Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

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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.

Laboratories

Laboratories

Our center has several laboratories, ranging from geophysics to geochemistry to spectroscopy to scanning electron microscopes.

Center Laboratories

Science Branches

Our strong science portfolio integrates regional and economic geology with a broad range of geophysical, geochemical, analytical expertise. Our center has four scientific branches:

Geochemistry

Geophysics and Spectroscopy

Economic and Framework Geology

Spatial Analysis and Data Management

All Laboratory Projects (regardless of branch)

Explore Our Science

News

Date published: September 30, 2020

Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Colorado

A total of $171,555 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Centennial State

Date published: September 30, 2020

Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Indiana

A total of $160,000 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Hoosier State

Date published: September 30, 2020

Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in New Mexico

A total of $133,000 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Land of Enchantment

Publications

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Year Published: 2021

Quantifying model structural uncertainty using airborne electromagnetic data

The ability to quantify structural uncertainty in geological models that incorporate geophysical data is affected by two primary sources of uncertainty: geophysical parameter uncertainty and uncertainty in the relationship between geophysical parameters and geological properties of interest. Here, we introduce an open-source, trans-dimensional...

Minsley, Burke J.; Foks, N. Leon; Bedrosian, Paul A.

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Year Published: 2020

Alkalic-type epithermal gold deposit model; Chapter R in Mineral deposit models for resource assessment

This report summarizes the primary characteristics of alkalic-type epithermal gold (Au) deposits and provides an updated descriptive model. These deposits, primarily of Mesozoic to Neogene age, are among the largest epithermal gold deposits in the world. Considered a subset of low-sulfidation epithermal deposits, they are spatially and genetically...

Kelley, Karen D.; Spry, Paul G.; McLemore, Virginia T.; Fey, David L.; Anderson, Eric D.
Kelley, K.D., Spry, P.G., McLemore, V.T., Fey, D.L., and Anderson, E.D., 2020, Alkalic-type epithermal gold deposit model: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5070–R, 74 p., https://doi.org/ 10.3133/ sir20105070R.

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Year Published: 2020

Hydrogeochemistry in the Yukon-Tanana Upland region of east-central Alaska: Possible exploration tool for porphyry-style deposits

A hydrogeochemical study using high resolution ICP-MS was undertaken at the Taurus and other porphyry Cu-Mo(-Au) occurrences and Ag-Au-Cu (+/- Pb, Zn) occurrences with epithermal-style characteristics in the Yukon-Tanana upland region of eastern Alaska. Surface water samples were collected from 30 sites on creeks that drain known deposits and...

Kelley, Karen D.; Graham, Garth E.