Airborne radioactivity survey of part of the Navajo Indian Reservation of Utah and Arizona

I \

Rl-!0-808

UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION DIVISION OF RAlv MATERIALS

EXPLORATION BRANCH

AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY SURVEY OF PART

OF THE NAVAJO INDIAN RESERVATION OF UTAH AND ARIZONA

by

Winthrop L. Cummings

February 29, 1952 Grand Junction, Colorado

AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY SURVEY OF PART

OF THE NAVAJO INDIAN RESERVATION OF UTAH AND ARIZONA

Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this report, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.

CONTENTS Introduction. c 6

•

•

•

b

•

• 0 .pag<>

5

Definition

_•

_•

"

•

0

•

0

•

d 0

5

History,

_•

"

"

0

•

i> _• <>

"

•

0

5

Aclmo.-rledgements 0

•

•

<I>

"

"

"

..

•

6

Equ.ipllierrG ~ • • ., 0

"

0

•

"

0

..

•

6

Detection equipment _• 0

•

•

•

"

•

0 6 Atuci.lill:!'y equipment 0

•

"

•

•

0

"

•

9

Airplane 0 0

"

9

•

•

0

•

•

"

•

9

The Region

_•

_•

e Q

• •

"

a Q

"

•

12

Topogra:Ph;<T~

_•

"

• •

_"

"

_"

0 i>

•

12

Geology.

"

•

e.

•

"

<>

•·

"

,.

"

0 :1,2 i:!ethod of Opera:!;iQn ., _··~

"

•

"

•

0

• •

lb..

Anomalies

_•

_•

_•

_•

"

0

•

0

"

•

0

"'

1 .. 1 Resul-ts

"

• • •

_"

..

•

•

0

•

<>

•

l7

EvaluB:i;ion 0 I>

"

•

•

•

•

b

•

0

•

l7

Representativa.Record$

"

"

_"

•

0

•

•

2;1 Conclusions

_•

" •

•

•

<> 0

"

•

•

"

29

Reco!lllllends.tions

for

Fu·~ure Su.weys

_•

"'

•

•

•

29

Bibliogr-aphy

_•

0 ·~

"

e 0

•

Q

\

.•

ILLUS'ffiATIO!ilS

P:la:te :1 ·~ Index map of a-i"'b<Wne st1r11:e;y·. ~.,. • •

2

=

Detailed index map of

a.e:,·:l.a1.

survey. •

;3 - EeoordeJ: calibration g:t•aph fol:' rang(;) l •

4 .,

Recorde;,;• qalibration graph fo:r> rai1ge 2 ~

5

·~ Geologia ¢ross section of aerial swvey., 6 9> Anomal:l.es resulting from t-est fligh-ts i:o. ·the vicin;i.:ty of Grand Junc·hion ., o •

7 ~ Ske·bch

map

of flight lines F!on1llllerrl:. No o 2

•

•

0 0

•

Hine ,a:r.:~ea'o. A.2;1.zona. () Q 0 ~ o f1 ~ o

8 = Record resulting from flights over Honumer;!;. Hoo. 2 11ine ~ \ 0 e 6 6 ~ t"l \)' o. 0 ' 6

9

~ Sketch pw.p of flight lines f{U!rl;s Mesa~ Arizona ~

10 ~ Record ,resulting frO)rl rim flights of Hun·t.s Hes.::..

1l "'

Ske·cch map of fliglrl:. lines . southea.s·t. of · Ohilchinpito Trading Post₀ Arizona • o • • 12 = Record :t'esul t:i.ng f:t'om flights 6irel· area S01X~heas·(;

of' Ohilchinbito. • o • • • • • • Table 1 - Condensation of data obt::\;l,ned from gro1.i,ud

J.6

24

25

27

28

31

investigation of anomalies • . • . • • • • 19

2 o Type sediment~ scin~illometer readings_{9 a~d} assay

results of samples taken f'l•olil anomalous ·areas ·

GJED:HI.G

-·5

- =·

AIRBORNE RADIOACTI17ITY SURVJIT OF PART

OF TilE l!AVAJO Il!DWJ RESERVATION OF UTAH .8JlD ABIIDHA

IHTR.ODUCTIO!I Def'init.ion

1he purpose of an airborne radioactivity survey is to loca·~e gi'ound al·ea8 of higher than normal radioacti~ici.t.y 11hich might lead to discover-y· of m:anium mineralization,.. For this t:!PB of survey, gamma=ray detection equipnw .. l'lt omploylng ei·t.hcr a geiger co1mtor or a scintillation co1mt.e:r· can be mOtml:.ed in .:>. ?:L'Ced 1-r.Lng airc»a:tt. or a helicopte1•.

""Hi""s""t;d:;Jy""'-""

A chronological revi01v of airborne radioacti-c'i'Gy survey.; performed by the COllllllission is SIX!l!IJW'ized bel em.

From Jul;r 1950 t.hrough Hovembar 1950 The Texas Company conducted, on behal.f' of the Collllllission.11 a sel"ies of airborne ra.c1.:1.J:l&lf~:J..vj3~y st1:<'veys in

the Long Park and Club Hesa areas of Colorado and in ·~he l31anding and Hacysvale areas of Utah, Geiger equipmen·~ moun·bed i;1 a helicoptel' uas used on these projects., Flight lines nere ~rell~co:n'.:;rolled, as were the altitude and ground speed of ·hhe helicopte2•o '£he purpose of the surveys 1ms to provide data to be used in compiling isoradioactivl·Gy maps of these areas and

to

detel'll!ine a possible correlation be·~~reen isoradio= activity highs and areal distribution of uranium mineralization.

During April 1951 a reconnaissance airborne radioactivity survey was conducted by 'Ghe Commission in the Grants9 Neu Hexi.co l?z>eao A Halross

Hodel 939 scintillometer 1ms carried in a Pipm• P11.=18 airplane. Ri.<ns . between Grants3 I101-r 11e:dco and Gallup8 N01-,r Me:id..co were llll.."'Veyed in a'l.

attempt. to locate ne<< areas of mineralization.

In }1a;y- of 1951 the Co1mnission contracted an airborne radioacthr:i:i;y survey in the vicini·~y of the Ca:c:dzo !Iourrl:.a:ln aroao Lrmdberg Ltdo of'

Toron·t.o~ Canada :furnished the detection equipment and personnel for ·t.he survey. A Hark VI scintillometer, designed specifically for airbor-ne surveying uas mounted in the P11.=18 aircraft. Doth grid flying and l'i!ll flying me·bhods -vrere employed.

\

The airborne radioactivity su."Vey -vlith lihich this report is con= cern.)J uas made during the period from JunG 22₉ 1951 ·t.o Deeeniber 8~ 195'1 by tllc Grand Junction Exploration Branch of the Atomic Energy Commission. Tho dctecrtion Gquipmcnt used was con·trac'ced from 'llhe Texas Company.

Under the terms of the contract~ The Texas Company also :fu.rnished a man

·l;o aid in the interprGtation <:>f, 'che results of thG survEl'J • and an

electronic maintenance man~ The Commission srrpplied a.~ aiFpla.~e$ a pilotD

a~d a geo1ogis~bservero

All surveying uas done on the navajo Resm•v·ation of Utah and Arizona (pls. 1 & 2). Approximately 3,000 square miles ;,rere reconnoitered and

t.he geologically favorable 1-:o:t.~:i,t{~ons ;.r.\:thin ·bhis region t·.rere s~reyed!J

Field personnel and the aircraft were based at Goulding,s Trading Post" Utah, l.rhere housing ~"d a goqd airs'crip were available.

Acknov11,edi;l,ements

The ;w.l.ter 1dshes to ackno1-rledg€) th,e cooperation and assistance of The Texas Company employees~

r-w.

Evan Pancake, and l'JJ?o Arthur. 1ordo

i1!-,, Roy K:no1,rlos and Jllr.. Ho1va:!.>d Jack proV€ld exc011€lnt pllo·ts for sv.rvey flyJJl[h a i'uncticm ri!rl.cb. req:dJ:'El$ constant a.le:Mm.eSJS a:nd a gl:'oat deal of

sL:Lll,., H:c~ .llrthUl' Hirsl:y a:nd l:fr., Kenneth Hatfield >fere primari'ly

responsible fOJ.• the grcrcmd inve~igation and l111lch info!'!llation uas obtained from them.. ~¢ Harry Goulding and his staff at the i,a•a<l.ing post 'l"<el."e Vel"Y

helpful to field personnel~

EQUIFHENT

Dotection Eqyipmen~

The detection equipment utilized six 3 x 30 inch high ef'ficienc;v Geiger t.ubes in parallel but not in a:nti .. coincidence vlhich wure awanged

for either simul:t;aneo"U$3 o:r- indiv.Wual operation. The-,1 were motm:C.ed in

ttom bundles o.f tlu•ee t;~bes oaeh beneath the cockpit OJ.1 the .outside of ·C.he airplane f'uselage9 The pre.>amplii'y:i.ng un:l:c to18.s also mounted on the outside of the airplane on the fUselage but between the landing gear stl'Uts.

Five ranges of sensitivity and five tinl<;J constants ve:;;>e o.vail-3ble. Range 1₉ having a ma:r.::'Lmum counting ra·he of 2 ₉000 cour:rts per secondp 1;<w

tho least. sensitive and range

5

9 h<nr,l.ng a lllc"Udm:mu of 205 opsp ;-~as the

mos·{; sensitiV€l. Tho V<l:lues of the ·cime constants 1-rere :Lt'22 10 25. 3D and

5

seconds. After• several SJq:>erimental fligh·hs we:..•e made it was f'ound

I

u I ---- ~.l'~ILE

'

_J

I .. ; lJJA

I ;-

,

_/ VVAYNE

,--1 ~GAR PIE ' o~SCAi_ JITE. K

~~s

I~

l

l}.·.,c

! \\ \' \~

i

c NINo I . '

--

---· L D I I / / / I ' I - -- ~ '?'"H,,'\M':;\ILLf-1 I I Region surveyed r \J l_l d s 0 '-

.

'

- 7

N T A H . . I ?HI :..:·,0·.,, ~-',-_>tL·I P.IO bLANCO GAR~="IELD 'b. ~\:Vf. '

OF

,., /-:::·" -PLATE INDEX MAP AIRBORNE SURVEY

UTAH ARIZONA I \ \ \ ... ;> \ ... ( f \ ..._. I , 2S l \.,_J!Z.,..> 0 0 0 . . . . Ill o TRAIN ROCK I

\

I MONUMENT NO.I

<r

MYSTERY HUNTS I6&VALL.EY MESA. 15 E& "AGATHL.A MONUMEf~T VALLEY II 6;)14

<r

J

,.JAO.· NUMENT A NO.2

/

8 -Water EXPLANATION Roods Meso boundary X4 Anomalies investigated· To Shiprock N.Mex. 36°45'

¢- Anomalies on known mineralization

E&14 Anomalies not yet· investigated

371 SCS Navajo Quod. No. - Boundary· of aerial survey

~ Mine (all mines anomalous)

PLATE

2

U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

GRAND JUNCTION EXPLOitATION BRANCH. DIV.JSION Of R.AW MATEliALS

DETAILED INDEX MAP OF AERIAL SURVEY

BASED ON OFFIGE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS NAVA.JO CO.

SCAI.Eo I"= 6 MILES DATE, MARCH 1952

TOPO. BY: CHECKEOo ACCOMPANIES:

CORRECT: R£VI$EOo

c-

---~----~-

₁

f

-9..

--that rqnge 2 (ma.x:imum Qount:bag rate 880 cps) and a

l/'4

li!e;;;v,;.d tili!;,; "'"''

were the settings most suitable £or $U.l.'Ve:f work.. l'he mwe sensitive· ranges, 31

4,

and

5.

could not be

utilized because

the

baoX;:grou:nd cout'Xt

on range 3 uimally gave an off-scale reading d~

:4®

altitude

flights~

and the background count tm.s al't>xa.ys o£:£ soale on ,l,'litlt>;es _.

4

and

5.

; . ' '

'lhe variations in radiation intensity along a ~ path were I'ec.=d~d

on a General Electric Type GF ... 2 Record~. '.!he xoeci6l>deJr chart was

cali-brated empirica.lly using micx-oampere scale d.iv1.!d.on~>~ Recorder calibration graphs for each range made it possible to cQirilen lllll;or~XU!lpere read:L<1g

on

the chart

into

counts per second

(pls,.

3 &. 4)~ 'l'h<~ :.-ecorder 'frJas equi!!?e. J.

with a device for marldllg dota on the chart border to facilitate correlation o£ the record with the pc~>ition of the airerai'l> ovw the gl"'und. 1\n audiQ

warning signal..t adjul>table for respcn~>e

to

any des~.rod radiatiwa :b:ttet\si"l;;;r

level,. enabled the observer to lsok arQ'Wl.d with :J&l;t-11.'> ehan'i,le of' missing a.ey rlgnif'icantly high readings.

A J?ad.io al.t:hn.ster ~ installed in the ship by 'lhe ~l.'e•i:ll.s Cmnpany?

pe:r-mitted the pilot to know his exact distance abl;\ve 'lih<11 gr-<:rund a-!; an::t inst£<nt,.

A

batteey operated pol:'table 11Qtorola. ~~ Tal~~~ rtitd.to was ritfi!'r:t?d in the plane, and two additional Ha.ndie Ta~

we;ve

.ii;epi;

on

the g;L'OWid ft<:."

air

to gl:'ound col!llll1lni.cationo

·'fu.e total -.reigllt of' the detection equi.pm.ent

aud.

tiw

i>:!i~'<'Y' equi:¥i.1'"'l\;,

as lllOunted in the ai ;:opiane lvas approximate~ two hundred .m?.fl forly pourW.rh

A~ lane

A Cessna

:r...l9A

liais® type lW?pl.ane; Ql'l,

lo1!i11

w

t,l:uC~ G;;::c::d.0t>1 G :

the ~~ ;,ms t!i>ed_ :f'Ql .ill}e SW.'Vfit'~ . The t..l9A is an aU li'l.;:i:;o:t,@ t~:;>~p:t;:"c';"

high 'Wing monoplane pcv;eWed b;y a 213 horsepower Continmttal engine.

'lhe installation o£ the Q.e~~til)n .~Q.lliPll!Stlt nece~Jsitated the ~'emO'~~'&.!

o£ all radioactive material ~ t..lJ.e ;:~hip. All engine ~· tllg'!It. inst:Jr,t~

mentewere checked and thQse :f'ound. to have radioactive di<lls wel:'e t-emoV<id,. Whwe neeessa:cy" they were replaced

b.r

non.,rad.ioactive inlltli'Ull!EI!ltl3~ 'f±!e tips of' the circuit breaker buttons were radioactive and had to be rel!t()v-.·;:.

(·

1800 1600 1200 1000 en

'

z

,.,

..

.C:: ~ c;: "'0

"'

> ~

"'

..

.0 0 10

-RECORDER

FOR

PLATE 3

CALIBRATION GRAPH

~ANGE

ONE

'"'

-

II> c: Q)

-

c:

"'

Q) > ~ Q) II> .0 400 .₀ - 11-PLATE 4

RECORDER CALIBRATION GRAPH

c

..

12-;

i

f

- - __j

The airplane performed very

well

in spite o£ the li'eight of the detection equipment and the drag created by the c01J!P0nents ll!Ounted

on

the ontside of the fuselage •.

mE R.IDION Topogpap&"

That part o:£ the Navajo Indian Reservation over which the survey "~o<as

conducted is characterized by some of the most rugged and inaccessible tena:in of the Colorado Plateau. It is a region of highplateaus uhich average approximately

5,500

feet above sea level and which are d.isse1ybed ·. by deep canyons~ :!.'he majority of the roads in i;he region are suited to

travel only by four-wheel drive vehicles. large parts of the region simh as Noll".ai Canyon, Piute Canyon and the area north and li'est of the Navajo !1ountains are accessible only by trails.,

Geolo~

The sed.:iJnentacy formations of the region. stll"Veyed range in age from Penn:i.an to Cretaceous.. I.[any Terti~WY dikes and pJ.ugil are exposed at the surface in the eastern and southern part of th!>l ragiolf (pl.

5).

0£

part:Lauw interest, becau:;e Q£ kP,own occu.rrences qi' lilj,neralization₉ <A"e the Shinarump conglomerate and the Morrison .f~t~

.

·

The Triassic Shinarump is of prlmar'y in:l;erest because it contain$ the greatest amount of the lawwn U~?ani\llll ll)iMraUzati01l in the region ..

'1'he

Shinarump is a massive grey to broW!l crossbeddecl cong1olJ!(;>ratie sandstone characterized by deap channels 100~ 9£ which cut com.pletel;r through the undel"ly-lng Moe~:~lropi f'ormatiCin and Hoskinnini tongue· of the Cutler .fol:lllati01l to the DeChel:l:;r sandstOlie marilber Of the Cutler o Shale

lenses are prevalent throughou'\l the fomation. Silicified wood is

abundant$ however, in the vicMt;r o£ mineralization the 'flljod is usuall;r carbonaceous • 'l'he Shil:lal'ump cl"Qp:;~ out as the cap rqo.ll: o£ 'benches and · mesas er.bending f'rolu

Os.

Ridge Wl3stward to the

west.

eide

.of'

~loka;t. Canyon.

East of' Comb Ridge and west of Nokai Canyon erosion has not exposed the

$hfuarump forma tiCin•

'

The 1-!oanKopi i'Qrl!l9. t:I.Qn is norma:t.:cy' red.brown except where

it

has been al.tered to

a.

:Light gr.a::r green. '1'he alteration occurs :ill the l1oenkopi just be:i.aw the contact with the s~ and ~:l.es ±'rom

;

{

!

I

"

"'

"'

<0 L

"'

' L

"

0-~ ~

"

"'

"'

<0 L

"'

'

"

"'

"'

<0 L f-FORMAT I ON Dakota Sandstone Morrison formation

"

0-"'

0 L 0> c 0

"

c

"'

·U c

"

;:;; Entrada Sandstone Navajp Sandstone

Kayenta format ion Wingate Sandstone

Chinle format ion

Cedar Mesa sand-stone member Halgaito tongu~ 13 -secnoN ijijO

PLATE

CHARACTER OF ROCKS

Massive orange-brown cross-bedded cliff-forming sandstone.

I nterb.edded-~-red

stone~with some

Massive buff to gray cross-bedded sandstone

with a few lenses of gray 1 imestone. ·

ive cross-bedded light-gray to brown sand-stone with s.ome thin brds of greenish-gray or red micaceous sandstone and shale and blue-gray

unfossil iferous 1 imestone. -. ·

5

chocolate-brown fine-grained silty

sand-shale with thin beds of gray unfoss-limestone and thin irregular beds of

omerate that locally contain

GEOLOGIC

OF

CROSS

SECTION

AERIAL SURVEY

a fEnv inches to se"'Teral feet in t.h:tekness. At th(; base or m!ltly o:t t.he Shinarump channels~ the alterat.ion zone may be eon~Ii..dex•sbj;y greate:r: irl

thickness than immediately' outside the channel.

•.

Urani'Wll mineralization is also found in the Jurassic Morrison

formation. 'lhe Morrison consists of discontinuous sa..'ldstone beds• J.Qcal.1.y orossbedded and conglomeratio,. and gray or variegated shale beds. There is .a marked change in Morrison lithology from tM eastet"!l pal't of the . region to the western part around Navajo l1ounta:i.n $d 01liii!ilings Mesa. ·

Exposures in the east are predominatel;r shale& gradir.tg loeall;r intOc sandstone~

Horizontal continuity of' lithology is unusual. In contrastg the Morrison · exposed on Cummings f<Iesa is coll!Posed of' relatively'· continuous sandstone

interbedded with thin units of red and gre(ID. shale.

An occurrenPe of low grade uraniUlll miner~a.tion has been reported from the Triassic Chinle ±"ormation in P.Lute Ga~. The bed c!U'1'Ying this mineralization is a white to tan discontinuous· fluviatile sandstone and conglomerate. It is calcareous, poorly sorted,.. and ccmtains olay nodules and pebbles. This sandstone lense is thought to be the Chinle

"B"

as defined by Gregory,

1917 •

For a more detailed description md photographS of the region the reader.is referred to reports

bw

Gregory (Gregory

1917)

and Baker (Baker

1936).

METHOD OF OPERATION

As the Navajo Reservation survey was the first systernati<l reoonnais<> eanoe with a fixed R:i):lg airplane., some expeJtimen·~ation 'l'tas necessary before

a method of operation was established._ Before field operations were beg'.mg test flights were made in the vicinity of Grand Junction. These 1lights permitted the observer to bec01ne fami14 ar with the equipment@ gave h:im a~

indication of' ·~he sensitivity of the counters$ and provided .m assi:L;:>anoe · that all the components of the equipment were £unotioning properl;r.

Flights over barrels of conceni:.:l'ated

U:t0a

demonstrated that the counters could detect the radiation ema11ating from the concentrates ~t an altitude of 1,000 feet (pl. 6). An ore stockpile a·~ the Cll!rJaX Urani1llll Co:mp..:ny

mill. was detected at 2,000 :fee·&.

J;ni tial field sJJrVsys we:re made

:tn

the vicinity of the !·fonUlllent No. 2 mine (pl. 2). The rerults obtained ±'rom these flights established '~hat the

1/2 seoond time oonatant, m d sensitivity range 2 were the best combination

f." or reconnai ssanee survey:i.ng.

\

I

---~---C'

.

-j

i

!' . ' ---,--·----~---_;

'*

l.l) ..

During.

a

~flight

the

a:tn>la.ne 'WaS :ro:.~

at an average !U.l."SPE:Jed

ot

80 m.p.h~

•t appro:ld.ln.ately

l:l)()

fe\rt.

abi)W

benehEls,

mesas,

o:t-

adjacent·

to

r:l.lns

as

the

si

t'lll:ition

d•dlid;.

':the

Jtadio altilne~ -.s a

great

asset

over. the

benohea and

mesa$

bilt was V$1'®1ass .on

~

:da

a$

it

:meaaured

vmical

distm

cas.,

'lherea$

1

the

distmoe

~ thtn~la:ne

to

ll'i1ll

:t.s

~

$0ntal.. Because of the g).'eat l!lllOunt of dissecitiong espeoiall.y <:In· the down

dip

side of some benohes and 111esas1 dis.tances varied .f\l.'qm

.So

ff;;$'1;

to

200

teet...

OccasionaL l;r

it

Wtlt;J :tlnpossible

tw

the p~t

to

IIIMeuve:- the airplane

itxljo

the

more nm"l:'CCW

1'ecei:lses.f tb.erefQX"e the

~

:within

these

rE:J<i.!'lssea wa~:~

. not SUl'Veyado

, Soil

O<mserva.t:t.on

Service 1t70₁000

uncont.x'oned.

atn<!llmo~;aics were,

used

as

ba~>e mapa,. The ~ and Morrison outcrops appeal'illg

on tlrtf.

111Qsaios

wat"e

dividlid

into

are~Ut'

ll!lclw

in

some places;; into ~~easl thU ~bling the ()bs~

.yo.

tte ..

eaoh

re~o~

J.n:t.>

a

~e

l:l:P$0if!io

·er~

of

out.cl'Ops

on.

a

8Peoif:I.C

mosa~.. , . , • . . ··

Check

points

₁

marked

as a nUlliber ·ciri.. 'the mo~ b;y

the

observer, were

indicated on the recorder paper

margin

by an

equa1

ntllllber

or

dots

(pls.,

6

1

8

₁

lO

&

12)..

Notes conoern:l.ng the check

point$

~e

entered

in

a notebook

carried by the observer.. Arr;r anoma:cy- noted it\. f'Ught

ws

¢hE!Gked by .

several passes

to

be Slll'e

that

it

did

exil'lt and'

to

de~e as nea:>l;r a~>

possible

its exact looa:bion.. The 1oca:bi911

of tM

.anoma:J.t

waa ,

indioated ·

by

sn

"xfl on the

mosai(l., .

?he

radioaotiv:!.tq

record for ~ :t'Ught

was

exa:ndned

a~Wei'ull.;r for anomalies which lidght havli been reaoi'dea and·~ noticed during the course of the flight •. ·

If

w.¢h•

an

anomaJ;r

wes fount:\₁ ··

the

~ r:NeX' which

it occurred

'IIU ~

to

e~~ th~ ~

P9111ticm

ot

the anomal;r and :Ldentitg'

ita

p~,;~siti911 011 the:l!IOaSll.$.

FOl' ~ hour of su:rvet fl;y1ng

an eqwslllll!.oll¢ of

time was spent

on

the ground editing the reeoFds. Notes

entered

in the observe$

n()teoook

wat"e transferred by the observer to theh" PJ'QPW place on the

.1'e0ordso. , ·

Flight

lines and the 11!llllbers repres~ting check ~ts ~ inl!&d

on.

the

mosaics.,

In

a survey of this t;vpe auch Wl"k should be dell$ each day as ~as fl;ring is completed so tha,t the' detail$

ot

the .~ surve;r a-e

st:IJ.l

fresh

in the mind of

t.:M

obs~

..

'!he invest:tgat;.:l.ng pers~ whQ evaluated the ilnol'lllllQus ¢111.to1'ops were

aided as lllllch as possible by the airbol'ne personnel. A lltembei' ·of the

gro'!lnd party was :f:I.Qwn over

the mOlnalous area

enablixlg

hill1

to

see

ita ·

relationship

to

the SUJ;"rOunding terrain and

to

piok the best

l'OUte

to

it., - - · · - - - - · - - - . l

i

\

! - - - · - - .. - . - - - , - · · · - · - ·

.r

\

j

I

ANOMALIES

Ano!llalous radiqaetivity is indicated

wtum·

a lll"On6wleed. rise ab6v'e the normal background is reaQl'ded.

Several

e:xanp~a·

of

anOmalies, recorded wer · areas·

of

knoll!l and unknO'IIn m:i.neralizati<>n! are appended..

to

this report

(pls,.

6,

a,

10 &

u)..

. .

. .. . . · ..

Evaluation or

an

anomal:y from the ~ in te):'lil$

of

the grade and exl:ent

of mineraliu]icm e:xist:!.ng on

the ground is nt'lt possible bec:a~se several variables inl.i.uence t.he

Qharaeter

and taagrtitude

or

an anotaalyt

(l)

(2)

(3)

The :tnte!Wity of the radioactive field. dep@d$ ·upon both the distribution and the intens:l. ty the

souroe

i"rolll 'Iillich radiation

is emanating., The source may be broad and of loW intensity₁₁

SIDall and of high intensity, or aey

eomb:!.na:tion

of si.J& and ·

intensity. A

large,

l4w intenSity ~e may pro®ce

an

anomaly similar to that or a smaller higher intensity erources

The variation in diatitmae of the

plane

above the gi'Qurid noticably affects the intensity of radiation recorded. At low altitudes the amount

or

radiation detected

V'IIX'ies

:l.nlrersely" as the fl4iUIWe

. Of the distance :f':l:oOJII, ·tJle lilO'lll'Ceo . "'

The speed of the ~irplane affects the radioactivity l1iea$ll'ed. At low flight speeds

an anomal.:\r

is

:!.nte!Wi±'ied.. Although

the pilot haS an airspeed indicator he dOE!S not know his

exact

ground speed.. A. twenty l'liile an hoUr wind. olln produce forty

mile an hoUr differences :l.n ~d · speed depending on the fl.iglrb

path in relation to wind direction..

A geol¢giat,..observer

can

to

.a certain

extent.

evaluate an. anol!l!ll;r but in doing so he lllUst include in his req<m:tng ~.11 the interrelated variables p:reviousl.y' discussed. A krl.Qwledge of the geo:togy of

e.

pa:rtioular area and.

the experience or having observed the anO)lla.lies prodV.eed by ditf'er:l.ilg sources

is

invaluable in )!!llkJng an on the spot interpretation of the records.

RESULTS

:mv-a:t.uation

The rE!sults (If an airborne :radiqaetivity survey ean·be COI!!Pletel;r evaluated onl:y'

after a

ground investigation is COIIIPleted.. In sol!lE! oases exploraticm will be nElcE!ssary before results can be aonsidel'Sd

.t':i.na:4

J

-l

- - - ---~~

--18 ...

. - .ti$ :rflP(lrt\ does wt repr.es.enl;

a

1'inal

eva.tuat;l.®

or.

th$

r~ts

..

· obtlined on the ResE!1'Viltiil2t tu1 ~ :tnvestigations haVe ntn; l:ie~illl.'

eOm

-. plated because

ot winter

we~thmo;; . Ground :tnvestigations of

Ul$

anomalies _-~ ~fol."'ll.ed by

IIIEiabers

-~-

tful

Geol.O~·-'lhveatigation.

Siiotim!. ·

9t

tfui

-~----_

._ .. , _·

--~--io_a:t_-

__

1_,

!'PI

, 1 1 J ; w . _ • • _ _ 1 0 : _ ·_

.~t.t_

M_._·_ ..

~~--~"-- .,_.~-~~-

:t' ___

~_-¢l

___ -:t.h_

~---

!;'lll.ta_

-_-,:pl."_.

e_s_en_

:li_-_-_·

ed'ce_

~e~

thf>._

~-

: -

Ei!Eif ~ud.irig ~!! ~

and

2l~- ~oUect¥ ~ 'ljb~

· __ _

· A

ttibal.

of

l?

~e~ we:JtS .reco~ed. _ Of ~stil D.n.Oma'L.:i,es ~ghit

~sent ~w4{1~i0i',l: ~au!!l;r ident~:f'ied

e.t

m:Lnes l,l'l.d Uild~~

t:ilaims..

The others ll:l.'e eons;l.d$!ed tQ_ r~esenl; · new. d:iseowries

ot

radi()oo aetivi:l.zy-• aome. ot W:lioh _. - ma::t be ~anium \ depQsits• .

'l'11e individual. anQma:&s 'Whieh were visited b;r

ground

p~es. -_ - _ · _ ·

8l'l0lllalies No'

a•

l.

to

13,;,are

-~-pjated a.'l~ With :Pet;t~i:J!rt>

dl!.ta.-:aoncei'i'!:tng ·

thelll on Tables l. and 2,. ~al:.iona are inaicated by eorresponding 11Ulllbers on Plate 2•

The a~ resu:tts of samples taken :f.'1'0lll outcrops in the m~ areas vi'stted to date are below or.e grade (O.l%

u,oa)

With the ex)!leption.

of· thl:'ee o£ the four_ samples from the channel re:r-'erred

w

as Hoskl.t!nild. No. 2; anomal;v No,.

J.o,

(iib'll3.

l.

and

.a)..

As Shin~ outCrops

·are

·usually

weatheJ.oed to a great e:¢~;, · o-xi4ation ·and leaehing·

nm.r

hAve ;reililced ·the

U

o

-~

at.

the ~ •. Vaey <!ften dri!tirlg a rc;;w feet :i.il.tO these · ··

-~

'Will

pr~ee

,;

de£;1,1lite inc.we$::Je,

in

the

co:n:hent

1>£ lll'lmiunt mine;r ..

.nA-tiOn

pi.esenti · · · · · -· _ . · . ·

· · ·

·

· · · · · ··

· ·

Ho~k:lll"'in.i No.

2

is repre!i!enta~ive of a condition

in

mioh the outcrop is being eroded at such a rapid ·.rate that there :1.1\1 unoxidited IIIB.ter:ial

i11!111ed:l.atel;r

'beneath the Slll:"faeee Slll1IP1aa

out

here oo:ntain i'resh_ su;t.ph:tdes suCh' q pyrl.te and chalc~te.- . Htdl'OUIII Ul'ahitllli ~;~alte'Ort- the ~ace ·:

,indicate -tl'lat a

small

amoutit

ot

leaching ill teld.ng pli:toe. Hosld.nil:!rii' No.,2

· appears

the IIIOBt- tawrab1e of

the

nc;;w discoveries as' a source of ore grade

:r;oock .. - ·

'.!he second most favorab:LE! _of the Shin&:rul!IP arEJas midh have been· e::amdr,ted is :referred

to

as the Flati:ron, a~

no.

1;

(t.bl$6

:1.

& 2).

{)® $il.rttple fl'Olli.

this

l.Qcal3.ty 'WaS a~ and found

to ,

COi!;f.!Wt

o-07%

u

308,

Thil!l area is located approxilrlat~ one nr:Ua east

r4

Hosk:!.nnini Mesa.

~- 2).• The Shina:rump outcrop is. on the

:t.l.ank

and ·nE!txr the 'base of a · :mon(!Clinal

tout

e®~& 800

teet

~

in

Ellevation

than

the Sli!:mlrUlilp ·

eaPJ>:Lng

Hoskbttlint Mesa. As Slll'VEiyed .t'r-<lm the

id:r

a major . p!Xi't _of thiS · · · ·

area is abn~ radioactive due to the ma.ss e±"tect

ot the generall;r

J.ow.

but

.shw

norwU..

radioaet:Lviti

of the

outoromr •. on

the grou!ld, .the .

b:lghelSt. radioactiv.l:t.;r

was

measured on the csp l'l:lok ra:ther t.luln

.on.

the .rlll..

·

---l

--No. Reference Na:ne 1 Dike 2 Sheep 3 Cold 4 Mission 5 6 Triangle 7 Flatiron 8 Crescent 9 Hoskinnini #1 10 Hoskinnini #2 11 Wood 12 Bend 19 -TABLE 1

Condensation of data obtained by gro~nd investigation of anomalies

Geometry of o~tcrop Undercut base of 6t - 8' ledge Base of 20' reced-ing cliff Undercut base of 10' - 20' ledge Base of 40' cliff Slightly undercut Base of 50' cliff Base of 60t cliff Base of 11_cuesta11 slope, also open ground on 200 slope Open groc1nd on 200 slope Base of 15' - 30' vertical cliff Undercut base of lOOt - 200' verti-cal cliff; talus slope and much float Thin ledge or knobby remants on open ground Bench 15' - 50' wide, 500' long maximum 1-lineraliza tion Some limonite, Mn. Cu, Mn, gypsum, limonite, car-bonization Cu, Mn, limonite carbon trash Limonite specks, Mn sum Mn. limonite, g.ypswn Mn, limonite, r swn Cu. Hn, limonite, carbon trash Mn, limonite, hematite Cu, 1vfn, C, limonite, gyosum Cu, Mn, gypsum, limonite, U-salts as efflo-rescences, a little carbon A little Mn and limonite Calcite or gyps·.un flecks Remarks

Dike cutting mesa read 85; anomaly probably due to presence of dike.

Only remnant of chan-nel remaining.

Channel not well de-fined though leached contact zone present. Highest counts on iron-filled joints; leached zone thin.

"Hotspot, 11 _though

several feet above contact, lies 30' -40' up the channel bank, rather than at base of deepest part of channel.

Anomaly due to leach-ed contact zone rem-nants on surface. In possible Morrison

rm.,

on open ground curving down to top

---~----~---~---~----

of. cliff rim via

suc-13 Wind Bench lOt - 60' Calcite or cessive benches having

wide, 400' long gypsum flecks a few inches to two

maximum feet difference in

elevation.

Note: All outcrops lie Within Shinarump ,; channels which have leached

"~I\ f ;" \" ",

!

TABLE 2

Type sediment, scintillometer readings and assay results of samples taken from ananalous areas ex~~ned

No. Reference Name Sample # Type of Sediment Scintillometer Reading eUJOe% l:IJ08% Thickness (Feet)

1 Dike

---

Conglomeratic ss. b 20; m 60

lenses

2 Sheep 11.91J Leached shale b 22; m 180-200 .01

---

2

14914 cgl. b 22; m 180-;200 .02

---

2 14915 cgl. b 22; m 180..:200 .02 .OJ 1.5 ~916 cgl. b 22; m 180-200 .01

---

J.5 14917 cgl. b 22; m 125-170 .02 .04 1.5 '16021 Coarse ss. w/clay b 40; m J50-400 .02 .016 1.6 galls 3 Cold 16016 cgl. b 40; m 400-450 .02 .019 2 16017 Coarse ss. b 40; m 500-550 .01 .01 1.5 16018 Conglomeratic ss. b 40; m 400 .02 .018 2.5 _I'V 16019 Med.-coarse ss. b 50; m 400 .02

---

2. 5 0 16020 Coarse ss. b 40• m 190 .01

_---

2 4 Mission 16004 cgl. b 40; m 180 .005

---

4

5 South Mission 16005 Fine ss. b 40; m 150-160 .0!1',

_---

_J

16006 Fine-med. ss. b J0~40• m 150-165 .006

---

2 6 Triangle 1600'7 cgl. b 40; m J60-J80 .005 .01 1 16008 Blue mudstone b 40; m J60-J80 .007 .004 1.5 16009 Fine-med. s s. b 40• m 125-150 .OOJ

---

4 7 Flatiron 16026 Conglomeratic ss. b 15; m

no

.07 .07 3.5 8 Crescent 14918 ss. b 18; m 60 .01

--

1.5

14919 Leached mudstone b 18; m 90 Trace

---

l

14920 Hematite spotted b 10-15; m 90-110 .02

---

_J quartzitic ss. 14921 Hematite in frac- b 10-15; m 170 .02

---

.2 tures 14922 Hematite spotted b 10-15; m 120 .02

---

2 guar:t11itic- ss.

9 Hoskinnini #1 16010 Green mud stone b 40-60; m J60 .01 .005 l.J

16011 Fine-med. ss. b 40-60; m 195 .007

---

J 16012 Fine-med. trashy b 40; m 150-175 .008

_---

J.5 ss. l601J Fine-med. carbon. b 40; m 150 .006 .015 J ss. 16014 Gra;)C mudstone b 40; m 200 .017 .005 l 10 _{Hoskinnini #2 16022 Coarse ss. b 20; m 1600-1800 .57 .348 1.5} 16023 'Leached silt- b 20; m 1600-1800 .17 .176 2 mudstone 16024 cgl. b 20; m ?00 .15 .126 J 16025 Coarse ss. b 20; m 550 .03 .OJ2 2

11 l'/ood

--

Leached contact b 10; m J00-400

zone shales

--- ---- ---- cs;l. and ss. b 10; m 20

12 Bend 16001A Olive-green mud- b 40; m 380 .03 -.01 grab soil

stone

160018 B11le-gra;)C m11dstone b 35; m 98 .01 .01 II II

13 l'lind 16002A Blue-gray mudstone b 45; m 220 .01 .OJ grab soil

16002B Dark-gray mudstone b 40; m 175 Trace -.01 II If

16003 Fine-grained ss. b 40; m 80 Trace ---.01 1.3

Note: b

=

background count

i

(

_{- ---"---~} i

Broad conglomerat:te areas on the s~ae~ .~due~ ,net'!X'~ swen times the

i:J.dt!lnal bael®:'otihd count,. although t.hEire

:!.a

no visi~ ~ium ll!i!l.e:rllUZ!fllio:o'" On ·Oljeto 11esa., (pl., 2) similar aonglomeratic a.reaa of abWe normal radiO=

activity ax·o within

200

feet q£

aetiw

mine

workings.. ~best

'.eyota

Within the FJ..a.tiron area should be delineated Qn the ground and investigation

drilling done. At this looaUty' there

is a

¢h!lrlce (li' developing ore and

also of

' ob~"lg data abC11.lt structttr:al ' ilon~l '

of

lllinera.'liz!rl;:i.on..

Sheep and Goldl' anomalies· 2 and

3,

vlhich are located approx:ll!lately' foUl.> xn:l.:IJ>s routheast of Agathla (pla 2) have been e~ed in mare detail than·

any or the momalies. The airborne instl'ulnent recorded anomalies both on the Shinarump rim and over cap reck. The ou.i:icrOPG are highl;r weathered and oxidized with no visible uraniUlll m:l.neralizatione Ex:pe:r:!.mentlll drill:l.ng has

b~ recommended for this area. / ·.

The remaining tab-ulated Sh:l.na.l:'ump anetmalies ware

all

recorded wer· channels and channel renmants which

wow

above normal ra~oactivit;r and, in SQllle cases; copper mineralization.. 'lbese w.!.ll be reoonsidereq 'for :f'llrther investigation and exploration work when explorati® of the more favorable areas has bean cOlliPleted. ·

Bend and 1-1ind~ anomalies 12 and

1.3

₁ the. onJ.;r anomalies in the ~Ior:rison

<lhich have bean examined to date6 are located approxilllatel;y' ,nine miles and

t'loielve miles reepectively southeast of the Chilchinbito Trading Post, Arizona. near the road to the Rough Rock Trading Post (pl. 2) • The lmom minerali ... zaticm in this broad area occurs in the Morrison fol:'lllati<m as highl;r mineralio zed logs.

One

of these logs was assayed and found

to

cdhtain 10-per cent

u

_{3oao Highl;r radioactive mudstones were foimd}

to

be the source of radiaticm :lft two anomalous places -.lhich were examined. Milch of the anomalous a:t"ea

remains to be examined including one of the mos-~ pronounced anomalies l."OOorded during the course of the survey (pls. U and 12).

1'he anomalies and anomalous areas tmich have not been 11-ls:tt.ed by ground parties ID.ll be discussed briefl;y-. The places were they oco'W.' have been seen from the air oncyJ therefore$ no detailed :L"lf'o:t'lllai;ion can be given about. theme The momalies 'liiU be referred to by the 11'\llllbers by W.ich they are indicated on Plate 2o

No.

:14 ....

This anomal.y' is located in the Shir!a:t'ulnp- fol:'lllati(m approx"' :iJnatei:Y two and oneo.hal:f' miles north of the Honument No. 2 mine. No channel is visible :t'rol¢ the air., It. is thought that there may be a zone of higher than normal radioactivity here.

"

I

c

\ \

\

'

\---~--~---~---_i

No •.

:15 "".

'!he.·

anoma..~.

; .. s

lo

...

eyate. ·d.

n~.

·.

th.

e

"~.

t.

~·

·ot a. .

~.

· · ·.

·.·.·.mesa

s.<ni.~.

h ·. ·

q£ l'Iys~atle:r. A ~-prom>eet pit i~ visible

®m

the

ah'.;

The radio-.

aetiv:l.ty may be cOllli:xig ~

t.he

S~ ~ ~ ~ Qil:U;le .r~s •.

~een

shale

is

scattered

.~.

the Jit'QWeet

P'iii•

. . .

·

• The ~

.is

lpcatact P!l. a sm$ll. lt).es~ ~ the eentel" Q±'. ·

... ;.,. 'lhe<mesa

ii!IW'ked

by an igneeu.s'Plll$ 'Which r;Wes i't'~ ita

·-s~~:\..!!:i~~ ~

£~ion ~ap$

the

~~·

'lhe

~

outQl'Oppi:ng ·

~ just

west

Qf ~e. p;lJlg appears to be re$p0md.b1e. i'Ol:' the radio,. . . . No channel. is v:l.sibla ~ the a:ll',. The S~lo\9.enkopi contact

appears slightly-

<JJ:twoo.

·

·

, .

· · ·

.. 'lhis an~ was

;<aeol'ded

'QVer

a

Sbinavump cham+el' r~t

On

nii':m' . ·· ·

OOl:'ll~

ot the

me~:~a

imnled.i,ate;'cy-

south<~£ Oljet()

Mesa.

~e

·

ahann•~ is apparent~ a eQntin:Ua'tll.9n o£ the ~aliZ>E!d e~el on Oljat.@

M!ilsa

~

'ltrl.ch

a

mne is

located

No.

18. ""

A

EllllA'U

eha.i!nel.,

'idth

an

alte:Nld. ~ne i:i.e~W

the

bottom.

1111

the sO'i:ll!'de Of this -~,; 'lhe cha:llnel is .ll.ooated ® the. nortll :rim of the

mtasa on

wb:!.ch

anonui!.y No..

17

Wll.$ i'o'Und •

. . No.rd$:. ..

!l.'his.

an.

o~

:ts· ..

;I;Qeated

on

:f;h!j!

so'lit.

heast

.c~~.·.· ·~··'i;t

·t.he mesa . .

jul%

ill':lsn

the road

te>

the. o~etq, Trading ~oat~. 'lhe ~ump is ~iall;r · c~;~Vered by sand and alli1Vi'11311

.tt

this poil,n.t . ~. :!.t .:t.s ~ss:l.b1~

to

WJ,l .:l:.f' a

~el

:ts preaEln'l;.

N<!

al,ta:rati~m cl!l.'n be sE!en ~·

t'lw

~. > . . ..

... 'lhese .

t"IIQ

anoiW.'Ues are loc:ated .:l,rt ~:41 O)l the

n:~:~~r:::~

corn~13 :res.:pectit~:'cy'

ot lloslc.t.nnin:i.

.Mesa. .

floth

ohann~

ec

a

$lllQ~

ot

altered

lilate:t>ial

®~ tl:i~

'ba:Sea.O .

~e

. . ..

cbalo.ne;LS

on

Hol:!ld.nlWd.

Mel\!4 -~.veto- ta~~ble

'#

JM.5;.

ot

W'~'* It\J:lera:Li~

zati~.

.. 'lhis ano• vas :recovded. over <:ina ()f

the

thicl!:est and mo.:;~t

channels seEm ~

the

~' It is located." o:g, the east

point

miob.

divides the head

ot

<Jq,pp~ O;;i.llyOne This . appears

favorable area;. ·

:Wo

t s~ ~

£!\a

g?

₁

29 ·

-lo 'lhe$e anollllllies wi~ be ~~ted: a~

e,

group sin¢$ tl'iey occur ne!ll'

ea.el

othel" :ln the head Of No

ltd.

Cllrty'On"- ,U1 ··oro

:reool"doo

!)vel' Sh:tnariunp ohannels which qontain s01ne

·at terat;l.on. . . This ..

mole

area should be eJGll!lined carefully by gro'Und parties. 'lhe area is ve'ey,

ina.ceeselble eo a base oanp ®ppl;i.ed eitheli bY pack anilttals or by ~lane

c

(

-,

\

\, ---~---1 .... 23 =

.., These t;¢:o anomalies

m-e

l,t,'na ted :k"l. the I~on:i

sr:, '·'·

£o:mlfS.~iiiiif'il7~li'£~:; Mesa•

P.nomaly 27

is one

ot ·G:t~e

raos:t favol:'f.\bie

rec(Xfded is thoUght to rep:t'es~ a ~'!. high i:il.tene;'\:!e;r_ {;lom'ce o;~

radiation which coul.d be caused by m.:l.ner<llilla·i:.S.on

qf

l:l:§e ~~.. No" 28 is a broad ai>ea of- higher t~ M=:l. . mid.ioact:!;f'J.'izy' llh.tch sho\llit be

in~stigated. ~-

27

is. esp~>ciol;i,;r si,gn:t.f':i.!l!i1.nli, ~ ~h~

U

i'lt

prove$ .·to be due~-~ uera:uzat~Q\~ the depos;i.i> ~

J:m

i:,tl.e f'Uist diSGOiifeJ.'ed

:ln this reroote area and

w1ll

neeesa:l.tate

:t\wt~~ ~~m1$ explo:t>a:tl:i.m;. Qr;. th•'J

south aide o£ the Kapai;row.!:tl3 l?;Lateau wh~e ·the $.1\\i\l '!:i~s C'lJ'Qp O\ll<;> 'Ih<il

Ke.pairow.!.t~ Plateau is no:t'th and aoross the Oolo~ . .Y.o U;'l:v·e3? f:fflli1 Om:lllllil'lgs

Meaa.Q lt 1$ ext;vemel;r ina<iee~Jsible,

No's~.J2130 and

31 • .,

l'hese a~es ~e !ol.l.l'ld ~ tne 11ol'ris0ll

fonna"t'f(iii'eiWS

6!

!3!Ciii(lk

Mesa

and sou~

of the

C'hf'l~b:Ulb:l.i;.o

Ti:'ad:is!g

Pi>s't:<o

This area containS lJli.!JlY m:i;nw 8.tlQmalles in additi<m

w

the major ones .,m.ia1:t ·

ru;>e indicated,.

Bend

and

Wind,

8.tlQmalies

lEI

end ~--'~ are within this bwoa.d

-anomalous areaq A detailed ground exa:mina:bion of tl:ds ~ea

sl:lm'.Ui

be made~

Such an examination

w.a,r

~- l'ev~

a hwge

~··>·~e

of

~ov;

rw?.de 'I.Wall;1.um

·that is betwen .,Ol per cent and

~05

per cent U308>'

plus ~:me ~ralizatio:r~,

of ore grade.,

Th¢ f'ollo'wing _are discussions ,o£ P'lates

7

tlw<>ttgh

la,.

which :inq:J:u.de sketch maps of snall porl:;ions of the l'egion

suweyad

,a!'id the :u~o!!.'ds vrrd!~'h

wer>e made during the

course or

S'Ul'V'ey £lights ¢'IT$;,• the;>e owea.s~

~n~~~~~-- Owid t:t;ring and tb.e vesul.tirllli :,t>eoo:t'<l is 'l . _ 8₀ .A:tl. S~p outcrops :l.wl.\ediate:'cy easi; of' Qom,'b Ridge wewe surveyed

in

this w.anne:r a$ neith~ ~!J.;;:.villlll no:,' li.~we,>;> Ohinle beds~ on the~ cap roel~ Over• the l'li'ee of active

~~ operations very pronom1ced anomal:i.es 'WaJ.'e reeo:..'Y.i.eil!> 2-~'le :t'im. _{·vwx·l<J;;;lgs11}

du.lnps_. &..'1.d s-tookpUed ore wo sh<:nm high rad:i.oaotivity·.,

Hunts Mesa . . .

Plate

~ is a ;;;1retoh map of nu."!!;s Heaa

ldth

the r~t

·

:t'light"G~> Wioated

w

i:l.l:usi;ret$

the mar.ner :in 'l:lPirik'l} lfllt\S ·w-e!'e flc,i'f\'l~ The tightness of the turns a<> o:h>a'!l.n on the map has been ~e:~.•ated i!'> o:r-J.e;:• that the flight lines lllaY' be 111.We ea.s:i.J¥ .follo~~ D>Jring acyt,ual rllll.

.fly:lng,~> broad sweeping t~ 1te:\,"e made

to

allow the obsew;re~~ t:l.me to lllP..ke

notes a.nd

to

orient himself for the ne:x:!;

pass

aJ.ong ·the r~

. . - ,

'

l

l

,'(

- 2 . ---

--

--- -· - - - · - - · · · - .• ~• ---. .. r - · ' o · .---";

6---

~

®....---0 u I cro "?>

_________.,..-~,·----

®

--1

4

..--It-

-=-~II 1

II

\l

--1t

2--

/J

®

I!

=. 1 1 -5 ((

!I

6 ( !

-1

® - - - -

...

____..,;;

-

~

...

~~,--?> ~

\l

-II

\\ @_..12 _ _

---2

®

---@

--

--\\

@)

-\\__..-

---2-~

~

@)

_:;::.--\_®t.

- 6

~@

l i n e - 3 YAZZIE MESA A ~~ ~ ""'=<-:6 - - . . - .. - . . :to!k::!=epu; ~"§ll=n -'=FI """' . . . Flight EXPLANATION . . . --- A::~:::,:::::::

- - Outline of Shinarump ·

PLATE

7

cap ~~---~-=~~~~----~---~

/ Flight lines and ;r 5 check points

@

Flight line No.

..-:. .:::;::;- Road

;.--' U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

GRAND JUNCTION EXPLORATION BRANCH DIVISION OF RAW MATERIALS

SKETCH. MAP OF FLIGHT LINES MONUMENT No. 2 MINE AREA, ARIZONA .

SCALE: I"= 8001 DATE, r.tARCH 1952 CONTOUR INTERVAL:

TOPO. BY: CHECKED: • ACCOMPANIES, PLATE 8

GEOL. BY: CORRECT: NOTE: Base traced from

DRAWN BY:W.L.C. REVISED: uncontrolled aerial mosaics

25

-Range I

Time Delay 0.5 sec.

I

I ..

I

... _l_ I ....

I

I

I

-r-_l_

I

I

I

I

_i

-r __

L ___ L __

_I

I I I I

...

_{.. t6d}

_•t5rl

... J

t3i

·~

.~~ .. u

.,.,..,.i

·isrl

..

:~~

(3i

• 1$<ij,fi! 'lf84id • • .,. ••• f

75i1

••• J i7)

®

®

(4)1

(?)

{2 (7} /;:-. (6)

®

(4~

@

(2 ) •

®

(6) i

®

{4~ \~'

_______

, - - - - · · - · · · · - · - - - -.. ··-~-~-·· ·-~·---·---..

,-,

---~·:·...,--,H~·=---=-::o-::~·----.... .. - - - ' - - - -.... - .. -· ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- ---··--- · ---··--- · · · · ---··--- ---··--- ---··---

···---@

(2)1

··'

'---·~---·· ---~-·--·· ---··---~. -·--·-~----· -~·---~--- ---~----,..., ... ~~--~·-.-.;.;..-~--"''''><'-"-"""'~·-··· 0 ···--- g -_ -_ -_ tD 1'-- ·

______

..

__

._ ..

__

--· - · - - -.. · - ·-- ·--····~ -.... - - - · - - -.. · - - · - - - - · - -- - - ---··-·" · · - · ' ..

-(~~If ~.(7

••

>:f- _

_L.:fi";;\_ 12.

-:.(·s·~-~

r

~~:r-L.

- ... : .

--~

. ·-...

C:.j -~ , I (~'1 .. 1

"J)

·4i1

0 -EXPLANATION

Check point·s ( correspon a to n1Jmbers

on ?LAT:: 7)

Fi1gnt : nes (corresocnc ~n PL~7E 7) .

·---PLATE

8

' ' " - w ' _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ...,;;..;_...;;;;;;...;_...;;. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -t

'l'ha recess on thE! north :J:':!Jn Where the ltl!dn oham1el. props out is an exa:rnpl.e of 11!ineral1_zat:l.on ccm:u.~ in a locat'LQ!t whio}l.'prwents- detection

'by airborne equipment., n>e ll¢nlt:lralization is at the base of a lOO..i'oot

thick cbatl.nel. at the head of' a reeesll!., The altered Z!.)ne is weathered back undex:> the Sh~ :r:1.nt

1llh:1.eh

acts as

a

shield in pr&v-enting deteilti!'ln of' :1;>adiat:Wn frQJjt. above~ Becent;>e the :reoel;ls is so ~w

₁₁

it is hipor;~sible to

-~ -an at:t'Plane oppos;tte the. 1!4:neralized zone., -·It was poS$i'ble

to

de'l;eet

<>nl:r

orw

of the ~ee mineralized outoX"Ops on Runts M<Jsao

Plate 10 is ,ll copy

or

the record ma.de dlll'il:l,g the coUl's<;~ of' the rim i'light of Hunts 1tesa., 'l'h<;~ lc»m on th<;~ reoord rt'lpresent moosurE!lllElnts :ma®

as the ship pUlled aWliJY from th<;~ rilno This is" in effect, an abl:'Upt change

o!' attitude ii"9ll1 :;1.50 ~et t,\1 ;1.₁

900

i'ee:t; .. !'l<bove ·the ground, as the mE!sa rlll1a

~e

l.,ooo

teet above the

valley

flow~ · The highev roodings occur

when

the

ship

is

close

to

the ;'1m. v1e~ it posl'!ible to fl:.r the airplwe axoound the '

mesa at a constant distance with

w

b1•eaks in the. flight l:!.ne₁ ·the tl'ace '1\lhieh appeaxos on th<;~ record w:ruld be oonsids.rab:l?f smoothed

outo

'l'he tl!O highs appearing at the end of the record wel:'e _:i;oeeorded

ovw

TJJ.e lldneralization located :n<;~ar the oenter of the north ·rime It was

neoess=-.r

to

f'1y with:in twenty=f'ive feet of the m:tnera:tized outer<:>p in

order

to deheet it, because of the small areal extent of' the lllin<;~raliz<;~d

$>nso

~

!~~~!~~~~

..

Plalles' ll and 12 we a sketch :map of

th<;~

ar<;~a. No.,.

l4t

an a.mmalous area in the l'1orrison

fo:matton appX'():x::l.lnatel¥ miles southeast e.f t.l:!e Chilohinb:i.to 1rading

Postt and the record made during a survey ~ht over this aroo& . The last

part of Plate 12 is a. re®rd of the north Q.d east ~ of the mesa upOJ.'l.

Which the anomalous;' wea is located,

The n~ lind east parts of the. mesa: were i'lovm f:Lrst and t.b.<;~ resulting record showed no anomalif.es. fue soutmrestern

part

of t.b.e raesa proved v<rry'.

8fl(lllll!I]-"'U$, The

t.wo

rea(ll'ds on Plate

12

Ulust:rate very· elearl:.r· hOw favore>.ble

areas ·<mn be i~lated ff.w·. ;lrame~te ground invest~ation, It took app:l;'l);id.o.

mate:cy.

fifteen mix!Utes to

6Ul.•vey

the :Mla :t'.l:'am the

air-

Whereas a ground SlJ.r'V'ey

with a Ge;!,ger eountel' W9Uld involve several days tV~>rk..

?

'

Go to east end of mesa SAND -:/' ___.:;;:::;. £_:::::;:c-:;:::;:---"'E-2 .;::::::= :::=::: ::::::= == ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

= =

=:::::::::: ==== ~

=

===:;:::::

==-;:::::::-

--Go to~

center of~~ DUNES

mesa-:::- ~ -:?' . ~

\

i

---~-·· ~

~~

~~---{ 1

~

~

EX PLAN AT ION Rim of mesa Small Channel Cu U Mineralization

. t/

11 End of flight 1:

!low 2 on west end

~

~ Alteration zone at contact

~5~ Flight lines and check points ::::::::::;:;:::::::. Road ---~----I

~

SAN 0

4"'"-,

DUNES

j

PLATE 9

2' -Follow 5 on west

ld

I

2/)

J

/

U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

GRAND JUNCTION EXPLORATION BRANCH DIVISION OF RAW ,MATERIALS

SI<ETCH MAP OF FLIGHT LINES

HUNTS MESA, ARIZONA

SCALE: I"= 10001 DATE: MARCH 1952 CONTOUR INTERVAL:

TOPO. BY: CHECKED: ACCOMPANIES: PLATE 10

GEOL. BY: CORRECT: NOTE: Base traced from

DRAWN BY: W.l.C. REVISED: uncontrolled aeria I mosaics

FILE INDEX:

TRACED BY: E.L. 8. APPROVED: SHEET:

- - -

-- 28

---·--·~_,

__

,_.,

_______________________________________

;.__

___________________ _

-...

(2) EAST END ••••o ( 5) WEST END fH~ti!Q (4) AT POINT WEST OF RECESS - 0 _ _:: o o = = _ _ _ . : ; _ = -•••

..

.

...

... ..

(3) (2) (4) (3) (2)

VERY LOW (25') WEST

FLIGHTS OVER MINERALIZATION END

IN CENTER OF NORTH RIM

• •• (3) POINT SOUTH OF WEST RIM ~Q->1)-(3) OVER CHANNEL Range 2

Time Delay 0.5 sec.

(.)OeOO (5)

ON RIM OVER TOP INTO RECESS ALONG RIM AT POINT OVER CAP HEAD OF ON RIM OFF RIM START WHERE CHANNEL IS LOCATED

-T

0]

-

~

-~

:..

'~ -- ( ~:- -l'J-1>

-,-~,.-~·---~-=---·--'---''---'- _L

0

l

I

_L_

_I

(2) (5}

OVER TOP POINT

AND ALONG RIM

....

₍₄₎ ALONG CHANNEL SOUTH SIDE

.

..

(3) OVER TOP

..

(2) BACK ON RIM

.

...

(4) OVER TOP (3) POINT SOUTH OF RIM

I

I

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _j RECESS ooe eo (5) """""'::-:---EXPLANATION

Check points (correspond to numbers on PLATE 9)

Direction of flight

PLATE 10

ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION GRAND JUNCTION EXPLORATION BRANCH DIVISION OF RAW MATERIALS

CORD RESULTING FROM

HUNTS MESA

DATE: MARCH 1952

CHECKED:

GEOL. BY: CORRECT:

DRAWN BY: W. L.G. REVISED:

RIM FLIGHTS ARIZONA

CONTOUR INTERVAL:

OF

ACCOMPANIES: PLATE 9

TRACED BY: E.L.8. APPROVED: SHEET: FILE INDEX:

---~---'-·---,_.;..---··----~-~·~"llw-~----;,;;;,;.--"""""'---

... --...

-.,.,!,..., ... ----~~

i \ ~ - ' '-, --'. CONOLUSIQ!J ~

A contiml.atil>n of Pl.'Ospl'letitlg for nl\IW

at'•

of 11linel-"!llizat~ by the

.

~ation of airborne teohniq;q.ea is wa.#anh. edo. Alt.liough

tlle:re

·ts

no .

~te(l that

all

the l!lin~ali.zat:l.on wi:lfuin an

ax-ea.

em

be Q.etee.ted ~

the

air

a great d~ of

it

w:ill

be. . On<::e inte~.

in

m ~

:I.e

st~ed, gl'Ou;od ;i.nveailigati® will.~ unde~ and .

aw

m::l.l'l.e:J:'alil!led

wto:rops.

whieh

-~have b~ miss$!1 dUl:'ing

tbli!

si:rbome

_.

~-~be dit;;;;:overed.,

_.

T!le ~of as it out.<::rop(;!

in the

~t VallEii.Y

area*

is

n®

too

:favorable a$ an area for

the

appl;l.;;:m 1m'!.

ot

~b<:>:cne .ll!.eilb.Odl:i,. · 'l'hwe ~ not

~

good

expo.S~U"es <>f 'Ul"a.nj.~

lilinaralil!iition beeauliie of the

~\ill:' in Vlhioh ~theril:lg has o;x::t.diz$!1 and leaehed the QU~Ps•

'.ihwl'l

is·

vw:r

·.little

talU$ ~ could contll£n ~tive :f"lc!at

Md:

-th~ ~e a

bl!'liladw

Sil'Ul"Ce

<>f nd1ati<m

:1.11

the

vieinit;r of ~$lited ou.tol'OPlilo ·-~.

dilte#

all

of the· mineraliza~ ha.e

been

found

in

ehal:lne:l.~;~i

the

'!ilil;lor:tv Q!'

which

$-e hi~

radi!:laet:tve

and

therei'ore l!!1lat

be eDmined. It 'was

]l!)!illili'bl,ej, .hQ\li;ive;t"~

:to·

direct grQUnd pat'ties to the chal:lnels -which a:PP~ed

to

b\0! molri; fa;vorableo

" ' - ' .

It

is felt that the Flatiron radioactivit;r mulct have been lll:l.saed · ·

entit'~ by acy'One prospecting Pn the ground as it oeO'Ul"s on

the

cap rook

and

ground WQspect()l":> wu:td

1lsuanr

to:t;l.tlw

tiie

rlm..

.

. . _ _ .

Claings l!esa

would

be em~ difficult to

prospect

=

t.Pe grou;od because its

rilna

a:re so

steeP

that they

cannot

be ~ The advsntagea of the a±rbome metJ:l.od are illtro.ediate:cy- appareul; when one considers plae~

of thi~ type.

A4'borne methods are the be$ o!' the pr~ent de;r tecliniq~.es

to

expedite grQund :Ln:vestigations for new a:reas of :ndneral:l.$ation ® a rapiQ. reconna:ts .. sall!:le basis.

The Atomic Energy- OOllll!lisaion is

:In

the process

ot

expsncting its airborne operations; therefore• specific

ree0llll1lendati=s

are presented fW

i'utwe

su;t"Ve.Y'S.

---~---\

lc

(

·,

)

.. ·--.i

"-·

..

/

(

30

-I

No. 31

/

/

I

...

/

I

.·

(

EXPLANATION - - - Rim of mesa

- - 5 - Flight lines and check points

X Anomaly

PLATE II

U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

GRAND JUNCTION EXPLORATION BRANCH DIVISION OF RAW MATERIALS

SKETCH MAP OF FLIGHT LINES

SOUTHEI,I.ST OF CHILCHINBETO TRADING POST ARIZ.

SCALE:)"= 26001

DATE: MARCH 1952 CONTOUR INTERVAL:

TOPO. BY: CHECKED: ACC0MPA ES: PLATE 12

GEoc. ey, coRREcT, NOTE: Base traced from

DRAWN BY, W.L.C. REVISED' UnCOntrolled aerial mOSOiC

r---~---,~--~---~ 31 -- -- -- -- -- -- 0 l[) - ---~---(41 HIGH LOCATED BEHIND LONG POINT SOUTH EAST CORNER OF MESA

REPEAT LAST HIGH

131 EAST END TURN WEST

...

(3) SMALL DIKE ON EAST RIM Change to Range I (21 (5! SAME AS EAST PRECEDING END (4) " (21

--<--- SOUTH NORTH EAST CORNER OF MESA ' ' ' - - - -131 (61 141 BEHIND RIM PASS OUT OF RECESS NORTH SIDE 121 PASS INTO GO OVER TOP OF MESA (51 EAST ALONG RIM ~~,·~·~·c~••.A-P'----•HI~~t-J~M;>---Range 2 RECESS SOUTH SIDE

Time Delay 0.5 sec.

L___.L ___

j-••••o

(5] -< - EAST NORTH WEST

CORNER OF MESJ

(These chech points are not illustrated on PLATE II)

---- ··---

-These lines flown north and east of tho! part of mesa illustrated on PLATE II. Note absence of

Anomalies. ~~~ - - - ---(4] NORTH OFF RIM (3) SOUTH TURN NORTH I I l SOUTH BY HOGAN Range 2

Time Delay 0.5 sec.

OVER MESA

(2)

EXPLANATION

START

Check points (correspond to numbers on PLATE II)

Direction of flight

--~~-~---PLATE 12

U. 5. ,t\TOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

GRAND -JUNCTION EXPLORATION BRANCH DIVISION OF RAW MATERIALS

RECORD RESULTING FROM FLIGHTS OVER AREA

SOUTHEAST OF CHILCHINBETO TRADING POST ARIZ. SCALE: OAT!::: MAF:CH 1952 CONTOUR INTERVAL:

TOPO. 8Y: CHECKED: ACCOMPANIES' PLATE II

GEOL. BY· CORRECT:

DRAWN ElY: 'U.l.C REVISED:

0!' p:ri.lile

~e

is the

~~~

~

inwstiga~

of

~'l.es

which aceompanies the ~e ~.. Pel"SSm't'el. sh.®ld 1:ie aa:d.gned

. spa~

to

ground investigation and be available at the

start

of' a:cy

surtfQ,. Because

of

a personnel shortage geol()gista were not liM!ilabl.e for

iilvee'J;igat:lml Qt ~ omalies ~ed

1n ·

thi.s r~

until

aft,e:J;" tlle. stll:'Ve;r ·

w

bi;l!;ln in. progress for tll.ree li!Qnths., nte goo:).ng:t,Jilt, obl;!~el('

men

wor~

with

a new

:t.tw~enlt in. .. a ®W'

area, can

aget

to.

ktt(;wia hi~:~' ~ent

·

o~

·

'WhEiA

~ k:nOwl:l

what.

the

~ ~aU

es

indie.ate,

ite

bases

his evaluation

~

P»aviO'llS

exper:L!n® and -~ ~ the bal!ef;!.t o£ ~und

inwet:tg.atirlg

PEX!."sonttel.•s data

to

get t,b:;ts ~e:r.'i~e.e..

.

Ail the

atan

of

a

Slll"V'e1 in

a

new

~ea the geologist:..Obs~

sbottld·

~e

mineralized outerqpfi E11ld

ru>te ~egaeoop:i.e guides

to

lllinarWzation~ 802\\$

g,i'

these mega:oaop!C i'e!l.t~es .'ftlt!!Y' be. n~i;i(.l!,W.ble . ~ the.

air ana

'w.U:J.

a;i,d. I® in evaluating anol!Jalie!:l and

1n

sQll!e c~s noting fawrablE1 a:ll'eas ·

thai:. ·a:.!:'El :b'laooes!Sible to

tJ;r..

In

the l'hll'IJltl.ent 'ltalley' area the aon:f'igu:ri:tiC'l'!.

of the S~ cham:l,els and the alterati® at the base of the r,lhannels

ali'Ei usu.atl,y indicative of lllinE!ra.li~at.ion ai~.d are ~lel;l of' meg;u~cep:i,e

gl.d,des ·bo ndneral:Ulation

'iihich

can l;le sea:n

:p:<;m.

the lW'" .

.

.

.

· tn

paet .opera'l:i!.onfl conducted

b,r

the C®llnission~t p:i,ltits. baVi> .. ~

c

₀

nt:11aoted on an

lwu.'l."l,y basi'!! :tnwlvitlg ~

tillle .on'.l;r. .

In the i'uture

:!.t

:J.l\1. pl8aned to bi:re ~ on a sala-;r ~Siti .!!md thlil ge~~g:l.f$.Qbs~

-wn:L

be able

to

have

t:M

p:tl.()t. ~xtY'

htm

ib1..

thlil t.lelcl

to

.look

at 'l;.ype oeQUI:'l'enca.•

·'l'his

win

be a ~te aid

ib1.

that ~ actUl4 .. SUi'Vef fligb.t11 t1:1e ¢..l,O'I; ean. obs~ grQ'Ilnd. «~tlditi®ll

at

all

t:blell ~$ -th$

geo~;tat...obs~ baa

to

devote a.

cet'Wa

-~-.

ot

Mltl

t•

to,

th$ '· .· · ·

~s. A ¢l4t wi-th ~ knoWledge of geo~y is

or·

defini~ lid.d on, an

~:I;'M~· . .... . .. ' . . . .

In f'U.t~ QPet'ati<mG

it

is

pl.anned

.tb.at .an w~ ~

team.

w1ll. be ~sed of fot¢ men.,

A

pUqt. .

atl4

geol.Dg:l.e:t..o'be~

w:Ul.

·be· aS&gn.ed

to

QCb. ~;See\

a'Ltmg

with a~ ~vestigati@.l plX!fl;;v

ot

~

..

geoll'>g;tstr,;

To

facilitate the -work•

all

phases

w::ll1

be co-or~ed bY the gei:llogiEft .. Qbs~ and the same gl'Oap will r~ on a project until. its compl.eUQn~

Gregw:r;,

H..

:a.,

l9l7.t

Geology

of the Na.va,io

O~f tl~ $.,

Gaol.

SUrvey PrQ.fessicmal. ~pe:r ~-'• . .. ·

'l'avelli,

J.

A.₁₁

sept ..

21₁

l$51

₁ Review·oi" .A;i.rbo:rne Ra.diO!IIetrie