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At least 847 records · Page 47Linked to original sources

Mineral resource potential map of the Sugarloaf Roadless Area, San Bernardino County, California

Geologic, geochemical, and geophysical investigations and a survey of mines and prospects indicate that the Sugaloaf Roadless Area contains subeconomic graphite and magnesian marble resources. Parts of the area have a low potential for the occurrence of additional low-grade graphite resources, but there is no potential for additional magnesian marble resources within the roadless area. Sand, gravel, and construction stone other than carbonate rocks are found in the roadless area, but similar or better quality materials are abundant and more accessible outside the area. The roadless area has no identified energy mineral resources, but parts of the area have a low to moderate potential for low-grade uranium resources. There are no identified metallic mineral resources within the area, and there is no evidence of a potential for the occurrence of such resources. No previously unknown mineral occurrence was located during this study.

California↗

Chandeleur Islands to Breton Island bathymetric and topographic datasets and operational sediment budget development: Methodology and analysis report

This study is part of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring (BICM) program. The goal of the BICM program is to provide long-term data on the barrier islands of Louisiana for monitoring change and assisting in coastal management. The BICM program uses historical data and acquires new data to map and monitor shoreline position, sediment properties, topography, bathymetry, and habitat. Since 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has collected geophysical and sedimentologic data across the Breton National Wildlife Refuge (BNWR) through the BICM program and collaborative USGS projects such as the Barrier Island Evolution Research project (under CPRA contract number 2000339324, BICM2–Chandeleurs TopoBathy DEM), which builds upon the previous BICM physical assessment of the BNWR outlined in a separate report. This project uses topographic and bathymetric data from three periods (1917–1922, 2006–2007, and 2013–2015) to develop digital elevation models (DEMs), measure elevation change, and calculate sediment budgets for the barrier island system. The sediment budget analysis, derived from the volumetric change between the three periods, is necessary for understanding sediment transport dynamics along barrier islands and providing information for effective coastal management. This report describes the methods used to acquire, process, and produce these products.

Louisiana↗

Characterization of subsurface conditions and recharge at the irrigated four-plex baseball field, Fort Irwin National Training Center, California, 2018–20

The U.S. Geological Survey performed subsurface and geophysical site characterization of the irrigated four-plex baseball field in the Langford Valley–Irwin Groundwater Subbasin, as part of a research study in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Agricultural Research Service, and the Fort Irwin National Training Center, California. To help meet future demands, the Fort Irwin National Training Center is evaluating the efficacy of gravity-fed drywells to enhance storm-water recharge into the Langford Valley–Irwin Groundwater Subbasin by bypassing fine-grained, less permeable deposits between land surface and the water table. The amount, rate, and location of recharge beneath an irrigated baseball field in the groundwater basin at the Fort Irwin National Training Center is not well understood, so data were collected using physical and geophysical techniques to characterize subsurface materials, geologic controls, and the vertical movement of water through the unsaturated zone to the water table near the drywell at the Fort Irwin National Training Center. Based on the data collected and interpreted from these techniques, several fine-grained deposits were identified. Although these deposits appear to impede the downward movement of water through the unsaturated zone locally, they are not laterally continuous, and water appears to continue to move downward when it reaches the edges of the deposits. These data will help managers evaluate recharge at the site and determine if the use of gravity-fed drywells enhances recharge from surface runoff.

California↗

Geologic framework of lower Cook Inlet, Alaska

Lower Cook Inlet is located in south-central Alaska between lat 58°45' and 60°30' N. and between long 151° and 154° W. (fig. 1). Geographic features on the perimeter of the area are the Aleutian Range on the northwest, Kalgin Island on the northeast, the Kenai Peninsula on the east, the Barren Islands on the southeast, and the Kamishak Hills-Cape Douglas area on the south. Augustine Island, a prominent active composite volcano, is in the southwestern part of lower Cook Inlet. Lower Cook Inlet is part of a large bay that is nearly surrounded by mountains except where it opens southeastward into the Gulf of Alaska and southward into Shelikof Strait. In anticipation of oil and gas lease sales in lower Cook Inlet, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired geological and geophysical data to study the geologic framework and petroleum geology of this area. These data were included in the lower Cook Inlet environmental impact statements (Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Office, 1976a, b) and are being made available to other government agencies and the public.

Alaska↗

Multichannel seismic-reflection profiles collected along the U.S. continental margin in 1978

During 1978, the U.S.. Geological Survey (USGS) contracted with Geophysical Services, Inc. (GSI) for GSI to collect 4,813 km of 48-channel seismic-reflection profiles along the continental margin between North Carolina and Maine. Fifteen lines were acquired perpendicular to the margin Clines 18 through 32), and six lines were acquired parallel to the margin Clines 33 through 38). The profiles were shot by the Motor Vessel (MV) CARINO and MV CECIL GREEN between May and November 1978. A 3,600-long hydrophone streamer was used; it was composed of 24 groups of 100-m length each near the ship, followed by 24 groups of 50-mlength each. Tuned airgun arrays totaling 2,000 and 1,400 cubic inches of air were used by the MV- CARINO and MV CECIL GREEN, respectively. The profiles were stacked by GSI and displayed in conventional time-variant scaled format to 12 seconds of recording time with vertical scales of .2.5 inches per second and horizontal scales of 1.2 km per inch. Additional protessing was applied to Line 25 across the Baltimore Canyon Trough and Line 32 across the Carolina Trough. Data collected along Line 25 over the Outer Shelf, Slope and upper Rise were restacked with 1 1/2-km-spaced velocity analyses, signature deconvolution, deep-water multiple deconvolution, velocity filtering Con shelf only), and time migration. The restacked part and remaining parts of Line 25 were converted to depth sections having a vertical scale of 1.2 km per inch (vertical exaggeration: 2/1). Data collected along two parts of Line 32 were also restacked with signature and deep-water multiple deconvolution. Line 32 was also converted to a depth section except for the first 80 km near shore. Profiles 18-38 may be inspected at the USGS in Woods Hole, MA 02543. Copies of the profiles may be, purchased only from the National Geophysical and Solar-Terrestrial Data Center, NOAA, Boulder, Co 80303.

Open-File Report↗

Draft generalized geologic map of the Chandler Lake Quadrangle, north-central Alaska

Release of this map in open-file is in response to recent requests for geological information in the central Brooks Range and adjacent Arctic foothills. Upcoming State of Alaska oil and gas lease sales, the White Hills Sale Area 61 (January, 1992), the North Slope Foothills Sale Area 57 (September, 1993), and the Nanushuk Sale Area 77 (May, 1993) are stimulating interest in the geology of the central Arctic foothills. Geological field programs in preparation for lease sales are beginning this summer. Western Geophysical Company has made 800 line miles of reflection seismic data available for the upcoming lease sales, 400 line miles shot during the winter of 1986-87 and 400 line miles shot during the winter of 1988-89. The recently completed geophysical and ongoing geological surveys have prompted requests for timely release of geological information on the central Arctic foothills.

Alaska↗

Hotspot: the Snake River Geothermal Drilling Project--initial report

The Snake River volcanic province (SRP) overlies a thermal anomaly that extends deep into the mantle; it represents one of the highest heat flow provinces in North America. The primary goal of this project is to evaluate geothermal potential in three distinct settings: (1) Kimama site: inferred high sub-aquifer geothermal gradient associated with the intrusion of mafic magmas, (2) Kimberly site: a valley-margin setting where surface heat flow may be driven by the up-flow of hot fluids along buried caldera ringfault complexes, and (3) Mountain Home site: a more traditional fault-bounded basin with thick sedimentary cover. The Kimama hole, on the axial volcanic zone, penetrated 1912 m of basalt with minor intercalated sediment; no rhyolite basement was encountered. Temperatures are isothermal through the aquifer (to 960 m), then rise steeply on a super-conductive gradient to an estimated bottom hole temperature of ~98°C. The Kimberly hole is on the inferred margin of a buried rhyolite eruptive center, penetrated rhyolite with intercalated basalt and sediment to a TD of 1958 m. Temperatures are isothermal at 55-60°C below 400 m, suggesting an immense passive geothermal resource. The Mountain Home hole is located above the margin of a buried gravity high in the western SRP. It penetrates a thick section of basalt and lacustrine sediment overlying altered basalt flows, hyaloclastites, and volcanic sediments, with a TD of 1821 m. Artesian flow of geothermal water from 1745 m depth documents a power-grade resource that is now being explored in more detail. In-depth studies continue at all three sites, complemented by high-resolution gravity, magnetic, and seismic surveys, and by downhole geophysical logging.

Snake River↗

Monitoring brine contamination using time-lapse airborne electromagnetic surveys, East Poplar Oil Field, Montana

Integrated geophysical and water-quality studies have been used to delineate areas of saline groundwater in shallow unconfined aquifers underlying the East Poplar oil field in northeastern Montana. In 2004, a RESOLVE survey was conducted over the oil field to identify high conductivity areas potentially associated with brine contamination and to map the shale unit comprising the base of aquifer. In 2014, a SkyTEM 301 survey was conducted over the same flight paths to examine possible changes in groundwater conductivity and to complete the base-of-aquifer mapping where the depth of investigation from the 2004 survey was inadequate. We present a preliminary comparison between the 2004 and 2014 surveys.

Montana↗

Borehole geophysical monitoring of amendment emplacement and geochemical changes during vegetable oil biostimulation, Anoka County Riverfront Park, Fridley, Minnesota

The U.S. Geological Survey ( USGS ) conducted a series of geophysical investigations to monitor a field-scale biostimulation pilot project at the Anoka County Riverfront Park ( ACP ), downgradient from the Naval Industrial Reserve Ordnance Plant, in Fridley, Minnesota. The pilot project was undertaken by the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southern Division, for the purpose of evaluating biostimulation using emulsified vegetable oil to treat ground water contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons. Vegetable oil was introduced to the subsurface to serve as substrate for naturally occurring microbes, which ultimately break down chlorinated hydrocarbons into chloride, carbon dioxide, and water through oxidation-reduction reactions. In support of this effort, the USGS collected cross-borehole radar data and conventional borehole geophysical data in five site visits over 1.5 years to evaluate the effectiveness of geophysical methods for monitoring emplacement of the vegetable oil emulsion and for tracking changes in water chemistry. Radar zero-offset profile ( ZOP ) data, radar traveltime tomograms, electromagnetic ( EM ) induction logs, natural gamma logs, neutron porosity logs, and magnetic susceptibility logs were collected and analyzed. In order to facilitate data interpretation and to test the effectiveness of radar for monitoring oil-emulsion placement and movement, three injection mixtures with different radar signatures were used: (1) vegetable oil emulsion, (2) vegetable oil emulsion with a colloidal iron tracer, and (3) vegetable oil emulsion with a magnetite tracer. Based on petrophysical modeling, mixture (1) was expected to increase radar velocity and decrease radar attenuation relative to background—a water-saturated porous medium; mixtures (2) and (3) were expected to increase radar velocity and increase radar attenuation because of their greater electrical conductivity compared to background ground water. Radar ZOP data and tomograms show increased EM velocity in the vicinity of injection wells. Comparison of pre- and post-injection datasets shows that velocity anomalies are observed only in planes connected to injection wells, indicating that the emulsified vegetable oil does not migrate far after injection. In contrast to the localization of velocity anomalies, radar attenuation anomalies are observed in all zero-offset profiles, particularly those downgradient from the injection wells. Despite the expected signatures of different tracers, increases in attenuation are observed downgradient from all three injection wells; thus, we infer that the attenuation changes do not result from the iron tracers alone. Over the period of data collection, the slowness (reciprocal velocity) anomalies are relatively stable, whereas the attenuation anomalies generally increase in magnitude and extent. One explanation for the attenuation changes is that products of vegetable oil-enhanced biodegradation (for example, chloride) increase the specific conductance of ground water and thus bulk electrical conductivity and radar attenuation. This interpretation is supported by the results of EM-induction and magnetic susceptibility logs, which indicate increases in electrical conductivity in the absence of magnetic anomalies that might result from the iron and magnetite. Based on the geophysical data, conceptual models of the distributions of emulsified vegetable oil and ground water with altered chemistry were developed. The field data indicate that, in several cases, the plume of ground water with altered chemistry would not be detected by direct chemical sampling given the construction of monitoring wells; hence the geophysical data provide valuable site-specific insights for the interpretation of water samples and monitoring of biostimulation projects. Application of geophysical methods to data from the ACP demonstrated the utility of radar for monitoring biostimulation injections.

Minnesota↗

Hydrogeology and water quality of the Floridan aquifer system and effect of Lower Floridan aquifer pumping on the Upper Floridan aquifer, Pooler, Chatham County, Georgia, 2011–2012

Two test wells were completed in Pooler, Georgia, in 2011 to investigate the potential of using the Lower Floridan aquifer as a source of water for municipal use. One well was completed in the Lower Floridan aquifer at a depth of 1,120 feet (ft) below land surface; the other well was completed in the Upper Floridan aquifer at a depth of 486 ft below land surface. At the Pooler test site, the U.S. Geological Survey performed flowmeter surveys, packer-isolated slug tests within the Lower Floridan confining unit, slug tests of the entire Floridan aquifer system, and aquifer tests of the Upper and Lower Floridan aquifers. Drill cuttings, geophysical logs, and borehole flowmeter surveys indicate that the Upper Floridan aquifer extends 333 –515 ft below land surface, the Lower Floridan confining unit extends 515–702 ft below land surface, and the Lower Floridan aquifer extends 702–1,040 ft below land surface. Flowmeter surveys indicate that the Upper Floridan aquifer contains two water-bearing zones at depth intervals of 339 –350 and 375–515 ft; the Lower Floridan confining unit contains one zone at a depth interval of 550–620 ft; and the Lower Floridan aquifer contains five zones at depth intervals of 702–745, 745–925, 925–984, 984–1,015, and 1,015–1,040 ft. Flowmeter testing of the test borehole open to the entire Floridan aquifer system indicated that the Upper Floridan aquifer contributed 92.4 percent of the total flow rate of 708 gallons per minute; the Lower Floridan confining unit contributed 3.0 percent; and the Lower Floridan aquifer contributed 4.6 percent. Horizontal hydraulic conductivity of the Lower Floridan confining unit derived from slug tests within three packer-isolated intervals ranged from 0.5 to 10 feet per day (ft/d). Aquifer-test analyses yielded values of transmissivity for the Upper Floridan aquifer, Lower Floridan confining unit, and the Lower Floridan aquifer of 46,000, 700, and 4,000 feet squared per day (ft 2 /d), respectively. Horizontal hydraulic conductivity of 4 ft/d for the Lower Floridan confining unit, derived from aquifer-test analyses, is near the midrange for values derived from packer-isolated slug tests. The transmissivity of the entire Floridan aquifer system derived from aquifer-test analyses totals about 51,000 ft 2 /d, similar to the value of 58,000 ft 2 /d derived from open slug tests on the entire Floridan aquifer system. Water-level data for each aquifer test were filtered for external influences such as barometric pressure, earth-tide effects, and long-term trends to enable detection of small (less than 1 foot) water-level responses to aquifer-test pumping. During the 72-hour aquifer test of pumping the Lower Floridan aquifer, a drawdown response of 51.7 ft was observed in the Lower Floridan pumped well and a drawdown response of 0.9 foot was observed in the Upper Floridan observation well located 85 ft from the pumped well.

Georgia↗

Continued geophysical logging near the GMH Electronics National Priorities List Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina

The U.S. Geological Survey South Atlantic Water Science Center collected borehole geophysical logs and images and continuous water-level data near the GMH Electronics National Priorities List Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina, during December 2012 through July 2015. Previous work by the U.S. Geological Survey South Atlantic Water Science Center at the site involved the collection of borehole geophysical log data in 15 wells, in addition to surface geologic mapping and passive diffusion bag sampling. In a continued effort to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in developing a conceptual groundwater model to assess current contaminant distribution and future migration of contaminants, more than 900 subsurface features (primarily fracture orientations) in 10 open borehole wells were delineated and continuous water-level data information from 14 monitoring wells within close proximity of the initially drilled boreholes was collected to observe any induced water-level fluctuations during drilling operations

North Carolina↗

Groundwater prospecting using a multi-technique framework in the lower Casas Grandes Basin, Chihuahua, México

Groundwater is a strategic resource for economic development, social justice, environmental sustainability, and water governance. The lower Casas Grandes River Basin, located in the state of Chihuahua, México, is in a semi-arid region with increasing groundwater demand and regional challenges such as drought and depletion of aquifers. Even though there is official information about the availability of groundwater, a comprehensive aquifer characterization requiring an interdisciplinary investigation using a diverse suite of tools and multiple data sources has yet to be carried out. This study presents a multi-technique framework to evaluate potential sites to drill for groundwater resources and reduce the risk of unsuccessful drilling. The main components of the methodology include wellhead leveling correction with a differential global positioning survey to define piezometric levels, principal component analysis using LANDSAT-8 images, application of geospatial tools, geophysics analysis using time domain electromagnetic surveys (TDES) and vertical electric soundings (VES), and structural geohydrology to define aquifer characteristics. The results showed that using the proposed framework steps improved the possibility of identifying subsurface layers with lower resistivity values that could be related to groundwater. Low resistivity values (35 Ohm-m) were found at depths from 50 to 85 m at sites where the regional static water level reached a depth of 245 m, indicating the potential location of a shallow groundwater resource at a site where the intersection of a fracture trace was identified. This procedure can be used in other regions in the world where limited information is available for groundwater exploration, thus reducing the risk of drilling dry wells in complex hydrogeological environments.

Lower Casas Grandes Basin, Chihuahua↗

Three‐dimensional model for the crust and upper mantle in the Barents Sea region

The Barents Sea and its surroundings is an epicontinental region which previously has been difficult to access, partly because of its remote Arctic location (Figure 1) and partly because the region has been politically sensitive. Now, however, this region, and in particular its western parts, has been very well surveyed with a variety of geophysical studies, motivated in part by exploration for hydrocarbon resources. Since this region is interesting geophysically as well as for seismic verification, a major study [ Bungum et al ., 2004] was initiated in 2003 to develop a three‐dimensional (3‐D) seismic velocity model for the crust and upper mantle, using a grid density of 50 km. This study, in cooperation between NORSAR, the University of Oslo (UiO),and the U.S.Geological Survey (USGS), has led to the construction of a higher‐resolution, regional lithospheric model based on a comprehensive compilation of available seismological and geophysical data. Following the methodology employed in making the global crustal model CRUST5.1 [ Mooney et al ., 1998], the new model consists of five crustal layers: soft and hard sediments, and crystalline upper, middle, and lower crust. Both P ‐ and S ‐wave velocities and densities are specified in each layer. In addition, the density and seismic velocity structure of the uppermost mantle, essential for Pn and Sn travel time modeling, are included.

Eos, Earth and Space Science News↗

Surface-geophysical techniques used to detect existing and infilled scour holes near bridge piers

Surface-geophysical techniques were used with a position-recording system to study riverbed scour near bridge piers. From May 1989 to May 1993, Fathometers, fixed- and swept-frequency continuous seismic- reflection profiling (CSP) systems, and a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system were used with a laser-positioning system to measure the depth and extent of existing and infilled scour holes near bridge piers. Equipment was purchased commercially and modified when necessary to interface the components and (or) to improve their performance. Three 200-kHz black-and-white chart-recording Fathometers produced profiles of the riverbed that included existing scour holes and exposed pier footings. The Fathometers were used in conjunction with other geophysical techniques to help interpret the geophysical data. A 20-kHz color Fathometer delineated scour-hole geometry and, in some cases, the thickness of fill material in the hole. The signal provided subbottom information as deep as 10 ft in fine-grained materials and resolved layers of fill material as thin as 1 ft thick. Fixed-frequency and swept-frequency CSP systems were evaluated. The fixed-frequency system used a 3.5-, 7.0-, or 14-kHz signal. The 3.5-kHz signal penetrated up to 50 ft of fine-grained material and resolved layers as thin as 2.5-ft thick. The 14-kHz signal penetrated up to 20 ft of fine-grained material and resolved layers as thin as 1-ft thick. The swept-frequency systems used a signal that swept from 2- to 16-kHz. With this system, up to 50 ft of penetration was achieved, and fill material as thin as 1 ft was resolved. Scour-hole geometry, exposed pier footings, and fill thickness in scour holes were detected with both CSP systems. The GPR system used an 80-, 100-, or 300-megahertz signal. The technique produced records in water up to 15 ft deep that had a specific conductance less than 200 µS/cm. The 100-MHz signal penetrated up to 40 ft of resistive granular material and resolved layers as thin as 2-ft thick. Scour-hole geometry, the thickness of fill material in scour holes, and riverbed deposition were detected using this technique. Processing techniques were applied after data collection to assist with the interpretation of the data. Data were transferred from the color Fathometer, CSP, and GPR systems to a personal computer, and a commercially available software package designed to process GPR data was used to process the GPR and CSP data. Digital filtering, predictive- deconvolution, and migration algorithms were applied to some of the data. The processed data were displayed and printed as color amplitude or wiggle-trace plots. These processing methods eased and improved the interpretation of some of the data, but some interference from side echoes from bridge piers and multiple reflections remained in the data. The surface-geophysical techniques were applied at six bridge sites in Connecticut. Each site had different water depths, specific conductance, and riverbed materials. Existing and infilled scour holes, exposed pier footings, and riverbed deposition were detected by the surveys. The interpretations of the geophysical data were confirmed by comparing the data with lithologic and (or) probing data.

Connecticut↗

Ten years of studies on Maryland's inner Continental Margin and coastal bays

During the past ten years of the Association of American State Geologists-Mineral Management Service Continental Margins Program, the Maryland Geological Survey investigated the sedimentological, paleontological, stratigraphical and geophysical character of Maryland's inner continental shelf. Based on seismic records and sedimentological analyses completed during the first four years, a late Quaternary stratigraphic model was developed. Five distinct stratigraphic units were identified and described on the Maryland inner shelf. These units represent late Pleistocene interglacial deposits, the oldest of which corresponds to pre-Illinoian (oxygen-isotope stages 7 and/or 9) transgressive shelf sands. Overlying the Q1 unit, the Q2 unit is a 6-meter thick mud sequence of oxygen-isotope stage 5 (128-75 ka) age. Units Q3 and Q4 representing fluvial and leading edge estuarine deposits (oxygen-isotope stages 4, 3 and 2) filled numerous paleochannels that were incised into units Q2 and Q1. Modern trailing-edge transgressive shelf shoals (Unit Q5) discontinuously cap the sequence. The 5th and 6th years studies reported on the economic minerals of surficial and cored sediments. Vibracores collected off the Maryland's shelf during previous studies were analyzed for mineral types and abundances, weight percent of general size fractions, and heavy mineral (HM) content. Mineralogic maturity indices were compiled to correlate the THM and economic heavy minerals (EHM) abundances with position offshore, sediment type, and the indices themselves. For the 7th year, the Maryland Geological Survey re-examined geophysical records and lithological data originally collected by the Army Corps of Engineers to locate and assess beach fill borrow areas for the Ocean City Beach Replenishment Project. Data from 163 vibracores and over 300 kilometers of high-resolution seismic profile records collected off Ocean City, Maryland, supported the stratigraphic model developed by MGS during the first four years of the AASG-MMS program. The Maryland coastal bays became the focus of study during the 8th and 9th years during which seismic records, cores and surficial sediment were collected in Isle of Wight and Assawoman Bays. Shallow pretransgression surface was mapped, relating the existing streams to offshore paleochannels. The tenth year study focused on developing a repository for vibracores collected on Maryland's inner continental shelf.During the past ten years of the Association of American State Geologists-Mineral Management Service Continental Margins Program, the Maryland Geological Survey investigated the sedimentological, paleontological, stratigraphical and geophysical character of Maryland's inner continental shelf. Based on seismic records and sedimentological analysis completed during the first four years, a late quaternary stratigraphic model was developed. Five distinct stratigraphic units were identified and described on the Maryland inner shelf. These units represent late Pleistocene interglacial deposits, the oldest of which corresponds to pre-Illinoian transgressive shelf sands.

Marine Georesources and Geotechnology↗