Electron Probe Microanalyses of apatite, rutile, and titanite from stream sediment and rock samples in the eastern Tanacross quadrangle, eastern Alaska

The exploration for porphyry deposits in some parts of Alaska may require unconventional exploration geochemical methods, depending on type of cover. The Taurus deposit and others in the region are mostly concealed by residual soils that in part include ash and loess, and therefore traditional stream sediment samples typically contain subdued geochemical signatures. Indicator mineral studies include collection of stream sediment samples and analysis using automated SEM mineralogical techniques. The presence of select minerals in the stream sediments may indicate mineralization. In addition, the chemistry of specific minerals may be used to distinguish a hydrothermal origin as opposed to others, and include apatite, rutile, and titanite. The electron probe data in this data release were collected for apatite, rutile, and titanite by personnel of the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center in Denver, Colorado, for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Resources Program (MRP). Appreciable differences in chemistry were noted for these minerals in mineralized rock and stream sediment samples draining these rocks compared to sediment samples away from mineralization.