Preliminary evaluation of the uranium favorability in the Kaiparowits Plateau Region, Garfield and Kane Counties, Utah

Technical Report · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7014064· OSTI ID:7014064

Dubyk, W. S.; Young, P.

The basal sandstone of the Chinle Formation (Upper Triassic) and the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic) in the Kaiparowits Plateau, southcentral Utah, were evaluated in terms of uranium potential. Both surface and subsurface data were utilized. Favorability of the basal Chinle sandstone was based on (1) presence of intermediate-size sandstone-filled channels cut into the Moenkopi; (2) presence of carbonaceous material; (3) an adequate source of uranium; and (4) gamma-ray anomalies from test-hole logs. Favorability of the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation was based on (1) sandstone-mudstone ratios that approach equality, and (2) presence of thick sandstone lenses, carbonaceous material, and halos of light-tan to brown limonite staining. Although the basal Chinle sandstone and the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison contain sizable uranium deposits throughout much of the Colorado Plateau, both units lack characteristics that are favorable for significant uranium deposits in the Kaiparowits Plateau.

• Research Organization: Bendix Field Engineering Corp., Grand Junction, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-13-1664
• OSTI ID: 7014064
• Report Number(s): GJBX-64-78
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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050200* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Exploration-- (-1987)
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
NORTH AMERICA
PROSPECTING
RESOURCES
ROCKS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
URANIUM DEPOSITS
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UTAH