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Results for “Geologic Investigation”

Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2024

Planned geological investigations of the Europa Clipper mission

Geological investigations planned for the Europa Clipper mission will examine the formation, evolution, and expression of geomorphic structures found on the surface. Understanding geologic features, their formation, and any recent activity are key inputs in constraining Europa’s potential for habitability. In addition to providing information about the moon’s habitability, the geologic study of Europa is compelling in and of itself. Here we provide a high-level, cross-instrument, and cross-discipline overview of the geologic investigations planned within the Europa Clipper mission. Europa’s fascinating collection of ice-focused geology provides an unparalleled opportunity to investigate the dynamics of icy shells, ice-ocean exchange processes, and global-scale tectonic and tidal stresses. We present an overview of what is currently known about the geology of Europa, from global to local scales, highlighting outstanding issues and open questions, and detailing how the Europa Clipper mission will address them. We describe the mission’s strategy for searching for and characterizing current activity in the form of possible active plumes, thermal anomalies, evidence for surface changes, and extremely fresh surface exposures. The complementary and synergistic nature of the data sets from the various instruments and their integration will be key to significantly advancing our understanding of Europa’s geology.

Space Science Reviews↗
USGS1981

Engineering geology investigation, Little Granite Creek road corridor, Teton National Forest, Teton County, Wyoming

This report summarizes the results of an engineering geology investigation for the proposed Little Granite Creek Road Corridor access to the Getty drill site. The purpose of the investigation was to provide geologic data so that the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey can jointly draft an Environmental Impact Statement. The location of the proposed road corridor is shown on Fig. 1. The general geologic conditions within the corridor are described and their anticipated impacts on the proposed road are discussed. The data and conclusions presented in this report are suitable for evaluating general impacts; however, additional detailed studies will be required for final design purposes. The geologic conditions in the proposed road corridor were evaluated by reviewing published regional geologic maps, a field reconnaissance, and interpretation of aerial photographs. The largest scale geologic map available for the area is the 1:24,000, Geologic Map of the Bull Creek Quadrangle, Schroeder (1976). In early October, 1980, a field reconnaissance was made by Doug Stack and Ralph Mock of Chen and Associates, Inc. along the proposed road alignment. In addition, colored aerial photography at a scale of 1:15840 was available for our investigation.

Wyoming↗
USGS1981

Engineering geology investigation, Game Creek-Cache Creek road corridor, Teton National Forest, Teton County, Wyoming

This report summarizes the results of an engineering geology investigation for the proposed Game Creek - Cache Creek Road Corridor, access to NCRA drill site. The purpose of the investigation was to provide geologic data so that the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey can jointly draft an Environmental Impact Statement. The location of the proposed road corridor is shown on Fig. 1. The general geologic conditions within the corridor are described and their anticipated impacts on the proposed road are discussed. The data and conclusions presented in this report are suitable for evaluating general impacts; however, additional detailed studies will be required for design purposes.

Wyoming↗
USGS2014

Bathymetric Terrain Model of the Puerto Rico Trench and the Northeastern Caribbean Region for Marine Geological Investigations

Multibeam bathymetry data collected in the Puerto Rico Trench and Northeast Caribbean region are compiled into a seamless bathymetric terrain model for broad-scale geological investigations of the trench system. These data, collected during eight separate surveys between 2002 and 2013, covering almost 180,000 square kilometers are published here in large format map sheet and digital spatial data. This report describes the common multibeam data collection, and processing methods used to produce the bathymetric terrain model and corresponding data source polygon. Details documenting the complete provenance of the data are also provided in the metadata in the Data Catalog section.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2016

Bathymetric terrain model of the Atlantic margin for marine geological investigations

A bathymetric terrain model of the Atlantic margin covering almost 725,000 square kilometers of seafloor from the New England Seamounts in the north to the Blake Basin in the south is compiled from existing multibeam bathymetric data for marine geological investigations. Although other terrain models of the same area are extant, they are produced from either satellite-derived bathymetry at coarse resolution (ETOPO1), or use older bathymetric data collected by using a combination of single beam and multibeam sonars (Coastal Relief Model). The new multibeam data used to produce this terrain model have been edited by using hydrographic data processing software to maximize the quality, usability, and cartographic presentation of the combined 100-meter resolution grid. The final grid provides the largest high-resolution, seamless terrain model of the Atlantic margin..

Open-File Report↗
USGS1959

Geological investigations in the U12b.03 and U12b.04 tunnels, Nevada Test Site

The papers comprising the various parts of this report contain preliminary results of the U. S. Geological Survey investigations in the U12b.03 and U12b.04 tunnels at the Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada (fig. 1). The geologic studies were undertaken to define the structural, chemical, mineralogic, and some of the physical properties of the tuffaceous rocks that enclose the explosion chambers at the end of each tunnel. The U12b.03 and .04 tunnels are part of the U12b (Rainier) tunnel complex that was driven northwestward from the steep east slope of Rainier Mesa (a prominent topographic feature in the northwest part of the Test Site (fig . 2)). The U12b.03 tunnel trends north from a point about 980 feet from the portal of the U12b tunnel (fig. 3). The U12b.03 tunnel consists of 620 feet of tunnel, two alcoves, and a shot chamber. The tunnel is irregular, ranging from 6 to 10 feet in width, and 6 to 9 feet in height. The shot chamber at the north end of the tunnel is 22 feet on each sidee The vertical and minimum cover over the shot chamber are 610 and 510 feet, respectively.

Nevada↗
USGS1950

Geologic investigation at the site of the post office building, Welch, West Virginia

Statement of Problem: Cracking in the interior and exterior walls of the post office building at Welch, West Virginia, developed in the summer of 1947. This cracking appeared about two months after the patching of similar cracks that had developed in 1946. The Public Buildings Administration was requested to investigate the damage. They, in turn, requested the Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines to furnish representatives to work with their engineer in determining the cause of the cracking. The press gave widespread publicity to the cracking of walls in the post office and other buildings in Welch. This report explains how the investigation was conducted, describes topographic, geologic, and mining conditions found during the field examination, and draws conclusions based on the facts observed.

West Virginia↗
USGS2002

Geologic investigations in the Lake Valley area, Sierra County, New Mexico

At the request of the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey evaluated the area of the historic Lake Valley mining district and townsite, Sierra County, New Mexico, for its potential for undiscovered mineral resources. The four chapters of this report describe the geology of the area, present the results of geophysical investigations carried out to aid in interpreting subsurface geology, describe the mining history and character of the region's ore deposits, and present geochemical data on potential for contamination from abandoned mine dumps in the mining district.

New Mexico↗
USGS1956

Geologic investigations of proposed Sheep Creek, Carlson Creek, and Turner Lake power sites, Alaska

Geologic conditions at Sheep Creek, Carlson Creek, and Turner Lake are discussed in relation to possible plans for hydroeletric power development. The proposed sites are on the rugged mainland of Southeastern Alaska along Gastineau Channel and Taku Inlet near Juneau. Bedrock in the area consists of a coastal strip of northwestward-trending foliated metamorphic rocks with steep northeasterly dips. This belt of rocks is adjacent to the Coast Range batholith on the northeast, with a 2 to 3 mile wide zone of injection gneiss between the main batholith and the metamorphic rocks. Unconsolidated glacial and post-glacial deposits of Quaternary age mantle the bedrock over large parts of the area. The valleys of Sheep and Carlson Creeks have been modified by glaciers of Pleistocene age and Turner Lake occupies a rock basin formed by glacial scour. There is an excellent site in greenstone bedrock at Sheep Creek for either a concrete or a rock fill dam. A conduit from the dam to a powerhouse along Gastineau Channel would be on bedrock for most of the distance. Slate bedrock suitable for a powerhouse site is exposed near the mouth of Sheep Creek. To the northwest along Gastineau Channel, bedrock is concealed by a mantle of glacial deposits of unknown thickness. The reservoir is in essentially impermeable bedrock; however, a main haulage adit of the Alaska-Juneau gold mine would probably have to be sealed off to prevent flooding of the mine workings or possible loss of water from the reservoir. The dam, diversion tunnel, and powerhouse at Carlson Creek are all in bedrock consisting of fresh injection gneiss. This rock is well suited as the foundation of a concrete or rock fill dam, but foundation treatment would be required to seal off closely spaced open joints trending perpendicular to the proposed dam axis. The diversion tunnel would stand unsupported except possibly where it would intersect two zones of closely spaced joints. The reservoir would be in essentially impermeable bedrock. Both the main dam and auxiliary structure at Turner Lake would be on an excellent foundation of granitic rock (granodiorite). Loose landslide debris would have to be removed at the dam site to expose fresh, sound bedrock. There is a powerhouse site in bedrock along Turner Creek at a stream elevation of 16 feet. Foundation conditions for a powerhouse at tidewater, near the mouth of Turner Creek were not studied. The conduit would be on sound granitic rock throughout its length, and the reservoir is entirely in relatively tight granitic bedrock.

Alaska↗
USGS1954

Geologic investigations of proposed power sites at Cooper, Grant, Ptarmigan and Crescent Lakes, Alaska

The Geological Survey, as part of its program of the classification of public lands with respect to mineral and water resources, is currently making a systematic study and evaluation of the potential water power sites in Alaska. This report describes the geologic conditions and their relation to possible plans for the development of water power at Cooper, Grant, Ptarmigan, and Crescent Lakes on the Kenai Peninsula near Seward, Alaska.

Alaska↗
USGS1972

Interim results of geological investigations in the vicinity of the Ergani-Maden massive copper deposits near Maden, Elazig, Turkey

As a result of geologic studies and geochemical reconnaissance by Griffitts, Albers, and brier in 1969 in the Ergani-Maden district of eastern Turkey, seven areas were recommended for more detailed investigation. Two of these, here termed Areas 1 and 2, were mapped geologically and sampled geochemically in June and July 1970 by .4. E. Weissenborn, U. S. Geological Survey, and Omer Oner and Metin Sengun, Mineral Research and Exploration Institute (MTA), an agency of the Turkish Government. This study was part of a mineral exploration and training project conducted by the U. S. Geological Survey in cooperation with MTA under the auspices of the Agency for International Development, U. S. Department of State. Mapping and sampling of four of the other areas was completed in August and September by Oner and Sengun, but this report concerns only Areas 1 and 2. The geological environment in Areas 1 and 2 appears favorable for additional ore bodies of the Ergani-Maden type, which have been Turkey's most important producer of copper. Weak but distinct anomalies developed by the geochemical sampling in Area 1 adjacent to the Mihrap Dagi deposit suggest that other ore bodies maybe found along the northwesterly trend defined by the Mihrap Dagi, Arpa Meydan, Ana Yatak mines, and the Mizir Tepe prospect. Recommendations are made for 8 drill holes in Area 1 to test this possibility. Two additional holes are also recommended in Arc.: 1. Two less pronounced anomalies were developed in Area 2. Two drill holes are suggested to test them.

Elazig↗
USGS1955

Geologic investigations of radioactive deposits, semiannual progress report for June 1 to November 30, 1955

This report is a statement of progress during the six-months period from June 1 to November 30, 1955 on investigations of radioactive materials in the United States and Alaska, undertaken by the U.S. Geological Survey under the sponsorship of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. During the period the Geological Survey's program has been directed to an increasing extent toward the understanding of geologic conditions favorable for the concentration of uranium, rather than the search for minable deposits as such. This shift in emphasis is reflected in the decreased amount of exploration drilling during the period, and the accompanying increase in geologic programs of a long-range nature. The program is now directed toward a comprehensive understanding of the many factors involved in uranium geology, and the publication of reports that will make available information on all phases of the uranium program. Many investigations have progressed to the point where final reports are in preparation for future publication with the permission of the Atomic Energy Commission; for other investigations of a continuing nature it will be several years before final reports can be prepared. Formal publications (as distinguished from administrative Trace Elements Reports) published during the period include 10 Geological Survey Bulletins or Bulletin Chapters; 116 Geological Survey maps; 15 reports published in scientific journals; seven Trace Elements Reports sent to the Technical Information Service of the Atomic Energy Commission for distribution and sale to the public; and four Trace Elements reports placed on open file. In addition, a large number •of papers by geologists in the program were presented before scientific societies, and the 61 papers prepared for the United Nations International Conference .on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy during the preceding report period were published by the United Nations.

Trace Elements Investigations↗