Brian Yellen and Colleagues Conducting a Comprehensive Pyrrhotite Survey of MA and CT
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A new geologic survey of the Connecticut River Valley is underway to better understand pyrrhotite, a mineral linked to crumbling foundations in southern New England.
Found in parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut, pyrrhotite weakens concrete over time, posing a costly hazard to homeowners and communities. By mapping its presence, scientists aim to protect local infrastructure while also advancing national priorities such as earthquake and landslide research, water management, and critical mineral sourcing. Using modern geophysical tools and regional collaboration, the survey will deliver insights that strengthen our understanding of geological hazards across state lines.
Brian Yellen—Massachusetts’s state geologist, a research assistant professor in the College of Natural Sciences's Department of Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences, and a collaborator in this Connecticut River Valley survey—explains the importance of understanding pyrrhotite's geographic reach:
“Better geologic maps will help us screen for the presence of pyrrhotite, ultimately protecting homeowner investments. We have a broad sense of where this corrosive mineral is, but not enough detail yet to assure that it doesn’t end up in concrete that makes its way into people’s home foundations. Some 35,000 houses have been identified in Connecticut with crumbling foundations, and there are similar numbers in central Massachusetts.”
— Brian Yellen
Read more: USGS, Connecticut Public, Register Citizen,