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Restored Stratigraphic Cross Section Lines in the Decker Coalfield

Metadata also available as - [Outline] - [Parseable text] - [DIF]

Frequently-anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Restored Stratigraphic Cross Section Lines in the Decker Coalfield
Abstract:
This dataset contains lines representing the locations of restored stratigraphic cross-sections of the Anderson-Canyon coal zone in the Decker coalfield, Powder River Basin, Montana. This theme was created specifically for the National Coal Resources Assessment in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains Region.
Supplemental_Information:
The restored stratigraphic cross section theme is a digital line (arc) coverage showing the location of restored stratigraphic cross sections A-A', B-B', C-C', and D-D' in the Decker coal field. Each line in the ARCVIEW theme is linked to a PDF graphic file displaying the restored stratigraphic cross section. The restored stratigraphic cross sections were constructed using subsurface (drill hole) information, and they include interpretations of the lateral distribution of coal beds and associated rocks (sandstone, mudstone, etc.) along each line of section. Lithologic data shown in the cross sections are from the U.S. Geological Survey National Coal Resources Data System and in certain instances, no differentiation of rock type other than coal beds was available. In these cases, the coal bed correlations are maintained, and all other rock types are included in the general category of "rock." Coal bed names shown for coals above and below the Anderson-Canyon coal zone are modified from data of W.C. Culbertson in the U.S. Geological Survey National Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS). Some of the cross sections traverse faulted areas, and an interpretation of fault displacement is shown where applicable. In some areas, where the distance between control points (drill holes) is significant, the estimated displacement along the faults is highly inferred. Fault location and offset orientation is based mainly on mapping by the U.S. Geological Survey. Coal bed offset as depicted in the cross sections is very diagrammatic in that the actual structural attitude of the beds in the vicinity of the faults is not indicated. Cross section A-A' covers about 54 miles from west to east across the southern part of the Decker coal field, extending from the Decker coal mine areas to the eastern limit of the Anderson-Canyon coal zone. North-south cross section B-B' traverses about 23 miles in the Decker coal field, and extends from near Kirby to areas south and west of the Spring Creek coal mine. North-south cross section C-C' covers approximately 27 miles in the central part of the Decker coal field, east of the areas of active coal mining. Cross section D-D' extends for 26 miles from north to south near the eastern limit of the Decker coal field. Much of cross section D-D' includes areas where only the Dietz and Canyon coal beds are present.
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    U.S. Geological Survey Central Energy Resources Team, 19990930, Restored Stratigraphic Cross Section Lines in the Decker Coalfield: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1625-A, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -107.1597
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -105.1811
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 45.4791
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.9840

  3. What does it look like?

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Calendar_Date: 1998
    Currentness_Reference: Publication Date

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • Point (4372)

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest .0001. Longitudes are given to the nearest .0001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum 1927.
      The ellipsoid used is Clarke 1866.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378206.4.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/294.98.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    wapts.dbf
    Shapefile Attribute Table (Source: None)

    Ptid
    Unique identifier assigned each data point in the database. (Source: User Defined)

    Td
    Total depth of drill hole in feet. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:8444.00

    Surfelev
    Ground elevation at drill hole location in feet. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0
    Maximum:5912.3

    Topelev
    Elevation (msl) of top of stratigraphic zone investigated in feet. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:5851.00

    Botelev
    Elevation (msl) of bottom of stratigraphic zone investigated in feet. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:5792.00

    Origcthk
    Total thickness of coal in stratigraphic zone investigated in feet. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.1
    Maximum:284.0

    Nobeds
    Number of coal beds in stratigraphic zone investigated. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:11

    Moisture
    Moisture content in percent of coal (as-received basis). (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:42.30

    Percentash
    Ash yield, in percent, of coal (as-received basis). (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:23.60

    Totalsulfu
    Total sulfur, in percent, of coal. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:2.40

    Lbsofso2
    Calculated value, pounds of SO2 (sulfur dioxide) per million BTU. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:7.88

    Btu
    Calorific value in British Thermal Units per pound of coal ( as-received) ASTM, 1994). (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:9950

    Mmmfbtuu
    Calculated value, moist-mineral matter free BTU per pound of coal (as-received) ASTM). (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:10563

    Antimony
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:2.659

    Arsenic
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:18.702

    Berylliu
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:3.310

    Cadmium
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.901

    Chromium
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:49.650

    Cobalt
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:9.980

    Lead
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:17.078

    Manganese
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:208.800

    Mercury
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:2.035

    Nickel
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:33.413

    Selenium
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:16.000

    Uranium
    Trace element in parts per million on a whole coal basis. (Source: User Defined)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:11.740

    Completeness
    See top of zone elevation. (Source: User Defined)

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    USGS Central Region Energy Resources Team
    c/o Steve Roberts
    Box 25046 MS 939
    Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO 80225-0046
    USA

    303.236.7788 (voice)

Why was the data set created?

The Nation's coal resources are being assessed by the USGS. This assessment identifies and characterizes the coal beds and coal zones that will provide the bulk of the Nation's coal-derived energy during the next few decades. This assessment is different from previous USGS assessments because digital files and databases are being collected and stored in standardized formats, and being analyzed using a Geographic Information System (GIS).

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

    CoalQual (source 1 of 1)
    USGS, Unknown, National Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS): USGS, Denver Federal Center.

    Type_of_Source_Media: computer program
    Source_Contribution:
    This source provided the locations of wells used to construct the restored stratigraphic cross sections, Decker coalfield, Montana.

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: 1998 (process 1 of 1)
    The well locations used in subsurface cross sections (restored stratigraphic cross sections) for the Anderson-Canyon coal zone were obtained from NCRDS. Point locations were joined with lines as seen in the ARCVIEW theme. The cross section lines were then linked with PDF graphic files displaying the cross sections.

    Person who carried out this activity:

    USGS Central Region Energy Resources Team
    c/o Steve Roberts
    Box 25046 MS 939
    Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO 80225-0046
    USA

    303.236.7788 (voice)

  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    Attributes were checked against coal quality data points and county lines; are shown to be accurate.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    Limited to software coordinate precision of geographic coordinates

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    Data is limited to the Anderson-Canyon coal zone, Decker coalfield, Montana.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    Polygon features Present

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints: None

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 2)

    USGS Information Services
    Box 25286 Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO 80225-0046
    USA

    1-888-ASK-USGS (voice)
    1-303-202-4693 (FAX)

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    USGS Professional Paper 1625-A

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    This Compact Disc-Read Only Memory(CD-ROM) publication was prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this report, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.
    Although all data and software published on this CD-ROM have been used by the USGS, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data and related materials and (or) the functioning of the software. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the USGS in the use of this data, software, or related materials.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 2 of 2)

    USGS Central Region Energy Resources Team
    Box 25046 MS 939
    Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO 80225-0046
    USA

    303.236.1647 (voice)

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    The US Geological Survey provides these geographic data "as is." The USGS makes no guarantee or warranty concerning the accuracy of information contained in this geographic data. The USGS further makes no warranties, either expressed or implied as to any other matter whatsoever, including, without limitation, the condition of the product, or its fitness for any particular purpose. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user. Although these data have been processed successfully on USGS computers, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS regarding the use of these data on any other system, nor does the fact of distribution constitute or imply any such warranty. In no event shall the USGS have any liability whatsoever for payment of any consequential, incidental, indirect, special, or tort damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, any loss of profits arising out of use of or reliance on the geographic data or arising out of the delivery, installation, operation, or support by the USGS.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 1998
Last Reviewed: 1999
To be reviewed: 1999
Metadata author:
USGS Central Region Energy Resources Team
c/o Steve Roberts
Box 25046 MS 939
Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225-0046

303.236.7788 (voice)

Metadata standard:
FGDC CSDGM (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

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