USGS Science⌕ Search

SEARCH · USGS Science

Results for “Preliminary Report”

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 1,009 records · Page 56Linked to original sources

On Chinese earthquake history - An attempt to model an incomplete data set by point process analysis

Since the 1950s, the Academia Sinica in Peking, People's Republic of China, has carried out extensive research on the Chinese earthquake history. With a historical record dating back some 3000 years, a wealth of information on Chinese earthquakes exists. Despite this monumental undertaking by the Academia Sinica, much work is still necessary to correct the existing earthquake data for historical changes in population, customs, modes of communication, and dynasties. In this paper we report on the status of our investigation of Chinese earthquake history and present some preliminary results. By applying point process analysis of earthquakes in 'Central China', we found suggestions of (1) lower earthquake activity at intervals of about 175 years and 375 years, and (2) higher earthquake activity at an interval of about 300 years.

Pure and Applied Geophysics PAGEOPH↗

Second contribution to the studies on the Cambrian faunas of North America

Herewith I have the honor to transmit the Second of my preliminary studies on the Cambrian Faunas of North America. The larger portion of the report was ready for publication July 7, 1885, but, having visited a number of localities in Utah and Nevada during the season of 1885, numerous additions have been made to both the text and the plates. Very respectfully, CHARLES D. WALCOTT.

Bulletin↗

Maps showing mines, quarries, oil and gas activity, and sample localities in and near the Sipsey Wilderness and additions, Lawrence and Winston counties, Alabama

The U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted a field reconnaissance of Sipsey Wilderness in the fall of 1978 and of the roadless areas in the spring and summer of 1979. Mines, quarries, prospects, exposures, and drill sites in and near the study area were examined. Fifty-three samples were collected during the field work; sample localities are shown in figure 3. Analyses and preliminary test results for all limestone, clay and shale, sandstone, and coal samples were reported by Mory and others (1981). Mineral resource potential of the Sipsey Wilderness and additions is reported by Schweinfurth and others (1982). No mining activities are being conducted in the study area at present. Previous mining has been limited to small-scale production of limestone and coal. Two oil and gas test holes have been drilled inside the study area.

Alabama↗

Cruise Report for G1-03-GM, USGS Gas Hydrates Cruise, R/V Gyre, 1-14 May 2003, Northern Gulf of Mexico

This report gives a summary of the field program and instrumentation used on the R/V Gyre in the Gulf of Mexico in May, 2003, to collect multichannel seismic data in support of USGS and Department of Energy gas hydrate studies. Tabulated statistics, metadata, figures and maps are included to show the breadth of data collected and preliminary interpretations made during the field program. Geophysical data collected during this cruise will be released in a separate report. At the start of the cruise, three test lines were run to compare different source configurations in order to optimize data quality for the objectives of the cruise. The source chosen was the 13/13 in3 Generator-Injector (GI) Gun. Following these tests, a total of 101 lines (approximately 1033 km) of 24-channel high-resolution seismic reflection data were collected in the northern Gulf of Mexico. 59 lines (about 600 km) were collected in and around lease block Keathley Canyon 195. An additional 4 lines (85 km) provided a seismic tie between the Keathley Canyon data and USGS multichannel data collected in 1999. About 253 km of data were collected along 35 short lines in and around lease block Atwater Valley 14 on the floor of the Mississippi Canyon. Three lines (53 km) completed the cruise and provided a seismic tie to USGS multichannel data collected in 1998. Two on-board trained marine-mammal observers fulfilled the requirements determined by NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service to avoid incidental harassment of marine mammals as established in the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). A total of three species of dolphins were observed during the cruise and one basking shark. No sperm whales were sighted. During the cruise, seismic operations were not delayed or terminated because of marine mammal activity.

Open-File Report↗

Antarctica: A Keystone in a Changing World--Online Proceedings for the Tenth International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences. Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A.--August 26 to September 1, 2007

Overview: The International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences (ISAES) is held once every four years to provide an international forum for presenting research results and new ideas and for planning future Antarctic geoscience research projects. This Tenth ISAES coincides with the International Polar Year (IPY; 50th Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year) and has been structured to showcase the great breadth of geoscience research being done in Antarctic regions by more than more than 100 institutions located in over 30 countries. The science program of the Symposium encompasses six broad themes that cover key topics on evolution and interactions of the geosphere, cryosphere and biosphere and their cross-linkages with past and historic paleoclimates. Emphasis is also on deciphering the climate records in ice cores, geologic cores, rock outcrops and those inferred from climate models. New technologies for the coming decades of geoscience data collection are also highlighted. Ten keynote presentations at the symposium outline the foundation for the research sessions of the symposium and the structure of the Online Proceedings and Proceedings Book for the Tenth ISAES. The ISAES is traditionally a cornerstone meeting for the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). In recognition of the Tenth ISAES being held in the U.S. for the first time in 30 years and during IPY, the publication of the symposium proceedings is being handled as a special collaborative effort of the U.S. National Science Foundation, the U.S. Geological Survey, The National Academies Polar Research Board and The National Academies Press. The National Academies Polar Research Board oversees the activities of SCAR in the U.S. Special attention has been directed at publication formats for the symposium, to expedite the open and wide sharing of mature and preliminary research results presented in talks and posters at the Tenth ISAES. All symposium presentations are documented by a short Summary printed in the Symposium Program Booklet and either a short research paper or an extended abstract. The research papers and extended abstracts are compiled in this Online Proceedings and are replicated on a DVD-ROM that is placed in the back of the Tenth ISAES Proceedings Book. The Proceedings Book has printed versions of the keynote talks and an overview paper of the symposium. The short research papers and extended abstracts have been handled differently. Research papers present mature research results and syntheses. They have been peer-reviewed using standard journal procedures. Following revisions and acceptances by co-editors, the papers have been formatted for publication and proofread by authors. Each paper has been assigned a Digital Object Identification (DOI) number and separate html link, and posted online (as part of this USGS Open-File Report series) to ensure open and wide access to the research results. Extended abstracts focus on preliminary research results and have not been peer reviewed. They have had only minimal editorial review and revision. Authors have formatted and proofread their papers. Extended abstracts were not given DOI numbers and are included together in a separate chapter of this online Proceedings. USGS publications staff and Stanford-student editorial assistants indexed and compiled the PDF versions of the short research papers and extended abstracts for inclusion in this online Proceedings. USGS staff created the master DVD-ROM that contains a replica of the Online Proceedings for the Tenth ISAES, and provided the DVD-ROM copies that are included in the Tenth ISAES Proceedings Book published by The National Academies Press in the U.S. A team of more than 25 co-editors coordinated with the numerous authors and peer reviewers in handling the many research papers and extended abstracts that are included herein. Handling the large volume of short papers and extended abstracts, getting most of them onli

Open-File Report↗

Quantifying viruses and bacteria in wastewater—Results, interpretation methods, and quality control

Membrane bioreactors (MBR), used for wastewater treatment in Ohio and elsewhere in the United States, have pore sizes small enough to theoretically reduce concentrations of protozoa and bacteria, but not viruses. Sampling for viruses in wastewater is seldom done and not required. Instead, the bacterial indicators Escherichia coli (E. coli) and fecal coliforms are the required microbial measures of effluents for wastewater-discharge permits. Information is needed on the effectiveness of MBRs in removing human enteric viruses from wastewaters, particularly as compared to conventional wastewater treatment before and after disinfection. A total of 73 regular and 28 quality-control (QC) samples were collected at three MBR and two conventional wastewater plants in Ohio during 23 regular and 3 QC sampling trips in 2008-10. Samples were collected at various stages in the treatment processes and analyzed for bacterial indicators E. coli, fecal coliforms, and enterococci by membrane filtration; somatic and F-specific coliphage by the single agar layer (SAL) method; adenovirus, enterovirus, norovirus GI and GII, rotavirus, and hepatitis A virus by molecular methods; and viruses by cell culture. While addressing the main objective of the study-comparing removal of viruses and bacterial indicators in MBR and conventional plants-it was realized that work was needed to identify data analysis and quantification methods for interpreting enteric virus and QC data. Therefore, methods for quantifying viruses, qualifying results, and applying QC data to interpretations are described in this report. During each regular sampling trip, samples were collected (1) before conventional or MBR treatment (post-preliminary), (2) after secondary or MBR treatment (post-secondary or post-MBR), (3) after tertiary treatment (one conventional plant only), and (4) after disinfection (post-disinfection). Glass-wool fiber filtration was used to concentrate enteric viruses from large volumes, and small volume grab samples were collected for direct-plating analyses for bacterial indicators and coliphage. After filtration, the viruses were eluted from the filter and further concentrated. The final concentrated sample volume (FCSV) was used for enteric virus analysis by use of two methods-cell culture and a molecular method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Quantitative PCR (qPCR) for DNA viruses and quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) for RNA viruses were used in this study. To support data interpretations, the assay limit of detection (ALOD) was set for each virus assay and used to determine sample reporting limits (SRLs). For qPCR and qRT-PCR the ALOD was an estimated value because it was not established according to established method detection limit procedures. The SRLs were different for each sample because effective sample volumes (the volume of the original sample that was actually used in each analysis) were different for each sample. Effective sample volumes were much less than the original sample volumes because of reductions from processing steps and (or) from when dilutions were made to minimize the effects from PCR-inhibiting substances. Codes were used to further qualify the virus data and indicate the level of uncertainty associated with each measurement. Quality-control samples were used to support data interpretations. Field and laboratory blanks for bacteria, coliphage, and enteric viruses were all below detection, indicating that it was unlikely that samples were contaminated from equipment or processing procedures. The absolute value log differences (AVLDs) between concurrent replicate pairs were calculated to identify the variability associated with each measurement. For bacterial indicators and coliphage, the AVLD results indicated that concentrations <10 colony-forming units or plaque-forming units per 100 mL can differ between replicates by as much as 1 log, whereas higher concentrations can differ by as much as 0.3 log. The AVLD results for viruses indicated that differences between replicates can be as great as 1.2 log genomic copies per liter, regardless of the concentration of virus. Relatively large differences in molecular results for viruses between replicate pairs were likely due to lack of precision for samples with small effective volumes. Concentrations of E. coli, fecal coliforms, enterococci, and somatic and F-specific coliphage in post-secondary and post-tertiary samples in conventional plants were higher than those in post-MBR samples. In post-MBR and post-secondary samples, concentrations of somatic coliphage were higher than F-specific coliphage. In post-disinfection samples from two MBR plants (the third MBR plant had operational issues) and the ultraviolet conventional plant, concentrations for all bacterial indicators and coliphage were near or below detection; from the chlorine conventional plant, concentrations in post-disinfection samples were in the single or double digits. All of the plants met the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System required effluent limits established for fecal coliforms. Norovirus GII and hepatitis A virus were not detected in any samples, and rotavirus was detected in one sample but could not be quantified. Adenovirus was found in 100 percent, enterovirus in over one-half, and norovirus GI in about one-half of post-preliminary wastewater samples. Adenovirus and enterovirus were detected throughout the treatment processes, and norovirus GI was detected less often than the other two enteric viruses. Culturable viruses were detected in post-preliminary samples and in only two post-treatment samples from the plant with operational issues.

Scientific Investigations Report↗

Geologic interpretation of seismic data, relocation of Route 3: cut, stations 364-382 in Billerica, Mass.

Geologic and seismic studies were made of this site in October 1951, primarily for the purpose of obtaining data what would aid in establishing a grade for the proposed highway. A report on the geology of the site together with the interpretation of the seismic data that were obtained at this time was submitted by James E. Maynard and Robert M. Haslewood (file report of October 1952). Additional seismic work was performed at this site in Maroh 1953; Mr. M. E. Chandler, Engineer, Massachusetts Department of Public Works, operated seismic equipment at this time. This later work was done to obtain information that would augment the data of the preliminary survey sufficiently to permit estimates to be made of the quantities of materials to be excavated from the cut. This report contains the geologic interpretation of the supplementary seismic data that were obtained during the Maroh 1953 survey. The work was perfromed as a part of a cooperative project of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works and the United States Geological Survey.

Massachusetts↗

Geology and uranium deposits of the Caribou area, Boulder County, Colorado

Pitchblende was discovered in the Caribou mine, Boulder County. Colo., in 1948 by Consolidated Caribou Silver Mines, incorporated during the reopening of the 1040-level. Since 1948, a small quantity of pitchblende has been produced from the Radium vein during exploratory work that was done under contract with the Atomic Energy Commission. The Caribou mine, primarily a silver mine, develops five veins (Caribou. No Name, Poorman, Sherman and Silver Dollar) that were formerly worked as separate mines. Three other veins, the Radium, Elmer, and Nelson, are exposed in the Caribou mine only at and below the 920-level. The general geology of the Caribou area, known since 1869 as a silver district, has been discussed by Bastin and Hill (1917) and more recently by Lovering and Goddard (1950). In 1937 a detailed study of the petrography of the Caribou stock was made by Smith (1938). In 1948 and 1949, R.U. King (1950) of the U. S., Geological Survey examined the Caribou mine to evaluate the uranium deposit. In 1950, D.M. Sheridan and E.N. Hinrichs of the U. S. Geological Survey made a radioactivity reconnaissance of the mine dumps at Caribou and vicinity. This reconnaissance included examination of most of the accessible workings of the Caribou mine. Other reports on the area are listed in the bibliography. As a result of King&rsquo;s preliminary examination and the later exploration for uranium on the property, the U.S. Geological Survey in 1951 began a detailed investigation of the Caribou area on behalf of the Division of Raw Materials of the Atomic Energy Commission, the principal purpose of which was to evaluate the uranium occurrences in the area. The study was begun by E. P. Kaiser and W. S., Cavender, who established a triangulation net, using a base line in Caribou Park for horizontal control and a U.S. Geological Survey bench mark on the top of Caribou Hill for vertical control. Upon the assignment of Kaiser to another project in August 1951 the investigation was continued until November 1951, by F.B. Moore and W. S. Cavender. During the study of the district the writers prepared a geologic map at a scale of 1 inch to 100 feet of an area of about one square mile. The mapped area includes most of the mines in the Caribou district and embraces the eastern half of Caribou Hill and adjacent areas to the east and north. In addition, all accessible underground workings were mapped at a scale of 1 inch to 40 feet. The writers wish to acknowledge the cooperation of the staff of the Consolidated Caribou Silver Mines incorporated, who made the Caribou mine available for examination at all times and who furnished maps and suggestions that were of great assistance. Mr. A.E. Blakesley, owner of the Comstock mine, was also most cooperative in making possible the examination of his mine. Thanks are due Dr., E.E. Wahlstrom of the University of Colorado and to the Boulder Daily Camera for the use of their files containing information on the Caribou mine. To S. Lovering of the U.S. Geological Survey made many valuable suggestions on the identification of alteration products in thin section.

Colorado↗

Preliminary geologic map of the northeast Dillingham quadrangle (D-1, D-2, C-1, and C-2), Alaska

Open-File Report 03-105 contains a digital geologic map database for the northeast part of the Dillingham 1:250,000-scale quadrangle, specifically the D-1, D-2, C-1, and C-2 1:63,360-scale map sheets. The report includes: A Postscript file showing the geologic map on a topographic and land-grid base, and containing a Correlation of Map Units diagram (CMU), and a List of Map Units. (Note the size of the map when printed at publication scale (1:100,000) is 30 by 24 inches (76 by 61 cm). A PDF document providing Introductory text, Description of Map Units (DMU), References, and a table of radiometric ages. A collection of ARC/INFO (http://www.esri.com, Environmental Systems Research Institute) version 7.2.1 coverages (as export files) of the elements of the geologic map, including: a. Network coverage containing the geologic polygons, contacts, and faults, b. Annotation coverage containing the geologic unit labels and leaders, c. Point coverage containing the radiometric age sample localities, d. Template files containing the lookup table structure used to produce the map. Data to populate the template files is provided in comma-separated value (.csv) text files as follows: napkey.csv plutonkey.csv geoline.csv e. Network coverage containing the Correlation of Map Units (CMU) for the map. Portable Document Format (.pdf) files consisting of: a. Introductory text, Description of Map Units (DMU), References, and a table of radiometric ages for the map. b. A graphic of the map as in the Postscript file above. FGDC compliant metadata for the digital data files (coverages). The Correlation of Map Units and Description of Map Units are in a format similar to that of the USGS Geologic Investigations Series (I-series) maps but have not been edited to comply with I-map standards. Even though this is an Open-File Report and includes the standard USGS Open-File disclaimer, the report closely adheres to the Stratigraphic Nomenclature of the U.S. Geological Survey. ARC/INFO symbolsets (shade and line) as used for these maps have been made available elsewhere as part of Geologic map of Central (Interior) Alaska, published as a USGS Open-File Report (Wilson and others, 1998, http://geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/open-file/of98-133-a/). This product does not include the digital topographic base or land-grid files used to produce the map, nor does it include the AML and related ancillary key and other files used to assemble the components of the map. A Postscript file showing the geologic map on a topographic and land-grid base, and containing a Correlation of Map Units diagram (CMU), and a List of Map Units. (Note the size of the map when printed at publication scale (1:100,000) is 30 by 24 inches (76 by 61 cm). A PDF document providing Introductory text, Description of Map Units (DMU), References, and a table of radiometric ages. A collection of ARC/INFO (http://www.esri.com, Environmental Systems Research Institute) version 7.2.1 coverages (as export files) of the elements of the geologic map, including: a. Network coverage containing the geologic polygons, contacts, and faults, b. Annotation coverage containing the geologic unit labels and leaders, c. Point coverage containing the radiometric age sample localities, d. Template files containing the lookup table structure used to produce the map. Data to populate the template files is provided in comma-separated value (.csv) text files as follows: napkey.csv plutonkey.csv geoline.csv e. Network coverage containing the Correlation of Map Units (CMU) for the map. Portable Document Format (.pdf) files consisting of: a. Introductory text, Description of Map Units (DMU), References, and a table of radiometric ages for the map. b. A graphic of the map as in the Postscript file above. FGDC compliant metadata for the digital data files (coverages). The Correlation of Map Units and Description of Map Units are in a format similar to that of the USGS Geologic Investigations Series (I-series) maps but have not been edited to comply with I-map standards. Even though this is an Open-File Report and includes the standard USGS Open-File disclaimer, the report closely adheres to the Stratigraphic Nomenclature of the U.S. Geological Survey. ARC/INFO symbolsets (shade and line) as used for these maps have been made available elsewhere as part of Geologic map of Central (Interior) Alaska, published as a USGS Open-File Report (Wilson and others, 1998, http://geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/open-file/of98-133-a/). This product does not include the digital topographic base or land-grid files used to produce the map, nor does it include the AML and related ancillary key and other files used to assemble the components of the map.

Alaska↗

Texture, Carbonate Content, and Preliminary Maps of Surficial Sediments of the Flower Garden Banks Area, Northwestern Gulf of Mexico Outer Shelf

The purpose of this report is to release texture and carbonate content analyses of 107 seafloor sediments collected within and near the East and West Flower Garden Banks areas of the Sanctuary and to show relationships between these data and existing bathymetric data. The sediment data, in conjunction with previously collected geological, geophysical and biological data were used to construct a reconnaissance-scale map of the distribution of seafloor sediment types. This map will be useful for resource managers and can be used, with additional data, as a basis for future habitat mapping.

Open-File Report↗

Preliminary geophysical interpretations of regional subsurface geology near the Questa Mine Tailing Facility and Guadalupe Mountain, Taos County, New Mexico

This report presents geophysical interpretations of regional subsurface geology in the vicinity of the Tailing Facility of the Questa Mine near Guadalupe Mountain, Taos County, New Mexico, in cooperation with the New Mexico Environment Department. The interpretations were developed from aeromagnetic data, regional gravity data, data from four ground magnetic traverses, geologic mapping, a digital elevation model, and information from a few shallow wells. The resolution of the geophysical data is only appropriate for a broad assessment of the regional setting. Aeromagnetic data provided the most comprehensive information for interpretation. Qualitative and semiquantitative interpretations indicate the nature and extent of volcanic rocks, their relative depths, and inferred contacts between them, as well as conjectured locations of faults. In particular, the aeromagnetic data indicate places where volcanic rocks extend at shallow depths under sedimentary cover. Trachydacites of Guadalupe Mountain are magnetic, but their associated aeromagnetic anomalies are opposite in sign over the northern versus the southern parts of the mountain. The difference indicates that lavas erupted during different magnetic-polarity events in the north (reverse polarity) versus the south (normal polarity) and therefore have different ages. We postulate a buried volcano with reverse-polarity magnetization lies under the northeast side of Guadalupe Mountain, which likely predated the exposed trachydacites. Faults interpreted for the study area generally align with known fault zones. We interpret a northern extension to one of these faults that crosses northwesterly underneath the Tailing Facility. Gravity data indicate that Guadalupe Mountain straddles the western margin of a subbasin of the Rio Grande rift and that significant (>400 meters) thicknesses of both volcanic and sedimentary rocks underlie the mountain.

New Mexico↗