Earth MRI is modernizing the Nation’s mapping of the surface and subsurface. We deliver high-quality data needed to understand our Nation’s geology and address its evolving mineral needs.
What is Earth MRI?
The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is an initiative within the USGS Mineral Resources Program to modernize mapping of the Nation’s surface and subsurface. Our focus is particularly on collecting data in areas with potential critical mineral resources.
We collect multiple types of data across the full extent of the nation, including geologic, geophysical, geochemical, topographic and other kinds of data. Combined, these data are transforming our three-dimensional understanding of the Nation’s geology, including providing important information about potential mineral resources.
Earth MRI was launched in 2019. In 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested in Earth MRI, accelerating and expanding our data collection.
Who is Earth MRI?
Earth MRI is a partnership effort. We partner with State geological surveys, Federal agencies, private industry, Tribes, universities and others to collect and disseminate data. Learn more about our partnerships and their benefits here.
Why is Earth MRI needed?
The U.S. needs high-quality geologic data to make important resource and land-use decisions, support economic development and mitigate the effects of natural hazards like earthquakes and landslides.
Yet, the U.S. has lagged behind other advanced nations in using modern satellite, airborne and field technologies to modernize geologic mapping at the national scale. For instance, prior to Earth MRI, only small parts of our vast and diverse Nation were covered by high-quality geophysical surveys that provide important three-dimensional details about geology below the Earth’s surface.
Earth MRI is changing this, using advanced technologies to accelerate mapping across the U.S. Earth MRI data are being used to identify mineral and energy resources, groundwater availability, and natural hazards, and to make complex land-use decisions.
Earth MRI has a particular focus on proving data needed to understand our Nation’s potential mineral resources, especially critical mineral resources. Critical minerals are essential to the nation’s economy and national defense and have supply chains that are vulnerable to disruption. Many of these minerals are key to growing economic sectors, such as advanced technology and low-carbon energy infrastructure.
What impact is Earth MRI making?
- Earth MRI data are being used to understand critical and other mineral potential, as well as for science and decisions on infrastructure, transportation, and land-use planning, hazard assessments for earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, and floods, water resources management, geothermal resources and geologic carbon storage, and emergency response. States and communities are using Earth MRI data to plan for resilience and for their economic futures. Add a mention of mine waste.
- Earth MRI funding and data are helping rebuild a skilled geoscience workforce. Early career scientists, and graduate and undergraduate students across the Nation are working on projects related to Earth MRI, gaining skills and expertise that are underrepresented in the Nation’s workforce.
- Earth MRI data are a springboard for innovation: scientists are developing new methods for using the data for wide-ranging purposes, from characterizing mine wastes to mapping potential geologic hydrogen resources or identifying orphan wells.
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