DOCSLIB.ORG

Geologic Studies of the Platte River, South- Central Nebraska and Adjacent Areas—Geologic Maps, Subsurface Study, and Geologic History

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Geologic Studies of the Platte River, South- Central Nebraska and Adjacent Areas—Geologic Maps, Subsurface Study, and Geologic History Geologic Studies of the Platte River, South- Central Nebraska and Adjacent Areas—Geologic Maps, Subsurface Study, and Geologic History Professional Paper 1706 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Studies of the Platte River, South-Central Nebraska and Adjacent Areas—Geologic Maps, Subsurface Study, and Geologic History By Steven M. Condon Professional Paper 1706 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior Gale A. Norton, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Charles G. Groat, Director Version 1.0, 2005 This publication and any updates to it are available online at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/pp1706/ Manuscript approved for publication, March 3, 2005 Text edited by James W. Hendley II Layout and design by Stephen L. Scott Any use of trade, product, or fi rm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government Cover—View from the bridge over the Platte River just south of Overton, Nebraska, looking downstream (to the east). (USGS photo taken in 2002 by Steven M. Condon.) III Contents Abstract ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 Introduction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Acknowledgments ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 I. Geologic maps of the Elm Creek West and Newark 7.5 minute quadrangles ---------------------- 3 Introduction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Methods ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 Elm Creek West quadrangle ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Description of map units ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Discussion --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Logs of test holes in the Elm Creek West quadrangle -------------------------------------- 7 Newark quadrangle ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Description of map units ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Discussion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Logs of test holes in the Newark quadrangle ----------------------------------------------- 16 II. Subsurface Cenozoic geology of south-central Nebraska ----------------------------------------- 22 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22 Methods ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22 Subsurface geology --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 III. The development of the Cenozoic Platte River drainage system --------------------------------- 31 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 Structural setting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32 Precursor events ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32 Laramide orogeny ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 33 Geologic history of the Tertiary and Quaternary ------------------------------------------------- 34 Paleocene --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34 Eocene ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 35 Oligocene --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39 Miocene ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 Pliocene ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43 Pleistocene ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45 Holocene ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49 Discussion and Summary --------------------------------------------------------------------- 51 References Cited ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54 Figures 1. Regional map of study area in parts of Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas ------------ 2 2. Location map of the subsurface study area in south-central Nebraska -------------------------- 22 3. Structure contour map drawn on top of Precambrian rocks --------------------------------------- 23 4. Chart showing Cenozoic stratigraphic units in south-central Nebraska, northeastern Colorado, and southeastern Wyoming ----------------------------------------------- 24 5. Unconformity surface on top of Cretaceous rocks in south-central Nebraska ------------------ 25 IV Figures 6. Isopach map of the Ogallala Group ----------------------------------------------------------------- 26 7. Unconformity surface on top of the Ogallala Group or Cretaceous rocks in south-central Nebraska ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 27 8. Isopach map of fluvial Pliocene and Pleistocene sediments in south-central Nebraska ---- 28 9. Isopach map of loess intervals in the Pliocene and Pleistocene section in south-central Nebraska ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 29 10. Isopach map of all Pliocene and Pleistocene alluvium in south-central Nebraska ----------- 30 11. Paleogeography in Paleocene time ----------------------------------------------------------------- 33 12. Paleogeography in Eocene time --------------------------------------------------------------------- 36 13. Photo of middle-Eocene erosion surface in the Front Range. View is northeast from Green Mountain --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 14. Paleogeography in Oligocene time ----------------------------------------------------------------- 38 15. Paleogeography in Miocene time ------------------------------------------------------------------- 42 16. Paleogeography in Pliocene time ------------------------------------------------------------------- 44 17. Paleogeography in Pleistocene time --------------------------------------------------------------- 47 Plates 1. Geologic map and topographic profile of the Elm Creek West 7.5 minute quadrangle 2. Geologic map and topographic profile of the Newark 7.5 minute quadrangle 1 Geologic Studies of the Platte River, South-Central Nebraska and Adjacent Areas—Geologic Maps, Subsurface Study, and Geologic History By Steven M. Condon Abstract recognized on the west side of the Medicine Bow Mountains of Wyoming in the Miocene, and the presence of distinctive rock clasts indicates that the Laramie River fl owed from the The Platte River of south-central Nebraska was studied at North Park area of Colorado northeast across a fi lled Laramie three scales to place the river in its geological context and to Basin and the Laramie Range of southeastern Wyoming in the trace its evolution through geologic time. At the largest scale Miocene. The present drainage system developed in the late the Elm Creek West and the Newark 7.5 minute quadrangles Miocene to the Pliocene and included the capture and diver- were mapped. These quadrangles are located just west and sion of the South Platte River into its present channel. The just east of Kearney and serve to illustrate the main geomor- combined North and South Platte Rivers deposited gravel and phic elements of the present Platte River Valley. The central sand across Nebraska and fl owed southeast from Kearney, elements of the quadrangles are the Platte River channels, Nebraska through the middle to late Pleistocene. Within the islands, and bottomlands, which are fl anked by terraces that past 25,000 years the Platte River below Kearney was cap- step up away from the river to the north and south. Signifi - tured and diverted into its present course and confi ned there by cant other elements of the landscape are eolian sand and loess bounding valley walls of loess. deposits. The geologic maps are supplemented by topographic profi les of the mapped terraces and graphical representations of subsurface units in test wells that occur within the quad- rangles. Introduction An intermediate-scale study consisted of examining descriptions of well cuttings in a 17 county area in south- The Platte, South Platte, and North Platte Rivers and their central Nebraska, which includes the Platte River Valley, and valleys in Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming (fi g. 1) have building a database of information about sediment lithology been important to the human history of the region from the and thickness. The wells penetrated a sequence of gravel, time of the early Native Americans to the present. In prehis- sand, silt, and clay beds from the ground surface to the top toric time, the area was a site of abundant buffalo and antelope of the subsurface Tertiary Ogallala Group or Cretaceous for- herds that were a main source of food for hunting and gath- mations. The sequence consists of Pliocene-, Pleistocene-, ering Native Americans. In late prehistoric time, the Platte and Holocene-age strata that document the deposition of a River Valley was the site of many large Native
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A/L Hcan %Mlsdum
    A/LSoxfitateshcan %Mlsdum PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CENTRAL PARK WEST AT 79TH STREET, NEW YORK 24, N.Y. NUMBER 1957 AUGUST 5, 1959 Fossil Mammals from the Type Area of the Puerco and Nacimiento Strata, Paleocene of New Mexico BY GEORGE GAYLORD SIMPSON ANTECEDENTS The first American Paleocene mammals and the first anywhere from the early to middle Paleocene were found in the San Juan Basin of New Mexico. Somewhat more complete sequences and larger faunas are now known from elsewhere, but the San Juan Basin strata and faunas are classical and are still the standard of comparison for the most clearly established lower (Puercan), middle (Torrejonian), and upper (Tiffanian) stages and ages. The first geologist to distinguish clearly what are now known to be Paleocene beds in the San Juan Basin was Cope in 1S74. He named them "Puercan marls" (Cope, 1875) on the basis of beds along the upper Rio Puerco, and especially of a section west of the Rio Puerco southwest of the then settlement of Nacimiento and of the present town of Cuba, on the southern side of Cuba Mesa. Cope reported no fossils other than petrified wood, but in 1880 and later his collector, David Baldwin, found rather abundant mammals, described by Cope (1881 and later) in beds 50 miles and more to the west and northwest of the type locality but referred to the same formation. In the 1890's Wortman collected for the American Museum in the Puerco of Cope, and, on the basis of this work, Matthew (1897) recognized the presence of two quite distinct faunas of different ages.
    [Show full text]
  • Nebraska's Territorial Lawmaker, 1854-1867
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Great Plains Quarterly Great Plains Studies, Center for 1992 Frontier Solons: Nebraska's Territorial Lawmaker, 1854-1867 James B. Potts University of Wisconsin-La Cross Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsquarterly Part of the Other International and Area Studies Commons Potts, James B., "Frontier Solons: Nebraska's Territorial Lawmaker, 1854-1867" (1992). Great Plains Quarterly. 648. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsquarterly/648 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Great Plains Studies, Center for at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Great Plains Quarterly by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. FRONTIER SOLONS NEBRASKA'S TERRITORIAL LAWMAKERS, 1854,1867 JAMES B. POTTS In the thirty-seven years since Earl Pomeroy Nevertheless, certain facets of western po­ maintained that the political history of the mid­ litical development, including the role of ter­ nineteenth century American West needed ritorial assemblies, still require "study and "further study and clarification," Howard R. clarification." With few exceptions, territorial Lamar, Lewis Gould, Clark Spence, and other histories have focused upon the activities of fed­ specialists have produced detailed studies of po­ erally appointed territorial officials--governors, liticallife in the western territories. Their works secretaries, and, occasionally, judges---and upon have shed light on the everyday workings and the territorial delegates. 2 Considerably less study failures of the American territorial system and has been made of the territorial legislatures, have elucidated the distinctive political and locally elected lawmaking bodies that provide economic conditions that shaped local insti­ useful perspectives from which to examine fron­ tutions in Dakota, Wyoming, and other western tier political behavior and attitudes.
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Digital Model of the Arikaree Aquifer in the Sweetwater River Basin, Central Wyoming
    PRELIMINARY DIGITAL MODEL OF THE ARIKAREE AQUIFER IN THE SWEETWATER RIVER BASIN, CENTRAL WYOMING U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations 77-107 Open-File Report ATHFINDER RESERVOIR Prepared in cooperation with the Wyoming State Engineer BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA 1. Report No. 2. 3. Recipient's Accession No. SHEET 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date PRELIMINARY DIGITAL MODEL OF THE ARIKAREE AQUIFER IN THE September. 1977 SWEETWATER RIVER BASIN, CENTRAL WYOMING 6. 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Kept. William B. Borchert N°*USGS/WRI 77-107 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Project/Task/Work Unit No. U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division 2120 Capitol Avenue 11. Contract/Grant No. P. 0. Box 1125 Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address 13. Type of Report & Period U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division Covered 2120 Capitol Avenue Final P. 0. Box 1125 14. Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 15. Supplementary Notes Prepared in cooperation with the Wyoming State Engineer 16. AbstractsPotentially large supplies of ground water are available in the Sweetwater Rive basin from the Arikaree aquifer, which consists of the upper part of the White River, tb Arikaree, and the Ogallala Formations. A preliminary digital model was developed for tb Arikaree aquifer using a small amount of poorly distributed data, an estimated distri­ bution of recharge, and a conceptual model of the Arikaree aquifer flow system. Calibra­ tion of the model was based on reproduction of the potentiometric surface and the base flow of the Sweetwater River in November 1975. Calculated steady-state hydraulic heads were within 50 feet of the observed heads in about 98 percent of the nodes.
    [Show full text]
  • Fort Davy Crockett: Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge (Colorado)
    U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: REGION 6 - CULTURAL RECOURSE PROGRAM Fort Davy Crockett?: An Archaeological Mystery Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge – Northwest Colorado Summarized from: A Report on the Results of Limited Subsurface Testing at 5MF5478, a Proposed Site of Historic Fort Davy Crockett, Moffat County, Colorado Kristen D. Kent and Mona C. Charles, Department of Anthropology, Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado December 2004 Introduction The follow excerpts are from a 2004 report documenting archaeological testing at the possible location of Fort Davy Crocket on the Brown’s Park National Wildlife Refuge. Many studies and much research has been conducted over the years to try and determine if the remains found on a bluff overlooking the Green River on the Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge are indeed those of the Fort. This research adds additional insight into the mystery. Fort Davy Crockett In 1837 three fur trappers, Prewett Sinclair, Philip Thompson, and William Criag, formed a partnership and reportedly built Fort Davy Crockett that same year. The Fort was named after the famous Tennessee frontiersman who died at the Battle of the Alamo in Texas the previous year. Kit Carson, another famous frontiersman, trapper and scout is reported to have been employed by the owners of Fort Davy Crockett. In 1839 members of the Peoria Party on their way to Oregon reported staying at the Fort. A description of the Fort was provided in the recordings of Thomas Jefferson Farnham, leader of the Peoria Party. He described the Fort thus: The fort, as it is called, peered up in the centre, upon the winding banks of the Sheetskadee.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis and Correlation of Growth
    ANALYSIS AND CORRELATION OF GROWTH STRATA OF THE CRETACEOUS TO PALEOCENE LOWER DAWSON FORMATION: INSIGHT INTO THE TECTONO-STRATIGRAPHIC EVOLUTION OF THE COLORADO FRONT RANGE by Korey Tae Harvey A thesis submitted to the Faculty and Board of Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Geology). Golden, Colorado Date __________________________ Signed: ________________________ Korey Harvey Signed: ________________________ Dr. Jennifer Aschoff Thesis Advisor Golden, Colorado Date ___________________________ Signed: _________________________ Dr. Paul Santi Professor and Head Department of Geology and Geological Engineering ii ABSTRACT Despite numerous studies of Laramide-style (i.e., basement-cored) structures, their 4-dimensional structural evolution and relationship to adjacent sedimentary basins are not well understood. Analysis and correlation of growth strata along the eastern Colorado Front Range (CFR) help decipher the along-strike linkage of thrust structures and their affect on sediment dispersal. Growth strata, and the syntectonic unconformities within them, record the relative roles of uplift and deposition through time; when mapped along-strike, they provide insight into the location and geometry of structures through time. This paper presents an integrated structural- stratigraphic analysis and correlation of three growth-strata assemblages within the fluvial and fluvial megafan deposits of the lowermost Cretaceous to Paleocene Dawson Formation on the eastern CFR between Colorado Springs, CO and Sedalia, CO. Structural attitudes from 12 stratigraphic profiles at the three locales record dip discordances that highlight syntectonic unconformities within the growth strata packages. Eight traditional-type syntectonic unconformities were correlated along-strike of the eastern CFR distinguish six phases of uplift in the central portion of the CFR.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hispanic Experience in Central Nebraska
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences Great Plains Studies, Center for Spring 2001 Latinos Along the Platte: The Hispanic Experience in Central Nebraska Roger Davis University of Nebraska at Kearney Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch Part of the Other International and Area Studies Commons Davis, Roger, "Latinos Along the Platte: The Hispanic Experience in Central Nebraska" (2001). Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences. 601. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/601 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Great Plains Studies, Center for at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Great Plains Research 12 (Spring 2001): 27-50 © Copyright by the Center for Great Plains Studies LATINOS ALONG THE PLATTE: THE HISPANIC EXPERIENCE IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA Roger P. Davis Department of History University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, Nebraska 68849 [email protected] ABSTRACT -This essay examines the arrival and growth of Latino population, principally Mexican American, into the Platte River valley region of Nebraska from 1890 to 1996. It outlines the history of the push and pull factors of immigration from Mexico and the various phases and characteristics of Latino settlement in the Midwest generally and in Nebraska specifically. It reviews demographic patterns over the 20th century and concludes with observations based upon census projections that indicate that the Nebraska Latino community will become the state's primary minority community by 2025.
    [Show full text]
  • Geologic Studies of the Platte River, South-Central Nebraska and Adjacent Areas—Geologic Maps, Subsurface Study, and Geologic History
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Publications of the US Geological Survey US Geological Survey 2005 Geologic Studies of the Platte River, South-Central Nebraska and Adjacent Areas—Geologic Maps, Subsurface Study, and Geologic History Steven M. Condon Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgspubs Part of the Earth Sciences Commons Condon, Steven M., "Geologic Studies of the Platte River, South-Central Nebraska and Adjacent Areas—Geologic Maps, Subsurface Study, and Geologic History" (2005). Publications of the US Geological Survey. 22. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgspubs/22 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Publications of the US Geological Survey by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Geologic Studies of the Platte River, South- Central Nebraska and Adjacent Areas—Geologic Maps, Subsurface Study, and Geologic History Professional Paper 1706 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Studies of the Platte River, South-Central Nebraska and Adjacent Areas—Geologic Maps, Subsurface Study, and Geologic History By Steven M. Condon Professional Paper 1706 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior Gale A. Norton, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Charles G. Groat, Director Version 1.0, 2005 This publication and any updates to it are available online at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/pp1706/ Manuscript approved for publication, March 3, 2005 Text edited by James W. Hendley II Layout and design by Stephen L.
    [Show full text]
  • Reconnaissance for Uranium-Bearing Lignite in the Ekalaka Lignite Field, Carter County, Montana
    ~~) ~<~~~~~~ -J(p7r- ~ee~~ ~I Jo/09 fir} . Lfo..z, 0 Reconnaissance for Uranium-Bearing Lignite in the Ekalaka Lignite Field, Carter County, Montana By J. R. Gill Trace Elements ln'Vestigations Report 452 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OFFICIAL USE ONLY Geology .and Mineralogy This document consists of 2? pages ~ Series A · UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY RECONNAISSANCE FOR URANIUM-BEARING LIGNITE IN THE EKALAKA LIGNITE FIELD CARTER COUNTY, MONT ANA* By James Re G.ill July 1954 Trace Elements Inveatigations Report 45Z This preliminary report is distributed without editorial and technical review for conformity with offic1al standards and nomenclature. It is not for public inspection or quotation. When separated from Part II, handle Part I as 'UNCL~: SSIFIED. * This report concerns work done on behalf of the Division of Raw Materials of the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission. OFFICIAL USE ONLY ~ USGS - TEI-454 GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY Distribution (Series A) No. of copies Argonne Nati onal Laboratory . 1 ·Atomic Energy Commission, Vf ashington 1 Divi sion of Raw Materials~ Albuquerque 1 Divi sion of Raw Materials, Butte I Division of Raw Materials, Denver 1 Division of Raw Materials~ Douglas 1 Division of Raw Mate rials, Hot Springs • 1 Division of Raw Materials, Ishpeming 1 Divi sion of Raw Materials 1 Phoenix 1 Division of Raw Materials,·: Richfield 1 Di v ision of Raw Materi als, Salt Lake City • 1 Division of Raw Materials, Washington . 3 Explorati on Divis ion, Grand Junction Ope'rations Office • 1 Grand Junction Operations Office 1 Technic al Information Service, Oak Ridge .
    [Show full text]
  • Mineral Occurrence and Development Potential Report Rawlins Resource
    CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1-1 1.1 Purpose of Report ............................................................................................................1-1 1.2 Lands Involved and Record Data ....................................................................................1-2 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF GEOLOGY ...............................................................................................2-1 2.1 Physiography....................................................................................................................2-1 2.2 Stratigraphy ......................................................................................................................2-3 2.2.1 Precambrian Era....................................................................................................2-3 2.2.2 Paleozoic Era ........................................................................................................2-3 2.2.2.1 Cambrian System...................................................................................2-3 2.2.2.2 Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian Systems ........................................2-5 2.2.2.3 Mississippian System.............................................................................2-5 2.2.2.4 Pennsylvanian System...........................................................................2-5 2.2.2.5 Permian System.....................................................................................2-6
    [Show full text]
  • An Early Miocene Dome-Skulled Chalicothere
    PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CENTRAL PARK WEST AT 79TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10024 Number 3486, 45 pp., 26 ®gures, 8 tables October 27, 2005 An Early Miocene Dome-Skulled Chalicothere from the ``Arikaree'' Conglomerates of Darton: Calibrating the Ages of High Plains Paleovalleys Against Rocky Mountain Tectonism ROBERT M. HUNT, JR.1 CONTENTS Abstract ....................................................................... 2 Introduction .................................................................... 2 Geologic Setting ................................................................ 3 Systematic Paleontology ........................................................ 12 Age of the Dome-Skulled Chalicothere ........................................... 28 The ``Arikaree'' Conglomerates of N.H. Darton ................................... 32 Post-Laramide Evolution of the Rocky Mountains ................................. 39 Acknowledgments ............................................................. 42 References .................................................................... 42 1 Department of Geosciences, W436 Nebraska Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0549 ([email protected]). Copyright q American Museum of Natural History 2005 ISSN 0003-0082 2 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES NO. 3486 ABSTRACT Fragmentary skeletal remains discovered in 1979 in southeastern Wyoming, associated with a mammalian fauna of early Hemingfordian age (;18.2 to 18.8 Ma), represent the oldest known occurrence of dome-skulled chalicotheres
    [Show full text]
  • Geology and Coal Resources Op North Park, Colorado
    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIBECTOR' 596 GEOLOGY AND COAL RESOURCES OP NORTH PARK, COLORADO BY A. L. BEEKLY WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1915 CONTENTS. Page. Introduction _ ______ _,___________ 7 Location and area__ _ _ _____. __________1___ 7 Accessibility_________________________________ 8 Explorations in the region________________________ 8 Preparation of the map___________________________ 10 Base map_.______________________________ 10 ' Field work_______________________________ 10 Office work______________._________ __ 11 Acknowledgments_______________________________ 11 Geography ______________ ______________________ 12 Relief______________________________________ 12 Major features..____________.________________ 12 Medicine Bow Range_______.________ ______ 12 Park Range____________________________ 13 Continental Divide____________.___________ 13 Floor of the park____________ '._.___________ 13 Minor features________________:_. ______ 14 Drainage___________________ ______________ 16 Settlement__________i_______________________ 18 Stratigraphy __________ __________.___________ 19 Sedimentary rocks ______________________________ 19 Age and correlation.. ______!____ .___________ 19 Geologic section________________._________'_ 20 Carboniferous (?) system_______________________ 21 Pennsylvanfan or Permian (?) series______________ 21 Distribution and character_____.___________ 21 Stratigraphic relations________.___________ 21 Fossils_____________________________ 22 Triassic (?)
    [Show full text]
  • Geological Survey Research 1961 Synopsis of Geologic and Hydrologic Results
    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.
    [Show full text]