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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Welcome to the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center (GGGSC) located in Lakewood, Colorado on the Denver Federal Center. At GGGSC, we apply expertise in geology, geophysics, and geochemistry to interdisciplinary efforts in support of the USGS mission to address the Nation’s important earth science issues, with an emphasis on mineral resources.

News

Low-Level Flights to Image Geology Over Parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Illinois

Low-Level Flights to Image Geology Over Parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Illinois

Recently completed geophysical survey will help protect critical infrastructure from geomagnetic storms and space weather

Recently completed geophysical survey will help protect critical infrastructure from geomagnetic storms and space weather

Art Illuminates the Grand Canyon: Exploring the Environmental Puzzle

Art Illuminates the Grand Canyon: Exploring the Environmental Puzzle

Publications

Widespread occurrence of former anhydrite phenocrysts in Laramide-age magmas related to porphyry-skarn Cu mineralization at Santa Rita and Hanover-Fierro, New Mexico, USA

Reports of magmatic anhydrite are relatively rare, with only ~30 occurrences documented worldwide so far. However, magmatic anhydrite saturation is difficult to recognize because anhydrite decomposes rapidly in near-surface environments. In most cases, only anhydrite inclusions shielded within other phenocryst phases were able to survive. Alternatively, since anhydrite phenocrysts...
Authors
Andreas Audétat, Jia Chang, Sean Patrick Gaynor

Geophysical characterization of an alkaline‑carbonatite complex using gravity and magnetic methods at Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA

The Magnet Cove alkaline‑carbonatite complex (MCC), located in the Ouachita Mountains of south-central Arkansas in the United States, hosts an extensive variety of rare rock types and critical mineral resources with physical properties (density and magnetization) that contrast significantly with the sedimentary rocks into which they have intruded. Newly acquired ground-based gravity and...
Authors
Chelsea Morgan Amaral, Andrew P. Lamb, Gregory Dumond

State shifts in the deep Critical Zone drive landscape evolution in volcanic terrains

Understanding the near-surface environment where atmospheric and solid earth processes interact, often termed the “Critical Zone,” is important for assessing resources and building resilient societies. Here, we examine a volcanic landscape in the Oregon Cascade Range, an understudied Critical Zone setting that is host to major regional water resources, pervasive silicate weathering, and...
Authors
Leif Karlstrom, Nathaniel Klema, Gordon E. Grant, Carol A. Finn, Pamela L. Sullivan, Sarah Cooley, Alex Simpson, Becky Fasth, Katherine Cashman, Ken Ferrier, Lyndsay B. Ball, Daniele McKay

Science

Geology of the eastern Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain along the Fall Zone, Virginia to Georgia

This USGS NCGMP Project aims to fill the void in geologic map coverage along the Fall Zone from southeastern Virginia to central Georgia, for critical mineral research, earthquake hazards, and interstate correlation. We are also forging strong cooperative ties within the NCGMP by combining resources across all three Program components by supporting Virginia Energy (Virginia Geological Survey), the...
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Geology of the eastern Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain along the Fall Zone, Virginia to Georgia

This USGS NCGMP Project aims to fill the void in geologic map coverage along the Fall Zone from southeastern Virginia to central Georgia, for critical mineral research, earthquake hazards, and interstate correlation. We are also forging strong cooperative ties within the NCGMP by combining resources across all three Program components by supporting Virginia Energy (Virginia Geological Survey), the...
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USGS Geochemical and Microanalytical Reference Materials Distribution

The Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center distributes geochemical reference materials and microanalytical reference materials. Reference materials are suitable for use in testing analytical methodologies and as quality control samples.
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USGS Geochemical and Microanalytical Reference Materials Distribution

The Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center distributes geochemical reference materials and microanalytical reference materials. Reference materials are suitable for use in testing analytical methodologies and as quality control samples.
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Persistent Science Challenges in Legacy Mine Land Site Management

The objective of this project is to provide targeted research results to benefit cooperators managing legacy mine land sites in the western U.S. by addressing three persistent scientific challenges: (1) determining the contribution of mining-related metal sources to water quality degradation when substantial natural background metal sources are also present; (2) adequately characterizing key...
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Persistent Science Challenges in Legacy Mine Land Site Management

The objective of this project is to provide targeted research results to benefit cooperators managing legacy mine land sites in the western U.S. by addressing three persistent scientific challenges: (1) determining the contribution of mining-related metal sources to water quality degradation when substantial natural background metal sources are also present; (2) adequately characterizing key...
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