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Reconnaissance geology of the Jabal Saq Quadrangle, sheet 26/43 C, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Open-File Report 83-447
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr83447

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Abstract

The Jabal Saq quadrangle is located in the northeastern part of the Arabian Shield at the northern end of the Najd region between lat 26?00' and 26?30' N. and long 43?00' and 43?30' E. The northeastern two-thirds of the quadrangle is underlain by Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, the southwestern one-third by Proterozoic metamorphic and igneous rocks. The oldest rocks in the quadrangle are weakly metamorphosed immature sandstones that may correlate with the Murdama group. They have been intruded by several large plutons ranging in composition from mafic granodiorite to syenogranite. A densely developed fracture cleavage cuts the metamorphic rocks; otherwise, no structural features were recorded.

The quadrangle has low mineral potential; no ancient mines were identified. The Dharaymeeah syenogranite forms a large pluton and bears some petrologic resemblance to alkali granites identified elsewhere in the Arabian Shield that have documented potential for containing deposits of lithophile rare metals. Analyses of wadi sediment samples collected in the quadrangle suggest that the syenogranite may also be enriched in some of these elements. The anomalously radioactive Usba monzogranite resembles highly evolved peraluminous granite plutons that elsewhere in the world are associated with deposits of tin and tungsten.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Reconnaissance geology of the Jabal Saq Quadrangle, sheet 26/43 C, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 83-447
DOI 10.3133/ofr83447
Year Published 1983
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description i, 22 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
Country Saudi Arabia
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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