Circular 94—Geochemical and biochemical studies in the Eagle Nest Quadrangle, New Mexico

By F. L. Misaqi (Missaghi), 1968, 24 pp., 1 table, 17 figs., 3 sheets. A geochemical study of bedrock, soil, and plant samples of the area was conducted. The northwestern and north-central parts of the area, known for its mineralization, showed a conspicuous anomaly in metal content. The southwestern part of the area indicated an anomalous metal content. A further, detailed, large-scale study of the southwestern area of the Eagle Nest quadrangle is recommended.

The investigated area covers the central part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, known as the Taos Range. This part of northeastern New Mexico is notable for having the highest point in the state: Wheeler Peak, elevation 13,160 ft. The molybdenite deposit of Questa, on the northwestern margin of the area, is said to be unique among the major molybdenum mines of the world because of its high-grade molybdenite ore produced from fissure veins. At the present time, however, molybdenite of this mine comes from its stockwork deposit.
Elizabethtown, a ghost town located west of Moreno Creek on the eastern margin of the area, used to be the center of a rich placer-gold mining district before 1881. No other major mining operations are known in the area. The geology of the Eagle Nest quadrant has been described in various articles. The author conducted this study during the summer of 1966 to determine the pattern of geochemical anomalies in areas to the east of, but immediately adjacent to, the Questa molybdenite deposit and to find potentially favorable anomalies in the Eagle Nest quadrant.

A geochemical study of bedrock, soil, and plant samples of the area was conducted. The northwestern and north-central parts of the area, known for its mineralization, showed a conspicuous anomaly in metal content. The southwestern part of the area indicated an anomalous metal content. A further, detailed, large-scale study of the southwestern area of the Eagle Nest quadrangle is recommended.