Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations/l979 

Geology, Mining, and Methane 

Content of the Freeport 

and Kittanning Coalbeds in Indiana 

and Surrounding Counties, Pa. 

By D. G. Puglio and A. T. Iannacchione 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Cecil D. Andrus, Secretary 

BUREAU OF MINES 

Lindsay D. Norman, Acting Director 
This publication has been cataloged as follows: 

Puglio, D G 

Geology, mining, and methane content of the Freeport 

and Kittanning coalbeds in Indiana and surrounding counties, Pa. 

(Bureau of Mines report of investigations ; 8406) 

Bibliography: p. 33-35. 

1. Coal mines and mining-Pennsylvania. 2. Coal-GeologyPennsylvania. 3. Fire-damp. I. Iannacchione, A. T., joint author. 

11. Title. 111. Series: United States. Bureau of Mines. Report of 

investigations ; 8406. 

TN23.U43 [TN805.P4] 622'.08s [622'.33'40974889] 79-15933 
CONTENTS 

Page 

Abstract .. .............................................................. 1 

Introduction ............................................................ 1 

Acknowledgments ......................................................... 3 

Generalized stratigraphy ................................................ 3 

Pennsylvanian System ............................................... 3 

Monongahela Group ............................................. 3 

Conemaugh Group ............................................... 6 

Allegheny Group ... ............................................ 6 

Pottsville Group .............................................. 6 

Structural setting ...................................................... 7 

Folding ............................................................ 7 

Faulting ........................................................... 7 

Surface joints and coal cleat ...................................... 13 

Surface joints .............................................. 15 

Coal cleat . .................................................. 18 

Mining .................................................................. 20 

Stratigraphy of Freeport and Kittanning Formations . ................ 20 

Distributary channel system in Lower Kittanning horizon ............ 24 

Mining and production .. .........,.........,..................... .. 25 

Methane associated with coalbed horizons ................................ 27 

Methane emissions ............ ...................................... 28 

Direct-method tests ................................................ 29 

Conclusions . ...................................m........................ 32 

Bibliography ............................................................ 33 

ILLUSTRATI ONS 

Physiographic location of study area ............................... Quadrangles comprising study area .................................. Data-point base mp .......... ...................................... Generalized stratigraphic column of the Pennsylvanian System ....... Generalized stratigraphic column of the Allegheny Group ............ Structure map drawn on the base of the Lower Kittanning coalbed .... Stratigraphic interval affected by strike fault zone of the east 

flank of Chestnut Ridge .......................................... Photograph of strip mine with exposure of steep dip slope .......... Stratigraphic section constructed from exposures in strip mine with 

dip slope ........................................................ Location of thrust faults in the Lucerne No . 6 mine ................ Photograph of thrust fault in the Jane mine ........................ Generalized sketch of typical thrust faults observed underground in 

the Lucerne Nos . 6 and 8 and Jane mines .......................... Rose diagrams of surface joints for nine quadrangles ............... Relationship between local structure and cleat orientation in the 

M . Y.. Penn Hill. Chestnut Ridge. and Dixon Run No 3 . mines ...... Relationship between local structure and cleat orientation in the 

Lucerne Nos . 6. 8. and 9 mines . .................................. 
Page 

Relationship between local structure and cleat orientation in the 

Josephine, Oneida No. 4, Florence No. 1, Blacklick, and 

Conemaugh No. 1 mines. ........................................... Generalized stratigraphic column of the Freeport and Kittanning 

Fomations. ...................................................... Panel diagram of Freeport and Kittanning Formations over study area 

Upper Freeport coalbed isopach ..................................... Lower Freeport coalbed isopach ..................................... Lower Kittanning coalbed isopach ................................... Area affected by distributary channel system in the New Florence 

quadrangle ....................................................... Detailed Lower Kittanning coalbed isopach over New Florence 

quadrangle ....................................................... Active underground mines in study area..... ........................ Overburden isopach of the strata above the Lower Kittanning coalbed 

TABLES 

Fundamental joint systems for each 7' 30" quadrangle in study area. 

Fundamental cleat systems for each mine surveyed ................... Active mines by coalbed.. .......................................... Production by coalbed, 1976.. ....................................... Active mines and production by mine. ...........,.................. 

Gassiest counties in the United States in 1973... .........,........ 

Active mines emitting more than 100,000 cfd of methane.. .........., Direct-method test results for three core samples of the Lower 

Kittanning coalbed. .............................................. Range of overburden above the Lower Kittanning coalbed for each 

quadrangle in study area......... ................................ 
GEOLOGY, MINING, AND METHANE CONTENT OF THE FREEPORT 

AND KITTANNING COALBEDS IN INDIANA 

AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES, PA. 

D. G. Puglio and A. T. lannacchione2 

ABSTRACT 

This Bureau of Mines study covers 25 underground mines that were active 

in the Upper and Lower Freeport and Lower Kittanning coalbeds in 1976. The 

coal ranges from low to medium volatile in rank; its primary use is for steam 

generation. Seven mines emit more than 100,000 cfd of methane gas; those 

mines are the deepest and largest producers. 

The methane gas content of three core samples of the Lower Kittanning 

coalbed was estimated by the direct method. A sample from a depth of 320 feet 

contained 0.5 cu cm of gas per gram, at 620 feet there was 0.8 cu cm of gas 

per gram, and at 1,060 feet there was 11 cu cm of gas per gram. These results 

suggest that methane control problems will be encountered in the future as 

deeper coal is mined. 

INTRODUCTION 

This report is one of a series of investigations conducted by the Bureau 

of Mines to relate the migration and storage of methane in coalbeds to geologic factors and their effect on underground mining. The investigation of 

the Freeport and Kittanning coalbeds was undertaken to examine (1) areas where 

methane control problems will be encountered during future mining, (2) orientation of surface joint and coal cleat systems, (3) regional extent and minability of the coalbeds, and (4) variation in the coal measure stratigraphy of 

the Freeport and Kittanning Formations. 

The study area is contained in the Appalachian Plateau physiographic 

province and is situated in parts of two sections of that province in westcentral Pennsylvania--the Allegheny Mountains section to the east, and the 

Pittsburgh Plateaus section to the west (fig. 1). The 570-square-mile area 

includes a large portion of Indiana County and smaller portions of Westmoreland and Armstrong Counties. The area has a long commercial coal mining history, dating to the early 19th century, and an active program of surface and 

underground mining and property development that rivals any comparable area in 

IGeologist, Pittsburgh Research Center, Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa. (now 

with Michael Baker, Jr., Inc., Consulting Engineers andSurveyors,Beaver, 

Pa.). 

2~eologist, Pittsburgh Research Center, Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Appalachian Plateaus I Valley and Ridge /~luel Piedmont 0 

Province 

50 

Province 

Prov~nce Rid-ge Province - Scale, m~les 

FIGURE 1. - Physiographic location of study area. 

the United States. Nine 7' 30" topographic quadrangles further divide the 

area (fig. 2). Over 800 exploratory core hole logs and gas well logs were 

employed in the construction of maps and cross sections (fig. 3). 
-7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

/ 

The authors thank the 

following individuals for 

providing core logs, mine 

I maps, and permission to conI BUTLER ARMSTRONG 1 duct surface and underground 

COUNTY COUNTY 1 investigations : R. Jubee, 

( D. Shae, and G. Smith of The 

7g0 2,2 ' 30" 79O 00'00" Rochester and Pittsburgh 

Coal Co. ; R. W. Shank and 

W. Siplevy of the North 

American Coal Corp. ; ' G. J. Jones of the Pennsylvania Mines Corp. ; 

G. Kephart (deceased) and 

1 K. Mears of the Mears Coal 

71n8, 9,- Co. ; D. Henigan of the North 

~0022~,'~ Cambria Fuel Co. ; S. Cortis 

/ and T. Alexander of the / \ WESTMORELAND COUNTY 

v 

0 10 20 

Key Map Scale, miles 

LEGEND 

Elder ton 

Ernest 

Clymer 

McIntyre 

Indiana 

Brush Valley 

Blairsvil le 

Bolivar 

New Florence 

Pennsylvania Department of 

Environmental Resources, 

Bureau of Mine Subsidence; 

and J. Patton (deceased) of 

the Equitable Gas Co. 

GENERALIZED STRATIGRAPHY 

Pennsylvanian System 

The rocks exposed at 

the surface are primarily of FIGURE 2. - Quadrangles comprising study area. Pennsylvanian age, but 

strata of Mississippian and 

Devonian age crop out near the Chestnut Ridge anticline, particularly where 

that structure is breached by the Conemaugh River in the Bolivar quadrangle. 

Representing an interval between 1,200 and 1,600 feet in thickness, the Pennsylvanian section is divided into four stratigraphic units (fig. 4)(1).3 

Monongahela Group 

Although the Monongahela section is normally 350 to 400 feet thick in its 

complete development (A), only about 200 feet of it occurs in two synclinal 

basins in the western quadrangles. The interval from the Pittsburgh coalbed 

to the Benwood Limestone is preserved in the Latrobe synclinal basin and in 

the Elders Ridge synclinal basin. The Pittsburgh coalbed has been essentially 

mined out in these basins. 

%nderlined numbers in parentheses refer to items in the list of references at 

the end of this report. 
LEGEND 

Exploratory core hole 

0 Gas well 

Desor~tion test of the 

0 - 8p00 16,000 

Scale, It 

" 

Lowe; Klttann~ng coalbed Data polnt base map 

FIGURE 3. - Data-point base map. 
600 

0 

200 

0 

.EGEND 

Coal 

Red Bed 

Shale 

Sandstone 

Limestone 

I 

Permior 

FIGURE 4. - General

sylvania
Conemaugh Group 

Most of the section exposed at the surface is of Conemaugh age. The 

Conemaugh Group, typically from 600 to 900 feet thick (s), occurs between the 

base of the Pittsburgh coalbed and the top of the Upper Freeport coalbed. The 

complete Conemaugh section is preserved, generally, only where it is overlain 

by the incomplete Monongahela section. The coalbeds of Conemaugh age are 

irregular in thickness and lateral continuity, normally high in ash and sulfur 

content, and seldom thick enough to mine. None of the Conemaugh coalbeds have 

been worked on a large scale in the study area. However, two strip mines are 

presently working the Bakerstown coalbed in the Latrobe synclinal basin to the 

southwest of the study area in the Latrobe 7' 30" quadrangle. 

Allegheny Group 

The Allegheny Group occurs between the overlying Conemaugh Group and the 

underlying Pottsville Group and ranges from 250 to 350 feet in thickness. The 

upper limit of the Allegheny is marked by the top of the Upper Freeport coalbed, and its lower limit is defined by the base of the Brookville coalbed. 

The Allegheny is divided into the Freeport, Kittanning, and Clarion Formations 

(fig. 5). Each division ranges from 85 to 115 feet in thickness, but variations above and below these limits are common. The lithology is generally 

shale and siltstone, tabular and channel sandstone, coal, claystone, and limestone. The section contains seven, somewhat regionally persistent coalbeds 

and/or coal groups: Upper and Lower Freeport; Upper, Middle, and Lower 

Kittanning; Clarion; and Brookville coalbeds. Only the Upper Freeport, Lower 

Freeport, and Lower Kittanning coalbeds are of economic importance in the 

s tudy area. 

The complete Allegheny section crops out along the flanks of the Chestnut 

Ridge anticline in the Bolivar, Indiana, Brush Valley, and Clymer quadrangles, 

and in the Blacklick Creek and Conemaugh River gorges in the New Florence and 

Bolivar quadrangles. The upper members of the Allegheny section (from the 

Upper Frecport to the Lower Freeport coalbed horizons) crop out along the 

flanks of the Jacksonville anticline in the McIntyre quadrangle, and along 

Plum Creek and its tributaries, Roaring Run and Dutch Run, near the Dutch Run 

and Roaring Run anticlines in the northern part of the Elderton and Ernest 

quadrangles. 

Pottsville Group 

The Pottsville Group is overlain by the Allegheny Group and disconformably underlain by the Mississippian Mauch Chunk Group. The Pottsville section 

is 150 to 250 feet thick and is divided into two formations--the Mercer and 

the Connoquenessing. The coalbeds of Pottsville age are seldom thick enough 

to mine and are of no economic importance in the study area. 
STRUCTURAL SETTING 

Folding 

The strata are folded into relatively open, roughly parallel anticlines 

and synclines. Trending northeast-southwest, the fold axes are separated by 

2 to 5 miles. Flank dips of the structures normally range between Ooand 15" 

A geologic structure map (fig. 6) drawn on the base of the Lower Kittanning 

coalbed shows that the axes of five synclines and six anticlines pass through 

the area. 

Structural relief is more pronounced from northwest to southeast. In the 

Elderton and Ernest quadrangles, the structure is somewhat gentle. The Elders 

Ridge syncline, plunging to the southwest, becomes a more defined basin from 

the Ernest quadrangle, where it is somewhat flat and broad, to the northwest 

corner of the McIntyre quadrangle. The Greensburg syncline and Fayette anticline plunge to the southwest from where they lose their identities near the 

Conemaugh River in the Blairsville quadrangle to where they enter the area at 

the southern boundary of the Blairsville quadrangle. The southwest-plunging 

Latrobe syncline is a deep, troughlike basin where it enters the area at the 

southern boundary of the Blairsville quadrangle; it gradually rises and flattens out to the northeast and loses its identity just south of the town of 

Indiana. 

The Chestnut Ridge anticline is the most conspicuous flexure; its western 

limb is steeper both structurally and topographically. The anticline plunges 

northwest from where it enters the area in the Bolivar quadrangle to about the 

four-corners area of the Indiana, Brush Valley, Bolivar, and New Florence 

quadrangles, where it rises to the northeast for about 5 miles in the Brush 

Valley quadrangle. Just south of where Yellow Creek breaches the anticline, 

the Chestnut Ridge anticline plunges for another 3 miles to the northeast and 

begins rising again as it passes out of the area in the southeast corner of 

the Clymer quadrangle. 

Plunging to the northeast and gradually rising to the southwest, the 

Brush Valley syncline enters the area along the eastern boundary of the Brush 

Valley quadrangle. It loses its identity as it rises and dies out against the 

eastern flank of Chestnut Ridge in the northeast corner of the New Florence 

quadrangle. The southwest-plunging Nolo anticline enters the area at the 

northeast corner of the New Florence quadrangle, trends northeast-southwest 

for about 2 miles, and then turns due west for about 2 miles and rises and 

dies out near Heshbon in the north-central part of the New Florence qudrangle. The Ligonier-Barnesboro syncline plunges to the southwest and gradually rises to the northeast; it is a somewhat broad, flat basin where it 

passes through the area. 

Faulting: 

Evidence for faulting along the Chestnut Ridge anticline was first 

reported by Shaffner (33), who cited the occurrence of three separate faults 

or fault zones. A cmgex fault zone, inferred from data taken from three gas 
LEGEND '++ -Fault zone 

U -Upthrown 

D - Down thrown 

0 

P 

lgooo 

Scale, ft 

FIGURE 6. - Structure map drawn on the base of the Lower Kittanning coal bed. 
The fault zone strikes roughly parallel to the axis of the Chestnut Ridge 

anticline, but the actual displacement and direction of movement could not be 

determined. The section affected by faulting ranges at least from the Middle 

Mississippian Loyalhanna Limestone to the Upper Freeport coal group, an interval of about 500 feet (fig. 7). On the upthrown side of the fault zone to the 

northwest, the section is essentially flat lying. On the downthrown side of 

the fault zone, to the southeast, a drag feature has affected the section 

between the Loyalhanna Limestone and the Upper Freeport coal group; the units 

in this interval dip SE 45" and more for about 2,000 feet, where the interval 

flattens out and approaches horizontal. 

About 1/2 mile west of the town of West Bolivar, a strip mine (fig. 8) 

working the Upper Freeport coal group on the downthrown side of this fault 

zone has uncovered nearly vertical coalbed dips; such steeply inclined coalbeds have not been observed previously west of the Allegheny Front in Pennsylvania. A section was constructed from exposures in the pit (fig. 9). In a 

distance of about 2,000 feet, the Upper Freeport coal group horizon passes 

from a dip of 12" SE to 85" SE at its outcrop. Evidence for three thrust 

faults was observed on the steep dip slope; their trends and positions are 

shown on the cross-sectional diagram (fig. 9). Thrusting affected at least 

the Upper Freeport coal group and the underclay occurring below the lowest 

coalbed of the group. The displacement of the units by thrust slippage was 

slight (less than 3 feet), The thrust fault blocks on the dip slope are 
FIGURE 8. 

 Photograph of strip mine with exposure of steep dip slope. 

Foul1 Plone 

50 1 

Foul! Plane 

Key mop ---- . . -. -- 0 25 50 

. -L Hor~rontal Study .re0 

-- 

Fault Plone 

B~ffolo Sandstone 

A~.thC,cek Marlnc Shale 

' Slrlhe N3B-E Covered by 

Oip.45-SE debris 

Sandstone ?C ls4Oft 

coo 211 

Plorllcclay 111 28" 

Cr 21n2.7 

Cool Ill Slrlhe N4 1'E 

PIOS~C Cloy I ft 2 in Gray $hale 311 18" 'ODSE 

Coal 6 tn Cool 311 11 ~n 

P:l.'ed, plosl~c cloy 91" Slraha N 4 2-E 

C:,' 111 lm DIP 23'SE 

Gray shale 211 81" 

Coal 3f1 1010 

Slrlke N43-E 

DIP 12'SE 

FIGURE 9. - Stratigraphic section constructed from exposures in strip mine with dip slope. 
probably the consequence of local adjustment to the drag, which in turn was 

the consequence of the downwarping by the major strike fault activity. 

There was some question as to the identity of the coalbeds being stripped. 

The stratigraphic position of three units exposed in the strip pit proved that 

the coalbeds being mined are members of the Upper Freeport coal group. A semiflint clay horizon, the Bolivar Fire Clay, occurs at about 15 feet below the 

lower coalbed. The position of the thick sandstone directly above the upper 

coalbed of the group led to its identification as the basal Conemaugh Mahoning 

Sandstone. Finally, the position of the thin coalbed and overlying fossiliferous shale, about 110 feet above the coalbeds being stripped, led to its 

identification as the Brush Creek horizon. Or more specifically, as the Brush 

Creek coalbed and overlying Brush Creek marine horizon. 

McCulloch (22) first reported the occurrence of thrust faults encountered 

underground in the Lucerne No. 6 mine (fig. 10). Working the Upper Freeport 

FIG.URE 10. - Location of thrust faults in the Lucerne No. 6 mine. 

coalbed in the southwest corner of the Indiana quadrangle, five separate 

thrust fault zones were observed at various localities in the mine. 

Thrust faults similar to those reported by McCulloch were observed in the 

Lucerne No. 8 and Jane mines. The Lucerne No. 8 mine is working the Upper 

Freeport coalbed on the western flank of the Jacksonville anticline in the 

McIntyre quadrangle, about 5 miles northwest of the Lucerne No. 6 mine. The 

Jane mine is working the Lower Freeport coalbed near the Roaring Run and Dutch 

Run anticlines in the northwest corner of the Elderton quadrangle, about 

10 miles northwest of the Lucerne No. 6 mine. One thrust fault (fig. 11) was 

observed in each mine. Similar in character to those described by McCulloch 

(fig. 12), the faults extend from the roof through the coalbed and terminate 

at the floor, unlike those thrust faults seen in the strip pit near West 

Bolivar. Each fault plane contained a 1- to 3-inch-thick fault gouge zone or 

mylonite zone. The faults strike generally parallel to the trend of local 

structure and cut the coalbed at angles between 20" and 45". The thrust 

faults are structurally related and are the consequence of local structural 

adjustment to the tectonic forces that induced regional folding in the Appalachian Plateau. 

Surface Joints and Coal Cleat 

Surface joints were measured from outcrop and strip mine exposures over 

the nine-quadrangle study area. Coal cleat surveys were conducted in 12 mines 

working within the limits of the study area: One in the Lower Freeport coalbed, two in the Upper Freeport coalbed, and nine in the Lower Kittanning 

coalbed. The fracture orientation data for each quadrangle (fig. 13) and each 

mine (figs. 14-16) were plotted on semicircular rose diagrams to evaluate the 

principal directional trends by the method developed by Diamond (10). - 

Thrust fault 

\-- Mylonite (fault gouge ), I to 3 in 

\ 

\ C Disturbed roof 

FIGURE 12. - Generalized sketch of typical thrust faults observed underground in the 

Lucerne Nos. 6 and 8 and Jane mines. 
FIGURE 13. - Rose diagrams of surface ioints for nine quadrangles. 

14 

t 

N N N 

m 130 

ELDERTON 

N 

ERNEST 

N 

CLYMER - 

N 

1 13 readings 10 measurements 

MclNTY RE 

N 

150 readings 5 measurements 

INDIANA 

N 

104 readings 5 measurements 

BRUSH VALLEY 

N 

E 

208 readings 10 measurements 

BLAlRSVlLLE 

163 readings 5 measurements 

BOLIVAR 

1 1 3 readings 5 measurements 

NEW FLORENCE 
ERNEST 

INDIANA 

FIGURE 

CLYMER 

BRUSH VALLEY 

2. Penn Hill mine 

3. Dixon Run No. 3 mine 

. - Relationship between local structure and cleat orientation in the M. Y., Penn 

Hill, Chestnut Ridge, and Dixon Run No. 3 mines. 

Surface Joints 

An average of 133 joint readings were taken from an average of 13 outcrop 

stations per quadrangle. Six major directional trends occur in each quadrangle and correspond to three fundamental joint systems (25). The primary, 

secondary, and tertiary joint systems for each quadrangle are listed in 
LEGEND 

1. Lucerne No. 8 mine (Upper Freeport ) 

2. lucerne No. 9 mine ( Lower Freeport 1 

3. lucerne No. 6 mine (Upper Freeport 1 

4. Homer City mine (Upper Freeport) 

5. Josephine mine ( Lower Kittaming 1 

78 readings 5 fnmmmfh 

FIGURE 15. - Relationship between local structure and cleat orientation in 

the Lucerne Nos. 6, 8, and 9 mines. 

FIGURE 16. - Relationship between local structure and cleat orientation 

in the Josephine, Oneida No. 4, Florence No. 1, Blacklick, and Conemaugh No. 1 mines. 
table 1. Systematic joint trends are generally perpendicular to structural 

trends and represent extension fractures; nonsystematic joint trends are 

generally parallel to regional structural trends and represent release 

fractures (19, 3). 

TABLE 1. - Fundamental joint systems for each 7' 30" quadrangle 

in study area 

Ernest. ............... 

Clymer ................ 

Angle of 

separation 

99" 

9 6" 

5 go 

7' 30" quadrangle 

Elderton.............. 

Indiana. .............. 

Brush Valley .......... 

Average trends of fundamental joint system 

Bolivar. .............. 

systematic1 

I. N60° W 

11. N25" W 

111. N 72" W 

Nonsystematic 

N 39" E 

N 71" E 

N 13" W 

New Florence. ......... 

I. Primary. 

11. Secondary. 

111. Tertiary. 

I. N62O W 

11. N 10" E 

111. N 43" W 

N 32" E 

N 80° W 

N 14" W 

9 4" 

9 0" 

29" 
Coal Cleat 

Cleat is the natural fracture system in coalbeds and is analogous to 

joints (2l). The dominant fracture plane(s) is referred to as the face cleat; 

the secondary fracture plane(s) is referred to as the butt cleat. Normally 

occurring at right angles to each other, face cleats are analogous to systematic rock joints; butt cleats are analogous to nonsystematic rock joints (21). 

Face cleats are well developed, cut bedding plane structure, and extend for 

some distance vertically and horizontally. Butt cleats are less well developed than face cleats, terminate against face cleat planes, and vary more 

directionally and in frequency of occurrence than face cleats. Spacing of 

both face and butt cleats in the friable Freeport and Kittanning coalbeds is 

three to seven per inch. 

Cleat orientation controls the directional permeability within coalbeds (4, - - 21), which in turn influences the rate of methane and water flow into 

mine workings (4, 0-2). By effectively intercepting these flow paths with 

either vertical or horizontal borehole patterns, the maximum drainage potential of the unit can be realized. Detailed fracture trend analyses should be 

conducted before a methane drainage program is initiated. The fundamental 

cleat systems for each of the mines surveyed are listed in table 2. The 

in-mine cleat survey technique involved taking 10 to 20 cleat directional 

readings at stations 500 to 1,000 feet apart. 

U.F. - Upper Freeport. I. Secondary. 

L. F. - Lower Freeport. I Tertiary. 

TABLE 2. - Fundamental cleat systems for each mine surveyed 

Mine 

M. Y ..................... Penn Hill.. .............. Chestnut Ridge. .......... Dixon Run No. 3. ......... Josephine. ............... 

Florence No. 1.. ......... 

Blacklick.. .............. 

Conemaugh No. 1 .......... 

Oneida No. 4.. ........... 

Lucerne No. 6.. .......... Lucerne No. 8 ............ Lucerne No. 9. ........... IL. K. - Lower Kittanning. 

coalbedl 

L*K *.*.. 

L.K.. ... L. K.. ... L. K. .... L. K. .... L.K.. ... 

L.K.. ... 

L.K ..... 

L.K.. ... 

U.F.. ... U.F ..... L.F.. ... a I. 

Angle of 

separation 

9 7" 

89" 

101" 

9 1" 

83" 

83" 

7 7" 

82" 

10 6" 

44" 

7 7" 

9 5" 

104" 

93" 

9 8" 

100" 

Average trends of fundamental 

cleat 

 ace' 

I. N57" W 

I. N 54" W 

I. N54"W 

I N52" W 

I. N52" W 

I. N40°W 

11. N 8"W 

N 60" W 

1. N 42" W 

N 4"E, 

I. N58" W 

I N 26" W 

1. N 6" W 

I. N 59" W 

1. N 47" W 

N 33O W 

I. N 55" W 

I. N 50" W 

I. N54" W 

Primary. 

systems 

Butt 

N40° E 

N 35" E 

N47"E 

N39" E 

N31° E 

N43"E 

N85"W 

N 40" E 

N48" E 

N 18" E 

N 83" W 

N 36" E 

N 57" E 

N 38" E 

N 48" E 

N46" E 
Face and butt cleat trends in the M. Y., Penn Hill, Chestnut Ridge, and 

Dixon Run No. 3 mines (fig. 14), working the Lower Kittanning coalbed on the 

western flank of the Chestnut Ridge anticline, exhibit an excellent structural 

control. In proximity to the four mines, the axis of the Chestnut Ridge anticline trends N 35" E. Face cleat trends for the four mines average N 54" W, 

nearly perpendicular to the axis of Chestnut Ridge--the angle of separation 

being 89". The average butt cleat trend for the four mines is N 40" E, 

roughly parallel to the N 35" E-trending Chestnut Ridge anticline. 

Face and butt cleat trends in the Lucerne Nos. 6 and 8 mines, working the 

Upper Freeport coalbed, and the Lucerne No. 9 mine, working the Lower Freeport 

coalbed, also exhibit an excellent structural control (fig. 15). The Lucerne 

No. 6 mine is working on the western flank of the Latrobe syncline; the axial 

trend of that structure in proximity to the kine is N 35" E. Face cleat 

trends average N 55" W, perpendicular to the trend of the synclinal axis; butt 

cleat trends average N 38" E, roughly parallel to the axis of the syncline. 

The axial trend of the Jacksonville anticline in proximity to the Lucerne 

Nos. 8 and 9 mines is N 35" E. Face cleat trends in the Lucerne No. 8 mine 

average N 50" W, roughly perpendicular to the axis of that structure--the 

angle of separation being 85"; butt cleat trends from the mine average 

N 48" E, roughly parallel to the anticline axis. Face cleat trends in the 

Lucerne No. 9 mine average N 54" W, nearly perpendicular to the axial trend of 

the anticline--the angle of separation being 89"; butt cleat trends average 

N 46" E, roughly parallel to the axial trend of the anticline. 

Complex cleating occurs in the Lower Kittanning coalbed in the New Florence quadrangle (fig. 16). Face and butt cleat trends in the Josephine mine, 

working the Lower Kittanning coalbed on the western flank of the Chestnut 

Ridge anticline, are rather straightforward and exhibit a structural control 

much like that seen in the seven mines just described. The presence of three 

structural anomalies in the New Florence quadrangle has induced the development of primary and secondary fundamental cleat systems in the Lower 

Kittanning coalbed; a tertiary fundamental cleat system was recorded in the 

Conemaugh No. 1 mine. The three anomalies that affect the directional trends 

of face and butt cleats in the Lower Kittanning coalbed are (1) the loss of 

identity of the Brush Valley syncline and Nolo anticline, (2) the turning due 

west of the axis of the Nolo anticline, and (3) local changes in the trends of 

the structures passing through the quadrangle. The deflection of the axis of 

the Nolo anticline is reflected in cleat trends in the Robinson No. 1 and 

Conemaugh No. 1 mines, but "normal" trends for face and butt cleats are also 

recorded in these mines. 

Inclined cleat planes were observed in the Oneida No. 4 mine, where primary and secondary fundamental cleat systems were recorded. The inclined 

fractures dip at an average of 55" to the coalbed and strike between due north 

to N 65" E. The observed shear planes had a length no greater than 5 inches. 

The erratic occurrence of the shears did not permit a quantitative trend 

analysis throughout the mine, Their origin is related to the anomalous 

behavior of the structural trends in the quadrangle. 
Lower Freeport Limestone 

Freeport Sandstone 

Upper Kittanning coalbed (c') 

Johnstown Limestone 

Upper Worthington Sandstone 

Middle Kittanning coal group (C) 

Lower Worthington 

Lower Kittanning "rider" 

coalbed (6') 

Lower Kittanning coalbed (8) 

rlon 

FlGU RE 17. - General ii:ed stratigraphic column 

of the Freeport and Kittanning Formations. 

BLIIRSVILLE ] BOLIVAR NEW FLORENCE I LEGEND 

0 WtOl 

El Clara 0 olol*wlt.lol. 

L.m..IW f 50 

E-urmmnort 0-U.rn.wt 

C'W. R*I.InW C-hddb Eltmnnn. 

#<LO... msamn. %LO.., mtamnmnp "end... 

6,Ooo l2,mO 

"C.l.rnl 

FIGURE 18. - Panel diagram of Freeport and 

Kittanning Formations over study area. 
LEGEND 

No coal 29 to 42in o to 14 in 43 to 56in 15 to2Bin >56in 

~OUF-outcrop-upper 

Freeport 

FIGURE 19. - Upper Freeport coalbed isopach. 
usually no more than 28 inches 

thick. The Lower Kittanning 

"rider" coalbed is locally developed in the New Florence quadrangle and occurs 10 to 20 feet 

be low the Middle Ki ttanning 

horizon and up to 30 feet above 

the Lower Kittanning. The rider 

ranges from 14 to 42 inches 

thick when present. The Lower 

Kittanning coalbed is probably 

the mos t regionally pers is tent 

of the Allegheny coalbeds, 

ranging from 0 to more than 

72 inches thick (fig. 21) and 

LEGEND normally averaging 36 to 48 

Nocoal m29to42in inches thick. It canbe locally 

0 5 

0 to 14in 43 56 in split into two or more benches 

Scale,miles and is almost always underlain 

Bl5t028in ~56in by a claystone. 

(0 LK-Outcrop Lower 

Kittanning The sandstone facies in the 

FIGURE 21. - Lower Kittanning coalbed isopach. section occur as either tabular or 

lens-shaped bodies. The tabular 
morphology represents deposition by frequently shifting distributary channels 

and/or beach or barrier bar deposition. The lens-shaped morphology represents 

deposition in distributary channels, common in the deltaic environment. Represented regionally by a long, narrow, meandering morphology, the horizon 

grades laterally to less coarse levee or overbank deposits of shale and/or 

siltstone. Because rapid abandonment of distributary channels is common, 

so-called "shale channels" can also be developed in the section. The "shale 

channels" represent infilling by less coarse sediment after abandonment, in 

somewhat quiescent, standing water. When channeling activity is penecontemporaneous with peat deposition, the channel can erode the unconsolidated vegetal deposit and disrupt the continuity of the peat body. Nonpenecontemporaneous channeling, after burial and semilithification of the peat deposit, can 

also erode the section and disrupt coalbed continuity. 

Local and regional variations in coalbed thickness have influenced mine 

planning and development in each of the economically important coalbeds. 

Variations in coalbed thickness are the consequence of three controls exerted 

by the deltaic environment: The peat may have been compacted differentially; 

LEGEND 

Coal mines 

I. Virginian No. 20 

2. Virginian No. 14 

3. Caldwell No. 2 

4. Vinton and Colliers No. 17 

5. Vinton and Colliers No. 16 

6. Virginian No. 15 

7. E and S Coal Company 

8. Caldwell No. 1 

9. Oneida No. 4 (active 1 

10. Thermal No. 15 

11. Heutzel 

12. Mardis Run 

N Amerford 

14. Brush Valley 

15. Blacklick (active) 

16 Conemaugh No. 1 (active) 

17. Conemaugh No. 1 (abandoned works) 

18. Diamond No. 1 

19. Val ley No. 2 

20. Florence No. 1 (active) 

21. Garfield No. 2 

0 "Want" zone (coal thickness 0-24 in) 

_ --- Outcrop a 

(Lower Kittanning coalbed) 

0 12,000 

Scale, ft 

Study areb 

FIGURE 22. - Area affected by d i s t r i b u t a r y c h a n n e l system in the New Florence quadrangle. 
LEGEND 

0 

H 1 to 12 in 

12 to 24 in 

f324to36in 

36 to 48 in 

48 to 60 in 

60 to 72 in 

>72in 

€Hi Key Mop 

FIGURE 23. - Detailed Lower Kittanning coalbed isopach 

over New Florence quadrangle. 

sections. 

Three features characterize the channel system: 

1. Coal thickness 

ranges from 0 to 72 inches 

laterally through the width 

of the system, which is 

about 0.25 to 0.5 mile; pods 

of abnormally thick coal 

occur along the flanks of 

the channel. These pods 

were formed during flooding 

events that piled up peat 

along the banks of the 

channel. 

2. The channel system 

facies is laterally gradational from flank to flank; 

the lithology passes from 

"normal" lagoonal or back 

bay shales to coarser 

overbank deposits to the 
poductoote es 96 was oe ta

8 osot tos, ouby 

3 percent of the total underground production for the United States in 1976, 

and 20 percent of the total underground production for Pennsylvania in 1976. 

Twenty-two of the mines employ continuous mining systems with room-and-pillar 

development for coal extraction. Three mines--Jane, Lucerne No. 6, and Blacklick--employ longwall mining sections along with continuous development for 

coal extraction. Various retreat mining techniques had been practiced in the 

now-abandoned sections of the oldest properties in the area. 
TABLE 3. - Active mines by coalbed 

Coalbed 

1 Homer City. ............. Upper Freeport (10 mines) ..... 

Marion. ................. Emilie .................. Lucerne No. 8.. ......... Florence No. 2.. ........ Copper Valley No. 6.. ... . Manor No. 8.. ........... 

Mine 

Lucerne No. 6...... ..... 

Lower Freeport (6 mines) ...... 

Method of 

Lower Kittanning (9 mines) .... 

development 

Shaft , slope. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Drift. 

Do. 

Jane. ................... Aulds Run.. ............. Dias.. .................. Urling No. 1.. .......... Urling No. 3.. .......... Lucerne No. 9.. ......... 

........... I ........... Urling No. 2. 

Davis No. 3.. 

Florence No. 1.. ........ Conemaugh No. 1.. ....... Blacklick. .............. Oneida No. 4. ........... Penn Hill. .............. Chestnut Ridge... ....... Dixon Run No. 3.... ..... M. Y .................... 

Shaft, slope. 

Drift. 

Shaft , slope. 

Drift. 

Do. 

Shaft , slope. 

Do. 

Do. 

Drift, shaft, slope. 

Shaft , slope. 

Drift. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

I Josephine ............... I Do. 

Most coal production was from the Upper Freeport coalbed, followed by the 

Lower Kittanning and Lower Freeport coalbeds (table 4). Production from the 

10 most productive mines in the area (table 5) accounted for roughly 87 percent (7,107,879 short tons) of the total production from the area in 1976. 

The Jane and Lucerne No. 6 mines, the two largest producers in the area, were 

among the top 100 underground bituminous coal mine producers in the United 

States in 1976. The Jane mine ranked 42d nationally, and the Lucerne No. 6 

mine ranked 57th (24). - 

TABLE 4. - Production by coalbed. 1976 

Coalbed Short tons 

Upper Freeport ............ 4,009,390 

Lower Freeport ............ 1,852,042 

Lower Kittanning .......... 2,302,443 

Total. ............... 8,163,875 
TABLE 5 . . Active mines and production by mine 

Most of the low- to medium-volatile bituminous coal that is surface- and 

deep-mined in the area is used for the generation of electric power . A small 

tonnage is used for coke preparation . Four generating stations. operated by 

the Pennsylvania Electric Co., are located in the area (fig . 24) . The Seward 

and Conemaugh generating stations are located along the north bank of the 

Conemaugh River in Indiana County . The Homer City generating station is 

located along Two Lick Creek in the Indiana quadrangle. and the Keystone 

powerplant is located along Crooked Creek in Armstrong County . 

METHANE ASSOCIATED WITH COALBED HORIZONS 

Rank in 

area 

1 . 

2 . 

3 . 

4 . 

5 . 

6 . 

7 . 

8 . 

9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17 . 

18 . 19 . 20 . 2 1 . 22 . 23 . 

24 . 2 5 . 

Methane is present in the coalbed horizon and most commonly in the coalbed itself . The gas emanates into the mine workings from the working face. 

from exposed pillars. and sometimes from overlying and underlying units . Although methane is nontoxic. concentrations between 5 to 15 volume-percent in 

air are explosive . Most bituminous coalbeds have a well-defined cleat system. 

so the coalbed has a fracture ,porosity and permeability that may facilitate 

methane flow or migration into surrounding lithologies or mine workings 

Coalbed 

Lower Freeport ........... Upper Freeport ........... ..... do .. ................ ..... do .................. Lower Kittanning ......... do .. ................ do .................. Upper Freeport ........... do .................. do .................. Lower Kittanning ......... Lower Freeport ........... Lower Kit tanning ......... Lower Freeport ........... Lower Kittanning ......... do . ................. Lower Freeport ........... Lower Kittanning ......... Upper Freeport ........... Lower Kittanning ......... Upper Freeport ........... Lower Freeport ........... Upper Freeport ........... do .................. Lower Freeport ........... 

- . 

Mine 

Jane ......................... Lucerne No 6 . ................ Emilie . ...................... Homer City . ..............,... 

Florence No . 1 ............... Conemaugh No 1 . ................... Blacklick ......................... Marion ....................... Lucerne No . 8 ..................... Florence No . 2 .................... Oneida No . 4 ................. Aulds Run .................... Josephine .................... Dias . ........................ Penn Hill .................... Chestnut Ridge .................... Urling No 3 . .....*........... 

Dixon Run No . 3 .............. Copper Valley No . 6 .......... M . Y *.*...................... 

Manor No • 8 *...............*. 

Lucerne No 9 • *...*........... 

Urling No . 2 ................. Davis No . 3 ....................... Urling No 1 . ................. Total ................... 

(4. - .. 8.9) . Research by the Bureau of Mines has shown that methane migration is 

governed by numerous factors: The relative concentration of the gas within 

Production. 

short tons 

1.486. 585 

1.284. 588 

909. 052 

758. 649 

735. 874 

477. 081 

462. 076 

389. 249 

315. 692 

289. 033 

252. 479 

184. 297 

137. 357 

93. 365 

83. 569 

78. 144 

77. 643 

60. 757 

45. 705 

15. 112 

11. 985 

10. 090 

5. 007 

430 

62 

8.163. 875 
the coalbed, the degree of water saturation, the coalbed pressure gradient, and the 

depth of cover--which influences the coalbed pressure (4, - -- 8-9, -- 19-21, - 28). The 

source of the methane gas associated with bituminous coalbed horizons is the organic 

deposit itself, for methane is generated throughout the coalification process (8-9). - - 

Methane is physically held within the micropore structure of the coal (4) and is not 

normally released to the atmosphere unless the coalbed is brought to the surface by 

tectonic and/or erosional processes. 

Me thane Emissions 

A national survey of mines and associated methane emissions for 1973 (17) 

showed that Indiana County ranked 10th nationally (table 6) in average methane emissions, averaging about 4.8 MMcfd. In 1975 (16) the average methane emissions had 

increased to about 5.8 MMcfd for Indiana county, but this can be explained by the 

fact that three additional mines were included in the more recent survey. 

TABLE 6. - Gassiest counties in the United States in 1973 (17) - 

Of the 25 active mines, 7 emit more than 100,000 cfd of methane gas. The Jane 

mine (table 7), located in Armstrong County, is the only "gassy" mine not located in 

Indiana County. Four other mines in Indiana County that are not located within the 

limits of the study area also emit more than 100,000 cfd of methane. Those mines 

and their average daily emission rates are Lancashire 24B (Lower Kittanning), 

400,000 cfd; Greenwich Nos. 1 and 2 (Lower Freeport), 300,000 and 200,000 cfd, 

respectively; and David (Lower Kittanning), 200,000 cfd. 

Rank in 

Nation 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7 . 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

TABLE 7. - Active mines emitting more than 100,000 cfd of methane (16-18) -- 

County 

Monongalia.. ... Marion.. ............ Buchanan.. ..... Washington ..... Greene. ............. McDowell.. ..... Cambria. ....... Jefferson. ..... Wyoming ........ Indiana ........ Marshall. ...... 

Av CH, emission 

per day, MMcf 

2.0-2.1 

State 

West Virginia.. ... do.. ......... Virginia.. ........ Pennsylvania ...... do ........... West Virginia ..... Pennsylvania ...... Alabama. .......... West Virginia. .... Pennsylvania ...... West Virginia. .... 

Mine 

Homer City ..... Lucerne No. 6.. 

Marion ......... Jane ........... Florence No. 1. 

Conemaugh No. 1 

Florence No. 2. 

L. F. - Lower Freeport. 

L. K. - Lower Kittanning. 

Daily emissions, 

MMc f 

40.7 

23.1 

22.1 

12.4 

11.7 

11.4 

9.8 

9.5 

6.0 

4.8 

4.8 

1U. F. - Upper Freeport. 

Depth, 

feet 

200-800 

200-800 

0-800 

100-500 

0-500 

100-500 

0-400 

Av daily production, tons 

3,000 

5,600 

2,500 

7,000 

2,500 

2,200 

1.500 

Quadrangle 

Bolivar ..... Indiana.. ... Blairsville. 

Elderton .... New Florence 

... do. ...... .. .do.. ..... 

Coalbed' 

U.F. 

U. F. 

U.F. 

L.F. 

L.K. 

L. K. 

U.F. 

Av Ch 

cu ft/ton 

721 

321 

200 

72 

80 

45 

67 
The Homer City, Lucerne No. 6, and Marion mines (table 7) are working the 

pper Freeport coalbed in or near the Latrobe synclinal basin at depths of 

to 800 feet. These mines emit the highest amount of methane per day, are 

the deepest, and are the largest producers in the county. 

I 

( The Florence Nos. 1 and 2 and Conemaugh No. 1 mines are working the Lower 

Kittanning and Upper Freeport coalbeds at depths between 0 and 500 feet. 

hethane emissions from these mines range from 100,000 to 200,000 cfd, which is 

relatively low, considering that the average daily production of the mines is 

1,500 to 2,500 tons. The mines are somewhat shallow and are located in proximity to large areas of outcrop exposure; probably a substantial amount of 

methane gas has been drained naturally from the outcrop, causing the low methane emissions. None of the other active mines in the area have methane control problems, owing to their proximity to the outcrop, shallow cover, and 

lower production rates. 

Direct-Method Tests 

The methane content of three samples of the Lower Kittanning coalbed 

taken from vertical exploratory core holes in or near the study area was estimated utilizing the direct method (23). The holes located within the study 

area have been designated as holes rand 2 (table 8); these holes are located 

on the data-point base map (fig. 3). Hole 1 is situated between the Chestnut 

Ridge anticline and Latrobe syncline, about 1 mile west of the axis of Chestnut Ridge and 1 to 2 miles from the outcrop line of the coalbed, in the 

Bolivar quadrangle. Hole 2 is situated in the basin of the Latrobe syncline 

about 0.5 mile west of the axis of the structure, in the Blairsville quadrangle. Hole 3 is located 4 miles west of the study area in the Avonmore 

quadrangle (directly west of the McIntyre quadrangle), about 0.5 mile east of 

the axis of the Roaring Run anticline. 

TABLE 8. - Direct-method test results for three core samples 

of the Lower Kittanning coalbed 

Hole 

1 

2 

Depth of 

coalbed, 

feet 

620- 623 

Quadrangle and 

hole location 

Bolivar; 1 mile west of 

the axis of the Chestnut 

Ridge anticline. 

3 

I 

Coal 

thickness, 

inches 

36 

Blairsville; 0.5 mile 

west of the axis of the 

Latrobe syncline. 

1~his is the highest methane content ever measured in a Pennsylvania coalbed. 

Avonrnore; 0.5 mile east of 

the axis of the Roaring 

Run anticline (4 miles 

west of the study area). 

1,057-1,060 

Gas content 

of sample, 

cu cm/g 

.8 

323- 327 

Projected 

gas content, 

cu ft/ton 

27 

48 .5 16 
As can be seen on the overburden isopach (fig. 25), the interval from the 

Kittanning coalbed to the Upper Freeport coalbed is more than 1,000 feet deep 

in parts of the Latrobe synclinal basin. Three of the lfgassiestU mines in the 

area are working the Upper Freeport coalbed in or near this basin at depths 

between 0 and 800 feet. The Lower Kittanning coalbed is essentially unmined 

in this basin. The relatively high methane emissions in the active mines 

working in the basin and the results of the direct-method test on the core of 

the Lower Kittanning from the basin indicate that methane control problems 

will be encountered in future workings in the Lower Kittanning coalbed. More 

direct-method tests should be conducted in the basin so that the methane content of the virgin field can be more accurately estimated. The range of overburden above the Lower Kittanning coalbed for each quadrangle in the study 

area is shown in table 9. The overburden above the Upper Freeport coalbed can 

be estimated from this table by subtracting 200 feet from the overburden figures for the Lower Kittanning coalbed. 

TABLE 9. - Range of overburden above the Lower Kittanning coalbed 

for each quadrangle in study area 

Quadrangle 

Elderton ..................... 

Ernest. ...................... 

Clymer .....................,, 

McIntyre. .................,., 

Indiana. ..................... 

Brush Valley.. ............... 

Blairsville... ............... 

Bolivar ...................... 

New Florence. ................ 

Range of overburden, 

feet 

400- 800 

200- 800 

0- 800 

200- 800 

0- 800 

0- 600 

200-1,200 

Structures 

Roaring Run anticline. 

Dutch Run anticline. 

Elders Ridge syncline. 

McKee Run anticline. 

Richmond anticline. 

Chestnut Ridge anticline. 

Elders Ridge syncline. 

Jacksonville anticline. 

Latrobe syncline. 

Chestnut Ridge anticline. 

Chestnut Ridge anticline. 

Brush Valley syncline. 

Jacksonville anticline. 

Greensburg syncline. 

Fayette anticline. 

Latrobe syncline. 

Latrobe syncline. 

Chestnut Ridge anticline. 

Chestnut Ridge anticline. 

Brush Valley syncline. 

Nolo anticline. 

Ligonier syncline. 
mltO200ft ~6Olt0800ft 

m201 to400ft 801 to l,OOOfl Scale, ft 

m401 10600ft >1,00Oft 

~OLK-outcrop-~ower Kittanning 

coalbed 

FIGURE 25. - Overburden isopach of the strata above the Lower Kittanning 

coal bed. 
CONCLUSIONS 

1. In the study area, the seven mines with the highest methane emissions 

per day are generally the deepest and largest producers, The mines that have 

low methane emissions are small drift mines working under shallow cover and 

have relatively low production rates. Methane emission data from the three 

mines working the Upper Freeport coalbed near the Latrobe synclinal basin and 

the results of the direct-method test conducted on a core of the Lower Kittanning coalbed taken from that basin suggest that methane control problems will 

be encountered in future workings in the Lower Kittanning coalbed in that 

basin. 

2. Of the five coalbed horizons that occur in the Freeport and Kittanning Formations, only the Upper and Lower Freeport and the Lower Kittanning 

are of economic importance. Underground and surface mining of these coalbeds 

occurs in areas possessing minable thicknesses that are greater than 28 inches 

in thickness and that are generally greater than 200 acres inarea. The character 

and quality of the coal contained in the Upper and Middle Kittanning and Lower 

Kittanning "rider" horizons are not conducive to either small- or large-scale 

development. Local and regional variation in coal thickness is the norm for 

the Freeport and Kittanning coalbeds, and is the consequence of depositional 

controls exerted in the deltaic environment. 

3. Complex rock joint systems occur in each quadrangle in the study area 

and roughly correspond to three fundamental joint systems. The orientation of 

coal cleat in the friable Freeport and Kittanning coalbeds is structurally 

controlled. Primary face and butt cleat orientations differ regionally, which 

is explained by examining regional variations in structural trends. The Lower 

Kittanning coalbed possesses a complex cleat system locally throughout the New 

Florence quadrangle, owing to anomalous behavior of structural trends in the 

quadrangle. 

4. Structural and depositional discontinuities have affected mining and 

development in the economically important coalbeds. To date, 10 separate 

thrust faults have been reported. When such faults are encountered underground, poor roof conditions can be associated with these features. Depositional discontinuities such as distributary channel systems, regional and 

ldcal variations of coal thickness, and coalbed splitting or parting affect 

mine planning, development, and coal production. A northeast-southwesttrending strike fault zone along the eastern flank of Chestnut Ridge affects 

the section from at least the Lower Mississippian Loyalhanna Limestone to the 

Upper Allegheny Upper Freeport coalbed, an interval of about 500 feet. 
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Ph.D. Thesis, Pennsylvania State Univ. , University Park, Pa. , pts. I 

and 11, 1957, 454 pp. 

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