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Research about Nevada

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Nevada.

At least 811 records · Page 45Linked to original sources
USGS1988

Gravity, depth to consolidated rock, and soil temperature in the Elko area, northeastern Nevada

The Elko area, in northeastern Navada, lies in a northeast-trending structural valley that is filled with Quaternary deposits and Tertiary sedimentary rocks to a maximum depth of about 4,500 feet. The deepest part of the valley is centered west of Elko. The valley-fill deposits in the remainder of the valley have an average depth of about 2,500 feet. The depth estimates were made from about 200 gravity measurements. Depths were calculated using a three-dimentional gravity inversion model and correlate fairly well with data from an oil test well drilled near Elko. Soil Temperature measurements, made at a depth of 6.6 feet (2 meeters) at 35 locations in the study area, indicate a major thermal anomaly (66 degrees Celsius) southwest of Elko, an area of known hot-spring activity.

Nevada↗
USGS1988

Regional geochemical maps of the Tonopah 1 degree by 2 degrees Quadrangle, Nevada, based on samples of stream sediment and nonmagnetic heavy-mineral concentrate

This report is part of a series of geologic, geochemical, and geophysical maps of the Tonopah 1° x 2° quadrangle, Nevada, prepared during studies of the area for the Conterminous United States Mineral Assessment Program (CUSMAP). Included here are 21 maps showing the distributions of selected elements or combinations of elements. These regional geochemical maps are based on chemical analyses of the minus-60 mesh (0.25 mm) fraction of stream-sediment samples and the nonmagnetic heavy-mineral concentrate derived from stream sediment. Stream sediments were collected at 1,217 sites. Our geochemical studies of mineralized rock samples provide a framework for evaluating the results from stream sediments. The Tonopah 1° x 2° quadrangle comprises about 19,100 km 2 (7,450 mi 2 ) in west-central Nevada (fig. 1). Topography is typical of the Basin and Range province, consisting of angular mountain ranges separated by broad valleys that comprise about half the area. Topographic relief is generally about 1,000 m but in some places is more than 1,500 m. Most of the ranges have well-developed drainages in steep-walled canyons occupied by intermittent streams. The climate is semi-arid to arid. Pinon pine and juniper grow in most places at elevations above 2,100 m, and sagebrush is abundant at lower elevations. Major access is provided by U.S. Routes 6 and 95, and there are numerous county maintained gravel roads and unmaintained jeep trails. Bedrock geology of the Tonopah quadrangle is a complex mosaic of late Precambrian to Tertiary rocks juxtaposed by numerous thrust and high-angle faults. Useful geologic summaries can be found in reports by Ross (1961), Albers and Stewart (1972), Stewart and Carlson (1978), and Kleinhampl and Ziony (1985). Mineral prospects and mines occur in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks of all ages, and mines are particularly abundant in the central and western parts of the quadrangle. The complex geology produces clasts of mixed lithology in alluvium in all drainage basins sampled in this study, and the numerous mines and prospects probably contaminate many drainages. The geochemical maps in this report are based on analytical results reported by Fairfield and others (1985), Hill and others (1986), and Siems and others (1986). These reports also describe the sample preparation and analytical methods and provide information on the location of the sample sites.

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USGS1988

Geology of the Devils Hole area, Nevada

Detailed and reconnaissance mapping of the Devils Hole, Nevada, area has improved definition of the local geologic structure within a regional carbonate aquifer near its primary discharge points -- the springs of Ash Meadows. Several formerly unmapped calcite veins, and other young calcite-lined paleo-spring feeder zones were found, as well as a number of previously unknown small collapse areas in the limestone. Although the predominant structural grain of the area is oriented northwest, the importance of the very subordinate northeast-striking faults and fractures is underscored by their association with Devils Hole itself, with most of the collapse depressions, and with many of the calcite veins in ' lake beds ' and alluvium. Probable channeling of groundwater flow may occur along one important northeast-striking fault zone. The persistent tendency for openings may have been facilitated by underlying low-angle faults that separate brittle carbonate rocks from underlying, less-competent clastic rocks.

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USGS1988

Simulated changes in ground-water flow caused by hypothetical pumping in east Carson Valley, Douglas County, Nevada

An existing groundwater model of Carson Valley was used to simulate changes in groundwater flow on the east side of Carson Valley, Nevada, in response to hypothetical increases in groundwater pumpage. Pumpage scenarios that reflect State groundwater permits and pending applications were used in four different simulations to estimate the effect of hypothetical development on groundwater levels and storage, groundwater flow to the Carson River, and groundwater levels and storage, groundwater flow to the Carson River, and groundwater consumed by evapotranspiration over a 45-yr period. The four simulations were based on pumpage rates ranging from 0.13 to 6.4 cu ft/sec (92 to 4,590 acre-ft/year). Changes in groundwater flow and water levels caused by the lowest rate were minimal and at the limit of accuracy of the groundwater model. The highest pumping rate caused water level declines as much as 15 ft, decreased groundwater storage by 27,000 acre/ft, decreased groundwater to the Carson River by 4.3 cu ft/sec (3,100 acre-ft/year), and reduced evapotranspiration losses by about 1,200 acre-ft/year. (Author 's abstract)

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USGS1988

Cattle grazing and small mammals on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada

We studied effects of cattle grazing on small mammal microhabitat and abundance in northwestern Nevada. Abundance, diversity, and microhabitat were compared between a 375-ha cattle exclosure and a deferred-rotation grazing allotment which had a three-year history of light to moderate use. No consistent differences were found in abundance, diversity, or microhabitat between the two areas.

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USGS1987

The local effects of groundwater pumpage within a fault-influenced groundwater basin, Ash Meadows, Nye County, Nevada, U.S.A.

Large-scale groundwater pumpage and water-level decline data are used in a preliminary attempt to identify the hydraulic connection between several wells and Devils Hole, a small pond in Nye County, Nevada, U.S.A. Results indicate that despite the discontinuous nature of the local aquifers, many wells have good hydraulic connection with Devils Hole. Hydraulic connection between the wells and Devils Hole exhibits a complex spatial variability typical of carbonate terrane. Zones or directions of minimal hydraulic connection may result from fault-controlled structural discontinuities. Zones or directions of enhanced hydraulic connection point to the presence of large-scale groundwater flow through fractures or conduits. The orientation of waterbearing fractures or conduits inferred from this study is qualitatively consistent with the major orientation of local and regional structural features.

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USGS1987

Mineral resources of the East Fork High Rock Canyon Wilderness Study Area, Washoe and Humboldt counties, Nevada

The part of the East Fork High Rock Canyon Wilderness Study Area (CA-020-914/NV-020-006A) included in this study encompasses 33,460 acres in the northwestern part of Nevada. Throughout this report, "wilderness study area" and "study area" refertothe 33,460 acres for which mineral surveys were requested. The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys to assess the mineral resources (known) and the mineral resource potential (undiscovered) of the study area. Fieldwork for this report was carried out in 1985 and 1986. No mines, significant prospects, or mining claims are located inside the study area, and no identified resources were found. The wilderness study area has moderate mineral resource potential for gold, silver, and mercury and for zeolite minerals. A low potential also exists for geothermal energy resources, and potential for oil and gas is unknown.

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