Reconnaissance of radioactive rock of the Hudson Valley and Adirondack Mountains, New York

Trace Elements Investigations 70
Prepared by the Geological Survey for the United States Atomic Energy Commission
By:  and 

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Abstract

In August 1949 a carborne reconnaissance for radioactivity was made along 3,750 miles of road in the Paleozoic rocks of the Hudson Valley and the pre-Cambrian rocks of the Adirondack Mountains in eastern and central New York state.


In the Paleozoic rocks the average radioactivity of the most strongly radioactive rocks is 0.003 percent equivalent uranium.


The area underlain by pre-Cambrian rocks in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the Adirondacks contain the greatest concentration of abnormally radioactive rocks and glacial materials. This radioactivity is most apparent near the contacts of the igneous and metamorphic rocks where the average range of equivalent uranium content is estimated to be 0.003-0.004 percent. Pegmatites contain as much as 0. 043 percent uranium and 0.62 percent thorium. Iron slag containing 0.030 percent equivalent uranium was found near Moriah Center, and uranium and thorium in iron minerals have contributed to the radioactivity at several other abnormally radioactive localities.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Reconnaissance of radioactive rock of the Hudson Valley and Adirondack Mountains, New York
Series title Trace Elements Investigations
Series number 70
DOI 10.3133/tei70
Year Published 1952
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description Report: 54 p.; 1 Plate: 15.35 x 21.58 inches
Country United States
State New York
Other Geospatial Adirondack Mountains;Hudson Valley
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