The Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center (GEMSC) is a research center within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that conducts comprehensive, interdisciplinary research, assessments, and surveys of the origin, occurrence, distribution, quantity, composition, and environmental effects of geologic energy materials, minerals, associated deposits, and waste materials. Additionally, GEMSC scientists are working on a broad range of current and emerging geology, energy, and minerals issues including evaluating waters produced during oil and gas extraction; identifying wastes that can be recovered or repurposed and used in new processes; conducting studies and assessments of critical minerals and rare earth elements; providing up-to-date, [...]
Summary
The Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center (GEMSC) is a research center within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that conducts comprehensive, interdisciplinary research, assessments, and surveys of the origin, occurrence, distribution, quantity, composition, and environmental effects of geologic energy materials, minerals, associated deposits, and waste materials. Additionally, GEMSC scientists are working on a broad range of current and emerging geology, energy, and minerals issues including evaluating waters produced during oil and gas extraction; identifying wastes that can be recovered or repurposed and used in new processes; conducting studies and assessments of critical minerals and rare earth elements; providing up-to-date, modern scientific data in the form of publicly-available databases; performing remote sensing of mineral deposits; understanding the formation and generation of fossil fuels; investigating low to no-carbon energy sources; and assessing effects on the environment due to anthropogenic activities associated with energy and mineral resource exploration, development, and production.
The GEMSC was established in 2020 through the merger of the USGS Eastern Energy Resources Science Center and the USGS Eastern Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center. GEMSC Scientists conduct a wide range of research supported by multiple USGS programs including Energy Resources, Mineral Resources, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping, and Environmental Health programs. The GEMSC has a large team of nearly 100 employees consisting of scientists, administrative and technical staff, and students. Additionally, the Center supports postdoctoral and international scholars, emeritus scientists, contractors, and volunteers. GEMSC scientists have strong collaborations with researchers in different USGS Mission Areas, other Federal agencies (such as sister bureaus in the Department of Interior, Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency), State geological surveys, and international and domestic academic and research institutions.
Our interdisciplinary staff is a diverse workforce ranging from early career to distinguished senior scientists, and representing multiple backgrounds. We have 21 research laboratories and offer a wide range of skillsets in the fields of geochemistry, geology, mineralogy, geophysics, hydrology, remote sensing, cartography, data science, economics, reservoir engineering, statistics, and microbiology.