Geological Survey Research 1960 Synopsis of Geologic Results GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 400-A Geological Survey Research 1960 THOMAS B. NOLAN, Director GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 400 A synopsis ofgeologic results, accompanied by short papers in the geological sciences. Published separately as chapters A and B UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1960 FOREWORD The activities of the United States Geological Survey encompass projects that span the full range of the geological sciences. The volume and complexity of such a research program make it difficult to review, coordinate, and release the results of the work as quickly as is de­ sirable; as a result considerable time normally elapses between the completion of many in­ vestigations and the publication of the final reports. And yet this same volume and com­ plexity make it the more essential that some means be found to digest and make available to all the new ideas and new discoveries that have been achieved. In an effort to help solve this problem the present volume has been prepared; it sum­ marizes the results of the recent work of the Geologic Division of the Survey. The report consists of two main parts: Chapter A, "Synopsis of Geologic Results," is primarily a summary of important new findings, either as yet unpublished or published during the fiscal year 1960 the 12 months ending June 30, 1960. It also includes a list of investigations in progress during that period, along with the names and headquarters of those in charge of each, and a list of reports published or otherwise made available to the public during the same period. Chapter B, "Short Papers in the Geological Sciences," consists of 232 papers, generally less than 1,000 words in length. These are of two kinds. Some papers are primarily announce­ ments of new discoveries or observations on problems of limited scope, regarding which more detailed and comprehensive reports may or may not be published later. Others summarize the conclusions drawn from extensive investigations that have been in progress for some time; these conclusions in large part will be embodied in much longer reports that will be published later. This report is frankly an experiment. Although both chapters in this volume deal largely with the work of the Geologic Division, it is hoped to expand the scope of the report in future years to include results obtained by other Divisions of the Geological Survey, and to issue it annually. But whether this is done, and whether future issues will be in the same form as this one, depends on how well this volume achieves the purposes described above. Comments and suggestions from those who use the volume will be appreciated and will help determine the content of the future ones. X, THOMAS B. NOLAN, Director. PEEFACE The main activities of the Geologic Division of the addresses of those in charge of them, in the hope that Geological Survey may be grouped into three main it may prove helpful to those interested in work in categories, defined by the immediate objectives that progress in various areas or topics. motivate them: (a) economic geology; (c) regional The results summarized here are presented in sev­ geology; and (b) research on geological processes and eral categories based on the immediate objectives of principles. The work in the field of economic geology the work or its applicability to some special field. is aimed primarily at developing information that will Those results that have mainly to do with economic be useful in the search for usable deposits of minerals problems are described on pages A1-A26; results and fuels, or help to solve problems connected with that bear mainly on the geology of specific regions are engineering works, such as the construction of high­ given on pages A26-A54; and those that deal mainly ways and dams. It also provides the nation with an with principles, processes, and methods of general in­ appraisal of its known and potential mineral resources. terest are discussed on pages A54-A73. Although The regional studies determine the structure, composi­ this classification of subject matter is a familiar one, tion, history, and distribution of the rocks that under­ it is nevertheless overlapping an investigation stimu­ lie the United States and other areas. Because this lated by economic objectives may also yield important work is essentially exploratory in nature, its underly­ results in the fields of regional and theoretical geology, ing purpose is also mainly economic, for it provides and so on. Limitations of both space and time pre­ the basis for the broad appraisal of the potential min­ vent us from including an index to chapter A, but gen­ eral resources of undeveloped areas. The research on eral cross-references are given at appropriate places geologic processes and principles consists of observa­ in the text. We hope that these, together with the tional, experimental, or theoretical investigations in table of contents, will guide the reader to the topic in the field and in the laboratory, aimed at improving our which he is most interested. The short papers of understanding of geologic processes and principles and chapter B are arranged topically and in addition are hence developing and extending the usefulness of the accompanied by a short index. geologic sciences. In addition, an important part of During fiscal year 1960, the Geologic Division's serv­ the Division's work consists of services to other Fed­ ices were utilized by and financially supported to eral agencies that either do not have geologic staffs some extent by the following organizations: of their own or that require some of the special skills Federal Agencies: of the Division's scientists. Air Force Cambridge Research Center Nearly all of the Division's activities yield new data Air Force Technical Application Center and principles valuable in the development or appli­ Army Corps of Engineers cation of the geologic sciences, and it is the purpose of Army Engineer Research and Development Labo­ chapter A to summarize the highlights of important ratory findings that have come to the fore during fiscal year Army Waterways Experiment Station 1960. Some of these have been published or placed on Atomic Energy Commission Division of Biology open file during the year, some are published in chap­ and Medicine ter B of this volume, and some have not yet been pub- Atomic Energy Commission Division of Reactor published elsewhere at all. Only a part of the results Development released during this period can be reported here, even Atomic Energy Commission Military Applica­ in summary fashion, and the reader who needs more tion Division complete and detailed information will wish to con­ Atomic Energy Commission Raw Materials Di­ sult the publications listed on pages A107-A127 and vision the papers in chapter B. Atomic Energy Commission Research Division A comprehensive list of investigations in progress Atomic Energy Commission Special Projects Di­ is given on pages A76-A106, with the names and vision VI PREFACE Bureau of Indian Affairs Commonwealth: Bureau of Mines Puerto Rico Economic Development Administra­ Bureau of Land Management tion Bureau of Public Eoads Bureau of Eeclamation In addition to the agencies named above, the Geo­ Department of Agriculture logic Division has cooperated from time to time with International Cooperation Administration other organizations, and some of the results described National Institutes of Health Cancer Institute in the following pages stem from work supported in National Park Service previous years by agencies not listed above. All co­ National Science Foundation operating agencies are identified where appropriate in Navy Bureau of Docks the individual papers of chapter B, and they are men­ Navy Office of Naval Research tioned in connection with some of the larger programs Office of Minerals Exploration in chapter A. Space limitations make it impossible Office of Minerals Mobilization to identify their contributions in connection with many State Agencies: of the short statements in the following pages but it is Arkansas Geological and Conservation Commis­ sion a pleasure to acknowledge here the financial support California Department of Natural Eesources, Di­ and splendid technical cooperation we have received vision of Mines from all of them. Colorado State Metal Mining Fund Board Nearly everyone in the Geologic Division contrib­ Connecticut Geological and Natural History Sur­ uted directly or indirectly to this report, which was vey prepared between March and June 1960, but the chief Commission of Public Lands, Hawaii responsibilities for it were held as follows: V. E. State Geological Survey of Kansas, University of McKelvey planned and directed all phases of the prep­ Kansas aration of the report, and assembled chapter A from Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Ken­ information supplied by many project chiefs and pro­ tucky gram leaders. R. A. Weeks and R. L. Boardman com­ Massachusetts Department of Public Works piled the list of investigations in progress, and David Department of Conservation, Geological Survey Gallagher compiled the list of publications and the Division, State of Michigan index to chapter B. Doris I. Kniffin managed the New Hampshire State Planning and Develop­ clerical aspects of the project. J. P. Albers and A. B. ment Commission Griggs helped process the papers of chapter B, and Nevada Bureau of Mines, University of Nevada North Carolina Department of Conservation and F. C. Calkins critically reviewed nearly all of both Development chapters and vastly improved their style and expres­ Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey, De­ sion. I am deeply grateful to these people and to the partment of Internal Affairs, Commonwealth of members of the Division as a whole for their enthu­ Pennsylvania siastic support of this undertaking. State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Washington Department of Conservation, Divi­ sion of Mines and Geology 0 Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Sur­ vey, University of Wisconsin CHARLES A.