyses of sphalerite from Central and East Tennessee mining districts, the Red Dog mining district (AK), and the Metaline mining district (WA) Electron microprobe analyses of sphalerite from Central and East Tennessee mining districts, the Red Dog mining district (AK), and the Metaline mining district (WA)
Electron microprobe analyses of sphalerite (ZnS) were collected on samples from current or past mining operations in the USA with a specific focus on germanium (Ge), a byproduct critical mineral recovered from sphalerite. Data and methods reported are part of a research study published in the 'Related External Resources' section below.
Filter Total Items: 55
Deformation by pressure solution and grain boundary sliding in a retrograde shear zone in southern New England, USA Deformation by pressure solution and grain boundary sliding in a retrograde shear zone in southern New England, USA
Alleghanian phyllonites in a shear zone in southern New England were formed by the retrogression and hydration of a high-grade Acadian pelitic schist. The retrogression was locally incomplete, resulting in both heterogeneous mineralogy and mineral compositions, and in many arrested reaction textures. These features, documented by backscattered electron and element map imaging, and by...
Authors
Robert P. Wintsch, Bryan A. Wathen, Ryan J. McAleer, Jesse Walters, Jessica A. Matthews
Ore mineralization in the Mofete and San Vito geothermal fields, Campi Flegrei volcanic complex, Naples, Italy Ore mineralization in the Mofete and San Vito geothermal fields, Campi Flegrei volcanic complex, Naples, Italy
The Mofete and San Vito geothermal fields, located west of Naples, Italy, are part of the Campi Flegrei volcanic complex. In the 1970s, exploratory wells were drilled to a depth of ~3000 m in an attempt to locate high-enthalpy fluids for potential power production. Drill core samples from Mofete wells (MF1, MF2, and MF5) and from San Vito wells (SV1 and SV3) contain authigenic ore...
Authors
Harvey E. Belkin, Ryan J. McAleer, Benedetto De Vivo
Evaluation of coal mine drainage and associated precipitates for radium and rare earth element concentrations Evaluation of coal mine drainage and associated precipitates for radium and rare earth element concentrations
Coal mine drainage (CMD) and associated metal-rich precipitates have recently been proposed as unconventional sources of rare earth elements (REEs). However, the potential occurrence of radium (Ra), a known carcinogen, with the REE-bearing phases has not been investigated. We hypothesized that Ra may occur in solids that are precipitated from CMD as a “radiobarite” solid solution ((Ba,Sr...
Authors
Bonnie McDevitt, Charles A. III Cravotta, Ryan J. McAleer, John C Jackson, Aaron M. Jubb, Glenn D. Jolly, Benjamin C. Hedin, Nathaniel R. Warner
Ion exchange processes for CO2 mineralization using industrial waste streams: Pilot plant demonstration and life cycle assessment Ion exchange processes for CO2 mineralization using industrial waste streams: Pilot plant demonstration and life cycle assessment
An attractive technique for removing CO2 from the environment is sequestration within stable carbonate solids (e. g., calcite). However, continuous addition of alkalinity is required to achieve favorable conditions for carbonate precipitation (pH>8) from aqueous streams containing dissolved CO2 (pH
Authors
Steven Bustillos, Mario Christofides, Bonnie McDevitt, Madalyn S. Blondes, Ryan J. McAleer, Aaron M. Jubb, Bu Wang, Gaurav Sant, Dante Simonetti
Mesoproterozoic to Paleozoic tectonics, Pleistocene landforms, and Holocene seismicity in the Blue Ridge: Results from integrated studies of the 9 August 2020, Mw 5.1 earthquake area near Sparta, North Carolina, USA Mesoproterozoic to Paleozoic tectonics, Pleistocene landforms, and Holocene seismicity in the Blue Ridge: Results from integrated studies of the 9 August 2020, Mw 5.1 earthquake area near Sparta, North Carolina, USA
This field trip examines the results of integrated geologic studies of the 9 August 2020, Mw 5.1 earthquake near Sparta, North Carolina, USA. The earthquake generated ~4 km of coseismic surface rupture of the Little River fault and uplifted a surface area of ~11 km 2. The Little River fault is a thrust fault oriented 110–130°/45–70°SW, and mapped fault segments are en echelon with scarp...
Authors
Arthur J. Merschat, Mark W. Carter, Ashley S. Lynn, Kevin G. Stewart, Paula Figueiredo, William Elijah Odom, Ryan J. McAleer, Jorge A. Vazquez, Nicholas Edwin Powell, Christopher S. Holm-Denoma
Cathodoluminescence differentiates sedimentary organic matter types Cathodoluminescence differentiates sedimentary organic matter types
High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) visualization of sedimentary organic matter is widely utilized in the geosciences for evaluating microscale rock properties relevant to depositional environment, diagenesis, and the processes of fluid generation, transport, and storage. However, despite thousands of studies which have incorporated SEM methods, the inability of SEM to...
Authors
Paul C. Hackley, Ryan J. McAleer, Aaron M. Jubb, Brett J. Valentine, Justin E. Birdwell
Non-USGS Publications**
Berger, A.L., Gulick, S.P., Spotila, J.A., Upton, P., Jaeger, J.M., Chapman, J.B., Worthington, L.A., Pavlis, T.L., Ridgway, K.D., Willems, B.A. and McAleer, R.J., 2008. Quaternary tectonic response to intensified glacial erosion in an orogenic wedge. Nature Geoscience, 1(11), p.793.
**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
Filter Total Items: 27
Evidence for strain induced graphitization across a ductile fault zone Evidence for strain induced graphitization across a ductile fault zone
A suite of slate samples collected along a 2 km transect crossing the Lishan Fault in central Taiwan were evaluated to assess the role of ductile strain energy in natural graphitization at greenschist facies metamorphic conditions. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging documents phyllosilicate and quartz replacement textures consistent cleavage development via dissolution...
Portable Raman spectroscopic analysis of bulk crushed rock Portable Raman spectroscopic analysis of bulk crushed rock
This study presents a simplified method and empirical relationships for determining organic matter thermal maturity using a portable Raman system equipped with a 785 nm laser, for analysis of crushed, whole-rock samples. Several sets of rocks comprised of shale and coal samples with various mineralogical composition, thermal maturity, total organic carbon (TOC), and age were used to test...
40Ar/39Ar data from the Gidami gold deposit, Egypt 40Ar/39Ar data from the Gidami gold deposit, Egypt
This data release includes 40Ar/39Ar data from the U.S. Geological Survey for samples from the Gidami gold deposit in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Rock samples were collected by Basem Zoheir--Benha University/University of Kiel. Potassium-bearing mineral grains were separated from the bulk sample and analyzed by argon geochronology at the U.S. Geological Survey Bascom ARgon Dating (BARD)
Whole Rock Geochemistry and Uranium Lead Isotopic Data from the Dinwiddie Terrane, Virginia, USA Whole Rock Geochemistry and Uranium Lead Isotopic Data from the Dinwiddie Terrane, Virginia, USA
This data release includes whole rock geochemical data, and uranium-lead isotopic data collected by both Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe-Reverse Geometry (SHRIMP-RG) methods. Whole rock geochemistry was collected by Activation Laboratories in Ancaster, Ontario. LA-ICP-MS data was collected at the PLASMA...
Strain induced molecular heterogeneity in ancient sedimentary organic matter mapped at nanoscales using optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy Strain induced molecular heterogeneity in ancient sedimentary organic matter mapped at nanoscales using optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy
Here we report ultra-high resolution infrared mapping of organic matter functional group distribution in Tasmanites (algal microfossils) from the Upper Devonian Ohio Shale using optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy (O-PTIR). O-PTIR is capable of rapidly measuring the vibrational response of samples in situ with ~500-nm spatial resolution, well below the infrared diffraction limit...
Electron microprobe analyses of sphalerite from Central and East Tennessee mining districts, the Red Dog mining district (AK), and the Metaline mining district (WA) Electron microprobe analyses of sphalerite from Central and East Tennessee mining districts, the Red Dog mining district (AK), and the Metaline mining district (WA)
Electron microprobe analyses of sphalerite (ZnS) were collected on samples from current or past mining operations in the USA with a specific focus on germanium (Ge), a byproduct critical mineral recovered from sphalerite. Data and methods reported are part of a research study published in the 'Related External Resources' section below.
Filter Total Items: 55
Deformation by pressure solution and grain boundary sliding in a retrograde shear zone in southern New England, USA Deformation by pressure solution and grain boundary sliding in a retrograde shear zone in southern New England, USA
Alleghanian phyllonites in a shear zone in southern New England were formed by the retrogression and hydration of a high-grade Acadian pelitic schist. The retrogression was locally incomplete, resulting in both heterogeneous mineralogy and mineral compositions, and in many arrested reaction textures. These features, documented by backscattered electron and element map imaging, and by...
Authors
Robert P. Wintsch, Bryan A. Wathen, Ryan J. McAleer, Jesse Walters, Jessica A. Matthews
Ore mineralization in the Mofete and San Vito geothermal fields, Campi Flegrei volcanic complex, Naples, Italy Ore mineralization in the Mofete and San Vito geothermal fields, Campi Flegrei volcanic complex, Naples, Italy
The Mofete and San Vito geothermal fields, located west of Naples, Italy, are part of the Campi Flegrei volcanic complex. In the 1970s, exploratory wells were drilled to a depth of ~3000 m in an attempt to locate high-enthalpy fluids for potential power production. Drill core samples from Mofete wells (MF1, MF2, and MF5) and from San Vito wells (SV1 and SV3) contain authigenic ore...
Authors
Harvey E. Belkin, Ryan J. McAleer, Benedetto De Vivo
Evaluation of coal mine drainage and associated precipitates for radium and rare earth element concentrations Evaluation of coal mine drainage and associated precipitates for radium and rare earth element concentrations
Coal mine drainage (CMD) and associated metal-rich precipitates have recently been proposed as unconventional sources of rare earth elements (REEs). However, the potential occurrence of radium (Ra), a known carcinogen, with the REE-bearing phases has not been investigated. We hypothesized that Ra may occur in solids that are precipitated from CMD as a “radiobarite” solid solution ((Ba,Sr...
Authors
Bonnie McDevitt, Charles A. III Cravotta, Ryan J. McAleer, John C Jackson, Aaron M. Jubb, Glenn D. Jolly, Benjamin C. Hedin, Nathaniel R. Warner
Ion exchange processes for CO2 mineralization using industrial waste streams: Pilot plant demonstration and life cycle assessment Ion exchange processes for CO2 mineralization using industrial waste streams: Pilot plant demonstration and life cycle assessment
An attractive technique for removing CO2 from the environment is sequestration within stable carbonate solids (e. g., calcite). However, continuous addition of alkalinity is required to achieve favorable conditions for carbonate precipitation (pH>8) from aqueous streams containing dissolved CO2 (pH
Authors
Steven Bustillos, Mario Christofides, Bonnie McDevitt, Madalyn S. Blondes, Ryan J. McAleer, Aaron M. Jubb, Bu Wang, Gaurav Sant, Dante Simonetti
Mesoproterozoic to Paleozoic tectonics, Pleistocene landforms, and Holocene seismicity in the Blue Ridge: Results from integrated studies of the 9 August 2020, Mw 5.1 earthquake area near Sparta, North Carolina, USA Mesoproterozoic to Paleozoic tectonics, Pleistocene landforms, and Holocene seismicity in the Blue Ridge: Results from integrated studies of the 9 August 2020, Mw 5.1 earthquake area near Sparta, North Carolina, USA
This field trip examines the results of integrated geologic studies of the 9 August 2020, Mw 5.1 earthquake near Sparta, North Carolina, USA. The earthquake generated ~4 km of coseismic surface rupture of the Little River fault and uplifted a surface area of ~11 km 2. The Little River fault is a thrust fault oriented 110–130°/45–70°SW, and mapped fault segments are en echelon with scarp...
Authors
Arthur J. Merschat, Mark W. Carter, Ashley S. Lynn, Kevin G. Stewart, Paula Figueiredo, William Elijah Odom, Ryan J. McAleer, Jorge A. Vazquez, Nicholas Edwin Powell, Christopher S. Holm-Denoma
Cathodoluminescence differentiates sedimentary organic matter types Cathodoluminescence differentiates sedimentary organic matter types
High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) visualization of sedimentary organic matter is widely utilized in the geosciences for evaluating microscale rock properties relevant to depositional environment, diagenesis, and the processes of fluid generation, transport, and storage. However, despite thousands of studies which have incorporated SEM methods, the inability of SEM to...
Authors
Paul C. Hackley, Ryan J. McAleer, Aaron M. Jubb, Brett J. Valentine, Justin E. Birdwell
Non-USGS Publications**
Berger, A.L., Gulick, S.P., Spotila, J.A., Upton, P., Jaeger, J.M., Chapman, J.B., Worthington, L.A., Pavlis, T.L., Ridgway, K.D., Willems, B.A. and McAleer, R.J., 2008. Quaternary tectonic response to intensified glacial erosion in an orogenic wedge. Nature Geoscience, 1(11), p.793.
**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.
*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