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Ashland coalfield boundary; Assessment area for the Knobloch coal resource unit

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

Frequently-anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Ashland coalfield boundary; Assessment area for the Knobloch coal resource unit
Abstract:
This ArcView shapefile contains a polygon representation of the Ashland coalfield, Montana, as defined in the USGS National Coal Resource Assessment (NCRA) project. This theme was created specifically for the National Coal Resources Assessment in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains Region.
Supplemental_Information:
The Ashland coalfield boundary theme represents a digital polygon coverage showing the boundary of the Ashland coalfield, Montana, as defined in the National Coal Resource Assessment (NCRA) project of the U.S. Geological Survey. The coverage also represents the area of resource assessment for the Knobloch coal resource unit (Tertiary Fort Union Formation) in the Montana part of the Powder River Basin. The Ashland coalfield boundary is defined by geologic and geographic parameters, and the coalfield represents an area in which coal drill-hole and geologic data were definitive enough for coal-bed correlation and coal resource calculations of the Knobloch coal resource unit. The western and northwestern boundary of the coalfield is defined by the outcrop (or clinker contact) of the Knobloch coal bed, whereas the northern (part), eastern, and southern boundaries are defined by the northern (part), eastern and southern limits of 7.5' quadrangle maps including the Coleman Draw, Yager Butte, Goodspeed Butte, Fort Howes, Poker Jim Butte, Browns Mountain and Birney 7.5' quadrangles. The northern boundary of the coalfield essentially represents the geographic limit of subsurface data of sufficient spacing and quality for coal-bed correlations; this boundary crosses the south-central part of the Cook Creek Reservoir 7.5' quadrangle and connects with the northern boundary of the Coleman Draw 7.5' quadrangle. The Ashland coalfield does not include all areas in which the Knobloch coal bed outcrop (or clinker contact) has been mapped. This polygon coverage was developed in ARC/INFO by joining a digital line (arc) coverage of the Knobloch coal bed outcrop (or clinker contact) with a line (arc) coverage defining the boundaries of the 7.5' quadrangle maps. The composite (joined) line coverage was subsequently built as a polygon coverage, generalized using a weed tolerance of 30 meters to reduce file size, and converted to a shapefile for incorporation as a theme in the ARCVIEW project.
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    U.S. Geological Survey Central Energy Resources Team, 19990700, Ashland coalfield boundary; Assessment area for the Knobloch coal resource unit: 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: -106.6250
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -106.0000
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 45.6860
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 45.2500

  3. What does it look like?

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

    Calendar_Date: Jul-1999
    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 Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • GT-polygon composed of chains (1)

    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?

    knbnd.dbf
    Shapefile Attribute Table (Source: None)

    Area
    Area of polygon (Source: Software computed)

    Range of values
    Minimum:1342115000.00000
    Maximum:1342115000.00000

    Perimeter
    Perimeter of polygon (Source: Software computed)

    Range of values
    Minimum:335797.80000
    Maximum:335797.80000

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
    Geologist
    Box 25046 MS 939
    Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO 80225-0046
    USA

    303.236.7788 (voice)
    sroberts@usgs.gov

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?

    None (source 1 of 2)
    Derkey, P.M.(comp.), 1986, Coal stratigraphy of the Lame Deer, quadrangle, southeastern Montana:: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Geologic Map Geologic Map No. 43.

    Type_of_Source_Media: paper
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 100000
    Source_Contribution:
    This map contributed the location and extent of the Knobloch coal bed outcrop/clinker contact (part) which was used to delimit the western boundary of the Ashland coalfield and part of the Knobloch coal resource unit assessment area in the northern Powder River Basin, Montana.

    None (source 2 of 2)
    Matson, R.E.(comp.), and Blumer, J.W.(comp.), 1973, Quality, and reserves of stippable coal, selected deposits, southeastern Montana:: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Bulletin Bulletin 91.

    Type_of_Source_Media: paper
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 63360
    Source_Contribution:
    This source contributed information on the location of the Knobloch coal bed outcrop/clinker contact (part) which was used to delimit part of the Knobloch coal resource unit assessment area and the Ashland coalfield boundary, northern Powder River Basin, Montana.

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

    Date: 1998 (process 1 of 1)
    This polygon coverage was developed in ARC/INFO by joining a digital line (arc) coverage of the Knobloch coal bed outcrop (or clinker contact) with a line (arc) coverage defining the boundaries of the 7.5' quadrangle maps. The outcrop portion of the Ashland coalfield boundary was scanned and digitized using semi-automated data capture techniques. This outcrop line was then merged with known lines of latitude and longitude defining limits of the 7.5' quadrangle maps within the Ashland coalfield. The composite (joined) line coverage was subsequently built as a polygon coverage, generalized using a weed tolerance of 30 meters to reduce file size, and converted to a shapefile for incorporation as a theme in the ArcView project.

    Person who carried out this activity:

    USGS
    c/o Steve Roberts
    Geologist
    Bos 25046 MS 939
    Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO 80225-0046

    303.236.7788 (voice)
    sroberts@usgs.gov

  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?

    Polygon (part) was checked against digital 24k quad lines, and was shown to be accurate. No field check was made for the Knobloch coal bed outcrop/clinker contact for verification of accuracy and completeness.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    Limited to software coordinate precision for geographic cordinates

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

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

    Polygon covers the extent of the Ashland coalfield as defined by the USGS in the National Coal Resources Assessment project. The polygon covers the area of resource assessment for the Knobloch coal resource unit.

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

    Polygon topology 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

    303.236.7788 (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: 1999
Metadata author:
USGS Central Region Energy Resources Team
c/o Steve Roberts
Box 25046 MS 939
Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225
USA

303.236.7788 (voice)

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

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