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At least 1,171 records · Page 65Linked to original sources
USGS1983

Preliminary lithologic, geotechnical, and geophysical data from drill hole CW-81-2, Chuitna West coal field, Cook Inlet region, Alaska

The drilling and logging activity described in this report was undertaken in July 1981, as part of the Energy Lands program of the U.S. Geological Survey. The general objectives of the project of which this work is a part are to provide an understanding of the nature, location, and extent of the engineering geology and environmental geology concerns in areas of potential coal development in the Cook Inlet region, Alaska. The lithologic, geotechnical, and geophysical data presented in this report include some of the data needed to evaluate geologic hazards, and to predict the response of geologic materials to large-scale coal mining and related development in the Chuitna West coal field of the Beluga coal resource area. Specifically, the information may be used in evaluation of natural- and cut-slope stability, spoil-pile stability, ground response to seismic activity, blasting effects, excavatability, ground-water conditions, and erosion potential. The drill site (fig. 1, point C), located on the edge of a small, gently sloping basin draining northwestward into the Chuitna River, is approximately 90 km, (55 mi) west of Anchorage, Alaska, and 29 km (18 mi) northwest of Tyonek, a native village on the northwest side of Cook Inlet.

Alaska↗
USGS2000

Preliminary report on geophysics of the Verde River headwaters region, Arizona

This report summarizes the acquisition, data processing, and preliminary interpretation of a high-resolution aeromagnetic and radiometric survey near the confluence of the Big and Little Chino basins in the headwaters of the Verde River, Arizona. The goal of the aeromagnetic study is to improve understanding of the geologic framework as it affects groundwater flow, particularly in relation to the occurrence of springs in the upper Verde River headwaters region. Radiometric data were also collected to map surficial rocks and soils, thus aiding geologic mapping of the basin fill. Additional gravity data were collected to enhance existing coverage. Both aeromagnetic and gravity data indicate a large gradient along the Big Chino fault, a fault with Quaternary movement. Filtered aeromagnetic data show other possible faults within the basin fill and areas where volcanic rocks are shallowly buried. Gravity lows associated with Big Chino and Williamson Valleys indicate potentially significant accumulations of low-density basin fill. The absence of a gravity low associated with Little Chino Valley indicates that high-density rocks are shallow. The radiometric maps show higher radioactivity associated with the Tertiary latites and with the sediments derived from them. The surficial materials on the eastern side of the Big Chino Valley are significantly lower in radioactivity and reflect the materials derived from the limestone and basalt east of the valley. The dividing line between the low radioactivity materials to the east and the higher radioactiviy materials to the west coincides approximately with the major drainage system of the valley, locally known as Big Chino Wash. This feature is remarkably straight and is approximately parallel to the Big Chino Fault. The uranium map shows large areas with concentrations greater than 5 ppm eU, and we expect that these areas will have a significantly higher risk potential for indoor radon.

Arizona↗
USGS2012

Geophysical studies in the vicinity of Blue Mountain and Pumpernickel Valley near Winnemucca, north-central Nevada

From May 2008 to September 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected data from more than 660 gravity stations, 100 line-km of truck-towed magnetometer traverses, and 260 physical-property sites in the vicinity of Blue Mountain and Pumpernickel Valley, northern Nevada (fig. 1). Gravity, magnetic, and physical-property data were collected to study regional crustal structures as an aid to understanding the geologic framework of the Blue Mountain and Pumpernickel Valley areas, which in general, have implications for mineral- and geothermal-resource investigations throughout the Great Basin.

Nevada↗
USGS2021

Stratigraphic cross sections of the Mowry Shale and associated strata in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming

The Wind River Basin in Wyoming is one of many structural and sedimentary basins that formed in the Rocky Mountain foreland during the Laramide orogeny in the latest Cretaceous through the early Eocene. The basin (bounded by the Washakie, Owl Creek, and Bighorn uplifts on the north, the Casper arch on the east, the Granite Mountains uplift on the south, and Wind River uplift on the west) encompasses about 7,400 square miles in central Wyoming. The two stratigraphic cross sections presented in this report were constructed as part of a project carried out by the U.S. Geological Survey to characterize and evaluate the undiscovered continuous (unconventional) oil and gas resources of the Mowry Shale in the Wind River Basin in central Wyoming. The purpose of the cross sections is to show the stratigraphic relationship of the Mowry Shale and associated Lower and lowermost Upper Cretaceous strata in the Wind River Basin. These two cross sections were constructed using borehole geophysical logs from 41 wells drilled for oil and gas exploration and production, and one research well that was cored and logged by the U.S. Geological Survey. Both lines originate at Sheldon Dome in the northwestern part of the basin and end near Bates Creek in the extreme southeastern part of the basin. The stratigraphic interval extends from the uppermost part of the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation to the basal part of the Upper Cretaceous Frontier Formation. The datum is the top of the Clay Spur Bentonite Bed, a distinctive bed at the top of the Upper Cretaceous Mowry Shale. A gamma ray and (or) spontaneous potential log was used in combination with a resistivity log to identify and correlate units.

Wyoming↗
USGS2004

Hydrogeology and Extent of Saltwater Intrusion in the Northern Part of the Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York: 1995–98

The Oyster Bay study area, in the northern part of Nassau County, N.Y., is underlain by unconsolidated deposits that form a sequence of aquifers and confining units. At least one production well has been affected by the intrusion of saltwater from Hempstead Harbor, Long Island Sound, and Cold Spring Harbor. Nineteen boreholes were drilled during 1995-98 for the collection of hydrogeologic, geochemical, and geophysical data to delineate the subsurface geology and the extent of saltwater intrusion. Continuous high-resolution marine-seismic-reflection surveys in the surrounding embayments of the Oyster Bay study area were conducted in 1996. New drill-core data indicate two hydrogeologic units—the North Shore aquifer and the North Shore confining unit—where the Lloyd aquifer, the Raritan confining unit, and the Magothy aquifer have been completely removed by glacial erosion. Water levels at 95 observation wells were measured quarterly during 1995–98. These data and continuous water-level records indicated that (1) the upper glacial (water-table) and Magothy aquifers are hydraulically connected and that their water levels did not respond to tidal fluctuations, and (2) the Lloyd and North Shore aquifers are hydraulically connected and their water levels responded to pumping and to tidal fluctuations. Marine seismic-reflection surveys in the surrounding embayments indicate at least four glacially eroded buried valleys with subhorizontal, parallel reflectors indicative of draped bedding that is interpreted as infilling by silt and clay. The buried valleys (1) truncate the surrounding coarse-grained deposits, (2) are asymmetrical and steep sided, (3) trend northwest-southeast, (4) are several miles long and about 1 mile wide, and (5) extend to more than 500 feet below sea level. Water samples taken during 1995–98 from three production wells and six observation wells screened in the upper glacial and Magothy aquifers contained volatile organic compounds in concentrations that exceeded the New York State Department of Health Drinking Water Maximum Contaminant Levels. High iron or nitrate concentrations were detected in water samples taken in 1997–98 from 39 observation wells. Previous high concentrations resulted in the shutdown of two production wells. Four distinct areas of saltwater intrusion in the Oyster Bay study area were delineated—three were in the upper glacial aquifer, and the fourth was in the Lloyd aquifer. Borehole-geophysical-logging data indicated that three of these saltwater "wedges" ranged from a few feet thick to more than 100 feet thick and had sharp freshwater-saltwater interfaces. Chloride concentrations in water from eight observation wells within these wedges in 1997 ranged from 125 to 13,750 milligrams per liter. One production well in Bayville has been shut down as of 1996 and others in the area may be affected by these saltwater wedges.

New York↗
USGS1981

Geophysical log suite from drill hole No. 4, Mariano Lake-Lake Valley drilling project, McKinley County, New Mexico

In the fall of 1980, the U.S. Geological Survey contracted with .Longman Drilling Company of Albuquerque, New Mexico to rotary drill and core twelve holes along a north-south line from Mariano Lake to the vicinity of Lake Valley, New Mexico. This report incorporates the logs from drill hole no. 4. Similar reports on holes no. 1, 2, and 3 were released by the U.S. Geological Survey (1981a, b). The drilling project is funded under a reimbursable interagency agreement between the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The program was designed by representatives of the BIA, USGS, and the Minerals Department of the Navajo Tribe.

New Mexico↗
USGS2011

Surficial geology and benthic habitat of the German Bank seabed, Scotian Shelf, Canada

To provide the scientific context for management of a newly opened scallop fishing ground, surficial geology and benthic habitats were mapped on German Bank on the southern Scotian Shelf off Atlantic Canada. To provide a seamless regional dataset, multibeam sonar surveys covered 5320 sqaure kilometres of the bank in water depths of 30–250 m and provided 5 m horizontal resolution bathymetry and backscatter strength. Geoscience data included high-resolution geophysical profiles (seismic reflection and sidescan sonar) and seabed sediment samples. Geological interpretation and is overlain in places by glacial and postglacial sediment. Biological data included seafloor video transects and photographs from which 127 taxa of visible megabenthos were identified. Trawl bycatch data were obtained from government annual research surveys. Statistical analysis of revealed that bedrock is exposed at the seafloor on much of German Bankthese two datasets and a suite of oceanographic environmental variables demonstrated that significantly different fauna exist on bedrock, glacial sediment and postglacial sediment.

German Bank seabed, Scotian Shelf↗
USGS1982

On the tectonics and metallogenesis of West Africa: a model incorporating new geophysical data

The gold, diamond and manganese deposits of Ghana have attracted commercial interest, but appropriate geophysical data to delineate the tectonic setting of these and other deposits have been lacking until recently. Recent gravity surveys, however, now cover about 75% of the country. When used in a synthesis of the sometimes contradictory existing theories about the geology and metallogenesis of West Africa, the available gravity, magnetic, and seismic data lead to a preliminary tectonic model that postulates rifting at the time of the (1800-2000 m.y. old) Eburnean orogeny and is consistent with the occurrences of mineral deposits in the region. In this model, diamond-bearing kimberlites formed during the commencement of rifting during the Eburnean orogenesis. Later emplacement of kimberlites was associated with the initiation of Mesozoic rifting of Gondwanaland. Primary gold vein deposits were probably formed by the migration of hydrothermal fluids (associated with the formation of granitoids) into dilatant zones, such as rift-related faults and anticlinal axial areas, toward the end of the Eburnean orogeny. At this time, the major concordant granitoids were formed, with smaller plutonic granitoids forming on the fringes of the concordant masses as partial melting fractions of the latter. Sedimentary manganese deposits were formed along the margins of rift lakes toward the end of the orogeny.

Geoexploration↗
USGS2006

Modeling and validation of a 3D velocity structure for the Santa Clara Valley, California, for seismic-wave simulations

A 3D seismic velocity and attenuation model is developed for Santa Clara Valley, California, and its surrounding uplands to predict ground motions from scenario earthquakes. The model is developed using a variety of geologic and geophysical data. Our starting point is a 3D geologic model developed primarily from geologic mapping and gravity and magnetic surveys. An initial velocity model is constructed by using seismic velocities from boreholes, reflection/refraction lines, and spatial autocorrelation microtremor surveys. This model is further refined and the seismic attenuation is estimated through waveform modeling of weak motions from small local events and strong-ground motion from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Waveforms are calculated to an upper frequency of 1 Hz using a parallelized finite-difference code that utilizes two regions with a factor of 3 difference in grid spacing to reduce memory requirements. Cenozoic basins trap and strongly amplify ground motions. This effect is particularly strong in the Evergreen Basin on the northeastern side of the Santa Clara Valley, where the steeply dipping Silver Creek fault forms the southwestern boundary of the basin. In comparison, the Cupertino Basin on the southwestern side of the valley has a more moderate response, which is attributed to a greater age and velocity of the Cenozoic fill. Surface waves play a major role in the ground motion of sedimentary basins, and they are seen to strongly develop along the western margins of the Santa Clara Valley for our simulation of the Loma Prieta earthquake.

California↗
USGS1979

Mid-Atlantic Single-channel seismic reflection profiles collected over the Baltimore Canyon Trough area

Available are 377km of mini sparker data collected during the September 1977 cruise of the research vessel Annandale over the Baltimore Canyon Trough area. The prime purpose of the cruise was to obtain vibracores at selected locations across the Continental Shelf. The samples and seismic profiles were collected to study the origin and possible geologic hazards of a broad sedimentary terrace that lies just south of the Hudson Channel. Information about the cruise can be obtained from Dr. Harley J. Knebel, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543. The original records are on file at the U.S. Geological Survey's Data Library in Woods Hole. Microfilm copies of the seismic profiles may be purchased from the National Geophysical and Solar Terrestrial Data Center (NGSDC), in Boulder, Colorado 80302.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1980

High-resolution seismic-reflection profiles collected by the R/V Columbus Iselin, cruise CI 7807-1, in the Baltimore Canyon outer continental shelf area, offshore New Jersey

High-resolution seismic-reflection profiles were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) aboard R/V COLUMBUS ISELIN, cruise 7807-1, from 18 August to 4 September 1978 over the Continental Slope of the Eastern United States between Wilmington and Hudson Canyons. These data were acquired as part of a study to determine potential geologic hazards to petroleum development of the Baltimore Canyon trough area. On this cruise, the Continental Slope between Lindenkohl and Carteret Canyons was surveyed along lines spaced one-half nautical mile apart to study the size and distribution of mass-wasting features as a guide to assess the importance of mass wasting processes on the Continental Slope. The seismic-reflection profiles were placed to complement other data gathered previously by the USGS. Track-line distances totaled 2,050 km of 40-in3 air-gun (with wave shaper) profiles, 2,100 km of 800-J sparker data, and 2,100 km of 3 .5-kHz data. The air-gun and sparker profiles are of high quality, but the 3.5-kHz system did not function well and achieved no subbottom penetration. The side-scan sonar system was operated along the uppermost Continental Slope to investigate its potential for use in this environment. Data were acquired over 22 km of ship's track. Navigation was by Loran-C (5-minute fix interval). The original records can be examined at the U.S. Geological Survey offices in Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543. Microfilm copies of the data are available for purchase from the National Geophysical and Solar-Terrestrial Data Center (NGSDC), Boulder, Colorado 80303.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Seismic-reflection and sidescan-sonar data collected off eastern Cape Cod, Massachusetts, during April 1979

The U.S. Geological Survey collected 98 line kilometers of single-channel seismic-reflection profiles and sidescan sonar records on the inner shelf of eastern Cape Cod, Massachusetts, during April 1979. The data were obtained during cruise NE-1-79 of the R/V NEECHO. The purposes of the survey were: (1) to study the development of barrier islands; (2) to document the frequency and rate of migration of inlets that breach barrier islands; and (3) to define the characteristics of shoreface ridges on a barrier island. he survey uti I ized two acoustic systems. Information about the bottom was obtained by using an EDO Western model 606 sidescan-sonar system (100 kHz). Profiles of the subbottom were collected by an EG&G Uni boom transducer (400-4,000 Hz) and a Del Norte streamer. Positional control for al I track! ines was provided by a shore-based Miniranger system and by LORAN-C. The quality of the records generally is very good. However, subbottom penetration did vary somewhat from place to place during the survey due to the nature of the bottom sediments and to the presence or absence of buried channels. The original records may be examined at the U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Microfilm copies of the data are avai I able for purchase from the National Geophysical pnd Solar-Terrestrial Data Center, NOAA/EDIS/NGSDC, Code D621, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80303 (303-497-6338).

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Summary of radiometric anomalies in Alaska

The gamma ray anomalies and their related geological settings shown on this map are a compilation from the NURE reconnaissance surveys (LKB Resources Inc., 1978a, 1978b, 1978c, 1979; Texas Instruments, Inc., 1977, 1978, U.S. Research and Development, 1976; Western Geophysical Company of American, 1980.)

Alaska↗
USGS1984

Map showing outcrops of granitic rocks, Basin and Range Province, Nevada

This map report is one of a series of geologic and hydrologic maps covering all or parts of States within the Basin and Range province of the western United States. The map reports contain information on subjects that characterize the geohydrology of the province, including the ground-water hydrology, ground-water quality, surface distribution of selected rock types, tectonic conditions, areal geophysics, Pleistocene lakes and marshes, and mineral and energy resources. This work is a part of the U.S. Geological Survey's program for geologic and hydrologic evaluation of the Basin and Range province to identify potentially suitable regions for further study relative to isolation of high-level nuclear waste (Bedinger, Sargent, and Reed, 1984). Data for this report were taken largely from Spengler and others (1979), supplemented by data from individual geologic maps and reports, following the project guidelines as defined in Sargent and Bedinger (1984). As used in this report, granitic rocks include granodiorite, quartz monzonite, and granite, and locally associated mafic rocks such as diorite and gabbro. In the Snake Range and Ruby Mountains, Stewart (1980) has recognized large areas as metamorphic core complexes, and in these complexes some plutonic masses may not extend to great depth because of lateral displacement along low-angle faults subsequent to intrusion. The Description of Map Units includes the sources of data, the geologic, and if available, the radiometric age, lithologic character, type of intrusive body and relation to rock units, where known, for the granitic rocks within outlined and numbered areas in each county of the study area. The radiometric ages of the rock units are only those which are available and do not necessarily represent the entire age range of the geologic units.

Nevada↗