GeoRef

The GeoRef database covers the geology of North America from 1693 to the present and the geology of the rest of the world from 1933 to the present. The database includes references to all publications of the U.S. Geological Survey. Masters' theses and doctoral dissertations from US and Canadian universities are also covered.

To maintain the database, GeoRef editor/indexers regularly scan more than 3,500 journals in 40 languages as well as new books, maps, and reports. They record the bibliographic data for each document and assign index terms to describe it. Each month between 4,000 and 7,000 new references are added to the database.

Major areas of coverage include:

• Areal geology
• Economic geology
• Engineering geology
• Environmental geology
• Extraterrestrial geology
• Geochemistry
• Geochronology
• Geophysics
• Hydrogeology and hydrology
• Marine geology and oceanography
• Mathematical geology
• Mineralogy and Crystallography
• Paleontology
• Petrology
• Seismology
• Stratigraphy
• Structural geology
• Surficial geology

1693 - present (North America coverage)
1933 - present (Worldwide coverage)

Biweekly with approximately 3,000 new records added per update

Over 2,805,582 records as of February 2007

An online thesaurus is available.

American Geological Institute
4220 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22302 USA
Voice: +1 703 379 2480
Fax: +1 703 379 7563
Web: http://www.agiweb.org

Document Delivery

The GeoRef Document Delivery Service (DDS) offers seven-day (regular) and one-day (rush) mailing of photocopies of earth-science documents and maps available in Washington-area libraries. The DDS provides copies of documents available in the US Geological Survey Library in Reston, Virginia, the Library of Congress, and the AGI library. The DDS also provides copies of earth-science theses and dissertations. These requests are filled through UMI (now Bell& Howell Information and Learning) and through the degree-granting institutions involved. The normal turnaround time does not apply to requests for theses and dissertations -- these requests usually are filled within 4-8 weeks.

Sample Record

TI:	Title Mechanism and effect of chemical weathering of sedimentary rocks
AU:	Author Chigira, Masahiro; Oyama, Takahiro
AF:	Affiliation Kyoto University, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto, Japan (JPN)
AF:	Affiliation Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, (JPN)
MT:	Monograph Title Interdisciplinary studies of rock weathering
ED:	Editor Chigira, Masahiro
AF:	Affiliation Kyoto University, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto, (JPN)
CF:	Conference Rock weathering and its interdisciplinary importance, Kyoto, Japan, Feb. 21, 1998
SO:	Source Engineering Geology, vol.55, no.1-2, pp.3-14, Jan 2000
IS:	ISSN 0013-7952
CD:	CODEN EGGOAO
PB:	Publisher Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands (NLD)
AB:	Abstract The mineralogy, geochemistry and physical and mechanical properties of rocks from four weathering profiles of Miocene to Pleistocene mudstones and sandstones in Japan showed that chemical weathering of sedimentary rocks is characterized by sequential reaction between percolating groundwater and rock-forming minerals. Pyrite, a common mineral contained in sedimentary rocks, is especially important in these sequential reactions. Pyrite is oxidized by oxygen coming from the ground surface and sulfuric acid is generated at the base of the oxidized zone. The sulfuric acid, in turn, dissolves rock-forming materials to make a dissolved zone. If the fluxes of oxygen and water are in the same direction, sulfuric acid generated at the oxidation front migrates farther and forms a dissolved zone. If these fluxes are in opposite directions, the oxidized and dissolved zones are not differentiated. Rocks in the dissolved zone are caused to deteriorate by the acid leaching and are acidic if buffering minerals, such as calcite and zeolite, are absent. In the oxidized zone, sandstone is strengthened because of cementation by iron oxide or hydroxide, while mudstone is weakened because it has greater clay fractions and larger specific surface areas than sandstone.
FE:	Features References: 30; illus. incl. 2 tables, sketch map
LA:	Language English
PY:	Publication Year 2000
PD:	Publication Date 20000100
PT:	Publication Type Serial; Conference document; Analytic
CP:	Country of Publication Netherlands (NLD)
DE:	Descriptors Asia; Cenozoic; chemical reactions; chemical weathering; density; Far East; geochemistry; ground water; inorganic acids; Japan; mechanical properties; minerals; Miocene; Neogene; oxidation; physical properties; Pleistocene; porosity; pyrite; Quaternary; rock mechanics; sedimentary rocks; solution; sulfides; sulfuric acid; Tertiary; weathering
CL:	Classification 06A Sedimentary petrology; 30 Engineering geology
CY:	Copyright GeoRef, Copyright 2002, American Geological Institute. Reference includes data from CAPCAS, Elsevier Scientific Publishers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
UD:	Update 200005
AN:	Accession Number 2000-014035

Field Codes

The following field codes are found in the records of this database. Here they are listed in alphabetical order by two-letter code.

AB = Abstract	LA = Language
AF = Affiliation	MP = Map
AN = Accession Number	MT = Monograph Title
AU = Author	NT = Notes
AV = Availability	ON = Organization
CA = Corporate Author	PB = Publisher
CD = CODEN	PD = Publication Date
CE = Collection Title	PG = Pages
CF = Conference	PY = Publication Year
CP = Country of Publication	RL = Resource Location
CY = Copyright	RP = Report Number
DE = Descriptors	SL = Summary Language
ED = Editor	SO = Source
FC = Format Covered	SP = Sponsor
FE = Features	TA = Target Audience
HL = Holding Library	TI = Title
IB = ISBN	UD = Update
IS = ISSN

GeoRef classifications describe broad areas of the field of geology. Each includes a 2-digit code that, when sorted numerically, orders the categories hierarchically by subject area. The classification scheme is shown below.

cl=(mineralogy of silicates)
cl=01b

To search for everything in a hierarchy, truncate the code, eg:
cl=01*

01 Mineralogy
01A General mineralogy
01B Mineralogy of silicates
01C Mineralogy of non-silicates

physical, optical, and chemical properties of naturally occurring inorganic minerals and related synthetic minerals, mineral crystallography, including crystal structure, determination of lattice parameters and unit cells, the bonding of atoms and molecules, crystal form and symmetry, collecting minerals, as well as non-mineral gems such as amber and jet

02 Geochemistry
02A General geochemistry
02B Hydrochemistry
02C Geochemistry of rocks, soils, and sediments
02D Isotope geochemistry

abundance of elements, organic materials, water, trace elements, isotopes, geochemical processes and properties, geochemical cycles, geochemical surveys analytical methods such as chemical, spectroscopic, thermal, and X-ray and electron microscopy instruments used for analysis
Related topics in other fields:

CL=05* petrology, fluid inclusions, geologic thermometry and barometry, meteorites
CL=03 geochronology
CL=06* clay mineralogy
CL=12 paleoclimatology
CL=26* or CL=28* geochemical prospecting

03 Geochronology

determination by absolute age methods, including radiometric and radiogenic dating; establishing the chronology of events by methods such as lichenometry, racemization, tree rings, hydration of glass, varves, paleomagnetism, tephrochronology, thermoluminescence, radiation damage, fission-track dating and particle-track dating

04 Extraterrestrial geology

of the planets, asteroids, the Moon and moons of other planets planetary composition, evolution, surface features, structure, motions
Exclusions: astrophysics and extraterrestrial physics
Related topics in other fields:
CL=05* meteorites and tektites

05 Igneous and metamorphic petrology
05A Igneous and metamorphic petrology
05B Petrology of meteorites and tektites

igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks, metasomatism metamorphism, phase equilibria, magmas, lava, intrusions, inclusions ancient volcanology
Related topics in other fields:
CL=17* phase transitions
CL=23 volcanic features
CL=24 modern volcanology

06 Sedimentary petrology
06A Sedimentary petrology
06B Petrology of coal

sedimentary rocks, sediments, sedimentation, diagenesis, sedimentary structures, genesis of peat, lignite and coal, clay mineralogy, chemical properties of clay minerals
Related topics in other fields:
CL=07 marine sedimentation
CL=24 Quaternary sediments
CL=29* economic studies of peat, lignite and coal

07 Oceanography

continental shelf, continental slope, ocean floors, ocean waves (sediment transport), ocean circulation (sediment transport), reefs (modern)
Exclusions:
patterns of ocean circulation
marine biology
wave propagation
Related topics in other fields:
CL=02* geochemistry of sea water
CL=18 ocean basin evolution
CL=21 estuarine studies
CL=24 Quaternary sediments and Recent lake and sea-level changes

08 General paleontology

life origin, paleontological textbooks, paleontological glossaries, fossil collecting, conodonts, problematic fossils, ichnofossils (if not related to a specific fossil group)
Related topics in other fields:
CL=09 fossil plants
CL=10 invertebrates
CL=11 vertebrates
CL=12 biostratigraphy

09 Paleobotany

algae, angiosperms, bacteria, bryophytes, fungi, gymnosperms, lichens, palynomorphs, Plantae, pteridophytes, thallophytes
Related topics in other fields:
CL=12 biostratigraphy
CL=24 Quaternary palynology

10 Invertebrate paleontology

Bryozoa, Coelenterata, Echinodermata, foraminifera, Graptolithina, Hemichordata, Insecta, Mollusca, Ostracoda, Porifera, Pterobranchia, Radiolaria, Trilobita, worms
Related topics in other fields:
CL=12 biostratigraphy

11 Vertebrate paleontology

Agnatha, Amphibia, Aves, Chordata, fossil man, Mammalia, Pisces, Reptilia
Related topics in other fields:
CL=12 Pre-Quaternary archaeology and artifacts
CL=24 Quaternary archaeology and artifacts

12 Stratigraphy

lithostratigraphy (age relationships of rock strata), biostratigraphy, evolution of land masses (continental drift), paleomagnetism, paleogeography, biogeography, paleoclimatology
Related topics in other fields:
CL=06* reefs and sedimentation
CL=08 or CL=09 or CL=10 or CL=11 paleontology
CL=22 Recent ecology
CL=24 Quaternary

13 Areal geology

area studies dealing with several aspects of geology, entries that might be placed in three or more fields, guidebooks, road logs, bibliographies of geology of an area
Related topics in other fields:
CL=14 geologic maps

14 Geologic maps

separately published geologic maps, geologic maps with explanatory texts, separately published geologic charts, methodology of geologic mapping
Related topics in other fields: specific types of maps are found under the specific field, eg geomorphologic maps are found in CL=23, Surficial geology, geomorphology

15 Miscellaneous

biography (if not related to a specific field)
bibliography (if not related to a specific field)
popular geology
elementary geology (textbooks)
general mathematical principles
annual reports of geologic surveys and associations
historical accounts
education-curricula, enrollments
directories to geology departments
geology as a profession-career opportunities
forensic geology-geology applied to crime solving
Related topics in other fields: anything related to a specific field will be found in that field rather than here

16 Structural geology

classical tectonics (regional and local structures resulting from solid-rock movements), faults, fractures, folds, orogeny, geosynclines, deformation, structural analysis, epeirogeny, foliation, lineation
Related topics in other fields:

CL=18 plate tectonics, continental drift, sea-floor spreading

Before 1975 the following subjects were found in Structural geology; they are now found in other fields:
CL=05* batholiths, dikes, intrusions, stocks and volcanism
CL=06* breccia, sedimentary structures
CL=12 changes of level, paleogeography, unconformities
CL=18 crust, diapirs, geodesy, isostasy, Mohorovicic discontinuity
CL=22 nuclear explosions
CL=23 cratering, cryptoexplosion features
CL=24 glaciers
 

17 General geophysics
17A General geophysics
17B Geophysics of minerals and rocks

experimental and theoretical studies of physical properties of rocks
transition states of various compounds under elevated
temperature and pressure (applied to core and mantle composition)
magnetic and electrical properties of minerals and melts that relate to the Earth's magnetic field
history, development and education in geophysics (since 1981 in CL=18)
magnetic and gravity fields of the Earth (since 1981 in CL=18)
Exclusions: Meteorology, magnetosphere, astrophysics, aeronomy and solar physics
Related topics in other fields:
CL=04 Extraterrestrial geology

18 Solid-Earth geophysics

worldwide structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, continental drift sea-floor spreading, paleomagnetism, structure of core, crust and mantle, Mohorovicic discontinuity
Related topics in other fields:
CL=16 Regional and local structure

Prior to 1975 the following subjects were found in Solid-Earth Geophysics; they are now found in other fields:
CL=20 Geophysical surveys
CL=19 Seismology

19 Seismology

earthquakes and elastic waves, including seismograms, wave velocity, seismic sources, seismicity, microearthquakes, microseisms, mechanism of tsunamis and volcanic earthquakes
Related topics in other fields:
CL=18 velocity structure of Earth's interior
CL=22 geologic hazards, seismic risk
CL=30 earthquake engineering

20 Applied geophysics

applied studies not related to a specific subject including: well-logging, remote sensing, magnetotelluric surveys, gravity surveys, electrical surveys, magnetic surveys, seismic surveys, electromagnetic surveys

21 Hydrogeology

ground water-geochemistry, movement, resources, mathematical models
thermal waters, springs, geysers, fumaroles, soil-water regimes, surface water-chemistry, sediment transport, hydrologic cycle (from 1969 to 1974, fewer references to surface water were included)
Exclusions: biology of surface water, hydraulics
Related topics in other fields:
CL=02* geochemistry of water
CL=22 pollution of water and again after 1989

22 Environmental geology
 

ecology, geologic hazards-earthquakes, floods, land subsidence, landslides, debris flows, tsunamis, volcanoes, groundwater pollution conservation, land use, pollution of surface water (seldom covered) reclamation
With the growth of the environmental sciences, inclusion of environmental topics has increased dramatically in recent years.

23 Geomorphology

genesis and evolution of features on the Earth's surface-meteor craters, cryptoexplosion features, eolian features, erosion features, fluvial features, frost action, lacustrine features, mass movements, shore features, solution features, and volcanic features
Related topics in other fields:
CL=24 Quaternary glacial features and modern volcanology

24 Quaternary geology

the last 2 million years of Earth's history, including:
archaeology, glacial geology, stratigraphy, palynology, modern volcanology, sea-level changes

25 Soils

soils-genesis, morphology, evolution, chemistry, erosion and classification
Exclusions: agricultural studies
Related topics in other fields:
CL=21 soil water regimes
CL=22 soil pollution
CL=23 erosion processes
CL=30 engineering properties of soils

26 Economic geology, general

26A Economic geology, general, deposits
26B Economic geology, general, economics

commodity studies-more than one type of commodity
mining geology
Related topics in other fields:
CL=27* metals
CL=28* nonmetals
CL=29* energy sources

27 Economic geology of ore deposits
27A Economic geology of ore deposits
27B Economic geology, economics of ores deposits

metal ores-genesis, resources, economics, exploration, production and utilization (includes uranium)
Related topics in other fields:
CL=26* general and mining geology

28 Economic geology of nonmetal deposits
28A Economic geology, geology of nonmetal deposits
28B Economic geology, economics of nonmetal deposits

nonmetal deposits-genesis, resources, economics, exploration, production, and utilization
Related topics in other fields:
CL=26* general and mining geology

29 Economic geology of energy sources
29A Economic geology, geology of energy sources
29B Economic geology, economics of energy sources

petroleum, natural gas, coal (economic studies), oil shale geothermal energy, oil sands
Related topics in other fields:
CL=06* genesis of coal, peat, and lignite
CL=26* general and mining geology
CL=27* uranium ores

30 Engineering geology

waste disposal, reclamation, structures-dams, foundations, highways, marine installations, nuclear facilities, reservoirs, tunnels, underground installations and waterways when geologic subjects such as rock and soil properties are discussed

 

This field may contain several types of information:

Document type, such as:
 

Serial
 
Book
 
Report
 
Conference document
 
Map
 
Thesis or dissertation
Abstract only

 
Treatment or bibliographic level, such as:
Analytic (eg: research paper)
 
Monographic (eg: book, report, thesis)
 
Collective (eg: series of monographs)
 
Serial (eg: journal, annual directory)

 
Type of degree (when the document type is a thesis or dissertation). Possible types are:
Doctoral
 
Master's
 
Bachelor's


To search this field, enter the unique word(s), eg: pt=(thesis and doctoral)
To exclude records that have been indexed from an abstract only and not a fulltext document, add:
not pt=abstract
to the end of your search, eg:
(precambrian and ichnofossils) not pt=abstract

LL=N383* and LL=W1114*

where N stand for North, S for South, E for East and W for West and the star truncation will retrieve minutes from 30 -39 for 38 degrees North and minutes 40-49 for 111 degrees West.

To retrieve records for a region surrounding the following coordinates: Latitude 38 degrees 30 minutes N and Longitude 111 degrees 40 minutes W. within approximately 10 minutes of that coordinate point enter:

LL=(n382* or LL=n383*) and LL=(w1113* or w1114*)

This will retrieve records discussing the coordinates from N3820-N3839 and W11131- W11149, ie: 38 degrees 20-39 minutes North and 111 degrees 31-49 minutes West.