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#           Alaska Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)      

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      By Alaska Science Center      November 17, 2023    

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Our objective is to provide a strategic framework for planning, coordination, and execution of the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) in Alaska. Earth MRI aims to improve knowledge of the U.S. geologic framework through new geological and geophysical mapping and to identify areas that have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources.

**Return to Geology or Earth MRI**

### Science Issue and Relevance

View Media Details

The U.S. is dependent on imports for many critical mineral commodities. The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (EarthMRI) goal is to improve knowledge of the U.S. geologic framework and to identify areas that have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Alaska has significant known or suspected critical mineral potential and is a priority focus region of the USGS Mineral Resources Program and the national Earth MRI. The USGS's initial role is to develop a plan for acquiring geologic, geophysical, and topographic data to help characterize the distribution of critical minerals and identify areas in which more data would improve our understanding of undiscovered critical mineral resources as well as be applied to meet other national, regional or local needs.

### Methods to Address Issue

In recognition of Alaska’s unique scientific opportunities and challenges and priority status within the USGS Mineral Resources Program, we are assessing existing USGS Alaska geologic databases and other relevant databases to identify fundamental gaps in the geologic and geophysical understanding of the Alaska’s many metallogenic regions. We work with both the national Earth MRI project and Alaska partners to develop strategic plans for new airborne geophysical surveys and focused geologic research. We use a mineral systems approach at the state scale to inventory information and outline areas of greatest data needs and opportunities.

View Media Details

### Study Area

### Contacts

#### Jamey Jones

##### Acting Earth MRI Coordinator and Associate Center Director for Geology

Alaska Science Center

jvjones@usgs.gov

907-786-7442

#### Douglas C Kreiner

##### Research Economic Geologist

Alaska Science Center

dkreiner@usgs.gov

907-786-7190

### Explore Search

                      - Mineral Resources
                      - Alaska Geology and Mineral Resources
                      - Geology
                      - Critical Mineral Resources
                      - Regional Studies and Mineral Resources
                      - Geology
                      - Minerals
                      - Earth Mapping Resources Initiative
                      - Earth MRI
                      - Mineral Resources Program (MRP)

View All **

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link

May 24, 2024

####                 Alaska Resource Data File              

Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center

link

May 24, 2024

####   Alaska Resource Data File

Learn More

link

April 12, 2023

####                 GIS Prospectivity Analysis for Critical Minerals in Ore-Forming Systems in Alaska              

Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center

link

April 12, 2023

####   GIS Prospectivity Analysis for Critical Minerals in Ore-Forming Systems in Alaska

Learn More

link

May 22, 2018

####                 Tectonic and Metallogenic Evolution of the Yukon-Tanana Upland, Alaska              

Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

link

May 22, 2018

####   Tectonic and Metallogenic Evolution of the Yukon-Tanana Upland, Alaska

Learn More

link

October 30, 2017

####                 Geologic Map of Alaska              

Mineral Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Alaska Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

link

October 30, 2017

####   Geologic Map of Alaska

Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

March 19, 2019

####                 GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements              

Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Below are publications associated with this project.

October 31, 2023

####                 Critical minerals for a carbon-neutral future              

The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative is filling data gaps and fostering more holistic understanding of critical mineral resources in the United States using a novel mineral systems framework.

Alaska Science Center

February 22, 2023

####                 National map of focus areas for potential critical mineral resources in the United States              

Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

July 14, 2022

####                 Marine minerals in Alaska — A review of coastal and deep-ocean regions              

Minerals occurring in marine environments span the globe and encompass a broad range of mineral categories, forming within varied geologic and oceanographic settings. They occur in coastal regions, either from the continuation or mechanical reworking of terrestrial mineralization, as well as in the deep ocean, from diagenetic, hydrogenetic, and hydrothermal processes. The oceans cover most of the

Ecosystems Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Marine Minerals Laboratory

July 14, 2022

####                 Alaska focus area definition for data acquisition for potential domestic sources of critical minerals in Alaska for antimony, barite, beryllium, chromium, fluorspar, hafnium, magnesium, manganese, uranium, vanadium, and zirconium              

Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

January 1, 2020

####                 Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic resources of 11 critical minerals in Alaska—Aluminum, cobalt, graphite, lithium, niobium, platinum group elements, rare earth elements, tantalum, tin, titanium, and tungsten, chap. C of U.S. Geologic              

Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Below are news stories associated with this project.

USGS Invests Millions in Critical-Minerals Mapping in Alaska

May 17, 2023

####   USGS Invests Millions in Critical-Minerals Mapping in Alaska

**ANCHORAGE, Alaska.**— The U.S. Geological Survey will invest more than $5.8 million to map critical-mineral resources in Alaska in partnership with the...

Read Article

Publications Contribute to Strategic Framework for the Alaska Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

August 23, 2022

####   Publications Contribute to Strategic Framework for the Alaska Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Minerals are a part of our daily lives. Critical minerals, sometimes referred to as strategic and critical, are mineral commodities that are vital to...

Read Article

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helping Alaska map critical mineral resources

August 23, 2022

####   Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helping Alaska map critical mineral resources

RESTON, Va.—The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today that Alaska will receive more than $6.75 million to conduct geologic mapping, airborne...

Read Article

A Review of Alaska's Marine Mineral Resources

August 22, 2022

####   A Review of Alaska's Marine Mineral Resources

For centuries, humans have mined, refined, and utilized various metals and minerals found on land and along coasts. As global supply of these finite...

Read Article

Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Alaska

September 28, 2020

####   Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Alaska

*A total of $634,000 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Last Frontier.*

Read Article

Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Twenty-One States

September 21, 2020

####   Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Twenty-One States

The U.S. Geological Survey and the Association of American State Geologists are pleased to announce the projects that have received funding for FY2020...

Read Article

Below are partners associated with this project.

#### Association of American State Geologists (AASG)

#### Geological Survey of Canada

#### Yukon Geological Survey

Our objective is to provide a strategic framework for planning, coordination, and execution of the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) in Alaska. Earth MRI aims to improve knowledge of the U.S. geologic framework through new geological and geophysical mapping and to identify areas that have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources.

**Return to Geology or Earth MRI**

### Science Issue and Relevance

View Media Details

The U.S. is dependent on imports for many critical mineral commodities. The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (EarthMRI) goal is to improve knowledge of the U.S. geologic framework and to identify areas that have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Alaska has significant known or suspected critical mineral potential and is a priority focus region of the USGS Mineral Resources Program and the national Earth MRI. The USGS's initial role is to develop a plan for acquiring geologic, geophysical, and topographic data to help characterize the distribution of critical minerals and identify areas in which more data would improve our understanding of undiscovered critical mineral resources as well as be applied to meet other national, regional or local needs.

### Methods to Address Issue

In recognition of Alaska’s unique scientific opportunities and challenges and priority status within the USGS Mineral Resources Program, we are assessing existing USGS Alaska geologic databases and other relevant databases to identify fundamental gaps in the geologic and geophysical understanding of the Alaska’s many metallogenic regions. We work with both the national Earth MRI project and Alaska partners to develop strategic plans for new airborne geophysical surveys and focused geologic research. We use a mineral systems approach at the state scale to inventory information and outline areas of greatest data needs and opportunities.

View Media Details

### Study Area

### Contacts

#### Jamey Jones

##### Acting Earth MRI Coordinator and Associate Center Director for Geology

Alaska Science Center

jvjones@usgs.gov

907-786-7442

#### Douglas C Kreiner

##### Research Economic Geologist

Alaska Science Center

dkreiner@usgs.gov

907-786-7190

### Explore Search

                      - Mineral Resources
                      - Alaska Geology and Mineral Resources
                      - Geology
                      - Critical Mineral Resources
                      - Regional Studies and Mineral Resources
                      - Geology
                      - Minerals
                      - Earth Mapping Resources Initiative
                      - Earth MRI
                      - Mineral Resources Program (MRP)

View All **

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link

May 24, 2024

####                 Alaska Resource Data File              

Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center

link

May 24, 2024

####   Alaska Resource Data File

Learn More

link

April 12, 2023

####                 GIS Prospectivity Analysis for Critical Minerals in Ore-Forming Systems in Alaska              

Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center

link

April 12, 2023

####   GIS Prospectivity Analysis for Critical Minerals in Ore-Forming Systems in Alaska

Learn More

link

May 22, 2018

####                 Tectonic and Metallogenic Evolution of the Yukon-Tanana Upland, Alaska              

Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

link

May 22, 2018

####   Tectonic and Metallogenic Evolution of the Yukon-Tanana Upland, Alaska

Learn More

link

October 30, 2017

####                 Geologic Map of Alaska              

Mineral Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Alaska Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

link

October 30, 2017

####   Geologic Map of Alaska

Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

March 19, 2019

####                 GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements              

Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Below are publications associated with this project.

October 31, 2023

####                 Critical minerals for a carbon-neutral future              

The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative is filling data gaps and fostering more holistic understanding of critical mineral resources in the United States using a novel mineral systems framework.

Alaska Science Center

February 22, 2023

####                 National map of focus areas for potential critical mineral resources in the United States              

Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

July 14, 2022

####                 Marine minerals in Alaska — A review of coastal and deep-ocean regions              

Minerals occurring in marine environments span the globe and encompass a broad range of mineral categories, forming within varied geologic and oceanographic settings. They occur in coastal regions, either from the continuation or mechanical reworking of terrestrial mineralization, as well as in the deep ocean, from diagenetic, hydrogenetic, and hydrothermal processes. The oceans cover most of the

Ecosystems Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Marine Minerals Laboratory

July 14, 2022

####                 Alaska focus area definition for data acquisition for potential domestic sources of critical minerals in Alaska for antimony, barite, beryllium, chromium, fluorspar, hafnium, magnesium, manganese, uranium, vanadium, and zirconium              

Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

January 1, 2020

####                 Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic resources of 11 critical minerals in Alaska—Aluminum, cobalt, graphite, lithium, niobium, platinum group elements, rare earth elements, tantalum, tin, titanium, and tungsten, chap. C of U.S. Geologic              

Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Below are news stories associated with this project.

USGS Invests Millions in Critical-Minerals Mapping in Alaska

May 17, 2023

####   USGS Invests Millions in Critical-Minerals Mapping in Alaska

**ANCHORAGE, Alaska.**— The U.S. Geological Survey will invest more than $5.8 million to map critical-mineral resources in Alaska in partnership with the...

Read Article

Publications Contribute to Strategic Framework for the Alaska Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

August 23, 2022

####   Publications Contribute to Strategic Framework for the Alaska Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Minerals are a part of our daily lives. Critical minerals, sometimes referred to as strategic and critical, are mineral commodities that are vital to...

Read Article

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helping Alaska map critical mineral resources

August 23, 2022

####   Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helping Alaska map critical mineral resources

RESTON, Va.—The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today that Alaska will receive more than $6.75 million to conduct geologic mapping, airborne...

Read Article

A Review of Alaska's Marine Mineral Resources

August 22, 2022

####   A Review of Alaska's Marine Mineral Resources

For centuries, humans have mined, refined, and utilized various metals and minerals found on land and along coasts. As global supply of these finite...

Read Article

Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Alaska

September 28, 2020

####   Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Alaska

*A total of $634,000 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Last Frontier.*

Read Article

Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Twenty-One States

September 21, 2020

####   Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Twenty-One States

The U.S. Geological Survey and the Association of American State Geologists are pleased to announce the projects that have received funding for FY2020...

Read Article

Below are partners associated with this project.

#### Association of American State Geologists (AASG)

#### Geological Survey of Canada

#### Yukon Geological Survey