USGS and NASA Conduct High-Altitude Survey to Map Critical Minerals in Western U.S.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and NASA are collaborating on a hyperspectral survey to map critical minerals across the western United States. Utilizing NASA's ER-2 high-altitude aircraft, the survey captures spectral fingerprints of minerals from 65,000 feet above the Earth's surface. This initiative, part of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), aims to identify mineral resources essential for the U.S. economy and national security. The survey, which began on April 1 and will continue until May 20, covers approximately 400,000 square miles. It involves analyzing wavelengths of light reflected off the Earth's surface to detect minerals that are otherwise difficult to identify. The data collected will help in understanding the geology of the region, including potential sources of critical minerals like copper, aluminum, nickel, and titanium. 
