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W. R. Miller

Publications and source records attributed to W. R. Miller.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Maps showing distribution of pH, copper, zinc, fluoride, uranium, molybdenum, arsenic, and sulfate in water, Richfield 1° x 2° quadrangle, Utah

These maps show the regional distribution of copper, zinc, arsenic, molybdenum, uranium, fluoride, sulfate, and pH in surface and ground water from the Richfield 1° x 2° quadrangle. This study supplements (Miller and others, 1984a-j) the regional drainage geochemical study done for the Richfield quadrangle under the U.S. Geological Survey’s Conterminuous United States Mineral Assessment Program (CUSMAP). Regional sampling was designed to define broad geochemical patterns and trends which can be used, along with geologic and geophysical data, to assess the mineral resource potential of the Richfield quadrangle. Analytical data used in compiling this report were published previously (McHugh and others, 1981). The Richfield quadrangle in west-central Utah covers the eastern part of the Pioche-Marysvale igneous and mineral belt that extends from the vicinity of Pioche in southeastern Nevada, east-northeastward for 250 km into central Utah. The western two-thirds of the Richfield quadrangle is in the Basin and Range Province, and the eastern third in the High Plateaus of Utah subprovince of the Colorado Plateau. Bedrock in the northern part of the Richfield quadrangle consists predominantly of latest Precambrian and Paleozoic sedimentary strata that were thrust eastward during the Sevier orogeny in Cretaceous time onto an autochthon of Mesozoic sedimentary rocks in the eastern part of the quadrangle. The southern part of the quadrangle is largely underlain by Oligocene and younger volcanic rocks and related intrusions. Extensional tectonism in late Cenozoic time broke the bedrock terrane into a series of north-trending fault blocks; the uplifted mountain areas were deeply eroded and the resulting debris deposited in the adjacent basins. Most of the mineral deposits in the Pioche-Marysvale mineral belt were formed during igneous activity in the middle and late Cenozoic time.

Utah

Hydrogeochemical prospecting for porphyry copper deposits in the tropical-marine climate of Puerto Rico

A hydrogeochemical survey utilizing waters from streams and springs was conducted in the area of two known porphyry copper deposits in the tropical-marine climate of westcentral Puerto Rico. The most important pathfinder for regional hydrogeochemical surveys is sulfate which reflects the associated pyrite mineralization. Because of increased mobility due to intense chemical weathering and the low pH environment, dissolved copper can also be used as a pathfinder for regional surveys and has the advantage of distinguishing barren pyrite from pyrite associated with copper mineralization. For follow-up surveys, the most important pathfinders are copper, sulfate, pH, zinc, and fluoride. High concentrations of dissolved copper and moderate concentrations of sulfate is a diagnostic indication of nearby sources of copper minerals. An understanding of the geochemical processes taking place in the streambeds and the weathering environment, such as the precipitation of secondary copper minerals, contributes to the interpretation of the geochemical data and the selection of the most favorable areas for further exploration.

Puerto Rico

Distribution of molybdenum in heavy-mineral concentrates, Richfield 1 degree by 2 degrees Quadrangle, Utah

The purpose of these maps is to provide the regional geochemical framework for the U.S. Geological Survey's Conterminous United States Mineral Assessment Program (CUSMAP) for the Richfield 1° x 2° quadrangle. The regional sampling is designed to provide definition of broad geochemical patterns and trends which can be utilized along with geologic and geophysical data for the assessment of the mineral resource potential for this quadrangle. These maps show the regional distributions of molybdenum in two fractions of heavy-mineral concentrates of drainage sediments for the Richfield 1° x 2° quadrangle.

Utah

Preliminary data for Madison Limestone test well 3, NW 1/4 Sec. 35. T. 2 N., R. 27 E., Yellowstone County, Montana

This report provides preliminary data for Madison Limestone test well 3 in Yellowstone County, Mont., including test-well history , geology of the test well, hydrologic testing, and geochemistry. It also discusses the preliminary results and future testing. The test well was drilled as part of the study to determine the water-resource potential of the Madison Limestone and associated rocks to meet future water needs in a 188,000-square-mile region that includes the coal-rich area of the Northern Great Plains. Drilling and testing were designed to yield a maximum of stratigraphic, structural, geophysical, and hydrologic information. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report

Water resources of the central Powder River area of southeastern Montana

Water for domestic, stock, and public use is available from the Fox Hills-lower Hell Creek aquifer of Late Cretaceous age. Water for domestic and stock use is available from the upper part of the Hell Creek Formation of Late Cretaceous age and the lower part of the Fort Union Formation of Paleocene age. Water for irrigation can be obtained from alluvium of Holocene and Pleistocene age along the Powder River. The Fox Hills-lower Hell Creek aquifer yields as much as 188 gallons per minute to wells as deep as 999 feet, but most well yields are 20 gallons per minute or less. The upper part of the Hell Creek Formation yields as much as 12 gallons per minute to wells as deep as 465 feet. The lower part of the Fort Union Formation yields a maximum of 25 gallons per minute to wells as deep as 373 feet. The alluvium of the Powder River yields 600 gallons per minute to the only known irrigation well, which is 40 feet deep. Water from the Fox Hills-lower Hell Creek aquifer generally contains sodium and bicarbonate or sulfate as the major ions; dissolved-solids concentration is as much as 1,700 milligrams per liter. Sodium, bicarbonate, and sulfate were the major ions in two samples from the upper part of the Hell Creek Formation; the dissolved-solids concentration was 840 milligrams per liter in both samples. Water from the Fort Union Formation contains principally sodium, sulfate, and bicarbonate ions; the dissolved-solids concentration ranges from 780 to 2,300 milligrams per liter. One water sample from the alluvium contained principally sodium and sulfate ions and had a dissolved-solids concentration of 2,300 milligrams per liter. The Powder River is the only perennial stream in the study area. The average annual discharge of the Powder River near Locate for the period of record, 1938-69, was 601 cubic feet per second. instantaneous discharge ranged from 0 to 31,000 cubic feet per second. Dissolved-solids concentration of water from the Powder River for the period of record, 1949-63, ranged from 278 to 5,430 milligrams per liter. Calcium, sodium, and sulfate were the major ions.

Montana