In the spring of 1980, K. A. Duttweiler, J. W. Whitlow, and W. R. Griffitts of the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a reconnaissance geochemical survey of the Pond Mountain and Pond Mountain Addition Roadless Areas. The purpose of the study was to determine the geochemical nature of the study area as part of the mineral resource assessment. This report presents a brief summary of the geochemistry of the study area. The evaluation of the mineral resource potential is covered in a separate report (Griffitts, Bitar, and Chatman, in press).
The Pond Mountain and Pond Mountain Addition Road less Areas encompass 6,668 acres in the Cherokee National Forest in northeastern Tennessee. They are approximately 7 mi southeast of Elizabethton, and 1 mi east of Hampton, Tenn. (fig. 1).
The study area is fairly accessible by U.S Highway 321 north of the area and Forest Service Route 50 along the southern boundary. Relief is moderate, but the vegetation is very thick in most places.