1_readme.txt Potash -- A global overview of evaporite-related potash resources, including spatial databases of deposits, occurrences, and permissive tracts By Greta J. Orris, Mark D. Cocker, Pamela Dunlap, Jeff Wynn, Gregory T. Spanski, Deborah A. Briggs, and Leila Gass, with contributions from James D. Bliss, Karen S. Bolm, Chao Yang, Bruce R. Lipin, Steve Ludington, Robert J. Miller, and Miroslaw Slowakiewicz 2014 Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5090-S, version 1.0 U.S. Department of the Interior, Sally Jewell, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey, Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this world-wide inventory is to document the geologic occurrence of (1) rocks enriched in water-soluble potassium minerals and (2) naturally-occurring brines enriched in potassium. Potash, as used in this report, refers to potassium ores and minerals. Databases that summarize the distribution of known deposits and occurrences and their geologic setting are an integral part of a geologically based evaluation of undiscovered mineral resources. The distribution of known deposits and occurrences allows us to understand the factors which control their distributions and to forecast areas with potential. These sites also serve as analogs for the types of resources that could be present; the size and composition of undiscovered deposits are likely to be similar to those that have been found. A spatial database of potash deposits and occurrences provides location and descriptive information for 981 sites that are considered useful and (or) significant in assessing potash resources around the world. The dataset includes location, geologic, and some limited economic data, and references for each site; the sites are linked to figures for ease of viewing these non-spatial data within ArcMap. A spatial database of potash tracts provides location and descriptive information for 84 areas that are considered permissive for potash. The dataset contains location and geologic data; the tracts are linked to figures and references for ease of viewing these non-spatial data within ArcMap. REVISIONS AND UPDATES These data may be revised and updated on an irregular basis as new information becomes available. FILE AND DATA FORMATS Text (.txt) files may be viewed without special software.Adobe Portable Document format (PDF) files may be viewed with ArcReader (available at no cost at www.adobe.com). Spreadsheets (.xlsx) are Microsoft Excel 2010 workbooks. Spatial databases require GIS soft- ware such as ArcReader, ArcView, ArcInfo, or ArcGIS; the data can be directly accessed by these applications. Google Earth-compatible files (.kml) can be viewed in Google's software (available at no cost at www.google.com/earth/). Excel, ArcView, ArcInfo, and ArcGIS are licensed applications that must be purchased. Two spatial databases that provide and describe vector data are Esri File Geodatabase (FGDB) feature classes compiled in ArcGIS 10, a commercial GIS. The feature classes are stored in geographic coordinates (WGS_1984 datum) in a FGDB feature dataset. Source reference data are stored in FGDB tables that link to the feature classes via FGDB relationship classes. Metadata are embedded in each of the FGDB feature classes and are also provided as PDF files. Each feature class is also available in Esri shapefile and Google Earth- compatible KML formats. FILES TO DOWNLOAD 1_readme.txt - this file. sir2010-5090-S.pdf - Report text. PotashGIS.zip - Esri File Geodatabases, supporting tables and relationship classes, and map document (ArcGIS 10); figures, metadata, and Esri shapefiles, in ZIP archive. PotashKML.zip - Google Earth-compatible files, in ZIP archive. PotashXL.zip - Microsoft Excel 2010 spreadsheets, in ZIP archive. GIS IN ZIP ARCHIVE PotashGIS.zip USGS_Global_Potash.gdb - An ArcGIS 10 Esri File Geodatabase (FGDB). It contains a feature dataset (that consists of two feature classes for deposits and tracts) and associated tables and relationship classes. Contents of USGS_Global_Potash.gdb: Evap_Potash - Feature dataset which contains two feature classes ("Potash_Deposits" and "Potash_Tracts"). Potash_Deposits - Feature class (points) for deposits and occurrences. Potash_Tracts - Feature class (polygons) for permissive tracts. DepositHasGeolReferences - Relationship Class that manages the relationship between references listed in the table "Deposits_AllRefs" and the feature class "Potash_Deposits" (to enable viewing of complete citation for references from within the Esri map document "Potash_Deposits_and_Tracts.mxd"). Deposits_AllRefs - Table of site names, their site identifiers, and associated references cited in the feature class "Potash_Deposits." Potash_Deposits_ATTACH - Table of figures attached to the feature class "Potash_Deposits." Potash_Deposits_ATTACHREL - Relationship class that manages the relationship between figures listed in table "Potash_Deposits_ATTACH" and the feature class "Potash_Deposits" (to enable viewing of figures from within the Esri map document "Potash_Deposits_and_Tracts.mxd"). Potash_Tracts_ATTACH - Table of figures attached to the feature class "Potash_Tracts." Potash_Tracts_ATTACHREL - Relationship class that manages the relationship between figures listed in table "Potash_Tracts_ATTACH" and the feature class "Potash_Tracts" (to enable viewing of figures from within the Esri map document "Potash_Deposits_and_Tracts.mxd"). Tracts_GeologyRefs - Table of tract names, their coded identifiers, and associated references cited in the feature class "Potash_Tracts." TractHasGeologyReferences - Relationship Class that manages the relationship between references listed in the table "Tracts_GeologyRefs" and the feature class "Potash_Tracts" (to enable viewing of complete citation for references from within the Esri map document "Potash_Deposits_and_Tracts.mxd"). state_dept_boundaries.gdb - An ArcGIS 9 Esri File Geodatabase (FGDB). It contains one feature class (SSIB_World) of country boundary GIS prepared by the U.S. Department of State. Potash_Deposits_and_Tracts.mxd - Map document built in ArcGIS 10. It utilizes feature classes, tables, and relationship classes to view the spatial and non-spatial data (and the embedded metadata). PotashDeps.shp - Shapefile of potash deposits and occurrences. PotashTracts.shp - Shapefile of potash tracts. FIGURES IN ZIP ARCHIVE PotashGIS.zip: Numerous PDF files are attached to the FGDB feature classses "Potash_Deposits" and "Potash_Tracts" to portray further information about the geology of a particular tract or the basin in which it occurs. (The report describes the file naming convention; general geographic areas are listed below.) AMUD_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Amu Darya AMUD_More_thick_1fig.pdf - Amu Darya AMUD_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Amu Darya AMUD_StrOth_1fig.pdf - Amu Darya AMZ_More_SaltExtent_1fig.pdf - Amazonas CAR_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Carpathians CAR_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Carpathians CNGA_More_Mengo_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Lower Congo Basin CNGAB_StratSect_2figs.pdf - Lower Congo Basin DD_Dev_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Devonian Dnieper-Donets Basin DD_Dev_StrOth_1fig.pdf - Devonian Dnieper-Donets Basin DD_More_Romenskuyu_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Devonian Dnieper-Donets Basin EPT_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Elk Point Basin GABA_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Gabon GSR_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Gissar tract (Central Asia Salt Basin) HOL_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Holbrook Basin HOL_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Holbrook Basin KHORALL_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Khorat Basin KWN_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Kwanza MARA_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Maritimes MARA_More_Malagawatch_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Maritimes OMN_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Oman OMN_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Oman PDX_SaltExtent_1fig.pdf - Paradox Basin PRIC_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Pricaspian Basin PRIC_More_Inder_map_1fig.pdf - Pricaspian Basin PRIC_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Pricaspian Basin PRIP_More_Starobin_3figs.pdf - Pripyat PRIP_StratSect_3figs.pdf - Pripyat PRMS_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Permian Basin RED_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Red Sea RED_SaltExtent_1fig.pdf - Red Sea RHIN_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Rhine Graben RHIN_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Rhine Graben SLY_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Sicily SOL_More_KExtent_1fig.pdf - Solikamsk ZCHA_CrossSect_1fig.pdf - Zechstein ZCHA_More_Stade_1fig.pdf - Zechstein ZCHABE_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Zechstein ZCHB_More_Deposits_5figs.pdf - Zechstein ZCHF_StratSect_1fig.pdf - Zechstein ZCHG_More_KExtent_1fig.pdf - Zechstein METADATA FILES IN ZIP ARCHIVE PotashGIS.zip: Metadata files provide information about the spatial database -- its content, quality, lineage, contacts, and other characteristics. Metadata for this GIS are provided in PDF and XML format. Potash_Deposits_metadata.pdf - Metadata for the FGDB feature class "Potash_Deposits." Potash_Deposits_metadata.xml - Metadata for the FGDB feature class "Potash_Deposits." Potash_Tracts_metadata.pdf - Metadata for the FGDB feature class "Potash_Tracts." Potash_Tracts_metadata.xml - Metadata for the FGDB feature class "Potash_Tracts." TEXT FILES IN ZIP ARCHIVE PotashGIS.zip: 1_readme.txt - Explanatory file for report, also contains list of files. GOOGLE EARTH-COMPATIBLE FILES IN ZIP ARCHIVE PotashKML.zip: Potash Deposits.kml - Google Earth file for deposits and occurrences. Potash Tracts.kml - Google Earth file for tracts. c_168_USGS.gif - USGS logo. sm_key_color_green.gif - USGS banner. SPREADSHEET (TABULAR) DATA IN ZIP ARCHIVE PotashXL.zip: PotashDeposits.xlsx - Excel workbook with three spreadsheets for deposit and occurrence data and for references used. PotashTracts.xlsx - Excel workbook with three spreadsheets for tract data and for references used in defining the tracts. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Windows - Intel Pentium or Xeon processor, 800 MHz minimum, 1.0GHz or higher recommended - Microsoft Windows XP, or Windows 2000, - 256 MB minimum of RAM, 512 MB or higher recommended - VGA color monitor that can display 256 colors (16.7 million colors recommended) All platforms - Web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Browser version 7.0 or greater. Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or higher. GIS software capable of reading ArcGIS 10 file geodatabases, such as ArcView or ArcGIS, is needed to take full advantage of the GIS-capabilities of this publication. QUICK START FOR GIS 1. Extract the data files from the ZIP archive PotashGIS.zip into the folder of your choice. 2. Double-click "Potash_Deposits_and_Tracts.mxd" to open the map in ArcMap 10. 3. View the data as a map with symbols, classifications, and base maps of your choice OR invoke one of the LYR files listed under the two headers labeled "SYMBOLIZED MAP VIEWS ..." 4. To view the non-spatial data for tracts: (a) Right-click on the "Potash_Tracts" feature class in the Table of Contents > Selection > Make This The Only Selectable Layer; Use the Identify tool to click on a tract; in the Identify window, use the drop-down arrow to set "Identify from" box to OR "Potash_Tracts"; click on the tract a second time and data will appear. (b) If figures exist for the tract, an Attachments "paper clip" icon will appear (just above the column labeled "Field"); click on the drop-down arrow next to the paper clip and select a figure to view. (c) To view source data references, click on the plus next to the tract name in the hierarchical list and again on the plus next to "ReferencesCited" until the tract name appears again (often there will be along list of tract names); then click on tract name to view individual references. (d) Toggle back and forth between references and attributes for each tract by clicking on tract name (below "Potash_Tracts") and tract name (as listed below "References Cited") in the hierarchical list. 5. To view the non-spatial data for deposits and occurrences, follow the procedure in step 4 above, except substitute "Potash_Deposits" for "Potash_Tracts." 6. See Appendix F in the report for further help and insights. 7. Invoke "Open Attribute Table" to view the data in a tabular format. 8. Read the metadata for definitions of the data stored in the attribute tables. TIPS 1. If you have ArcGIS 10 and cannot view the complete metadata in ArcCatalog, please visit the Esri website at http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//003t00000031000000 and read the first page of "Creating and Managing FGDC metadata" for directions and insights. 2. If you cannot view an entire text entry because it appears to be truncated in the Identify window, open the attribute table, click on Table Options > Appearance, and increase the value for Cell Height, select Apply. If the result is okay, then click OK; otherwise, reset Cell Height and Apply until the entire text entry is visible. 3. For more help with viewing figures within the GIS, go to "Enabling Attachments" at http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//001t000003vt000000.htm and "Viewing Attachments" at http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/Viewing_attachments/001t000003vw000000/ 4. The GIS was designed to activate figures from the Data View in ArcMap 10 through the use of the Identify and Hyperlink buttons; it was not designed to activate figures directly from the attribute table. 5. Figures can also be viewed independently of the GIS: navigate to the subfolder "\Figures" and select each by name. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Michael L. Zientek and Jane M. Hammarstrom provided valuable guidance throughout the course of study and preparation of data. Technical reviews by Pamela M. Cossette, Dan Mosier, S.M. Jasinski, David Ramsey, and Gilpin (Rob) Robinson greatly improved improved this report. The bibliographical reference for this publication is: Orris, G.J., Cocker, M.D., Dunlap, Pamela, Wynn, Jeff, Spanski, G.T., Briggs, D.A., and Gass, Leila, 2014, Potash -- A global overview of evaporite-related potash resources, including spatial databases of deposits, occurrences, and permissive tracts, with contributions from James D. Bliss, Karen S. Bolm, Chao Yang, Bruce R. Lipin, Steve Ludington, Robert J. Miller, and Miroslaw Slowakiewicz: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5090-S, 76 p. and GIS data, available at http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20105090s. This report and any updates to it are available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20105090s.