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Cletus S. Wotorson

Publications and source records attributed to Cletus S. Wotorson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1972

Tectonic map of Liberia based on geophysical and geological surveys

Interpretation of the results of aeromagnetic, total-gamma radioactivity, and gravity surveys combined with geologic data for Western Liberia from White and Leo (1969) and other geologic information allows the construction of a tectonic map of Liberia. The map approximately delineates the boundaries between the Liberian (ca. 2700 m.y.) province in the northwestern two-thirds of the country, the Eburnean (ca. 2000 m.y.) province in the south-eastern one-third, and the Pan-African (ca. 550 m.y.) province in the coastal area of the northwestern two-thirds of the country. Rock follation and tectonic structural features trend northeastward in the Liberian province, east-northeastward to north-northeastward in the Eburnean province, and northwestward in the Pan-African age province. Linear residual magnetic anomailes 20-80 km wide and 200-600 gammas in amplitude and following the northeast structural trend typical of the Liberian age province cross the entire country and extend into Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1971

An aeromagnetic and aeroradioactivity survey of Liberia, West Africa

A 140,000 km aeromagnetic and total-count gamma radiometric survey was made over Liberia in 1967-68 along north-south lines spaced 0.8 km over land and 4 km over the continental shelf. The data approximately delineate the boundary between the Liberian (ca. 2700 m.y.) age province in the northwestern two-thirds of the country, and the Pan-African (ca. 550 m.y.) age province in the coastal area of the northwestern two-thirds of the country, as well as a boundary marking the northwest extent of the isoclinally folded paragneisses and migmatites deformed within the Eburnean (ca. 2000 m.y.) age province in the southeast one-third. A zone of diabase dikes about 90 km inland can be traced, parallel to the coast from Sierra Leone to Ivory Coast on the basis of the magnetic data. Another zone of diabase dikes about 185 m.y. old is located along the coastal area and beneath the continental shelf parallel to the coast northwest of Greenville. Intrusion of these dikes probably coincides with the separation of Africa from North and South America. The magnetic data suggest basins of sedimentary rocks possibly 5 km thick on the continental shelf. The map indicates high-amplitude magnetic anomalies greater than 600 gammas; some reach amplitudes as great as 18,000 gammas over iron formation and about 1800 gammas over mafic and ultramafic intrusive bodies. The radioactivity data have a background level less than 100 counts per second (cps) over mafic granulite-facies rocks and unmetamorphosed sedimentary rocks in the coastal area. Granitic rocks have the greatest variation. The central area of the country has the highest background radiation level with large areas above 250 cps; the level in the eastern one-third of the country is low. These data are proving quite useful in reconnaissance geologic mapping. All anomalies over 500 cps are shown; some reach amplitudes over 750 cps. Total-count radiation levels have a significant correlation with percent K 2 O in bedrock analyses, but anomalous amounts of Th and U must be present to account for the highest amplitude anomalies. A few specific anomalies have been correlated with concentrations of monazite and zircon in bedrock as well as in beach deposits.

Geophysics↗
USGS1971

Aeromagnetic map of the Buchanan quadrangle, Liberia

Aeromagnetic and total-gamma radiation surveys were flown simultaneously during the 1967-68 dry season over the entire country and consist of approximately 140,000 km of traverse, mostly along north-south lines 0.8 km apart over the land and 4 km apart over the continental shelf. Continuous photography and Doppler navigation provided horizontal control. Flight altitude was 150 m above terrain. Time variations in the magnetic field measured with a fluxgate magnetometer were removed by adjustment at crossings of east-west control lines. Variable contour intervals of 10, 50, 250, and 1000 gammas were used depending on horizontal gradient. The airborne geophysical data obtained during the Liberian survey are being prepared in a series of maps at 1:250,000 scale showing aero-magnetic and total-count gamma,radiation data for each of ten quadrangles.The index map shows the location of the quadrangles. The radioactivity map of this quadrangle should be used with this report (Behrendt and Wotorson,1971). The surveys were flown by Lockwood, Kessler, and Bartlett, undercontract to the Liberian Geological Survey. The purpose of both surveys was to assist in the geologic mapping program undertaken cooperatively by the Liberian Geological Survey and the U. S. Geological Survey under the auspices of the Liberian Government and the Agency for International Development, U. S. Department of State. The entire country is heavily forested, access is difficult, outcrops are sparse, and thick laterite is a characteristic feature. Consequently, it was hoped that the surveys would be useful in interpolating and extrapolating from the known geologic information and in locating potential targets for mineral exploration. Figure 1 shows the tectonic interpretation for sheets 1 and 2 of the map based on available geologic information (White and Leo, 1969; unpub. data in files of Liberian Geol. Survey). Figure 2 is part of the residual total magnetic intensity map of Liberia obtained by digitizing the data of the map on a one-minute grid, tying to an absolute survey (Lowrieand Escowitz, 1969) by a constant of ±25,980 It 35 gammas and, removing Cain's "Field G" (Cain and others, 1965).

Open-File Report↗