This report summarizes an interpretation of the geology of Yucca Valley to depths of about 2,300 feet below the surface, the characteristics features of ground water in Yucca and Frenchman Valleys, and the seismic, gravity, and magnetic data for these valleys. Compilation of data, preparation of illustrations, and writing of the report were completed during the period December 26, 1958 to January 10, 1959. Some of the general conclusions must be considered as tentative until more data are available. This work was done by the U.S. Geological Survey on behalf of Albuquerque Operations Office, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

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USGS1959

Gravity and seismic exploration in Yucca Valley, Nevada test site, January-April, 1959

The thickness of the alluvial and tuffaceous deposits that overlie bedrock in Yucca Valley has been inferred from gravity and seismic measurements. Preliminary interpretations indicate that these deposits are thickest in a narrow north-trending trough in the eastern part of the valley. The gravity data delineate a buried north-trending ridge of bedrock that extends from Mine Mountain almost to Quartzite Ridge. Seismic refraction measurements confirm the existence of the bedrock ridge and indicate that the bedrock is as close as 100 feet to the surface. The buried bedrock high is important because it may alter concepts of the movement of groundwater within the valley. A single seismic-refraction profile was located near the area of thickest alluvium and tuff to determine the feasibility of using refraction techniques for determining the depth to bedrock where it is covered with several thousand feet of alluvium and tuff. The results are encouraging but not enough data were acquired to give a reliable depth estimate. Seismic-refraction measurements were used successfully to determine the thickness of alluvium in narrow valleys partly filled with alluvium. This work was in the northwestern part of Yucca Valley and was done to choose drilling sites for studies of ground-water movement.

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USGS1959

Geology of Dolomite Hill, Nevada test site, Nye County, Nevada

No abstract available.

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USGS1959

Summary of some physical data from five vertical drill holes over the U12b.04 (Evans) explosion chamber, Nevada test site, Nye County, Nevada

No abstract available.

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USGS1959

Lithologic log and drilling information for the Marble exploration hole 3, U15 area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada

The Marble exploration hole 3 is in the northern part of the Tippipah Spring NE 7-1/2 minute quadrangle at the north end of Yucca Valley (fig.1). The collar elevation of the hole is about 5,316 feet and has the approximate Nevada State coordinates of N. 903,093 and E. 674,870. The hole was drilled to determine the physical and chemical properties of the marble within a radius of 200 feet of a point 950 feet below the surface. The exploration hole is 978 feet deep and was drilled from June 12 to July 8, 1959, by Minerals Engineering Co. of Grand Junction, Colorado, using conventional NX coring equiipment and a Portadrill 2,500 drill rig. Water-base bentonitic mud was used as the drilling fluid in the upper part of the hole. Clear water was used after circulation became unrestorable below 200 feet. The hole was cased from surface to 20 feet. The drilling rate during coring ranged from 2.0 to 19.3 minutes per foot and averaged 4.6 minutes per foot (table 1). The core recovered was excellent in quality and quantity. The average core recovery is 92.7 percent (table 2).

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USGS1959

Geology of the Marble exploration hole 4, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada

The Marble exploration hole 4 was drilled to determine the chemical and physical properties of marble from the surface to depth of about 1,200 feet. The drill hole is in the north-central part of the Tippipah Spring quadrangle, approximately 40 miles north of Mercury, Nev. The collar of the hole is at an elevation of 5,490.28 feet and has the Nevada State grid coordinates of N. 904,480.13 and E. 637,758.38. The hole is accessible by a graded dirt road easily traversed by heavy construction equipment, that connects to the highway between Mercury and Groom Lake. The hole was core drilled by Minerals Engineering Company, Grand Junction, Colo., with a 2,000-foot capacity Portadrill drilling rig and conventional NX coring equipment. Drilling was started July 13, and completed August 30, 1959. The drilling fluid was water for most of the hole. At some places in the hole, where loss of drilling fluid was high, the water was thickened with bentonitic mud. At 1,103 feet, presumed caving of the hole caused the drill stem to stick so that it could not be withdrawn; subsequently about 920 feet of the drill stem was recovered. The hole was then reamed to 800 feet and cemented from 785 to 855 feet. A whipstock was emplaced at depth of 805 feet so that the hole, which was vertical to this depth, would be deflected 4° from the vertical. Core was recovered for this part of the hole from 1,088 to 1,187 feet, the total depth. Seven feet of 8-inch outside diameter casing was set from the collar. This report summarizes the information obtained during preparation of the lithologic log of the core and presents results of chemical analyses of marble samples collected from surface near the drill hole. The report was prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey on behalf of the Albuquerque Operations Office, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. The writers acknowledge the assistance of Mr. John Foster, drilling foreman for Minerals Engineering Company and Mr. Walter A. Johnson, field engineer for Holmes and Narver, Inc., the engineering-contracting firm.

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USGS1959

Engineering geology of test sites in granite and dolomite at Gold Meadows, Climax, and Dolomite Hill, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada: preliminary report

No abstract available.

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USGS1959

Geological investigations in the U12b.03 and U12b.04 tunnels, Nevada Test Site

The papers comprising the various parts of this report contain preliminary results of the U. S. Geological Survey investigations in the U12b.03 and U12b.04 tunnels at the Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada (fig. 1). The geologic studies were undertaken to define the structural, chemical, mineralogic, and some of the physical properties of the tuffaceous rocks that enclose the explosion chambers at the end of each tunnel. The U12b.03 and .04 tunnels are part of the U12b (Rainier) tunnel complex that was driven northwestward from the steep east slope of Rainier Mesa (a prominent topographic feature in the northwest part of the Test Site (fig . 2)). The U12b.03 tunnel trends north from a point about 980 feet from the portal of the U12b tunnel (fig. 3). The U12b.03 tunnel consists of 620 feet of tunnel, two alcoves, and a shot chamber. The tunnel is irregular, ranging from 6 to 10 feet in width, and 6 to 9 feet in height. The shot chamber at the north end of the tunnel is 22 feet on each sidee The vertical and minimum cover over the shot chamber are 610 and 510 feet, respectively.

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USGS1959

Geological Survey investigations in the U12e.05 tunnel, Nevada Test Site

The papers comprising the various parts of this report contain the preliminary results of the U. S. Geological Survey investigations in the U12e.05 tunnel at the Atomic Energy Commission's Nevada Test Site, Nye County & Nevada (fig. 1). Reports on electrical resistivity, natural radioactivity, and heat required to raise the rocks to 100°C will be issued later. A preliminary report on the geologic effects of the Blanca event is being prepared. The U12e.05 tunnel, one of two laterals from the main U12e tunnel, trends west and connects with the main tunnel about U960 feet from the portal (fig. 2). The U12e.05 tunnel was driven for the nuclear test, code name Blanca, which took place on October 30, 1958. Before the explosion, the tunnel was 8 feet high and 8 to 9 feet wide and consisted of 990 feet of workings, a shot chamber, and an alcove (fig. 2). The original shot chamber, at the west end of the tunnel, was 19 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 15 feet high. The vertical and minimum cover over the original shot chamber are 1,150 and 950 feet, respectively. After detonation of the nuclear device in the test, code named Logan, in the U12e.02 tunnel on October 15, 1958, the U12e.05 tunnel, locally, was damaged severely.

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USGS1959

Geological Survey investigations in the U12b.01 tunnel, Nevada Test Site

The U12b.01 tunnel is part of the U12b (Rainier) tunnel system driven northwestward from the east slope of Rainier Mesa (figs. 1 and 2). Geologic and geophysical studies in this tunnel were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey on behalf of the Albuquerque Operations Office of the Atomic Energy Commission. This report includes a brief description of the stratigraphy and structure, and data on petrology, mineralogy, and chemical and physical properties of the rocks that are exposed in the tunnel. The U12b.01 tunnel trends N. 10° W., and connects with the Ul2b tunnel at about 500 feet from the portal (fig. 2). The U12b,01 tunnel is about 250 feet long and contains an alcove 40 feet long and 20 feet wide, and a shot chamber 17 by 20 feet. The tunnel is irregular and ranges from 6 to 15 feet in width and averages 7 feet in height. Much of the tunnel has been supported using 6-foot steel sets and wood planks for lagging Vertical and minimum cover over the shot chamber at west end of the tunnel are approximately the same, about 295 feet.

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USGS1957

Geology of Gabbs and vicinity, Nye County, Nevada

The geologic map of Gabbs and vicinity covers approximately 105 square miles of the northwestern part of the Paradise Peak quadrangle. The present report stresses the igneous, metamorphic, and structural geology. The map published at this time shows, (1) the distribution of igneous rocks in the area, (2) the relationship of these igneous rocks to the areas of magnesium mineralization, and (3) the relationship of the igneous rocks to other areas of mineralization where tungsten and base metal elements are found.

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