U of I scientists help map Idaho’s subsurface in new USGS dataset

MOSCOW, Idaho — A new geophysical dataset is giving researchers an unprecedented look beneath east-central Idaho, revealing subsurface geology in a region with strong potential for critical mineral resources. The dataset was released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in collaboration with the Idaho Geological Survey (IGS), a state agency housed within University of Idaho’s Office of Research and Economic Development.

Collected using low-flying aircraft equipped with specialized sensors, the dataset includes aeromagnetic and radiometric data — tools that measure small changes in the Earth’s magnetic field and tiny amounts of natural radiation given off by different types of rock. Because different rocks give off different signals, scientists can use this data to piece together a map of what’s underground.

“This type of data helps us understand what’s happening below the surface,” said Claudio Berti, state geologist and IGS director. “By combining magnetic and radiometric signals, we can identify different rock types, inform our geologic mapping at the surface and build a much clearer picture of the subsurface.”

The newly released data complement a 2022 USGS survey focused on the greater Idaho cobalt belt. Together, the datasets provide an unprecedented view of the region’s geology and improve understanding of areas that may contain critical minerals. To explore the dataset, visit the Science Base Catalog at doi.org/10.5066/P13KJMHH.

The project was funded through the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, or Earth MRI, a federal program designed to improve knowledge of domestic mineral resources. Interest in critical minerals — essential for energy technologies, electronics and national security — has grown as the United States seeks to reduce reliance on foreign sources.

“Idaho has significant potential for critical mineral resources,” Berti said. “These data help identify areas that may warrant further study and give researchers, industry professionals and decision-makers better information to guide their work.”

While the dataset can support mineral exploration, it does not directly lead to mining. Instead, it serves as a foundational tool for a wide range of applications, including groundwater studies, geologic hazard identification and environmental planning.

“This work is funded largely because of strong interest in mineral exploration, but the applications are much broader,” Berti said. “We use the same data to better understand faults, groundwater systems and the overall geology of the region.”

The survey marks the first time high-resolution airborne geophysical data of this kind have been made publicly available across this portion of Idaho, providing access to information that has traditionally been available only to private industry.

As part of U of I’s Office of Research and Economic Development, the IGS collects and shares geologic data to support research, education and decision-making across the state. Researchers have been actively working in the region in recent years, conducting mapping and compiling datasets that complement the new release.

“This is part of a larger push to bring modern data to areas where it has been lacking,” Berti said. “Better data ultimately supports better decisions — whether that’s for resource development, hazard mitigation or water management.”

To learn more about ongoing geophysical projects in Idaho, visit the USGS Earth MRI Viewer at ngmdb.usgs.gov/emri.

Media contact

Claudio Berti
Director and State Geologist
Idaho Geological Survey
208-885-7479
cberti@uidaho.edu