No abstract

A granitic stock at Oak Spring, Nevada, was selected in 1960 by the Atomic Energy Commission as a possible site to study the seismic effect of a deep nuclear shot contained in a large volume of rock. Geophysical surveys were conducted to determine the general configuration of the stock, particularly the thickness. The stock intrudes a sequence of carbonate and siliceous sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic age, which are overlain by Tertiary pyroclastic rocks consisting of tuff, welded tuff, and breccia. A three‐dimensional analysis of a detailed aeromagnetic survey indicates that the stock has a shape similar to a truncated cone, the diameter of which increases from about one mile at the surface to at least 6 miles near sea level, 5,000 feet beneath the surface. The stock, therefore, is much larger than indicated by the area of [Formula: see text] square miles exposed at the surface. In addition, computations show that the intrusion has a thickness of at least 13,000 ft. Much of the ambiguity of interpretation was removed from the analysis because susceptibility measurements of cores from recent drilling and remanent magnetization data from surface samples were available. Interpretation of a gravity profile over the stock gives the probable thickness of the overlying alluvial fill and buried tuff, but does not delineate the intrusive from the Paleozoic rocks.

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This study shows that aeromagnetic anomalies of less than 200 gammas are associated with topographic relief of exposed Precambrian granitic and volcanic rocks of the St. François Mountains. Anomalies resulting from hills coarsely crystalline granite are as high as 100 gammas in amplitude, whereas anomalies over comparable hills of fine‐grained rocks, such as granophyre or devitrified volcanic rock, are as much as 200 gammas. Anomalies caused by normal faulting or shearing of igneous rocks have amplitudes of less than 100 gammas; they are observed best in profile. These anomalies are superposed on larger magnetic features related to pendants of volcanic rock in the roof of a granite batholith and are distinguished from large lateral variations in magnetic intensity by their low amplitude and small areal extent. Analyses of the compound anomalies yielded the subsurface configuration of isolated roof pendants of resistant extrusive rock in some areas. As many of these pendants have negligible remanent magnetization, induction theory was used in the analyses. Application of these results to the lead‐mining areas shows that aeromagnetic patterns of low amplitude can guide mineral exploration in the region flanking the Ozark uplift, where isolated, buried hills of Precambrian igneous rocks controlled the development of some lead‐bearing sedimentary structures in the overlying Cambrian carbonate strata.

Since 1942 the U. S. Geological Survey has been studying the geology of the zinc-lead district and has been mapping the structure, stratigraphy, and the occurrences of ore bodies. The program here described was centered in two areas at the margin of the district. Twenty-five holes that totalled 7,466 feet were drilled in 1950-51. In the Tete des Morts area, Iowa, the drilling showed lithology, structure, and evidences of mineralization that are favorable indications of the possible existence of pitch-type lower-run ore bodies; it showed a lateral extension of the potentially productive part of the district. In the Highland area, Wisconsin, lithology and evidences of mineralization found in strata of the Prairie du Chien group indicate that this unit might warrant further investigation as a potential source of ore at a lower stratigraphic position than that now being prospected in the main part of the zinc-lead district, farther south. Drilling in beds of the Prairie du Chien showed a vertical extension of the potentially productive part of the district. C. W. Tandy, Jr., aided by surveying during the preliminary geologic investigations of the two areas.