Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T10:16:05.841Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Argillic Alteration and Uranium Emplacement on the Colorado Plateau

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

Paul F. Kerr  and
Marian B. Jacobs
Paul F. Kerr
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
Marian B. Jacobs
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Argillic alteration is recognized in association with uranium deposits on the Colorado Plateau and along border areas. Alteration and mineralization are geometrically related in sedimentary strata where solution conduits result from lithologic and structural changes. The association also exists in collapse features and in breccia pipes. Occasional diatremes bearing uranium point to hypogene solution activity following igneous invasion as one original source for uranium ions. In several places ascending fluids apparently were confined under sufficient pressure to blast consolidated strata into vertical chimneys of brecciated masses. Pipes and fracture systems which transect porous strata provide paths along which hypogene solutions may ascend from depth and migrate horizontally. Alteration may extend both vertically and horizontally, encircling such areas.

Occasionally silica or carbonate precipitation accompanies uranium. Where found, well-marked masses of carbonate or silica replace sedimentary strata. Field conditions demonstrate upward migration of solutions. Often silica and carbonate may be dissolved from country rock and redeposited at higher levels. The silica minerals involved are quartz, chalcedony, and opal; the carbonates, calcite, dolomite and siderite.

The identification of mica polymorphs close to ore, corresponding to those created at elevated temperatures in the laboratory; the recognition of dickite in gouge zone veinlets associated with primary sulphides; uranorganic complexes; and replacement textures involving multiple pseudomorphs after a single mineral, further indicate alteration by hypogene solution.

Uranium deposition is favored by precipitating agents peculiar to certain strata. Hydrogen sulphide, produced by decaying fossil plant detritus, or petroliferous material, appears to have been an effective precipitating agent. Strata often involved are members of the Chinle or Morrison Formations. These units provide an environment with sustained reducing conditions favorable for uranium precipitation. The reduction of hexavalent uranium in solution occurs to the less soluble tetravalent form. Accompanying bleaching of red beds also suggests reducing conditions.

Type
Symposium on Mechanism of Emplacement (Formation) of Clay Minerals
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals (National Conference on Clays and Clay Minerals) , Volume 12 , February 1963 , pp. 111 - 128
Copyright
Copyright © The Clay Minerals Society 1963

References

References

Abdel-Gawad, A. M. and Kerr, P. F. (1963) Alteration of Chinle siltstone and uranium emplacement, Arizona and Utah: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 74, pp. 23–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Austin, R. S. (1963) Alteration of Morrison sandstone: Geology and Technology of the Grants Uranium Region, Memoir 15, State Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, New Mexico, pp. 38–44.Google Scholar
Barrington, J. and Kerr, P. F. (1961) Breccia pipe near Cameron, Arizona: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 72, pp. 1661–1674.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barrington, J. and Kerr, P. F. (1962) Alteration effects at Tuba Dike, Cameron, Arizona: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 73, pp. 101–112.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barrington, J, and Kerr, P. F. (1963) Collapse features and silica plugs near Cameron, Arizona: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 74, pp, 1237–1258.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Becraft, G. E. (1956) Uranium deposits of the Boulder batholith, Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 300, pp. 117–121.Google Scholar
Cadigan, R. A. (1955) Possible relationship between uranium ore deposits and the presence of kaolin in Triassic sandstone (abs.): Atomic Energy Comm. U.S. Geol. Survey Symposium Program, U.S. Geol. Survey Papers, v. 5–6.Google Scholar
Derzay, R. C. (1956) Geology of the Los Ochos uranium deposit, Saguache County, Colorado: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 300, pp. 137–141.Google Scholar
Fischer, R. P. (1956) Uranium-vanadium-copper deposits on the Colorado Plateau: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 300, pp. 143–154.Google Scholar
Foster, M. D. (1959) Chemical study of the mineralized clays: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 320, pp. 121–132.Google Scholar
Hathaway, J. C. (1956) Mixed-layered structures in vanadium clays: in Clays and Clay Minerals, Natl. Acad, Sci.—Natl. Res. Council, pub. 456, pp. 387–388.Google Scholar
Heinrich, E. W. (1958) Mineralogy and Geology of Radioactive Raw Materials’. McGraw- Hill, New York , 654 pp.Google Scholar
Jacobs, M. B. (1963) Alteration Studies and Uranium Emplacement near Moab, Utah: Ph.D. Thesis, Columbia University, 227 pp.Google Scholar
Jacobs, M. B. and Kerr, P. F. (1963) Hydrothermal alteration along the Lisbon Valley fault zone, San Juan County, Utah: Manuscript submitted to the Geol. Soc. America.Google Scholar
Keller, W. D. (1929) Experimental work on red bed bleaching: Am. Jour. Sci., Series 5, v. 18, pp. 65–70.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kelley, D. R. and Kerr, P. F. (1957) Clay alteration and ore, Temple Mountain, Utah: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 68, pp. 1101–1116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kelley, D. R. and Kerr, P. F. (1958) Urano-organic ore at Temple Mountain, Utah: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 69, pp. 701–756.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kerr, P. F., Bodine, M. W. Jr., Kelley, D. R. and Keys, W. S. (1957) Collapse features, Temple Mountain uranium area, Utah: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 68, pp. 933–982.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kerr, P. F., Brophy, G. P., Dahl, H. M., Green, J. and Woolard, L. E. (1957) Marysvale Utah, Uranium Area: Geol. Soc. America Spec. Paper 64, 212 pp.Google Scholar
Kerr, P. F. and Hamilton, P. K. (1958) Chrome mica-clay, Temple Mountain, Utah: Am. Mineralogist, v. 43, pp. 34–47.Google Scholar
Keys, W. S. and White, R. L. (1956) Investigation of the Temple Mountain collapse and associated features, San Rafael Swell, Emery County, Utah: U.S. Geol, Survey Prof. Paper 300, pp. 285–298.Google Scholar
Loring, W. B. (1958) Geology and Ore Deposits of the Northern Part of the Big Indian District, San Juan County, Utah: Ph.D. Thesis, Univ. of Arizona, 75 pp.Google Scholar
Lov ering, T. S. and Goddard, E. N. (1950) Geology and ore deposits of the Front Range Colorado: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 223, 319 pp.Google Scholar
Moulton, G. F. (1928) Loss of red color of rocks: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull., v. 12, pp. 767–769.Google Scholar
Tooker, E.W. (1956) Altered wall rocks along vein deposits in the Central City-Idaho Springs region, Colorado: in Clays and Clay Minerals, Natl. Acad. Sci—Natl. Res. Council, pub. 356, pp. 348–361.Google Scholar
Weir, D. B. (1952) Geologic guides to prospecting for carnotite deposits on the Colorado Plateau: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 988-B.Google Scholar
Wright, H. D. and Bieler, B. H. (1960) Primary mineralization of uranium-bearing “siliceous reef” veins in the Boulder batholith, Montana: Econ. Geology, v. 55, pp. 56–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wright, H. D. and Shulhof, W. P. (1957) Mineralogy of the Lone Eagle uranium bearing mine in the Boulder batholith, Montana: Econ. Geology, v. 52, pp. 115–131.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yoder, H. S. and Eugster, H. P. (1955) Synthetic and natural muscovites: Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta, v. 8, pp. 225–280.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Source of Geologic Data for Fig. 1.

Corey, A. S. (1959) U.S. Atomic Energy Comm. Publ. RME-128, Fig. 4.Google Scholar
Guidebook of Intermt. Assoc. of Petroleum Geologists, 1956 Field trip, Plate 1, sheet 4.Google Scholar
Hite, R. J. (1961) U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 424-D, Fig. 337.1.Google Scholar
McKnight, E. T. (1940) U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 908, Plate 1.Google Scholar
Shoemaker, E. M. (1954) Guidebook to Geology of Utah, No. 9, Plate 1.Google Scholar
U.S. Atomic Energy Comm. Prelim. Map 3: Photogeologic Map of the Lisbon Valley Anticline and Surrounding Area, San Juan County, Utah.Google Scholar
U.S. Geol. Survey Map 1-67: Photogeologic Map of the Carlisle-2 Quadrangle, San Juan County, Utah.Google Scholar
U.S. Geol. Survey Map 1-180; Photogeologic Map of the Carlisle-1 Quadrangle, San Juan County, Utah.Google Scholar
U.S. Geol. Survey Oil and Gas Investigations Map OM 169.Google Scholar