Geochemical data from samples collected in 2024 for the Chena and Steese projects, Big Delta, Circle, Fairbanks, and Livengood quadrangles, Alaska

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Frequently anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title:
Geochemical data from samples collected in 2024 for the Chena and Steese projects, Big Delta, Circle, Fairbanks, and Livengood quadrangles, Alaska
Abstract:
Geochemical data from samples collected in 2024 for the Chena and Steese projects, Big Delta, Circle, Fairbanks, and Livengood quadrangles, Alaska, Raw Data File 2025-17, presents major oxide and trace element geochemistry of igneous, metamorphic, and potentially mineralized rocks collected during the 2024 field season as part of the Steese and Chena projects. Geologists from DGGS conducted 1:100,000-scale bedrock geologic mapping across a 9,635 km2 (~3,720 mi2) area of the Yukon-Tanana Uplands in eastern Interior Alaska, encompassing portions of the Big Delta, Circle, Fairbanks, and Livengood quadrangles. A total of 2,024 samples were collected to support these projects, which are funded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI) program. The work contributes to the modernization of geologic mapping in the region and supports mineral resource exploration efforts in Interior Alaska. This data file is released as a Raw Data File with an open end-user license. The data are available from the DGGS website: http://doi.org/10.14509/31692.
Supplemental_Information:
geochemistry-download:    Digital data available through the Alaska Geochemistry database online. Download files include data, analytical methods, and detection limits.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Moshrefzadeh, Jamshid, Acosta, M.D., Barrera, M.L., Buchanan, J.W., Naibert, T.J., Newberry, R.J., Norwood, L.P., Regan, S.P., Szumigala, D.J., and Twelker, Evan, 2025, Geochemical data from samples collected in 2024 for the Chena and Steese projects, Big Delta, Circle, Fairbanks, and Livengood quadrangles, Alaska: Raw Data File RDF 2025-17, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 3 p.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -148.392677
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -143.814911
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 65.491436
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 64.678826
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Calendar_Date: 2024
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: csv
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a point data set.
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is NAD83.
      The ellipsoid used is GRS 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222101.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    geochemistry-download
    Digital data available through the Alaska Geochemistry database online. Download files include data, analytical methods, and detection limits. (Source: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS))

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    The DGGS Chena and Steese projects are funded by the State of Alaska and the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative program under Cooperative Agreement numbers G24AC00323 and G23AC00372. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government.
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    Metadata Manager
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    (907)451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (https://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.

Why was the data set created?

These geochemical analyses aid updating and modernizing geologic mapping of the Yukon Tanana Uplands region and to promote mineral resource exploration in Interior Alaska

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2024 (process 1 of 4)
    Field data collection - During the 2024 field season, DGGS geologists conducted 1:100,000-scale bedrock geologic mapping of a 9,635 km2 (~3,720 mi2) area of the Yukon-Tanana Uplands of eastern Interior Alaska, including parts of the Big Delta, Circle, Fairbanks, and Livengood quadrangles. Geologists collected representative rock samples for whole-rock major-oxide and trace-element geochemistry to aid in the classification of rock units, correlation of units over the map area, and understanding of the tectonic setting. They obtained sample locations using GPS-enabled tablets and smartphones running the Esri Field Maps App, which has a reported error of approximately 10 m.
    Date: 2024 (process 2 of 4)
    Sample selection - The samples collected and analyzed for this report can be separated into two groups: those collected for whole-rock major-oxide, minor-oxide, and trace-element analyses (MOX), and those collected for trace-element geochemistry (GX) based on the presence of visible mineralization or alteration. MOX samples are igneous, metaigneous, or metasedimentary rocks that show little alteration or weathering. Analyzing MOX samples helps to determine rock types and petrogenesis, protoliths of metamorphic rocks, and tectonic settings. Conversely, GX samples are specifically collected based on the presence of mineralization and/or alterations, as these will help determine and characterize the potential mineral resources of the mapping areas. Field descriptions of the samples accompany the analytical data; however, these descriptions have not been reviewed for consistency with the geochemical results.
    Date: 2024 (process 3 of 4)
    Sample preparation - DGGS staff removed weathering and other heterogeneities from rock samples before sending them for MOX analysis. DGGS did not cut GX samples after collection. Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) Geochemistry processed and analyzed all samples. Samples were crushed to greater than 70 percent passing 2 mm, with a 250 g split pulverized to greater than 85 percent passing 75 microns. All samples were processed and analyzed by Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd. Mineral Laboratories (BV). All samples were crushed to greater than 70 percent passing through a 2-mm screen, and a 250-g split was pulverized to greater than 85 percent passing through a 75-micron screen (BV package PRP70-250).
    Date: 2024 (process 4 of 4)
    Geochemistry - Whole-rock major- and minor-oxide geochemistry were analyzed by lithium borate fusion digestion and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) (ME-ICP06 routine of ALS Geochemistry). Trace and rare-earth elements were analyzed using lithium metaborate fusion digestion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (ME-MS81, ME-MS61L, and MS61L-REE routines of ALS Geochemistry). Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Li, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sc, and Zn were determined by four-acid digestion and ICP-AES (ME-4ACD81 routine of ALS Geochemistry); and As, Bi, Hg, In, Re, Sb, Se, Te, and Tl were determined by aqua regia digestion followed by ICP-MS (ME-MS42 routine of ALS Geochemistry). Total C and S were analyzed by Leco furnace (C-IR07 and S-IR08, routines of ALS Geochemistry, respectively). Pt, Pd, and Au were determined by fire assay with ICP-MS finish (Au-ICP21 and PGM-MS23, precious metals routines of ALS Geochemistry). B was analyzed using a sodium peroxide fusion and ICP-MS finish (B-MS82L routine of ALS; Wypych and others, 2022, 2023).
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Moshrefzadeh, J.A., Buchanan, J.W., Naibert, T.J., Twelker, Evan, Newberry, R.J., Szumigala, D.J., Barrera, M.L., Norwood, L.P., Acosta, M.D., and Regan, S.P., 2025, Field station locations and magnetic susceptibility data collected in 2024 for the Chena and Steese projects, Yukon-Tanana Uplands, Alaska: Raw Data File RDF 2025-5, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 5 p
    Moshrefzadeh, J.A., and Newberry, R.J., 2025, Electron probe microanalyzer data collected on samples from the Chena and Steese projects, Yukon-Tanana Uplands, Alaska: Raw Data File RDF 2025-13, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 6 p

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    In addition to BV Mineral Laboratories' accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) internal quality-control program, DGGS monitored analysis quality with one reference-material standard per batch of 20 analyses.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Location data were collected using GPS-enabled tablets and smartphones running the ESRI Field Maps App. The devices have a reported error of about 10 m.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    This data releaase is complete.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Not applicable

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints:
This report, map, and/or dataset is available directly from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (see contact information below).
Use_Constraints:
Any hard copies or published datasets utilizing these datasets shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way, the user is obligated to describe the types of modifications the user has made. The user specifically agrees not to misrepresent these datasets, nor to imply that changes made by the user were approved by the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. The State of Alaska makes no express or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    Metadata Manager
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    (907)451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (https://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? RDF 2025-17
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    The State of Alaska makes no expressed or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 03-Sep-2025
Metadata author:
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Attn: Simone Montayne
Metadata Manager
3354 College Road
Fairbanks, AK
USA

(907)451-5020 (voice)
(907)451-5050 (FAX)
dggspubs@alaska.gov
Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Metadata extensions used:

Generated by mp version 2.9.50 on Wed Sep 03 17:33:00 2025