United States Geologic Survey Publications

Collection

Identifier: 5027

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains publications from the United States Geological Survey and has been arranged into nine series.

Series 1 New Publication Lists and Publication Information includes annual lists of publications from the USGS beginning in 1971 through 1980. Starting in January 1981, publication lists were released monthly. Two volumes list all papers from 1893 through 1970. This series also contains two volumes of information for authors on the preparation of illustrations and maps.

Series 2 Professional Papers are comprehensive reports of wide and lasting interest and scientific importance, characterized by thoroughness of study and breadth of scientific or geographic coverage. Related papers addressing different aspects of a single scientific topic are sometimes included in the same booklet.

Series 3 Geological Survey Circulars are concise reports regarding geographic areas, specific issues or USGS programs. Circulars are meant to increase the understanding of a general audience, including politicians, university students, and scientists of other fields.

Series 4 Water Supply Papers include both extensive and concise reports on all topics of hydro resources including quality, recoverability, and use of water resources, statistical reports on streamflow, floods, groundwater levels, and water quality.

Series 5 Bulletins are reports of broad and lasting scientific importance but are much more narrow in scope than professional papers. Bulletins include short papers and the results of resource studies and geologic or topographic studies.

Series 6 Trace Elements Memorandum, Trace Elements Investigations, and Manhattan District Declassified Documents includes materials regarding elements of nuclear testing between the mid-1940s and 1966.

Series 7 Journal of Research are a bi-monthly publication of reports on geologic, hydrologic, topographic, and other technical subjects.

Series 8 Open-File Reports consist of information that needed to be released immediately. This is usually because the map or report is referenced as supporting documentation in another USGS publication.

Series 9 Maps and Miscellaneous Publications includes several different types of maps including Oil and Gas Investigations, Geophysical Investigations, Miscellaneous Field Studies, Miscellaneous Investigations/ Geologic Investigations, and topographic maps. Other publications found in this series include annual reports.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1944 - 1985
1893 - 1998

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center with no restrictions to access. The collection may be utilized during normal operating hours or by appointment.

Biographical / Historical

The United States Geological Survey (USGS)was established within the Department of the Interior on March 3, 1879, by an Act of Congress. The goal of the USGS was to study the geological structure and economic resources of the public domain and publish their findings.

Much of the work carried out in the first twenty-five years of the USGS was focused on mining and hard metal resources. In the early 20th century, the USGS expanded their focus to include oil, waterways, and water power. The creation of the Bureau of Mines in 1910 allowed the USGS to reduce their work related to mining. The Works Progress Administration allocated money for mapping projects and scientific research allowing the USGS to continue its work during the Great Depression.

During the world wars, the work of the USGS was almost entirely based on the military's needs. In World War I, the USGS sought deposits of war minerals in the US as well as in Central and South America and carried out topographic mapping of strategic areas as part of the war effort during World War II. The Cold War led the USGS to focus on the study of atomic particles.

By the late 1940s, the USGS became the primary source of published information on mineral production, both domestic and foreign. Homestake collected several different series of these publications, which were used for reference in the engineer's office.

The USGS assembled several regional survey agencies to map the continent and split the nation into seven regions: the Northeast, Southeast, Mid Continent, Rocky Mountain, Southwest, Northwest-Pacific Island, and Alaska. The USGS also expanded their work into Antarctica. Homestake Mining Company had landholdings in a number of these regions, and collected publications focused on all of them.

Extent

30 Linear Feet (24 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The United States Geological Survey Collection consists of several types of reports and maps published by the USGS between 1893 and 1998. These publications were received and used by employees of the Homestake Mining Company.

Arrangement

This collection has been arranged into nine series. Within the series, materials are arranged numerically by the number assigned by the United States Geological Survey.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials were transferred as a portion of one donation, accession number 2005.001, from Homestake Mining Company on May 26, 2005.

Related Materials

Additional archival materials related to the United States Geological Survey Collection can be found in 5018 Bureau of Mines Publications.

Digital copies of USGS publications both active and retired can be found at the online publication warehouse: https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/