Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Energy and Mineral Resources Mission Area

We are the Nation’s primary source of impartial scientific information on geologic energy and mineral resources and their supply chains. We deliver actionable science that informs crucial resource management decisions and investments impacting the Nation.

Our Earth MRI initiative is mapping geology and mineral resources across the Nation. We also lead development of the List of Critical Minerals.

News

It’s a hot topic: Geothermal energy, and how USGS science could help harness it

It’s a hot topic: Geothermal energy, and how USGS science could help harness it

Explosive Colors: Unveiling the Mineral Magic Behind Fourth of July Fireworks

Explosive Colors: Unveiling the Mineral Magic Behind Fourth of July Fireworks

USGS Releases Report on Oil and Gas Potential Beneath U.S. Public Lands

USGS Releases Report on Oil and Gas Potential Beneath U.S. Public Lands

Publications

Assimilation of reduced carbon triggers platinum alloy saturation in mafic and ultramafic magmas Assimilation of reduced carbon triggers platinum alloy saturation in mafic and ultramafic magmas

It is generally observed that magmatic sulfide ores have higher ratios of Pd/Pt than the mantle-like values of their parental magmas. This discrepancy has defied simple explanation because the partitioning behavior of both elements between sulfide and silicate liquids is very similar. Assimilation of sulfur- and carbon-rich country rocks by mafic and ultramafic magmas is considered a...
Authors
Ying Zhou Li, William D. Smith, Michael Jenkins, Zhuosen Yao, James E. Mungall

Enhanced geothermal systems electric-resource assessment for the Great Basin, southwestern United States Enhanced geothermal systems electric-resource assessment for the Great Basin, southwestern United States

The U.S. Geological Survey recently (2025) completed a provisional assessment of the geothermal-electric resources associated with high-temperature, low-permeability rock formations of the Great Basin, Southwestern United States. If sufficient technological advances to commercialize enhanced geothermal systems occur, then a current best provisional estimate for electric-power generation...
Authors
Erick R. Burns, Colin F. Williams, Jacob DeAngelo

USGS critical minerals review USGS critical minerals review

No abstract available.
Authors
Graham W. Lederer, James V. Jones, Darcy McPhee, Patricia J Loferski, Robert Seal, Paul A. Bedrosian, Patricia Grace MacQueen, V.J.S. Grauch, Federico Solano, Joshua Mark Rosera, David George Pineault
Was this page helpful?