USGS Science⌕ Search

Geology topics

Research about Colorado

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Colorado.

At least 1,801 records · Page 100Linked to original sources

Genesis of oil in metalliferous veins, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

A tarry, benzene-soluble material is present in metal-rich veins in the Idarado mine, Ouray, Colo., in an area not known to have petroleum resources. The material was compared chemically, spectrometrically, and chromatographically with oils from four fields in the nearby Paradox basin. Each oil field contains reservoir rocks equivalent to rock units known to extend beneath volcanic rocks near the mine. Carbon and sulfur isotope data and gas chromatographic data indicate a similarity between the oil from the Sierra field and the "oil" from the mine. Thus, the origin of the vein oil from Cretaceous sediments seems both geologically and chemically possible.

Colorado↗

Earthquakes in the oil field at Rangely, Colorado

Seven years of seismic data recorded at the Uinta Basin Observatory were searched for earthquakes originating near an oil field at Rangely, Colorado, located 65 km ESE of the observatory. Changes in the number of earthquakes recorded per year appear to correlate with changes in the quantity of fluid injected per year. Between November 1962 and January 1970, 976 earthquakes were detected near the oil field by the UBO station; 320 earthquakes were larger than magnitude 1. Richter magnitudes are estimated from both S-wave and P-wave measurements and a method based on the duration of the seismic signal is used to estimate the magnitude of the larger shocks. The two largest shocks had magnitudes of 3.4 and 3.3. The total seismic energy released was l0 l7 ergs. During this same period the energy used for water injection, measured at the wellhead, was 10 21 ergs.

Colorado↗

Stream depletion factors, Arkansas River valley, southeastern Colorado; A basis for evaluating plans for conjunctive use of ground and surface water

The Arkansas River valley is a stream-aquifer system that consists of the Arkansas River and the associated valley-fill deposits. The hydrology, geology, and water-resources development in the valley have been described by Moore and Wood (1967). The history of delivery of irrigation water by canals indicates that the supply has been inadequate during some seasons and some years. The shortage can be reduced by carefully designed conjunctive use of ground and surface water. An analog model of the Arkansas River valley in Colorado was constructed to facilitate such designs (Moore and Wood, 1967).

Colorado↗

Brief description as of April, 1968, of the geology and hydrology of the Lake Minnequa area, Pueblo, Colorado, and suggested solutions for trouble caused by a high water table

Lake Minnequa lies in a poorly drained broad upland buried valley west of the valley of Salt Creek. Immediately north of Lake Minnequa the buried valley is sharply constricted in sees. 11 and 12, T. 21 S., R. 65 W., where it is entrenched in a buried ridge of bedrock (see geologic map). The bedrock throughout the buried valley is composed of calcareous shale, limestone, and chalk of the Smoky Hill Shale Member of the Niobrara Formation. These beds are relatively impermeable to the flow of ground water, but contribute large quantities of sodium sulfate to both the surface and ground water.

Colorado↗

Appraisal of shallow ground-water resources, Pueblo Army Depot, Colorado

The water supply for the Pueblo Army Depot, 15 miles wast of Pueblo, Colo., is obtained from wells that tap an aquifer in terrace alluvium. Withdrawals have resulted in a water-level decline of 27 feet, which adversely affects the discharge rate of individual wells. Furthermore, excessive pumpage has resulted in progressive deterioration of water quality. Over a 20-year period, hardness has increased from 70 milligrams per liter to 135 milligrams per liter and dissolved-solids content has increased from 250 milligrams per liter to 370 milligrams per liter. Two new supply wells were drilled in the southern part of the Depot and were tested to determine aquifer properties and probable production rate. The hydraulic conductivity determined from these tests ranged from about 350 to nearly 600 gallons per day per square foot. The transmissivity for the full thickness of the aquifer is in the range of 7,500 to 12,000 gallons per day per foot.<.p> The two new supply wells can be pumped at a combined rate of about 140 gallons per minute. If pumpage in the existing well field is reduced by the same amount, some recovery of water levels in the field will occur and the trend in water quality deterioration may slow or even reverse.

Colorado↗

Oil-shale assays on Grand Mesa, west-central Colorado

The attached diagram shows the Fischer assay histograms of oil shale from 4 core holes drilled on Grand Mesa. Core-hole locations are shown on-an insert map of Grand Mesa in the lower right corner of the diagram.

Colorado↗

Refine your search to explore more results.