USGS schedules low-level geology survey over central Texas

The U.S. Geological Survey said low-level airplane flights would begin in early November over central Texas to image geology with airborne geophysical technology. The work was set to map critical minerals, energy resources and earthquake hazards.

The flights were a collaborative effort between the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative and the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology. The agency said Earth MRI was intended to modernize the nation’s maps of geology and mineral resources and identify energy and groundwater resources and natural hazards.

Jamey Jones, science coordinator for the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, said partnerships with state surveys helped map critical minerals needed by the U.S. He said the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology was adding state knowledge about water resources, hazards and the resource economy.

Texas State Geologist Lorena Moscardelli, director of the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, said the 2026 airborne geophysical survey was one of the largest efforts of its kind in the state. It was to target the Llano Uplift because of the region’s potential to support domestic supplies of critical minerals and rare earth elements.

The survey was to cover the Llano Uplift area, with a focus area for graphite used in advanced batteries. Historical mining records indicated that rare earth elements, tantalum, niobium and tungsten were present. The work would also inform priorities including a silver-lead-zinc focus area and groundwater resources controlled by regional faults.

Data collection was set to include magnetic and radiometric information along pre-planned flight lines spaced 660 feet (200 meters) apart. The nominal terrain clearance was 330 feet (100 meters). The USGS had contracted NV5 to collect the data. The agency said the instruments were passive, posed no risk to humans, animals or plant life, and would collect no photography or video.

Flights would operate during daylight hours from Llano Municipal County Airport over Blanco, Burnet, Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble, Lampasas, Llano, McCulloch, Mason, Menard and San Saba counties. Experienced pilots would work with the FAA to ensure safe flights under U.S. law. The collected data would be made freely available through the USGS ScienceBase website.