Chapter T

Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment

of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau,

Southern Utah

By Robert D. Hettinger,1 Laura N.R. Roberts,1

Laura R.H. Biewick,1 and Mark A. Kirschbaum1

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1625–B*

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

National Coal

Resource

Assessment

Click here to return to Disc 1 

Volume Table of Contents

Chapter T of

Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau:

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Edited by M.A. Kirschbaum, L.N.R. Roberts, and L.R.H. Biewick

1

 U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado 80225

* This report, although in the USGS Professional Paper series,

is available only on CD-ROM and is not available separately

Chapter T supersedes U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 96-539
Contents

Abstract........................................................................................................................................................ T1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 2

Purpose and Scope ............................................................................................................................. 2

Methods ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Lithologic and Stratigraphic Data ............................................................................................ 2

Geologic Maps ............................................................................................................................ 3

Geographic Boundaries............................................................................................................. 3

Location................................................................................................................................................. 3

Previous Mining Activity and Geologic Studies ............................................................................. 3

Acknowledgments............................................................................................................................... 7

Geologic Setting............................................................................................................................................ 7

General Stratigraphy of Cretaceous and Tertiary Strata of the Kaiparowits Plateau.............. 7

Detailed Stratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous Straight Cliffs Formation................................. 7

Sequence Stratigraphy of the Straight Cliffs Formation ............................................................. 10

Structure ............................................................................................................................................. 14

Coal Distribution, Quality, and Resources in the Calico and A-Sequences...................................... 14

Coal Distribution................................................................................................................................. 14

Coal Distribution in Outcrops.................................................................................................. 19

Coal Distribution in the Subsurface....................................................................................... 19

Coal Quality......................................................................................................................................... 21

Coal Resources .................................................................................................................................. 24

Geologic Restrictions to Coal Availability...................................................................................... 24

Overburden ................................................................................................................................ 24

Coal-Bed Thickness ................................................................................................................. 28

Dip of Strata............................................................................................................................... 28

Coal Resource Summary ........................................................................................................................... 43

References Cited ........................................................................................................................................ 43

Appendix 1—Database Tables ................................................................................................................. 47

Appendix 2—Coal Tonnage Tables for Quadrangles and Townships ................................................ 53

Appendix 3—Summary of Coal Measurements and Resource Estimates 

from Previous Studies .................................................................................................................. 59

Appendix 4—Summary of Coal Quality................................................................................................... 64

Appendix 5—Lithologic and Stratigraphic Data for Selected Drill Holes 

from the Kaiparowits Plateau Database

[Location, lithologic, and stratigraphic data are available in ASCII format, 

DBF, and Excel spreadsheets on disc 2 of this CD-ROM set]
Appendix 6—ArcView Project

[The digital fi les used for the coal resource assessment of the Kaiparowits Plateau 

are presented as views in the ArcView project. The ArcView project 

and the digital fi les are stored on both discs of this CD-ROM set—Appendix 6 

of chapter T resides on both discs. Persons who do not have ArcView 3.1 may 

query the data by means of the ArcView Data Publisher on disc 1. Persons who 

do have ArcView 3.1 may utilize the full functionality of the software by accessing 

the data that reside on disc 2. An explanation of the ArcView project and data library

—and how to get started using the software—is given by Biewick and Mercier 

(chap. D, this CD-ROM). Metadata for all digital fi les are also accessible through 

the ArcView project]

Plate

 1. Locations of data points and correlation diagrams, Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah ........... T69

 Figure A. Location of drill holes, measured sections, and control points

 Figure B. Location of lines of section for transects A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′

 Figure C. Coal correlations in the Calico and A-sequences 

along cross section A-A′

 Figure D. Coal correlations in the Calico and A-sequences 

along cross section B-B′

 Figure E. Coal correlations in the Calico and A-sequences 

along cross section C-C′

Figures

 1. Location of Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah ................................................................................... T4

 2. Index map for 7.5’ quadrangles and townships in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah............ 6

 3. Generalized geologic map showing outcrops of Upper Cretaceous 

and Tertiary rocks in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah .............................................................. 8

 4. Paleogeographic map of the central part of North America during the 

Coniacian and Santonian Stages of the Cretaceous Period............................................... 11

 5. Stratigraphic divisions of the Straight Cliffs Formation ....................................................... 12

 6. Sequence stratigraphy and facies relationships of the Straight Cliffs 

Formation and upper part of the Tropic Shale ....................................................................... 13

 7. Responses of gamma ray and bulk density logs to lithologies 

in the Calico and A-sequences ................................................................................................ 15

 8. Isopach map showing the combined thickness of the Calico and A-sequences............ 16

 9. Structural features and inclination of strata within 

the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah.................................................................................................. 17

 10. Structure contour map of the Calico sequence boundary .................................................. 18

 11. Isopach map of net coal in the Calico and A-sequences.................................................... 20
 12. Coal distribution in the Calico and A-sequences.................................................................. 22

 13. Map showing areas of reliability for coal resources in the Calico and A-sequences ... 26

 14. Mineral ownership for areas underlain by the Calico and A-sequences......................... 27

 15. Overburden on the Calico sequence boundary..................................................................... 29

 16A. Distribution of net coal in beds 1.0–2.4 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.............. 30

 16B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are 1.0–2.4 ft thick 

in the Calico and A-sequences ................................................................................................ 31

 17A. Distribution of net coal in beds 2.5–3.4 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.............. 32

 17B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are 2.5–3.4 ft thick 

in the Calico and A-sequences ................................................................................................ 33

 18A. Distribution of net coal in beds 3.5–7.4 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.............. 34

 18B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are 3.5–7.4 ft thick in 

the Calico and A-sequences .................................................................................................... 35

 19A. Distribution of net coal in beds 7.5–14.0 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences............ 36

 19B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are 7.5–14.0 ft thick in 

the Calico and A-sequences .................................................................................................... 37

 20A. Distribution of net coal in beds 14.1–20.0 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.......... 38

 20B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are 14.1–20.0 ft thick in 

the Calico and A-sequences .................................................................................................... 39

 21A. Distribution of net coal in beds greater than 20.0 ft thick in 

the Calico and A-sequences .................................................................................................... 40

 21B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are greater than 20.0 ft thick 

in the Calico and A-sequences ................................................................................................ 41

 22. Map of the Kaiparowits Plateau showing areas where coal beds are 

greater than 3.5 ft thick, under less than 3,000 ft of overburden, 

and dip less than 12° .................................................................................................................. 42

Tables

 1. Coal mining history in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah .......................................................... T5

 2. Stratigraphic summary of Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary strata in 

the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah.................................................................................................... 9

 3. Summary of geologic publications regarding Upper Cretaceous and 

Tertiary rocks in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah.................................................................... 10

 4. Coal-quality summary for samples collected from cores of the 

Calico and A-sequences in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah ................................................ 23

 5. Coal-quality summary for samples collected from mines and outcrops 

within the Calico and A-sequences in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah.............................. 23

 6. Coal resources in the Calico and A-sequences in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah ......... 25

 7. Estimated coal tonnage in beds ranging from 1–2.4, 2.5–3.4, 3.5–7.4, 

7.5–14.0, 14.1–20.0, and greater than 20.0 ft in thickness within the 

Calico and A-sequences, Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah .......................................................... 28
T1

Abstract

This report on the coal resources of the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah, is a contribution to the U.S. Geological Survey’s 

National Coal Resource Assessment, a 5-year effort to identify 

and characterize coal beds and coal zones that could potentially provide energy resources for the Nation during the 21st 

century. The Kaiparowits Plateau was evaluated because coal 

companies have expressed an interest in developing this coal 

resource since the early 1960’s and because the potential for 

coal development has created many land-use and environmental issues. This report provides a geologic overview of the 

plateau and assesses the distribution and abundance of its coal 

resource. The results are reported within a variety of spatial 

parameters that might be useful for potential future energy 

exploration and land-use planning. Coal quantities reported as 

resources represent, as accurately as data allow, all coal in 

the ground in beds greater than 1 ft thick and under less than 

6,000 ft of overburden. The term “original resource” refers 

to coal in the ground prior to mining. More deeply buried 

coal is reported as other occurrences of non-resource coal. 

This study does not attempt to estimate coal reserves for the 

Kaiparowits Plateau. Reserves are that subset of the resource 

that can be economically produced at the present time. Some 

factors that might signifi cantly affect the amount of coal that 

can be recovered include: (1) bed thickness, (2) bed continuity, 

(3) inclination (dip) of strata, (4) coal that must be left in 

the ground for roof support, (5) coal that might be bypassed 

or destroyed while mining adjacent beds, and (6) coal that 

might not be mined because of land-use or environmental 

restrictions.

The Kaiparowits Plateau occupies about 1,650 mi2

 in 

southern Utah. It extends across the Grand Staircase–Escalante 

National Monument, and is adjacent to the Glen Canyon 

National Recreation Area and Bryce Canyon National Park. 

The plateau contains large quantities of subbituminous and 

bituminous coal in the John Henry Member of the Upper 

Cretaceous Straight Cliffs Formation. The coal is less than 

2,000 ft deep throughout much of the plateau and is as much 

as 8,500 ft deep in the plateau’s central region. The coal 

developed from peat that accumulated in coastal-plain mires 

that were located immediately inland (southwest) of shorelines 

of the Western Interior Seaway. The coastal-plain strata grade 

into shoreface deposits to the northeast and fl uvial strata to 

the southwest, and these collective facies are contained in 

highstand systems tracts of the Calico and A-sequences. The 

highstand deposits are generally progradational in the Calico 

sequence and aggradational in the overlying A-sequence. The 

combined sequences contain 1 to 164 ft of net coal in 1 to 

30 beds and individual coal-bed thicknesses range from 1 

to 59 ft. More than 100 ft of net coal are found near the 

plateau’s northern boundary and in three areas located 8–15 mi 

southwest of the plateau’s eastern fl ank.

The Calico and A-sequences contain about 28 billion 

short tons of coal that are favorable for current underground 

mining technology. These resources are in beds that are more 

than 3.5 ft thick, less than 3,000 ft deep, and inclined by 

less than 12°. Less than 50,000 short tons have been mined 

from this resource, and all of the remaining coal would have 

to be mined by underground methods. Although some of this 

resource is currently feasible to mine economically, much of 

it might not be minable because of additional geological, technological, land-use, or environmental restrictions. A signifi -

cant amount of the coal may remain undeveloped because it 

is within the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. 

The Calico and A-sequences contain an additional 34 billion 

short tons of coal that are not likely to be mined in the 

foreseeable future because, in addition to their proximity to 

the National Monument, they (1) are in beds that are too thin 

(< 3.5 ft), (2) cannot be extracted from beds that are more than 

14 ft thick, (3) are too deep (> 3,000 ft), or (4) are steeply 

inclined (>12°).

Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment 

of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, 

Southern Utah

By Robert D. Hettinger, Laura N.R. Roberts, Laura R.H. Biewick, and Mark A. Kirschbaum
T2 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Introduction

Purpose and Scope

An overview of the geology and the assessment of coal 

resources in the Kaiparowits Plateau of southern Utah is presented in this report. Included are maps and charts that show 

the distribution of coal. These diagrams can serve as a baseline 

to further assess the coal resource in terms of its availability 

and recoverability. The Kaiparowits Plateau is part of the U.S. 

Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Coal Resource Assessment that was initiated in 1994. The goal of the National 

Assessment is to characterize the resource potential and quality of coal for the entire Nation, with emphasis on those coals 

that might be of importance during the fi rst quarter of the 21st 

century. The Kaiparowits Plateau is one of six priority areas 

within the Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau region. The 

Kaiparowits Plateau contains about 1.5 percent of the Nation’s 

total coal resource in the lower 48 States, if compared to 

the fi gures of Averitt (1975). Coal resources of the Kaiparowits Plateau are a source of ongoing controversy because of 

coal mining, environmental, and land-use issues. These issues 

became paramount in 1996 when about 75 percent of the plateau was included in the Grand Staircase–Escalante National 

Monument. A preliminary coal-resource investigation by Hettinger and others (1996) made geologic and coal-resource data 

available to the public and land-use agencies for decisions 

regarding the newly established National Monument. Coalresource fi gures presented in this report supersede those in the 

preliminary assessment by Hettinger and others (1996).

The assessment of the Kaiparowits Plateau is based on 

data from geologic mapping, outcrop measurements, and drilling that has been conducted in the region since the late 

1960’s. Deposits of coal are contained in the Smoky Hollow 

and John Henry Members of the Upper Cretaceous Straight 

Cliffs Formation, and although the distribution of coal is well 

documented on outcrop, its distribution in the subsurface has 

remained largely unknown because of the proprietary status 

of company data. However, recently acquired company drillhole data and drilling conducted by the USGS have provided 

new insight into the subsurface aspects of these coals. These 

recently released data have been integrated with additional 

published geologic data to construct coal correlation charts 

and maps that show various aspects of coal distribution in the 

Kaiparowits Plateau. These data have been stored digitally and 

were manipulated in a geographic information system (GIS) to 

calculate coal resources within a variety of spatial parameters 

that are useful for land-use planning. Original coal resources 

reported in this investigation are for total in-place coal in the 

Smoky Hollow and John Henry Members and do not indicate 

the amount of coal that can be economically mined from the 

Kaiparowits Plateau.

Methods

In order to assess the coal resources of the Kaiparowits 

Plateau, we created digital fi les for various geologic features 

within the plateau. These spatial data were stored, analyzed, 

and manipulated in GIS using ARC/INFO software developed 

by the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. Spatial 

data that required gridding (such as coal thicknesses from 

individual data points) for the generation of contour and isopach maps were processed using Interactive Surface Modeling 

(ISM—Dynamics Graphics, Inc.). Contour lines generated in 

ISM were then converted into ARC/INFO coverages using a 

program called ISMARC, which we received from the Illinois 

State Geological Survey. We also collected and created additional coverages in ARC/INFO that defi ne various geographic 

boundaries in the vicinity of the Kaiparowits Plateau. Integrating these various coverages has allowed us to calculate coal 

resources and characterize coal distribution within a variety 

of geologic and geographic parameters that can be selected 

according to an individual’s needs. The digital coverages used 

in this report are available in the Arc/View project in Appendix 

6, and they are explained by Biewick and Mercier (chap. D, 

this CD-ROM). The following paragraphs discuss procedures 

used to produce the various coverages used in the assessment.

Lithologic and Stratigraphic Data

Lithologic and stratigraphic data are derived from our 

interpretations of the geophysical logs from 139 company 

coal-exploration drill holes and 22 oil and gas holes as well 

as published descriptions from 6 USGS drill holes and 46 measured stratigraphic sections. Drill-hole data were provided by 

5M, Inc., Pacifi cCorp Electric Operations, Andalex Resources, 

Oryx Energy Company, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM), and the Petroleum Information Corp. All data point 

localities are shown on fi gure A of plate 1. Data are identifi ed, 

and lithologic and stratigraphic interpretations for each data 

point are provided, in Appendix 1. Depths of lithologic and 

stratigraphic intervals from 155 selected drill holes are shown 

in Appendix 5 (disc 2, this CD-ROM). The selected drill 

holes are a subset from appendix 1, and they include all coal 

exploration and oil and gas holes that penetrate signifi cant 

portions of the coal-bearing interval assessed in this report.

Lithologic interpretations of geophysical logs are based 

on a combination of responses from natural gamma or gamma 

ray, density, resistivity, and neutron logs, and were modifi ed 

by core and cutting descriptions when available. Examples of 

geophysical log responses to lithologies are provided by Wood 

and others (1983, their fi gs. 26–31). Sandstone was interpreted 

from a moderate response on natural gamma and resistivity 

logs. Mudrock was interpreted from a high natural gamma 

and a low resistivity response. Coal was interpreted from a 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T3

low natural gamma and density response and a high resistivity 

and neutron response. Coal-bed thicknesses were measured 

between the midpoints on density or natural-gamma log curves 

wherever possible, and measurements were rounded to the 

nearest foot. Coal beds less than 1 ft thick were not included 

in the assessment. The minimum thickness of 1 ft was a 

modifi cation from the 14 in cutoff for coals of bituminous rank 

as suggested by Wood and others (1983). The thicknesses of 

coal benches were combined and reported as a single bed if 

an intervening parting was thinner than both of the underlying 

and overlying benches; the thickness of the partings was not 

included in the reported thickness of the coal bed (Wood and 

others, 1983, p. 31, 36).

Stratigraphic interpretations are based on lithologic stacking patterns in each drill hole and on correlations to nearby 

cores and outcrops. Some stratigraphic interpretations are 

based on lithologic descriptions from published measured sections and geologic reports. Many of the original geophysical 

logs were recorded at various scales and defl ection patterns 

and, therefore, were not well suited for the purpose of stratigraphic correlations. We resolved the log-scale problems by 

digitizing all geophysical logs and plotting them at uniform 

scales. Selected digitized log traces are shown in cross sections 

on fi gures C, D, and E of plate 1.

Geologic Maps

ARC/INFO coverages for geologic features include the 

locations of stratigraphic boundaries, faults, fold axes, and 

areas where strata are variably inclined (dipping). These data 

were digitized using ARC/INFO. Geologic contacts, fold axes, 

and faults were digitized at a 1:125,000-scale from a geologic 

map of the Kaiparowits coal-basin area (Sargent and Hansen, 

1982). The upper contact of the coal-bearing John Henry 

Member was digitized from a 1:100,000-scale geologic map 

of Kane County (Doelling and Davis, 1989). The ranges-ofdip map was compiled at a 1:125,000 scale from structure 

contour lines and dip measurements shown on published 

1:24,000-scale geologic maps.

Geographic Boundaries

ARC/INFO coverages for geographic boundaries were 

imported from existing public-domain databases. Township 

boundaries were obtained from a 1:24,000-scale Public Land 

Survey System (PLSS) coverage produced by the Automated 

Geographic Reference Center (AGRC) in Salt Lake City, 

Utah. The locations of towns and roads were obtained from 

1:100,000-scale digital line graphs created by the USGS EROS 

Data Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Areas of surface 

ownership were digitized from 1:100,000-scale maps that were 

compiled in 1993 for the Utah Geographic Approach to Planning Analysis Project (GAP). The ownership data were then 

updated in 1999 using information provided by the Utah 

School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) 

to show changes associated with the establishment of the 

Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. Areas of coal 

ownership were obtained from 1:100,000-scale digital compilations from the former U.S. Bureau of Mines Inventory 

of Land Use Restraints program and the PLSS coverage. 

County and State lines were obtained from 1:100,000-scale 

Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) fi les produced by the U.S. Bureau of the Census 

in 1990. Surface topography was obtained from a USGS digital elevation model (DEM) of the 1:250,000-scale Escalante 

quadrangle.

Location

The Kaiparowits Plateau is located in the southwestern 

part of the Colorado Plateau province and occupies parts of 

Kane and Garfi eld Counties near the towns of Escalante, Henrieville, and Glen Canyon City, in southern Utah (fi g. 1). In 

this study, the boundary of the Kaiparowits Plateau is placed 

at the base of Upper Cretaceous rocks where they are exposed 

between lat 37°N. and 38°N. and long 111°W. and 112°W. 

The Kaiparowits Plateau merges to the north with the Aquarius 

Plateau (fi g. 1), and the boundary between the two is defi ned 

by the Paunsaugunt fault and exposures at the base of Tertiary 

volcanic rocks. Further use of the word “plateau” in this report 

refers only to the Kaiparowits Plateau. The plateau covers an 

area of approximately 1,650 mi2

 and extends about 65 mi from 

north to south and 20 to 55 mi from east to west. The northern 

part of the plateau is in the Dixie National Forest, a few small 

areas along the plateau’s southern boundary are in the Glen 

Canyon National Recreation Area, and about 75 percent of the 

plateau is in the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument (inset on fi g. 1). Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National 

Parks are located west and east of the plateau, respectively. 

The Kaiparowits Plateau is a dissected mesa that rises 

as much as 6,500 ft above the surrounding terrain. Elevations 

range from about 4,000 ft in the south near Lake Powell 

(fi g. 1) to 10,450 ft in the northern part of the plateau. The 

landscape is dominated by four sets of cliffs and benches that 

form a step-like topography between the Aquarius Plateau and 

Lake Powell (Sargent and Hansen, 1980). One set includes the 

Straight Cliffs, which form a prominent escarpment extending 

along most of the plateau’s eastern fl ank; the escarpment is as 

much as 1,100 ft high at Fiftymile Mountain (fi g. 1).

Previous Mining Activity and Geologic Studies

Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau was fi rst mined by settlers in the late 1800’s near the town of Escalante, and small 

mines produced coal for local needs until the 1960’s. Locations of the abandoned mines are shown on fi gure 1. Production fi gures from Doelling and Graham (1972) are shown on 

table 1 and indicate that less than about 50,000 short tons of 

coal have been mined from the region.
T4 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Escalante

Boulder

Henrieville

Glen Canyon

City

UTAH

ARIZONA

89

GARFIELD COUNTY 

KANE COUNTY

1

2

3

4

5 6

7 8

9

10

11

12 

15

13

14

SAN JUAN COUNTY

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

COCONINO COUNTY

KAIPAROWITS

PLATEAU FIFTYMILE MOUNTAIN 

0 10

MILES

Scale 1:500,000

1 Corn Creek

2 Cherry Creek

3 Dakota

4 Christensen

5 Schow

6 Richards

7 Shurtz

 8 Winkler

 9 Alvey

10 Shakespeare

11 Pollock

12 Davis

13 Spencer Mine

14 Dakota

15 Bryce Canyon 

 Coal and Coke

Abandoned coal mine

Aquarius

 Plateau

Paunsaugunt

fault

Powell

Lake

12

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

Cliff

Northern boundary of

Kaiparowits Plateau

SALT LAKE

CITY

BRYCE CANYON 

NATIONAL PARK

GRAND STAIRCASEESCALANTE 

NATIONAL MONUMENT

GLEN CANYON 

NATIONAL

 RECREATION 

AREA

CAPITOL REEF 

NATIONAL PARK

DIXIE NATIONAL 

FOREST (part)

KAIPAROWITS 

PLATEAU

UTAH

Figure 1. Location of Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah, east of long 112°W. The plateau is delineated by the base of Upper Cretaceous rocks 

except along its northern boundary where it merges with the Aquarius Plateau. Inset map shows the location of the Kaiparowits Plateau 

with respect to nearby National Monuments, Forests, Parks, and Recreation Areas.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T5

Although coal investigations in the Kaiparowits Plateau 

were fi rst reported by Gregory and Moore (1931), it was not 

until the early 1960’s that energy companies expressed an 

interest to develop the region’s coal resource. Since then, coal 

leases have been held by at least 23 companies (Doelling and 

Graham, 1972), and about 1,000 coal exploration holes have 

been drilled in the plateau (Jim Kohler, BLM, oral commun., 

1991). Plans were made in 1965 to develop a 5,000-megawatt 

coal-burning power plant but were revised in the mid 1970’s to 

a 3,000-megawatt plant because of controversy over environmental issues (Sargent, 1984, p. 8). Construction plans were 

fi nally discontinued because of government action and pending lawsuits over environmental issues (Sargent, 1984). By 

1996, only a few companies retained coal leases and Preference Right Lease Applications (PRLA), and most of these 

expired shortly thereafter. Finally, in late 1996, about 1,250 

mi2

 of the plateau was included in the Grand Staircase–

Escalante National Monument. The few Federal coal leases 

that remained were suspended prior to the establishment of 

the Monument and remain in suspension as of this publication 

(Jim Kohler, BLM, oral commun., 1999). Currently, only one 

PRLA remains in the plateau, and it is located near the abandoned Shakespeare mine (fi g. 1).

The USGS has conducted numerous investigations to 

assess the geology and coal resources of the Kaiparowits 

Plateau. Stratigraphic investigations resulted in formal divisions of some Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary strata (Peterson, 

1969b; Bowers, 1972, respectively). Other sedimentological 

and stratigraphic studies demonstrated the relations between 

marine and coal-bearing continental strata and provided 

sequence stratigraphic divisions for Upper Cretaceous rocks in 

the region (Shanley and McCabe, 1991; Shanley and others, 

1992; McCabe and Shanley, 1992; Hettinger and others, 1994; 

Hettinger, 1995). Information obtained from coal drilling projects was reported by Zeller (1976, 1979) and Hettinger (1993, 

1995). Geologic maps were published at a 1:24,000 scale for 

25 7.5′ quadrangles within the plateau (fi g. 2), at 1:125,000 

for the entire Kaiparowits Plateau (Sargent and Hansen, 1982), 

and at 1:250,000 for the 1°×2° Escalante quadrangle (Hackman and Wyant, 1973). Seven 7.5′ quadrangles in the southern 

part of the plateau were also mapped by the USGS and published at a 1:31,680 scale by the Utah Geological and Mineralogical Survey (fi g. 2).

The USGS also published a series of 1:125,000-scale 

maps that addressed geologic factors related to potential coal 

mining within the Kaiparowits Plateau. Results of these studies 

were summarized by Sargent (1984). Drainage patterns and 

stream-fl ow data were shown by Price (1978), water quality 

was reported by Price (1977a, 1979), and ground-water availability was reported by Price (1977b). Scenic features and 

landforms were mapped by Carter and Sargent (1983) and 

Sargent and Hansen (1980), respectively. Surfi cial geology 

was mapped by Williams (1985), and landslide deposits were 

mapped by Fuller and others (1981). Bedrock geology was 

mapped by Hansen (1982). Geologic cross sections were provided by Lidke and Sargent (1983) and maps of total coal and 

overburden were provided by Hansen (1978a, 1978b).

Geologic investigations by the Utah Geological and Mineralogical Survey have also resulted in signifi cant publications. A comprehensive assessment of the geology and coal 

Table 1. Coal mining history in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah. 

[Total coal production from each mine is estimated from average annual production reported in Doelling and Graham (1972). Mine and quadrangle locations 

are shown on figures 1 and 2, respectively. Table is modified from Doelling and Graham (1972)] 

 

Mine Location 

7.5' 

quadrangle 

Producing 

horizon 

Years of 

production 

Estimated total 

production 

(short tons) 

Alvey NW1/4 sec. 12, T. 36 S., R. 2 E. Canaan Creek Alvey coal zone 1952-1962 12,000 

Bryce Canyon 

 Coal and Coke NE1/4 sec. 21, T.42 S., R. 1 W. 

Fivemile 

 Valley Dakota Formation 

1939-1970? 

 (Intermittent) 1,000 

Cherry Creek SE1/4 sec. 8, T. 35 S., R. 1 E. Griffin Point Alvey coal zone 1962-1964 420 

Christensen SW1/4 sec. 36, T. 35 S., R. 2 E. Canaan Creek Christensen coal zone 1893-1930 100 

Corn Creek SE1/4 sec. 5, T. 35 S., R. 1 E. Griffin Point Rees coal zone? unknown unknown 

Davis NE1/4 sec. 36, T. 36 S., R. 2 W. Pine Lake Henderson coal zone 1952-1953 100 

Dakota Coal mine NE1/4 sec. 30, T. 35 S. R. 3 E. Dave Canyon Dakota Formation unknown unknown 

Dakota Coal mine NW1/4, sec. 7, T. 43 S., R. 4 E. Lone Rock Dakota Formation Abandoned, 1913 145 

Pollock SE1/4 sec. 25?, T. 36 S., R. 2 W. Pine Lake Henderson coal zone 1920-1925 unknown 

Richards SE1/4 sec. 35, T. 35 S., R. 2 E. Canaan Creek Christensen coal zone 1913-1928 15,000 

Shakespeare NW1/4 sec. 23, T. 36 S., R. 2 W. Pine Lake Henderson coal zone 1952-1964 5,800 

Shurtz SW1/4 sec. 35, T. 35 S., R. 2 E. Canaan Creek Christensen coal zone 1913-1928 1,500 

Schow SW1/4 sec. 36, T. 35 S., R. 2 E. Canaan Creek Christensen coal zone unknown unknown 

Spencer SW1/4 sec. 3, T. 42 S., R. 3 E. Tibbet Bench Christensen coal zone ? 1910-1913 115 

Winkler NW1/4 sec. 12, T. 36 S., R. 2 E. Canaan Creek Alvey coal zone 1920's unknown 

 
T6 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

0 5 10

MILES

23 Doelling and Graham (1972)

24 Bowers (1993)

25 Bowers (1991b)

26 Zeller and Vaninetti (1990)

27 Zeller (1990a)

28 Zeller (1990b)

30 Peterson (1975)

33 Waldrop and Sutton (1967a)

34 Waldrop and Sutton (1967b)

35 Peterson (1967)

36 Peterson and Horton (1967)

37 Peterson and Barnum (1973b)

38 Peterson and Barnum (1973a)

39 Waldrop and Sutton (1967c)

40 Waldrop and Peterson (1967)

41 Peterson (1973)

42 Peterson and Waldrop (1967 )

 5 Bowers (1973b)

 6 Stephens (1973)

 7 Bowers (1973c)

 8 Bowers (1973a)

 9 Zeller (1973b)

10 Zeller (1973d)

11 Bowers (1975)

12 Bowers (1981)

13 Zeller (1973c)

14 Zeller (1973a)

15 Zeller and Stephens (1973)

16 Doelling and Graham (1972)

17 Bowers (1983)

18 Bowers (1991a)

19 Zeller (1990c)

20 Zeller (1978)

21 Doelling and Graham (1972)

22 Peterson (1980) 

Primary source of geology 

7.5' Quad. Reference 7.5' Quad. Reference

Geology of quadrangles 5, 7-11, 13--15, 17, 19, 20, 24, 26-28, 33, 34, 36, 39, 40, 

and 42 is also mapped at a scale of 1:42,240 by Doelling and Graham (1972).

Geology of all quadrangles 1-42 is mapped at a scale of 1:125,000 by 

Sargent and Hansen (1982).

T. 39 S.

T. 43 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 E. R. 2 E.

R. 3 E.

R. 7 E.

T. 36 S.

R. 2 W. R. 1 W.

R. 5 E.

Carcass

Canyon

Death

Ridge

Ship Mtn.

Point

Fourmile

Bench

Warm

Creek

Bay

Gunsight

Butte

Canaan

Creek

Collet

Top

Basin

Canyon

Big Hollow

Wash

Blackburn

Canyon

Upper

Valley

Butler

Valley

Fivemile

Valley

Canaan

Peak

Calico

Peak

Wide

Hollow

Reservoir

Lower

Coyote

Spring

Griffin

Point

Grass

Lakes

Posy

Lake

Mazuki

Point

Navajo

Point

Horse

Mtn

Petes

Cove

Pine

Lake

Horse

Flat

Tibbet 

Bench

Nipple

Butte

Sooner

Bench

Sit Down

Bench

Smoky

Hollow

Slickrock

Bench

Barker

Reservoir

Sweetwater

Creek

Henrieville

Needle

Eye

Point

East of the

Navajo

Seep

Flat

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20

23 24 25 26 27

31 32 33 34 35 36

28

21 22

29 30

37 38

39 40 41 42

Lone

Rock

Glen

Canyon

City

Dave

Canyon

Figure 2. Index map of 7.5′ quadrangles and townships in the Kaiparowits Plateau. Published geologic maps of quadrangles are referenced 

in inset. The outline of the plateau is shown in red, township lines are dashed, and 7.5′ quadrangles are numbered and shown in blue.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T7

resources in the Kaiparowits Plateau was published by Doelling and Graham (1972). This report included geologic maps, 

at a scale of 1:42,240, and measured coal thicknesses in 27 

7.5′ quadrangles in the plateau (fi g. 2). The geology of Kane 

County, Utah, was reported by Doelling and Davis (1989) and 

included a 1:100,000-scale geologic map of the southern part 

of the Kaiparowits Plateau. Coal resources for the southern 

part of the plateau were also described by Blackett (1995).

Coal resources of the Kaiparowits Plateau were previously estimated by Averitt (1961), Peterson (1969b), and Doelling and Graham (1972), and the reported tonnages included 

coal in both the Dakota and Straight Cliffs Formations. Initially, Averitt (1961) estimated that the Kaiparowits Plateau 

contained 3 billion short tons of coal. Coal discoveries made 

during the 1960’s resulted in higher estimates, and Peterson 

(1969a, p. 219) estimated that the plateau contained about 40 

billion short tons of coal in beds that were more than 1 ft thick 

and less than 3,000 ft deep. Doelling and Graham (1972, p. 

102–106) reported that the plateau contained about 15 billion 

short tons of coal in beds more than 4 ft thick and less than 

3,000 ft deep and stated that most of the coal in the plateau 

was minable only by underground methods. Both Peterson 

(1969a, p. 221) and Doelling and Graham (1972, p. 102) 

estimated that about 4 billion short tons of coal could be 

mined. Coal resource estimates have also been made by Doelling and Graham (1972) and the USGS for 12 quadrangles in 

the plateau, and those estimates are included in Appendix 3.

Acknowledgments

We thank 5M, Inc., Pacifi cCorp Electric Operations, 

Andalex Resources, and the Oryx Energy Company for granting permission to use and publish their drill-hole data. We 

thank the BLM Utah State Offi ce, for providing drill-hole data 

from areas where coal leases have expired. We also thank 

Brenda Pierce (USGS) for providing coal quality data from 

cores CT-1-91 and SMP-1-91, and Russell Dubiel, Ed Johnson, Doug Nichols, Rick Scott, and Katharine Varnes (USGS) 

for their reviews of the manuscript.

Geologic Setting

General Stratigraphy of Cretaceous and 

Tertiary Strata of the Kaiparowits Plateau

Geologic cross sections by Lidke and Sargent (1983) 

indicate that as much as 7,500 ft of Upper Cretaceous strata 

and 3,000 ft of Tertiary strata underlie the Kaiparowits Plateau 

(table 2). Upper Cretaceous rocks include, in ascending order, 

the Dakota Formation, Tropic Shale, and Straight Cliffs, Wahweap, Kaiparowits, and Canaan Peak (lower part) Formations. 

Paleocene strata are in the Canaan Peak (upper part), Pine 

Hollow, and Wasatch (lower part) Formations. The middle and 

upper parts of the Wasatch Formation are Eocene in age, and 

the Osiris Tuff is Miocene in age. The Dakota, Tropic, and 

Straight Cliffs Formations are exposed along the margins of 

the plateau but are buried by younger strata in the plateau’s 

central region (fi g. 3). Thicknesses, lithologies, and depositional settings for these Cretaceous and Tertiary formations are 

summarized in table 2, and additional sedimentological, stratigraphic, paleontological, and palynological data are provided 

in the publications cited in table 3.

Coal is found in the Dakota Formation and the Smoky 

Hollow and John Henry Members of the Straight Cliffs Formation (table 2). Coal beds in the Dakota Formation and lower 

part of the Smoky Hollow Member are generally thin, lenticular, or too deep to be mined in the foreseeable future, so 

they are described only briefl y in the following paragraph. The 

Smoky Hollow (upper part) and John Henry Members contain 

coal beds that are generally thicker, and they have been the 

focus of company exploration; therefore, they are described in 

detail throughout the remainder of this report.

Coal has been found in most areas where the Dakota 

Formation is exposed along the periphery of the plateau (fi g. 

3). The Dakota has as many as seven lenticular beds of 

coal that are generally less than 2 ft thick; however, 4- to 6-ftthick beds have been reported in the Dave Canyon quadrangle 

(Zeller, 1973d), Henrieville quadrangle (Bowers, 1975), and 

Wide Hollow Reservoir quadrangle (Stephens, 1973) (fi g. 2). 

The quality of coal in the Dakota Formation is not well known, 

but proximate and ultimate analyses of a sample from the 

Dakota Coal mine (fi g. 1, table 1) yielded 11,370 Btu/lb on a 

moist, mineral-matter-free basis (Waldrop and Peterson, 1967), 

and it has an apparent rank of subbituminous A using the Parr 

formula described in American Society for Testing and Materials (1995). The basal 25 ft of the Smoky Hollow Member 

contains as many as four coal beds that are generally less than 

2 ft thick; additionally, 3-ft-thick beds have been reported in 

the Wide Hollow Reservoir quadrangle (Stephens, 1973), and 

4- to 5-ft-thick beds have been reported in the Lone Rock 

quadrangle (Waldrop and Peterson, 1967) and Smoky Hollow 

quadrangle (Peterson, 1967) (fi g. 2).

Detailed Stratigraphy of the 

Upper Cretaceous Straight Cliffs Formation

During the Late Cretaceous, the region now occupied by 

the Kaiparowits Plateau was located at a paleolatitude of about 

41°N. (Irving, 1979; Beeson, 1984), on the western margin of 

the Western Interior Seaway (fi g. 4). Shorelines were oriented 

about N. 45° W. to S. 45° E., (Peterson, 1969b; Shanley, 

1991; Roberts and Kirschbaum, 1995), and sediment was supplied from the Sevier Highlands (Peterson, 1969a). Approximately 1,100–1,600 ft of strata were assigned to the Straight 

Cliffs Formation by Gregory and Moore (1931). The Straight 

Cliffs Formation was initially divided by Waldrop and 
T8 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

Undivided Tertiary and Cretaceous

Cretaceous

Northern boundary of

Kaiparowits Plateau

TKu

Ksd Drip Tank Member of the Straight Cliffs Formation

Ksj

Kstd

Kstd

Kstd

Ksj

Ksj

Ksj

Ksd

TKu

Osiris Tuff and Wasatch Formation (Tertiary),

Pine Hollow Formation (Tertiary?), Canaan Peak

Formation (Tertiary? and Cretaceous), and

Kaiparowits and Wahweap Formations 

(Cretaceous), undivided

John Henry Member of the Straight Cliffs Formation,

these exposures are nearly identical to exposures of 

the Calico and A-sequences.

Smoky Hollow and Tibbet Canyon Members of the 

Straight Cliffs Formation, and Tropic Shale and 

Dakota Formation, undivided

Figure 3. Generalized geologic map showing outcrops of Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary rocks in the Kaiparowits Plateau. At the mapped 

scale, outcrops of the John Henry Member of the Straight Cliffs Formation are nearly identical with outcrops of the Calico and A-sequences. 

Geologic map is modifi ed from Sargent and Hansen (1982).
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T9

Table 2. Stratigraphic summary of Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary strata in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah. 

[Lithologic descriptions and depositional interpretations are based on Sargent and Hansen (1982), Bowers (1972), Peterson (1969a, 1969b) and Shanley and 

McCabe (1991)] 

 

Age Formation Thickness (ft) Description and depositional interpretation 

Miocene Osiris Tuff 0-600 Gray, purplish-gray and red-brown welded ash-flow tuff. Volcanic. 

Eocene 

and 

Paleocene 

Wasatch 

Formation 

1,350-1,650 

Variegated sandstone member (0-600 ft) Red, pink, and purplish-gray, very fine to coarsegrained sandstone, mudrock and minor conglomerate. Fluvial. 

White limestone member (0-600 ft) Light-gray to white, crystalline limestone and minor 

mudrock. Lacustrine. 

Pink limestone member (0-900 ft) Gray, tan, white, pink or red, fine-grained clastic 

limestone, mudrock, sandstone, and minor conglomerate. Fluvial. 

Paleocene? Pine Hollow 

Formation 

0-450 Lavender to red and gray mudrock and limestone with coarse-grained, pebbly sandstone in 

lower part. Low-energy fluvial and lacustrine. 

Paleocene? 

and Late 

Cretaceous 

Canaan Peak 

Formation 

0-900 Gray, tan, and brown conglomerate, conglomeratic sandstone, and minor gray and red 

mudstone. High- energy fluvial. 

 

Kaiparowits 

Formation 

600-3,000 Greenish- and bluish-gray, fine-grained, silty sandstone with subordinate beds of mudrock and 

limestone. Low-energy fluvial (meandering river) and floodplain. 

 

Wahweap 

Formation 

900-2,600 Light-gray and brownish-orange, fine- to medium-grained sandstone interbedded with gray 

mudrock and shale. Upper part is dominantly sandstone. Fluvial and floodplain. 

Late 

Cretaceous Straight 

Cliffs 

Formation 

1,000-2,000 

Drip Tank Member (140-400 ft) Light-gray, medium- to coarse-grained sandstone, 

conglomeratic sandstone, and minor mudrock. Braided river. 

John Henry Member (600 *-1,500 ft) Light-gray to brown, very fine to medium-grained 

sandstone; minor coarse-grained and conglomeratic sandstone; olive-gray, brown, and black 

mudrock, and coal. Nearshore marine, estuarine, paludal, and alluvial. * Thickness based 

on subsurface data. 

Smoky Hollow Member (20-300 ft) Lower part is fine-grained sandstone, mudrock, and coal. 

Upper part contains light-gray, medium- to coarse-grained and pebbly sandstone in the 

informally named Calico bed, and coal locally overlies the Calico bed. Coastal plain, 

paludal, and braided river (Calico bed). 

Tibbet Canyon Member (60-185 ft) Yellowish-gray and grayish-orange, fine- to mediumgrained sandstone with siltstone and mudrock in lower part. Estuarine and nearshore marine. 

 

Tropic 

Shale 

600-900 Gray shale with thin beds of siltstone and fine-grained sandstone in upper part. Offshore 

marine. 

 

Dakota 

Formation 

15- 

250 

Upper member (0-68) Light-brown, very fine- to fine-grained sandstone interbedded with gray 

mudrock. Coastal plain, brackish water, and nearshore marine. 

Middle member (4-76) Gray to brown, very fine grained to fine-grained sandstone interbedded 

with yellowish-green mudrock, carbonaceous mudrock, and coal. Low-energy fluvial, flood 

basin, and paludal. 

Lower member (0-66) Gray to brown conglomerate and fine- to coarse-grained, pebbly 

sandstone and minor carbonaceous mudrock. High-energy fluvial. 
T10 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Peterson (1967) into lower, middle, and upper sandstone members that were mapped along the plateau’s southern fl ank (fi g. 

5). The middle member contained a minor coal zone, a white 

sandstone marker bed, a major coal zone, and an upper barren 

zone.

Peterson (1969b) formally divided the Straight Cliffs Formation, in ascending order, into the Tibbet Canyon, Smoky 

Hollow, John Henry, and Drip Tank Members (table 2, fi g. 5). 

Peterson interpreted the Tibbet Canyon and Smoky Hollow as 

middle and late Turonian-age deposits that accumulated along 

the regressive shorelines of the Western Interior Seaway. He 

also interpreted the Tibbet Canyon as consisting of shallowmarine and beach deposits and the Smoky Hollow as consisting of coal-bearing coastal-plain strata in its lower part 

and braided-river deposits in its upper part; the braided-river 

deposits were informally named the Calico bed. Peterson further interpreted the Calico bed as being truncated by an unconformity of late Turonian to early Coniacian age. However, the 

unconformity has not been recognized on the western fl ank of 

the plateau, and Shanley and others (1992) reinterpreted it as a 

ravinement surface that was cut during a marine transgression. 

The John Henry is early Coniacian to late Santonian in age 

(Eaton, 1991) and consists of coal-bearing continental beds 

that grade eastward into a vertical stack of near-shore marine 

strata (Peterson, 1969a, 1969b). Shoreface sandstones in the 

marine strata form the dominate lithology along the Straight 

Cliffs escarpment (fi g. 1) and were informally named A 

through G (fi g. 5) by Peterson. Coal in the John Henry was 

assigned to the lower, Christensen, Rees, and Alvey zones 

(fi g. 5) by Peterson. The Drip Tank is constrained to a late 

Santonian or early Campanian age (Eaton, 1991) and consists 

of sandstone that is interpreted to have been deposited in a 

fl uvial environment (Peterson, 1969a, 1969b).

The stratigraphic divisions and nomenclature of Peterson 

(1969b) have been used to map most areas in the southeastern 

and eastern parts of the plateau. However, the Straight Cliffs 

Formation was simply divided by Bowers (1973c) into lower 

and upper parts (fi g. 5) that were mapped along the western 

fl ank of the plateau. The lower part contains a basal marine 

sandstone that is equivalent to the Tibbet Canyon and a white 

marker sandstone that is equivalent to the Calico bed. The 

upper part contains the Henderson coal zone (defi ned by Robison, 1966) at its base and is capped by a thick, massive 

sandstone that is equivalent to the Drip Tank. Strata between 

the white marker sandstone and thick, massive sandstone are 

equivalent to the John Henry. Correlations between the various 

units and members shown in fi gure 5 are based on Doelling 

and Graham (1972) and Bowers (1973c, 1975, 1983, 1991a, 

1991b, 1993). In this report, all further references to the 

nomenclature of Peterson (1969b) include equivalent strata 

throughout the Kaiparowits Plateau. Outcrops of the John 

Henry and Drip Tank and their laterally equivalent strata are 

shown in fi gure 3.

Sequence Stratigraphy of the 

Straight Cliffs Formation

Recent stratigraphic and sedimentological investigations 

by Shanley and McCabe (1991) have resulted in the identifi cation of four unconformity-bounded sequences in the Straight 

Cliffs Formation. The unconformities are located (1) in the 

Tibbet Canyon Member, (2) near the base of the Calico bed, 

(3) within the A-sandstone, and (4) near the base of the Drip 

Tank Member, and these are named the Tibbet, Calico, A-, 

and Drip Tank sequence boundaries, respectively (fi g. 5, fi g. 

6). Each overlying sequence is named after its basal unconformity. The sequence-boundary unconformities are recognized 

by facies that have abruptly shifted basinward over regional 

surfaces of erosion. The basinward facies shifts are characterized by fl uvial and estuarine strata that are juxtaposed over 

fi ner grained coastal-plain and shoreface strata (fi g. 6); these 

relationships have been documented by Shanley (1991), Shanley and others (1992), and Hettinger and others (1994). 

Deposition in each of the sequences is interpreted to 

have been controlled by base-level fl uctuations, in that each 

sequence-boundary unconformity was cut during a fall in base 

Table 3. Summary of publications regarding the stratigraphy, sedimentology, paleontology, and palynology 

of Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary rocks in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah. 

 

Formation Authors of investigation and references 

Wasatch, Pine Hollow, 

and Canaan Peak Fms. Bowers (1972) 

Kaiparowits Fm. Lohrengel (1969) 

Wahweap Fm. Peterson (1969a), Eaton (1991) 

Straight Cliffs Fm. 

Peterson (1969a, 1969b), Orlansky (1971), Doelling and Graham (1972), Vaninetti (1978), Johnson 

and Vaninetti (1982), Eaton (1991), Shanley (1991), Shanley and McCabe (1991), Shanley and 

others (1992), McCabe and Shanley (1992), Hettinger and others (1994), Hettinger (1995), 

Nichols (1995) 

Tropic Shale and 

Dakota Fm. 

Lawrence (1965), Peterson (1969a), May and Traverse (1973), Gustason (1989), Eaton (1991), 

Kirschbaum and McCabe (1992) 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T11

Sevier Highlands

Alluvial plain

and highlands

Coastal

plain

Peat

swamps

Marine

45 ̊

30 ̊

Thrust fault

Paleolatitude

30 ̊

30 ̊

45 ̊

West

e

r

n I

nterio r S ea

w

a

y

Kaiparowits Plateau

Figure 4. Paleogeographic map of the central part of North America during the Coniacian and Santonian Stages (88.5–83.5 Ma) of the 

Cretaceous Period. The Kaiparowits Plateau is shown in relation to shorelines, coastal plains, and peat swamps associated with the 

Western Interior Seaway; strata from these depositional systems are preserved in the Straight Cliffs Formation. Map is modifi ed from 

Roberts and Kirschbaum (1995).
T12 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

level and each overlying sequence was deposited during a 

subsequent rise in base level (Shanley and McCabe, 1991). 

Valleys were incised during lowering base levels and were 

subsequently backfi lled by upward-deepening stratal successions during the initial stage of base-level rise; the deepeningupward successions are interpreted to be within transgressive 

systems tracts (fi g. 6). Overlying aggradational and progradational deposits of marine and coal-bearing continental strata 

are interpreted to have been deposited in highstand systems 

tracts during slower rates of base-level rise (fi g. 6).

The Calico and A-sequences contain all of the coal that is 

in the Smoky Hollow (upper part) and John Henry Members. 

These two sequences underlie approximately 1,300 mi2

 of the 

plateau, and their outcrops are nearly identical to those shown 

for the John Henry at the scale shown in fi gure 3. Criteria used 

to recognize the Calico and A-sequences on geophysical logs 

were provided by Hettinger (1995), and examples of core and 

log characteristics from that report are shown on fi gure 7. The 

Calico sequence boundary was recognized by a high naturalgamma response that corresponds to a thick and widespread 

paleosol located below the Calico bed (Hettinger, 1995). The 

Drip Tank sequence boundary was placed near the base of 

Straight Cliffs Formation

Sequence stratigraphic 

divisions 

(Shanley and 

McCabe, 1991)

Eastern flank 

of plateau 

(Peterson, 1969b)

Tibbet Canyon 

Member

Drip Tank

Member

Smoky Hollow Member

A sandstone

B sandstone

C sandstone

D sandstone

E sandstone

F sandstone

G sandstone

Calico bed

lower part upper part

lower sandstone

member

middle member

upper sandstone 

member

upper 

massive 

sandstone

white 

marker 

sandstone

white marker bed

minor coal zone

major coal zone

upper barren zone

basal 

marine 

sandstone

Henderson 

coal zone

Drip Tank sequence

(part)

A- sequence

Calico sequence

Tibbet sequence

A-seq.bdry.

Drip Tank seq. bdry.

Calico seq. bdry

Tibbet seq. bdry.

lower coal 

zone

Christensen

 coal

zone

Rees

coal

zone

Alvey coal zone

unconformity

unconformity

unconformity

unconformity

Turonian

Coniacian

Santonian

Campanian

Age

Western flank 

of 

plateau

Southern flank 

of 

plateau

Nomenclature was 

first used by 

Bowers (1973c).

Nomenclature was first 

used by Waldrop and

 Peterson (1967).

unconformity

John Henry Member

Figure 5. Stratigraphic divisions of the Straight Cliffs Formation used for geologic mapping and stratigraphic studies in various parts of the 

Kaiparowits Plateau. Age boundaries are approximately located.
Calico bed MFSMFS Shoreface Estuarine Alluvial and coastal plain without coal Coastal plain with coal Offshore Fluvial channel Se

2 Ca

1 Tib

MFS Maxi

A sandstone Rock House Cove

Left Hand Collet Canyon

HST HighsTST Tran

Rock 

House 

Cove

Turonian

Coniacian

Santonian

Campanian

Vertical scale 

2

1

3

4

Drip

Tank

Member

John

Henry

Member

Smoky

Hollow

Member

 Tibbet

Canyon

Member

Straight Cliffs Formation

Tropic

Shale

(part)

Drip Tank

sequence

(part)

A-sequence

Calico

sequence

Tibbet

sequence

HST TST

HST TST

HST TST

Kaiparo

Plate

Line 

Age Stratigraphy

Figure 6. Sequence stratigraphy and facies relations in the Straight Cliffs Formation and upper part of the Tropic Shale. Line of section extends from Left HanHouse Cove (inset) and is perpendicular to paleoshoreline. Sequence-stratigraphic divisions are compared to formal stratigraphic nomenclature. Diagram is mPosition of age boundaries are approximate.
T14 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

blocky log signatures that correspond to thick sandstones in 

the Drip Tank Member (Hettinger, 1995). We have used this 

criteria to identify the Calico and Drip Tank sequence boundaries on the geophysical logs from about 166 drill holes, and 

the boundaries’ down-hole elevations are listed in Appendix 

1. These data were used in conjunction with outcrop data to 

construct isopach maps that show the thickness and deformation of the coal-bearing strata across the plateau.

The Calico and A-sequences have a combined thickness 

of approximately 600–1,600 ft (fi g. 8); about 75–400 ft of 

strata are in the Calico sequence and 525–1,200 ft of strata 

are in the A-sequence. The combined sequences are 750–850 

ft thick throughout much of the southwestern and south-central 

parts of the plateau and gradually thicken in the northern part 

of the plateau. The sequences are thickest along the Straight 

Cliffs escarpment (fi g. 1), where they contain thick aggradational stacks of shoreface sandstone and mudrock. Conversely, 

they are thinnest in the central part of the plateau, where they 

are dominated by mudrock and coal (Hettinger, 1995). The 

variations in thickness probably result from the differential 

compaction of sandstone, mudrock, and peat. Trends in thickness of the combined sequences are based on our interpretations from the 192 data points listed in Appendix 1. The thickness of the combined sequences was determined from geophysical logs using the criteria described by Hettinger (1995). 

The thickness of the combined sequences from measured sections utilize the stratigraphic interval between the base of the 

Calico bed and base of the Drip Tank Member. The thicknesses 

of the combined sequences at the control points were based on 

texts from published geologic maps.

Structure

Strata within the Kaiparowits Plateau are inclined along 

numerous northerly trending folds that plunge into a deep 

central basin containing the Table Cliffs, Last Chance, and 

Coyote Creek–Billie Wash synclines (fi g. 9). The eastern fl ank 

of the central basin is defi ned by the westwardly dipping limb 

of the Dutton monocline, and its western fl ank is defi ned by 

eastwardly dipping limbs of the Johns Valley anticline and East 

Kaibab monocline. Strata are inclined by less than 6° throughout most of the plateau (fi g. 9). However, strata are inclined by 

as much 25° along a westwardly dipping homocline near the 

town of Escalante, 30° on the eastern limb of the Johns Valley 

anticline, 45° along the Dutton monocline, and 80° along the 

East Kaibab monocline. Areas where strata are inclined from 

0°–6°, 6°–12°, 12°–25°, and more than 25° are shown in 

fi gure 9 and are based on inclination and structure-contour data 

shown on published geologic maps (fi g. 2) and photogeologic 

maps by Detterman (1956), McQueen and Ray (1958), and 

McQueen (1958).

There are relatively few faults in the Kaiparowits Plateau, 

and most of these are located around its peripheral areas (fi g. 

9). Displacements are generally insignifi cant in regard to the 

potential mining of coal (Doelling and Graham, 1972). Faults 

having signifi cant displacement include the northeast-trending 

Paunsaugunt fault and the bounding faults of the Jake Hollow 

graben, both located along the plateau’s northern margin. The 

Paunsaugunt fault has as much as 2,000 ft of displacement and 

truncates all coal-bearing strata along the northwestern fl ank 

of the plateau (Doelling and Graham, 1972). The Jake Hollow 

graben is about 6 mi long, 0.5–1.0 mi wide, and has as much 

as 500 ft of displacement (Bowers, 1973b). Northeast-trending 

faults on the west-central fl ank of the plateau near Henrieville 

have a strong right-lateral strike-slip component and 200–250 

ft of vertical displacement (Bowers, 1983). Farther south, the 

East Kaibab monocline is cut by numerous southeast-trending 

faults that have only minor displacements (Bowers, 1983, 

1993). The southern margin of the plateau contains several 

additional northwest-trending faults that extend less than 10 

mi and have less than 50 ft of displacement (Peterson, 1967; 

Waldrop and Sutton, 1967a; Zeller, 1990a).

Deformation of coal-bearing strata in the Calico and 

A-sequences is shown on a structure contour map of the 

Calico sequence boundary (fi g. 10). The sequence boundary is 

4,500–9,000 ft above sea level on outcrop but only 2,000 ft 

above sea level in the Table Cliffs syncline (fi gs. 9 and 10). 

The structure of the Calico sequence boundary refl ects most 

of the major folds in the plateau and indicates that the folds 

are not related to the compaction of the overlying rock. Figure 

10 was made using measured and estimated elevations of 

the sequence boundary from 166 drill holes (Appendix 1) as 

well as numerous elevations recorded 50 to 100 ft below the 

mapped base of the John Henry Member (see maps referenced 

in fi gure 2).

Coal Distribution, Quality, and 

Resources in the Calico and 

A-Sequences

The Calico and A-sequences contain coal in the Henderson coal zone, the lower coal zone, and the Christensen, Rees, 

and Alvey coal zones (fi g. 5). The Henderson and lower coal 

zones are in the Calico sequence, and the Christensen, Rees, 

and Alvey coal zones are in the A-sequence. We describe 

these coals in sequence-stratigraphic context because, unlike 

the formational contacts of the John Henry Member, the Calico 

and Drip Tank sequence boundaries provide marker horizons 

that can be traced on geophysical logs throughout the plateau.

Coal Distribution

Coal-bearing strata in the Calico and A-sequences extend 

as much as 60 mi from north to south and 30 mi from 

east to west. Outcrop investigations show that the coal is 

confi ned within several distinct zones that are exposed along 

the fl anks of the plateau. On the eastern fl ank of the plateau, 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T15

2.6 1.2

Bulk Density

0 250 GR \ CC

Gamma Ray

API

SMP-1-91

100 

0

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

estuarine

estuarine

Tibbet

sequence

(part)Drip Tank sequence (part) Calico sequence A-sequence Calico

TST Calico HST

ATST A-HST

Straight Cliffs Formation (part)

Drip Tank

Member John Henry Member Smoky Hollow Member

0

100 feet

upper shoreface

upper

shoreface

upper

shoreface

coastal plain

and

coal (black)

tidal and

tidally influenced

fluvial

braided

river

braided river

braided river

coastal plain and tidal

coastal plain

and tidal

Calico

bed A-sandstone Christensen coal zone Rees coal

zone

Alvey

coal

zone

c

vf

m

vc

c

vf

m

vc

6 miles

southwest northeast

Drip Tank

sequence boundary 

A-sequence

boundary 

Calico sequence boundary 

core 

description

core 

description

Bulk Density

2.6 g / cm 1.2

200

100

0

300

400

500

600

700

800 

900

1000

Gamma Ray

0 250 API

CT-1-91 3

Figure 7. Responses of gamma ray and bulk density curves to lithologies in the Calico and A-sequences. Geophysical logs are from drill

holes CT-1-91 and SMP-1-91 (localities 5 and 6, fi g. A on plate 1). Lithologies are from core descriptions in Hettinger (1995). Explanations 

for grain size abbreviations (c, vf, m, vc) and symbols used for sedimentary structures are given on plate 1. Highstand systems tract 

(HST), transgressive systems tract (TST). Diagram is modifi ed from Hettinger (1995). 
T16 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

1100

1100

1000

1000

1000

1000

900

900

800

800

800

750

800

800

800 850

750

750

750

750

800

800

800

800

800

700

700

700

600

1200

1100

1200

1300

1400

1500

1000

900

Outcrop of Calico

and A-sequences

Area underlain by entire 

interval containing the Calico

and A-sequences

Data point

Northern boundary of 

Kaiparowits Plateau

Isoline showing combined 

thickness of Calico and Asequences. Contour interval is 

50 ft.

Figure 8. Isopach map showing the combined thickness of the Calico and A-sequences. Thicknesses are based on 192 data points. Data 

points are identifi ed on fi gure A of plate 1, and the thickness of the combined sequences at each data point is given in Appendix 1. Isolines 

over outcrop areas represent restored thicknesses.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T17

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

Syncline

Direction of dip on steep limb

of monocline 

Anticline

Fold showing direction of plunge 

Fault: ball on downthrown side 

Explanation of symbols

0 ̊-6 ̊

6 ̊-12 ̊

12 ̊-25 ̊

> 25 ̊

Range of 

dip categories

East Kaibab monocline

Dutton monocline

Table Cliffs syncline

Last

Coyote Creek

graben

Johns Valley anticline

-Billie Wash

syncline

Chance

syncline

Escalante

Henrieville

Jake Hollow

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits 

plateau

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Paunsaugunt fault

Figure 9. Structural features and inclination of strata within the Kaiparowits Plateau. Inclinations of strata are based on geologic mapping 

referenced in fi gure 2 and are shown in categories that range from 0–6, 6–12, 12–25, and >25 degrees. Fold axes and faults are from 

Sargent and Hansen (1982).
T18 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

Data point

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits Plateau

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

Isoline showing elevation of Calico 

sequence boundary; labled in thousands 

of feet; contour interval is 250 ft. 

Area underlain by Calico sequence 

boundary.

3

3

3

3

5

5

5

5

5

6

6

6

7

7

6

7 8

3

4

5 4

4

4

4

4

5

6

4

7

5

6

9

Figure 10. Structure contour map of the Calico sequence boundary. Sequence-boundary elevations are based on 166 drill holes. The 

Calico sequence boundary occurs from 50 to 100 ft below the John Henry Member; therefore, an inferred elevation of the sequence

boundary was used at numerous locations along the outcrop where the base of the John Henry Member was mapped. Data points are 

identifi ed on fi gure A of plate 1 and sequence-boundary elevations are provided in Appendix 1.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T19

the coal-bearing interval is 500–700 ft thick and coal beds are 

concentrated into the lower, Christensen, Rees, and Alvey coal 

zones, which intertongue with, and pinch out into, shoreface 

deposits in the A-sequence (fi g. 5). The coal-bearing interval 

thins to less than 50 ft on the plateau’s western fl ank, where 

the only remaining coal is in the Henderson zone of the Calico 

sequence. Southwestward thinning of the coal-bearing strata is 

observed in exposures along the plateau’s southern fl ank. The 

full extent of the coal-bearing interval is revealed on geophysical logs and in core collected from the plateau’s interior region 

where the net coal accumulation is greatest. These drill-hole 

data show that the coal zones exposed on the plateau’s fl anks 

merge and lose their identity in the subsurface. The following 

section of this report provides a brief summary of coal distribution in outcrops and is followed by a detailed summary of 

coal distribution in the subsurface.

Coal Distribution in Outcrops

Thicknesses for coal beds exposed along the fl anks of 

the Kaiparowits Plateau are provided in coal geologic maps 

cited in fi gure 2. Coal outcrop data from each 7.5′ quadrangle 

are summarized in Appendix 3, and a brief summary of coal 

beds in each zone is given below. In general, the coal beds are 

reported to split and pinch out over short distances on outcrop 

and are diffi cult to trace because they are commonly burned 

and covered by slope wash and talus. Coals are extensively 

burned and are still burning in parts of the East of Navajo, 

Needle Eye Point, Smoky Hollow, and Sit Down Bench quadrangles (fi g. 2), and baked rocks in these areas can extend 

200–300 ft into the subsurface (Peterson and Horton, 1967; 

Peterson, 1967). 

Henderson coal zone.—The Henderson coal zone is 5–50 

ft thick on outcrop and contains as much as 29 ft of net coal 

on the northwestern fl ank of the plateau in the Pine Lake 

quadrangle (fi g. 2). The Henderson zone thins to the south 

and pinches out completely on the southwestern fl ank of the 

plateau in the Horse Flat quadrangle. 

Lower coal zone.—This zone is exposed on the southern 

fl ank of the plateau, where it is as much as 40 ft thick and 

contains as many as four beds of coal that are 1–7 ft thick. 

The lower zone is split by the A-sandstone (fi g. 5), and the 

upper split is exposed in the East of Navajo and Needle Eye 

Point quadrangles. 

Christensen coal zone.—Outcrops of the Christensen coal 

zone are 70–130 ft thick and contain as many as six beds of 

coal that are 1–30 ft thick. 

Rees coal zone.—This zone is 70–200 ft thick in outcrops 

and contains as many as seven beds of coal that are 1–20 ft 

thick. 

Alvey coal zone.—Outcrops of the Alvey coal zone are 

40–160 ft thick and have as many as eight beds of coal that 

are 1–20 ft thick.

Coal Distribution in the Subsurface

A broad overview of coal distribution in the Calico and 

A-sequences is shown on a net coal isopach map (fi g. 11) and 

on cross sections A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′ (fi gs. C, D, and E on pl. 

1). The net coal isopach map is based on coal measurements 

from 209 data points (Appendix 1). Cross sections A-A′ and 

B-B′ are perpendicular to paleoshorelines, and C-C′ is nearly 

parallel to paleoshorelines. A-A′ extends northeast 25 mi from 

Tibbet Canyon to Left Hand Collet Canyon; B-B′ extends 

southwest 11 mi from Alvey Wash; and C-C′ is located about 

10 mi southwest of the Straight Cliffs and trends parallel to 

the escarpment for 19 mi (fi g. B on pl. 1). Stratigraphic control 

was provided from cores CT-1-91 and SMP-1-91 (Hettinger, 

1995) and measured sections at Alvey Wash (Zeller, 1973d), 

Left Hand Collet Canyon (Peterson, 1969a; Shanley, 1991), 

and Tibbet Canyon (Shanley, 1991); the respective localities 

are 5, 6, 177, 196, and 211 (fi g. A on pl. 1).

The distribution of net coal in the Calico and A-sequences 

is related to the distance that peat accumulated inland from the 

shoreline of the Western Interior Seaway. McCabe and Shanley 

(1992) demonstrated that coal in the A-sequence developed in 

a wide belt immediately inland (southwest) from a stillstand 

of the shoreline; the belt was several miles wide and was 

bordered to the southwest by a large crevasse-splay and fl uvial 

system. McCabe and Shanley proposed that the coal formed 

in mires that were elevated several meters above the coastal 

plain and suggested that the raised mires acted to stabilize the 

position of the shoreline.

Details of relations between the coal-bearing and shoreface strata are viewed in the dip-oriented cross sections A-A′

and B-B′ (fi g. C and D, pl. 1). The cross sections show that 

beds of coal are located in close proximity to localities where 

the shoreface sandstones pinch out. The shoreline reached a 

maximum landward position in the central part of the plateau 

during the Coniacian Stage and then moved to the northeast 

and reached a stillstand near the Straight Cliffs escarpment 

during the Santonian Stage. As a result, highstand deposits 

of the Coniacian-age Calico sequence are dominated by progradational stacks of shoreface sandstone and mudrock in the 

central and eastern parts of the plateau and contain coalbearing coastal-plain and fl uvial strata along the western part 

of the plateau. The mostly Santonian-age A-sequence is dominated by aggradational stacks of shoreface sandstone along the 

Straight Cliffs escarpment, and it rapidly grades southwest into 

thick deposits of coal-bearing coastal-plain strata. Measured 

sections in Alvey Wash (Zeller, 1973d) and Left Hand Collet 

Canyon (Shanley, 1991) show that, within 2.5 mi of the escarpment, the A-sequence contains about 30 ft of net coal that is 

in the Christensen, Rees, and Alvey coal zones. The zones are 

separated by thick wedges of shoreface strata that thin to the 

southwest, and their thinning is accompanied by an increase in 

net coal. Eventually, the coal zones merge and their boundaries 

become indistinct. Core collected at CT-1-91 reveals that the 
T20 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

111o

38o

112o

38o

112

37 o

o

111o

37o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

50

50

50

50

50

70

50

50

100

100

100

100

100

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

140

70

100

150

50

80

80

80

90

150

70

1

1 1

1

0

0

0

0

Data point

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits Plateau

 CLIFFS

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

STRAIGHT

Isoline of net coal in the Calico and Asequences. Contour interval is 10 ft, and 

1-ft contour is also shown.

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded. Isolines that extend 

over eroded areas represent restored 

net coal thicknesses.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

Figure 11. Isopach map of net coal in the Calico and A-sequences. Net coal values represent all coal beds that are more than 1 ft thick

and are determined from 209 data points listed in Appendix 1; data points are identifi ed on fi gure A of plate 1.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T21

A-sequence contains 61 ft of net coal 5 mi southwest from 

the escarpment; the coal beds are as much as 11 ft thick, and 

intervening strata are dominantly tidal and coastal plain in 

origin (Hettinger, 1995).

Areas where net coal accumulations exceed 100 ft are 

located about 8–15 mi southwest of the Straight Cliffs escarpment (fi g. 11) and are shown along depositional strike in cross 

section C-C′ (fi g. E on pl. 1). As much as 160 ft of net coal 

is contained in a 500- to 600-ft-thick interval, and coal beds 

are as thick as 59 ft. Net coal accumulations of 150–160 ft 

have been drilled at localities 8, 9, 12, 13, 101, and 108 (fi g. 

A on pl. 1), which are located about 10–12 mi southwest 

of the escarpment. Core SMP-1-91 reveals that Calico and 

A-sequences both contain thick coal beds in these areas and 

that intervening strata are mostly tidal and fl uvial in origin 

(Hettinger, 1995). Coal beds in areas of maximum accumulation are concentrated in pods that extend laterally for about 

1–3 mi. The pods eventually split into distinct coal zones that 

can be traced for several miles. Examples are seen at locality 

13 (fi gs. D and E on pl. 1) between the depths of 1,595 and 

1,670 ft and at locality 22 (fi g. D on pl. 1) between the depths 

of 1,315 and 1,472 ft. Within the areas of overall thick coal 

accumulation, several localities have a relative paucity of coal. 

For example, as few as 70 ft of net coal were drilled at localities 15, 87, 94, and 152 (fi g. A on pl. 1). Geophysical logs from 

these localities show a marked increase in sandstone as compared to nearby areas, and coal beds appear to be discontinuous. The increased sandstone content and decreased amount 

of coal might indicate that northeast-fl owing fl uvial systems 

prevailed in the area.

The net coal isopach map (fi g. 11) and cross section A-A′

(fi g. C on pl. 1) show that net coal accumulations and coal-bed 

thicknesses decrease southwest of the areas of maximum accumulation. A measured section described in Tibbet Canyon, 

located 22 mi southwest of the Straight Cliffs escarpment, 

shows that the A-sequence contains about 20 ft of net coal in 

beds that are all less than 3 ft thick, and only a few minor 

beds of coal remain in the Calico sequence (Shanley, 1991). 

The measured section also reveals that clastic deposits of both 

sequences are predominantly alluvial and, to a lesser degree, 

tidally infl uenced (Shanley, 1991). Still farther southwest, at 

Rock House Cove (fi g. B on pl. 1), both highstand deposits 

are entirely alluvial in origin and contain no coal (Shanley, 

1991).

The profi le of net coal distribution in the Calico and 

A-sequences is shown on two diagrams in fi gure 12. The 

diagram in fi gure 12A demonstrates the net coal distribution 

perpendicular to the shoreline, and the diagram in fi gure 12B

shows the net coal distribution parallel to the shoreline. The 

diagrams were constructed with the same drill-hole data used 

in their respective cross sections, A-A′ and C-C′ (fi gs. C and 

E on pl. 1). The vertical axis of each diagram shows the 

net coal recorded in holes drilled along the transect, and the 

horizontal axis shows the distance between the drill holes. In 

addition, the diagrams show the net coal accumulations within 

bed-thickness categories of 1–3.4, 3.5–14.0, and greater than 

14.0 ft. The diagram in fi gure 12A shows that, perpendicular 

to the shoreline, the coal distribution takes on the shape of 

a simple curve, whereby thin coal beds and low values of 

net coal (less than 20 ft) are located along the fl anks of the 

curve and thick coal beds and maximum values of net coal 

(as much as 150 ft) are found near the center of the curve. 

These relations suggest that the thickest peat accumulated on 

the coastal plain in areas that were nearly equidistant from 

shoreface and alluvial realms and that these areas of thick 

peat were least affected by clastic infl ux from either marine 

or fl uvial sources. The diagram in fi gure 12B shows that, 

parallel to the shoreline, areas of maximum net coal (120–160 

ft) are found at three distinct localities and are separated by 

areas where the net coal has decreased (60–70 ft) and thick 

beds are absent. These areas of decreased net coal might have 

been affected by clastic debris supplied from through-fl owing 

streams that reached the coast. 

Coal Quality

Coals in the Kaiparowits Plateau have been reported to 

be subbituminous C to high-volatile A bituminous in apparent 

rank (Doelling and Graham, 1972, p. 93). Proximate and ultimate analyses were provided by Doelling and Graham (p. 

123–127) for about 100 coal samples collected from outcrops 

and abandoned mines. The ranges of proximate and ultimate 

analyses from these samples are summarized in Appendix 4. 

Additional coal-quality data have been reported for samples 

collected from four cores. The cores are from holes K-1-DR, 

CT-1-91, SMP-1-91, and DH-1. Drill holes K-1-DR, CT-1-91, 

SMP-1-91 are at localities 4, 5, and 6, respectively (fi g. A on 

pl. 1), and information by Bowers (1973c) indicates that DH-1 

is about 150 ft from locality 151 (fi g. A on pl. 1). Analyses 

from DH-1 were reported by Doelling and Graham (p. 126), 

analyses from K-1-DR were reported by Zeller (1979) and 

Affolter and Hatch (1980), and analyses from CT-1-91 and 

SMP-1-91 were provided by Brenda Pierce (USGS, unpub. 

data, 1996).

The ranges in proximate and ultimate analyses and moist, 

mineral-matter-free BTU/lb are provided for core samples in 

table 4, and the arithmetic mean of proximate and ultimate 

analyses and moist, mineral-matter-free BTU/lb for outcrop 

and mine samples are provided in table 5. Apparent rank determined from these values are also provided in tables 4 and 5, 

respectively. These data show that the apparent ranks of samples 

collected from outcrops and mines range from subbituminous B 

to high-volatile C bituminous coal and that the apparent ranks 

of samples collected from core range from subbituminous B to 

high-volatile A bituminous coal (tables 4 and 5).
T22 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

211 136 124 12 6 129 75 70 80 93 116 103 6 108 47 61 60 59 32 5 39 35 36 196

0 miles 10

A A' (Northeast) (Southwest)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

0 miles 10

8 13 14 15 16 17 82 145 87 88 96 98 100 105 6

C (Northwest) C' (Southeast)

1-3.4 

3.5-14

>14

Thickness of 

coal beds (feet) 

0 10

MILES

112o

38o

111o

38o

111o

37o

112o

37o

A

C

C' 

Kaiparowits 

Plateau

A

B

C

105 

Location and map number 

of drill hole along line of section

Explanation

Straight

 Cliffs

A'

Cumulative thickness

of coal (feet)

Cumulative thickness

of coal (feet)

Figure 12. Coal distribution in the Calico and A-sequences. A, Coal distribution along A-A′, which trends perpendicular to the paleoshorelines. 

B, Coal distribution along C-C′, which trends parallel to the paleoshorelines. C, Locations of A-A′ and C-C′. Horizontal axes in A and C show 

distance between drill holes, and vertical axes show the cumulative coal thicknesses for beds that range from 1–3.4, 3.5–14.0, and greater 

than 14 ft in thickness. Drill-hole locations are shown on fi gure A of plate 1, and coal-bed thicknesses within each drill hole are listed in 

Appendix 1.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T23

Table 4. Coal-quality summary for samples collected from cores from the Calico and A-sequences in the Kaiparowits 

Plateau, Utah. 

[Coal zones are queried where uncertain. Apparent rank was calculated using the Parr formula (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1995)] 

 

Coal zone Moisture 

% 

Volatile 

matter 

% 

Fixed 

carbon 

% 

Ash 

yield 

% 

Sulfur 

content 

% 

Heating 

value 

Btu/lb 

Moist, mineralmatter-free 

heating value 

Btu/lb 

Apparent 

rank 

Coal samples collected from core K-DR-1 (map no. 4, fig. A on pl. 1) 

Alvey 

 (2 samples) 

19.7-

20.4 

34.7-

35.1 

37.0-

37.7 

7.2-8.2 1.0 9,440-9,510 10,240-10,440 Subbituminous B 

Rees 

 (3 samples) 

15.6-

18.4 

29.6-

35.0 

29.9-

36.3 

10.3-24.9 0.6-0.7 7,640-9,280 10,450-10,460 Subbituminous B 

Christensen 

 (3 samples) 

19.7-

21.1 

33.3-

34.7 

39.8-

40.9 

4.4-5.8 0.5-0.6 9,830-9,860 10,320-10,520 Subbituminous A 

and B 

Coal samples collected from core SMP-1-91 (map no. 6, fig. A on pl. 1) 

Rees ? 

 (6 samples) 

8.2-9.7 41.7-

43.9 

41.8-

44.7 

2.7-8.2 0.4-0.7 11,490-12,380 12,390-12,760 High-volatile C 

Bituminous 

Rees (17 

 samples) 

0.7-7.8 27.9-

50.7 

24.9-

45.4 

4.3-42.5 0.5-2.3 6,960-12,390 12,700-13,710 High-volatile B and 

C Bituminous 

Christensen 

 (13 samples) 

5.5-7.9 35.3-

44.5 

34.6-

48.0 

2.3-24.7 0.3-1.0 9,460-12,480 12,360-13,590 High-volatile B and 

C Bituminous 

lower (15 

 samples) 

4.5-7.1 35.4-

46.5 

32.1-

45.5 

3.5-26.4 0.4-2.3 9,000-12,620 12,610-16,720 High-volatile A, B, 

and C Bituminous 

Coal samples collected from core CT-1-91 (map no. 5, fig. A on pl. 1) 

Christensen 

 (23 samples) 

8.5-15.5 34.5-

41.1 

34.8-4.6 3.7-17.6 0.4-2.2 9720-11720 11,110-12,590 Subbituminous A to 

high-volatile C 

Bituminous 

Coal samples collected from core DH-1 [Information by Bowers (1973c) indicates that DH-1 is located 

150 ft northwest of map number 151 (fig. A on pl. 1)]. 

Henderson 

 (5 samples) 

9.4-18.9 32.4-

38.2 

26.4-

35.6 

8.4-29.9 NR 9,740-10,300 11,010-11,350 Subbituminous A 

 

Table 5. Coal-quality summary of samples collected from mines and outcrops in the Calico and A-sequences in the 

Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah.

[Arithmetic means are reported for moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash yield, sulfur content, and heating value, and are based on proximate 

and ultimate analyses from about 100 samples reported in Doelling and Graham (1972, p. 123-127). Apparent ranks and moist and mineral-matterfree heating values were determined from these average values. Apparent rank was calculated using the Parr formula (American Society for Testing 

and Materials, 1995)] 

 

Coal zone Moisture 

% 

Volatile 

matter 

% 

Fixed 

carbon 

% 

Ash 

yield 

% 

Sulfur 

content 

% 

Heating 

value 

Btu/lb 

Moist, mineralmatter-free 

heating Value 

Btu/lb 

Apparent 

rank 

Coal collected from mines 

Alvey 16.4 38.4 38.0 7.3 0.6 9,350 10,150 Subbituminous B 

Rees 5.0 41.4 48.7 5.0 0.7 11,600 12,270 High-volatile C 

 Bituminous 

Christensen 6.7 39.2 44.2 7.3 2.1 11,600 12,640 High-volatile C 

 Bituminous 

Henderson 18.7 39.1 36.5 8.6 1.0 9,260 10,210 Subbituminous B 

Coal collected from outcrops 

Alvey 11.3 40.2 41.7 6.6 0.9 10,310 11,110 Subbituminous A 

Rees 10.3 41.0 39.3 9.2 1.1 9,250 10,280 Subbituminous B 

Christensen 10.9 38.8 43.1 7.2 0.9 10,390 11,280 Subbituminous A 

Henderson 20.5 36.1 37.1 8.3 0.9 9,000 9,890 Subbituminous B 

 
T24 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Coal Resources

The Kaiparowits Plateau contains an original coal 

resource of 61 billion short tons (table 6A) within the Calico 

and A-sequences. That tonnage is reported for all beds of coal 

that are greater than 1 ft thick and under less than 6,000 ft 

of overburden. The beds are distributed across a 825-mi2

 area 

where the entire coal-bearing interval is preserved (fi g. 11). 

Production records reported by Doelling and Graham (1972, 

p. 71) indicate that less than 50,000 short tons of coal have 

been mined from the original resource (table 1). The plateau 

contains an additional 1.7 billion short tons of non-resource 

coal in the Calico and A-sequences that are covered by 6,000 

to 8,500 ft of overburden (table 6B). Those coals are located 

in a 25-mi2

 area in the northern part of the plateau along the 

axis of the Table Cliffs syncline (fi g. 9 , fi g. 13). Coal beds 

deeper than 6,000 ft are not considered to be a resource, using 

criteria of Wood and others (1983, p. 30). Coal tonnages were 

calculated using the methodology of Wood and others and 

were determined by multiplying the volume of coal by its average density. The volume of coal in the Calico and A-sequences 

was determined as the product of its net thickness and areal 

extent as shown in fi gure 11. A bituminous rank was assumed 

for coal in the Calico and A-sequences based on analyses from 

mines and cores summarized in tables 4 and 5 and Appendix 4, 

and the average density of bituminous coal was determined to 

be 1,800 short tons per acre-foot by Wood and others (p. 22). 

The area containing the original resource includes most areas 

where State and Federal coal leases and Federal coal prospect 

permits were issued prior to 1972, as shown in Doelling and 

Graham (p. 100–101). Doelling and Graham (p. 106) state 

that underground mining is the most likely method for extracting coal in the plateau, and, although all localities in the 

reported resource area would have to be mined by underground 

methods, much of the coal is too deep to be economically 

mined in the foreseeable future.

Additional coal resources underlie the eastern and southern fl anks of the Kaiparowits Plateau where the coal-bearing 

interval has been partially eroded (fi g. 11). The eroded areas 

were not assessed because the coal tonnage would have to have 

been determined for each bed of coal based on their individual 

outcrop patterns and bed thicknesses, and these data were 

generally unavailable for individual coal beds in eroded areas. 

In many areas, coal measurements were shown in stratigraphic 

columns but could not be related to individual mapped beds, 

and in other areas individual coal beds were not mapped. 

In contrast, resources in non-eroded areas were calculated 

using the net thickness of all coal beds, and outcrop patterns 

were not a factor because all of the beds occupied the same 

area. Coal-tonnage estimates have been previously reported for 

many 7.5′ quadrangles where the eroded areas are located, and 

those estimates are provided in Appendix 3.

Original resources of coal and non-resource coal are 

reported in identifi ed and hypothetical reliability categories 

(table 6). The categories are based on the distance that the 

calculated coal tonnage is from a data point. The identifi ed 

category refers to coal tonnage that is within 3 mi of a data 

point, and the hypothetical category refers to coal that is more 

than 3 mi from a data point (Wood and others, 1983). Although 

confi dence levels have not been established for these reliability 

categories, they refl ect decreased levels of accuracy for the 

calculated coal tonnage based on their increased distance from 

a data point. About 47 billion short tons of coal (about 78 

percent of the original resource) are less than 3 mi from a 

data point and are therefore considered to be an identifi ed 

resource (table 6A). About 13 billion short tons of coal (about 

22 percent of the original resource) are in areas farther than 

3 mi from a data point and are therefore considered to be 

a hypothetical resource (table 6A). Nearly all of the nonresource coal is hypothetical (table 6B). Areas of identifi ed and 

hypothetical resource are shown in fi gure 13 and are based on 

the distribution of 209 data points listed in Appendix 1. The 

hypothetical areas generally indicate where the coal was too 

thin or too deep to have been drilled.

Coal resources and non-resource coal are also reported 

for areas of coal ownership and for each county, quadrangle, 

and township in the plateau. County locations are shown in 

fi gure 1, township and quadrangle locations are shown in 

fi gure 2, and areas of coal ownership are shown in fi gure 14. 

Coal tonnages in 7.5′ quadrangles and townships are reported 

in Appendix 2 and can be used to estimate resources within 

specifi c areas. Of the 61 billion short tons of original-resource 

coal, about 57 percent is in Kane County and the remainder is 

in Garfi eld County (table 6A); Garfi eld County also contains 

an additional 1.7 billion short tons of non-resource coal that is 

more than 6,000 ft deep (table 6B). Approximately 99 percent 

of the coal in the Calico and A-sequences is federally owned, 

and 1 percent is either State or privately owned. Prior to 

the establishment of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National 

Monument in 1996, about 92 percent of the coal was federally 

owned, and the areas of previous Federal ownership are shown 

in Hettinger and others (1996).

Geologic Restrictions to Coal Availability

In order to better quantify the original coal resource of the 

Calico and A-sequences, various aspects of coal distribution 

were investigated, including overburden, coal-bed thickness, 

and dip of strata.

Overburden

Maximum overburden on coal in the Calico and 

A-sequences was determined using the topography of the 

Calico sequence boundary shown in fi gure 10 and surface elevations imported from a 1:250,000 digital elevation model constructed by the USGS. Overburden isolines were shown on the 

resultant map (fi g. 15) at 0-; 1,000-; 2,000-; 3,000-; and 6,000-ft 

intervals in accordance with methodology of Wood and others 

(1983). Overburden on the Calico sequence boundary (fi g. 15) 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T25

Table 6. Original coal resources (A) and other occurrences of coal (B) in the Calico and A-sequences in the 

Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah. 

[Original coal resources and other occurrences of coal are reported in millions of short tons; tonnages are rounded to two significant figures, and 

the subtotal and total categories might not equal the sum of the components because of independent rounding. According to Wood and others 

(1983), coal that is deeper than 6,000 ft is not considered to be a resource and is reported as other occurrences of coal. Reported coal tonnages 

were calculated for beds more than 1 ft thick, using an average density of 1,800 short tons per acre-ft, and represent areas of the plateau where the 

entire coal-bearing section was preserved (fig. 11). Coal tonnage is reported by reliability and overburden categories and by county] 

A.—Original coal resources (in millions of short tons) in the Calico and A-sequences. 

 Original coal resource (in millions of short tons*) 

County Reliability Overburden (thickness in ft) Total 

 0-1,000 1,000-2,000 2,000-3,000 3,000-6,000 

Garfield 

Identified 

Hypothetical 

2,800 

61 

6,600 

360 

3,100 

1,300 

4,400 

7,300 

17,000 

9,000 

 Subtotal 2,800 7,000 4,500 12,000 26,000 

Kane 

Identified 

Hypothetical 

13,000 

300 

9,200 

150 

7,700 

3,300 

77 

620 

30,000 

4,400 

 Subtotal 14,000 9,400 11,000 700 35,000 

Total 16,000 16,000 15,000 12,000 61,000 

* Coal tonnages were rounded to two significant figures, and categories showing subtotal and total tonnages might not equal the sum of the 

components because of independent rounding. 

B.—Other occurrences of non-resource coal (in millions of short 

tons*) at depths greater than 6,000 ft in the Calico and A-sequences. 

Other occurrences of non-resource coal (in millions of short tons*) 

County Reliability Total coal in areas where overburden 

> 6,000 ft 

Garfield 

Identified 

Hypothetical 

76 

1,700 

 Subtotal 1,700 

Kane 

Identified 

Hypothetical 

0 

0 

 Subtotal 0 

Total 1,700 

* Coal tonnages were rounded to two significant figures, and categories showing 

subtotal and total tonnages might not equal the sum of the components 

because of independent rounding. 

was checked for accuracy by comparing it to an overburden 

map previously constructed on the base of the Christensen coal 

zone by Hansen (1978b). The two maps compared favorably 

throughout most of the plateau, and minor differences were 

attributed to generalities in the digital elevation model and different stratigraphic horizons used to construct the two maps. 

However, local discrepancies of 500 and 1,000 ft were found 

along the northeastern margin of the plateau in the Jake Hollow 

graben (fi g. 9) and in the Posy Lake quadrangle (fi g. 2), respectively. The discrepancies were attributed to a lack of structural 

control in the area of the graben, and a thick wedge of shoreface 

strata that overlies the Calico sequence boundary in the Posy 

Lake quadrangle. Both areas were limited in aerial extent, 

and the discrepancies had no appreciable effect on resources 

reported within overburden categories.

The maximum overburden map shows that coal in the 

Calico and A-sequences is less than 2,000 ft deep in all 

areas of the plateau except along its northern boundary and 

in its central basin, where overburden ranges from 2,000 to 

8,500 ft (fi g. 15). Coal tonnages have been determined for 

overburden categories of 0–1,000; 1,000–2,000; 2,000–3,000; 

3,000–6,000; and greater than 6,000 ft by integrating the 

overburden map (fi g. 15) with the net coal isopach map (fi g. 

11). The coal tonnage in each category is reported in table 6. 

About 33 billion short tons of coal are under less than 2,000 

ft of overburden, 15 billion short tons are under 2,000–3,000 

ft of overburden, and 14 billion short tons of coal are under 

more than 3,000 ft of overburden (table 6).
T26 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits Plateau

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

Area of hypothetical resources

Area of identified resources

Area of non-resource coal

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Figure 13. Map showing areas of reliability for coal resources in the Calico and A-sequences. Areas with identifi ed resources are less 

than 3 mi from a data point, and areas with hypothetical resources are more than 3 mi from a data point. Identifi ed and hypothetical 

areas of non-resource coal are also shown; non-resource coal is under more than 6,000 ft of overburden. Areas of reliability are based 

on 209 data points shown in fi gure 11 and apply only to localities underlain by the total coal-bearing interval where coal beds are 

greater than 1 ft thick.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T27

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

Federal

State or private

Coal ownership

Northern boundary

of Kaiparowits Plateau

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Figure 14. Mineral ownership for areas underlain by the Calico and A-sequences in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah.
T28 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Coal-Bed Thickness

The Calico and A-sequences contain as many as 30 beds 

of coal that range from 1 to 59 ft in thickness (Appendix 

1). In order to better understand the distribution of these coal 

beds, we have constructed a series of isopach maps that show 

net coal in range-of-thickness categories of 1.0 to 2.4, 2.5 to 

3.4, 3.5 to 7.4, 7.5 to 14.0, 14.1 to 20.0, and greater than 

20.0 ft (fi gs. 16A, 17A, 18A, 19A, 20A, 21A), respectively. The 

number of beds in each range-of-thickness category are shown 

in fi gures 16B, 17B, 18B, 19B, 20B, and 21B. We calculated 

the coal tonnage in category by multiplying the volume of 

coal, as determined from the respective isopach map (fi gs. 

16A–21A), by an average density of 1,800 short tons per acrefoot. The resultant tonnage in each range-of-thickness category 

was then normalized so that the sum of the categories would 

equal the total net coal reported for the Calico and A-sequence 

in tables 6A and 6B; the normalized tonnages are listed in 

table 7.

Coal beds less than 3.4 ft thick are widely distributed 

throughout the entire plateau. As many as 22 beds range from 

1 to 2.4 ft in thickness and have a maximum net thickness of 

30 ft (fi gs. 15A, 15B). As many as nine beds range from 2.5 to 

3.4 ft in thickness and have a maximum net thickness of 27 ft 

(fi gs. 17A, 17B). About 12 billion short tons of coal are in beds 

that range from 1 to 3.4 ft in thickness (table 7).

Coal beds that are 3.5 to 14.0 ft in thickness are also 

widely distributed throughout the plateau but occupy a smaller 

area than the thinner coals. As many as nine beds of coal range 

from 3.5 to 7.4 ft in thickness, and these beds have a maximum 

net thickness of 65 ft (fi gs. 18A, 18B). As many as seven beds 

of coal are from 7.5 to 14.0 ft thick, and these beds have a 

maximum net thickness of 66 ft (fi gs. 19A, 19B). About 32 

billion short tons of coal are in beds that range from 3.5 to 14.0 

ft in thickness (table 7).

Coal beds that exceed 14.1 ft in thickness are found in 

several pods that are located along an elongated belt that trends 

northwest-southeast through the plateau’s central region (fi gs. 

20A, 21A). The pods are 1 to 11 mi wide in the plateau’s 

central and southern regions and contain one to four beds that 

are 14.1 to 20.0 ft thick (fi g. 20B) and one to three beds that 

are more than 20 ft thick (fi g. 21B). Examples include an area 

near data point 8 (T. 37 S., R. 2 E.; Appendix 2) that has as 

much as 71 ft of net coal in four beds that are 14.1 to 20 ft 

thick (fi gs. 20A, 20B) and an area near data point 64 (T. 39 S., 

R. 4 E.; Appendix 2) that has as much as 76 ft of net coal in 

three beds that are more than 20 ft thick (fi gs. 21A, 21B). One 

large area along the plateau’s northern boundary might contain 

one to three beds of coal that are more than 14.1 ft thick (fi gs. 

20B, 21B); however, the continuity and lateral extent of these 

coal beds are unknown because of a paucity of data. 

Approximately 18 billion short tons of coal are estimated 

to be in beds that are more than 14.1 ft thick (table 7). 

However, current longwall mining technology can economically extract no more than 14 ft of coal even if the bed 

is of greater thickness (Timothy J. Rohrbacher, USGS, oral 

commun., 1996). We estimate, therefore, that only about 6 

billion short tons of coal would be available for mining from 

these thicker beds; the estimate was made by treating each bed 

mapped in fi gures 20B and 21B as if it were only 14 ft thick. 

Furthermore, the estimated tonnage does not account for any 

additional restriction to mining other than bed thickness.

Dip of Strata 

Based on studies conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines 

between 1985 and 1993, current underground mining is (1) 

most effi cient where strata are inclined by less than 6°, (2) 

diffi cult where strata are inclined between 6° and 12°, and 

(3) not feasible where strata are inclined by more than 12°

(Timothy J. Rohrbacher, USGS, oral commun., 1996). Areas 

where strata are inclined from 0°–6°, 6°–12°, 12°–25°, and 

greater than 25° are shown in fi gure 9. Coal resources within 

each category of inclination were calculated by integrating the 

dip-of-strata map (fi g. 9) with the net coal isopach map (fi g. 

11). About 50 billion short tons of coal are in areas where 

strata are inclined by less than 6°; about 5.6 billion short tons 

are in areas where strata are inclined from 6° to 12°; and 

about 6.9 billion short tons of coal are in areas where strata 

are inclined by more than 12°. These tonnages respectively 

comprise about 80, 9, and 11 percent of the coal in the Calico 

and A-sequences.

Text continues on p. 43

Table 7. Estimated coal tonnage (in billions of short tons) 

for beds ranging from 1-2.4, 2.5-3.4, 3.5-7.4, 7.5-14.0, 14.1-

20.0, and greater than 20.0 ft in thickness in the Calico and 

A-sequences, Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah. 

[Tonnage estimates include only areas where the entire coalbearing section is preserved] 

Coal-bed thickness 

in ft 

Estimated tonnage 

(in billions of short tons) 

1-2.4 8 

2.5-3.4 4 

3.5-7.4 17 

7.5-14.0 15 

14.1-20.0 9 

> 20.0 9 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T29

 0

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

Outcrop of

Calico sequence boundary

Overburden categories (feet)

0-1000

1000-2000

3000-6000

2000-3000

> 6000

Northern boundary

of Kaiparowits Plateau

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

6000

3000

3000

2000

1000

1000

1000

 0

 0

Figure 15. Overburden on the Calico sequence boundary. Thickness categories show range of maximum overburden on coal in the 

Calico and A-sequences. Isolines are labled at 0-, 1,000-, 2,000-, 3,000-, and 6,000-ft intervals.
T30 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

112o

38o 111o

38o

112

37 o

o

111o

37o

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits 

Plateau

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored thicknesses of 

net coal.

Isoline showing net coal in beds 1.0-2.4 

ft thick. Contour interval is 5 ft;

 1-ft contour is also shown. 

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

Data point

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

10

10

10

10

10

1015

15 10

15

10

15

15 20

20

20

25

25

10

20

20

10

15

20

20

30

Figure 16A. Distribution of net coal in beds 1.0 to 2.4 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T31

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits 

Plateau

Data point

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

Isoline showing the number of coal 

beds that range from 1.0 to 2.4 ft in 

thickness. Contour interval is 5; the 1- 

bed contour is also shown.

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored number of 

beds.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

111o

38o

112o

38o

1

1 1

1

1

1

1 1

1

1

1

1

5

1

1

1

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5 5

5

10

20

10

10 10

10

10

15

15

15

20

15

15

15

15

Figure 16B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are 1.0 to 2.4 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
T32 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits Plateau

Data point

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

Isoline showing net coal in beds that 

range from 2.5 to 3.4 ft in thickness. 

Contour interval is 5 ft; 2.5-ft contour is 

also shown. 

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored thicknesses of 

net coal.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

112o

38o 111o

38o

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

T. 40 S.

5

5

5

15

5 2.5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

10

10

15 20

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

25

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

10

15

10 10

10

10

10

10

Figure 17A. Distribution of net coal in beds 2.5 to 3.4 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T33

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits 

Plateau

Data point

Isoline showing the number of coal 

beds that range from 2.5 to 3.4 ft in 

thickness. Contour interval is 2; the 1- 

bed contour is also shown.

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored number of 

beds.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 3 E.

1

1 1

1

1

1

1 1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

8

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

4 4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

6 8

Figure 17B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are 2.5 to 3.4 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
T34 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits Plateau

Data point

Isoline showing net coal in beds that 

range from 3.5 to 7.4 ft in thickness. 

Contour interval is 10 ft; 3.5-ft contour is 

also shown. 

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored thicknesses of 

net coal.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

3.5

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

20

20

20

20

20

20

30

30

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

30

20

20

20

30

30

40

40

40

60

40

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

10 10

10

10

10 20

10

20

30

10

3.5

10 3.5

3.5

Figure 18A. Distribution of net coal in beds 3.5 to 7.4 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T35

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits 

Plateau

Data point

Isoline showing the number of coal 

beds that range from 3.5 to 7.4 ft in 

thickness. Contour interval is 2; the 1- 

bed contour is also shown.

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored number of 

beds.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

4

4

6 2

2

2

8

8

8

8

6

6

6

6

8

8

6

6 6

6

6

4

4 4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

2

2

2

1

1

1

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

1

2

2

2

6

Figure 18B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are 3.5 to 7.4 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
T36 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

112o

38o 111o

38o

112

37 o

o

111o

37o

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits Plateau

Data point

Isoline showing net coal in beds that 

range from 7.5 to 14.0 ft in thickness. 

Contour interval is 10 ft; 7.5-ft contour is 

also shown. 

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored thicknesses of 

net coal.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

30

30

20

10

10

20

20

40

40

10

20

40

20

50 20 10

40

60

60 60

50

20

20

10

20 20

20

40

30

10

10

10

30

7.5 7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5 7.5

7.5

7.5

Figure 19A. Distribution of net coal in beds 7.5 to 14.0 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T37

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits 

Plateau

Data point

Isoline showing the number of coal 

beds that range from 7.5 to 14.0 ft in 

thickness. Contour interval is 1.

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored number of 

beds.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

2

2

2

2

3

3

3

3

3

1

1

1

1 1

2 3

3

4

5

6

1

2

2

1

1

3

3

3 3

4

4

4

4

4

5

2

3

2

6 6

1

Figure 19B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are 7.5 to 14.0 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
T38 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

112o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

111o

38o

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits Plateau

Data point

Isoline showing net coal in beds that 

range from 14.1 to 20.0 ft in thickness. 

Contour interval is 10 ft; 14.1-ft contour 

is also shown. 

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored thicknesses of 

net coal.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

50

40

40

30

30

20

20

20

14.1

14.1

14.1

60

30

50

50

40

40

30

20

30

30

30

30

20

30

14.1

14.1

14.1

14.1

14.1

14.1

14.1

14.1

14.1

14.1

14.1

Figure 20A. Distribution of net coal in beds 14.1 to 20.0 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T39

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits 

Plateau

Data point

Isoline showing the number of coal 

beds that range from 14.1 to 20.0 ft in 

thickness. Contour interval is 1.

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored number of 

beds.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

2

2

2

3

2

4

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

1 1

1

1

3

Figure 20B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are 14.1 to 20.0 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
T40 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits Plateau

Data point

Isoline showing net coal in beds that are 

thicker than 20.0 ft. Contour interval is 

10 ft.

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored thicknesses of 

net coal.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

20 R. 3 E.

20

20

50

40

30

40 30

40

60 50

40

40

60

30

30

30

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

40

40

Figure 21A. Distribution of net coal in beds greater than 20.0 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T41

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Northern boundary of Kaiparowits 

Plateau

Data point

Isoline showing the number of coal 

beds that are thicker than 20.0 ft. 

Contour interval is 1.

Area where coal-bearing strata are 

partially eroded; isolines over eroded 

areas represent restored number of 

beds.

Area where entire coal-bearing interval 

is preserved.

 CLIFFS

STRAIGHT

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

1 R. 3 E.

1

1

1

2

3

2

2

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

Figure 21B. Distribution of the number of coal beds that are greater than 20.0 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences.
T42 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

112o

38o 111o

38o

111o

37o

112

37 o

o

T. 40 S.

T. 38 S.

T. 36 S.

T. 34 S.

R. 1 W. R. 1 E.

R. 5 E.

R. 7 E.

R. 3 E.

Outcrop of Calico

sequence boundary

Southern boundary of 

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Northern boundary

of Grand StaircaseEscalante National 

Monument

0 5 10 15 20

MILES

Areas where coal beds in the Calico and Asequences are greater than 3.5 ft thick, less 

than 3,000 ft deep, and inclined by less than 

12 ̊. About 28 billion short tons of coal are 

estimated to be in this area

Note: Coal beds less than 3.5 ft thick are 

generally not mined with today's longwall 

technology, and no more than 14 ft of coal 

can be economically mined from thicker 

beds. The 28-billion-short-ton estimate in 

this area was calculated using these 

restrictions.

Areas where coal-bearing strata are partially 

eroded; these areas are not included in the 

resource estimate.

Northern boundary of 

Kaiparowits Plateau

Boundary of Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument

Figure 22. Map of the Kaiparowits Plateau showing areas (pink stipple) where coal beds are (1) greater than 3.5 ft thick, (2) under 

less than 3,000 ft of overburden, and (3) inclined by less than 12° of dip. Areas where coal-bearing strata are partially eroded (gray 

stipple) are not addressed in this investigation.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T43

Coal Resource Summary

Signifi cant deposits of coal are contained in the Calico 

and A-sequences of the Upper Cretaceous Straight Cliffs Formation in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah. The Calico and 

A-sequences have an original coal resource of about 61 billion 

short tons that are in beds more than 1 ft thick and less than 

6,000 ft deep. The sequences contain an additional 1.7 billion 

short tons of non-resource coal that are 6,000 to 8,500 ft deep. 

The coal is in a 50- to 700-ft-thick stratigraphic interval that 

covers an area of 850 mi2. Fewer than 50,000 short tons of coal 

have been mined to date, and most of the remaining resource 

would have to be mined using underground methods.

Although the Calico and A-sequences contain an original 

coal resource of 61 billion short tons, this large resource fi gure 

must be regarded with caution because it does not refl ect the 

geological, technological, economical, environmental, or landuse constraints that might affect its availability and recoverability. Technological and economic constraints generally limit 

current longwall methods to depths of less than 3,000 ft, beds 

that are more than 3.5 ft thick, and strata that are inclined 

by less than 12°; additionally, only about 14 ft of coal can 

be mined from beds that exceed that thickness (Timothy J. 

Rohrbacher, USGS, oral commun., 1996). These overburden 

and bed-thickness limits are supported by a summary given for 

81 current longwalls operated in the United States by 30 companies (Merritt and Fiscor, 1995, p. 32–38). Peterson (1969a) 

estimated that only 10 percent of the coal in the plateau could 

be recovered with the technology of that time. For the purpose 

of comparison, coal-production studies by Rohrbacher and 

others (1994) indicated that less than 10 percent of the original 

coal resource in many areas of the central Appalachian region 

of the Eastern United States could be mined and marketed at 

a profi t.

Land-use and environmental considerations that might 

affect the availability of coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau 

include the impact that mining and coal utilization might have 

on the overlying surface area as well as on air and water quality in nearby grazing areas, regional populations, and National 

Parks and Recreational Areas (Sargent, 1984). Those issues 

have been signifi cant—in 1976, several companies dropped 

their plans to construct a coal-burning power plant in the 

region because of Government actions and pending lawsuits 

over environmental issues (U.S. Bureau of Land Management, 

1976; Sargent, 1984). Finally, in 1996, about 75 percent of 

the plateau was included in the Grand Staircase–Escalante 

National Monument. The only remaining Federal coal leases 

were suspended prior to the establishment of the Monument, 

and they remain in suspension as of this publication date (Jim 

Kohler, BLM, oral commun., 1999).

Of the total 62 billion short tons of coal (resource and 

non-resource coal) in the Calico and A-sequences, an estimated 

34 billion short tons of coal are not likely to be mined in 

the foreseeable future because of geologic and technological 

restrictions that include overburden, dip of strata, and coal bed 

thickness. About 18 billion short tons of coal are not likely to be 

mined because they are more than 3,000 ft deep or because they 

are in strata that are inclined by more than 12°. Coal tonnage in 

these areas was estimated by integrating the dip-of-strata map 

(fi g. 9) with the net coal isopach map (fi g. 11) and overburden 

map (fi g. 15). An additional 16 billion short tons of coal are 

not likely to be mined from areas where coal is less than 3,000 

ft deep and strata are inclined by less than 12° because the 

coal is in beds that are less than 3.4 ft thick (12 billion short 

tons) or cannot be extracted from beds that are more than 14 

ft thick (4 billion short tons). These amounts were determined 

by integrating the overburden and dip-of-strata maps with coal 

isopach maps (fi gs. 16A, 17A) and bed maps (fi gs. 20B, 21B).

An estimated 28 billion short tons of coal are in areas 

of the Kaiparowits Plateau where geologic conditions might 

be favorable for current underground mining technology (fi g. 

22). These coal resources are in areas where overburden is 

less than 3,000 ft thick and strata dip less than 12°. The coal 

tonnage was estimated for all coal beds more than 3.5 ft thick, 

and tonnage from beds more than 14 ft thick was calculated 

for the recovery of 14 ft. About 11 billion short tons are in 

beds that are 3.5–7.0 ft thick, about 11 billion short tons are 

in beds that are 7.1–14.0 ft thick, and about 6 billion short 

tons are in beds more that 14 ft thick. These estimates do not 

account for additional coal that cannot be mined (1) because 

of the discontinuity of coal beds, (2) because coal might be 

destroyed while mining of adjacent strata, or (3) because some 

coal must be left in the ground for roof support. Nor do the 

estimates account for coal that might not be mined because 

of potential land-use or environmental restrictions. Additionally, a signifi cant part of the resource might remain undeveloped because it is now within the Grand Staircase–Escalante 

National Monument (fi g. 22).

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coal-basin area, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1601, 30 p.

Sargent, K.A., and Hansen, D.E., 1980, Landform map of the Kaiparowits coal-basin area, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Investigations Series Map I-1033-G, scale 1:125,000.

Sargent, K.A., and Hansen, D.E., 1982, Bedrock geologic map of the 

Kaiparowits coal-basin area, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-1033-I, scale 1:125,000.

Shanley, K.W., 1991, Sequence stratigraphic relationships, and facies 

architecture of Turonian-Campanian strata, Kaiparowits Plateau, 

south-central Utah: Golden, Colo., Colorado School of Mines Ph. D. 

dissertation, 390 p.
T46 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Shanley, K.W., and McCabe, P.J., 1991, Predicting facies architecture 

through sequence stratigraphy—An example from the Kaiparowits 

Plateau, Utah: Geology, v. 19, p. 742–745.

Shanley, K.W., McCabe, P.J., and Hettinger, R.D., 1992, Tidal infl uence 

in Cretaceous fl uvial strata from Utah, U.S.A.—A key to sequence 

stratigraphic interpretation: Sedimentology, v. 39, p. 905–930.

Stephens, E.V., 1973, Geologic map and coal resources of the Wide 

Hollow Reservoir quadrangle, Garfi eld County, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Coal Investigations Map C-55, scale 1:24,000.

U.S. Bureau of Land Management, 1976, Proposed Kaiparowits Project, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, fi nal environmental impact 

statement: U.S. Government Printing Offi ce, 3514 p.

Vaninetti, G.E., 1978, Coal Stratigraphy of the John Henry Member of 

the Straight Cliffs Formation, Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah: University 

of Utah, M.S. dissertation, 274 p.

Waldrop, H.A., and Peterson, Fred, 1967, Preliminary geologic map 

of the southeast quarter of the Nipple Butte quadrangle [Lone 

Rock 7.5′ quadrangle], Kane County, Utah and Coconino County, 

Arizona: Utah Geological and Mineralogical Survey Map 24-C, 

scale 1:31,680.

Waldrop, H.A., and Sutton R.L., 1967a, Preliminary geologic map and 

coal deposits of the northwest quarter of the Nipple Butte quadrangle [Nipple Butte 7.5′ quadrangle], Kane County, Utah: Utah 

Geological and Mineralogical Survey Map 24-A, scale 1:31,680.

Waldrop, H.A., and Sutton R.L., 1967b, Preliminary geologic map and 

coal deposits of the northeast quarter of the Nipple Butte quadrangle [Tibbet Bench 7.5′ quadrangle], Kane County, Utah: Utah 

Geological and Mineralogical Survey Map 24-B, scale 1:31,680.

Waldrop, H.A., and Sutton R.L., 1967c, Preliminary geologic map and 

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Survey Map 24-D, scale 1:31,680.

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Coal resource classifi cation system of the U.S. Geological Survey: 

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 891, 65 p.

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Canyon quadrangle, Garfi eld and Kane Counties, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Coal Investigations Map C-56, scale 1:24,000.

Zeller, H.D., 1973b, Geologic map and coal resources of the Canaan 

Creek quadrangle, Garfi eld County, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey 

Coal Investigations Map C-57, scale 1:24,000.

Zeller, H.D., 1973c, Geologic map and coal resources of the Death 

Ridge quadrangle, Garfi eld and Kane Counties, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Coal Investigations Map C-58, scale 1:24,000.

Zeller, H.D., 1973d, Geologic map and coal resources of the Dave 

Canyon quadrangle, Garfi eld County, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey 

Coal Investigations Map C-59, scale 1:24,000.

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the Kaiparowits Plateau region, south-central Utah: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 76-872, 3 p.

Zeller, H.D., 1978, Geologic map and coal resources of the Collet 

Top quadrangle, Kane County, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Coal 

Investigations Map C-80, scale 1:24,000.

Zeller, H.D., 1979, Composite geophysical logs and coal analyses for 

core-hole drilling in the Kaiparowits coal fi eld, Garfi eld County, 

Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 79-1529, 12 p.

Zeller, H.D., 1990a, Geologic map and coal stratigraphy of the Needle 

Eye Point quadrangle, Kane County, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey 

Coal Investigations Map C-129, scale 1:24,000.

Zeller, H.D., 1990b, Geologic map and coal stratigraphy of the East of 

the Navajo quadrangle, Kane County, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey 

Coal Investigations Map C-130, scale 1:24,000.

Zeller, H.D., 1990c, Geologic map and coal stratigraphy of the Petes 

Cove quadrangle, Kane County, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Coal 

Investigations Map C-132, scale 1:24,000.

Zeller, H.D., and Stephens, E.V., 1973, Geologic map and coal 

resources of the Seep Flat quadrangle, Garfi eld and Kane Counties, 

Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Coal Investigations Map C-65, scale 

1:24,000.

Zeller, H.D., and Vaninetti, G.E., 1990, Geologic map and coal stratigraphy of the Ship Mountain Point quadrangle and north part of 

the Tibbet Bench quadrangle, Kane County, Utah: U.S. Geological 

Survey Coal Investigations Map C-131, scale 1:24,000.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T47

Appendix 1—Database Tables

Appendix 1 provides the database developed for this 

report. The database contains the identifi cation number and 

location of each data point used for the assessment and provides stratigraphic and lithologic interpretations used at each 

locality. Down-hole depths of lithologic and stratigraphic intervals are shown for 155 selected drill holes in Appendix 5 (disc 

2 of this 2-CD-ROM set).

Data point identifi cation.—The map number identifi es 

the data point on the location map (fi gure A of plate 1) and 

cross sections (fi gures C, D, and E of plate 1). The point 

ID number is the original name of each data point. Map numbers 1-6 are USGS drill holes, 7-145 are company coal test 

holes, 146-167 are oil and gas holes, 168-213 are published 

stratigraphic sections; and 214-226 are control points where 

information is based on published geologic descriptions. 

Data point information.—Data point information 

includes the latitude and longitude of each data point and the 

surface elevation and total depth of each drill hole. 

Stratigraphic interpretations.—Stratigraphic interpretations include the elevation of the Calico sequence boundary 

(Csb.), elevation of the Drip Tank sequence boundary (Dsb.), 

and thickness of the combined Calico and A-sequences (Thk. 

C-A). An elevation with an asterisk indicates that the hole 

was not drilled deep enough to penetrate the sequence boundary, but the inferred depth of the sequence boundary was 

estimated by correlation to nearby drill holes. The thickness 

of the combined Calico and A-sequences was determined in 

drill holes by measuring the stratigraphic interval between the 

Calico and Drip Tank sequence boundaries. In measured sections, the thickness of the combined Calico and A-sequences 

was based on the stratigraphic interval between the base of 

the Calico bed and base of the Drip Tank Member, and an 

asterisk indicates that the thickness was estimated from a 

partial measured section. 

Lithologic interpretations.—Lithologic interpretations 

include the thickness of net coal and total number of coal 

beds in the Calico and A-sequences; the depths to the upper 

and lowermost coal bed in the Calico and A-sequences were 

also provided. Lithologic interpretations also include the net 

coal thickness and number of coal beds within several bedthickness categories. Following Wood and others (1983), the 

thickness of two or more coal benches were recorded as a 

single bed if intervening partings were thinner than the overlying or underlying benches and the thickness of partings were 

not included as part of the bed. 

The net coal in the Calico and A-sequences was estimated 

at eight drill-hole localities where the entire coal-bearing interval was not drilled. At these localities, measured coal thicknesses in the drill hole were added to potential coal thicknesses 

in undrilled parts of the Calico or A-sequences and the estimated coal thicknesses were based on stratigraphic correlations 

to nearby drill holes. The data points, measured coal thicknesses 

and estimated net coal thicknesses are shown in the table below.

Appendix 1, table 1. Estimated total coal in drill holes used in the assessment that did not penetrate the entire coalbearing interval. 

Map number Point identification 

Actual coal measured from 

geophysical logs (ft) 

Estimated net coal in Calico and A-sequences 

based on correlations to nearby drill holes (ft) 

4 K-1-DR 88 110 

8 73-37-19 147 157 

83 G-24-1 81 86 

93 L-41-1 81 89 

95 N-35-3 88 105 

119 DH-203 39 44 

130 DH-324 39 45 

139 DH-365 62 70 
Appendix 1, table 2. Data point Data point Stratigraphic Lithologic interpretations identification information interpretations Net coal in Calico and A-sequences Net coal thickness (in f

(values in ft) number of coal beds in bed-thick

Map Point ID Longitude Latitude Surface Total Elev Elev Thk C-A Total # Depth Depth 1.0- # 2.5- # 3.5- # 7.5-  no. elev depth Csb. Dsb. seq coal beds top bottom 2.4 beds 3.4 beds 7.4 beds 14.0 

(ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) coal coal 1 KP-1-BR 111.77917 37.89109 7676 1095 5776* 7176 1400* 100 9 614 1028 3 2 0 0 14 3 12 

2 KP-5-SC 111.99306 37.77930 7790 675 6960* ----- ----- 44 2 438 563 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 3 KP-4-PL 111.97040 37.66105 6880 220 6460* ----- ----- 10 1 166 176 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 4 K-1-DR 111.70249 37.59981 7360 804 6250* 7150 900* 110* 14 317 799 6 5 6 2 17 3 19 5 CT-1-91 111.49186 37.45609 6370 1057 5329 6164 835 64 16 278 889 12 9 6 2 14 3 11 6 SMP-1-91 111.52324 37.36871 5247 963 4303 5107 804 95 19 316 905 13 10 9 3 14 3 0 7 73-37-10 111.66252 37.60202 6680 1220 5160* 6110 950* 106 13 694 1172 6 4 3 1 21 4 14 8 73-37-19 111.72372 37.58157 7250 1040 6060* 6910 850* 157* 22 529 981 9 6 6 2 41 8 20 9 73-37-21 111.68451 37.57020 7620 1925 5650* 6510 860* 164 21 1232 1868 8 5 9 3 19 4 56 10 73-37-22 111.67005 37.57580 7420 1872 5470* 6215 745* 133 18 1314 1793 8 5 6 2 19 3 65 11 73-37-23 111.64399 37.56888 6485 1205 5255* 5935 680* 108 11 666 1088 5 3 0 0 16 3 28 12 73-37-28 111.69221 37.56674 7685 1903 5725* 6535 810* 157 21 1265 1894 2 2 6 1 65 12 32 13 73-37-29 111.70131 37.56751 7790 1927 5840* 6705 865* 146 21 1311 1860 6 6 6 2 32 7 18 14 73-37-33 111.68224 37.54815 6470 900 5480* 6170 690* 94 11 348 849 2 1 6 2 30 5 13 15 73-38-10 111.67531 37.52903 6550 1180 5290* 5935 645* 66 13 683 1150 6 3 6 2 33 6 21 16 73-38-14 111.66691 37.50029 6480 1164 5270* 5905 635* 119 18 634 1083 14 8 3 1 24 5 23 17 73-38-25 111.63755 37.48219 6190 1104 5010* 5670 660* 127 18 566 1045 13 7 9 3 10 2 20 18 U5 111.66811 37.59554 6750 1180 5320* 6230 910* 98 11 638 1120 5 3 3 1 10 2 23 19 EP-6 111.64231 37.59694 6725 1415 5025* ----- ----- 92 14 919 1366 4 3 3 1 31 5 38 20 EP-7 111.58590 37.55498 6810 878 5700* ----- ----- 50 20 257 811 18 15 3 1 9 2 20 21 EP-8 111.61871 37.57849 6738 945 5538* 6393 855* 90 16 443 904 10 6 6 2 8 2 66 22 EP-20 111.63026 37.67739 6230 720 5040* 6190 1150* 65 8 138 661 4 2 3 1 12 2 24 23 EP-21 111.63351 37.64969 6384 1035 4894* 6124 1230* 59 17 404 954 13 10 3 1 22 4 21 24 EP-22 111.62225 37.65534 6420 1092 4960* 6140 1180* 51 13 332 1061 8 6 3 1 18 4 22 25 EP-23 111.62220 37.63444 6440 1112 4900* 5990 1090* 63 15 509 1015 10 7 0 0 26 5 27 26 EP-24 111.63236 37.62645 6580 1307 4930* 5970 1040* 101 26 697 1268 20 16 12 4 14 2 36 27 EP-26 111.63278 37.55471 6360 1027 5335 6120 785 88 21 374 992 18 10 9 3 26 5 35 28 EP-27 111.61356 37.54729 6780 1002 5680* 6560 880* 66 21 303 891 18 12 9 3 26 3 35 29 EP-28 111.60558 37.52955 6710 880 5610* 6450 840* 124 19 357 861 12 7 9 3 29 5 14 30 EP-30 111.61617 37.52214 6720 830 5720* 6318 598* 71 16 447 827 8 7 0 0 31 6 17 31 EP-32 111.58788 37.52176 6650 1040 5610* 6450 840* 94 28 266 973 22 18 9 3 20 4 9 32 77-KP-1 111.49590 37.45407 6360 1073 5323* 6140 817* 56 16 269 817 16 11 6 2 4 1 10 33 77-KP-2 111.45891 37.43873 6410 805 5290* 6225 935* 57 11 333 789 2 1 3 1 43 8 9 34 77-KP-3 111.41145 37.44014 6340 850 5250* 6220 970* 28 9 168 741 8 5 0 0 20 4 0 35 77-KP-4 111.44883 37.48718 6540 803 5490* 6480 990* 35 11 147 675 5 4 9 3 21 4 0 36 77-KP-5 111.42491 37.49652 6820 853 5730* 6800 1070* 17 7 100 713 6 4 3 1 8 2 0 37 77-KP-6 111.55053 37.48894 6460 1243 5328 6135 807 77 27 371 900 19 19 6 2 10 2 27 38 77-KP-7 111.53319 37.50179 6340 843 5270* 6075 805* 89 15 355 758 9 7 0 0 30 6 0 39 77-KP-8 111.49313 37.50237 6340 861 5270* 6240 970* 34 9 198 750 8 6 0 0 10 2 0 40 77-KP-9 111.53159 37.52516 6390 851 5260* 6170 910* 48 13 313 804 10 7 3 1 22 4 13 41 77-KP-10 111.51858 37.47951 6430 851 5300* 6200 900* 78 17 347 737 11 8 6 2 14 3 15 42 77-KP-11 111.58776 37.49766 6684 1385 5479 6254 775 114 22 517 1016 15 12 6 2 29 5 13 43 77-KP-12 111.56679 37.51100 6610 851 5570* 6380 810* 104 17 320 839 7 7 9 3 17 3 0 44 77-KP-13 111.54175 37.48041 6450 852 5320* 6130 810* 81 27 388 830 26 20 9 3 4 1 9 45 DH-73 111.48326 37.46097 6439 881 5339* 6229 890* 67 18 311 771 12 8 6 2 30 6 19 
Appendix 1, table 2—Continued.  Data point Data point Stratigraphic Lithologic interpretations 

 identification information interpretations 

Net coal in Calico and A-sequences Net coal thickness (in 

 (values in ft) number of coal beds in bed-thic

Map Point ID Longitude Latitude Surface Total Elev Elev Thk C-A Total # Depth Depth 1.0- # 2.5- # 3.5- # 7.5-  no. elev depth Csb. Dsb. seq coal beds top bottom 2.4 beds 3.4 beds 7.4 beds 14.0  (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) coal coal 

46 DH-23 111.52170 37.37074 5267 970 4311 5142 831 82 15 318 840 8 5 12 4 11 2 34 47 DH-28 111.52286 37.40633 5878 1120 4786 5588 802 106 18 421 952 2 1 12 4 48 9 44 48 DH-44 111.43663 37.39827 6481 810 5501* 6331 830* 51 24 221 678 22 18 3 1 16 4 10 49 DH-172 111.45921 37.43499 6340 796 5290* 6130 840* 60 21 248 736 19 12 12 4 18 4 11 50 DH-176 111.43900 37.42204 6280 798 5250* 6130 880* 67 23 196 715 21 16 6 2 13 3 11 51 DH-180 111.41059 37.42010 6180 793 5140* 6060 920* 45 16 158 694 20 13 3 1 5 1 0 52 DH-182 111.42350 37.41666 6160 796 5145* 6060 915* 38 18 155 692 20 15 3 1 4 1 11 53 DH-189 111.45833 37.41859 6280 793 5270* 6100 830* 43 9 249 689 6 4 0 0 11 2 26 54 DH-193 111.44226 37.40658 6360 793 5420* 6220 800* 59 22 186 633 19 15 9 3 5 1 26 55 DH-194 111.42666 37.41155 6250 717 5280* 6135 855* 45 15 151 642 11 8 9 3 17 3 8 56 DH-202 111.42137 37.38680 6556 786 5656* 6481 825* 56 19 192 665 16 12 12 4 0 0 28 57 DH-223 111.47584 37.43852 6350 889 5270* 6120 850* 78 24 283 848 19 14 6 2 17 4 36 58 DH-224 111.47896 37.43555 6325 703 5255* 6085 830* 69 22 306 696 19 13 6 2 18 4 26 59 DH-227 111.48976 37.44147 6285 800 5205* 6045 840* 79 20 317 756 18 13 9 3 10 2 0 60 DH-232 111.50453 37.42822 6230 992 5150* 5935 785* 90 26 358 900 22 17 3 1 20 4 25 61 DH-235 111.49987 37.41979 6170 797 5200* 5990 790* 75 19 452 793 12 10 6 2 23 5 9 62 DH-241 111.48321 37.39962 6170 903 5280* 6020 740* 88 21 312 770 15 10 6 2 28 6 21 63 DH-247 111.47663 37.39273 6160 805 5290* 5990 700* 80 28 255 765 22 18 12 4 14 3 32 64 DH-254 111.52139 37.43507 6110 846 5090* 5855 765* 130 19 369 843 15 10 3 1 9 2 27 65 DH-255 111.52092 37.42923 6040 851 5030* 5810 780* 110 24 356 836 17 12 9 3 19 4 43 66 DH-258 111.52980 37.41613 5865 856 4855* 5635 780* 99 26 361 829 16 13 3 1 46 9 16 67 DH-259 111.51717 37.40051 5780 850 4840* 5630 790* 108 22 311 819 16 12 6 2 23 4 35 68 DH-263 111.51385 37.37419 5435 852 4515* 5305 790* 96 20 323 823 16 11 3 1 27 4 31 69 A-34-1 111.62844 37.37990 6050 2344 3730 4530 800 94 30 1689 2280 27 17 21 7 19 4 9 70 A-46-1 111.62832 37.33600 6235 2391 3915 4685 770 95 26 1742 2280 20 10 24 8 16 4 35 71 C-25-3 111.62196 37.40972 5976 2697 3521 4346 825 102 23 1830 2408 21 12 9 3 21 4 16 72 C-29-3 111.62230 37.39653 5940 2383 3557 4380 823 91 26 1705 2266 22 16 15 5 17 4 0 73 C-40-3 111.62286 37.35597 6210 2236 3900* 4710 810* 91 19 1750 2181 8 5 15 5 31 6 22 74 C-42-3 111.62402 37.34838 6245 2350 3965 4740 775 83 17 1758 2192 4 2 15 5 32 7 17 75 D-51-3 111.61801 37.31682 6268 2370 3988 4748 760 49 15 1713 2163 9 6 9 3 31 6 0 76 E-20-3 111.61336 37.42863 6140 2340 3890 4630 740 93 22 1720 2209 12 10 9 3 27 6 24 77 E-36-1 111.61067 37.37296 5989 2375 3589* 4429 840* 98 19 1767 2320 6 4 15 5 29 6 30 78 E-38-1 111.61112 37.36564 6059 2435 3714 4549 835 98 19 1750 2299 14 7 9 3 20 4 55 79 F-29-3 111.60943 37.39628 5970 2325 3540* 4390 850* 87 21 1814 2294 16 9 21 7 15 3 0 80 F-44-1 111.60745 37.34406 6265 2263 3945* 4795 850* 83 23 1639 2179 15 9 15 5 29 6 24 81 G-4-3 111.60457 37.48790 6720 1357 5430 6130 700 145 19 748 1187 12 6 9 3 20 4 33 82 G-8-1 111.60287 37.47377 6117 1200 5112 5797 685 104 14 380 851 2 1 6 2 40 8 0 83 G-24-1 111.60274 37.41564 6106 2200 3756* 4596 840* 86* 22 1714 2180 18 11 15 5 18 4 11 84 G-26-1 111.60129 37.40762 6075 2446 3690 4485 795 124 26 1834 2341 30 17 3 1 19 4 33 85 I-25-4 111.59252 37.41012 5454 1800 3834 4614 780 135 15 1075 1573 7 4 6 2 12 3 16 86 J-29-2 111.59099 37.39775 6072 2342 3737 4512 775 123 28 1759 2293 25 14 6 2 26 6 49 87 K-15-4 111.58477 37.44677 5987 1646 4602 5397 795 74 14 741 1256 4 3 3 1 28 6 39 88 K-17-4 111.58357 37.43940 5670 1298 4450 5250 800 125 28 573 1174 16 10 15 5 37 8 40 89 L-8-1 111.58106 37.47382 6615 1460 5235 5930 695 101 22 772 1255 11 8 9 3 33 7 26 90 L-11-4 111.58006 37.46065 6327 1400 4993 5737 744 90 13 725 1244 4 2 0 0 26 6 28 
Appendix 1, table 2—Continued. Data point Data point Stratigraphic Lithologic interpretations identification information interpretations Net coal in Calico and A-sequences Net coal thickness (in 

(values in ft) number of coal beds in bed-thic

Map Point ID Longitude Latitude Surface Total Elev Elev Thk C-A Total # Depth Depth 1.0- # 2.5- # 3.5- # 7.5-  no. elev depth Csb. Dsb. seq coal beds top bottom 2.4 beds 3.4 beds 7.4 beds 14.0 

(ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) coal coal 91 L-36-4 111.57968 37.37066 6020 2315 3690* 4405 715* 120 30 1758 2307 23 16 12 4 27 6 29 

92 L-38-4 111.58042 37.36312 6074 2380 3679* 4359 680* 118 23 1870 2376 16 10 6 2 36 7 20 93 L-41-1 111.57925 37.35355 6028 2280 3648* 4388 740* 89* 16 1802 2197 11 8 3 1 11 2 40 94 M-21-2 111.57668 37.42618 5585 1400 4315 5165 850 77 16 679 1169 10 6 9 3 25 4 18 95 N-35-3 111.57324 37.37388 6022 2118 3772* 4502 730* 105* 19 1672 2081 17 10 12 4 15 3 0 96 O-20-1 111.56559 37.43048 5727 1297 4542 5297 755 120 23 626 1251 15 9 12 4 26 5 31 97 O-30-1 111.57276 37.39326 5297 1375 4007 4777 770 142 20 726 1217 12 7 9 3 24 5 38 98 P-25-3 111.56499 37.40958 5650 1400 4170* 5010 840* 120 19 860 1370 7 4 15 5 17 4 53 99 Q-24-2 111.55948 37.41504 5761 1396 4361* 5161 800* 129 21 825 1315 11 6 15 5 20 4 42 100 Q-30-4 111.55654 37.39156 5505 1397 4115 4905 810 118 24 810 1339 21 13 9 3 8 2 44 101 Q-35-1 111.55629 37.37599 5198 1191 3968* 4743 775* 154 24 646 1168 11 8 6 2 34 7 40 102 R-39-3 111.55381 37.36035 5153 1335 3843 4593 750 145 17 723 1273 4 2 18 6 21 4 33 103 U-37-4 111.53778 37.36625 5180 1100 4110 4875 765 129 16 461 995 1 1 9 3 40 8 35 104 U-40-1 111.53795 37.35861 5090 1060 4050 4810 760 122 17 511 1027 10 5 6 2 32 7 20 105 V-34-1 111.53534 37.37977 5312 1198 4247 5032 785 141 22 488 981 12 6 12 4 24 5 36 106 W-36-3 111.53292 37.37003 5214 1265 4191 4964 773 104 16 406 931 9 8 6 2 11 2 32 107 W-39-3 111.53294 37.35976 5081 935 4111* 4856 745* 122 16 415 900 6 3 12 4 35 7 10 108 X-32-4 111.52584 37.38591 5680 1182 4490* 5280 790* 152 24 625 1086 15 8 6 2 41 9 25 109 X-36-2 111.52857 37.37291 5295 1097 4265 5095 830 116 27 407 943 25 15 15 5 11 2 28 110 DH-1 111.52471 37.33768 5091 998 4061* 4786 725* 88 22 490 975 11 8 27 9 11 2 9 111 DH-2 111.53201 37.32004 5076 843 4236 4986 750 70 14 337 798 5 3 12 4 23 4 30 112 DH-5 111.51483 37.28180 5571 814 4711* 5501 790* 45 15 298 678 13 9 9 3 7 1 16 113 DH-6 111.50425 37.27787 5531 810 4691* 5481 790* 67 20 212 652 14 12 9 3 16 3 9 114 DH-7 111.51626 37.26494 5400 798 4600* 5365 765* 57 18 273 668 19 13 0 0 11 2 27 115 DH-12 111.49818 37.26538 5549 903 4659 5474 815 61 18 291 827 15 12 3 1 10 2 18 116 DH-13 111.54597 37.35376 5104 1380 3864 4629 765 99 22 701 1189 24 14 0 0 31 6 0 117 DH-115 111.52688 37.23580 5249 759 4359* 5149 790* 52 15 397 734 12 10 6 2 4 1 8 118 DH-201 111.53659 37.21645 5167 653 4287* ----- ----- 26 7 454 626 5 4 0 0 10 2 11 119 DH-203 111.54389 37.22500 5125 710 4255* 5040 785* 44* 9 429 620 3 3 9 3 9 2 0 120 DH-231 111.54390 37.26806 5220 665 4420* 5190 770* 35 10 354 640 3 3 9 3 13 3 10 121 DH-245 111.54993 37.24592 5087 635 4217* 5027 810* 32 10 425 595 6 5 0 0 26 5 0 122 DH-301 111.57736 37.23423 5000 1400 4110 4900 790 36 11 515 664 6 5 3 1 27 5 0 123 DH-304 111.57688 37.24388 4975 750 4075* 4860 785* 41 23 302 691 22 19 6 2 4 1 9 124 DH-310 111.59625 37.25193 4970 815 4000* 4790 790* 33 14 403 754 9 9 6 2 8 2 10 125 DH-311 111.60590 37.25218 5000 850 3980* 4750 770* 38 13 415 790 13 9 0 0 14 3 11 126 DH-314 111.57952 37.26030 4980 746 4100* 4860 760* 51 15 391 732 10 9 6 2 9 2 10 127 DH-316 111.59657 37.26040 4970 800 4000* 4760 760* 53 20 421 760 17 15 3 1 10 2 8 128 DH-319 111.58779 37.26693 4880 705 4080* 4840 760* 53 15 230 654 14 10 0 0 15 3 9 129 DH-322 111.55249 37.27511 5220 1015 4375 5165 790 67 27 262 811 26 22 6 2 4 1 14 130 DH-324 111.57861 37.27515 5170 885 4170* 4950 780* 45* 11 537 856 10 8 6 2 0 0 0 131 DH-334 111.54161 37.29038 5470 975 4585 5400 815 52 25 378 850 26 20 3 1 23 4 0 132 DH-336 111.55995 37.29000 5325 800 4395* 5235 840* 63 16 314 795 19 13 0 0 4 1 12 133 DH-340 111.59573 37.29012 5110 870 4090* 4860 770* 48 20 417 822 18 16 3 1 7 1 20 134 DH-346 111.58188 37.30536 5420 970 4250* 5030 780* 54 16 597 957 9 8 9 3 14 3 22 135 DH-348 111.60338 37.30471 5300 1055 4060* 4830 770* 45 13 654 1026 8 6 12 4 5 1 20 
Appendix 1, table 2—Continued.  Data point Data point Stratigraphic Lithologic interpretations 

 identification information interpretations 

Net coal in Calico and A-sequences Net coal thickness (in 

 (values in ft) number of coal beds in bed-thic

Map Point ID Longitude Latitude Surface Total Elev Elev Thk C-A Total # Depth Depth 1.0- # 2.5- # 3.5- # 7.5-  no. elev depth Csb. Dsb. seq coal beds top bottom 2.4 beds 3.4 beds 7.4 beds 14.0  (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) coal coal 

136 DH-354 111.62448 37.24456 4910 905 3880* 4650 770* 28 18 525 803 17 16 0 0 11 2 0 137 DH-362 111.60525 37.28051 5080 960 3990* 4745 755* 54 17 625 889 16 12 3 1 13 3 0 138 DH-364 111.53311 37.29105 5510 1100 4660* 5405 745* 52 21 369 789 15 14 6 2 14 3 17 139 DH-365 111.52483 37.29820 5580 699 4710* 5520 810* 70* 13 420 696 8 6 0 0 18 4 21 140 DH-378 111.62864 37.21634 4960 925 3870* 4620 750* 23 17 532 904 14 14 9 3 0 0 0 141 DH-381 111.52279 37.28339 5570 769 4730* 5520 790* 48 20 352 719 22 14 9 3 17 3 0 142 DH-383 111.57712 37.29689 5460 965 4310* 5070 760* 58 21 541 923 23 17 3 1 7 1 25 143 Diamanti-1 111.56020 37.15117 5240 658 4420* 5180 760* 18 9 486 606 7 7 3 1 0 0 8 144 DH-211 111.48485 37.33938 5340 770 4500* 5230 730* 97 18 279 766 12 8 9 3 11 2 41 145 DH-6-72 111.59883 37.46090 5880 1200 4870* 5630 760* 83 18 394 891 10 5 15 5 17 4 24 146 BF-1-33 111.80330 37.80912 7218 7974 6408 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 147 Byrd-Oil 111.38419 37.35681 6150 10044 5850 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 148 Cleary-Pet 111.37071 37.33943 5941 6465 5781 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 149 Fed-Sky-1 111.83749 37.53743 7128 7094 6698 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 150 JV-1 111.97818 37.72016 8110 11180 6930 7890 960 10 2 908 952 0 0 0 0 10 2 0 151 JV-41-27 111.98795 37.73796 7912 8702 7132 ---- ---- 22 5 378 554 5 3 0 0 7 1 10 152 Liston 111.81000 37.68878 7070 5010 2345 3470 1125 71 10 3769 4435 0 0 6 2 23 5 20 153 LV-2-18 111.72709 37.58845 7606 7921 6236 7091 855 107 17 605 1260 2 2 3 1 36 7 66 154 Rees-Can-2 111.40932 37.37589 6594 9015 5774 6594 820 70 11 62 670 2 2 3 1 30 5 20 155 Skyline-A 111.61073 37.55733 6860 7450 5695 6585 890 52 12 351 870 4 3 3 1 36 7 9 156 Tibbet-Can-1 111.72638 37.32307 6167 4243 3887 4717 830 9 3 1874 1962 2 1 3 1 4 1 0 157 Trap-Can 111.71875 37.58261 7387 7636 6197 7037 840 114 12 549 1085 0 0 0 0 28 6 44 158 UV-1 111.72361 37.59280 7560 ------- 6342 7210 868 91 14 470 1118 6 3 6 2 30 6 12 159 UV-2 111.74778 37.68256 7701 6655 7421 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 160 UV-2a 111.71373 37.61226 7095 6521 6555 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 161 UV-3 111.74472 37.67359 7671 6648 7351 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 162 UV-11 111.73371 37.64331 7519 7125 7064 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 163 UV-12 111.72722 37.61788 7294 7220 6714 ---- ---- 65 11 140 433 4 2 9 3 21 4 12 164 UV-17x 111.73131 37.63770 7508 7025 6996 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 165 UV-21 111.72866 37.60978 7230 9951 6580 ---- ---- 74 11 110 435 4 2 3 1 23 5 12 166 UV-27 111.71942 37.60117 7380 7321 6572 ---- ---- 78 13 5 702 4 2 9 3 38 7 0 167 UV-South-1 111.69049 37.51163 6861 3208 5071 5851 780 97 12 1080 1700 7 4 0 0 12 2 44 168 BV4 111.82122 37.46618 ----- ---- ---- ---- 800 7 2 ---- ---- 0 0 3 1 4 1 0 169 C1 111.64269 37.71058 ----- ---- ---- ---- 1000 36 5 ----- ---- 2 1 0 0 4 1 30 170 C2 111.68270 37.68808 ----- ---- ---- ---- 1050 40 10 ---- ----- 3 2 12 4 8 2 17 171 CC1 111.57820 37.61543 ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- 14 4 ---- ---- 1 1 3 1 10 2 0 172 CC2 111.53702 37.55266 ----- ---- ---- ---- 1000 37 9 ---- ---- 5 3 0 0 32 6 0 173 CM9 111.02006 37.18240 ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- 2 2 ---- --- 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 174 CMNW1 111.14038 37.26174 ----- ---- ---- ----- ----- 0 0 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 175 CP15 111.82971 37.53214 ----- ---- ---- ----- 800 5 1 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 5 1 0 176 DC1 111.61901 37.69599 ----- ---- ---- ----- 1100 23 6 ----- ----- 5 4 0 0 0 0 18 177 DC2 111.60590 37.67489 ----- ---- ---- ----- ----- 26 5 ----- ----- 4 3 0 0 7 1 0 178 GB7 111.44759 37.18193 ----- ---- ---- ----- 725 13 6 ----- 5 4 3 1 5 1 0 179 GB19 111.42726 37.22998 ----- ---- ---- ----- 790 43 9 ----- ----- 8 5 0 0 14 2 21 180 GP1 111.80898 37.78553 ----- ---- ---- ----- 1160 56 11 ----- ----- 6 5 3 1 17 3 11 
Appendix 1, table 2—Continued. Data point Data point Stratigraphic Lithologic interpretations identification information interpretations Net coal in Calico and A-sequences Net coal thickness (in 

(values in ft) number of coal beds in bed-thic

Map Point ID Longitude Latitude Surface Total Elev Elev Thk C-A Total # Depth Depth 1.0- # 2.5- # 3.5- # 7.5-  no. elev depth Csb. Dsb. seq coal beds top bottom 2.4 beds 3.4 beds 7.4 beds 14.0 

(ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) coal coal 181 H5 111.92516 37.60241 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 5 2 ----- ----- 1 1 0 0 4 1 0 

182 H17 111.90134 37.54537 ----- ----- ----- ----- 850 16 3 ----- ----- 1 1 3 1 0 0 12 183 H26 111.87681 37.51877 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 13 6 ----- ----- 4 4 0 0 9 2 0 184 HF7 111.86294 37.35016 ----- ----- ----- ----- 890 1 1 ----- ----- 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 185 NB7 111.61219 37.13881 ----- ----- ----- ----- 720 3 1 ----- ----- 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 186 NB8 111.59264 37.15122 ----- ----- ----- ----- 720 5 4 ----- ----- 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 187 NB12 111.51907 37.20443 ----- ----- ----- ----- 850 32 7 ----- ----- 8 4 0 0 7 1 17 188 NBNW4 111.73344 37.19761 ----- ----- ----- ----- 750 1 1 ----- ----- 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 189 NBSE1 111.61743 37.12282 ----- ----- ----- ----- 800 1 1 ----- ----- 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 190 NBSE8 111.54597 37.08804 ----- ----- ----- ----- 790 17 8 ----- ----- 6 5 6 2 5 1 0 191 NBSE12 111.50682 37.11676 ----- ----- ----- ----- ------- 4 3 ----- ----- 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 192 NBSW1 111.65514 37.12404 ----- ----- ----- ----- 775 3 3 ----- ----- 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 193 PL1 111.99657 37.67165 ----- ----- ----- ----- 950 27 2 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 194 PL11 111.95158 37.63706 ----- ----- ----- ----- 950 22 2 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 195 RHC 111.91823 37.19414 ----- ----- ----- ----- 702 ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 196 S6 111.42748 37.50258 ----- ----- ----- ----- 1100* 6 3 ----- ----- 3 2 3 1 0 0 0 197 S7 111.60248 37.09128 ----- ----- ----- ----- 700 4 2 ----- ----- 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 198 S8 111.59205 37.09985 ----- ----- ----- ----- 700 8 4 ----- ----- 5 3 3 1 0 0 0 199 S17 111.50703 37.20509 ----- ----- ----- ----- 750 46 14 ----- ----- 12 8 3 1 16 3 15 200 S21 111.38188 37.24611 ----- ----- ----- ----- 790* 78 17 ----- ----- 9 5 15 5 23 5 10 201 S22 111.37197 37.25121 ----- ----- ----- ----- 800* 64 19 ----- ----- 13 9 9 3 34 6 8 202 S23 111.36592 37.29192 ----- ----- ----- ----- 780* 67 16 ----- ----- 13 9 12 4 4 1 8 203 S24 111.35909 37.32031 ----- ----- ----- ----- 760 14 8 ----- ----- 9 7 0 0 5 1 0 204 S25 111.31725 37.32245 ----- ----- ----- ----- 840* 20 9 ----- ----- 10 6 6 2 4 1 0 205 S26 111.28034 37.34722 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 8 4 ----- ----- 5 3 3 1 0 0 0 206 S27 111.28200 37.37577 ----- ----- ----- ----- 1060* 1 1 ----- ----- 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 207 S28 111.29987 37.44613 ----- ----- ----- ----- 1060* 0 0 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 208 S30 111.12097 37.22158 ----- ----- ----- ----- 900* 6 3 ----- ----- 3 2 3 1 0 0 0 209 S32 111.09251 37.22743 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 0 0 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 210 S34 111.01593 37.22609 ----- ----- ----- ----- 1100* 0 0 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 211 TC1 111.54110 37.16979 ----- ----- ----- ----- 770 22 12 ----- ----- 16 11 0 0 6 1 0 212 WHR1 111.68559 37.87749 ----- ----- ----- ----- 1580 0 0 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 213 WHR2 111.74660 37.87126 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 58 7 ----- ----- 0 0 3 1 10 2 30 214 -------- 111.76739 37.68632 ----- ----- ----- ----- 1000 ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 215 -------- 111.74013 37.65241 ----- ----- ----- ----- 1000 ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 216 -------- 111.50868 37.60964 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 0 0 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 217 -------- 111.48949 37.59624 ----- ----- ----- ----- 1100 ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 218 -------- 111.48724 37.56715 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 0 0 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 219 -------- 111.41923 37.51808 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 0 0 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 220 -------- 111.11067 37.19458 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 0 0 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 221 -------- 111.57336 37.14957 ----- ----- ----- ----- 740 ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 222 -------- 111.65367 37.16162 ----- ----- ----- ----- 740 ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 223 -------- 111.74949 37.23766 ----- ----- ----- ----- 780 ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 224 -------- 111.75791 37.18605 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 0 0 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 225 -------- 111.87301 37.33589 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 0 0 ----- ----- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 226 -------- 111.96056 37.76837 ----- ----- ----- ----- 1050 ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T53

Appendix 2—Coal Tonnage Tables for 

Quadrangles and Townships

Appendix 2 contains tables that report the original coal 

resources (coal < 6,000 ft deep) and other occurrences of 

non-resource coal (coal > 6,000 ft deep) (in millions of short 

tons) for each 7.5′ quadrangle and township in the Kaiparowits Plateau. Total coal tonnage reported in each table is 

for original coal resources as well as other occurrences of 

non-resource coal. Tonnage was calculated for all coal beds 

greater than 1 ft thick in the Calico and A-sequences and 

was reported in reliability and overburden categories; coal 

tonnage was calculated only for areas in the plateau where the 

entire coal-bearing interval has been preserved (fi g. 11). The 

reported tonnages were rounded to two signifi cant fi gures, 

and some categories in the tables do not equal the sum of 

their components because of independent rounding. The locations of quadrangles and townships are provided in fi gure 2.

Appendix 2, table 1, 1 of 3. Original coal resources and other occurrences of non-resource coal in the Calico and Asequences by 7.5-minute quadrangle (in millions of short tons). 

[Original coal resources are < 6,000 ft deep, and other occurrences of non-resource coal are > 6,000 ft deep] 

7.5' quadrangle name Reliability Overburden categories (thickness in ft) 

 0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3000 3000-6000 >6000 Total 

Barker Reservoir Identified 0 230 630 1,100 0 2,000 

 Hypothetical 0 0 0 220 0 220 

Total 0 230 630 1,300 0 2,200 

Basin Canyon Identified 170 0.5 0 0 0 170 

 Hypothetical 39 0 0 0 0 39 

Total 210 0.5 0 0 0 210 

Blackburn Canyon Identified 18 0 0 0 0 18 

 Hypothetical 20 0 0 0 0 20 

Total 38 0 0 0 0 38 

Butler Valley Identified 36 80 240 12 0 370 

 Hypothetical 3.9 9 760 7.5 0 780 

Total 40 89 1,000 19 0 1,200 

Canaan Creek Identified 580 920 0 0 0 1,500 

Total 580 920 0 0 0 1,500 

Canaan Peak Identified 88 190 610 650 0 1,500 

 Hypothetical 0 0 590 930 0 1,500 

Total 88 190 1,200 1,600 0 3,100 

Carcass Canyon Identified 2,100 530 0 0 0 2,600 

Total 2,100 530 0 0 0 2,600 

Collet Top Identified 1,800 560 0 0 0 2,400 

 Hypothetical 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Total 1,800 560 0 0 0 2,400 

Dave Canyon Identified 110 210 0 0 0 320 

Total 110 210 0 0 0 320 

Death Ridge Identified 1,100 4,100 1,400 0.1 0 6,600 

 Hypothetical 0 0 130 0 0 130 

Total 1,100 4,100 1,500 0.1 0 6,700 

East of the Navajo Identified 470 0 0 0 0 470 

 Hypothetical 33 0 0 0 0 33 

Total 500 0 0 0 0 500 

Fourmile Bench Identified 0 320 1,800 0 0 2,200 

 Hypothetical 2.8 110 300 0 0 410 

Total 2.8 430 2,100 0 0 2,600 
T54 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Appendix 2, table 1, 2 of 3. Original coal resources and other occurrences of non-resource coal in the Calico and Asequences by 7.5-minute quadrangle (in millions of short tons)—Continued. 

[Original coal resources are < 6,000 ft deep, and other occurrences of non-resource coal are > 6,000 ft deep] 

7.5' quadrangle name Reliability Overburden categories (thickness in ft) 

 0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3000 3000-6000 >6000 Total 

Glen Canyon City Identified 6.3 0 0 0 0 6.3 

Total 6.3 0 0 0 0 6.3 

Grass Lakes Hypothetical 0 0 130 1,100 120 1,400 

Total 0 0 130 1,100 120 1,400 

Griffin Point Identified 39 520 400 560 30 1,500 

 Hypothetical 0 76 230 1,000 150 1,500 

Total 39 600 630 1,600 180 3,000 

Henrieville Identified 74 80 90 0 0 240 

 Hypothetical 0 0 1.2 0 0 1.2 

Total 74 80 91 0 0 250 

Horse Flat Identified 4.5 20 48 0 0 72 

 Hypothetical 0 8.2 86 0 0 94 

Total 4.5 28 130 0 0 170 

Horse Mountain Identified 100 840 2,700 65 0 3,700 

 Hypothetical 0 2.6 1,700 610 0 2,300 

Total 100 840 4,400 680 0 6,000 

Lone Rock Identified 83 0 0 0 0 83 

Total 83 0 0 0 0 83 

Mazuki Point Identified 3.7 0 0 0 0 3.7 

Total 3.7 0 0 0 0 3.7 

East of the Navajo Identified 45 0 0 0 0 45 

Total 45 0 0 0 0 45 

Needle Eye Point Identified 3,100 0 0 0 0 3,100 

 Hypothetical 170 0 0 0 0 170 

Total 3,200 0 0 0 0 3,200 

Nipple Butte Identified 140 230 0 0 0 370 

 Hypothetical 33 24 0 0 0 57 

Total 170 250 0 0 0 420 

Petes Cove Identified 1,700 4,500 890 0 0 7,000 

Total 1,700 4,500 890 0 0 7,000 

Pine Lake Identified 190 180 270 160 0 800 

 Hypothetical 0 0 59 410 380 850 

Total 190 180 330 570 380 1,700 

Posy Lake Identified 11 140 190 73 0 410 

 Hypothetical 42 41 27 7.7 0 120 

Total 53 190 210 81 0 530 

Seep Flat Identified 45 20 0 0 0 65 

Total 45 20 0 0 0 65 

Ship Mountain Point Identified 2,100 1,700 1,100 0 0 4,800 

Total 2,100 1,700 1,100 0 0 4,800 

Sit Down Bench Identified 90 0 0 0 0 90 

Total 90 0 0 0 0 90 

Smoky Hollow Identified 680 22 0 0 0 700 

Total 680 22 0 0 0 700 

Sooner Bench Identified 0.1 0 0 0 0 0.1 

Total 0.1 0 0 0 0 0.1 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T55

Appendix 2, table 1, 3 of 3. Original coal resources and other occurrences of non-resource coal in the Calico and Asequences by 7.5-minute quadrangle (in millions of short tons)—Continued. 

[Original coal resources are < 6,000 ft deep, and other occurrences of non-resource coal are > 6,000 ft deep]

7.5' quadrangle name Reliability Overburden categories (thickness in ft) 

 0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3000 3000-6000 >6000 Total 

Sweetwater Creek Identified 74 220 220 380 0 890 

 Hypothetical 0 190 560 2,900 650 4,300 

Total 74 410 780 3,300 650 5200 

Tibbet Bench Identified 1,100 40 0 0 0 1,100 

Total 1,100 40 0 0 0 1,100 

Upper Valley Identified 93 230 250 1,400 47 2,100 

 Hypothetical 19 55 76 720 350 1,200 

Total 110 290 330 2,200 400 3,300 

Wide Hollow Reservoir Identified 1.2 25 0 0 0 26 

Total 1.2 25 0 0 0 26 

Total (parts 1, 2, and 3) 16,000 16,000 15,000 12,000 1,700 62,000 
T56 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Appendix 2, table 2, 1 of 3. Original coal resources and other occurrences of non-resource coal in the Calico and Asequences by township (in millions of short tons). 

[Original coal resources are < 6,000 ft deep, and other occurrences of non-resource coal are > 6,000 ft deep] 

Township 

and 

Range 

Reliability Overburden categories (thickness in ft) 

 0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3000 3000-6000 >6000 Total 

33S 1W Hypothetical 0 0 0 510 110 620 

Total 0 0 0 510 110 620 

33S 2W Hypothetical 0 0 34 90 0 120 

Total 0 0 34 90 0 120 

33S 1E Identified 0 95 660 1,000 0 1,800 

 Hypothetical 0 0 0 220 0 220 

Total 0 95 660 1,300 0 2,000 

33S 2E Identified 11 49 93 7.3 0 160 

 Hypothetical 42 41 27 6.9 0 120 

Total 53 90 120 14 0 280 

34S 1W Identified 0 0 45 50 0 95 

 Hypothetical 0 0 31 3,300 99 3,400 

Total 0 0 76 3,400 99 3,500 

34S 2W Identified 7.5 120 110 74 0 320 

 Hypothetical 0 190 660 560 0 1400 

Total 7.5 310 770 630 0 1700 

34S 1E Identified 33 590 280 280 0 1200 

 Hypothetical 0 76 200 250 0 530 

Total 33 670 480 530 0 1700 

34S 2E Identified 1.4 45 0 0 0 46 

Total 1.4 45 0 0 0 46 

35S 1W Identified 0 0 6 410 54 470 

 Hypothetical 0 0 0 380 1,300 1,700 

Total 0 0 6 780 1,400 2,200 

35S 2W Identified 110 150 170 250 0 680 

Total 110 150 170 250 0 680 

35S 1E Identified 20 190 190 360 6.9 760 

 Hypothetical 2.8 28 22 99 24 180 

Total 23 220 210 460 31 940 

35S 2E Identified 2.1 0 0 0 0 2.1 

Total 2.1 0 0 0 0 2.1 

36S 1W Identified 19 45 200 300 15 590 

 Hypothetical 0 0 94 630 120 850 

Total 19 45 300 930 140 1,400 

36S 2W Identified 130 85 16 0.3 0 230 

Total 130 85 16 0.3 0 230 

36S 1E Identified 100 220 190 950 0 1,500 

 Hypothetical 16 27 24 310 0 380 

Total 120 240 210 1,300 0 1,800 

36S 2E Identified 540 880 0 0 0 1,400 

Total 540 880 0 0 0 1,400 

36S 3E Identified 100 170 0 0 0 270 

Total 100 170 0 0 0 270 

37S 1W Identified 93 110 110 0 0 310 

 Hypothetical 0 0 85 91 0 180 

Total 93 110 190 91 0 490 

37S 1E Identified 28 290 940 660 0 1,900 

 Hypothetical 0 0 150 850 0 1,000 

Total 28 290 1,100 1,500 0 2,900 

37S 2E Identified 910 3,100 130 0 0 4,200 

Total 910 3,100 130 0 0 4,200 

37S 3E Identified 640 450 0 0 0 1,100 

Total 640 450 0 0 0 1,100 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T57

Appendix 2, table 2, 2 of 3. Original coal resources and other occurrences of non-resource coal in the Calico and Asequences by township (in millions of short tons)—Continued. 

[Original coal resources are < 6,000 ft deep, and other occurrences of non-resource coal are > 6,000 ft deep] 

Township 

and 

Range 

Reliability Overburden categories (thickness in ft) 

 0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3000 3000-6000 >6000 Total 

37S 4E Identified 20 1.6 0 0 0 21 

Total 20 1.6 0 0 0 21 

38S 1W Identified 32 0 0 0 0 32 

Total 32 0 0 0 0 32 

38S 1E Identified 54 160 300 0 0 510 

 Hypothetical 0 0 750 55 0 800 

Total 54 160 1,000 55 0 1,300 

38S 2E Identified 170 1,400 1,800 65 0 3,500 

 Hypothetical 0 0 71 290 0 360 

Total 170 1,400 1,900 360 0 3,800 

38S 3E Identified 2,200 1,300 1 0 0 3,600 

Total 2,200 1,300 1 0 0 3,600 

38S 4E Identified 780 210 0 0 0 990 

Total 780 210 0 0 0 990 

38S 5E Identified 30 18 0 0 0 48 

 Hypothetical 9.2 0 0 0 0 9.2 

Total 39 18 0 0 0 57 

39S 1W Identified 3.2 2.3 0 0 0 5.5 

 Hypothetical 1 0.5 0 0 0 1.5 

Total 4.2 2.8 0 0 0 7 

39S 1E Identified 8.3 22 95 12 0 140 

 Hypothetical 2.9 13 680 33 0 730 

Total 11 35 780 45 0 870 

39S 2E Identified 0 17 1,500 0 0 1,500 

 Hypothetical 0 3.1 1,500 240 0 1,800 

Total 0 20 3,000 240 0 3,300 

39S 3E Identified 83 3,200 1,300 0 0 4,600 

Total 83 3,200 1,300 0 0 4,600 

39S 4E Identified 1,700 650 0 0 0 2,400 

Total 1,700 650 0 0 0 2,400 

39S 5E Identified 2,500 2.4 0 0 0 2,500 

 Hypothetical 180 0 0 0 0 180 

Total 2,700 2.4 0 0 0 2,700 

39S 6E Identified 28 0.5 0 0 0 28 

Total 28 0.5 0 0 0 28 

40S 1W Identified 3.3 2.9 0 0 0 6.2 

Total 3.3 2.9 0 0 0 6.2 

40S 1E Identified 0.2 24 58 0 0 82 

 Hypothetical 0 11 63 0 0 73 

Total 0.2 35 120 0 0 160 

40S 2E Identified 0 110 1,500 0 0 1,600 

 Hypothetical 0 35 170 0 0 210 

Total 0 140 1,700 0 0 1,800 

40S 3E Identified 560 1,400 1,100 0 0 3,100 

Total 560 1,400 1,100 0 0 3,100 

40S 4E Identified 240 0 0 0 0 240 

 Hypothetical 1.5 0 0 0 0 1.5 

Total 250 0 0 0 0 250 

40S 5E Identified 870 0 0 0 0 870 

 Hypothetical 11 0 0 0 0 11 

Total 890 0 0 0 0 890 

40S 6E Identified 88 0 0 0 0 88 

 Hypothetical 29 0 0 0 0 29 

Total 120 0 0 0 0 120 
T58 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Appendix 2, table 2, 3 of 3. Original coal resources and other occurrences of non-resource coal in the Calico and Asequences by township (in millions of short tons)—Continued. 

Original coal resources are < 6,000 ft deep, and other occurrences of non-resource coal are > 6,000 ft deep] 

Township 

and 

Range 

Reliability Overburden categories (thickness in ft) 

 0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3000 3000-6000 >6000 Total 

40S 7E Identified 0 0 0 0 0 0 

 Hypothetical 3.8 0 0 0 0 3.8 

Total 3.8 0 0 0 0 3.8 

41S 2E Identified 63 290 49 0 0 400 

 Hypothetical 20 88 46 0 0 150 

Total 83 370 96 0 0 550 

41S 3E Identified 1,100 270 3.6 0 0 1,400 

Total 1,100 270 3.6 0 0 1,400 

41S 4E Identified 1,500 22 0 0 0 1,600 

 Hypothetical 27 0 0 0 0 27 

Total 1,600 22 0 0 0 1,600 

41S 5E Identified 570 0 0 0 0 570 

Total 570 0 0 0 0 570 

41S 6E Hypothetical 2.4 0 0 0 0 2.4 

Total 2.4 0 0 0 0 2.4 

41S 7E Identified 28 0 0 0 0 28 

Total 28 0 0 0 0 28 

41S 8E Identified 3.1 0 0 0 0 3.1 

Total 3.1 0 0 0 0 3.1 

42S 2E Identified 61 12 0 0 0 72 

 Hypothetical 16 0 0 0 0 16 

Total 77 12 0 0 0 88 

42S 3E Identified 330 4.2 0 0 0 340 

Total 330 4.2 0 0 0 340 

42S 4E Identified 70 0 0 0 0 70 

Total 70 0 0 0 0 70 

42S 5E Identified 0.1 0 0 0 0 0.1 

Total 0.1 0 0 0 0 0.1 

42S 8E Identified 19 0 0 0 0 19 

Total 19 0 0 0 0 19 

43S 2E Identified 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 

Total 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 

43S 3E Identified 21 0 0 0 0 21 

Total 21 0 0 0 0 21 

Total (parts 1, 2, and 3) 16,000 16,000 15,000 12,000 1,700 62,000 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T59

Appendix 3—Summary of Coal Measurements and 

Resource Estimates from Previous Studies

Appendix 3 contains summaries of coal-bed measurements (4 tables), and coal resource estimates (1 table) from previously 

published geologic investigations of 7.5′ quadrangles in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah. Quadrangle locations are shown in 

fi gure 2 in the text.

Appendix 3, table 1, 1 of 4. Summary of coal beds for each 7.5' quadrangle in the Kaiparowits Plateau. 

Summary of coals exposed in outcrops of the John Henry Member of the Straight Cliffs Formation 

along the eastern and southeastern parts of the Kaiparowits Plateau 

1 Quadrangle 

2 Thickness data for coal in outcrops 

 (in feet) Comments 

 Christensen 

coal zone 

3 Rees coal 

zone 

Alvey coal 

zone 

Basin Canyon 

(Doelling and 

Graham, 1972) 

3.0 1.0 2.0 

Coal is found only in southwest part of quadrangle. 

Blackburn 

Canyon 

------ ------ ------ Coal data is not available for this quadrangle, however, data in 

surrounding areas indicate that significant coal deposits are 

unlikely in this area. 

Canaan Creek 

(Zeller, 1973b) 

25.0 

25.0 

1 bed 

11.3 

8.0 

3 beds 

26.0 

20.5 

3 beds 

A lower local zone is 30 ft thick and has 10 ft of coal in 2 beds. 

Christensen zone is 110 ft thick. Rees equivalent coal zone is 30 

ft thick. Alvey zone is 170 ft thick. Strata dip as much as 20 

degrees in southwest part of quadrangle. 

Carcass Canyon 

(Zeller, 1973a) 

30.0 

11.0 

6 beds 

14.0 

10.0 

2 beds 

19.0 

17.0 

2 beds 

Christensen zone is 120 ft thick. Rees equivalent coal zone is 50 ft 

thick. Alvey zone is 70 ft thick. 

Collet Top 

(Zeller, 1978) 

18.4 

12.6 

2 beds 

8.2 

6.2 

2 beds 

21.3 

11.8 

3 beds 

Christensen zone is 80 ft thick. Rees coal zone is 120 ft thick. Alvey 

zone is 100 ft thick. 

Dave Canyon 

(Zeller, 1973d) 

26.9 

15.0 

5 beds 

1.8 

1.8 

1 bed 

13.0 

13.0 

1 bed 

Christensen zone is 100 ft thick. Rees equivalent coal zone is 20 ft 

thick. Alvey zone is 160 ft thick. Coals are in western most part 

of quadrangle . 

Death Ridge 

(Zeller, 1973c) 

Only upper 

20 ft 

exposed 

(see 

comment) 

32.5 

7.0 

8 beds 

18.2 

12.0 

2 beds 

Only upper 20 ft of Christensen zone is exposed; zone has at least 80 

ft of coal in a 115 ft interval in drill hole. Rees equivalent zone is 

160 ft thick. Alvey zone is 120 ft thick. Coals are exposed in 

northwestern part of quadrangle and underlie remainder of area. 

Coal-bearing strata dip as much as 22 degrees in western part of 

quadrangle. 

East of the 

Navajo 

(Zeller, 1990b) 

51.4 

29.6 

7 beds 

5.2 

1.7 

4 beds 

7.0 

6.0 

2 beds 

Lower coal zone has 7.6 ft coal in 2 beds that are 3.8 ft thick. 

Christensen zone is 75 ft thick. Rees zone is 175 ft thick. Alvey 

zone is 40 ft thick. Very little coal in eastern half of quadrangle. 

Most coal outcrops in western half of quadrangle are burned. 

Coals are still burning in southeast part of quadrangle. 

Griffin Point 

(Bowers, 1973b) 

16.5 

12.0 

2 beds 

27.2 

19 

6 beds 

27.3 

17.9 

5 beds 

Coals are in zones a through e. Zone a is 100 ft thick and correlates 

to Christensen zone. Zones b and c are 140 ft thick and are 

reported in the Rees zone in this table. Zones d and e are 130 ft 

thick and correlate to the Alvey zone. Coal outcrops in eastern 

half of quadrangle but dips steeply into subsurface and is deeply 

buried in western half of quadrangle. Strata in western areas are 

inclined by as much as 40 degrees. Northern coal-bearing areas 

are faulted. 

1 Source of data is shown in parentheses. 

2 Top figure is maximum net coal in beds >1 ft thick. Middle figure is thickest coal bed in the zone in the entire quadrangle. Lower figure is 

number of coal beds at the locality of maximum net coal. Bed thicknesses were determined according to Wood and others (1983). 3 Includes local unnamed coals between the Christensen and Alvey coal zones. 
T60 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Appendix 3, table 1, 2 of 4. Summary of coal beds for each 7.5' quadrangle in the Kaiparowits Plateau—Continued. 

Summary of coals exposed in outcrops of the John Henry Member of the Straight Cliffs Formation 

along the eastern and southeastern parts of the Kaiparowits Plateau 

1 Quadrangle 

2 Thickness data for coals in outcrops 

 (in feet) Comments 

Christensen 

coal zone 

3 Rees coal 

zone 

Alvey coal 

zone 

Horse Mountain 

(Bowers, 1991a) ------ ------ ------ 

Coals are in subsurface only at depths from 500-3,500 feet. Beds dip 

7-24 degrees in northern part of quadrangle. Christensen, Rees, 

and Alvey zones contain coal in the eastern quadrangle but the 

coals are likely to be thin and pinch out to west. 

Mazuki Point 

(Peterson and 

Barnum, 1973b) 

6.5 

3.0 

3 beds 

------ ------ 

Christensen coal zone is 210 ft thick and is the only coal zone in the 

John Henry Member in this quadrangle. 

Navajo Point 

(Peterson and 

Barnum, 1973a) 

6.5 

3.7 

3 beds 

------ ------ 

Christensen coal zone is 210 ft thick and is the only coal zone in the 

John Henry Member in this quadrangle. 

Needle Eye Point 

(Zeller, 1990a) 

33.4 

23.3 

2 beds 

29.9 

19.3 

6 beds 

5.7 

5.7 

1 bed 

A local zone below the Christensen zone has 7.4 ft of coal in one 

bed. Christensen zone is 80 ft thick. Rees zone is 190 ft thick. 

Alvey zone is 40 ft thick. Coals are burned on outcrop over much 

of quadrangle and are still burning in many places. 

Petes Cove 

(Zeller, 1990c) 

not exposed 10.3 

5.0 

3 beds 

16.5 

11.5 

2 beds 

Most coals are in subsurface. Drill-hole data show that the 

Christensen zone is 150 ft thick, and has 50.5 ft total coal in 4 

beds and the thickest bed is 15.5 ft thick. Rees zone is about 120 

ft thick. Alvey zone is 90 ft thick. Total coal in subsurface is 

about 100 ft. 

Ship Mountain 

Point (Zeller and 

Vaninetti, 1990) 

------ ------ ----- 

There are no significant outcrops of coal in this quadrangle. 

However, the quadrangle is entirely underlain by coal in the John 

Henry Member. 

Sooner Bench 

(Peterson, 1975) 

------ ------ ------ John Henry Member is in southwest part of quadrangle only and has 

no coal in outcrops. 

Seep Flat 

(Zeller and 

Stephens, 1973) 

22.0 

12.9 

7 beds 

3.0 

3.0 

1 bed 

9.2 

5.0 

4 beds 

Christensen zone is 120 ft thick. Rees zone is about 10 ft thick. 

Alvey zone is 70 ft thick. The only significant coal bed is in the 

Christensen coal zone in the southwest corner of the quadrangle. 

Upper Valley 

(Bowers, 1973a) 

17.8+ 

6.0+ 

4 beds 

8.6 

6.1 

2 beds 

23.5 

15.5 

3 beds 

Coals are in zones a through e. Zone a is 70 ft thick and correlates to 

the Christensen zone . Zones b and c are 60 ft thick and are 

described as the Rees zone in this table. Zones d and e are 150 ft 

thick and correlate to the Alvey zone. Coals are steeply inclined 

where exposed in eastern part of quadrangle and are deeply 

buried (> 3000 ft) in rest of quadrangle. 

Wide Hollow 

Reservoir 

(Stephens, 1973) 

15.5* 

10.6* 

2 beds* 

15.6* 

5.5* 

6 beds* 

1.5* 

1.5* 

1 bed* 

A local zone below the Christensen zone has 2.0 ft of coal in one 

bed*. Christensen zone is 130 ft thick. Rees equivalent zones is 

70 ft thick. Alvey zone is 30 ft thick. Coals are in small 

erosional remnants scattered throughout western part of 

quadrangle and are generally burned. Coals are thickest in 

western and southern parts of quadrangle but thin and pinch out 

to northeast. 

*Additional coal thicknesses are reported by Stephens (1973) but are 

not included in table because they are impure. 1 Source of data is shown in parentheses. 

2 Top figure is maximum total coal in beds >1 ft thick. Middle figure is thickest coal bed in these zone in entire quadrangle. Lower figure is 

number of coal beds at locality of maximum coal. Bed thicknesses are determined according to Wood and others (1983). 3 Includes local unnamed coals between the Christensen and Alvey coal zones. 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T61

Appendix 3, table 1, 3 of 4. Summary of coal beds for each 7.5' quadrangle in the Kaiparowits Plateau—Continued. 

Summary of coals exposed in outcrops of the upper part of the Straight Cliffs Formation 

along the western margin of the Kaiparowits Plateau 

1 Quadrangle 

2 Thickness data 

for coals in 

outcrops 

 (in feet) 

Comments 

Henderson coal 

zone 

Butler Valley 

(Bowers, 1983) 

7.6 

4.3 

2 beds 

Henderson zone is about 15 ft thick. Coals contain numerous partings. Coal-bearing 

outcrops dip as much as 62 degrees and are faulted throughout much of the 

quadrangle. 

Canaan Peak 

(Bowers, 1981) 

16.2 

8.5 

2 beds 

Henderson zone is about 40 ft thick. Coals contain many partings. In the southern part of 

the quadrangle, coals are faulted in outcrops and dip as much as 30 degrees in the 

subsurface. 

Calico Peak 

(Doelling and 

Graham, 1972) 

------ 

Coals are located along eastern margin of quadrangle only. Coal-bearing strata dip >45 

degrees. Coal thicknesses are not available but are probably < 2.5 ft thick. 

Five Mile Valley 

(Doelling and 

Graham, 1972) 

------ No significant coal is in the upper part of the Straight Cliffs Formation in this quadrangle. 

Four Mile Bench 

(Bowers, 1991b) 

------ All coals are in the subsurface between depths of 1,000-2,500 ft. 

Henrieville 

(Bowers, 1975) 

15.4 

12.4 

2 beds 

Henderson zone is about 40 ft thick. Coals are lenticular, split abruptly, and have many 

partings. Coal-bearing rocks of the Straight Cliffs Formation underlie eastern half of 

quadrangle only. Coal beds are inclined between 6-20 degrees in outcrops. 

Horse Flat 

(Bowers, 1993) 

3.5 

2.3 

2 beds 

Henderson zone is about 10 ft thick. Coals outcrop only in northwest part of quadrangle, 

are highly faulted, and dip >45 degrees. Coals are deeply buried throughout 

remainder of quadrangle at depths from 1,000-2,400 ft. 

Pine Lake 

(Bowers, 1973c) 

27.0 

13.9 

3 beds 

Henderson zone is about 35 ft thick. Core from the Henderson zone in the northwest part 

of the quadrangle contains as much as 29 ft of coal in a 36-ft-thick interval. Local 

coal beds as thick as 3.5 ft are found above Henderson coal zone. Coals dip as much 

as 20 degrees in subsurface in central part of quadrangle and are at depths > 5,000 ft 

in northeastern part of quadrangle. 1 Source of data is shown in parentheses. 

2 Top figure is maximum total coal in beds >1 ft thick. Middle figure is thickest coal bed in coal zone. Lower figure is number of coal beds at 

locality of maximum coal. Bed thicknesses are determined according to Wood and others (1983). 
T62 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Appendix 3, table 1, 4 of 4. Summary of coal beds for each 7.5' quadrangle in the Kaiparowits Plateau—Continued. 

Summary of coals exposed in the Middle member of the Straight Cliffs Formation 

 along the southern margin of the Kaiparowits Plateau 1 Quadrangle 2 Major coal zone Comment 

Glen Canyon City 

(Waldrop and Sutton, 

1967c) 

Contains 1-3 coal beds that are < 2 ft 

thick. 

Major coal zone is 250 ft thick. Coals are in northeastern 

most part of quadrangle only. 

Lone Rock 

(Waldrop and Peterson, 

1967) 

Contains 1 to 8 beds that are 1-6.9 ft 

thick and average 2.5 ft thick. 

Major coal zone is as much as 375 ft thick. Coal beds are 

lenticular. 

Lower Coyote Springs -------------------------------------------- No coal data is available and no significant coals are 

likely to be in the quadrangle. 

Nipple Butte 

(Waldrop and Sutton, 

1967a) 

Contains lenticular coals < 2.3 ft thick. 

Coal beds average 0.6 ft thick. 

Major coal zone is 250 ft thick. Coal beds are lenticular. 

Sit Down Bench 

(Peterson and Horton, 

1967) 

Contains several coal beds > 5 ft thick. 

One coal bed is 14.2 ft thick. 

Major coal zone is 500 ft thick. Coal are generally 

burned as far back as 200-300 ft from outcrop. 

Coals in southwest part of quadrangle may be 

entirely burned. 

Smoky Hollow 

(Peterson, 1967) 

Contains several coals from 5-15 ft thick 

and numerous coals < 5 ft thick. 

Major coal zone is 550 ft thick. Coal are generally 

burned as far back as 200-300 ft from outcrop. 

Tibbet Bench 

(Waldrop and Sutton, 

1967b) 

Contains numerous coals > 4 ft thick and 

several coals that are 10-17.3 ft thick 

Coals average 2.7 ft thick. 

Major coal zone is 450 ft thick. Coals increase in 

thickness to northeast. Individual beds are lenticular 

and are not in well-defined zones. 

1 Sources of data are shown in parentheses. 

2 Bed thicknesses are determined according to Wood and others (1983). 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T63

Appendix 3, table 2. Previous coal resource estimates for 7.5’ quadrangles in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah. 

 Coal resources 

(millions of short tons) 

Quadrangle 

Doelling 

and 

Graham 

(1972) 

USGS Comments 

Butler Valley 0.5 not determined 

Lenticular coal beds in the quadrangle made resources difficult to 

determine; the area has low potential for coal development 

due to the thin and discontinuous coal beds, steep dips, and 

numerous faults (Bowers, 1983). Figures reported by 

Doelling and Graham (1972) include areas in adjoining 

Slickrock Bench quadrangle. 

Canaan Creek 398 600 

(Zeller, 1973b) 

Total coal resources estimated for beds > 4 feet thick and < 2,000 

ft deep (Zeller, 1973b). 

Carcass Canyon 629 

700 

Zeller (1973a) 

Estimate made for total coal in beds > 4 ft thick and having < 

2,000 ft of overburden; precise resource appraisal was not 

made for individual coals because of limited exposures, 

lenticular coal beds, and lack of subsurface data (Zeller, 

1973a). 

Collet Top 470 920 

Zeller (1978) 

Total coal resources calculated for coal beds > 4.8 ft thick. All 

coals in quadrangle have < 1,000 ft of overburden (Zeller, 

1978). 

Dave Canyon 170 

200 

Zeller (1973d) 

Estimate made for total coal in beds > 4 ft thick and having < 

2,000 ft of overburden; precise resource appraisal was not 

made for individual coals because of limited exposures, lack 

of coal quality, and lenticular coal beds (Zeller, 1973d). 

Death Ridge 1,060 

1,500 

(Zeller, 1973c) 

Total coal resources was estimated for beds > 4 ft thick and < 

2,000 ft deep (Zeller, 1973c). Much of the resource is 1,000-

1,500 ft deep, and the lower part of Christensen coal zone was 

not included in the estimate because bed continuity was 

unknown (Zeller, 1973c). 

East of the 

Navajo 28 

60 

(Zeller, 1973c 

Estimate was made for coal beds > 4 ft thick; sufficient data was 

not available for precise resource appraisal (Zeller, 1990b). 

Griffin point 449 

178 

(Bowers, 1973b) 

Estimated inferred resources of total coal were made for coals > 1 

ft thick and <2,000 ft deep; considerable coal is likely to be at 

greater depths (Bowers, 1973b). 

Henrieville 43 

16 

(Bowers, 1975). 

Inferred resources calculated for coal beds > 4 ft thick and <1,200 

ft deep; additional coal is probably at depths between 800-

2,500 ft in the northeastern part of the quadrangle (Bowers, 

1975). 

Lone Rock 38 not determined 

Needle Eye Point 

683 

800 

Zeller (1990a) 

Resources were estimated by Zeller (1990a) for coal beds > 4 ft 

thick; precise resource appraisal was not made due to 

exposures, lack of coal quality, lenticular coal beds, and 

extensive burning. 

Petes Cove 809 3,500 

Zeller, 1990c) 

Estimate of total coal in beds > 4 ft thick (Zeller, 1990c). 

Pine Lake 611 

216 

(Bowers, 1973c) 

Inferred resources calculated for coal beds > 4 ft thick and < 

2,500 ft deep; additional coal is probably at depths between 

1,500-7,000 ft in the eastern part of the quadrangle (Bowers, 

1973c). 

Seep Flat 28 

2 

Zeller and Stephens 

(1973) 

Estimate by Zeller and Stephens (1973) was made for total coal in 

beds > 4 ft thick. Zeller and Stephens did not make a precise 

resource appraisal because of limited exposures, lack of coalquality data, and lenticular nature of coal beds. 

Ship Mountain 

Point 1,266 not determined 

Sit Down Bench 

18 

not determined Formerly called Gunsight Butte NE. 

Smoky Hollow 

430 

not determined Formerly called Gunsight Butte NW. 

Tibbet Bench 272 not determined Formerly called Nipple Butte NE. 

Upper Valley 147 169 

(Bowers, 1973a) 

Estimated inferred resources of total coal were made for coals > 1 

ft thick and at depths < 2,500 ft. Additional coal is likely at 

greater depths (Bowers, 1973a). 
T64 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Appendix 4—Summary of Coal Quality

Appendix 4 contains summaries of coal-quality data from the John Henry Member. Samples were collected from core, 

mines, and outcrops. Quadrangle locations are shown in fi gure 2 in the text, and mine locations are shown in fi gure 1 in text. 

Core locations are shown in fi gure A on plate 1; K-DR-1 is at locality 4, CT-1-91 is at locality 5, SMP-1-91 is at locality 6, 

and DH-1 is 150 ft northwest of locality 151.

Appendix 4, table 1. Coal quality of samples collected from core of the John Henry Member, Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah. 

Core collected from drill hole CT-1-91 

Sample 

interval 

Down hole 

depth (ft) 

M 

% 

VM 

% 

FC 

% 

S 

% 

A 

% 

Btu/ 

lb 

Coal 

zone 

Moist, mineral-matter-free 

Btu and apparent rank 

CT-J 

(5 samples) 613.4-617.6 

8.5-14.3 35.2-

40.0 

34.8-

41.6 

1.0-

2.0 

6.4-

17.6 

9,720-

10,830 Christensen 

11,110-12,590 

Subbituminous A and 

High volatile C 

Bituminous 

CT-L 

(9 samples) 633.3-643.7 

11.1-

15.6 

34.5-

41.1 

41.5-

44.6 

0.4-

1.5 

3.7-6.8 10,460-

11,720 Christensen 

11,220-12,580 

Subbituminous A and 

High volatile C 

Bituminous 

CT-M 

(5 samples) 

648.1-652.8 11.0-

13.8 

35.0-

37.7 

37.7-

44.0 

0.7-

2.2 

5.3-

16.4 

9,730-

10,970 

Christensen 11,560-11,830 

High volatile C 

Bituminous 

CT-N 

(4 samples ) 

655.8-662.2 10.7-

12.5 

37.8-

40.4 

39.0-

44.5 

0.7-

1.4 

4.8-

12.5 

10,340-

11,380 

Christensen 11,790-12,060 

High volatile C 

Bituminous 

Apparent rank determined from proximate and ultimate analyses and gross calorific values (Btu/lb) of coals collected from core hole CT-1-91 located in 

sec. 5, T. 39 S., R. 4 E. Core hole CT-1-91 is listed as data point 5 in this report. Ranges of proximate and ultimate analyses and gross calorific 

values are based on unpublished data provided by Brenda Pierce (USGS, 1996). Apparent rank was calculated using the Parr formula (American 

Society for Testing and Materials, 1995). Moisture (M), volatile matter (VM), fixed carbon (FC), sulfur content (S), ash yield (A), gross calorific 

value (Btu/lb). 

Appendix 4, table 2. Coal quality of samples collected from core of the John Henry Member, Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah.

Core collected from drill hole SMP-1-91 

Sample 

number 

Down hole 

depth (ft) 

M 

% 

VM 

% 

FC 

% 

S 

% 

A 

% 

Btu/ 

lb 

Coal 

zone 

Moist, mineral-matter-free 

Btu and apparent rank 

SMP-E 

(3 samples) 

483.0-486.8 8.2-9.7 42.6-

43.8 

42.5-

44.4 

0.5-

0.7 

3.3-5.5 11,940-

11,980 

Rees ? 12,390-12,750 

High volatile C 

Bituminous 

SMP-F 

(3 samples) 

497.6-501.2 8.3-9.3 41.6-

43.9 

41.8-

44.7 

0.4-

0.6 

2.7-8.2 11,490-

12,380 

Rees ? 12,470-12,760 

High volatile C 

Bituminous 

SMP-H 

(17 

samples) 

581.2-603.0 

0.7-7.8 27.9-

50.7 

24.9-

45.4 

0.5-

2.3 

4.3-42.5 6,960-

12,390 Rees 

12,700-13,710 

High volatile B and C 

Bituminous 

SMP-J 

(13 

samples) 

682.4-712.3 

5.5-7.9 35.3-

44.5 

34.6-

48.0 

0.3-

1.0 

2.3-24.6 9,460-

12,480 Christensen 

12,360-13,590 

High volatile B and C 

Bituminous 

SMP-K 

(15 

samples) 

759.0-781.0 

4.5-7.1 35.3-

46.5 

32.1-

45.5 

0.4-

2.3 

3.4-26.4 9,000-

12,620 lower 

12,610-16,720 

High volatile A, B, and 

C Bituminous 

Apparent rank determined from proximate and ultimate analyses and gross calorific values (Btu/lb) of coals (queried where uncertain) collected from 

core hole SMP-1-91 located in sec. 6, T. 40 S., R. 4 E. Core hole SMP-1-91 is listed as data point 6 in this report. Coal zones are queried where 

uncertain. Ranges of proximate and ultimate analyses and gross calorific values are based on unpublished data by Brenda Pierce (USGS, 1996). 

Apparent rank was calculated using the Parr formula (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1995). Moisture (M), volatile matter (VM), fixed 

carbon (FC), sulfur content (S), ash yield (A), gross calorific value (Btu/lb). 
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T65

Appendix 4, table 3. Coal quality of samples collected from core of the John Henry Member, Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah.

Core collected from drill hole K-DR-1 

Sample 

number 

Down hole 

depth (ft) 

M 

% 

VM 

% 

FC 

% 

S 

% 

A 

% 

Btu/ 

lb 

Coal 

zone 

Moist, mineral-matter-free 

Btu and apparent rank 

D204048 313-319 20.4 34.7 37.7 1.0 7.2 9,440 Alvey 10,240 subbituminous B 

D204049 336-351 19.7 35.1 37.0 1.0 8.2 9,510 Alvey 10,440 subbituminous B 

D204050 547-555 18.4 35.0 36.3 0.6 10.3 9,280 Rees 10,450 subbituminous B 

D204051 603-608 15.6 29.6 29.9 0.7 24.9 7,640 Rees 10,460 subbituminous B 

D204052 617-625 17.2 33.4 34.8 0.8 14.6 8,990 Rees 10,680 subbituminous A 

D204053 702-713 21.1 34.7 39.8 0.5 4.4 9,830 Christensen 10,320 subbituminous B 

D204054 713-727 20.1 33.3 40.9 0.5 5.7 9,840 Christensen 10,490 subbituminous B 

D204055 775-780 19.7 34.6 39.9 0.6 5.8 9,860 Christensen 10,520 subbituminous A 

Apparent rank determined from proximate and ultimate analyses and gross calorific values (Btu/lb) of coals collected from core hole K-DR-1 located in 

sec. 8, T. 37 S., R. 2 E. Core hole K-DR-1 is listed as data point 4 in this report. Proximate and ultimate analyses and gross calorific values are from 

as-received samples reported in Zeller (1979) and Affolter and Hatch (1980). Apparent rank was calculated using the Parr formula (American 

Society for Testing and Materials, 1995). Moisture (M), volatile matter (VM), fixed carbon (FC), sulfur content (S), ash yield (A), gross calorific 

value (Btu/lb). 

Appendix 4, table 4. Coal quality of samples collected from core of the John Henry Member, Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah.

Core collected from drill hole DH-1 

Sample 

number 

Down hole 

depth (ft) 

M 

% 

VM 

% 

FC 

% 

S 

% 

A 

% 

Btu/ 

lb 

Coal 

zone 

Moist, mineral-matter-free 

Btu and apparent rank 

DH-1 core 289-292 9.7 32.4 28.3 NR 29.9 NR Henderson --------------- 

DH-1 core 292-298 17.6 34.4 26.4 NR 21.7 NR Henderson --------------- 

DH-1 core 298-304 18.0 38.3 33.1 NR 10.6 9,740 Henderson 11,010 

Subbituminous A 

DH-1 core 304-307 19.8 37.2 35.1 NR 7.9 10,130 Henderson 11,080 

Subbituminous A 

DH-1 core 310-317 17.8 37.8 30.6 NR 13.8 NR Henderson --------------- 

DH-1 core 318-324 18.9 36.7 36.0 NR 8.4 10,300 Henderson 11,350 

Subbituminous A 

Analyses from core of the Henderson coal zone collected from drill hole DH-1 located in the SWNE1/4, sec. 22, T. 35 S., R. 2 W. (Doelling and 

Graham, 1972, p. 126). DH-1 is located 150 ft northwest of data point 151 (fig. A on pl. 1). Proximate and ultimate analyses and gross calorific 

values are from as-received values reported in Doelling and Graham (1972, p. 126). Apparent rank was calculated using the Parr formula (American 

Society for Testing and Materials, 1995), and assumes a sulfur value of 1.0 percent. Value unknown (NR), moisture (M), volatile matter (VM), fixed 

carbon (FC), sulfur content (S), ash yield (A), gross calorific value (Btu/lb). 
T66 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Appendix 4, table 5. Coal quality of samples collected from mines in the John Henry Member, Kaiparowits Plateau, 

Utah. 

Mine / no. of 

samples 

analyzed 

Analyses Moisture 

% 

Volatile 

matter 

% 

Fixed 

carbon 

% 

Ash 

% 

Sulfur 

% 

Heating value 

Btu/lb 

Alvey coal zone 

Canaan Creek quadrangle 

Alvey mine 

(5) 

as received 

dry 

16.6-17.7 

---------- 

36.9-38.3 

44.6-45.9 

37.5-38.9 

46.1-46.8 

6.6-7.8 

7.9-8.6 

0.4-1.2 

0.6-1.5 

9,910-10,460 

12,170-12,540 

Griffin Point quadrangle 

New Cherry 

Creek mine 

(1) 

as received 

dry 

15.1 

---------- 

41.1 

48.4 

39.1 

46.0 

4.7 

5.6 

0.9 

1.1 

10,120 

11,920 

Cherry Creek 

mine (6) 

as received 

dry 

7.6-24.8 

---------- 

33.3-46.0 

41.2-49.8 

32.9-40.0 

40.7-47.3 

5.3-10.5 

6.8-12.4 

0.4-0.7 

0.6-0.8 

7,420- 9,960 

9,880-11,720 

Corn Creek 

mine (1) 

as received 

dry 

6.2 

---------- 

45.0 

48.0 

42.0 

44.8 

6.8 

7.2 

NR 

------- 

9,070 

9,660 

Rees coal zone 

Tibbet Bench quadrangle 

Spencer mine 

(3) 

as received 

dry 

3.7-5.9 

---------- 

38.1-45.5 

40.2-46.8 

47.4-51.0 

49.3-54.0 

3.8-5.7 

3.9-6.0 

0.5-1.1 

0.6-1.1 

10,610-12,300 

11,210-12,760 

Christensen coal zone 

Canaan Creek quadrangle 

Schow mine 

(6) 

as received 

dry 

3.8-8.6 

-------- 

35.3-42.3 

37.5-46.1 

39.6-46.3 

42.1-50.1 

3.5-16.1 

3.8-17.1 

0.5-3.2 

2.3-3.4 

11,060-12,280 

11,870-13,070 

Shurtz mine 

(2) 

as received 

dry 

7.4-12.2 

--------- 

39.4-39.6 

42.8 

44.2-49.3 

53.2 

3.7-4.3 

4.0 

0.8 

NR 

11,110-11,160 

12,060 

Tibbet Bench quadrangle 

Warm Creek 

prospect (1) 

as received 4.7 40.7 48.6 6.0 0.7 12,190 

Henderson coal zone 

Pine Lake quadrangle 

Davis mine 

(1) 

as received 

dry 

11.3 

----- 

41.3 

46.1 

39.2 

44.1 

8.5 

9.5 

0.9 

1.0 

10,130 

11,360 

Pollock mine 

(3) 

as received 

dry 

16.3-22.0 

---------- 

37.2-40.4 

46.6-48.3 

30.6-36.0 

39.3-44.5 

7.2-10.2 

8.9-13.0 

0.8-1.3 

1.0-1.6 

8,540-9,600 

10,990-11,470 

Tropic mine 

(3) 

as received 

dry 

20.2-20.9 

--------- 

NR 

42.0-42.6 

NR 

44.9-47.0 

NR 

11.0-12.5 

NR 

0.7-1.0 

8,910-9,240 

11,270-11,680 

Proximate analyses are from Doelling and Graham (1972, p. 123-127). Value unknown (NR), moisture (M), volatile matter (VM), 

fixed carbon (FC), sulfur content (S), ash yield (A), gross calorific value (Btu/lb).
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T67

Appendix 4, table 6. Coal quality of samples collected from outcrops of the John Henry Member, Kaiparowits Plateau, 

Utah. 

Quadrangle / no. 

of samples 

analyzed 

Analyses Moisture 

% 

Volatile 

matter 

% 

Fixed 

carbon 

% 

Ash 

% 

Sulfur 

% 

Heating value 

Btu/lb 

Alvey coal zone 

Canaan Creek 

(6) 

as-received 

dry 

3.6-17.4 

--------- 

30.8-44.3 

32.0-46.8 

40.4-59.1 

42.9-61.3 

3.0-11.2 

3.2-11.9 

0.8-1.0 

0.9-1.0 

8,730-11,210 

9,260-12,650 

Carcass 

Canyon (9) 

as-received 

dry 

6.6-18.4 

--------- 

37.5-43.1 

42.0-50.5 

34.4-47.6 

42.0-51.0 

3.4-8.9 

4.2-10.5 

0.4 

0.4 

NR 

9,930-10,860 

Collet Top (1) as-received 

dry 

16.7 

--------- 

38.0 

45.6 

29.7 

35.6 

15.7 

18.8 

1.0 

1.3 

8,940 

10,740 

Dave Canyon 

(2) 

as-received 

dry 

8.1-11.6 

--------- 

41.5-44.4 

46.9-48.3 

36.1-42.1 

40.8-45.8 

5.4-9.5 

5.9-10.7 

1.3 

1.5 

10,230-10,800 

11,130-12,220 

Death Ridge 

(1) 

as-received 

dry 

7.2 

--------- 

38.3 

41.3 

50.0 

53.9 

4.5 

4.8 

NR 

NR 

10,410 

11,220 

Griffin Point 

(1) 

as-received 

dry 

16.5 

--------- 

41.5 

49.8 

34.0 

40.8 

6.7 

8.0 

1.3 

1.6 

9,980 

11,890 

Ship Mountain 

Point (1) 

as-received 9.8 41.4 43.8 5.0 0.8 10,230 

Upper Valley 

(1) 

as-received 

dry 

6.6 

--------- 

41.1 

44.0 

46.3 

49.6 

6.0 

6.4 

NR 

NR 

9,740 

10,430 

Rees coal zone 

Canaan Creek 

(2) 

as-received 

dry 

5.6-8.3 

--------- 

36.3-44.9 

38.5-49.0 

35.9-38.9 

38.0-42.4 

7.9-22.2 

8.6-23.5 

NR 

NR 

7,570-9,740 

8,020-10,620 

Death Ridge 

(1) 

as-received 

dry 

7.1 

--------- 

45.8 

49.3 

41.2 

44.4 

4.9 

5.3 

NR 

NR 

9,230 

9,930 

East of the 

Navajo (1) 

as-received 

dry 

9.1 

--------- 

34.7 

38.2 

50.1 

55.1 

7.1 

7.8 

0.9 

0.9 

10,220 

11,240 

Needle Eye 

Point (2) 

as-received 

dry 

12.3-23.7 

--------- 

37.6-40.8 

46.4-49.2 

29.5-38.6 

38.6-45.3 

7.3-9.2 

8.3-12.2 

1.1-1.2 

1.5-1.6 

8,450-10,140 

11,060-11,560 

Upper Valley 

(1) 

as-received 

dry 

5.7 

--------- 

46.8 

49.6 

41.2 

44.5 

5.6 

5.9 

NR 

NR 

9,380 

9,950 

Christensen coal zone 

Canaan Creek 

(2) 

as-received 

dry 

4.6-6.3 

--------- 

43.8-46.1 

46.7-48.3 

40.9-44.7 

43.7-46.9 

4.6-9.0 

4.8-9.6 

NR 

NR 

9,740-9,870 

10,200-10,540 

Carcass 

Canyon (7) 

as-received 

dry 

4.4-25.4 

--------- 

35.6-52.5 

44.6-54.9 

28.9-49.1 

37.6-51.7 

3.4-10.1 

3.7-13.5 

0.4 

0.4 

NR 

9,780-11,230 

Death Ridge 

(2) 

as-received 

dry 

5.4-6.0 

--------- 

41.0 

43.3-43.6 

46.6-48.3 

49.6-51.1 

5.3-6.4 

5.6-6.8 

NR 

NR 

10,960-11,240 

11,660-11,890 

Needle Eye 

Point (7) 

as-received 

dry 

6.7-14.6 

NR 

20.3-51.7 

NR 

20.5-66.2 

NR 

4.6-17.8 

NR 

0.4-1.3 

NR 

9,780-11,780 

NR 

Seep Flat (1) as-received 

dry 

10.4 

--------- 

36.0 

40.2 

47.5 

53.0 

6.1 

6.8 

0.9 

1.0 

11,100 

12,390 

Tibbet Bench 

(4) 

as-received 

dry 

11.2-24.2 

--------- 

35.9-42.6 

45.3-48.0 

33.9-38.1 

40.6-45.7 

6.0-10.1 

7.9-11.5 

0.9-1.2 

1.1-1.4 

8,780-9,860 

11,110-11,580 

Henderson coal zone 

Henrieville (2) as-received 

dry 

17.7-22.7 

--------- 

34.6-35.6 

43.6-44.7 

32.5-37.8 

42.1-46.0 

8.6-9.6 

10.4-12.4 

0.6-0.7 

0.8 

7,770-9,510 

10,050-11,550 

Pine Lake (2) as-received 

dry 

13.1-28.6 

--------- 

37.8 

43.5-45.0 

40.9 

41.1-44.5 

6.7 

7.7-10.5 

1.5 

0.9-1.7 

7,370-11,370 

10,360-13,080 

Values are based on Doelling and Graham (1972, p. 123-127). 
T68 Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Appendix 5—Lithologic and Stratigraphic Data for 

Selected Drill Holes in the Kaiparowits Plateau Database

Appendix 5 contains location, lithologic, and stratigraphic data from 155 drill holes selected from the Kaiparowits Plateau 

database shown in Appendix 1. The data is available in ASCII format, .dbf, and Excel spreadsheet fi les on disc 2 of this 

CD-ROM. Appendix 5 does not include additional data shown in Appendix 1 that are from outcrops, control points, or drill 

holes that do not penetrate coal-bearing strata.

Appendix 6—ArcView project for the 

Coal Assessment of the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah

The digital fi les used for the coal resource assessment of the Kaiparowits Plateau are presented as views in the ArcView 

project. 

The ArcView project and the digital fi les are stored on both discs of this CD-ROM set—Appendix 6 of chapter T resides 

on both discs. Persons who do not have ArcView 3.1 may query the data by means of the ArcView Data Publisher on disc 1. 

Persons who do have ArcView 3.1 may utilize the full functionality of the software by accessing the data that reside on disc 2.

An explanation of the ArcView project and data library—and how to get started using the software—is given by Biewick and 

Mercier (chap. D, this CD-ROM). Metadata for all digital fi les are also accessible through the ArcView project.
Geologic Overview and Resource Assessment of Coal in the Kaiparowits Plateau, Southern Utah T69

Click on image below to bring up high-resolution image of plate 1.

Plate 1. Locations of data points and correlation diagrams, Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah.

National Coal

Resource

Assessment

Click here to return to Disc 1 

Volume Table of Contents