USGS to Begin Low-level Helicopter Flights Over Eastern Oregon in October

The U.S. Geological Survey announced that low-level helicopter flights will begin in October over eastern Oregon to image geology using airborne geophysical technology. The flights are a collaborative effort between the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.

The survey will cover a portion of the Blue Mountains across Baker, Crook, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Umatilla, and Union counties. Historical mining records within the survey area indicated a broad distribution of critical minerals including antimony, chromium, cobalt, copper, nickel, silver, tungsten, and zinc, in addition to precious and base metals.

The survey extends a prior Earth MRI survey to capture large portions of the Northeast Oregon - Idaho Massive Sulfide focus area and the entire Canyon Mountain Complex chromite system in Grant County. It will also provide key subsurface data for geologic hydrogen and geothermal resources.

The USGS has contracted New Sense Geophysics and the Merrick-Surdex Joint Venture to collect the airborne magnetic and radiometric data. Helicopters will fly along pre-planned flight lines spaced 660 feet apart at a height of 330 feet. The AS350 helicopters will be equipped with sensors housed in an elongated stinger extending from the cabin or skids.

The scientific instruments are completely passive with no emissions that pose a risk to humans, animals, or plant life. No photography or video data will be collected. The surveys will be conducted during daylight hours only.

Jamey Jones, science coordinator for the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, said partnership with state surveys helps accomplish national goals like mapping the critical minerals the U.S. needs. Dr. Ruarri Day-Stirrat, Oregon State Geologist and Director of DOGAMI, said the survey is of significant scale and in an area that has been a department focus for some years.

The data collected will be made freely available to the public on the USGS ScienceBase website.