Metadata: Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Robert P. Kucks Publication_Date: 2005 Title: Terrestrial Radioactivity and Gamma-ray Exposure in the United States and Canada: Gridded geographic images Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20051413 Online_Linkage: https://mrdata.usgs.gov/radiometric/ Larger_Work_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Duval, Joseph S. Originator: Carson, John M. Originator: Holman, Peter B. Originator: Darnley, Arthur G. Publication_Date: 2005 Title: Terrestrial radioactivity and gamma-ray exposure in the United States and Canada Series_Information: Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report Issue_Identification: 2005-1413 Online_Linkage: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1413/ Description: Abstract: Aerial gamma-ray surveys measure the gamma-ray flux produced by the radioactive decay of the naturally occurring elements K-40, U-238, and Th-232 in the top few centimeters of rock or soil. If the gamma-ray system is properly calibrated the data can be expressed in terms of the estimated concentrations of the radioactive elements. A ternary color-composite image was generated by commercial software Geosoft Oasismontaj to map the combination of all three elements. During the period 1975-83, the U.S. Department of Energy carried out the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) Program, which included aerial gamma-ray surveys of most of the United States. These data were reprocessed to generate this product. Purpose: Because uranium, thorium, and potassium concentration data are useful in geologic studies and because the NURE data are the only nationwide database on the natural radiation environment, the U.S. Geological Survey reprocessed the aerial gamma-ray data to produce maps showing surface concentrations of potassium, uranium, and thorium for the conterminous United States. Supplemental_Information: Digital Data Series DDS-9 (CD-ROM) contains gridded radiometric geophysical data images that were created for the Decade of North American Geology (DNAG) but only available for the U.S. Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 1999 Ending_Date: 2005 Currentness_Reference: all available NURE data for the U.S. has been processed Status: Progress: Complete Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: -168.0 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -53.0 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 71.33 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 25.0 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus Theme_Keyword: aeroradiometric surveying Theme_Keyword: uranium Theme_Keyword: thorium Theme_Keyword: potassium Theme_Keyword: geospatial datasets Theme_Keyword: geophysics Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: none Place_Keyword: United States, Canada Access_Constraints: None Use_Constraints: None Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Robert P. Kucks Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing address Address: Box 25046, MS 964 Denver Federal Center City: Denver State_or_Province: CO Postal_Code: 80225-0046 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 236-1405 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: rkucks@usgs.gov Data_Set_Credit: The U.S Geological Survey reprocessed the aerial gamma-ray (NURE) data to produce maps showing surface concentrations of potassium, uranium, and thorium for the conterminous United States. These maps have been released as USGS Open-File Reports. Some of the reprocessed data have also been released in profile form. The Canadian Geological Survey data were processed by the Radiation Geophysics Section of the CGS. See Open-File Report 2005-1413 for further references. USGS employees: Duval, Riggle, and Snyder Canadian GS employees: Carson, Holman, and Darnley Native_Data_Set_Environment: The NURE data were originaly stored in ASCII format on 9-track magnetic tapes. They are currently available on the report DVD as Geosoft Oasismontaj databases (.gdb) but can be converted to ASCII form. Data_Quality_Information: Attribute_Accuracy: Attribute_Accuracy_Report: make these surveys were calibrated, many of the earlier surveys were done without calibration and conversion to the concentrations of the radioactive elements. Detailed examinations of the digital data available on magnetic tape also showed that many of the "calibrated" surveys do not match the data from other "calibrated" surveys of adjacent areas. For these reasons, the data must be corrected to obtain a consistent data base for the conterminous United States. If the gamma-ray system is properly calibrated the data can be expressed in terms of the estimated concentrations of the radioactive elements. Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment: Attribute_Accuracy_Value: 0.1 percent potassium; 0.1 ppm uranium and thorium Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation: The potassium concentration data are usually expressed in units of percent potassium (percent K). The uranium and thorium concentration data are usually expressed in units of parts per million equivalent (ppm). Logical_Consistency_Report: Although many of the airborne gamma-ray systems used to make these surveys were calibrated, many of the earlier surveys were done without calibration and conversion to the concentrations of the radioactive elements. Detailed examinations of the digital data available on magnetic tape also showed that many of the "calibrated" surveys do not match the data from other "calibrated" surveys of adjacent areas. For these reasons, the data must be corrected to obtain a consistent data base for the conterminous United States. Completeness_Report: Data coverage extends thoroughly across the conterminous US. Significant gaps exist in the coverage of Alaska, especially the area south of the North Slope but north of the Brooks Range, and the Aleutian islands. Central Canada is covered as are most of the Atlantic provinces and eastern Ontario. Large gaps exist in Quebec, the western provinces, and both northern and southwestern Ontario. Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: The accuracy was dependent on the flight specifications and tolerances of the Department of Energy during their surveying. Quantitative_Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Assessment: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Value: 100 Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Explanation: Dependent on flight positioning recovery used by NURE project Vertical_Positional_Accuracy: Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: The accuracy was dependent on the flight specifications and tolerances of the Department of Energy during their surveying. Quantitative_Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Assessment: Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Value: 100 Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Explanation: Dependent on flight positioning recovery used by NURE project Lineage: Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Duval, Joseph S. Originator: Darnley, Arthur G. (editor) Originator: Garrett, Robert G. (editor) Publication_Date: 1990 Title: Modern aerial gamma-ray spectrometry and regional potassium map of the conterminous United States Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal of Geochemical Exploration Issue_Identification: Volume 39, Issues 1-2, December 1990, pages 249-253 Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6742%2890%2990076-M Type_of_Source_Media: unknown Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 1975 Ending_Date: 1983 Source_Currentness_Reference: original data collection period for the NURE program Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Duval, Darnley, and Garrett 1990 Source_Contribution: Material re-processed to obtain the present grids Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Duval, Joseph S. Originator: Jones, William J. Originator: Riggle, Frederick R. Originator: Pitkin, James A. Publication_Date: 1990 Title: Potassium and thorium maps of the conterminous United States Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map Series_Information: Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report Issue_Identification: 90-338 Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 1975 Ending_Date: 1983 Source_Currentness_Reference: original data collection period for the NURE program Source_Citation_Abbreviation: OFR 90-338 Source_Contribution: Material re-processed to obtain the present grids Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Phillips, Jeffrey D. Originator: Duval, Joseph S. Originator: Ambroziak, Russell A. Publication_Date: 1993 Title: National geophysical data grids; gamma-ray, gravity, magnetic, and topographic data for the conterminous United States Series_Information: Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series Issue_Identification: DDS-9 Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 1975 Ending_Date: 1983 Source_Currentness_Reference: original data collection period for the NURE program Source_Citation_Abbreviation: DDS-9 Source_Contribution: Material re-processed to obtain the present grids Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Duval, Joseph S. Publication_Date: 1995 Title: Profiles of gamma-ray and magnetic data for aerial surveys over parts of the Western United States from longitude 108 to 126 degrees W. and from latitude 34 to 49 degrees N Edition: 1 Series_Information: Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series Issue_Identification: DDS-31 Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 1975 Ending_Date: 1983 Source_Currentness_Reference: original data collection period for the NURE program Source_Citation_Abbreviation: DDS-31 Release 1 Source_Contribution: Material re-processed to obtain the present grids Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Duval, Joseph S. Originator: Riggle, Frederic E. Publication_Date: 1999 Title: Profiles of gamma-ray and magnetic data from aerial surveys over the conterminous United States Edition: 2 Series_Information: Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series Issue_Identification: DDS-31 Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 1975 Ending_Date: 1983 Source_Currentness_Reference: original data collection period for the NURE program Source_Citation_Abbreviation: DDS-31 Release 2 Source_Contribution: Material re-processed to obtain the present grids Process_Step: Process_Description: The gamma-ray data were extracted from the NURE files and Canadian data sets; then projected, gridded, and displayed in a ternary form using the commercial software package Geosoft Oasis Montaj. Three elemental grids were calculated, one each for K, U, and Th, and a fourth that is the composite of each of these, referred to here as CCM. Process_Date: 2005 Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Robert P. Kucks Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing address Address: Box 25046, MS 964 Denver Federal Center City: Denver State_or_Province: CO Postal_Code: 80225-0046 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303)236-1405 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: rkucks@usgs.gov Process_Step: Process_Description: The gamma-ray absorbed dose was calculated using the equation D = 13.2 K + 5.48 eU + 2.72 eTh where K is the concentration of potassium in units of percent K, eU is the concentration of uranium in ppm, eTh is the concentration of thorium in ppm, and D is the absorbed dose in nanoGrays per hour (nGy/hr). This equation is based upon the equation published by Grasty (see OF Report). The grid of the gamma-ray absorbed dose was calculated using the grids of potassium, uranium, and thorium concentrations. That grid was then displayed in image form using the commercial software package Geosoft Oasismontaj. Process_Date: 2005 Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Robert P. Kucks Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing address Address: Box 25046, MS 964 Denver Federal Center City: Denver State_or_Province: CO Postal_Code: 80225-0046 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303)236-1405 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: rkucks@usgs.gov Spatial_Data_Organization_Information: Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Raster Raster_Object_Information: Raster_Object_Type: pixel Row_Count: 2371 Column_Count: 5823 Spatial_Reference_Information: Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: Planar: Map_Projection: Map_Projection_Name: Transverse Mercator (Spherical/DNAG) Transverse_Mercator: Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.926 Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -100.0 Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0 False_Easting: 0 False_Northing: 0 Planar_Coordinate_Information: Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: row and column Coordinate_Representation: Abscissa_Resolution: 2000 Ordinate_Resolution: 2000 Planar_Distance_Units: meters Geodetic_Model: Horizontal_Datum_Name: DNAG Ellipsoid_Name: Sphere Semi-major_Axis: 6371204.0 Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 1.0 Entity_and_Attribute_Information: Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: CCM grid cell Entity_Type_Definition: Gamma-ray flux produced by the radioactive decay of naturally occuring elements expressed in concentrations of radioactive elements Entity_Type_Definition_Source: this dataset Attribute: Attribute_Label: potassium percentage, uranium and thorium ppm Attribute_Definition: expressed in units of percent potassium (percent K) and equivalent concentration of uranium and thorium in ppm (ppm eU & ppm eTh) Attribute_Definition_Source: Duval, Darnley, and Garrett 1990 Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 100.0 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: percent of element Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1 Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: (no value) Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Cells lacking color (white) represent areas of no data in image. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: this dataset Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: K grid cell Entity_Type_Definition: Gamma-ray flux produced by the radioactive decay of naturally occuring elements, expressed in concentrations of radioactive elements Entity_Type_Definition_Source: this dataset Attribute: Attribute_Label: potassium percentage Attribute_Definition: expressed in units of percent potassium (percent K) Attribute_Definition_Source: this dataset Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 4.0 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: percent K Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1 Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: (no value) Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Cells lacking color (white) represent areas of no data in image. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: this dataset Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: Th grid cell Entity_Type_Definition: Gamma-ray flux produced by the radioactive decay of naturally occuring elements, expressed in concentrations of radioactive elements Entity_Type_Definition_Source: this dataset Attribute: Attribute_Label: thorium concentration Attribute_Definition: expressed in units of parts per million equivalent thorium (ppm eTh) Attribute_Definition_Source: this dataset Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 24.0 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: ppm eTh Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1 Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: (no value) Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Cells lacking color (white) represent areas of no data in image. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: this dataset Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: U grid cell Entity_Type_Definition: Gamma-ray flux produced by the radioactive decay of naturally occuring elements, expressed in concentrations of radioactive elements Entity_Type_Definition_Source: this dataset Attribute: Attribute_Label: uranium concentration Attribute_Definition: expressed in units of parts per million equivalent uranium (ppm eU) Attribute_Definition_Source: this dataset Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 6.0 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: ppm eU Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1 Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: (no value) Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Cells lacking color (white) represent areas of no data in image. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: this dataset Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: exp grid cell Entity_Type_Definition: Gamma-ray flux produced by the radioactive decay of naturally occuring elements, expressed in concentrations absorbed doses Entity_Type_Definition_Source: this dataset Attribute: Attribute_Label: nanoGrays per hour Attribute_Definition: gamma-ray absorbed dose rate Attribute_Definition_Source: this dataset Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 125.0 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: nanoGrays per hour Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 1 Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: (no value) Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Cells lacking color (white) represent areas of no data in image. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: this dataset Distribution_Information: Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Peter N Schweitzer Contact_Organization: USGS Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing address Address: 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive City: Reston State_or_Province: VA Postal_Code: 20192-0002 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 703-648-6533 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 703-648-6252 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pschweitzer@usgs.gov Resource_Description: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1413 Distribution_Liability: The USGS has made every effort to verify the veracity of this information, but is not liable for any inaccuracies. Standard_Order_Process: Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: OGC WMS Format_Version_Number: 1.3.0 Format_Information_Content: Uranium, Thorium, Potassium, and color composite grids Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://mrdata.usgs.gov/services/aerorad?request=getcapabilities&service=WMS&version=1.3.0& Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: GeoTIFF Format_Version_Number: 6 Format_Information_Content: Uranium Transfer_Size: 41 Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://mrdata.usgs.gov/radiometric/data/NArad_U_geog83.tif Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: GeoTIFF Format_Version_Number: 6 Format_Information_Content: Thorium Transfer_Size: 41 Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://mrdata.usgs.gov/radiometric/data/NArad_Th_geog83.tif Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: GeoTIFF Format_Version_Number: 6 Format_Information_Content: Potassium Transfer_Size: 41 Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://mrdata.usgs.gov/radiometric/data/NArad_K_geog83.tif Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: GeoTIFF Format_Version_Number: 6 Format_Information_Content: Absorbed dose Transfer_Size: 41 Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://mrdata.usgs.gov/radiometric/data/NArad_exp_geog83.tif Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: Geosoft grid Format_Information_Content: Uranium Transfer_Size: 41 Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1413/gisdata/data/NAMrad_U.grd Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: Geosoft grid Format_Information_Content: Thorium Transfer_Size: 41 Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1413/gisdata/data/NAMrad_Th.grd Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: Geosoft grid Format_Information_Content: Potassium Transfer_Size: 41 Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1413/gisdata/data/NAMrad_K.grd Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: Geosoft grid Format_Information_Content: Absorbed dose Transfer_Size: 41 Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1413/gisdata/data/NAMrad_exp.grd Fees: none Metadata_Reference_Information: Metadata_Date: 20210721 Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Peter N Schweitzer Contact_Organization: USGS Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing address Address: 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive City: Reston State_or_Province: VA Postal_Code: 20192-0002 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 703-648-6533 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 703-648-6252 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pschweitzer@usgs.gov Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998