BEG 5.5 I A5 1973 COP 12 Bureau of Economic Geology 1 I The University of Texas at Austin I Austin, Texas W. L. Fisher, Director BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY RESEARCH AND SERVICE IN GEOLOGY f n~ niearch H Miner Environmental BE6 Bureau of Emnmic Geology tas Miner- - and Conservation 5 5 Problems Miner Annual Report 19n I <cog,L sing in, May 28, 1923, Reagan overy of oil on University Lands. BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY ANNUAL REPORT - 1973 RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES LABORATORIES Geology Building, Main Campus Balcones Research Center THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN W. L. FISHER, DIRECTOR BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY The Bureau of Economic Geology is a research bureau of The University of Texas at Austin; it also functions as a quasi-state agency. Established in 1909, it has for 64 years been recognized as the Texas State Geological Survey; its Director fills the position of State Geologist. The Bureau of Economic Geology also serves as a member agency of the State Interagency Council on Natural Resources and the Environment. The Bureau is engaged in research, both basic and applied, and public service in Texas geology and natural resources. The program of applied research is focused on mineral and land resources, environmental and conservation problems, and engineer- ing problems. The Bureau's efforts in systematic geologic mapping are designed to produce geologic and special derivative maps at several scales for all those concerned with resources and land use in Texas. The Bureau participates in other University research efforts in the fields of resources and earth sciences, including those of the Center for Research in Water Resources and the Marine Science Institute at Port Aransas. These two organizations, with the Bureau, constitute The University's Division of Natural Resources and Environment. The Bureau publishes major reports in The University of Texas Publication series and maintains its own series of Reports of Investigations, Atlases, Geologic Quadrangle Maps, Geological Circulars, Mineral Resource Circulars, and Special Publications. A complete list of publications is available on request. The geologic data developed by the Bureau of Economic Geology, in the form of scientific reports and geologic maps, are used by many state and federal organizations in carrying out investigations in the public service. The Texas Water Development Board, Texas Highway Department, Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Industrial Commission, Railroad Commission, General Land Office, Gov- ernor's Office, Attorney General's Office, and numerous other state departments, boards, conservation organizations, water districts, councils of government, and chambers of commerce utilize Bureau publications and services on both a formal and informal basis through interagency contracts and staff conferences. The Bureau also cooperates with federal agencies, such as the Geological Survey, National Aero- nautics and Space Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Reclamation, Corps of Engineers, and National Park Service. The mineral and geological information service offered by the Bureau of Economic Geology is used by public officials, private groups, corporations, and citizens through correspon- dence and conference. PUBLICATIONS IN 1973 In its role as a public geologic research unit, the Bureau of Economic Geology disseminates the results of research programs and projects primarily through its own publication series. During the 64-year history of the Bureau, nearly 700 reports, bulletins, and maps have been published covering all major aspects of the geology and natural resources of Texas. To date, approximately one million publications have been distributed, principally through direct sales. Distribution and publication inventory have steadily increased through the years. Bureau publications are made available to interested persons at a price determined to recover printing costs. A complete list of publications of the Bureau of Economic Geology is available on request. Environmental Geologic Atlas of the Texas Coastal Zone. and Mineral Plant Foods, May 15-17, 1972, at the Beaumont-Port Arthur Area, by W. L. Fisher, L. F. Brown, Joe C. Thompson Conference Center, The Univer- Jr., J. H. McGowen, and C. G. Groat. 93 pp., 23 figs., 9 sity of Texas at Austin. Joint sponsors of the maps, 13 tables ($6.75). Forum were the National Materials Policy Commis- sion. Washindon. D. C.. and The Universitv of This publication, the second of a series of seven ex& at ~uzin.1ncluded in the publicationware: (1) Statement on Energy Supply and Demand, by of the Texas presents an John J. McKetta; (2) Public Policy and the Future inventory of envhnments and resources of the Adequacy of Oil and Gas Supplies, by Stephen L. Beaumont-Port Arthur Zirea. Comprising Jefferson, ~~~~~ald;(3) Appetite Versus Technology: Orange, and parts of Newton, Jasper, Hardin, Prospects for Oil Supply in the U. S., by John M. Liberty, Chambers, and Galveston Counties, the Hills; (4) Natural Gas and U. S. National Policy, by study area extends from the 5-fathom line in the Frank B. Conselman:.., (5) What Our International ~ulfof Mexico to approximately 50 miles inland. Petroleum Policy Should Be, by Sherman A. The Beaumont-Port Arthur Atlas contains 9 Wengerd; (6) Energy Policy and the Long Run, by full-color maps, consisting of a basic environmental James W. McKie; (7) Petroleum, Public Policy, and geologic map and 8 special-use environmental Pollution, by John D. Haun; (8) Summary of maps. The basic environmental geologic map- Petroleum and Natural Gas Panel Discussion, by published at a scale of 1: 125,000-shows resource Samuel P. Ellison, Jr.; (9) Mineral Resources: The and environmental units (geologic substrate and Quality of Public Policy, by Peter T. Flawn; (10) A soils), biologic units, active and potentially active National Policy for Minerals Used in Plant Foods, physical process units, and man-made units. The by M. B. Gillis; (11) Mineral Plant Foods Policy, by special-use environmental maps are prepared at a G. L. Bridger; (12) Sulfur Resource Policy, by scale of 1:250,000. These maps include (1) Jared E. Hazleton; (13) Summary of Mineral Plant physical properties, (2) environments and biologic Food Policy Panel Discussion, prepared by assemblages, (3) current land use, (4) mineral and G. Donald Emigh; (14) Coal Problems, by energy resources, (5) active processes, (6) man- Hubert E. Risser; (15) Coal's Role in a National made features and water systems, (7) rainfall, Materials Policy, by Richard L. Gordon; (16) stream discharge, and surface salinity, and (8) Summary of Coal Policy Panel Discussion, pre- topography and bathymetry. The Environmental pared by Howard B. Palmer; (17) Materials Policy, Geologic Atlas is designed for use in regional Energy, and the Environment: A Problem for planning for improved use of coastal resources. Synthesis in Higher Education, by Lynton K. Additional sections of the Atlas are scheduled for Cald well; (18) Nuclear Energy Policy, by publication in the near future. Herbert H. Woodson; (19) Power from Nuclear Fusion-Problems and Promises, by Howard Drew and William E. Drummond; (20) Solar Power-Is It Special Publication. Tow~da National Policy on Energy a Feasible Option?, by Aden B. Meinel and Resources and Mineral Plant Foods, Samuel P. Ellison, Jr., Marjorie P. Meinel; (21) Summary of Nuclear, Editor. 128 pp., 48 figs., 22 tables ($3.00). Thermonuclear, Thermal, and Solar Energies Pol- icies Panel Discussion, prepared by Samuel P. This special publication contains papers that Ellison, Jr.; and (22) Conclusions, by Samuel P. were presented at a forum on Energy Resources Ellison, Jr. Guidebook 13. Geology of the Llano Region and Austin Cretaceous) and its transition into adjoining back- Area-Field Excursion, by V..E. Barnes, W. C. Bell, S. E. reef sediments and restricted lagoon deposits at six Clabaugh, P. E. Cloud, Jr., R. V. McGehee, P. U. Rodda, localities in four Central Texas counties. The and K. P. Young. 77 pp., 29 figs., 3 tables ($1.50). Edwards Reef Complex forms almost the entire Fredericksburg Group in field trip localities. The This guidebook covers a field excursion of 310 relationship of interreef and reef facies as well as miles in the Llano region of Central Texas where the lithology of the reef facies and interreef facies rocks ranging in age from Precambrian through are discussed in the guidebook. Written for a field Early Cretaceous are exposed. Seventeen represen- trip of the 1973 Annual Meeting of the Geological tative sites are described in detail within the text, Society of America, the guidebook includes a and geologic maps are provided for 10 areas, resume of regional stratigraphic descriptions and including Marble Falls and vicinity, Inks Lake and geologic history, and pertinent references. State Park, and the Sunrise Beach and Hoover Point areas of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson. Guide- book 13 is an updating of Bureau Guidebook 5-published in 1963 and now out of print-and a Geological Circular 73-1. Asbestos in the Allamoore Talc modification of "Geology of the Llano Region and District, Hudspeth and Culberson Counties, Texas, by R. G. Austin Area, Texas," by the Shreveport Geological Rohrbacher. 17 pp., 2 figs., 1 table ($0.75). Society (1971). In 1960, long-fiber asbestos was found in associ- ation with talc deposits of the Allamoore district. Preliminary exploratory work in the area indicated Guidebook 14. Pennsylvanian Depositional Systems in North-Central Texas: A Guide for Interpreting Temgenous the possible presence of commercially exploitable Clastic Facies in a Cratonic Basin, by L. F. Brown, Jr., quantities of asbestos. A. W. Cleaves 11, and A. W. Erxleben. 122 pp., 79 figs., 1 Included in the circular are discussions of the plate, 1 table ($3.00). regional geology, mineralogy, and conditions of formation of the Allamoore deposits, which are amphibole asbestos rather then chrysotile. The Bureau Guidebook 14 was prepared for a three- potential of the district also is described. day field trip of the 1973 Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America in Dallas.