Reconnaissance of radioactive rocks of Massachusetts

During the 1948 and 1949 field seasons radiometric car traverses were made along the numbered federal and state highways and along many unnumbered roads of Massachusetts.

Near Worcester pegmatitic rocks are estimated to contain about 250
pounds of uranium and 8,500 pounds of thoria per foot of depth. Near
Southbridge pegmatitic rocks are estimated to contain about 6,500 pounds
of thoria per foot of depth.

A central belt was estimated to contain about 0.003 percent equivalent uranium but less than 0.001 percent uranium in nearly all roadside
materials.

Several smaller localities of radioactivity similar to that of the
central belt were found but none appear to be important economically.

Massachusetts is not considered a favorable area for uranium
deposits, although some low-grade deposits of thorium are present.