Geologic map of the orient 15-minute quadrangle and analysis of mineralization along a regional detachment systemproject period: 7 1 2023 through 6 30 2026AWARD purpose: the recipient will complete…

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received a $330,000 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (CFDA 15.073) program. The purpose of the 3-year award is for DNR to:

1. Complete a 1:48,000-scale geologic map of the Orient 15-minute quadrangle in northeastern Washington to provide a geologic framework for critical mineral inventories and mineral-deposit models.

2. Collect and analyze detailed geochemical and petrologic samples along a regional low-angle normal fault system to characterize the pressure-temperature conditions and magma redox state during periods of known mineralization. This will help understand the formation of the area's mineral systems.

The project will integrate previously published and unpublished maps with new LiDAR, geochemistry, geochronology, and geophysical data. Central Washington University is a sub-recipient supporting the petrologic research through this award.

Activities

This project will primarily be a compilation effort of multiple overlapping previously published and unpublished maps. The recipient will reconcile these data with newly available lidar and collect new geochemistry and geochronology to characterize the ages of various geologic units. We will also collect and process new gravity data along a cross section line that, combined with the new high-resolution aeromagnetics being collected at present, we will use to constrain the geometry of subsurface geology. The recipient will collect and process new detailed geochemical and petrologic samples from both the orient 15-minute quadrangle and the adams mountain 7.5-minute quadrangle about 50 KM to the south to characterize the pressure-temperature conditions and magma redox state during emplacement (and mineralization). Field work will begin july 1, 2023 and continue through october, 2023. A second FI ELD season will occur from june to october of 2024. Map compilation will begin winter of 2023 2024 and continue through the remainder of the agreement period.deliverables and outcomes: the recipient will publish a detailed surficial and bedrock geologic map at 1:48,000 scale for the orient 15-minute quadrangle along with a technical report and gems level 3 GIS database prior to delivery to the program officer by june 30, 2026.

Intended beneficiaries

This project will have multiple beneficiaries. In general, the work is used by a wide variety of geoscientists, policy makers, planners, and others to: 1) identify and characterize geologic hazards 2) build understanding of water and earth resources to improve growth management act planning 3) provide mapping in areas of emerging societal need, and 4) understand geologic processes. We hope that this work in particular will be useful to better understand the mineral-resource potential of northeast washington which is of interest to the mineral-resource industry and to academic researchers with an interest in regional tectonics and mineral resources.

Subrecipient activities

Central washington university will be the primary researchers investigating the pressure-temperature conditions and magma redox state during pluton emplacement when the vast majority of known mineral systems formed. The agreement supports their research, travel costs for field work, and analytical costs. All of their analytical work will be accomplished in house at central washington university, or at the university of california at santa barbara, or pomona college