Bentonite is used in drilling fluids.
Location: Deposit crops out in the south bank of the Colville River about 14.5 kilometers (9 mi) upstream from Umiat. Within 1.6 kilometers (1 mi).
Geology: Cretaceous rocks at this locality contain bentonite beds that are as thick as 1.5 meters (5 ft). Beds that appear to be composed of nearly pure bentonite locally are present in the Colville Group of Late Cretaceous age and in the Niakogan Tongue of the Chandler Formation and the Ninuluk Formation of the Nanushuk Group of Early Cretaceous age. Bentonite also is a common detrial constituent in rocks of the Colville Group.
Workings: Type of workings: Surface.
Age: Early and Late Cretaceous

Commodities (Major) - Clay1
Development Status: Undet.
Deposit Model: Lode; volcanogenic

Rock Types Recorded

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Other Databases

Link to USGS - Alaska:	UT003

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

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This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Cobb, E.H., 1975, Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in northern Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 75-628, 106 p. Detterman, R.L., Bickel, R.S., and Gryc, George, 1964, Geology of the Chandler River region, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 303E, p. 223-324.

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