Material Resources

Significant quantities of any naturally occurring nonliving substances that humans can potentially use for economic, nutritional, recreational, ecological, aesthetic, and other benefits. This category does not include energy resources, which are discussed previously. Distributions are recorded observations, interpreted data, or models of specified resources at known times and locations and can include added tangible information for the resource in question (for example, thickness of deposit). Assessments are evaluations of total resource availability, economic value, ecological function and value, drivers, difficulty of extraction, and sustainability; larger assessments that combine Resources and Uses categories can appropriately be included both here and in the other related Resources or Uses categories. Predictions are the results of models or projections of future distributions, values, or impacts of material resources; these data include modeled changes to resources due to natural and human processes. Examples include models of resource losses or gains under different rates of resource extraction, deposition, natural removal, and accumulation; models of how changes to one resource can affect other resources or uses; and models that compare outcomes of different management actions.
Subtopics:
Sand Resources (15 items)

38 results listed by similarity [list alphabetically]
Core logger data from vibracores collected offshore Oceanside to San Diego, southern California, during field activity 2018-638-FA from 2018-05-22 to 2018-05-26

This section of the data release contains core logger tabular data of 41 vibracores that were collected aboard the R/V Bold Horizon in 2018 on U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2018-638-FA offshore Oceanside to San Diego, southern California. The cores were analyzed for sound velocity (P-wave) and gamma ray density. The logging was performed at 1-cm intervals from the top of each core section. In addition to the core logger data, the location of the cores are available as either a comma-delimited file ...

Info
Photographs of vibracores collected offshore Oceanside to San Diego, southern California, during field activity 2018-638-FA from 2018-05-22 to 2018-05-26

This section of the data release contains photographs of 41 vibracores that were collected aboard the R/V Bold Horizon in 2018 on U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2018-638-FA offshore Oceanside to San Diego, southern California.

Info
Sediment grain size data from vibracore samples collected offshore Oceanside to San Diego, southern California, during field activity 2018-638-FA from 2018-05-22 to 2018-05-26

This section of the data release contains grain-size and total organic carbon (TOC) analyses of 174 samples taken from vibracores that were collected aboard the R/V Bold Horizon in 2018 on U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2018-638-FA offshore Oceanside to San Diego, southern California. The samples were analyzed for percent weight of grain size and total organic carbon. The samples were taken at approx. 50 cm intervals from (and including) the core-catcher, which represents the bottom of the core.

Info
X-ray diffraction data for heat treated samples of hydrothermal minerals from seamounts within the Tuvalu Exclusive Economic Zone

A sample of hydrothermally mineralized foraminifera ooze (D28A) was collected via dredge from a seamount within the Tuvalu Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific Ocean during cruise RR1310 funded by the National Science Foundation aboard the R/V Roger Revelle in 2013. USGS scientists requested these ferromanganese crust samples from the Oregon State University Marine and Geology Repository where they had been archived. Ferromanganese crust samples were sent to USGS for subsampling and x-ray diffraction ...

Info
X-ray diffraction data for ferromanganese crusts from seamounts within the Tuvalu Exclusive Economic Zone

Ferromanganese crusts were collected via dredge from seamounts within the Tuvalu Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific Ocean during cruise RR1310 funded by the National Science Foundation aboard the R/V Roger Revelle in 2013. USGS scientists requested these ferromanganese crust samples from the Oregon State University Marine and Geology Repository where they had been archived. Ferromanganese crust samples were sent to USGS for subsampling and x-ray diffraction analyses. Powder x-ray diffraction data for ...

Info
Major and trace element geochemistry of ferromanganese crusts from seamounts within the Tuvalu Exclusive Economic Zone

Ferromanganese crusts were collected via dredge from seamounts within the Tuvalu Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific Ocean during cruise RR1310 funded by the National Science Foundation aboard the R/V Roger Revelle in 2013. USGS scientists requested these ferromanganese crust samples from the Oregon State University Marine and Geology Repository where they had been archived. Ferromanganese crust samples were sent to USGS for subsampling and major and trace element geochemical analyses. Major and trace ...

Info
Marine mineral geochemical data - Part One: Pacific Ocean USGS-affiliated historical data

This data release compiles element composition data for more than 600 deep-ocean mineral samples from more than 25 research cruises in the Pacific Ocean since 1979 that involved USGS researchers. Deep-ocean mineral sample types encompassed in this data release include ferromanganese crusts, manganese nodules, phosphorites, and hydrothermal minerals. This data release is comprised of both unpublished as well as previously published data and reports and includes analytical methods and instrument detection ...

Info
Rain measurements in Santa Cruz County, California, January 2023

Rain gages were deployed temporarily at four sites in Santa Cruz County, California, during a series of atmospheric-river storms that delivered unusually large amounts of rain in January 2023. Data collection focused on the San Lorenzo River, and include three locations in the San Lorenzo Valley (in Boulder Creek along Hilton Drive, in Felton near Glengarry Road, and in Scotts Valley along Green Valley Road), as well as one site within the city of Santa Cruz, on Darwin Street. These data are provided to ...

Info
Sediment grain-size data from vibracore samples collected offshore San Francisco, California, during field activity 2019-649-FA from 2019-10-11 to 2019-10-18

This section of the data release contains grain-size and total organic carbon (TOC) analyses of 132 samples taken from vibracores that were collected aboard the R/V Bold Horizon in 2019 on U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2019-649-FA offshore San Francisco, California. The samples were analyzed for percent weight of grain size and total organic carbon. The samples were taken at approx. 50 cm intervals from (and including) the core-catcher, which represents the bottom of the core.

Info
Grain-size data for sediment samples collected in Whiskeytown Lake, northern California, in 2018 and 2019

This data release includes grain-size data from sediment samples collected in submerged and subaerial regions in Whiskeytown Lake and around the reservoir margin. Sediment samples were collected using a sampler deployed from a boat or by hand from locations exposed above the water surface. Sediment grain size was analyzed at the USGS laboratory in Santa Cruz, Calif. The full data set is reported here, but users should be aware that due to instrument error the data between approximately grain sizes from 0 ...

Info
X-ray diffraction data (XRD) for sediment subsamples from push cores from Loki's Castle and Favne vent fields, Mohns Ridge

This portion of the data release presents X-ray diffractograms of sediment subsamples from push cores collected from Loki's Castle and Favne vent fields, on the Mohns Ridge, in the Norwegian Sea. These data were collected in 2018 and 2019 (USGS Field Activity 2018-691-DD and 2019-624-FA). Location information for the sample is included in each Attribute Definition of this metadata file, as well as in the geochemical data table (LokisMohns_marine_mineral_geochemistry.csv) of this multi-table data release.

Info
Geochemistry of sediment subsamples from Loki's Castle and Favne Vent Fields, Mohns Ridge

This data release contains geochemical data of sediment subsamples collected in 2018 and 2019 from Loki’s Ridge and Favne Vent Fields, Mohns Ridge, part of the Arctic Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Data include major, minor and trace element concentrations, location information (latitude, longitude, depth), analytical methods, and instrument detection limits where available.

Info
Prospective regions for marine minerals on the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf

This shapefile is of prospective regional outlines of where marine minerals may occur on the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Polygons were hand digitized based on a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data review that considers the state of knowledge regarding marine mineral occurrences within the Alaska OCS. This data release is a companion to the USGS Professional Paper, Gartman and others, 2022.

Info
Mineralogy, rare earth elements, and strontium isotopic composition of phosphorites and phosphatized rocks from the Rio Grande Rise, south Atlantic Ocean

Phosphorites and phosphatized rocks from the summit of the Rio Grande Rise (RGR) in the south Atlantic Ocean were collected via dredge during the oceanographic research cruise RGR1 to the western RGR. The location (latitude, longitude, depth), mineralogy, concentrations of phosphorus and rare earth elements, and 87Sr/86Sr ratios of phosphorites and phosphatized FeMn crusts, ironstones, and carbonates from 10 dredge sites are presented here. These data were used to determine the presence of carbonate ...

Info
Geochemistry of ferromanganese crusts, nodules, and hydrothermally altered rocks from the Arctic Ocean

Ferromanganese crusts, nodules, and hydrothermally altered rocks were collected via dredge within the Amerasia Basin in the Arctic Ocean during USCGC icebreaker Healy cruises HLY0805, HLY0905, and HLY1202 in 2008, 2009, and 2012 respectively. Dredged samples were donated and sent to USGS for subsampling and major and trace element geochemical analyses. Major and trace element data as well as location information (latitude, longitude, depth) for each sample are provided here.

Info
Global ferromanganese crust and abyssal ferromanganese nodule prospective occurrence regions

This data release is a polygon shapefile representing prospective occurrence regions of ferromanganese crusts and abyssal ferromanganese nodules on the seafloor throughout the global oceans. Polygons represent areas where oceanographic criteria, such as low sedimentation rate and moderate primary productivity, overlap with geologic criteria, including regions with appropriate seafloor morphology for each mineral type, such as seamounts and ridges or abyssal plains. The regions indicate where ferromanganese ...

Info
Core logger data from vibracores collected offshore San Francisco, California, during field activity 2019-649-FA from 2019-10-11 to 2019-10-18

This section of the data release contains core logger tabular data of 34 vibracores that were collected aboard the R/V Bold Horizon in 2019 on U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2019-649-FA offshore San Francisco, California. The cores were analyzed for gamma ray density and magnetic susceptibility. The logging was performed at 1-cm intervals from the top of each core section. In addition to the core logger data, the locations of the cores are available as either a comma-delimited file or a shapefile.

Info
Photographs of vibracores collected offshore San Francisco, California, during field activity 2019-649-FA from 2019-10-11 to 2019-10-18

This section of the data release contains photographs of 34 vibracores that were collected aboard the R/V Bold Horizon in 2019 on U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2019-649-FA offshore San Francisco, California. Continuous line-scan photographs were created in the lab to assess sand and gravel resources in Federal and State waters for potential use in future beach nourishment projects along stretches of the coast where critical erosion hotspots have been identified.

Info
Geophysical properties, geochronologic, and geochemical data of sediment cores collected from San Pablo Bay, California, October 17-20, 2016

Geophysical properties (P-wave velocity, gamma ray density, and magnetic susceptibility), geochronologic (radiocarbon, excess Lead-210, and Cesium-137), and geochemical data (organic carbon content and 60 element contents) are reported for select vibracores collected aboard the S/V Retriever October 17-20, 2016, in San Pablo Bay, California. Geophysical properties were measured with a Geotek Multi-Sensor Core Logger (MSCL). Radiocarbon was measured by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Excess Lead-210 and ...

Info
Computed tomography (CT) scans of push cores from Loki's Castle and Favne vent fields, Mohns Ridge

This portion of the data release presents computed tomography (CT) images from push cores collected from Loki's Castle and Favne vent fields, on the Mohns Ridge, in the Norwegian Sea. These data were collected in 2018 and 2019 (USGS Field Activity 2018-691-DD and 2019-624-FA). A Geotek Rotating X-Ray CT (RXCT) system was used to acquire x-ray images and perform CT reconstructions of unsplit core segments. The full three-dimensional data set consists of individual axial slices which are reconstructed images ...

Info
Photographs of push cores from Loki's Castle and Favne vent fields, Mohns Ridge

This portion of the data release presents linescan images (photographs) from push cores collected from Loki's Castle and Favne vent fields, on the Mohns Ridge, in the Norwegian Sea. These data were Rcollected in 2018 and 2019 (USGS Field Activity 2018-691-DD and 2019-624-FA). Images were obtained from seventeen push cores at 50-micron (200 pixel per cm) resolution. Color images in 16-bit TIFF format are provided for each core segment, along with proprietary metadata files containing image scaling ...

Info
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scans of push cores from Loki's Castle and Favne vent fields, Mohns Ridge, geochem mode

This portion of the data release presents X-ray fluorescence (XRF) data from push cores collected from Loki's Castle and Favne vent fields, on the Mohns Ridge, in the Norwegian Sea. These data were collected in 2018 and 2019 (USGS Field Activity 2018-691-DD and 2019-624-FA). The XRF data were collected with the sensor in "geochem" mode and are provided in comma-delimited files (.csv).

Info
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scans of push cores from Loki's Castle and Favne vent fields, Mohns Ridge, soil mode

This portion of the data release presents X-ray fluorescence (XRF) data from push cores collected from Loki's Castle and Favne vent fields, on the Mohns Ridge, in the Norwegian Sea. These data were collected in 2018 and 2019 (USGS Field Activity 2018-691-DD and 2019-624-FA). The XRF data were collected with the sensor in “soil” mode and are provided in comma-delimited files (.csv).

Info
PAC_EXT - Extracted seabed data for the continental margin of the U.S. Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, Washington) from usSEABED (pac_ext.txt)

This data layer (PAC_EXT.txt) is one of five point coverages of known sediment samples, inspections, and probes from the usSEABED data collection for the U.S. Pacific continental margin integrated using the software system dbSEABED. This data layer represents the extracted (EXT) output of the dbSEABED mining software and contains data items which were extracted from the data resources files and generally represent lab-based analytical data. The EXT data are usually considered the most rigorous data ...

Info
usSEABED facies data for the entire U.S. Atlantic Coast (ATL_FAC)

The facies data layer (_FAC.txt) is a point coverage of known sediment samplings, inspections, and probings from the usSEABED data collection and integrated using the software system dbSEABED. The facies data layer (_FAC.txt)represents concatenated information about components (minerals and rock type), genesis (igneous, metamorphic, carbonate, terrigenous), and other appropriate groupings of information about the seafloor. The facies data are parsed from written descriptions from cores, grabs, photographs, ...

Info
usSEABED CaLCulated data for the entire U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (GMX_CLC, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)

This data layer is a point coverage of known sediment samplings, inspections and probings from the usSEABED data collection and integrated using the software system dbSEABED. This data layer represents the calculated (CLC) output of the dbSEABED mining software. It contains results from calculating variables using empirical functions working on the results of extraction or parsing. The CLC data is the most derivative and certainly the least accurate; however, many clients appreciate that it extends the ...

Info
usSEABED EXTracted data for the entire U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (GMX_EXT, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)

This data layer is a point coverage of known sediment samplings, inspections and probings from the usSEABED data collection and integrated using the software system dbSEABED. This data layer represents the extracted (EXT) output of the dbSEABED mining software. It contains data items which were simply extracted from the data resources through data mining. The EXT data is usually based on instrumental analyses (probe or laboratory) but may apply to just a subsample of the sediment (eg. no large shells).

Info
usSEABED facies data for the entire U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (GMX_FAC, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)

The facies data layer (_FAC.txt) is a point coverage of known sediment samplings, inspections, and probings from the usSEABED data collection and integrated using the software system dbSEABED. The facies data layer (_FAC.txt)represents concatenated information about components (minerals and rock type), genesis (igneous, metamorphic, carbonate, terrigenous), and other appropriate groupings of information about the seafloor. The facies data are parsed from written descriptions from cores, grabs, photographs, ...

Info
usSEABED PaRSed data for the entire U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (GMX_PRS, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)

This data layer is a point coverage of known sediment samplings, inspections and probings from the usSEABED data collection and integrated using the software system dbSEABED. This data layer represents the parsed (PRS) output of the dbSEABED mining software. It contains the results of parsing descriptions in the data resources. The PRS data is less precise because it comes from word-based descriptions, but will include information on outsized elements, consolidation that are not usually in EXT data.

Info
usSEABED component and features data for the entire U.S. Atlantic Coast (ATL_CMP)

This component data layer (_CMP.txt) file gives information about selected components (minerals, rock type, microfossils, benthic biota) and seafloor features (bioturbation, structure, ripples) at a given site. Values in the attribute fields represent the membership to that attribute's fuzzy set. For components such as minerals, rocks, micro-biota and plants, and/or epifauna and infauna, corals and other geologic and biologic information, the value depends on sentence structure and other components in ...

Info
usSEABED component and features data for the entire U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (GMX_CMP, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)

This component data layer (_CMP.txt) file gives information about selected components (minerals, rock type, microfossils, benthic biota) and seafloor features (bioturbation, structure, ripples) at a given site. Values in the attribute fields represent the membership to that attribute's fuzzy set. For components such as minerals, rocks, micro-biota and plants, and/or epifauna and infauna, corals and other geologic and biologic information, the value depends on sentence structure and other components in ...

Info
PAC_CLC: Calculated seabed data for the continental margin of the U.S. Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, Washington) from usSEABED (pac_clc.txt)

This data layer (PAC_CLC.txt) is one of five point coverages of known sediment samples, inspections, and probes from the usSEABED data collection for the U.S Pacific continental margin integrated using the software system dbSEABED. This data layer represents the calculated (CLC) output of the dbSEABED mining software. Data in this file extend variables determined through the data extraction (EXT) and data parsing (PRS) processes of dbSEABED, calculated using empirical relations or known functions. The CLC ...

Info
Seabed component and feature data for the continental margin of the U.S. Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, Washington) from usSEABED (pac_cmp.txt)

This data layer (PAC_CMP.txt) is one of five point coverages of known sediment samples, inspections, and probes from the usSEABED data collection for the U.S. Pacific continental margin integrated using the software system dbSEABED. This data file gives numeric data about selected components (for example, minerals, rock type, microfossils, and benthic biota) and sea floor features (for example, bioturbation, structure, and ripples) at a given site. Values in the attribute fields represent the membership to ...

Info
PAC_FAC: Seabed facies data (combined components) for the continental margin of the U.S. Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, Washington) from usSEABED (pac_fac.txt)

The facies data layer (PAC_FAC.txt) is one of five point coverages of known sediment samples, inspections, and probes from the usSEABED data collection for the U.S. Pacific margin, integrated using the software system dbSEABED. The facies data layer (PAC_FAC.txt) represents concatenated information about components (minerals and rock type), genesis (igneous, metamorphic, carbonate, terrigenous), and other appropriate groupings of information about the sea floor. These data are parsed from written ...

Info
PAC_PRS - Parsed seabed data for the continental margin of the U.S. Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, Washington) from usSEABED (pac_prs.txt)

This data layer (PAC_PRS.txt) is one of five point coverages of known sediment samples, inspections, and probes from the usSEABED data collection for the U.S. Pacific continental margin integrated using the dbSEABED software system. This data layer represents the parsed (PRS) output of the dbSEABED mining software. It contains the numeric results parsed from text-based descriptions held in the data resource files (DRF). Because it relies on descriptions, the PRS data are less precise than the extracted data ...

Info
usSEABED CaLCulated data for the entire U.S. Atlantic Coast (ATL_CLC)

This data layer is a point coverage of known sediment samplings, inspections and probings from the usSEABED data collection and integrated using the software system dbSEABED. This data layer represents the calculated (CLC) output of the dbSEABED mining software. It contains results from calculating variables using empirical functions working on the results of extraction or parsing. The CLC data is the most derivative and certainly the least accurate; however, many clients appreciate that it extends the ...

Info
usSEABED EXTracted data for the entire U.S. Atlantic Coast (ATL_EXT)

This data layer is a point coverage of known sediment samplings, inspections and probings from the usSEABED data collection and integrated using the software system dbSEABED. This data layer represents the extracted (EXT) output of the dbSEABED mining software. It contains data items which were simply extracted from the data resources through data mining. The EXT data is usually based on instrumental analyses (probe or laboratory) but may apply to just a subsample of the sediment (eg. no large shells).

Info
usSEABED PaRSed data for the entire U.S. Atlantic Coast (ATL_PRS)

This data layer is a point coverage of known sediment samplings, inspections and probings from the usSEABED data collection and integrated using the software system dbSEABED. This data layer represents the parsed (PRS) output of the dbSEABED mining software. It contains the results of parsing descriptions in the data resources. The PRS data is less precise because it comes from word-based descriptions, but will include information on outsized elements, consolidation that are not usually in EXT data.

Info