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Airborne radioactivity surveys in the Mojave Desert region, Kern, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, California

Trace Elements Memorandum 360
Prepared by the Geological Survey for the United States Atomic Energy Commission Technical Information Service, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This report concerns work done on behalf of the Division of Raw Material of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
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https://doi.org/10.3133/tem360

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Abstract

Airborne radioactivity surveys in the Mojave Desert region Kern, Riverside, and Bernardino counties were made in five areas recommended as favorable for the occurrence of radioactive raw materials: (1) Rock Corral area, San Bernardino County. (2) Searles Station area, Kern county. (3) Soledad area, Kern County. (4) White Tank area, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. (5) Harvard Hills area, San Bernardino County. Anomalous radiation was detected in all but the Harvard Hills area. The radioactivity anomalies detected in the Rock Corral area are of the greatest amplitude yet recorded by the airborne equipment over natural sources. The activity is apparently attributable to the thorium-beating mineral associated with roof pendants of crystalline metamorphic rocks in a granitic intrusive. In the Searles Station, Soledad, and White Tank area, several radioactivity anomalies of medium amplitude were recorded, suggesting possible local concentrations of radioactive minerals.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Airborne radioactivity surveys in the Mojave Desert region, Kern, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, California
Series title Trace Elements Memorandum
Series number 360
DOI 10.3133/tem360
Year Published 1952
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description 34 p.
Country United States
State California
County Kern County;Riverside County;San Berardino County
Other Geospatial Mojave Desert
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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