STRUCTURAL AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF CATACLASTIC MINERAL OCCURRENCES IN THE EASTERN PORTION OF UNAWEEP CANYON, CO

Through previous studies of the Pinon Mesa region of the Uncompahgre Plateau, several positive magnetic anomalies of various magnitudes have been identified in the aerial magnetic maps by NURE (1980). A previous study of the NW Uncompahgre Plateau indicates that a strong magnetic anomaly of the area is believed to be associated with a mafic intrusion, also a cataclastic mineral occurrence was observed and studied in the vicinity of the magnetic anomaly by Redden et al (2013). A geomagnetic survey was conducted using a ground proton procession magnetometer to produce magnetic maps of an area of Eastern Unaweep Canyon indicated by the 1980 NURE aerial magnetic maps by Feil et al (2014). In continuance of Feil et al (2014), formation contact lines and structural features were mapped and correlations were made using both topographic maps and aerial images from ArcGIS online to refine the geologic map and structural aspects of the study area. Structural features were analyzed using stereonets to determine if the stresses were due to Permian-Pennsylvanian or post-Laramide intrusive bodies or more consistent with unroofing stresses. The magnetic and structural data were applied to determine the possible heat sources of the hydrothermal activity and their interrelation with cataclastic mineral occurrences. Multiple samples from mineralized zones and stratigraphic layers were analyzed for elemental concentrations using wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence techniques. Data from this analysis was correlated to determine the most likely source of elemental constituents within the mineral matrix. In addition to the initial analysis, a second analysis focusing on rare earth element (REE) concentration was performed to determine whether the heat source can be associated with geothermal gradient or intrusive bodies. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent of the hydrothermally altered cataclastic material, determine the source of the mineralization with geochemical and structural analyses, improve and interpret the magnetic map to indicate depth and extent of the possible heat source associated with hydrothermal activity in the subsurface of the region, and refine the geologic map of the area.