9 1976
Ltorary
and Geologic Sur"Ve:Y.'
Harrisburg, Pa.
CpMMONWEAL TH OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Raymond P. Shafer, Governor
STATE PLANNING BOARD
. Irving Hand, Executive Director
Topographic and Geologic Survey
Arthur A. Socolow, State Geologist
CONTENTS
The State Ge~logist Reports ~ . \ ~· .'..' ·: .. ~~ .............• • : ·.•• · ,r.~-~~~-·
~
~.'
New Oil and Gas Base' Maps Available .. )~~-· .... ~: ~·· ..... · · · • ·>·~·::
New Environmental Course ..· .•.•. i . /~ . : ... ~· i . . . . . . . .' . . . . , ~a··.·.
!
:
'
''\.
i ' ,' I . ..
'
'.
'
I
,
'
I
/
'
\ •
''.
..,. '\. _ ·,, ' :
1
Salty New Salt Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . ~· . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Future Deep Drilling in Pennsylvania : . . · .... ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Survey Reports Answer Many Ouestiqns:· ~:· ) . ·. ·•.•. ~- ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Rain Water Not SoPu,re . . . . . . . ~.
~:~ .~~
7
Measuring Landscape ·~ppea.l .. :..•
; ... ~ ,.~ ~ . ·. ·, . . . . . . . . . . . . · 7
Water Use in the Nation .. -~ ." .· .• <.>~-~ .•. ·: . •.. ~ . ·~ ............. 8
Earth Science Teacher'sCorner ... ::·~ . :..•••... -...........••• 10 .
Fossils Galore . . . . . . ·:~ /; .. '. ·. : . ,' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ .. ~ ~ ,,1i<l
,'S~rvey_Anriouncements : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >~ <..~''}:(
tialendaf
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • ·~ .: .• ~< 15 •·
'M_fnercll:~cot'lecting Clubs in Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . ·.. i.16
(.> .· .. ·:· .. ...........
..
of
.•
ON THE COVER- Folds in Helderberg limestone, north of Blain, Perry County.
. PENN~YLVANiA-. GEOLOGY is published bimonthly by_the.Topo~~raphic a~d.'.Ge(),logic ~Sot~i~y, Main Capitol Anne~, Harrisburg, Pe~nsylvania,
·171.i2_·o.;·_,··..>·
:-~(\/•::·:c. 'r/,;
t
'
I~
~.-
. :.
i_:.
.:··.-·'.-~
-
-·
·J·\:
'I
·
·
•
·,_.:~: .. .-.,.
~-:<•.-· ..
,., ·.'
FEBRUARY 197(f
FROM THE DESK
OF THE
STATE GEOLOGIST .. .
GEO LOGY- A PLANNING TOO L
T he effect of geology o n man's activities and the relationships of geology
to land use has a long and fascinating history. It has its beginnings w ith st one age
man and man the cliff dweller. T oday, we see it in such form s as the search for
uranium to fuel our atomic era, t he geo-political imp lication of Middle East oil,
and the awakening interest in conservatio n of such geologic features as the
Everglades and the Grand Canyon .
Along the road of history , geology has stimulated trade ro utes and colonialism (for better or worse ) as nations needed more mineral r esources. Geology
has controlled the locations of seaports and the paths of continental transportation by way of rivers and va lleys through the mountains. Along the way, it was
recogn ized t hat the qual ity of soils was a function of the underlying rocks, as is
t he qual ity and quantity of water.
The Pennsylvania Geological Survey has released a new map w hich further
highlights t he effect of geology upon ou r environment. The limestone map announced in this issue d elineates a signif ica nt portion of Penn sylvania's land area
wh ich is underlain by rock s of mi xed blessings. These limestone-dolom ite rock
areas are commonl y hazards and trouble spots for construction due t o caves and
sinkho les; planners and engineers are well advised to plan accordingly. Yet these
same limestone-dolomite areas ma y have rich soil ideal for f arm i ng, may yield
large amounts of good water for consumption, and may serve as excellent raw
material sources for lime, cement, or crushed st one.
The Pennsy lvania Geologica l Survey is actively concerned with the effect
of geology on man's activities, w hether it be geologic features as hazards or as
resources. We recogn ize that it is not enough to map and name the rocks and
minerals of Pennsylvania - we mu st go one step further and define their impact
on man's land use and environment. Geology is t hus a valuable tool for planning,
f or conservation, and for efficient expansio n of man's many ac tivi ties.
NEW OIL AND GAS
BASE MAPS AVAILABLE
Four base maps showing locations of oil and gas wells are now avai lable.
Each base map encompasses four, 15-minute topographic quadrangles and is at
the same scale of 1 inch equals a mile. A 5-minute grid, quadrangle name, county
boundaries, and major rivers and towns make up the background of the base
map. A ll deep wells known and all shallow we lls on record w ith the Pennsylvania
Geo logica l Survey since 1956 are located, and t he status (dr y, oil producing, gas
producing, etc.) are shown by symbol. Deep wells (Tully Formation or deeper)
are differentiated and elevation and total depth are shown. Symbols indicate the
avai labili ty of geophysical log and sample data on open fi le in the Survey's Oil
and Gas Division office in Pittsburgh. An index map with the legend shows the
outlines of oil and gas fields w ith in the mapped area, thus indicating areas of
extensive pre- 1956 drilling. A listing of the field names is also included.
Also available at the same scale is a separate map, which superim poses oil
and gas f ield outlines on the base map. This base plus field map is usable· for
delineating more accurately and directly areas of extensive pre-1956 shallow well
drilling.
Paper prints of the bases alone or the bases with field limits can be ob·
tained by w riting to the Pennsylvania Division of Documents, 1Oth and Market
Streets, Harrisburg, Pa. 17125. Cost of each base map is S0.50, plus 6 percent
state sales tax. A check for the appropriate tota l amount made out to Commonwea lth of Pennsylvania must accompany the ord er. When ordering please specify
the map number. If you wish the map w hich includes the f ield outlines, add the
letter "A" to the map number.
AVAILABLE BASE MAPS
Designation
Map 16 o r 16A
Map 17 or 17A
Map 18 or 18A
Map 19 or 19A
Quadrangles Encompassed by Mapped Area
Corry, Tidioute, Titusville, Youngsville
Kane, Kinzua, Sheffield, Warren
Clarion, Foxbu rg, Oil City, Tionesta
Brookville, DuBois, Hallton, Marienville
An index showing the locatio n of the completed bases may be obtained
upon request f rom the Pittsburgh Branch of the Pennsylvania Geological Survey,
401 Pittsburgh State Office Bldg., 300 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222. A
cross index of state permit numbers with quadrangle map num bers used on the
base maps is also available from t he Survey. This index is arranged by quadrangles. Please specify the quadrangle when requesting this listing.
2
The Survey w ill be keep ing the base maps continu ously up to date. However, t o avo id excessive reproduction time and expense, base map prin ts w ill be
updated only tw ice a year. In t he event there is considerable drill ing activity
locally during a period, revision of t he appropriat e map may be more f requent.
The Survey's Base Map Program has rece ived mu ch encouragement f r om
various sources. T he d istribution of wells and location of areas of producti on has
considerable application outside of the o il and gas industry. Well s drilled repre·
sent th e onl y source for subsurface geological-eng ineering data. Util ization of
avai lable subsurface i nformat ion enables del ineation of ground-water potential
and near surface wat er pollut io n, pr ojection of econom ic deposits of coal, lime·
stone, clays and other m inable, or environmenta ll y important resources into the
immediate subsurface, and also the evaluation of subsurface disposal of effluent
wastes, potential solution m inable sa lt deposits and economic sa line brines. Consequently, t he Base Map Program wi ll present t o varied industry, government,
and individuals locations for sources of subsurface data, or w ill contain the data
that w ill affor d more accurate evaluation of total resources in sma ll or large areas
th roughout western Pennsylvania.
NEW ENVIRONMENTAL COURSE
Columbia University has introduced a degree-granting pr ogram in environmental science and engineering. Subjects inc lude ecological imbalance, pollution,
resou r ce protection and environmental contro l. Graduate students of the School
of Engineering and Appl ied Science w ill be able to earn master's and Ph.D.
degrees in this f ield for t he first t ime. They will take courses in eight d epart·
ments at the Co lumbia campus including biology, chem ical and electr ical
engineering, geography, geology, and urban planning.
T he program w ill emphasize the broad aspects of man's interactions w ith
his environment , encompass ing such stud ies as ecosyst em analysis of re lation·
ships between populations and their environments; plann ing for the use, develop·
ment and protection of primary resources (a ir, water, and land) ; and the de·
velopment of methods for the control of envi ronments and t he restoration of
those that have been damaged by human activ ities.
GEOLOGIC A L SOCIETY OFFICER
State geologist Arthur A . Socolow has been re-elected to a second four
year term as Secretary-Treasurer of t he Northeast Section of the Geological
Society of America.
3
SALTY NEW SALT REPORT
The New York Geologica l Survey has just published Map and Chart Series
Number 12, tit led Stratigraphy of the Upper Silurian Salina Group New York,
Pennsylvania, Ohio and Ontario by Lawrence V. Rickard. This wel l-organized
and illustrated report presents a detailed and comprehensive regional analysis of
the u nderground Salina salt-rich roc ks in the Appa lach ian Basin which comprises
portions of Ohio, Pennsy lva nia, New York and the Canadian Provi nce of
Ontario. The 7 figures, 12 plates, 10 maps, 4 geo logic cross sections and 3
appendices docu ment the shape, th ickness, and distribution of salt as well as the
over lying, underlying, and adjacent rocks of the salt basin.
The report was developed from an exam inatio n of well cuttings and
gamma -ray logs from 435 deep well s. The subsu rface geology deve loped from
these deep wells is tied to the surface sa lt section wh ich is exposed along the
northern portion of the basi n.
This New York report, Map and Chart Series Number 12, is available from
the New York State Museum, Alba ny, New York for S5.00, payable to the New
York State Education Department.
The New York Geological Survey effort compleme nts the published reports of the Pennsylvan ia Geologica l Survey which have treated the Salina salt.
The Pennsylvania pu blications include the fo ll owing:
Cate, A.S. 1961, Stratigraphic Studies of the Silurian Rocks of Pennsy lvania,
Part 1; Pa. Topo. and Geol. Su rvey, Spec. Bull. 10. $1.75.
_ _ , 1965, Stratigraphic Studies of the Silurian Rocks of Pennsylvania,
Part 2 ; Pa. Topo. and Geol. Survey, Spec. Bull. 11. $2. 10.
Fergusson, W.B. and Prather, B.A. 1968, Stratigraphy of the Salina Group in
Pennsylvania: Pa. Topo. and Geol. Survey, Mineral Resources Rept. M
58. S0.55.
Fettke, C. R. 1955, Preliminary Report Occurrence of Rock Salt in Pennsylvania: Pa. Topo. and Geol. Survey Prog. Rept. 145. S0.25.
These Pennsylvania Geological Survey publicatio ns may be ordered from
Division of Docu ments, 1Oth and Market Streets, Harrisburg, Pa. 171 25, with
payment, plus 6 percent state sales tax.
HOW ABOUT SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS
At the recent In ternational Symposium on the Hydrology of Glaciers,
scienti sts of the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Army proposed the possibility of t owing icebergs to communities that face a fresh water shortage. What a
sight they would be, sailing up the Delaware, Ohio, and Susquehanna Ri vers.
4
A
expl ~~o~~SY~~
VAN
FUTURE DEEP DRILLING IN
Successfu l gas
the Cambrian and Lower Ordovician rocks i n eastern Ohio may be
the impetus for renewed deep
drilling to these strat a in Pennsyl-
IAN
ERIE
I
L__
tt
-9-
~--~---A-Y
-<?-Y
ASHTABULA
1
~-
1
. <i
vania.
tt
2
..
2:z
~~~~s
CRAwFoRD
:
~
:
,
Interest was ignited in 1968
51~
~
1
by the initiall y r eported potential
~---- --;-- ---~- ~r
of 14.5 mi llion cubic feet of gas per
I
1
day discovered in the Cambrian and
:
tJ
ti
:
Lower Ordovician dolomites at a
1
:
MERCER
~ "
depth of 8,094-8, 11 4 feet, in
I
1
)- " <)
Columbiana County, Oh io (Denny
:----- - -j- -- --,v6- _... /
No. 1,East0hioG as,seeFigure).
IDeonyNol
:
/
:J ·
1
During 1969, eight wel ls we re re14 5MMc l
L Aw RENCE (
.· Q
0.
~-~
I
." ..e
"'
ported in easternmost Ohio and one
was dril led in Marshall County,
..- V 3 weus . . - - - - .
~f2r-.
CA Sell No.I
.Q o
West Virginia less than 1 m ile from
~IO MMct
.<
the Pennsylvania border. One of the
-1~oLuMB~NA : BEAvER ·
., (j")
0~
wells (Sell No. 1, T ri -State Pro,... __
g
duc ing ), a l so in Co lum b iana
r-'
' ~
/0
-~
I HANCOCK~ 1
/
I
County, reported an initi ~J I potenr
)
ALLEGH ENY
1
t ial of 10 millio n cubic feet of gas
~. -i
per day from the dolomite.
~HARRISON , •
'-.....
d
T he gas traps are related to
..- I
/
permeable zones below a regi onal
~WASHINGToN ~-)
uncon form i ty extending across
.;
~' z
'-,-'~~ § ~ · ~
,..,Pre
Ohio and west ern Pennsylvania (see
6r:- -':l' _,..
1969,9 69
Figure). Above the unco nformity
Ji!:
l~/"
1
r--~
Gas w~ll
lie M iddle Ordovician limest ones
.
' GREENE Show 9 as ¥
tf
and shales, and below it are Lower
{M ARSHALL !
Dr, hole + -9"
•
lnlotmot•on
Ordov icia n dolomites and Upper
)--- - .....1..._ --~'!"-- -·--Cambrian dolomites and sandstones
:
S
wh ich t hin to the north and west.
-'
In Erie and Crawford Counties, Pennsylva nia, t wo wells d rilled into
Cambrian sandstones underlying the unconformity produced gas. In Colum biana
County, the gas-producing do lomite lies between the sandstone and the unconform ity, the do lomite disappearing by truncatio n in northwestern Pennsylvania
and northeastern Ohio. Thus gas production appears to be related t o the li t hology th at lies below the unconformity.
The gas in Oh io ho lds promise of productio n for Pennsylvan ia because the
Ohio Cambrian and Lower Ordovician rocks w ith th eir attendant porous and
permeable reservoir zones extend eastward into Pennsylvania. In t he northwest ern count ies, we lls reaching this interval have consistently yielded shows of
gas, salt water, or both. In t he southwestern part of the state, no well has yet
been drilled deep enough, but from t he Columbiana County information th at
has been released, t he only d ifference between Pennsylvania and Ohio is a deeper
depth in Pennsylvania-1 0,000 feet in Beaver County, 12,000 feet in A lleghen y
County, and 14,000 feet in Greene County. In add ition, Pennsylva nia offers a
t hicker sequence of dolomites to explore.
I
J
*- ---- ,
.-
I
g
..{'...rj
_,_i
·
r --<
',,
J'
_J_ ../--- .
/)
--.. ( J
*
*
5
SURVEY REPORTS ANSWER
MANY QUESTIONS
BEFORE CONSTRUCTION, DETAILED
GEOLOGIC FOUNDATION INVESTI·
GATIONS WILL SHOW WHERE SINK·
HOLES AND CAVES EXIST
STRUCTURES
MAY BE DE·
SIGNED TO FIT
THE S ITUA·
TION
HIGH COSTS OF
FUTURE MAIN·
Alan R. Geyer
William G. McGlade
En vironmental
Geology Division
RAIN WATER NOT SO PURE
Rain or snow that reaches the earth on the eastern United States is far
from "pure" water, according to chemical studies by a hydrologist of the U.S.
Geological Survey.
Research chemist, D. W. Fisher, said that water from precipitation fal ling
over r elatively contaminant-free areas, conta ins some sea salts, sodium -calcium
bicarbonates, and sulfuric and nitric acids.
T he rai n and snow over the northeast have acid components w hile the
precipitation in the marine environment around St. Thomas is on the salty side.
Sea salts and bicarbonates predominate close to the mid-Atlantic coast.
To gather the p recipitatio n samples, Survey hydrologists set up a network
cons isting of 52 collect ion stations. The stations were selected t o obtain representative samp les in rel ative ly uncontami nated areas.
Wh ile almost all the selected sites are located in sparsely populated areas,
two sites- one at Norfolk, Virginia, and one at the airport in A lbany, New York
were chosen to provide comparative data from urban areas. At these sites, high
calcium and sulfate concentrations appear to be the most noticeable effect of
the urban-industria l atmospheres on precipitation quality.
The Survey scientist reported that on St. Thoma s, average levels of
sodium, chlor ide, and bicarbonate in precipitation are about 5, 7. and 11 parts
per million, respectively.
In continental rainfall su lfate is quite noticeable. Concentrations of sulfate
in eastern North Carolina are about 2.3 ppm, and are about 4. 7 ppm in rural
upst ate New York. At these concentrations, precipitation w i ll dump about 7
tons of sulfate per square mile on North Carolina annually, and about 14 tons
per square m ile on New York State, assuming about 40 inches of rainfall for the
year.
MEASURING LANDSCAPE APPEAL
A numerica l method for determ ining landscape "appeal" has been pro·
posed by Dr. Luna B. Leopold, senior research scientist w it h the U.S. Geological
Survey. By assigning numerical values to salient characteristics of landscapes,
environmentalists would have a measuring tool for judging landscape esthetics
dispassionately, w ithout relying on subjective judgment, doll ar value, or sen timental appeal. Such a system would provide a potential statistical framework for
successfu l plann ing and decision making.
Leopold 's system is based on a "uniqueness rat io" - obtained by assignment of values to landscape char acteristics, including the physical , biological,
and human interest features it offers. A list of 46 items compiled to describe a
river valley included such factors as "erosion of river banks," "water color,"
"trash and litter," "vistas," and "urbanization".
By making a factor-by-factor comparison, landscapes can be evaluated for
their relative uniqueness.
7
WATER USE
The Nation as a whole receives an average of about 30 inches of precipitation annually; that is, the annual fall, if it were possible to accumulate, would
cover the whole country to a uniform depth of about 2% feet. Almost threefourths of the total precipitated water is returned to the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration (plant-breathing). The remaining one-fourth contributes
to runoff in streams, and ground-water storage, and constitutes the water available for withdrawal use. This available quarter can be expressed as an average
yield of 1.3 trillion gallons per day. This is equivalent to about 7,500 gallons
each day for every man, woman, and child in the country. This latter amount is
about what could be stored in a cubical box 10 feet on a side.
Though we think of water use in the home as the principal reason for
having a municipal system, the largest use of water from municipal systems is by
industry. There are many industrial plants which find it more economical to buy
water from the city than to provide individual supplies from wells or reservoirs.
The average water use for industrial purposes from public supplies can best be
stated in relation to the population of the city. Average use by commerce and
industry is about 70 gallons per capita per day.
Domestic use of water refers to the use of water in the home for drinking,
cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and bathing. A second principal use is for
toilet flushing, and a third is lawn and garden sprinkling. The average use per
person in an American home varies between about 20 to 80 gallons per day.
Listed below are some typical figures on the amount of water necessary for
certain home operations:
Flush a toilet
3 gallons
Tub bath
30 to 40 gallons
Shower bath
20 to 30 gallons
Wash dishes
10 gallons
Run a washing machine 20 to 30 gallons
Water used for normal household purposes is not consumed; most is put
into the surface streams through sewerage systems. Municipal and industrial uses
are considered generally nonconsumptive because of such return in contrast to
irrigation, which is the largest consumptive use. Much irrigation water is transpired to the atmosphere as vapor by plants or evaporated from the soil, thus the
water is consumed, or lost to immediate future use by man.
Water use varies during the day and during the week in a way to reflect
interesting details of American home life. Use is, of course, low during the night
but increases rapidly to a maximum between 8 and 9 o'clock in the morning.
Another peak use occurs at dinner time between 6 and 8 o'clock in the evening.
Though there is variation in maximum peak between cities, this difference is
interpreted to mean that more people take baths and showers in the morning
than at bedtime. Also, an extra heavy peak occurs on Saturday night in many
cities; so it appears that the Saturday night bath is still a reality.
8
IN THE NATION
Besides domestic and industrial uses, there are two other main classes of
water use of municipal supplies. The first, public use, includes fire extinguishing,
street cleaning, public-building use, and maintenance of public parks. This accounts for about 10 gallons per capita per day. The second class of water
consumption in a city is loss of unaccounted-for waste. Leaks from water mains
and unmeasured leaks from faucets, as well as errors of measurement appear to
contribute to this loss. This item is amazingly large, and even careful construction and management cannot reduce it to less than 20 percent of the total use.
In total, the average use of water per capita in American cities (domestic,
industrial, public, etc.) now exceeds 150 gallons per day, having risen progressively with the increase in industry. In 1920, the average use was only about 115
gallons per capita per day; more than a 30 percent increase has taken place in the
last 40 years.
Annual use of water in the United States, excluding waterpower, may be
summarized as follows:
Total withdrawn
(million gallons
per day)
Public supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rural use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Irrigation:
Delivered to farms . . . . . . . . . 81,000
Lost from canals . . . . . . . . . . 29,000
Total Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Self-supplied industrial . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percent
17,000
3,000
7
34
12
110,000
110,000
240,000
46
46
100
The United States is in the happy circumstance of being well supplied with
water. After nature takes its share of water which falls as precipitation, there is
available for man's use about 7,500 gallons of water per day for every citizen in
the country. Of this available water, we presently use about 1 gallon out of every
5. In a national sense, then, the country is not likely to run out of water in any
foreseeable future. But because water is not uniformly available in various parts
of the Nation, it is necessary to bring water from places of excesses to places of
shortage. Such transport of water, whether in river channels, canals, or pipes,
costs money. There is an economic limit involving movement of water to places
where it is in short supply. In this sense, then, available water is limited principally by how much any area or group can afford to spend to increase its local
supply. Where water is in short supply, obviously, conservation is both desirable
and necessary. Conservation means minimizing useless water waste and applying
available water to those uses which give the greatest social and economic benefit.
From "A Primer on Water", which is available through the Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C., 20402 for 35 cents per copy.
·9
IEAR.l'IH! §ClliENCIE
l'IEACCIHIIER.§ CCOR.NIER.
9
PENNSYLVANIA EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE REVISION
T he current approach to the teach ing of Earth and Space Science ret ains
the ph ilosop hy t hat this is a course for all students. The new writing team, under
the d irect ion of the Bureau of Genera l and Academic Education of t he Depart·
me nt of Ed ucation, feels strongly that Earth and Space Science is a course t hat is
of great val ue to students of all abilities. Wit h th is th ought in mind it becomes
essentia l that the stimulatio n of interest must be placed hi gh on the list of
objectives fo r the cou rse.
As an examp le of the concern for student interest, the new gu ide will
begin t he stud y of geo logy w ith a d iscussion of la ndforms which t he pupils can
observe in t heir own immediat e area rather than the fo rmer treatme nt of the
materia ls of which the earth is composed. A series of questions which the
teacher might ask is designed to lead t he students t o th e realization of t he
d iffe re nces bet ween landfor ms and th en to an awa reness of t he fac t that these
d iffere nces are re lated to variati o ns in materi als and processes wh ich operate
over periods of t ime. Th e logic of beginning t he study of geology with the
surface features of the earth is t hat al l student s have some firsthand know ledge
of surface featu res and ca n observe them in their home areas.
The rev ised t eaching gu ide is expected to be ava ilab le in September of
1970 .
SPACE SCIENCE SLIDES AVAILABLE
" Focus From Outer Space," a set of 24 color slides (35mm) of the most
spectacu lar NASA photographs from t he Gemini and Apollo programs is available for $3.50 from t he Advertising Department, Carl Zeiss Inc., 444 Fifth
Avenue, N.Y., N.Y., 10018. Twelve of the set of 24 are from the recent Apo llo
11 missio n to the moon. The slides come in a sma ll boo kl et wit h each identified
and documented. Payment must accompany your order.
10
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY'S LEAFLET SERIES
Several new U.S.G.S. Leaflets have been added to this popular geology
series. "Geologic Maps, Portraits of the Earth" is 19 pages in length and describes how to make geologic maps, what they show, and how they are used.
"Why Is The Ocean Salty?" is a 15-page leaflet describing why the sea is
not fresh, the chemistry of sea water, the variability of salinity in the sea, how
sea life affects sea water's composition, the origin of the sea, and the source of
the salt.
The U.S.G.S. displayed a specimen of moon rock at the Geological Society
of America's annual meeting in November. Accompanying this display was an
excellent new pamphlet titled, Steps To The Moon. This 35-page booklet describes views of the moon, its craters, the maria, and pictures from Apollo 8, 10,
and 11. The booklet is an excellent reference for your library and your students.
These leaflets and booklet are free of charge; write to the Information
Office, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C., 20242.
NEW SPACE FILMS
Apollo 11 for All Mankind is a special film available from NASA. This is
an excellent documentary on the flight of the Apollo 11 spacecraft. Superb
photographs of the moon from the command module as well as from the LEM
are included. The film is in color and is approximately 30 minutes in length.
The Eagle Has Landed - Flight of Apollo 11 documents the Apollo 11
mission from the launching of the Saturn V-Apollo vehicle on July 16, 1969,
through the lunar landing on July 20, 1969, and the return of the astronauts
Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins. It is in color and is 29 minutes in length. This
film is available from The Film Center, 915 12th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.,
20005.
GEOLOGY SLIDES AVAILABLE
A complete earth science series of slides that provides coverage of all the
areas of physical geology is now available at a relatively low cost. The slides are
arranged in sets dealing with glaciers, rivers and ground water, mountains, vulcanism, diastrophism and topographic maps. For further information write to:
Balkwill Color Slides, 1423 Twelfth Ave., Grafton, Wisconsin 53024.
11
FOSSILS GALORE
Have you ever heard of Brush
Valley in Centre County? This sma ll , picturesque valley represents one of t he best
fossil-collecting areas in central Pennsylvania. O n ly one road, Route 192,
traverses th is va lley between Rebersburg
and Livonia and m idway between these two commu nities can be fou nd some
fabu lous fossil remains of an Ordovician sea. Most of t he fossils can be found in
two large road cuts where the layers of limestone are exposed. Ample parking is
available at t hese road cut s and traffic along Route 192 is light. In general, thi s is
an ideal spot to stop and co llect.
Excellent specimens of some
brachiopods, bryozoans, trilobites,
and crino ids may be found. Carefu l
collecting w ill turn up many smaller
fossils and some that have weath·
ered free of t he enclosing lime·
stone.
The limestone exposed here is
called the Nealmont Formation and
is Upper Ordovician (425 million
years ago) in age. Some layers of
t his limestone ar e almost entirely
fossil hash.
Alan R. Geyer
12
SURVEY ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW LIMESTONE AND DOLOMITE MAP
A new two-color map issued by the Pennsylvania Geological Survey shows
the distribution of limestone and dolomite rocks in Pennsylvania. Map Number
15, prepared by William G. McGlade of th e Survey Staff, is 12" x 18" and is
ava ilable free upon requ est from t he Survey. In Pennsylvani a, limestones and
dolomites usuall y contain abundant ground-water supplies. They are also an
important mineral resou rce in providing crushed stone for construction and road
building, as well as raw material for cement and lime. On the other hand,
carbonate rocks may present hazard s and constructio n problems because of the
development of "sinkhol es" and other forms of solution cavities. So the key
words for carbonate rocks are: MINERAL RESOURCE - FAVORABLE
GROUND WATER SUPPL Y· POTENTIAL ENGINEERING PROBLEM.
Publicati ons of the Pennsylvania Geologica l Survey which refer to carbonate rocks of Pennsylvania are listed on the reverse side of the new m ap; these
publications can be useful in detailing particular ar eas of interest .
PENNSYLVANIA PLATEAU PRECAMBRIAN ROCKS
The oldest rocks found at the surface in Pennsylvania occur in th e south·
eastern part of the State. However, these rocks, known as Precambri an, also
occur at great depth below the present surface throughout the State. Several
holes were drilled in Erie, Mercer, and Crawford Counties which penetrat ed this
old Precambrian r ock at depths of from more t han 1 m ile to almost 2 m iles.
The locati on and geologic descri pti on of these drill-hole samples was reported recently by Timothy E. Saylor in a new publication, The Precambrian in
the Subsurface of North western Pennsylvania, Pennsylvani a Geological Survey
Information Circular 62. The rock t ypes found and described are gr an it e pegmatite, gr anitic schist, biotite phy lli te, quartz-biotite gneiss, a hornblende-bearing
gneiss, and a granite gneiss. These r ocks are at least 600 m illion years old, and
may be as old as 1,100 million years. Mr. Saylor corr elates them w ith simi lar
rocks found beneath the surface in Ohio and West Virginia.
Information Circular 62 is available for $0.45, plus 6 percent state sales
tax, from the Division of Documents, 10th and Market Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
17125.
13
WOY WOY, AUSTRALIA
One of the functions of the M ineral Resources Division of the Survey is to
provide Pennsy lvania rock and mineral specimens to museums upon request.
Usually su ch requests come from Pennsylvan ia; occasionally we receive them
from other states. However, as the uniquely interesting geology of Pennsylvania
becomes better known, more and more institutions from outside the United
States have been writing for representative samp les t hat range from unusual
minerals like zeolites to representative common rocks such as schist. In the past
year, samples have been sent to Canada, London, England, and Scotland .
Perha ps the most far-reaching request was received this fall from Woy
Woy, N.S.W., Australia. Miss Jane Campbell, Curator of the Gloria Maris Museum there, was seeking good specimens of rocks, minerals and fossi ls from the
United States for the educat ion of primary and high school students. She selected Pennsy lvania t o obtain t hese specimens and we are proud to have been
able to be of assistance. Samples sent representing Pennsylvania industries in·
eluded anthracite coal of which Pennsylvania is the nation's major producer,
hard clay used in the manufacture of ceramics, and limestone used in cement
manufacture. Some of the rare minerals included the hydrocarbon, grahamite,
that is often called jet, magnetite from the world-famous iron mine at Cornwall,
and large cubes of pyrite ("fool's gold") altered to limonite ("yellow rust" )
from Columbia. T yp ical rocks and a gastropod ("snail") fossil also were included, totaling 15 in all.
In rep ly, Miss Campbell wrot e, "We have now placed your interesting
specimens in a prominent position in the Mineral Room". Th e Pennsylvan ia
Geologica l Survey is pleased to have contr ibuted to the geologica l education and
viewi ng interest of our distant neighbors from "down under" . If you are travelling to A ustral ia, or to any foreign country, take a look in the museums. You
may be surprised to see some minerals from "back home" in Pennsylvania.
SUBSURFACE BRINE ANALYSES AVAILABLE
The Pennsylvania Geological Survey has comp iled all available subsurface
brine analyses of the state. These have been placed on open-fil e and are available
for examination by anyone interested. Such data are useful in evalu ation of
subsurface geophysical logs, compat ability to fluids in disposal and secondary
and tertiar y reservoir treatment, potential for commerc ial extraction of salts and
related brine chemicals, and determi ning sources of possible pollutants resulting
from drilling activ ity.
Ana lyses of the deep formatio n brines (Tully and deeper) have been
grouped by source horizon and tabulat ed. An index map of the analyzed samples
is available for reference at the Pittsburgh office. T he tabulation, as well as the
14
original analyses may be examined. Analyses of the shallow formation brines
(those from horizons above the Tully) have been assembled in the groups designated in the recently released shallow type logs of western Pennsylvania (Progress Report 178).
The analyses may be examined at the Pittsburgh Office of the Pennsylvan ia Geologica l Survey, Room 401 Pittsburgh State Office Bldg., 300 Liberty
Ave., Pittsburgh, 15222.
PENNSYLVANIA'S PEAT DEPOSITS
A detailed description of the nature and occurrence of peat deposits in
Northeastern Pennsylvania is contained in a new publication of the Bureau of
Topographic and Geologic Survey. Entitled Peat Bog Investigations in Northeastern Pennsylvania, by Curtis Edgerton, the report includes analyses, maps,
and illustrations of major, undeveloped peat bogs in Pike, Wayne, Susquehanna,
Lackawanna, and Luzerne Counties. Cross sections and isopach maps of the
individual peat bogs give a clear picture of their potential.
It is hoped that a greater awareness of the nature of peat occurrences in
Pennsylvania and of the large reserves yet undeveloped w ill stimulate economic
development of this outstand ing resource. Pennsylvania is already th e sixth
largest peat producer in the nation and could readily advance its rate of production.
Information Circular 65, Peat Bog Investigations in Northeastern Pennsylvania, is available for $0.85, plus 6 percent state sales tax. from the Division of
Documents, 1Oth and Market Streets, Harrisburg, Pa. 17125.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Pennsylvania State University Geological
Sciences Seminar
February 24
R.T. Faill, Pennsylvania Geological Survey,
"Kink Band Deformation in the Valley
and Ridge Province"
March 3
T.P. Thayer, U.S. Geological Survey, "Chromite
Deposits and Peridotite Petrology
April7
B. H anshaw, U.S. Geological Survey,
"Radiocarbon Dating of Ground Water and
Its Geochemical Implications"
April 14
J. McCauley, U.S. Geological Survey,
"Geology of the Near Side of the Moon"
15
MINERAL-COLLECTING CLUBS
M ineral coll ecting is a fast-growing hobby that appeal s to a w ide range of
interests and spans the "generation gap" from ch ildren to adults. Besides the
interests of amateur and professional minera logists, it offers enjoyment of the
outdoors and t rips t o unusual places, a chance for the ar t ist and the craftsman in
gem-cutting t o create new jewel ry, and for the adventu rer in us all, an oppor·
tunity to explore the unknown. For these people many societies have sprung up
throughout the Commonwealth. They offer an excellent opportunity fo r people
w ith similar in terests to get together for discussions, lectures, demonstrations,
swap-sessions, and field trips. If you are interested in this fasc inating hobby,
there probably is a clu b not far away from you. Contact them and they w ill
welcome you t o their group. For your convenience, a list of these societies is
provided.
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
The Ber ks Mineralogical Society, Inc.
Nancy Weiser, Editor " The Berks Geode"
329 Chestnut St.
Reading, Pa. 19602
Rock & Mineral Club of Lower Bucks County
P.O. Box 208
Fairless Hills, Pa. 19030
Bucks County Gem Cutters Guild
Box 11 1
Solebury, Pa. 18963
T uscarora Lapidary Society
c/o Evelyn T. Lawn, Secretary
Johnny's Way, R.D. 3
West Chester, Pa. 19380
Che-Hanna Rock & M ineral Club
c/o Florence Li nes, President
R.D. 1
Monroeton, Pa. 18332
York Rock & Mineral Club, Inc.
c/o Marti n A nne, President
509 Maple St.
Wrightsvill e, Pa. 17368
Central Pa. Rock & M ineral Club, Inc.
Do nald Seiders, President
2 18 E. Willow St.
Elizabethtown, Pa. 17022
Delaware Valley Earth Science Society, Inc.
c/o Mrs. Frieda Regensbu rg, Secretary
123 Spruce St.
Aud ubon, N.J. 08106
The Mineralogical Society of Pennsylvania
Nancy C. Poo le, Corr.-Secretary
26 Home Road
Hatboro , Pa. 19040
M ittel Appalachia Rock Club
c/o Mrs. F.M. Simpson, Secret ary
2 10 Second St.
Hu ntingdon, Pa. 16652
Pennsy lvania Ear th Sc iences Assn.
P.O. Box 2083
L ehigh Valley, Pa. 1800 1
16
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Blair Rock & Mineral Club
P.O. Box 644
Altoona, Pa. 16603
The Gem City Rock & Mineral Society, Inc.
Robert G. Grubbs, President
402 East Ave.
Erie, Pa. 16507
Mineral & Lapidary Society of Pittsburgh
T homas H. Baker, President
538 Ox ford Blvd.
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15216
Monongahela Rockhounds
c/o Ruth Michaels, Secretary
123 DeArment Parkway
Pittsburgh, Pa. 1524 1
PENNSYLVANIA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY STAFF
Arthur A. Socolow, State Geologist
Donald M. Hoskins, Assistant State Geologist
FIELD GEOLOGY DIVISION
Samuel I. Root, Division Chief
T homas M. Berg
William E. Edmunds
Rodger T. Faill
J. Douglas Glaeser
Gary B. Glass
A lbert D. G lover
David B. Maclachlan
Will iam D. Sevon
Richard B. Wells
MINERAL RESOURCES DIVISION
Davis M. Lapham, Division Chief
Karl V . Hoover
Robert D. Soonseller
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY DIVISION
Alan R. Geyer, Division Chief
William G. McG lade
J. P. Wilshusen
01 LAND GAS DIVISION
Dana R. Kelley, Di vision Chief
Lou is Heyman
WilliamS. L ytle
Walter R. Wagner
SUPPORTING STAFF
Elsie V. Adams, Administrative Assistant
Lajos Balogh, Draftsman
Sandra Blust, Librarian
Dave Debor, L aboratory Assistant
Connie Grier, Typist
Sharon Gunning, Typist
Lill ian H eeren, Droft.~man
Mary E. Horne, Editor
Frances Hunt, Typist
John G. Kuchinski, Draftsman
Debbie L ehmer, Typist
Cheryl Lewis, Stenographer
Virginia Milewski, Draftsman
Donna M. Snyder, Stenographer
Linda M. Ulsh, Stenographer
Albert Van Olden, Draftsman
CORRECT ADDRESS REQUESTED
BU L K RA T E
U S Post age
PA I D
H a rrisburg . Pa
Perm11 No 758
JANUA 0 Y, 1970
....
0
EJ
.
.
0
h l ow l u t y .. r