Anjana K Shah
Anji Shah is a research geophysicist with the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center in Denver, CO, specializing in the use of gravity, magnetic and radiometric methods for geologic characterization and interpretation.
She is currently working on several projects involving subsurface geologic characterization for earthquake hazard, mineral resource, and energy resource applications. She also has a background in marine geophysics.
For earthquake hazard studies, Dr. Shah uses gravity and magnetic data to distinguish contacts between subsurface rocks with different densities or magnetic properties. In some regions, these contacts may delineate buried faults and other structures that suggest seismic risk (see this article for application to the 2011 Mw5.8 Mineral, Virginia earthquake). Gravity and magnetic data can also be used to distinguish areas that may be more likely to exhibit seismicity in response to fluid injection (see this article for application to north-central Oklahoma).
Dr. Shah has also led several projects involving imaging and evaluation of rare-earth-element (REE) deposits. Concentrations of REE-bearing minerals in certain geological environments can be detected using radiometric and magnetic methods. Heavy mineral sands are of particular interest because their extraction involves minimal impact; REE-bearing monazite and xenotime have been observed throughout the southeastern U.S. The Eastern Adirondacks were mined in the 1800's and 1900's for magnetite. The ores also contain REE-bearing apatite, and often REE's are present in mining tailings. A combination of geophysical, geological and geochronological approaches is being used to study this area.
Professional Experience
Research Geophysicist, U.S. Geological Survey, 2007-present
Senior Research Scientist, Dynamics Technology, Inc. (now Raytheon Company), 2004-2007
National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate, Naval Research Laboratory, 2001-2004
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, 2001
M.S. Oceanography, University of Washington, 1996
M.S. Applied Mathematics, New York University, 1990
B.S. Mathematics, Stony Brook University, 1988
Abstracts and Presentations
Shah, A., Walsh, G., Taylor, R., Taylor, C., Aleinikoff, J., Klein, A., Regan, S., and Lupulescu, M., 2016, Geophysical, geochemical, and geological approaches to evaluating rare earth resources in the Eastern Adirondacks, upstate New York, Geological Society of America 2016 Annual Meeting, doi: 10.1130/abs/2016AM-281761.
Boyd, O.S. and A. K. Shah, 2016, Progress on the USGS National Crustal Model for seismic hazard studies, Seismological Society of America Annual Meeting, 2016.
Shah, A., R. Stanley, K.A. Lewis, P.J. Haeussler, C.J. Potter, R.W. Saltus and J. Phillips, 2015, Aeromagnetic survey data used to map features of the Cook Inlet and Susitna basins, Alaska, AGU-SEG Workshop "Potential field and electromagnetic methods applied to basin studies," 2015.
Pratt, T., A. Shah, and J.W. Horton, 2014, Discerning Faults Responsible for the Charleston, SC earthquake of 1886, Seismological Society of America Annual Meeting, 2014.
Science and Products
Thickness of unconsolidated sediments for the USGS National Crustal Model
Depth to Mesozoic basement for the USGS National Crustal Model
Geochemistry of ore, host rock, and mine waste pile samples of iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits of the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York, in relation to potential rare earth elements resources, 2016-2018
Airborne Geophysical Surveys over the Eastern Adirondacks, New York State
Airborne Geophysical Surveys over the 2011 Mineral, Virginia Earthquake Area
Geochemistry and geophysics of iron oxide-apatite deposits and associated waste piles with implications for potential rare earth element resources from ore and historic mine waste in the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York, USA
Depth to basement and thickness of unconsolidated sediments for the western United States—Initial estimates for layers of the U.S. Geological Survey National Crustal Model
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Susitna Basin, southern Alaska, 2017
Rare earth mineral potential in the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain from integrated geophysical, geochemical, and geological approaches
Geologic influence on induced seismicity: Constraints from potential field data in Oklahoma
Sedimentary exhalative (sedex) zinc-lead-silver deposit model
Coastal deposits of heavy mineral sands; Global significance and US resources
The distribution and composition of REE-bearing minerals in placers of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains, USA
Rare earth element (REE) resources are currently of great interest because of their importance as raw materials for high-technology manufacturing. The REE-phosphates monazite (light REE enriched) and xenotime (heavy REE enriched) resist weathering and can accumulate in placer deposits as part of the heavy mineral assemblage. The Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the southeastern United States ar
Placer deposits of the Atlantic coastal plain: Stratigraphy, sedimentology, mineral resources, mining, and reclamation Cove Point, Maryland, Williamsburg and Stony Creek, Virginia
Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of REE in granite-derived regolith: a model for the Southeast United States
Preliminary interpretation of industry two-dimensional seismic data from Susitna Basin, south-central Alaska
First steps of integrated spatial modeling of titanium, zirconium, and rare earth element resources within the Coastal Plain sediments of the southeastern United States
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Thickness of unconsolidated sediments for the USGS National Crustal Model
Depth to Mesozoic basement for the USGS National Crustal Model
Geochemistry of ore, host rock, and mine waste pile samples of iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits of the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York, in relation to potential rare earth elements resources, 2016-2018
Airborne Geophysical Surveys over the Eastern Adirondacks, New York State
Airborne Geophysical Surveys over the 2011 Mineral, Virginia Earthquake Area
Geochemistry and geophysics of iron oxide-apatite deposits and associated waste piles with implications for potential rare earth element resources from ore and historic mine waste in the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York, USA
Depth to basement and thickness of unconsolidated sediments for the western United States—Initial estimates for layers of the U.S. Geological Survey National Crustal Model
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Susitna Basin, southern Alaska, 2017
Rare earth mineral potential in the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain from integrated geophysical, geochemical, and geological approaches
Geologic influence on induced seismicity: Constraints from potential field data in Oklahoma
Sedimentary exhalative (sedex) zinc-lead-silver deposit model
Coastal deposits of heavy mineral sands; Global significance and US resources
The distribution and composition of REE-bearing minerals in placers of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains, USA
Rare earth element (REE) resources are currently of great interest because of their importance as raw materials for high-technology manufacturing. The REE-phosphates monazite (light REE enriched) and xenotime (heavy REE enriched) resist weathering and can accumulate in placer deposits as part of the heavy mineral assemblage. The Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the southeastern United States ar
Placer deposits of the Atlantic coastal plain: Stratigraphy, sedimentology, mineral resources, mining, and reclamation Cove Point, Maryland, Williamsburg and Stony Creek, Virginia
Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of REE in granite-derived regolith: a model for the Southeast United States
Preliminary interpretation of industry two-dimensional seismic data from Susitna Basin, south-central Alaska
First steps of integrated spatial modeling of titanium, zirconium, and rare earth element resources within the Coastal Plain sediments of the southeastern United States
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.