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Geology of the Naturita NW quadrangle, Colorado

Trace Elements Memorandum 702
This report concerns work done on behalf of the Division of Raw Materials of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/tem702

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Abstract

The Naturita NW quadrangle is one of eighteen 7 1/2-minute quadrangles covering the principal carnotite-producing area of southwestern Colorado. The geology of these quadrangles were mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey on behalf of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission as part of a comprehensive study of carnotite deposits. The rocks exposed in the eighteen quadrangles consist of crystalline rocks of pre-Cambrian age and sedimentary rocks that range in age from late Paleozoic to Quaternary. Over much of the area the sedimentary rocks are flat lying, but in places the rocks are disrupted by high-angle faults, and northwest-trending folds. Conspicuous among the folds are large anticlines having cores of intrusive salt 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 only a few tons of ore to large, tabular masses containing many thousands of tons. The ore consists largely of sandstone selectively impregnated and in part replaced by uranium and vanadium minerals. Most of the deposits appear ro be related to certain sedimentary structures in sandstones of favorable composition.

Suggested Citation

Cater, F.W., Vogel, J., 1953, Geology of the Naturita NW quadrangle, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Memorandum 702, Report: 27 p.; 1 Plate: 33.93 x 27.96 inches, https://doi.org/10.3133/tem702.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Geology of the Naturita NW quadrangle, Colorado
Series title Trace Elements Memorandum
Series number 702
DOI 10.3133/tem702
Year Published 1953
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description Report: 27 p.; 1 Plate: 33.93 x 27.96 inches
Country United States
State Colorado
Other Geospatial Naturita Nw Quadrangle
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details