Proposal title: mapping of the volcanic products in the southern clayton valley, NV, before, during, and after the rhyolite ridge tuffproject period: 10 15 2025 10 14 2027PURPOSETHIS project focuses…

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $180,038 to the Board of Regents of Nevada System of Higher Education (operating as University of Nevada, Reno) on October 15, 2025, under the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP, CFDA 15.810). The award funds a two-year educational mapping project focused on detailed geological characterization of Neogene-age volcanic products in the southern Clayton Valley, Nevada. The project directly supports the EDMAP component of NCGMP, which trains graduate students in hands-on field-based geologic mapping through mentored research projects.

The project will deliver a 1:60,000-scale geologic map of volcanic deposits in the Silver Peak Range with emphasis on 4–7 million-year-old units, complemented by rock descriptions, cross-sections, stratigraphic columns, and a GIS-layered database in standards-compliant format. Field mapping and rock characterization will be supported by age dating and geochemical analysis of key formations. These deliverables will provide baseline geological information for lithium exploration and mining activities in the region while advancing understanding of extensional tectonics and basin development associated with the Walker Lane. The project runs through October 14, 2027.

Proposal title: mapping of the volcanic products in the southern clayton valley, NV, before, during, and after the rhyolite ridge tuffproject period: 10 15 2025 10 14 2027PURPOSETHIS project focuses on mapping of volcanic rocks in the silver peak range and the palmettomountains surrounding the clayton valley of neogene age. These volcanic rocks are thought tobe directly related to lithium exploration and mining in this region of the great basin. The majorvolcanic deposits of the region are rhyolitic ASH-flow tuffs, that also provide regional context forbasin development during transtension associated with the walker lane. However, thesevolcanic rocks have been largely lumped into formations, which includes both the spatiallyextensive tuffs as well as more localized lavas and domes. The goal of this project is to mapthese volcanic products that make up these formations at a greater detail to provide baseinformation for lithium exploration and geochemical characterization of potential source rocks aswell as for better reconciling extensional tectonics during this neogene volcanic activity.activitiesthe graduate student mapper and his mentor will produce a geologic map that uses fieldrelationships and rock characteristics to identify different volcanic eruptive events and distinctsub-volcanic units. This field work will be complemented with age dating of key rock formationsand their geochemistry.deliverables and outcomesthis project will result 1) in a 1:60,000-scale geologic map of neogene volcanic products with afocus on the timeframe of 4-7 MA old units. The bounding coordinates of all corners are: 37.75N 117.8125W 37.75N 117.6875W 37.625N 117.6875W 37.625N 117.5W 37.53N 117.5W 37.53N 117.6875W 37.625N 117.844W 37.6875N 117.844W) of the silverpeak range. 2) the map will be accompanied by a technical report that includes rockdescriptions as well as 3) cross sections, and a 4) composite stratigraphic column. 5) the mapwill include a GIS-layered project with complete attribute information including a gems level 3GEODATABASE (in collaboration with nbmg). The map will be made available in a high-resolutiongeopdf format (on the USGS national geologic map database website http: ngmdb.USGS.GOV and the PIS personal website) and upon request. The geologic map andassociated report will be submitted electronically to the ncgmp office and to the nevadabureau of mines and geology.intended beneficiary(IES)local policymakers will be able to make land use decisions. Regional and internationalexploration companies will use these maps for their exploration efforts.subrecipient activitiesn a