Geologic studies in the Bering Sea have resulted in the discovery of 

 a gold deposit on the sea floor near Nome and in a tentative 

 understanding of gold dispersal. In other parts of the Bering Sea, 

 between 15 and 20 prospective areas for oil and gas have been 

 located. The largest single structures that may have trapped oil are 

 as large as the southern San Joaquin Valley in California. 



In the Gulf of Alaska theoretical predictions that large amounts of 

 the sea floor have been incorporated into the continental slope have 

 been confirmed by observations. An unexpected finding is that these 

 deep sea sediments may be potentially petroliferous. Their organic 

 content and the probability of large reservoirs has raised the 

 possibility that accumulations of oil may exist under the continental 

 slope. Environmental studies in the Gulf of Alaska suggest that 

 many of the structures which may be traps for oil and gas on other 

 parts of the continental shelf are actively growing, possibly in 

 connection with the large earthquakes of that region, and indicate 

 that special design considerations may be needed for offshore 

 construction. 



Off Oregon and Washington, extensive sampling of the sea floor 

 has delineated areas of potential placer deposits. Studies made of 

 open ocean environmental processes are resulting in an initial 

 understanding of open coastline ecosystems. 



In the Gulf of Mexico, a major salt dome area on the continental 

 slope has been delineated. These domes and their related structures 

 have a high potential for oil and gas entrapment. Environmental 

 studies uncovered some important processes responsible for 

 maintaining stable, nearshore barrier islands. Much has been 

 learned about the effects of hurricanes on the shallow sea floor and 

 within three of the estuaries along the Texas coast. Concentrations 

 of zinc, cadmium, lead, and copper were mapped; the reasons for 

 anomalous high concentrations of these elements can be explained 

 on the basis of currents and seasonal processes. Other studies of 

 currents along the coast provide the first basic data on the possible 

 trajectories of oil spills should they occur. 



Along the Atlantic margin, in the OCS areas of Georges Bank and 

 the Baltimore Canyon, an understanding of the origin of the thick 

 sedimentary sections that are promising for oil and gas is 

 developing. In addition, small pilot environmental studies in 

 offshore New England and in the prospective areas are the 

 precursors of larger studies for offshore energy facility siting in 

 these and other open shelf areas. 



Other studies of basic geologic and environmental processes 

 parallel USGS active lines of applied research. Unique sea floor 

 structures in sediments of areas with abundant sea ice result from 

 various processes related to the arctic ice pack. Another 



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