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Uranium, thorium, and mercury distribution through the evolution of the McDermitt Caldera complex

January 1, 1979

The McDermitt caldera complex developed over a period of 5 m.y. years during which ash-flow tuff sheets anomalous in mercury, uranium, and thorium were emplaced. The moat portions of the caldera complex were subsequently filled with tuffaceous sediments. Late in the caldera development near-surface intrusives and domes were emplaced along the margins of the complex and mineralized with uranium. Seven large hydrothermal systems developed at this time and formed large areas of alteration within the caldera-fill volcanics and sediments. Five of the altered zones are associated with economic concentrations of uranium, and or mercury.

Publication Year 1979
Title Uranium, thorium, and mercury distribution through the evolution of the McDermitt Caldera complex
DOI 10.3133/ofr79541
Authors James J. Rytuba, W.K. Conrad, Richard K. Glanzman
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 79-541
Index ID ofr79541
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
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