Geology of North Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho

摘要

The purpose of the investigation was to map the geology of the north end of Craters of the Moon National Monument and surrounding area. A stratigraphic sequence of Late Paleozoic sedimentary and Tertiary volcanic rocks was compiles and the structures of these rocks and contact relationships with intrusions were delineated. Grade and facies of contact metamorphism were defined. The Snake River Plain basalts were also mapped. The sources of these flows were determined where possible. Preexisting structures and relationships of vents to earlier faulting were explored in ascertaining extensions of the Great Rift Zone into the Pioneer Mountains. Petrographic descriptions of the rock units were completed. Study of the economic geology was not undertaken. The interested reader is referred to Nelson (1969) for descriptions of the mineral deposits in the Lava Creek Mining District.