Open-File Report 2008–1119
Abstract
A study conducted in 2006 by the U.S. Geological Survey collected 57 surface rock samples from nine types of intrusive rock in the Iron Hill carbonatite complex. This intrusive complex, located in Gunnison County of southwestern Colorado, is known for its classic carbonatite-alkaline igneous geology and petrology. The Iron Hill complex is also noteworthy for its diverse mineral resources, including enrichments in titanium, rare earth elements, thorium, niobium (columbium), and vanadium. This study was performed to reexamine the chemistry and metallic content of the major rock units of the Iron Hill complex by using modern analytical techniques, while providing a broader suite of elements than the earlier published studies. The report contains the geochemical analyses of the samples in tabular and digital spreadsheet format, providing the analytical results for 55 major and trace elements. |
Version 1.0 Posted April 2008 |
Van Gosen, B.S., 2008, Geochemistry of rock samples collected from the Iron Hill carbonatite complex, Gunnison County, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008–1119, 27 p.
Abstract
Introduction
The Iron Hill Carbonatite Complex
Sample Collection
Sample Analyses
Highlights of the Results
Pyroxenite
Carbonatite stock of Iron Hill
Carbonatite dikes
Acknowledgements
References Cited