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Aerial radiometric and magnetic reconnaissance survey of portions of Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota and Washington. Volume 2-H. Pocatello Quadrangle. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6083151

The results of a high-sensitivity, aerial, gamma-ray spectrometer and magnetometer survey of the Pocatello Quadrangle, Idaho, are presented. Instrumentation and methods are described in Volume 1 of this final report. This work was done by Texas Instruments Incorporated under Bendix Field Engineering Corporation Subcontract No. 78-184-L as part of the US Department of Energy National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) Program. Statistical and geological analysis of the radiometric data revealed 67 uranium anomalies worthy of field-checking as possible prospects. Several units of unknown age have registered four significant anomalies associated with quartzites and gneisses. Precambrian, Cambrian, and Ordovician units in the area contain anomalies that may be indicative of uranium mineralization. Both quartzites and limestones may have good potential for hosting uranium deposits. Uranium prospects may be found at six localities containing Precambrian rocks, four areas with Cambrian rocks, and four sites with Ordovician rocks. There are 18 significant anomalies in Upper Paleozoic rocks that indicate the possible presence of uranium mineralization. These rocks are mainly limestone and sandstone. Twelve anomalies in Tertiary units are mainly associated with felsic volcanics or tuffaceous sediments. These rocks may act as hosts or source rocks for uranium mineralization. There are 82 first-priority anomalies in Quaternary units; however, 18 of these may be due to sandstone interbeds in basalts, and 43 are attributable to uranium-rich fill on roads and railroads. Also, many of the anomalies in the Quaternary may be caused by uranium-rich source rocks rather than uranium mineralization.

Research Organization:
Texas Instruments, Inc., Dallas (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-13-1664
OSTI ID:
6083151
Report Number(s):
GJBX-126(79)(Vol.2H)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English