Geological Survey Research 1961 Synopsis of Geologic and Hydrologic Results
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 424-A Geological Survey Research 1961
THOMAS B. NOLAN, Director
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 424
A synopsis ofgeologic and hydrologic results, accompanied by short papers in the geologic and hydrologic sciences. Published separately as chapters A, B, C, and D
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1961
FOEEWOED
The Geological Survey is engaged in many different kinds of investigations in the fields of geology and hydrology. These investigations may be grouped into several broad, inter related categories as follows: (a) Economic geology, including engineering geology (b) Eegional geologic mapping, including detailed mapping and stratigraphic studies (c) Eesource and topical studies (d) Ground-water studies (e) Surface-water studies (f) Quality-of-water studies (g) Field and laboratory research on geologic and hydrologic processes and principles. The Geological Survey also carries on investigations in its fields of competence for other Fed eral agencies that do not have the required specialized staffs or scientific facilities. Nearly all the Geological Survey's activities yield new data and principles of value in the development or application of the geologic and hydrologic sciences. The purpose of this report, which consists of 4 chapters, is to present as promptly as possible findings that have come to the fore during the fiscal year 1961 the 12 months ending June 30, 1961. The present volume, chapter A, is a synopsis of the highlights of recent findings of scientific and economic interest. Some of these findings have been published or placed on open file during the year; some are presented in chapters B, C, and D ; still others have not been pub lished previously. Only part of the scientific and economic results developed during the year can be presented in this synopsis. Eeaders who wish more complete or more detailed informa tion should consult the bibliography of reports beginning on page A-156 of this volume, and the collection of short articles presented in the companion chapters as follows: Prof. Paper 424-B Articles 1 to 146 Prof. Paper 424-C Articles 147 to 292 Prof. Paper 424-D Articles 293 to 435 A list of investigations in progress in the Geologic and Water Eesources Divisions with the names and addresses of the project leaders is given on pages A-110 to A-155 for those in terested in work in progress in various areas or on special topics. During the fiscal year 1961, the services of the Geologic and Water Eesources Divisions were utilized, or supported financially in part, by the many Federal and State agencies listed on pages A-106 to A-109. The Geological Survey has also cooperated from time to time with other agencies, and some of the work described in these chapters stems from work of previous years in cooperation with agencies not shown on the list. All cooperating agencies are identi fied where appropriate in the individual short articles in chapters B, C, and D, and they are mentioned in connection with some of the larger programs summarized in chapter A; because of space limitations, however, their contributions are mentioned in many of the short summary paragraphs contained in chapter A. The many cooperating agencies, by means of financial support, technical cooperation, and friendly counsel, have contributed significantly to the findings reported in these chapters. This report, which was prepared between March and July 1961, represents the combined efforts of many individuals. Paul Averitt assumed overall responsibility and assembled chap- m IV FOREWORD ter A from information supplied by project chiefs and program leaders. Arthur B. Campbell and William J. Mapel critically reviewed most of the manuscripts submitted for chapters B, C, and D. They were assisted in this task by Stanley W. Lohman, Edward T. Ruppel, Paul K. Sims, and Vernon E. Swanson. Mrs. Virginia P. Byers helped check, process, and assemble the papers. R. A. Weeks and Charles J. Robinove compiled the lists of cooperating agencies and the list of investigations in progress. Barbara Hillier compiled the list of publications. Edith Becker and Marston Chase prepared the indexes to chapters B, C, and D. To these must be added the many contributors of articles, summaries and ideas. I am pleased to be able to acknowledge here the contributions and efforts of these individuals. X, THOMAS B. NOLAN, Director. Synopsis of Geologic and Hydrologic Results
Prepared by members of the Geologic and Water Resources Divisions
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY RESEARCH 1961
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 424-A
A summary of recent scientific and economic results, accompanied by a list of reports released in fiscal Ity6l and a list of investigations in progress
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1961 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Thomas B. Nolan, Director
For sale by the Sujxerintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D.C. CONTENTS
Page Page Resource investigations.______A-l Resource investigations Continued Heavy metals____---__-___-____--__---__-__-__- 1 Radioactive materials Coutinued District and regional studies.______1 Topical studies- __--___--____._____..______A-7 Montana iron deposits.__-______-_-- 1 Epigenetic deposits of uranium in limestone _ 7 Chromite deposits of the Stillwater com Geology of uranium deposits in sandstone __ 7 plex, Montana-______Source of monazite in some Australian Nickeliferous lateritic soils in the Klamath placers- ______7 Mountains, Oregon and California- _____ Fuels___-_ _ --_-_____-______7 Tungsten and molybdenum in the Rocky Petroleum and natural gas______7 Mountains. ______Coal- --_--_-_--_------_--___---___-_ 7 Manganese and zinc deposits near Philips- Coal fields of the United States.- ______8 burg, Montana.______Coal resources of Arkansas. ______8 Studies in Colorado. ______Geology of specific coal fields. _ -______--_ 8 East Tintic silver-lead district, Utah______Spheroidal structures in coal ______8 Central mining district, New Mexico._-___ Oil shale______8 Lead, zinc, and related ores of the Central Water. ______--_-______---_--__-_---_ 8 and Eastern States___--_-__--_--_----_ Regional and district studies ______8 Gold in California-______Distribution and characteristics of stream- Commodity studies-______Topical studies-_____-___-_-_____-______--_- Water use. ______Heavy metals and trace elements in black Water use in river basins of Southeastern shales and phosphorites.______United States ______-__-__--_-.__ Light metals and industrial minerals-______Copper industry. _____-___--__-_--__-___ District and regional studies-______Styrene, butadiene, and synthetic rubber Beryllium at Spor Mountain, Utah___-__ industries. _ __-______--_--_--_--__ Beryllium in the Mount Wheeler area, Regional geology and hydrology ______-____--___-_--__ White Pine County, Nevada-______Synthesis of geologic data on maps of large regions .. 10 Beryllium in the Lake George district, Mineral distribution maps. ______11 Colorado-.-. ______Tectonic map of the United States______-_- 11 Pegmatites of the Spruce Pine district, Paleotectonic maps of the Permian system. 11 North Carolina.______Pleistocene lakes in western conterminous United Vermiculite deposits in South Carolina- States, ______11 Fluorspar in the Browns Canyon district, New England and eastern New York______12 Salida, Colorado.______Regional geologic mapping in Maine- ______12 Phosphate deposits in the Southeastern Regional geologic mapping in Vermont. ______12 States. ______Regional geologic mapping in Massachusetts Clay in Maryland______and Rhode Island ______-__-_____-__--_ 12 Clay in Kentucky______Regional geologic mapping in Connecticut _ ____ 12 Borate in California..______Geophysical surveys.. ______--_-_-_-__ 13 Pumice and pozzolan deposits in the Lesser Economic studies- __-_____-____-_____-----_- 13 Antilles_ . ______Geochemical studies in New Hampshire______14 Commodity and topical studies.______.__--- Aquifers composed of glacial deposits __ -_._._ 14 Beryllium. ______Occurrence of water in bedrock. ____-__-_-_-__ 14 Potash______Chemical and physical quality of surface and ground water_ ____._.__-______-__-_--_-_ 14 Radioactive materials. ______Flood magnitudes ______-_____--__--- 14 District and regional studies.-______Appalachians ______-______-____-___----__ 15 Colorado Plateau.______Geologic mapping ______.-___-__-_-_--_-__ 15 Shirley basin, Wyoming-______Structural and tectonic studies. ______15 Coastal plain, Texas. ______Stratigraphic studies in the Ridge and Valley Front Range, Colorado,__-_-----____---_ province. ______-______------_----_ 16 Powderhorn district, Colorado____---_-___ Geophysical study in the Maryland Piedmont __ 16 vn VIII CONTENTS
Page Page Regional geology and hydrology Continued Regional geology and hydrology Continued Appalachians Continued Northern Rockies and Plains Continued Streamflow______A-16 Geologic and geophysical studies in parts of Sediment yield------__-______.______16 Wyoming, southeastern Idaho, and north Atlantic Coastal Plain______16 eastern Utah.______-_--_--_--___---____ A-25 Geochemical and petrographic investigation in Stratigraphic studies in parts of eastern Mon Florida-______16 tana and Wyoming. ______----____--_- 25 Geologic mapping______17 Geologic and geophysical studies in the Black Hydrologic studies.-_-__---__----______17 Hills, South Dakota and Wyoming._.____-_- 25 Eastern Plateaus. ___-__-_--_____--______18 Possible Early Devonian seaway______-_---__ 26 Geologic mapping in Kentucky-______18 Biostratigraphic studies of upper Paleozoic Quaternary geology of the lower Ohio River rocks.___------__-_------_------26 Valley_ _-_-_--_-______-_____.______18 Ground-water investigations in Idaho ______26 Geologic history of Teays Valley, West Virginia. 18 Ground-water investigations in Montana. _____ 26 Paleontologic studies.__---___--_-______18 Ground-water investigations in Wyoming- 26 Hydrologic studies in Kentucky_.___ _._____-_ 19 Ground-water investigations in North Dakota- 27 Flood frequency areas in New York______19 Ground-water investigations in South Dakota__ 27 Shield area and Upper Mississippi Valley.______19 Southern Rockies and Plains.------27 Geologic studies and mapping.______19 Geology of volcanic terrains in Colorado and Geophysical surveys______19 New Mexico. __-______--_--__-_---_--- 27 Hydrologic studies.______20 Geology of Precambrian rocks.______-_-_--- 27 Gulf Coastal Plain and Mississippi Embayment____ 20 Geology of major sedimentary basins ------28 Correlation of the Carrizo sand in central Rocks of Mississippian and probable Devonian Mississippi Embayment- ______20 age in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains------28 Pliocene (?) stratigraphy of the northern Missis Geology of parts of Nebraska.______-_---_--- 28 28 sippi Embayment--______21 Ground-water recharge______.-_------Effects of Pleistocene and Recent weathering of Ground-water storage.______------29 29 Tertiary sediments.______21 Buried channels.______-_---_-----_------29 Ground-water storage______21 Hydrogeology of Denver metropolitan area_ ... 29 New sources of ground water______21 Relation of ground-water quality to bedrock. _. 29 Occurrence of salt water______21 Ground-water development in New Mexico.--_ Distribution of moisture in soil and near-surface Ozark Region and Eastern Plains._-_-_---______22 tuff___--_------29 Aeromagnetic studies in northeastern Arkansas Colorado Plateau Province-_ ------30 and southeastern Missouri______22 Stratigraphy. ------30 Arkoma basin, Arkansas and Oklahoma. ______22 Paradox basin.._ ------30 Atoka formation in the Arkansas Valley, Geomorphology and physiography.------31 Arkansas______22 Hydrologic studies------31 Development of the Fredonia anticline in Wilson Basin ane Range Province______------32 County, Kansas.______22 Thrust faults in Nevada and Utah.------32 Austin chalk, Val Verde and Terrell Counties, Other structural features. ------32 Texas______22 Studies of Cambrian and Precambrian rocks. __ 33 Movement underground of artificially-induced New data on Cretaceous rocks ------33 brine______22 Emplacement and age of intrusive bodies._____ 33 Buried valley near Manhattan, Kansas______22 Tertiary volcanic rocks and calderas______-_-- 34 Depressions on the High Plains______22 Quaternary history______------34 Salt water and halite at shallow depths in Ground-water occurrence and movement in Oklahoma. ______22 pre-Tertiary rocks. ------34 Water withdrawal in Reeves County, Texas____ 23 Hydrogeochemistry _ ------35 Aquifer filled in Haskel and Knox Counties, Specific yield of sediments.______------35 Texas______23 Floods and mudflows______-___------35 Reservoir evaporation. ______23 Columbia Plateau and Snake River Plains.------35 Northern Rockies and Plains______23 Laumontite stage metamorphism of Upper Geologic studies in northeastern Washington Triassic rocks, Aldrich Mountains, Oregon. _ 35 and northern Idaho______23 Facies changes hi the John Day formation. ____ 35 Geologic studies in central Idaho ______23 Volcanic ash falls used as stratigraphic marker Geologic and geophysical studies in western beds.______-______-----.------36 Montana._-_-----_____.______24 Gravity anomalies______------36 Alternative hypotheses on deformation accom New data on the age of the Columbia River panying the Hebgen Lake earthquake, basalt ______-_------36 Montana.______24 Southward transgressive overlap of the basalt __ 36 Geologic and geophysical studies in the Bear- Landforms of Pleistocene age in the Snake River paw Mountains, Montana.______25 Plains _-_-___-_____------36 CONTENTS IX
Page Page Regional gelogy and hydrology Continued Regional gelogy and hydrology Continued Columbia Plateau and Snake River Plains Continued Western Pacific Islands Continued Pleistocene American Falls lake and the Michaud Volcanic suites of Guam and Pagan, Mariana A-48 gravel--_-_-____-_____--_-__-_-______--_ A-36 Islands ______-______----_---_____ Other Pleistocene drainage changes.______36 Studies of drill holes in the northern Marshall Basin discharge studies.___-__-______---_ 36 Islands ______-_-______------_-_-___ 50 Quality of ground water.______37 Investigations of typhoon damage to atolls___ 50 Ground water in basalts.______37 Antarctica.______-_-__--______---___ 50 Pacific Coast region______37 Geology of the eastern Horlick Mountains. ____ 50 Washington.______37 Geology of central Marie Byrd Land.______52 Oregon ______37 Geology of the Thurston Peninsula-Eights Coast Klamath Mountains and Coast Ranges of regions.___-_-_-_-___--_-__------_ 52 northern California.______38 Coal in the Antarctic___._-__-_--_-_-_____- 52 Coastal area of central and southern California. _ 38 Geology of the Taylor Dry Valley area______52 Sierra Nevada______39 Granites of the Ross Sea region______52 Hydrologic studies.______39 Glacial geology of Antarctica______53 Alaska ______40 Geologic and hydrologic investigations in other countries. _ 53 Northern Alaska______40 Thorium and rare-earth deposit, Brazil______53 West-central Alaska______--______-__ 40 Diamond deposits in Bahia, Brazil.______53 East-central Alaska._____--______-___-_._-_ 42 Uranium in the Serra de Jacobina, Bahia, Brazil____ 53 Southwestern Alaska.______42 Geologic studies of iron deposits of Brazil______54 Southern Alaska.______42 Chilean earthquakes of May and June, I960. ______54 Southeastern Alaska.______43 Origin of Chile nitrate deposits______-____--_--___ 54 Cenozoic stratigraphy of Alaska ______43 Iron deposit in Libya______54 Aeromagnetic profiles______43 Fluorspar deposits of Mexico__-_--_------_---_- 54 Quartz diorite line ______43 Phosphorite deposits in Mexico._____----_-_____-_ 54 Surface water.______44 Iron deposits in West Pakistan.______55 Ground water.______T ______44 Mineral resources of Taiwan.______55 Hawaii ______44 New deposits of fluorite and manganese in Thailand- _ 55 Kaupulehu lava flow, Hualalai Volcano.______44 Surface-water resources of the Helmand River, Af New data on the 1959-60 eruption of Kilauea ghanistan______55 Volcano.______44 Ground water in the Libyan desert, western Egypt __ 55 Uwekahuna laccolith in Kilauea caldera______45 River basin surveys in Iran.______55 Alumina-rich soil and weathered rock ______45 Extraterrestrial studies----..-.------56 Geology of Kauai______45 Photogeologic mapping of the Moon____-_-____-_. 56 Ground water in southern Oahu______45 Lunar stratigraphy and time scale ______56 Structural features_____---____-----_------_- 56 Use of water by phreatophytes on Oahu______45 Water resources of windward Oahu ______46 Terrestrial meteorite craters and impact phenomena. 57 Terrestrial meteorite craters______57 Indian Reservations, National Parks, and Public Impact phenomena.______57 Lands.___--______46 Extraterrestrial materials.__-___-_-.------58 Saratoga National Historical Park, New York__ 46 Tektites-..-______58 Hydrology of the Everglades National Park, Meteorites- _-_-_-___-_-__-__----_---_------59 Florida______46 Investigations of geologic and hydrologic processes and Ground-water supply of Cape Hatteras National principles.______59 Seashore Recreational Area, North Carolina. _ 46 Paleontology ______59 Hydrologic studies in Indian Reservations, New Evolution______-______-___-_--_--_---_- 59 Mexico.______46 Paleoecology. ______59 Water-supply possibilities at Capitol Reef Systematic paleontology.______60 National Monument-______46 Morphology ______-_------__-_- 60 Hydrology of Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona. 46 Stratigraphic paleontology ______60 Puerto Rico______47 Geomorphology ______61 Structural control of mineralization ______47 Lateritic saprolite in Puerto Rico ______61 Test well for petroleum drilled on north coast._ 47 Interpretation of desert varnish______61 Ground water.______47 Surficial geologic processes related to volcanoes. 61 Floods of September 6, 1960______47 Microrelief features in arctic regions______61 Canal Zone______47 Geomorphology of permafrost ______61 Morphology of stream channels.______62 Western Pacific Islands______48 Mechanics of meandering and irregular channels. 62 Geology of Ishigaki, Miyako, Tinian, and the Effective force in geomorphology______62 Yap Islands______43 Geomorphology related to ground water.______62 Paleontologic studies of Okinawa, Guam, and Geomorphology and geology in relation to the Fiji Islands______48 streamflow______63 CONTENTS