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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1980

A summary report of the regional geology, environmental geology, OCS resource appraisal, petroleum potential, and operational considerations in the area of proposed lease sale 73, offshore California

This report reviews geological, geophysical and technological data pertinent to proposed Lease Sale 73. Under consideration is the entire continental margin of California that is bounded on the west by the 2500 meter isobath. This area encompasses the whole of the southern California Borderland, the continental shelves of central and northern California, and the upper part of the continental slope from Mexico on the south to Oregon on the north. The area includes both leased and unleased tracts and lies adjacent to highly productive coastal basins of central and northern California . Because the geology of the south and north parts of this large area differ, they are considered separately in this report.

California↗
USGS1971

Status of engineering geologic and environmental geologic mapping in the United States

1. Engineering geologic maps in the United States may be one map prepared as part of a larger study of environmental geology, individual areal geologic maps containing additional engineering geologic data, or engineering geologic maps of single construction sites. 2. No systematic methodology for engineering geologic or environmental geologic maps has been developed. 3. Environmental geology studies combine the efforts of workers in a number of geologic fields to produce many maps of basic data, as well as various interpretative maps, only one of which may be an engineering geologic or foundation conditions map. Maps of many scales may be prepared for a single study, depending upon the geologic conditions, the main problems of the area, and the principal needs. 4. New technology, including computers and various types of aerial photography, is constantly being developed, and its use is being encouraged to increase the speed and efficiency of map preparation. 5. The use of engineering geologic and environmental geologic maps in the United States is constantly growing; such maps will continue to be made in increasing numbers.

Bulletin of the International Association of Engin↗
USGS1980

A summary report of the regional geology, petroleum potential, environmental geology, and operational considerations in the area of proposed lease sale No. 68, offshore southern California

This report reviews geological, geophysical and technological data that are pertinent to proposed OCS Lease Sale 68. Under consideration are 26,000 mi 2 (67,400 km 2 ) of the California Continental Borderland north of the U.S.-Mexico boundary. The area includes both leased and unleased tracts and lies adjacent to the highly productive coastal basins of southern California. Factors that have contributed to petroleum generation in the onshore basins, such as thickness, burial depth and hydrocarbon content, are less favorable in parts of the offshore region. Nevertheless, regional geologic and geophysical mapping together with data from stratigraphic test wells and bottom samples suggest that source beds, reservoir rocks and traps are present beneath the borderland. Strata of Miocene age are widespread within the area of proposed OCS Lease Sale 68 and contain fair to excellent potential source rocks. Eocene and early Miocene sandstone beds in the Cortes Bank test well and late Miocene and Pliocene rocks in the Point Conception test well have porosities that are within the range of good reservoir rocks. Late middle Miocene through Pliocene sandy turbidites of reservoir quality possibly occur in some outer borderland basins. Additional prospective targets are fractured Miocene shale beds that may be present in the deeper basins and on the down-flank margins of major uplifts. Numerous structural and stratigraphic traps, which formed in response to late Cenozoic wrench tectonics, are distributed throughout the borderland.

California↗
USGS1999

Environmental geology: Our professional public responsibility

Conflicts between different interest groups for use of natural resources is one area where state geological surveys can provide assistance. A state geological survey working within the scientific constraints of specific issues can remain objective in its presentations and maintain the faith of both the conflicting interest groups and the public. One cannot vary from the objective view or you will quickly be criticized. Criticism can still occur from one side of a natural resource issue as your data might counter their views. However, the final decisions are almost always made in some legislators, or regulators, area of responsibility. The responsibility of the state geological survey is to provide the important data that will assist in making correct decisions. Should one party in the conflict become extreme in their demands, a potential compromise that is beneficial to both sides can be lost. In Kansas, the classical natural resource problem of resource/recreation in a populated area is presented as a case study. The state geological survey presented data on sand resources in the Kansas River and its valley in northeast Kansas. That information was important to both recreation and dredging interests where the political problem is a conflict of sand use as a construction material resource versus use of the alluvial river as an important recreation area, especially for canoeing. However, when a reasonable compromise was near completion in the Kansas Legislature one side, in a bold move to develop an advantage, ruined that potential for compromise.Conflicts between different interest groups for use of natural resources is one area where state geological surveys can provide assistance. A state geological survey working within the scientific constraints of specific issues can remain objective in its presentations and maintain the faith of both the conflicting interest groups and the public. In Kansas, the classical natural resource problem of resource/recreation in a populated area is presented as a case study. The state geological survey presented data on sand resources in the Kansas River and its valley in northeast Kansas. That information was important to both recreation and dredging interests.

Environmental Geology↗
USGS1976

A summary of petroleum potential, environmental geology, and the technology, time frame, and infrastructure for exploration and development of the western Gulf of Alaska

This summary of the regional geology, petroleum potential, geologic hazards and time frame for exploration of the western Gulf of Alaska has been written to aid the Bureau of Land Management in preparing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. A preliminary version was written in Sept., 1975.(von Huene and others, 1975) in support of the Call for Nominations, Proposed OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale #46. Since that time, there has been a substantial increase in information as the result of a two-month examination of recent studies of the adjacent Gulf of Alaska Tertiary Province and a preliminary interpretation of some publicly available common depth point (CDP) seismic reflection data recently acquired by the U.S. Geological Survey. The main source of geologic and geophysical data used in the preparation of this summary is published and unpublished information of the U.S. Geological Survey (Plafker and others, 1975,Bruns and Plafker, 1975; Carlson, Bruns and Molnia, 1975; Carlson and Molnia, 1975; Core, Mattick, and Bayer, 1975; Molnia and Carlson, 1975 a & b; von Huene and others, 1975). Prior to 1975, data were gathered mainly for purposes other than for assessment of oil and gas resources and of the environmental consequences of exploration and development. A systematic survey for such an assessment is planned for the summer of 1976 and, therefore, this summary is tentative. Although the major problems and regional setting are discussed in this paper, a great deal more specific data and interpretations will begin to become available in about one year. In this summary we consider the geology of a broad region on the continental shelf off the Kodiak group of islands and the Kenai Peninsula. We will concentrate on the area proposed for leasing in Sale #46. The area lies between about 56°N latitude and 60°N latitude (Fig. 1), and it measures approximately 660 km x 100 km. Water depths are generally less than 200 m.

Alaska↗
USGS1983

Summary of environmental geologic studies in the Mid-Atlantic outer continental shelf area; results of 1978-1979 field seasons

Because of the need for knowledge of an offshore area that is undergoing exploration for oil and gas resources, since 1975 the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has funded studies of the environmental characteristics of the Mid-Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. This volume briefly summarizes a final report to the BLM on the results of U.S. Geological Survey investigations stemming from data acquired during 1978 and 1979. The parent final report contains complete accounts of those investigations. The subjects of the studies range from the geologic effects of water currents and their capabilities of erosion and transportation, to delineation of potentially hazardous geologic characteristics of the area. Nine specific studies address the complexities of water currents, the nature of materials suspended in the sea waters, rates of mixing-in of material deposited on the bottom, and the sites of probable deposition of such materials, as well as sites and mechanisms of possible submarine landsliding or unstable bottom (engineering characteristics) of the Continental Slope and shelf.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Summary report on the regional geology, environmental considerations for development, petroleum potential, and estimates of undiscovered recoverable oil and gas resources of the United States southeastern Atlantic continental margin in the area of proposed oil and gas lease sale No. 78

This report summarizes our general knowledge of the geology and petroleum potential, as well as potential problems and hazards associated with development of petroleum resources, of the area proposed for nominations for lease sale number 78. This area includes the U.S. eastern continental margin from the mouth of Chesapeake Bay to approximately Cape Canaveral, Florida, including the upper Continental Slope and inner Blake Plateau. The area for possible sales and the previous areas leased are shown in figure 1; physiographic features of the region are shown in figure 2. Six exploration wells have been drilled within the proposed lease area (figs. 3 and 4) but no commercial discoveries have been made. All six wells were drilled on the Continental Shelf in the Southeast Georgia Embayment. No commercial production has been obtained onshore in the region. The areas already drilled have thin sedimentary sections, and the deeper rocks are dominantly continental facies. Petroleum formation may have been hindered by a lack of organic material and sufficient burial for thermal maturation. Analysis of drill and seismic profiling data presented here, however, indicates that a much thicker sedimentary rock section containing a much higher proportion of marine deposits exists seaward of the exploratory wells on the Continental Shelf. These geologic conditions imply that the offshore basins may be more favorable environments for generating petroleum.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1980

A summary of environmental geologic studies in the Georges Bank area, United States northeastern Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, 1975-1977

The growing need for the United States to find and develop new energy resources has led to interest in the petroleum potential of frontier areas of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) seaward of the eastern seaboard state boundaries. These submerged lands are under federal jurisdiction. The authority to lease tracts for resource development is vested with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), of the Department of Interior, pursuant to the terms of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953 and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the latter Act requires that the inevitable social and environmental effects of development be considered in leasing decisions. The Georges Bank region, part of the Continental Shelf off New England, is one of three designated Atlantic OCS target areas for petroleum exploration. It is also one of the world's most productive fishing grounds, and the nearby coastal states have high population densities, important fishing industries, and coastlines with extraordinary recreational and scenic value.

Georges Bank area↗
USGS2017

Critical mineral resources of the United States—Economic and environmental geology and prospects for future supply

Summary Mineral commodities are vital for economic growth, improving the quality of life, providing for national defense, and the overall functioning of modern society. Minerals are being used in larger quantities than ever before and in an increasingly diverse range of applications. With the increasing demand for a considerably more diverse suite of mineral commodities has come renewed recognition that competition and conflict over mineral resources can pose significant risks to the manufacturing industries that depend on them. In addition, production of many mineral commodities has become concentrated in relatively few countries (for example, tungsten, rare-earth elements, and antimony in China; niobium in Brazil; and platinum-group elements in South Africa and Russia), thus increasing the risk for supply disruption owing to political, social, or other factors. At the same time, an increasing awareness of and sensitivity to potential environmental and health issues caused by the mining and processing of many mineral commodities may place additional restrictions on mineral supplies. These factors have led a number of Governments, including the Government of the United States, to attempt to identify those mineral commodities that are viewed as most “critical” to the national economy and (or) security if supplies should be curtailed. This book presents resource and geologic information on the following 23 mineral commodities currently among those viewed as important to the national economy and national security of the United States: antimony (Sb), barite (barium, Ba), beryllium (Be), cobalt (Co), fluorite or fluorspar (fluorine, F), gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge), graphite (carbon, C), hafnium (Hf), indium (In), lithium (Li), manganese (Mn), niobium (Nb), platinum-group elements (PGE), rare-earth elements (REE), rhenium (Re), selenium (Se), tantalum (Ta), tellurium (Te), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), and zirconium (Zr). For a number of these commodities—for example, graphite, manganese, niobium, and tantalum—the United States is currently wholly dependent on imports to meet its needs. The first two chapters (A and B) deal with general information pertinent to the study of mineral resources. Chapters C through V describe individual mineral commodities and include an overview of current uses of the commodity, identified resources and their distribution nationally and globally, the state of current geologic knowledge, the potential for finding additional deposits nationally and globally, and geoenvironmental issues that may be related to the production and uses of the commodity. These chapters are updates of the commodity chapters published in 1973 in U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 820, “United States Mineral Resources.”

Professional Paper↗
USGS1994

Environmental geology of the Summitville mine, Colorado

Although altered and mineralized rocks at Summitville mine in Colorado contain minimal amount of sulfide minerals, acid mine problems existed primarily because of the pervasive alteration of the surrounding rocks, through hydrothermal process, to highly siliceous and argillized rocks that are incapable of buffering acidic waters during weathering. The problems are compounded by the continued exposure of altered and mineralized rocks in open pit, heap leach pad and waste piles to oxygenated waters. Inadequate subsurface structural control and underground mine workings also greatly affect water quality and the location of acid mine drainage output. It is expected that with these initial results, geological studies on constrained acid-generation from ore and altered rocks will be pursued.

Economic Geology↗
USGS1980

Maps showing kinds and sources of environmental geologic and geophysical data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in the Baltimore Canyon trough area

Exploration for petroleum on the Continental Shelf and Slope off the eastern United States has generated great interest in the quantity and quality of data available to evaluate the nature and magnitude of possible geological enveironmental hazards. This set of maps presents a compilation of publicly available geological and geophysical data acquireed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in the Baltimore Canyon Trough area of the eastern United States Outer Continental Shelf and Slope. Funding for the collection and analysis of much of the data indicated in this report was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Locations of blocks leased for petroleum development and locations of industry wells terminated or being drilled as of February 1980, as well as several other sampling sites, are included for comparison.

Baltimore Canyon Trough↗
USGS1980

Petroleum potential, environmental geology, and the technology for exploration and development of the Kodiak lease sale area #61

The Kodiak lease area is along a convergent ocean margin where active subduction is probably the greatest single influence on the geology. This influence is indicated by the Aleutian Trench, the Aleutian chain of volcanoes, and a well developed Benioff zone of earthquakes. Crustal structure under the Kodiak Shelf is intermediate between continental and oceanic. The thickness of sedimentary rock is 8 ± 3 km, which is greater than beneath the island. The proposed lease—sale area is on a submerged shelf extending 100 km or more seaward from the Kodiak group of islands, and it is more than 400 km long. The Kodiak Shelf still retains a glacial topography which has been modified by tectonically uplifted banks along the shelf edge and across the shelf. These banks are readily detectable signs of recent tectonism. Not so easily detectable are three deep offshore Neogene basins formed by depression of an unsampled presumed Paleogene sedimentary section. The basin floors have subsided 5 to 7 km since middle (?) Miocene time; the basins are filled with late Miocene and younger sediment that is only gently deformed. A sudden increase in seismic velocity occurs across the contact between the basin fill and the presumed Paleogene rocks that underlie it. This discontinuity in seismic velocity, the smooth character of the basin surface, and the truncation of dipping beds beneath it, are the basis for inferring subaerial erosion of the Paleogene section. If this inference is correct, the structure in some places requires at least 3000 m of subsidence followed by an uplift of even greater magnitude in Neogene time. The vertical tectonism offshore might produce reservoir rock and different source rock than encountered onshore.

Alaska↗