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Geology of the Anderson Mesa quadrangle, Colorado

Trace Elements Memorandum 690
This report concerns work done partly on behalf of the Division of Raw Materials of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/tem690

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Abstract

The Anderson Mesa quadrangle is one of the eighteen 7 1/2-minute quadrangles covering the principal carnotite-producing area of the southwestern Colorado. The geology of these quadrangles was mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey for the Atomic Energy Commission as part of a comprehensive study of carnotite deposits. The rocks exposed in the eighteenth quadrangles consist of crystalline rocks of pre-Cambrian age and sedimentary rocks that range in age from late Paleozoic to Quarternary. Over much of the area the sedimentary rocks are flat lying, but in places the rocks are disrupted by high-angle faults, and northwest-tending folds. Conspicuous among the folds are large anticlines having cores of intrusive slat and gypsum. Most of the carnotite deposits are confined to the Salt Wash sandstone member of the Jurassic Morrison formation. Within this sandstone, most of the deposits are spottily distributed through an arcuate zone known as the "Uravan Mineral Belt". Individual deposits range in size from irregular masses containing many thousands of tons. The ore consists of largely of sandstone selectively impregnated and in part replaced by uranium and vanadium minerals. Most of the deposits appear to be related to certain sedimentary structures in sandstones of favorable composition.

Suggested Citation

Cater, F.W., Withington, C.F., 1953, Geology of the Anderson Mesa quadrangle, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Memorandum 690, Report: 34 p.; 1 Plate: 33.28 x 27.88 inches, https://doi.org/10.3133/tem690.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Geology of the Anderson Mesa quadrangle, Colorado
Series title Trace Elements Memorandum
Series number 690
DOI 10.3133/tem690
Year Published 1953
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description Report: 34 p.; 1 Plate: 33.28 x 27.88 inches
Country United States
State Colorado
Other Geospatial Anderson Mesa Quadrangle
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details