Remote-sensing and subsurface definition of facies and structure related to uranium deposits, Powder River Basin, Wyoming

Economic Geology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Computer-enhanced Landsat images of the southern Powder River Basin have been used to define facies and linear structural features within the Wasatch Formation. The facies distribution is detectable primarily because of a relation of vegetation density and type to the local substrate. The surface indications of facies are confirmed by sandstone/ mudstone ratios determined from logs of abundant exploration drill holes. These newly defined geologic features are spatially related to known uranium mineral occurrences and are believed to be related to mineralization in the following ways. (1) Major uranium occurrences are virtually restricted to an intermediate grain-size facies of the Wasatch, probably marking the axial zone of the depositional basin. (2) The axial zone is also marked by a change from one structural lineament domain to another, and the structures may have influenced details of fluvial-system patterns and sedimentation and (subsequently) the flow of uranium-bearing ground water. (3) A recently active linear structure may mark the current basin axis; it appears to have some relationship both to groundwater chemistry and the distribution of uranium occurrences, suggesting structural influence on relatively modern ground-water transport and uranium deposition. © 1978 Society of Economic Geologists, Inc.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Remote-sensing and subsurface definition of facies and structure related to uranium deposits, Powder River Basin, Wyoming
Series title Economic Geology
DOI 10.2113/gsecongeo.73.8.1706
Volume 73
Issue 8
Year Published 1978
Language English
Publisher Society of Economic Geologists
Description 18 p.
First page 1706
Last page 1723
Country United States
State Wyoming
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