STRATIGRAPHY OF TRIASSIC AND ASSOCIATED FORMATIONS IN PART OF THE COLORADO PLATEAU REGION. SEDIMENTARY PETROLOGY
Stratigraphic studies of the Triassic and associated formations were made in southeastern Utah and adjoining parts of Colorado and Arizona. Five principal lines of investigation were followed: regional stratigraphv, sedimentary petrology, pebble studies, sedimentary-structure studies, and lithofacies studies. The formations studied are the Cutler formation, Coconino sandstone, and Kaibab limestone of Permian age; the Moenkopi formation, Chinle formation, and Wingate sandstone of Triasvic age; the Kayenta formation of Jurissic(?) age; and the Navajo sandstone of Jurassic and Jurassic(?) age. Most of the uranium deposits in the Triassic rocks are in the Shinarump, Monitor Butte, and Moss Back members of the Chinle formation, and in the base of undifferentiated Chinle. The deposits are generally near the base of the Chinle, regardless of which unit of the formation lies in that position. The deposits lie in broad northwestward-trending belts near the north limit of the respective units. Many determinations have been made of the types of clay minerals in the sandstones in the Triassic and associated formations. Evidence supports the hypothesis that much of the hydromica in the Chinle is the result of alteration of montmorillonite in the presence of soluble potassium salts. Thin-section studies of ore-bearing sandstone and barren sandstone in the Shinarump and Moss Back members of the Chinle formation suggest that uranium ore occurs predominantly in sandstone that contains 20% or more kaolin, and that strata containing 15 to 35% kaolin should be considered more favorable for the occurrence of uranium than strata containing less that 15% kaolin. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-004480
- OSTI ID:
- 4222191
- Journal Information:
- U.S. Geol. Survey Bull., Journal Name: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. Vol. Vol: 1046-Q
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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