Rattlesnake Hills Alkali Intrusive Complex

Region West, Rocky Mountains
States
Mineral systems
Deposit types
Commodities
Other minerals

Information leading to the delineation of this focus area

Basis for focus area Autenrieth (2012) mapped small "calciocarbonites" dikes and veins, that cross-cut the alkalic intrusions and most of which are enriched in Ba, Sr, Y, and Pb. From Autenrieth (2012), "...calcite in microfractures within the phonolite and replacement of phenocrysts by magmatic carbonate is common in the Rattlesnake Hills, evidence of possible carbonatites at depth (Stupak, 1984; Hoch and Frost, 1993).
Identified resources None.
Production None.
Status None.
Estimated resources Unknown.
Geologic maps Hausel (1996a), scale 1:24,000; Sutherland and Hausel (2003), scale 1:100,000; Sutherland and Hausel (2005a), scale 1:24,000; Autenrieth (2012), scale 1:12,000; Sutherland and others (2012), scale 1:24,000; Sutherland and Worman (2013), scale 1:24,000; Lynds and others (2016), scale 1:24,000.
Geophysical data Inadequate aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric coverage.
Favorable rocks and structures Calciocarbonites" dikes and veins, that cross-cut the alkalic intrusions (Autenrieth, 2012).
Deposits Lucky.
Evidence from mineral occurrences None.
Geochemical evidence Autenrieth (2012) Table 7.1 indicates most of sampled carbonatites are enriched in Ba, Pb, Sr, and Y, with REE, Sc, and Zr also present.
Geophysical evidence No data.
Evidence from other sources No data.
Cover thickness and description Thick Neogene sedimentary cover in places. Numerous intrusions through entire Phanerozoic section.
Authors Ranie M. Lynds, Rachel N. Toner, Benjamin J. Drenth, Joshua M. Rosera.
New data needs Geophysics, mapping, and lidar.
Geologic mapping and modeling needs Two additional 1:24,000 scale maps with infill more detailed outcrop mapping. Subsurface modeling from geophysical surveys crucial.
Geophysical survey and modeling needs Rank 1 aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric data.
Digital elevation data needs Lidar complete in Wyoming.