Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions:

Application to Neogene bimodal igneous rocks and

mineral resources in the Great Basin

Douglas B. Yager1*, Albert H. Hofstra1*, Katheryn Fifarek2*, and Ank Webbers3*

1
Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center, Box 25046, MS 973,
Denver, Colorado 80225, USA
2
Department of Geology, Mailcode 4324, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA
3
516 Orchard Way, Louisville, Colorado 80027, USA

ABSTRACT and various subsamples. Absolute radiomet- INTRODUCTION

Geologists routinely use sample data
(descriptive, qualitative, quantitative) to
characterize a hierarchy of larger geologic
features that each have their own indepen-
dent attributes, use physical relationships
between geologic features to establish their
relative ages, combine this information with
dated features to understand evolutionary
histories of study areas at various scales,
and produce maps to display such informa-
tion in space and time relative to other fea-
tures of interest. This paper demonstrates
how we integrated such routine geologic
functions into an existing igneous rock
relational database designed to store, orga-
nize, update, query, and retrieve sample
data that have well-defined locations. The
resulting igneous rock database is utilized
to capture information on Neogene bimodal
igneous rocks in northern Nevada and the
eastern Great Basin Province. The database
is a useful tool that facilitates queries to
generate geographical information system
displays and petrologic plots that elucidate
the time-space-composition relationships of
volcanic centers to one another and to geo-
physical anomalies, structural features, and
mineral deposits.
Database information is parsed into the
following data tables: physical hierarchy of
scale, absolute and relative age, chemistry,
paleomagnetic, rock mode, image, cross sec-
tion, X-ray diffraction, and igneous-related
structure. Information is organized in a tele-
scoping geologic hierarchy schema: igneous
province, volcanic field, volcanic system or
caldera, extrusive flow or intrusion, sample,
ric age determinations on samples from geo-
logic features and expert interpretations of
relative age relationships between different
features may be captured and used together
to constrain the ages of undated features.
Such age information is linked to features
of various scales in the hierarchy. Common
attributes that are shared between the rela-
tional database and geographic informa-
tion system (GIS) features include feature-
identification or sample-identification, and
they permit linking of geographic entities
and tabular data for query, analysis, and dis-
play in GIS or derivative tables.
Relational database keys merge analyti-
cal, map, and image data across this geologic
hierarchy-age-location schema to facilitate
queries that address geologic problems. Data
acquired at the sample scale of observation
is linked to increasingly larger features that
have their own independent attributes using
GIS. This schema enables users to retrieve
information on one or more hierarchical
features for input into external software
for various GIS, statistical, petrologic, and
other display, analysis, or comparison pur-
poses. Fundamental interpretations result-
ing from such analyses or displays, e.g., rock
classification, may be used to populate addi-
tional fields in the database. The database is
designed for flexibility and can accommodate
information resulting from both detailed and
reconnaissance studies. The geologic func-
tions that were developed and that we added
to an existing igneous rock database (Lehnert
et al., 2000) for this study have wide appli-
cability and could readily be integrated into
other geoscience databases.
Now that GIS is fully implemented for
Windows-based software platforms on personal
computers and has interoperability with rela-
tional databases, a new realm for data investiga-
tion, display, and analysis is available to earth
scientists. GIS enables data to be input, man-
aged (in a database management system), ana-
lyzed, and output as derivative maps and tables.
The relational database enables data retrieval
between logically designed tables that are linked
through a common relational join item such
as a unique sample-identification or feature-
identification. Relational database functional-
ity permits users to construct Structured Query
Language (SQL) queries that retrieve data from
linked tables in organized ways for analysis and
display in GIS software.
User-friendly relational databases that store
information specific to igneous rocks are rela-
tively new. Web-based portals can now access
solid earth geochemical data and visualization
tools for igneous rocks (Walker et al., 2004;
Lehnert et al., 2003). GEOROC, PetDB, and
NAVDAT that are part of the EarthChem web-
based portal (Lehnert et al., 2003), in particular,
utilize a relational database schema that facili-
tates query and retrieval of geochemical data
on samples. Lehnert et al.’s (2000) database
structure is very robust for managing geochemi-
cal sample level data; therefore we build upon
much of their schema in our database. As earth
scientists continue to link GIS systems and other
applications to igneous rock or other geologic
databases, either directly from individual PC’s or
via internet resources such as the western North
American volcanic rock database NAVDAT,
http://navdat.kgs.ku.edu/ (Walker et al., 2004) or

*Emails: Yager: dyager@usgs.gov; Hofstra: ahofstra@usgs.gov; Fifarek: kfifarek@geo.siu.edu; Webbers: awebbers@comcast.net.

Geosphere; October 2010; v. 6; no. 5; p. 691–730; doi: 10.1130/GES00516.1; 35 figures; 3 tables; 1 appendix figure; 1 appendix table.

For permission to copy, contact editing@geosociety.org

691
© 2010 Geological Society of America

the EARTHCHEM portal, http://www.earthchem
.org/ (Lehnert et al., 2003), there is a need to
implement data structures that permit geologists
to use these resources in an efficient and logical
manner to address a geologic question or prob-
lem that utilizes fundamental geologic principles.
Geologists commonly approach a geologic
problem from multiple scales of observation
using all available data sources pertaining to
features having various ages, composition, and
geographic distribution. In order to investigate
a geologic question, Earth scientists commonly
require ready access to (a) the total number and
types of geochemical information available for a
magmatic center or unit, aiding in the identifica-
tion of data-rich areas and areas that have data
gaps, (b) isotopic and relative age information,
as well as the best or highest precision ages avail-
able, (c) geochemical data on major-, trace-, and
rare-earth-element concentrations for analysis
in petrologic discrimination and classification
diagrams, (d) isotopic data that can be used for
interpreting magma genesis, crustal assimila-
tion, and differentiation processes, among other
petrologic issues, and (e) a map, or GIS, that can
be used to place geologic features of multiple
scale in geographic context. Thus we designed
our database with all the aforementioned data
types in mind, and we constructed it in a way
that would facilitate queries on samples as well
as progressively larger igneous features such
as units, centers, fields, and provinces, or geo-
Figure 1. Conceptual geo-hierarchy illustrating large to small
features. GIS commands permit joining attribute tables of small
and large features. Each geo-hierarchy feature contains a user- or
GIS-assigned attribute name and numeric code. Linked name and
numeric codes enable selection of specific features, e.g., rift, vol-
canic field, caldera, or unit for comparison between hierarchies.
692
Yager et al.
graphic areas of interest (geo-hierarchy of Yager
and Hofstra, 2004).
Our database is able to store and manipulate
the multiple data types discussed above such as
physical hierarchy-of-scale, relative and absolute
ages, geochemical analyses, rock modes, scanned
cross sections, maps, and images from the prov-
ince to inclusion level of observation. To manage
the physical hierarchy of scale, our schema uses a
nested set approach similar to Celko (2004), where
the largest size features can have multiple, nested,
smaller size features in the hierarchy (Fig. 1). In
addition, we provide database placeholders to
capture expert knowledge regarding fundamental
geologic field relationships and interpretations
useful for determining relative ages of features
when absolute ages are unknown or uncertain.
The resulting GIS-linked relational database
is used to compile and organize information
for the bimodal (basalt-rhyolite) igneous suite
of rocks in a large area of northern Nevada that
also contains broadly coeval low sulfidation
Au-Ag deposits (Fig. 2) (John, 2001; Leavitt et
al., 2004). We have also imported geochemical
data for the eastern Great Basin Province that
we compare to northern Nevada data in the
Database Applications section below. In north-
ern Nevada, bimodal igneous rocks with minor
intermediate composition rocks are thought to
be related to the Yellowstone Hot Spot and were
deposited between 17 Ma and the Holocene
(LeMasurier, 1968; Christiansen and Yeats,
Geosphere, October 2010
1992; Wallace, 1993; Ludington et al., 1996;
John, 2001; John et al., 2003; Wallace, 2003).
Great Basin bimodal igneous rocks are broadly
characterized by basaltic and rhyolitic end-
member compositions. Ages and compositions
of the bimodal suite, however, vary in age and
composition across the Great Basin Province.
They include ages and compositions of 22 Ma
to Holocene high-silica and high fluorine topaz
rhyolites (Christiansen et al., 1986), 14–17 Ma
peralkaline to tholeiitic volcanics and intru-
sions, and Neogene alkali basalts. The younger
eruptives (3–11 Ma) are mostly alkali-olivine
basalts (Leeman and Rogers, 1970).
Information on bimodal igneous rocks was
retrieved and organized from legacy U.S. Geo-
logical Survey geochemistry data archives
(Granitto et al., 2005) and from published pro-
fessional and academic sources. Most of the
information compiled is from bimodal igneous
rocks along the Northern Nevada Rift (NNR).
In the latter part of the paper, we demonstrate
and use the geologic functions of the database
to query, retrieve, and display important time-
space-composition relationships between dif-
ferent bimodal igneous features and geophysi-
cal anomalies, structural features, and mineral
deposits in northern Nevada.
This work was undertaken to help fulfill a
goal of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Metal-
logeny of the Great Basin (MGB) project to
develop a compilation of existing geologic,
structural, geochemical, and geophysical data
to enhance understanding of the multiple factors
that influenced mineral deposit formation (Hof-
stra and Wallace, 2006).
We anticipate that our GIS-linked database
will be used to store additional information on
the bimodal suite from surrounding areas as well
as information on the other igneous rock suites
in the Great Basin for comparison and analysis.
Populated Database Tables
and Completeness
The primary database tables that are popu-
lated store sample and geochemical analyses-
related information for rocks collected in several
areas throughout the study area. While tables
such as the HIERARCHY, HIERARCHY_SUMMARY,
and IMAGE tables are only sparsely populated,
several tables remain unpopulated.1 Many of
1
A list of unpopulated tables follows: MINERAL;
MINERAL MODE; INCLUSION; XRAYDIFFRACTION; STAN-
DARD; FRACT_CORRECT; ANALYSIS_SEMIQUANT; DATA_
QUALITY; METHOD_PRECISION; NORM; NORMALIZATION;
NORMALIZATION_LIST; UNIT_REGIONAL_STRUCTURE;
STRUCTURE_SITE; PALEOMAG; STRATIGRAPHIC_SECTION;
ENVIRONMENTAL_PROPERTIES; UNIT_REGIONAL_MOR-
PHOLOGY; RELATIVE_AGE; INTERPRETED_MODELED.
 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions

the unpopulated tables are from Lehnert et al.
(2000). Additional unpopulated tables were
newly designed as placeholders to store data
that are commonly acquired for igneous rocks,
e.g., PALEOMAG, but are currently unavailable.
These tables are also provided as a basis of
thought for the types of information researchers
may want to populate or modify that may be
tailored for a specific research purpose. It is the
authors’ hope that this database will be used and
augmented with additional data collected for
the bimodal igneous assemblage. Note that, due
to size constraints, the Microsoft Access rela-
tional database does not appear with this paper.
It is saved as: Yager_and_others_database.zip
and can be found at ftp://rock.geosociety.org/
books/Yager/.
Database Design
Conceptual Data Model
The conceptual design identifies the logical
complement of all data and data types that will
assure our database will be used and useful for
geoscientists, e.g., sample location, historical
references, rock type, and rock age. Three design
resolution data (maps, units, samples, inclu-
sions) correspond to the trunk-limb-branch-leaf.
Reference information pertains to all parts of the
database (Generalized database schema, Fig. 3).
Examples of such geo-hierarchical features are
described below, from large to small.
Very Large Physiographic or
Igneous Provinces
In this study, the Great Basin is the largest
(500,000 km2) physiographic area of interest
in the geo-hierarchy (Fig. 2). It is bounded by
other physiographic provinces: the Cascade
Range to the north and west, the Sierra Nevada
mountain range to the west, the Snake River
Plain to the north, the Colorado Plateau to the
east and southeast, and the Sierra Madre Occi-
dental igneous province that extends south into
Mexico. Within the Great Basin study area,
125°
N
Low Sulfidation Ag-Au deposits
examples of large igneous provinces include
the subduction-related Western andesite prov-
ince and the mantle plume-related bimodal
basalt-rhyolite province (Fig. 2). Mantle plume
impingement at ca. 17 Ma resulted in eruption
of the voluminous Steens and Columbia River
continental flood basalts that cover an area
greater than 160,000 km2 in Idaho and Oregon
(Pierce and Morgan, 1992; Hooper, 1997).
Large Volcano-Tectonic Features
The Northern Nevada Rift (NNR) is a longitu-
dinally continuous, structural and igneous feature
in the MGB study area. It is outlined by western
and eastern magnetic anomalies, rather than by
a single, linear magnetic trend, and it extends
for as much as 500–600 km from north to south
(Figs. 2 and 4). It is thought to have formed
during impingement of a mantle plume, in a
120° 115°

elements are particularly germane to our rela- Miocene to Holocene

tional database: (a) geo-hierarchy, (b) absolute Bimodal (basalt-rhyolite)
suite of igneous rocks
ages, and (c) relative ages. We use geo-hierarchy
to organize information that pertains to any scal- Columbia River and
Steens Mountain basalt 45° Great
able geologic or geographic physical feature. flows and dikes Basin
Such features are modeled in GIS as points, Province
lines, polygons, and images. These features and NNR Northern Nevada Rift

their associated attributes are compiled in the 0.706

Western Andesite Assemblage
relational database. Below, we show how GIS
is used to assign database attributes to a geo- USGS MGB Project area
hierarchy feature and how GIS and SQL queries
are used to retrieve a feature’s relative age.
40°
GEO-HIERARCHY NNR

Earth scientists develop their interpretations

of a geologic problem from lab- and field-based
observations on geographic areas, geologic fea-
tures, events, and processes that span a wide
range of scale within a time-space framework.
We use the general term geo-hierarchy to
describe such features as a function of scale in 35°
a time-space framework. Geologic features can
be thought of in terms of a telescoping scale
of observation, from large to small areas of
interest, or vice versa. While this is not a new 0 300 km
concept to geologists, it is new to earth science
databases that commonly do not store this type
of information. The data pertaining to differ- Figure 2. Distribution of Miocene to Holocene basalt and bimodal igneous rocks in western
ent parts of the geo-hierarchy are analogous to North America relative to low-sulfidation Au-Ag deposits and the 87Sr/86Sr 0.706 isopleth
the different parts of a tree and are categorized (green dashed line). The Great Basin (red dashed line), state boundaries (thin black dashed
accordingly. Coarse resolution data (e.g., large lines), and the U.S. Geological Survey Metallogeny of the Great Basin Province (MGB)
geographic area or large geologic feature) are study area (blue box) are also shown. Data compiled thus far for the bimodal igneous suite
the root of the geo-hierarchy; progressively finer of rocks mostly from sites within the MGB study area. Modified from John (2001).

Geosphere, October 2010 693


transtensional stress regime, with consequent rift-
ing of the crust that localized basalt-rhyolite mag-
matism (Zoback and Thompson, 1978). Its prom-
inent magnetic expression is exemplified by the
eastern (EmagNNR) and western (WmagNNR)
limbs of a north-south trending anomaly (Fig. 4)
that is inferred to represent magnetic, middle
Miocene igneous rocks that have intruded into
extensional fractures. NNR-related extensional
fractures have localized both bimodal magmatic
Figure 3. Generalized physical design schema. Detailed schema is in Appendix A.
694
Yager et al.
centers and concurrent epithermal gold-silver
deposits (Wallace and John, 1998; John and Wal-
lace, 2000; John et al., 2000; John, 2001; Glen
and Ponce, 2002; John et al., 2003).
Volcanic Field
An example of a somewhat smaller igne-
ous feature in the database geo-hierarchy is the
Santa Rosa volcanic field (LeMasurier, 1968;
Geosphere, October 2010
Hart and Brueseke, 2004; Brueseke and Hart,
2008). The Santa Rosa volcanic field forms
part of the Santa Rosa Mountain range, which
extends for 120 km from north to south and
occurs at the north end of the NNR between the
eastern and western NNR magnetic anomalies
that are described in Glen and Ponce (2002).
Caldera. Calderas are examples of smaller
features in the geo-hierarchy. The 20-km-
diameter McDermitt caldera, west of the Santa
Rosa volcanic field, formed between 15.5 and
16.1 Ma (Conrad, 1984; Rytuba and Mckee,
1984; Zoback et al., 1994; Rytuba et al., 2004;
Hales et al., 2005). The McDermitt caldera rep-
resents one of the early silicic calderas that form
along the Yellowstone hot spot track (Pierce and
Morgan, 1992; Zoback et al., 1994).
Unit. Ignimbrite cooling units, individual
dikes, and flows that can be mapped or corre-
lated within volcanic fields or traced to caldera
sources represent yet finer resolution data. An
example is a correlative ash flow tuff erupted
from the McDermitt caldera.
Sample. The finest resolution data stored in
the database is for information on hand speci-
mens and subsamples. For example, whole rock
chemical analyses of samples from a McDermitt
caldera eruptive unit show that it is peralkaline
in composition and the redox state of the magma
can be elucidated by electron microprobe analy-
ses of Fe-Ti oxide minerals (Fig. 4).
Assigning Database Geo-Hierarchy Names
and Codes Using GIS
A well-populated and clearly coded data-
base enables GIS queries that can select and
sort features for comparison within or across
geo-hierarchies of interest. Conceptually, per-
haps the best way to visualize how a GIS links
attributes to features at various scales is with the
simple graphic in Figure 5. This nested Boolean
relationship depicts how small features inherit
attributes from progressively larger features in
the geo-hierarchy. At the same time, each fea-
ture in the geo-hierarchy typically has its own
unique set of attributes.
The stepwise approach depicted in Figure 5
is used to define and assign attributes to the
various smaller or larger parts of the geo-
hierarchy. Initially, existing digital and printed
geologic and geophysical maps are compiled
and used to delimit the bimodal suite of igne-
ous rocks and their geophysical expression
in the MGB study area. Source data for the
geo-hierarchy is from published hardcopy
and digital data (Stewart and Carlson, 1978;
Wallace, 1993; John and Wrucke, 2002; Glen
et al., 2004; Crafford, 2007). Geo-hierarchy
names are then assigned to the representative
 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions

parts of the nested data-polygons: (HIERARCHY_
LEVEL_NAME) and hierarchy level number (HIER-
ARCHY_LEVEL_NUM) codes. The GIS ArcInfo
“IDENTITY” command joins attributes of
point and polygon features with attributes
from polygons that represent features of mul-
tiple scale in the geo-hierarchy. Once features
are fully attributed, GIS queries can be used to
select and sort information pertinent to indi-
vidual features on the basis of their position
in the geo-hierarchy. This facilitates compari-
sons between similar-sized igneous features
and provides context for a sample contained
within a larger feature of interest.
Assigning Attributes from Interpretive
External Digital Data Sets
The same Boolean GIS intersection approach
described above can be used to attach attributes
to features from external interpreted GIS data
sets. One such data set contains interpretations
of NNR geophysical data (Glen et al., 2004)
(Fig. 6). This data set permits geophysical
domain descriptions and associated database
table attributes to be assigned to a feature that
intersects these domains.
ABSOLUTE AGE INFORMATION
Geologic age information is fundamental
data that geologists must be able to retrieve and
interpret. Ages are classified into two general

Figure 4. (A) Nevada and features representing parts of the geo-hierarchy within the bimodal igneous province in the study area. Eastern
(EmagNNR) and western (WmagNNR) magnetic expression of the NNR and associated hierarchy level numbers (described in Hierar-
chy module section ); SRV—Santa Rosa Volcanic Field; MC—McDermitt caldera complex. (B) 1:24,000-scale Izzenhood Geologic Map
(John and Wrucke, 2002). (C) Sratigraphic section of Mule Canyon Sequence (John et al., 2003). (D) Outcrop photo of unit “Tob” Oliv-
ine Basalt of John and Wrucke (2002). (E) Thin section of unit Tob; black rectangle is area of intensive study by U.S. Geological Survey.

Geosphere, October 2010 695

 Yager et al.
categories—absolute and relative. Absolute Relative ages are derived from expert inter-
ages are further subdivided into precise and pretations based on observations of stra-
imprecise determinations with different degrees tigraphy, crosscutting relationships, and
of analytical uncertainty. Precise dates involve correlations between geologic features.
isotopic dating methods with 2σ uncertainties of Our database schema permits storage and
tens- to hundreds-of-thousands of years. retrieval of relative age information (using
Absolute ages are straightforward to use in RELATIVE_AGE_TYPE attributes in the RELATIVE_
a relational database because a SQL query can AGE table; Appendixes A and B) that draws
select data on a sample or samples represent- on long-established geologic methods and
ing a specific numeric age or age range and can concepts that are often missing in earth-
include only precise ages. In this way, ages hav- science databases.
ing large analytical uncertainty can be excluded For example, a field geologist relies on
if more precise data is available. multiple observations at the sample, site, and
outcrop scale to determine a feature’s relative
RELATIVE AGE INFORMATION age. At the outcrop scale, physical observa-
tions of weathering tendency, mineral type,
Relative ages present a different combina- habit and abundance, erosional surfaces, and
tion of database and geospatial challenges. superposition all help a geologist to identify a
GIS Processing Steps Used in
Establishing a Geo-hierarchy
I. Digitize/Compile geo-hierarchy features
Eastern magnetic expression of Basaltic andesite Tha unit Sample locality points
the NNR polygon Polygon from Tba unit
(“Basaltic Andesite”)
II. In GIS: Assign database attributes to geo-hierarchy features
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NAME = EMAG_NNR
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM = 1150
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NAME = Basaltic_andesite
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM = 150
III. In GIS: Use the ArcInfo™ command IDENTITY to
populate the database table for the sample locality points
with attributes common to all parts of the geo-hierarchy.
IV. The result is that the attributes of the sample locality points are
joined with attributes of the polygon database, thus affording GIS
and database queries for comparing attributes or analyzing
characteristics from any table in the geo-hierarchy.
Figure 5. Conceptual example of how GIS is used to assign geo-hierarchy attributes to
physical features. Once attributes are joined to the sample locality point, line, or polygon
features facilitate, these features can be queried for comparison within same or between
geo-hierarchies.
696 Geosphere, October 2010
unit that may be correlative to a unit of known
age that crops out elsewhere.
Relative ages can be assigned in the field if
absolute ages exist for a unit for which there
is good regional correlation. Radiometric age
determinations on regionally deposited tephra
can place maximum age constraints on overly-
ing units (Anders et al., 2009). When radiomet-
ric dates are lacking, paleomagnetic analysis,
mineralogy, petrographic observations, and
geochemical characterization can provide some
constraints on stratigraphically adjacent units.
In addition, absolute ages may be available on
one or more intrusions. A relative age can be
assigned to undated intrusions in a shared area
that are of the same mineralogy, composition,
and structural setting as compared to the dated
intrusions. The confidence level on the relative
age assignment for an undated intrusion can be
noted in the database.
Additionally, crosscutting relationships in-
volving igneous rocks are clearly important to
determining relative ages in some areas. Igne-
ous dikes, plugs, and intrusions are younger
than everything they crosscut. In the case of
dikes and plugs, the features might be mapped
from volcanic feeder vents to coeval flows. In
this example, there may be an absolute dike age,
but the units that the dike cuts may be undated.
A dike age brackets the relative predike, mini-
mum age for all units intruded by the dike. Thus
the identifying characteristics and geologic field
relationships used to interpret a feature’s relative
age can be indicated in the database by using
attributes that describe how a relative age was
determined, provide an estimated numeric age
range, and include a description of the certainty
of the determined age.
Figure 7 is a conceptual example of how
our relational database can utilize relative age
information. The physical relationships between
geologic units define relative ages when funda-
mental principles of geology are applied. One
approach is to use a sequence number that is part
of an age table. In this schema, each feature has
a unique OBJECT_ID and place in a geo-hierarchy.
Lower sequence numbers (SEQUENCE_NUM) are
the oldest, and higher numbers are the youngest.
The SEQUENCE_NUM requires related attributes
that describe how an age of a volcanic unit was
assigned, e.g., geologic correlation by an expert
in the field, superposition, crosscutting relation-
ship, or contact relationship.
Sorting and Displaying Geo-Hierarchy and
Age Information in GIS
Name and numeric code attributes are attached
to features in GIS or in database tables to enable
co-related data to be selected from various levels
 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions

of the geo-hierarchy. A sequence number as part
of the RELATIVE_AGE table, discussed further in the
Physical Data Model section below, permits sort-
ing based on geologic age. Expert interpretations
along with absolute age information stored in the
database allow the database user to establish how
an age was determined and what analytical uncer-
tainty may be associated with an age.
In a practical sense, this information can be
used to link relative ages to geo-hierarchy fea-
tures. For example, GIS map data representing
sites, samples, lines (contacts or faults), and unit
polygons can be linked via spatial join-items
directly to the relational database or to tables
derived from database queries. Each feature in
the relational database has a unique OBJECT_ID
that can be used as a relational join-item to link
all co-related attributes in the database with abso-
lute or relative age. Once the relationships among
geo-hierarchy and age are populated in the data-
base, features of interest that are part of a volcanic
field, caldera, stratigraphic section, unit, or sam-
ple can be queried and displayed so that each has
an associated absolute or relative age. The result
of the query can be used to retrieve GIS features
or data in the database that are part of a volcanic
sequence. A sort function, commonly available in
spreadsheets and in a GIS database, can be used
to sort by the attribute SEQUENCE_NUMBER to select
or display features in a relative age sequence.

Figure 6. Geologic example of the nested set geo-hierarchy. Geo-hierarchy and “parts of a tree analogy” (upper right). The ArcInfo
IDENTITY command is used to populate a nested set of samples from unit Tba with the database attribute name (EMAG_NNR)
and corresponding assigned numeric code (1150) of the NNR. A nested feature (sample) and its associated database attribute table
thus inherits the attributes of larger geologic and geophysical features (EMAG_NNR) and (NVm12), respectively. In this example, the
magnetic expression of the NNR is shown in salmon (A) (Glen et al., 2004). Insets B and C correspond with the area highlighted with
the black rectangle. Inset (B) identifies four features of the geo-hierarchy: Great Basin boundary is outside the map extents and is not
shown; “EMAG_NNR” is the northern Nevada Rift (Glen et al., 2004); Tba is map unit “basaltic andesite” from Stewart and Carlson
(1978); yellow triangles are sample sites from the bimodal igneous suite of rocks mainly from the Mule Canyon sequence in Mule Can-
yon quadrangle; town of Battle Mountain also shown. Inset (C) shows the geophysical polygon domains from Glenn et al. (2008). Once
populated in the nested structure, all intersecting and higher-level attribute tables are available for comparison or further database
query—in this example to produce a map showing the relationship of basement composition to structures and aeromagnetic anomalies
at local, intermediate, and regional scales.

Geosphere, October 2010 697

 Yager et al.

Figure 7. Block diagram representing hypothetical igneous and sedi-

mentary stratigraphy, tectonic events, and erosion-deposition events.
Within the relational database, features of various scale (site, unit,
sample) are assigned a unique OBJECT_ID, as well as a sequence num-
ber (SEQUENCE_NUM) that form a compound database key. This com-
pound key can be used to retrieve information on a features abso-
lute or relative age. In this hypothetical sequence, basement rocks
(1) were intruded by an igneous plug (2). A fault cuts the basement
rocks (event 3). Mineralization (4) then formed along both the flow-
path created by faulting event (3) and along the margins of the intru-
sion (2). An erosional unconformity (5) occurred post faulting. Later,
an ash-fall was deposited on top of the unconformity (6). A volcanic
flow (7) was then deposited followed by intrusion of a dike and vent
complex (8). This volcanic complex was then offset by Basin and Range normal faulting (9) followed by ash-flow deposition (10). Based on
interbedded contact relationship, sedimentation (11) was contemporaneous with basaltic igneous dike injection (12). The fault may be a
reactivated early Basin and Range fault because syntectonic sedimentation (13) is localized along the rift. A basaltic cone (14) formed dur-
ing dike injection. Alluvial Holocene sediments (15) now cap the entire sequence. Relative age table database fields shown to right of block
diagram. Definitions of database fields are listed in Appendix B.

Updating Relative Ages and Sequences
The database requires additional functional-
ity to update object ages and sequence num-
bers as new geologic information is acquired.
Updateable table fields OLDER_ID and YOUNGER_
ID are added to store the OBJECT_ID that places
constraints on adjacent older or younger objects
(Fig. 7). Visual Basic software code is used
to extrapolate the RELATIVE_AGE_MIN and RELA-
TIVE_AGE_MAX, minimum and maximum age
fields for each unit, by following the YOUNGER_ID
and OLDER_ID links, recursively if necessary, to
dynamically populate these table fields. Updated
sequence numbers can then be assigned also
using Visual Basic code. Some errors in analy-
sis, e.g., RELATIVE_AGE_MIN > RELATIVE_AGE_MAX,
also can be detected by this code.
Physical Data Model
The Physical Model or the actual design of
a database specifies how database records are
stored, accessed, or related according to require-
ments established during the conceptual design
phase. We use it to assign detailed database
table headings, to populate attribute tables and
records, to map relationships between logical
attributes, to store and retrieve data from physi-
cal addresses, and to match the physical geo-
hierarchy with logical attributes like tables
and records. It has two components: the basic
logical design and the entity relationships. The
logical design identifies all data needs (e.g., geo-
hierarchy, absolute and relative ages, images,
and numeric and text formats) and also any
relationships developed during the conceptual
design phase. The entity relationship diagram
maps and links these logical design units using
well-established cardinal rules (Ambler, 2003)
that assign one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-
one, or many-to-many relationships between the
relational database attributes.
Our complete entity relationship diagram is
in Appendix A. The definitions that define entity
relationship logical attributes are in Appendix
B. The schema used for geochemical data stor-
age and retrieval is modified from Lehnert et al.
(2000); however, we developed additional data-
base entities and relationships to manage data and
information for geo-hierarchy and relative age
relationships, mineral modes from point counts,
stratigraphic column data, interpreted and mod-
eled data, volcano-tectonic local and regional
structures, environmental rock properties, im-
ages, and hierarchy summary reports. Data are
grouped into seven major data categories or mod-
ules: (I) References and data sources, (II) Images,
(III) Hierarchy, (IV) Data batches, method, and
quality, (V) Unit or Region, (VI) Rock, and (VII)
Mineral modules (Fig. 3 and Appendix A).
The following paragraphs describe the key
attributes and relationships between modules in
our Physical Model. Table headings are in small
bold capital letters and attributes are in small
capital letters and italicized. Relational join-
items in database tables are in bold.
I. REFERENCES AND DATA
SOURCE MODULE
At the root of our database schema is the ref-
erences and data source module developed by
Lehnert et al. (2000). We found this schema to
be efficient, and we incorporated it to populate
and store reference and data source information.
This module includes names of scientists who
contributed data and their contact information,
as well as published references. The attribute
reference number (REF_NUM) is used to link sev-
eral tables where reference information is appli-
cable to this part of the database.
II. IMAGES MODULE
Images are accessed from a generic IMAGES
table. The attribute image number (IMAGE_NUM)
is used to join the IMAGES table to several other
tables, e.g., REGIONAL_STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE_
SITE, UNIT_REGIONAL_MORPHOLOGY, INCLUSION,
MINERAL_MODE, and MINERAL tables. Appendix
A shows the relational links between selected
tables and the IMAGES table. Image types that
can be stored or are available for download
are shown in Table 1. The attribute IMAGE_NAME
retrieves specific images for which the name
is known. Image type description (IMAGE_TYPE_
DESC) describes the image type, e.g., scanned
map, digital stratigraphic section, field photo-
graph, and electron backscatter image.
III. HIERARCHY MODULE
Hierarchy Table
The hierarchy module can be thought of as the
main trunk of the database, to which all entities
can be linked on the basis of geo-hierarchy kin-
ship. Each data point, polygon, site, and image is
assigned either by GIS analysis or physical data-
base attribution to one or more geo-hierarchies.
Each feature representing a geo-hierarchy in the
HIERARCHY table (Fig. 8) has a unique OBJECT_ID,
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NAME, and HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM
attributes. The OBJECT_ID is used to relate HIERAR-
CHY attributes in the parent HIERARCHY table to
other tables. It is intuitive for a user to query the
database by HIERARCHY_NAME, e.g., “McDermitt_
caldera.” However, when a numeric hierar-
chy number (HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM) attribute is

698 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions

TABLE 1. TABLES AND ASSOCIATED IMAGE TYPES to acquire the data and the analytical certainty
Table name Type of image available for query or download for determined values (Fig. 10 and Appendix A).
HIERARCHY Field photos of outcrops and regional overviews,
scanned geologic maps This schema pertains to rocks as well as data
HIERARCHY_REPORT Digital images of ternary, rock classification, isochron, collected on minerals and inclusions in miner-
plateau age plots, and other applicable plots
STRATIGRAPHIC_SECTION Scanned stratigraphic sections als. Tables that are relevant to the data batches,
RELATIVE_AGE Field photo or sample photograph relevant to relative age method, and quality module are named the
determinations
FEATURE_REGIONAL_STRUCTURE Outcrop and regional photographs or remote sensing BATCH, ANALYSIS_QUANTITATIVE, DATA_QUALITY_
images METHOD, and METHOD_PRECISION tables. These
STRUCTURE_SITE Field photographs of outcrop and samples
UNIT_REGIONAL_MORPHOLOGY Field photograph or remote sensing image tables, along with the CHEMISTRY table, which
INCLUSION Images of gas, melt, or mineral inclusions can pertain to either the rock and/or mineral
MINERAL Images of minerals
module, permit querying of geochemical analy-
ses by submitter or by a suite of desired geo-
chemical parameters (Lehnert et al., 2000).
known for either a named or unnamed feature, on those described in Mineral Deposit Models
this attribute can also be a used to effectively (Cox and Singer, 1986) and include, for exam- V. UNIT OR REGION MODULE
query the database. ple, hot springs Au-Ag, epithermal vein Au-Ag,
Hierarchical features that represent large and porphyry-Cu deposits. These attributes The tables in the unit or region module store
magmatic features or general geographic areas aid in evaluating the relationship between the attributes useful in characterizing regional fea-
(larger than site or sample locality data) have bimodal suite of rocks and mineral deposits. tures or properties of geologic units.
additional attribute requirements. Regional
features in the geo-hierarchy have a duration, Hierarchy Summary Table Paleomagnetic Data
spatial extent, and additional unique attributes.
We attribute the database field HIERARCHY_LEVEL_ The HIERARCHY_SUMMARY table provides Paleomagnetic data are acquired to address
TYPE with general geo-hierarchy information. summary attributes populated by experts or questions that may be relevant at the unit or
Generic examples of HIERARCHY_LEVEL_TYPE populated on the basis of database queries, GIS regional scale. Paleomagnetic data provide
include rift_unit, rift_vent, and rift_sample that analysis, and subsequent database upload. The information that is useful for correlation of
are all database “branches” in the nested-set current HIERARCHY_SUMMARY table attributes
geo-hierarchy. More detailed text comments listed are important to the age, distribution, vol-
such as an abstract or report may be uploaded to ume, chemical and physical origin, and com-
the attribute HIERARCHY_COMMENT attribute field. position of the bimodal igneous suite of rocks,
A HIERARCHY_SEQ_NUM may be assigned to as well as their relationship to hydrothermal
each hierarchy. Lower numbers in the sequence mineral deposits (Fig. 9). The report table can
are small features, and larger or coarser fea- be modified to meet the specific needs of geolo-
tures are assigned larger numbers. The HIERAR- gists working on different problems.
CHY_SEQ_NUM allows features of various relative
physical scale to be queried. IV. DATA BATCHES, METHOD, AND
The attribute fields NUMBER_OF_DEPOSITS and QUALITY MODULE
DEPOSIT_MODELS are placeholders for the total
number of deposits and the deposit model types How Sample Geochemical Data Is Managed
that are spatially or genetically related to geo-
hierarchical features. Deposit models are based The method used to store analytical data
developed by Lehnert et al. (2000) has been
rearranged and modified to fit our hierarchical
tree structure while preserving its functionality.
HIERARCHY Four tables are included in this module: SAMPLE,
BATCH, ANALYSIS, and CHEMISTRY. Geologists
SAMPLE_NUM
OBJECT_ID submit samples in “jobs” or “batches” for anal-
HIERARCHY_SEQ_NUM ysis by various methods (rare earth elements,
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NAME trace elements, major elements, and isotopes).
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_TYPE The key database relationships between a
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_COMMENT
HIERARCHY_AGE_MIN unique sample number (SAMPLE_NUM in the SAM-
HIERARCHY_AGE_MAX PLE table) to a batch number (BATCH_NUM) and
STRAT_COL_NUM
IMAGE_NUM related analysis number (ANALYSIS_NUM) define
NUMBER_OF_DEPOSITS the element measured and its analytical result
DEPOSIT_MODELS
SAMPLE_ID VALUE (in the ANALYSIS_QUANTITATIVE table).
REF_NUM These relationships permit multiple analytical
parameters to be selected using a SQL query Figure 9. HIERARCHY_SUMMARY table and
for individual or multiple samples. The entities general attributes related to the geo-
Figure 8. HIERARCHY table and associated “METHOD” and “DATA_QUALITY” are included to hierarchies. See Appendix B for detailed
attributes. provide information on the type of method used descriptions of attributes.

Geosphere, October 2010 699

 Yager et al.

regionally deposited igneous units and for deter-
mining magnetic declination and inclination
that can illucidate postdepositional tectonism,
e.g., tilting. The PALEOMAG table (Fig. 11) used
in this database is modeled after the attributes
found in Rosenbaum et al. (1995) and the Ocean
Drilling Program (ODP) Janus database (Rich-
ter et al., 2007).
Relative Ages
A simple approach is used to manage relative
age information. We leverage use of the unique
OBJECT_ID in the database, that is linked to GIS
objects (e.g., polygon, stratum, unit) or line
(fault, fold axis, joint). The OBJECT_ID attribute
enables a sequence number (SEQUENCE_NUM)
to be applied using the long-established set of
geologic rules for determining the relative age
of features in the field or by interpretation of
geologic mapping, isotopic age, fossil, or other
determinations in the office, as discussed in
Figure 7. Attributes in the RELATIVE_AGE table
define how an age was assigned and give the
minimum (RELATIVE_AGE_MIN) and maximum
(RELATIVE_AGE_MAX) age range (Fig. 12). If an age
is assigned by an earth scientist, the RELATIVE_
AGE_EXPERT field stores the expert’s name that
made the interpretation. In addition, the code
representing the type of relative age determined
is stored in the RELATIVE_AGE_TYPE field.
Our database captures expert knowledge tion number (STATION_NUM) and to the HIERARCHY
regarding the multiple ways that relative age table via the (OBJECT_ID). The attribute location
information can be assigned. In addition, if an number (LOCATION_NUM) allows retrieval of geo-
expert interpretation on the relative age of a fea- graphic information about the site where struc-
ture is lacking, GIS analysis can sometimes be tural data has been recorded (Fig. 13).
used to bracket the relative age of an object with A UNIT_REGIONAL_MORPHOLOGY table stores
the aid of existing digital geologic map data, as morphologic descriptions such as unit thick-
was done by Crafford (2007). In this way, rela- ness, area, and volume, in addition to deposi-
tive ages can be applied to features of uncertain tional characteristics that describe a feature’s
age. A code system was designed to categorize layering and whether the layer exhibits normal
absolute and relative age determinations that are or reverse grading. These types of attributes are
used to populate the RELATIVE_AGE_TYPE attribute
field in the RELATIVE_AGE table. The permissive
data entries for RELATIVE_AGE_TYPE are indicated
in Table 2 and Appendix B.
Igneous Structure and
Morphology Information
Data for volcano-tectonic related structural
features and unit morphology are managed in
three tables. The UNIT_REGIONAL_STRUCTURE
table stores observations and measurements for
fault strike and dip, dike trend, flow foliation,
flow direction, and other structural attributes.
Storage of detailed structural measurements that
comprise multiple observations at a site, e.g.,
cooling joint sets and orientation, can be stored
in the STRUCTURE_SITE table. The two structural
feature tables UNIT_REGIONAL_STRUCTURE and
STRUCTURE_SITE are linked by the attribute sta-

Figure 10. Tables modified from Lehnert et al. (2000) store geochemical data for rocks. The
unique sample number (SAMPLE_NUM) is keyed to the BATCH table where a batch number
(BATCH_NUM) is assigned. A single BATCH_NUM has many possible analysis numbers (ANALYSIS_
NUM) that correspond to different analytical techniques or methods of analyses (see METHOD Figure 11. PALEOMAG table and associ-
table, Appendix A), chemical parameters item measured (ITEM_MEAS), and results (VALUE). ated attributes.

700 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions
Figure 12. RELATIVE_AGE table and associ-
ated attributes. The OBJECT_ID is used to link
to physical features that are part of the geo-
hierarchy; the sequence number is used to
sort features based on relative ages from 1
to n (youngest to oldest).
useful to volcanologists when making interpre-
tations about eruption dynamics and processes.
Interpreted Environmental Information
Two tables, within the Region or Feature
module, INTERPRETED_MODELED and ENVIRON-
MENTAL_PROPERTIES are used to manage data
involving interpretations made from experi-
ments, analysis, or modeling.
UNIT_REGIONAL_STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_ID
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_NAME
OBJECT_ID
STATION_NUM
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_TYPE
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_DENSITY
FLOW_FOLIATION
PUMICE_FOLIATION
TRANSPORT_DIRECTION
TRANSPORT_DETERMINED
VOLCANO_TECTONIC_SETTING
STRUCTURE_COMMENT
DIKE_CONTACT_TREND
FAULT_DESCRIPTION
FAULT_LENGTH
FAULT_STRIKE
FAULT_DIP
FISSURE_LENGTH
FISSURE_WIDTH
FISSURE_TREND
IMAGE_NUM
REF_NUM
Figure 13. UNIT_REGIONAL_STRUCTURE and STRUCTURE_SITE tables and associated attributes.
TABLE 2. CODES AND DESCRIPTIONS FOR ABSOLUTE AND RELATIVE AGES THAT
POPULATE THE RELATIVE_AGE_TYPE ATTRIBUTE IN THE RELATIVE_AGE TABLE
Absolute Description
ABS_HP Absolute high-precision age
ABS_LP Absolute low-precision age
ABS_FOS Absolute low-precision age determined by fossils
Relative
REL_G_C Relative age, crosscutting relationship
REL_G_I Relative age, intrusive contact relationship
REL_G_S Relative age, stratigraphic or superposition
REL_G_FOS Relative age determined by fossils
REL_G_FAULT Relative age determined by faulting of known timing
REL_G_MIN Relative age determined by timing relative to mineralization
REL_G_FLD Relative age determined by folding of known timing
REL_G_GIS Relative age determined by GIS using other digital data set with
features of known age
Note: ABS—absolute age; REL—relative age; G—age determined by geo-expert; GIS—
age was determined by GIS analysis.
All interpreted rock properties are applicable to can be identified that would enhance or dimin-
local and regional questions about rock units. The ish the environmental impacts of past, current,
INTERPRETED_MODELED table stores information or future anthropogenic activities in the area.
that petrologists and volcanologists commonly
acquire when making geochemical and physi- Hydrologic Properties
cal interpretations of how a magma formed by
using field observations, petrographic analyses, Igneous rocks are important for their poten-
and computer modeling of mineralogy and geo- tial as either freshwater aquifers or as aquitards
chemistry (Fig. 14). Interpretations for a unit often that focus groundwater flow. While mapping
involve data collection on one or more samples. volcanic stratigraphy, springs are frequently
Environmental rock properties are stored in identified in the field at contacts between flows
the ENVIRONMENTAL_PROPERTIES table (Fig. 15). or volcanic layers. Documenting the location,
Unit environmental rock property attributes along with the overall distribution of seeps and
are typically interpretations based on experi- springs, is important information to those inter-
mentation or analysis. Environmental rock ested in identifying water resources for munici-
properties can be grouped into four categories: pal, agricultural, or industrial use.
(1) hydrologic, (2) acid generating and neutral-
izing capacity, (3) soil nutrients, and (4) carbon
sequestration. Rocks with particular attributes
STRUCTURE_SITE
STATION_NUM
LOCATION_NUM
SAMPLE_NUM
JOINT_SPACING
JOINT_DENSITY
JOINT_LENGTH
JOINT_WIDTH
JOINT_ORIENTATION
JOINT_SET
JOINT_SET_EPISODES
DIKE_SPACING
DIKE_DENSITY
DIKE_LENGTH
DIKE_WIDTH
DIKE_ORIENTATION
DIKE_SET
JOINT_OPEN_FILLED
JOINT_STRUCTURE_SETTING
IMAGE_NUM
REF_NUM
Figure 14. INTERPRETED_MODELED table and
associated attributes.
Geosphere, October 2010 701

Acid Generating or Neutralizing Properties
Propylitic-alteration of igneous rocks can
introduce a secondary, acid neutralizing min-
eral assemblage (calcite, chlorite, and epitdote)
(Yager et al., 2005, 2008a). While historically
overlooked, this environmental rock property
(if known) could be a useful physical charac-
teristic to include in the database, especially
to mine planners who will use this informa-
tion to help mitigate acid mine drainage issues
prior to a mine’s startup. Rocks identified as
having a high acid neutralizing capacity can be
used as an amendment to mine waste during
active mining, thereby limiting the after-the-
fact remediation approach frequently used for
mine cleanup. Land managers can also use this
information during the remediation phase of a
project to ameliorate acid mine drainage with
local source rocks that have a high neutraliz-
ing capacity.
Soil Nutrients
Soil provenance can also be useful to con-
sider from an agricultural standpoint. This is
true because many agriculturally rich soils
throughout the world were originally derived
from the weathering of intermediate to mafic
composition igneous rocks that have high abun-
Figure 15. ENVIRONMENTAL_PROPERTIES table
and related attributes.
702
Yager et al.
dances of elements (Ca-Mg-Al-Fe-P), which
are important for healthy soil development.
Biologic communities (Al-humus) have been
shown to be enhanced in soils derived from the
weathering of andesitic rocks (Rasmussen et al.,
2005). We provide several attribute placehold-
ers to permit characterizing the weathering and
nutrient potential of igneous rocks.
Carbon Sequestration
Intermediate to mafic composition, igneous
rocks that contain magnesium silicate-bearing
mineral phases can have a high potential to
sequester CO2 (Wilson et al., 2005). With
increases in atmospheric CO2 occurring, espe-
cially in the past 100 years, database attributes
involving the carbon sequestration potential of
rocks’ units are important to include. The car-
bon sequestration potential from either carbon
capture and storage (anthropogenic) or seques-
tration that occurs through natural weathering
processes in both undisturbed and in reclaimed
lands that involve mine waste need to be consid-
ered (Yager et al., 2007, 2008b).
Stratigraphic Section
The STRATIGRAPHIC_SECTION table stores
attributes of generalized or measured sections
(Fig. 16). Database attributes include placehold-
ers for minimum and maximum age range and
stratigraphic column comments or descriptions.
The attribute location number (LOCATION_NUM)
links stratigraphic column information to the
LOCATION table where geographic and physical
details of the site where stratigraphic informa-
tion was collected can be queried.
VI. ROCK MODULE
Sample Table
The primary goal of the SAMPLE table is
to capture complete descriptions of igneous
rock samples (Fig. 17). The primary mineral-
ogy, grain size, texture, and secondary altera-
tion of igneous rock samples are captured in
this table and enable rock unit characteriza-
tion. See Appendix B for descriptive attri-
butes of samples.
Location Table
A location table stores geographic and physi-
cal attributes about a site where data has been
collected (Fig. 18). While this table mainly
pertains to sample data, it also is linked to
IMAGE, STRUCTURE_SITE, PALEOMAG, and STRATI-
GRAPHIC_SECTION tables.
Geosphere, October 2010
VII. MINERALS MODULE
Mineral Mode Table
The MINERAL, MINERAL_MODE, and INCLUSION
tables represent additional “leaves” in the hier-
archical tree structure and are some of the finest
resolution data stored.
Although no modal analyses on bimodal
igneous rocks have been determined by petro-
graphic analysis (point counting), we provide a
placeholder for rock modes because such data
is frequently generated for other igneous suites
and because igneous rock databases commonly
report these types of data. The MINERAL_MODE
table is designed to store this information.
Modal data is accessed by a unique combina-
tion of SAMPLE_NUM and ANALYSIS_NUM attributes
after the design schema of Lehnert et al. (2000).
The attribute ANALYSIS_NUM links the ANALYSIS
and MINERAL_MODE tables. The attributes MIN-
ERAL_SPECIES and PERCENT_ABUNDANCE account
for the minerals that are identified and each
mineral’s associated abundance (in percent).
Two additional attributes, POINTS_COUNTED and
MATRIX_PERCENT, facilitate crystal-matrix ratio
determinations (Fig. 19). The MINERAL_MODE
table is similar to the CHEMISTRY table, as both
contain quantitative data on rocks: mineral spe-
cies and element abundance.
Tables Spanning the Rock and
Mineral Modules
Five tables (ISOTOPIC_AGE, CHEMISTRY, XRAY-
DIFFRACTION, STANDARD, and FRACT_CORRECT)
are applicable to data collected from both rocks
and minerals (Appendix A, Fig. 20). Isoto-
pic ages are retrieved on specific samples via
the relational join-item sample number (SAM-
PLE_NUM) that is co-related between the ISOTO-
PIC_AGE and SAMPLE tables. Geochemical data
Figure 16. STRATIGRAPHIC_SECTION table and
related attributes.
 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions
is queried in a similar fashion using the sample
number (SAMPLE_NUM) attribute and the schema
example shown in Figure 10. Most X-ray dif-
fraction data for igneous samples are acquired
on rocks. However, there is also single-crystal
X-ray diffraction data on minerals. The STAN-
DARD table from Lehnert et al. (2000) lists stan-
dard values for items measured with the same
data quality as analyses for samples that have
the same DATA_QUALITY_NUM. The fractionation
correction table (FRACT_CORRECT) also from
Lehnert et al. (2000) lists the isotopic ratios used
for fractionation correction.
Database Applications
As mentioned previously, our goal is to pro-
vide earth scientists with a GIS-linked relational
Figure 17. SAMPLE table and related attri-
butes. See Appendix B for detailed descrip-
tions of attributes.
database with geologic tools to help expedite
the research process. In this section, we provide
examples that show how our relational database
can facilitate petrogenetic research by allowing
one to compare and contrast both analytical and
interperative data sets.
GEOCHEMICAL COMPARISONS
The following examples demonstrate the
database utility in evaluating geochemical
variability of bimodal volcanic rocks in differ-
ent parts of the NNR, and in the eastern Great
Basin Province. Rocks chosen for comparison
highlight compositional differences of magmas
that formed in association with distinct mineral
deposit types.
SQL database queries were used to create
data sets that were imported into the petro-
logic software, IgPet, to display geochemical
trends. The data plotted within the NNR region
includes: (a) northern Shoshone and southern
Sheep Creek ranges east of Battle Mountain in
the EmagNNR (John et al., 2003), (b) Ivanhoe
mining district on the east side of EmagNNR in
the Carlin trend (Wallace, 2003), and (c) Seven
Troughs volcanic field located near Lovelock,
Nevada, in the WmagNNR (Hudson et al.,
2005). Data plotted for the eastern Great Basin
Province includes: (a) topaz rhyolites of the
Thomas Range and Spor Mountain, which have
associated large ion lithophile element (Be-Li-
F-U-Cs) mineralization, and Wah Wah Moun-
tains (Christiansen et al., 2007; Christiansen et
al., 1984); (b) rocks associated with the Pine
Grove porphyry, molybdenum-tungsten-tin sys-
tem (Keith, 1982); and (c) Marysvale volcanic
field (Cunningham et al., 1998) (see Fig. 21).
Rocks in the comparison areas nearly bracket
the entire time span of Great Basin Province
bimodal volcanism. Volcanic rocks from the north-
Figure 18. LOCATION table and related attributes.
Geosphere, October 2010
ern Shoshone, southern Sheep Creek, and Ivanhoe
areas yield 40Ar/39Ar dates that range from 14.8 to
16.5 Ma. Southern Troughs volcanics are slightly
younger, ranging from 13.7 to 14.3 Ma (Hudson
et al., 2005). Ages reported for topaz rhyolites in
the eastern Great Basin Province are 13–22 Ma
for Spor Mountain and Wah Wah ranges, and
6 Ma for the Thomas Range (Christiansen et al.,
2007; Christiansen et al., 1984; Lindsey, 1982).
Pine Grove rocks are represented by 18–24 Ma
mafic flows, granitic intrusions, rhyolite flows,
and tuffs (Keith, 1982). Marysvale igneous rocks
vary considerably in composition and age, as indi-
cated by the early, 21–22 Ma mafic, K-rich lavas;
14–19 Ma Mount Belknap dacites and rhyolites;
and the late, 0.5–9.1 Ma basalts and rhyolites
(Cunningham, 1998).
Rock Classification Diagrams
Classification diagrams are useful for deter-
mining the compositional variability of NNR
and eastern Great Basin Province rocks. Data
distribution for these rocks shown on the tradi-
tional Le Bas et al. (1986) volcanic rock clas-
sification, a system based on the total alkali
silica diagram, reveals intermediate composi-
tions as well as bimodal compositions with
basalt and rhyolite (Figs. 22A and 22B). In
addition, among the NNR rhyolites, only Ivan-
hoe rocks have silica compositions that overlap
those of the topaz rhyolites and the more highly
evolved compositions observed at Pine Grove
and the Marysvale volcanic field (Fig. 22B).
MINERAL_MODE
ANALYSIS_NUM
BATCH_NUM
MINERAL_SPECIES
MINERAL_SHAPE
PERCENT_ABUNDANCE
MATRIX_PERCENT
POINTS_COUNTED
ACCESSORY_PHASE
SECONDARY_PHASE
Figure 19. Example MINERAL_MODE table,
related attributes, and linked tables. The
unique sample number (SAMPLE_NUM) is
keyed to the BATCH table where a batch num-
ber (BATCH_NUM) is assigned. A BATCH_NUM
keyed to an ANALYSIS_NUM = 10 corresponds
to mineral mode data.
703
 Yager et al.

CHEMISTRY ISOTOPIC_AGE XRAYDIFFRACTION STANDARD

SAMPLE_NUM ANALYSIS_NUM DATA_QUALITY_NUM
ANALYSIS_NUM
ISOTOPIC_AGE_MIN BATCH_NUM ITEM_MEASURED
BATCH_NUM
ISOTOPIC_AGE_MAX XRD_MINERAL STANDARD_NAME
ITEM_MEASURED
METHOD_NUM PERCENT_ABUNDANCE_XRD STANDARD_VALUE
ITEM_TYPE
GEOL_AGE_PREFIX XRD_PRIMARY STDEV
VALUE_MEASURED
EON XRD_ACCESSORY STDEV_TYPE
STDDEV
ERA XRD_SECONDARY UNIT_STD
STDEV_TYPE
PERIOD SAMPLE_PREP
UNIT
EPOCH CLAY_PREP
REF_NUM XRD_HEATING
GLYCOLATION
INTERNAL_STANDARD FRACT_CORRECT
PDF_NUM FRACT_CORRECT_NUM
C_CELL_DIM FCORR_ITEM
SCAN_LENGTH_2THETA FCORR_VALUE
SCAN_LENGTH_DSPACE FCORR_STANDARD_NAME
DATA_QUALITY_NUM DATA_QUALITY_NUM
IMAGE_NUM REF_NUM

Figure 20. CHEMISTRY, ISOTOPIC_AGE, XRAYDIFFRACTION, FRACT_CORRECT, and STANDARD tables and related attributes.

125° 120° 115°

EXPLANATION N

Low Sulfidation Ag-Au deposits

Climax-type (Mo-W-Sn) deposits

LIL enriched (Be, F, Li, U, Cs)

deposits 45°
Great
Topaz rhyolite
Rift
Great Figure 21. Locations of low sulfidation
Northern Nevada Rift and Basin
related structures;
Ag-Au deposits, climax-type Mo-W-Sn, and
Province na i
Pla
n
S

dashed where concealed k e Riv LIL enriched Be-F-Li-U-Cs deposits that

er
coincide with bimodal magmatism. North-
Northeastern Transition IV ern Nevada Rift (NNR); southern Sheep
Zone (NETZ) ST
Creek range (SSC); northern Shoshone
40° SSC range (NS); Ivanhoe (IV); Thomas Range
NS TR (TR); Spor Mountain (SM); Pine Grove
SM
(PG); and Marysvale volcanic field (MV).
0.706
Open triangles are topaz rhyolite localities.
PG
WW Dashed green line indicates approximate
MV
NNR
boundary of Precambrian continental crust
located east of 87Sr/86Sr 0.706 isopleth.

35°

0 300 km

704 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions

Figure 22. Rock classification based on the 16

total alkali versus silica diagram (LeBas et A
al., 1986). (A) Entire compositional range 14 Phonolite

of data. (B) Subset of diagram A showing Tephri-

the classification from dacitic to rhyolitic 12 phonolite

Na2O+K2O (wt%)
Trachyte
compositions. Solid blue squares—southern
10 Phono-
Sheep Creek and northern Shoshone ranges; Tephrite
Trachy- Trachydacite
Foidite andesite
solid red circles—Southern Troughs; solid 8 Basaltic
trachy-
andesite
green triangles—Ivanhoe; open red circles— Tephrite
Rhyolite
Trachy-
Pine Grove; cross hatch—Marysvale vol- 6 Basanite basalt
canic field; open blue squares—Thomas Dacite
Range and Spor Mountain; open purple 4 Basaltic Andesite
Basalt Basaltic
diamonds—Wah Wah Mountains. Picro- andesite
2 basalt

0
Most rocks are subalkaline using the Irvine and 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
Baragar (1971) classification, with the excep- SiO2 (wt%)
tion of early, 22 Ma, potassium-rich basalts and
intrusive rocks, and late alkali basalts in the
Marysvale volcanic field (Fig. 23). Intermediate B
composition rocks that formed along the NNR 10
have medium to high potassium, based on the Trachydacite
Na2O+K2O (wt%)

classification of Gill (1981) (Fig. 24). In con-

trast, the intermediate composition rocks of the 8
Marysvale volcanic field are all classified as Rhyolite

having high potassium (Fig. 24).

Dacite
6
Compositional Variation Diagrams

Compositional variation diagrams were con- 4

structed using major- and trace-element data-
base queries for NNR and eastern Great Basin
Province rocks. Major- and trace-element ver- 2
sus silica variation diagrams are shown in Fig- 70 SiO2 (wt%) 80
ures 25−29; Figures 30–34 are trace element
variation diagrams. A comprehensive interpre-
tation of geochemical trends is beyond the scope
of this database contribution; however, general
observations are noted to demonstrate the util-
ity of the database in identifying compositional
similarities and differences.
Southern Sheep Creek and northern Sho-
shone compositional trends are relatively lin-
ear for K2O, Rb, Sr, Y, and Nb versus silica. In 10
contrast, the Marysvale rocks have a larger Alkaline

8
Alkalies (wt %)

Figure 23. Alkaline versus subalkaline clas-

sification diagram from Irvine and Baragar 6
(1971). Curve indicates alkaline-subalkaline
divide. Solid blue squares—southern Sheep
Creek and northern Shoshone ranges; solid
4
red circles—Southern Troughs; solid green Subalkaline
triangles—Ivanhoe; open red circles—Pine
Grove; cross hatch—Marysvale volcanic
field; open blue squares—Thomas Range 2
40 50 60 70 80
and Spor Mountain; open purple dia-
SiO2 (wt %)
monds—Wah Wah Mountains.

Geosphere, October 2010 705

 Yager et al.

Figure 24. Low-medium-high, potassium 4

classification diagram from Gill (1981). ACID
Solid blue squares—southern Sheep Creek
and northern Shoshone ranges; solid red BASIC
circle—Southern Troughs; solid green 3
triangles—Ivanhoe; open red circles—Pine High-K

K2O (wt %)
Grove; cross hatch—Marysvale volcanic
field. Note that intermediate compositions
are not in database for Thomas Range, Spor
Mountain, and Wah Wah Mountains. Medium-K
1
degree of variance (Figs. 25B, 26A, 26B, 27A,
and 28A). Mafic to intermediate composition, Low-K
Marysvale volcanic field rocks are also enriched 0
in strontium relative to NNR rocks (Fig. 26B). 50 55 60 65
SiO2 (wt %)
In addition, eastern Great Basin Province rhyo-
lites show Rb enrichment with relatively con-
stant and high K2O concentrations. With the
exception of five Ivanohoe samples that have
relatively constant K2O but are enriched in Rb,
most NNR eruptives have a positive K2O versus
Rb trend (Fig. 30A).
Wah Wah Mountains, Thomas Range, and
6
Spor Mountain rhyolites are generally geo-
chemically distinct from most rocks along the
A
NNR. Some Ivanhoe rhyolites, however, are 5
geochemically similar in Na2O, K2O, Rb, Sr, Y,
Nb, La, and Ce versus silica and overlap those
Na2O (wt %)

compositions observed in the eastern Great 4

Basin Province (Figs. 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B,
27A, 28A, 29A, 29B, 30A). Topaz rhyolites
of the Wah Wah Mountains are geochemically 3
similar to Thomas Range and Spor Mountain
rocks, having elevated Rb and relatively low
Zr concentrations (Figs. 31B and 33A). Wah 2
Wah Mountains rhyolites, however, are shifted
to higher Nb for a given Rb concentration com-
pared to Thomas Range and Spor Mountain 1
50 60 70 80
volcanics (Fig. 31B). As new analytical data is
SiO2 (wt %)
added to the database, including isotopic data
sets that augment existing major- and trace-
element data, new interpretations may be pos- 8
sible that describe the magmatic evolution of B
rocks that are broadly classified as being part of
the bimodal igneous assemblage. 6
K2O (wt %)

Figure 25. Variation diagrams for (A) sodium 4

versus silica, and (B) potassium versus
silica. Solid blue squares—southern Sheep
Creek and northern Shoshone ranges; solid 2
red circles—Southern Troughs; solid green
triangles—Ivanhoe; open red circles—Pine
Grove; cross hatch—Marysvale volcanic
field; open blue squares—Thomas Range 0
and Spor Mountain; open purple dia- 50 60 70 80
SiO2 (wt %)
monds—Wah Wah Mountains.

706 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions

A1000
Rb (ppm)

500

Figure 26. Variation diagrams for (A) rubidium versus silica, and
(B) strontium versus silica. Solid blue squares—southern Sheep
Creek and northern Shoshone ranges; solid red circles—Southern
Troughs; solid green triangles—Ivanhoe; open red circles—
0 Pine Grove; cross hatch—Marysvale volcanic field; open blue
50 60 70 80 squares—Thomas Range and Spor Mountain; open purple dia-
SiO2 (wt %) monds—Wah Wah Mountains.

B2000
1500
Sr (ppm)

1000

A
500 150

0
50 60 70 80 100
Y (ppm)

SiO2 (wt %)

50

0
50 60 70 80
SiO2 (wt %)

Figure 27. Variation diagrams for (A) yttrium versus silica, and
(B) zirconium versus silica. Solid blue squares—southern Sheep B 600
Creek and northern Shoshone ranges; solid red circles—Southern 500
Troughs; solid green triangles—Ivanhoe; open red circles—Pine
Grove; cross hatch—Marysvale volcanic field; open blue squares— 400
Thomas Range and Spor Mountain; open purple diamonds—Wah
Zr (ppm)

Wah Mountains.
300

200

100

0
50 60 70 80
SiO2 (wt %)

Geosphere, October 2010 707

 Yager et al.

200
A
150
Nb (ppm)

100

Figure 28. Variation diagrams for (A) niobium versus silica, and
50 (B) barium versus silica. Solid blue squares—southern Sheep
Creek and northern Shoshone ranges; solid red circles—Southern
Troughs; solid green triangles—Ivanhoe; open red circles—Pine
Grove; cross hatch—Marysvale volcanic field; open blue squares—
0
50 60 70 80 Thomas Range and Spor Mountain; open purple diamonds—Wah
SiO2 (wt %) Wah Mountains.

B 4000
3000
Ba (ppm)

2000

150
A
1000

0 100
La (ppm)

50 60 70 80
SiO2 (wt %)

50

0
50 60 70 80
SiO2 (wt %)

200
Figure 29. Variation diagrams for (A) lanthanum versus silica,
and (B) cerium versus silica. Solid blue squares—southern Sheep
B
Creek and northern Shoshone ranges; solid red circles—Southern
Troughs; solid green triangles—Ivanhoe; open red circles—Pine 150
Grove; cross hatch—Marysvale volcanic field; open blue squares—
Ce (ppm)

Thomas Range and Spor Mountain; open purple diamonds—Wah

Wah Mountains.
100

50

0
50 60 70 80
SiO2 (wt %)

708 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions

A
6
K2O (wt %)

Figure 30. Variation diagrams for (A) potassium versus rubidium,

2
and (B) rubidium versus cerium. Solid blue squares—southern
Sheep Creek and northern Shoshone ranges; solid red circles—
Southern Troughs; solid green triangles—Ivanhoe; open red
circles—Pine Grove; cross hatch—Marysvale volcanic field; open
0
0 500 1000 1500 blue squares—Thomas Range and Spor Mountain; open purple
Rb (ppm) diamonds—Wah Wah Mountains.

B1000
Rb (ppm)

500
A1000
Rb (ppm)

0
0 50 100 150 200
Ce (ppm) 500

0
0 50 100
La (ppm)
Figure 31. Variation diagrams for (A) rubidium versus lanthanum,
and (B) rubidium versus niobium. Solid blue squares—southern B1000
Sheep Creek and northern Shoshone ranges; solid red circles—
Southern Troughs; solid green triangles—Ivanhoe; open red
circles—Pine Grove; cross hatch—Marysvale volcanic field; open
blue squares—Thomas Range and Spor Mountain; open purple
Rb (ppm)

diamonds—Wah Wah Mountains. Note that lanthanum and nio-

bium analyses are unavailable for Thomas Range, Spor Mountain,
and Pine Grove. 500

0
0 50 100 150
Nb (ppm)

Geosphere, October 2010 709

 Yager et al.

A
1500
Rb (ppm)

1000

500 Figure 32. Variation diagrams for (A) rubidium versus strontium,
and (B) rubidium versus zirconium. Solid blue squares—southern
Sheep Creek and northern Shoshone ranges; solid red circles—
Southern Troughs; solid green triangles—Ivanhoe; open red
0
0 500 1000 1500 circles—Pine Grove; cross hatch—Marysvale volcanic field; open
Sr (ppm) blue squares—Thomas Range and Spor Mountain; open purple
diamonds—Wah Wah Mountains. Note that Rb, Sr, and Zr analy-
ses are unavailable for Pine Grove.
B1000
Rb (ppm)

500

600
A
500
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Zr (ppm) 400
Zr (ppm)

300

200

100

0
0 1000 2000 3000
Ba (ppm)
Figure 33. Variation diagrams for (A) zirconium versus barium,
and (B) barium versus niobium. Solid blue squares—southern 4000
Sheep Creek and northern Shoshone ranges; solid red circles— B
Southern Troughs; solid green triangles—Ivanhoe; cross hatch—
Marysvale volcanic field; open purple diamonds—Wah Wah
Mountains. Note that barium analyses are unavailable for Thomas 3000
Ba (ppm)

Range, Spor Mountain, and Pine Grove; niobium analyses are

unavailable for Marysvale volcanic field.
2000

1000

0
0 50 100 150 200
Nb (ppm)

710 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions

100

Figure 34. Variation diagram for lanthanum versus barium.

La (ppm)

Solid blue squares—southern Sheep Creek and northern Sho-

shone ranges; solid red circles—Southern Troughs; solid green
50 triangles—Ivanhoe; cross hatch—Marysvale volcanic field; open
purple diamonds—Wah Wah Mountains. Note that La and Ba
analyses are unavailable for Thomas Range and Spor Mountain.

0
0 1000 2000 3000 4000
Ba (ppm)

Hierarchy Summary
Using a HIERARCHY_SUMMARY (see Physical
Data Model, hierarchy module section above)
referenced with specific HIERARCHY_NAMES or
HIERARCHY_NUMBERS, a researcher can retrieve
summaries about a geologic feature or province
of interest, display published maps, select and
compare data for several volcanic centers, and
query information at multiple physical scales and
from various geographic centers or regions. The
HIERARCHY_SUMMARY table includes a synopsis
from published literature sources that capture
researchers’ knowledge by storing invaluable
expert insights and interpretations. HIERARCHY_
SUMMARY tables are populated by either compil-
ing interpretations from published literature, or
by constructing database queries that are used to
update the summary reports. These reports facili-
tate geologic feature and province comparisons
and help identify data gaps to be filled in order to
complete an interpretation.
To demonstrate the utility of HIERARCHY_
SUMMARY tables, we have populated the tables
with data from four areas in or adjacent to the
Great Basin for: (1) NNR basalt, trachydacite,
and rhyolite in the MGB study area (John et al.,
2003); (2) Snake River Plain basalt along the
“Great Rift” (Reid, 1995); (3) topaz rhyolites
in or near the Transition Zone (TZ) between
the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Prov-
ince; and (4) alkali basalts that erupted in the
Northeastern Transition Zone (NETZ) along
the western margin of the Colorado Plateau in
northern Arizona and north into west-central
Utah (Kempton et al., 1991). The results for the
four hierarchy reports are compiled in Table 3.
Figure 21 shows the geographic locations of
the areas summarized in the hierarchy reports.
These types of data summaries could be a useful
method to track iterative geologic interpretations
and provide a placeholder to store data updates
that would normally require extensive traditional
data archive retrieval and literature research.
Bimodal Map Units and Epithermal
Au-Ag Deposits
GIS data layers in Crafford’s (2007)
1:250,000 scale map delineate geologic units
that comprise the bimodal assemblage (Fig. 35).
These data were analyzed using simple GIS
functions to determine the area of each unit in
the MGB study area and identify the metallic
mineral deposits that occur within bimodal unit
polygons. Figure 35 identifies the area for each
bimodal unit. The total area for all eight bimodal
units in the MGB study area is 12,793 km2. Four
units (Tba, Ta3, Tbg, and Tr3) comprise 96% of
the bimodal assemblage. Of the bimodal units
in the MGB study area, Tr3 and Tba were found
to contain most of the metallic mineral deposits.
These data suggest that units Tba and Tr3,
while representing the largest area of all bimodal
map units in the MGB study area, are possibly
the most favorable mineral exploration targets.
One other unit, Tri, coincided with a metallic
mineral deposit. Unmapped magmatic centers
are mentioned in the descriptions for the Tba
and Tr3 units. While there is only direct overlap
of one epithermal Au-Ag deposit with an intru-
sion, detailed studies show that other deposits
are spatially and temporally related to intrusions
or magmatic centers in northern Nevada (Hofs-
tra and Cline, 2000; John et al., 2003).
This example demonstrates the potential ben-
efits of using GIS analysis to quickly identify
the small-scale (large-area) regional map units
that are favorable epithermal Au-Ag deposit tar-
gets and would aid in focusing on areas requir-
ing large-scale geologic maps for additional
detailed analysis. Future, more detailed analysis
that investigates the association between bimodal
igneous centers and mineralization would benefit
by integrating derivative data sets produced dur-
ing comprehensive mineral resource assessments
(Wallace et al., 2004). GIS analysis of features
stored in our relational database could be used to
further evaluate the spatial relationships between
areas having favorable metallic mineral potential
such as those identified in Mihalasky and Moyer
(2004) and bimodal magmatism.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
There are many database designs currently
available to store data for igneous rocks. Our
primary goal was to add additional functionality
to such a database that we recognize as impor-
tant in addressing geologic problems. We chose
the relational database design platform because
it adds functionality to database queries that are
mostly lacking or cumbersome in traditional flat
file spreadsheet formats. In addition, our data-
base provides a way to store information on
features having a geo-hierarchy of scale. The
design schema has the capability to capture and
store relative age information that was deter-
mined by geologic expertise or by GIS analy-
sis and that may be linked to geo-hierarchys
through a unique object_id and sorted by age
using a sequence number. The database permits
retrieval of multiple data formats that are impor-
tant for geoscientists to access. Stored images
include cross sections, maps, outcrop photo-
graphs, and thin section photomicrographs that
may be queried and downloaded for display in
third-party software. Our new design elements
allow for a geoscientist to interact with the data-
base in ways that are similar to how they might
address a research question by more traditional
means using hardcopy archives. We welcome
participation and future collaborative efforts to
build on database design and ideas presented in
this paper and to add new data for the bimodal
suite of igneous rocks as it becomes available.

Geosphere, October 2010 711


TABLE 3. SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NNR, SNAKE RIVER PLAIN, TOPAZ RHYOLITES, NETZ, AND TZ IGNEOUS ROCKS
Attribute/ NNR (John et al., 2001)
characteristic
Age 16.5–14.8 Ma
Rock types Tholeiite, basaltic andesite, Olivine tholeiite to rhyolite
trachyandesite, and rhyolite
Primary hydrous phases N.A. in John et al. (2001), but N.A.
generally contain anhydrous
and reduced assemblages
Compositional evolution Early basalts and basaltic
andesite to local sequences
of trachydacite and rhyolite
with late olivine basalt
Structural control NNR
Hot spot position South of hot spot track
(south opening zipper)
Mineral deposits Low sulfidation epithermal
Ag-Au
Lead isotope (Pb208/ Overlaps Pacific sediments
Pb204; Pb206/Pb204) field
comparisons by
magmatic-tectonic
settings (Reid, 1995,
fig. 6)
REE enrichment N.A.
Trace elements, LILs, None reported
HFS elements
P2O5 concentrations N.A.
Petrogenesis Early mafic flows derived from Magmas originated by crustal assimilation accompanied Fractional crystallization of an initially less silicic
subcontinental lithosphere
enriched by subduction
U-series isotopes N.A.
REEs N.A.
Strontium isotopes 0.7050, basal part of early
(87Sr/86Sr) mafic flows; 0.7064, upper
part of early mafic flows;
0.7078, trachydacite; 0.7081,
rhyolite (determinations
reported in (John et al.,
2001)
712
Yager et al.
SRP (Craters of Moon lavas) (Reid, 1995)
Generally younger than NNR rocks (>10 Ma to 2 Ma)
Time transgressive sequence from silicic ignimbrites
erupted from calderas; calderas young to northeast
within the Snake River Plain, to basalts and sediments tuff is common
that covered the ignimbrites.
Great Rift (Snake River Plain)
Over hot spot track
No metallic deposits known or exposed
Plots in OIB field
Preferential enrichments of LREE and HREE with
respect to MREE during differentiation
Enrichments of LILE, U, and Th
Plummeting P2O5 with increasing SiO2, consistent with
apatite fractionation. P2O5 could be accounted for by
crustal assimilation.
by fractional crystallization involving accessory
phases; rocks are chemically similar to oceanic
basalts derived from enriched sources attributed to
mantle plumes. Metasomatism of a hybrid lithospheric minor but important phases zircon, apatite, with the
mantle in the wake of the Yellowstone Plume
238
U/232Th, 0.7724, (2 Ka, Craters of Moon andesite)
to 1.0158 (Great Rift basalt, absolute age
230 232
undetermined); Th/ Th, 0.860 (2 Ka, Craters of
Moon andesite) to 1.041 (Great Rift basalt, absolute
age undetermined); 230Th/238U, 1.015 (>10 Ma Craters
of Moon basalt) to 1.130 (2 Ka Craters of Moon
andesite) (isotopes, calculated initials)
N.A.
N.A.
Geosphere, October 2010
Topaz rhyolites Eastern and Central Great Basin
(Christiansen et al., 1986)
Preceded, but overlap the age of NNR rocks (22–0.5
Ma)
Mainly high-silica rhyolite; two localities along the
NNR in northern Nevada and one in Jarbidge
volcanic field, northern Nevada. Intermediate to
basaltic compositions overlap the ages for topaz
rhyolites in the Wah Wah Mts., Mineral Mts., and
Smelter Knolls
Commonly biotite and hornblende. In several
examples, biotite and hornblende are iron-rich;
topaz as vapor phase and devitrification product
Coalesced or isolated domes and lava flows, flow
dome complexes, flow-banded plugs. Underlying
Extensional tectonic setting, many deposits border
the Colorado Plateau
No well-constrained relationship to hot spot
Economic deposits of Be, U, F, Li, and Sn and in
some examples resemble Climax-type Mo deposits
N.A.
LREE no greater than 200 times chondrite and
usually less than 100; REE patterns are commonly
flat, La/YbN 1:3 (with pronounced negative Eu
anomalies)
Enriched in large ion lithophile elements (K, Rb,
U, Th, Y, Be, and Li); and enriched in high field
strength elements (Zr, Nb, Ta, and Hf). Trace
elements (Ba, Sm, Eu) compatible in: feldspars; (Ti,
Co, Ni, Cr) ferromagnesian minerals; and (Zr, Hf)
zircon, are depleted
Low to nondetectable on average
rhyolite with 0.2 wt% fluorine and involving
extensive fractionation of major phases sanidine,
quartz, plagioclase, biotite, and Fe-Ti oxides, and
REE-rich phases allanite, monazite, or titanite)
N.A.
Yes
0.7054 to 0.7142 (silica concentration for ranges
uncertain in Christiansen et al., 1986)
(continued)
 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions

TABLE 3. SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NNR, SNAKE RIVER PLAIN, TOPAZ RHYOLITES, NETZ, AND TZ IGNEOUS ROCKS (continued)
Attribute/ Alkali basalts from NETZ (Kempton et al., 1991) Transition zone (Cunningham et al., 1998)
characteristic
Age <17 Ma 23–5 Ma

Rock types Alkali basalts Alkali rhyolite, high K-enriched and non-K-enriched basalts

Primary hydrous phases N.A. Biotite and hornblende

Compositional evolution N.A. Alkali rhyolite and basalt between 23 and 22 Ma; alkali rhyolite
dominant between 22 and 5 Ma

Structural control Crustal extension in area that borders Colorado Plateau Episodic intervals of increasing crustal extension with time

Hot spot position No well-constrained relationship to hot spot No relationship to hot spot mentioned

Mineral deposits N.A. TZ mineral deposits discussed as follows: LILs (Mo, W, U, Sn, Be,
and F) (Steven and Morris, 1987); Porphyry-Mo (Keith et al., 1986);
World-class Be (Barton and Young, 2002)
Lead isotope (Pb208/ Overlaps Pacific MORB and OIB, and SRP field; however, are lower on Plots above the NHRL line of Hart (1984)
Pb204; Pb206/Pb204) average and distinctly lower than NNR rocks
comparisons by
magmatic-tectonic
settings (Reid, 1995,
fig. 6)
REE enrichment High ratios of LIL to high field strength elements. Eastern transition N.A.
zone magmas have higher Ba coupled with higher Ba/Nb ratios
and lower TiO2 compared with basin and range basaltic magmas;
characteristics that are typical of subduction zone magmas
Trace elements, LILs, Have Rb, Ba, and Nb concentrations that are similar to subduction- Early basalts are enriched in K, local relative enrichment of K, Rb,
HFS elements related basalts of the Andes; although the Andes rocks used for and U with time
comparison are more evolved in SiO2 concentration

P2O5 concentrations Yes, ranges from 0.21 to 1.60 wt% N.A.

Petrogenesis Subduction has enriched the subcontinental lithosphere as indicated
by high Ba/Nb, Rb/Sr, and K/Ti ratios, and low TiO2. Transition zone
magmas are melt-dominated as compared to western Great Basin
magmas that are fluid dominated. Isotopic characteristics suggest
that these characteristics were imposed upon the lithosphere at about time that could reflect either crustal thinning or larger volume of
1.8 Ga, although the effects of recent subduction cannot be ruled
out. Chemical differences in melt that interacted with the lithospheric
mantle reflect ancient rather than recent subduction processes
206
U-series isotopes Pb/204Pb, 17.051–18.449, 17.69978 average; 208Pb/204Pb, 36.889–
38.543; 37.7044 average (all data for NETZ, <17 Ma alkali basalts)
REEs Yes
Strontium isotopes 0.70342 (Grand Canyon basalt; 44.77 wt% SiO2) to 0.70611 (Southwest 0.70629 (ave. for early [22–14 Ma] rhyolites); 0.706515 (ave. K-rich
(87Sr/86Sr) Utah basaltic andesite; 58.33 wt% SiO2); 0.704454 average
Isotopic data are consistent with samples derived from three sources:
lithospheric mantle; upper crust characterized by radiogenic Pb and
Sr; and lower crust characterized by moderate radiogenc Sr and
non-radiogenic Pb. An apparent decrease in crustal interaction with
magma; both would dilute the crustal signature
206
Pb/204Pb, 18.24033 (ave. for early [22–14 Ma] rhyolites); 206Pb/204Pb,
18.666 (ave. K-rich mafic lavas); 206Pb/204Pb, 17.53133 (ave. for
late [9.1–4.8 Ma] rhyolites); 206Pb/204Pb, 17.8978 (ave. for late
[12.7–0.5 Ma] basaltic lavas); 208Pb/204Pb, 38.33543 (ave. for early
[22–14 Ma] rhyolites); 208Pb/204Pb, 38.57767 (ave. K-rich mafic
lavas); 208Pb/204Pb, 37.40933 (ave. for late [9.1–4.8 Ma] rhyolites);
208
Pb/204Pb, 37.6068 (ave. for late [12.7–0.5 Ma] basaltic lavas)
N.A.
mafic lavas); 0.706703 (ave. for late [9.1–4.8 Ma] rhyolites);
0.704696 (ave. for late [12.7–0.5 Ma] basaltic lavas)

Geosphere, October 2010 713

 118° 40’ 52.5’’
Yager et al. 114° 02’ 16.3’’
41° 59’ 47.89’’ N

38° 22’ 9.7’’

EXPLANATION 6000000
Area of Bimodal Units in meters
6
Qtb 5000
5000000

4000
4000000
Km2

5
Ta3 3000
3000000

Tba 2000
2000000 4

1000
1000000
Tb 0 3
Qtb Ta3 Tba Tb Tbg Tmi Tr3 Tri
Tbg A Number of metallic deposits by unit 2

Tmi
1

Tr3
0

Tri B Qtb Ta3 Tba Tb Tbg Tmi Tr3 Tri

Mineral Deposit

Figure 35. Bimodal igneous units in the MGB study area from Crafford (2007). Area by unit in km2 (A); number of metallic depos-
its (mostly Au-Ag) by unit (B). Note that most of the mineral deposits that intersect bimodal rocks occur in units Tba and Tr3.
Qtb—Quaternary basalt; Ta3—andesite and intermediate composition rocks; Tba—andesite and basalt flows; Tb—basalt flows;
Tbg—basalt, gravel, and tuffaceous sediments; Tmi—mafic and intermediate intrusives; Tr3—rhyolitic flows and shallow intrusives;
Tri—rhyolite intrusives. GIS coverages of bimodal units are available from Crafford (2007).

714 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions
Appendix A. PHYSICAL DATABASE SCHEMA FOR THE STUDY OF MIOCENE TO HOLOCENE IGNEOUS ROCKS, NORTHERN NEVADA
Relational database physical design for the study of Miocene to Holocene bimodal igneous rocks in the Great Basin Province

MINERAL_MODE

ANALYSIS_NUM
MINERAL BATCH_NUM INCLUSION
MINERAL_SPECIES
ANALYSIS_NUM ANALYSIS_NUM
MINERAL_SHAPE
BATCH_NUM BATCH_NUM
PERCENT_ABUNDANCE
SPOT_ID SPOT_ID
MATRIX_PERCENT
MINERAL INCLUSION_TYPE
POINTS_COUNTED
CRYSTAL HOST_MINERAL
ACCESSORY_PHASE
HOST_ROCK_TYPE MINERAL_INC
SECONDARY_PHASE
RIM_OR_CORE HEATING
MINERAL_SIZE HEATING_TEMPERATURE
PRIM_OR_SEC RIM_OR_CORE_INC
MINERAL_KD_ELEM INCLUSION_SIZE
IMAGE_NUM MIN_KD_ELEM_INC
MELT_KD_ELEM
IMAGE_NUM

XRAYDIFFRACTION

ANALYSIS_NUM
BATCH_NUM
XRD_MINERAL
PERCENT_ABUNDANCE_XRD
XRD_PRIMARY
XRD_ACCESSORY
ISOTOPIC_AGE CHEMISTRY XRD_SECONDARY
SAMPLE_PREP STANDARD FRACT_CORRECT
SAMPLE_NUM
ISOTOPIC_AGE_MIN
ANALYSIS_NUM
BATCH_NUM
CLAY_PREP
XRD_HEATING DATA_QUALITY_NUM FRACT_CORRECT_NUM
Mineral
ISOTOPIC_AGE_MAX ITEM_MEASURED FCORR_ITEM
ITEM_MEASURED GLYCOLATION
SAMPLE METHOD_NUM STANDARD_NAME FCORR_VALUE
ITEM_TYPE INTERNAL_STANDARD
GEOL_AGE_PREFIX STANDARD_VALUE FCORR_STANDARD_NAME
VALUE_MEASURED PDF_NUM
SAMPLE_NUM EON STDEV DATA_QUALITY_NUM
STDDEV C_CELL_DIM
SAMPLE_ID ERA STDEV_TYPE REF_NUM
STDEV_TYPE SCAN_LENGTH_2THETA
LOCATION_NUM PERIOD UNIT_STD
UNIT SCAN_LENGTH_DSPACE
SAMPLE_COMMENT EPOCH
DATA_QUALITY_NUM
SAMPLE_DEPTH REF_NUM
IMAGE_NUM
ROCK_TYPE_GENERAL
ROCK_CLASSIFICATION
SUBAERIAL_SUBAQUEOUS
LOCATION NORM
DEPOSIT_TYPE
CLAST_SIZE LOCATION_NUM
FABRIC_TEXTURE REF_NUM
SAMPLE_NUM RESERVOIR
VESICULARITY CORE_NUM
VOLATILE_PHASES NORM_ITEM_NORM
LONGITUDE NORM_VALUE_NORM
ALTERATION_TYPE LATITUDE
ALTERATION_INTENSITY UNIT
LOCATION_PRECISION
FORMATION ELEVATION_MIN NORMALIZATION_LIST
MAJOR_DATA ELEVATION_MAX
TRACE_DATA LOCATION_COMMENT NORMALIZATION_NUM
ISOTOPIC_DATA DATA_QUALITY_NUM
NORMALIZATION
MINERAL_DATA
INCLUSION_DATA NORMALIZATION_NUM
ISOTOPIC_AGE_DATA METHOD
ANALYSIS_QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS_SEMIQUANT NORM_ITEM
FACIES METHOD_NUM NORM_VALUE
PERCENT_LITHICS ANALYSIS_NUM ANALYSIS_NUM TECHNIQUE NORM_STANDARD_NAME
PUMICE_SIZE BATCH_NUM BATCH_NUM INSTITUTION_NUM DATA_QUALITY_NUM
PUMICE_COMPACTION_RATIO DATA_QUALITY_NUM DATA_QUALITY_NUM METHOD_COMMENT REF_NUM
BATCH
DENSITY NUM_ANALYSES NUM_ANALYSES
POROSITY SAMPLE_NUM CALC_AVE CALC_AVE METHOD_PRECISION
PERMEABILITY BATCH_NUM
WELDING_CHARACTER MATERIAL DATA_QUALITY_NUM
ZONED_SEQUENCE REF_NUM ITEM_MEASURED
PERCENT_CRYSTALS_WR TABLE_IN_REF DATA_QUALITY PRECISION_TYPE
PERCENT_CRYSTALS_PM PRECISION_MIN
DATA_QUALITY_NUM PRECISION_MAX
PERCENT_MATRIX
REF_NUM
IMAGE_NUM
METHOD_NUM
REF_NUM
METHOD_COMMENT
Data Batches, Method,
and Quality Rock
UNIT_REGIONAL_STRUCTURE Hierarchy
PALEOMAG
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_ID HIERARCHY STRATIGRAPHIC_SECTION
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_NAME LOCATION_NUM
OBJECT_ID SAMPLE_NUM CORE_NUM
STATION_NUM STRAT_COL_ID
OBJECT_ID OBJECT_ID STRAT_COL_NUM
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_TYPE HIERARCHY_SEQ_NUM MAG_METHOD
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_DENSITY STRAT_COL_COMMENT
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM TREATMENT LEVEL STRAT_AGE_MIN
FLOW_FOLIATION HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NAME TREATMENT_TYPE
PUMICE_FOLIATION STRAT_AGE_MAX
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_TYPE DECLINATION LOCATION_NUM
TRANSPORT_DIRECTION HIERARCHY_LEVEL_COMMENT INCLINATION
TRANSPORT_DETERMINED REF_NUM
HIERARCHY_AGE_MIN NRM IMAGE_NUM
VOLCANO_TECTONIC_SETTING HIERARCHY_AGE_MAX MAG_REMOVED
STRUCTURE_COMMENT STRAT_COL_NUM DEMAG_INTERVAL
RELATIVE_AGE
DIKE_CONTACT_TREND IMAGE_NUM DEMAG_TYPE
FAULT_DESCRIPTION NUMBER_OF_DEPOSITS INTENSITY
ENVIRONMENTAL_PROPERTIES FAULT_LENGTH DEPOSIT_MODELS OBJECT_ID FREQ_DEPENDENCE
FAULT_STRIKE SAMPLE_ID SEQUENCE_NUM ARM
SAMPLE_NUM FAULT_DIP REF_NUM RADIOMETRIC_AGE IRM INTERPRETED_MODELED
OBJECT_ID FISSURE_LENGTH RELATIVE_AGE_CODE HIRM
ENV_SAMPLE_COMMENT FISSURE_WIDTH STRUCTURE_SITE RELATIVE_AGE_TYPE S_PARAMETER
FISSURE_TREND SAMPLE_NUM
NET_ACID_PRODUCTION HIERARCHY_SUMMARY RELATIVE_AGE_EXPERT PARA_MS
IMAGE_NUM HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NAME
NET_ACID_METHOD STATION_NUM RELATIVE_AGE_CERTAINTY M_SAT
REF_NUM HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM
ACID_NEUT_CAP LOCATION_NUM HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NAME RELATIVE_AGE_MIN MRS
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM
PERCENT_XTAL_FRAC
ACID_NEUT_METHOD SAMPLE_NUM RELATIVE_AGE_MAX HC
ROCK_TYPE_RANGE PERCENT_ASSIMILATION
CONFINING_LAYER JOINT_SPACING OLDER_ID HCR
STRUCTURAL_CONTROL PERCENT_MIXING
SPRINGS_AT_CONTACT JOINT_DENSITY YOUNGER_ID MAG_SUSCEPTIBILITY
ERUPTIVE_STYLE PERCENT_PARTIAL_MELT
SPRINGS_A_B_I JOINT_LENGTH AREA IMAGE_NUM MAG_RESISTIVITY DEPTH_MAGMA_ORIGIN
AQUIFER JOINT_WIDTH VOLUME REF_NUM NORMAL_REVERSE OXYGEN_FUGACITY
AQUIFER_QUALITY UNIT_REGIONAL_MORPHOLOGY JOINT_ORIENTATION COMP_EVOLUTION POINTS_USED SULFUR_FUGACITY
NATURAL_SEQ_POTENTIAL JOINT_SET PETROGENSIS SECTION OX_FUG_METHOD
CARBON_CAP_POTENTIAL JOINT_SET_EPISODES HOT_SPOT_POS DEPTH
FEATURE_NAME REE
SULF_FUG_METHOD
SOIL_RECOVERY_POTENTIAL DIKE_SPACING HOLE INCLINATION
OBJECT_ID TRACE_ELEM MAGMA_TEMP
PLANT_TYPES DIKE_DENSITY ROTATION
STATION_NUM HYD_PHASES MAGMA_PRESSURE
WEATHERING_POTENTIAL DIKE_LENGTH CSD
CONTACT_RELATIONS MINERAL_DEP TEMP_METHOD
AG_SOIL_SUITABILITY DIKE_WIDTH PALEOSTRAT_AGE
THICKNESS TIME_INTERVAL PRESSURE_METHOD
NUTRIENT_RICH DIKE_ORIENTATION 87SR_86SR_RANGE TOP_INTERVAL
AREA_TOTAL_INUNDATED PERCENT_VOLATILES
PLANT_TYPES DIKE_SET 206PB_204PB_RANGE BOTTOM_INTERVAL
VOLUME BULK_KD
WEATHERING_POTENTIAL JOINT_OPEN_FILLED 143ND_144ND_RANGE SECTION
ASPECT_RATIO REF_NUM
REF_NUM JOINT_STRUCTURE_SETTING 208PB_204PB_RANGE MAG_COMMENT
GRADING_NORMAL_REVERSE 238U_232TH_RANGE
LAYERING_TYPE IMAGE_NUM REF_NUM
230TH_238U_RANGE
IGNEOUS_FEATURE_TYPE REF_NUM
230TH_232TH_RANGE
IMAGE_NUM ISOTOPIC_RATIO
REF_NUM ISOTOPIC_AGE
HYDROTHERM_SYSTEM
MAGNETICS
CONDUCTIVITY
IMAGE_NUM
Feature or Region
COMMENTS

Images
IMAGES

IMAGE_NUM
IMAGE_NAME
IMAGE_TYPE_DESC
LOCATION_NUM
REF_NUM

PERSON
AUTHOR_LIST
PERSON_NUM
FIRST_NAME REF_NUM
LAST_NAME PERSON_NUM
INSTITUTION_NUM FIRST_NAME
PHONE LAST_NAME
EMAIL AUTHOR_ORDER

REFERENCE

REF_NUM
TABLE_IN_REF INSTITUTION TITLE
JOURNAL
REF_NUM INSTITUTION_NUM VOLUME
TABLE_IN_REF INSTITUTION ISSUE
TABLE_TITLE DEPARTMENT FIRST_PAGE
ADDRESS_PART1 LAST_PAGE
ADDRESS_PART2 PUB_YEAR
CITY_STATE_ZIP BOOK_TITLE
BOOK_EDITORS
PUBLISHER
DATA_ENTERED

References and Data Source

Schema is Modified from Lehnert and others, 2000.

Geosphere, October 2010 715

 Yager et al.

APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE

Table: SAMPLE
Attribute Data Type Description
SAMPLE_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each sample
SAMPLE_ID Text Sample identifier assigned by sampler/researcher
LOCATION_NUM Number Unique key field that links to the master LOCATION table
SAMPLE_COMMENT Memo General information about the sample
SAMPLE_DEPTH Number Depth in meters below ground surface that sample was collected
ROCK_TYPE_GENERAL Text Category of rock type: Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary
ROCK_CLASSIFICATION Text Category of rock type: basalt, dacite, andesite
SUBAERIAL_SUBAQUEOUS Text Describes if a unit was deposited above or below water: permissive entries are (subaerial, subaqueous)
DEPOSIT_TYPE Text Describes the physical characteristic of the deposit, e.g., ash-flow, lava, dike, intrusion, etc.
CLAST_SIZE Number Size of clasts in centimeters
FABRIC_TEXTURE Text Describes physical fabric or texture, e.g., trachytic, amygdaloidal, etc.
VESICULARITY Number Describes vesicle content in percent where < 1% is nonvesicular, 1% to 5% is sparsely vesicular, > 5% to
20% is moderately vesicular, and > 20% is highly vesicular
VOLATILE_PHASES Text List volatile primary phases if present, e.g., biotite, amphibole, etc.
ALTERATION_TYPE Text Type of alteration of sample: potassic, sericitic, argillic
ALTERATION_INTENSITY Text Grade of alteration: fresh, slightly altered, highly altered
FORMATION Text Name of geologic formation sampled
MAJOR_DATA Yes/No Yes where data is available
TRACE_DATA Yes/No Yes where data is available.
ISOTOPIC_DATA Yes/No Yes where data is available
MINERAL_DATA Yes/No Yes where data is available.
INCLUSION_DATA Yes/No Yes where data is available.
ISOTOPIC_AGE_DATA Yes/No Yes where data is available.
FACIES Text Description of facies, e.g., outflow, intracaldera, vent
PERCENT_LITHICS Number Quatity of lithic fragments in percent of whole rock
PUMICE_SIZE Number Size of pumice in millimeters where fine ash is < 0.062 mm, coarse ash is < 2 mm and > 0.062 mm, ciders
and lapilli are < 64 mm and > 2 mm, blocks and bombs are > 64 mm
PUMICE_COMPACTION_RATIO Text Ratio of a pumice’s length to average width, e.g., 10:1
DENSITY Number Density calculated in grams per centimeter3
POROSITY Number Porosity determined as a fraction: volume of void space divide by the total volume
PERMEABILITY Number Permeability reported as millidarcies
WELDING_CHARACTER Text General description of welding: permissive entries (weak, moderate, strong)
ZONED_SEQUENCE Text Denotes if part of a compositionally zoned sequence, permissive entries (yes, no)
PERCENT_CRYSTALS_WR Number Percent crystals in the whole rock of an ash-flow tuff
PERCENT_CRYSTALS_PM Number Percent crystals in pumice
PERCENT_MATRIX Number Percent matrix of a whole rock
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference

Table: HIERARCHY
Attribute Data Type Description
SAMPLE_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each sample
OBJECT_ID Number Unique number assigned to each feature using GIS or other database assigned attribute
PROGRESSION_NUM Number A number that allows features of various relative physical scale to be queried, e.g. 1 being the finest resolution,
and higher numbers having the coarsest resolution
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM Number Numeric code that defines each hierarchy; e.g., 1150 = eastern magnetic expression of the Northern
Nevada Rift.
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NAME Name Name of the hierarchy; can be an abbreviation (EMAG_NNR = eastern magnetic expression of the northern
Nevada Rift). See metadata for numeric code and name definitions and detailed descriptions
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_TYPE Text Describes the type of hierarchy, e.g., geologic, geophysical, geographic/physiographic
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_COMMENT Text Abstract describing hierarchy
HIERARCHY_AGE_MIN Number Minimum age in millions of years for a geologic hierarchy
HIERARCHY_AGE_MAX Number Maximum age in millions of years for a geologic hierarchy
STRAT_COL_NUM Number Number that identifies the stratigraphic colum number in the STRATIGRAPHIC_SECTION table
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image
NUMBER_OF_DEPOSITS Number Total number of mineral deposits that are part of a geo-hierarchy
DEPOSIT_MODELS Text List of mineral deposit model types associated with a geo-hierarchy and defined in DuBray and others, 1995.
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference

Table: HIERARCHY_SUMMARY
Attribute Data Type Description
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NAME Name Name of the hierarchy; can be an abbreviation (EMAG_NNR = eastern magnetic expression of the northern
Nevada Rift). See metadata for numeric code and name definitions and detailed descriptions
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM Number Numeric code that defines each hierarchy; e.g., 1150 = eastern magnetic expression of the Northern
Nevada Rift.
ROCK_TYPE_RANGE Text Rock classification range, e.g., peralkaline rhyolite to thoeliitic basalt
STRUCTURAL_CONTROL Text Description of any structural control related to loci of magmatism
ERUPTIVE_STYLE Text Description of physical eruption characteristics, e.g., plinean ash-fall deposit; base surge; highly viscous and
flow-banded lava
AREA Number Map area in meters2
VOLUME Number Volume of regional physical feature in meters3
COMP_EVOLUTION Text Description of the temporal, geochemical characteristics, e.g., zoned sequence from high silica, high rubidium
to intermediate silica, high barium
PETROGENESIS Text Petrogenetic source of magma, e.g., asthenospheric mantle
HOT_SPOT_POS Text Description of inferred hot spot position associated with magmatism
(continued)

716 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions

APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)

Table: HIERARCHY_SUMMARY (continued)
Attribute Data Type Description
REE Text Description of REE patterns, enrichment, depletion
TRACE_ELEM Text Description of trace element characteristics, e.g., high field strength element Hf-enriched
HYD_PHASES Text List of primary hydrous mineral phases, or none reported if applicable
MINERAL_DEP Text Description of associated or hosted mineral deposits
TIME_INTERVAL Text Duration of magmatic episode
87SR86SR_RANGE Text Range of 87Strontium/86Strontium isotopic ratio
206PB204PB_RANGE Text Range of 206Lead/204Lead isotopic ratio
208PB204PB_RANGE Text Range of 208Lead/204Lead isotopic ratio
143ND_144ND_RANGE Text Range of 143Neodymium/
144
Neodymium isotopic ratio
238U_232TH_RANGE Text Range of 238Uranium/232Thorium isotopic ratio
230TH 238U_RANGE Text Range of 230Uranium/238Thorium isotopic ratio
230TH_232TH_RANGE Text Range of 230 Thorium /232Thorium isotopic ratio
ISOTOPIC_RATIO Text Isotopic ratio for isotopes not specifically listed as a database field
HYDROTHERMAL_SYSTEM Text Description of hydrothermal system characteristics, e.g., acid sulfate system associated with an episode of
dacitic intrusions
MAGNETICS Text General qualitative rank of magnetic signature (low, moderate, high)
CONDUCTIVITY Text Qualitative rank of conductivity (low-moderate-high)
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image

Table: STRUCTURE_SITE
Attribute Data Type Description
STATION_NUM Number Unique station number where multiple structural observations were acquired
LOCATION_NUM Number Unique key field that links to the master LOCATION table
SAMPLE_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each sample
JOINT_SPACING Text Average spacing of joints in metric units; e.g., 15_cm
JOINT_DENSITY Text Describes density number of joints per metric unit; e.g., 10_m
JOINT_LENGTH Number Average joint length in meters
JOINT_WIDTH Number Average joint width in meters
JOINT_ORIENTATION Text Defines average strike and dip of joint sets in degrees (right-hand-rule); e.g., 45_70_180_88
JOINT_SET Text Relative age indicated by F1, first formed set; F2 the second formed set, etc.
JOINT_SET_EPISODES Number Describes the number of joint sets (1 to n) identified based on relative ages and orientation
DIKE_SPACING Text Average spacing of dikes in metric units; e.g., 1000_m
DIKE_DENSITY Text Describes density number of dikes per metric unit; e.g., 10_km
DIKE_LENGTH Text Average dike length in meters
DIKE_WIDTH Number Average dike width in meters
DIKE_ORIENTATION Text Defines average strike and dip of dike in degrees (right-hand rule); e.g., 45_70_180_88
DIKE_SET Text Relative age indicated by D1, first formed; D2 is the second formed etc.
JOINT_OPEN_FILLED Text Describes if joint is open or filled with a mineral or minerals and the mineral types if filled
JOINT_STRUCTURE_SETTING Text Describes how joint formed; e.g., extension, compression
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique image number
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference

Table: ENVIRONMENTAL_PROPERTIES
Attribute Data Type Description
SAMPLE_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each sample
SAMPLE_ID Text Sample identifier assigned by sampler/researcher
ENV_SAMPLE_COMMENT Text Description of environmental sample characteristics
OBJECT_ID Number Number that uniquely defines all features in the database
NET_ACID_PRODUCTION Number Value in kilograms per ton calcium carbonate equivalent
NET_ACID_METHOD Text Method used, e.g., Lopakko; SOBEK
ACID_NEUT_CAP Number Amount of acid neutralizing capacity in kilograms per ton calcium carbonate equivalent
ACID_NEUT_METHOD Text Method used, e.g., Yager and others, 2005
CONFINING_LAYER Text Physical feature is an aquitard to groundwater flow: permissive entry (yes, no)
SPRINGS_AT_CONTACT Text Denotes if a spring is at geologic contact: permissive response is yes or no
SPRINGS_A_B_I Text Denotes if spring is in, above, or below contact
AQUIFER Text Identifies if physical feature is an acquifer: permissive entry (yes,no)
AQUIFER_QUALITY Text Describes geochemical quality of water in qualitative terms of drinking water standards: permissive entries
(good, poor)
NATURAL_SEQ_POTENTIAL Text Describes the natural carbon sequestration potential of physical feature in qualitative terms: permissive entries
are (good, moderate, poor)
CARBON_CAP_POTENTIAL Text Describes the carbon capture and storage potential if physical feature was used to store CO2 in underground
reservoir: permissive entries (good, moderate, poor)
SOIL_RECOVERY_POTENTIAL Text Description of soil recovery potential from land disturbance that is based on vegetation health in adjacent,
surrounding undisturbed. Permissive responses are good, moderate, poor
PLANT_TYPES Text List of plant types that tend to grow on geo-hierarchy substrate
WEATHERING_POTENTIAL Text Qualitative description of the weathering potential of a geologic substrate: permissive entries: (low,
moderate, high)
AG_SOIL_SUITABILITY Text Qualitative description of a soils agricultural suitability that is derived from weathering of an igneous geo-
hierarchy : permissive entries (low, moderate, high)
NUTRIENT_RICH Text Qualitative description of a soils nutrient content that is derived from the weathering of an igneous geo-
hierarchy : permissive entries (low, moderate, high)
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference
(continued)

Geosphere, October 2010 717

 Yager et al.

APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)

Table: UNIT_REGIONAL_MORPHOLOGY
Attribute Data Type Description
FEATURE_NAME Text Name of unit or regional geologic entity
OBJECT_ID Number Number that uniquely defines all features in the database
STATION_NUM Number Unique station number where multiple structural observations were acquired
CONTACT_RELATIONS Text Description of a unit or regional features contact relationship with adjacent units or features, e.g., chilled
margin at base of unit forms vitropyre where in contact with underlying dacite
THICKNESS Number Thickness of unit or regional feature in meters
AREA_TOTAL_INUNDATED Number Total area affected by unit or feature in meters2
VOLUME Number Volume of regional physical feature in meters3
ASPECT_RATIO Text Ratio of the length to average width, e.g., 40:1
GRADING_NORMAL_REVERSE Text Denotes normal or reverse grading: permissive entries (normal, reverse)
LAYERING_TYPE Text Description of layering characteristics, e.g., finely layered expressed as (0.5 mm); cumulate layering
IGNEOUS_FEATURE_TYPE Text Description of regional igneous feature or unit, e.g., lava flow, cinder cone, fissure, ring fracture
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference

Table: RELATIVE_AGE
Attribute Data Type Description
OBJECT_ID Number Number that uniquely defines all features in the database
SEQUENCE_NUM Number The sequential sequence number that defines the relative age sequence from oldest 1 to youngest
RADIOMETRIC_AGE Number Age in millions of years
RELATIVE_AGE_CODE Text Code description defining the method that a relative age is determined (see text and metadata for details)
RELATIVE_AGE_TYPE Text Description of how a relative age was assigned; e.g., superposition, cross-cutting relationships
RELATIVE_AGE_EXPERT Text Name of geoscientist the determined relative age
RELATIVE_AGE_CERTAINTY Text ± age uncertainty in millions of years
RELATIVE_AGE_MIN Number Minimum relative age in millions of years
RELATIVE_AGE_MAX Number Maximum relative age in millions of years
OLDER_ID Number Updatable field that stores the OBJECT_ID’S that places constraints on adjacent older objects
YOUNGER_ID Number Updatable field that stores the OBJECT_ID’S that places constraints on adjacent younger objects
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference

Table: PALEOMAG
Attribute Data Type Description
SAMPLE_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each sample
CORE_NUM Text Number of core for paleomagnetic analyses
MAG_METHOD Text Describes how paleomagnetic analyses was done, e.g., alternating field demagnetization
TREATMENT_LEVEL Number The treatment level used for the measurement; AF is in milliTesla (mT) TH in degrees C; NRM is always 0
TREATMENT_TYPE Text How a paleomagnetic sample is treated for analysis; permissive entries are AF = Alternating-field; TH =
Thermal Demagnetization
and NR = Natural Remnant Magnetization
DECLINATION Number Declination of the characteristic magnetization. Characteristic directions are determined by fitting lines to
demagnetization data.
INCLINATION Number Inclination of the characteristic magnetization in degrees
NRM Number The magnitude of natural remanent demagnetization steps in milliTesla (mT)
MAG_REMOVED Number Magnetization removed in magnetization interval: The difference in magnitude between the magnetizations for
the lowest and highest demagnetization steps included in calculating the characteristic magnetization; units
amperes/meter (A/m)
DEMAG_INTERVAL Text Demagnetization interval used for linear fit: The highest and lowest demagnetization steps in millTesla (mt)
used in calculating the characteristic direction
DEMAG_TYPE Text Type of demagnetization used, e.g., alternating field; thermal
INTENSITY Number Paleomagnetic field intensity: The method used determines the units for the intensity value. Molspin Spinner
Magnetometer is in mA/m; Cryogenic Magnetometer is in cgs x10 -6
FREQ_DEPENDENCE Number Frequency dependent susceptibility in percent
ARM Number Magnitude of anhysteretic remanent magnetization
IRM Number Isothermal remanent magnetization in amperes/meter (A/m)
HIRM Number “Hard” isothermal remanent magnetization, determined by dividing the “S-paramater by 2, units in amperes
per meter (A/m)
S_PARAMETER Number The “S-parameter” determined by dividing the isothermal remanent magnetization acquired in an induction orf
1.2T and the isothermal remanent magnetization acquired in an induction orf 0.3T
PARA_MS Number Paramagnetic magnetic susceptibility determined from the slope of the hysteresis curve above an induction of
0.9 Teslas; units in vol.-SI
M_SAT Number Saturation magnetization determined after removal of paramagnetic component in amperes/meter
mrs Number Saturation remanent magnetization in amperes/meter
HC Number Coercivity determined after removal of paramagnetic component in milliTeslas (mT)
HCR Number Coercivity of remanence in milliTeslas (mT)
MAG_SUSCEPTIBILITY Number Volume magnetic susceptibility in SI units
MAG_RESISTIVITY Number Resistivity in ohm meters
NORMAL_REVERSE Text Denotes normal or reversed magnetization; permissive entries (normal, reverse)
POINTS_USED Number The number of demagnetization steps used in calculating the characteristic direction
SECTION Text Number that identifies the section of core analyzed; cores are trimmed into sections for
magnetization analyses
DEPTH Number Depth in hole (meters)
HOLE_INCLINATION Number Inclination of hole in degrees
ROTATION Text Rotation of unit, mountain block, or area based on interpretation of paleomagnetic data and reported
in degrees
(continued)

718 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions
APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)
Table: PALEOMAG (continued)
Attribute Data Type Description
CSD Number Circular standard deviation of three vectors measured during spin measurements
PALEOSTRAT_AGE Number Age in millions of years that corresponds to the paleomagnetic stratigraphy age
TOP_INTERVAL Number The location of the top of a sample measured in centimeters from the top of the section
BOTTOM_INTERVAL Number The location of the bottom of a sample measured in centimeters from the top of the section
SECTION Text Number that identifies the section of core analyzed; cores are trimmed into sections for
magnetization analyses
MAG_COMMENT Text Comment field for paleomagnetic attributes, e.g., sampled at base of vitropyre
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference

Table: STRATIGRAPHIC_SECTION
Attribute Data Type Description
STRAT_COL_ID Number A unique stratigraphic column name assigned by reseracher
STRAT_COL_NUM Number Number that identifies the stratigraphic colum number in the STRATIGRAPHIC_SECTION table
STRAT_COL_COMMENT Text Description of stratigraphic column
STRAT_AGE_MIN Number Minimum stratigraphic age in millions of years
STRAT_AGE_MAX Number Maximum stratigraphic age in millions of years
LOCATION_NUM Number Unique key field that links to the master LOCATION table
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image

Table: INTERPRETED_MODELED
Attribute Data Type Description
SAMPLE_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each sample
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NAME Name Name of the hierarchy; can be an abbreviation (EMAG_NNR = eastern magnetic expression of the Northern
Nevada Rift). See metadata for numeric code and name definitions and detailed descriptions
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM Number Numeric code that defines each hierarchy; e.g., 1150 = eastern magnetic expression of the Northern
Nevada Rift.
PERCENT_XTAL_FRAC Number Percent modeled crystal fractionation in generating melt phases involved
PERCENT_ASSIMILATION Text Percent modeled assimilation in generating melt and source or sources listed
PERCENT_MIXING Text Percent modeled mixing of melts and compositions involved
PERCENT_PARTIAL_MELT Number Calculated percent partial melting
DEPTH_MAGMA_ORIGIN Number Depth in kilometers where magma originated
OXYGEN_FUGACITY Number Calculated oxygen fugacity in log units
SULFUR_FUGACITY Number Calculated sulfur fugacity in log units
OX_FUG_METHOD Text Method used to calculate oxygen fugacity
SULF_FUG_METHOD Text Method used to calculate sulfur fugacity
MAGMA_TEMP Number Temperature of magma in degrees celsius
MAGMA_PRESSURE Number Pressure of magma in kilobars
TEMP_METHOD Text Method used to determine magma temperature
PRESSURE_METHOD Text Method used to determine magma pressure
PERCENT_VOLATILES Number Percent volatile phases
BULK_KD Text Calculated bulk distribution coefficient for a magma crystallizing more than one phase: entry or entries include
trace element, distribution coefficient value
REF_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image

Table: PERSON
Attribute Data Type Description
PERSON_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each author
FIRST_NAME Text First name, middle initial of author
LAST_NAME Text Last name of author
INSTITUTION_NUM Number Unique ID number for Institution: Gov. Institutions 100-150, Research 151-700, Commercial/Business 701+
PHONE Text Phone Number of Person: XXX-XXX-XXXX
EMAIL Text Email address of person

Table: TABLE_IN_REFERENCE
Attribute Data Type Description
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference
TABLE_IN_REF Number Table number in reference where data are published
TABLE_TITLE Text Title of table in literature where analyses were culled

Table: INSTITUTION
Attribute Data Type Description
INSTITUTION_NUM Number Unique ID number for Institution: Gov. Institutions 100-150, Research 151-700, Commercial/Business 701+
INSTITUTION Text Name of Institution
DEPARTMENT Text Department or Institution
ADDRESS_PART1 Text Street Address
ADDRESS_PART2 Text Additional Address Information
CITY_STATE_ZIP Text City, State and Zip Code

Table: AUTHOR_LIST
Attribute Data Type Description
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference
PERSON_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each author
FIRST_NAME Text First name, middle initial of author
LAST_NAME Text Last name of author
AUTHOR_ORDER Number Order in which author is listed in publication: 1,2,3…
(continued)

Geosphere, October 2010 719

 Yager et al.

APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)

Table: REFERENCE
Attribute Data Type Description
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference
TITLE Text Title of publication
JOURNAL Text Name of journal containing publication
VOLUME Number Volume of regional physical feature in meters3
ISSUE Text Number of issue of journal containing publication
FIRST_PAGE Number Number of first page of publication
LAST_PAGE Number Number of last page of publication
PUB_YEAR Number Four digit year of publication
BOOK_TITLE Text Title of book
BOOK_EDITORS Text List of editors of book
PUBLISHER Text Name of publisher
DATA_ENTERED Yes/No Yes if published data is entered in database

Table: IMAGES
Attribute Data Type Description
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image
IMAGE_NAME Text Name of image, e.g., Izengood Geologic Quadrangle map
IMAGE_TYPE_DESC Text Type of image, e.g., thin section, large-scale map, small-scale map, geotiff, etc.
LOCATION_NUM Number Unique key field that links to the master LOCATION table
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference

Table: UNIT_REGIONAL_
Structure Data Type Description
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_ID Number Unique number that defines a structural feature
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_NAME Text Name of structural feature; e.g., southeast Sheep Creek range fault
OBJECT_ID Number Number that uniquely defines all features in the database
STATION_NUM Number Unique station number where multiple structural observations were acquired
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_TYPE Text Description of structural features; e.g., fault, fold
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_DENSITY Text Density of feature per metric unit, e.g. 10_m
FLOW_FOLIATION Text Strike and dip of flow foliation using right hand rule, e.g. 40_5
PUMICE_FOLIATION Text Strike and dip of pumice foliation using right-hand rule, e.g., 180_7
TRANSPORT_DIRECTION Number Direction of transport in degrees
TRANSPORT_DETERMINED Text Description of how transport direction was determined, e.g., paleo-flow indicators in an ash-flow tuff
VOLCANO_TECTONIC_SETTING Text Description of volcano-tectonic setting, e.g., within plate
STRUCTURE_COMMENT Text Description of structural feature
DIKE_CONTACT_TREND Number Average trend of dike contact in degrees
FAULT_DESCRIPTION Text Description of fault
FAULT_LENGTH Number Length of fault in meters
FAULT_STRIKE Number Strike of fault in degrees (360)
FAULT_DIP Number Dip of fault (right-hand rule)
FISSURE_LENGTH Number Igneous fissure length in meters
FISSURE_WIDTH Number Igneous fissure width in meters
FISSURE_TREND Number Igneous fissure trend in degrees (360)
image_num Number Unique number that is correlative with an image
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference

Table: NORMALIZATION_LIST
Attribute Data Type Description
NORMALIZATION_NUM Number Number that uniquely defines a normalization
DATA_QUALITY_NUM Number Number that uniquely describes a data quality description

Table: NORMALIZATION
Attribute Data Type Description
NORMALIZATION_NUM Number Number that uniquely defines a normalization
NORM_ITEM Text Name of element, oxide, or isotope ratio that is normalized
NORM_VALUE Number Value of the standard for the item measured that is normalized
NORM_STANDARD_NAME Text Name of standard
DATA_QUALITY_NUM Number Number that uniquely describes a data quality description
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference

Table: NORM
Attribute Data Type Description
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference
RESERVOIR Text Acronym or name for a geochemical reservoir
NORM_ITEM_NORM Text Name of element, oxide, or isotope ratio that is normalized in the table NORM
NORM_VALUE_NORM Number Value of reservoir in the table NORM
UNIT Text Unit of compositional value (e.g., PPM- Parts per million, WT%-Weight Percent)

Table: METHOD
Attribute Data Type Description
METHOD_NUM Number Number that uniquely identifies a method
TECHNIQUE Text Description of method type, e.g., ICP-MS
INSTITUTION_NUM Number Unique ID number for Institution: Gov. Institutions 100-150, Research 151-700, Commercial/Business 701+
METHOD_COMMENT Text Remarks on special treatment applied to sample; e.g., leached in 6N HCl.
(continued)

720 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions
APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)
Table: METHOD_PRECISION
Attribute Data Type Description
DATA_QUALITY_NUM Number Number that uniquely describes a data quality description
ITEM_MEASURED Text Chemical name of analyzed substance: eg, SIO2 (all caps)
PRECISION_TYPE Text e.g., double, single
PRECISION_MIN Number Minimum analytical precision
PRECISION_MAX Number Maximum analytical precision

Table: ANALYSES_SEMIQUANT
Attribute Data Type Description
ANALYSIS_NUM Number Nominal number associated with type of analysis (1=raw major, 2=trace, 3=normalized major, 5 =
mineral mode)
BATCH_NUM Number Unique number assigned to sample number that identifies a batch or group of samples from an area, section,
drill hole, etc.
DATA_QUALITY_NUM Number Number that uniquely describes a data quality description
NUM_ANALYSES Number Number of analyses that were averaged
CALC_AVE Text Describes if analysis is individual, part of a group that can be averaged, or is an average

Table: DATA_QUALITY
Attribute Data Type Description
DATA_QUALITY_NUM Number Number that uniquely describes a data quality description
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference
METHOD_NUM Number Number that uniquely identifies a method
METHOD_COMMENT Text Remarks on special treatment applied to sample; e.g., leached in 6N HCl.

Table: LOCATION
Attribute Data Type Description
LOCATION_NUM Number Unique key field that links to the master LOCATION table
LOCATION_ID Text Location name assigned by sampler
SAMPLE_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each sample
CORE_NUM Text Number of core for paleomagnetic analyses
LONGITUDE Number X Coordinate, Geographic location in decimal degrees
LATITUDE Number Y Coordinate, Geographic location in decimal degrees
LOCATION_PRECISION Text Measured Precision of Location (eg. 3-5 meters, < 1 mm)
ELEVATION_MIN Number Z Coordinate., Lowest elevation
ELEVATION_MAX Number Z Coordinate., Highest elevation

Table: ANALYSES_QUANTITATIVE
Attribute Data Type Description
ANALYSIS_NUM Number Nominal number associated with type of analysis (1=raw major, 2=trace, 3=normalized major, 5 = mineral mode)
BATCH_NUM Number Unique number assigned to sample number that identifies a batch or group of samples from an area, section,
drill hole, etc.
DATA_QUALITY_NUM Number Number that uniquely describes a data quality description
NUM_ANALYSES Number Number of analyses that were averaged
CALC_AVE Text Describes if analysis is individual, part of a group that can be averaged, or is an average

Table: BATCH
Attribute Data Type Description
SAMPLE_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each sample
BATCH_NUM Number Unique number assigned to sample number that identifies a batch or group of samples from an area, section,
drill hole, etc.
MATERIAL
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference
TABLE_IN_REF Number Table number in reference where data are published

Table: ISOPTOPIC_AGE
Attribute Data Type Description
SAMPLE_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each sample
ISOTOPIC_AGE_MIN Number Minimum age for a sample (in millions of years)
ISOTOPIC_AGE_MAX Number Maximum age for a sample (in millions of years)
METHOD_NUM Number Number that uniquely identifies a method
GEOL_AGE_PREFIX Text Geologic age prefix abbreviation, e.g., Q is the abbreviation for Quaternary
EON Text Geologic Eon (Phanerozoic or PreCambrian)
ERA Text Geologic Era (Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic)
PERIOD Text Geologic Period (Cretaceous, Paleogene, Neogene, etc.)
EPOCH Text Geologic Epoch (Miocene, Eocene,Permian, etc.)
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference

Table: CHEMISTRY
Attribute Data Type Description
ANALYSIS_NUM Number Nominal number associated with type of analysis (1=raw major, 2=trace, 3=normalized major, 5 = mineral mode)
BATCH_NUM Number Unique number assigned to Sample Number that identifies a batch or group of samples from an area, section,
drill hole, etc.
ITEM_MEASURED Text Chemical name of analyzed substance: eg, SIO2 (all caps)
ITEM_TYPE Text Group name for substance analyzed (MAJ - major, TR - trace, REE - rare earth element,
VALUE_MEASURED Number Value obtained from analysis
STDDEV Number Absolute standard deviation give for averaged values
STDDEV_TYPE Text How standard deviation is reported (“Relative,” or “Absolute”)
UNIT Text Unit of compositional value (e.g., PPM- Parts per million, WT%-Weight Percent)
(continued)

Geosphere, October 2010 721

 Yager et al.

APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)

Table: XRAYDIFFRACTION
Attribute Data Type Description
ANALYSIS_NUM Number Nominal number associated with type of analysis (1=raw major, 2=trace, 3=normalized major, 5 =
mineral mode)
BATCH_NUM Number Unique number assigned to sample number that identifies a batch or group of samples from an area, section,
drill hole, etc.
XRD_MINERAL Text Name of mineral identified using x-ray diffractometry
PERCENT_ABUNDANCE Number Number in percent that defines the percent abundance of a mineral species determined by quantitative
x-ray diffractometry
XRD_PRIMARY Text Identifies if a mineral identified using x-ray diffractometry is a primary phase: permissive entry (yes,no)
XRD_ACCESSORY Text Identifies if a mineral identified using x-ray diffractometry is an accessory phase: permissive entry (yes,no)
XRD_SECONDARY Text Identifies if a mineral identified using x-ray diffractometry is a secondary alteration phase: permissive entry
(yes,no)
SAMPLE_PREP Text Describes how the sample was prepared for x-ray diffraction analyses, e.g., slurry mount, quartz, slide, packed
powder, micronized
CLAY_PREP Text Description of how clay was separated for x-ray diffraction analysis, e.g., centrifugation, floatation-pipette
XRD_HEATING Number Temperature in degrees Celsius that a sample was heated prior to x-ray diffraction analysis
GLYCOLATION Text Denotes if a sample was glycolated prior to x-ray diffraction analysis
INTERNAL_STANDARD Text Describes what internal standard was used as a monitor for x-ray diffraction analyses
PDF_NUM Text Number that corresponds to the x-ray powder diffraction file
C_CELL_DIM Number Unit cell dimension in anstroms
SCAN_LENGTH_2THETA Number X-ray diffraction scan length in degrees 2-theta
SCAN_LENGTH_DSPACE Number d-spacing in angstroms
DATA_QUALITY_NUM Number Number that uniquely describes a data quality description
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image

Table: STANDARD
Attribute Data Type Description
DATA_QUALITY_NUM Number Number that uniquely describes a data quality description
ITEM_MEASURED Text Chemical name of analyzed substance: eg, SIO2 (all caps)
STANDARD_NAME Text Name of a standard; “BCR-1”
STANDARD_VALUE Number Value analyzed for a standard
STDEV Number Absolute standard deviation give for averaged values
STDEV_TYPE Text How standard deviation is reported (“Relative,” or “Absolute”)
UNIT_STD Text Unit of compositional value (e.g., PPM- Parts per million, WT%-Weight Percent)

Table: FRACT_CORRECT
Attribute Data Type Description
FRACT_CORRECT_NUM Number Number that uniquely describes a fractionation correction procedure
FCORR_ITEM Text Name of the isotopic ratio used for fractionation correction (87SR_86SR)
FCORR_VALUE Number Value for isotope ratio that is used for the fractionation correction
FCORR_STANDARD_NAME Text Name of standard whose values were used for fractionation correction in case of natural isotope (e.g.,
NBS981)
DATA_QUALITY_NUM Number Number that corresponds to fraction correction used
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference

Table: INCLUSION
Attribute Data Type Description
ANALYSIS_NUM Number Nominal number associated with type of analysis (1=raw major, 2=trace, 3=normalized major, 5 =
mineral mode)
BATCH_NUM Number Unique number assigned to Sample Number that identifies a batch or group of samples from an area, section,
drill hole, etc.
SPOT_ID Number Unique number that defines a an analyzed spot on a mineral, glass, ofluid inclusion
INCLUSION_TYPE Text Describes the type of inclusion; e.g. glass, mineral
HOST_MINERAL Text Mineral species that is host to an inclusion
MINERAL_INC Text Name of mineral inclusion
HEATING Text Describes if a glass inclusion was heated for analysis (Yes, No)
HEATING_TEMPERATURE Number Temperature in degrees Celsius if “HEATING = Yes)
RIM_OR_CORE_INC Text Description of where a mineral or inclusion is analyzed; e.g., rim, core
INCLUSION_SIZE Text X-Y dimension range of a mineral or melt inclusion in micrometers (10 X 30)
MIN_KD_ELEM Text Distribution coefficient for an element or elements in a mineral, e.g., Eu=0.3 in Ca-pyroxene
MELT_KD_ELEM Text Distribution coefficient for an element in a melt
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image

Table: MINERAL_MODE
Attribute Data Type Description
ANALYSIS_NUM Number Nominal number associated with type of analysis (1=raw major, 2=trace, 3=normalized major, 5 =
mineral mode)
BATCH_NUM Number Unique number assigned to sample number that identifies a batch or group of samples from an area, section,
drill hole, etc.
MINERAL_SPECIES Text Mineral name in ROCK_MODE table
MINERAL_SHAPE Text e.g., euhedral, resorbed
PERCENT_ABUNDANCE Number Number in percent that defines the percent abundance of a mineral species determined by point counting and
reported in the ROCK_MODE table
MATRIX_PERCENT Number Percent matrix determined by point counting
POINTS_COUNTED Number Number of points counted
ACCESSORY_PHASE Text Mineral species identified as a minor- to trace-constituent (permissive response yes/no)
SECONDARY_PHASE Text Mineral species identified as a secondary constituent (permissive response, yes/no)
(continued)

722 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions
APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)
TABLE: MINERAL
Attribute Data Type Description
ANALYSIS_NUM Number Nominal number associated with type of analysis (1=raw major, 2=trace, 3=normalized major, 5 =
mineral mode)
BATCH_NUM Number Unique number assigned to sample number that identifies a batch or group of samples from an area, section,
drill hole, etc.
SPOT_ID Number Unique number that defines an analyzed spot on a mineral, glass, or fluid inclusion
MINERAL Text Mineral name in MINERAL table
CRYSTAL Text Type of grain (e.g., phenocryst, microlite)
HOST_ROCK_TYPE Text Describes mineral or inclusion host rock, e.g., basaltic glass
RIM_OR_CORE Text Description of where a mineral or inclusion is analyzed; e.g., rim, core
MINERAL_SIZE Number Size (diameter or length) in millimeters
PRIM_OR_SEC Text Describes if a mineral analyzed is primary or secondary
MINERAL_KD_ELEM Text Distribution coefficient for an element or elements in a mineral, e.g., Eu=0.3 in Ca-pyroxene
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image
ROCK_TYPE_GENERAL Text Category of rock type: Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary
ACID_NEUT_CAP Number Amount of acid neutralizing capacity in kilograms per ton calcium carbonate equivalent
ACID_NEUT_METHOD Text Method used, e.g., Yager and others, 2005
AQUIFER Text Identifies if physical feature is an acquifer: permissive entry (yes,no)
ACQUIFER_QUALITY Text Describes geochemical quality of water in qualitative terms of drinking water standards: permissive entries
(good, poor)
ACCESSORY_PHASE Text Mineral species identified as a minor- to trace-constituent (permissive response yes/no)
AG_SOIL_SUITABILITY Text Qualitative description of a soils agricultural suitability that is derived from weathering of an igneous geo-
hierarchy : permissive entries (low, moderate, high)
ADDRESS_PART1 Text Street address
ADDRESS_PART2 Text Additional address Information
ALTERATION_INTENSITY Text Grade of alteration: fresh, slightly altered, highly altered
ALTERATION_TYPE Text Type of alteration of sample: potassic, sericitic, argillic
ANALYSIS_NUM Number Nominal number associated with type of analysis (1=raw major, 2=trace, 3=normalized major, 5 =
mineral mode)
ANALYTICAL_CERTAINTY Number ± value in percent

Field Name Data Type Description

AREA Number Map area in meters2
AREA_TOTAL_INUNDATED Number Total area affected by unit or feature in meters2
ARM Number Magnitude of anhysteretic remanent magnetization
ASPECT_RATIO Text Ratio of the length to average width, e.g., 40:1
AUTHOR_ORDER Number Order in which author is listed in publication: 1,2,3…
AXIS_TREND Number Trend of fault or fold in degrees
BATCH_NUM Number Unique number assigned to sample number that identifies a batch or group of samples from an area, section,
drill hole, etc.
BOOK_EDITORS Text List of Editors of Book
BOTTOM_INTERVAL Number The location of the bottom of a sample measured in centimeters from the top of the section
BOOK_TITLE Text Title of book
BULK_KD Text Calculated bulk distribution coefficient for a magma crystallizing more than one phase: entry or entries include
trace element, distribution coefficient value
CALC_AVE Text Describes if analysis is individual, part of a group that can be averaged, or is an average
CARBON_CAP_POTENTIAL Text Describes the carbon capture and storage potential if physical feature was used to store CO2 in underground
reservoir: permissive entries (good, moderate, poor)
C_CELL_DIM Number Unit cell dimension in anstroms
CITY_STATE_ZIP Text City, ST and Zip Code
CLAST_SIZE Number Size of clasts in centimeters
CLAY_PREP Text Description of how clay was separated for x-ray diffraction analysis, e.g., centrifugation, floatation-pipette
COMP_RATIO Text Range of isotopic ratio of any isotope pair: data entry is “isotope name ratio 208Lead/208Lead, range”
COMP_EVOLUTION Text Description of the temporal, geochemical characteristics, e.g., zoned sequence from high silica, high rubidium
to intermediate silica, high barium
CONFINING_LAYER Text Physical feature is an aquitard to groundwater flow: permissive entry (yes, no)
CONDUCTIVITY Text Qualitative rank of conductivity (low-moderate-high)
CONTACT_RELATIONS Text Description of a unit or regional features contact relationship with adjacent units or features, e.g., chilled
margin at base of unit forms vitropyre where in contact with underlying dacite
CORE_NUM Text Number of core for paleomagnetic analyses
CRYSTAL Text Type of grain (e.g., phenocryst, microlite)
CSD Number Circular standard deviation of three vectors measured during spin measurements
DATA_ENTERED Yes/No Yes if published data is entered in database
DATA_QUALITY_NUM Number Number that uniquely describes a data quality description
DECLINATION Number Declination of the characteristic magnetization. Characteristic directions are determined by fitting lines to
demagnetization data.
DEPTH_MAGMA_ORIGIN Number Depth in kilometers where magma originated
DMAG_INTERVAL Text Demagnetization interval used for linear fit: The highest and lowest demagnetization steps in millTesla (mt)
used in calculating the characteristic direction
(continued)

Geosphere, October 2010 723

 Yager et al.
APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)
Field Name Data Type Description
DEMAG_TYPE Text Type of demagnetization used, e.g., alternating field; thermal
DEPARTMENT Text Department or Institution
DENSITY Number Density calculated in grams per centimeter3
DEPOSIT_MODELS Text List of mineral deposit model types associated with a geo-hierarchy and defined in DuBray and others, 1995.
DEPOSIT_TYPE Text Describes the physical characteristic of the deposit, e.g., ash-flow, lava, dike, intrusion, etc.
DEPTH Number Depth in hole (meters)
DESCRIPTION Memo Descriptive information about images
DIKE_CONTACT_TREND Number Average trend of dike contact in degrees
DIKE_DENSITY Text Describes density number of dikes per metric unit; e.g., 10_km
DIKE_LENGTH Text Average dike length in meters
dike_orientation Defines average strike and dip of dike in degrees (right-hand rule); e.g., 45_70_180_88
DIKE_SPACING Text Average spacing of dikes in metric units; e.g., 1000_m
DIKE_SET Text Relative age indicated by D1, first formed; D2 is the second formed etc.
DIKE_WIDTH Number Average dike width in meters
ELEVATION_MAX Number Z Coordinate., Highest elevation
ELEVATION_MIN Number Z Coordinate., Lowest elevation
EMAIL Text Email address of person
ENV_SAMPLE_COMMENT Text Description of environmental sample characteristics
EON Text Geologic Eon (Phanerozoic or Precambrian)
EPOCH Text Geologic Epoch (Miocene, Eocene, Permian, etc.)
ERA Text Geologic Era (Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic)
ERUPTIVE_STYLE Text Description of physical eruption characteristics, e.g., plinean ash-fall deposit; base surge; highly viscous and
flow-banded lava
FABRIC_TEXTURE Text Describes physical fabric or texture, e.g., trachytic, amygdaloidal, etc.
FACIES Text Description of facies, e.g., outflow, intracaldera, vent
FACIES_DESC Text Detailed descriptions and comments about the facies
FAULT_DESCRIPTION Text Description of fault
FAULT_DIP Number Dip of fault (right-hand rule)
FAULT_LENGTH Number Length of fault in meters
FAULT_STRIKE Number Strike of fault in degrees (360)
FCORR_ITEM Text Name of the isotopic ratio used for fractionation correction (87SR_86SR)
FCORR_STANDARD_NAME Text Name of standard whose values were used for fractionation correction in case of natural isotope (e.g.,
NBS981)
FCORR_CORRECT_NUM Number Number that corresponds to fraction correction used
FCORR_VALUE Number Value for isotope ratio that is used for the fractionation correction
FEATURE_NAME Text Name of unit or regional geologic entity
FIRST_NAME Text First name, middle initial of author
FIRST_PAGE Number Number of first page of publication
FISSURE_LENGTH Number Igneous fissure length in meters
FISSURE_TREND Number Igneous fissure trend in degrees (360)
FISSURE_WIDTH Number Igneous fissure width in meters
FLOW_FOLIATION Text Strike and dip of flow foliation using right-hand rule, e.g. 40_5
FORMATION Text Name of geologic formation sampled
FRACT_CORRECT_NUM Number Number that uniquely describes a fractionation correction procedure
FREQ_DEPENDENCE Number Frequency-dependent susceptibility in percent
GRADING_NORMAL_REVERSE Text Denotes normal or reverse grading: permissive entries (normal, reverse)
GEOLOGIC_AGE_PREFIX Text e.g., Q for Quaternary
GLYCOLATION Text Denotes if a sample was glycolated prior to x-ray diffraction analysis
HC Number Coercivity determined after removal of paramagnetic component in milliTeslas (mT)
HCR Number Coercivity of remanence in milliTeslas (mT)
HEATING Text Describes if a glass inclusion was heated for analysis (Yes, No)
HEATING_TEMPERATURE Number Temperature in degrees Celsius if HEATING = Yes
HIERARCHY_AGE_MAX Number Maximum age in millions of years for a geologic hierarchy
HIERARCHY_AGE_MIN Number Minimum age in millions of years for a geologic hierarchy
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_COMMENT Text Abstract describing hierarchy
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_ID Number Unique number assigned to a hierarchy using GIS if a GIS related feature or a
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NAME Name Name of the hierarchy; can be an abbreviation (EMAG_NNR = eastern magnetic expression of the Northern
Nevada Rift). See metadata for numeric code and name definitions and detailed descriptions
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_NUM Number Numeric code that defines each hierarchy; e.g., 1150 = eastern magnetic expression of the Northern Nevada Rift.
HIERARCHY_LEVEL_TYPE Text Describes the type of hierarchy, e.g., geologic, geophysical, geographic/physiographic
(continued)

724 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions
APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)
Field Name Data Type Description
HIERARCHY_SEQ_NUM Number A number that allows features of various relative physical scale to be queried, e.g., 1 being the finest
resolution, and higher numbers having the coarsest resolution
HIERARCHY_VOLUME Number Volume of geo-hierarchy object in meters3
HIRM Number “Hard” isothermal remanent magnetization, determined by dividing the “S-parameter by 2, units in amperes
per meter (A/m)
HOLE_INCLINATION Number Inclination of hole in degrees
HOST_MINERAL Text Mineral species that is host to an inclusion
HOT_SPOT_POS Text Description of inferred hot spot position associated with magmatism
HYDRO_SYSTEM Text Description of active or paleo hydrologic properties and relationships, e.g., porous and permeable acquifer;
unit or regional geo-hierarchy feature is cross-cut and directly overlain by active deposition of calcareous
tufa from geothermal spring
IGNEOUS_FEATURE_TYPE Text Description of regional igneous feature or unit, e.g., lava flow, cinder cone, fissure, ring fracture
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique number that is correlative with an image
IMAGE_NAME Text Name of image, e.g., Izengood Geologic Quadrangle map
IMAGE_TYPE_DESC Text Type of image, e.g., thin section, large-scale map, small-scale map, geotiff, etc.
HIERARCHY_TYPE_DESC Text Describes the type of image; e.g., map (large and small scale), cross section, outcrop photograph,
photomicrograph
HOST_MINERAL Text Mineral name if not melt or matrix hosted
HOST_ROCK_TYPE Text Describes mineral or inclusion host rock, e.g., basaltic glass
HOT_SPOT_POS Text Description of magmatic plume or hot spot relative to eruptive center, e.g., Craters of the Moon basalt directly
overlies hot spot track
HYD_PHASES Text List of primary hydrous mineral phases, or none reported if applicable
HYDRO_SYSTEM Text Description of hydrothermal system characteristics, e.g., acid sulfate system associated with an episode of
dacitic intrusions
IGNEOUS_FEATURE_TYPE Text Name of the type of igneous feature, e.g., flow, lahar
IMAGE_NUM Number Unique image number
INCL_BATCH_NUM Number Number that identifies the batch of an inclusion, foreign database key to the batch table
INCLINATION Number Inclination of the characteristic magnetization in degrees
INCLUSION_DATA Yes/No Yes where data is available.
INCLUSION_SIZE Text X-Y dimension range of a mineral or melt inclusion in micrometers (10 X 30)
INCLUSION_TYPE Text Describes the type of inclusion; e.g. glass, mineral
INTENSITY Number Paleomagnetic field intensity: The method used determines the units for the intensity value. Molspin Spinner
magnetometer is in mA/m; Cryogenic magnetometer is in cgs x10 -6
INTERNAL_STANDARD Text Describes what internal standard was used as a monitor for x-ray diffraction analyses
INSTITUTION Text Name of institution
INSTITUTION_NUM Number Unique ID number for Institution: Gov. Institutions 100-150, Research 151-700, Commercial/Business 701+
IRM Number Isothermal remanent magnetization in amperes/meter (A/m)
ISOTOPIC_AGE_MAX Number Maximum age for a sample (in millions of years)
ISOTOPIC_AGE_MIN Number Minimum age for a sample (in millions of years)
ISOTOPIC_AGE_DATA Yes/No Yes where data is available.
ISSUE Text Number of issue of journal containing publication
ITEM_MEASURED Text Chemical name of analyzed substance: e.g., SIO2 (all caps)
ITEM_TYPE Text Group name for substance analyzed (MAJ - major, TR - trace, REE - rare earth element,
JOINT_DENSITY Text Describes density number of joints per metric unit; e.g., 10_m
JOINT_LENGTH Number Average joint length in meters
JOINT_WIDTH Number Average joint width in meters
JOINT_OPEN_FILLED Text Describes if joint is open or filled with a mineral or minerals and the mineral types if filled
JOINT_ORIENTATION Text Defines average strike and dip of joint sets in degrees (right-hand rule); e.g., 45_70_180_88
JOINT_SET_EPISODES Number Describes the number of joint sets (1 to n) identified based on relative ages and orientation
JOINT_SET Text Relative age indicated by F1, first formed set; F2 the second formed set, etc.
JOINT_SPACING Text Average spacing of joints in metric units; e.g., 15_cm
JOINT_STRUCTURE_SETTING Text Describes how joint formed; e.g., extension, compression
JOURNAL Text Name of journal containing publication
LAST_NAME Text Last name of author
LAST_PAGE Number Number of last page of publication
LATITUDE Number Y Coordinate, geographic location in decimal degrees
LAYERING_TYPE Text Description of layering characteristics, e.g., finely layered expressed as (0.5 mm); cumulate layering
LOCATION_COMMENT Memo Description of location
LOCATION_ID Text Location name assigned by sampler
LOCATION_NUM Unique key field that links to the master LOCATION table
LOCATION_PRECISION Text Measured precision of location (eg. 3-5 meters, < 1 mm)
LONGITUDE Number X Coordinate, geographic location in decimal degrees
(continued)

Geosphere, October 2010 725

 Yager et al.
APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)
Field Name Data Type Description
MAG_COMMENT Text Comment field for paleomagnetic attributes, e.g., sampled at base of vitropyre
MAG_METHOD Text Describes how paleomagnetic analyses was done, e.g., alternating field demagnetization
magma_pressure Number Pressure of magma in kilobars
MAGMA_TEMP Number Temperature of magma in degrees celsius
MAGNETICS Text General qualitative rank of magnetic signature (low, moderate, high)
MAG_REMOVED Number Magnetization removed in magnetization interval: The difference in magnitude between the magnetizations for
the lowest and highest demagnetization steps included in calculating the characteristic magnetization; units
amperes/meter (A/m)
MAG_RESISTIVITY Number Resistivity in ohm meters
MAG_SUSCEPTIBILIY Number Volume magnetic susceptibility in SI units
MAJOR_DATA Yes/No Yes where data is available
M_SAT Number Saturation magnetization determined after removal of paramagnetic component in amperes/meter
MATERIAL Text Describes analyzed material; e.g., rock, mineral, mineral inclusion, fluid inclusion
MATRIX_PERCENT Number Percent matrix determined by point counting
MELT_KD_ELEM Text Distribution coefficient for an element in a melt
METHOD_COMMENT Text Remarks on special treatment applied to sample; e.g., leached in 6N HCl.
METHOD_NUM Number Number that uniquely identifies a method
MIN_BATCH_NUM Number Number that identifies the batch of a host mineral; foreign database key to the batch table
MIN_KD_ELEM_INC Text Distribution coefficient for an element or elements in a mineral, e.g., Eu=0.3 in Ca-pyroxene
MINERAL Text Mineral name in MINERAL table
MINERAL_DATA Yes/No Yes where data is available.
MINERAL_INC Text Name of mineral inclusion
MINERAL_DEP Text Description of associated or hosted mineral deposits
MINERAL_KD_ELEMENT Text Distribution coefficient for an element or elements in a mineral, e.g., Eu=0.3 in Ca-pyroxene
MINERAL_SHAPE Text e.g., euhedral, resorbed
MINERAL_SIZE Number Size (diameter or length) in millimeters
MINERAL_SPECIES Text Mineral name in ROCK_MODE table
MRS Number Saturation remanent magnetization in amperes/meter
NATURAL_SEQ_POTENTIAL Text Describes the natural carbon sequestration potential of physical feature in qualitative terms: permissive entries
are (good, moderate, poor)
NET_ACID_PRODUCTION Number Value in kilograms per ton calcium carbonate equivalent
NET_ACID_METHOD Text Method used, e.g., Lopakko; SOBEK
143ND144ND Text Range of 143Neodymium/144Neodymium isotopic ratio
NORMAL_REVERSE Text Denotes normal or reversed magnetization; permissive entries (normal, reverse)
NORM_ITEM Text Name of element, oxide, or isotope ratio that is normalized
NORM_ITEM_NORM Text Name of element, oxide, or isotope ratio that is normalized in the table NORM
NORM_VALUE Number Value of the standard for the item measured that is normalized
NORM_VALUE_NORM Number Value of reservoir in the table NORM
NORM_STANDARD_NAME Text Name of standard
NORMALIZATION_NUM Number Number that uniquely defines a normalization
NRM Number The magnitude of natural remanent demagnetization steps in milliTesla (mT)
NUMBER_OF_DEPOSITS Number Total number of mineral deposits that are part of a geo-hierarchy
NUM_ANALYSES Number Number of analyses that were averaged
NUTRIENT_RICH Text Qualitative description of a soils nutrient content that is derived from the weathering of an igneous geo-
hierarchy : permissive entries (low, moderate, high)
OBJECT_ID Number Number that uniquely defines all features in the database
OLDER_ID Number Updatable field that stores the OBJECT_ID’S that places constraints on adjacent older objects
OXYGEN_FUGACITY Number Calculated oxygen fugacity in log units
OX_FUG_METHOD Text Method used to calculate oxygen fugacity
PALEOSTRAT_AGE Number Age in millions of years that corresponds to the paleomagnetic stratigraphy age
PARA_MS Number Paramagnetic magnetic susceptibility determined from the slope of the hysteresis curve above an induction of
0.9 Teslas; units in vol.-SI
206PB204PB Text Range of 206Lead/204Lead isotopic ratio
PDF_NUM Text Number that corresponds to the x-ray powder diffraction file
PERCENT_ABUNDANCE Number Number in percent that defines the percent abundance of a mineral species determined by point counting and
reported in the ROCK_MODE table
PERCENT_ASSIMILATION Text Percent modeled assimilation in generating melt and source or sources listed
PERCENT_CRYSTALS_PM Number Percent crystals in pumice
PERCENT_CRYSTALS_WR Number Percent crystals in the whole rock of an ash-flow tuff
PERCENT_LITHICS Number Quatity of lithic fragments in percent of whole rock
PERCENT_MATRIX Number Percent matrix of a whole rock
(continued)

726 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions
APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)
Field Name Data Type Description
PERCENT_MIXING Text Percent modeled mixing of melts and compositions involved
PERCENT_PARTIAL_MELT Number Calculated percent partial melting
PERCENT_VOLATILES Number Percent volatile phases
PERCENT_XTAL_FRAC Number Percent modeled crystal fractionation in generating melt phases involved
PERIOD Text Geologic Period (Cretaceous, Paleogene, Neogene, etc.)
PERMEABILITY Number Permeability reported as millidarcies
PERSON_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each author
PETROGENESIS Text Petrogenetic source of magma, e.g., asthenospheric mantle
PHONE Text Phone number of person: XXX-XXX-XXXX
PLANT_TYPES Text List of plant types that tends to grow on geo-hierarchy substrate
POINTS_COUNTED Number Number of points counted
POINTS_USED Number The number of demagnetization steps used in calculating the characteristic direction
POROSITY Number Porosity determined as a fraction: volume of void space divide by the total volume
PRECISION_TYPE Text e.g., double, single
PRECISION_MIN Number Minimum analytical precision
PRECISION_MAX Number Maximum analytical precision
PRESSURE_METHOD Text Method used to determine magma pressure
PRIM_OR_SEC Text Describes if a mineral analyzed is primary or secondary
PUB_YEAR Number Four digit year of publication
PUBLISHER Text Name of publisher
PUMICE_COMPACTION_RATIO Text Ratio of a pumice’s length to average width, e.g., 10:1
PUMICE_FOLIATION Text Strike and dip of pumice foliation using right-hand rule, e.g., 180_7
PUMICE_SIZE Number Size of pumice in millimeters where fine ash is < 0.062mm, coarse ash is < 2mm and > 0.062mm, ciders and
lapilli are < 64mm and > 2mm, blocks and bombs are > 64mm
RADIOMETRIC_AGE Number Age in millions of years
REE Text Description of REE patterns, enrichment, depletion
REF_NUM Number Unique number assigned to each reference
REF_VOLUME Text Volume of Journal containing publication
RELATIVE_AGE_CODE Text Code description defining the method that a relative age is determined (see text and metadata for details)
RELATIVE_AGE_MAX Number Maximum relative age in millions of years
RELATIVE_AGE_MIN Number Minimum relative age in millions of years
RELATIVE_AGE_TYPE Text Description of how a relative age was assigned; e.g., superposition, cross-cutting relationships
RELATIVE_AGE_EXPERT Text Name of geoscientist the determined relative age
RELATIVE_AGE_CERTAINTY Text ± age uncertainty in millions of years
RESERVOIR Text Acronym or name for a geochemical reservoir
RESULT_TYPE Text Description of the qualitative result type; e.g., X-ray diffraction
RIM_OR_CORE Text Description of where a mineral or inclusion is analyzed; e.g., rim, core
RIM_OR_CORE_INC Text Description of where a mineral or inclusion is analyzed; e.g., rim, core
ROCK_BATCH_NUM Number Number that identifies the batch of the host rock; foreign key to the BATCH table
ROCK_CLASSIFICATION Text Category of rock type: basalt, dacite, andesite
ROCK_TYPE_GENERAL Text Category of rock type: Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary
ROCK_TYPE_RANGE Text Rock classification range, e.g., peralkaline rhyolite to thoeliitic basalt
ROTATION Text Rotation of unit, mountain block, or area based on interpretation of paleomagnetic data and reported in
degrees
SAMPLE_COMMENT Memo General information about the sample
SAMPLE_DEPTH Number Depth in meters below ground surface that sample was collected
SAMPLE_ID Text Sample identifier assigned by sampler/researcher
SAMPLE_NUM Number Unique Number assigned to each sample
SAMPLE_PREP Text Describes how the sample was prepared for x-ray diffraction analyses, e.g., slurry mount, quartz, slide, packed
powder, micronized
SCAN_LENGTH_DSPACE Number d-spacing in angstroms
SCAN_LENGTH_2THETA Number X-ray diffraction scan length in degrees 2-theta
SECONDARY_PHASE Text Mineral species identified as a secondary constituent (permissive response, yes/no)
SECTION Text Number that identifies the section of core analyzed; cores are trimmed into sections for magnetization analyses
SEQUENCE_NUM Number The sequential sequence number that defines the relative age sequence from oldest 1 to youngest
SILICA_RANGE Text e.g., 54.23 to 63.3 Wt. %
STRAT_COL_ID Number A unique stratigraphic column name assigned by reseracher
STRAT_COL_NUM Number Number that identifies the stratigraphic colum number in the STRATIGRAPHIC_SECTION table
SILICA_RANGE Text Silica compositional range in weight percent, e.g., “55.2 to 68.4”
SOIL_RECOVERY_POTENTIAL Text Description of soil recovery potential from land disturbance that is based on vegetation health in adjacent,
surrounding undisturbed. Permissive responses are good, moderate, poor
(continued)

Geosphere, October 2010 727

 Yager et al.

APPENDIX B: ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH TABLE (continued)

Field Name Data Type Description
S_PARAMETER Number The “S-parameter” determined by dividing the isothermal remanent magnetization acquired in an induction orf
1.2T and the isothermal remanent magnetization acquired in an induction orf 0.3T
SPRING_A_B_I Text Denotes if spring discharges above, below, or in unit: permissive entries are (above, below, or in)
SPRINGS_AT_CONTACT Text Denotes if a spring is at geologic contact: permissive response is yes or no
SPOT_ID Number Unique number that defines a an analyzed spot on a mineral, glass, ofluid inclusion
87SR86SR Text Range of 87Strontium/86Strontium isotopic ratio
STDDEV Number Absolute standard deviation give for averaged values
STDDEV_TYPE Text How standard deviation is reported (“Relative,” or “Absolute”)
STANDARD_NAME Text Name of a standard; “BCR-1”
STANDARD_VALUE Number Value analyzed for a standard
STATION_NUM Number Unique station number where multiple structural observations were acquired
STRAT_COL_ID Number Unique number that defines a stratigraphic column
STRAT_COL_NUM Number Unique numeric code that defines a stratigraphic column
STRAT_COL_COMMENT Text Description of stratigraphic column
STRAT_AGE_MAX Number Maximum stratigraphic age in millions of years
STRAT_AGE_MIN Number Minimum stratigraphic age in millions of years
STRUCTURE_COMMENT Text Description of structural feature
STRUCTURAL_CONTROL Text Description of any structural control related to loci of magmatism
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_ID Number Unique number that defines a structural feature
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_DENSITY Text Density of feature per metric unit, e.g. 10_m
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_NAME Text Name of structural feature; e.g., southeast Sheep Creek range fault
STRUCTURE_FEATURE_TYPE Text Description of structural features; e.g., fault, fold
SUBAERIAL_SUBAQUEOUS Text Describes if a unit was deposited above or below water: permissive entries are (subaerial, subaqueous)
SULFUR_FUGACITY Number Calculated sulfur fugacity in log units
SULF_FUG_METHOD Text Method used to calculate sulfur fugacity
TABLE_IN_REF Number Table number in reference where data are published
TABLE_TITLE Text Title of table in literature where analyses were culled
TECTONIC_SETTING Text Description of regional tectonic setting; e.g., rift, subduction
TEMP_METHOD Text Method used to determine magma temperature
THICKNESS Number Thickness of unit or regional feature in meters
TIME_INTERVAL Text Duration of magmatic episode
TITLE Text Title of publication
TOP_INTERVAL Number The location of the top of a sample measured in centimeters from the top of the section
TRACE_DATA Yes/No Yes where data is available.
TRACE_ELEM Text Description of trace element characteristics, e.g., high field strength element Hf-enriched
TRANSPORT_DETERMINED Text Description of how transport direction was determined, e.g., paleo-flow indicators in an ash-flow tuff
TRANSPORT_DIRECTION Number Direction of transport in degrees
TREATMENT_LEVEL Number The treatment level used for the measurement; AF is in milliTesla (mT) TH in degrees C; NRM is always 0
TREATMENT_TYPE Text How a paleomagnetic sample is treated for analysis; permissive entries are AF = Alternating-field; TH =
Thermal Demagnetization and NR = Natural Remnant Magnetization
UNIT Text Unit of compositional value (e.g., PPM- Parts per million, WT%-Weight Percent)
UNIT_STD Text Unit of compositional value (e.g., PPM- Parts per million, WT%-Weight Percent)
VALUE_MEASURED Number Value obtained from analysis
VESICULARITY Number Describes vesicle content in percent where < 1 % is nonvesicular, 1% to 5 % is sparsely vesicular, > 5 % to 20
% is moderately vesicular, and > 20 % is highly vesicular
VOLATILE_PHASES Text List volatile primary phases if present, e.g., biotite, amphibole, etc.,
VOLCANO_TECTONIC_SETTING Text Description of volcano-tectonic setting, e.g., within plate
VOLUME Number Volume of regional physical feature in meters3
WEATHERING_POTENTIAL Text Qualitative description of the weathering potential of a geologic substrate: permissive entries: (low,
moderate, high)
WELDING_CHARACTER Text General description of welding: permissive entries (weak, moderate, strong)
XRD_ABUNDANCE Number Quantity in percent of mineral identified using x-ray diffractometry
XRD_ACCESSORY Text Identifies if a mineral identified using x-ray diffractometry is an accessory phase: permissive entry (yes,no)
XRD_HEATING Number Temperature in degrees Celsius that a sample was heated prior to x-ray diffraction analysis
XRD_MINERAL Text Name of mineral identified using x-ray diffractometry
XRD_PRIMARY Text Identifies if a mineral identified using x-ray diffractometry is a primary phase: permissive entry (yes,no)
XRD_SECONDARY Text Identifies if a mineral identified using x-ray diffractometry is a secondary alteration phase: permissive entry
(yes,no)
YOUNGER_ID Updatable field that stores the OBJECT_IDS that places constraints on adjacent younger objects
ZONED_SEQUENCE Text Denotes if part of a compositionally zoned sequence, permissive entries (yes, no)

728 Geosphere, October 2010

 Development of an igneous rock database with geologic functions
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors gratefully acknowledge Alan Wallace
and David John (USGS) for discussions regarding
their extensive work on the bimodal suite of igne-
ous rocks and for contributing much of the data that
is part of our database. We also wish to thank Chris
Henry, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, as well
as J. Thomas Nash for their data contributions. Jordon
Hastings (Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology) pro-
vided expertise on managing relative age information
in the relational database. Discussion and reviews by
Alison Burchell (geologist, Boulder, Colorado), Mary
Ellen Benson, Bill Furguson (USGS), and an anony-
mous reviewer improved the manuscript.
REFERENCES CITED
Ambler, S.W., 2003, Agile Database Techniques, Effective
Strategies for the Agile Software Developer: New
York, Wiley Publishing, 447 p.
Anders, M.H., Saltzman, J., and Hemming, S.R., 2009, Neo-
gene tephra correlations in eastern Idaho and Wyo-
ming: Implications for Yellowstone hotspot-related
volcanism and tectonic activity: Geological Society
of America Bulletin, v. 121, p. 837–856.
Barton, M.D., and Young, S., 2002, Non-pegmatitic Depos-
its of Beryllium: Mineralogy, Geology, Phase Equi-
libria and Origin, in Grew, E.S., ed., Reviews in
Mineralogy and Geochemistry, v. 50, p. 591–691.
Brueseke, M.E., and Hart, W.K., 2008, Geology and petrol-
ogy of the mid-Miocene Santa Rosa-Calico volca-
nic field, northern Nevada: Nevada Bureau of Mines
and Geology Bulletin, no.113, 44 p.
Celko, J., 2004, Trees and Hierarchies in SQL for Smart-
ies: San Diego, Morgan: http://www.scribd.com/
doc/34594/Trees-in-SQL (November 30, 2009).
Christiansen, E.H., Haapala, I., and Hart, G., 2007, Are
Cenozoic topaz rhyolites the erupted equivalents of
Proterozoic rapakivi granites? Examples from the
western United States and Finland: Lithos, v. 97,
p. 219–246.
Christiansen, E.H., Sheridan, M.F., and Burt, D.M., 1986,
The geology and geochemistry of Cenozoic topaz
rhyolites from the western United States: Geologi-
cal Society of America Special Paper no. 205, 82 p.
Christiansen, E.H., Bikun, J.V., Sheridan, M.F., and Burt,
D.M., 1984, Geochemical evolution of topaz rhyo-
lites from the Thomas Range and Spor Mountain,
Utah: The American Mineralogist, v. 69, p. 223–236.
Christiansen, R.L., and Yeats, R.S., 1992, Post-Laramide
geology of the U.S. Cordilleran region, in Burchfiel,
B.C., Lipman, P.W., and Zoback, M.L., eds., The
Cordilleran orogen: Conterminous U.S.: Geologi-
cal Society of America, Geology of North America,
v. G-3, p. 261–406.
Conrad, W.K., 1984, The mineralogy and petrology of
compositionally zoned ash flow tuffs, and related
silicic volcanic rocks, from the McDermitt caldera
complex, Nevada-Oregon: Journal of Geophysi-
cal Research, v. 89, no. B10, p. 8639–8664, doi:
10.1029/JB089iB10p08639.
Cox, D.P., and Singer, D.A., editors, 1986, Mineral deposit
models: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1693, 379 p.
Crafford, A.E.J., 2007, Geologic Map of Nevada: U.S. Geo-
logical Survey Data Series 249, 1 CD-ROM, 46 p.,
1 plate.
Cunningham, C.G., Unruh, D.M., Steven, T.A., Rowley,
P.D., Naeser, C.W., Mehnert, H.H., Hedge, C.E.,
and Ludwig, K.R., 1998, Geochemistry of volcanic
rocks in the Marysvale volcanic field, west-central
Utah, in Friedman, J.D., and Huffman, A.C., Jr.,
eds., Laccolith complexes of southeastern Utah;
time of emplacement and tectonic setting; work-
shop proceedings: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin
2158, p. 223–231.
Gill, J.B., 1981, Orogenic Andesites and Plate Tectonics:
Berlin, Springer, 389 p.
Glen, J.M.G., McKee, E.H., Ludington, S., Ponce, D.A.,
Hildenbrand, T.G., and Hopkins, M.J., 2004, Geo-
physical terrains of the Great Basin and surround-
ing provinces: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File
Report 2004–1008, 303 p.
Glen, J.M.G., and Ponce, D.A., 2002, Large-scale frac-
tures related to inception of the Yellowstone hot-
spot: Geology, v. 30, p. 647–650, doi: 10.1130
/0091-7613(2002)030<0647:LSFRTI>2.0.CO;2.
Grannito, M., Yager, D.B., and Hofstra, A.H., 2005, Geo-
chemical data for the Great Basin: A subset of the
USGS new national geochemical database: Geolog-
ical Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v.
37, no. 7, p. 380.
Hales, T.C., Abt, D.L., Humphreys, E.D., and Roering, J.J.,
2005, A lithospheric instability origin for Columbia
River flood basalts and Wallowa Mountains uplift in
northeast Oregon: Nature, v. 438, p. 842–845, doi:
10.1038/nature04313.
Hart, S.R., 1984, A large-scale isotope anomaly in the
Southern Hemisphere Mantle: Nature, v. 309,
p. 753–757, doi: 10.1038/309753a0.
Hart, W.K., and Brueseke, M.E., 2004, Eruptive diversity
and styles of silicic volcanism in the mid-Miocene
Santa Rosa-Calico volcanic field, northern Nevada:
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Pro-
grams, v. 36, no. 4, p. 11.
Hofstra, A.H., and Wallace, A.R., 2006, Metallogeny of the
Great Basin: Crustal Evolution, Fluid Flow, and Ore
Deposits: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report
2006–1280, 36 p.
Hofstra, A.H., and Cline, J.S., 2000, Characteristics and
models for Carlin-type gold deposits: Reviews in
Economic Geology, v. 13, p. 163–220.
Hooper, P.R., 1997, The Columbia River flood basalt province:
Current status, in Mahoney, J.J., and Coffin, M.F., eds.,
Large igneous provinces: Continental, oceanic and
planetary flood volcanism: American Geophysical
Union Geophysical Monograph 100, p. 1–28.
Hudson, D.M., John, D.A., and Fleck, R.J., 2005, Geologic
setting, geochemistry, and geochronology of epither-
mal gold-silver deposits in the Seven Troughs district,
northwest Nevada: Geological Society of America
Abstracts with Programs, v. 37, no. 7, p. 380.
Irvine, T.N., and Baragar, W.R.A., 1971, A guide to the
chemical classification of the common volcanic
rocks: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 8,
p. 523–548.
John, D.A., 2001, Miocene and early Pliocene epithermal
gold-silver deposits in the northern Great Basin,
western United States: Characteristics, distribution,
and relationship to magmatism: Economic Geology
and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geolo-
gists, v. 96, no. 8, p. 1827–1853.
John, D.A., Hofstra, A.H., Fleck, R.J., Brummer, J.E., and
Saderholm, E.C., 2003, Geologic setting and gen-
esis of the Mule Canyon low-sulfidation epithermal
gold-silver deposit, north-central Nevada: Eco-
nomic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of
Economic Geologists, v. 98, no. 2, p. 425–463.
John, D.A., and Wrucke, C.T., 2002, Geologic Map of the
Izzenhood Spring Quadrangle, Lander County,
Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Investi-
gations Series Map, I-2668.
John, D.A., Wallace, A.R., and Fleck, R.J., 2001, Geochemi-
cal and Geochronological Constraints on the Origin
of the Northern Nevada Rift: Eos (Transactions,
American Geophysical Union), v. 82, no. 47.
John, D.A., and Wallace, A.R., 2000, Epithermal gold-silver
deposits related to the Northern Nevada Rift, in
Cluer, J.K., Price, J.G., Struhsacker, E.M., Hardy-
man, R.F., and Morris, C.L., eds., Geology and Ore
Deposits 2000: The Great Basin and Beyond: Geo-
logical Society of Nevada Symposium Proceedings,
May 15–18, 2000, p. 155–175.
John, D.A., Wallace, A.R., Ponce, D.A., Fleck, R.B., and
Conrad, J.E., 2000, New perspectives on the geol-
ogy and origin of the Northern Nevada Rift, in
Cluer, J.K., Price, J.G., Struhsacker, E.M., Hardy-
man, R.F., and Morris, C.L., eds., Geology and Ore
Deposits 2000: The Great Basin and Beyond: Geo-
logical Society of Nevada Symposium Proceedings,
May 15–18, p. 127–154.
Keith, J.D., 1982, Magmatic evolution of the Pine Grove
Porphyry Molybdenum System, Southwestern
Geosphere, October 2010
Utah [Ph.D. dissertation]: University of Wisconsin-
Madison, 246 p.
Keith, J.D., Shanks, W.C., III, Archibald, D.A., and Farrar,
E., 1986, Volcanic and intrusive history of the Pine
Grove porphyry molybdenum system, southwestern
Utah: Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the
Society of Economic Geologists, v. 81, p. 553–577.
Kempton, P.D., Fitton, J.G., Hawkesworth, C.J., and
Osmerod, D.S., 1991, Isotopic and trace element
constraints on the composition and evolution of the
lithosphere beneath the southwestern United States:
Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 96, no. B8,
p. 13,713–13,735.
Le Bas, M.J., Le Maitre, R.W., Streckheisen, A., and Zanet-
tin, B., 1986, A chemical classification of volcanic
rocks based on the total alkali silica diagram: Jour-
nal of Petrology, v. 27, p. 745–750.
Leavitt, E.D., Spell, T.L., Goldstrand, P.M., and Arehart,
G.B., 2004, Geochronology of the Midas low-
sulfidation epithermal gold-silver deposit, Elko
County, Nevada: Economic Geology and the Bul-
letin of the Society of Economic Geologists, v. 99,
no. 8, p. 1665–1686.
Leeman, W.P., and Rogers, J.J.W., 1970, Late Cenozoic
alkali-olivine basalts of the Basin-Range Province,
USA: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology,
v. 25, p. 1–24, doi: 10.1007/BF00383059.
Lehnert, K.A., Carlson, R.W., Hoffman, A., Langmuir, C.H.,
Lenhardt, C.W., Sarbas, B., Walker, D.J., Glazner,
A., and Farmer, L.G., 2003, EarthChem.org; inte-
grating data management for igneous geochemistry:
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Pro-
grams, v. 35, no. 6, p. 366.
Lehnert, K.A., Su, Y., Langmuir, C.H., Sarbas, B., and Nohl,
U., 2000, A global geochemical database structure
for rocks: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems,
vol. 1, 16 p.
LeMasurier, W.E., 1968, Crystallization behavior of basalt mag-
ma, Santa Rosa Range, Nevada: Geological Society
of America Bulletin, v. 79, p. 949–972, doi: 10.1130/
0016-7606(1968)79[949:CBOBMS]2.0.CO;2.
Lindsey, D.A., 1982, Tertiary volcanic rocks and uranium in
the Thomas Range and northern Drum Mountains,
Juab County, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Profes-
sional Paper 1221, 71 p.
Ludington, S.D., Cox, D.P., Leonard, K.W., and Moring,
B.C., 1996, Cenozoic volcanic geology of Nevada,
Chapter 5, in Singer, D.A., ed., Nevada Bureau of
Mines and Geology, Open-File Report 96–2, 10 p.
Mihalasky, M.J., and Moyer, L.A., 2004, Spatial databases
of the Humboldt Basin mineral resource assess-
ment, northern Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey
Open-File Report 2004–1245, 17 p.
Pierce, K.L., and Morgan, L.A., 1992, The track of the Yel-
lowstone hot spot: Volcanism, faulting, and uplift,
in Link, P.K., Kuntz, M.A., and Platt, L.B., eds.,
Regional Geology of Eastern Idaho and Western
Wyoming: Geological Society of America Memoir
179, p. 1–53.
Rasmussen, C.R., Torn, M.S., and Southard, R.J., 2005,
Mineral assemblage and aggregates control carbon
dynamics in a California conifer forest: Soil Sci-
ence, v. 69, p. 1711–1721.
Reid, M.R., 1995, Processes of mantle enrichment and
magmatic differentiation in the eastern Snake
River Plain: Th isotope evidence: Earth and Plan-
etary Science Letters, v. 131, p. 239–254, doi:
10.1016/0012-821X(95)00025-8.
Richter, C., Acton, G., Endris, C., and Radsted, M., 2007,
Handbook for shipboard paleomagnetists: Oceanic
Drilling Program, Technical Note, no. 34, 91 p.
Rosenbaum, J.G., Reynolds, R.L., Fitzmaurice, P.L., Drex-
ler, J., Whitney, G.C., and Adam, D.P., 1995, Sedi-
ment magnetic and paleomagnetic data from Buck
Lake, Oregon: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File
Report 95–673.
Rytuba, J.J., John, D.A., and McKee, E.H., 2004, Volcanism
associated with eruption of the Steens basalt and
inception of the Yellowstone hot spot: Geological
Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 36,
no. 4, p. 94.
Rytuba, J.J., and McKee, E.H., 1984, Peralkaline ash flow
tuffs and calderas of the McDermitt Volcanic
729

Field, southwest Oregon and north central Nevada:
Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 89, no. B10,
p. 8616–8628, doi: 10.1029/JB089iB10p08616.
Steven, T.A., and Morris, H.T., 1987, Summary mineral
resource appraisal of the Richfield 1° X 2° quad-
rangle, west-central Utah: U. S. Geological Survey
Circular 916, 24 p.
Stewart, J.H., and Carlson, J.E., 1978, Geologic map of
Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey and Nevada Bureau
of Mines and Geology Map, scale 1:500,000.
Walker, D.J., Bowers, T.D., Glazner, A.F., Farmer, L.G., and
Carlson, R.W., 2004, Creation of a North American
volcanic and plutonic rock database (NAVDAT):
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Pro-
grams, v. 36, no. 4, p. 9.
Wallace, A.R., 2003, Geology of the Ivanhoe Hg-Au district,
northern Nevada: Influence of Miocene volcanism,
lakes, and active faulting on epithermal mineral-
ization: Economic Geology and the Bulletin of
the Society of Economic Geologists, v. 98, no. 2,
p. 409–424.
Wallace, A.R., 1993, Geologic map of the Snowstorm Moun-
tains and vicinity, Elko and Humboldt counties,
Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous
Investigations Series Map I–2394, scale 1:50,000.
Wallace, A.R., Ludington, S., Mihalasky, M.J., Peters,
S.G., Theodore, T.G., Ponce, D.A., John, D.A.,
and Berger, B.R., 2004, Assessment of metallic
mineral resources in the Humboldt River Basin,
northern Nevada, with a section on Platinum-group-
element (PGE) potential of the Humboldt mafic
complex by M.L. Zientek, G.B. Sidder, and R.A.
730
Yager et al.
Zierenberg: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2218,
1 CD-ROM, 312 p.
Wallace, A.R., and John, D.A., 1998, New studies of Ter-
tiary volcanic rocks and mineral deposits, northern
Nevada rift, in Tosdal, R.M., ed., Contributions
to the gold metallogeny of northern Nevada: U.S.
Geological Survey Open-File Report 98–338,
p. 264–278.
Wilson, S.A., Dipple, G.M., Raudsepp, M., and Anderson,
R.G., 2005, Natural carbon sequestration in mine
tailings: Eos (Transactions, American Geophysical
Union), v. 86, no. 52.
Yager, D.B., Choate, L., and Stanton, M.R., 2008a, Net acid
production, acid neutralizing capacity, and associ-
ated mineralogical and geochemical characteristics
of Animas River watershed igneous rocks near Sil-
verton, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific
Investigations Report 2008–5063, 63 p.
Yager, D.B., Burchell, A., and Johnson, R. H., 2008b, The
Natural Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration Potential
of Rocky Mountain Soils Derived From Volcanic
Bedrock: Eos (Transactions, American Geophysi-
cal Union), v. 89, no. 53, Fall Meeting Supplement,
Abstract GC21A–0712.
Yager, D.B., Burchell, A., Robinson, R., Odell, S., Dick,
R.P., Johnson, C.A., Hidinger, J., and Rathke, D.,
2007, Natural Terrestrial Sequestration Potential of
Highplains Prairie to Subalpine Forest and Mined-
Lands Soils Derived from Weathering of Tertiary
Volcanics: Eos (Transactions, American Geophysi-
cal Union), vol. 88, no. 52, Fall Meeting Supple-
ment, Abstract B23D–1588.
Geosphere, October 2010
Yager, D.B., McCafferty, A.E., Stanton, M.R., Diehl, S.F.,
Driscoll, R.L., Fey, D.L., and Sutley, S.J., 2005,
Net acid production, acid neutralizing capacity, and
associated geophysical, mineralogical, and geo-
chemical characteristics of Animas River watershed
rocks near Silverton, Colorado: U.S. Geological
Survey Open-File Report OFR–2005–1433, 75 p.
Yager, D.B., and Hofstra, A.H., 2004, A scaled relational
database design for organizing and analyzing infor-
mation: Application to geology and ore deposits for
the Great Basin: Geological Society of America
Abstracts with Programs, v. 36, no. 5, p. 150.
Zoback, M.L., McKee, E.H., Blakely, R.J., and Thomp-
son, G.A., 1994, The northern Nevada rift;
regional tectono-magmatic relations and middle
Miocene stress direction: Geological Society of
America Bulletin, v. 106, no. 3, p. 371–382, doi:
10.1130/0016-7606(1994)106<0371:TNNRRT>
2.3.CO;2.
Zoback, M.L., and Thompson, G.A., 1978, Basin and range
rifting in northern Nevada; clues from a mid-Mio-
cene rift and its subsequent offsets: Geology, v. 6,
p. 111–116, doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(1978)6<111:
BARRIN>2.0.CO;2.
MANUSCRIPT RECEIVED 26 MARCH 2009
REVISED MANUSCRIPT RECEIVED 1 DECEMBER 2009
MANUSCRIPT ACCEPTED 8 FEBRUARY 2010