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Reconnaissance for radioactive deposits in the Hyder district, southeastern Alaska, 1949

January 1, 1954

Radioactivity reconnaissance during 1949 in the Hyder district, southeastern Alaska, revealed that radioactive material is widely distributed on the Mountain View property. However, no uranium deposits of commercial value were found in the restricted parts of the district covered by this investigation.


Anomalous radioactivity was detected at a number of localities on the Mountain
View property, but the source could not be determined at all sites. The most highly
radioactive unconcentrated vein sample collected Sn 1949 contained 0.049 percent
equivalent uranium, and the most Intensely radioactive vein-material concentrate
(specific gravity greater than 2.89) contained 0.398 percent equivalent uranium. Both
samples are from the Skookum tunnel on the Mountain View property.


The radioactive material on the properties Investigated in the Hyder district
appears to be chiefly uranium which occurs In an unidentified, highly radioactive,
opaque mineral and, also, in trace amounts in the sulfides of the vein deposits. Some
of the radioactive material, however, occurs as disseminated deposits In the Igneous
rocks of the district and, also, to a minor extent as thin secondary coatings on fracture
surfaces in veins and rocks.

Publication Year 1954
Title Reconnaissance for radioactive deposits in the Hyder district, southeastern Alaska, 1949
DOI 10.3133/tei73
Authors Walter S. West, Paul D. Benson
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Trace Elements Investigations
Series Number 73
Index ID tei73
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse