Inyo Ellersieck | Geology Reports

This map covers the northwestern part of the Noatak 1:250,000-scale quadrangle (fig. 1, sheet 1). The area has low topographic relief that largely consists of gently sloping hills separated by broad expanses of tundra growing on unconsolidated surficial materials. Elevations range from sea level up to 475 m (1,456 ft.) at Mount Jarvis. Study of bedrock geology is constrained by a scarcity of exposures in most areas. Most hill tops are rubble-covered, and there are only a few stream outcrops. As a result many of the stratigraphic and structural relationships between rock units are inferred from similar relationships previously determined in other areas of the western Brooks Range where the rocks are better exposed (Curtis and others, 1982, 1983; Ellersieck and others, 1982, 1983; and Mayfield and others, 1982, 1983 a, b).

Alaska↗

USGS1983

The Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program: Background information to accompany folio of geologic and mineral resource maps of the Ambler River quadrangle, Alaska

The Ambler River quadrangle, consisting of 14,290 km2 (5,520 mi2) in northwest Alaska, was investigated by an interdisciplinary research team for the purpose of assessing the mineral resource potential of the quadrangle. This report provides background information for a folio of maps on the geology, reconnaissance geochemistry, aeromagnetics, Landsat imagery, and mineral resource evaluation of the quadrangle. A summary of the geologic history, radiometric dates, and fossil localities and a comprehensive bibliography are also included. The quadrangle contains jade reserves, now being mined, and potentially significant resources of copper, zinc, lead, and silver.

Alaska↗

USGS1983

Explanation to accompany reconnaissance geologic map of the De Long Mountains A3, B3, and parts of A4, B4 quadrangles, Alaska

This map is one of a series of three reconnaissance geologic maps of the southern De Long Mountains quadrangle (fig. 1). Because the geology in the three map areas is similar, a composite map explanation has been designed to facilitate their combined use and give a better perspective of the regional geology. There are some rock units and allochthons which do not occur on all three maps. For this reason, the explanation contains more rock units than occur on any one map. Rock units which appear on the accompanying map are indicated by an asterisk beside the map symbol in the explanation.

Alaska↗

USGS1983

Reconnaissance geologic map of the De Long Mountains A1, B1, and part of C1 quadrangles, Alaska

This map is one of a series of three reconnaissance geologic maps of the southern De Long Mountains quadrangle (fig. 1). Because the geology in the three map areas is similar, a composite map explanation has been designed to facilitate their combined use and give a better perspective of the regional geology. There are some rock units and allochthons which do not occur on all three maps. For this reason, the explanation contains more rock units than occur on any one map. Rock units which appear on the accompanying map are indicated by an asterisk beside the map symbol in the explanation.

Alaska↗

USGS1983

Stratigraphy, structure, and palinspastic synthesis of the western Brooks Range, northwestern Alaska

This report is an effort to describe and decipher the mid-Paleozoic to Lower Cretaceous stratigraphy and the orogenic evolution of the western Brooks Range. The western Brooks Range primarily is composed of stacks of complexly deformed thrust sheets that contain mostly coeval sequences of rocks with slightly different lithologic facies. In order to simplify the thrust-faulted stratigraphy and palinspastic restoration, the rocks are grouped into eight principal structural levels. The lowest structural level is believed to be autochthonous or parautochthonous and above that, each succeeding level is designated allochthon one through seven. Allochthon seven is composed of the remnants of an extensive ophiolite sheet. Allochthon six is composed of pillow basalt with subordinate intermediate volcanic rocks, chert, and Devonian limestone. It is not certain whether this allochthon was formed in a continental or oceanic setting. Allochthons five through one consist of distinctive and coeval sequences of Devonian to Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks that were deposited in a continental setting. The present geographic distribution of each structural level is shown on the allochthon map of the western Brooks Range. The stratigraphy of the southern part of northern Alaska has been reconstructed by systematically unstacking lower allochthons to the north of higher allochthons. The palinspastic map that results from this procedure shows that the minimum thrust displacement between allochthon seven and the autochthon is approximately 700 to 800 km. Schematic cross sections drawn across the palinspastic map show how the stratigraphy of the southern part of northern. Alaska most likely appeared prior to the orogeny. During Devonian and Mississippian time, the sedimentary sequences that are now part of allochthons one to five are inferred to have been deposited in an ensialic basin with both northern and southern margins. During Pennsylvanian time, the sequences seem to have become part of a southward-sloping continental shelf when a southern land area moved away from northern Alaska by an inferred plate tectonic process of rifting or strike-slip motion. In Early Jurassic time just prior to the Brooks Range orogeny, northern Alaska probably was an extensive continental shelf with oceanic conditions to the south and land to the north. The Brooks Range orogeny seems to have begun in the Middle Jurassic as the Arctic Alaska plate was underthrust (subducted) southward beneath oceanic crust of allochthon seven. At progressively later stages in the underthrusting process, the upper parts of the continental shelf were detached from the subthrust basement on which they were deposited, resulting in the other allochthons of the western Brooks Range. The period of major thrusting ceased by Albian time in the Early Cretaceous. During middle and Late Cretaceous time, epeirogenic uplift in the Brooks Range caused large quantities of clastic detritus to be shed into successor basins to the north and south. Broad folds and reverse faults in Upper Cretaceous sediments north of the Brooks Range provide evidence for a later period(s) of less intense deformation in northern Alaska.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1982

Reconnaissance geologic map of southwestern Misheguk Mountain quadrangle, Alaska

This map is one of a series of three reconnaissance geologic maps of the southern Misheguk Mountain quadrangle (fig. 1). Because the geology in all three map areas is similar, a composite map explanation has been designed to facilitate their combined use and provide the reader with a better perspective of the regional geology. There are some rock units and allochthons which do not occur on all three maps. For this reason, the explanation contains more rock units than occur on any one map. Rock units which appear on the accompanying map are indicated by an asterisk beside the map symbol in the explanation.

Alaska↗

USGS1982

Reconnaissance geologic map of southeastern Misheguk Mountain Quadrangle, Alaska

This map is one of a series of three reconnaissance geologic maps of the southern Misheguk Mountain quadrangle (fig. 1). Because the geology in all three map areas is similar, a composite map explanation has been designed to facilitate their combined use and provide the reader with a better perspective of the regional geology. There are some rock units and allochthons which do not occur on all three maps. For this reason, the explanation contains more rock units than occur on any one map. Rock units which appear on the accompanying map are indicated by an asterisk beside the map symbol in the explanation.

Alaska↗