Major-oxide and trace-element geochemical data from rocks collected near the Dalton Highway, Yukon River crossing, Alaska

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Frequently anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title:
Major-oxide and trace-element geochemical data from rocks collected near the Dalton Highway, Yukon River crossing, Alaska
Abstract:
Major-oxide and trace-element geochemical data from rocks collected near the Dalton Highway, Yukon River crossing, Alaska, Raw Data File 2025-29, provides major-oxide and trace-element geochemical data from rocks collected near the Dalton Highway, Yukon River Crossing, Alaska. Geologists from the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) conducted fieldwork between June and July 2016 in the Livengood D-6, C-6, and northern B-6 quadrangles, as part of the Yukon River Crossing Capital Improvement Project. The study area spans about 567 mi2 (1,458 km2) and includes a geologically complex and vulnerable segment of the Trans Alaska Pipeline and Dalton Highway. The project seeks to improve understanding of the local geology and evaluate the potential for slope instability near the Yukon River highway crossing, where a 2012 landslide occurred west of the bridge's south abutment. The team collected igneous and metamorphic rock samples and conducted whole-rock geochemical analyses, including major oxide and trace element concentrations, to define map units and assess lithologic variability relevant to slope stability and infrastructure risk. These data are provided as a Raw Data File under an open end-user license and are available on the DGGS website: http://doi.org/10.14509/31737.
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?
    Twelker, Evan, Walser, S.L., and Montayne, Simone, 2025, Major-oxide and trace-element geochemical data from rocks collected near the Dalton Highway, Yukon River crossing, Alaska: Raw Data File RDF 2025-29, 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: -149.929580
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -149.586493
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 65.753845
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 65.422686
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 2012
    Ending_Date: 2025
    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?
    This work was made possible through funding from a capital improvement project sponsored by the State of Alaska. We gratefully acknowledge the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Doyon Limited, Ban O Yeel Kon Corporation, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for providing the necessary permits to conduct this fieldwork.
  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?

The Yukon River Crossing Capital Improvement Project provides major-oxide and trace-element geochemical data from igneous and metamorphic rock samples collected near the Dalton Highway, Yukon River Crossing, Alaska. This research strengthens the safety and reliability of the Trans Alaska Pipeline and Dalton Highway by improving understanding of local geology and identifying areas at risk of slope instability. The results help protect Alaska's communities by reducing landslide hazards, ensuring secure transportation routes, and safeguarding critical energy infrastructure that supports public safety, economic stability, and resource development across the state.

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 3)
    Sample selection - DGGS staff collected fist-sized rock specimens for whole-rock major-oxide and trace-element geochemical analysis to support lithologic classification, unit correlation, and interpretation of the regional tectonic framework. They selected the least altered exposures at each site to ensure representative geochemical signatures. Staff recorded geographic coordinates for sample stations using GPS-enabled tablets and smartphones running the ESRI Field Maps application, which typically provides positional accuracy within approximately 10 meters.
    Date: 2012 (process 2 of 3)
    Sample preparation - DGGS staff trimmed samples using a rock saw to remove weathering rinds and altered areas. ALS Geochemistry then processed the samples using their PREP-31 package. The samples were crushed to greater than 70 percent passing 2 mm, and a 250 g split was pulverized to greater than 85 percent passing 75 microns.
    Date: 2012 (process 3 of 3)
    Geochemistry - ALS Geochemistry analyzed the samples for major and trace element suites using a range of specialized techniques. Platinum, palladium, and gold values were determined by 30 g fire assay with ICP-MS finish (method PGM-MS23). Major and minor oxides were measured using lithium metaborate fusion digestion and ICP-AES (method ME-ICP06), while major and trace elements, including rare-earth elements, were analyzed by lithium metaborate fusion digestion and ICP-MS (method ME-MS81). Concentrations of Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Li, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sc, and Zn were obtained through four-acid digestion and ICP-AES (method ME-4ACD81), and As, Bi, Hg, In, Re, Sb, Se, Te, and Tl were determined by aqua regia digestion followed by ICP-MS (method ME-MS42). Total carbon and sulfur were measured using a Leco furnace (methods C-IR07 and S-IR08).
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Hubbard, T.D., Koehler, R.D., Twelker, Evan, Jose, Aleena Merin, Walser, S.L., Crawford, N.E., and Barefoot, J.D., 2025, Field station locations and magnetic susceptibility data for the Yukon River Crossing Project, Alaska, collected June-July 2016: Raw Data File RDF 2025-22, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 2 p
    Koehler, R.D., 2020, Assessment of potentially active faults in the northwestern Livengood Quadrangle, Alaska: Report of Investigation RI 2020-4, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 35 p
    Koehler, R.D., Reger, R.D., Sicard, K.R., and Spangler, E.R., 2013, Yukon River bridge landslide: Preliminary geologic and geotechnical evaluation: Preliminary Interpretive Report PIR 2013-6, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 69 p
    Wolken, G.J., and Wikstrom Jones, K.M., 2019, Photogrammetry-derived digital surface model and orthoimagery of areas near the Dalton Highway, Yukon River Crossing, Alaska: Raw Data File RDF 2019-4, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 5 p

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    DGGS ensured analytical accuracy by including one standard reference material for every batch of 10 samples. ALS Geochemistry's internal quality-control procedures are accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2005.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Staff recorded geographic coordinates for sample stations using Trimble Juno T41/5 WAAS-enabled GPS devices running ArcGIS for Windows Mobile. WAAS-enabled GPS devices have a reported error of about 1 m. Latitude and longitude are reported in the NAD83 datum.
  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 2025-29
  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: 09-Dec-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 Tue Dec 09 17:23:36 2025