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Geology topics

J. H. McCarthy

Publications and source records attributed to J. H. McCarthy.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2001

Soil gas studies along the Trans-Challis fault system near Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho

Soil gases were sampled along several traverses that cross the Trans-Challis fault system in central Idaho. Anomalous carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen, hydrocarbon, and sulfur gas concentrations coincide with faults and known mineralized areas. Anomalies in areas not known to be mineralized may reflect undiscovered mineral deposits or concealed faults. Soil gases may be a useful exploration guide for mineral deposits in this terrane.

Idaho↗
USGS1990

Multiple gas analyses using a mobile mass spectrometer

A truck-mounted mass-spectrometer gas analyzer is described and field examples of its use are given. This unit provides a gas analyzer that can be used in the field to rapidly analyze a large number of gases. It has enabled us to establish that gas anomalies occur over a variety of deposit types and in different environments. Gases may prove to be useful geochemical indicators in exploration for concealed mineral deposits.

Journal of Geochemical Exploration↗
USGS1985

Remotely sensed limonite anomaly on Lordsburg Mesa, New Mexico: Possible implications for uranium deposits

We have identified a large, anomalously limonitic area in Cenozoic gravels on Lordsburg Mesa near Lordsburg, New Mexico, using Landsat images. Our interpretation of the geophysical and geochemical data suggests the exploration hypothesis that the Lordsburg Mesa limonite anomaly is the surface expression of a chemical trap that may contain concentrations of uranium similar to calcrete-uranium deposits. Ground water originating in the Big Burro Mountains, where uranium vein deposits are known, drains through the Lordsburg Mesa area. This ground water is apparently forced near the surface by a buried bed-rock ridge along the west side of the limonite anomaly. The resulting changes in ground-water chemistry may be precipitating uranium along the eastern margin of the limonite anomaly.

Economic Geology↗
USGS1978

Lithium in the McDermitt caldera, Nevada and Oregon

Anomalously high concentrations of lithium in fluviatile-lacustrine sediments near McDermitt, Nevada, may constitute a potential resource. These sediments are associated with a caldera about 45 km in diameter that is a result of volcanic activity, subsidence and sedimentation chiefly of Miocene age. The sediments originally were vitroclastic and now consist chiefly of authigenic zeolites, clay minerals, feldspar and quartz. Calcite occurs as thin beds, nodules and cement Gypsum is presnt but sparse. Most of the clay beds in the caldera contain 0.01–0.1% Li and have well above the average Li concentration for continental clays (0.006%) (Ronov et al. 1 ). Individual smectitic clay samples from the western and southern part of the caldera contain as much as 0.65% Li and are associated with analcime and K-feldspar. Two beds, each 0.6m thick, contain 0.35% Li. Clay samples from the northern part of the caldera contain as much as 0.36% Li, and are associated with clinoptilolite and erionite. The clay beds are thinner in the north; in one section a bed 0.3 m thick contains 0.36% Li, and in another section a bed 0.1 m thick contains 0.30% Li. Lithium is probably derived from volcanic material and then incorporated into the clay beds during alteration.

Nevada, Oregon↗
USGS1978

Conceptual models in exploration geochemistry-The Basin and Range Province of the Western United States and Northern Mexico

This summary of geochemical exploration in the Basin and Range Province is another in the series of reviews of geochemical-exploration applications covering a large region; this series began in 1975 with a summary for the Canadian Cordillera and Canadian Shield, and was followed in 1976 by a similar summary for Scandinavia (Norden). Rather than adhering strictly to the type of conceptual models applied in those papers, we have made use of generalized landscape geochemistry models related to the nature of concealment of ore deposits. This study is part of a continuing effort to examine and evaluate geochemical-exploration practices in different areas of the world. Twenty case histories of the application of geochemical exploration in both district and regional settings illustrate recent developments in techniques and approaches. Along with other published reports these case histories, exemplifying generalized models of concealed deposits, provide data used to evaluate geochemical-exploration programs and specific sample media. Because blind deposits are increasingly sought in the Basin and Range Province, the use of new sample media or anomaly-enhancement techniques is a necessity. Analysis of vapors or gases emanating from blind deposits is a promising new technique. Certain fractions of stream sediments show anomalies that are weak or not detected in conventional minus 80-mesh fractions. Multi-element analysis of mineralized bedrock may show zoning patterns that indicate depth or direction of ore. Examples of the application of these and other, more conventional methods are indicated in the case histories. The final section of this paper contains a brief evaluation of the applications of all types of sample media to geochemical exploration in the arid environment of the Basin and Range Province. ?? 1978.

Journal of Geochemical Exploration↗
USGS1967

Distribution of gold, tellurium, silver, and mercury in part of the Cripple Creek district, Colorado

Geochemical exploration studies were undertaken in the Cripple Creek district to test the possibility that large low-grade gold deposits might be found. Surface rock samples taken throughout the district indicate that the volcanic rocks between the productive veins contain an average of about 0.6 ppm (part per million) gold. In an area above 3,800 feet long and 500 feet wide near the Cresson mine in the south-central part of the district, scattered surface samples show that the rocks contain an average of 2.5 ppm gold, equivalent to $2.50 per ton. Inasmuch as veins that contain more than 2.5 ppm may also exist in the area, systematic sampling by trenching and drilling is warranted.

Circular↗
USGS1966

Gold geochemical anomaly in the Cortez district, Nevada

An area in the Cortez district, Nevada, previously established to be anomalous in arsenic, antimony, and tungsten has been found to be anomalous also in mercury and gold. Samples from narrow quartz veins, calcite veins, and shear zones in partially silicified limestone in the lower plate of the Roberts thrust fault (Cortez window) contain as much as 3.4 ounces gold per ton. The richest samples are from an outcrop, about 100 feet long, surrounded by gravels. Their economic significance is yet to be established.

Circular↗
USGS1958

Apparatus and technique for multiple tests by the confined-spot method of colorimetric analysis: Application to field estimation of nickel and copper

The confined-spot method of colorimetric analysis is generally applicable to the semiquantitative estimation of traces of ions in solution that form colored precipitates or otherwise alter material on a confined area of reagent paper. For precise results, the rate of flow of test solutions through the reagent paper must be reproduced on successive runs, so that the same proportion of reaction products is collected each time on the confined spot. A simple apparatus gives a controlled rate of flow and makes possible the analysis of many samples at one time with good reproducibility. This apparatus utilizes the increasing pull, resulting from the gradual lowering of the water level in a tank, to draw a sample solution through a confined area of reagent paper at a reproducible rate. Application to the rapid determination of nickel with dimethylglyoxime and of copper with rubeanic acid provides a method for determination of as little as 0.06 γ of nickel and 0.03 γ of copper. The coefficients of variation are 14 and 22%, respectively. This method has wide applicability in more rapid and convenient determination of trace amounts of many metals.

Analytical Chemistry↗