Airborne radiometric survey of the Wet Mountains and surrounding region, Custer and Fremont Counties, south-central Colorado, 2021

Publication Date

2023-02-28

Start Date

2021-06-15

End Date

2021-07-27

Grauch, V.J.S., Anderson, E.D., Brown, P.J., and Allen Langhans, A.D., 2023, Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey of the Wet Mountains and surrounding region, Custer and Fremont Counties, south-central Colorado, 2021: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9PISI0X.

Type: Web Link Type: Related Primary Publication

These data were collected as part of the Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI) program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in collaboration with the Colorado Geological Survey to better understand the geology and critical mineral resources in the area. Several alkaline intrusive complexes are of particular interest because they are known to be enriched in thorium, rare earth elements (REE), and other critical minerals. Magnetic surveys measure subtle variations in the Earth's magnetic field and are sensitive to differences in the magnetic properties of rocks from ground level to many kilometers below. Radiometric (or gamma-ray) surveys measure naturally occurring low-level radiation and are sensitive to the presence of rocks near the surface that are enriched in uranium, thorium, or potassium. Together, the two types of survey data provide valuable information for constructing geologic maps that researchers can use to better understand the mineral resources in the region.

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