Figure 1. Aerial photograph of Meteor Crater with San Francisco Mountains in background. Photo: MeteorCrater, Northern Arizona.

Vol 12 No 1

Introduction

Northeastern Arizona has long beenfamous for its rich endowment of scenicbeauty and natural wonders, such as theGrand Canyon, Monument Valley, andMeteor Crater (Figure 1). How did suchfeatures form? What is the geologic storybehind the scenery? Geologists and parknaturalists are often asked these and otherquestions. Most answers are not simple.Behind every landscape are hundredsof subtle and not-so-subtle geologiccontrols. An entire geologic story existswithin every pinnacle, canyon, and rocklayer. What concerns us here is not thedetailed script of the geologic story, butthe overall plot.

This article contains a short summaryof the geology of northeastern Arizona, fol-

_ lowed by a "character sketch" of therea's best known geologic features. A list

of general references is included for thoseinterested in learning more about thegeology of this fascinating region.

Geologic History ofNortheastern Arizona

Northeastern Arizona is part of theColorado Plateau physiographic province,a region of wide-open spaces andbreath-taking vistas. Landscapes of theColorado Plateau are dominated by broadplains or plateaus that are interrupted by aseries of mesas, cliffs, and deep canyons.The spectacular scenery of the region ismostly due to erosion of a sequence offlat-lying sedimentary formations. Differ­ences in color and resistance to erosionbetween adjacent sedimentary layerscreate the colorful, stair-stepped appear­ance that is so typical of the region.

The geologic history of northeasternArizona began in the Precambrian Eranearly two billion years ago (see Figures2-4), when sediments and volcanic rockswere deposited in oceans and scatteredvolcanic archipelagos. These depositswere buried to great depths and con­verted into metamorphic rocks by high

.~.. 'emperatures and pressures. They wereW'ntruded by magma (molten rock) that

solidified into granite. These ancient

Earth Sciences and Mineral Resources in Arizona

metamorphic and granitic rocks representthe first step in the long process of build­ing the continental crust of Arizona. Theyhave been buried by thousands of feet ofyounger sedimentary rocks and are pres­ently exposed only in the bottom of theGrand Canyon and in small areas ofthe Defiance Plateau. Drill holes by oilcompanies indicate that Precambrian

March 1982

metamorphic and granitic rocks underlieessentially all of northeastern Arizona.

Around 1.1 billion years ago, parts ofthe region were invaded by shallow seas,in which sedimentary rocks of the GrandCanyon Supergroup were deposited.Sedimentation was locally accompaniedby emplacement of basaltic intrusions andby eruption of basaltic lavas. Episodes of

IN THIS ISSUE Oii and Gas Activity, BGMT 1981 Summary, Federal Agencies in AZ, Regionai Events

Generalized Geologic Map of Northeastern Arizona

Metamorphic and granitic rocks;also includes Grand CanyonSupergroup

Glen Canyon Group

Son Rafael Group, DakotaSandstone, and Mancos Shale

Sedimentary rocks

Geologic contact

Mesoverde Group

Moenkopi and ChinleFormations

~~

~~~

IN0 10 20 30 40I I I I I

Miles

March 1982[3ureau of Geology and Mineral l""r'hrlr>lr>f')\/Page 2

Figure 2. Geologic map (modified from Cooley, 1967).

Figure 3. Geologic cross-section from Grand Canyon to Chuska Mountains (modified from Oetking andothers, 1967).

Formation is exposed in the Painted Des­ert and in brightly colored lower slopes ofthe Vermilion Cliffs, Echo Cliffs, and PariaCanyon. The next sedimentary formationsdeposited, those of the Glen CanyonGroup, consist of red, orange, and whitesandstone and siltstone that representancient sand dunes and river deposits.They form the upper parts of the spectacu­lar Vermilion Cliffs, Echo Cliffs, and PariaCanyon and are also widely exposedaround Glen Canyon, Navajo NationalMonument, and the northern Chinle Valley.These formations locally contain numer­ous dinosaur footprints and bones.

During the middle part of the MesozoicEra (180-110 m.y. ago), more sandstone,siltstone, and shale were deposited bystreams, wind, and ocean currents. Theserocks, assigned to the San Rafael Group,Dakota Sandstone, and Mancos Shale,are most widely exposed around theperiphery of Black Mesa, such as in CoalMine Canyon. In Black Mesa, they areoverlain by late Mesozoic sandstone,siltstone, and shale of the MesaverdeGroup, which contains important coal re­sources. These rocks were deposited indeltas and shallow, retreating seas. ..

Near the end of the Mesozoic, the Col-"orado Plateau and the rest of Arizona weresubjected to stresses that folded thesedimentary layers and caused someareas to be uplifted relative to others. By

soooFEET

SEALEVEL

Vertical e-x00Qeration : 20.

eastern Arizona was the site of shallowseas, extensive mud-flats, and large fieldsof sand dunes. The resulting sequences oflimestone, shale, siltstone, and sandstoneare exposed in the upper walls of theGrand Canyon and are partially exposedin Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, theDefiance Plateau, and the Mogollon Slope.

In the early part of the Mesozoic Era(225 m.y. ago), the region consisted of abroad coastal plain on which the TriassicMoenkopi Formation was deposited. Sub­sequent mountain building and volcanismto the south contributed steam-carrieddebris and volcanic ash that were depos­ited as the Chinle Formation. The Chinle

I0:: 0UJ 0 .... ui>z < 0:: Z-0 0:: UJ ....0::>- 0 en ::IEz ...J UJ0< 00:: 0 <Ou uUJ

"< >0::0 UJ- BLACK MESA C/)

oz ...JO:: ::>...J< .... :I:00:: .... Uu",

...J

5000FEET

o 10 20 30 40I I I I I

Horizontal Scale

SEALEVEL

faulting occurred during and after deposi­tion of the Grand Canyon Supergroup.

After a prolonged period of erosion thatlasted about 500 million years, earlyPaleozoic seas invaded' most of Arizonaand resulted in the deposition of lime­stone, shale, and beach sands. Withinnortheastern Arizona, these sedimentaryrocks are exposed only in the lower wallsof the Grand Canyon. However, theyreappear from beneath their cover ofyounger rocks along the Mogollon Rimto the south and the Grand Wash Cliffsto the west.

In the latter half of the Paleozoic Era,about 300 million years (m.y.) ago, north-

ms

uoNoCIlJ:ll~

TRIASSIC

JURASSJC

Schilt

Volconice

AK T e.

Page 3

~~~~F~m~.--JCRETACEOUS

MAN cos Shale

DEFIANCE UPLIFT E.

I'- _.>----1 CENOZOIC

CHUSKA s•.~ ,==-__---'

COMPOSITESTRATIGRAPHIC SECTION

REDWALL Le.

SAN Ci MORRISON Fm.RAFAEL UFF S. cow PRIN

Group ENTRADA 9.. SUMMERVILLE Fm.

,:~:,J .........:~ ~"":.::'" ,.lE WINGATE Se.

GRAND CANYONSUPERGROUP

VISHNU Schilt

SUPAI Group

uoN'0J:lloJ

SUPAI Fm. -+~-------'

~--------------; z-<......~~

~-<UJ:llg::

IW. GRAND CANYON AREA

Monument Valley­Canyon De Chelly

(E.)

CANYoN

(W.)

GRANo

Fieldnores

Site of Meteor Crater

Pointed Oesert­Petrified Forest

Cool Mine Canyon

Glen Canyon

Vermilion Cliffs­ppria Canyon

Str~tigraphic Positionof Geolo~ic Features

Sunset CraterSon Francisco MountainsHopi Bulles

Block Meso

Figure 5. Eastern Grand Canyon. Note unconformity between tilted strata of Grand Canyon Supergroup(of late Precambrian age) and overlying sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic age. Photo: S. Reynolds.

Figure 4. Composite stratigraphic section of northeastern Arizona (modified from Petrified Forest MuseumAssociation, 1980, geologic cross-section along Interstate 40).

ongic features of

uld include the). The canyon is

nificent erosionalremarkable 277

les wide, and ap­p. The canyon

do River and itsby landslides,r types of ero­conception of

tively young fea-st 5 to 10 my

in the canyoning in age from

to less than

gs, the oldesthe dark, inneren incised into

and granitic. lion years old,

rth itself. Theent sedimen­were buried to

rphosed by highes. Some grani­rmed when the

ted.rian rocks is

surface thatthat, in this

The uncon­ozoic sedi­onspicuous. The sedi­

ed betweeno in shallowering rivers.ndstone andr cliffs, and

nd shale thatsequence ofrestricted tonds beneathu of northern

age reappearMogollon Rim,near Canyon

ra (65 m.y. ago)Iy retreated fromver to return. The

are igneous intru­ited sandstones,e Chuska Moun­

ake beds, streamrocks accumulatedand the Defiance

ozoic time, intensethe San Francisco

taff. Volcanism hasrecently, as evi­n of Sunset Cratert episode of can-rted within the last

Page 4 l3ureau of Geology and Mineral Technology March 1982

Figure 6. Monument Valley at sunset. "Monuments" are composed of slope-forming shaie, cliff-formingDe Chelly Sandstone, and cap-rock of Shinarump Conglomerate, Photo: S. Reynolds.

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is another of nature'smasterpieces of erosion (Figure 6). The'"trademarks of Monument Valley are spec-"tacular, steep-sided mesas, buttes, andpinnacles that rise abruptly from a nearlyfeatureless plain. The scenery of the valleyis dominated by three main sedimentarylayer~ that are similar in age to those ex­posed in the upper walls of the GrandCanyon. The lowest layer is composed ofeasily eroded shales and mudstones thatoccur on the gently sloping pedestalsaround each monument. The middle andmost prominent layer, referred to as DeChelly Sandstone, forms a brightly coloredorange and red cliff. The sandstone wasoriginally deposited as sand dunes ap­proximately 270 m.y. ago. It is overlainby a thin, protective cap of TriassicShinarump Conglomerate that representsancient stream deposits. All three layersonce extended continuously over theentire Monument Valley region, but they

Figure 7. Canyon de Chelly and Spider Rock. Photo: S. Reynolds.

Figure 8. Cross-beds in De Chelly Sandstone, Canyon de Chelly. Photo: S.Reynolds.

Figure 9. Chuska and Lukachukai Mountains. Strata low on the flanks of the moun­tains are mostly sandstones of Mesozoic Glen Canyon Group. Overlying rocks areyounger sedimentary and volcanic rocks of Mesozoic and Cenozoic age. Photo: S.Reynolds.

-

were gradually removed from mostareas by erosion within the last 10 m.y.The "monuments" are remnants of thelayers that erosion left behind.

Canyon de Chelly

Beautiful Canyon de Chelly (pro­nounced de-shay) is the topographic op­posite of Monument Valley. WhereasMonument Valley contains isolatedmonuments rising above a low-relief plain,Canyon de Chelly is a deep cleft withina gently inclined plain (Figure 7). Thesteep-sided canyon was formed asstreams eroded down through a se­quence of resistant rocks that are partlythe same sedimentary formations thatcomprise Monument Valley. Canyon deChelly contains a lower, slope-forminglayer, a middle cliff of brightly coloredDe Chelly Sandstone, and an upper pro­tective cap of tan and brown ShinarumpConglomerate. The middle sandstone wasformed as a part of the same field of sanddunes as the middle sandstone of Monu­ment Valley. The original forms of the sanddunes are preserved in the rocks as aseries of gently sloping layers or cross­beds (Figure 8). The cross-beds representthe fronts of ancient sand dunes and canbe used to determine which way the windwas blowing when the sand was depos­ited 275 m.y. ago.e The actual canyon was not formed until

.;much more recently, probably within thelast several million years. At famousSpider Rock (Figure 7) the canyon is over1,000 feet deep and 3,000 feet wide. Thecanyon walls become progressively lowerdownstream to the west because the re­sistant cap rock and underlying layersgently slope in that direction. The pre­historic Anasazi Indians constructedWhite House and other dwellings withinrecesses and alcoves in the sheer ver­tical walls.

Chuska and Lukachukai Mountains

The Chuska and Lukachukai Mountains,some of Arizona's least publicized scenicattractions, are familiar to many geologistsas the site of Arizona's largest oil field.Both mountain ranges are located innortheastern Arizona, near the NewMexico border. The Chuska Mountains

an impressive, mesa-like range thatreciC~les elevations of over 9,700 feet

affords excellent views of ShiprockCanyon de Chelly. The rugged and

flanks of the range are com­of red- and orange-colored sand­and siltstone of early Mesozoic

(see Figure 9). These strata areSUc:ce~3si\'ely overlain by younger, Iight­COJOre'd sl9dilmel1talry rocks and a dark­

cap of Cenozoic volcanic flows.berleath the Lukachukai Moune

found in 1967 to contain

Fieldnotes

significant oil deposits. This oil field hasaccounted for nearly 90 percent ofArizona's total oil production. Sinceits discovery, it has yielded over 16million barrels of oil, which is less petro­leum than Arizona presently consumes infour months.

Black Mesa

Black mesa is one of the largest geolog­ical entities of Arizona (Figure 2). It is amore-or-Iess circular feature approxi­mately 60 miles in diameter, with an areaof 3,200 square miles. The mesa is asaucer-like erosional remnant of sedimen­tary rocks of the Cretaceous MesaverdeGroup that once covered much of north­eastern Arizona (Figure 3). These rocksoverlie and are significantly younger thanthe Paleozoic sedimentary layers of theGrand Canyon, Monument Valley, andCanyon de Chelly. In fact, drilling by oilcompanies indicates that Paleozoic rocksare buried nearly a mile below the surfaceof Black Mesa. Imagine the walls of theGrand Canyon with yet another mile ofrocks on top!

Sedimentary rocks of the MesaverdeGroup are not as brightly colored as theolder rocks that surround Black Mesa. TheMesaverde Group is composed of tan andgray sandstone, siltstones, and shalesthat were deposited in shallow seas, alongbeaches, and by streams (Figure 10).These rocks contain Arizona's largestknown deposits of coal. The coal wasformed from plants that accumulated inswampy or marshy environments. Theplant-rich layers were buried by youngerstream and beach deposits, and weregradually converted into coal. Black mesacoal was first used for fuel by prehistoricIndians and will be a major energy sourcefor the southwest U.S. many years intothe future.

Page 5

Coal Mine Canyon

Some extremely beautiful landscapesoccur in and around Coal Mine Canyon,west of Black Mesa. Scenic badlands to­pography has been formed in varicoloredsandstone and siltstone of the MesozoicSan Rafael Group (Figure 11). A coal seamwithin the sedimentary layers was evi­dently ignited by lightning and burned toproduce brightly colored rocks resem­bling slag from a furnace. Locally, shalelayers directly above the coal seam dis­play exotic colors and abundant oysterfossils. The somewhat eerie aspect of thelandscape is accentuated by legends of asilvery ghost that haunts the area duringfull moons.

Hopi Buttes

Landscapes south of Black Mesa aredominated by dark-colored buttes thatstand above a surrounding red- and tan­colored terrain (Figure 12). The oldestrocks exposed near the Hopi Buttes arered-colored sandstone and siltstone ofMesozoic age. These rocks are overlainby light colored layers of Late Cenozoicsandstone, siltstone, and mudstone thatwere deposited in ancient Lake Bidahochiapproximately 5 m.y. ago. The lake bedslocally contain fossil fish and larger verte­brates such as antelope, camels, andmastodons. These rocks are in turn over­lain by dark-colored volcanic rocks thatwere erupted onto the floor of the lake. Thevolcanic rocks are mostly basaltic lavaflows and pyroclastic deposits composedof ash, cinders, and larger fragments.Sedimentary layers derived from the vol­canic rocks are relatively common. Somebuttes are true volcanic vents, whereasothers are simply capped by thin lavaflows. The Hopi Buttes exist because the

Page 6 Oureau of Geology and Mineral Technology March 1982

Figure 11. Coal Mine Canyon, west of Black Mesa. Badlands topography is developed in sedimentarystrata of the San Rafael Group of Mesozoic age. Photo: S. Gillatt.

Figure 12. Typical Hopi Butte. Dark-colored butte is composed of late Cenozoic volcanic rocks thatoverlie, and are flanked by Mesozoic sandstones of the Glen Canyon Group. Photo: S. Reynolds.

Figure 13. Typical landscapes developed in Chinle Formation of early Mesozoic age, Painted Desert.Photo: S. Reynolds.

volcanic rocks are more resistant to ero-lsion than are the surrounding and under-lying sedimentary rocks. ... i

.1,Painted Desert-Petrified Forest

Colorful landscapes of the PaintedDesert lie mostly south and west of HopiButtes and extend along the Little Col­orado River Valley from east of Holbrookto north of Cameron. This region is charac­terized by extensive, low-relief plainsand a series of small cliffs, ledges, androunded hills (Figure 13). Most of thePainted Desert is underlain by variablycolored sandstone, siltstone, and shaleof the early Mesozoic Chinle Formation.These sedimentary rocks were depos­ited by meandering streams that flowednorth across the region some 200-250m.y. ago. The red, orange, pink, andpurple colors in the rocks are due tooxidized iron and manganese minerals.Many of the white and gray layerscontain clays that were formed by theweathering and alteration of volcanicash. The volcanic ash was evidently blowninto the area from erupting volcanos tothe west.

Figure 14. Petrified log in Chinle Formation, PetrifiedForest. Log is several feet in diameter and over 30feet long. Photo: S. Reynolds.

The Chinle Formation locally containsbrightly colored petrified wood (Figure14). The Petrified Forest is one of theworld's greatest concentrations of large,petrified logs. The logs were originallytransported northward into the area byflooding streams and were buried by suc­cessive layers of ash, mud, and sand.Ground water percolating through the sed­iments dissolved silica from the volcanic

Figure 16. Sunset Crater with Bonito Lava Flow in foreground. Photo: S. Reynolds.

Poge7Fieldnotes

Figure 15. Meteor Crater. Walls of crater are composed of limestone and sandstone of late Paleozoic age.Rocks below floor of crater are shattered. Photo: Meteor Crater, Northern Arizona.

Sunset Crater

ent type of crater lies east of theCisco Mountains, approximatelybrthwest of Meteor Crater. Sun-

rwas produced by a volcaniclittle more than 900 years ago.

ibn, which occurred around 1065s the most recent volcanic activ­an Francisco volcanic field. The

t"high crater was formed whennic cinders were blown into theben settled around the vent (Fig­brmation of the main cinder cone

panied by eruption of a dark,a flow that occurs in Bonito

fthe end of the volcanic epi­t<springs and vapors escapedvent and deposited brightly

minerals near the top of thehese yellow, red, and orange

ive the crater its color of a per­set.

,ss to say, the volcanic erup­a profound impact on the localrior to the eruption, Indians, nowpas the Sinagua, lived aroundancisco Mountains in pithouses.tacular, but ominous eruptionmany Sinagua to flee the area.eruption, neighboring Indians,he Anasazi, migrated into therrn on the moisture-retentivesh. Multi-room dwellings, suchpreserved at Wupatki National,were constructed at this time.winds eventually stripped thebeneficial volcanic ash, and

hs abandoned Wupatki andihg villages.

Meteor Crater

etranquil appearance of the Paintedrtand Little Colorado River Valley is

ted west of Winslow by a large,crater (Figures 1 and 15). This fea­

ell known as Meteor Crater, is overfeet wide and 550 feet deep. It is

tthe most spectacular meteorite im­craters in the world. The crater was

approximately 20,000 years agoc1nickel-iron meteorite crashed ontotsurface of the Colorado Plateau at0,000 miles per hour. The meteorite

Ia.ted to have been over 80 feet iner'and to have largely vaporizedtrlpact. Sedimentary layers alongbfthe crater were upturned by theimpact and were covered by de­

sted out of the crater. Numeroushts of the meteorite have beenelbw the floor of the crater and onOUllding plateau surface.

~nd redeposited it in the buried logs,89 them to stone. Impurities of iron,er, and manganese in the silica giveEltrified logs their splendid color.

Page 8 [3ureau of Geology and Mineral Technology March 1982

Figure 18. Aerial photograph of S P Crater and lava flow. Photo: D. Nations.

San Francisco Mountains

The San Francisco Mountains (orPeaks) are Arizona's largest stratovolcanoand highest mountains (Figure 17). Hum­phreys and Agassiz Peaks reach over12,000 feet in elevation and stand approx­imately a mile above the surroundingColorado Plateau. The San FranciscoMountains were formed by successiveeruptions of lava and pyroclastic debriswithin the last two m.y. The top of thevolcano, which may have once been as

high as 15,000 feet above sea level,has been lowered substantially by vol­canic collapse and subsequent glacialerosion. The glaciers probably extendedfrom near the crest of the peaks to nearthe floor of the adjacent plateau.

Surrounding the main peaks are anumber of smaller volcanic vents. EldenMountain, O'Leary Peak, and KendrickPeak are volcanic domes similar in originto the one presently forming in the craterof Mount St. Helens in southwesternWashington state. Numerous, small cinder

cones are scattered around the higherpeaks. Some of these, such as S P Crater,Sunset Crater, and Merriam Crater arerecent and well preserved. Photographs Aof S P Crater and its accompanying lava"flow appear in most introductory geologytextbooks (Figure 18).

SELECTED REFERENCES

Breed, W J., and Roat, Evelyn, 1976, Geology ofthe Grand Canyon: Museum of NorthernArizona, Flagstaff, 186 p,

Cooley, M. E., 1967, Arizona highway geologicmap: Arizona Geological Society, Tucson, scale1:1,000,000.

Cooley, M. E" and others, 1969, Regional hydro­geology of the Navajo and Hopi Indian Reser­vations, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah: U.S.Geological Survey Professional Paper 521-A,61 p.

Harshbarger, J. W, Repenning, C. A., and Irwin, J.H" 1957, Stratigraphy of the uppermostTriassicand the Jurassic rocks of the Navajo country(Colorado Plateau): U.S, Geological SurveyProfessional Paper 291,74 p.

Nations, Dale, and Stump, Edmund, 1981, Geologyof Arizona: Kendall-Hunt Publishing Co.,Dubuque, 210 p,

Oetking, Philip, Feray, D, E., and Renfro, H, B"compilers, 1967, Geologic highway map of thesouthern Rocky Mountain region: AmericanAssociation of Petroleum Geologists Map 2.

Peirce, H. W, Keith, S. B" and Wilt, J. C" 1970,Coal, oil, natural gas, helium, and uranium inArizona: Arizona Bureau of Mines Bulletin 182,289 p.

Wilson, E, D., 1962, A resume of the geology ofArizona: Arizona Bureau of Mines Bulletin 171,140 p.

Wilson, E, D" Moore, R, T., and Cooper, J. R., 1969,Geologic map of Arizona: Arizona Bureau oV"Mines Map, scale 1:500,000, ~

ARIZONA OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION1981 Activity Report by A. K. Doss Executive Director, Arizona Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

The prognosis for 1982 is even better than 1981. Conceivably, .,footage drilled could exceed 100,000 feet. Phillips Petroleum has a WJisix-well drilling program outlined, and other major companies, aswell as large and small independehts, have indicated interest inexploration drilling activity. This interest is scattered from thenorthwest cornerto the southeast corner of the state.

400,000

$1,312,500

16,000,000$17,712,500

$600,000$18,312,500

The increase in activity and production during 1981 will also bereflected in an increase of state revenues through taxes, rentalsand commercial sales, as indicated in the following table(estimated on an annual basis for the next few calendar years):

OIL AND GAS REVENUES TO ARIZONADirect1. Advalorem taxes (10¢/ dollar on the gross sales of

oil and gas production)2. Sales tax (2V2% of the gross sales of oil and

gas production)3. Rentals to the state (state lands and

V2 on federal lands)

IndirectCommercial sales (rent, food, clothing, fuel,trucking fees, trucking charges, recreation, etc),conservatively estimated

Total Revenue

Considerable exploration-related activity occurred during 1981,as reflected in the number of drilling permits issued by the stateand by the total footage drilled (see table below). However, oneexploration drill hole, of particular interest to industry, proved to bea major disappointment. The Phillips Petroleum No. 1 State, nearTombstone, was abandoned after reaching a total depth of 10,561feet. In spite of this casualty, the following table indicates a strikingcomparison between the years 1980 and 1981:

1980 1981Number of drilling permits issued 14 73Total number of wells drilled 8 51Total footage drilled 32,775 65,400Number of oil test dry holes 7 9Number of oil producers 0 6

The 51 holes drilled in 1981 represented oil and gas tests (15),geothermal resource tests (34), underground storage cavity well(1), and re-entry (1).

The six new oil producers are on the Navajo Indian Reservation.Five new development wells, drilled by Kerr-McGee Corporation inthe Dineh-bi-Keyah field, produced an average of 200 barrels of oilper day. The sixth well is a wildcat drilled by Kenai Oil and Gas inSection 7, 1. 40 N., R. 29 E. This well indicated a pump potential of56 barrels of oil per day.

Geothermal gradient holes represented the largest numberdrilled, accounting for approximately 7,600 feet of drilling.

GYPage 9

by Larry D. FellowsAssistant Director and State Geologist

Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology

been active, or may still be active (e.g., folding, faulting, erosion,metamorphism, intrusion, volcanisrn, etc.).

Projects Completed:-Characteristics and correlation of rocks of Mississippian and

Pennsylvanian age in Arizona; prepared as part of USGSproject and published as BGMT Circular 21

-Four composite stratigraphic sections in the Basin and RangeProvince, completed as part of COSUNA project and placedon open file at BGMT

-Report on the 1887 earthquak.e, San Bernardino Valley, Son­ora: summarizes intensities in various parts of the state, andother related phenomena such as rockfalls and liquefaction;funded by USGS, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC), and BGMT; published by BGMT as Special Paper 3

-Final report to USGS and NRC on historical seismicity inArizona; project funded by USGS, NRC, and BGMT; reportplaced on open file by BGMT; copies available for purchase

-Compilation of existing gravity control points at 1:250,000scale and two milligal contour interval; work done by Univer­sity of Arizona, Department of Geosciences, as part of BGMTgeothermal assessment project; partial funding provided byU.S. Department of Energy (DOE); maps available for exami­nation or purchase at BGMT; 1:500,000 scale map may beobtained from the Department of Geosciences

-Geologic mapping along the Salt River from Roosevelt Damdownstream to Granite Reef Dam; project funded by U.S.Bureau of Reclamation; maps on open file at BGMT

Projects in Progress:-Geologic mapping in Harquahala, Little Harquahala, and

South Mountains-Mapping of faulting and volcanic activity during past 15 mil­

lion years; funded by USGS and BGMT-Mapping of earth materials of Quaternary age (last 3 million

years); final product will be 1:1,000,000 scale map of state;project funded by USGS and BGMT

-Map showing rock outcrops of Laramide age (70-50 millionyears ago)

-Comprehensive catalog of earthquakes that occurred or werefelt in Arizona; project funded by USGS, NRC, and BGMT;being prepared for publication by BGMT

Projects Completed-Occurrence of radioactive minerals in Arizona; funded by

DOE; placed on open file at BGMT with copies available forpurchase

Projects in Progress:-Assessment of potential geothermal resources in Arizona;

final report being prepared-Map showing geothermal anomalies and data; will be printed

by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Geothermal bibliography and index in Arizona; to be pub­

lished by BGMT as Circular 23-Occurrence and production of molybdenurn in Arizona; proj­

ect funded by USGS; data entered in CRIB; in technicalreview continued on page 12

Mineral and Energy Resources

BGMT staff conduct studies on the occurrence, characteristicsand origin of mineral and energy resources and provide informa­tion useful in mineral exploration, mining, and processing.

Fieldnores

by telephone, correspondence,

RESEARCH

esources Information Banktratlgraphic Units of North America

ted:-file series establishedologic road and river logs (1950-1980) published22

ress:ses on Arizona geologyblished geologic maps

ing

(jerstand the geologic setting, or framework, ofgeologists study the earth's surface and subsur­

Etdistribution and characteristics of rocks and other·<They also identify the earth processes that have

r geological bulletins, journals, and newslettersieldnotes, our quarterly newsletter, which is avail-cription (free) or over-the-counteron various aspects of geology on requestocks and minerals from ArizonaFcuttings from selected exploration holes for

NFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE

t to provide timely, accurate, geologically relatedsed on geologic mapping, field observations, re­~ltions, and data compilations and synthesis.

sUpply information and furnish assistance by:9 and selling geologic studies, either over-the­

by mail order. (A list of available publications mayfree of charge.)a specialized geologic library for public and staff

rary includes:hed maps and reports prepared by BGMT and

enciesnd reports published by the BGMT, the U.S.al Survey (USGS), the U.S. Bureau of Mines, stateal surveys from adjacent states, and other stateral agenciestheses on Arizona geologyeses on Arizona geology (1891-1978)of talks and articles on Arizona geology (1960-

[napping, CRIB*, salt, "young" faults, earthquakes, po­rmal resources, COSUNA**, geologic road and river

rallium resources: these subjects, and more occupiedheE3ureau of Geology and Mineral Technology (BGMT);<Ih addition, geologic data and general assistanceEl'cfto hundreds of persons.,charged by statute to do scientific inve~tigations andormation, functions as the state geological survey of-five states have geological surveys and no two arerfzona our mission is to do research and provide

bout: 1) the state's geologic setting, 2) its mineral andurees, and 3) the overall impact of things geologic on

$bciety.

March 1982

tirI ~I

Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology

rtFederal Agencies in Arizona

Data and information about Arizona's earth materials, mineraland water resources, and earth processes are available from vari­ous state and federal agencies. A list of state agencies and someof the services and products they provide was included in the June1981 issue of Fie/dnotes. Some federal agencies are listed here toguide those who might need additional information or assistanceabout these and related matters.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREFOREST SERVICE-Regional Office

Office of Information517 Gold Ave., S.w.Albuquerque, NM 87102505/766-2444There is no state office. Contact should be made with specificForest Headquarters or District Ranger offices, listed below.

Services and products:

Provide information on-Resources on national forest lands-Mineral exploration and leasing-Lands closed for mineral entrySells forest maps

National Forest Headquarters:

Apache-Sitgreaves National ForestBox 640South Mountain Ave.Springerville, AZ 85938602/333-4301Nick W. McDonough, Forest SupervisorDistrict Ranger Offices in Alpine, Clifton, Lakeside, Overgaard,

Snowflake, and Springerville

Coconino National Forest2323 E. Greenlaw LaneFlagstaff, AZ 86001602/779-3311, ext. 1441Neil R. Paulson, Forest SupervisorDistrict Ranger Offices in Flagstaff, Happy Jack, Rimrock, and

Sedona

Coronado National Forest301 W. CongressFederal BuildingTucson, AZ 85701602/792-6483Robert L. Tippeconnic, Forest SupervisorDistrict Ranger Offices in Douglas, Nogales, Safford, Sierra

Vista, and Tucson

Kaibab National Forest800 South Sixth StreetWilliams, AZ 86046602/635-2681Leonard A. Lindquist, Forest SupervisorDistrict Ranger Offices in Fredonia, Tusayan, and Williams

Prescott National Forest344 South Cortez StreetP.O. Box 2549Prescott, AZ 86302602/445-1762

Donald H. Bolander, Forest SupervisorDistrict Ranger Offices in Camp Verde, Chino Valley, and

Prescott

Tonto National Forest102 S. 28th StreetP.O. Box 29070Phoenix, AZ 85038602/261-3205James L. Kimball, Forest SupervisorDistrict Ranger Offices in Carefree, Globe, Mesa, Payson,

Roosevelt, and Young

SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE3008 Federal Building230 North First Ave.Phoenix, AZ 85025602/261-6711

Verne M. Bathurst, State ConservationistDonald R. Phillips, Assistant State Conservationist-ProgramsDouglas S. Pease, State Soil Scientist

Services and Products:

Library of soil maps and reports (available for examination; nocheckout)

Published soil sUNeys available for distributionGeneralized soil maps for each county in ArizonaMajor land resource areas and sub-resource areas in Arizona

(maps)Farmland maps for portion of Maricopa CountyInformation on soils and soil-mapping projects

Area Offices:

Flagstaff AreaSoil Conservation Service2717 North Fourth, Suite 140Flagstaff, AZ 86001602/779-3311 or 779-1392Charles R. Adams, Area Conservationist

Tucson AreaSoil Conservation Service3241 Romero Rd.Tucson, AZ 85705602/792-6602Joseph L. Knisley, Jr., Area Conservationist

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Arizona State Office2400 Valley Bank CenterPhoenix, AZ 85073602/261-3706

Thomas J. Allen, Acting State Director

Services and Products:

Records of unpatented mining claims on federal lands in ArizonaLand ownership maps and other maps for sale (price listavailable)

Maps showing wilderness inventory information on Bureau ofLand Management (BLM)-administered lands

Information on how to obtain leases and information aboutBLM-administered lands open or closed for mineral entry

Watershed characteristics of some BLM-administered lands

Vol 12 No 1 Fieldnores Page 11

District Offices:

Arizona Strip District Office~ Federal Building~ 196 E. Tabernacle

P.O. Box 250St. George, UT 84770801/673-3545Billy R. Ternpleton, District Manager

Phoenix District office2929 W. ClarendonPhoenix, AZ 85017602/241-2501Williarn K. Barker, District Manager

Yuma District Office2450 Fourth Ave.Yuma, AZ 85364602/726-6300H. Max Bruce, District Manager

Safford District office425 E. Fourth StreetSafford, AZ 85546602/428-4040Fritz Rennebaum, District Manager

Kingman Resource Area of Phoenix District2475 BeverlyKingman, AZ 86401602/757-4011Roger G. Taylor, Area Manager

Lake Havasu Resource Area of Yuma DistrictP.O. Box 685

•2049 Swanson Ave.Lake Havasu, AZ 86403602/855-8017James May, Area Manager

BUREAU OF MINESIntermountain Field Operations CenterDenver Federal CenterBuilding 20Denver, CO 80225

Joseph B. Smith, Chief, 303/234-3918Jimmie E. Jinks, Assistant Chief, 303/234-3740George R. Schottler, Chief, Minerals Availability Section,

303/234-4161Karl E. Starch, Chief, State Services Section, 303/234-6866

Lorraine B. Burgin, State Minerals Specialist for ArizonaHomer C. Stewart, Chief, Resource and EnvironmentaL Studies

Section, 303/234-3930Robert G. Dickinson, Chief, Mineral Land Assessment Section,

303/234-6755

Services and Products:Information on the location and potential of mineral resources,

exploration, development, and processingComputerized system for assessing worldwide information on

mineral resources through systematic engineering and costevaluations for selected mineral properties

Identification and location of significant domestic operating, de­veloping, and explored mines for selected commodities

Library of periodicals, state and federal reports, open-file re­ports, technical books and maps on mineral resources, min­ing, and processing.

Data files on mines and mining districtsStatistical information on state mineral production and mining

activities

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION

Geology and Materials Branch505 South 43rd AvenueP.O. Box 6972Phoenix, AZ 85005602/261-4450

Rex A. Motsenbocker, Chief

Services and Products:Information on

-Engineering properties of earth materials-Subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal-Ground-water levels along the Central Arizona Project

aqueducts and storage dams-Geologic setting and related factors in the Central Arizona

Water Control Study Area-Geologic factors related to safety of dams along Salt and

Verde Rivers

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-Geologic DivisonWestern Region345 Middlefield RoadMenlo Park, CA 94025415/323-8111

G. Brent Dalrymple, Assistant Chief Geologist, Western Region

Services and Products:Information about Western Region (Geologic Division) projects

and activities in Arizona

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-Geologic DivisionFlagstaff Office2255 N. Gemini DriveFlagstaff, AZ 86001602/779-3311

Gordon Swann, Deputy Assistant Chief Geologist

Services and Products:Geologic library includes most U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

publications, as well as other geologic maps and reportsInformation about status of geologic projects being done by

geologists at Flagstaff officePlanetary data facility and libraryInformation about ordering lunar and planetary images and

USGS pUblications

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-National Mapping DivisionWestern Mapping Center345 Middlefield Road, M.S. 31Menlo Park, CA 94025415/323-8111

Gene Napier, Acting Chief, Program Management

Services and Products:Topographic maps, orthophoto quadrangles, and other related

mapsBase maps and separates at various scalesDigital mappingInformation about status of mapping projectsInformation on cost and availability of maps (address inquiries to

National Cartographic Information Genter, Menlo Park)

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-Water Resources DivisionArizona District OfficeFederal Building301 W. CongressTucson, AZ 85701602/792-6671

Robert MacNish, District Chief

Page 12 l3ureau of Geology and Mineral Technology March 1982

Services and Products:Basic water resources data (stream flow, ground-water levels,

flood-prone areas, water use, springs, water quality)Reports on earth fissures and subsidence related to ground­

water withdrawal, surface and ground-water interaction,floods, consumptive use of water by vegetation, andground-water supply and availability

Prepares data for flood warningMaintains formal cooperative programs with Arizona Depart­

ment of Water Resources and other state and federalagencies

Provides loan copies of published USGS water studies inArizona

Subdistrict Offices:Flagstaff Field Center (USGS)

Water Resources Division2255 N. Gemini DriveFlagstaff, AZ 86001602/779-3311, ext. 1429G. W. Hill, Field Office Chief

Bureau Activity Summary continued

-Occurrence and production of base and precious metalsbeing introduced into CRIB; funded by USGS and BGMT

Impact of Things Geologic

In order to evaluate the impact of things geologic, one must firstunderstand the geologic setting-earth materials, resources, andprocesses. Some processes (e.g., flooding, faulting, landslides,rockfalls, etc.) may be hazardous to inhabitants and destructive tostructures. Certain other factors (steep slopes, thin soil cover, sub­sidence, shrinking and swelling clay, presence or absence of re­sources, etc.), although not hazardous, may limit use of land.

During 1981 BGMT geologists reviewed and evaluated reportson the potential for mineral resources in wilderness study areas,the geologic framework in proposed hazardous and toxic wastedisposal areas, geologic factors along proposed Central Arizona

Phoenix Subdistrict office (USGS)Water Resources Division1880 Valley Bank CenterPhoenix, AZ 85073602/261- 3188E. G. Nassar, Subdistrict Chief

Tucson Subdistrict Office (USGS)Water Resources DivisionFederal Building301 W. CongressTucson, AZ 85701602/792-6671H. W. Hjalmarson, Subdistrict Chief

Yuma Subdistrict Office (USGS)Water Resources Division1940 South 3rd AvenueP.O. Box 5774Yuma, AZ 85364602/783-2133L. L. Werho, Subdistrict Chief

Project canal routes, and the impact of various geologic factors onland use in Coconino County.

Projects Completed:-Report on 1887 earthquake in San Bernardino Valley, Sonora;

includes discussion on implications for seismic hazard inArizona and recommendations to minimize earthquake losses

-Final report to USGS and NRC on historical seismicity inArizona; includes commentary on seismic risk

Projects in Progress:-Comprehensive catalog of earthquakes that occurred or were

felt in Arizona; funded by USGS, NRC, and BGMT; will bEpublished by BGMT .

-Assessment of geologic hazards in Arizona; funded by USGSand BGMT; will include identification of areas in which poten­tially hazardous geologic factors occur ~

State of Arizona. . Governor Bruce BabbittUniversity of Arizona.. . President John P. SchaeferBureau of Geology & Mineral Technology

Acting Director William P. CosartState Geologist. Larry D. FellowsEditor ... Anne M. CandeaIllustrators Joe LaVoie. Ken Mateslch and Jenny Laber

REGIONAL EVENTS

Illinois State Museum-Field Trip, Geology of the Grand Canyon,Colorado Plateau, Arizona and Utah; Springfield, June 28­July 9, 1982.

Geological Society of America-Penrose Conference• Origin of Fluids and Metals in Porphyry and Epithermal Mineral

Deposits, Dillon, Colo., August 8-13,1982 (Deadline: April 20).• Laramide Deformation of the Rocky Mountain Foreland,

Billings, August 22-28, 1982.• Sonoma Orogeny and Permian to Triassic Tectonism in West­

ern North America, Winnemucca, Nev., September 8-14,1982.Utah Geological Association-Field Trip, Central Utah, Salt Lake

City, September 20-22, 1982.

Vol 12 No 1

FieldnotesMarch 1982

The Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology is a Division of the University of Arizona, on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

State of ArizonaBureau of Geology and Mineral Technology845 N. Parl~ Ave.Tucson, Arizona 85719602/626-2733

NON·PROFIT ORG.

u.s. POSTAGEPA I 0

PERMIT NO. 190TUCSON, ARIZONA