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USGS2015

Assessment of unconventional oil and gas resources in the Jurassic Sargelu Formation of Iraq, 2014

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) quantitatively assessed the potential for unconventional (continuous) oil and gas resources within the Jurassic Sargelu Formation of Iraq. Organic-rich shales of the Jurassic Sargelu Formation are one of the main petroleum source rocks for conventional fields in the Arabian Peninsula. The Sargelu Formation consists of marine shales, with as much as 10 weight percent sulfur-rich Type IIS organic matter, deposited in a relatively deep, anoxic Jurassic depocenter. The potential for volumes of oil retained in the Sargelu Formation source-reservoir rock system following oil migration, cracking, or degradation is the focus of this assessment. Conventional oil and gas resources of Iraq were assessed by the USGS in 2012. The USGS assessment methodology consists of a well-performance approach that recognizes the geologic variability within assessed reservoirs. For non-U.S. assessments, the USGS assesses shale-gas or shale-oil reservoirs that (1) contain greater than 2 weight percent total organic carbon (TOC), (2) are within the proper thermal maturity window for oil or gas generation, (3) have greater than 15-m thickness of organic-rich shale, and (4) contain Type I or II organic matter. These specific USGS criteria when applied to any given shale-oil or shale-gas reservoir might significantly reduce the potential resource assessment area compared to maps made with greater than 1 weight percent TOC.

Jurassic Sargelu Formation↗

USGS2015

U.S. Geological Survey water-resources programs in New Mexico, FY 2015

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has collected hydrologic information in New Mexico since 1889, beginning with the first USGS streamflow-gaging station in the Nation, located on the Rio Grande near Embudo, New Mexico. Water-resources information provided by the USGS is used by many government agencies for issuing flood warnings to protect lives and reduce property damage,managing water rights and interstate water use, protecting water quality and regulating pollution discharges, designing highways and bridges, planning, designing, and operating reservoirs and watersupply facilities, monitoring the availability of groundwater resources and forecasting aquifer response to human and environmental stressors, and prioritizing areas where emergency erosion mitigation or other protective measures may be necessary after a wildfire. For more than 100 years, the Cooperative Water Program has been a highly successful cost-sharing partnership between the USGS and water-resources agencies at the State, local, and tribal levels. It would be difficult to effectively accomplish the mission of the USGS without the contributions of the Cooperative Water Program.

New Mexico↗

USGS2016

Beryllium—A critical mineral commodity—Resources, production, and supply chain

Beryllium is a lightweight metallic element used in a wide variety of specialty and industrial applications. As a function of its unique chemical and physical properties, such as a high stiffness-to-weight ratio, resistance to temperature extremes, and high thermal conductivity, beryllium cannot be easily replaced by substitute materials in applications where combinations of these properties make it the material of choice. Because the number of beryllium producers is limited and the use of substitute materials in specific defense-related applications that are vital to national security is inadequate, several studies have categorized beryllium as a critical and strategic material. This categorization has led to the United States Government recommending that beryllium be stockpiled for use in the event of a national emergency. As of December 31, 2015, the National Defense Stockpile inventory of hot-pressed beryllium metal powder, structured beryllium metal powder, and vacuum-cast beryllium metal totaled 78 metric tons (t). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Resources Program supports research on the occurrence, quality, quantity, and availability of mineral resources vital to the economy and national security. The USGS, through its National Minerals Information Center (NMIC), collects, analyzes, and disseminates information on more than 90 nonfuel mineral commodities from more than 180 countries. This fact sheet provides information on the production, consumption, supply chain, geology, and resource availability of beryllium in a global context.

Fact Sheet↗

USGS2017

Geospatial analysis identifies critical mineral-resource potential in Alaska

Alaska consists of more than 663,000 square miles (1,717,000 square kilometers) of land—more than a sixth of the total area of the United States—and large tracts of it have not been system atically studied or sampled for mineral- resource potential. Many regions of the State are known to have significant mineral-resource potential, and there are currently six operating mines in the State along with numerous active mineral exploration projects. The U.S. Geologi cal Survey and the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys have developed a new geospatial tool that integrates and analyzes publicly available databases of geologic information and estimates the mineral-resource potential for criti cal minerals, which was recently used to evaluate Alaska. The results of the analyses highlight areas that have known mineral deposits and also reveal areas that were not previously considered to be prospective for these deposit types. These results will inform land manage ment decisions by Federal, State, and private landholders, and will also help guide future exploration activities and scientific investigations in Alaska.

Alaska↗

USGS2017

Assessing U.S. coal resources and reserves

The U.S. Coal Resources and Reserves Assessment Project, as part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Energy Resources Program, conducts systematic, geology-based, regional assessments of significant coal beds in major coal basins in the United States. These assessments detail the quantity, quality, location, and economic potential of the Nation’s remaining coal resources and reserves and provide objective scientific information that assists in the formulation of energy strategies, environmental policies, land-use management practices, and economic projections.

Fact Sheet↗

USGS2018

Missouri StreamStats—A water-resources web application

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) maintains and operates more than 8,200 continuous streamgages nationwide. Types of data that may be collected, computed, and stored for streamgages include streamgage height (water-surface elevation), streamflow, and water quality. The streamflow data allow scientists and engineers to calculate streamflow statistics, such as the 1-percent annual exceedance probability flood (also known as the 100-year flood), the mean flow, and the 7-day, 10-year low flow, which are used by managers to make informed water resource management decisions, at each streamgage location. Researchers, regulators, and managers also commonly need physical characteristics (basin characteristics) that describe the unique properties of a basin. Common uses for streamflow statistics and basin characteristics include hydraulic design, water-supply management, water-use appropriations, and flood-plain mapping for establishing flood-insurance rates and land-use zones. The USGS periodically publishes reports that update the values of basin characteristics and streamflow statistics at selected gaged locations (locations with streamgages), but these studies usually only update a subset of streamgages, making data retrieval difficult. Additionally, streamflow statistics and basin characteristics are most often needed at ungaged locations (locations without streamgages) for which published streamflow statistics and basin characteristics do not exist. Missouri StreamStats is a web-based geographic information system that was created by the USGS in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to provide users with access to an assortment of tools that are useful for water-resources planning and management. StreamStats allows users to easily obtain the most recent published streamflow statistics and basin characteristics for streamgage locations and to automatically calculate selected basin characteristics and estimate streamflow statistics at ungaged locations.

Missouri↗

USGS2018

MonitoringResources.org—Supporting coordinated and cost-effective natural resource monitoring across organizations

Natural resource managers who oversee the Nation’s resources require data to support informed decision-making at a variety of spatial and temporal scales that often cross typical jurisdictional boundaries such as states, agency regions, and watersheds. These data come from multiple agencies, programs, and sources, often with their own methods and standards for data collection and organization. Coordinating standards and methods is often prohibitively time-intensive and expensive. MonitoringResources.org offers a suite of tools and resources that support coordination of monitoring efforts, cost-effective planning, and sharing of knowledge among organizations. The website was developed by the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership—a collaboration of Federal, state, tribal, local, and private monitoring programs—and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with funding from the Bonneville Power Administration and USGS. It is a key component of a coordinated monitoring and information network.

Fact Sheet↗

USGS2021

Managing water resources on Long Island, New York, with integrated, multidisciplinary science

Nutrients, harmful algal blooms, and synthetic chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,4-dioxane threaten Long Island’s water resources by affecting the quality of drinking water and ecologically sensitive habitats that support the diverse wildlife throughout the island. Understanding the occurrence, fate, and transport of these potentially harmful chemicals is critical to protect these vital resources. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is collecting and analyzing data to support informed water-resource management decisions. This fact sheet introduces ongoing efforts and future areas of study aimed to help water professionals develop a comprehensive science strategy to address contamination of the Long Island aquifer system, the sole source of drinking water for nearly 3 million people. These studies include surface and groundwater collection and groundwater flow modeling. Funding for the data collection has been provided by the USGS, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Suffolk County Water Authority, Nassau County Department of Public Works, State and local agencies, and Tribal and Federal partners. Without the foresight and long-term commitment of these funding partners, evaluating sustainability and planning for future water needs would not be possible.

New York↗

USGS2023

National map of focus areas for potential critical mineral resources in the United States

Introduction The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) launched the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) to modernize the surface and subsurface geologic mapping of the United States, with a focus on identifying areas that may have the potential to contain critical mineral resources. EarthMRI can inform strategies to ensure secure and reliable domestic critical mineral supplies for the United States as mandated by Executive Order 13817 and the Infrastructure and Jobs Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–58, 135 Stat. 529). Earth MRI is a collaborative effort between the USGS and the State geological surveys as represented by the Association of American State Geologists to identify, prioritize, and acquire new geoscience data for geographic areas, or focus areas, across the Nation that have potential to host critical mineral resources. Mapping of focus areas was based on a framework of mineral systems and their associated mineral deposit types that could possibly host critical minerals. Using readily available geologic, geophysical, geochemical, and mineral deposit data, teams of USGS scientists worked with representatives of State geological surveys in a series of workshops to outline focus areas that contain evidence of key features for one or more mineral systems. These areas can be used to guide future efforts to collect new geologic, geophysical, geochemical, and topographic data that focus on critical minerals through Earth MRI.

Fact Sheet↗

USGS1976

Water resources of the Big Fork River watershed, north-central Minnesota

The Big Fork River watershed is one of 39 watershed units designated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for evaluation of the State 's water resources. Included is an appraisal of the occurrence, quantity, quality, and availability of ground and surface waters. Water resources are not intensively developed anywhere in the watershed. Most development is in the southern half, as much of the northern half is peat-covered wetlands. Essentially all water used is withdrawn from ground-water sources, mainly glacial drift, which ranges from 0 to 250 feet in thickness. Most ground water is of the calcium or sodium bicarbonated type. The degree of mineralization increases down-gradient in the flow system. Groundwater is typically very hard and high in iron and manganese. Lakes and large areas of wetlands have a natural regulating effect on streamflow. Water in streams is of the calcium bicarbonate type. The amount of mineralization at a given time reflects surficial geology, being greatest in streams draining till areas and least in streams draining peatlands. Water drained from peatlands is commonly higher in color and iron and lower in pH than water from areas of mineral soil.

Minnesota↗

USGS1976

Water resources of the Little Fork River watershed, northeastern Minnesota

The Little Fork River watershed is one of 39 watershed units designated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for evaluation of the State 's water resources. Included is an appraisal of the occurrence, quantity, quality, and availability of ground and surface waters. Water resources are not intensively developed anywhere in the watershed. Essentially all water used is withdrawn from ground-water sources, mainly glacial drift, which ranges from 0 to over 200 feet (61 meters) in thickness. Buried sand and gravel in the drift is the most favorable source for development. Most ground water is of the calcium or calcium magnesium bicarbonate type. The degree of mineralization generally increases downgradient in the flow system. Ground water is commonly very hard and high in iron and manganese. Lakes and wetlands have a natural regulating effect on streamflow. Water in streams is of the calcium bicarbonate type. The amount of mineralization reflects surficial geology, being greatest in streams draining glacial-lake sediments and least in streams draining areas of sand lakes. Color and iron concentration in stream waters generally exceed recommended domestic consumption limits.

Minnesota↗

USGS1982

Mineral resource potential map of the Troublesome Roadless Area, McCreary County, Kentucky

A geologic and geochemical investigation and a survey of existing mines and prospects have been conducted to determine the mineral resource potential of the Troublesome Roadless Area, McCreary County, Ky. The study area comprises six tracts totaling about 2,943 acres in the Daniel Boone National Forest. It is in the Cumberland Plateau section of the Appalachian Plateaus Province. All surface and mineral rights are federally owned. Limestone and shale units of Mississippian age and overlying sandstone, shale, and coal beds of Pennsylvanian age comprise the bedrock exposed in the Troublesome Roadless Area. Coal, sandstone, and shale are the principal mineral resources in the study area. Coal has been mined near the roadless area from at least two coal beds. Available data indicate that coal reserves do not underlie the area. Coal resources totalling 7 4 7,000 short tons in the Stearns No. 1112 (?) coal bed and 166,000 short tons in the Barren Fork(?) coal bed are contained in the Troublesome Roadless Area. Possible uses for sandstone units include silica sand, construction sand, and dimension stone. Shale may be suitable for structural clay products. Commercial quantities of oil and gas may be present at shallow depth in rocks of Mississippian age. A stream-sediment geochemical survey failed to recognize anomalies that would suggest mineralization, and the metallic mineral potential of the study area appears limited.

Kentucky↗

USGS1985

Mineral resource potential map of the Fossil Ridge Wilderness Study Area, Gunnison County, Colorado

Parts of the Fossil Ridge Wilderness Study Area have a high resource potential for gold and silver in small deposits, uranium in medium-size deposits, and high-calcium limestone in large deposits. Parts have a moderate to high potential for uranium, thorium, and light rare-earth elements in small- to medium-size deposits, a moderate potential for copper, lead, and zinc in small deposits, a low potential for molybdenum in small deposits, and an unknown potential for molybdenum in deposits of unknown size. Parts of the area have a low potential for cobalt, chromium, tungsten, beryllium, boron, and tin in small deposits. And, depending on the extraction of precious metals, parts of the area could have a low potential for arsenic in small deposits. Tungsten, rare-earth elements, and tin could not be considered resources except for coexisting base metals, thorium, and uranium. Areas that immediately adjoin the Fossil Ridge Wilderness Study Area have a high potential for molybdenum in large deposits, lead in medium-size deposits, and zinc -in small- to medium-size deposits. Depending on the extraction of base metals, parts of the adjoining areas could have a low resource potential for bismuth and cadmium as byproducts in medium-size deposits.

Colorado↗

USGS1983

Mineral resource potential of the Piedra Wilderness Study Area, Archuleta and Hinsdale counties, Colorado

The mineral resource potential of the Piedra Wilderness Study Area is low. No occurrences of metallic minerals, of valuable industrial rocks and minerals, or of useful concentrations of organic fuels are known in the study area. However, a noneconomic occurrence of gypsum in the Jurassic Wanakah Formation lies a few hundred feet west of the WSA boundary, is believed to extend into the WSA, and has a low resource potential. Particular attention was paid to the possible occurrence of organic fuels in the Pennsylvanian Hermosa Formation, of uranium and vanadium in the Jurassic Entrada Sandstone and Morrison Formation, and of coal in the Cretaceous Dakota Sandstone. Thin coaly beds in the Dakota have a low resource potential. Extensive sampling of stream sediments, limited sampling of rock outcrops and springs, and a number of scintillometer traverses failed to pinpoint significant anomalies that might be clues to mineral deposits.

Colorado↗

USGS1986

Estimated resources of non-leased federal coal, Powder River Basin, Montana and Wyoming

Maps are generated by combining digital ownership data with geologic resource estimates and other spatial coal data in a geographic information system (GIS). For example, we merged the newly compiled Federal coal ownership files with resource calculations from the 1970's for the Powder River Basin (Trent, 1986). For the first time, we are able to visually display the location of Federally owned coal in each 7.5' quadrangle along with the published coal resource estimates for those areas (fig. 8).

Montana, Wyoming↗

USGS1993

Mineral resource assessment of mafic and ultramafic rocks in the Greenville 1° x 2° quadrangle, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina

Mineral resources of the Greenville 1° x 2° quadrangle, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina, were assessed between 1984 and 1990 under the Conterminuous United States Mineral Assessment Program (CUSMAP) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The mineral resource assessments were made on the basis of geologic, geochemical, and geophysical investigations and on the distribution of mines, prospects and mineral occurrences reported in the literature. This report is an assessment of the mineral resources associated with mafic and ultramafic rocks in the Greenville quadrangle. It is based on the geology as mapped by Nelson and others (1987, 1989), on geochemistry of rock samples collected for this and other studies, on data available for known mines and prospects, and on the published geologic literature.

Georgia;North Carolina;South Carolina↗

USGS2001

A Microsoft Windows version of the MARK3 Monte Carlo resource simulator

This publication includes a version of the MARK3 Monte Carlo resource simulator that will run under Microsoft Windows 98, NT, and 2000. The disc also includes grade and tonnage information and related deposit model files that allow the user to calculate probability curves for mineral resources. A total of 113 deposit models are included on the disc although some of them are subsets of others. In most cases the list of deposits with associated grade and tonnage data are also present. Ten of the models contain proprietary information and the grade and tonnage for those are not included. The program also includes an extensive help file that provides information about the program and about the concepts that are the basis of the program and about this method for estimating quantitative mineral resources.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2001

Energy resources and changing land use, Front Range of Colorado: AAPG-EMD field trip guide, in association with the 2001 AAPG-EMD annual meeting

Over the past 30 years, communities in the Northern Front Range of Colorado have experienced tremendous urban and commercial growth rivaling or surpassing that in most other parts of the United States. Much of this growth coincides with areas underlain by critically needed natural resources (such as oil, natural gas, construction aggregate (stone, sand, and gravel), and water), thus presenting serious challenges for city, county, and state planners as well as producers of these natural resources. With projections for as much as a 51 percent increase in population in Colorado over the next 25 years (Colorado Department of Local Affairs, 2001), it is likely that these challenges will increase. This field trip will blend petroleum and coal geology with discussions of urban development to highlight the interplay between growth in the Front Range and energy resource production. On the trip we will also explore the effects of past production on land use. A total of 6 stops will be made in various locations around the Front Range area.

Colorado↗