Depositional environments as a guide to uranium mineralization in the Chinle Formation, San Rafael Swell, Utah

Robert Lupe

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USGS · 70233559

Depositional environments as a guide to uranium mineralization in the Chinle Formation, San Rafael Swell, Utah

Robert Lupe

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Abstract

Uranium deposits in the San Rafael Swell are related to sedimentary depositional environments in the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation. The sedimentary textures resulting from depositional processes operating in low-energy environments appear to have influenced uranium mineralization. The Ohinle consists of three fining-upward, fluvial-lacustrine sequences. Uranium minerals are concentrated in the lower part of the lowest sequence in areas where sediments of low-energy environments are complexly interbedded with sediments of other environments. Areas favorable for uranium exploration exist in the subsurface to the north, west, and south of the Chinle outcrop in the Swell. This determination is based on the spatial distribution of depositional environments and the pattern of Chinle deposition through time.

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Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 38.60721278935162° to 39.12153746241925° latitude; -111.10748291015625° to -110.41397094726562° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Robert Lupe. 1977. Depositional environments as a guide to uranium mineralization in the Chinle Formation, San Rafael Swell, Utah. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70233559

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