USGS Geological Research Activities with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management

USGS Geological Science Research on BLM Public Lands

Alaskan Petroleum Studies

• Framework geologic studies in northern Alaska conducted by Energy Program to increase understanding of petroleum geology of region and improve estimates of undiscovered oil and gas resources. Energy resources of region important to Nation's energy supply and major factor considered in land management decisions.
  
  Kenneth Bird

Bluegill Lake, Idaho

• Provide consultation and technical assistance to BLM for remote near real-time monitoring of the Bluegill Lake landslide in southern Idaho
  
  William L. Ellis

Central Region Surficial Geologic Mapping

• To characterize surficial materials and define appropriate mappable units at various scales and better understand the processes that operates at the Earth's surface. Maps will be useful to land-use managers and planners who use GIS and decision support systems.
  
  Janet L. Slate

CR MRT- Animas River Watershed- Abandoned Mine Project

• To characterize the controlling geological, geochemical, and geophysical factors within watershed, identify and prioritize major contributors of acid mine drainage and toxic metals, and to transfer information to environmental geologic maps for use in remediation and management efforts by Federal Land Management Agencies and others.
  
  Stanley Church

CR MRT - Background and Baselines

• Develop a geochemical base of information to define natural abundance and spatial distribution of chemical elements in the Earth's surface and subsurface environment to which changes caused by human activities or natural processes can be compared.
  
  David Smith, dsmith@usgs.gov, Denver, CO

CR MRT - Boulder Watershed - Abandoned Mine Land Project

• To characterize the controlling geological, geochemical, and geophysical factors within watershed, identify and prioritize major contributors of acid mine drainage and toxic metals, and to transfer information to environmental geologic maps for use in remediation and management efforts by Federal Land Management Agencies and others.
  
  Stanley Church

Coeur d'Alene Life-Cycle Models - Continuing

• To develop new understanding of occurrence, quantity, and environmental characteristics of ore deposits and mining wastes in the basin. Coeur d'Alene mining district ranks as one of world's largest producers of silver and one of Nations major producer of lead and zinc.
  
  Laurie Balistrieri

Coupled thermal, mechanical, and hydraulic processes in ore formation

• Objectives are to (1) document time-space relations of regional and local tectonic stresses to mineral-deposit formation, (2) document roles of fault systematics and reactivated basement shear zones in localizing mineralizing systems, (3) determine interdependence of heat flow, deformation, climate, and topography in deposit localization and ore body formation, and (4) document how low-energy geothermal systems interact with climate variation to form mineral deposits. Project results will allow definition of levels of favorability within tracts permissive for mineral deposit occurrence and at map scales useful in land-management decision-making.

  
  Byron R. Berger

Development of Geo-environmental Models for Mineral Deposits

• Studies environmental behavior of selected mineral deposit types in various climate settings, investigates metal mobility and spatial scale of environmental effects of mineral deposits, conducts topical studies on metal transport, fate, and biological uptake, studies influence of bedrock composition on geochemistry of natural waters in headwater regions, and conduct environmental studies of sulfide-mineral weathering.
  
  Richard Wanty

Digital Geologic Maps, Northern Alaska

• Compile and digitize existing geologic maps along northern foothills of Brooks Range, extending from Chukchi Sea to Canadian border, and publish maps in USGS electronic map series. Digital geologic maps support decision-making in resource management issues
  David Houseknecht

Economic and Environmental Evaluations of Extractable Coal Resources (E4CR)

• To estimate the amount of economically recoverable coal resources available for energy production on a regional basis. Evaluation results will be available to refine supply-side economic models created by the USGS National Coal Resource Assessment. Project will assist Federal land management agencies in evaluating coal resources on public lands.
  
  Timothy Rohrbacher

Energy Program GEODE

• Serve information generated by the Energy Resources Program on the Internet. Includes general interest publications, such as fact sheets and national-scale maps, and detailed project-level information, such as GIS covers and databases.
  
  Marc Levine

Environmental Impacts of Oil and Gas Production on Surficial Systems

• Conduct studies to evaluate impacts of oil and gas drilling on soil, ground water, surface water, and ecosystems at national, regional, and local scales and develop information that will allow land managers and environmental officials to better assess human health effects, develop cost-effective remedies, and establish appropriate policies and regulations.
  
  James Otton

Fate of Carbon in Alaskan Landscapes

• The Alaskan interior contains enormous carbon reserves in ecosystems and soils; these reserves could be released as CO2 and CH4 through enhanced fires and decomposition. Discontinuous permafrost is characteristic of this region where large fires result in permafrost degradation and oxidation of organic-rich layers, followed by vegetative re-growth and refreezing. The interaction of large wildfires, discontinuous permafrost, and large carbon reserves must be measured and modeled to document and understand the complex response of these systems to climatic and hydrologic change.
  
  Jennifer Hardin

Flux of Atmospheric vs. Terrestrial Inorganic Elements, Yukon Basin NASQAN Study Area

• The USGS National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) is planning a 5-year effort to characterize water quality of Yukon River. These data will address two important environmental problems: Data will be collected to provide a baseline against which to compare changes that may occur in the Yukon over next 20 to 50 years as a result of climate change. This effort will focus on measuring carbon and nitrogen phases in the river that are fundamental to health of ecosystem; program will measure organic and inorganic contaminants in atmospheric deposition, water, sediment and fish tissue and measure pathogens in water that may effect humans and wildlife.
  
  Bronwen Wang

Geo-environmental Impacts of Mercury and Arsenic

• Project investigates environmental impacts resulting from geochemical distribution of arsenic and mercury in ores, mine wastes, soils, waters, and vegetation surrounding low-sulfide-gold-quartz, placer gold, and mercury ore deposits, and geologic environments with naturally elevated levels of arsenic and mercury. Study areas include: low-sulfide gold quartz deposits and placers in Sierra Nevada Foothills, CA, and similar deposits in east-central AK and southeastern US (VA, NC, SC, GA, AL); mercury deposits in CA Coast Range and in southwest AK mercury mineral belt. Studies provide basis for informed evaluation of lands impacted by mine wastes by Federal (BLM, EPA and USFS), State, and County agencies charged with land use planning and responsible for remediation of mine wastes contaminated with arsenic, mercury, and other metals.
  
  James Rytuba

Geologic Mapping in Support of Land, Resources, and Hazards Issues in Alaska

• A State/Federal partnership established to explore and prioritize resources, hazards, and environmental issues in Alaska that are critical to land management, resource development, and sustenance of viable ecosystems that require information portrayed in 3-D geologic mapping.
  
  Alison Till

Geologic and Geo-environmental Studies of the Western Phosphate Field

aka: Western U.S. Phosphate

• In response to Federal Land Management needs, includes characterization of extent of phosphate mineralization within the Southeast Idaho Phosphate District and impact of presence and development of phosphate resources on environment.
  
  James Hein

Geophysical Research and Development

• Provides geophysical equipment and software tools to USGS projects and develops new geophysical technologies for the future; provides geophysical training and outreach

Glacier Studies

• The Glacier Studies Project is a long-duration, multifaceted research effort directed at the cryosphere component of the Earth System and is funded by U.S. Global Change Research Program. The 9-Federal agency U.S. Global Change Research Program is directed at achieving better understanding of natural variability and human impact on the Earth System through studies of past, present, and projected changes in the geosphere and biosphere.
  
  Richard Williams, Jr.

Humboldt River Basin Assessment

• Humboldt River basin includes many of the nation's largest gold deposits. Using geological, geophysical, and geochemical data, project will assess potential for undiscovered mineral deposits in basin. It also will examine environmental signatures of mineral deposits in study area and generate a Geo-environmental map of Humboldt River basin. This work was requested by BLM and will provide important long-term land-use planning information.
  
  Lisa Stillings

Hydro-geologic Framework of Aquifer Systems in the Desert Southwestern US

• Principal objective of project is to provide digital surficial and three-dimensional (3D) geologic maps of prioritized ground-water basins in Desert Southwestern United States. Products of studies are geologic and hydrologic databases, geologic and hydro-geologic maps, conceptual hydro-geologic models, and groundwater flow models.
  
  Frank D'Agnese

Impacts of Climate Change and Land Use on the Southwestern U.S.

• To understand how climatic characteristics and land use have influenced surficial geologic processes that modify landscapes and ecosystems.
  
  Richard Reynolds

Karst and Anthropogenic Subsidence Hazards

• Develop new techniques and methods to better understand geologic controls on karst systems and subsidence hazards and their geologic controls. Produce a national karst map that will show the distribution of karst in the U.S. and on Federal lands to be used as a tool to evaluate national issues related to karst. Geologic maps and derived hydro-geologic and karst frameworks will be used by local, State, and Federal agencies to make decisions regarding protection of groundwater resources and land use issues.
  
  Randall Orndorff

Landslide Hazards

• Develops new methods and tools for probabilistic landslide hazard assessment and forecasting and conducts rapid assessment before, during, and after landslide disasters. Project also operates the National Landslide Information Center. Project responds to official requests for assistance with landslide emergencies through out the U.S., providing rapid assessments and real-time instrumental data collection.
  
  Rex Baum

Long Valley Observatory

• Project forms core of the Long Valley Observatory (LVO) and USGS monitoring efforts in Long Valley caldera - Mono Craters volcanic field of eastern California. Objectives involve coordinating USGS monitoring, hazards assessment, and information dissemination activities focused on ongoing unrest in Long Valley-Mono Craters volcanic system. Project also systematically reviews seismicity data from subset of Calnet stations covering Long Valley caldera-Mono Craters region of eastern Sierra Nevada (the Long Valley seismic network) and interprets magmatic and tectonic processes.
  
  David Hill

Mancos Shale Landscapes - Minerals

• The broad objectives of the Mancos Shale Landscapes project are to:
  • Use science to help define some of the issues requiring the attention of science, resource, and land-use managers who deal with black shale terrains
  • Provide applicable, scientifically valid information that can be used to formulate resource and land-use management policies for Mancos Shale landscapes
  • Assure that the information provided is applicable to black shale landscapes that are not specifically studied

Minerals Information - Metals

• Objectives of project are to assist in data collection and analyze and disseminate information on domestic and international production and consumption for metals and materials essential to U.S. economy and national security. Information and data obtained specifically involve extraction, production, distribution, and consumption of metal ores and commodities and mineral materials.
  
  Michael McKinley

Minerals Information - Publication Services

• Project produces electronic and paper-based publications containing quantitative and qualitative data summarizing and reviewing minerals and mineral material trends, supply, consumption, production, and industry analyses in a timely manner. Diverse customer segments are provided with needed information in electronic, on-line, return fax, and/or paper formats enabling decision-making regarding minerals issues or land-use, economic, or other policies.
  
  Keith Harris

Minerals Information - Industrial Minerals

• Project objectives are to acquire, analyze, and disseminate information on domestic and foreign industrial mineral extraction and processing operations, and on industries and markets of these industrial minerals and materials, and to be the Federal Government's primary source of information on reserves, production, consumption, and materials flow for 50 industrial minerals and mineral materials, and to maintain an historical perspective of mineral resources and their importance to society.
  
  Aldo Barsotti

Minerals Information - International Minerals

• Goals are to provide information essential to understanding minerals and fuel status of the United States in reference to other countries of the world or specific geographic or political region(s). Objective is to collect, synthesize, analyze, and disseminate information on production, trade, legislation, and environmental and economic impact of the mineral industry, by country or region, with attention to how they affect economic, public policy, and national security interests of the United States. This information is collected individually for more than 180 countries.
  
  William Menzie, II

Minerals Information - Statistics and Methods Development

• Objectives of project are to: (1) research, evaluate, develop, and implement statistical methods, practices, and standards; (2) evaluate and measure quality and timeliness of USGS minerals information products; (3) develop, revise, control, and obtain OMB approval for 140 survey data collection forms; (4) publish monthly measures of economic health of primary metals and nonmetallic mineral products industries; (5) provide statistical expertise and training for MIT.
  
  Kenneth Mlynarski

National Coal Resource and Coal Quality Assessment Planning

• Digital assessments of Nation's resources, including quantity, quality, value, and related interpretive research, are vital to land-use managers, other Federal agencies, and industry to make informed decisions on use of country's indigenous resources. Project will promote and disseminate results of the National Coal Resource Assessment (NCRA).
  
  Brenda Pierce, Linda McDonnell

National Industrial Minerals and Surface Processes

• Objectives include: 1) identify and characterize geologic-economic relationships for selected priority industrial mineral commodities and deposit types; 2) increase understanding of how surficial processes and industrial mineral commodities and their deposits reflect and impact the environment; 3) increase Minerals Program expertise in selected industrial minerals and deposit types, including our capability to assess these materials.
  
  Greta Orris

National Oil and Gas Assessment: Coordination, Methodology, and Reserve Growth

• To assess and forecast US natural gas endowment and to assess potential for reserve growth. Major effort will be placed on determining amount of resource under Federal lands in several western priority basins.
  
  Christopher Schenk

National Park Service Support - Interpretation, Coordination, and Geologic Mapping

• Project supports development of geologic interpretive products and maps to assist National Park Service in translating and transmitting USGS research focused on geologic resources, geologic hazards, coastal processes, and groundwater. Geologic data are made available in digital and standard formats for land-use management, educational outreach, and resource inventories.
  Benita Murchey-Setnicker

North Alaskan Fluid Flow

• The origin, timing, and flux of fluids generated from Carboniferous to Cretaceous basins in the Brooks Range have outstanding relevance to the mineral and hydrocarbon resources in northern Alaska. The endowment of mineral and energy resources suggests that the scale of fluid flow and flux of metals and petroleum in the sedimentary basins was vast. The goal of the project is to construct hydrologic/chemical models that will allow us to compare and test conceptual models for ore fluid migration and petroleum generation.
  
  Karen Kelley

Origin and geologic controls of gas in low rank coal in the northern Great Plains

USGS-BLM Coop in the Powder River Basin

• Document and interpret occurrence and geologic factors that control generation and trapping of methane in low rank coal (sub-bituminous and lignite) in unexplored areas of coal in Powder River and Williston Basins
  
  Romeo Flores

Outreach and Technology Exchange

Western Region Mineral Resources Team

• Project comprises three tasks designed to communicate accurate, up-to-date mineral resources information and demonstrate its relevance and significance to a broad range of users in an effective and efficient manner by maintaining minerals-related archives and databases and responding to minerals information requests; marketing our scientific products and interpreting their significance and impact in universally understandable terms to core and non-core audiences; and publishing and disseminating paper and electronic outreach materials.
  
  David Frank

Pathways of metal transfer from mineralized sources to bio-receptors

• Project will investigate processes that control transfer of environmentally significant elements (e.g., arsenic, selenium, mercury, lead, zinc, cadmium) from their geologic sources to impacted biologic receptors in large-scale systems where mineralized areas pose a long term and persistent environmental problem. This knowledge provides basis for sound scientific decision making, strategy development, and mitigation activities by local, State, and Federal agencies charged with minimizing impacts of toxic elements on resources and bio-receptors.
  
  Laurie S. Balistrieri. Lisa Stillings

Porphyry Copper Deposit Life Cycles- A Regional Approach

• Project will begin with a one-year feasibility study to develop a multi-year, cooperative project on life cycles of porphyry copper deposits, including geology, economics, and resource delineation and consumption. Study will focus on Arizona and adjacent areas of New Mexico and Sonora, which account for about 10% of world copper production and issues of urbanization, habitat preservation, and mining are becoming increasingly important.
  
  Robert Kamilli

Precambrian and Triassic VMS deposits in the Ketchikan airborne geophysical survey area

• Investigation will analyze Ketchikan airborne geophysical survey data with respect to local and regional geology, and characterize Precambrian volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) belt in southeastern Alaska.
  
  Susan Karl

Process Studies of Contaminants Associated with Mineral Deposits

• Project focuses on identifying processes that significantly effect the aquatic and Aeolian environment as a result of historical mining activities. These weathering processes are the natural reaction of sulfide minerals as they react with water. Understanding these processes enables industry, and Federal and State land management agencies to develop cost-effective and sensible remediation options.
  
  Stan Church, Kathy Smith

Recoverability and Vulnerability of the Mohave Desert Ecosystem-Geologic Studies

• To provide the scientific understanding needed to conserve and restore the desert lands. Project will compile existing scientific observations and studies, fill in the gaps with specific field and lab analyses, and to use results to create models of recoverability and vulnerability potential of the desert landscape. Working with land managers, these models will then be used to forecast future conditions given alternative land use scenarios.
  
  David Miller

Regional fluid flow and basin modeling in Northern Alaska

• To construct hydrologic/chemical models to allow comparison and testing of conceptual models for ore fluid migration and petroleum generation. Results will aid in understanding the petroleum maturation and mineralization history of parts of Brooks Range. Among other things, Project will expand the scope of the current NPRA. assessment
  
  Karen Duttweiler Kelley

Southwest Mineral and Environmental Investigations

• Rapid urban development in southwest basins requires objective geo-scientific data for informed land and water use strategies by stakeholders. Project integrates new and existing geologic, geophysical, and geochemical data and imagery to provide three-dimensional visualizations of upper Santa Cruz River, Tucson, and San Pedro River basins, southeastern Arizona. Products will be used in resolving issues of water quality, riparian maintenance and other environmental impacts, and mineral resources.
  
  Mark Gettings

Talkeetna Mountains Transect:

Triassic to Tertiary tectonic controls on mineral potential

• To identify mineral deposit types likely to occur in each terrain and define mineral potential of specific geologic settings taking into account magmatic, thermal and structural variability; to define timing and orientation of structures juxtaposing Wrangellia terrane and Kahiltna (sensu latu) flysch basin; to determine any stratigraphic or subsequent metamorphic, magmatic or structural ties between smaller "micro-terranes" (e.g. Susitna, Broad Pass, Clearwater, Maclaren) and larger terranes; and to clarify Jurassic to Tertiary plate tectonic history of south-central Alaska, particularly relationship, if any, of Tertiary volcanism to "oroclinal" bending, intra-plate rifting and formation of the complex Denali Fault Aone.
  
  Jeanine Schmidt

Tectonics and Metallogenesis of Alaska

• Project will further understanding of tectonics and metallogeny of interior Alaska, while filling in significant holes in national geologic, geophysical, geochemical, and mineral resource databases. The Kuskokwim Mineral Belt task (task 1) is investigating regional geologic framework and assessing undiscovered resource potential of one of Alaska's most promising mineral frontier areas. The Donlin Creek task (task 2) is addressing origin and analogs of a poorly understood class of gold deposits in Kuskokwim region. The Paleozoic Framework task (task 3) is investigating controversial origin of Paleozoic strata in interior Alaska, to better assess their potential for Mississippi Valley-type and sedimentary-exhalative deposits.
  
  Dwight Bradley

Volcanic geology, petrology, and processes

• Primary goal of project is to determine likelihood of renewed activity at potentially destructive volcanoes in Western U.S., assess probable hazard to people and property, and communicate hazard-related information to civil authorities, news media, and affected communities. Volcanoes of current focus include: Long Valley, Lassen Peak, Mount Shasta and Medicine Lake volcanoes in CA; Mount Mazama/Crater Lake, Newberry, Three Sisters, and Mount Hood in OR; Mount St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt Baker, Glacier Peak in WA; Mount Katmai, Kaguyak, Aniakchak in AK; Mauna Loa and Kilauea in HI.
  
  Margaret Mangan