Abstract

The map (Plate.pdf), pamphlet (Pamphlet.pdf), and the accompanying datasets in this report provide information for 290 sites in California where asbestos occurs in natural settings, using descriptions found in the geologic literature. Data on location, mineralogy, geology, and relevant literature for each asbestos site are provided. Using the map and digital data in this report, the user can examine the distribution of previously reported asbestos and their geological characteristics in California. This report is part of an ongoing study by the U.S. Geological Survey to identify and map sites where asbestos mineralization occurs in the United States, which includes similar maps and datasets of natural asbestos localities within the Eastern United States (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1189/), the Central United States (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1211/), the Rocky Mountain States (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1182/), the Southwestern United States (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1095/), and the Northwestern United States (Oregon and Washington) (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2010/1041/). These reports are intended to provide State and local government agencies and other stakeholders with geologic information on reported asbestos mineralization in the United States.

First posted August 22, 2011