Geology ReportsSearch

SEARCH · Geology Reports

Results for “Mining Geology”

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

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Geographical and geological data from caves and mines infected with white-nose syndrome (WNS) before September 2009 in the eastern United States

Since 2006, a white fungus named Geomyces destructans has been observed on the muzzles, noses, ears, and (or) wings of bats in the eastern United States, and bat colonies that are infected with this fungus have experienced dramatic incidences of mortality. Although it is not exactly certain how and why these bats are dying, this condition has been named white-nose syndrome (WNS). WNS appears to have spread from an initial infection site at a cave that is connected to a commercial cave in New York, and by the end of August 2009 was identified in at least 74 other sites in the eastern United States. Although detailed geographical and geological data are limited, a review of the available data shows that sites infected with WNS before September 2009 include both natural caves and mines. These infected sites extend from New Hampshire to Virginia, and known site elevations range from 84 to 2693 feet above sea level. In terms of geological setting, the infected sites include sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks of ages ranging from Precambrian to Jurassic. However, by the end of August 2009, no infected sites had been identified in strata of Mississippian, Cretaceous, or Triassic age. Meteorological data are sparse, but most of the recorded air temperatures in the known WNS-infected caves and mines range from 0 to 13.9 degrees C, and humidity measurements range from 68 to 100 percent. Although it is not certain which environmental parameters are important for WNS, it is hoped that the geographical and geological information presented in this paper will inform and clarify some of the debate about WNS, lead to greater understanding of the environmental parameters associated with WNS, and highlight the paucity of scientific data from caves in the eastern United States.

Journal of Cave and Karst Studies

Non-pegmatitic resources of beryllium in United States

During the period from 1948 to 1950 the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a program of field and laboratory research w determine the mode of occurrence of beryllium in non-pegmatitic rocks and mineral deposits as part of the Beryllium Program of the Division of Raw Materials of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Approximately 23 man months were spent in the field collecting samples from 146 localities in 15 states; a total of 680 samples were collected and analyzed for beryllium. Additional samples collected by the Geological Survey. U.S. Bureau of Mines, various state Geological Surveys and other institutions. and private companies were analyzed for beryllium. In total, the beryllium content of 1,238 samples from about 600 localities in the United States is compiled in the final report which is being prepared for publication by the U.S. Geological Survey. The main topics discussed are: uses and properties of beryllium; methods of analysis and mineralogy of beryllium; occurrence of beryllium in igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, pyrometasomatic and related deposits, vein deposits, and hot spring deposits; the genesis of beryllium deposits; and a description of the deposits examined. This abstract and table 1 summarize the more pertinent economic data. Beryllium is more abundant than arsenic, gold, silver, and molybdenum in the lithosphere, but its chemical and physical properties prohibit its concentration in minerals which are common w large commercial vein and replacement deposits. There are 29 minerals in which beryllium is an essential constituent but of these only beryl, mined from granite pegmatites, is an ore of beryllium., Beryl also occurs disseminated in granites and high-temperature veins. The other 28 minerals occur as rare constituents in syenite and granite pegmatites, granites, and pyrometasomatic deposits. Beryllium, as a trace constituent, has been detected in 49 minerals but recovery of the beryllium requires metallurgical methods as yet unknown.

Trace Elements Investigations

Geologic map of the western part of the Cut Bank 1° x 2° quadrangle, northwestern Montana

The paper geologic map of the western part of the Cut Bank 1° x 2° quadrangle, northwestern Montana (Harrison and others, 1998) was digitized and initially attributed by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) and remitted to the U.S. Geological Survey for further attribution and publication of the geospatial digital files. The resulting digital geologic map GIS can be queried in many ways to produce a variety of geological maps.

Montana

Probabilistic mineral resource assessment of U.S. Territories of the Caribbean Basin and adjacent areas: Progress report

The U.S. Geological Survey is partnering with the IberoAmerican Association of Geological and Mining Surveys (ASGMI) to conduct an assessment of undiscovered metallic and non-metallic resources in the Greater Antilles region. The assessment plans to provide science-based information on the geologic availability of these resources for development, land-use planning, and decision making. The USGS anticipates contributing information generated for the Greater Antilles assessment project to the concurrent ASGMI project “Metallogenetic Map of Central America and the Caribbean”. ASGMI, in turn, anticipates contributing expertise on the metallogeny of the region to the USGS assessment project. For this purpose, the USGS plans to conduct a workshop on assessment methodology to support ASGMI’s participation in the probabilistic estimation of undiscovered deposits. Both projects stand to benefit significantly from this collaborative effort.

US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico

Gravity map and data of the eastern half of the Big Bear Lake, 100,000 scale quadrangle, California and analysis of the depths of several basins

Gravity surveys are useful tools for helping to understand the 3-dimensional geology of an area. Many gravity measurements were made in the 1960s and 1970s by various groups in order to produce gravity maps covering California at a scale of 1:250,000 for the California Division of Mines and Geology. (For this area see Biehler et. al. 1988.) More recent surveys have focused on specific areas and problems. This report includes new data on the southern portion of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Twentynine Palms and the Yucca Valley-Joshua Tree-Twentynine Palms area and presents the map and basin analyses that were prepared with these data.

California

Selected field parameters from streams and preliminary analytical data from water and macroinvertebrate samples, Central Colorado Assessment Project, task, 2004 and 2005

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Central Colorado Assessment Project (CCAP) began in October 2003 and is planned to last through September 2008. One major goal of this project is to compare the relationships between surface-water chemistry and aquatic fauna in mined and unmined areas. To accomplish this goal, we are conducting a State-scale reconnaissance sampling program, in which we are collecting water and macroinvertebrate samples. Selected results from the first two years of project analyses are reported here. We plan to develop statistical models and use geographic information system (GIS) technology to quantify the relationships between ecological indicators of metal contamination in Rocky Mountain streams and water quality, landscape and land-use characteristics (for example, mine density, geology, geomorphology, vegetation, topography). Our research will test the hypothesis that physicochemical variables and ecological responses to metal concentrations in stream water in Rocky Mountain streams are ultimately determined largely by historical land uses.

Colorado

Mineral resources of proposed additions to the Salmon-Trinity Alps Primitive Area, California

A mineral survey of four areas totalling 80 square miles, not included during the 1968-70 examination of the proposed Salmon-Trinity Alps Wilderness, was made by the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1973. Geological Survey personnel mapped the geology and collected stream-sediment and rock samples for spectrographic and chemical analysis; Bureau of Mines personnel examined the known placer and lode claims. The areas examined include: (1) the upper drainage of Red Cap Creek in Humboldt County, adjoining the northwest part of the Salmon-Trinity Alps Primitive Area; (2) an area in Trinity County south of the Primitive Area including the drainage of Big French Creek and the canyon of North Fork Trinity River from Hobo Gulch Forest Camp to the junction with East Fork of North Fork; (3) an area, also south of the Primitive Area and in Trinity County, including East Fork of North Fork from Manzanita Flat to Squaw Gulch, and the drainages of Indian Creek, Squaw Gulch, lower East Branch, and lower Yellow Jacket Creek; (4) the drainage of St. Clair Creek in Siskiyou County north of the Primitive Area; and (5) a small area on New River from the junction of Slide and Virgin Creeks downstream to the mouth of Barron Creek that was previously mapped by the Geological Survey (Hotz and others, 1972) but had not been studied by the Bureau of Mines.

California

Geologic map of the Stibnite mining area, Valley County, Idaho

The Stibnite mining area, as used herein, is bounded by the map extent that includes the Yellow Pine, West End, and Hangar Flats ore bodies. Other ore bodies are nearby, but the purpose of this map is to offer a detailed (1:8,000 scale) geologic map with new cross sections in the immediate area of Stibnite, Idaho. This geologic map is very similar to the Stibnite quadrangle map (Stewart and others, 2016) particularly the units and structure descriptions, because of the overlap of map extent. The new work by the author includes: (1) the topographic lines generated from the LiDAR base (courtesy of Midas Gold Corporation); (2) additional structural measurements; (3) revision of geologic unit contact placements particular around West End and Stibnite pits among other locations; and (4) seven new cross sections. New structural measurements from field work account for 20 percent of measurements shown with the remaining from Midas Gold Corp., Smitherman (1985), and the Stibnite quadrangle map (Stewart and others, 2016). Locations of many shallow features in the cross sections are controlled by core logs of 48 drillholes provided by Midas Gold Corp. The logs include dike placement, dike to plutonic bodies relationships, metasedimentary body localities, and dips of stratigraphic units. The law of sines was used to calculate dip of contacts between metasedimentary units for each cross section. Other features at depth in the cross sections are schematic based on nearby surface features and overall geologic interpretation. The map area contains metamorphosed sediments of Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic age within the Stibnite roof pendant. This rock package is open to tightly folded and reached lower amphibolite facies metamorphism during the Cretaceous Period. Most of the metasedimentary rocks are nearly vertical to overturned and young to the southwest, except on the southwestern flank of the Garnet Creek syncline. Pulses of the Idaho batholith granitoids intruded the metasedimentary units found in the Stibnite roof pendant. Faulting with apparent reverse, normal, and/or strike-slip offset are all present within the map area. Mineralization is largely fault controlled with some stratigraphic control. Volumetrically minor dikes, sills, and small intrusions are of Eocene age, and these intrusions are mostly depicted on the cross sections. Quaternary surficial deposits occur in stream beds and glaciated areas. Field work was conducted during the summers of 2013, 2015, and 2016. For consistency with recent research, most of the Stibnite quadrangle geologic map units (Stewart and others, 2016) are used for this geologic map. Intrusive units Kqd and Tba are new. The additional geologic mapping by the authors and compilation of detailed geologic maps from Midas Gold Corp. enhanced resolution. Cross sections incorporated drill core data including rock type, unit thickness, and oriented structural measurements offering detailed subsurface control. Data access was courtesy of Midas Gold Corp. Reed S. Lewis, Russell V. Di Fiori, and Claudio Berti provided constructive reviews that significantly improved this maps and cross sections. Previous studies that focus on mineralization include Schrader and Ross (1925), Currier (1935), White (1940), Cooper (1951), Cookro and others (1988), and more recently Gillerman and others (2019). Digital map files are available online (Wintzer, 2022).

Idaho

Maps showing selected geology and phosphate resources of the Upper Valley quadrangle, Caribou County, Idaho

This report summarizes information on the thickness, grade, lateral continuity, phosphate resources, and ownership of phosphate-bearing units in the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale Member of the Phosphoria Formation in the Upper Valley quadrangle. This report is one of a series of quadrangle reports prepared by the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology under U.S. Geological Survey cost-sharing contract #14-08-0001-17925 to calculate phosphate resources in southeastern Idaho (fig. 1).

Idaho

Maps showing selected geology and phosphate resources of the Stewart Flat quadrangle, Caribou County, Idaho

This report summarizes information on the thickness, grade, lateral continuity, phosphate resources, and ownership of phosplate-bearing units in the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale Member of the Phosphoria Formation in the Stewart Flat quadrangle. This report is one of a series of quadrangle reports prepared by the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology under U.S. Geological Survey cost sharing contract # 14-08-0001-17925 to calculate phosphate resources in southeastern Idaho (fig. 1).

Idaho

Maps showing selected geology and phosphate resources of the Sage Valley quadrangle, Caribou County, Idaho

This report summarizes information on the thickness, grade, lateral continuity, phosphate resources, and ownership of phosphate-bearing units in the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale Member of the Phosphoria Formation in the Sage Valley quadrangle. This report is one of a series of quadrangle reports prepared by the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology under U.S. Geological Survey costsharing contract #1408-0001-17925 to calculate phosphate resources in southeastern Idaho (fig. 1).

Idaho

Maps showing selected geology and phosphate resources of the Diamond Flat quadrangle, Caribou County, Idaho

This report summarizes information on the thickness, grade, lateral continuity, phosphate resources, and ownership of phosphate-bearing units in the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale Member of the Phosphoria Formation in the Diamond Flat quadrangle. This report is one of a series of quadrangle reports prepared by the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology under U.S. Geological Survey cost-sharing contract #14-08-0001-17925 to calculate phosphate resources in southeastern Idaho (fig. 1).

Idaho

Maps showing selected geology and phosphate resources of the Johnson Creek quadrangle, Caribou County, Idaho

This report summarizes information on the thickness, grade, lateral continuity, phosphate resources, and ownership of phosphate-bearing units in the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale Member of the Phosphoria Formation in the Johnson Creek quadrangle. This report is one of a series of quadrangle reports prepared by the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology under U.S. Geological Survey cost-sharing contract #14-08-0001-17925 to calculate phosphate resources in southeastern Idaho (fig. 1).

Idaho

Maps showing selected geology and phosphate resources of the Snowdrift Mountain quadrangle, Bear Lake and Caribou Counties, Idaho

This report summarizes information on the thickness grade, lateral continuity, phosphate resources, and ownership of phosphate bearing units in the Meade Park Phosphatic Shale Member of the Phosphoria Formation in the Snowdrift Mountain quadrangle. This report is one of a series of quadrangle reports prepared by the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology under U.S. Geological Survey cost-sharing contract #14-08-0001-17925 to calculate phosphate resources in southeastern Idaho (fig.1).

Idaho

Maps showing selected geology and phosphate resources of the Meade Peak quadrangle, Bear Lake and Caribou Counties, Idaho

This report summarizes information on the thickness, grade, lateral continuity, phosphate resources, and ownership of phosphate-bearing units in the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale Member of the Phosphoria Formation in the Meade Peak quadrangle. This report is one of a series of quadrangle reports prepared by the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology under U.S. Geological Survey cost-sharing contract #14-08-0001-17925 to calculate phosphate resources in southeastern Idaho (fig. 1).

Idaho

Maps showing selected geology and phosphate resources of the Fossil Canyon quadrangle, Bear Lake and Caribou Counties, Idaho

This report summarizes information on the thickness, grade, lateral continuity, phosphate resources, and ownership of phosphate-bearing units in the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale Member of the Phosphoria Formation in the Fossil Canyon quadrangle. This report is one of a series of quadrangle reports prepared by the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology under U.S. Geological Survey cost-sharing contract #14-08-0001-17925 to calculate phosphate resources in southeastern Idaho (fig. 1).

Idaho

The 1999 Southern California Seismic Network bulletin

The Pasadena office of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), together with the Caltech Seismological Laboratory, operates a network of more than 350 remote seismometers in southern California called the S outhern C alifornia S eismic N etwork (SCSN). SCSN is part of TriNet, a cooperative project between the USGS, Caltech, and the California Division of Mines and Geology (CDMG). The TriNet project is halfway completed and is upgrading the existing network to digital, adding new stations, and developing real-time and earthquake-alert capabilities. Signals from the SCSN sites are telemetered to a central processing location at the Caltech Seismological Lab in Pasadena. Computers that detect and record thousands of earthquakes each year continuously monitor these signals. Phase arrival times for these events are picked by analysts and are archived along with digital seismograms. Data acquisition, processing, and archiving are achieved using the Caltech/USGS Seismic Processing (CUSP) system ( Dollar, 1989 ). These data have been compiled into the SCSN Catalog of Earthquakes, a list beginning in 1932 that currently contains more than 356,300 events. Waveform, phase, and catalog data are archived by the Southern California Earthquake Center Data Center (SCEC_DC). This data set is critical to the evaluation of earthquake hazards in California and to the advancement of geoscience as a whole.

California

Distribution and abundance of copper in stream sediments and moraine debris, McCarthy Quadrangle, Alaska

A geochemical survey was conducted in the McCarthy quadrangle, Alaska, to identify areas containing anomalous concentrations of various metallic and nonmetallic elements. This study incorporates the results of analyses for copper, from 1,454 stream sediment and glacial moraine debris samples collected in the quadrangle, and analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1961 and 1976 using semiquantitative emission spectrophotometry. In addition, the study includes most of the analytical results of the samples of stream sediment from the White River area, located in the northwestern part of the quadrangle, which were collected and analyzed by the Alaska Division of Mines and Geology (Knaebel, 1971).

Alaska