From introduction: This report summarizes the results of diamond-drill exploration by the U. S. Geological Survey in the vicinity of Moon and Horse Mesas during the period November 14, 1950 to January 26, 1952.

From abstract: The distribution of the known uranium deposits of the Colorado Plateau is being analyzed in order 1) to test for systematic relationships between that pattern and geologic factors, 2) to help guide exploration, and 3) to appraise the potential resources of the region and of each of its component areas.

Abstract: Results of detailed mapping of the Salt Wash sandstone member of the Morrison formation in the Uravan and Gateway districts, Montrose and Mesa Counties, Colo., suggest that large areas containing both lenticular bedding in the ore-bearing sandstone and persistently altered mudstone beneath the sandstone are generally favorable for carnotite deposits.

Abstract: Most of the uranium deposits in the Uravan and Gateway mining districts are in the persistent upper sandstone stratum of the Salt Wash member of the Morrison formation. Areas in which this stratum is predominantly lenticular have been differentiated from areas in which the stratum is predominantly nonlenticular. The most favorable ground for uranium deposits is in areas of lenticular sandstone where the stratum is underlain by continuous altered greenish-gray mudstone. Ore is localized in scour-and-fill sandstone beds within favorable areas of lenticular sandstone. Regional control of the movement of ore-bearing solutions in the principal ore-bearing sandstone zone is indicated by belts of discontinuously altered mudstone transitional in a northerly and southerly direction from an area of unaltered mudstone to areas of continuously altered mudstone ; and an area of unaltered mudstone in which no ore deposits are found and an increase in size, number, and grade of ore deposits from areas of discontinuously altered to continuously altered mudstone. Discrete regional patterns of ore deposits and altered mudstone are associated with Tertiary structures; where these structures and favorable host rocks occur in juxtaposition, regional controls appear to have localized ore deposits.

From Introduction: "In the Uravan and Gateway districts, the general character of the bedding in the ore-bearing sandstone and amount of alteration in associated mudstones, and the relation of these to each other, are the features most useful as large-scale guides. This report describes these features and their distribution, as well as some other significant geologic characteristics of the ore-bearing sandstone."

A report regarding carnotite resources of the Moon Mesa and Horse Mesa Areas, Mesa Montrose Counties, Colorado.

A report regarding uranium deposits of the Urvan Mineral belt.