Earth MRI at MGS
Maryland Geological Survey (MGS) geologists are working in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) to map mineral resources that are critical to U.S. security and economic success. The Earth MRI program is an initiative within the USGS Mineral Resources Program to modernize mapping of the Nation’s surface and subsurface. This work is designed to support, strengthen, and sustain the United States domestic supply of critical mineral resources.
A few examples of these critical minerals are: rare earth elements (REEs) that we use in cell phones and strong magnets needed for clean energy technology and metallurgy; lithium (Li), used in rechargeable batteries and lightweight aerospace alloy; and manganese (Mn) and metallurgical coal, which are used in the production of steel. The 2025 USGS list of critical minerals can be found here: What are critical minerals?
Earth MRI partners use state-of-the-art geologic mapping and airborne geophysical and topographic (LiDAR) surveys to identify potential buried or overlooked critical mineral deposits. The Earth MRI program seeks to “improve topographic, geologic, and geophysical mapping of the United States and make the resulting data and metadata electronically accessible”.
Maryland contains several regions where critical minerals can potentially be found. Maryland Geological Survey is working in partnership with the USGS, local universities and other state geological surveys to identify and investigate locations and geological settings of critical mineral resources. Several ongoing and past projects are summarized below, each with their own page to discuss the nature of the project, and any final products from these studies.
- Geologic Mapping in the mafic-ultramafic/mafic-siliciclastic Cr-Fe-Cu-Co-Zn-Ni deposits of the Central Maryland Piedmont (Potomac Terrane Focus Area) (ongoing)
- Appalachian Transect Airborne Magnetic and Radiometric Survey (released September 2025)
- Mapping Volcanogenic Mineralization: Study of the Westminster Terrane of the Mid-Atlantic Piedmont (2021-2024)
- Geochemical Sampling and Regional Interpretation (Illinois and Appalachian Basin) of High Alumina Underclay Deposits in the Central and Eastern U. S. (2020-2022)
- NeoProterozoic Regolith and Rare Earth Elements of the Maryland Blue Ridge (2019-2021)
Earth MRI projects at MGS are not the only projects analyzing the critical mineral resource potential of the geology in Maryland. Recent National Geologic and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP) projects have funded analysis of rocks and sediment for critical minerals. See the link below to these project sites:
- MGS Data Preservation for Critical Mineral Samples
- USGS ReSciColl Critical Minerals Collections - MGS
To read more about the Earth MRI effort at the U.S. Geological Survey and across the nation, please see the below suggested reading.
- National Map of Focus Areas for Potential Critical Mineral Resources:
https://www.usgs.gov/publications/national-map-focus-areas-potential-critical-mineral-resources-united-states - Rare earth element mineral deposits in the United States:
https://www.usgs.gov/publications/rare-earth-element-mineral-deposits-united-states - The USGS Earth MRI program website can be viewed at:
https://www.usgs.gov/earth-mapping-resources-initiative-earth-mri - Earth MRI Acquisitions Viewer:
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/emri/#5.98/39.853/-77.464
Contact Information
Christopher P. Williams, Program Chief, Coastal and Environmental
(410) 554-5559 | christopherp.williams@maryland.gov
Rebecca Kavage Adams, Geologist
(410) 554-5553 | rebecca.adams@maryland.gov