Magnesium Resources of 

the United States 

A Geologic Summary and 

Annotated Bibliography 

to 1953

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1019-E

Magnesium Resources of 

the United States 

A Geologic Summary and 

Annotated Bibliography

to 1953

By ROBERT E. DAVIS

CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1019-E

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1957
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

FRED A. SEATON, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Thomas B. Nolan, Director

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office 

Washington 25, D. C. -Price 70 cents (paper cover)
CONTENTS

	Page 

Abstract_____________________..____.__._____._....___ 373

Introduction______._________..____.__________ 374

Purpose and scope of report___.___________________... 374

Abundance, availability, and uses___________________... 375

Sea water and sea-water bitterns...._....___...._______..___ 376

Magnesite_____________________________________ 378

Description. ________________.________.__________ 378

Mode of occurrence_____________.______________ 378

Uses.. __ ____ __ _____....._........-.._._._...__.....-_..... 379

Mining and beneficiation_____________._____________________ 380

General distribution.______________________________________ 381

Distribution by States___________________________________ 381

California. __________________________________ 381

Idaho___________ -__.___-_-_ - -___-__- _-_-_-_-__._ 386

New Mexico____ ___ __ _ _ ___ ______________ 386

Nevada....._.__.._.__.___._...._...._.________.-.___ 387

Gabbs________.___________________________________________ 387

Overton _ _ _ _ _ _______________ 388

Currant Creek...____________________________......__._. 389

Oregon__.____.___.._._____..______._.._.___._._..._. 389

Pennsylvania.__-----_.___-__-_-___._-_._____-_-.__-_-__..____ 390

Texas......_____________....._..__.....___________ 390

Utah........._..._-.-..._.-..-.._.--........._ _____....-. 391

Vermont..._..__._...________.___......________._ 391

Washington____________._._______...________ 391

Other States...._-_-_._-_.___._..-_-___..._.___....... 393

Reserves... _.._.__..__-____....__..__.-.-._______________ 393

Dolomite...._._._-__.._-._-___._----.__..___-_.____.___...___. 393

Description and definitions..-.__._.________-_____________________ 393

Origin and mode of occurrence...............______._______._____._. 395

Uses...__._.__.._-_._-._---_---.---_-.-_____-.._--._.______ 396

Refractories___..-___..__....________________________. 397

Magnesium. _____ _______.._-_____.___-__...______ ..._.. 398

Mining and beneficiation_______.___________________________________ 400

General distribution.______________________________________________ 401

Distribution by States________--__._-_______________________________ 401

Alabama.____________________________________________________ 402

Arizona.__________________---_---___-__--_-__--___-._-_______ 403

Arkansas......_______________________________________________ 404

California. _____.____-___.-__-___-_-_-_-___-.__.________ 405

Colorado.....__..-..-.--._..._-.._-_--_.--..-._..-....__-__ 408

Connecticut_______.._ ______ __- __ ______ ______________ 409

Florida..-..-..--------. ---.----------. -_--__--. 410

Georgia. ____-___-_-----_.------_------_---__----__...-.____-- 411

Idaho.... ___- -__---_-_---_ __--_-_--__--....._,.- 412

Dlinois. --_ - -- _ __ 413

III
IV

CONTENTS

Dolomite Continued

Indiana______________________________________________________ 416

Iowa__-_-_---_-____-_.__-__-_-__._______._______________.__ 417

Kansas_______________________________________________________ 419

Kentucky__. .--________.___.__.__..__..______.._.____. 420

Maine.__-__---------__--___..---_..____.._________._.___.--_ 421

Maryland.___________________________________________________ 422

Massachusetts. _______________________________________________ 423

Michigan.____________________________________________________ 424

Minnesota_ _--__----____________________________--_--___-___ 427

Missouri__._____----_-___________________________---___--_-_ 429

Montana..__-___..__.__...._._._..._...___...._.___._ 432

Nevada_______.__..__..._.._._...__...._______....____. 433

New Jersey_____________________________________________._._ 435

New Mexico._------_______________.._______________-___-___-__ 436

New York.________..__.___..__..._._.._.___.__._.._..._._.___ 438

North Carolina________________________________________________ 439

Ohio_________.____.___.__.._._.__.___._.__......_------ 440

Oklahoma-...___..._..._._.__........._.___...._.____.....___ 446

Pennsylvania. ________________________________________________ 448

South Carolina....___._.....___.._._.._._______._._._..__.__. 452

South Dakota....____________________________________________ 453

Tennessee.___________________________________________________ 454

Texas____._--_.._.._......._._.__.._...__._... __.________ 456

Utah_________________________________________________________ 459

Vermont.____________________________________________________ 462

Virginia______._-_______________________-._.___------------_ 463

Washington__ _ _____.__.____..__..._._.___._._____.__-__-_-_- 467

West Virginia..____________________________________.------. 469

Wisconsin.___________________________________________________ 471

Wyoming__ ____________________._______________---_--------_ 474

Reserves--__--__-___-___--______._______.____-_____._-----------_ 477

Annotated bibliography._______________________________________________ 477

Index._______________________________________________________________ 515

ILLUSTRATION

PLATE 2. Map of the United States showing distribution of magnesium

resources and location of magnesium metal plants. _______'__ In pocket
CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES

A GEOLOGIC SUMMARY AND ANNOTATED

BIBLIOGRAPHY TO 1953

By ROBERT E. DAVIS

ABSTRACT

Magnesium ranks eighth in order of abundance in the earth's crust and occurs 

sparsely in sea water and in larger quantities in a wide variety of igneous, sedimentary, 

and metamorphic rocks. The presently important commercial sources of magnesium 

metal and magnesium compounds are sea water and sea-water bitterns, dolomite, 

magnesite, brucite^ and inland brines. Brines are only briefly mentioned in this 

report.

Magnesium and its compounds are used widely in the aircraft, automotive, metallurgical, building, pharmaceutical, agricultural, glass, rubber, paper, textile, and 

paint industries.

Magnesium is extracted from sea water or sea-water bitterns by the process used 

by the Dow Chemical Co. at their magnesium plant at Freeport, Tex., or by some 

variation of the Dow process. In this process lime is used to precipitate magnesium 

hydroxide from the water; the precipitate is dissolved in hydrochloric acid and magnesium chloride is produced; the magnesium chloride is decomposed in an electrolytic 

cell into magnesium and chlorine. It is now common practice to substitute dolomite 

for lime. The dolomite furnishes the necessary lime and additional magnesium to 

the reaction.

Magnesite, or magnesium carbonate, occurs in commercial quantities in the United 

States principally as a replacement in dolomite. Its chief use is as a refractory 

material in the metallurgical industries; it is used to a lesser extent in the fertilizer, 

rubber, textile, and paper industries; During World War II magnesite was used as a 

commercial source of magnesium metal.

In the past magnesite has been mined in California, Washington, Nevada, and 

Texas; at present the only commercial domestic production is from Nye County, 

Nev., and Stevens County, Wash. Magnesite occurs also in New Mexico, Idaho, 

Oregon, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. The occurrence of magnesite in each of 

these States is discussed briefly.

Brucite occurs in commercial quantities only at Gabbs, Nye County, Nev.

Dolomite, the double carbonate of magnesium and calcium, occurs chiefly as a 

sedimentary rock, commonly interbedded with limestone. The term "high-grade," 

as used in the present report, refers to dolomite rock containing more than 40 percent 

magnesium carbonate and less than about 3 percent noncarbonates. The largest 

single use of dolomite, where the chemical composition of the rock is important, is as 

a refractory material. It may be used in either its natural state or calcined. During 

World War II, and to some extent during the postwar years, dolomite has been used 

as an ore of magnesium metal.

373
374 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Dolomite occurs in at least 40 States, but the largest sources of high-grade rock 

probably underlie parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Large 

reserves also are present in the limestone valleys of the Appalachian Mountains, 

extending from Alabama to New Jersey. Except for Louisiana and the northern 

Great Plains States, dolomite occurs in nearly every State west of the Mississippi 

River. The more important dolomitic formations in each State are described briefly.

INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF REPORT

The present report is a compilation of information on the dolomite, 

magnesite, and brucite deposits and occurrences in the United States, 

with a brief section on the use of sea water as a source of magnesium and 

magnesium compounds. It has been compiled from published literature 

and data in the files of the U. S. Geological Survey. Many of these 

data are the result of investigations made by the Geological Survey during WorM War II, and this information, particularly that collected by 

C. F. Deiss on the dolomite deposits of the Western United States, has 

been drawn on freely in the preparation of the present report.

It is the purpose of this report to present, by means of text and map 

(pi. 2), a summary of the United States resources of magnesium contained in dolomite, magnesite, and brucite as a general guide to their 

distribution, geologic environment, purity, and utilization. Owing to 

their limited use as sources of magnesium and magnesium compounds, 

olivine, serpentine, and the various saline minerals kieserite, langbeinite, epsomite, kainite, carnallite, and polyhalite are considered 

beyond the scope of the present compilation.

' Well brines rich in magnesium are the raw materials for a substantial 

part of the annual domestic production of certain magnesium compounds. 

Such brines occur in several areas in the United States but are extracted 

commercially only in Michigan. Magnesium sulfate is produced from 

lake brine in the State of Washington. The geologic occurrence and 

chemical composition of these inland brines are broad subjects, about 

which relatively little detailed information has been published. The 

brine resources of the United States are not discussed in this paper.

It is hoped that the information presented will prove useful as a general 

background of knowledge for field appraisals of areas that might be considered commercial sources of magnesium raw materials. Most of the 

areas of present and potential commercial importance are considered, 

most of the pertinent geologic formations within these areas are described, and sample data are at least representative, if not complete. 

The selected, annotated bibliography is not a complete list of all the 

literature examined, but it contains the published reports used in preparing this work and the reports considered as most helpful in appraising 

areas containing magnesium raw materials.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 375 

ABUNDANCE, AVAILABILITY, AND USES

Magnesium ranks eighth in order of abundance of the elements in the 

earth's crust, comprising 2.09 percent by weight of the igneous rocks 

(Rankama and Sahama, 1950, p. 448) and about 0.13 percent by weight 

of sea water (Rankama and Sahama, 1950, p. 295). It occurs also in a 

wide variety of sedimentary rocks. Magnesium is a constitutent of at 

least 150 minerals (Ford, 1932, p. 805-806), but the element and its 

compounds have been extracted commercially from only a few substances. Magnesium-bearing materials are widespread, and reserves in 

the United States are virtually inexhaustible. The possible sources of 

magnesium hi the United States and the approximate percentage of 

magnesium contained hi each are listed in the table below.

Magnesium raw materials in the United States

Material Composition Percent Mg

Brucite__-.____....... ___Mg(OH)2_____ _________________________ 42

Magnesite,_________MgCO3-______-__-_-----____ 29

Serpentine_________ ......H^MgsSizOg____-_-_______---___----_- 26

Olivine (chrysolite)._________(Mg,Fe) 2SiO4_------------------------- 19

Kieserite.____________ ____MgSO4.H2O ___________-_______-__--- 18

Dolomite._____________.____CaCO8 .MgCOs------------------------- 13

Langbeinite. .-______.____2MgSO4 .K2SO4----------------------- 12

Epsomite-__________________MgSO4 .7H2O-__-_______ ________________ 10

Kaiiute-___________________MgSO4.KC1.3H_O__________ ____________ 10

Carnallite__________________MgCl2 .KC1.6H2O______ ________________ 9

Polyhalite__________________2CaSO4.MgSO4.K_SO4.2H2O___-__--_____- 4

Well brines. ___________.____Mg, Ca, K, Na sulfates and chlorides 1__ 1

Sea water__________________Mg, etc., chlorides_______-________-____- .13

1 Inland well and lake brines vary widely in composition but generally contain less than 1 percent Mg.

Sea water, well brines, dolomite, magnesite, and brucite are the chief 

commercial sources of magnesium compounds in the United States. 

Although each of these is also an ore of magnesium metal by present-day 

technologies, all are not of economic value commercially under normal 

competitive conditions.

Enormous quantities of magnesium are in large deposits of olivine and 

serpentine in the United States. Both materials have been used commercially to*a*limited*Wfcent*as fertilizer ingredients and for other purposes (Birch and|Wicken, 1949, p. 538-540). Some olivine has been 

used also in the production of special-use refractories (Gwinn, 1943, p. 2). 

Adequate resources of other raw materials, technologic problems, and 

cost of processing have prevented olivine and serpentine from becoming 

important commercial sources of magnesium and its compounds (Barnes 

and others, 1950, p. 43-44; Gwinn, 1943, p. 5). They remain, however 

important potential raw-material sources.
376 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Before World War II sea water was becoming an increasingly important source of magnesium and magnesium compounds. For strategic 

reasons during the war, however, when rapid expansion of metal-producing 

facilities became necessary, utilization of inland sources of magnesium 

raw materials was advisable in order that new plants would not have to 

be concentrated along sea coasts. New technologies in extractive metallurgy were developed (Ball, 1944; Case and others, 1944; Dungan, 1944; 

Humes, 1944; Lloyd and others, 1944; Mayer, 1944; Pidgeon and Alexander, 1944; Pierce and others, 1944; Ware, 1944), and, despite higher 

production costs, magnesium was produced commercially from magnesite 

and dolomite, materials that had long been commercial sources of certain 

magnesium compounds.

The most important products derived from magnesium-bearing materials are magnesium metal and magnesium oxide, or magnesia. Magnesium is the lightest of the structural metals in common use. It is 

about two-thirds the weight of aluminum, and it has become increasingly 

important in the aircraft and automotive industries for certain items 

where some strength can be sacrificed in favor of lighter weight. It is 

used also in the metallurgical industries as a scavenger and deoxidizer. 

Magnesia is an important refractory material and is used widely in the 

steel industry. Magnesia and other magnesium compounds, such as 

magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, and magnesium chloride, are 

used widely in the building industry, in pharmaceutical preparations, 

as fertilizer ingredients, and in the glass, rubber, paper, textile, and paint 

industries.

SEA WATER AND SEA-WATER BITTERNS

Sea water contains approximately 0.13 percent magnesium by weight, 

or about 6 million tons of magnesium per cubic mile. Reserves of magnesium in sea water are virtually inexhaustible. At present 7 plants in 

the United States produce magnesium or magnesium compounds, using as 

raw materials sea water or sea-water bitterns, the saline residue or brine 

remaining after most of the water has been evaporated and the salt, 

sodium chloride, extracted. The concentration of magnesium in these 

bitterns is many times that in normal sea water. As shown in the table 

below at least 7 magnesium compounds are produced from these raw 

materials.

The processes by which magnesium and its compounds are derived 

from sea water and bitterns have been briefly described by Seaton (1942, 

p. 20-25). Basically, the processes used in the various plants are similar 

to that used in the plant of the Dow Chemical Co. at Freeport,Tex., for 

the production of magnesium. Briefly, the Dow process is as follows: 

the sea water is treated with calcined oyster shell (calcium oxide, or 

lime) and magnesium hydroxide is precipitated; after most of the excess
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 377

water is filtered off, the magnesium hydroxide precipitate is dissolved in 

hydrochloric acid and magnesium chloride is produced; the remaining 

water is filtered off and the magnesium chloride dried; the dry magnesium 

chloride is fed into an electrolytic cell where it is decomposed into chl >rine 

gas and magnesium metal. The procedure is described in somewhat 

more detail by Gross (1949, p. 29-34).

Manufacturing plants producing magnesium and magnesium compounds from sea

water and bitterns

[Data from Irving and Uswald, 1954, p. 4-5]

Company

ical Corp.

Westvaco Chemical Division, Food Machinery &

sion.

Northwest Magnesite Co_ _ .

Location

Newark, Calif __ ---__

Calif.

Cape May, N. J _ -_._

Products

Caustic-calcined magnesia .

Refractory magnesia. ----- 

Caustic-calcined magnesia.

Refractory magnesia......

Magnesium chloride l. ..

Raw materials

dead-burned

Sea- water bitterns , 

dead-burned

magnesite.

burned dolomite. 

Sea water and 

calcined dolomite.

1 Magnesium chloride cell feed for magnesium.

2 Government-owned, Dow-operated magnesium plant; not listed in original reference.

At plants producing magnesium compounds, the process described is 

not carried to completion, and variations in processing depend on the 

raw materials used and the end product desired. The chief variation in 

the basic process is the substitution of calcined dolomite for calcined 

shell or limestone as a source of lime. Dolomite not only furnishes the 

necessary lime but also increases the yield of magnesium hydroxide by 

furnishing additional magnesium to the reaction. This substitution is 

made at most of the plants, as can be seen in the table above.

Theoretically, any place in the United States that borders on the ocean 

would be a potential plant site for the production of magnesium from 

sea water. Several factors that affect the number and location of such 

plants must, however, be considered.

The physical qualifications of a potential plant site are an important 

factor. The shape of the shoreline and action of the water currents
378 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

should be such that the discharge of the large volumes of water from the 

plant will not be recireulated into the area of intake. The area of seawater intake should be relatively free from sources of contamination, 

and an adequate source of fresh water should be available to meet plant 

requirements. There should also be adequate electric power for plant 

operations and a nearby source of lime in the form of shells, limestone, 

or dolomite for use as a precipitant.

An economically suitable plant site should be within a reasonable 

distance of a ready or potential market for either the main products or 

one or more of the coproducts that could be recovered from the sea 

water or bitterns. Coproducts from sea water might include bromine, 

calcium chloride, and sodium chloride. For the production of magnesium, electric power should be relatively inexpensive because of the 

large amount used in the electrolysis of magnesium chloride. Of strategic importance is the fact that plants along the coastal areas of the 

United States would be somewhat more vulnerable than inland plants 

to possible air or sea attack in case of war. Although sea-water reduction 

plants are not the least expensive either to build or to maintain, operating 

costs have been such that other methods of metal production do not 

compare favorably from an economic standpoint (Surplus Property 

Administration, 1945, p. 25).

MAGNESITE

DESCRIPTION

Magnesite is the naturally occurring carbonate of magnesium, and its 

theoretical composition is MgO, 47.8 percent and COg, 52.2 percent. Iron 

may substitute for magnesium to form a complete series from magnesite 

to siderite, FeCO3 (Palache and others, 1951, p. 163). Manganese and 

calcium also may substitute for magnesium to a limited degree. Magnesite is commonly massive, coarse to fine grained or compact and porcelaneous; it may also be earthy or chalky (Palache and others, 1951, 

p. 162). The mineral varies in color but generally is white or grayish; 

it has a vitreous to dull luster. Although crystalline magnesite may 

closely resemble limestone or coarse dolomite, it is slightly harder (hardness 3^-4J4) and heavier (specific gravity 3) and reacts only slightly to 

cold dilute acids. The crystalline variety is yellowish or brownish white, 

but it may also be pure white.

MODE OF OCCURRENCE

The four principal modes of occurrence of magnesite, as described by 

Bain (1924), are (1) as a chemical precipitate in bedded playa-lake 

deposits, commonly interbedded with limestone, dolomite, clay, or other 

detrital materials; (2) as a cryptocrystalline replacement product of ser-
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 379

pentinized rocks, deposited in veins, pockets, and shear zones by the 

action of carbonated waters of either magmatic or meteoric origin; (3) as 

crystalline replacement bodies in limestone and dolomite, formed by the 

action of magnesium-containing solutions on the preexisting carbonate 

rocks; and (4) as vein fillings. Other types of occurrence listed by 

Palache and others 1951, p. 164) include crystalline beds of metamorphic 

origin associated with schists, cavity minerals in igneous flow rocks, 

oceanic salt deposits, and as a primary mineral in igneous rocks.

Only the first three types mentioned are of economic interest, and 'all 

domestic production at present is from deposits of the third type. Of 

possible commercial interest is a unique occurrence in eastern Nevada 

in which magnesite occurs as veins, nodules, and lenses replacing volcanic 

tuff (Vitaliano, 1951).

USES

Magnesite is used chiefly for refractories, which find their major application in the steel industry in basic open-hearth furnaces and basic converters (Birch and Wicken, 1949, p. 538). The subject has been discussed in some detail by Comber (1937). For refractory use magnesite 

is dead burned, a process of intense heating which drives off essentially 

all the carbon dioxide leaving magnesia, which is partly fused or sintered. 

Granular dead-burned magnesite is used for the building up of furnace 

bottoms and to some extent for patching; in the form of brick it is used 

for the lining of furnace walls. Because magnesite contains no lime, it 

generally is more satisfactory than dolomite, particularly for the manufacture of refractory brick. The presence of lime in dolomite causes 

difficulties as outlined in the discussion of dolomite refractories (p. 397). 

However, owing to its relatively low cost and its proximity to markets, 

dolomite has found much wider use as a patching or repairing material 

for furnaces than has magnesite (Schallis, 1942, p. 1). Refractory magnesia derived from sea water also is increasing in use as a substitute for 

dead-burned magnesite.

Caustic-calcined, or light-burned, magnesite is produced at a lower 

temperature than is required for dead-burned magnesite. Light-burned 

magnesite is essentially magnesium oxide, but it contains a small quantity, from 0.5 to about 7 percent, of residual carbon dioxide and remains 

unsintered (Birch and Wicken, 1949, p. 522). This more reactive material is used in the manufacture of magnesium oxychloride cement, for 

fertilizer, and in the rubber, textile, and paper industries (Ladoo and 

Meyers, 1951, p. 308-309).

A new use for magnesite in the United States is in the manufacture of 

magnesium metal. In Nevada, during World War II, magnesite ore 

from the Gabbs area was used in the large magnesium plant at Henderson. 

Briefly, the process (Ball, 1944) involved calcining the magnesite and
380 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY^OF£MINERAL RESOURCES

mixing the resulting magnesia with pulverized coal to form briquettes, 

which then were charged into an electric furnace in the presence of 

chlorine gas, producing carbon dioxide and molten magnesium chloride. 

The magnesium chloride was then reduced in an electrolytic cell to 

chlorine gas and magnesium metal. The Henderson plant produced 

more than 81,000 tons of metal from 920,000 tons of magnesite ore 

quarried from the Gabbs deposits (Callaghan and Vitaliano, 1948, p. 1). 

Chemical specifications for magnesite are as varied as its uses and 

usually are made on the basis of the calcined material, either light burned 

or dead burned (Birch and Wicken, 1949, p. 535-537). In general, crude 

magnesite to be marketable should contain a minimum of about 43 

percent magnesia (Harness and Jensen, 1943, p. 7). Impurities commonly present in magnesite consist principally of lime, silica, iron, and 

alumina. The lime content should be at a minimum, being particularly 

detrimental in light-burned material. Some iron is desirable in magnesite that is to be used for refractories, particularly if the iron is in the 

form of carbonate. The iron aids the dead-burning process by allowing 

the magnesia to sinter at lower temperatures (Harness and Jensen, 

1943, p. 7).

MINING AND BENEFICIATION

The mining of magnesite is controlled by the geology of the deposit, 

and it may be by either underground or open-pit methods. Deposits of 

the California type, which consist of veins and irregular stockworks in 

the serpentinized country rock, generally must be worked by underground methods. One such operation, that of the Bald Eagle mine near 

Gustine, Calif., has been described by Perry and Kirwan (1938). The 

Washington and Nevada deposits, which occur as massive crystalline 

replacements in dolomite, are worked by open-pit methods. The major 

departure from standard quarry practice is the maintenance of relatively 

narrow benches and narrow working faces to permit selectivity in quarrying (Parker, 1945). The quarrying methods used in the Nevada deposits 

are similar to those used in Washington; they have been described briefly 

by Birch and Wicken (1949, p. 524-527) and in more detail by Parker 

(1945) and Holmes (1949).

Contaminating materials, the most common of which in the Washington 

and Nevada deposits are dolomite and magnesium silicates, must be 

removed before the magnesite is calcined. Before World War II, magnesite ore was brought up to required grade by careful hand sorting or 

by mechanical classification through screening. Such upgrading was 

costly and not always as satisfactory as desired, and, about 1941, froth 

flotation was introduced at the Chewelah, Wash., operation (Seaton, 

1942, p. 7). Flotation was used also during World War II at the plant 

at Gabbs, Nev. Still more recently heavy-media separation has been
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 381

utilized to beneficiate ore at Gabbs and Chewelah (Birch and Wicken, 

1949, p. 525; Utley, 1952, p. 98).

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION

Commercial deposits of magnesite are not widely distributed in the 

United States. The only producing mines at present (1954) are those 

hi Stevens County, Wash., and Nye County, Nev. Other States that 

have produced magnesite during recent years include California and 

Texas. Relatively small occurrences of doubtful commercial importance 

occur in New Mexico, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

DISTRIBUTION BY STATES

On the following pages the magnesite deposits of the United States 

are described briefly by States, which are listed in alphabetical order. 

Accompanying each State summary is a list of deposits and occurrences, 

the locations of which are shown on plate 2.

CALIFORNIA

Occurrences of magnesite are numerous throughout the Coast Range 

and the western Sierra Nevada areas of central and southern California. 

Many of the deposits and mines have been discussed briefly by Bradley 

(1925, p. 41-140) and some in more detail by Hess (1908) and Gale 

(1914). Little is known regarding the magnesite reserves in the State, 

but according to Vernon (1950, p. 177), reserves of readily accessible, 

high-grade magnesite are nearly depleted.

Magnesite mined in California in 1886 (Bradley, 1925, p. 37) was the 

first to be commercially produced in the United States. The State continued as the only domestic producer until operations in the extensive 

deposits in eastern Washington were initiated in 1916 (Stone, 1918, 

p. 665). Magnesite was mined in California continuously until 1945 

when the Western mine, in the Red Mountain district of Santa Clara 

and Stanislaus Counties, finally ceased operations (Bodenlos, 1950, 

p. 227). Since that time the Western mine has been worked intermittantly on a small scale. The large-scale production of magnesia from 

sea water and the high cost of mining, as well as the depletion of reserves, 

have caused the near-cessation of magnesite mining in California.

Most of the deposits, except for those in San Bernardino County, are 

associated with serpentinized parts of the pre-Cretaceous ultramafic intrusives in the Coast Range and in the western Sierra Nevada (Gale, 

1914, p. 486). The magnesite occurs principally as replacements in serpentine and as fissure fillings in zones of fracturing. Most of the deposits 

were small, and reserves in many totaled only a few thousand tons. A 

few were considerably larger, the most extensive being those in the Red 

Mountain district. These deposits have been described in detail by
382 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Bodenlos (1950). The original reserves of the deposit at the Western 

mine were about 1 million tons, but most of this has been mined out; 

a recent estimate of reserves of the Western and several other mines in 

the district totals less than 180,000 tons of measured, indicated, and 

inferred ore (Bodenlos, 1950, p. 259).

The magnesite is typically eryptocrystalline, massive, brittle, and 

white, although the color may vary to gray, light green, pink, or even 

brick red. Its fracture is conchoidal, and freshly broken surfaces resemble unglazed porcelain (Bodenlos, 1950, p. 238). This type of magnesite generally is purer than the more coarsely crystalline varieties that 

occur as replacements in carbonate rocks; one analysis of material from 

the Western mine shows a magnesium carbonate content in excess of 

99 percent (Bodenlos, 1950, p. 239).

Bodenlos (1950, p. 259-266) believes that the magnesite in the Red 

Mountain district was formed by the action of ascending hydrothermal 

solutions, heavily charged with carbon dioxide and carrying magnesium 

and silica derived from sources at depth. Magnesite, silica, and hydrous 

magnesium silicate minerals were deposited in fractured zones in the serpentinized country rock. The magnesite occurs both as replacement of 

serpentine and as fissure-filling material. Earlier theories of origin (Hess, 

1908, p. 17-18; Bain, 1924, p. 417-419; Perry and Kirwan, 1938, p. 9-10) 

suggested the simple alteration of serpentine or of preexisting ultramafic 

rocks through the action of carbon dioxide-bearing waters. These solutions were regarded by some geologists to be hypogene and by others 

as supergene.

Crystalline magnesite replacing dolomite occurs near Cima and Lucerne 

Valley, San Bernardino County. The deposit near Cima has been discussed briefly by Rubey and Callaghan (1936, p. 118-119). The magnesite in these deposits generally is less pure than that in the serpentine 

replacement deposits; the chief impurities are silica and lime. Mineralization probably is associated with Jurassic igneous activity, which 

resulted in the replacement of favorable zones in the limestone and 

dolomite of Paleozoic age.

Sedimentary magnesite, deposited as beds in inland lakes of Tertiary 

age, occurs near Needles and Kramer, San Bernardino County, and 

near Bissell, Kern County. The deposits near Needles have been described in detail by Vitaliano (1950) and the one near Bissell by Gale 

(1914, p. 512-516), Bain (1924, p. 415-416), Bradley (1925, p. 47-50), 

and Rubey and Callaghan (1936, p. 114-117). The amount of impurities 

in these deposits is higher than in those of other types, but the magnesite 

in the Needles deposit is pure enough to have been considered as a possible 

source of magnesium ore early in World War II (Vitaliano, 1950, p. 365).
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 383

Magnesite in California

[M.D.M. indicates Mount Diablo base line and meridian (Calif.-Nev.); S.B.M. indicates San Bernardino

base line and meridian (Calif.)] 

No. on 

pi. H County Deposit and locality Reference

6 Mendocino_____ Southard ranch deposit; 2 miles from Willets. Bradley, 1925, p. 52.

7 __do_______ Hixon ranch; sec. 11, T. 12 N., R. 11 W., Bradley, 1925, p. 52; Hess, 

M.D.M., 6 miles by road north of Preston. 1908, p. 21.

8 Sonoma...__-_- Cloverdale area:

a. Albertez ranch deposits; 2 miles south- Bradley, 1925, p. 89.

west of Cloverdale. 

b. Battenburg deposit; sec. 32, T. 12 N., Bradley, 1925, p. 89; Hess,

R. 10 W., M.D.M. 1908, p. 22. 

c. Burgans ranch deposit; 1 mile north of Bradley, 1925, p. 91.

Battenburg mine, 

d. Melville ranch deposit; 2 miles south- Bradley, 1925, p. 92; Hess,

east of Cloverdale. 1908, p. 23. 

e. George Hall ranch deposit; 3 miles Hess, 1908, p. 24.

southeast of Cloverdale. 

f. Pat Cummings claim; 2.5 or 3 miles S. Do.

35° W. of Cloverdale.

9 __do---._______ Northwest of Guerneville:

a. Madeira deposit (Healdsburg Marble Bradley, 1925, p. 91; liesa,

Co.); SW corner sec. 31, T. 9, N., R. 1908, p. 25-26.

10 W., M.D.M. 

b. Meeker ranch deposit; sees. 2 and 3, Bradley, 1925, p. 91-W2.

T. 8 N., R. 11 W., M.D.M. 

c. Snyder ranch; about 12 miles southwest Bradley, 1925, p. 92.

of Healdsburg. 

d. Sonoma Magnesite Co. (Red Slide de- Bradley, 1925, p. 92-96;

posit); sees. 6, 7, 8, 17, and 20, T. Hess, 1908, p. 26-27.

9 N., R. 11 W., M.D.M.

e. Western Carbonic Acid Gas Co. (Gillam Bradley, 1925, p. 96-97; 

Creek deposit); sec. 6, T. 8 N., R. Hess, 1908, p. 24-25.

10 W., M.D.M.

10 Napa...-_____ Pope and Chiles Valleys:

a. White Rock deposit (Pope Valley or Bradley, 1925, p. 56-58;

Walters mine); sec. 2, T. 9 N., R. Hess, 1908, p. 28-29.

5 W., M.D.M. 

b. Maltby No. 2 mine (Blanco and Snow- Bradley, 1925, p. 54-55;

flake mines); sec. 28, T. 8 N., R. 4 W., Hess, 1908, p. 29-31.

M.D.M. 

c. Priest mine; sec. 23, T. 8 N., R. 4 W., Bradley, 1925, p. 55.

M.D.M. 

d. Russell deposit; sec. 24, T. 8 N., R. Hess, 1908, p. 31.

4 W., M.D.M. 

e. Elder or Detert mine (Matthai or Cleve- Bradley, 1925, p. 53-54;

land mine); sec. 36, T. 8 N., R. 4 W., Hess, 1908, p. 31.

M.D.M.

11 Nevada.._____ Deposits at Nevada City and in sec. 22, T. Bradley, 1925, p. 58. 

16 N., R. 8 E., M.D.M.

12 Placer_______ a. Little Bear mine; sec. 35, T. 16 N., R. Bradley, 1925, p. 59; Gale,

10 E., M.D.M. 1914, p. 501-503. 

b. Placer County Properties Co.; sec. 13, Bradley, 1925, p. 59.

T. 15 N., R. 10 E., and sees. 7 and 18,

T. 15 N., R. 11 E., M.D.M. 

c. Sullivan, et al; sec. 19, T. 16 N., R. Bradley, 1925, p. 59-60.

11 E., M.D.M.

d. Towle deposits; sec. 6, T. 15 N., R. Bradley, 1925, p. 60. 

11 E., and sees. 24 and 36, T. 16 N., 

R. 10 E., M.D.M.

13 Alameda_____ a. Cedar Mountain Magnesite mine; sec. Bradley, 1925, p. 41.

27, T. 4 8., R. 3 E., M.D.M.

b. Hayes ranch deposit; sec. 24, T. 4 S., Bradley, 1925, p. 42. 

R. 2 E., M.D.M.
384 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

No. on

pi. $ County 

13 Alameda Con.

14 Santa Clara15 __do____.__

16 Stanislaus.

17 ....do.

Magnesite in California Continued

Deposit and locality 

c. Winship properties; sec. 25, T. 4 S., R.

3 E., M.D.M. 

d. King claim; 2 miles from Arroyo Mocho

and 22 miles southeast of Livermore. 

e. Banta's Camp deposit; sec. 16, T. 5 S.,

R. 4 E., M.D.M. 

a. Bradford ranch deposit; small veins 4

miles southeast of Edenvale. 

b. Burnett ranch deposit; 3 miles northeast of Coyote Station. 

c. Cochrane ranch deposit; 4.5 miles east

of Madrone Station and 1.5 miles

south of the junction of Coyote and

San Felipe Creeks, 

d. O'Connell Bros, ranch (Weber ranch);

two groups of deposits: north group

is 3 air miles northeast of Madrone,

south group is 3.5 road miles east of

Madrone.

Red Mountain area: 

a. Western mine; sees. 18 and 19, T. 6 S.,

R. 5 E., M.D.M. 

b. Security deposit; sec. 13, T. 6 S., R.

4 E., M.D.M. 

c. Standard Magnesite Co.; sec. 18, T.

6 S., R. 5 E., M.D.M. 

d. Winship properties; sees. 1 and 11, T.

6 S., R. 4 E., and sec. 7, T. 6 S., R.

5 E., M.D.M. 

e. Fidelity deposit (never operated); sec.

12, T. 6 S., R. 4 E., M.D.M. 

Red Mountain area:

a. Red Mountain mine (California Magnesite Co. or Patterson mine); sec. 17,

T. 6 S., R. 5 E., M.D.M. 

b. G. L. Fenster, et al; group of claims in Bradley, 1925, p.

sec. 22, T. 6 S., R. 5 E., M.D.M. 

a. Bald Eagle mine (Gustine Magnesite

Co.); sec. 32, T. 8 S., R. 7 E., M.D.M.

Reference 

Bradley, 1925, p. 43.

Hess, 1908, p. 37. 

Do.

Bradley, 1925, p. 78.

Bradley, 1925, p. 78-79;

Hess, 1908, p. 31-32. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 79.

Bradley, 1925, p. 79-80; 

. Hess, 1908, p. 32-33.

Bodenlos, 1950; Bradley, 

1925, p. 79-87; Gale, 1914, 

p. 498-501; Hess, 1908, 

p. 33-37.

Bodenlos, 1950, p. 271-273; 

Bradley, 1925, p. 98-99.

18 Tuolumne.

19 San Benito.

20 Fresno.

b. Howard Cattle Co.; sec. 5, T. 9 S., R.

7 E., M.D.M. 

a. Gray Eagle Magnesite claim; sec. 16,

T. 1 S., R. 14 E., M.D.M. 

b. Monarch Mine Co.; small body 1.5

miles from Chinese Camp, 

c. Peter Maki claims; sec. 6, T. 1 S., R.

14 E., M.D.M. 

d. White Rock Magnesite mine; sec. 6,

T. 1 S., R. 14 E., M.D.M. 

a. Bonanza Quicksilver mine; sec. 29, T.

18 S., R. 12 E., M.D.M. 

b. Sampson Magnesite mine (Maltby No.

3); sees. 34, 35, and 36, T. 17 S., R.

11 E., M.D.M. 

c. Standard group (Superior Magnesite

Co.); sees. 35 and 36, T. 17 S., R.

11 E., M.D.M. 

a. Snow Cap and Governor claims; 9 miles

east of Sanger. 

b. Piedra area; includes several properties.

Bradley, 1925, p. 99-101 = 

Perry and Kirwan, 1938' 

p. 3-15.

Bradley, 1925, p. 101-102.

Bradley, 1925, p. 138-139. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 139.

Do.

Bradley, 1925, p. 139-140. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 66.

Bradley, 1925, p. 66-71; 

Gale, 1914, p. 503-509.

Bradley, 1925, p. 71.

Hess, 1908, p. 50-51; Gale,

1914, p. 509. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 44-46.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 385

No. on

pi. S County 

20 Fresno Con.

21 Monterey_-

22 Kings..

23 Tulare.

24 __do.

25 -do.

26 -do.

27 -do.

28 -do.

Magnesite in California Continued

Deposit and locality

c. Piedra Magnesite Co. (Fresno Magnesite Co.); sec. 5, T. 13 S., R. 24 E., 

M.D.M. 

d. Piedra mine (Ward); sec. 9, T. 13 S.,

R. 24 E., M.D.M. 

a. Undeveloped deposits in sec. 28, T.

23 S..R. 15 E., M.D.M. 

b. Kings Magnesite Co.; sec. 26, T, 23 S.,

R. 15 E., M.D.M. 

Kings Magnesite Co.; sec. 20, T. 23 S., R.

16 E., M.D.M.

Hamilton ranch deposit; sec. 22, T. 18 S., 

R. 27 E., M.D.M.

a. Cross ranch deposit (Burr Bros, lease);

sec. 19, T. 19 S., R. 27 E., M.D.M. 

b. Merryman Magnesite mine; sec. 7, T.

19 S., R. 27 E., M.D.M. 

c. Mitchell deposit; sec. 12, T. 19 S., R.

26 E., M.D.M. 

d. Wood Magnesite mine; sec. 6, T. 19 S.,

R. 27 E., M.D.M. 

e. Dumont Magnesite; sec. 10, T. 19 S.,

R. 27 E., M.D.M. 

a. Adeline Magnesite mine (later El Mirador Magnesite Co.); sec. 24, T. 20 S.,

R. 27 E., M.D.M. 

b. Blue Crystal Magnesite group; sec. 24,

T. 20 S., R. 27 E., M.D.M. 

c. Fairview Magnesite mines; sec. 30, T.

20 S., R. 28 E., M.D.M. 

d. Headburg Magnesite; sec. 11, T. 20 S.,

R. 27 E., M.D.M.

a. DeMoulin mine (Magnesite Refractories Co. or Stewart mine); sec. 12,

T. 21 S., R. 27 E., M.D.M. 

b. Gill ranch (Sierra Magnesite Co.); sees.

7 and 8, T. 21 S., R. 28 E., M.D.M. 

c. Oakland Magnesite Co.; sees. 7 and 8,

T. 21 S., R. 28 E., M.D.M. 

d. Harker mine; sec. 17, T. 21 S., R. 28 E.,

M.D.M. 

a. Duncan Magnesite mine; sec. 25, T.

21 S., R. 28 E., and sec. 30, T. 21 S.,

R. 29 E., M.D.M. 

b. Hawley Pulp and Paper Co. (Duncan

property); sec. 30, T. 21 S., R, 29 E.,

M.D.M. 

c. Lindsay Magnesite mine; sees. 30 and

31, T. 21 S., R. 29 E., M.D.M. 

d. McKiernan mine (west cf Lindsay

mine). 

e. Rex Plaster mine (Sierra Magnesite

Co.); sec. 31, T. 21 S., R. 29 E.,

M.D.M. 

f. Tulare Mining Co.; sees. 30 and 31,

T. 21 S., R. 29 E., M.D.M. 

a. Deer Creek mine (Langley-Cook lease);

sec. 21, T. 22 S., R. 28 E., M.D.M. 

b. Mentz property (Ravalli lease); sec. 28,

T. 22 S., R. 28 E., M.D.M. 

c. Oakland Magnesite Co.; sec. 21, T.

22 S., R. 28 E., M.D.M.

Reference 

Bradley, 1925, p. 44.

Bradley, 1925, p. 44-45. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 53.

Do. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 51.

Bradley, 1925, p. 110; Gale, 

1914, p. 509-511; Hess, 

1908, p. 39-49.

Bradley, 1925, p. 107.

Bradley, 1925, p. 119. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 121. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 137. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 108. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 106.

Bradley, 1925, p. 106-107. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 109. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 118. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 107-108.

Bradley, 1925, p. 109-110. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 123. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 110-117. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 108-109.

Bradley, 1925, p. 117-118.

Bradley, 1925, p. 124-125. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 119. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 124.

Bradley, 1925, p. 125-129. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 107. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 119. 

Bradley, 1925, p. 123.
386 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Magnesite in California Continued

No. on 

pi. i County Deposit and locality Reference

28 Tulare Con...... d. Simmons ranch deposit (Bartlett lease); Bradley, 1925, p. 135.

8 miles southeast of Porterville.

e. Tulare Mining Co.; sec. 28, T. 22 S., Bradley, 1925, p. 135-137. 

R. 28 E., M.D.M.

29 -_--do-_-----_-.- Chamberlain ranch deposits; sees. 3 and 10, Bradley, 1925, p. 107. 

T. 23 S., R. 28 E., M.D.M.

30 San Luis Obispo... Small veins on the Kisar place, 8 or 9 miles Bradley, 1925, p. 76. 

northwest of Cambria.

31 Santa Barbara.... Happy Canon claims; sec. 15, T. 7 N., R. Bradley, 1925, p. 77. 

29 W., S.B.M.

32 Los Angeles__... Magnesite outcrops on properties of Cali- Bradley, 1925, p. 52. 

fornia Graphite Co., 18 miles from Saugus.

33 Kern_.._.__-.__ Reported occurrence in Walker's Pass in the Bradley, 1925, p. 50. 

Sierra Madre Mountains, east of Bakersfield.

34 -..-do.----.---.- Near Bissell; sedimentary deposit in the Bradley, 1925, p. 47-50; 

northeastern part of sec. 11, T. 10 N., R. Gale, 1914, p. 512-516; 

11 W., S.B.M. Rubey and Callaghan,

1936, p. 114-117.

35 San Bernardino__ Kramer Hills; sedimentary deposit in sees. 

10,11,14, and 15, T. 9 N., R. 6 W., S.B.M.

36 .---do..------.-- North Lucerne Valley; sec. 15, T. 6 N., R.

1 W., S.B.M., dolomite with veins of magnesite.

37 _.do.___.-... Afton; 1.5 miles east of Alton Station; low Bradley, 1925. p. 72-75; 

grade. Rubey- and Callaghan,

1936, p. 117-118.

38 ....do..-.-_--_-. a. Cima; small deposit about 12 miles Rubey and Callaghan, 1936,

northeast of Cima. p. 118-119. 

b. Cima; reported but unconfirmed occur- Bradley, 1925, p. 75; Rubey 

rence in Providence Mountains, about and Callaghan, 1936, p. 

12 miles southeast of Cima. 119.

39 ._do....____ Needles; 14 miles by road southwest of Vitaliano, 1950. 

Needles; two sedimentary deposits: one in 

sees. 15 and 22, T. 8 N., R. 21 E., S.B.M., 

the other in the southwestern part of T. 

8 N., R. 21 E.

40 Riverside..-..-_ Hemet Magnesite mine; sec. 31, T. 5 S., Bradley, 1925, p. 61-65. 

R. 1 W., S.B.M., about 4 miles by road 

from Winchester.

IDAHO

Surface deposits of hydromagnesite, 2 to 4 feet thick and covering 

areas of from 2 to 13 acres, occur about 4 miles from Soda Springs, 

Bannock County (Yale and Stone, 1921b, p. 12-13). The material, 

although appearing somewhat earthy and impure, consists of about 90 

percent hydromagnesite and 10 percent impurities. Reserves of usable 

material are not known, and the deposits have not been developed 

(Hodge, 1938, p. 74). '

Magnesite in Idaho

No. on

pi. S County Deposit and locality Reference 

47 Bannock___ ..... Soda Springs; small deposits of hydromagne- Hodge, 1938, p. 74; Yale and 

site occur about 4 miles from Soda Springs. Stone, 1921b, p. 12-13.

NEW MEXICO

Magnesite occurs in the Organ Mountains and San Andres Mountains 

of Dona Ana County and in the Burro Mountains near Redrock, Grant
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 387

County, about 30 miles north of Lordsburg. The deposits in the Organ 

Mountains are in the southern part of the range, east of Las Cruces, 

along the southern boundry of T. 23 S., R. 4 E., New Mexico principal 

meridian. These deposits have been described by Dunham (1935, p. 236). 

The magnesite replaced certain beds in dolomite inclusions in a quartz 

monzonite intrusive. Analyses (Dunham, 1935, p. 237) show the magnesite to be of good quality. The deposits have been developed, but 

resources are not known. A smaller occurrence is reported on the southwest side of the San Andres Mountains north of Organ Pass (Taft, 1936). 

A small deposit of magnesite, hydromagnesite, and brucite crops out 

west of Ash Creek about 2 miles above its junction with the Gila River, 

near Redrock, Grant County. It has been described briefly by Yale 

and Stone (1921a, p. 234). The magnesite occurs in lenses in partly 

serpentinized limestone or dolomite associated mainly with Precambrian 

intrusives.

Magnesite in New Mexico

No. on 

pi. t County Deposit and locality Reference

49 Giant___...._ Ricolite Canyon (near Redrock); small de- Yale and Stone, 1921a, p. 

posit of magnesite, hydromagnesite, and 234. 

brucite occurs on the west side of Ash 

Creek, about 2 miles above its junction 

with the Gila River.

50 Dona Ana. .. Organ Mountains; magnesite and dolomite Dunham, 1935, p. 236; Taloccur in South and Target Range Canyons mage and Wootton, 1937, 

in the southeastern part of T. 23 S., R. 4 E. p. 111.

51 do ... San Andres Mountains; occurrence on south- Taft, 1936; Talmage and 

west side of mountain?; north of Organ Pass. Wootton, 1937, p. 112*

NEVADA

Magnesite, in deposits representing both the carbonate rock replacement and the sedimentary types, occurs in several localities in Nevada. 

However, only the group of deposits at Gabbs, Nye County, is of commercial importance. The Gabbs area is also the only area hi the United 

States known to contain commercial deposits of brucite. Other magnesite deposits in Nevada are either too small or of too low grade to be 

of commercial value under present conditions.

GABBS

Although the brucite deposits at Gabbs were discovered in 1927 

(Callaghan, 1933, p. 7), very little ore was mined, and that only intermittently, during the next several years. Commercial production began 

in 1934 (Partridge and Davis, 1935, p. 1168) and, except during 1935, 

has been continuous up to the present (1954). Nearly the entire production has been shipped to Ohio where it is processed for use in special 

refractories (Ladoo and Myers, 1951), p. 120). Magnesite has been 

produced since about 1940 and, from September 1942 to November 1944, 

it supplied the ore for the world's largest magnesium plant at Henderson, 

near Las Vegas, Nev. (Callaghan and Vitaliano, 1948, p. 1). At present
388 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

two companies are producing refractory magnesia from Gabbs magnesite 

(Irving and Uswald, 1954, p. 4).

The deposits are on the western slope of the Paradise Range, in the 

extreme western part of Nye County, approximately 29 miles by road 

northeast of Liming. The geology of the Gabbs area has been described 

by Callaghan (1933) and by Callaghan and Vitaliano (1948). The material that follows has been summarized from the latter report, except 

where noted. Magnesite and brucite occur as replacement deposits in 

dolomite, the uppermost beds of the Lulling formation (Upper Triassic), 

present here as an overriding plate above a thrust fault. In the mineralized areas the dolomite, which generally is dense, dark gray to black, 

and fine grained, has been replaced by recrystallized dolomite, magnesite, 

brucite, and silicate minerals.

The magnesite is coarse to very fine grained, massive, white to gray 

with a brown-weathering surface, and often is so similar in appearance 

to the recrystallized dolomite which it replaced that the two cannot 

readily be distinguished. The brucite, which is massive, has a soapy 

appearance, and varies from white to yellow or brown, is found in bodies 

that are distributed along the contact between the magnesitized areas 

and a granodiorite stock. The mineralization is thought to be associated 

with the granodiorite.

Impurities contained in various minerals associated with the magnesite 

include iron, alumina, silica, and lime. Particularly trouble&one in mining are the many apophyses from the stock into the mineralized areas, 

necessitating some selectivity in mining. Beneficiation is accomplished 

by flotation or heavy-media separation (Utley, 1952, p. 98).

The origin of the magnesite and associated minerals is complex, as 

several stages probably were involved in the genesis of the present mineral assemblage. Essentially, the process of mineralization involved replacement of the dolomite by magnesite and recrystallized dolomite 

through the action of hypogene solutions. Igneous intrusive rocks were 

then emplaced and were accompanied by the introduction of pyrite and 

silicate minerals. Brucite probably was formed at this time. Later 

solutions caused magnesite and brucite to be replaced by dolomite.

Callaghan and Vitaliano (1948, p. 17) estimate 27 million tons of 

magnesite containing less than 5 percent lime and total reserves of magnesitic material at about 52 million tons in the principal ore bodies exposed 

at the surface.

OVERTON

A large sedimentary deposit of magnesite occurs about 5 miles southsouthwest of Overton, Clark County. The geology of the area has been 

described by Longwell (1928), and Rubey and Callaghan (1936, p. 119- 

139) have presented detailed descriptions of the deposit, its origin, and 

mineralogy. This brief summary is taken from the latter report. The
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 389

deposit of magnesite occurs in thin beds of varied composition associated 

with a thick unit of white clayey dolomite belonging to the Horse Spring 

formation of Tertiary(?) age. The deposit is lenticular and is covered 

with gravel overburden ranging from 30 to 50 feet in thickness. Resources are estimated to be more than 5 million tons of impure magnesite 

containing more than 30 percent magnesia and occurring in beds at least 

6 inches thick.

CURRANT CREEK

A unique occurrence of magnesite represented in a group of deposits 

in the Currant Creek district, about 29 miles by road southwest of Ely, 

has been described by Vitaliano (1951). The district lies on the boundary 

between White Pine and Nye Counties. Magnesite occurs as nodules, 

veins, lenses, and disseminated grains in masses of altered tuff of Tertiary 

age. Locally the tuffaceous matrix contains a magnesium silicate mineral of the serpentine group. The complex mineralogy of the deposits 

has been described in detail by Faust and Callaghan (1948). Although 

much of the magnesitic material is quite high in silica and lime, it is 

amenable to partial beneficiation (Holmes and Matson, 1950, p. 8). 

Vitaliano (1951, p. 23) estimates that reserves in the district include 

about 10,000 tons of commercial-grade magnesite and about 350,000 tons 

of the magnesium silicate-bearing material.

Magnesite in Nevada

No. on 

pi. 8 County Deposit and locality Reference

41 Nye__--------- Gabbs; large commercial deposits of brucite Callaghan and Vitaliano,

and magnesite in sees. 26, 35, and 36, T. 1948. 

12 N., R. 36 E., M.D.M.i

42 Nye and White Pine Currant Creek district; two groups of small Vitaliano, 1951. 

deposits in the northwestern part of T. 

12 N., R. 61 E., and adjoining part of T. 

12N..R. 60 E.; and in T. 12N..R. 59E., 

(unsurveyed) M.D.M.

43 Esmeralda.------- Lone Mountain; reported but unconfirmed Gale, 1912, p. 520; Rubey

occurrence southwest of Tonapah, near and Callaghan, 1936, p. 

Mount Diablo base line, Rs. 39 to 41 E. 143-144.

44 Nye-_------------ Payne deposit; small deposit 28.4 miles

northwest of Indian Springs, on the Oak 

Springs Road.

45 CIark_........... Overton; sec. 2, T. 17 S., R. 67 E,, and sees. Rubey and Callaghan, 1936,

34 and 35, T. 16 S., R. 67 E., M.D.M., p. 119-139. 

about 5 miles south-southwest of Overton; 

large sedimentary deposit.

46 - -. .do. -___-_--__ Bauer deposit; 17 miles by road southeast of Rubey and Callaghan, 1936, 

St. Thomas and 9 miles due north of the p. 140-141. 

former Gold Butte Post Office; somewhat 

_________ impure sedimentary deposit.

1 Mount Diablo base line and meridian (Calif.-Nev.).

OREGON

Deposits of magnesite, probably similar to those associated with serpentine in California, are reported along the lower Illinois River, on the
390 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Smith Eiver, and on Diamond Creek, Curry County; and near Holland, 

Josephine County (Hodge, 1938, p. 73-74). Details concerning these 

deposits are lacking, but it is doubtful that commercial deposits occur 

in this area (F. G. Wells, 1952, oral communication).

Magnesite in Oregon

No. on 

pi. £ County Deposit and locality Reference

4 Curry-----.-.-- Deposits along the lower Illinois River, the Hodge, 1938, p. 73-74. 

Smith River, and on Diamond Creek.

5 Josephine Near Holland______________ ___ - Hodge, 1938, p. 74.

PENNSYLVANIA

Magnesite occurs in narrow veins and stockworks in the State Line 

serpentine along the Pennsylvania-Maryland boundary. Deposits along 

the Chester-Lancaster County line, near where Octoraro Creek crosses 

the State line, were mined during the last century (Stone, 1922, p. 1). 

Smaller deposits have been,noted also in Fulton and Peach Bottom 

Townships, Lancaster County (Stone, 1922, p. 2).

Magnesite in Pennsylvania

No. on

pi. £ County Deposit and locality Reference 

64 Chester and Lan- Small deposits near the oxbow of Octoraro Stone, 1922, p. 1. 

caster. Creek on the Pennsylvania-Maryland

boundary.

54 Lancaster Occurrences in Fulton and Peach Bottom Stone, 1922, p. 2. 

Townships.

TEXAS

Magnesite was produced during and immediately following World War 

II from deposits in the Sharp Mountain area, south of Llano, Llano 

County, for use principally as fertilizer. The most important deposits 

are 3 and 6 miles southeast of Llano where they occur as lenses in dolomite 

marble, part of a Precambrian sequence of metamorphic rocks which has 

been intruded by granites (Chelf, 1941). Some analyses of the material 

have been published (Schoch, 1938), but estimates of reserves in the 

area are not available.

A small deposit of low-grade magnesite occurs with dolomite as a lens 

in chlorite schist about 3 miles northwest of Mason, Mason County 

(McCammon, 1941, p. 4). Reserves are estimated to be less than 15,000 

tons of mixed magnesite and dolomite (McCammon, 1941, p. 5).

Magnesite in Texas

No. on 

pi. £ County Deposit and locality Reference

52 Mason.-..--..-.- Mason, 3 miles north west; low-grade deposit- McCammon, 1941, p. 4-5.

53 Llano.. a. Gray Fowler tract (Meramec Minerals Chelf, 1941. 

Co.); 3 miles by road southeast of 

Llano.

b. Stribling ranch deposit (Texas Mines); Chelf, 1941. 

6 miles southeast of Llano.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 391 

UTAH

Small lenses and veins of magnesite occur in the Fish Springs district, 

about 15 miles east of Callao, Juab County. The deposits have been 

discussed briefly by Crawford (1941). The magnesite replaces parts of 

a buff-colored hydrothermally altered dolomite of Cambrian age. The 

deposits probably are too small to mine for the magnesite alone, but might 

be recovered in conjunction with quarrying of the enclosing dolomite. 

Nothing is known, however, of the purity of the dolomite.

Magnesite in Utah

No. on

pi. £ County Deposit and locality Reference 

48 Juab......_...-._ Fish Springs deposit; small veins in the Fish Crawford, 1941.

Springs district in T. 11 S., R. 14 W.

VERMONT

Magnesite is associated with talc locally in the belt of ultramafic rocks 

that extends in a north-south direction through the central part of 

Vermont. Experiments on flotation of talc-magnesite ores have produced magnesite-rich tailings (Clemmer and Cooke, 1936).

WASHINGTON

Commercial deposits of magnesite are restricted to the so-called 

"magnesite belt/' a narrow, well-defined zone some 30-odd miles long, 

which is entirely in Stevens County, northeastern Washington. The 

magnesite is of the carbonate rock replacement variety. Deposits range 

in size from those of small tonnage to large irregular lenses containing 

reserves in excess of a million tons, which are adequate to support production for some years.

Production of magnesite on a commercial scale began at the end of 

1916, and in 1917, the first full year of production, the new industry 

supplied more than 100,000 tons of crude magnesite (Tyler, 1931b, p. 24), 

an amount equal to half that produced the same year by the wellestablished industry in California. Production has been nearly continuous since that tune, and systematic development and exploration, 

aided by a better understanding of the possible mode of origin of the 

magnesite, have resulted in the establishment of large reserves during 

recent years (Bennett, 1943). New methods of beneficiation have been 

an important factor in increasing the tonnage of usable material.

Much has been written about the Stevens County deposits, and the 

more important work has been summarized briefly by Bennett (1941, 

p. 4-6). According to Bennett, the magnesite deposits are confined 

almost entirely to areas within his Stensgar dolomite, a formation in his 

Deer Trail group (Precambrian(?)) of argillites, slates, phyllites, quartzites, and dolomites. The Stensgar, generally 300 to 350 feet thick but 

more than 700 feet thick in its northern area of outcrop, is typically a fine-
392 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

grained dense light-bluish or pinkish-gray dolomite. Locally it has been 

recrystallized into a medium- to coarse-grained dolomite marble. The 

formation is exposed in a series of outcrops that extends in a southsouthwesterly direction from a few miles northwest of Chewelah, along 

the eastern foothills of the Huckleberry Mountains, to a point within 

2 miles of the Spokane River, a total distance of about 31 miles.

According to Campbell and Loofbourow (1942, written communication) 

and Callaghan (1942, written communication), the so-called Stensgar 

dolomite changes locally, either gradually or rather abruptly, into magnesite. The magnesite varies from finely to coarsely crystalline and 

from white through gray to brown and black in color. Where magnesitization of the dolomite has been extensive, the rock tends to stand 

topographically higher than the surrounding dolomite, because of its 

greater resistance to weathering. The impurities are chiefly lime, in 

included dolomite; silica, as quartz or in silicate minerals; and, to some 

extent, iron carbonate. Flotation and heavy-media separation are used 

to remove the impurities.

Magnesite in Washington 

No. on 

pi. # County Deposit and locality Reference

1 Skagit_-_----_-- Rockport; reported occurrence 0.5 mile from Hodge, 1938, p. 73. 

the Great Northern Railway.

2 Okanogan_______ Riverside area; reported occurrence-------- Do.

3 Stevens__------- Magnesite belt; extends from 4 miles north- Bennett, 1941; Bennett,

west of Chewelah to within 2 miles of 1943; Campbell and Loofthe Spokane River. bourow, 1942, written 

a. Finch quarry; sec. 30,T. 32N..R. 40 E. communication, 

b. Moss-Alien quarry; sees. 25 and 36,

T. 32 N., R. 39 E., and sees. 30 and

31, T. 32 N., R. 40 E. 

e. Woodbury quarry; sec. 1, T. 31 N.,

R. 39 E. 

d. Mountain View deposit; sec. 3, T. 31 N.,

R. 39 E.

e. Nogue deposit; sec. 4, T. 31 N., R. 39 E. 

f. Phoenix deposit; sec. 3, T. 31 N., R.

39 E. 

g. Midnight deposit; sec. 7, T. 31 N.,

R. 39 E. 

h. Keystone quarry; sec. 9, T. 31 N., R.

39 E. 

i. Davis deposit; sec. 18, T. 31 N., R.

39 E. 

j. Double Eagle quarry; sec. 18, T. 31 N.,

R. 39 E. 

k. Crosby quarry; sec. 18, T. 31 N., R.

39 E. 

1. Red Marble quarry; sec. 25, T. 31 N.,

R. 38 E. 

m.U. S. Magnesite quarry; sec. 10, T.

30 N., R. 38 E. 

n. Turk quarry; sec. 1, T. 29 N., R. 37 E.,

and see. 36, T. 30 N., R. 37 E.

Magnesite mineralization apparently has been most intense in the 

north-central part of the belt, and mining operations are centered mainly
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 393

in the areas southwest of Chewelah and west of Valley. At least two 

large deposits occur, however, in the southern part of the belt southeast 

of Fruitland, in the vicinity of Turk (Bennett, 1943).

The most probable theory of origin, according to Callaghan (1942, 

written communication), is that the preexisting dolomite was recrystallized or replaced by magnesite through the action of ascending hydrothermal solutions, probably associated with nearby granitic intrusives, 

which spread through fractures and along bedding planes removing lime 

and depositing magnesia. Field evidence indicates that deformation of 

the dolomite preceded the formation of the magnesite and that major 

shearing and faulting were the controlling factors in the distribution of 

the magnesite (Bennett, 1941, p. 14).

OTHER STATES

Magnesite, probably of little more than mineralogical interest, occurs 

in Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York (Harness and 

Jensen, 1943, p. 2).

RESERVES

Reserves of magnesite are difficult to calculate, because of the irregularities in size and shape of many of the deposits, lack of uniformity in 

composition of the material, different chemical and physical specifications 

for various uses, and possibilities for beneficiation. Reserves of usable 

magnesite readily available for removal by open-pit methods in Washington and Nevada were estimated in 1944 (U. S. Bur. Mines and U. S. 

Geol. Survey, 1948, p. 128) at about 8 million tons, with an additional 

85 million1 tons of impure material that could be considered inferred ore. 

At the 1941 rate of consumption, these reserves were considered sufficient 

for about 250 years, according to the reference cited. Crude magnesite 

mines in 1941 amounted to about 375,000 tons (Schallis and Warner, 

1942, p. 1499). In 1952 approximately 511,000 tons were mined (Irving 

and Uswald, 1954, p. 1).

DOLOMITE

DESCRIPTION AND DEFINITIONS

The mineral dolomite is the double carbonate of calcium and magnesium, expressed as CaMg(C03) 2 or CaC03 .MgC03 , and contains approximately 30.4 percent CaO, 21.9 percent MgO, and 47.7 percent C02 

(Palache and others, 1951, p. 212). Expressed as carbonates the composition is 54.35 percent CaC03 and 45.65 percent MgC03 (Ford, 1932, 

p. 516). Bivalent iron or manganese can substitute within limits for 

magnesium to form other varieties (Palache and others, 1951, p. 211-

1 This figure, as given in the reference, is 85,000 tons. From other data given, it clearly is a typographical error and should be 85 million tons.
394 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

213). Dolomite is similar in appearance to calcite (CaC08) but is 

slightly harder (calcite, hardness 3; dolomite, hardness 3^-4), heavier 

(calcite, specific gravity 2.71; dolomite, specific gravity 2.85), and reacts 

very slowly, if at all, with cold dilute acid. Pure dolomite is colorless 

or white but may vary through shades of red, green, brown, and gray 

to black. It commonly is massive, finely to coarsely granular, but sometimes is porcelaneous and breaks with a conchoidal fracture.

Dolomite, used as a rock name, generally is applied to carbonate rocks 

composed of mixtures of dolomite and calcite, and, although massive 

bodies of pure crystallized dolomite are not common in nature, dolomitic 

rocks occur extensively. Unfortunately, there is little uniformity in the 

use of the name, and rocks containing relatively small percentages of 

magnesium carbonate have been referred to in much of the literature as 

dolomites. Conversely, in a great deal of the older literature the term 

"limestone" was applied to rocks that are now called dolomites and magnesium milestones.

It is somewhat difficult to reconcile scientific and industrial definitions 

of dolomite. Pettijohn (1949, p. 312) defines dolomites as "those varieties of limestones containing more than 50 percent carbonate, of which 

more than half is dolomite." Following Pettijohn's classification, a rock 

containing 90 percent or more dolomite in the carbonate fraction would 

be classed as dolomite; one containing 50 to 90 percent dolomite in the 

carbonate fraction would be a calcitic dolomite. If the "dolomite" were 

a pure carbonate rock, in which the carbonate fraction would comprise 

100 percent of the total weight, 19.67 to 21.86 percent by weight of 

the rock would be magnesia. If, on the contrary, only the minimum 

requirements of the definition are met, that is, if the carbonate fraction 

constitutes about 50 percent of the total weight, a rock containing as 

little as 9.84 percent by weight of magnesia also would be classed as 

dolomite. A dolomite of this composition would not satisfy industrial 

requirements for a high-magnesia rock.

More useful to industry are those definitions that show relationship 

between the magnesia content of the total rock and its lithologic designation. Different schemes of classification have been used in the literature, 

and there seems to be some agreement that to be called a dolomite a 

rock should contain a minimum of 40 percent magnesium carbonate 

(about 19.5 percent MgO) (Hatmaker, 1931, p. 2; Hopkins, 1942, p. 3; 

Weitz, 1942, p. 3). The classification of the carbonate rocks as "natural 

building stones" on page 392, Part 3 of 1952 Book of American Society 

for Testing Materials Standards includes the following definitions:

Dolomite A limestone containing in excess of 40 percent of magnesium carbonate 

as the dolomite molecule.

Magnesian (Dolomitic) Limestone A limestone containing not less than 5 nor 

more than 40 percent of magnesium carbonate.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 395

In the present paper, the terms dolomite and dolomitic or magnesian 

limestone will be used, insofar as possible, in conformance with the definitions above. In general, the rocks whose localities are shown on the 

tables accompanying the State summaries contain less than 10 percent 

noncarbonates. The terms "high-purity" and "high-grade" are used 

interchangably to designate rocks containing only a few percent of impurities. If the impurities are in excess of about 3 percent, the rock is 

designated as "moderately high" in impurities. Rock containing more 

than about 5 percent impurities is called "high" in impurities.

The writer has found that in the literature little reliability can be 

placed on the lithologic designation 1 of a rock as a dolomite, unless the 

report bears specifically on the economic possibilities of a deposit or the 

description is accompanied by chemical analyses. This is true particularly in older reports. In the descriptions of individual formations in 

the following pages, the lithologic designations have sometimes been 

modified by this writer to conform to the definitions above, usually on 

the basis of the chemical analyses included in the reports studied.

ORIGIN AND MODE OF OCCURRENCE

The origin of dolomite has been the subject of much study. Van Tuyl 

(1916) presented an excellent review of the various theories of origin 

and the evidence supporting and opposing each. Pettijohn (1949, p. 316) 

classifies all the theories of origin under three major catagories. These 

are "(1) primary precipitation of the dolomite, (2) selective leaching of 

calcite from an original mixture of calcite (or aragonite) and dolomite, 

and (3) replacement of an original calcitic limestone." Evidence indicates that most dolomites probably are the result of replacement of 

preexisting sediments, although Stout (1941, p. 9-11) believes that the 

extensive dolomites of Silurian age of western Ohio are primary precipitates. The time of replacement of the original sediments is problematical. Steidtmann (1911, p. 325-342; 1917, p. 435-445) and Van 

Tuyl (1916, p. 398-399) have presented evidence indicating that the 

more extensive dolomites have been formed by the alteration of limestones beneath the sea, probably by the diagenetic replacement of calcium 

carbonate by dolomite. Miller (1934, p. 51-53) also believes that the 

dolomites of Pennsylvania have been formed in large part by the same 

processes. Hewett (1931, p. 57-67), through comprehensive field and 

laboratory study, has shown that alteration due to the action of magnesiarich solutions on limestone has formed dolomite in southern Nevada. 

Pettijohn (1949, p. 317) suggests that dolomitization may take place at 

several stages in the formation of the final rock.

Dolomites and dolomitic milestones occur chiefly as sedimentary strata 

associated with limestones and other sedimentary rocks of chemical or 

detrital origin. They may form thick extensive beds, thin beds, or lenses
396 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

and irregular masses. Many formations, some designated "limestone," 

others "dolomite," are in fact composed of limestone layers, dolomite 

layers, and layers of dolomitic limestone. In addition to such stratigraphic variations in composition, formations commonly contain beds 

that vary in composition from limestone to dolomite along their strike. 

Thus, a certain bed that is limestone in one locality may be represented 

elsewhere by a bed of dolomitic limestone or dolomite. Less commonly, 

marbleized dolomite occurs as lenses or layers associated with gneisses, 

schists, or other metamorphic rocks, as typified by occurrences in Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Texas.

Although dolomitic limestones are of widespread occurrence, large deposits of pure dolomite are much more restricted, and many potentially 

commercial deposits are confined to definitely limited zones within formations of impure carbonate rocks that are unsuitable for chemical or other 

industrial purposes.

USES

The following reports summarize most of the uses of limestone and 

dolomite (Miller, 1934, p. 77-111; Lamar and Willman, 1938; Stout, 1941, 

p. 426-447). Although these summaries are somewhat general, they 

afford a good background on the uses of the carbonate rocks. More 

detailed information regarding specifications for specific uses will be found 

in the literature. Chemical and physical specifications vary widely, not 

only with the use but also with the user, as technologies have been modified in order to make use of local sources of raw materials. Any given 

deposit, after.it has been thoroughly studied for its size, uniformity, ease 

of quarrying, and marketability, should be adequately tested to determine 

whether or not the rock will fulfill requirements of the potential consumer.

The uses of the carbonate rocks can be divided into two broad categories : those in which the physical properties are more important and those 

in which the chemical composition is more important. The second category can be further subdivided into (a) uses in which limestone is required, 

(b) uses in which dolomite is required, and (c) uses in which one type can 

be substituted for the other.

The construction industries annually consume great quantities of limestone and dolomite in the first category. Physical properties of the rock 

are important, and, in general, the chemical^composition of the rock need 

be considered only insofar as it affects the physical properties. Limestone and dolomite are used interchangably in the form of dimension 

stone and as crushed and broken stone for concrete aggregate, railroad 

ballast, road metal, riprap, and a variety of other purposes.

The agricultural, chemical, and manufacturing industries consume the 

carbonate rocks for uses in which the chemical composition is more 

important. Uses that annually require large amounts of reasonably pure
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 397

limestone include the manufacture of portland cement, high-calcium lime, 

alkalies, calcium carbide, mineral feeds, sugar refining, and others. Dolomite is required for refractories, magnesium production, manufacture of 

technical carbonate, and the milk-of-lime-process for the manufacture 

of paper. The uses that require dolomite as a raw material have been 

described by Colby (1941). Substitution of one rock type for the other 

is permitted when the rock is to be used for agricultural limestone, blastfurnace flux stone, fertilizer ingredient, coal-mine dusting, rock-wool production, whiting substitute, and various fillers.

It is difficult to determine the tonnage of dolomite consumed annually 

in the United States. Published statistics (Chandler and Jensen, 1954, 

p. 1205) show that in 1951 more than 5 million tons of dolomite was used 

as refractories, nearly 364,000 tons for basic magnesium carbonate (including refractory magnesia), and 92,000 tons in the paper industry. In 

addition to this known amount, an undetermined part of a total of more 

than 205 million tons of "limestone" was dolomite and dolomitic limestone used as dimension stone and as crushed and broken stone for many 

purposes.

Of the numerous uses of dolomite that do not permit substitution of 

limestone, the most important from the tonnage consumed are as refractories and for magnesium production. As noted above, several million tons of dolomite are used annually for refractories. Capacity production of metallic magnesium from plants in the United States that 

use only dolomite as a raw material would require a total of about 

560,000 tons of dolomite per year. These two uses are described in more 

detail below.

REFRACTORIES

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone containing not less than 35 percent 

magnesium carbonate have found wide application in the steel industry 

and in the nonferrous metals industry as a substitute for grain magnesite. 

The subject of dolomite refractories has been discussed in general terms 

by Lamar and Willman (1938, p. 18-20) and Colby (1941, p. 3-4) and 

in more detail by Schallis (1942). The rock is used in the form of crushed 

raw stone, dead-burned clinker, and as a base for special refractories. It 

is used chiefly for patching or repairing furnaces and also for building 

up bottoms and banks of basic open-hearth furnaces and, to a lesser 

extent, electric furnaces.

Owing to the instability of the lime, dolomite has not proved to be a 

very satisfactory substitute for magnesite in the form of refractory brick 

(Schallis, 1942, p. 6). In order to form a stable brick, the dolomite must 

be processed in such a way as to control hydration and chemical reactivity of the lime. Hydration causes deterioration of the bricks, both 

in storage and in use, and difficulty in handling. Chemical reaction with
398 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

materials in the furnace also decreases the utility of the brick. To impart 

the necessary refractory properties to dead-burned dolomite the lime 

must, then, be partly or completely inhibited (semistabilized or stabilized) or must be removed. Several methods for the extraction of magnesia from dolomite have been summarized by Schallis (1943).

Various chemical specifications for dolomite to be used as refractory 

material have been mentioned in the literature (Lamar and Willman, 

1938, p. 19-20; Colby, 1941, p. 3-4). The minimum requirement for 

magnesium carbonate content is 35 percent. The silica content should 

be less than 1 percent and the combined alumina and iron oxide less than 

1.5 percent. Naturally occurring impurities generally are undesirable 

because they act as diluents, decreasing the carbonate content, and they 

do not usually occur uniformly throughout the rock. Impurities, principally iron oxide, may be added to the rock when crushed, however, to 

facilitate the dead-burning process (Schallis, 1942, p. 4)

MAGNESIUM

Dolomite has been used successfully as a commercial ore of magnesium 

in several processes, including ferrosilicon reduction (Pidgeon), carbothermic (Hansgirg), and certain of those involving electrolysis of magnesium chloride. During World War II attention was turned to the 

development of these processes in order to utilize dolomite, the widespread occurrence of which eliminated the necessity for building magnesium plants along sea coasts.

Since World War II the ferrosilicon reduction process is the only one 

that has attained any importance in the United States, although it is 

uneconomic under normal competitive conditions. Of the 6 Governmentowned plants, 4 are ferrosilicon reduction plants and 2 are electrolytic 

plants. These facilities are now used only intermittently to supplement 

production from the single, privately owned sea-water plant. The table 

below lists the magnesium plants in the United States and also shows the 

capacity tonnage dependent upon dolomite as a source of raw material.

Despite their higher costs of production, the ferrosilicon reduction 

plants, according to Comstock (1954, p. 797), have made satisfactory 

standby facilities because of their simplicity of design and operation, 

their easily and economically storable equipment, and the comparatively 

low consumption of electric power per unit of magnesium produced. 

Approximately 4.5 kwh are needed to produce 1 pound of magnesium 

(the power is used in the production of the ferrosilicon reducing agent), 

as contrasted with 10 kwh per pound of magnesium produced by the 

electrolytic process.

The ferrosilicon reduction process has been described by Pidgeon and 

Alexander (1944) and by Pidgeon and others (1946). Essentially, this 

process involves crushing and calcination of the dolomite; grinding, mix-
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 399

Magnesium metal plants in the United States

[Data from U. 8. Bur. Mines. The plant at Freeport, Tex., is owned by Dow Chemical Corp. All

others are Government owned]

Plant

Freeport, Tex_.___ 

Velasco, Tex ______

Painesville, Ohio..

Canaan, Conn _____

Wingdale, N. Y_ _ .

Spokane, Wash __

Manteca, Calif ____

Process

Electrolytic. _ .

_-.:.do___-___

Ferrosilicon. __

do.

do

do

Annual 

capacity 

(in 

short 

tons)

26,000 

36,000

18,000

5,000

5,000

20,000

10,000

Raw material and source

Sea water; Gulf of Mexico. 

Do.

MgCl2 cell feed; Ludington, Mich.,

and Freeport, Tex. 

Dolomite; Canaan, Conn.

Do.

Dolomite; Marble, Wash.

Dolomite; Natividad, Calif.

ing, and briquetting the calcine with ground ferrosilicon; and heating in 

an evacuated nichrome steel retort. By this process the magnesium is 

vaporized, and the vapor is collected and condensed in the cooler end 

of the retort to form a cluster of crystalline magnesium. An easily 

removed residue of unfused dicalcium silicate and iron.remains in the 

retort. The reaction proceeds according to the following equation:

2MgO + 2CaO + (xFe)Si -> (CaO)2SiO2 + 2Mg + (xFe) 

The ferrosilicon reduction process is the only one in which magnesia 

is reduced directly from calcined dolomite. Other processes using dolomite involve removal of the magnesium from the dolomite, either as the 

hydroxide or the chloride, preliminary to thermal reduction or electrolysis (Pidgeon and others, 1946).

Purity of the dolomite is important. Pilot plant operation's at the 

beginning of the war showed that dolomite for use in the ferrosilicon 

reduction process should contain at least 21 percent magnesia and less 

than 2 percent acid-insoluble material (Mayer, 1944, p. 363). According 

to Pidgeon and Alexander (1944, p. 338-339), acid insolubles up to about 

3 percent were found to be merely diluents, but when present in excess 

of 3 percent they notably depressed the yield of magnesium. More than 

a trace of the alkali metals sodium and potassium was found to be particularly undesirable and, in some instances, dangerous (Pidgeon and 

Alexander, 1944, p. 339-340). As they vaporize and condense along with 

the magnesium, experience has shown that these metals are likely to 

ignite spontaneously when the vacuum is broken and the condensate 

exposed to air.

Although it is desirable to use dolomite containing impurities that are 

within the tolerances outlined, chemical analyses (Deiss, 1955, p. 133,
400 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

136) show that rock slightly below these standards has been used successfully as magnesium ore. Advances in technology eventually may 

permit the use of dolomite containing alkalies in presently prohibitive 

amounts or containing impurities in excess of 3 or 4 percent. Such 

relaxing of specifications would greatly increase the already enormous 

available tonnage of usable dolomite and considerably broaden the distribution of reserves.

MINING AND BENEFICIATION

As most dolomites and dolomitic limestones for chemical purposes are 

used in the form of fragments, the rock is obtained by standard crushedstone quarrying methods. Bowles (1939, p. 452-470) and Goldbeck 

(1949, p. 269-286) have described the general features of exploiting 

carbonate rock deposits for crushed stone.

The choice of quarrying methods is determined by the geological and 

physical characteristics of the deposit. Usually, one of two main methods 

is employed. Pit quarrying is used when a deposit lies below the adjacent 

ground surface level; bank or open-cut quarrying is used when the deposit 

stands at or above the adjacent ground level (Goldbeck, 1949), p. 271). 

In either method the quarry face may be shot down in benches or as a 

single face. One or more of several drilling and blasting techniques may 

be used, depending chiefly upon the physical character of the rock. 

Various drilling and blasting methods have been described by Bowles 

(1939, p. 453-459) and by Goldbeck (1949, p. 272-278). Removal of 

the overburden, which may consist of soil or unmarketable rock or both, 

usually is necessary before quarrying by either the pit or bank methods.

Not uncommonly, where a deposit contains rock of a particularly 

desirable quality and the geology of the deposit precludes economical 

stripping of the overburden, underground quarrying may be employed. 

This is usually done by the room-and-pillar method or some variation 

thereof (Bowles, 1939, p. 467-468; Goldbeck, 1949, p. 285-286).

In the production of crushed stone for chemical purposes, it is sometimes necessary to improve the quality of the quarry-run rock. Such 

upgrading can be accomplished by one or more methods, including handsorting, washing, and screening. Recently heavy-media separation has 

been used commercially to improve the quality of dolomite by removing 

granite that is associated with the deposit. The process has been described by Utley (1952) and Lenhart (1953).

No one standard procedure for the operation of a crushed stone quarry 

would be applicable to all deposits. The practicability of the various 

techniques for stripping, drilling and blasting, loading, hauling, upgrading, and crushing must be determined by the quarry operator, whose 

major concerns are the cost and quality of his product.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 401 

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone are of widespread occurrence in the 

United States. Enormous quantities of dolomitic limestone are in many 

geologic formations, ranging in age from Precambrian through Mesozoic. 

Large, readily accessible supplies of high-purity dolomite are, however, 

somewhat more limited in occurrence.

Immense tonnages of high-grade dolomite, most of it probably suitable 

for either refractory or metal production, are in the region around the 

Great Lakes. These dolomites are principally Ordovician and Silurian 

in age. In some areas they occur as extensive, near-surface, essentially 

flat-lying beds; in others they are local facies of extensive limestone or 

dolomitic limestone beds.

Dolomites occur locally in the great limestone valleys of the Appalachian Mountains, from central Alabama northeastward through southeastern Pennsylvania to New Jersey. Dolomite, some of which has been 

used as magnesium ore, also occurs in several small areas in southeastern 

New York and in the western parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, 

and Vermont.

In the Western United States dolomite generally does not occur in 

extensive thick beds but rather as more localized deposits, some of which 

contain substantial tonnages of high-grade rock. Such deposits are found 

in nearly every State with the exception of the northern Great Plains 

States. Dolomite from deposits in Washington and California has been 

used in the production of magnesium in plants at Spokane, Wash., and 

Manteca, Calif.

DISTRIBUTION BY STATES

Information pertaining to the dolomite and dolomitic limestone resources of the United States, arranged alphabetically by States, is given 

in the following pages. Because dolomite is a high-tonnage low-cost 

commodity and cannot be economically transported great distances, the 

value of a given deposit is controlled largely by its proximity to transportation facilities and markets. It is thought, therefore, that a summary of the resources of each State might be more useful to a potential 

quarry operator or consumer than a summary of a larger region or one 

based on geologic formations alone. The geologic formations known to 

contain dolomite or dolomitic limestone are mentioned for each State, 

but only those considered more important as possible commercial sources 

of these rock types for use in the chemical and manufacturing industries 

are described in detail.

Accompanying each State summary is a list of known or reported 

occurrences of dolomite and of dolomitic limestone only slightly less 

magnesian than dolomite (these contain a minimum of about 39 percent 

magnesium carbonate). For each occurrence there are listed the location,
402 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

the quarry or quarries (active and inactive quarries are not distinguished), 

and the geologic formation.

In general, the descriptions of geologic formations are composite descriptions based upon information obtained from more than one source. 

For convenience in reading, the references which were drawn upon for 

the material in each paragraph are listed at the end of the paragraph, 

and the reader is advised to consult each of the references listed for more 

detailed information on a given subject.

ALABAMA

Dolomite occurs in large quantities in northeastern Alabama. The 

more important deposits are in the area east and northeast of Birmingham, 

where the rock is used extensively as flux stone in the smelting of iron 

ore. The dolomites and dolomitic limestones of the series represented 

by the shaded area on the map (pi. 2) include, in ascending stratigraphic 

order, the Brierfield, Ketona, Bibb, and Copper Ridge dolomites, of 

Upper Cambrian age, and the Chepultepec dolomite, of Lower Ordovician 

(Beekmantown) age. The series has an aggregate thickness of more than 

5,000 feet, and the rocks crop out principally in the anticlinal valleys of 

the northeastern part of the State. High-purity dolomite is, however, 

limited mainly to the Ketona, and large-scale quarrying is restricted to 

this formation. (Butts, 1926; Jones, 1926; Smith and others, 1926)

Ketona dolomite. The Ketona dolomite is primarily a light-gray 

medium- to coarse-crystalline thick-bedded dolomite. It is nearly free of 

silica. The formation attains a thickness of from 500 to 600 feet. Its outcrops extend from Vance, Tuscaloosa County, along the Jones River to 

Bessemer, Jefferson County, thence northward into Opossum Valley, where 

the formation is typically developed and the rock extensively quarried. 

The Ketona crops out also from Chepultepec to Remlap in Murphrees 

Valley, Blount County, and in the Shoal Creek area of Shelby County, 

north of Montevallo. Chemical analyses indicate that the Ketona dolomite is the most promising source of high-purity dolomite in the State, and

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Alabama

County Locality Formation Reference

Lee.----------- Chewacla; quarry___---._______ Chewacla marble....- Jones, 1926.

Jefferson _._ Bessemer; quarries 2 miles west... Ketona dolomite.---. Ball and Beck, 1938.

Birmingham area; quarries___.. _---do_...----.-----

a. Dolcito; quarries_--..___-. ____do--_---_-----_-

b. Ketona; quarry...-.....____ ____do--_----------- Burchard and Butts,

	1910. 

c. Lardona; quarry......._-_ .._.do_.------------ Do.

d. North Birmingham; quarries. .._-do.------------- Do.

e. Thomas; quarry._______ .__. ....do------- ..._-- Do.

Shelby.__ ... Montevallo; quarries 5 miles north, ---.do------..-.---- Butts, 1911.

Talladega____ Talladega______...-__... Copper Ridge dolomite Weitz, 1942.

Tuscaloosa Vance; quarry_______.._ Ketona dolomite....- Burchard and Butts,

	1910.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 403

available supplies of rock seem to be large in the Birmingham district. 

(Burchard and Butts, 1910; Butts, 1926; Jones, 1926; Weitz, 1942) - Other formations. Other known occurrences of high-grade dolomite in 

Alabama include a lens in the usually cherty Copper Ridge dolomite 

near Talladega, Talladega County, and portions of the Chewacla marble 

(Precambrian) near Chewacla, Lee County. The extent and therefore the 

potential importance of these occurrences is not known. (Weitz, 1942)

ARIZONA

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone occur principally in the central and 

northwestern parts of Arizona. Smaller occurrences are also in the southeastern part of the State. The dolomites occur predominantly as zones 

within the Redwall limestone, the Martin formation, and their equivalents. A 60-foot dolomite zone is in the upper part of the Muav limestone of the Grand Canyon area. Many of the deposits are readily 

accessible to transportation, and some probably would yield considerable 

tonnages of rock if mined by open-pit methods. Most of the deposits 

are, however, interbedded or otherwise closely associated with shale, 

limestone, and sandstone. These probably are not uniformly pure over 

wide areas and would require selective quarrying or, in a few places, 

underground quarrying. The most promising deposit of dolomite seems 

to be that in Tassai Ridge, near Pierce Ferry, Mohave County.

Muav limestone. The Muav limestone, of Middle Cambrian age, in 

the Grand Canyon area, is prevailingly a gray and buff mottled limestone 

overlain by calcareous sandstone and massive magnesian limestone. The 

magnesian limestone upper member is a hard buff crystalline rock, which 

forms cliffs upon weathering. Where exposed in the Grand Canyon, its 

thickness ranges from a thin wedge to about 70 feet. A chemical analysis 

of a "typical specimen" from Bass Canyon shows the rock to be dolomite, 

and it is reportedly uniform lithologically over considerable distances 

in the canyon, despite its markedly varied thickness. (Noble, 1922)

Martin formation. The Martin formation (Devonian) of the central 

and southeastern mountain ranges and its Grand Canyon area equivalent, 

the Temple Butte limestone, contain zones of dolomite or magnesian 

limestone. The Martin formation, where typically developed, is a series 

of limestones, sandstones, and shales that grade into one another vertically and laterally and have an aggregate thickness of 300 to 400 feet. 

The lower part of the formation is the most prevailingly dolomitic. This 

zone contains dark-brown or black to light-gray, generally fine-grained, 

irregularly bedded dolomitic limestone beds, from 20 to more than 50 

feet thick. The beds commonly contain dark chert nodules and masses 

and are interbedded with thin layers of green shale. The rock weathers 

to a characteristic buff color. Chemical analyses of samples of the 

Temple Butte and descriptions of the Martin indicate that the formations
404 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

generally are moderately high in impurities and contain less than 40 

percent magnesium carbonate. The poor grade and usually interbedded 

shales, limestones, and quartzites preclude the use of the rock, in most 

places, as a source of high-purity dolomite. (Huddle and Dobrovolny, 

1952; Wilson, 1942)

Redwall limestone. The Redwall limestone, of Mississippian age, is 

predominantly a light-gray to white thin- to very thick-bedded limestone. It ranges in thickness from a few feet in central Arizona to about 

800 feet in the Grand Canyon area perhaps more in the Lake Mead 

area. Its southern equivalent, the Escabrosa limestone, attains a comparable thickness in the southeastern part of the State. Brief studies 

of the Redwall in northwestern Arizona around Peach Springs, in Tassai 

Ridge, and between Chino Valley and Seligman have shown high-purity 

dolomite to be present. Chemical analyses show some zones of the dolomite to be moderately siliceous, however, and careful detailed sampling 

would be required to determine the exact areas of high-purity dolomite. 

(Huddle and Dobrovolny, 1952; Wilson 1942)

Other formations. Massive light-gray dolomite occurs in lake beds of 

Tertiary age above the junction of Humbug Creek and the Agua Fria 

River, near Pleasant Lake, Yavapai County. The dolomite is about 25 

feet thick and is present over an area of more than a square mile. An 

incomplete chemical analysis shows more than 40 percent magnesium 

carbonate, but no information is available as to the impurity content. 

(Wilson, 1942)

Dolomite occurrences in Arizona

County Locality Formation Reference

Cochise___-.__ Bisbee; west and southwest.-.--.. Martin formation__.

Coconino.------ Grand Canyon Station; 15 miles Muav limestone, Tern- Noble, 1922; Wilson,

northwest, at Bass Canyon. pie Butte limestone, 1942.

and Redwall limestone. 

Gila_____-_._- Globe; 3 miles north west,.. _----. Martin formation. ___.

Marieopa.------ Roosevelt Dam; southeast wall of ... .do.-------------

canyon. 

Mohave-------- Peach Springs; 2 miles east.------ Temple Butte limestone(P).

Tassai Ridge; southwest of Pierce Rocks of Devonian(P) 

Ferry. and Mississippian

age. 

Final_----- Superior; 0.5 mile east----------- Martin formation_____

Yavapai-------- Chino Valley; 12-15 miles north_ Redwall limestone

Pleasant Lake____..._.... Rocks of Tertiary age. Wilson, 1942.

Seligman; 6 miles south. .. _ _ . Redwall limestone(?)~

ARKANSAS

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone occur in northern Arkansas in several 

Middle and Lower Ordovician formations. They include the Jefferson 

City, Cotter, and Powell dolomites, the Smithville and Black Rock formations, and the Everton formation, listed in ascending stratigraphic
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 405

order. Chemical analyses indicate that only the Cotter dolomite contains sufficient magnesium carbonate to be considered a potential source 

of high-grade rock. The other formations listed are dolomitic limestones; 

they probably contain only minor quantities of dolomite. The extent 

of outcrop of the Cotter dolomite is shown on the map (pi. 2). (Branner, 

1941; Branner, 1942)

Cotter dolomite. The Cotter dolomite is predominantly a gray cherty 

dolomite containing a few beds of sandstone and shale. The formation 

crops out extensively over the northern part of the State and attains a 

thickness of 500 feet in some places. Available chemical analyses, although showing more than 40 percent magnesium carbonate, show several 

percent of silica, and it is not known if these analyses are representative 

of the formation as a whole. Detailed sampling would be necessary to 

determine what areas might be suitable as sources of high-grade rock. 

Dolomite has been quarried from the Cotter at 2 localities in Benton 

County. (Branner and others, 1940; Branner, 1941)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Arkansas

County Locality Formation Reference

Benton-------.- Sulphur Springs; quarry.._--_____ Cotter dolomite._-.-. Branner and others,

	1940. 

Rogers; quarry-..-..-._----...-. -__-do_------------- Do.

Carroll-----.--. Leatherwood Switch..._____-____ ____do-------------- Branner, 1941.

Waldon's Switch.---..------.--- ---.do.------------- Do.

Marion.-------- Woods mine-------------------- -_.-do------_------- Do.

CALIFORNIA

Deposits of dolomite in California occur for the most part as more or 

less isolated or discontinuous masses, blocks, or lenses within rocks of 

other types and range in age from Precambrian to Mississippian. They 

are found principally in the southern half of the State, and commercial 

production has been from Tuolumne, Inyo, Monterey, San Benito, and 

San Bernardino Counties. Other occurrences have been reported from 

Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Calaveras, Nevada, Alameda, 

El Dorado, Orange, Plumas, and Riverside Counties. Because of the 

nature of the occurrences, no attempt has been made to delineate on the 

map (pi. 2) the areal extent of the dolomite and dolomitic limestone 

units. The locations plotted are only those for which adequate information concerning the extent and type of deposit is available, or those for 

which chemical analyses of samples have been found in the literature. 

(Logan and Wright, 1950; Pabst, 1938; Weitz, 1942)

Reed dolomite. The Reed dolomite, of Precambrian age, is exposed in 

several places in northern Inyo County. In this area the dolomite generally is tan gray or pale gray, finely crystalline, thick bedded, and is 

interbedded with 2- to 6-foot beds of bluish-gray dolomite. Much of 

the rock, particularly that in the upper portions of the exposed sections,
406 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

contains veins and stringers of calcite and quartz. Probably only the 

lower 400 to 500 feet of the formation is sufficiently low in silica to be 

considered a potential source of high-purity dolomite. Outcrops have 

been studied in Black and Marble Canyons, 12.5 and 14 miles, respectively, southeast of Bishop. Chemical analyses show some of the rock 

in the lower, less siliceous zone to be of excellent quality. (Jenkins, 1938)

Rocks of Cambrian age. Dolomite beds tentatively assigned to the 

Cambrian are in and near the Providence Mountains in the eastern part 

of San Bernardino County and near Barstow, to the west. Most of the 

deposits occur as fault blocks or as roof pendents in the Jurassic granitic 

intrusive rocks. In general, the dolomites are some shade of tan or light 

gray, although some are white. They are medium to coarse crystalline, 

thick bedded, and not uncommonly show some degree of metamorphism. 

Many of the deposits contain masses or stringers of hematite, calcite 

veins, and might be intruded by plugs and dikes of diorite or granite. 

Chemical analyses indicate the presence of high-purity dolomite, and 

some of the rock has been quarried for use as refractory dolomite. (Logan 

and Wright, 1950)

Rocks of Devonian age. The dolomites of Devonian (?) age exposed 

north of Owens Lake near Keeler and Lone Pine, west-central Inyo 

County, occur in fault blocks of Ordovician, Devonian, and Carboniferous 

metasediments. The dolomites are usually medium to fine crystalline, 

thick bedded, predominantly white, and weather buff or pale tan. In 

some places greenstone dikes and plugs are in the rock, but analyses from 

certain localities indicate that, in general, the dolomite is of high purity. 

Dolomite is quarried near Keeler, and it appears likely that sizable 

reserves of quarriable dolomite are in the area. (Jenkins, 1938)

Sur series. The Gabilan limestone of the Sur series, a group of metasediments the age of which is uncertain, contains dolomite in Monterey 

and San Benito Counties. At Pico Blanco, Monterey County, the dolo- 

. mite occurs as lenses or pods in the sedimentary series; at Natividad, 

northeast of Salinas, Monterey County, and near Hollister, San Benito 

County, important deposits occur as roof pendents in the Santa Lucia 

granite. In the latter two localities the dolomite has been quarried and 

used for the production of magnesium metal and magnesia. The rock 

is usually white to bluish gray, medium to coarse crystalline, and is associated with and cut by veins and stringers of granite, chalcedony, and 

contact-metamorphic minerals. Even though highly selective quarrying 

and beneficiation have been necessary, a few of the deposits have proved 

economic, and large reserves of high-purity dolomite are available.

Calaveras formation. Lenses of dolomite and dolomitic limestone occur 

in the Calaveras formation, of Mississippian age, in Tuolumne County. 

Lenses of dolomite occur in a large body of metamorphosed limestone 

that extends several miles northward from Sonora. The limestone con-
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 407

tains some beds of quartzite, conglomerate, and slate; it is intruded by 

granite and lamprophyre dikes. The dolomite is commonly white, pale 

gray or dull gray, and is locally streaked with thin dark-gray bands. It 

is medium crystalline and soft and is cut by and interfingered with 

irregular masses of limestone. In a few localities the rock has been 

quarried for building stone; some of the rock may be suitable for refractories, although chemical analyses indicate that its quality is variable. 

Southeast of Victorville, San Bernardino County, similar good-quality 

dolomite, thought to be Mississippian in age, is found as roof pendents 

in the granitic country rock.

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in California

County Locality Formation Reference 

Inyo----------- Ballarat; 8 miles southeast-__... ____(?)______________ Logan, 1947.

Bishop area:

a. Black Canyon--.----..-.--- Reed dolomite.______

b. Marble Canyon_.-..__.. _--.do_.-____--.___-

Keeler:

a. quarry 2.5 miles northwest- __ Rocks of Devonian(P)

age. 

b. quarries 4.5 miles northwest at _---do... -------- Do.

Dolomite Siding, 

c. quarry 8 miles northwest at Rocks of Devonian Do.

Alico Siding. age. 

Monterey.__.. Natividad; quarries ------------ Sur series. --------- Do.

Pico Blanco; 20 miles south of Mon- ._.-do_.____________

terey. 

San Benito___ Hollister:

a. quarry 11 miles south.....-- .--.do --.---__-.-- Do.

b. quarries 1.3 miles southeast of ..-.do_____________ Do.

locality above. 

San Bernardino.. Amboy; 6 miles e'ast.. - .- Rocks of Cambrian (?) Do.

age. 

Balch; 5 miles south.-.--..--.--- ..--(?)___--....-.- Do.

Barstow; 5 miles west - --- . -(?)__. -..- 

Big Bear City; 7 miles south___ ----(?)______-- Do.

Cadiz; quarry 5.5 miles north..... Rocks of Cambrian(P) Do.

age. 

Chubbuck Station; 2 miles south- ._(?)________ Do.

west. 

Cima; 26 miles northwest____ ----(?)________ Do.

Hinkley; quarry 5 miles southwest- Rocks of Paleozoic(P) Do.

age.

Ivanpah; 3 miles southeast... . .._.(?)__--.-..-. Do. 

Kelso; 9 miles southeast.. . _______ Rocks of Cambrian age

Lucerne Valley; quarry 10 miles Rocks of Paleozoic age_ Do.

north. 

Newberry; 18 miles southeast _ .. (?)__----------

Siam; 1.5 miles south..--.._.-.-. Rocks of Cambrian age Do. 

Victorville; 15 miles southeast__. Rocks of Mississip- Do.

pian(?) age. 

San Diego.----- Live Oak Springs; 12 miles north- ..__(?)___- _.. _ Do.

east.

San Luis Obispo. ArroyoGrande; 15 miles northeast- _-..(?)__--.---... Franke, 1935. 

Santa Clara_.. San Jose__.---_----------.-.- Sur series ----------

Tuolumne.-_-_ Columbia:

a. quarry 0.25 mile east-...---. Calaveras formation. .

b. quarries 2.8 miles north__._ ----do-.------.----. Logan, 1947.

c. quarries just north of those do_ 

above. 

Sonora; 7.6 miles southeast.- .. do ----- 
408 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

COLORADO

Considerable thicknesses of interbedded limestone, dolomitic limestone, 

and dolomite occur in central and western Colorado. Exposures of dolomitic formations are along the east side of the Front Ranges in parts of 

Douglas, Teller, El Paso, Fremont, and Pueblo Counties. West of the 

mountain front, the dolomitic formations crop out in two roughly parallel 

belts; exposures in the first belt are found principally in parts of Eagle, 

Lake, Park, Chaffee, and Fremont Counties, those of the second in Eagle, 

Pitkin, Gunnison, and Saguache Counties. Probably the three most 

important of the dolomitic formations are the Manitou limestone, the 

Chaffee formation, and the Leadville dolomite. Several analyses indicate 

the presence of high-purity dolomite, but little information is available 

regarding the extent and uniformity of the deposits. The shaded areas 

on the map (pi. 2) represent the generalization of undivided groups of 

dolomite and dolomitic limestone of Paleozoic age as shown on U. S. 

Geological Survey Missouri Basin Studies Map 10 and include rocks ranging in age from Cambrian to Mississippian. (Larrabee and others, 1947; 

Vanderwilt and others, 1947; U. S. Geol. Survey, 1935)

Manitou limestone. The Manitou limestone (Ordovician) has been 

described from several areas in central Colorado and referred to variously as the Yule limestone, White limestone, and Manitou limestone. 

In general, it is a white, light- to dark-gray, or blue-gray dolomitic limestone, commonly fine grained, thin bedded, and somewhat siliceous. In 

the Leadville area it contains an abundance of white chert nodules. The 

formation ranges in thickness from 50 to nearly 400 feet. Chemical 

analyses show the rock to be a very siliceous dolomitic limestone, and, 

if these analyses are typical of the formation as a whole, it could not be 

considered a source of high-grade dolomite. (Emmons and others, 1927; 

Larrabee and others, 1947)

Chaffee formation. The Chaffee formation, of Devonian age, comprises 

two distinct members; the parting quartzite member and the overlying, 

much thicker Dyer dolomite member. Dolomitic rocks equivalent to 

the Dyer include the Ouray limestone in the San Juan region of southwestern Colorado. The Dyer member is commonly about 80 feet thick, 

and the rock is principally a thin-bedded fine-grained dolomite which is 

locally cherty. It weathers generally to light buff or yellowish gray and 

not uncommonly contains thin shale partings. Chemical analyses of 

samples from near Garfield, Chaffee County, show some of the dolomite 

to be of excellent quality. Earlier writers did not recognize the Dyer 

member as a distinct unit but, rather, as constituting the lower portion 

of the Leadville limestone or Blue limestone of local usage. Some of the 

analyses of the Leadville limestone from Eagle and Lake Counties, 

therefore, might actually be of the Dyer member. No analyses of the 

Ouray limestone are available, but it reportedly contains no units of
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 409

high-grade dolomite. (W. S. Burbank, 1952, oral communication; 

Emmons and others, 1927; Tweto, 1949)

Leadvitte limestone. The Leadville limestone (Mississippian), overlying the Dyer member, consists of massive gray to blue-black crystalline 

dolomite or dolomitic limestone. Locally, near mineralized areas, the 

rock shows coarse recrystallization and at places a striped appearance 

because of the formation of alternating light and dark bands, which gave 

rise to the miners' term "zebra rock." Chemical analyses of the Leadville 

from near Red Cliff and Leadville show the presence of high-purity dolomite. The formation ranges in thickness from about 50 to 375 feet. 

(Emmons and others, 1927; Tweto, 1949)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Colorado

County Locality Formation Reference 

Chaffee__-._._ Garfield area; quarries..--------- Chaffee formation.... Crawford, 1913.

Eagle.--.---.-- Red Cliff area__--_--_-_--_-_-- Leadville limestone Crawford and Gibson,

(and Chaffee forma- 1925. 

tion?). 

Fremont- ... Canon City; quarry 1 mile west-._ Manitou limestone(?)- Colo. Bur. Mines,

1945. 

El Paso.--..--- Colorado Springs; quarries__---- Manitou limestone__ Larrabee and others,

1947. 

Jefferson..-.---- Golden; quarry 3 miles south...._ _.__(?)_..._------- Colo. Bur. Mines,

1945. 

Lake_--------- Leadville; quarries_-_-_._..---- Chaffee formation and Emmons and others,

Leadville limestone. 1927. 

Park____... Mount Silverheels-____------ ----(?)__----_-. Argall, 1949.

Pitkin_-..-_ Aspen__--------_____--.-. --..(?)__---------- Do.

Summit.----.-- Tenmile district-----.-----..---- --..(?)__.---__.__ Do.

CONNECTICUT

Limited quantities of high-purity dolomite occur in Connecticut, principally in the northwestern portion, as irregular lenses and layers in the 

Stockbridge limestone, of Cambrian and Ordovician age. This formation 

constitutes the marble belt of the western part of the State. The belt 

is indicated by irregular and discontinuous outcrops through western 

Litchfield and Fan-field Counties and is a continuation of the marble 

belt that extends through Vermont and western Massachusetts. The 

overburden in the region consists of glacial deposits and valley fill, which 

makes prospecting and quarrying difficult. (Dale, 1923; Moore, 1935)

Stockbridge limestone. The Stockbridge limestone is generally a white 

to grayish-white medium- to coarse-grained thin-bedded to massive 

marble, either calcitic or dolomitic in composition. Detailed studies 

of the marble area have shown that the calcite and dolomite varieties 

grade into one another, both vertically and laterally. In general, the 

northern area of exposure is more dolomitic than the southern area. 

Dolomite of high quality is, however, found as far south as Redding, 

central Fairfield County. Much of the dolomite in the belt contains an 

abundance of irregularly distributed mica and, locally, disseminated sul-
410 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

fides. Analyses of the rock, particularly in the vicinity of Canaan and 

East Canaan, Litchfield County, where quarrying has been extensive, 

show the presence of high-grade rock. Dolomite from this area supplies 

the raw material for the Government-owned magnesium (ferrosilicon 

reduction) plants at Canaan, Conn., and Wingdale, N. Y. (Moore, 1935)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Connecticut 

[Data from Moore, 1935]

Counts Locality Formation, 

Fairfield_--_ Brookfield; quarries__-____-.------_- Stockbridge limestone.

Danbury; quarries _.--.._._.-----... Do.

Redding; quarries____-_-.__._______ Do.

Litchfield_-.-. Canaan; quarries----.--..._.-_-...- Do.

East Canaan; quarries....._-.-_..__ Do.

Falls Village; quarry 2 miles north____ Do.

Gaylordsville. _______________________ Do.

Lake ville --.-______-.______.__._.____ Do.

New Milford; quarries.____..-.....--. Do.

Rattlesnake Hill; quarries......-.--_ Do.

FLORIDA

The occurrences of dolomite in Florida are so sparse as to make them 

unsuitable as a source of high-grade rock. Considerable quantities of 

dolomitic limestone are in a narrow belt of discontinuous outcrops and 

subsurface patches along the west coast of the peninsula from Jefferson 

County to southern Sarasota County. These rocks from Citrus County 

northward are restricted principally to the Eocene and Oligocene sediments; those in Manatee and Sarasota Counties occur in sediments of 

Miocene age. (Hopkins, 1942)

In general, the dolomitic limestones of Eocene and Oligocene age are 

buff or brown, porous, and they are composed of masses of small 

dolomite crystals. Because of their crystalline structure and weak cementation, the rocks are friable and can be pulverized easily. Some harder 

masses occur within the softer portions of the rocks. The dolomitic rocks 

belonging to the Miocene series are usually light colored, siliceous, and 

hard on surface exposures. At depth, however, they are gray, softer, 

clayey in appearance, and contain appreciably less dolomite. (Hopkins, 

1942; Vernon, 1951)

Dolomitic limestone quarries and occurrences in Florida

County Locality Formation Reference

Citrus___--._- Red Level; quarries____.._..... Rocks of Eocene age.- Vernon, 1951.

Levy..__._..... Lebanon; quarry._--__-_________ ....do ----------- Do.

Yankeetown______________ __(?)________- Hopkins, 1942.

Manatee__---- Samoset; quarries___-------- Rocks of Miocene age- Do.

Sarasota_----- Sarasota; quarry 3.5 miles north- ....do ----------- Do.

east.

Deposits of dolomitic limestone have been worked at several localities 

for the production of agricultural lime in the form of soil conditioner and
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 411

fertilizer filler. Althoughjthese pits are not to be considered as highgrade dolomite quarries, they have been included on the map (pi. 2) 

along with generalized representations of the areas underlain by dolomite and dolomitic limestone. (Hopkins, 1942; Vernon, 1951)

GEORGIA

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone occur principally in the Paleozoic 

rocks of northwestern Georgia and in the Precambrian marble belts to 

the east. Because of their areal extent and chemical composition, the 

Knox dolomite and the Murphy marble probably are the two most important dolomitic formations. Deposits of lesser importance may occur 

in the Gainesville and Dahlonega marble belts and in the Shady dolomite. 

Dolomitic ^facies are reported also in the Chickamauga limestone, of 

Ordovician age, and the Fort Payne chert, of Mississippian age, but they 

are unlikely sources of high-grade dolomite. (Butts and Gildersleeve, 

1948; Furcron, 1942)

Talladega slate. According to Furcron (1942) the marble in the 

Talladega slate (Precambrian) of the Gainesville belt is somewhat dolomitic, but analyses do not indicate that any of it is high-purity dolomite. 

The marble crops out in the vicinity of Flowery Branch, Hall County, 

and northeastward, near the Stephens-Habersham County line, into 

South Carolina. (Furcron, 1942)

Murphy marble. The Murphy marble, of Lower Cambrian age, is 

exposed in several localities in an interrupted belt that enters the State 

in northeastern Fannin County and extends southwestward through 

Gilmer and Pickens Counties to a point several miles north of Canton, 

Cherokee County. This series of outcrops constitutes the WhitestoneMarble Hill belt. Chemically, the Murphy marble varies in composition 

from almost pure calcite to dolomite containing as much as 43 percent 

magnesium carbonate. Analyses from Fannin, Gilmer, and Pickens 

Counties indicate the presence of rather high-purity dolomite in some 

areas. (Furcron, 1942; Ga. Div. Mines, 1939; Weitz, 1942)

Shady dolomite. The Shady dolomite, of Cambrian age, is predominantly a bluish-gray medium-crystalline dolomite about 1,000 feet thick. 

Outcrops of the Shady are rare, being restricted principally to eastern 

Bartow County in an area extending from southeast of Cartersville northward to a point just north of Pine Log Creek. It crops out also for a 

distance of about 4 miles along the Southern Railway in the vicinity of 

Etna, western Polk County. Chemical analyses of samples from the 

Cartersville area show that dolomite moderately high in silica occurs 

locally. (Butts and Gildersleeve, 1948; Furcron, 1942)

Knox dolomite. The Knox dolomite, of Cambrian and Ordovician age, 

is the most widespread dolomitic formation .in Georgia and includes rocks 

that elsewhere have been separated into the Copper Ridge, Chepultepec,
412 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

and Nittany dolomites. The Knox, averaging about 3,500 feet in thickness, is prevailingly a thick-bedded gray dolomite, locally containing an 

abundance of chert. Fresh outcrops of Knox are rare, but its general 

distribution is indicated by the residual chert fragments in the overlying 

soils. It occurs extensively as the bedrock formation in Bartow, Polk, 

Floyd, and Gordon Counties. The largest area is between Cartersville 

and Rome, in Bartow and Floyd Counties, where the width of the occurrence is approximately 22 miles. Many quarries have been developed 

in this formation, and several analyses indicate the presence of highquality dolomite. No information on the reserves of high-grade material is available. (Butts and Gildersleeve, 1948; Furcron, 1942)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Georgia

County Locality Formation Reference 

Bartow--------- Adairsville; quarry 3 miles south- Knox dolomite... .-.. Furcron, 1942; Butts

east. and Gildersleeve,

1948. 

Cartersville--------------...--- Shady dolomite------ Furcron, 1942.

a. barite mine 1.5 miles southeast --.-do----.-.-.----- Do.

b. quarry 2 miles southwest__ _ Knox dolomite.------ Furcron, 1942; Butts

and Gildersleeve, 

1948. 

Cassville; 3.7 miles northeast___ Shady dolomite.----- Furcron, 1942.

Oatoosa.------- Graysville:

a. quarry 0.5 mile east.---.-... Knox dolomite.------ Do.

b. quarry 1.5 miles southeast... __.-do-------------- Do.

Chatooga______ Trion; quarry 1.5 miles north...__ ...-do-------------- Do.

Fannin.-------- Mineral Bluff; 1 mile east. --._._. Murphy marble------ Weitz, 1942.

Floyd-- - Cave Spring.-.._._.__._.__.._ Knox dolomite.------ Do.

Vans Valley.--------.-----..---- .---do.------------- Furcron, 1942.

Gilmer----.---- Northoutt-------.-------.------ Murphy marble------ Do.

Habersham.-.-. Turnerville area; quarry________ Talladega slate_-.._ Do.

Pickens.- -.-. Jasper; quarry 2 miles east-__-___ Murphy marble.-._._ Do. 

Polk...-._.-. Youngs Station___--------__ Knox dolomite-__ Weitz, 1942.

Whitfield___-. Dalton:

a. quarry 0.5 mile west_____ ....do_----- Furcron, 1942.

b. quarry 4 miles east__...... --..do.------------- Do.

IDAHO

Dolomite deposits of any potential commercial importance are restricted mainly to south-central and southeastern Idaho in Lemhi, 

Custer, Butte, Bannock, Caribou, and Bear Lake Counties. The dolomitic formations range in age from Precambrian to Carboniferous, but 

only about half are worthy of mention. Deposits of high-grade rock 

are very scarce, the largest and purest occurring in the Fish Haven and 

Laketown dolomites. Other formations known to contain small, local 

deposits of high-grade rock, probably of no economic importance, include 

the Blacksmith and Nounan limestones, of Cambrian age, the Garden 

City limestone, of Ordovician age, and the Jefferson limestone, of 

Devonian age.

Fish Haven dolomite. The Fish Haven dolomite, of Late Ordovician 

age, is generally a fine-textured medium-bedded dark-gray to blue-black
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 413

dolomite, locally containing chert. The formation is about 500 feet thick. 

It is well exposed along the Portneuf River from Topaz to the ridge 

west of Bancroft, Bannock County; along the southwest side of the Lost 

River Range east of Mackay and northeast of Arco, Butte County; and 

probably along the crest of the Lemhi Range south of Gilmore, Lemhi 

County. A promising dolomite deposit east of the mouth of Elbow 

Canyon in the Mackay district is in the Fish Haven. Chemical analyses 

show that the formation contains dolomite of excellent quality in several 

localities.

Laketown dolomite. The Laketown dolomite, of Silurian age, overlies 

the Fish Haven and is exposed in the same general areas. The formation 

is more than 500 feet thick, and the rock is predominantly a massive 

light-gray to whitish dolomite, locally containing lenses of calcareous 

sandstone. It forms the upper part of the ridge west of Lava Hot Springs, 

the ridge south of Topaz, and probably is exposed east of Mackay and 

along the crest of the Lemhi Range. Chemical analyses indicate that 

some of the purest dolomite in the State occurs in the Laketown dolomite.

Because outcrops of the dolomitic formations are few and discontinuous, 

and because most of them are grouped on the Idaho State geologic map 

(Ross and Forrester, 1947) as undifferentiated Paleozoic sedimentary 

rocks, no attempt has been made to delineate their areal extent on the 

map (pi. 2).

Dolomite occurrences in Idaho

County Locality Formation

Bannock__... Bancroft; 2 miles west.----...-------- Laketown dolomite(P).

Blaser; 1 to 4 miles north__--------- Garden City formation.

Lava Hot Springs:

a. 2 miles west.__-..---._------ Fish Haven dolomite and Laketown dolo-

( mite,

b. 0.5 to 1 mile northeast-_.-.-..-- Fish Haven dolomite.

Pebble; 1.4 miles south___.____... (?).

Topaz; south.__.._.--_--_------.-- Laketown dolomite.

Bear Lake-.-... Paris; 6.6 miles west------------------ Blacksmith limestone.

St. Charles; 4.5 miles west.------------ Nounan limestone.

Butte.-------.- Arco; 4 miles east-------------------- Fish Haven dolomite.

Mackay; 10 miles east.--------------- Do.

Caribou.----.-- Monroe Canyon_------------------- Laketown dolomite.

Custer___------ Challis; 13 miles southeast-____-___-_ Jefferson limestone.

Lemhi.--.------ Gilmore; 6 miles south._-..._.-.__-- Fish Haven dolomite and Laketown dolo- 

	mite.

ILLINOIS

Extensive deposits of dolomite occur in Illinois, principally in the 

northern third of the State. Chemical analyses indicate that highpurity rock in commercial quantities generally is restricted to the Platteville to Galena sequence, of Ordovician age, in the north-central region 

and the four formations constituting the Niagara group (Silurian) in 

the northwestern and northeastern areas. Smaller quantities of dolomite are in other formations; these are included in the shaded area on
414 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

the map (pi. 2). Although much of northern Illinois is covered by 

glacial drift, in many areas this overburden is only a few feet thick, and 

exposures of the dolomite bedrock are not uncommon. Many of the 

deposits are very pure, readily accessible, and extensive enough to be 

of potential importance as sources of high-grade material. Many areas 

in northern Illinois have already been extensively developed. (Weitz, 

1942; Willman, 1943)

Plattevitte and Decorah formations. The Platteville and Decorah formations, of Middle Ordovician age, consist of a series of interbedded limestone, dolomite, and beds of intermixed limestone and dolomite, having 

an average total thickness of 100 to 150 feet. The proportions of limestone and dolomite vary widely both vertically and laterally, as does the 

character of the beds; some are sandy, some cherty, and others shaly. 

Dolomite deposits moderately high in impurities are near Ashton, Lee 

County, Rockton, Winnebago County, and Winslow, Stephenson County. 

Outcrops of these formations occur as far south as southern La Salle 

County. (Willman, 1943)

Galena dolomite. The Galena dolomite, which overlies the Decorah 

formation, comprises three members having an aggregate thickness of 

200 to 250 feet. The lowest member, the Prosser, is made up of 20 to 

40 feet of high-purity chert-free dolomite, 80 to 100 feet of generally 

cherty but locally high-purity dolomite, and'about 30 feet of high-purity 

dolomite. The overlying Stewartville member consists of 40 feet of chertfree dolomite lithologically similar to the upper 30 feet of the Prosser. 

The Dubuque member, overlying the Stewartville, consists of shaly dolomite. The Galena is in parts of Boone, Carroll, De Kalb, Jo Daviess, 

Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago Counties. Chemical 

analyses of samples from several of these counties show that the rock 

is dolomite, usually with a moderately high impurity content. (Weller, 

1945; Willman, 1943)

Joliet limestone. The Joliet limestone, of Niagaran age, is composed 

of five dolomitic members of varied degrees of purity. At Joliet, the 

formation attains a thickness of approximately 75 feet, the upper 25 feet 

of which commonly is high-purity dolomite. The formation is exposed 

mainly in Du Page County and western Will County in the northeastern 

part of the State, and in western Carroll County and southern Jo Daviess 

County in the western part of the State. Chemical analyses show that 

high-grade dolomite is present in the Joliet and Du Page and Will Counties. (Willman, 1943)

Waukesha limestone. The Waukesha limestone, of Niagaran age, is 

present in the same general areas as the Joliet. In northeastern Illinois, 

the rock is a dense fine-grained dolomite, usually highly argillaceous and 

approximately 25 to 30 feet in thickness. In this region it is exposed 

along the Des Plaines Valley from Joliet to Sag Bridge, along the Kanka-
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 415

kee River northwest of Kankakee, and in quarries at Hillside and Elmhurst. The Waukesha in the northwestern region is a highly porous 

high-purity dolomite, about 50 feet thick. It is well exposed in Whiteside 

County and western Carroll County in the vicinity of Savanna, Fulton, 

and Morrison. (Willman, 1943)

Racine dolomite. The Racine dolomite, of Niagaran age, generally contains many coral reefs. The reef rock is usually a very high-purity 

dolomite, but the interreef strata commonly are quite impure. In the 

northeastern region the formation attains a maximum thickness of 250 

to 300 feet; it is exposed in Cook, Du Page, Will, and Kankakee Counties. 

In the northwestern area it is exposed in parts of Whiteside, Rock Island, 

and Carroll Counties. Chemical analyses indicate that the high-purity 

rock occurs in several of these counties. (Willman, 1943)

Dolomite quarries in Illinois

[Data from Krey and Lamar, 1925, and Willman, 1943]

County Locality Formation

Boone__-..- Belvidere -.- . - -----.__ Galena dolomite.

Carroll.-------- Lanark. -.-__-----___-- ----- Do.

Mount Carroll----------------------- Waukesha limestone.

Savanna ---_--------. ------- Do.

Cook_________ Chicago..------------ ------------ Racine dolomite.

Chicago Heights___-_------_-----__ Do.

Gary__---------- --------------- Rock of the Niagara group.

Hawthorne-------------------------- Do.

Hillside----------------------------- Racine dolomite.

La Grange__--_.__.._.-_..--------- Do.

McCook__________.__...____ Do.

Riverside_._.______-_________--_-__ Do.

Thornton. _--____-______-------.- Do.

Du Page___.-- Elmhurst --------------.-_---___--- Do.

Naperville_-_-__-___-______-__-_--__ Joliet limestone.

Jersey__._-._- Grafton._-._--__---_--..__.---_----- Rock of Silurian age.

Jo Daviess_._. Elizabeth______.___._..______-_____ Galena dolomite.

Galena Junction____________________ Do.

Warren_______-.________-_-__-____ Do.

Kankakee____ Kankakee---------------.._-._--.. Rock of the Niagara group.

Manteno---__--___-__-___-----_.-- Racine dolomite.

Kendall.--.-_.. Plano_-__-__---------_.__-.-_-_---.. Galena dolomite.

Lee-----_..._ Ashton_------------______.-_---_ Decorah formation.

Dixon__..__..-._---___--_-_....___ Galena dolomite.

Palmyra___--__.____.____--------_ Do.

Ogle.---.--.._ Mount Morris___-_..-_.-....-_--._ Do.

Polo.___________________ Do.

Rock Island__ Cordova__--..--------...----.-.-- Port Byron limestone of Savage (1926).

Stephenson..._ Freeport_____-_-____.._...__.._______ Galena dolomite.

Ridott-_________________ Do.

Rock City__________,.____ Do.

Window; 1 mile north___.._...--. Platteville formation.

Whiteside____ Albany__-----_____._.-..__---- Racine dolomite.

Fulton..--_... ------_______----_-_. - Racine dolomite and Waukesha limestone.

Morrison__..._--....-..-.....__- Racine dolomite.

Will --.--.. Joliet-------.------.-._.-_-_.-._.-._ Joliet limestone.

New Lenox_______.._.....-.-.----. Racine dolomite.

Romeo____-__-_....-------_-.---_._. Joliet limestone.

Symerton; 3 miles east.-------_.._ Platteville formation.

Winnebago.___ Rockford___---___________-____---- Galena dolomite.

Rockton___________________ (?).

Seward___._____________... Galena dolomite.
416 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Port Byron limestone of Savage (1926). The Port Byron limestone, of 

Niagaran age, is lithologically similar to the rocks of the Racine, containing reefs of high-purity dolomite and averaging 50 to 75 feet thick. It 

is exposed in northern Rock Island County, where analyses show that 

high-grade rock is present. (Willman, 1943)

The shaded area on the map (pi. 2) represents the areal distribution 

of the Ordovician and Silurian carbonate rocks and, in addition, the 

Wapsipinicon and Cedar Valley limestones, of Devonian age. The latter 

formations, dolomitic in Iowa, are along the Mississippi River in Rock 

Island and Mercer Counties. Because of the many occurrences of dolomite in Illinois, only quarries in dolomite that are listed by Willman (1943) 

and not occurrences and road cuts, have been plotted on the map. Additional locations are listed in the report by Krey and Lamar (1925).

INDIANA

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone occur in the strata of Silurian and 

Devonian age which form the bedrock principally in the northwestern, 

east-central, and southeastern parts of Indiana. In the northwestern 

and east-central parts, where these rocks underlie extensive areas, outcrops are scarce and potential quarry sites limited because of the heavy 

overburden of glacial drift. Exposures are confined chiefly to the major 

drainage channels. In southeastern Indiana, however, where the formations are in a relatively narrow southward-trending belt and are generally 

not so dolomitic, overburden is thin or absent and exposures are numerous. Several formations have been described in the literature as being 

dolomitic; these include the Laurel and Louisville limestones, the Geneva 

dolomite, and the Jeffersonville limestone in the southeastern area, and 

parts of the Mississinewa shale, the Listen Creek formation, the Huntington dolomite and the Jeffersonville limestone (?) in the area to the north. 

Of these, however, as indicated by chemical analyses, only the Huntington 

and Geneva and the Jeffersonville appear to contain any quantity of 

high-grade dolomite. (Cumings and Shrock, 1928; Dawson, 1941; Deiss, 

1952b; Esarey and Bieberman, 1948; Patton, 1949)

Huntington dolomite. The Huntington dolomite, of Silurian age, is 

generally a massive to slabby evenly bedded yellowish, gray, or pinkish 

granular dolomite. Most exposures originally identified as Huntington 

are reefs and associated beds, some of which are now considered parts 

of the underlying Listen Creek formation. It has been suggested that 

all exposures called Huntington actually are reefs in older strata and that 

the Huntington is not a separate formation. Exposures of this dolomite 

are found in two general areas: one includes parts of Randolph, Jay, 

Adams, Wells, and Huntington Counties, and the second includes parts 

of Cass, Carroll, White, Pulaski, and Jasper Counties. Chemical analyses indicate that the dolomite is generally of good quality. The rock
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 417

has been quarried in many localities in northern Indiana. (Cumings and 

Shrock, 1928; Patton, 1949)

Geneva dolomite. The Geneva dolomite, of Devonian age, is predominantly a buff and chocolate-colored, calcareous, generally massive 

but sometimes thin-bedded dolomite. The formation ranges from a thin 

wedge to about 40 feet in thickness. It occurs as bedrock in a narrow 

belt extending from southern Rush County and Shelby County southward to the vicinity of Charlestown, Clark County, beyond which it generally is absent. Chemical analyses show that at least locally the Geneva 

dolomite contains rock of good quality. (Dawson, 1941; Patton, 1949)

Jeffersonville limestone. The Jeffersonville limestone (Devonian), in 

its lower portion, consists of brown dolomitic limestone. The formation 

overlies the Geneva, and it is in the same general area, extending from 

eastern Bartholomew County southward to southern Clark County. One 

analysis of a sample from Jasper County, thought to be from the Jeffersonville limestone or its equivalent, indicates a dolomite having a high 

silica content. Another analysis of a sample from near Logansport, Cass 

County, shows a dolomite of excellent quality thought to be of Devonian 

(Jeffersonville?) age. (Dawson, 1941; Patton, 1949)

Dolomite quarries in Indiana

[Data from Cumings and Shrock, 1928, and Patton, 1949. Quarries marked with an asterisk (*) are

listed by Patton as active]

County Locality Formation

Adams.__.-.- Decatur _. -_.-.-----_..-_----_-- Huntington dolomite.

*Geneva; 4.5 miles southeast__-------- Do.

*Linngrove; 1.5 miles northwest.___..__. Do.

*Pleasant Mills; 3 miles southeast. _._--. Do.

Blackford__.-- *Montpelier.----__------------------- ' Do.

Carroll-.___ *Delphi__------------_..____- Do.

Cass.---------- *Logansport; 2.5 miles east.,----------- Jeffersonville limestone(?).

Delaware------- *Eaton__.-------------------------- Huntington dolomite.

Huntington.-.-- *Huntington_________________________ Huntington dolomite and Liston Creek

	formation. 

Jasper_------- *Rensselaer_.---------- --.--..-.--_ Jeffersonville limestone(?).

Jay.-...-_.._-- *Portland; 1.5 miles west.-.-.----.----- Huntington dolomite.

Jefferson___.._ *Wirt; 3 miles northwest-___-__-------_ Geneva dolomite. ,

Pulaski_------ Franceville; 2.5 miles south___._'___--__ Huntington dolomite.

Randolph___. Deerfield_____._______.-_ Do.

*Fairview; 1.5 miles southeast___.__-__ Do.

Maxville. __----_--.---------.---_--- Do.

*Ridgeville; 0.5 mile southeast-_-_-_---_ Do.

Rush___---.. *Millroy; 4 miles west....-_.-_--..---. Geneva dolomite.

*Moscow_-.---.----._--_-----_.-_-.- Do.

Shelby.-------. *Geneva; 1 mile west---_.------.-.---- Do.

*Norristown..--._.-.-------_-_-._---_ Do.

Wells---------- *Bluffton; 1.5 miles north___-_.___-__ Liston Creek formation

White_._----- *Monon; 1 mile south__-.___..-._.-._ Huntington dolomite.

IOWA

Several formations of Paleozoic age in Iowa are dolomites or dolomitic 

limestones, but little information is available regarding deposits of high-
418 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

grade dolomite. The dolomites are confined geographically to the eastcentral and northeastern parts of the State and occur principally in the 

Galena dolomite and in rocks of Early Silurian age. Chemical analyses 

indicate that dolomite occurs at least locally also in theOneota and Shakopee dolomites and in the Wapsipinicon and Cedar Valley limestones. Although surficial material, both windblown and glacial in origin, covers 

much of the area underlain by dolomite, exposures are plentiful, particularly along drainage channels. Quarrying in this area has been extensive. Because of the many quarries, only those for which chemical analyses of the rock quarried are available have been plotted on the 

map (pi. 2). (Beyer and Wright, 1914; Hershey, 1947; Smith, 1926; 

Tester, 1937)

Galena dolomite. The Galena dolomite, of Ordovician age, may contain sizable deposits of high-grade rock. Of a total thickness of approximately 240 feet, only the lower 40 feet and the upper 100 feet are generally 

free of chert and relatively pure. The color of the rock varies but in 

general is buff or bluish. The Galena dolomite crops out along the 

Mississippi River and its tributaries from Jackson County northward 

into Alamakee and Winneshiek Counties, where it is less magnesian than 

to the south. Available analyses show the presence of dolomite containing more than 3 percent of impurities near Beulah, Clayton County, and 

Dubuque, Dubuque County. (Beyer and Wright, 1914; Smith, 1926; 

Tester, 1937)

Hopkinton dolomite. The Silurian consists of two formations the 

Hopkinton and Gower dolomites and appears to offer the best possibilities as a potential source of high-grade dolomite. The Hopkinton 

comprises a sequence of dolomites that vary considerably in character 

and composition. The rock generally is light buff to yellow, thick bedded 

but sometimes finely laminated, hard to soft and earthy, and contains 

cherty zones. The Hopkinton attains its maximum thickness of about 

220 feet in Dubuque and adjacent counties. It is in a rather broad belt 

extending from Clinton County northwestward to Fayette and Bremer 

Counties. Analyses show that high-grade dolomite is present in parts 

of Clinton, Delaware, and Jackson Counties. (Beyer and Wright, 1914; 

Smith, 1926; Tester, 1937)

Gower dolomite of Norton (1899). The overlying Gower dolomite includes the LeClaire and Anamosa dolomites of Calvin (1895), which are 

perhaps reef and interreef facies, respectively, of the Gower. Rock of 

the LeClaire generally is bluish gray, grayish yellow, yellow or buff, hard, 

vesicular dolomite. The Anamosa is typically a thin- to medium-bedded 

dolomite, soft, laminated, and light buff or yellow. The total thickness 

of the Gower dolomite is about 80 feet. The formation is present in an 

area southwest of that underlain by the Hopkinton, principally in Scott, 

Clinton, Cedar, Jones, and Linn Counties. Analyses show the presence
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 419

of high-grade dolomite in the latter three counties mentioned. (Beyer 

and Wright, 1914; Smith, 1926; Tester, 1937)

Wapsipinicon and Cedar Valley limestones. The Wapsipinicon and 

Cedar Valley limestones, of Devonian age, range from limestone to dolomite. The basal portion of the Wapsipinicon, the Coggan member of 

Stainbrook (1944), is predominantly dolomite, which locally is cherty. 

Analyses of this member in Linn County show some excellent-quality 

dolomite. One analysis of the Cedar Valley limestone in Bremer County 

indicates dolomite with a high percentage of impurities. These formations form a belt from 25 to 75 miles in width extending from Scott and 

Muscatine Counties northwestward to Mitchell and Howard Counties. 

(Beyer and Wright, 1914; Norton, 1920; Smith, 1926; Stainbrook, 1944; 

Tester, 1937)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Iowa

Count;/ Locality Formation Reference 

Bremer_____ Plainfield; 3 miles north.. _ _ .. Cedar Valley limestone Beyer and Wright,

1914. 

Tripoli; 3.5 miles west___------ Hopkinton dolomite-- Do.

Cedar..._______ Cedar Valley; quarry..----....-- Gower dolomite.___ Do.

quarry 6 miles west--------- Wapsipinicon lime- Beyer and Wright,

stone(P). 1914; Smith, 1926. 

Lime City; quarries.___________ Gower dolomite------ Do.

Rock Creek; quarries.--..------- ....do__.-._-_.. Beyer and Wright,

1914. 

<31ayton________ Beulah; quarry________________ Galena dolomite____ Smith, 1926.

Clinton_______ Clinton; quarry_________________ Hopkinton dolomite-_ Do.

Elwood; 2 miles east-___.________ _._-do.__.. - Do.

Delaware-______ Delaware; quarry 2.5 miles west_ __-_do--__--_----___ Do.

Earlville; quarry-.-.......-----. ..--do.-----.------- Do.

quarry 6 miles east__ _ _ __do____ Do.

Greeley; quarry 1.75 miles north- ___do--___-__-_--__ Do.

east. 

Dubuque. Dubuque; quarries__.,______ Galena dolomite_ Beyer and Wright,

1914. 

Eagle Point; quarry______.-_-_ _.__do_.__----._ Do.

Peosta; quarry 0.75 mile northeast. Hopkinton dolomite-_ Smith, 1926.

Tayette_____ Postville; quarry 6 miles south- __do________ Beyer and Wright, 

west. 1914; Smith, 1926. 

Jackson._______ Maquoketa; quarries________ __do_________ Smith, 1926.

Jones _____ Anamosa; quarries_____________ Gower dolomite..-.-- Beyer and Wright,

1914. 

Stone City; quarries--___-____.__ _._.do__.-.-__--_ Beyer and Wright,

1914; Smith, 1926. 

Xiinn_______.___ Bertram .---_._.________.__ Wapsipinicon limestone Norton, 1920.

Big Creek_______.______________ -...do--_---_--_--_- Do.

Indian Creek___ ............... ....do. .---_---__ Do.

Mount Vernon; quarry_________ Gower dolomite___. 

Springville. _ --------_.-__.-__. Wapsipinicon limestone Do.

Scott _______ LeClaire; quarry-----________.__ Gower dolomite._._ Smith, 1926.

Winneshiek. Fort Atkinson; quarry 1.5 miles __(?)_________ Do. 

northwest.

KANSAS

Deposits of dolomitic limestone in Kansas are restricted to two formations, the Stone Corral dolomite and the Day Creek dolomite, both 

Permian in age. Outcrops of these formations are scant, and available
420 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

analyses of the rocks do not indicate that any dolomite is in the areas 

examined. It is doubtful that these deposits constitute a potential source 

of dolomite. It has been suggested that these rocks might be used in 

conjunction with waste oilfield brines for the extraction of magnesium or 

magnesium compounds. (Jewett and Schoewe, 1942; Weitz, 1942)

Stone Corral dolomite. The Stone Corral dolomite forms a massive 

ledge of hard cellular gray dolomitic limestone. Below the surface the 

rock is a mixture of dolomite and anhydrite, but where exposed the 

anhydrite has been removed by the action of surface water. In some 

places, the cells remaining have been filled with calcite, thereby raising 

the calcium carbonate content of the rock. At its maximum development, in eastern Rice County, the formation attains a thickness of about 

6 feet. It crops out in parts of Rice, Reno, Kingman, and Harper Counties, in south-central Kansas. (Jewett and Schoewe, 1942; Norton, 1939)

Day Creek dolomite. The Day Creek dolomite is a single bed of finegrained dense dolomitic limestone, locally siliceous, attaining a thickness 

of 2.5 feet. It is exposed near Ashland, Clark County. It is higher in 

impurities and lower in magnesium carbonate than rock of the Stone 

Corral. (Jewett and Schoewe, 1942; Norton, 1939)

Dolomitic limestone occurrences in Kansas 

[Data from Jewett and Schoewe, 1942]

County Locality Formation

Clark.______..-_ Ashland.._.---.---.---.----_-.--.- Day Creek dolomite.

Rice..____ T. 20 S., R. 6 W____________ Stone Corral dolomite.

KENTUCKY

No extensive deposits of dolomite are known in Kentucky. Dolomitic 

limestones occur in certain of the Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian 

formations on both the east and west sides of the Cincinnati Arch in 

north-central Kentucky and, locally, in rocks of Mississippian age. Formations that have been described as containing more than 30 percent 

of magnesium carbonate include the Oregon limestone, of Ordovician age; 

the Bisher formation of Foerste (1923), Laurel dolomite, Lilley dolomite 

of Rogers (1936) and Peebles dolomites of Foerste (1929), of Silurian age; 

and the Silver Creek limestone member, of Devonian age. Many other 

formations have been described as magnesian milestones containing less 

than 30 percent of magnesium carbonate. Of the formations named, 

probably only the Laurel limestone need be considered as a potential 

commercial source of dolomite. (McFarlan, 1943; Stokley, 1949; Stokley 

and McFarlan, 1952; Stokley and Walker, 1953)

Laurel dolomite. The Laurel is predominantly a fine-grained light- or 

bluish-gray dolomitic limestone or dolomite. The thickness of the formation ranges from 35 to 45 feet. The Laurel crops out in a southwardtrending belt that extends from southern Indiana through parts of
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 421

Oldham, Jefferson, Bullitt, and Nelson Counties. Chemical analyses of 

samples of the Laurel dolomite show that the rock contains less than 40 

percent of magnesium carbonate on the average and excessive silica. 

The Laurel has been quarried at several localities in Jefferson County. 

(McFarlan, 1943; Stokley, 1949; Stokley and Walker, 1953)

Ste. Genevieve limestone. Thin beds of dolomite occur locally in the 

Ste. Genevieve limestone (Mississippian), generally a good-quality limestone, in Breckenridge and Meade Counties. (Stokley and McFarlan, 

1952)

The shaded area on the map (pi. 2) represents a generalization of the 

outcrop areas of the more important dolomitic formations of Silurian age 

east and west of the Cincinnati Arch, which are shown on the State 

geologic map. (Ky. Geol. Survey, 1954)

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone quarries and occurrences in Kentucky

County Locality Formation Reference

Breckenridge__ Webster; quarry__------------ Ste. Genevieve lime- Stokley and McFarstone. lan, 1952.

Fayette.._.... Grimes Mill; quarry----..-.----- Oregon limestone.---- Richardson, 1923.

Jefferson__.... Avoca; quarry.-.----.....----.. Laurel dolomite------ Stokley, 1949.

Fern Creek; quarry 3 miles south- _.__do_-_._..._-.-.. Do.

west.

Louisville; quarry 1.2 miles north- Louisville limestone_ Stokley and McFareast. lan, 1952.

Middletown; quarry 3.5 miles north- Laurel dolomite. ..-.. Stokley and Walker,

east. 1953.

Meade.-------. Brandenburg; quarry 7 miles north- Ste. Genevieve lime- Stokley and McFarwest. stone. lan, 1952.

Nelson......... Bardstown; quarry 7 miles west... Laurel dolomite .-- Stokley and Walker,

	1953. 

Oldham.---.... La Grange; 2 miles east--.-.-.--- Osgood formation__ Richardson, 1923.

MAINE

Dolomite deposits in Maine are limited, so far as is known, to Knox 

County. The deposits generally are small and occur as elongate lenses 

or belts of dolomite marble in the Roekland formation, of Cambrian or 

Ordovician age, in areas near Rockport, Thomaston, and Warren. Because of their limited extent, the deposits probably are not potentially 

important sources of high-grade dolomite. (Bastin, 1906; Alien, 1951)

Rockland formation. Dolomite marble deposits occur in the Rockport 

limestone member of the Rockland formation southwest of Rockland. 

The dolomites are in lenses that crop out southeast of the main limestone 

belt that extends from Thomaston to a point about 1.5 miles north of 

Rockland. These lenses, as much as 1.5 miles in length, are from 100 

to 200 feet wide, and chemical analyses of the rock from 2 quarries show 

high-magnesia rock moderately high in silica. The country rock is shown 

on the State geologic map as quartzite and slate of Cambrian and Ordovician age. (Bastin, 1906; Alien, 1951; Keith, 1933)

An important occurrence of dolomite is about 2 miles northwest of 

Warren, where it is in a lens similar to those in the Rockland-Thomaston
422 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

area but wider and probably extending to greater depth. The dolomite 

is surrounded by schist, and in places it has been cut through by granite 

dikes. The metamorphism that accompanied the emplacement of the 

granite recrystallized and purified the dolomite to a greater degree than 

in the Rockland area, which resulted in a rock of better quality than that 

near Rockland. (Bastin, 1906; Keith, 1933; Trefethen, 1945)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Maine

County Locality Formation Reference 

Knoz.____... Rockland area:

a. quarry 1 mile southwest. .... Rockland formation... Bastin, 1906.

b. quarry 2 miles southwest.__ --.-do.--------.---- Do.

Warren; quarry 2 miles northwest_ ....do_.....--.-.-. Do.

Warren Station; 2.25 miles north.. __do.----...___. Trefethen, 1945.

MARYLAND

The dolomite deposits of Maryland are restricted to the limestone formations of Cambrian and Ordovician age in Washington County and the 

Cockeysville marble, of Precambrian(?) age, in Baltimore County. Little 

detailed information is available regarding the size and purity of most of 

the deposits, although nearly pure dolomite is known to occur in some 

localities. (Mathews and Grasty, 1910; Weitz, 1942)

Cockeysvitte marble. The Cockeysville marble is a white crystalline 

marble of varied grain size. The formation is about 400 feet thick, but 

by repeated folding it locally attains thicknesses approaching 1,000 feet. 

It occurs in central Baltimore County, and it has been quarried in the 

vicinity of Cockeysville and Texas. Chemically the rock ranges from 

calcitic to highly dolomitic and contains silica in quantities ranging from 

less than 1 to more than 5 percent, sometimes showing both extremes in 

the same quarry. For this reason, it seems doubtful that the formation 

could be used as a source of high-purity dolomite, even with selective 

quarrying. (Mathews and others, 1929; Weitz, 1942)

Tomstown dolomite. The Cambrian and Ordovician formations include 

the Tomstown dolomite, the Waynesboro formation, and the Elbrook 

and Conococheague limestones, all of Cambrian age, and the Beekmantown and Stones River groups, of Ordovician age. These formations, 

together with the overlying Martinsburg shale, crop out across Washington County in a broad northeastward-trending belt the width of which 

extends from the vicinity of Harpers Ferry, W. Va., on the southeast to 

McCoys, Md., on the northwest. Each of these formations is more or 

less dolomitic in part, but chemical analyses indicate that the Tomstown 

is probably the most promising potential source of high-grade dolomite. 

The Tomstown is a massive drab dolomitic limestone, generally high in 

magnesium carbonate and cherty near the top. Certain beds, however, 

approach pure dolomite in composition and contain less than 1 percent 

of silica. The Tomstown is about 1,000 feet thick, and it occupies a
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 423

belt about 1.5 miles wide in the eastern part of Washington County. 

(Mathews and Grasty, 1910; Weitz, 1942)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Maryland

County Locality Formation Reference 

Baltimore____ Cockeysville; quarries_______ Cockeysville marble_ Weitz, 1942; Mathews and others, 

1929.

Loch Raven.... _ ... _ do.... . Weitz, 1942. 

Summerfield__--_________ __.do___...___ Do. 

Texas; quarries_ . .-_. do.. Weitz, 1942; Mathews and others, 

1929. 

Washington. Cavetown; quarry. _ __ Tomstown dolomite... Mathews and Grasty,

1910.

Eakles Mill; quarry_.... ... . do__ Do. 

Hagerstown Valley-..___..__ . do._ _ _. Do.

MASSACHUSETTS

Deposits of dolomite in Massachusetts are confined chiefly to the 

Stockbridge limestone, of Cambrian and Ordovician age. This formation, which occurs in a belt of discontinuous outcrops in western Berkshire County, is the extension of the Stockbridge limestone belt of western Connecticut. Because of the heavy cover of glacial drift over much 

of the area, the interbedding of limestone and dolomite facies, and the 

irregular distribution of impurities, it is not possible to obtain detailed 

information regarding the extent of high-purity deposits. (Dale, 1923; 

Weitz, 1942)

Stockbridge limestone. The Stockbridge limestone ranges from a gray 

mottled limestone to a white highly crystalline marble, which at some 

places is very coarse grained. Chemically the rock varies from nearly 

pure calcite to dolomite, the dolomitic phase predominating, and generally 

has an abundance o| secondary minerals. The formation may be divided 

into two, perhaps three, members: a lower member comprising dolomite 

marble 500 to 800 ifeet thick, an upper member principally of calcite 

marble 200 to 400 ifeet thick, and, at least locally, a middle member 

composed of quartzite. (Apfel, 1944; Dale, 1923; Emerson, 1917)

Recent studies of the area around Lee, where quarrying of rock from 

the Stockbridge has been extensive, have shown that the faulting and 

complex folding in the formation make difficult the tracing of favorable 

beds over more thin short distances. Some of the examined quarry 

areas contain high-grade dolomite in rather large quantities, but chemical 

analyses do not show the amount of potassium that the reportedly abundant mica would furnish. Excessive quantities of the alkali metals 

would preclude the use of the dolomite in the production of magnesium 

by the ferrosilicon reduction process. (Apfel, 1944)

Other formations. At places in southern and eastern Worcester County 

and in central Middlesex County, thin limestone beds, generally coarsely
424 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

marbleized, occur interbedded with mica gneiss. Most of these limestones contain many secondary minerals and probably contain no highpurity dolomite in commercial quantities. One analyses of white marble 

from Webster shows dolomite containing less than 2 percent of impurities. 

(Emerson, 1917)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Massachusetts

County Locality Formation Reference 

Berkshire. ------ Adams area:

a. 0.5 mile west-.-..-----.---- Stockbridgelimestone_ Dale, 1923.

b. 0.5 mile north_-___--__-_-_- ..-.do..-.---------- Do.

c. 1.5 miles north---.---.---.- _.-.do_------------- Do.

Lee area:

a. quarries 0.5 mile south..--_- ._--do--._---------- Apfel, 1944.

b. quarries 1 mile south........ -_--do_-_----------- Do.

c. quarry 0.45 mile west-south- ..-.do...----------- Do.

west of "b". 

d. 0.7 mile south of "c"-.-.--_- ...-do-------------- Do.

South Egremont; 0.5 mile north- __--do--__.-_------- Dale, 1923.

east. 

Stockbridge; 1 mile north at Rattle- __-.do_.------------ Do.

snake Hill. 

West Stockbridge; 2 miles south_ _--_do------_------- Do.

Worcester..-.-- Webster; quarries.,_.--_--_.-.-.. Bolton gneiss (as used Emerson, 1917.

by Emerson, 1917).

MICHIGAN

Practically unlimited supplies of high-purity dolomite occur in Michigan, principally in the Niagaran series (Silurian) of limestones and dolomites of the northern peninsula. The reserves of dolomite probably are 

measurable in billions of tons. Dolomites occur also in rocks of Precambrian, Ordovician, and Devonian ages. In addition to the deposits 

of the northern peninsula, chiefly in the southeastern part, dolomite is 

found also in the extreme northwestern and southeastern parts of the 

southern peninsula. Much of the high-purity dolomite of the State is 

accessible to roads, railroads, and harbors, and in many places the usually 

heavy overburden of glacial drift is thin or absent. (Smith, 1916; 

Weitz, 1942)

Lower Huronian group. The Lower Huronian group (Precambrian), 

present in the iron-bearing districts of the northern peninsula, contains 

dolomitic limestones that sometimes approach the composition of true 

dolomite. The formations generally are interbedded with quartzite and 

and slate and contain chert and other impurities. Thick pure dolomite 

beds are reported to occur locally. Because of the large amounts of 

high-grade dolomite in other formations, these rocks are not important 

as a source of high-grade dolomite. Their areal extent is not shown on 

the map (pi. 2). (Martin, 1936; Smith, 1916)

Hermansville limestone. Dolomite occurs locally in the Hermansville 

limestone, of Late Cambrian and Early Ordovician age. The Hermans-
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 425

ville is composed of white dolomite that is generally sandy and white 

sandstone, and gradations between the two. Because of its sandy nature, 

the Hermansville probably is not a potential source of high-grade dolomite and therefore it is not shown on the map (pi. 2). It occurs in 

Menominee, Marquette, Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, and Chippewa Counties. (Martin, 1936; Smith, 1916)

Black River-Trenton rocks. The .Black River-Trenton sequence, of 

Middle Ordovician age, is composed of a series of limestones, ranging 

from low- to high-magnesian, variably colored, and generally argillaceous. 

The thickness varies from about 250 feet in the vicinity of Green Bay to 

100 feet or less along the St. Marys River. The broad belt occupied by 

these formations is represented on the map (pi. 2) by the shaded area that 

extends along the west side of Green Bay and Little Bay de Noc, through 

central Menominee County and parts of Delta, Schoolcraft, Luce, and 

Chippewa Counties to the St. Marys River. Analyses do not confirm 

the presence of high-purity dolomite, although in Wisconsin this sequence 

is the source of some dolomite. (Martin, 1936; Smith, 1916; Steidtmann, 1924)

Manistique and Engadine formation of Smith (1916). The Niagara 

group consists of the Mayville formation, the Burnt Bluff formation as 

used by Ver Wiebe (1928), the Manistique series of Smith (1916), and 

the Engadine formation of Smith (1916). These formations range from 

high-calcium limestone to very high-purity dolomite. The important 

dolomite formations are the Manistique and Engadine. The Manistique 

comprises a thick succession of dolomite and magnesian limestone, ranging from 150 to 275 feet, and varying widely in color and degree of bedding. Some of the beds contain cherty bands and nodules. The Engadine is a hard bluish crystalline dolomite, about 55 feet thick, and nearly 

free from impurities. The extremely massive beds are uniformly highpurity dolomite both vertically and laterally. This is the most important 

potential source of high-purity dolomite in the State. The dolomites of 

Niagaran age are in the northern peninsula in a belt along the north 

shores of Lakes Michigan and Huron, extending from Big Bay de Noc, 

Delta County, through Schoolcraft County, southern Chippewa County, 

and Mackinac County to the easternmost point of Drummond Island 

in Lake Huron. Analyses show that high-purity dolomite is present in 

many localities in the northern peninsula. (Martin, 1936; Smith, 1916; 

Weitz, 1942)

Bass Island dolomite. The overlying Bass Island dolomite, of Silurian 

age, consists of four members: the Greenfield dolomite member, the 

Tymochtee shale, the Put-in-Bay dolomite member, and Raisin River 

dolomite member. These members generally are too impure to be used 

as a source of high-grade dolomite, although high-grade deposits occur 

locally. The Bass Island is absent in the northern peninsula. The
426 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Raisin River member is exposed in Monroe County, southeastern Michigan. (Landes, 1951; Martin, 1936; Smith, 1916)

Detroit River group. The Detroit River group, of Middle Devonian 

age, consists of two formations the Amherstberg and Lucas which are 

magnesian limestone or dolomite, gray to brown, and generally moderately impure. This group occurs in parts of Wayne and Mbnroe Counties; it is exposed along the Detroit River and in several localities in 

western Monroe County. (Landes, 1951; Martin, 1936; Smith, 1916)

Traverse group. The Traverse group, of Devonian age, generally is 

high-calcium limestone. In the area around Little Traverse Bay 'in 

Emmet and Charlevoix Counties, however, it contains a 40-foot layer 

of almost completely dolomitized rock, analyses of which indicate some 

high-grade dolomite. The areal extent of the Traverse group is represented on the map (pi. 2) in the northwestern part of the southern 

peninsula. (Martin, 1936; Smith, 1916)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Michigan

County Locality Formation Reference 

Alger____-..- Munising_______________ Hermansville limestone Smith, 1916.

Arenac...-. - Umstead; quarry______--_--- - (?)_____---_---._ Do.

Charlevoix____ Norwood; 1 mile north....__..--_ Traverse group Do.

Chippewa___-- Detour area; quarries..----_.-.-_ Engadine formation of Do.

Smith (1916). 

Drummond Island; quarries mainly ...-do._____________ Do.

in south and west parts:

Goetzville: .do _. 

a. 3 miles southeast.________ __do__ ..---_.

b. 5 miles west. ------ ..--do .__- 

Lime Island; quarry--_------_--. Mayville formation or Do.

Burnt Bluff formation as used by Ver 

Wiebe (1928). 

Ozark; 2 miles north_...... . Engadine formation of

Smith (1916). 

Pickford; 5 miles south_-------- _-.-do .-. .

Trout Lake; 4 miles east-----..-, .-..do__.._-. .- Do.

West Neebish Rapids on St. Marys Hermansville limestone Do.

River. 

Delta_.___ Burnt Bluff; sec. 24, T. 38 N., R. __(?)_________ Do.

19 W. 

Emmet. .. Petosky; quarry..--.-..--------- Traverse group .. Do.

Gogebic.-.-- Rosa; northwest-----....--..--.- Bad River dolomite Do.

Jackson........ Jackson; southwest._._..._ Rock of Mississippian Do.

age. 

Mackinac_____-. Caffey.....-..-----_...._... Engadine formation of

Smith (1916). 

Cedarville area: 

a. 1.5 miles east.___.._ . ..do. .----__-.

b. 3 miles east...-...._.._.--. ... -do... ____-_---_.

c. 4.5 miles northeast...--.---. -do.. .. ....

d. 5 miles northeast.__-.._-.. _ do..... ......

Charles area:

a. 1 mile north__........._ Rock of Upper Monroe Do.

age of Smith (1916). 

b. 6.5 miles north....._____ Engadine formation of

Smith (1916).
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 427

County Locality Formation Reference 

Mackinao Con. Cordell area:

a. 3.5 miles southeast..._ . Engadine formation of

Smith (1916).

b. 5 miles southeast.____ _ do_____ . 

o. 5 miles south.. do. 

Corinne; 5.5 miles east______ _..do.. ___ 

East Lake; 3 miles south. do. 

Engadine area:

a. 1 mile west___________ __do_________ Smith, 1916. 

b. 2 miles west................ . do.-.-.. . .--

Garnet area:

a. 1 mile northwest....- ._ ..-.do. 

b. 1 mile south.___-..-...... do. ... 

Hendricks Quarry; quarry.___.. Burnt Bluff formation Do.

as used by Ver Wiebe 

(1928). 

Hessel________.._.-_.._ Engadine formation of

Smith (1916). 

a. 2 miles northwest.._____ _ ....do... 

Kenneth______________ ._do._____..... Do.

a. 1 mile south ._ __-... _.--do.-._ 

b. 2 miles east. .. do. 

o. 3 miles southwest____. _ do...._ ....

Mackinac Island; east side-------- Rock of Upper Monroe Do.

age of Smith (1916). 

Ozark; quarry._____......._ Engadine formation of Do.

Smith (1916). 

a. 1 mile south.___-.-...... ....do_-.._ - 

Pike Lake area:

a. 5 miles southeast..___ .. ..do. -.__ 

b. 6 miles southeast.___..... .-..do......_ ...

o. 6 miles east __ do. 

Sees. 9 and 28, T. 43 N., R. 2 W_. __do..___......

Sees. 2,7, and 10, T. 42 N., R. 2 W. __do_________

Menominee Menominee; quarry 2 miles north.. Trenton limestone Do. 

Monroe Carleton_.. ____ ________ Rock of Upper Monroe Do.

age of Smith (1916).

Lulu; quarry ---___ Detroit River group.. Do. 

Monroe; quarries.-.--_----.----- Raisin River dolomite Do.

member.

a. quarry 2 miles north.-...-.- . do_._ _... Do. 

Raisinville; quarries.___._._ Detroit River group. . Do. 

Scofield; quarry._______ _-do______... Do.

Schoolcraft. Blaney Jet.; quarry 2.5 miles north. Mayville formation_ Do. 

Cooks ____________ Burnt Bluff formation Do.

as used by Ver Wiebe 

(1928). 

Manistique; quarry....__...... Manistique series of Do.

Smith (1916). 

a. quarry 6 miles northeast...._ .-..do___ - Do.

b. 11 miles northeast..--_-.. Burnt Bluff formation Do.

as used by Ver Wiebe 

(1928). 

Wayne ------- Gibralter; quarry....._..._-_ Detroit'River group.. Do.

MINNESOTA

Dolomites and dolomitic limestones are restricted to southeastern 

Minnesota. Although the rock in many of the deposits contains enough 

magnesium carbonate to allow it to be classified as dolomite, in most 

places the high silica content makes it unsuitable as a commercial source 

of high-purity dolomite. Dolomite and dolomitic limestone are found in 

the St. Lawrence formation, the Oneota and Shakopee dolomites, the
428 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Platteville and Galena formations, and the Cedar Valley limestone. In 

the eastern part of the area of occurrence (pi. 2), principally in Winona 

and Houston Counties and in eastern Fillmore County, the overburden 

of glacial drift is negligible or absent, but it thickens to the west where 

outcrops generally are restricted to drainage cuts. (Stauffer and Thiel, 

1933; Stauffer and Thiel, 1941; Weitz, 1942)

Oneota and Shakopee dolomites. The Oneota and Shakopee dolomites, 

of Early Ordovician (Beekmantown) age, probably are the most important 

sources of high-purity dolomite. The Oneota is primarily a thick-bedded, 

drab to buff and in places pink dolomite, sometimes sandy or shaly, and 

commonly cherty, especially in the upper part. The thickness varies 

from 45 to more than 150 feet. The Shakopee, overlying the Oneota 

and separated from it by the Root Valley sandstone of Stauffer and 

Thiel (1941), is less dolomitic, much of the rodk being a drab massive 

dolomitic limestone. Locally it closely resembles the Oneota and crops 

out over much the same area. The average thickness is less than 60 

feet. These formations form a northeastward-trending belt extending 

from southeast of Mankato, Blue Earth County, through parts of Nicollet, 

Le Sueur, Sibley, Scott, Carver, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, and 

Dakota Counties. They are present also to the east in parts of Goodhue, 

Wabasha, Olmsted, Winona, Fillmore, and Houston Counties. Chemical 

analyses show that, although many samples contain excessive silica, highpurity dolomite occurs at least in Fillmore, Goodhue, and Scott Counties. 

(Stauffer and Thiel, 1933; Stauffer and Thiel, 1941)

Platteville formation and Galena dolomite. Certain beds in both the 

Platteville and Galena formations, of Ordovician age, are dolomitic limestones. The McGregor (middle) member of the Platteville contains 8 

to 10 feet of thin-bedded gray to bluish-gray brittle dolomitic milestone 

having a high impurity content. The Stewartville (upper) member of 

the Galena formation is a mottled gray to yellow or tan, thick-bedded 

dolomitic limestone, usually about 50 feet thick. These formations occur 

in parts of Faribault, Waseca, Rice, Goodhue, Dodge, Olmsted, and 

Fillmore Counties. Neither appears to offer any possibilities as a potential source of high-grade rock. Their areal distribution has been represented on the map (pi. 2) to show their extension from northeastern 

Iowa. (Stauffer and Thiel, 1933; Stauffer and Thiel, 1941)

Cedar Valley limestone. The Cedar Valley limestone, of Devonian age, 

is extremely variable lithologically. The rock ranges from high calcium 

to high magnesium; it is hard to soft and earthy and usually heavy 

bedded. The total thickness in Minnesota is about 130 feet. It occurs 

in parts of Fillmore, Mower, Freeborn, and Faribault Counties. Chemical analyses of samples from Fillmore and Mower Counties show the 

presence of some high-purity dolomite. (Stauffer and Thiel, 1933; 

Stauffer and Thiel, 1941)
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 429

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Minnesota

County Locality Formation Reference 

Blue Earth . Mankato; quarries__-.._-...... Oneota and Shakopee Stauffer and Thiel,

dolomites. 1933; Stauffer, 1950. 

Dakota .--__ Hastings; quarry 4 miles down-river .-..do...----------- Do.

Fillmore..-_.... Choice; quarry 0.5 mile south.-___ Oneota dolomite____ Stauffer and Thiel,

1933. 

Etna; quarry____ _ __-___-___ Cedar Valley limestone Stauffer, 1950.

Lanesboro; quarry_____________ Oneota and Shakopee Stauffer and Thiel.

dolomites. 1933; Stauffer, 1950, 

Rushford; quarry_________ Oneota dolomite___- Stauffer and Thiel,

1933. 

a. quarry 2.5 miles north_.... --_-do___------._--- Stauffer, 1950.

Spring Valley; quarry______.. Cedar Valley limestone Stauffer and Thiel,

1933; Stauffer, 1950. 

Tawney; 1.5 miles south________ Shakopee dolomite. Stauffer and Thiel,

1933. 

Goodhue___.. Cannon Falls; quarry._._________ _.__do___-_-__-_-__- Stauffer and Thiel,

1933; Stauffer, 1950. 

Frontenac; quarries_.---_-_.____ Oneota dolomite__.- Do.

Red Wing; quarries_.----.----_ ....do...._-..._._.. Stauffer, 1950.

Houston_.__.. Egbert-_--______-________.____- ...-do......._..-- Do.

La Crescent; quarry 1.5 miles north- --.-do_........__.__ Do.

west. 

Spring Grove; quarry---.------.. Shakopee dolomite.. Do.

Le Sueur.-.--.- Kasota; quarries__------------ Oneota dolomite___- Stauffer and Thiel.

1933; Stauffer, 1950. 

Ottawa; quarry,....._-_._--.._. _...do._-.---------- Stauffer and Thiel,

1933. 

Mower.....-..- Lyle; quarry 3 miles west___-__ Cedar Valley limestone Stauffer, 1950.

Racine; 2.5 miles south__.._.--. __--do_-__--_.-_---- Stauffer and Thiel,

1933. 

Nicollet.._--.-- Judson; across river_.______-_-_ St. Lawrence forma- Do.

tion. 

North Mankato; quarry_------- Oneota dolomite__-. Stauffer, 1950.

Olmsted-------- Oronoco.-._--_---.._...__..---- Shakopee dolomite. Do.

Scott_-------- Merriam Junction; quarry__-----_ Oneota dolomite___- Stauffer and Thiel,

1933; Stauffer, 1950. 

St. Lawrence; quarries.---------- St. Lawrence forma- Stauffer and Thiel,

tion. 1933. 

Shakopee; quarries--.-.-----.--. Oneota and Shakopee Do.

dolomites. 

Wabasha-.----. Lake City; 4 miles south._-_-_-__ Oneota dolomite__.. Stauffer, 1950.

Wabasha; 2 miles southeast__-__ -.--do..._--__-----_ Do.

Zumbro Falls.------------------ Oneota and Shakopee Do.

dolomites, 

a. quarry 4.5 miles east----...- Oneota dolomite__-- Do.

Washington___ Gray Cloud Island____--.-..._ -.--do..____-- Stauffer and Thiel,

1933. 

Stillwater; quarry-..._-------- --.-do.._------_ Stauffer, 1950.

Winona__..-- Dresbach; quarry__--_-.-_._-__ -_--do----_--------- Do.

Elba; quarry 4 miles southeast---- _--.do___-_-----_ Do.

Winona; quarries-----..--------- ___-do_----------- Stauffer and Thiel,

1933 ;Stauffer, 1950.

MISSOURI

Dolomites and dolomitic limestones underlie large areas in central and 

southeastern Missouri. From the few chemical analyses given in the 

literature, it seems probable that sizable reserves of dolomite are available 

in the region. Much of the dolomite in the thick sequence of Cambrian 

and Ordovician rocks is, however, known to be too cherty or otherwise
430 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

unsuitable as a source of high-grade rock. The more important dolomite 

formations, as indicated by chemical analyses, are the Bonneterre and 

Eminence dolomites and, perhaps, parts of the Potosi and Gasconade 

dolomites. Dolomite and dolomitic limestone containing some impurities occur at least locally also in the Derby and Doe Run dolomites, of 

Cambrian age, and in the Van Buren formation, Jefferson City (Cullison's 

(1944) Rich Fountain and Theodosia formations), Cotter, Powell, and 

Joachim dolomites, of Ordovician age.

Bonneterre dolomite. The Bonneterre dolomite (Cambrian), oldest of 

the dolomite formations, is generally a massive gray to buff crystalline 

dolomite, essentially chert free, but containing varying amounts of silica 

in the form of sand or in clay, glauconite, and other silicates. The 

formation underlies the greater part of the Ozark uplift, but outcrops 

are confined principally to the vicinity of the St. Francois Mountains 

in Washington, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Iron, and Madison Counties. Chemical analyses of samples from Washington County indicate a 

fairly high grade dolomite containing about 2.5 percent or less of silica. 

Analyses from Madison County, representative of a 150-foot zone in the 

vicinity of Fredericktown, show a high-grade rock with a lower silica 

content. Sizable reserves probably are in the Fredericktown area. 

(Bridge, 1930; Dake, 1930; McQueen, 1943; Mo. Geol. Survey, 1939)

Potosi dolomite. The Potosi dolomite, of Cambrian age, is characteristically a massive fine- to medium-6rystalline light to dark chocolatebrown dolomite or dolomitic limestone. It generally contains abundant 

quartz and chalcedony druses, and its thickness varies from a thin wedge 

up to 'about 400 feet. The formation forms the bedrock over large areas 

in and around the St. Francois Mountains. Analyses of Ihe Potosi dolomite from Washington County show that it is a high-purity dolomite at 

least locally, but the general abundance of quartz and chalcedony throughout much of the formation probably precludes its use as a source of 

high-grade rock in most areas. (Bridge, 1930; Dake, 1930; Mo. Geol. 

Survey, 1939)

Eminence dolomite. The Eminence dolomite, of Cambrian age, is 

essentially a massively bedded gray moderately crystalline dolomite or 

dolomitic limestone. The formation averages about 300 feet thick and 

is divided into a lower cherty member and an upper noncherty member 

(Josiah Bridge, 1952, oral communication). The upper noncherty zone 

is still officially designated the Proctor dolomite by the U. S. Geological 

Survey. The Eminence crops out mainly in the valleys of each of the 

drainage systems radiating from the St. Francois Mountains. It appears 

in St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Madison, Iron, Wayne, Carter, Shannon, 

Reynolds, Washington, Crawford, and Franklin Counties. It underlies 

most of the Ozark region and appears at the surface again to the west 

in Morgan and Camden Counties. Analyses from Shannon, Washington,
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 431

Camden, and Morgan Counties show the presence of high-purity dolomite through at least the upper 30 feet of the noncherty zone (Proctor). 

It seems probable that large reserves of high-grade rock are available. 

(Bridge, 1930; Dake, 1930; Mo. Geol. Survey, 1939; Weitz, 1942)

Gasconade dolomite. The Gasconade dolomite, of Ordovician age, is 

essentially a well-bedded light-gray medium- to coarse-crystalline very

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Missouri

County

Ben ton.. ....

Bollinger.- 

Camden. 

Cote.--- 

Douglas. .......

Franklin.. .......

Greene.. .......

Jefferson. 

Madison.. 

Miller... ....

Morgan.... ....

Osage... .. -----

PhelpB...- 

Polk. 

Shannon. ..

St. Francois... 

St. Loui*.- .....

Washington. 

Locality

Warsaw; quarry 1.5 miles north ...

Lutesville; quarries.-- _ --------

Camdenton. . -_____-_-----

Els ton; quarries 2.5 miles west-_._

Jefferson City; quarries ___ -----

Ava; quarry 0.5 mile east __ --

Union; quarry 1 mile east. -------

Ash Grove; quarry. __ ..... ...

DeSoto; quarry--.--.-. -__----._

Hematite; quarry 0.25 mile south..

Fredericktown; quarry...----.---

Eldon; quarry 3 miles east _ -----

Proctor __ .. __ ..--...

Koeltztown; quarry 0.75 mile east.

Holla; quarries __ ...... _ -----

Bolivar; quarries. ---------------

Eminence

a. 3 miles north.--... _ _-..--

b. 4 miles southeast ___ ......

Round Spring-.----.- --------

Bonne terre; quarry-... ._.-

Desloge; quarry 2 miles north .

Fannington; quarries--- _ ------

Glencoe-------------.----.-----

Caledonia area:

a. 2 miles south ___. __

b. 3 miles west __ .. _ . .-

Formation

Jefferson City dolomite

_ .do __ .. _ .....

Eminence dolomite. __

Jefferson City dolomite

. _ do. ..........

Rock of Cambrian ageJefferson City dolomite

Burlington limestone--

Jefferson City dolomite

... -do.. ... ... ...

Bonneterre dolomite --

Jefferson City dolomite

Eminence dolomite(?).

Jefferson City dolomite

... -do... . ..._... 

... -do ... ... -

Eminence dolomite. -.

Van Buren forma tion.

Eminence dolomite. ..

Eminence and Gasconade dolomites.

Bonneterre dolomite. -

..-do... ... .... ....

--.-do ... ___ ...

Joachim dolomite _._

Bonneterre dolomite __

Derby dolomite - - - 

Reference

Buehler, 1907.

Buckley and Buehler,

1904.

Weitz, 1942.

Buckley and Buehler,

1904.

Do.

Buehler, 1907.

Buckley and Buehler,

1904.

Buehler, 1907.

Buehler, 1907; Buckley and Buehler,

1904.

Buckley and Buehler,

1904.

Buckley and Buehler,

1904; McQueen,

1943.

Buckley and Buehler,

1904.

Weitz, 1942.

Buckley and Buehler,

1904.

Do.

Do.

Bridge, 1930.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Mo. Geol. Survey,

1944.

Buehler, 1907.

Buckley and Buehler,

1904.

Hinchey and others,

1947.

Dake, 1930.

Do.

Wayne...

Irondale area:

a. south-____-_....

b. 6 miles southwest.... 

Potosi; 7 miles northwest.. 

Shirleya. 4 miles north........

b. 5 miles north.__.....

c. 2 miles east. ... 

Patterson; quarry. .-.-_-.

Bonneterre dolomite -- 

__do_......___..__

Potosi dolomite- - - 

Gasconade dolomite... 

Potosi dolomite - - - . . _ 

Eminence dolomite. .. 

Van Buren formation. 

Eminence dolomite (?)-

Piedmont; quarry...___..__ Eminence dolomite...

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

Mo. Geol. 

1944. 

Do.

Survey,
432 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

cherty dolomite. The Gasconade is present over much of the Ozark 

region, although its outcrops are confined principally to stream channels 

where the rock sometimes forms large cliffs. Analyses from Shannon 

and Washington Counties show a dolomite moderately high in impurities. 

(Bridge, 1930; Dake, 1930; Mo. Geol. Survey, 1939)

Other formations. The other Cambrian and Ordovician formations 

mentioned contain dolomite locally, much of it with excessive impurities, 

and in all probability none of these would contain large deposits of 

uniformly pure dolomite. The shaded portion on the map (pi. 2) shows 

the general distribution of all the formations named, except that of the 

Joachim dolomite, in the eastern part of the State. (Bridge, 1930; 

Buckley and Buehler, 1904; Buehler, 1907; Dake, 1930; Hinchey and 

others, 1947; Mo. Geol. Survey, 1939)

MONTANA

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone occur principally in the Upper Cambrian rocks, extensively exposed in western and southwestern Montana, 

and in certain of the Ordovician rocks in the Bighorn and Little Rocky 

Mountains. The more important dolomitic formations include the Hasmark formation, the Pilgrim limestone, the Bighorn dolomite, and the 

Jefferson formation. Of these formations, the Hasmark probably is the 

most important as a potential source of high-grade dolomite, although 

each of the other formations mentioned may contain local deposits of 

high-grade rock. Other formations, of doubtful value because of the 

limited extent of the dolomite, the impurity content, or relative inaccessibility, include certain of the Precambrian limestones, the Devils Glen 

dolomite, of Cambrian age, and the Hannan limestone, of Mississippian age.

Hasmark formation. The Hasmark formation, of Late Cambrian age, 

contains probably the most promising dolomite deposits in the State. 

The general sequence of the Hasmark consists of a lower unit of interbedded limestone and dolomite, a middle unit of calcareous shale, and 

an upper unit of dolomite and dolomitic limestone. The formation has 

been studied in the Phillipsburg quadrangle in parts of Powell, Deer 

Lodge, and Granite Counties, and it is considered to be the approximate 

equivalent of the Pilgrim limestone. A series of exposures along the 

highway 7 to 13 miles west of Anaconda total 350 feet in thickness; this 

series may contain several million tons of readily accessible dolomite. 

Similar deposits may be present elsewhere in the Phillipsburg quadrangle. 

Southwest of Helena, Lewis and Clark County, a coarsely crystalline 

marbleized dolomite (Pilgrim? or Hasmark?), ranging in thickness from 

360 to 450 feet, also contains a large tonnage of high-purity rock. Dolomite has been quarried in this area as a source of lime. (Emmons and 

Calkins, 1913; Perry, 1949)
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 433

Pilyrim limestone. The Pilgrim limestone contains a middle member 

consisting of dolomitic limestone and dolomite interbedded with purer 

limestones. The formation crops out in south-central Montana, and it 

has been examined in the vicinity of Three Forks, western Gallatin County, 

and south of Livingston,. central Park County. These rocks are more 

dolomitic in the Livingston area. Although no analyses are available, 

the dolomites probably are too Impure to be useful as a source of highgrade material. (Deiss, 1936)

Bighorn dolomite. The Bighorn dolomite, of Ordovician age, consists 

generally of light-colored massive rough-weathering dolomite, interbedded 

with pale-gray and buff, mottled dolomite. Its thickness ranges from 

about 100 to nearly 300 feet. The Bighorn crops out in the Little Rocky

Mountains to the north, in the 

of the Absaroka Range and B 

part of the State. No chemica

Pryor Mountains, and along the flanks

artooth Mountains in the south-central

analyses are available, but the dolomite

may be moderately siliceous, 

impurity content or its unfavor 

ing a source of rock as it is in "V 

Jefferson formation. The Je

The Bighorn in Montana, because of its 

,ble locations, probably is not as promisyoiming. (Blackwelder, 1913) 

ferson formation, of Devonian age, contains thick beds of dolomitic limestone and dolomite usually too arenaceous, or argillaceous to be cons 

The dolomites are exposed in th 

of northwestern Montana and 

Bridger Range of south-central

tain dolomite beds in the central part of the State. No representative

analyses are available. (Deiss, 

The shaded areas shown on t

extent of the "dolomite, or dole mite and limestone undivided" as taken

from Knechtel's map. (Knech

Dolomite o

Ctrunty Locality 

Carbon_...... Red Lodge; south and so

Deer Lodge.-... Anaconda; 7.5 miles west 

Foster Gulch; mouth of 

Silver Lake; 0.25 mile eas 

Gallatia.------- Logan; north____.

Manhattan; 8 miles north 

Lewis s.nd Clark. Helena area:

a. south at Grizzly Gul

b. 6 miles west at Colo

c. 6 miles west at Nels

Park........... Livingston; 5 miles south

Canyon.

Dolomites and dolomitic lim 

to Tertiary, occur at several 1

dered as a source of high-grade dolomite. 

; Lewis and Clark and Sawtooth Ranges 

near Logan, Three Forks, and in the 

Montana. The Jefferson also may con1933; 1943)

.e map (pi. 2) represent the general areal

el and others, 1948)

xurrences in Montana

Formation

thwest. ...--- Bighorn dolomite.

_--__-.- Hasmark formation.

_____ Do.

.--..... Do.

--.__--. Pilgrim limestone and Jefferson formation.

........ Do.

h_._________ Hasmark formation.

 ado Gulch__ Do. 

n Gulch___ . Do.

n Yellowstone Pilgrim limestone, Bighorn dolomite, and 

Jefferson formation.

NEVADA

^stones, ranging in age from Cambrian 

icalities in Nevada. However, because
434 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

the reports in which the rocks are described do not include many chemical analyses, little is known of their extent and uniformity of chemical 

composition. The dolomites of economic importance occur in the Monte 

Cristo dolomite in Clark County where, in the Sloan area, both dolomite 

and limestone are produced commercially. Dolomites of good quality 

are found also hi the Goodsprings dolomite, the Luning formation, and 

the Horse Spring formation. Other formations, analyses of which indicate a relatively high percentage of impurities or for which no analyses 

are available, include the Highland Peak and Mendha limestones and 

the Ely Springs and Silverhorn dolomites of the Pioche district of Lincoln 

County, and the Sultan limestone, Muddy Peak milestone, and Bird 

Spring formation of Clark County. (Callaghan and Vitaliano, 1948; 

Deiss, 1952a; Hewett, 1931; Longwell, 1928; Muller and Ferguson, 1939; 

Roberts, 1943; Spurr, 1906; Westgate and Knopf, 1932)

Goodsprings dolomite. The Goodsprings dolomite, containing beds 

ranging in age from Late Cambrian to Devonian(?), is composed principally of light- and dark-gray mottled thin-bedded dolomite and magnesian limestone. The formation attains a maximum thickness of 

approximately 2,450 feet. It is widely distributed throughout the Goodsprings quadrangle, in southwestern Clark County, extending hi a broad 

belt along the west side of the Spring Mountains. Chemical analyses 

indicate that dolomite of excellent quality occurs at least locally in the 

formation. (Hewett, 1931)

Monte Cristo dolomite. The Monte Cristo dolomite, of Mississippian 

age, comprises a series of limestones and dolomites. It has been divided 

into five members in the Goodsprings quadrangle; three of these members 

have been recognized in the Sloan area. Of these units, which include 

the Dawn and Anchor limestone members, the Bullion dolomite member, 

and the Arrowhead and Yellowpine limestone members, only the Bullion, 

because of its thickness, uniformity of composition, and accessibility, 

particularly at Sloan, is a potentially important source of high-grade 

dolomite. In the Sloan area the Bullion member is a thick (445 feet) 

dolomite, the lower 350 feet of which is pale gray, cream gray, and white, 

coarse crystalline, thick bedded, massive, and essentially chert free. The 

upper 100 feet contains more silica and limestone, and it is thought to 

be equivalent to the Arrowhead and Yellowpine members. Chemical 

analyses show that dolomite is in all the members, although many of 

the samples represent relatively pure areas in otherwise cherty zones and 

are not representative of the member as a whole. The Bullion member 

reportedly contains many millions of tons of readily accessible high-grade 

dolomite in the Sloan area. Both limestone and dolomite are produced 

commercially at Sloan. (Deiss, 1952a; Hewett, 1931)

Luning formation. Dolomite of the Luning formation (Triassic) occurs 

in association with brucite and magnesite in the Paradise Range near
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES

Gabbs, Nye County. In this 

of the formation is a dark-gr 

containing minor amounts of 

the recrystallized dolomite in 

is of excellent quality, 

commercially from the area, 

these deposits supplied raw 

Vegas. (Callaghan and

Horse Spring formation. 

age, comprises a thick, 

clay, magnesite, and gypsum, 

southeastern Clark County, 

dolomite and dolomitic lim 

some chert nodules, form an is< 

chemical analysis shows that 

but the composition of the re 

the deposit. (Longwell, 1928'

435

area the uppermost of the three members 

 ay to black fine-grained dense dolomite, 

tremolite and talc. Chemical analyses of 

this member show that some of the rock 

Only "magnesite and brucite have been produced 

,nd during World War II magnesite from 

material for the magnesium plant near Las 

Vitaliano, 1948; Muller and Ferguson, 1939)

Horse Spring formation, of Tertiary(?) 

varied si accession of limestone, dolomite, sandstone, 

The formation occurs in the ranges in 

Pale-gray finely crystalline thick-bedded 

estcne, containing considerable iron stain and 

lated hill in the vicinity of Glendale. One 

part of the rock is a good-quality dolomite, 

k probably is not consistent throughout

Dolomite quarries arid occurrences in Nevada

County

Clark.

Locality 

Apex area:

a. quarry 1.5 miles north...

b. 1.5 miles southwestGlendale; 2.5 miles southeast.

Goodaprings quadrangle ...

Jean; east.._____-.___.. 

Las Vegas; 10 miles east. 

Sloan; quarry...........

Esmeralda.

Eureka.. 

Lincoln..

Silver Peak district; northwest part

of T. 2 S., R. 39 E. 

Eureka district__-..._.-.._.- 

Pioehe district. .-..,.-..--- ..

Formation

Monte Cristo dolomite

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

Horse Spring formation.

Goodsprings dolomite, 

Monte Cristo dolomite, and Bird Spring 

formation.

Monte Cristo dolomite

-...do-__..._..

Monte Cristo dolomite 

and Sultan limestone.

Rocks of Cambrian age

Nye......

Penning..

Gabbs.

Highland Peak and 

Mendha limestones, 

Ely Springs and Silverhorn dolomites.

Liming formation. 

Rose Creek........__....__. Rock of Triassic age..

Reference

Hewett, 1931.

Deiss, 1952a. 

Spurr, 1906.

Weitz, 1942.

Weitz, 1942; Westgate and Knopf,

1932.

Callaghan and Vitaliano, 1948; Callaghan, 1933.

Roberts, 1943.

NEW JERSEY

Dolomite occurs locally in two formations in northwestern New Jersey: 

the Franklin limestone, of Precambrian age, and the Kittatinny limestone, of Cambrian and Ordovician age. Although high-grade deposits 

have been reported from several localities, commercial deposits are not 

known to be present. (Weitz, 1942)
436 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Franklin limestone. The Franklin limestone is predominantly a coarse 

white marble, usually high in calcite and silica, but in some places dolomitic. The dolomites probably are too local and irregular in distribution 

to be considered a potential source of high-grade rock. The Franklin 

crops out in an interrupted belt trending northeastward through Warren 

and Sussex Counties. Small isolated occurrences are found also in 

Morris and Passaic Counties. Some dolomite of excellent quality occurs 

at Franklin [Furnace, as shown by chemical analyses of samples from 

the area. (Kummel and Gage, 1906; Lewis and Kummel, 1912; 

Weitz, 1942)

Kittatinny limestone. The Kittatinny limestone consists primarily of 

massive blue-gray magnesian limestone, sometimes cherty, and scattered 

thin beds of shale and sandstone. Dolomite occurs in the upper portion 

of the formation, the total thickness of which is 2,500 to 3,000 feet. 

The Kittatinny crops out in several belts that trend northeastward 

through Warren and Sussex Counties and in small areas in Hunterdon, 

Morris, and Passaic Counties. Although many chemical analyses show 

a high magnesium carbonate content, the impurity content usually is 

moderately high. (Lewis and Kummel, 1912; Weitz, 1942)

Dolomite occurrences in New Jersey

County Locality Formation Reference 

Hunterdon_.___ Vernoy.___.._-____._..___.__.. Kittatinny limestone Lewis and Kummel,

1912; Weitz, 1942. 

Morris..--.---- Montville___------------------ ..--(?)-_---------- Do.

Passaic ------- Macopin_____----_-_-_-_-.____- ._.-(?) --------- Do.

West Milford----------------.-- Kittatinny limestone.. Do.

Sussex._------ Franklin Furnace; quarry___... Franklin limestone__ Kummel and Gage,

1906. 

Hamburg. ._-___-_--.-________ Kitta tinny limestone (?) Do.

Newton..-.-.-------........... ..._do------------.- Lewis and Kummel,

1912; Weitz, 1942. 

Ogdensburg__-__...__-........ Franklin and Kitta- Do.

tinny limestones.

Vernon Township___.--_._.-.- Kittatinny limestone._ Do. 

Wantage Township...__._....__. ..._do--------_--_-- Do.

Warren_------ Belvidere.-.-,-----.-------..-.. ____do-_----------._ Do.

Busbkill___.---...--._____ __do___._____ Do. 

Columbia__.---...-___._.._... -___do_--_----_---_- Do.

New Hampton.---------.----.-, .-..do ._-.---.--. Do.

Phillipsburg_-_------_-_.__.... --.-do.---.--------- Do.

NEW MEXICO

High-magnesian limestones are reported to be widespread in central 

and southern New Mexico. It is not known if commercial deposits of 

high-purity dolomite occur, although chemical analyses indicate that 

such rock might possibly be found in some localities. The formations 

containing beds of dolomite or dolomitic limestone include the El Paso, 

Montoya, and Fusselman limestones, and the Chupadera formation of 

former usage. (Talmage and Wootton, 1937; Weitz, 1942; Wells, 1937)
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 437

El Paso limestone. The El Paso limestone, of Early Ordovician age, 

is primarily a thin-bedded limestone that contains some dolomitic beds. 

Some beds in the formation are sandy or cherty. At the type locality, 

in the Franklin Mountains near El Paso, Tex., the El Paso attains a 

thickness of about 1,000 feet. One analysis shows that the rock is magnesian limestone containing a high percentage of impurities. (Darton, 

1928a; Dunham, 1935)

Montoya limestone. The Montoya limestone, of Late Ordovician age, 

is predominantly a light- to dark-colored limestone, in places sandy or 

cherty, which attains a thickness of about 300 feet in the vicinity of 

Silver City. East of Silver City, in the vicinity of Hanover and Santa 

Rita, the basal member of the Montoya consists of quartzitic sandstone, 

and the upper member of massive beds of gray to pink and white dolomite 

that becomes cherty near the top. Available analyses are of magnesian 

limestone with a high-impurity content. (Darton, 1928a; Dunham, 

1935; Lasky, 1936)

Fusselman limestone. The Fusselman limestone, Silurian in age, consists -generally of a lower member of compact fine-grained gray limestone 

that weathers nearly white and an upper member of hard dark massive 

dolomite. The formation ranges in thickness from 40 to about 1,000 

feet. Analyses indicate a rock low in magnesium carbonate and high 

in impurities. (Darton, 1928a; Dunham, 1935)

This group of limestones occurs principally along the west side of the 

Sacramento Mountains southeast of Alamogordo, in the San Andres 

Mountains of Socorro and Dona Ana Counties, and in the Franklin 

Mountains extending from southern Dona Ana County southward to El 

Paso, Tex. The group occurs also in some of the smaller ranges of 

southwestern New Mexico. (Darton, 1928b)

Chupadera formation of former usage. The Chupadera formation of 

former usage, of Permian age, consists principally of a thick series of 

limestone, gypsum, and red and gray sandstone. The formation contains a large amount of magnesia, and many oil wells in Chaves and

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone occurrences in New Mexico

County Locality Formation Reference 

Dona Ana-_-_-- San Andres Canyon !____________ Fusselman limestone.. Wells, 1937.

Eddy .---_.-- Carlsbad area:

a. 13 miles north______________ Chupadera formation Weitz, 1942.

(?) of former usage. 

b. 18 miles northwest-.--..---. _--.do-___-__------- Do.

e. 20 miles west.-.._-.__..____ Rook of Permian age.. Wells, 1937.

Queen; northwest!______________ Chupadera formation Do.

of former usage. 

Government test hole 18 (Carlsbad Carlsbad limestone. .. Do.

area?). 

Socorro__..... Prairie Spring; 10 miles north >._ Chupadera formation Do.

of former usage.

1 Dolomitic limestone containing more than 38 percent magnesium carbonate.
438 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Eddy Counties have encountered thick dolomitic beds close to the 

surface. Several analyses indicate the presence of dolomite, although 

the impurity content is moderately high in all the samples. The Chupadera extends over large areas in southern and central New Mexico; it 

is represented on the map (pi. 2) by the large shaded area and the two 

smaller areas to the northwest. (Darton, 1928a, 1928b; Talmage and 

Wootton, 1937; Weitz, 1942; Wells, 1937)

NEW YORK

Dolomites are not widespread in New York. They are confined 

chiefly to the southeastern part of the State, to the west in the counties 

bordering the southern shore of Lake Ontario, and to the north, principally in St. Lawrence County. The more important dolomitic units 

include the Grenville series and Inwood limestone, of Precambrian age, 

the Stockbridge limestone, of Cambrian and Ordovician age, and the 

Lockport dolomite, of Silurian age. Descriptions and chemical analyses 

of Cambrian and Ordovician dolomitic limestones north, east, and south 

,of the Adirondack Mountains show the rocks generally to be siliceous 

and to contain little dolomite; these rocks probably are of no potential 

value as sources of high-grade dolomite. Quarrying of the dolomite has 

been most extensive in the southeastern New York area, and high-purity 

dolomite from Dutchess County has furnished raw material for the magnesium .plant at Wingdale, N. Y. (Ries, 1901; Dale, 1923)

Inwood limestone. The Inwood limestone is essentially a white coarsecrystalline marble high in magnesia. The formation underlies Manhattan Island and extends northward into Westchester County. The 

dolomite has been quarried in the vicinity of Ossining, Pleasantville, 

and Tuckahoe. Chemical analyses show that the Inwood at these localities is a fairly good dolomite, although moderately siliceous at places 

notably at Ossining. (Ries, 1901)

Grenville series. Dolomite marbles occur in the Grenville series of 

St. Lawrence County. These marbles vary from snow white to bluish 

gray and are rather coarsely crystalline. They vary considerably in 

purity because of the presence of grains and masses of serpentine, tremolite, and other minerals. The distribution of these deposits is very 

irregular, outcrops are scarce, and some of the probable deposits are 

likely to be rather inaccessible. A very pure deposit about 3 miles north 

of Gouverneur contains many millions of tons of uniformly high-purity, 

dolomite. The deposit has been quarried in a small way. (Prucha, 

1953; Ries, 1901)

Stockbridge limestone. The Stockbridge limestone of southeastern New 

York is lithologically similar to that in Massachusetts and Connecticut. 

It ranges from almost pure limestone to equally pure dolomite, is highly 

marbleized locally, and generally is light colored. The Stockbridge
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 439

crops out along the east boundary of New York in Rensselaer, Columbia, 

Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester Counties and in several smaller 

belts extending southwestward across Dutchess, Putnam, and WestChester Counties. Small areas of dolomite in southwestern Orange 

County probably are extensions of the Kittatinny limestone of New 

Jersey, of equivalent age. Dolomite has been quarried from the Stockbridge chiefly in the vicinity of South Dover and Dover Furnace, Dutchess 

County, and has been used as an ore of magnesium at the Wingdale 

magnesium plant. Several chemical analyses show that this high-grade 

dolomite in places contains small quantities of the alkali metals, which 

are detrimental if magnesium is to be produced by the ferrosilicon 

reduction process. (Dale, 1923; Ries, 1901)

Lockport dolomite. The Lockport dolomite contains zones that are at 

least locally a good grade of dolomite. The Gasport limestone member 

has a fairly low silica content but generally is dolomitic limestone rather 

than dolomite. Overlying the Gasport member is a 30- to 35-foot section 

of massive heavy-ledged dolomite that usually is of good grade and fairly 

low hi silica. The upper portion of the Lockport, that part containing 

Guelph fauna, is a brown partly thin bedded dolomite about 45 feet of 

which is exposed at Shelby, Orleans County. Exposures of this zone 

are rare, but analyses indicate that the rock is consistently a dolomite 

with a low silica content. The Lockport dolomite occurs in a belt 

extending from the Niagara River eastward through Niagara, Orleans, 

Monroe, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties. A thin strip continues east 

as far as Utica, Oneida County. (Ries, 1901)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in New York

County Locality Formation Reference

Dutchess.___ Dover Plains; quarries..____ Stoekbridge limestone. Ries, 1901;Dale, 1923.

Wingdale; quarries 2 miles north- ....do_______._

east.

Lewis...____ Sterlingbush (Lewisburg); quarries Grenville series_ _

1.5 miles northeast.

Monroe___... East Penfield; quarries.-.--. . Lockport dolomite . Ries, 1901.

Penfield; quarries._............ ....do...-....----.. Do.

Rochester and vicinity; quarries_ ....do_......---... Do.

Niagara.._... Lockport; quarry 1.5 miles east.._ ....do. .. -----

Niagara Falls; quarry south___- .---do...---..-__ Do.

St. Lawrence__ Gouverneur; quarries 3 miles north- Grenville series__... Prucha, 1953.

Westchester...-. Ossining; quarries............ In wood limestone..... Ries, 1901.

Pleasantville; quarries__.--,-.- ....do_....-----.. Do.

Tuckahoe; quarries....___..... ....do_____..._ Do.

NORTH CAROLINA

Dolomitic rocks are confined to the western part of North Carolina 

and occur in the Shady dolomite, of Early Cambrian age, and its approximate equivalents, the Murphy marble in the extreme southwest and 

the Gaffney marble, some distance to the east. Lenses of dolomite 

marble occur also in the Carolina gneiss. Chemical analyses of samples
440 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

from several localities show that dolomite occurs in each of these formations, although no information is available regarding its extent and 

uniformity in composition. It seems probable, however, that potentially 

commercial deposits of high-grade rock in the State are few. (Loughlin 

and others, 1921; Weitz, 1942)

Carolina gneiss. The Bandana dolomite marble of Hunter and 

Gildersleeve (1946) occurs as a lems in the Carolina gneiss. It is a 

white extremely coarsely crystalline marble exposed in a railroad cut 

approximately 3.5 miles from Toecane (or 1.25 miles north of Bandana 

Station) along the Toe River, Mitchell County. The deposit is not 

particularly large, but chemical analyses indicate that it is an exceptionally pure dolomite. (Hunter and Gildersleeve, 1946; Loughlin and 

others, 1921)

Murphy marble. The Murphy marble is a coarse- to fine-grained 

rock, ranging from a high-calcite to a high-dolomite marble, and varying 

in thickness from 150 to nearly 500 feet. It is predominantly white, 

but not uncommonly dark gray or blue, and contains layers of banded 

or mottled blue and white rock. The formation is present nearly the 

entire length of Cherokee County, extending as a narrow band along 

the valleys of the Nottely and Valley Rivers. It occurs also between 

Nantahala and Hewitt along the Aralley of the Nantahala River, Swain 

County, and as a group of narrow areas in the vicinity of Peachtree and 

Brasstown, Clay County. Outcrops of the Murphy marble penerally are 

scarce, but analyses show the presence of dolomite locally. (Loughlin 

and others, 1921; Van Horn, 1948)

Gaffney marble. The Gaffney marble is predominantly a fine-grained 

bluish-gray to white marble, ranging from 30 to about 120 feet thick, 

and usually has a banded or schistose appearance due in part to impurities. The white beds of the Gaffney generally are the more highly dolomitic, but the content of impurities commonly is somewhat higher than 

desirable. The formation forms a linear group of narrow bands extending 

across the southeastern part of Cleveland County into Gaston County. 

Minor occurrences of similar nature, in Catawba and Lincoln Counties, 

are presumably continuations of the Gaffney belt. Outcrops are principally along stream valleys and generally are obscure. It seems doubtful 

that commercial deposits of dolomite occur in the Gaffney marble. 

(Loughlin and others, 1921)

Shady dolomite. The Shady dolomite, although sometimes a limestone, 

is almost wholly a dolomite in most areas. It is fine grained, somewhat 

crystalline, commonly gray, bluish gray, or white in color, and not 

uncommonly weathers to a dull gray or black. This formation occurs 

near Hot Springs, Madison County, where it has an apparent thickness 

of nearly 2,000 feet, and along the North Fork of the Catawba River 

from near Linville Falls southward to the vicinity of Sevier, McDowell
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 441

County. The rock has been quarried in the vicinity of Hot Springs and 

near Ashford, a few miles south of Linville Falls. Chemical analyses 

show that the Shady is a high-grade dolomite in these areas. (Loughlin 

and others, 1921; Oriel, 1950)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in North Carolina

County Locality Formation Reference 

Catawba__... Cat-awba area:

a. quarry 5 miles south........ Gaffney marble Loughlin and others,

1921. 

b. quarry 8 miles south.-__._-- ....do.------------- Do.

Cherokee-..---. Andrews____._._--_..--..-_-- Murphy marble._.--. Do. 

Tomatla; 1 mile northeast--...--- ..-.do.------------- Do.

Madison_..... Hot Springs; quarries 1 mile north- Shady dolomite..._-- Do.

west. 

Mitehell........ Toeeane; 3.5 miles southwest__. Carolina gneiss ..-_ Do.

McDowell---... Ashford area; quarry___.-_.---- Shady dolomite.----- Do.

Avery___.-_..._...._..__....- ....do.._-.--_------ Do.

Woodlawn; quarry_____________ ....do...----------- Do.

Swain.......... Hewitt; quarries__..-.---_-.-.- Murphy marble...--- Do.

Yaneey______. Burnsville-----.-----._------- ----(?)____------- Weitz, 1942.

OHIO

Very large quantities of high-purity dolomite are in surface or nearsurface deposits in the western half of Ohio, where many thousands of 

square miles are underlain by carbonate rocks ranging in age from 

Ordovician to Devonian. Development of these resources has been extensive, and for many years Ohio has led in domestic production of lime. 

Nearly half the production from Ohio has been as refractory (deadburned) dolomite, representing more than half the total quantity of 

refractory dolomite produced in the United States in recent years. 

(Stout, 1941; Chandler and Jensen, 1951)

The dolomites and dolomitic limestones are principally in the upper 

part of the Niagara group, of Silurian age. The dolomitic formations include the Euphemia dolomite of Foerste (1917), the Springfield, Cedarville, 

and Lockport dolomites. The overlying Bass Island, Amherstburg, and 

Lucas dolomites and parts of the Columbus limestone also are dolomitic. 

Chemical analyses show that several of these formations are uniformly 

pure dolomite over large areas. The beds are nearly fiat lying, and most 

of the structural features are small and cause little difficulty for quarry 

operators. Although the overburden of glacial drift that covers most of 

the region ranges from 25 to 75 feet in thickness over large areas, it is 

thin or absent locally, and its removal apparently presents no great 

problem. Even where overburden is heavy and outcrops scarce, quarrying operations are carried out on a large scale. (Stout, 1941)

Euphemia dolomite of Foerste (1917). The Euphemia dolomite, at the 

base of the dolomite sequence in the upper part of the Niagara group, 

is an irregularly bedded porous somewhat mottled dolomite averaging
442 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

about 6 feet in thickness. It occurs principally in Preble, Montgomery, 

Greene, Clark, and Miami Counties and, where samples have been 

analyzed, is a high-purity dolomite. (Stout, 1941)

Springfield dolomite. The Springfield dolomite is a uniformly bedded 

dull earthy dolomite having a porous texture and varying from buff to 

light brown. The formation averages about 10 feet in thickness. It is 

exposed in Preble, Montgomery, Miami, Clark, Greene, Clinton, Highland, and Adams Counties. Chemical analyses of the rock show that, 

although the magnesium carbonate content is nearly always high, the 

silica content also is moderately high. (Stout, 1941)

Cedarville dolomite. The overlying Cedarville dolomite is a highly 

crystalline generally massive dolomite, open textured and varying from 

a light buff through light gray and bluish gray. Its thickness averages 

about 50 feet. The Cedarville occurs in southwestern Ohio in at least 

parts of the following counties: Adams, Highland, Clinton, Greene, 

Fayette, Clark, Champaign, Logan, Montgomery, Miami, Shelby, 

Auglaize, Preble, Darke, Mercer, and Van Wert. The chemical composition of the rock generally is that of a high-purity dolomite. In 

Adams and Highland Counties, this formation is the approximate correlative of the Peebles dolomite of Foerste (1929). (Stout, 1941; 

Wilmarth, 1938)

Dolomite of Niagaran age. Dolomite of Niagaran age (the Guelph 

dolomite of former usage) is very similar to the Cedarville both physically 

and chemically, but it has been distinguished from it on the basis of 

certain faunal differences. The dolomite is highly crystalline, open and 

porous in texture, and varies from nearly white to light gray or bluish 

gray. The thickness ranges from 50 to 80 feet, and, locally, chert is in 

the lower portion. The unit is confined to northwestern Ohio, cropping 

out in parts of Marion, Hardin, Wyandot, Hancock, Seneca, Wood, 

Sandusky, and Ottawa Counties. This dolomite of Niagaran age (the 

Guelph of former usage) is an unusually pure dolomite, analyses often 

showing less than 1 percent total impurities. In western Sandusky 

County and southwestern Ottawa County, however, it contains from 1 

to 4 percent celestite occurring as disseminated grains and in cavity 

fillings. Commercially this unit is the most important dolomite in Ohio. 

It has been used as a raw material in both the electrolytic and ferrosilicon 

reduction processes for the production of magnesium; it is also used 

extensively in the manufacture of refractory dolomite. Large reserves 

of very high-purity dolomite are present throughout the area underlain 

by this dolomite. (Stout, 1941)

Bass Island dolomite. The Bass Island dolomite, of Silurian age, overlies the Niagara group and consists of four members, which are, in 

ascending order, the Greenfield dolomite, Tymochtee shale, Put-in-Bay 

dolomite, and Raisin River dolomite members. The Bass Island has an
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 443

average thickness of about 570 feet, and the rock is generally a fair grade 

of dolomite but tends to be slightly siliceous. The formation ranges 

from thin bedded to massive, dense and hard to coarsely crystalline and 

open in texture, and generally is some shade of brown or dark bluish 

gray. It is in at least 23 counties in the western part of the State, but 

it does not occur in the southwest corner or the extreme northwest 

corner. The rock has been quarried in many localities. (Landes, 1951; 

Stout, 1941)

Amherstburg and Lucas dolomites. The Detroit River group, of 

Devonian age, consists of two formations, the Amherstburg and Lucas 

dolomites. The Amherstburg is an open-textured dolomite, usually 

massively bedded, and varies from drab to brownish gray. Exposures 

are scarce because of the heavy drift cover, but the thickness apparently 

ranges from 50 to 75 feet. The formation is confined to two areas, one 

east of Cincinnati Arch in Ottawa, Erie, and Sandusky Counties and 

another west of the arch in Lucas, Wood, and Henry Counties. One 

analysis indicates that the rock is relatively free from impurities but 

slightly low in mangesium carbonate. The Lucas dolomite, although 

locally somewhat calcareous, is predominantly a light-blue to drab 

bedded dolomite, attaining a maximum thickness of 140 feet but usually 

ranging from 30 to 75 feet. This formation is coextensive with the 

Amherstburg. Chemical analyses show that the Lucas varies in composition, ranging from a magnesian limestone moderately high in silica 

to a high-purity dolomite. (Landes, 1951; Stout, 1941)

Monroe formation of former usage. In some reports the Bass Island 

dolomite and the Detroit River group have been called the Monroe 

formation. The term has persisted to some extent, and analyses of 

samples shown as being from the Monroe formation could be from any 

one of the dolomites stratigraphically between the Niagara group and 

the Columbus limestone.

Columbus limestone. The Columbus limestone (Middle Devonian), 

uppermost of the thick series of dolomites in Ohio, is a light-gray to 

light-brown massively bedded rock, rather earthy hi appearance. It 

varies in composition both vertically and laterally, but generally it is a 

limy dolomite in the lower portion and a low-magnesium limestone in 

the upper. The thickness ranges from 80 to 125 feet where the formation 

is normally developed, and layers of chert are present locally. The 

formation is in three general, areas. The first is a broad belt 10 to 15 

miles wide extending northward from Pickaway County to Kelleys Island, 

in Lake Erie. The second, heavily drift covered, is a crescent-shaped 

area on the rim of the Michigan Basin, reaching from northern Paulding 

County through parts of Defiance, Putnam, Henry, and Wood Counties 

into western Lucas County. The third area is in eastern Logan County 

and north-central Champaign County. Several analyses, notably those
444 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

of samples from Logan and Wood Counties, indicate the local presence of 

a good grade of dolomite with about 2 percent of silica. (Stout, 1941) 

The shaded area on the map (pi. 2) shows the general distribution of 

the Niagara group, the Monroe formation of former usage, and the 

Columbus limestone as taken from the geologic map of Ohio. Because 

of the many quarries and sample localities in the dolomite, it is impracticable to show on the map or to list in the accompanying table anything 

but active or recently active quarries for which there are analyses, either 

specific or representative, showing high-grade dolomite. For a more 

complete listing of quarries and sample localities, special reference should 

be made to Stout's (1941) paper. (Bownocker, 1947; Stout, 1941)

Dolomite quarries in Ohio

[Data from Stout, 1941; all quarries in this reference are listed as active or recently active. Except for 

those localities marked with an asterisk (*), chemical analyses are available for locality shown or for

representative area]

County Locality Formation 

Adams.-.--.--- Locust Grove; quarry.-.-------------- Peebles dolomite.

Lynx; quarry 1.25 miles east-_-------- Do.

Alien__.-.-_.. Bluff ton; quarry_____-_---._-__----- Monroe formation (of former usage). 1

*Elida; quarry_.__________-_--_-_---_- Do.

Herrod; quarry 1.75 miles south _ - - . . Do. 

Lafayette; quarry._____._--___------_ Do.

Lima; quarry.____.___._-.-----.----- Do.

*Southworth; quarry_________-___-__- Do.

*Westminster; quarry..._..------.----- Do.

Auglaize ------ *Buckland; quarry_____----.-------- Do.

Champaign--... Salem Township; quarry.------------- Do.

Clark..__-.____ Springfield; quarry 4 miles west.-..--_. Cedarville dolomite.

Clinton_--._.. Melvin; quarry 1 mile east___------- Niagara group.

New Vienna; quarry 1.25 miles northwest Do. 

Darke -------- Greenville; quarry 4.5 miles east__-.-- Cedarville dolomite.

Weavers; quarry--------------------- Do.

Fayette____.- Greenfield; quarry 2.75 miles north..._. Monroe formation (of former usage).

Rock Mills; quarry._.....---_-._----- Do. 

Greene-----.-.. Cedarville; quarry...____.__.__--_--__ Cedarville dolomite.

Jamestown; quarry 1.75 miles west.---. Niagara group. 

Hancock_ __ .... Arlington area:

a. quarry 3 miles south------------- Monroe formation (of former usage).

b. quarry 2 miles east______----_-- Do.

Findlay; quarry.--------------.------ Do.

*Williamstown; quarry_--------------- Do.

Hardin... ...... Ada; quarry 1.5 miles north..-.._.-..- Do.

Blanchard; quarry_._.._____________- Do.

Dunkirk; quarry..-----.------------- Do.

Kenton; quarry__.______-__------.--- Do.

McVittys; quarry.._-...-_-.--------- Dolomite of Niagaran age (Guelph dolomite). 

Highland....... Highland; quarry 2 miles south.______ Bass Island dolomite.

Hillsboro; quarry_------------------ Lilley dolomite of Foerste (1917) and

Peebles dolomite of Foerste (1929).

*Marshall; quarry...--...-.---.------- Niagara group.

*New Market; quarry__-...--..--..- Do.

Samantha; quarry 2 miles west___-._- Peebles dolomite of Foerste (1929). 

Sinking Spring area:

a. quarry 1.5 miles northwest-.--.... Lilley dolomite of Foerste (1917).

b. quarry 1 mile north._--.--._-_--- Peebles dolomite of Foerste (1929). 

Willettville; quarry 1.25 miles southeast. Cedarville dolomite(P).

1 Monroe formation includes Bass Island, Amherstburg, and Lucas dolomites.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 445

County Locality Formation

Logan________ Belle Center; quarry.. __- _ Monroe formation (of former!

Beliefontaine; quarry_________________ Columbus limestone.

*Big Springs; quarry __ -_- -__--___ Monroe formation (of former us

East Liberty; quarry 1.25 miles west__ Columbus limestone.

*Huntsville; quarry_.___.____-__--___ Monroe formation (of former

Northwood; quarry.._ __ .- _- Do.

Rushsylvania; quarry 2 miles southeast_ Columbus limestone.

West Liberty; quarry 2 miles east--...- Lucas dolomite.

Lucas_--_---._- *Holland; quarry.._ - .- Monroe formation (of former usage).

*Maumee; quarry..-._________________ Do.

Monclova; quarry 1.75 miles north.---- Bass Island dolomite.

*Silica; quarry..-.-_-.-.-----._.------ Lucas dolomite.

Sylvania; quarry 2.5 miles southwest.- Do.

Waterville; quarry 1 mile south-.__.--- Monroe formation (of former usage).

*Whitehouse; quarry___-------------- Columbus limestone.

Marion...-.---. *Hepburn; quarry 3 miles east(?)_----- Niagara group.

Marseilles; quarry 2 miles southwest _. Monroe formation (of former usage).

Mercer.--..---- Celina; quarry 4.5 miles southwest__ Niagara group.

Rockford; quarry 1.5 miles northwest.._ Do.

Miami. .-.._. Ludlow Falls___-..__--_- -_- Euphemia dolomite of Foerste (1917).

West Covington; 1 mile southwest .--. Springfield dolomite.

Ottawa-..-.--.- Clay Center; quarry-_---_-__ -_---_- Dolomite of Niagaran age (Guelph dolo- 

	mite).

*Elmore; quarry.--------------------- Do.

Genoa; quarry---- _-- -- ------- Do.

*Port Clinton; quarry.__._---_.------ Monroe formation (of former usage).

Paulding __ Grover Hill; quarry 2.5 miles east------ Do.

Preble__------ Lewisburg; quarry 1.25 miles northwest.. Euphemia dolomite of Foerste (1917), and

	Springfield and Cedarville dolomites. 

New Paris; quarry__---------------- Euphemia dolomite of Foerste (1917) and

	Cedarville dolomite. 

Putnam.- *Cloverdale; quarry___-------------- Monroe formation (of former usage).

*Fort Jennings; quarry_ - ___ Do.

*0ttawa; quarry.-- __--.---.------.- Do.

Pandora; quarry__------------------ Do.

Rimer; quarry.__ -- ---------- Do.

Ross._-_--._-_- Greenfield; quarry. - --_--_ Bass Island dolomite.

Sandusky .. Fremont; quarry-_---___--------__--- Niagara group.

Gibsonburg area; quarries- ------------ Dolomite of Niagaran age (Guelph dolo- 

	mite).

*Millersville; quarry _-_ -------- Do.

Woodville area; quarries_ Do.

Seneca.-__ _ Bascom; quarry 1.5 miles east__------ Monroe formation (of former usage).

Maple Grove-Bettsville area; quarries.-_ Dolomite of Niagaran age (Guelph dolo- 

	mite) . 

Shelby -__ _. Kirkwood; 1 mile northwest ----------- Cedarville dolomite.

Union----...... *Watkins; quarry______ - Monroe formation (of former usage).

York Center; quarry_________________ Do.

Van Wert ____ *Convoy; quarry ._ -_ Do.

Delphos; quarry. ------------------ Do.

Middlepoint; quarry 1 mile west__ - Do.

Scott; quarry 3.5 miles southwest.__ - - Do.

Wood------.-.- Fostoria; quarry___----------------- Dolomite of Niagaran age (Guelph dolo- 

	mite) . 

Luckey; quarry.- _- Do.

North Baltimore; quarry _ . Monroe formation (of former usage).

Portage; quarry._--------_ _ Dolomite of Niagaran age (Guelph dolo- 

	mite). 

Rising Sun; quarry.. ......._-..----._ Do.

*Rudolph; quarry- -_-_ -- Monroe formation (of former usage).

West Millgrove; quarry-- - Do.

Weston; quarry. ___ _ _ Columbus limestone.
446 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES 

Dolomite quarries in Ohio Continued

County Locality Formation 

Wyandot.------ Carey; quarry_____ ___....__ Guelph dolomite and Monroe formation

(of former usage). 

Upper Sandusky area:

a. quarry 2.5 miles northeast--_.--_- Monroe formation (of former usage), 

b. quarry 4.5 miles southeast- ..._- Do.

OKLAHOMA

Deposits of dolomite occur in several localities in Oklahoma in formations ranging in age from Cambrian to Permian. Large quantities are 

available in the Arbuckle and Wichita Mountains, in south-central and 

southwestern Oklahoma. The principal dolomitic formations belong to 

the Arbuckle group, of Cambrian and Ordovician age, and include, in 

ascending order, the Royer and Butterly dolomites and the Strange 

formation of Decker (1939). The Kindblade and West Spring Creek 

formations also contain some dolomite. Of these formations, the Royer 

is the only one that has been quarried on a large scale.

Royer dolomite. The Royer dolomite, of Late Cambrian age, generally 

is a coarsely crystalline marblelike dolomite, which attains a thickness 

of more than 700 feet hi the Arbuckle Mountains and about 200 feet 

in the Wichita Mountains. The formation is more widespread in the 

Arbuckles than in the Wichitas, where it occurs only in the northwestern 

part. In the Arbuckle Mountains the Royer is typically a thick-bedded 

gray locally brecciated dolomite, free of sand and chert. It contains 

several discontinuous beds of fine-grained light-gray limestone, but these 

beds constitute only a minor part of the total thickness. Chemical 

analyses of samples from Atoka, Johnston, Murray, and Kiowa Counties 

show that the Royer is in general a moderately good grade of dolomite. 

Locally the quality is excellent, notably in the Mill Creek-Ravia area, 

Johnston County, where quarrying operations were started in 1948 and 

large reserves of high-grade dolomite are readily accessible. (Decker, 

1939; Ham, 1949)

Butterly dolomite. The Butterly dolomite, overlying the Royer and 

separated from it by the Signal Mountain limestone, is a coarse- to 

fine-crystalline partly laminated rock, containing large quartz grains and 

thin layers of quartz conglomerate in the upper part. It is predominantly 

gray, although in places it is pink to yellow. Owing to the resistance of 

the rock to weathering, rough masses stand out in relief 4 to 6 feet above 

the general surface level. So far as is known, the formation occurs only 

in the Arbuckle Mountains, where it ranges in thickness from 150 feet 

in the western part to 365 feet in the east. One analysis of the Butterly 

dolomite from Murray County shows that the rock is of fairly high 

purity, but another from the same locality shows that it is somewhat low 

in magnesium carbonate and contains more than 10 percent impurities. 

(Beach and English, 1940; Decker, 1939)
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 447

Strange dolomite of Decker (1939). The Strange dolomite of Decker

(1939), of Early Ordovician age, i 

dolomite. It has been recognizec

west of Lawton, Comanche County, where about 80 feet is exposed. 

Several analyses of the rock show that it is generally a good-quality 

dolomite, and large quantities of the rock are readily accessible. (Beach 

and English, 1940; Decker, 1939)

KindbladeandWestSpring Creek 

particularly the Kindblade and 

the upper part of the Arbuckle 

throughout most of the Arbuckle 

dolomitic in the eastern part of t 

the areas adjacent to faults. No 

Mountains are available, but it i 

mite may be obtained from the

'ormations. The overlying formations, 

est Spring Creek formations, forming 

group, are predominantly limestone 

fountain area. They tend to be more 

le mountains, however, particularly in 

analyses of samples from the Arbuckle 

reported that large quantities of doloupper part of the West Spring Creek

formation in the vicinity of Hie' 

analyses of rocks from the Kindb 

ern Kiowa County, show that thi 

(Beach and English, 1940; Decke 

Other formations. Thin but wi 

mite and dolomitic limestone are 

part of the Permian sequence 

gypsum. Among these dolomitic

Dolomite quarries an

County Locality

Atoka--- . Coleman; 3.5 miles east...-

Blaine__...... Greenfield..._..-.-._...

a. 6 miles northwest. 

Watonga; 6 miles east..

Comanche .-..-- Lawton area:

a. 6 miles northwestb. 7 miles northwest . 

Delaware.._-... Eucha; 2 miles southeast.

Jackson 1

Flint________.... 

Sycamore; 6 miles northeast 

Greta area:

a. 2 miles northwest. .

Johnston. 

Kiowa.

b. 2 miles southwest..... 

Mill Creek-Ravia area ; qua: 

Wapanucka; 3 miles south.. 

Gotebo; 9 miles south _ ...

Murray.

Sedan; 6 miles east. 

Davis area:

a. 7 miles south..

b. 8 miles south..

a massive coarse-grained pink to gray 

only in the Wichita Mountains northory, eastern Murray County. A few 

ade of the Wichita Mountains, in eastrock is moderately high in impurities. 

1939)

espread beds of generally impure doloin western Oklahoma. The beds are 

f shales, sandstones, limestones, and 

limestones are the Mangum dolomite

occurrences in Oklahoma

Formation

Royer dolomite. 

Relay Creek dolomite 

beds.

Blaine gypsum.

Strange dolomite of

Decker (1939). 

.-.do... .......... .

Cotter dolomite _

.do. 

-do.

Mangum or Creta

member, 

-.-do.--.--._...

Royer dolomite ______

..-do... ___________

Kindblade formation..

Royer dolomite .

-do.

Royer and Butterly 

dolomites.

Reference

Ham, 1949. 

Beach and English,

1940.

Suffel, 1930. 

Beach and English,

1940.

Ham, 1949.

Do.

Beach and English, 

1940. 

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Do. 

Ham, 1949.

Do.

Beach and English, 

1940.

Do.

Ham, 1949. 

Do.
448 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

member, the Greta and Jester dolomite members (Suffel, 1930) of the 

Blaine gypsum, and the Relay Creek and Day Creek dolomites. Because 

of the variability in composition, the general impure nature, and the 

thinness of the beds, it is unlikely that any of these formations could be 

used for high-grade dolomite. Dolomite occurs in northeastern Oklahoma in the Cotter dolomite. (Beach and English, 1940; Ham, 1949; 

Okla. Geol. Survey, 1944; Suffel, 1930)

PENNSYLVANIA

Dolomites and dolomitic limestones are confined principally to southeastern Pennsylvania in several northeast-trending belts of Cambrian and 

Ordovician carbonate rocks. High-purity dolomite in these belts does 

not persist either vertically or laterally, and intricate structure often 

disrupts the normal sequence to such an extent that several formations 

may appear in the same quarry. This condition necessitates careful 

selective quarrying in order to recover rock of the desired composition. 

Dolomites of varied quality have been quarried in many areas. The 

dolomitic formations include the Tomstown dolomite, which, in the York, 

Lancaster, and Chester Valleys, has been subdivided into the Vintage 

dolomite, Kinzers formation, and Ledger dolomite; the Conococheague 

limestone, which is the Allentown limestone of Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties, and the Gatesburg formation and Mines dolomite of 

Blair and Huntingdon Counties; the Beekmantown limestone, which is 

the Larke and Nittany dolomites, Axemann limestone, and Bellefonte 

dolomite in Blair and Huntingdon Counties; and the Conestoga limestone. 

Although these formations commonly are siliceous, intimately interlayered with low-magnesium limestone, or are otherwise impure, large 

reserves of high-purity dolomite probably exist in certain areas, notably 

in Chester and Montgomery Counties. Of the formations mentioned, 

the Ledger is perhaps the most nearly uniform in composition and generally contains the least amount of impurities. (Butts and others, 1939; 

Miller, 1934; Stose and Stose, 1944)

Tomstown dolomite. The Tomstown dolomite, of Early Cambrian age, 

is predominantly a dolomitic limestone with varied quantities of silica 

and magnesia. In many places the formation contains considerable 

quantities of interbedded shaly material, which renders the rock untfesirable for many uses. It is generally blue, but sometimes gray, quite 

massive and hard, and the thickness is about 1,000 feet. Outcrops of 

the Tomstown form a discontinuous belt extending through parts of 

Franklin, Adams, Cumberland, Lebanon, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, 

and Bucks Counties. Chemical analyses show that the rock is generally 

moderately siliceous, although near Clayton, Berks County, and East 

Allentown, Lehigh County, some of the dolomite is of good quality. 

(Miller, 1934; Stose and Ljungstedt, 1931)
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 449

Vintage dolomite. The Vintage jdolomite which, in the York, Lancaster, 

and Chester Valleys, is equivalent to the lower part of the Tomstown, is 

rather poorly exposed. Its presence generally is indicated by the characteristic weathering product, a dark-red or maroon, granular soil. In 

addition to a basal unit of white quartzose marble, the formation consists 

of two major units, a lower one principally of dark-blue or gray, heavily 

bedded to massive, knotty dolonfiite and an upper one of mostly pure 

fine-grained limestone. The thickness of the formation varies considerably

but probably never exceeds 1,000 feet. The Vintage is present in narrow

ably from the Vintage, show some

interrupted belts that extend through parts of Adams, York, Lancaster, 

Berks, and Chester Counties. Analyses from Lancaster County, probdolomite of excellent quality. (Miller,

1934; Stose and Ljungstedt, 1931£ Stose and Stose, 1944)

Kinzers formation. The Kinzers formation, equivalent to the middle 

part of the Tomstown, is varied in character, but generally can be separated into three distinct membsrs: a lower member of dark-colored 

argillaceous shale or argillite, a middle member that is predominantly a 

Umestone of varied composition but locally a good-quality coarse-grained 

dolomite, and an upper member of earthy or fine-grained quartzose milestone containing dark argillaceous layers. The thickness of the formation varies with the locality and ranges from perhaps 150 feet or less in 

Lancaster County to about 500 feet in York County. The Kinzers is 

in the same general areas as the Vintage, and analyses of samples from 

York County, thought to be from jthe Kinzers formation, indicate the presence of some high-purity dolomite. (Miller, 1934; Stose and Ljungstedt, 

1931; Stose and Stose, 1944) j

Ledger dolomite. The Ledger dolomite, equivalent to the upper part 

of the Tomstown, generally is a \fhite to light-gray pure dolomite, which 

may be mottled with dark-grayi or blue spots. It is thick bedded or 

massive, coarse grained, and in some places may merge laterally into 

high-calcium marble. The thictfness of the Ledger is about 1,000 feet, 

and in many places, although poorly exposed, its presence is marked by 

the deep-red granular soil into wh ch the rock weathers. The distribution

is approximately the same as the ^

and in Chester, Lancaster, and Montgomery Counties good-quality rock

has been quarried for use in ma

and Ljungstedt, 1931; Stose and

Conococheague limestone. The

brian age, generally is a dense

a series of alternating beds of 

contains black chert layers, shal;

Mintage dolomite and Kinzers formation,

rnesian products. (Miller, 1934; Stose 

Stose, 1944)

3onococheague Umestone, of Late Cammassive or thick-bedded dolomite or

dolomitic limestone, usually some shade of blue or light gray. This 

formation, having a maximum thickness of about 1,500 feet, comprises

limestone and dolomite and in places 

7 beds, wavy argillaceous partings, and

thin sandstone layers. Differencial weathering causes the more highly
450 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

magnesian beds to turn whiter than the others and the sandy layers to 

stand out in relief, thus imparting a banded appearance that is an excellent, almost diagnostic, criterion for recognizing the formation. The 

Conococheague and the underlying Elbrook limestones are combined as 

a single unit on the State geologic map and are shown in parts of Franklin, 

Cumberland, Lebanon, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Lancaster, Chester, 

Montgomery, and Bucks Counties. Although the rock from this formation commonly is moderately high in silica, some dolomite of good quality 

has been quarried in the areas south of Centerville, Lancaster County, 

and east of Bethlehem, Northampton County. (Miller, 1934; Miller and 

others, 1939; Stose and Ljungstedt, 1931)

Beekmantown limestone. The Beekmantown limestone, of Early Ordovician age, ranges in composition from rather pure limestone to dolomite. 

The rock is dark blue to light blue and gray, and in many places the 

limestones and dolomites occur as alternating beds. The silica content 

of the rock is quite varied. The thickness of the formation approximates 

1,000 feet. The Beekmantown occurs p the same general areas as the 

Conococheague, usually north and northwest of the older formation. It 

occurs also in Dauphin County, where the Conococheague apparently 

is absent. The silica content of the rock commonly is higher than desirable for most purposes, but good-quality dolomite has been quarried 

from the Beekmantown (?) in Blair and Montgomery Counties. (Gray, 

1951; Miller, 1934; Miller and others, 1939; Stose and Ljungstedt, 1931)

Conestoga limestone. The Conestoga limestone, of Cambrian(?) and 

Early Ordovician age, is principally a blue argillaceous limestone. It is 

thick bedded, blue to light gray in the lower part and thin bedded and dark 

blue in the upper part. In many localities a coarse limestone conglomerate or breccia occurs at the base of the formation. The Conestoga forms 

a broad belt through central Lancaster County, with narrower extensions 

through York and Adams Counties to the southwest and Chester and 

Montgomery Counties to the east. Chemical analyses show that goodquality dolomite occurs a short distance southeast of Columbia, Lancaster 

County. (Miller, 1934; Stose and Ljungstedt, 1931)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Pennsylvania

County Locality Formation Reference

Adams -.-_-___- Bittinger area; quarries __________ Ledger dolomite_ _ _ _ _ Miller, 1934.

Bedford.._.--_ Colerain Township.__-_____..--- Rocks of Cambrian Do.

	and Ordovician age. 

Berks..__----__ Bechtelsville area; quarries------- Tomstowndolomite(?)_ Do.

Clay ton; quarry_.___-.-.._ __-do_. -_---_-_--_. Do.

Dale; quarry._______.._.---. --..do..---._..---_- Do.

Earlville; quarries-._---------- -_do.--------.---- Do.

Greshville; quarry__._------- _..do.._________. Do.

Rabbit Hill_..___________ __do_________ Do.

Reading; quarry____-_-_-_.-.- Conococheague lime- Do.

	stone (?). 

Seisholtzville; quarries 2 miles east- Tomstown dolomite(P) Do.
I 

MAGNESIUM RESOUBCBS OP THE UNITED STATES 451

County Locality 

Blair.. _ . Birmingham; quarries.

Formation Reference 

Beekmantown lime- Miller, 1934.

stone(?)

Roaring Spring; quarries $outh . do . .-..-_. Do. 

Bucks....._._ Durham area; quarries._^___... Tomstown dolomite Do.

i and Conococheague 

I limestone. 

New Hope; quarries 2.5 miles north- Beekmantown lime- Do.

west. stone. 

Chester.__.... Cedar Hollow; quarries___-.-..- Ledger dolomite(?)... Do.

Mill Lane area; quarries______ __do___.--___.. Do.

Planebrook; quarry... ._.___ .-_.do.. _ Do.

Franklin__.... Mont Alto; quarry.._____... Tomstown dolomite - Do.

a. quarry 1.5 miles northeast-.. ..-.do.- ... Do.

Fulton......... McConnellsburg area; quarries-... Beekmantown lime- Do.

stone. 

Huntingdon._. Spruce Creek; quarries..._..... Beekmantown (Nit- Do.

tany) limestone. 

Union Furnace; quarries__..... Beekmantown (Belle- Do.

fonte) limestone. 

Lancaster__... Billmeyer; quarries....___._-.. Ledger dolomite_ Do.

Centerville; 0.5 to 0.75 mile south. Conococheague lime- Do.

stone. 

Chickies area; quarries.---------- Ledger dolomite -. Do.

Columbia; quarry 1 mile southeast- Conestoga limestone. _ Do. 

Glenmanor; quarry._____________ Ledger dolomite(P).._ Do.

Lancaster area; quarries_..-.-.- Ledger dolomite ... Do. 

Landis Valley; quarry 0.5 mile ----do.... ._._._ Do.

southeast. 

Leaman Place Kinzers area; Vintage dolomite. - Do.

quarries. 

Newtown; quarry 0.75 mile south- Ledger dolomite - Do.

west. 

Rowenna P. O.__._.......... Ledger dolomite(?)... Do.

Lehigh......... Alburtis area:

a. quarry 0.75 mile northwest_ Beekmantown lime- Do.

stone.

b. quarry 1 mile north __.___-_- Alien town limestone - - Do. 

Allentown; quarries.------------ Alien town limestone. - Do.

Catasauqua; quarry across river... Beekmantown lime- Do.

stone. 

East Allentown; quarries.....__ Tomstown dolomite Do.

Friedensville; quarry 0.5 mile north Beekmantown lime- Do.

stone. 

Ormrod; quarry 0.5 mile south._ Beekmantown lime- Do.

stone (?). 

Trexlertown; quarry 1.5 miles Beekmantown lime- Do.

northeast. . stone. 

Whitehall; quarry 0.75 mile west_ ....do.-.----------- Do.

Mifflin..___- Reedsville.____-- -___-- ----(?)_ Do.

Montgomery. - . . Bridgeport-Shainline area; quarries. Ledger dolomite ... Do. 

Fitzwatertown; quarries . -...do . Do. 

Mogee; quarries... . __ -...do.-.. .. Do. 

Plymouth Meeting area; quarries.- Beekmantown lime- Do.

stone (?)

Port Kennedy; quarry..____... Ledger dolomite(?) Do.

a. quarry 1.5 miles southwest... Ledger dolomite Do.

Williams; quarries____...___ Beekmantown lime- Do.

stone(?) 

Northampton. __ Bethlehem area; quarries......... Conococheague lime- Do.

stone, 

a. quarry 2 miles east . do ----- Do.

Bingen; quarry________________ _..do______-__-_-- Miller and others,

1939.

Brodhead; quarry--...______ Beekmantown lime- Do.

stone.
452 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Pennsylvania Continued

County Locality Formation Reference 

Northampton Easton; quarry__.............. Conococheague lime- Miller, 1934.

Continued stone.

Freemansburg; quarry.----._____ ----do.---------.--- Do.

Hellertown; quarry 0.5 mile south- ....do._---_----.--- Do.

west.

Island Park; quarry._._--_-_.-._ Tomstown dolomite.. Do. 

Portland; quarry--._-__---__-___ Allentown and Beek- Miller and others,

mantown limestones. 1939. 

Redington; quarry_--_._____-._ Tomstown dolomite_ Miller, 1934.

York........... Menges Mills; quarries.._--..-.._ .._.(?)__.._-.---- Do.

Saginaw; quarry____..--.....-. ....(?)___.-_--_.-. Do.

Thomasville; quarries.-..-...-... Kinzers formation(?)._ Do. 

York area:

a. 1 mile west___--.--....-... .---do.--------.---- Do.

b. 2 miles west_.-.--_..... . ....do......-..--.-- Do.

c. quarry 1.5 miles south west.... -.--do....---...-.-- Do.

d. 2 miles north............... ....do_----------- Do.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Little information is available regarding dolomite in South Carolina. 

A. few chemical analyses indicate the presence of dolomite in Cherokee, 

Laurens, and Oconee Counties, but practically nothing is known of the 

extent or average composition of the deposits. The best known dolomite 

deposits occur near Gaffney, Cherokee County, in the Gaffney marble; 

the occurrence northwest of Laurens, Laurens County, has not been 

assigned to a stratigraphic unit; and the occurrences northwest of Walhalla, Oconee County, have been assigned, at least tentatively, to the 

Brevard schist. It appears doubtful that any commercial deposits of 

high-purity dolomite occur in South Carolina. (Keith and Sterrett, 1931; 

Sloan, 1908)

Brevard schist. Details concerning the dolomite in the Brevard schist 

sequence, in Oconee County, are lacking. Two analyses of samples from 

the area northwest of Walhalla, from "limestone" beds 3.5 and 6.5 feet 

thick associated with slates, are of dolomite, but they show that the 

silica content is higher than desirable. (Sloan, 1908)

Gaffney marble. The Gaffney marble, of Cambrian age, is predominantly a fine-grained bluish-gray to white crystalline rock having a 

banded appearance due to impurities. The whiter beds generally overlie 

the gray ones and are more highly magnesian. The thickness of the 

Gaffney, usually poorly exposed, probably does not exceed about 120 

feet. These outcrops extend in interrupted belts from the quarries south

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in South Carolina 

[Data from Sloan, 1908]

County Locality Formation 

Cherokee ------- Gaffney; quarries 1 mile south __.....__ Gaffney marble.

Laurens__------ Laurens; quarrry 7.5 miles north west (?).

Oconee- - ------- Walhalla area:

a. 8.1 miles northwest..-..-__--.-.. Brevard schist(?). 

b. 9 miles northwest.----.--........ Do.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 453

of Gaffney northeastward through Blacksburg and into North Carolina. 

One analysis from a quariy south of Gaffney shows that the rock is a dolomite moderately high in silica. (Keith and Sterrett, 1931; Sloan, 1908)

SOUTH DAKOTA

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone are restricted 1}o the Black Hills

region of South Dakota in parts of Ouster, Fall River, 

and Pennington Counties. The dolomites occur in 

ranging in age from Late Ordovician to Permian(?) and

Lawrence, Meade,

three formations

include the Whitewood dolomite and Pahasapa and Minnekahta limestones. These formations are predominantly limestones that locally contain high concentrations of magnesium carbonate. Of these formations, the Pahasapa 

limestone and, possibly, the dolomitic sands derive^ from it probably 

are the most important potential sources of dolomite. Few analyses and 

no details concerning the extent of these localized deposits are available, 

but it is possible that large quantities of dolomite kre in this region. 

(Darton and Paige, 1925; Rothrock, 1944) 

Whitewood dolomite. The Whitewood dolomite, o:

age, is predominantly a hard massive limestone, gen

Late Ordovician 

;rally buff colored

or pinkish with pale-brownish spots. The maximum thickness is about 

80 feet. The formation is principally in the northern^ part of the Black 

Hills uplift. One analysis of a sample from near De^dwood, Lawrence 

County, shows a dolomitic limestone. (Darton and Paige, 1925; 

Rothrock, 1944)

Pahasapa limestone. The Pahasapa limestone, of 

is a fine-grained massively bedded limestone, ranging 

light gray or white. It ranges in thickness from 300 

feet, and it is reported to be highly magnesian locally

Mississippian age, 

from pale buff to 

to more than 600

r. No analyses of

the rock are available. Large deposits of dolomitic £and derived from 

the weathering of the Pahasapa limestone are reported at several places 

in the Black Hills, and a,n analysis from the largest deposit, near Piedmont, southwestern Meade County, shows a magnesium carbonate 

content approaching that of a pure dolomite. Th^ Pahasapa is the 

most widespread of the formations mentioned. It surrounds almost 

completely the central part of the Black Hills uplift aria forms the greater 

part of the broad limestone plateau on the west side of the uplift. Commercial deposits of dolomite may be available in the P&hasapa limestone. 

(Bryson and others, 1947; Darton and Paige, 1925; Rothrock, 1944)

Minnekahta limestone. The Minnekahta limestone, of Permian (?) age, 

is a light-gray rock, usually exhibiting a pinkish or purplish tinge. Its 

average thickness is less than 40 feet, and it varies from limestone to 

dolomite. An analysis of a sample from near Hot Springs, Fall River 

County, shows that the rock is dolomite. The Minnekahta crops out 

in a narrow band th^t forms the front of the limestorie ridge around the
454 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

periphery of the Black Hills uplift. (Bryson and others, 1947; Darton 

and Paige, 1925; Rothrock, 1944)

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone occurrences in South Dakota

County Locality Formation Reference 

Fall River-..--. Hot Springs-...________ Minnekahtalimestone. Darton and Paige,

1925.

Lawrence___.. Deadwood._______...__ Whitewood dolomite Rothrock, 1944. 

Meade.----.--- Piedmont-._._---_.--.____.-_- Pahasapa limestone Do.

TENNESSEE

Dolomites and dolomitic limestones of Cambrian and Ordovician age 

extend through eastern Tennessee in several northeast-trending belts 

that are northward continuations of those that begin in northeastern 

Alabama and northwestern Georgia. The dolomitic strata include the 

Shady dolomite, of Cambrian age, and the Knox group, of Cambrian 

and Ordovician age. The Knox group consists of the Copper. Ridge, 

Chepultepec, and Longview dolomites, the Kingsport limestone, and the 

Mascot dolomite. It is doubtful that the rocks of the Longview, Kingsport, and Mascot should be considered as sources of high-grade dolomite, 

owing to the general abundance of sand, chert, and limestone in the 

formations, although chemical analyses show that moderately siliceous 

dolomite may occur locally. (Oder, 1934; Pond, 1933; Rodgers, 1948, 

1953; Rodgers and Kent, 1948)

Shady dolomite. The Shady dolomite, of Early Cambrian age, is characteristically a dolomite with some interbedded limestone. The dolomite 

is white to light gray or blue gray, massive to well laminated, fine grained, 

and locally contains a little chert. The rock not uncommonly exhibits 

alternating bands or ribbons of light and dark dolomite. The thickness 

of the formation averages about 1,000 feet. Outcrops are not common, 

but they occur in parts of Blount, Monroe, Carter, Johnson, Cocke, 

Unicoi, and Washington Counties. Chemical analyses of samples from 

Johnson and Washington Counties indicate that the rock generally is 

moderately siliceous but that some good-quality dolomite occurs locally, 

notably near Wills Station and Erwin. (Pond, 1933; Rodgers, 1948, 

1953; Secrist, 1924)

Knox group. The Knox group comprises a thick series of limestones 

and dolomites, with dolomites predominating, in several northeasttrending belts that extend through the Great Valley region of eastern 

Tennessee. The group averages about 2,600 to 3,000 feet in thickness, 

and the rocks generally are dolomitic in the northwest side of the Valley, 

becoming progressively more calcareous toward the southeast. The 

Knox contains five formations where completely subdivided, but only the 

two lower formations the Copper Ridge and Chepultepec dolomites 

probably have any possibilities as sources of high-grade dolomite. (Josiah
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITEIJ) STATES 455

Bridge, 1952, oral communication; Rodgers, 1953; Rodgers and Kent, 

1948)

Copper Ridge dolomite. The Copper Ridge dolomite, of Late Cambrian 

age, consists of two members. The lower one is missive knotty darkgray asphaltic crystalline dolomite interbedded wjith light-gray silty 

dolomite and marked at the base by a striking blacjk and white coarsegrained dolomitic oolite. The upper member is ligrit-gray slightly silty 

dolomite having an exceptionally coarse oolite at tjie base, arenaceous 

zones at many levels, and marked near the top bjy prominent oolitic 

chert layers and beds of sandstone. The average t<i>tal thickness of the 

Copper Ridge is about 900 feet, approximately 2£5 feet of which is 

represented by the upper member. Chemical analyses representing parts 

of the so-called lower Knox or of the Copper Ridge dolomite show that 

the rock generally is a siliceous dolomite or, more frequently, a siliceous 

dolomitic limestone. A moderately siliceous dolomite has been quarried 

at Norris Dam, Anderson County. (Oder, 1934; Benjamin Gildersleeve, 

1946, written communication; Rodgers, 1953; Rodgers and Kent, 1948)

Chepultepec dolomite. The overlying Chepultepecj dolomite, of Ordovician age, also contains two rather distinct memberjs. The lower member is generally sandy and is composed of interbedded sandstone or chert 

and light-gray to dark-gray fine-grained dolomite, wliich is in places silty 

or cherty. The upper member is predominantly dolomite, light gray to

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Tennessee

County Locality Formation Reference 

Anderson...._ Norris Dam; quarry.-.______.--- Copper Ridge dolo- Benjamin Gildermite, sleeve, 1946, written communication. 

Offrutt_______._______. ....do_______- Do.

Hamilton..-.--- Chattanooga; quarry__________ Knox group____... Do.

Soddy; 2.5 miles east....__.. ._do______. Do.

Jefferson........ Dandridge; quarry.__....---..- ----do.------.-J---- Do.

Johnson.---..-. Doe Valley--..---..-------.---.. Shady dolomite------ Jenkins, 1916.

Mountain City area:

a. 3.5 miles north...-...--.--_ ...-do_-.--.-_.--- Do. 

b. 4 miles north...____________ __--dQ._-------.j---- Do.

o. eastof Wills Station; quarry.. ..--do-.-.-.-.-J---- Do.

d. Silver Lake-....__-------- ---.do.------..__. Do.

Roane Creek Valley; quarries 0.75 .-..do..______- Do.

miles east of Shouns, near Forge 

Creek. 

Shady Valley; quarry 0.5 mile ----do._-----..J---- Do.

northwest.

Roane ------- Harriman; quarry.. ------------- Knox group____[____ Benjamin Gildersleeve, 1946, written communication. 

Kingston..----------.....------ ____ do.. ------------ . Do.

Union...------. Maynardsville; quarry 8.5 miles ._..(?)______L___ Do.

northwest. 

Sharps Chapel.---------------.. Knox group___J.__. Do.

Washington .. Bumpass Cove; quarries northwest Shady dolomite. _.... Rodgers, 1948.

of Erwin. 

Erwin; 0.5 mile northwest--..._ __do___..____. Do.
456 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

medium gray, although some dark beds are present, usually fine grained, 

and contains some silty layers. The average thickness of the formation 

is about 700 feet. Details concerning the chemical composition of the 

rock are not available. (Oder, 1934; Rodgers, 1953; Rodgers and 

Kent, 1948)

TEXAS

The dolomites of Texas range in age from Precambrian to Cretaceous 

and occur in several areas. The more important localities include the 

Central Mineral region, north-central Texas, and parts of western Texas. 

The formations that appear, from chemical analyses, to contain the best 

quality dolomite are the Tanyard, German, and Honeycut formations 

of the Ellenburger group in the central region. These formations and 

the dolomite f acies in them attain considerable thickness in certain areas. 

Other dolomites that may have commercial possibilities include lenses 

in the Packsaddle schist and, perhaps, parts of the Wilberns and Rustler 

formations. Dolomite belonging to the lower part of the Ellenburger 

group has been quarried as a source of magnesium. (Barnes and others, 

1947; Cloud and Barnes, 1946; Warren, 1943)

Packsaddle schist. Dolomite marble, associated with magnesitic dolomite and magnesite, occurs as lenses in the Packsaddle schist, of Precambrian age. The dolomite is coarsely crystalline, predominantly 

white, although in places cream colored, and contains varied amounts of 

silicate minerals. In the vicinity of Llano, Llano County, parts of one 

lens, more than one-half mile long and about 200 feet thick, have been 

quarried as a source of terrazzo chips. Chemical analyses of samples 

from several of these lenses in the same general area show the presence 

of good-quality dolomite, but they probably are not representative of 

the average composition of each lens. (Barnes and others, 1947)

Wilberns formation. The Pedernales dolomite member of the Wilberns 

formation, of Late Cambrian age, is a fine- to medium-grained, mediumor brownish-gray dolomite, which contains some interstitial glauconite 

and is locally cherty. The member ranges in thickness from 70 to 150 

feet. The Pedemales crops out in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano Counties. 

Analyses of samples of the dolomite from north of Johnson City, Blanco 

County, show the rock to range from high-silica to excellent-quality 

dolomite. (Barnes and others, 1947; Cloud and Barnes, 1946)

Ellenburger group. The Ellenburger group, of Early Ordovician age, 

consists of three formations the Tanyard, German, and Honeycut each 

of which contains some dolomite. In general, the Ellenburger group 

crops out around the periphery of the Llano uplift in Mason, Llano, and 

adjoining Counties.

Tanyard formation. The Tanyard formation comprises the Threadgill 

member and the overlying Staendebach member. The Threadgill, 91
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 457

to 313 feet thick, is principally limestone in its westejrn area of outcrop, 

grading eastward into dolomite. Locally there are atirupt lateral transitions between the two rock types. The dolomite is medium to coarse 

grained, locally cherty, and usually some shade of gray. Analyses of 

samples from the dolomitic parts of the Threadgill sjiow that it ranges 

from dolomitic limestone to excellent-quality doloriiite. It has been 

quarried in the vicinity of Sudduth, Burnet County, jfis a source of magnesium. The Staendebach member, ranging in thickness from 205 to 

456 feet, also contains limestone and dolomite, the dolomites predominating in the western and southeastern areas of outcrbp. This member 

generally is similar in appearance to the Threadgill; it has been distinguished from the Threadgill largely on its higher chert content and 

finer grained texture. Owing to its cherty nature, tl|ie silica content of 

the dolomite is somewhat higher than in the Threadgill member. (Barnes 

and others, 1947; Cloud and Barnes, 1946)

Gorman formation. The German formation is fropi 426 to 498. feet 

thick, where typically formed. The lower part generally is dolomitic, 

the upper calcitic with local interbedded dolomites. The lower dolomitic 

zone is as much as 230 feet thick. It consists of v<^ry fine grained to 

microgranular dolomite with yellowish, pinkish, and brownish hues predominating. A group of analyses of the dolomite in the vicinity of 

Johnson City, Blanco County, shows the rock to haW a high average 

silica content. (Barnes and others, 1947; Cloud and Barnes, 1946)

Honeycut formation. The overlying Honeycut formation is roughly 

divisible into three units. The lower unit is an alternation of limestone 

and dolomite, the middle predominantly microgranula|r dolomite, and the 

upper part is predominantly limestone. The maximum total thickness 

of the formation is 678 feet. The formation closely resembles the Gorman 

except that the light- or yellowish-gray colors generally are not so vivid. 

Silica sand is common in the lower 50 feet of the Honeycut formation, 

and siliceous limestone and chert also are common. Chemical analyses 

indicate that it is slightly low in magnesium carbonate and high in silica. 

(Barnes and others, 1947; Cloud and Barnes, 1946)

El Paso, Montoya, and Fusselman limestones. Doloijnites of Ordovician 

age occur in the Franklin Mountains of El Paso County. These include 

the El Paso and Montoya limestones which, together with the Fusselman limestone, of Silurian age, comprise the summit of the range. 

These limestones have been described in the section on New Mexico 

(p. 437), and the same lithologic character prevails in the Franklin 

Mountains.

Alibates dolomite lentil. The Alibates dolomite lentil of the Quartermaster formation, of Permian age, occurs in Potter and Moore Counties, 

where it forms bluffs along the Canadian River. It is a massive white 

crystalline dolomite, usually separated by a shale meftiber into 2 layers,
458 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

2 and 9 feet thick. Although the dolomite is locally cherty, analyses 

show that some good-quality dolomite is present. (Warren, 1943)

Other formations. Certain of the limestones of Permian age in the 

northwestern part of Culberson County contain dolomite locally. A few 

of the available chemical analyses of the Victorio Peak member of the 

Bone Spring limestone, the Goat Seep limestone, and the Carlsbad limestone are of high-grade dolomite. The extent of the rock of this quality 

is not known, however. (King, 1948)

Thin, widespread dolomites of Permian age, similar in occurrence and 

character to those of western Oklahoma, occur in north-central Texas.

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Texas

County 

Blanco.. _.

Locality

Johnson City area: 

a. 1 mile north_ 

Formation Reference

Burnet.

b. 5 miles east. ... 

c. quarry 7.7 miles west.

Round Mountain area: 

a. 0.6mile west 

b. 7 miles northwest. _..

Burnet; quarry___------

a. 1 mile south._.....

Cloud and 

1946. 

Do.

Wilberns and Tanyard Barnes,

formations. 

Gorman and Honeycut

formations.

Wilberns formation... Barnes and others, 

1947-

Fairland; 5 miles east_.... 

Kingsland; 7 miles northeast.

Culberson.

Gillespie.

Lake Victor; quarry, 2.5 miles

north-northwest.

Marble Falls; 2 miles south.. _ .. 

Sudduth; quarry. __-_.____._._..

a. quarries 1 mile north._______

b. quarry 3.1 miles south___ . 

Pine Springs area:

a. 4 miles west.. ..............

b. 6 miles west.... ._ 

, c. 5.5 miles north-northwest.... 

Fredericksburg area:

a. 7 miles east...._ . _-

__do_________- Do. 

__do_________ Do.

---(?) - Do. 

Hocks of Cambrian (?) Do.

age.

Ellenburger group.-_- Do. 

Rocks of Precambrian Do.

age. 

Gorman formation Do.

Honeycut formation.- Do.

Tanyard formation... Do.

__do_________ Do.

Gorman formation Do.

Bone Spring limestone. King, 1948.

Goat Seep limestone- - Do.

Carlsbad limestone_. Do.

Tanyard formation... Barnes and others, 

1947.

llano.

Moore.... 

Potter_. 

San Saba.

b. 9.5 miles east __ .. -------

Llano; quarry ..---- ---------

a. quarry 3 miles southeast. ...

b. 1.5 miles south-sou theast...

c. quarry 6 miles southeast _ .

Oxford area:

a. 2 miles southeast- _________

b. 3 miles southeast- _---._-__

Fritch; 3.5 miles southwest. -----

Fritch; 8 miles southwest _ __ .

Cherokee area:

a. 3 miles northeast- ... _____

. Wilberns formation...

. Packsaddle schist. _

. -do....-. -

. ..-do _._._ 

- -..-do. _ ___--. 

. ....do _ ... ...

. _...do__ _____ .

. Alibates dolomite lentil

. ....do.-------- 

Tanyard formation ...

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Warren, 1943.

Do.

Cloud and '.

b. 9 miles east-northeast.......

Harkeyville; 14 miles south-southwest.

Richland Springs; 2 miles southsouthwest.

1946.

Ellenburger group . Do. 

Gorman formation__ Barnes and others,

1947. 

Ellenburger group_ _ Do.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 459

They are interbedded with gypsum, shale, sandstone, and limestone. 

They include the Merkel dolomite member of the ChOza formation, and 

dolomites of the Blaine gypsum and the Dog Creek formation. Chemical 

analyses are not available, but, if the dolomites are sirnilar in composition 

to those in western Oklahoma, they probably are not suitable as sources 

of high-grade rock. The Edwards limestone (Cretaceous) in the central 

region, although dolomitic in part, probably need ncjt be considered as 

a source of dolomite, because of the thick beds of ptire limestone with 

which the thin dolomites are interbedded. (Barnss and others, 1947; 

Cloud and Barnes, 1946; Weissenborn and Stenzel, 1^48)

UTAH

I

Dolomites and dolomitic limestones occur principally in the western 

half of Utah in the Paleozoic sections exposed in the Wasatch Range and 

in the fault-block mountains of the Basin and Range province. They 

range in age from Cambrian to Mississippian, and they are best known 

in the mineralized areas such as the Tintic, Gold Hill, Qquirrh Mountain, 

San Francisco, and Cottonwood-American Fork minjing districts. The 

formations have not been correlated between districts; this has resulted 

in different nomenclature for equivalent geologic sections in each of the 

districts. The dolomite deposits in these mining districts, those in Cache 

and Rich Counties, and several examined briefly during the war probably 

represent most, if not all, the more important deposits in Utah. In most 

of the areas, little information is available regarding the chemical composition, uniformity, or extent of the dolomite.

Dolomites and dolomitic limestones of Cambrian age have been described at many localities in northern and western Utah. These formations include the Langston, Blacksmith, Nounan, and St. Charles 

limestones in the Bear River Range and in the Bladksmith Fork area, 

eastern Cache County; the Bluebird and Cole Cannon dolomites, and 

the Opex formation in the Tintic district, Juab Coijinty; the Maxfield 

limestone in the Cottonwood-American Fork area, Sali Lake County; the 

Young Peak dolomite, Trippe limestone, Lamb dqlomite, and Hicks 

formation in the Gold Hill district, western Tooele County; the lower 

part of the Grampian limestone in the San Francisco district, Beaver 

County; and the Lynch dolomite of the Oquirrh Mountain district 

(Stockton-Fairfield quadrangles), near Ophir, Tooele County. (Butler, 

1913; Calkins and Butler, 1943; Deiss, 1938; Eardley, t944; Gilluly, 1932; 

Lindgren and Loughlin, 1919; Nolan, 1935; Richardsqn, 1913)

Dolomites and dolomitic limestones of Ordoviciati age occur also in 

most of the districts mentioned. These formation^ include the Ajax 

limestone and Bluebell dolomite in the Tintic district; the Chokecherry 

dolomite in the Gold Hill district; the Fish Haven dolomite in the Gold 

Hill district, Blacksmith Fork area, Bear River RaJnge, and probably
460 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

south of Laketown, Rich County; and the upper part of the Grampian 

limestone in the San Francisco district. (Butler, 1913; Nolan, 1935; 

Lindgren and Loughlin, 1919)

Younger dolomitic rocks include the Laketown dolomite, of Silurian 

age, in the Gold Hill district, in the area south of Laketown, Rich County, 

and in the Bear River Range; the Red Warrior limestone, of Silurian (?) 

and Devonian(?) age, in the San Francisco district; the Sevy and Simonson dolomites, and the Guilmette formation, of Devonian age, in the Gold 

Hill district; the Jefferson dolomite (Devonian) in the Bear River Range, 

in eastern Rich County, in the Oquirrh Mountain area, and in the 

Cottonwood-American Fork district; the Gardner dolomite of Mississippian age, in the Tintic district; and the Madison and Deseret limestones, 

of Mississippian age, in the Cottonwood-American Fork district. (Butler, 

1913; Calkins and Butler, 1943; Gilluly, 1932; Lindgren and Loughlin, 

1919; Nolan, 1935; Richardson, 1913)

Of these 27 formations that have been described as dolomite or dolomitic limestone, 7 are shown to be dolomites by available chemical 

analyses. Brief descriptions of these rocks follow.

Grampian limestone. The Grampian limestone, of Cambrian(?) and 

Ordovician age, occurs in the San Francisco district of north-central 

Beaver County. It consists of about 4,000 feet of heavy-bedded blue 

dolomitic limestone, with some beds of light-gray limestone and thin 

shales. Locally the dolomitic limestone is siliceous or cherty, but one 

analysis shows a "gray dolomitic limestone" that is high-grade dolomite. 

(Butler, 1913)

Blacksmith limestone. The Blacksmith limestone, of Middle Cambrian 

age, consists predominantly of white-gray to dull steel-gray fine- to 

medium-grained thick-bedded dolomite and interbedded dolomitic limestone. Many of the beds are banded and contain irregular markings 

of white dolomite. In the Blacksmith Fork area, Cache County, the 

formation is about 450 feet thick. Chemical analyses of the rock in this 

locality show that it is a dolomite of excellent quality locally. (Deiss, 

1938)

Nounan limestone. The Nounan limestone, of Middle Cambrian age, 

consists of light-gray and some dark-gray, medium-grained, thin- and 

thick-bedded dolomite with about 150 feet of white-gray limestone in 

the lower part. The formation is about 900 feet thick in the Blacksmith 

Fork area. One chemical analysis of the rock shows that the sample 

is a dolomite of excellent quality. (Deiss, 1938)

Bluebird dolomite. The Bluebird dolomite, of Middle Cambrian age, 

is typically a dark bluish-gray fine-grained dolomite that is characteristically spangled with short white calcite rods. The thickness of the 

formation is 175 to 200 feet, and it occurs in several places in the Tintic 

district, southwestern Utah County and northeastern Juab County. One
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITEI^ STATES 461

chemical analysis shows the presence of good-quality dolomite in the area 

west of Eureka. (Lindgren and Loughlin, 1919)

Cole Canyon dolomite. The Cole Canyon dolomine, of Middle Cambrian age, overlies the Bluebird and consists of a series of alternating 

beds, from 10 to 25 feet thick, with nearly white and dark-gray weathered 

surfaces. The white-weathering beds are medium g:-ay to light gray on 

the fresh surface; some are dense and finely banded; others are very 

finely crystalline. The dense variety usually is rather argillaceous, and 

the finely crystalline variety reportedly is nearly pure dolomite. A few 

thin shale beds occur in the series. One chemical ^nalysis shows that 

the darker beds are highly dolomitic, siliceous limestone. No analyses 

of the light-colored beds are available. (Lindgren 4nd Loughlin, 1919)

Lynch dola.mite. The Lynch dolomite, of Middle(?) and Late Cambrian 

age, comprises the dolomite sequence of Cambrian age in the Oquirrh 

Mountains of eastern Tooele County. The formation consists of thickbedded light-gray dolomite, the lower part of whiclk contains layers of 

the distinctive dolomite that is characteristic of the Bluebird dolomite. 

A few limestone beds also occur in the lower part of the formation. The 

thickness of the Lynch ranges from 825 to 1,000 feetJ One analysis of a 

sample from near Ophir shows that the dolomite hasp a moderately high 

silica content. (Gilluly, 1932)

Jefferson dolomite. The Jefferson dolomite, of Devonian age, occurs 

in the Bear River Range, west of Garden City, w|here it is chiefly a 

massive fine-grained dark dolomite weathering wiijh a brownish tint. 

The thickness of the formation here is 1,200 feet. A partial analysis 

shows more than 19 percent magnesia, but nothing is known of the purity

County 

Beaver. ___- 

Cache_----_

Juab_

Rich----- 

Salt Lake. 

Tooele.-.

Utah.

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Utah

Locality Formation I Reference 

San Francisco district.--_--_----. Grampian limestone-- Butler, 1913. 

Hyrum; 12 miles east, at Black- Blacksmith limestone. 

smith Fork Canyon.

a. 1 mile west of above___... Nounan limestone4... 

Logan; east in Logan Canyon..-.- __..(?)__--.---!-._ 

Eureka; west___ - ._.._.....__. Bluebird and Cole (panyon dolomites.

Leamington; 5 miles east--.-..--. Rocks of Cambriajn(P)

or Mississippiajn(?) 

age. 

Laketown; 3 miles south.___.--.- LaketownandJeffepson Richardson, 1913.

dolomites. 

Alta.--_____-_---_--...-.-_.-.. Maxfieldhmestoneland Calkins and Butler,

Jeffersondolomite(?) 1943.

Dolomite; quarry__ _._..._..... Jefferson dolomite^?).. 

Ophir--_--,---___-_-____--_____ Lynch and Jefferso|n(?)

dolomites. 

Santaquin area:

a. quarry 3 miles west-__--_.-. Rocks of Devonian(?)

or MississippianC?) 

age.

b. quarry 2 miles northwest-..- Bluebird(P) and <pole

Canyon dolomites.
462 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

of the rock. The formation tentatively identified as Jefferson in the 

Cottonwood-American Fork area is a thick-bedded light- to medium-gray 

dolomite, in places faintly mottled. Near the base and near the middle 

of the formation are layers of thin-bedded impure dolomite with a little 

shale and chert. It is about 150 feet thick. No analyses of the rock 

are available.. Chemical analyses of rock from formations identified as 

Jefferson(?) near Ophir and Dolomite, Tooele County, show the presence 

of some good-quality dolomite. (Calkins and Butler, 1943; Richardson, 

1913)

VERMONT

The dolomitic formations in Vermont are mainly in the partly metamorphosed Cambrian and Ordovician sedimentary rocks that occur in 

north-south belts in the extreme western part of the State. These rocks 

are west of the Green Mountain front where, in northern Vermont, they 

occupy the eastern part of the Champlain lowland. The belts extend 

from the Canadian border southward through Addison County, the 

narrow Rutland Valley east of the Taeonic Range, and into northwestern 

Massachusetts. The geology is complicated by thrusting, folding, varied 

degrees of metamorphism, and lack of uniformity in the formations both 

vertically and laterally. Metamorphism has been greater in the southern 

part of the belt, and the areas around Proctor, Rutland, and Danby, all 

in Rutland County, contain the high-grade marbles of the State. The 

dolomitic formations worthy of mention include the Dunham dolomite 

of Clark (1934), Winooski marble, Rutland dolomite, the Danby formation, and the Clarendon Springs dolomite. Owing to the lack of 

uniformity and the siliceous nature of the rocks, the extent of high-purity 

dolomite seems to be small. Commercial deposits of dolomite are not 

known. (Cady, 1945; Prindle and Knopf, 1932)

Dunham dolomite of Clark (1934)- The Dunham dolomite of Clark 

(1934), of Early Cambrian age, is mainly a buff-weathering siliceous 

dolomite with well-rounded sand grains irregularly distributed throughout. North of Malletts Bay, the upper part of the Dunham is represented 

by the Mallett member of Cady (1945), typically a smooth gray sandy 

dolomite interbedded with buff dolomite having siliceous partings and 

several flaggy, shaly dolomite beds. The thickness of the Dunham 

varies from 1,700 to 2,000 feet. .Commercial quantities of high-grade 

dolomite may be present in the Dunham (?) in the gorge of Mill River just 

east of Clarendon, Rutland County. (Cady, 1945)

Winooski marble. The Winooski marble, of Early Cambrian age, is 

separated from the underlying Dunham dolomite of Clark (1934) by the 

Monkton quartzite in west-central Vermont. The rock typically is pink 

on the fresh surface, becoming less so upward in the section and finally 

becoming buff or gray. The beds, usually less than 1 foot thick, are
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 463

separated by siliceous partings. The thickness of the formation ranges 

from about 100 feet on Snake Mountain, west-central Addison County, 

to at least 800 feet in the vicinity of Pittsford, north-central Rutland 

County. No analyses of the dolomites in the formation are available. 

(Cady, 1945; Keith, 1932)

Rutland dolomite. The Rutland dolomite, of Early Cambrian age, 

is composed of a series of heavy-bedded snow-white dolomite; gray 

dolomite; thin-bedded white grayish-streaked dolomite interbedded with 

quartzose and shaly layers; and dark-blue to gray carbonaceous dolomite, 

the uppermost beds of which contain considerable chert. The formation 

occupies the southern part of the narrow valley bounded on the east by 

the Green Mountains and on the west by the Taconic Range. South 

of Pittsford, where the Monkton quartzite apparently pinches out, the 

Rutland probably is the f ormational equivalent of the Dunham-MonktonWinooski sequence. (Cady, 1945; Prindle and Knopf, 1932)

Dauby formation. The lower part of the Danby formation, of Late 

Cambrian age, contains protruding beds of sandstone separated by beds 

of dolomite 10 to 12 feet thick. The thickness of this unit is from 400 

to 800 feet. The upper part of the Danby is represented by the Wallingford member of Cady (1945). It consists of dark iron-gray magnesian 

limestone, somewhat siliceous, with some of the beds approaching the 

composition of sandstone. The thickness of the Wallingford is about 

300 to 400 feet where typically formed. (Cady, 1945)

Clarendon Springs dolomite. The Clarendon Springs dolomite, which 

overlies the Wallingford member of Cady (1945), is a rather uniform 

massive smooth-weathering gray dolomite, containing numerous geodes 

and knots of white quartz. Locally, near the top of the formation, 

sandy beds and masses of black chert occur. The thickness of the 

formation varies from 50 to 200 feet and generally is greater to the west. 

(Cady, 1945; Keith, 1932)

Other formations. At many places in the eastern part of the State, 

lenses of calcite marble or dolomite marble occur in the schists and 

gneisses. These masses are not continuous nor are they uniform in composition from one locality to another. An analysis of a sample from 

one such lens, near Plymouth, Windsor County, shows that the rock is 

excellent-quality dolomite, but this is by no means typical of the dolomite in these areas. (Dale, 1915)

Dolomite quarries in Vermont

[Data from Dale, 1915]

County Locality Formation 

Windsor........ Plymouth; quarry.._...._.....-.... (?).

VIRGINIA

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone in Virginia are in the Cambrian and 

Ordovician carbonate rocks that occur in nearly continuous northeast-
464 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

trending belts throughout the length of the Appalachian Valley. The 

principal dolomitic formations include the Tomstown and Shady dolomites, Honaker dolomite, Elbrook limestone, Copper Ridge dolomite, 

and the Beekmantown dolomite. Northwest of Clinch Mountain in 

Tazewell, Russell, and Scott Counties, the Copper Ridge and Beekmantown, together with the intervening Chepultepec dolomite, constitute the 

Knox dolomite. Dolomite also occurs locally in the Rome formation. 

The Honaker appears to be the most promising source of high-purity 

dolomite, and large quantities are reported to occur in Tazewell and 

Russell Counties. (Cooper, 1944; Cooper, 1945; Edmundson, 1945)

Tomstown and Shady dolomites. Dolomite of Early Cambrian age is 

represented by the Tomstown dolomite northeast of Roanoke and by 

its equivalent, the Shady dolomite, to the southwest. The upper part 

of the Tomstown in the northern part of the Valley is predominantly a 

light- to dark-gray fine- to medium-grained dolomite or dolomitic lime-1 

stone; some of the beds are cream colored and saccharoidal. The 

lithologic character of the lower part is less well known. The formation 

generally is poorly exposed but crops out in parts of Clarke, Rockbridge, 

and Botetourt Counties. The thickness ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 feet 

in Clarke County, where large reserves of dolomite may be present along 

the Shenandoah River. Chemical analyses of samples from near Berryville and Shepherd Ford show the presence of good- to excellent-quality 

dolomite. The Shady dolomite occupies parts of the Valley southwest 

of Roanoke. The formation has been divided into three members: the 

Patterson limestone member, Austinville dolomite member of Butts 

(1940), and Ivanhoe limestone member. The Austinville is probably the 

only member that need be considered a potential source of dolomite. 

It is composed principally of gray and white, usually saccharoidal dolomite, containing some thin limestone beds. Its thickness ranges from 

perhaps 600 to more than 1,000 feet. It is exposed south of Roanoke 

and in a nearly continuous belt extending from near Allisonia, Pulaski 

County, southwestward to Damascus, Washington County. (Butts, 

1933; Butts, 1940; Currier, 1935; Edmundson, 1945)

Rome formation. The Rome formation, of Early Cambrian age, is 

principally a series of shales, siltstones, and limy sandstones, but it 

contains local beds of dolomite, one of which is prominent in the vicinity 

of Roanoke. In this area the dolomite member consists of mediumbedded fine-grained dark-gray dolomite, ranging in thickness from 135 

to 155 feet. Chemical analyses show that the rock normally averages 

about 5 percent impurities, but that some of the dolomite, notably at 

Roanoke, is of excellent quality. (Cooper, 1944)

Honaker dolomite. The Honaker dolomite, of Middle Cambrian age, 

is predominantly dark bluish-gray dolomite, usually finely granular but 

in places medium grained. The formation contains a few intercalated
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 465

zones of brecciated dolomite and, locally, minor quantities of limestone 

and shale. The Honaker crops out in narrow, nearly continuous, 

northeast-trending belts that extend through parts of'Giles, Bland, 

Tazewell, Russell, Wythe, Smyth, Scott, and Washington Counties. 

South of Castlewood, Russell County, the dolomite gives way to an 

equally thick succession of dark bluish-gray limestone (Maryville limestone). The maximum thickness of the Honaker is about 1,400 feet. 

Analyses show that deposits of excellent-quality rock are in Russell and 

Tazewell Counties. Large reserves of high-grade dolomite are reported 

between Carterton and Honaker, Russell County, in the southern part 

of Cedar Bluff, and in the vicinity of Wittens Mills, both in Tazewell 

County. (Butts, 1933; Butts, 1940; Cooper, 1944; Cooper, 1945)

Elbrook limestone. The Elbrook limestone, of Middle and Late Cambrian age, is in part equivalent to the Honaker dolomite and somewhat 

resembles the Honaker. The formation generally is composed of limestone and dolomitic limestone, but it contains zones of medium- to 

dark-gray dolomite. Locally these zones attain a thickness of more 

than 80 feet. Dolomite of good quality is restricted principally to zones 

of this type. The Elbrook occurs on either side of the Shenandoah 

Valley and in counties to the south, which include Botetourt, Roanoke, 

and Montgomery. In Wythe County the formation crops out in a belt 

that extends from the vicinity of Pierce Mill northeastward nearly to 

Bertha. The dolomites of the Elbrook have been sampled in several 

counties, and chemical analyses show them to range from high-silica 

rock in Augusta County to good-quality rock in Rockingham and 

Shenandoah Counties. (Butts, 1940; Cooper, 1944; Currier, 1935; 

Edroundson, 1945)

Copper Ridge dolomite. The Copper Ridge dolomite, of Lat§ Cambrian age, is equivalent to the lower part of the Knox dolomite northwest 

of Clinch Mountain and to the Conococheague limestone in the southeastern half of the Valley. It is separated from the underlying Honaker 

by the Nolichucky shale. The rock is coarser in texture than the 

Honaker, prevailingly medium gray but varying from bed to bed. The 

thickness of the formation is from 1,400 to 1,650 feet in Giles County 

and is probably somewhat less in Clinch Valley. Locally sandstone 

beds as much as 70 feet in thickness, along with thin layers of chert 

and silty material, occur. The Copper Ridge crops out in discontinuous 

belts paralleling the trend of the Valley in parts of Roanoke, Botetourt, 

Montgomery, Giles, Bland, Wythe, Smyth, Tazewell, Russell, Washington, Scott, and Lee Counties. Chemical analyses show that some of 

the rock is dolomite but that the content of silica generally is greater than 

3 percent. (Butts, 1933; Butts, 1940; Cooper, 1944; Cooper, 1945)

Beekmantown dolomite. The Beekmantown dolomite, of Early Ordovician age, is predominantly rather fine-grained pearl-gray very compact
466 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

dolomite containing beds of light- or bluish-gray limestone associated 

with, or grading into, beds of coarse-grained dolomite. Chert, occurring 

as masses or beds, is common locally* The thickness of the formation 

is varied, attaining a maximum of about 3,000 feet. It occurs in belts 

that extend through nearly every county in the Appalachian Valley.

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Virginia

County Locality Formation Reference 

Augusta..-----. ChurchviUe; 1.25miles northwest.. Elbrook limestone...- Edmundson, 1945.

Staunton; quarry_._.._._.____. Beekmantown dolo- Do.

mite.

a. 6 miles west____..__- Elbrook limestone (?).- Do. 

Clarke--------- Berryville area:

a. 3.5 miles southeast.--...-.-- Tomstown dolomite_ Do. 

b. 5.5 miles east, or 1.5 miles .-.-do_.____._--._ Do.

northeast of Castleman Ferry. 

Shepherd Ford; 1.5 miles west..-. do____ . .-. Do.

Frederick....... Meadow Mills--.----.-..-.-.-.- Beekmantown dolo- Do.

mite. 

Winchester; 0.5 mile south__.... -..-do...-.-------.. Do.

Giles---...----- Berton; along Norfolk & Western CopperEidgedolomite Cooper, 1944.

Railroad. 

Bluff City; east, along Norfolk & Beekmantown dolo- Do.

Western Railroad. mite. 

Eggleston _.__.__....._.__..__ Copper Ridge dolo- Do.

mite. 

Goodwins Ferry; along Virginian Copper Ridge and Do.

Railroad. Honaker dolomites. 

Klotz; quarry 0.5 mile northwest.. Beekmantown dolo- Do.

mite. 

Narrows; northwest, along Norfolk Copper Ridge dolomite Do.

& Western Railroad. 

Pembroke; quarry 1 mile southwest Beekmantown dolo- Do.

mite. 

Montgomery.-.. Montgomery Station__......... Copper Ridge dolomite Do.

Radford-Peppers Ferry area...._. .-.-do.------------- Do.

Yellow Sulphur; 0.75 mile south- .-..do......-..----. Do.

east. 

Page-.-.----.-- "along Shenandoah River"..----. ....(?)___.--.....- Bassler, 1909.

Roanoke___.. Roanoke; quarry......--.--._-.. Rome formation .. Cooper, 1944.

Rockydale; quarry___.-...--... .-.-do.--.--.--.---- Do.

Rockingham. ... Cootes Store area:

a. quarry 1.5 miles northeast... Elbrook limestone.-.. Edmundson, 1945. 

b. 3 miles southwest----.-....- .-..do.-.-..-.-..--. Do.

Mount Clinton; 2.5 miles north... ....do.--------..--- Do.

Mount Crawford.------.-.-.--.. Beekmantown dolo- Do.

mite. 

Russell.-----.-. Boody; quarry..-.--...-..-..-.- Honaker dolomite.... Cooper, 1945.

Cleveland area:

a. 1 mile southeast--------.... ....do. .. . Do.

b. 2 miles southeast.-.-------- ....do....-..-...-.- Do.

Honaker; 1 mile southeast._...... ...-do.-----.---.... Do.

Hubbard Junction; along Norfolk Knox dolomite.... Do.

& Western Railroad.

Scott__..__. Clinchport_________..__ Honak«rdolomite(?)_. Bassler, 1909. 

Glenita; quarry.-------._.-... Knox dolomite ... Cooper, 1945.

Speers Ferry; north_...--.-..-- ---.do.... .. Do.

Shenandoah__ Mount Clifton; 3.5 miles southwest. Elbrook limestone. Edmundson, 1945. 

Strasburg; 2 miles northeast...... Beekmantown dolo- Do.

mite. 

Smyth....___ Glade Spring; northeast, at Lyon Knox dolomite Bassler, 1909.

Gap.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 467

County Locality Formation Reference 

Tazewell__.... Cedar Bluff; south, along State Honaker and Knox Cooper, 1945.

Route 4. dolomites. 

Wittens Mills area:

a. north____..__._.._..___.. Honaker dolomite.... Do.

b. south_______--_-_-_..____ Knox dolomite...---. Do.

Wythe._._._- Wytheville.-.-..---___. _.._ Beekmantown dolo- Bassler, 1909.

mite.

Northeast of Augusta County the formation becomes more dominantly 

limestone. The Beekmantown has been quarried at many places, and 

chemical analyses show that the silica content generally is higher than 

desirable for a high-grade dolomite. (Butts, 1933; Cooper, 1944; Cooper, 

1945; Edmundson, 1945)

WASHINGTON

Commercially important dolomite deposits are restricted to northeastern Washington in Okanogan, Stevens, Pend Oreille, and Lincoln 

Counties. The deposits in Stevens County have been the most important. The dolomitic formations include the Stensgar dolomite of 

Weaver (1920), which is the host rock of the magnesite deposits, the 

Old Dominion limestone of Weaver (1920), the Metaline and Northport 

limestones (perhaps equivalent in age), and the limestone at Riverside. 

Each of these formations varies in composition, ranging from dolomitic 

limestone to high-purity dolomite. Much of the dolomite is readily 

accessible for quarrying, and the Northport limestone northeast of 

Marble, Stevens County, has been used as the raw material for the 

production of magnesium at the ferrosilicon reduction plant at Spokane, 

Spokane County.

Stensgar dolomite of Weaver (1920). The Stensgar dolomite of Weaver 

(1920), of Paleozoic(?) age, is predominantly thin-bedded bluish- or pinkish-gray dolomitic limestone and dolomite, which weathers to medium 

gray or light buff. It generally is fine grained to dense, but in places it is 

a medium- to coarse-grained marble. Chert, as lenses or nodules, is not 

uncommon. The formation ranges from 300 to 350 feet in thickness, 

except in its northern exposures where the apparent thickness is more 

than 700 feet, due probably to repetition of beds by faulting. The 

Stensgar crops out in many places in a belt that extends from northwest 

of Chewelah, Stevens County, southwestward nearly to the Spokane 

River. Chemical analyses indicate that the impurity content is too high 

for the rock to be used as a source of high-purity dolomite. (Bennett, 

1941; Weaver, 1920)

Old Dominion limestone of Weaver (1920). The Old Dominion limestone of Weaver (1920), of Paleozoic(?) age, varies considerably in composition and appearance locally. It ranges from nearly pure limestone 

to white or black coarse-crystalline dolomite that is commonly strongly 

marbleized and somewhat thick bedded. Near Dunn Mountain, north-
468 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

west of Addy, Stevens County, dolomite and dolomitic limestone comprise 

all but the lower 400 feet of the 4,000-foot section. The formation crops 

out intermittently in a belt extending from Addy northwestward for 5 

miles along the Stranger Creek Valley, and then northeastward, passing 

east of Colville, to a point north of Aladdin. The dolomite in the Miles 

area, northern Lincoln County, probably is part of the Old Dominion 

Chemical analyses show the presence of some excellent-quality dolomite, 

perhaps in large quantities, in the Addy district, the Miles area, and, 

east of Colville, although the impurity content may be moderately high, 

generally. (Bennett, 1944; Valentine, 1949; Weaver, 1920)

Northport limestone. The Northport limestone, of Middle Cambrian (?) 

age, generally is massive, fine-grained although in places rather coarse, 

usually white limestone, which is dolomitic locally. The dolomite phase 

northeast of Marble is light gray and has large areas that are banded or 

mottled dark gray or black, hard, dense, and finely cyrstalline. In this 

area the exposed dolomite section is about 725 feet in thickness. The 

formation crops out in a belt along the Columbia River Valley, from 

the mouth of Kettle River northeastward nearly to the Canadian border. 

Analyses of the dolomite from the Marble deposit show that the rock 

ranges from dolomitic limestone to excellent-quality dolomite. The rock 

has been quarried from this deposit for use as magnesium ore at the 

Spokane plant. (Deiss, 1955)

Metaline limestone. The Metaline limestone, of Middle Cambrian age, 

has a total thickness of about 3,000 feet, of which approximately 1,200 

feet is dolomitic. The base of the dolomitic zone is 1,200 feet above 

the base of the formation. The upper part of the dolomite generally is 

fine grained, massive, cream colored to gray, and contains a few intercalated layers of black dolomite with white spots. Lower in the section 

the texture becomes coarser, and the black layers become more plentiful 

until, near the base of the dolomite, they constitute perhaps 50 percent 

of the section. The black layers are usually 5 feet or less in thickness. 

The general lithologic character of the dolomite is similar to that of the 

dolomite in the Northport, which is one of the bases for the tentative 

correlation of the two formations. The Metaline is exposed only in 

northern Pend Oreille County, extending from lone northward through 

the Pend Oreille Valley to the Canadian border. Chemical analyses of 

the dolomite in the vicinity of Crescent Lake (sec. 12, T. 40 N., R. 

44 E.) show that both the light- and dark-colored rock is excellentquality dolomite. (Park and Cannon, 1943)

Unnamed limestone. Dolomite and dolomitic limestone of Carboniferous (?) or Triassic age occur in the unnamed unit at Riverside, Okanogan 

County. These rocks are part of a 10,000-foot succession of limestones, 

dolomites, and subordinate amounts of shaly limestone, sandstone, 

conglomerate, quartzite, and siltstone. The main body of dolomite
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 469

appears to form a stratigraphic zone more than 500 feet thick at or near 

the base of the series. This rock is mostly white to gray, fine grained, 

and thick bedded to massive; it contains a few thin interbeds of buff 

dolomitic limestone. Sand or silt and thin veinlets of quartz occur 

locally. The dolomitic zone extends from sec. 36, T. 35 N., R. 26 E., 

southwest of Riverside, northwestward to sec. 3 of the same township. 

It becomes less evident toward the north, due to folding, faulting, and 

lateral gradation into sandy and limy phases. Chemical analyses show 

that the rock ranges from dolomitic limestone to excellent-quality 

dolomite. (Bennett, 1944)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Washington

County Locality Formation Reference 

Lincoln_______ Miles area______________________ Old Dominion lime- Bennett, 1944.

stone (?) of Weaver 

(1920). 

Okanogan ------ Riverside area:

a. 0.5 mile southwest.-.____--- Unnamed limestone at Do.

Riverside, 

b. quarry 1.25 miles west_____ ____do__________.-_- Do.

c. 1.5 miles west-------------- ____do______________ Do.

d. 2.5 miles northwest. _---.-_- ____do_______.______ Do.

e. 2 miles northwest.-----..--- ____do___________.__ Do.

f. north of "e"__----___._--_ ____do____--__--__-- Do.

g. 3 miles northwest___________ -_--do______________ Do.

h. 1.25 miles northwest-------- -_--do___-_--_---__- Do.

i. 3.5 miles northwest__.__-_-_ ---_do____-_-__----_ Do.

j. 4.5 miles southwest__ _______ ____do__-_____---___ Do.

Pend Oreille...- Metaline Falls; 11 miles north. __. Metaline limestone.._ Park and Cannon,

1943. 

Stevens_______ Addy area:

a. just northwest__.___________ Old Dominion lime- Bennett, 1944.

stone of Weaver 

(1920). 

b. quarry 11 miles west-north- ____do____.___--____ Do.

west, at Dunn Mt. 

Chewelah; 4.7 miles northwest..__ Stensgar dolomite of Do.

Weaver (1920). 

Colville area:

a. quarry 4.6 miles east. _______ Old Dominion lime- Do.

stone of Weaver 

(1920). 

b. just west of "a"__-_________ ___.do._.____--__-._ Do.

c. 6.5 miles east____---_____-_- _-_-do_---____---__- Do.

Fruitland; 5 miles east-__.-.-_-__ Stensgar dolomite(?) Do.

of Weaver (1920).

Marble; quarry 2miles northeast___ Northport limestone. . Deiss, 1955. 

Valley area:

a. quarry 1 mile southwest.-___ __-.(?)___.-_-_--___ Stebbins, 1951.

b. 7 miles west_____--__---_-_- Old Dominion lime- Bennett, 1944.

stone (?) of Weaver 

'(1920). 

c. quarry 10.6 miles west____. Stensgar dolomite of Do.

Weaver (1920). 

d. 14.5 miles west_--_-_--_--_- -__-do_____-__------ Do.

WEST VIRGINIA

Dolomite and dolomitic limestone are restricted principally to relatively small areas in the extreme southeastern and northeastern parts of
470 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

West Virginia. They occur chiefly in the Cambrian sequence of carbonate rocks, although dolomitic limestone and some dolomite occur 

also in the Lower Ordovician strata. The dolomitic formations include 

the Tomstown dolomite, perhaps parts of the Waynesboro formation, 

the Beekinantown limestone, and lower Stones River limestone (Murfreesboro limestone). Quarrying has been rather extensive in the areas 

around Millville, Jefferson County, and Martinsburg, Berkeley County. 

The Tomstown probably contains the only deposits of high-grade dolomite that might be of commercial interest. (Grimsley, 1916; McCue 

and others, 1939)

Tomstown dolomite. The Tomstown dolomite, of Cambrian age, is 

composed mainly of light blue-gray to white fine-grained splintery dolomite, medium bedded and weathering to dark brown. The formation 

contains some zones of limestone and shale. The total thickness of the 

formation is about 1,000 feet. The only exposures of the Tomstown are 

in eastern Jefferson County, and a belt of high-purity dolomite has been 

quarried about 1 mile east of Bakerton. Chemical analyses show that 

the dolomite in this area, although low in impurities, contains more than 

0.5 percent sodium and potassium oxides, the presence of which might 

prove deleterious in some processes. It is probable that most of the 

rock quarried in the Millville area and assigned questionably to the 

Waynesboro formation is of Tomstown age. The division between the 

two formations is not clearly marked in this area. (Grimsley, 1916; 

McCue and others, 1939; Stose and Ljungstedt, 1932)

Copper Ridge dolomite and Beekmantown limestone. Dolomitic limestone of Cambrian and Ordovician age is present in southeastern and 

northeastern West Virginia. In the southeast, in Mercer and Monroe 

Counties, they are represented by a lower division the Copper Ridge 

dolomite consisting of medium- to massive-bedded dolomitic limestone 

that weathers into red soil containing small blocks of sandstone; and 

an upper division the Beekmantown limestone consisting of irregularly to massively bedded gray and light-blue magnesian limestones that 

are dense, hard, and commonly cherty. This sequence in adjoining parts 

of Virginia contains dolomite that is moderately high in silica, but 

analyses of the rock in Mercer and Monroe Counties do not show the 

presence of rock of comparable quality. (McCue and others, 1939)

Conococheague and Chepultepec limestones and Nittany and Bellefonte 

dolomites. In northeastern West Virginia the series described above is 

represented by the Conococheague and Chepultepec limestones and the 

Nittany and Bellefonte dolomites (Beekmantown). The group comprises a succession of massive dark-blue limestones with dark dolomitic 

lenses; fairly pure dove-colored to dark-gray limestone; medium-to 

thick-bedded fine-grained light-blue to dove-colored magnesian limestone; and dark-blue to bluish-gray thick-bedded magnesian limestone
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 471

and dolomite. The aggregate thickness varies, and its maximum is about 

3,600 feet. These rocks crop out in two broad, northeast-trending belts 

in western Jefferson County and eastern Berkeley County. The Beekmantown has been quarried in the Martinsburg area, and chemical 

analyses show that it contains some dolomite that is moderately high 

in silica. (Grimsley, 1916; McCue and others, 1939)

Murfreesboro limestone. The Murfreesboro limestone probably is not 

a potential source of dolomite, although it has been quarried in the 

Martinsburg area, and analyses show that it contains some high-silica 

dolomite. (Grimsley, 1916)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in West Virginia

County Locality Formation Reference 

Berkeley ___----_ Martinsburg area; quarries _______ Beekmantown lime- Grimsley, 1916.

stone and Murfreesboro limestone. 

Jefferson__ ___ Bakerton; quarry 1 mile east___. Tomstowndolomite_ Grimsley, 1916;McCue

and others, 1939. 

Millville area; quarries----..-.--- Waynesboro forma- Do.

tion(?). 

a. 2.25 miles north.-_----_.--_ ----do......._______ Do.

b. south of town-.--.--.-_.-._ -__.do_.____________ Do.

c. quarry 1 mile east..__.--._- ..-.(?)___-__-_.--_ Do.

WISCONSIN

Dolomitic rocks, ranging from dolomitic sandstones, shales, and limestones to high-purity dolomites, are in the formations of Ordovician 

and Silurian ages that crop out in an arcuate pattern extending through 

western, southern, and eastern Wisconsin. The most important source 

of high-purity dolomite probably is the Niagara dolomite, which crops 

out along the eastern margin of the State. Older rocks, including those 

of the Prairie du Chien and Black River groups and the Galena dolomite, 

vary considerably in composition, are generally impure, and probably 

contain only very local areas in which high-grade rock is to be found. 

Owing to overburden, exposures of the dolomites are mostly confined to 

hill and ridge tops, bluffs, and stream valleys. Quarrying has been 

relatively widespread, and most of the rock has been used locally. Because the dolomitic rocks are not uniform chemically, only those quarries 

represented by chemical analyses showing dolomite are located on the 

map (pi. 2). (Steidtmann, 1924)

Prairie du Chien group. The Prairie du Chien group or Lower 

Magnesian of former usage, of Early Ordovieian age, consists of the 

Oneota dolomite, a series of shaly, sandy, cherty, gray and light-buff 

dolomitic limestones; the New Richmond sandstone; and the Shakopee 

dolomite, which is locally cherty and resembles the lower part of the 

Oneota. The thickness of the group is about 250 feet where typically 

formed. These formations crop out in a U-shaped area that extends 

from Polk County on the west, southward through the southern counties
472 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

then northeastward to the west of Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, into 

Marinette County. Chemical analyses indicate that the dolomites of 

the group generally contain excessive silica, although some good-quality 

rock occurs in Grant, Outagamie, and Polk Counties. (Behre and others, 

1948; Kay, 1935; Powers, 1935; Steidtmann, 1924)

Black River group. The Black River group, which includes the 

Platteville and Decorah formations, overlies the Prairie du Chien group 

and is separated from it by the St. Peter sandstone. The Platteville 

is principally a limestone and shale series, but one member, the Pecitonica dolomite, is composed of heavy ledges of rather dense blue or gray 

buff-weathering dolomite. Pecitonica attains a maximum thickness of 

about 30 feet. The overlying Decorah formation also is a shale and 

limestone series. Its uppermost member, the Ion dolomite member, 

is composed of gray argillaceous dolomite. These formations, together 

with the overlying Galena dolomite, are shown on the State geologic 

map as a single unit present in the following counties: Grant, Iowa, 

Lafayette, Green, Rock, Walworth, Dane, Jefferson, Waukesha, Columbia, Dodge, Washington, Green Lake, Fond du Lac, Winnebago, 

Calumet, Outagamie, Brown, Oconto, and Marinette. They occur also 

in the western part of the State in parts of Pierce and St. Croix Counties. 

Generally these formations are too high in impurities, usually silica, 

to be considered a source of high-purity dolomite. (Behre and others, 

1948; Kay, 1935; Steidtmann, 1924)

Galena dolomite. The Galena dolomite, of Middle Ordovician age, 

consists of three members: the Prosser cherty member, the Stewartville 

massive member, and the Dubuque shaly member. The Prosser generally makes up the bulk of the formation; it is a white to gray-buff 

rather fine-textured cherty dolomitie limestone or dolomite, the thickness 

of which is commonly more than 125 feet. The Stewartville is composed 

of buff or gray, mottled thick-bedded dolomite or dolomitic limestone, 

usually about 80 feet thick. The Dubuque member is composed of 

thin-bedded ledges of yellow or light-buff dolomite with interbedded 

shale. Analyses indicate that the Galena generally also is too high 

in impurities to be considered a source of high-purity dolomite, except 

possibly in the Watertown area, Dodge County. (Bays and Raasch, 

1935; Behre and others, 1948; Kay, 1935; Steidtmann, 1924)

Niagara dolomite. The Niagara dolomite, of Silurian age, is the most 

promising source of high-purity dolomite in Wisconsin. The rocks generally are light colored, fine to coarse grained, thin to thick bedded, 

sometimes cherty, and attain a maximum thickness of about 700 feet. 

The formation occurs along the eastern margin of the State in a broad 

belt that extends from the Illinois border northward to the tip of the 

peninsula separating Green Bay from Lake Michigan. Analyses show 

that the silica content of the dolomite varies from more than 8 percent
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 473

to 0.24 percent. It seems likely that Urge quantities of high-purity 

dolomite are available from the Niagara. (Behre and others, 1948; 

Steidtmann, 1924; Button, 1935)

Waubakee dolomite. The Waubakee dolomite (Silurian), which crops 

out only in Milwaukee and Ozaukee Counties, contains some goodquality dolomite in the vicinity of Wauwatosa, although the impurity 

content generally is moderately high. The rock is a hard brittle thinbedded dolomite and usually light gray. The formation is 10 to 12 

feet thick. (Steidtmann, 1924; Sutton, 1935)

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Wisconsin

[Data from Steidtmann, 1924]

County Locality Formation

Brown.-.---.-- Duck Creek; quarries..--------------- Galena dolomite.

Buffalo-...----. Alma; quarries_---.-.-----------.-_ Prairie du Chien group, (the Lower Mag-

	nesian dolomite of former usage).

Cochrane; quarry-..-------------.--- Do.

Fountain City; quarries.-.-,..-------- Do.

Calumet.-....-- Brillion; quarries.----------.--------- Niagara dolomite.

Hayton; quarries.-------------------- Do.

High Cliff; quarries_.--_---------- Do.

Columbia..----- Columbus; quarries---.-.._------_---- Galena dolomite.

Crawford.------ DeSoto; quarry.--------------------- Prairie du Chien group (the Lower Mag-

	nesian dolomite of former uaage).

Soldiers Grove; quarry.__ ________._- Do.

Dane__------- Oregon; quarry 2 miles west.....-.-.-. Galena dolomite.

Sun Prairie; quarries 2 miles northeast-- Do.

Dodge__------ Iron Ridge; quarry.-------.---------- Niagara dolomite.

a. quarry 3 miles north--....------- Do.

Knowles__... _--.------.----.-- Do.

Mayville; 2 miles southwest__.-._--- Do.

Nasbro; quarry.....-.-----....------ Do.

Richwood; quarry.--.-----------..--- Galena dolomite.

Watertown area; quarries__---------- Do.

Door. ..--..---. Sturgeon Bay area; quarries ----------- Niagara dolomite.

Fond du Lac_-_- Hamilton; quarries.------------------ Do.

Marblehead; quarries-..--------..---- Do.

Oakfield; quarry___-_-__-____.____-_ Do.

Ripon; quarry.______________________ Prairie du Chien group (the Lower Mag-

	nesian dolomite of former usage) and 

	Black River group.

Taycheedah..._...._..-.........---. Niagara dolomite.

Grant-.....--.- Woodman..-..__...._._--......-._-. Prairie du Chien group (the Lower Mag-

	nesian dolomite of former usage). 

Jefferson__.... Fort Atkinson; quarry 2 miles southeast. Black River group and Galena dolomite.

Jefferson; quarry 4 miles northwest..... Do.

Milford; quarry 3 miles northwest.-_-.. Do.

Kewaunee...... Kewaunee; quarry 2 miles west. ------- Niagara dolomite.

La Crosse___ - - La Crosse; quarries 2 miles east- ------- Prairie du Chien group (the Lower Mag-

	nesian dolomite of former usage). 

Lafayette....... Darlington; quarry._.-----..-.-..---- Black River group and Galena dolomite.

Manitowoc-.--- Cooperstown; quarry-------..---.---. Niagara dolomite.

Grimms; quarry.........--...----.--. Do.

Quarry; quarry___.--..-....----..-. Do.

Milwaukee__.. Milwaukee.----.-----------.-------- Waubakee dolomite.

Wauwatosa; quarry_-_.-----.---..-- Waubakee and Niagara dolomites.

Oconto....----_ Oconto Falls.----------..._-------- Prairie du Chien group (the Lower Mag-

	nesian dolomite of former usage). 

Outagamie - - - - Black Creek; quarry 3 miles north,. . . . . Do.

Kaukauna; quarries__------..-..-.. Blaek River group and Galena dolomite.
474 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Dolomite quarries and occurrences in Wisconsin Continued

County Locality Formation

Ozaukee.------- Druecker; quarry_------------------ Niagara dolomite.

Fredonia; 1 mile west.---.----_----..- Waubakee dolomite.

Grafton; quarry.._..._._--_---_._ Niagara dolomite.

Pierce. --------- Elm wood; quarry 2 miles west --------- Prairie du Chien group (the Lower Mag-

	nesian dolomite of former usage). 

Prescott; 6 miles north-........-....-- Do.

Polk..--..-__ Little Falls...-.____________ Do.

Racine...-.---. Ives; quarry--------- -_-_--_----._ Niagara dolomite.

Racine; quarries__---_-.---.-.--_.-- Do.

Rock___.-.... Beloit; quarry__------_---------- Black River group and Galena dolomite.

a. quarry 1 mile west._----------- Do.

b. quarry 2 miles north..----_-._--- Do.

Janesville; quarry................. Do.

St. Croix. ______ New Richmond; quarry 2 miles north- Prairie du Chien group (the Lower Magwest, nesian dolomite of former usage). 

Wilson; quarry_-----_-_----_--_--_- Do.

Sauk.__-_- . Sauk City area:

a. 5 miles west -__--______-_.-.-_ Do.

b. 5 miles southwest--_________-.-._ Do.

Sheboygan ... Sheboygan; quarries 1 mile north west. .. Niagara dolomite.

Sheboygan Falls; quarry..------------ Do.

Walworth--__.__ Whitewater; quarry__._____-___-._- Black River group and Galena dolomite.

Waukesha...... Delafield; quarry 1 mile southeast.-____ Niagara dolomite.

Genesee; quarry 1 mUe northeast--..--- Do.

Lannon; quarry...--._.-.......--.-._ Do.

Pewaukee; quarry.-__________-_----_- Do.

a. quarry 2 miles northeast.___-_-.._ Do.

Templeton; quarry.--...._______--.-- Do.

Waukesha; quarry 0.5 mile north__.--_- Do.

Winnebago. .... Mehasha; quarry 2 miles northwest_.. Black River group and Galena dolomite.

Oshkosh; quarry----...-..-...----... Do.

WYOMING

Dolomites and dolomitic limestones occur rather extensively in the 

Absaroka, Wind River, Owl Creek, and Bighorn Mountains of westcentral and north-central Wyoming and, to a lesser extent, in the southeastern part of the State. Potentially the most important of the dolomitic 

formations is the Bighorn dolomite, although it is not everywhere a 

high-purity dolomite. Other dolomitic formations include those of the 

Whalen group, the Darby formation, the Madison limestone, and the 

Amsden, Casper, and Phosphoria formations. These formations locally 

contain dolomite, but deposits of high-grade rock in commercial quantities probably are few. The Wyoming dolomites have not been exploited; 

many of the deposits are somewhat inaccessible and rather distant from 

marketing areas.

Whalen group. The dolomites of the Whalen group, of Precambrian 

age, are maroon and salmon pink to tan gray, fine grained, thick bedded, 

and siliceous and contain bands and nodules of chert in the lower part. 

In the upper part the colors change to dull gray and white, and the 

dolomite becomes extremely siliceous. These rocks have been studied 

in the vicinity of Guernsey, Platte County. South and southwest of 

Guernsey, dolomite, which might belong to the same group, occurs as 

isolated masses, probably roof pendants, partly surrounded by granite. 

The dolomite is coarsely crystalline, nearly pure white, thick and thin
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 475

bedded, and contains abundant tremolite. Chemical analyses of these 

dolomites are not available, but they are reported to range from slightly 

magnesian limestone to nearly pure dolomite. (Clabaugh and others, 

1946; Osterwald and Osterwald, 1952)

Bighorn dolomite. The Bighorn dolomite (Ordovician), most widespread of the dolomites, is generally tan-gray or gray, usually strongly 

mottled, fine- to medium-grained, very thick bedded dolomite which 

weathers to extremely rough surfaces. The formation generally is from 

150 to 300 feet thick, but thins rapidly to the south and, consequently, 

is not present in the mountains in southern Wyoming. The most favorable areas of the Bighorn are in the Absaroka, Wind River, and Owl 

Creek Mountains. Chemical analyses indicate that the Bighorn is consistently a dolomite of moderately good quality, except in the Bighorn 

Mountains where milestone and shale are more common than elsewhere. 

One deposit of the Bighorn dolomite at the south end of Wind River 

Canyon, about 20 miles south of Thermopolis, appears to be a promising 

source of excellent-quality dolomite. (Blackwelder, 1913; Osterwald and 

Osterwald, 1952)

Darby formation. The Darby formation, of Devonian age, is principally a drab-brown impure dolomitic limestone, locally containing 

dolomite, with interbedded limestones and shale partings. The formation is chiefly in the Wind River Mountains. Although some goodquality dolomite has been examined in the area west of Lander, Fremont 

County, the Darby probably does not contain commercially important 

deposits of high-purity dolomite. (Osterwald and Osterwald, 1952)

Madison limestone. The Madison limestone, of Mississippian age, 

comprises a limestone series, but in certain areas it contains dolomite 

and dolomitic limestone, either as a basal zone or as lenticular masses. 

In Wind River Canyon south of Thermopolis, in the area southwest of 

Lander, and in Shoshone Canyon west of Cody, the basal zone of dolomite 

and dolomitic limestone is present in thicknesses as much as 200 feet. 

In the area south of Thermopolis the dolomites so closely resemble the 

underlying Bighorn dolomite that separation of the two formations is 

extremely difficult. Chemical analyses indicate that the dolomites of 

the Madison are, in a few localities, of good quality. (Osterwald and 

Osterwald, 1952)

Casper formation. The Casper formation, of late Pennsylvanian and 

Permian (?) age, equivalent in part to the Amsden, is principally in the 

Laramie Range and the Casper Mountains, southeastern Wyoming. It 

is predominantly an alternating series of limestones, dolomites, sandstones, and shales. The dolomite beds in the lower part of the formation 

are usually 5 to 20 feet thick in the vicinity of Casper, and analyses 

indicate the presence of some good-quality dolomite in this area. In 

the Laramie Mountains, however, the dolomites probably are too siliceous
476 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

and calcareous to be considered high-purity dolomite. (Osterwald and 

Osterwald, 1952)

Phosphoria formation. The Phosphoria formation, of Permian age, 

contains beds of dolomite that range from 3 to 16 feet in thickness separated by considerably thicker units of cherty limestones, sandstones, and 

sandy shales. The formation is in the Bell Springs and Casper Mountain 

areas, the Owl Creek Mountains, the Lovell area, and west of Cody. 

Chemical analyses show that the rock is a dolomitic limestone generally, 

although some good-quality dolomite occurs south of Thermopolis and 

west of Cody. (Osterwald and Osterwald, 1952)

Dolomite occurrences in Wyoming 

[Except for Casper area (a), data taken from Osterwald and Osterwald, 1952]

County Locality Formation 

Albany. --_.._ Hosier; 12 miles east_--.___._--.------ Precambrian rocks.

Centennial; 8 miles northwest.--------- Ranger marble of Blackwelder.

Laramie; 8.5 miles northeast, in Rogers Casper formation.

Canyon. 

Bighorn. _______ Greybull; 21.8 miles east, in Shell Creek Bighorn dolomite.

Canyon. 

Lovell area:

a. 5 miles east- ____-_______------___.Phosphoria formation.

b. 29 miles by road east*.-_...--..-.. Bighorn dolomite. 

Carbon.._______ Bell Springs._______-__.____.._.__-_. Phosphoria formation.

a. 2 miles south.__..__.._.._.__-__. Amsden formation. 

Fremont___-.-_- Bull Lake..--.-..____________----___ Bighorn dolomite.

Lander area:

a. 10 miles southwest--------------- Bighorn dolomite, Darby formation, and

Madison limestone.

b. 36 miles by road west, at Bald Bighorn dolomite and Darby formation.

Mountain.

Thermopolis; 20 miles south. ..-..--_._ Bighorn dolomite and Madison limestone. 

Hot Springs___ Thermopolis area:

a. 5 miles south.. .................. Phosphoria formation.

b. 6 miles south..__________________ Embar formation.

c. 9 miles south__-___._-____--_-_-_ Bighorn dolomite.

d. 13 miles south..---_-_...------._ Do.

Johnson.__..___ Buffalo; 7.5 miles west._______________ Do.

Natrona. _______ Casper area:

a. 5.5 miles south----_---__.--_-_-_ Madison limestone.

b. 10.5 miles southwest, in Jackson Casper formation and Madison limestone.

Canyon.

c. 40 miles southwest, in Platte Can- Casper formation.

yon. 

Park--.------.. Cody area:

a. 4 miles west__.__________________ Bighorn dolomite.

b. 7 miles west-_--_--_-_--.-------- Phosphoria formation.

c. west of Shoshone Dam ----------- Bighorn dolomite.

Platte.--------- Guernsey; 2 miles northeast____._-_--. Whalen group.

Wheatland area:

a. 18.5 miles by road west..-------.- Do.

b. 16.3 miles southwest-.--...------ Do.

c. 26 miles southwest..----.--.----- Do.

d. 30.4 miles by road southwest. _ - . . . Do.

Sheridan _.._ Dayton; 14 miles by road west.._-_-_.- Bighorn dolomite. 

Sublette. _._.... Gros Ventre Range:

a. Lebarge Mountain.______________ Do.

b. Shoal Creek, upper falls_....----- (?). 

Teton.-__.____. Teton Mountains; Leigh Creek,..--.... (?).
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 477

RESERVES

Very little information has been published regarding reserves of dolomite in the United States. For this and many other reasons any attempt 

to record an estimate of reserves in a report of this type would be futile. 

To determine with any degree of accuracy the reserves of even a single 

deposit would require systematic drilling and sampling, because of the 

common vertical and lateral variations in chemical composition of the 

rocks. This fact must be kept in mind by a potential quarry operator 

in his appraisal of an otherwise desirable quarry site.

A figure representing tons of available dolomite in the United States 

would be astronomical. A tonnage estimate of inferred "ore" in 125 

deposits in California, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Arizona, 

Nevada, and Utah, examined by the U. S. Geological Survey during 

World War II, amounts to nearly 2 billion tons of dolomite available by 

open-pit quarrying (Deiss, 1945, p. 1). This figure by no means represents the total quantity of dolomite available in these States, but it 

conveys some idea of the order of magnitude of reserves. For all practical 

purposes, it appears that reserves of dolomite in the United States are 

unlimited, or at least inexhaustible for any foreseeable time.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Index 

no.

1 Alien, H. W., 1951, Preliminary report of limestone survey of a portion of Knox 

County, Maine, in Report of the State Geologist, 1949-1950: Maine 

Devel. Comm., p. 78-90.

Describes briefly the stratigraphy, structure, distribution of the limestone in 

the main Rockland-Thomaston belt of Knox County and several areas potentially 

useful for the production of agricultural lime, flux stone, and cement. No 

analyses are included.

2 Apfel, E. T., 1944, Dolomite in the vicinity of Lee, Mass., as an available source 

of metallic magnesium: Mass. Dept. Public Works and U. S. Geol. Survey 

Cooperative Geol. Proj., Inf. Circ. 4, open-file rept., 34 p. 

Describes in detail the Stockbridge limestone, as it occurs in the Lee area, 

including geology, lithologic character, and structure of the dolomite marbles, 

and several of the quarries in the area. Includes many analyses and a geologic 

map, scale 1 inch = 1,150 feet. Estimated reserves of indicated ore in the area 

are at least 3 million tons of high-purity dolomite.

3 Argall, G. O., Jr., 1949, Industrial minerals of Colorado: Colo. School Mines

Quart., v. 44, no. 2, 477 p.

Catalogs industrial minerals (nonmetallics) of Colorado and summarizes 

properties, uses, occurrence, and production of each mineral. Includes in the 

section on dolomite (p. 144-149) 13 analyses of samples, most of which are not 

precisely located, describes general distribution, contains a brief bibliography 

and a copy of the U. S. Geol. Survey Missouri Basin Studies map, "Construction 

materials and nonmetallic mineral resources of Colorado," scale 1:500,000. 

Geology of the deposits is not described.
478 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no. > 4 Bain, G.W., 1924, Types of magnesite deposits and their origin: Econ. Geology,

v. 19, p. 412-433.

Describes briefly the representative occurrences of four main types of magnesite deposits (1) as a sedimentary rock, (2) as an alteration of serpentine, (3) 

as a vein filling, and (4) as a replacement of limestone and dolomite. Discusses 

briefly the mode of origin of each type of deposit and includes analyses.

5 Ball, C. J. P., 1944, The Basic Magnesium enterprise: Am. Inst. Min. Metall.

Eng. Trans., v. 159, p. 285-292.

Gives a general description of the entire process for the preparation of magnesium from the mining of magnesite at Gabbs, Nev., to the production of 

magnesium metal at the Basic Magnesium, Inc., plant near Las Vegas.

6 Ball, E. M., and Beck, A. W., 1938, Quarrying dolomite at Dolonah, Ala.: Eng.

Min. Jour., v. 139, no. 9, p. 29-33.

Describes in detail a quarry in the Ketona dolomite, which is operated by the 

Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co. at Dolonah, 2 miles west of Bessemer, Ala. 

Gives a brief description of the formation and two analyses of the quarry product.

7 Barnes, V. E., Dawson, R. F., and Parkinson, G. A., 1947, Building stones of

central Texas: Tex. Univ. Bur. Econ. Geology Pub. 4246, 198 p. [1942]. 

Summarizes the stratigraphy of central Texas (Llano uplift area) with brief 

lithologic descriptions; discusses, by localities, building stones of all types; and 

includes a few analyses and discussion of physical tests, small-scale geologic maps 

of certain of the areas, and an index map of the localities.

8 Barnes, V. E., Shock, D. A., and Cunningham, W. A., 1950, Utilization of Texas

serpentine: Tex. Univ. Bur. Econ. Geology Pub. 5020, 52 p. 

Includes general descriptions of locations, geology, and reserves of serpentine 

in Texas; description of mineralogy of serpentine; experimental data; and a 

review of possible industrial uses.

9 Bassler, R. S., 1909, The cement resources of Virginia west of the Blue Ridge:

Va. Geol. Survey Bull. 2-A, 309 p.

Gives a general discussion of the manufacture of cement and the character of 

cement raw materials, geologic features of western Virginia and a brief discussion, by counties, of cement raw materials and their geology. Includes many 

measured sections of the dolomitic formations the Shady, Elbrook, and Beekmantown limestones and analyses of limestones and dolomites.

10 Bastin, E. S., 1906, The lime industry of Knox County, Maine: U. S. Geol.

Survey Bull. 285, p. 393-400.

Discusses briefly the distribution, utilization, and character of the limestone 

and dolomite in the vicinity of Rockland, Thomaston, and Rockport and includes 

seven analyses of the rocks in the area.

11 Bays, C. A., and Raasch, G. O., 1935, Mohawkian relations in Wisconsin: Kans.

Geol. Soc. Guidebook, 9th Ann. Field Conf., p. 296-301. 

Discusses the stratigraphic boundaries of the St. Peter, Platteville, Decorah, 

and Galena formations, and describes briefly the 5 members in the Platteville, 2 

in the Decorah, and 3 in the Galena, some of which are dolomites.

12 Beach, J. O., and English, S. G., 1940, Dolomite and magnesium limestone: 

Okla. Geol. Survey Min. Rept. 6, 18 p.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 479

Index 

no.

Lists the general uses of dolomite, the dolomitic formations of Oklahoma, and 

their general geographic distribution in the State. Columnar sections of the 

Arbuckle group in the Arbuckle and Wichita Mountains and of the Permian 

formations in western Oklahoma show the stratigraphic position of the dolomites. 

Includes analyses of 36 samples.

13 Behre, C. H., Jr., Heyl, A. V., Jr., and McKnight, E. T., 1948, Zinc and lead 

deposits of the Mississippi Valley, in Dunham, K. C., ed., Symposium on 

the geology, paragenesis, and reserves of the ores of lead and zinc: London, 

18th Internet. Geol. Cong., p. 46-61.

Describes briefly the history, stratigraphy, and ore deposits of the several 

lead-zinc districts in the Mississippi Valley area, including the upper Mississippi 

Valley district of eastern Iowa, northwestern Illinois, and southwestern Wisconsin. Includes a generalized columnar section showing groups, formations, 

and members, along with brief descriptions, of Ordovician and Silurian systems. 

Treats the Niagara dolomite as a formation.

14 Bennett, W. A. G., 1941, Preliminary report on magnesite deposits of Stevens 

County, Wash.: Wash. Dept. Conserv. and Devel., Div. Geology Rept. 

Inv. 5, 25 p.

Describes briefly the rock types and structure of the magnesite belt and 17 

magnesite areas. Includes 81 analyses of magnesite and dolomite and geologic 

maps of the area, scale 1:62,500. Stensgar dolomite of Deer Trail group is 

considered to be of Precambrian age.

15 1943, Character and tonnage of the Turk magnesite deposit: Wash.

Dept. Conserv. and Devel., Div. Geology Rept. Inv. 7, 22 p. 

Includes brief description of 2 magnesite bodies in the Turk area, southeast of 

Fruitland, Stevens County, a brief section on origin, logs and analyses of cores 

from 19 drill holes; and 43 analyses of adit and surface samples. Reserves are 

estimated to be more than 2 million tons of material containing more than 40 

percent magnesia and less than 5 percent lime. Map, scale 1 inch = about 80 

feet, shows location of drill holes and areas underlain by magnesite.

16 1944, Dolomite resources of Washington: Wash. Dept. Conserv. and

Devel., Div. Geology Rept. Inv. 13, 35 p.; 1945, Supp. Pt. 1, Preliminary

report on Okanogan, Lincoln, and Stevens Counties, chemical analyses, 15 p.

Describes the general geology of the Riverside, Old Fort Spokane (Miles),

and Addy districts and specific deposits including their location, property

ownership, topography, structure, estimates of tonnage available, and potential

quarry sites. Supplement lists more than 300 analyses of the dolomites.

Twelve maps, scale 1 inch = 200 feet, show the topography and outcrop areas

of the dolomite deposits.

17 Beyer, S. W., and Williams, I. A., 1907, The geology of quarry products, in

Quarry products of Iowa: Iowa Geol. Survey, v. 17, p. 185-525. 

Presents a summary, by counties, of each formation of any economic importance, including distribution, lithologic descriptions of quarry exposures and 

outcrops, uses, and general evaluation of the rocks in the formation, several 

analyses, and many measured sections.

18 Beyer, S. W., and Wright, H. F., 1914, Road and concrete materials in Iowa: 

Iowa Geol. Survey, v. 24, p. 33-685
480 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

Includes a brief summary of the formations and the evaluation of each for 

use as road material, a detailed discussion of the sand, gravel, and limestone 

resources of each county, measured sections and descriptions of quarries and 

outcrops, a directory of stone and sand and gravel producers, and a list of 112 

analyses of limestone and dolomite.

19 Birch, R. E., and Wicken, O. M., 1949, Magnesite and related minerals, in 

Industrial minerals and rocks: New York, Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Eng., 

2d ed., p. 521-541.

Includes general discussions on origin, occurrence, and distribution of deposits; 

exploration; mining and processing in Washington, California, Nevada, and 

Quebec; synthetic magnesite; tests and specifications; production; marketing, 

uses, and price; other magnesium compounds; and a bibliography.

20 Blackwelder, Eliot, 1913, Origin of the Bighorn dolomite of Wyoming: Geol.

Soc. America Bull., v. 24, p. 607-624.

Presents a general description of the lithologic character, topographic expression, distribution, age, and origin of the Bighorn dolomite. Includes several 

analyses but does not give the specific localities of the samples used.

21 Bodenlos, A. J., 1950, Geology of the Red Mountain magnesite district, Santa 

Clara and Stanislaus Counties, Calif.: Calif. Jour. Mines and Geology, v. 

46, no. 2, p. 223-278.

Describes in detail the general geology and petrology of the district and the 

mineralogy, origin, and character of the magnesite deposits; discusses individual 

mines, and includes a bibliography, geologic map, scale 1 inch = about 2,000 

feet, and more detailed maps of individual mines.

22 Bowles, Oliver, 1939, The stone industries: New York, McGraw-Hill Book 

Co., Inc., 519 p.

Describes the various phases of the stone industries: Pt. 1 General features 

of the stone industries; Pt. 2 Dimension stone; Pt. 3 Crushed and broken 

stone. Discusses dolomite with limestone in Pt. 3, p. 377-472, including uses of 

dolomite and high-magnesian limestone, crushed limestone industry by States, 

and quarry methods and equipment.

23 Bowles, Oliver, and Jensen, M. S., 1941, Limestone and dolomite in the chemical 

and processing industries: U. S. Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. 7169, 15 p.

Summarizes very briefly the principal uses of limestone and dolomite where 

the chemical composition of the rock is important, mentions principal producing 

areas, and includes statistical history, 1920-39, giving quantities used and sold 

in the various consuming industries.

24 Bownocker, J. A., Compiler, 1947, Geologic map of Ohio. Reprinted 1947 with 

revision of glacial boundary by G. W. White and changes in base map: 

Ohio Geol. Survey, scale 1:500,000.

25 Bradley, W. W., 1925, Magnesite in California: Calif. State Min. Bur. Bull. 

79, 147 p.

Summarizes briefly the industrial uses, tests, and production of magnesite; 

lists, by counties, the occurrences, both commercial and noncommercial, giving 

locations, brief descriptions of the mines and deposits, and the status of operations; and includes several analyses.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 481

Index 

no.

26 Branner, G. C., 1941, Limestones of northern Arkansas: Little Rock, Ark.,

Ark. Geol. Survey, 24 p.

Includes a brief summary of the composition, uses, occurrence, and production 

of limestone and dolomite in northern Arkansas; 114 analyses; small-scale maps 

showing general distribution of the limestones, sample localities, and quarries; 

and a generalized stratigraphic section, which briefly describes the lithologic 

character, areas of exposure, and thicknesses of the limestone formations. Mentions the dolomite quarries near Rogers and Sulphur Springs, Benton County.

27 1942, (Mineral resources of Arkansas: Ark. Geol. Survey Bull. 6, 101 p. 

Includes a general summary of the mineral resources of the State with special 

emphasis on occurrence and production, a short general section on limestone and 

dolomite (p. 62-63) (which contains no geology), and a small-scale map, 1 inch = 

about 43 miles, showing the general distribution of dolomite in the northern 

part of the State.

28 Branner, G. C., and others, 1940, Mineral resources of Benton, Carroll, Madison,

and Washington Counties: Ark. Geol. Survey County Min. Rept. 2, 55 p.

Briefly describes the geology and summarizes the mineral resources, giving

composition, uses, occurrence, and production. Section on dolomite (p. 25-33)

states that the only surface occurrences of possible importance belong to the

Cotter dolomite in Benton and Carroll Counties. Mentions two quarries near

Sulphur Springs. Includes small-scale geologic and mineral localities maps.

29 Bridge, Josiah, 1930, Geology of the Eminence and Cardareva quadrangles:

Mo. Bur. Geology and Mines, 2d ser., v. 24, 228 p.

Gives a detailed report on the geology of this part of the Ozark region, including 

descriptions of the stratigraphy, structure, economic geology, and paleontology. 

Of special interest are the discussions of the Bonneterre, Potosi, and Eminence 

dolomites and the Van Buren, Gasconade, Jefferson City, and Cotter formations. 

Includes analyses of 5 samples of carbonate rocks and a geologic map, scale 

1:62,500.

30 Bryson, R. P., and others, 1947, Map showing construction materials and nonmetallic mineral resources of South Dakota: U. S. Geol. Survey Missouri 

Basin Studies Map 12.

Map, scale 1:500,000, shows the areal distribution of the Whitewood, Pahasapa 

and Minnekahta limestones, all of which are reportedly dolomitic. Shews 

several quarries in the limestone areas but does not indicate that any are in 

dolomite. Text briefly describes the areas of occurrence.

31 Buckley, E. R., and Buehler, H. A., 1904, The quarrying industry of Missouri:

Mo. Bur. Geology and Mines, 2d ser., v. 6, 371 p.

A general survey of the quarrying industry in the State, giving a brief summary of the operations and geology of the important quarries. Also contains 

general information on uses, selection of stone, properties, and results of laboratory tests on stone. Includes about 80 analyses and a geologic map, scale 1 

inch = 18 miles.

32 Buehler, H. A., 1907, The lime and cement resources of Missouri: Mo. Bur.

Geology and Mines, 2d ser., v. 6, 255 p.

Discusses the character, uses, and manufacture of cements and concrete, and 

the necessary raw materials, including limestone, clay, and shales; summarizes
482 CONTEIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

the lime and cement raw materials by counties, gives brief, general descriptions of the geologic formations; and includes more than 200 analyses of limestone 

and dolomite.

33 Burchard, E. F., and Butts, Charles, 1910, Iron ores, fuels, and fluxes of the 

Birmingham district, Alabama, with chapters on the origin of the ores, by 

E. C. Eckel: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 400, 204 p.

Treats comprehensively the geology, character and origin of the ores, and 

sources of fuels and fluxes in the district. Of interest to the study of dolomites 

is the section on the "Ketona dolomite member," which briefly outlines its 

distribution and character, quarries and quarrying methods and contains 

analyses from the Ketona and North Birmingham quarries. Includes map, 

scale 1 inch = about 7 miles, showing economic geology of the area and a geologic 

map of the Birmingham Valley, scale 1:125,000.

34 Butler, B. S., 1913, Geology and ore deposits of the San Francisco and adjacent

districts, Utah: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 80, 212 p. 

Discusses in detail the stratigraphy and structure of the region and describes 

the mineralogy and nature of the ore deposits of the several mining districts 

studied. Includes two analyses of limestone and dolomite. Of interest is the 

description of the Grampian limestone and the analysis, which indicate the 

presence of high-grade dolomite. Includes also geologic map, scale 1:62,500.

35 Butts, Charles, 1911, Dolomite for flux in the vicinity of Montevallo, Shelby

County, Ala.: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 470, p. 525-527. 

Describes briefly the occurrences of the Ketona dolomite in the area north of 

Montevallo, Ala. Includes six analyses. In this area the Ketona dolomite is 

reportedly much purer than in the Birmingham Valley.

36 1926, Geology of Alabama The Paleozoic rocks: Ala. Geol. Survey

Special Rept. 14, p. 41-230.

Describes in general the lithologic character, distribution, thickness, structure, 

age, and stratigraphic relations of the Paleozoic formations and gives descriptions 

of the Brierfield, Ketona, Bibb, Copper Ridge, and Chepultepec dolomites. No 

analyses are given. Includes a geologic map of Alabama, scale 1:500,000.

37 1933, Geologic map of the Appalachian Valley of Virginia with explanatory text: Va. Geol. Survey Bull. 42, 56 p.

Geologic map, scale 1:250,000, shows general distribution of the geologic 

formations of the region. Accompanying text gives general discussion of the 

formations, including their lithologic character and distribution. No analyses 

are given. [Some of the stratigraphy has since been revised.]

38 1940, Geology of the Appalachian Valley in Virginia, Part 1, Geologic 

text and illustrations: Va. Geol. Survey Bull. 52, Pt. 1, 568 p.

Gives general descriptions, including measured sections, of the rocks, structure, 

and geologic history of the Appalachian Valley, also descriptions of the Shady 

and Tomstown dolomites, the Honaker and Elbrook dolomites, the Conococheague limestone, and the Copper Ridge dolomite. No analyses are included., 

For geologic map, see Butts, 1933.

39 Butts, Charles, and Gildersleeve, Benjamin, 1948, Geology and mineral resources 

of the Paleozoic area in northwest Georgia: Ga. Geol. Survey Bull. 54, 

176 p.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 483

Index 

no.

Presents the geology, including stratigraphic descriptions and structure, and 

a summary of the mineral resources of northwest Georgia. Includes for each 

mineral a description, along with sections on uses, location of deposits, character 

of the ores, and remarks on production and reserves. Section on limestone and 

dolomite (p. 127-137) includes brief descriptions of the formations and 21 

analyses. Maps, scale 1 inch = about 4 miles, show the geology of the area and 

mine, quarry, and prospect locations.

40 Butts, Charles, Schwartz, F. M., and Willard, Bradford, 1939, Geology and 

mineral repourcas, Tyrone quadrangle [Pennsylvania]: Pa. Geol. Survey, 

4th ser., Tcpog. and Geol. Atl?s of Pennsylvania 96,118 p. 

Gives detailed description of the stratigraphy, structure, geologic history, and 

mineral resources of the Tyrone quadrangle, covering parts of Blaire, Centre, 

and Huntingdon Counties, and a few analyses. Report is of interest principally 

for the descriptions of the formations equivalent to the Elbrook, Conococheague, 

Beekmantown, and Conestoga limestones. Includes geologic map, scale 1 inch = 

1 mile.

41 Cady, W. M., 1945, Stratigraphy and structure of west-central Vermont: Geol.

Soc. America Bull., v. 56, p. 515-587.

Gives a comprehensive discussion of stratigraphy and structure and a detailed 

discussion of lithologic character, correlation, nomenclature, and revisions in the 

stratigraphy. No analyses are included. Includes geologic maps, scale 1:62,500.

42 Calkins, F. C., and Butler, B. S., 1943, Geology and ore deposits of the Cottonwood-American Fork area, Utah: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 201, 

152 p.

Describes in detail the stratigraphy, structure, and ore deposits of the district. 

No analyses of the carbonate rocks are given. Lithologic descriptions of the 

Maxfield limestone, Jefferson(?) dolomite, and Madison limestone indicate that 

parts of these formations are dolomite or dolomitic limestone. Includes geologic 

map, scale 1:25,000.

43 Callaghan, Eugene, 1933, Brucite deposit, Paradise Range, Nev.: Nev. Univ.

Bull., v. 27, 34 p.

Preliminary report includes brief sections on the general geology, metamorphism, and structure; more detailed descriptions of the brucite and magnesite deposits, with preliminary reserve estimates; log of diamond-drill core; 

sample analyses; and a geologic map, scale 1 inch = about 475 feet.

44 Callaghan, Eugene, and Vitaliano, C. J., 1948, Magnesite and brucite deposits

at Gabbs, Nye County, Nev.: U. S. Geol. Survey open-file.rept., 18 p. 

Brief preliminary report of the deposits at Gabbs summarizes the general 

geology and occurrence of the ore deposits, including their distribution, composition, origin, and reserves of magnesite. Reserves are estimated to be 27 million 

tons of magnesite containing less than 5 percent CaO. Includes 10 analyses of 

magnesite, brucite, and associated rocks, and geologic map, scale 1 inch = 100 

feet, showing distribution of dolomite, magnesitic dolomite, magnesite, hydromagnesite, and brucite.

45 Calvin, Samuel, 1895, The Leclaire limestone: Iowa State Univ. Bull. Lab.

Nat. History, v. 3, p. 183-189.

Presents a detailed description of the Leclaire limestone, which "constitutes 

the second stage of the Niagara formation as it is developed in Iowa." Also
484 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

includes brief description of beds of the Anamosa stage, which overlies the 

Leclaire.

46 Case, F. 0., Satterthwaite, H. G., Coulter, L. R., and Harden,* B., 1944, Process 

improvements at the Henderson plant of Basic Magnesium, Incorporated: 

Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Eng. Trans., v. 159, p. 293-295. 

Gives brief summary of improvements in pellet mixing, metal handling, and 

metallurgical recovery and of production from September 1942 to July 1944 at 

the Basic Magnesium, Inc., plant near Las Vegas, Nev.

47 Chandler, H. P., and Jensen, N. C., 1954, Stone: U. S. Bur. Mines Minerals

Yearbook, 1951, p. 1180-1211.

Summarizes general statistics of the stone industry in 1951. Data on dolomite 

generally included with those on limestone. Table (p. 1205) shows quantity of 

dolomite used for basic magnesium carbonate, refractory uses, dead-burned 

dolomite, and paper mills during 1950-51.

48 Chelf, Carl, 1941, Magnesite mining in Llano County, Tex.: Tex. Univ. Bur.

Econ. Geology, Min. Res. Survey Circ. 40, 6 p.

Describes briefly the magnesite deposits at the Texas Mines and Meramec 

mines, southeast of Llano. Includes cross-section sketches of the mines, brief 

summary of the uses and consumption of magnesite, and a bibliography.

49 Clabaugh, S. E., and others, 1946, Construction materials and nonmetallic 

mineral resources of Wyoming: U. S. Geol. Survey Missouri Basin Studies 

Map 9.

Map, scale 1:500,000, shows areal distribution of rock types and nonmetallic 

minerals, including dolomite and dolomitic limestone. Brief explanatory text 

lists the following units as containing dolomite: Whelan, Bighorn, Madison, 

Darby, Amsden, Casper, and "Permian." States that "reserves are almost 

inexhaustible."

50 Clark, T. H., 1934, Structure and Stratigraphy of southern Quebec: Geol.

Soc. America Bull., v. 45, p. 1-20.

Uses the term Dunham dolomite to identify certain dolomite beds of Early 

Cambrian age in the Sutton quadrangle, Quebec and Vermont.

51 Clemmer, J. B., and Cooke, S. R. B., 1936, Flotation of Vermont talc-magnesite 

ores: U. S. Bur. Mines Rept. Inv. 3314, 12 p.

Talc concentrates and tailings rich in magnesite were obtained in experimental 

concentration of the ores. Describes results of batch-tests; magnesite, containing 

8 to 14 percent impurities, comprised the tailings. Concludes that this material 

might be suitable for some uses and constitute a source of extra income for talc 

producers.

52 Cloud, P. E., Jr., and Barnes, V. E., 1946, The Ellenburger group of central 

Texas: Tex. Univ. Bur. Econ. Geology Pub. 4621, 473 p. [1948].

Describes in detail the stratigraphy, including measured sections, general 

geology, and structure of central Texas and discusses the lithologic character, 

facies changes, and thicknesses of the formations ranging in age from Precambrian 

to Pennsylvanian. Includes analyses of 113 samples of limestone and dolomite 

from Johnson City and Cherokee areas, analyses of samples from 32 drill holes 

on the Victoria Gravel Co.. properties near Sudduth, small-scale index map
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 485

Index 

no.

showing where Ellenburger was mapped, and large-scale (1 in. = about 800 ft.) 

geologic maps of these areas.

53 Colby, S. F., 1941, Occurrences and uses of dolomite in the United States: U. S.

Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. 7192, 21 p.

Discusses briefly the composition, properties, and uses of dolomite, and gives 

a very brief survey of occurrence and uses of dolomite by States. Includes a 

small-scale map showing "location of high-grade dolomite quarries in the U. S.-" 

and a bibliography.

54 Colorado Bureau of Mines, 1945, 1945 list of operating mines, mills, smelters, 

quarries, etc.: Colo. State Bur. Mines, 14 p.

55 Comber, A. W., 1937, Magnesite as a refractory: Philadelphia and New York,

J. B. Lippincott Co., 114 p.

Presents a general discussion of magnesite, its composition and properties, 

sources, methods of calcination, the chemical and physical properties of refractory 

magnesite, manufacture of refractory brick, and the industrial application of 

refractory magnesite. Includes a bibliography.

56 Comstock, H. B., 1954, Magnesium: U. S. Bur. Mines Minerals Yearbook,

1951, p. 791-800.

Reviews the magnesium industry for 1951. Summarizes status of Government-owned magnesium plants and the ferrosilicon reduction process; points 

out the advantages of this type of plant for standby production facilities.

57 Cooper, B. N., 1944, Industrial limestones and dolomites in Virginia, New

River Roanoke River district: Va. Geol. Survey Bull. 62, 98 p. 

Describes in detail limestone and dolomite occurrences in parts of Giles, 

Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, and Botetourt Counties. Includes columnar 

sections, about 90 analyses of limestones and dolomites, and brief descriptions of 

some quarries and potential quarry sites. Maps (scales range from 1 in. = 250 

ft. to 1 in. = 1 mi.) show quarry locations and geology of some of the areas 

discussed.

58 1945, Industrial limestones and dolomites in Virginia; Clinch Valley

district: Va. Geol. Survey Bull. 66, 259 p.

Describes in detail the limestone and dolomite formations in Tazewell, Russell, 

and Scott Counties, also quarries and potential quarry sites. Includes 144 

geologic sections and 241 analyses of limestones and dolomites. Maps show the 

distribution of the carbonate rocks in the 3 counties.

59 Crawford, A. L., 1941, Magnesite a new economic mineral for Utah [abs.]:

Utah Acad. Sci. Proc., v. 18, p. 18.

Brief note on geology of magnesite deposit in the Fish Springs district, Juab 

County, Utah.

60 Crawford, R. D., 1913, Geology and ore deposits of the Monarch and Tomichi

districts, Colorado: Colo. Geol. Survey Bull. 4, 317 p.

Describes the stratigraphy, structure, lithologic character of the formations, 

and economic geology of the area, in southwestern Chaffee County. Most 

important to a dolomite study is the description of the Ouray limestone, nine 

analyses from the vicinity of Garfield, and a geologic map, scale 1:62,500.

61 Crawford, R. D., and Gibson, Russell, 1925, Geology and ore deposits of the 

Red Cliff district, Colorado: Colo. Geol. Survey Bull. 30, 89 p.
486 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

Describes the stratigraphy, structure, and mineral deposits of the district, 

in southeastern Eagle County. Gives a lithologic description of the Leadville 

limestone, which here includes the dolomite portion (Dyer dolomite) assigned 

to the Chaffee formation of later reports, and six analyses of the limestone.

62 Cullison, J. S., 1944, The stratigraphy of some Lower Ordovician formations 

of the Ozark uplift: Mo. Univ. School Mines and Metallurgy Bull. Tech. 

Ser., v. 15, no. 2, 112 p.

Discusses in detail the areal distribution, thickness, lithologic character, and 

paleontology of the Jefferson City-Cotter-Powell sequence in central and 

south-central Missouri. The Jefferson City is raised to group status with two 

formations, the Rich Fountain and Theodosia, on the basis of its lithologic 

character and fauna. Includes a geologic map, scale 1 inch = about 16 miles, 

of the area studied and 18 measured sections. No analyses of the limestone and 

dolomite are given.

63 Cumings, E. R., 1922, Nomenclature and description of the geological formations 

in Indiana, in Handbook of Indiana geology: Ind. Dept. Conserv. Pub. 

21, p. 403-570.

Gives a summary of the stratigraphy, including general descriptions of the 

formations, their distribution, fauna, and historical sketches of the nomenclature. Small-scale maps, 1 inch = about 43 miles, show the distribution of 

the formations. No analyses are included.

64 Cumings, E. R., and Shrock, R. R., 1928, The geology of the Silurian rocks of

northern Indiana: Ind. Div. Geology, Conserv. Comm. Pub. 75, 226 p. 

Discusses in detail the physiography, stratigraphy, structure, and economic 

geology of the Silurian area of northern Indiana. Describes lithologic character, 

thickness, general outcrop area, and quarries and outcrops of each formation. 

Of particular interest is the discussion of the Huntington dolomite. Includes 

geologic and outcrop maps, scale 1 inch = about 5 miles, and 8 analyses of the 

Huntington.

65 Currier, L. W., 1935, Zinc and lead region of southwestern Virginia: Va. Geol.

Survey Bull. 43, 122 p.

Presents a general description of the stratigraphy, structure, economic geology, 

and occurrences of lead and zinc and a rather detailed description of the Shady 

dolomite, which is divided into three members in this region. No analyses are 

given. Includes geologic map, scale 1:62,500.

66 Dake, C. L., 1930, The geology of the Potosi and Edgehill quadrangles: Mo.

Bur. Geology and Mines, 2d ser., v. 23, 233 p.

Includes a detailed report on the stratigraphy, structure, and economic 

geology of the area, which comprises parts of Washington, Iron, and Reynolds 

Counties; detailed discussions of the Bonneterre dolomite, Derby-Doerun 

formation, Potosi and Eminence dolomites, and the Van Buren and Gasconade 

formations; 11 analyses of limestone and dolomite; and a geologic map, scale 

1:62,500.

67 Dale, T. N., 1912, The commercial marbles of western Vermont: U. S. Geol.

Survey Bull. 521, 170 p.

Discusses limestones, dolomites, marble, also general geology of the marble 

belt; describes individual quarries and the character of the marbles. Includes 

some analyses and geologic maps, scales 1:125,000 and 1:31,250.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED . STATES 487

Index 

no.

68 Dale, T. N., 1915, The calcite marble and dolomite of eastern Vermont: U. S.

Geol. Survey Bull. 589, 67 p.

Describes occurrences of calcite and dolomite marbles in the eastern part of 

the State. The term "dolomite" is used in a rather broad sense and is' not 

restricted to the rocks approaching the theoretical composition of dolomite. 

Includes 4 analyses. Small-scale map, 1:750,000, shows the location of the 

deposits.

69 1923, The lime belt of Massachusetts and parts of eastern New York 

and western Connecticut: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 744, 71 p.

Briefly describes the general geology and areal distribution of the limestones 

and dolomites in the area. Includes many of the structural details of the 

quarries and textural and mineralogical descriptions of thin sections, chemical 

analyses of 13 samples, and geologic maps, scale 1:62,500.

70 Darton, N. H., 1928a, "Red Beds" and associated formations in New Mexico, 

with an outline of the geology of the State: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 794, 356 p. 

Summarizes the geology of the State, giving descriptions of the principal 

formations, including their general features, lithologic character, and distribution. 

Discusses in more detail the stratigraphy and structure of several regions and 

gives brief summaries of the geology of many more. Of particular interest are 

the general and local descriptions of the El Paso, Montoya, and Fusselman 

limestones and of the Chupadera formation.

71 1928b, Geologic map of New Mexico: U. S. Geol. Survey, scale 

1:500,000.

72 Darton, N. H., and Paige, Sidney, 1925, Description of the central Black Hills 

[with contributions by J. D. Irvingj: U. S. Geol. Survey Geol. Atlas, folio 

219, 34 p.

Discusses the geology of the central Black Hills, including general and local 

descriptions of the dolomitic Whitewood, Pahasapa, and Minnekahta limestones. 

Includes analysis of one sample of the Minnekahta limestone from near Hot 

Springs.

73 Dawson, T. A., 1941, The Devonian formations of Indiana; Pt. 1, Outcrop in

southern Indiana: Ind. Dept. Conserv., Div. Geology, 48 p. 

Describes in detail the Devonian formations of southern Indiana, including 

history of names, lithologic character, distribution, and discussion of age. Of 

interest are the descriptions of the Geneva formation and Jeffersonville limestone. 

No analyses are included.

74 Decker, C. E., 1939, Progress report on the classification of the Timbered Hills 

and Arbuckle group of rocks, Arbuckle and Wichita Mountains, Okla.: 

Okla. Geol. Survey Circ. 22, 62 p.

Gives a detailed discussion of the stratigraphy of the Timbered Hills and 

Arbuckle groups and brief discussion of the structure and economic features of 

the areas studied. Includes 17 detailed columnar sections and geologic map of 

the Wichita Mountains, scale 1 inch = about 2 miles.

75 Deiss, C. F., 1933, Paleozoic formations of northwestern Montana: Mont. Bur.

Mines and Geology Mem. 6, 51 p.

Gives detailed descriptions of 10 measured stratigraphic sections, in parts of 

the Swan, Flathead, and Lewis and Clark Ranges and a tentative correlation
488 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

of the sections. The sections lie stratigraphically between the top of the Precambrian Missoula group and the top of the Mississippian Madison limestone. 

Also gives summary descriptions of the formations and their type localities.

76 Deiss, C. F., 1936, Revision of type Cambrian formations and sections of Montana and Yellowstone National Park: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 47, p. 

1257-1342.

Includes detailed descriptions of 11 measured stratigraphic sections in central 

and southern Montana just west of the central part of the State and hi the 

northwestern part of Yellowstone Park; historical summary of Cambrian 

stratigraphic nomenclature in the area; original and emended definitions and 

general descriptions of the Cambrian formations, and a tentative correlation of 

the 11 sections.

77 1938, Cambrian formations and sections in part of Cordilleran trough:

Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 49, p. 1067-1168.

Gives detailed descriptions of 7 measured sections of the Cambrian hi the 

Cordilleran region, 2 of which, the Blacksmith Fork and House Range areas,are in 

Utah. Summarizes the previous studies in each area. Describes and, in some 

instances, redefines the Langston, Blacksmith, Nounan, and St. Charles limestones; each of these formations are reportedly dolomitic. No analyses are 

included.

78 1943, Stratigraphy and structure of southwest Saypo quadrangle,

Montana: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 54, p. 205-262.

Includes a general description of the sedimentary and igneous rocks and of 

the structure of the area, which covers parts of the Sawtooth and Lewis and 

Clark Ranges, and a few measured sections. General descriptions of the Devils 

Glen, Devonian (Jefferson age) limestones and dolomites, and Hannan limestone 

are of interest.

79 1945, Distribution of dolomite deposits in the Western States: U. S.

Geol, Survey Prelim. Rept. and Map, 4 p.

Summarizes very briefly the geologic and geographic distribution of dolomite 

deposits and describes the 10 most important ones. Index map shows the 

location of 125 deposits in the Western United States.

80 1952a, Dolomite deposit near Sloan, Nev.: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull.

973-C, p. 107-141.

Gives a detailed study of the stratigraphy and structure at Sloan Hill, Clark 

County, Nev., and a description of the dolomite deposit and the formations 

involved, including the Sultan limestone, Monte Cristo dolomite, and Bird 

Spring formation. Estimated reserves of dolomite total about 70 million tons. 

Includes an annotated bibliography and a geologic map, scale 1 inch = 400 feet.

81 1952b, Geologic formations on which and with which Indiana's roads are

built: Ind. Dept. Conserv. Geol. Survey Giro. 1, 17 p. 

Gives a general outline of geologic history, distribution of limestones, glacial 

drift, potential quarry sites, and types of road subgrades in Indiana. Smallscale maps, 1 inch = about 42 miles, show distribution of crushed rock quarries, 

sand and gravel areas, and bedrock formations. No analyses are included.

82 1955, Dolomite deposit near Marble, Wash.: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 

1027-C, p. 119-141.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 489

Index 

no.

Includes detailed description of the dolomite deposit in the Northport limestone, about 2 miles northeast of Marble, Stevens County; descriptions of 

quarrying operations; estimate of reserves; analyses of 53 samples, and a geologic 

map, scale 1 inch = 400 feet.

83 Dow, D. H., and others, 1945, Mineral resources of the" Missouri Valley region; 

Pt. 4, Construction materials: U. S. Geol. Survey Missouri Basin Studies 

Map 1, 4 sheets.

The map, scale 1:2,500,000, outlines the general areal distribution of the 

"sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic age" in the Black Hills region. These 

rocks include the dolomitic Whitewood, Pahasapa, and Minnekahta limestones. 

The map does not indicate any dolomite occurrences in this area.

84 Dungan, T. A., 1944, Production of magnesium by the carbothermic process at

Permanente: Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Eng. Trans., v. 159, p. 308-314. 

Describes the process used by Permanente Metals Corp. at their plant at 

Permanente, Calif. The process involved reduction of magnesium oxide obtained 

from dolomite by carbon (coke) in electric furnaces.

85 Dunham, K. C., 1935, The geology of the Organ Mountains, with an account of 

the geology and mineral resources of Dona Ana County, N. Mex.: N. Mex. 

School Mines Bull. 11, 272 p.

Includes detailed description of the geology and mineral deposits of the Organ 

Mountains; outline of the geology of Dona Ana County, along with brief discussions of the geology of other mountain ranges in the county, mineral districts, 

and mines; 6 analyses of dolomitic limestones, and geologic maps of Dona Ana 

County, scale 1 inch = 5 miles, Organ Mountains, scale 1 inch = 1 mile, and 

Organ mining district, scale 1:24,000.

86 Eardley, A. J., 1944, Geology of the north-central Wasatch Mountains, Utah:

Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 55, p. 819-894.

Contains general description of the stratigraphy, structure, and physiography 

of the Wasatch Range east and southeast of Ogden; very brief description of a 

sequence of more than 1,300 feet of Cambrian limestone and dolomite, mentioning the occurrence of rocks of the "Bluebird type" and "Lynch type". No 

analyses are given. Includes a geologic map, scale 1 inch = about 2 miles.

87 Edmundson, R. S., 1945, Industrial limestones and dolomites in Virginia, 

northern and central parts of Shenandoah Valley: Va. Geol. Survey Bull. 

65, 195 p.

Includes general discussion of the geology of the Valley from Augusta County 

northward; more detailed descriptions of the limestone and dolomite areas in 

parts of Frederick, Shenandoah, Rockingham, Augusta, Page, Warren, and 

Clarke Counties; descriptions of 130 sections and 224 analyses of limestones and 

dolomites; and geologic maps, scale 1 inch = 2 miles.

88 Emerson, B. K., 1917, The geology of Massachusetts and Rhode Island: U. S.

Geol. Survey Bull. 597, 289 p.

Discusses in general the sedimentary and igneous rocks, their distribution, 

character, and geologic relationships. Mentions several localities where the 

"Bolton" gneiss contains lenses of marbleized magnesian limestone (p. 83-84). 

Includes analysis of dolomite marble from near Webster, Mass., and a geologic 

map, scale 1:250,000, of the States.
490 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

89 Emmons, S. F., Irving, J. D., and Loughlin, G. F., 1927, Geology and ore deposits 

of the Leadville mining district, Colorado: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 148, 368 p.

Gives a comprehensive treatment of the stratigraphy, petrology, structure, 

and ore deposits of the district. Of particular interest are lithologic descriptions 

of the "White" limestone (now Manitou limestone) and the Leadville limestone 

(including Dyer dolomite member of the Chaffee formation) and 6 analyses of 

the Leadville limestone.

90 Emmons, W. H., and Calkins, F. C., 1913, Geology and ore deposits of the 

Philipsburg quadrangle, Montana: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 78, 

271 p.

Describes in detail the sedimentary and intrusive rocks, structure, mineralogy, 

ore deposits, and mines of the area. Of particular interest to dolomite study is 

the original description of the Hasmark formation (p. 57-61). Includes a 

geologic map, scale 1:125,000.

91 Esarey, R,. E., and Bieberman, D. F., 1948, Correlation of the Waldron and 

Mississmewa formations [Indiana]: Ind. Dept. Conserv., Div. Geology 

Bull. 3, 38 p.

Contains a brief description of the physiography and regional structure of 

Indiana; more detailed descriptions of the rocks and faunal assemblages upon 

which the formation correlations are made; and a discussion of geologic history. 

No analyses are included. Small-scale map, 1 inch = 40 miles, shows Silurian 

outcrop areas.

92 Faust, G. T., and Callaghan, Eugene, 1948, Mineralogy and petrology of the 

Currant Creek magnesite deposits and associated rocks of Nevada: Geol. 

Soc. America Bull., v. 59, p. 11-74.

Gives a detailed discussion of the megascopic and microscopic character of 

the rocks of the area, their mineralogy and chemistry, and the origin of the 

magnesite deposits.

93 Foerste, A. F., 1917, Notes on Silurian fossils from Ohio and other central States:

Ohio Jour. Sci., v. 17, p. 17, 201-202.

Proposes the name Euphemia dolomite for the lowest of the beds that make up 

the dolomitic Niagaran series north of Cedarville, Ohio; formerly regarded as 

the Mottled Zone of Prosser and, to the south, as part of the West Union formation.

94 1923, Notes on Medina, Niagaran, and Chester fossils: Denison Univ.,

Sci. Lab. Jour., v. 20, p. 41-43.

Discusses very briefly the Bisher formation, formerly treated as the Bisher 

member of the West Union formation.

95 1929, Correlation of the Silurian section of Adams and Highland Counties

with that of the Springfield area [abs.]: Ohio Jour. Sci., v. 29, p. 168-169. 

States that the Peebles dolomite is equivalent to the Guelph of Canada and 

belongs above the Cedarville of the Springfield, Ohio, area.

96 Ford, W. E., 1932, Dana's textbook of mineralogy: New York, John Wiley &

Sons, Inc., p. 516-518, 805-806.

Describes the physical and chemical characteristics of dolomite and magnesite. 

Lists about 150 minerals of which magnesium is a basic constituent.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 491

Index 

no.

97 Franke, H. A., 1935, Mines and mineral resources of San Luis Obispo County:

Calif. Jour. Mines and Geology, v. 31, p. 402-461.

Presents a survey of the mineral resources of the county, listed alphabetically 

and including metals and nonmetals, with specific mines and occurrences for 

each mineral. Includes a very brief description of each locality and state of 

activity at the time of compilation. Lists one occurrence and one analysis for 

dolomite.

98 Furcron, A. S., 1942, Dolomites and magnesian limestones in Georgia: Ga.

Geol. Survey Inf. Circ. 14, 30 p.

Outlines the general distribution of the dolomites and magnesian limestones 

and describes in some detail outcrops of the Talladega(?) marble in the Gainesville belt, the Murphy marble of the Whitestone-Marble Hill belt, the general 

occurrence of the Shady and Knox dolomites, the Chickamauga formation, and 

the magnesian limestones of the Coastal Plain area. Includes chemical analyses 

of 76 samples, some of which are not precisely located.

99 Gale, H. S., 1914, Late developments of magnesite deposits in California and

Nevada: TJ. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 540-S, p. 483-520.

Gives summary descriptions of certain magnesite deposits in Sonoma, Santa 

Clara, Placer, San Benito, Fresno, Tulare, Kern, and Riverside Counties, Calif.; 

mentions reported occurrences in Nye and Esmeralda Counties, Nev.; and 

includes 18 chemical analyses and small-scale maps showing location of the 

deposits.

100 Georgia Division Mines, Mining, and Geology, 1939, Geologic map of Georgia* 

prepared in cooperation with the TJ. S. Geological Survey: Atlanta, GaGeol. Survey, scale 1:500,000.

101 Gibbs, Ralph, 1949, Manufacturing refractory dolomite: Rock Products, v.

52, no. 4, p. 129-131, 161-163.

Summarizes the requirements of refractory dolomites; outlines the steps in 

production quarrying, crushing and grinding, sizing, storage, kiln feeding, 

burning, screening; and considers plant and manufacturing costs.

102 Gilluly, James, 1932, Geology and ore deposits of the Stockton and Fairfield

quadrangles, Utah: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 173,171 p. 

Discusses in detail the stratigraphy, structure, rock alteration, mineralogy, 

ore deposits and mines of the area, which covers parts of Tooele, Utah, and Salt 

Lake Counties. The dolomitic formations described include the Lynch and 

Jefferson dolomites. Includes 2 analyses of dolomitic limestone and a geologic 

map, scale 1:62,500.

103 Goldbeck, A. T., 1949, Crushed stone, in Industrial minerals and rocks: New

York, Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Eng., 2d ed., p. 245-293.

Presents a general discussion of crushed stone, including classification of 

rocks, mineral composition, physical properties, uses, production and consumption, prospecting, stripping, quarrying, crushing, etc. Includes a bibliography.

104 Gray, Carlyle, 1951, Preliminary report of certain limestones and dolomites of 

Berks County, Pa.: Pa. Topog. and Geol. Survey, 4th ser., Progress Rept. 

136, 85 p.

Contains detailed descriptions of the Ordovician formations, including the 

Beckmantown limestone and dolomite, Annville limestone, and Jacksonville
492 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

formation; summaries of the structure and economic possibilities of the limestones; brief descriptions of 81 quarries and outcrops; and analyses of 378 

samples. Dolomite, usually siliceous, occurs locally in the Beekmantown. 

Index map, scale 1 inch = 2 miles, shows principal limestone areas and sample 

localities.

105 Grimsley, G. P., 1916, Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan Counties: W. Va.

Geol. Survey, 644 p.

Includes general treatment of the history, industrial development, physiography, climate, general geology, structure, and mineral deposits of the eastern 

panhandle counties; general lithologic descriptions; measured sections; and 

many analyses of limestones and dolomites. The dolomitic formations include 

the Stones River limestones, Beekmantown limestone, Conococheague limestone, 

Waynesboro formation, and Tomstown limestone. Briefly describes many of 

the quarry operations.

106 Gross, W. H., 1949, The story of magnesium: Cleveland, Ohio, Am. Soc.

Metals, 260 p.

Gives a nontechnical summary of the sources, methods of production, alloying 

and refining, casting, fabrication, machining, jointing, finishing, physical 

metallurgy, and uses of magnesium. Of particular interest are the brief, clear 

outlines (with flow sheets) of the more important methods of metal production.

107 Gwinn, G. R., 1943, Olivine: TJ. S. Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. 7239,11 p.

Summarizes briefly the occurrence and use of olivine, particularly in refractories, and the properties of forsterite refractories.

108 Ham, W. E., 1949, Geology and dolomite resources, Mill Creek-Ravia area,

Johnston County, Okla.: Okla. Geol. Survey Circ. 26, 104 p. 

Describes in detail the stratigraphy of the area, giving distribution of the 

formations, their general character, origin, and their characteristics helpful for 

field identification. Includes detailed columnar sections. Discusses physical 

and chemical properties of the Royer dolomite and shows that it compares 

favorably with the best dolomites of northwestern Ohio. Briefly mentions other 

dolomite occurrences in Oklahoma and shows their location on small-scale map. 

Gives analyses of 22 samples. Reserves are estimated to be at least 150 million 

tons of readily accessible dolomite. Includes a geologic map, scale 1 inch = 

% mile.

109 Harness, C. L., and Jensen, N. C., 1943, Marketing magnesite and allied products:

TJ. S. Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. 7269, 25 p.

Summarizes magnesia raw materials, mining methods, calcination, specifications for crude, dead-burned, and caustic-calcined magnesia, uses, and mineral 

industry statistics (to 1941).

110 Hatmaker, Paul, 1931, Utilization of dolomite and high-magnesium limestone:

U. S. Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. 6524, 18 p.

Includes a brief description of the uses of dolomite, some production statistics 

for 1920-29, general chemical requirements for dolomite, and a bibliography. 

Contains substantially the same information as in the later paper by Colby 

(1941).

111 Hershey, H. G., and others, 1947, Mineral resources of Iowa: Iowa Geol. 

Survey, index map, scale 1:500,000.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 493

Index 

no.

112 Hess, F. L., 1908, The magnesite deposits of California: U. S. Geol. Survey

Bull. 355, 67 p.

Contains brief descriptions of magnesite occurrences in several counties, and 

brief sections on uses, markets, and the origin of the magnesite. Small-scale 

map, 1 inch = about 60 miles, shows location of deposits.

113 Hewett, D. F., 1931, Geology and ore deposits of the Goodsprings quadrangle,

Nevada: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 162, 172 p.

Describes in detail the stratigraphy, structure, rock alteration, ore deposits, 

and mines in this part of Clark County. Discusses the lithologic character and 

distribution of the dolomite and dolomitic limestone formations which include 

the Goodsprings dolomite, the Sultan and Monte Cristo limestones, and the 

Bird Spring. Includes a good, detailed discussion on dolomitization, analyses 

of 42 limestone and dolomite samples, and a geologic map, scale 1:62,500.

114 Hinchey, N. S., Fisher, R. B., and Calhoun, W. A., 1947, Limestones and 

dolomites in the St. Louis area: Mo. Geol. Survey and Water Res. Rept. 

Inv. 5, 80 p.

Gives brief descriptions of 17 selected limestone and dolomite deposits, 

including location, transportation facilities, stratigraphic position, measured 

section, and analyses of representative samples. Only one locality, that near 

Glencoe, contains dolomite (more than 40 percent magnesium carbonate).

115 Hodge, E. T., 1938, Market for Columbia River hydroelectric power using northwest minerals; Sec. 1, Northwest magnesia ores: War Dept., Corps of 

Engineers, U. S. Army, Office ,of Div. Engineer, North Pacific Div., Portland, Oreg., v. 1, Pt. 2, p. 33-131.

Presents a brief survey of areas of magnesite occurrence, both United States 

and foreign, with particular emphasis on the Washington deposits, and a brief 

description of the deposits, including economic considerations, such as transportation facilities and estimates of mining costs. Paper is principally a survey 

of the available literature on the subject.

116 Holmes, G. H., Jr., 1949, Mining methods at the brucite deposit, Basic Refractories, Inc., Gabbs, Nye County, Nev.: U. S. Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. 7543, 

10 p.

Describes briefly the plant operations and mining methods at the brucite 

deposit, which is the only commercial deposit in production in the United States.

117 Holmes, G. H., Jr., and Matson, E. J., 1950, Investigation of the magnesite 

deposit of the Ala-Mar Magnesium Co., Inc., and Nevada Magnesite Co. 

White Pine County, Nev.: U. S. Bur. Mines Rept. Inv. 4608,13 p. ' 

Includes a summary discussion of the deposits, an account of the exploratory

drilling program carried on by the Bureau of Mines in 1942, sample analyses

from 13 drill holes, and 196 analyses of trench samples.

118 Hopkins, R. H., 1942, The dolomitic limestones of Florida: Fla. Geol. Survey

Rept. Inv. 3, 105 p.

Presents a summary of the properties, modes of occurrence in Florida, and 

uses of dolomite and dolomitic limestone. Gives locations, drill-hole logs, 

drill-core analyses (at about 5-ft. intervals), and brief descriptions of the rocks 

for about 80 test holes which were drilled to determine the character of the 

dolomites in Taylor, Dixie, Levy,Citrus, Pasco, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties.
494 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

119 Huddle, J. W., and Dobrovolny, Ernest, 1952, Devonian and Mississippian rocks

of central Arizona: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 233-D, p. 67-112. 

Gives a detailed description of the Martin formation (Devonian) and Redwall 

limestone (Mississippian), including descriptions of facies and their distribution 

and correlation with formations to the north and south. Includes several 

detailed stratigraphic sections, a bibliography, an index map (scale 1 in. = 

approx. 35 mi.) of area studied, and an outline map of the State (scale 1 in. = 

about 50 mi.) showing the general distribution of outcrops of Devonian and 

Mississippian rocks.

120 Humes, W. B., 1944, Vacuum engineering as related to the dolomite ferrosilicon

process: Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Eng. Trans., v. 159, p. 353-362. 

Describes in detail vacuum technology as applied to the retorts used in the 

ferrosilicon reduction process for producing magnesium from dolomite.

121 Hunter, C. E., and Gildersleeve, Benjamin, 1946, Minerals and structural 

materials of western North Carolina and north Georgia: Tenn. Valley 

Authority, Commerce Dept., Regional Products Research Div., Rept. C, 

p. 23-29.

Presents brief descriptions and several chemical analyses of some dolomites in 

North Carolina and Georgia; includes description of the Bandana dolomite 

marble at Bandana Station, N. C.

122 Irving, D. R., and Uswald, F. P., 1954, Magnesium compounds: U. S. Bur.

Mines Minerals Yearbook, 1952, preprint, 16 p. 

Presents a general summary and statistics of domestic and foreign industry.

123 Jenkins, O. P., 1916, Phosphates and dolomites of Johnson County, Tenn.:

Tenn. Geol. Survey, Res. Tenn., v. 6, p. 51-106.

Describes in general the geology and mineralogy of the phosphate deposits. 

Briefly mentions the formations in the area, including the Shady limestone. 

Includes 19 analyses of dolomitic limestones, along with more detailed descriptions of the occurrences from which the samples were taken.

124 1938, Geologic map of California: Calif. Div. Mines, six sheets, scale 

1:500,000.

125 Jewett, J. M., and Schoewe, W. H., 1942, Kansas mineral resources for wartime

industries: Kans. Geol. Survey Bull. 41, pt. 3, p. 69-180. 

Summarizes the mineral resources of the State, with brief statements concerning occurrence, uses, production and reserves. Section on magnesium 

(p. 104-112) discusses the possibility of producing magnesium from oilfield 

brines, listing several specific fields and the magnesium content of the brines. 

Discusses briefly the occurrence of the Stone Corral and Day Creek dolomites 

and gives 6 analyses from Clark and Rice Counties. Reserves are estimated 

to be about 16 million tons of readily accessible dolomite in these counties.

126 Jones, W. B., 1926, Index to the mineral resources of Alabama: Ala. Geol.

Survey Bull. 28, 256 p.

Presents a survey of the mineral resources of the State, with sections on the 

location of each of the minerals. Of interest to the subject of dolomite are 2 

analyses of the Chewacla dolomite from Chewacla, Lee County, and the section 

on fluxing materials, page 49 and pages 120-128. Describes the lithologic 

character and areal distribution of the Ketona dolomite.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 495

Index 

no.

127 Kay, G. M., 1935, Ordovician system in the upper Mississippi Valley: Kans.

Geol. Soc. Guidebook, 9th Ann. Field Conf., p. 281-295. 

Describes briefly the Ordovician formations in the upper Mississippi Valley. 

Of interest are the descriptions of the dolomite units in the Prairie du Chien 

group, Platteville formation, and Galena group. No analyses are included.

128 Keith, Arthur, 1932, Stratigraphy and structure of northwestern Vermont:

Washington Acad. Sci. Jour., v. 22, p. 357-379; v. 22, p. 393-406. 

Discusses in detail the Cambrian and Ordovician rocks that occur in three 

sequences in northwestern Vermont and correlates them. No analyses are 

included. Outline map shows the distribution of the rocks in the region. [Some 

of the stratigraphy has since been revised.]

129 1933, Preliminary geologic map of Maine: Maine Geol. Survey, scale 

1:100,000.

130 Keith, Arthur, and Sterrett, D. B., 1931, Description of the Gaffney and Kings

Mountain quadrangles: U. S. Geol. Survey Geol. Atlas, folio 222,13 p. 

Describes the general and economic geology of the area. Of interest is the 

general description of the Gaffney marble, which in places is highly magnesian. 

Includes topographic, areal geology, and economic geology maps, scale 1:62,500.

131 Kentucky Geological Survey, 1954, Geologic map of Kentucky, prepared in 

cooperation with Ky. Agr. Indus. Devel. Board: Lexington, Ky. Geol. 

Survey, scale 1:1,000,000.

132 King, P. B., 1948, Geology of the southern Guadalupe Mountains, Tex.: U. S.

Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 215, 183 p.

Describes in detail the Permian stratigraphy, structure, and Cenozoic deposits 

of the area. Includes descriptions of the dolomites of the Bone Spring, Goat 

Seep, and Carlsbad limestones, a few analyses, and a geologic map, scale 1:48,000.

133 Knechtel, M. M., and others, 1948, Map showing construction materials and 

nonmetallic mineral resources of Montana: TJ. S. Geol. Survey Missouri 

Basin Studies Map 11, 2 sheets.

Map outlines the general areal distribution of dolomite and limestone in the 

State. Brief text on map gives very general description of the geographic and 

geologic distribution of the carbonate rocks and mentions a few of the more 

important limestone formations. Scale 1:750,000 or about 1 inch = 12 miles.

134 Krey, Frank, and Lamar, J. E., 1925, Limestone resources of Illinois: 111. Geol.

Survey Bull. 46, 392 p.

Contains sections on limestone and dolomite for road materials, properties of 

Illinois limestone and dolomite, quarry practice, a comprehensive survey of the 

resources (by counties) that describes the quarries and outcrops in each county, 

and a table of about 300 analyses, most of which are well located. Page-size 

county maps show the locations of quarries and sample sites.

135 Kummel, H. B., and Gage, R. B., 1906, The chemical composition of the white 

crystalline limestones of Sussex and Warren Counties: N. J. Geol. Survey 

Ann. Kept. State Geologist, 1905, p. 173-191.

Describes the distribution, lithologic character, and chemical composition of 

the "white limestone" (Franklin limestone). Includes 108 analyses of limestones 

and dolomites, many of which represent drill-hole samples. Map, scale 1 inch = 

1 mile, shows the distribution of the limestone in Sussex County.
496 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

136 Ladoo, R. B., and Meyers, W. M., 1951, Nonmetallic minerals: New York,

McGraw-Hill, 2d ed., 605 p.

Catalogs commercial nonmetallic minerals. The summary of each mineral 

includes brief sections on composition, description, physical properties, occurrence, production, uses, and a bibliography. Describes dolomite on pages 194- 

202 and magnesite and magnesium compounds on pages 298-311.

137 Lamar, J. E., and Willman, H. B., 1938, A summary of the uses of limestone

and dolomite: 111. Geol. Survey Kept. Inv. 49, 50 p.

Summary of more than 50 uses of limestone and dolomite, briefly describes 

how the material is used and outlines the general chemical and physical requirements of the rock for each use. Gives a bibliography.

138 Landes, K. K., 1951, Detroit River group in the Michigan basin: U. S. Geol.

Survey Circ. 133, 12 p.

Discusses in detail the nomenclature and stratigraphy of the Detroit River 

group. Presents revised section of the type locality and correlates it with the 

subsurface strata explored by wells in the Michigan basin. Includes stratigraphic column, cross sections, and isopach maps, scale about 1:2,500,000, of 

Detroit River formations as they occur in the southern peninsula of Michigan.

139 Larrabee, D. M., and others, 1947, Map showing construction materials and 

nonmetallic mineral resources of Colorado: U. S. Geol. Survey Missouri 

Basin Studies Prelim. Map 10.

Shows the general areal distribution of dolomite and dolomitic limestone in 

Colorado. Text briefly mentions the Manitou, Ouray, Leadville, and Madison 

limestones as containing dolomite. Also briefly describes the general areas of 

outcrop of the dolomite and summarizes quarrying activity and uses of Colorado 

dolomite.

140 Lasky, S. G., 1936, Geology and ore deposits of the Bayard area, Central mining

district, New Mexico: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 870, 144 p. 

Describes in detail the stratigraphy, igneous rocks, and structure of this area, 

about 9 miles east of Silver City, Grant County. Discusses rock alteration 

and ore deposits, giving descriptions of individual mines and prospects. Also 

briefly describes on page 17 the Montoya and Fusselman limestones. No 

dolomite analyses are given. Includes a geologic map, scale 1:12,000.

141 Lenhart, W. B., 1953, Heavy media separation removes friable granite from

dolomite: Rock Products, v. 56, no. 2, p. 89-93, 152.

Presents a general description of the heavy media separation process used by 

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. at their Natividad, Calif., plant to upgrade 

quarry-run dolomite by removing granite.

142 Lewis, J. V., and Kummel, H. B., 1912, Geologic map of New Jersey, 1910-1912: 

N. J. Geol. Survey, scale 1:250,000.

143 Lindgren, Waldemar, and Loughlin, G. F., 1919, Geology and ofe deposits of

the Tintic mining district, Utah: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 107, 282 p.

Describes in detail the stratigraphy, structure, ore deposits, and mines of the

district. Formations described as being dolomites or dolomitic limestones

include the Bluebird, Cole Canyon, and Opex dolomites, the Ajax limestone,

and the Bluebell and Gardner dolomites. Gives 4 carbonate rock analyses;

1 is of dolomite. Includes a geologic map, scale 1:62,500.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 497

Index 

no.

144 Lloyd, R. R., Rawles, W. T., and Knickerbocker, R. G., 1944, Pilot-plant production of magnesia from Sloan dolomite: Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Eng. 

Trans., v. 159, p. 296-307.

Describes in detail the pilot-plant operation for producing cell-grade magnesia 

from dolomite quarried at Sloan, Nev. Pilot plant was at U. S. Bureau of 

Mines experiment station at Boulder City, Nev.

145 Logan, C. A., 1947, Limestone in California: Calif. Jour. Mines and Geology,

v. 43, p. 175-357 [1948].

Summarizes the uses of lime and limestone (including dolomite) and describes, 

by counties, limestone and dolomite deposits, which are precisely located. 

Includes brief summary of production from each deposit, many analyses, and a 

brief description of the controlling structure for most of the more important 

deposits. A map, scale 1 inch = about 34 miles, shows locations of 307 limestone and dolomite deposits.

146 Logan, C. A., and Wright, L. A., 1950, Dolomite, in Mineral commodities of

California: Calif. Dept. Nat. Res., Div. Mines Bull. 156, p. 155-158. 

The report comprises a summary of the mineral resources of the State, including 

fuels, metallics, and nonmetallics, and describes their geographic and geologic 

occurrence, economic development, and uses. The section on dolomite briefly 

summarizes some of the more important occurrences. No analyses are given. 

Small-scale map, 1:5,000,000, shows distribution of the principal mineral resources.

147 Longwell, C. R., 1928, Geology of the Muddy Mountains, Nev.: U. S. Geol.

Survey Bull. 798, 152 p.

Discusses in general the physiography, structure, and stratigraphy of the 

Muddy Mountains and parts of the Virgin Mountains and Grand Wash Cliffs. 

Dolomite occurs in the Muddy Peak limestone; magnesite occurs with limestone, 

dolomite, and other sediments in the Horse Spring formation (Tertiary) near 

Overton. Also discusses the origin of the magnesite and gives 2 magnesite 

analyses.

148 Loughlin, G. F., Berry, E. W., and Cushman, J. A., 1921, Limestones and marls

of North Carolina: N. C. Geol. and Econ. Survey Bull. 28, 211 p. 

Includes general descriptions of the limestone, dolomite, and marl formations 

of the State; more detailed descriptions of specific occurrences in quarries and 

outcrops; and summaries of the uses, character, and production of limestones 

and marls. The principal formations that contain dolomite include the Murphy 

and Gaffney marbles and the Shady limestone. Gives analyses of 36 limestone 

and dolomite samples. Maps of specific areas (scale, generally 1 in. = 1 mi.) 

show areal distribution of the carbonate rocks.

149 McAllister, J. F., 1952, Rocks and structure of the Quartz Spring area, northern 

Panamint Range, Calif.: Calif. Dept. Nat. Res., Div. Mines Special Rept. 

25, 38 p.

Describes in general-the stratigraphy and structure of the area, which covers 

about 50 square miles in east-central Inyo County. Dolomite occurs in the 

Racetrack dolomite, Nopah formation, Pogonip limestone, Ely Springs and 

Hidden Valley dolomites, and Lost Burro formation. Does not mention, the 

quality of the dolomite, although much of it apparently is siliceous or cherty 

Includes a geologic map, scale 1 inch = about 2,700 feet.
498 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

150 McCammon, J. H., 1941, Report on tin and magnesite deposits in Mason 

County, Tex.: Tex. Univ. Bur. Econ. Geology, Min. Res. Survey Circ. 

32, 8 p.

Gives a description and 1 analysis of the small magnesite deposit 3 miles 

northwest of Mason. Map, scale 1 inch = 660 feet, shows location of the 

deposit.

151 McCue, J. B., Lucke, J. B., and Woodward, H. P., 1939, Limestones of West

Virginia: W. Va. Geol. Survey, v. 12, 560 p.

Includes general descriptions of the limestone formations in West Virginia, 

discussion of the geographic distribution of the formations, along with brief 

descriptions of quarries and outcrops, section on quarrying and grinding methods 

and on uses of limestone, and nearly 1,500 chemical analyses. Accompanying 

map, scale 1:500,000, shows the areal distribution of the Cambrian and Ordovician limestones and of sample localities.

152 McFarlan, A. C., 1943, Geology of Kentucky: Lexington, Ky., Ky. Univ., 531 p. 

Presents a comprehensive treatment of the geology of the State, including 

stratigraphy, regional geology, and mineral resources. Includes a very general 

reference to resources of "limestone (including dolomite)." Of interest are 

the lithologic descriptions in the section on Ordovician-Devonian stratigraphy 

(p. 8-55). Small-scale map, 1 inch = about 97 miles, shows general geology.

153 McQueen, H. S., 1943, Occurrence of dolomite in the Fredericktown area, 

Madison County, Mo.: Mo. Geol. Survey and Water Res. 62d Bienn. 

Rept., App. 2, 16 p.

Describes briefly the Bonneterre dolomite near Fredericktown and includes 

18 analyses and descriptions of the samples. The dolomite is appraised as being 

suitable for the production of magnesium by the ferrosilicon reduction process. 

Geologic map, scale 1 inch = about % mile, shows distribution of the various 

zones of the Bonneterre.

154 Martin, H. M., 1936, Geologic maps of the southern and northern peninsulas of 

Michigan: Mich. Dept. Conserv., Geol. Survey Div. Pub. 39, Geol. ser. 33.

155 Mathews, E. B., and Grasty, J. S., 1910, The limestones of Maryland with 

special reference to their use in the manufacture of lime and cement: Md. 

Geol. Survey Special Pub., v. 8, pt. 3, p. 227-484.

Discusses the uses of limes and cements, and describes the geology and distribution of lime and cement materials as they occur in the Piedmont Plateau, 

Frederick Valley, and in Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Includes 

many analyses of limestones and dolomites and a map, scale 1 inch = 3 miles, 

showing the distribution of the limestones in the State and sample localities.

156 Mathews, E. B., and others, 1929, Baltimore County: Md. Geol. Survey, 420 p. 

Presents a report on the physical features of Baltimore County, including 

physiography, geology, mineral resources, soils, climate, and forests. Describes 

the lithologic character and areal distribution of the Cockeysville marble. 

Includes three analyses and descriptions of quarrying operations in the Cockeysville-Texas area. Map, scale 1 inch = 3 miles, shows location of "quarries and 

open workings" in the county.

157 Mayer, Andrew, 1944, Plant for production of magnesium by the ferrosilicon 

process: Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Eng. Trans., v. 159, p. 363-376.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 499

Index 

no.

Gives a summary description of the plant operated by National Lead Co. at 

Luckey, Ohio.

158 Miller, B. L., 1934, Limestones of Pennsylvania: Pa. Geol. Survey, 4th ser.,

Bull. M 20, 729 p.

Discusses the composition, mineral associations, physical properties, origin, 

weathering, uses, and distribution of limestones, dolomites, and marbles. Describes in some detail the occurrences, in outcrops and quarries, of limestone 

and dolomite by counties. Gives many analyses, some of which are not precisely 

located. County maps, scale, generally about 1 inch = 9 miles, show distribution of the limestones. State map, scale 1 inch = about 26 miles, shows 

the general areal distribution of the limestones.

159 Miller, B. L., Eraser, D. M., and Miller, R. L., 1939, Northampton County,

Pa.: Pa. Geol. Survey, 4th ser., Bull. C 48, 496 p.

Gives a detailed description of the geography and geology of the county, 

including sections on stratigraphy, structure, and economic geology; analyses of 

limestones and dolomites from many localities; an annotated bibliography; and 

a geologic map, scale 1 inch = 1 mile.

160 Missouri Geological Survey, 1939, Geological map of Missouri: Rolla, Mo. 

Geol. Survey and Water Re?., scale 1:500,000.

161 1944, Mineral resources of Missouri: Rolla, Mo. Geol. Survey andWater Res., map, scale 1:600,000.

162 Moore, F. H., 1935, Marbles and limestones of Connecticut: Conn. Geol. Nat.

History Survey Bull. 56, 56 p.

Describes in detail the marbles of western Connecticut, by areas of occurrence, 

giving their general distribution, structural relations, and physical character. 

Mentions localities where marble is quarried, and includes 18 analyses of the 

calcite and dolomite marbles. Summarizes the requirements of marble for its 

varied uses.

163 Moore, R. C., Frye, J. C., Jewett, J. M., Lee, Wallace, and O'Connor, H. G.,

1951, The Kansas rock column: Kans. Geol. Survey Bull. 89, 132 p. 

Contains brief, general descriptions of the lithologic character, thickness, and 

distribution of the formations of Kansas; generalized columnar sections; and 

small-scale maps showing areal distribution of the formations. Of interest 

are the descriptions of the Day Creek and Stone Corral dolomites.

164 Muller, S. W., and Ferguson, H. G., 1939, Mesozoic stratigraphy of the Hawthorne and Tonopah quadrangles, Nevada: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 

50, p. 1573-1624.

Describes in detail the stratigraphy and paleontology of the Triassic and lower 

Jurassic formations i,n the mountain ranges in these quadrangles. Of particular 

interest is the description of the Lunjng formation, the dolomite host rock for 

the magnesite and brucite deposits at Gabbs. Map, scale 1:125,000, shows 

the distribution of the formations in the area.

165 Noble, L. F., 1922, A section of the Paleozoic formations of the Grand Canyon 

at the Bass Trail: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131-B, p. 23-73.

Gives a detailed stratigraphic section at Bass Trail, Grand Canyon, and 

general descriptions of the lithologic character and distribution of each of the
500 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

Paleozoic formations. Correlates the section with other Grand Canyon sections. 

Includes 10 analyses. Of interest are the descriptions of the Muav, Temple 

Butte, and Redwall limestones.

166 Nolan, T. B., 1935, The Gold Hill mining district, Utah: U. S. Geol. Survey

Prof. Paper 177, 172 p.

Describes in detail the stratigraphy, structure, ore deposits, and mines of the 

district. No analyses are included, but the lithologic descriptions of the Young 

Peak, Trippe, Lamb, Hicks, Chokecherry, Fish Haven, Laketown, Sevy, Simonson, and Guilmette indicate that each of these formations are dolomite, at least 

in part. Includes a geologic map, scale 1:62,500.

167 Norton, G. H., 1939, Permian red beds of Kansas: Am. Assoc. Petroleum

Geologists Bull., v. 23, p. 1751-1819.

Describes in detail the Permian red bed formations of Kansas. Of interest 

are the descriptions of the Stone Corral and Day Creek dolomites. No analyses 

are included. Small-scale map, 1 inch = about 23, miles, shows the distribution 

of the red beds in Kansas and northern Oklahoma.

168 Norton, W. H., 1899, Geology of Scott County: Iowa Geol. Survey, v. 9, p.

422-440.

Refers the beds of Niagaran age in Scott County to a single formation the 

Gower stage; treats the Le Claire and Anamosa beds as members or substages 

of approximately equivalent ages. Includes measured sections and brief 

descriptions of Le Claire and Anamosa beds at several quarries.

169 1920, Wapsipinicon breccias of Iowa: Iowa Geol. Survey, v. 27, p.

355-547.

Describes in detail the lithologic character and the breccias of the several 

subdivisions (which have since been revised) of the Wapsipinicon limestone. 

Includes a discussion of the origin of the breccias, several measured sections, 

and 12 analyses of the limestones and dolomites.

170 Oder, C. R. L., 1934, Preliminary subdivision of the Knox dolomite in east

Tennessee: Jour. Geology, v. 42, p. 469-497.

Subdivides the Knox dolomite and describes each of the proposed formations. 

Includes the Maynardville limestone at the base. [The subdivisions above 

the Chepultepec have since been revised.] Includes two detailed sections and 

a small-scale map showing the areal distribution of the Knox dolomite.

171 Oklahoma Geological Survey, 1944, Minerals of Oklahoma: Norman, Okla.

Geol. Survey, index map with text, scale about 1:554,000. 

Outlines the distribution of minerals by colors, patterns, and symbols. Text 

very briefly summarizes areas of occurrence of each mineral. Shows distribution 

of dolomite in the State in a very general way.

172 Oriel, S. S., 1950, Geology and mineral resources of the Hot Springs window, 

Madison County, N. C.: N. C. Dept. Conserv. Devel., Div. Min. Res. 

Bull. 60, 70 p.

Discusses the name, limits and thickness, distribution, character, and correlation of the rocks in the area, also the structure and mineral resources. Describes the Shady dolomite (p. 9 12) and briefly discusses quarrying operations 

in the Shady near Hot Springs (p. 52-54). Lists 7 chemical analyses of the 

Shady. Includes a geologic map, scale 1:24,000.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 501

Index 

no.

173 Osterwald, F. W., and Osterwald, D. B., 1952, Wyoming mineral resources:

Wyo. Geol. Survey Bull. 45, 215 p.

Catalogs minerals of Wyoming, listing producing areas, plants, prospects, 

and reported occurrences for each mineral. Lists prospects and occurrences of 

dolomite by secnon, township, and range (p. 50-56). Includes analyses for 16 

of the localities.

174 Pabst, Adolph, 1938, Minerals of California: Calif. Dept. Nat. Res., Div.

Mines Bull. 113, 344 p.

Catalogs minerals of California, giving their physical properties, descriptions, 

and general modes of occurrence. Lists occurrences of dolomite in 14 counties, 

including minor, uneconomic deposits, and 1 analysis of a sample from San 

Bernardino County.

175 Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, and Frondel, Clifford, 1951, Dana's system 

of mineralogy: New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., v. 2, p. 162-166.

176 Park, C. F., Jr., and Cannon, R. S., Jr., 1943, Geology and ore deposits of the 

Metaline quadrangle, Washington: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 202, 

81 p.

Describes in detail the general geology, stratigraphy, structure, and ore 

deposits of the quadrangle, northern Pend Oreille County. Of interest is the 

detailed description of the Metaline limestone, including 4 analyses of dolomite 

samples from Crescent Lake. Includes a geologic map, scale 1:96,000.

177 Parker, J. L., 1945, Open-pit mining of magnesite ore: Explosives Engineer,

v. 23, p. 9-11. 

Describes in general the Anaconda operations at Gabbs, Nev.

178 Partridge, E. P., and Davis, A. E., 1935, Magnesium and its compounds: U. S.

Bur. Mines Minerals Yearbook, 1935, p. 1165-1176. 

Presents a general summary and statistics of foreign and domestic industry.

179 Patton, J. B., 1949, Crushed stone in Indiana: Ind. Dept. Conserv. Div.

Geology, Rept. Progress 3, 47 p.

Describes the lithologie character of 29 formations quarried in Indiana for 

use as crushed stone. Includes brief descriptions of 92 quarries, giving their 

locations, geologic formation quarried, and the quarry products; analyses of 103 

samples from 32 quarries; and a map, scale 1 inch = about 10 miles, showing 

the locations of the quarries and the rock quarried.

180 Pennsylvania Department Internal Affairs, 1944, Pennsylvania's mineral

heritage: Pa. State Coll., Bur. Statistics, Topog. and Geol. Survey, 248 p.

Summarizes the mineral resources of the State, both by commodity and by

counties. Includes production statistics and general section on technology,

trends, and possibilities for future development of the industries. Mentions

briefly magnesite and dolomite and their use in the production of magnesium.

181 Perry, E. S., 1949, Gypsum, lime, and limestone in Montana: Mont. Bur.

Mines and Geology Mem. 29, 45 p.

Contains brief summary discussions of the preparation and uses of lime, the 

limestone formations, and production of limestone and lime in Montana; description of quarrying of the Pilgrim limestone in the vicinity of Helena, with a 

generalized geologic map of the Helena area, scale 1 inch = 1 mile; a few lime-
502 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

stone analyses; and a page-size map of Montana showing exposures of Madison 

limestone.

182 Perry, J. B., and Kirwan, G. M., 1938, The Bald Eagle magnesite mine, California: Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Eng. Tech. Pub. 861, p. 1-15. 

Describes briefly the geology of the deposit, the mining methods used, and the 

plant of the Bald Eagle mine, about 20 miles southwest of Gustine. Magnesite 

occurs as a blanket deposit in an accumulation of serpentine breccia, rather than 

in association with solid serpentine as in the typical "California type" deposits.

183 Pettijohn, F. J., 1949, Sedimentary rocks: New York, Harper & Bros., 526 p. 

Textbook deals with the properties, composition, descriptions, etc., of sedimentary rocks. Brief section on dolomites (p. 312-317) defines dolomite in 

terms of percent of dolomite in the carbonate fraction, describes general characteristics, and outlines theories of origin.

184 Pidgeon, L. M., and Alexander, W. A., 1944, Thermal production of magnesium 

pilot-plant studies on the retort ferrosilicon process: Am. Inst. Min. 

Metall. Eng. Trans., v. 159, p. 315-352.

Gives a detailed discussion of the ferrosilicon reduction process for producing 

magnesium from dolomite, including discussions of the character of the dolomite, 

the retorts used, and the effects of varying conditions of time, temperature, 

grade of ferrosilicon, etc.

185 Pidgeon, L. M., and others, 1946, Magnesium: Cleveland, Ohio, Am. Soc.

Metals, 265 p.

Contains a series of five papers covering (1) extractive metallurgy, (2) magnesium structural design, (3) magnesium castings, (4) wrought magnesium alloy 

fabrication, and (5) corrosion protection of magnesium. Paper on extractive 

metallurgy contains summary descriptions of the several methods of metal production including electrolytic, carbothermic, and ferrosilicon processes as they 

are used in various installations. Includes a bibliography.

186 Pierce, W. M., Waring, R. K., Fetterolf, L. D., and Mahler, G. T., 1944, Some 

developments in the production of magnesium from dolomite by the ferrosilicon process: Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Eng. Trans., v. 159, p. 377-391. 

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of wet and dry briquetting and 

the effect of time, temperature, and grade of ferrosilicon on the efficiency of the 

ferrosilicon reduction process.

187 Pond, W. F., 1933, Geologic map of Tennessee: Tenn. Dept. Education, Div. 

Geology, 4th ed., scale 1:500,000.

188 Powers, E. H., 1935, Stratigraphy of the Prairie du Chien [upper Mississippi

Valley]: Kans. Geol. Soc. Guidebook, 9th Ann. Field Conf., p. 390-394. 

Discusses in general the Prairie du Chien group and its subdivisions. Treats 

the Prairie du Chien here as a formation with 3 members the Oneota, New 

Richmond, and Willow River. Small-scale map, 1 inch = about 37 miles, shows 

the areal distribution of the Prairie du Chien.

189 Price, P. H., Tucker, R. C., and Haught, O. L., 1938, Geology and natural

resources of West Virginia: W. Va. Geol. Survey, v. 10, 462 p. 

Contains a brief discussion of the general geology and stratigraphy of the 

State, a catalog of the mineral resources, briefly outlining their character, uses,
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 503

Index 

no.

occurrence in the State, and production, a section on dolomite (p. 330-331) which 

states that it occurs in Monroe, Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan Counties, and 

a geologic map, scale 1 inch = about 16 miles. No analyses are included.

190 Prindle, L. M., and Knopf, E. B., 1932, Geology of the Taconic quadrangle:

Am. Jour. Sci., 5th ser., v. 24, p. 257-302.

Discusses in general the stratigraphy and structure of the Taconic quadrangle, 

which includes the southwest corner of Vermont, the northwest corner of 

Massachusetts, and the adjoining portion of eastern New York. Of interest is 

the description of the Rutland dolomite in the vicinity of Bennington, Vt. 

Includes a geologic map, scale 1 inch = about 4^ miles. No analyses are given.

191 Prucha, J. J., 1953, The White Crystal dolomite deposit near Gouverneur, N. Y.:

N. Y. Univ., N. Y. State Sci. Service Rept. Inv. 9, 13 p. 

Includes a general description of the dolomite deposit about 3 miles north of 

Gouverneur, St. Lawrence County; a summary of chemical analyses of composite 

chip samples and of uses of dolomite; and a geologic map, scale 1 inch = 600 feet. 

Reserves are estimated at 68 million tons.

192 Rankama, Kalervo, and Sahama, T. G., 1950, Geochemistry: Chicago, 111.,

Univ. of Chicago Press, 911 p.

Surveys in general the broad science of geochemistry. Discusses on pages 

448-456, the abundance, geochemical character, minerals, occurrence in igneous 

rocks, biogeochemistry, and cycle of magnesium.

193 Richardson, C. H., 1923, The building stones of Kentucky: Ky. Geol. Survey,

ser. 6, v. 11, 355 p.

Contains discussion, by counties, of the building stones of the State, which 

include limestone, dolomite, marble, and sandstone; brief descriptions of stone 

found in quarries and in outcrops that might have potential value; about 100 

analyses of building stones of all types, listing location, description of the rock, 

and original source of the information.

194 Richardson, G. B., 1913, The Paleozoic section in northern Utah: Am. Jour.

Sci., 4th ser., v. 36, p. 406-416.

Gives a general description of the Paleozoic section in the Blacksmith Fork 

area; more detailed descriptions of the Fish Haven, Laketown, and Jefferson 

dolomites; and 1 partial analysis.

195 Ries, Hemrieh, 1901, Lime and cement industries of New York: N. Y. State

Mus. Bull., v. 8, p. 641-968.

Includes a detailed discussion of the origin, properties, uses, geology, and 

occurrence of New York limestones, and the cement industry in New York, and 

nearly 1,000 analyses of limestones and dolomites in the United States. Maps 

(1) scale 1 inch = about 12 miles, shows locations of limestone and marl deposits, 

limestone quarries, and cement plants; and (2) scale 1 inch = about 24 miles, 

shows areal distribution of limestone in the State.

196 Roberts, R. J., 1943, The Rose Creek tungsten mine, Persbing County, Nev.: 

U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 940-A, p. 1-14.

Describes briefly the geology, structure, ore deposits, and mine workings in 

the area, 11 miles southwest of Winnemucca, Nev.; also describes downfaulted 

blocks of generally silicified dolomite, indicating from its lithologic character
504 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

that the dolomite is Triassic in age. Geologic map, scale 1 inch = 2,000 feet, 

shows the distribution of the dolomite.

197 Rodgers, John, 1948, Geology and mineral deposits of Bumpass Cove, Unieoi, 

and Washington Counties, Tenn.: Tenn. Dept. Conserv., Div. Geology 

Bull. 54, 82 p.

Describes in general the geology and mineral deposits of the area. Of interest 

is the description of the Shady dolomite, which was studied in greater detail 

than the other formations because the Shady and the residual clay derived from 

it contain all the commercial ore deposits. Gives two chemical analyses of the 

dolomite. Mentions several flux-stone quarries.

198 1953, Geologic map of East Tennessee with explanatory text: Tenn.

Dept. Conserv., Div. Geology Bull. 58, pt. 2, 168 p.

Includes general descriptions of the rock units of the Unaka Mountains and 

the Valley of East Tennessee and of the larger structural features, descriptions 

of the Shady dolomite (p. 42-43) and the Knox dolomite (p. 53-64), and geologic 

maps, scale 1:125,000. No analyses are given.

199 Rodgers, John, and Kent, D. F., 1948, Stratigraphic section at Lee Valley, 

Hawkins County, Tenn.: Tenn. Dept. Conserv., Div. Geology Bull. 55, 

47 p.

Describes in detail the geologic section at Lee Valley; section extends from the 

Rome formation to the Martinsburg shale. Treats the Knox as a group, including in it the Copper Ridge, Chepultepec, and Longview dolomites, the Kingsport 

limestone, and Mascot dolomite. Index map shows location of the section and 

the generalized geology.

200 Rogers, J. K., 1936, Geology of Highland County: Ohio Geol. Survey, 4th ser.,

Bull. 38, 148 p.

Describes the general and economic geology of Highland County; treats the 

Lilley dolomite as a formation rather than as a member of the West Union formation. Includes also descriptions of the Bisher, Peebles, and Greenfield 

dolomites. Gives several chemical analyses of these dolomites and mentions 

localities where sizable quarries have been operated.

201 Ross, C. P., and Forrester, J. D., 1947, Geologic map of the State of Idaho: 

U. S. Geol. Survey, scale 1:500,000.

202 Rothrock, E. P., 1944, Mineral resources, Pt. 3 of A geology of South Dakota:

S. Dak. Geol. Survey Bull. 15, 255 p.

Briefly mentions the Whitewood, Pahasapa, and Minnekahta limestones as 

being dolomites locally and therefore a potential source of magnesium. Mentions 

dolomite sands near Piedmont. Includes the analysis of the Minnekahta given 

in U. S. Geological Survey Geologic Atlas, folio 219.

203 Rubey, W. W., and Callaghan, Eugene, 1936, Magnesite and brucite, in Hewett, 

D. F., and others, Mineral resources of the region around Boulder Dam: 

U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 871, 93 p.

Bulletin 871 summarizes metallic and nonmetallic mineral occurrences in the 

Boulder Dam area. The section on magnesite and brucite (p. 113-144) describes 

in some detail the magnesite deposit near Overton, Nev., with detailed discussion 

of the mineralogy and probable origin of the deposit. Reserves are estimated
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 505

Index 

no.

to be greater than 5 million tons. Includes a geologic map, scale 1 inch = about 

2,000 feet, and several analyses. Briefly mentions the occurrences near Bauer, 

in the Currant Creek district, and near Gabbs.

Section on limestone and dolomite (p. 163-165) gives a very brief summary 

of a few of the occurrences in the region.

204 Savage, T. E., 1926, Silurian rocks of Illinois: Geol. Soe. America Bull., v. 37,

p. 525-526, 531-533.

Defines and briefly describes the Port Byron limestone, of Niagaran age, which 

overlies the Racine dolomite in northern Illinois.

205 Schallis, Alvin, 1942, Dolomite-base refractories: U. S. Bur. Mines Inf. Circ.

7227, 11 p.

Describes briefly some of the chemical and physical properties of and methods 

of producing calcined and stabilized dolomite refractories. Briefly touches on 

the separation of lime and magnesia in dolomite. Small-scale map of the 

United States shows general distribution of high-purity dolomite.

206 1943, Economic considerations in the recovery of magnesia from dolomite: U. S. Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. 7247, 53 p.

Discusses briefly the thermal decomposition of dolomite and methods of 

producing half-burned dolomite. Includes brief descriptions of mechanical and 

chemical methods by means of which magnesia can be separated from dolomite, 

short general section on cost and applicability of certain processes in the production of magnesia for selected end uses, and a bibliography.

207 Schallis, Alvin, and Warner, K. G., 1942, Magnesium compounds and miscellaneous salines: U. S. Bur. Mines Minerals Yearbook, 1941, p. 1497-1508. 

Presents a general review of the industry in 1941, giving statistics on the 

magnesite industry in particular. States that crude magnesite mined amounted 

to nearly 375,000 tons.

208 Schlocker, J., 1942, Magnesium-bearing minerals in the Boulder Dam area for 

the production of magnesium metal: U. S. Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. 7216, 

15 p.

Summarizes the magnesite deposits at Bissell, Afton, Needles, and Cima, 

Calif., and at Overton and Indian Springs, Nev. Mentions some of the dolomite 

occurrences in the area.

209 Schoch, E. P., 1918, Chemical analyses of Texas rocks and minerals: Tex. Univ. 

Bull. 1814, 256 p.

Contains several analyses of Texas dolomites (p. 60-61, 182). Most locations 

are not given exactly.

210 1938, High magnesia marble from Sharp Mountain area of Llano

County, Tex.: Tex. Univ., Div. Nat. Res., Mm. Res. Circ., 5 p. 

Gives chemical analyses of high-magnesia rock samples collected in Llano 

County, Tex.

211 Seaton, M. Y., 1942, Production and properties of the commercial magnesias:

Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Eng. Tech. Pub. 1496, 21 p.

Includes a general discussion of the production of magnesia from its several 

sources, which include magnesite, silicates, natural brines, sea water, and seawater bitterns, and descriptions of the magnesite industries in California, 

Washington, and Nevada.
506 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

212 Secrist, M. H., 1924, Zinc deposits of east Tennessee: Tenn. Dept. Education,

Diy. Geology Bull. 31, 165 p.

Includes brief descriptions of the stratigraphy and structure of the Great 

Valley area of eastern Tennessee and of districts and of the mines and prospects 

within them, discussions of chemistry and genesis of the ores, and a geologic 

map, scale 1:500,000, of eastern Tennessee.

213 Shreve, R. N., 1945, The chemical process industries: New York, McGrawHill Book Co., Inc., 1st ed., 957 p.

Textbook gives somewhat detailed summaries of many of the more important 

chemical processes used in industry. Each summary outlines the chemical and 

physical changes and how they are brought about, physical chemistry, economics, 

and energy and power requirements. Of interest are the sections on magnesium 

compounds (p. 209-216) and magnesium (p. 306-311), which briefly outline 

magnesium chloride electrolysis, carbon reduction, and ferrosilicon reduction 

processes for magnesium production, and present several flow sheets illustrating 

production of magnesium compounds from sea water, bitterns, sea water and 

dolomite, and dolomite.

214 Sloan, Earle, 1908, Catalogue of the mineral localities of South Carolina: S. C.

Geol. Survey, 4th ser., Bull. 2, 505 p.

Lists mineral localities and includes brief description of each deposit. Delineates the so-called petrographic zones and briefly describes the geology of each. 

Gives column of "tentative sub-divisions" of geologic formations in the State. 

Map, scale about 1 inch = 15 miles, shows mineral localities. Includes analyses 

of 20 limestone samples.

215 Smith, E. A., and others, 1926, Geologic map of Alabama, prepared in cooperation 

with the U. S. Geological Survey, scale 1:500,000: Ala. Geol. Survey,

216 Smith, J. E., 1926, The fertilizer materials of Iowa: Iowa Geol. Survey, v. 31,

p. 91-151.

Discusses the fertilizer resources of Iowa, which include salt, gypsum, marl, 

pyrites, phosphates, peat, limestone, and dolomite. Contains brief notes on 

quarries in and outcrops of limestone and dolomite suitable for use as & fertilizer. 

Small-scale maps, 1 inch = about 12 miles, show the location of quarries and 

outcrops. Gives about 160 analyses, along with several measured sections.

217 Smith, R. A., 1916, Limestones of Michigan: Mich. Geol. Biol. Survey Pub*

21, pt. 2, p. 109-311.

Presents a general summary of the origin, classification, and uses of limestone 

and descriptions of the lithologic character and distribution of the limestone and 

dolomite formations in the State. Includes a more detailed discussion of their 

character, development, and distribution by counties and descriptions of occurrences as seen in quarries and outcrops. Outline map, scale 1 inch = about 26 

miles, shows distribution of formations and location of limestone quarries. 

Gives analyses of 724 samples.

218 Spurr, J. E., 1906, Ore deposits of the Silver Peak quadrangle, Nevada: U. S.

Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 55,174 p.

Gives a very general reference to dolomitic limestone and marble occurring 

in the Cambrian sequence in this portion of Esmeralda County. Includes 4 

analyses, 2 of which are dolomite, from "lower Cambrian carbonate rocks," and 

a geologic map, scale 1:125,000.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 507

Index 

no.

219 Stainbrook, M. A., 1944, The Devonian system in Iowa, in Symposium on

Devonian,stratigraphy: 111. Geol. Survey Bull. 68, p. 182-188. 

Summarizes Iowa Devonian stratigraphy, including brief lithologic descriptions 

of the formations. Discusses general outcrop areas. Of interest are the descriptions of the Wapsipinicon and Cedar Valley limestones.

220 Stauffer, C. R., 1950, The high magnesium dolomites and dolomitic limestones

of Minnesota: Minn. Geol. Survey Summary Rept. 4, 27 p. 

Describes briefly the dolomites, which include the Nicollet Creek member of 

the St. Lawrence formation, Oneota dolomite, Shakopee dolomite, Stewartville 

member of the Galena formation, and the Cedar Valley limestone, and 36 sample 

localities, usually accompanied by measured sections. Gives 196 chemical 

analyses of the dolomites.

221 Stauffer, C. R., and Thiel, G. A., 1933, The limestones and marls of Minnesota:

Minn. Geol. Survey Bull. 23, 193 p.

Summarizes the niature and origin of limestones, dolomites, and marls, and their 

occurrence in Minnesota in quarries and outcrops. Contains many measured 

sections, 160 analyses of limestones and dolomites including location, geologic 

formation, and, in some instances, a brief description of the rock sampled.

222 1941, The Paleozoic and related rocks of southeastern Minnesota:

Minn. Geol. Survey Bull. 29, 261 p.

Describes in detail the stratigraphy of southeastern Minnesota, including 

descriptions of the lithologic character, general distribution, and measured 

sections of the formations. Includes about 90 selected analyses taken from 

Minnesota Bulletin 23, well records, small-scale county index maps, and faunal 

lists; also small-scale, 1 inch = about 35 miles, geologic map of southeastern 

Minnesota.

223 Stebbins, R. H., 1951, Directory of Washington mining operations, 1951: Wash. 

Dept. Conserv. and Devel., Div. Mines and Geology Inf. Circ. 19.

Lists pll active mfnes and quarries and products of each, including 2 dolomite 

quarries active in 1951.

224 Steidtmann, Edward, 1911, The evolution of limestone and dolomite: Jour. 

Geology, v. 19, p. 323-345, 392-428.

Discusses in detail the decrease in proportion of dolomite to limestone going 

up the geologic time scale. Presents evidence for the origin of dolomite in the 

sea, evidence for th$ origin of dolomite by the alteration of limestones after their 

emergence from the sea, discusses calcium and magnesium in the products of 

metamorphism, and presents the conclusion that most dolomites are formed 

in the sea and that changes in life processes and changes in the chemical composition of the sea are the two factors primarily responsible for a decrease in the 

quantity of dolomite with the advance of geologic time.

225 1917, Origin of dolomite as disclosed by stains and other methods:

Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 28, p. 431-450.

Discusses the principles and methods of distinguishing calcite and dolomite 

by stains and of the time and manner of dolomitization as disclosed by direct 

observation. Staining shows that pure limestones and dolomites predominate 

over mixed beds of limestone and dolomite. Concludes that most dolomites
508 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Index

no.

were formed in the sea and that replacement of lime carbonate is an important 

process in the formation of dolomite.

226 Steidtmann, Edward, 1924, Limestones and marls of Wisconsin: Wis. Geol. 

and Nat. Hist. Survey Bull. 66, 208 p.

Discusses in general the occurrence of limestone, dolomite, and marl, arranged 

by counties. Includes many sections, quarry locations, and characteristics of 

the deposits, brief discussions of origin and uses of limestones and marls and 

of the general geology of Wisconsin; 225 analyses of limestones and dolomites; 

also analyses of marls, clays, slates, and shales. Geologic map of Wisconsin, 

scale 1:1,000,000, shows general geology and sample localities.

227 Stokley, J. A., 1949, Industrial limestones of Kentucky: Ky. Geol. Survey 

Rept. Inv. 2, 51 p.

Summarizes the uses of limestone and dolomite, along with approximate 

specifications for each use; briefly describes distribution, thickness, and character 

of the carbonate rocks. Includes sets of chemical analyses representing 30 

quarries. At only one locality, Avoca, Jefferson County, does the magnesium 

carbonate content exceed 39 percent.

228 Stokley, J. A., and McFarlan, A. C., 1952, Industrial limestones of Kentucky,

no. 2: Ky. Geol. Survey Rept. Inv. 4, 95 p.

Includes brief notes on the stratigraphy of the middle and upper Mississippian 

beds and summaries of several areas tha.t seem favorable for the production of 

high-calcium limestone. Lists 23 quarries, drill holes, and road cuts with logs, 

analyses, and lithologic descriptions of the more important limestone units. 

The analyses indicate that in the quarries examined, dolomite exists only locally, 

mainly in the Ste. Genevieve limestone.

229 Stokley, J. A., and Walker, F. H., 1953, Industrial limestones of Kentucky no.

3: Ky. Geol. Survey Rept, Inv. 8, 62 p.

Includes brief notes on areas favorable for the production of high-calcium 

limestone and near high-magnesium dolomite, description of the formations 

involved, and discussion of quarrying conditions. Lists 12 quarries with logs, 

chemical analyses, and lithologic descriptions of the quarryable units. Magnesian 

limestone and dolomite occur principally in the Laurel dolomite in Jefferson, 

Oldham, Bullitt, and Nelson Counties.

230 Stone, R. W., 1918, Magnesite deposits of Washington: Eng. Min. Jour.,

v. 105, p. 665-668.

Includes a description of magnesite quarries and plant facilities in Stevens 

County, Wash., production figures, and a brief note on uses. Map, scale about 

1 inch = 3 miles, shows location of deposits.

231 1922, Magnesite in Pennsylvania: Pa. Bur. Topog. and Geol. Survey

Bull. 28, 3 p.

Presents a brief treatment of the history, description, and evaluation of the 

small magnesite deposits in Chester and Lancaster Counties, near the Pennsylvania-Maryland State line. The deposits are too small to be considered commercial.

232 Stose, A. J., and Stose, G. W., 1944, Geology of the Hanover-York district, 

Pennsylvania: U. S. Geol, Survey Prof. Paper 204, 84 p.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 509

Index 

no.

Gives a detailed account of the stratigraphy and structure of the area, which 

lies in York County, and a brief section on the mineral resources of the district. 

No analyses of the carbonate rocks. Includes a geologic map, scale 1 inch = 

1 mile. Paper is of particular interest for the descriptions of the Vintage, 

Kinzers, Ledger, and Conestoga formations.

233 Stose, G. W., and Ljungstedt, O. A., 1931, Geologic map of Pennsylvania: Pa. 

Geol. Survey, scale 1 inch = 6 miles.

234 1932, Geologic map of West Virginia, by the West Virginia Geological 

Survey, James D. Sisler, State geologist. Scale 1:500,000.

235 Stout, W. E., 1941, Dolomites and limestones of western Ohio: Ohio Geol.

Survey, 4th ser., Bull. 42, 468 p.

Discusses the general features of western Ohio geology and describes in detail 

the formations, including lithologic character, thickness, areal distribution, and 

commercial importance. Discusses in detail the carbonate rocks by counties 

and gives chemical and mineralogical data on samples obtained from quarries 

and outcrops. Includes chapter on utilization, a list of operators, and analyses 

of about 300 well-located samples.

236 Suffel, G. G., 1930, Dolomites of western Oklahoma: Okla. Geol. Survey Bull.

49, 155 p.

Discusses in detail the dolomites of the Blaine gypsum and the Permian 

dolomites overlying the Blaine. Describes the lithologic character and distribution of the dolomites, giving detailed descriptions of individual occurrences. 

Includes only a few analyses. Small-scale maps show distribution of the Day 

Creek dolomite, the Blaine escarpment in northwestern Oklahoma, and the 

dolomite members of the Blaine in southwestern Oklahoma.

237 Surplus Property Administration, 1945, Magnesium plants and facilities: Rept.

to Congress, Washington, D. C., 48 p.

Report discusses the magnesium industry and the Government's investment 

therein and outlines the economic problems involved in the disposition of the 

Government-owned magnesium plants.

238 Sutton, A. H., 1935, Stratigraphy of the Silurian system of the upper Mississippi

Valley: Kans. Geol. Soc. Guidebook, 9th Ann. Field Conf., p. 268-280. 

Discusses the Alexandrian and Niagaran series of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Of interest are the brief descriptions of the Mayville and Byron formations of the Alexandrian, the Waukesha formation, Coral beds, and RacineGuelph formation of the Niagaran, and the Waubakee formation. Includes 

correlation charts and a sketch map showing general distribution of these 

formations.

239 Taft, H. H., 1936, Magnesite in Dona Ana County, N. Mex.: Eng. Min. Jour.,

v. 137, p. 137. 

Describes magnesite locality.

240 Talmadge, S. B., and Wootton, T. P., 1937, The nonmetallic mineral resources 

of New Mexico and their economic features (exclusive of fuels): N. Mex. 

School Mines Bull. 12, 159 p.

Presents a brief summary of the geologic history of the State and a survey of 

the nonmetallic minerals, including their general features, occurrences, and 

uses. Section on magnesite and dolomite (p. 110-112) mentions that the El
510 CONTRIBUTION TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

Paso, Montoya, and Fusselman limestones contain many dolomite and dolomitic 

beds and that the Chupadera formation contains a large amount of magnesia. 

Briefly describes 3 magnesite deposits, giving 5 analyses of magnesite.

241 Tester, A. C., 1937, Geologic map of Iowa: Iowa Geol. Survey, scale 1:500,000.

242 Trefethen, J. M., 1945, Report of the State Geologist 1943-44: [Maine Devel.

Comm.], 64 p.

Section on limestone and dolomite (p. 13-18) gives brief description of the 

dolomite around Warren, Knox County, with suggestions for utilization. Two 

maps, scale 1 inch = 4/5 mile; 1 inch = about 3/7 mile, show general distribution and sample localities. Six partial analyses show high magnesia content 

but do not indicate amount or type of impurities present.

243 Tucker, W. B., and Sampson, R. J., 1943, Mineral resources of San Bernardino

County [Calif.]: Calif. Jour. Mines and Geology, v. 39, p. 427-549 [1944]. 

Sections on limestone, dolomite, and magnesite (p. 516-535) give locations of 

deposits by section, township, and range. Includes brief descriptions of each 

deposit and analyses of samples from a few of the deposits.

244 Tweto, O. L., 1949, Stratigraphy of the Pando area, Eagle County, Colo.:

Colo. Sci. Soc. Proc., v. 15, p. 149-235.

Includes detailed description of the stratigraphy of the area and measured 

sections. Of interest are the descriptions of the dolomite members of the 

Chaffee formation (Dyer dolomite member), the Leadville dolomite, and the 

Minturn formation (Wearyman, Hornsilver, and Resolution dolomite members).

245 Tyler, P. M., 1931a, Magnesium compounds (other than magnesite): U. S.

Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. 6406, 19 p.

Summarizes the uses and methods of production and presents statistical data 

for magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulphate, magnesia, and magnesium 

chloride. Includes a list of manufacturers of these compounds.

246 1931b, Magnesite: U. S. Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. 6437, 53 p.

Describes magnesite, its geologic occurrence, methods of mining, calcining, 

and brickmaking, and gives summary descriptions of domestic and foreign 

sources of supply. Includes export, import, and consumption statistics, a 

bibliography, and lists of producers, brick manufacturers, importers, and dealers.

247 United States Bureau of Mines and United States Geological Survey, 1948, 

Mineral resources of the United States: Washington, D. C., Public 

Affairs Press, p. 127-129.

Gives a summary appraisal of the United States resources of magnesium raw 

materials. Section on reserves of sea water, brines, magnesite, dolomite, 

olivine, and serpentine is very general. States that magnesite reserves are 

adequate for 250 years at 1941 rate of consumption.

248 United States Geologic Survey, 1935, Geologic map of Colorado, in cooperation 

with the Colorado State Survey Board and Colorado Metal Mining Fund, 

compiled by W. S. Burbank and others, edited by G. W. Stose. Scale 

1:500,000.

249 Utley, H. F., 1952, Wartime Nevada brucite plant now producing dead-burned

magnesite: Pit and Quarry, v. 44, no. 9, p. 96-98.

Describes briefly the new dead-burning operations of Basic Refractories, Inc., 

at Gabbs, Nev.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 511

Index 

no.

250 Valentine, G. M., 1949, Inventory of Washington minerals; Part 1, Nonmetallic 

minerals: Wash. Dept. Conserv. and Devel., Div. Mines and Geology 

Bull. 37, 113 p.

Shows the general distribution and specific locations of the nonmetallic 

minerals of Washington, using maps of the State (scale 1 in. = about 24 mi.) 

and brief descriptive texts, along with a key for each map giving specific localities 

by section, township, and range. Includes a separate map for each mineral or 

group of related minerals and lists the source of information for each location.

251 Vanderwilt, J. W., Burbank, W. 8., and Traver, W. M., Jr., 1947, Minera_ 

resources of Colorado; foreword by W. E. Scott, Jr., Pt. 1, Metals, non 

metals, and fuels, by J. W. Vanderwilt; Pt. 2, Summaries of mining districts 

and mineral deposits, by W. S. Burbank and others; Pt. 3, Investigations of 

strategic mineral resources, by W. M. Traver, Jr.: Colo. Min. Res. Board 

[Bull.], 547 p.

Report summarizes the occurrences of metallic and nonmetallic minerals' 

outlines their general distribution and geology, and gives brief descriptions of 

many of the mining districts. Small- and large-scale maps show mineral 

resources of the State and the geology of the mining districts described. Brief 

section on dolomite mentions only general areas of occurrence. No analyses 

are given.

252 Van Horn, E. C., 1948, Talc deposits of the Murphy marble belt: N. C. Dept.

Conserv. Devel., Div. Min. Res. Bull. 56, 54 p.

Includes a general description of the stratigraphy, structure, geology of the 

talc deposits, and of the individual talc deposits and a general discussion of the 

distribution, extent, and character of the Murphy marble (p. 8-13). Of interest 

is the concept of zoning of lithologic character in the marble. Also includes 

geologic maps, scale 1:24,000.

253 Van Tuyl, F. M., 1916, The origin of dolomite: Iowa Geol. Survey, v. 25, p.

251-421.

Gives an excellent summary of the various theories of origin of dolomite. 

Presents theories in three groups: (1) primary deposition theories, (2) alteration theories, and (3) leaching theories. Cites positive and negative evidence 

experimental, field and chemical, and petrographic bearing on the various 

theories. Concludes that the majority of stratified dolomites have resulted 

from the alteration of limestones before their emergence from the sea.

254 Vernon, J. W., 1950, Magnesite, magnesium, and magnesium compounds, in 

Mineral commodities of California: Calif. Dept. Nat. Res., Div. Mines 

Bull. 156, p. 177-184.

Summarizes the status of production of magnesium compounds in California, 

history of production, raw materials (mentioning the larger magnesite deposits), 

uses, and markets.

255 Vernon, R. O., 1951, Geology of Citrus and Levy Counties, Fla.: Fla. Geol. 

Survey Bull. 33, 256 p.

Describes in detail the physiography, structure, and stratigraphy of Citrus 

and Levy Counties. Summary of economic geology includes brief section on 

dolomite (p. 221-224); 1 analysis of sample from near Lebanon, Levy County; 

brief discussion of mining methods, uses of the dolomite, and reserves. Includes
512 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

BO.

geologic map, scale 1 inch = 1.5 miles, and small-scale map, scale 1 inch = 

about 14 miles, showing distribution of the dolomite.

256 Ver Wiebe, W. A., 1928, Stratigraphy of Chippewa County, Mich.: Mich. 

Acad. Sci. Papers, v. 9, p. 309-331.

Presents general descriptions of the strata, consisting in part of the rocks 

of Niagaran age, which include the Engadine, Manistique, and Burnt Bluff 

formations.

257 Vitaliano, C. J., 1950, Needles magnesite deposit, San Bernardino County,

Calif.: Calif. Jour. Mines and Geology, v. 46, p. 357-382. 

Describes in detail the geology, structure, and mineral deposits of 2 magnesite 

areas near Needles. Reserves of indicated and inferred ore are estimated to be 

521,000 tons of magnesite containing less than 10 percent lime at 1 deposit. 

Includes analyses and a geologic map, scale 1 inch = about 400 feet.

258 1951, Magnesium-mineral resources of the Currant Creek district,

Nevada: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 978-A, 25 p.

Gives a general description of the geology, petrology, structure, and occurrence 

of magnesite and more detailed descriptions of the several individual deposits. 

Reserves are estimated to be 10,000 tons of commercial-grade magnesite and 

350,000 tons of magnesium silicate-bearing material. Includes a geologic map 

of the district, scale 1 inch = 1 mile, and geologic maps of individual deposits, 

scale generally 1 inch = 200 feet.

259 Ware, Louis, 1944, Magnesium from potash ores: Am. Inst. Min. Metall.

Eng. Trans., v. 159, p. 280-284.

Summarizes the process for extraction of magnesium from magnesium chloride 

discharge liquor from Carlsbad, N. Mex. Process involved magnesium chloride 

liquor and treated, calcined dolomite to produce magnesium chloride cell feed 

for electrolytic cells. Plant was located near Austin, Tex., and operated by 

International Minerals & Chemical Co.

260 Warren, L. E., 1943, Notes on dolomite in Potter and Moore Counties, Tex.:

Tex. Univ. Bur. Econ. Geology Pub. 4301, p. 258-264 [1946]. 

Includes a detailed description of the Alibates dolomite lentil which is exposed 

along the bluffs of the Canadian River in Potter and Moore Counties; descriptions of 4 measured sections, and 8 analyses of the dolomite. Accompanying the 

publication is an index map, scale 1:1,000,000, that shows metallic and nonmetallic mineral localities of the State.

261 Watkins, D. G., 1951, Ohio's lime industry: Ohio Chamber of Commerce'

Indus. Devel. Dept. [Rept.] no. 12, 9 p.

Gives a summary of the lime industry, including uses, production, consumption, location of resources, production methods, and future possibilities for the 

industry. A map, scale 1 inch = about 32 miles, shows the areal distribution 

of the limestone formations.

262 Weaver, C. E., 1920, The mineral resources of Stevens County: Wash. Geol.

Survey Bull. 20, 350 p.

Presents general descriptions of the geography, stratigraphy, structure, and 

economic geology of the county; includes brief descriptions of the Stensgar 

dolomite member of the Deer Trail argillite and of the old Dominion limestone,
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES 513

Index 

no.

both of the Stevens series of Paleozoic(?) age. Includes also general descriptions 

of the magnesite mines and a geologic map of the county, scale 1:125,000.

263 Weissenborn, A. E., and Stenzel, H. B., eds., 1948, Geological resources of the 

Trinity River tributary area in Oklahoma and Texas: Tex. Univ. Bur. 

Econ. Geology Pub. 4824, 252 p.

Includes brief summary of the geology of the area; catalog of metallic and 

nonmetallic mineral deposits, with maps (scale 1 in. = about 75 mi.) showing 

the general distribution of these resources; and general discussion of dolomite 

and magnesian limestone on pages 93-99. Mentions the dolomite beds of the 

Permian in north-central Texas. Gives 8 analyses of the dolomite in Potter 

and Moore Counties and 15 analyses of Oklahoma dolomites.

264 Weitz, J. H., 1942, High-grade dolomite deposits in the United States: U. S. 

Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. 7226, 86 p.

Includes a compilation of information from published and unpublished 

sources, summarizing dolomite occurrences by States; brief descriptions, including some structural details, of some of the deposits in each State; tables containing nearly 1,000 analyses; a bibliography; and a small-scale map showing 

distribution of high-purity dolomite in the United States.

265 Weller, J. M., 1945, Geologic map of Illinois: 111. Geol. Survey, scale 1:500,000.

266 Wells, R. C., 1937, Analyses of rocks and minerals from the laboratory of the 

U. S. Geological Survey, 1914-1936: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 878,134 p.

Catalogs more than 1,500 chemical analyses of rock and mineral samples 

made by the chemistry laboratory, arranged by composition. Gives analyses 

of carbonate rocks of New Mexico on page 57.

267 Westgate, L. G., and Knopf, Adolph, 1932, Geology and ore deposits of the 

Pioche district, Nevada: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 171, 79 p.

Describes in detail the stratigraphy, structure, and ore deposits of this section 

of Lincoln County. The lithologic descriptions indicate that the following 

formations are dolomites or dolomitic limestones: the Highland Peak, and 

Mendha limestones and the Ely Springs and Silverhorn dolomites. No analyses 

are included. Includes a geologic map, scale 1:62,500.

268 Whitlatch, G. I., 1948, Minerals, in Forests, agriculture, and minerals, industrial 

resources of Tennessee: Tenn. State Plan. Comm., revised ed., v. 2, p. 

61-100.

Brief section on limestone and dolomite (p. 81-83) includes general comments 

on the distribution and quality of carbonate rocks of Tennessee; the dolomites 

include the "Knox" and Shady. Gives 1 dolomite analysis (average of 5 

"Knox" samples) from TVA quarry at Norris, Anderson County.

269 Whitwell, G. E., and Patty, E. N., 1921, The magnesite deposits of Washington; 

their occurrence and technology: Wash. Geol. Survey Bull. 25, 194 p.

Briefly discusses the geologic occurrence and origin of the magnesite and 

describes individual deposits, mining methods, and the occurrence of dolomite. 

Includes sections dealing with world occurrences, production, uses, technology, 

and research for new uses of magnesite and a geologic map, scale 1 inch = about 

1J^ miles, of the magnesite area.
514 CONTRIBUTIONS TO BIBLIOGRAPHY OP MINERAL RESOURCES

Index 

no.

270 Willman, H. B., 1943, High-purity dolomite in Illinois: 111. Geol. Survey Rept.

Inv. 90, 89 p.

Includes general descriptions of the high-purity dolomites in the Chicago) 

Savanna-Port Byron, Rockford, and Grafton-Hardin regions; detailed descriptions of each of the dolomite formations in each region, along with small-scale 

index maps showing the general distribution of the dolomite quarries and 

outcrops; and analyses of 58 samples, well located both as to geography and 

stratigraphy.

271 Wilmarth, M. G., 1938, Lexicon of geologic names of the United States (including

Alaska): U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 896, pt. 1, A-L, pt. 2, M-Z, 2396 p. 

Lists and defines geologic names.

272 Wilson, E. D., 1942, Magnesium: Ariz. Bur. Mines, Ariz. Univ., Circ. 11, 9 p. 

Summarizes dolomite occurrences in Arizona. Primary emphasis is on 

northwestern Arizona where, in general, "portions of the lower Redwall and 

underlying limestone formations are dolomitic." Cites several localities and 

gives partial analyses; also cites the occurrence of Tertiary dolomite in the Agua 

Fria-Humbug area. Mentions the dolomitic portions of Martin, Mescal, and 

Abrigo limestones and includes a few representative analyses.

273 Yale, C. G., and Stone, R. W., 1921a, Magnesite: Min. Res. U. S., 1919, pt. 2, 

p. 227-234 [1922],

Presents a general review of industry with production and import statistics, 

general discussion of deposits in California and Washington, and a brief 

note on the geology of an undeveloped deposit 30 miles north of Lordsburg, 

N. Mex.

274 1921b, Magnesite: Min. Res., U. S. 1920, pt. 2, p. 1-16 [1923].

Presents a general review of industry with production, consumption, and 

import statistics, discussions on deposits in California, Washington, and Nevada, 

and a brief description of undeveloped hydromagnesite deposits in Idaho, near 

Soda Springs, Bannock County, with one analysis.
MAGNESIUM RESOURCES OP THE UNITED STATES 515

INDEX

Index

no.

Alabama ________ 6, 33, 35, 36,126, 215 

Arizona .... .__ ... 119, 165, 272

Arkansas__________________ 26, 27, 28

California___ 21, 25, 97, 99, 112, 124, 141, 145,

146, 149, 174, 182, 203, 208, 211,

243, 254, 257, 273, 274

Colorado___ 3, 54, 60, 61, 89, 139, 244, 248, 251

Connecticut_________________._ 69, 162

Dolomite, general 22, 23, 47, 53, 79, 83, 96, 101,

103, 110, 136, 137, 141, 144,

175, 183, 195, 205. 206, 224,

225, 247, 253, 264, 266

Florida- __......___.......... 118, 255

Georgia ________________ 39,98, 100 

Idaho_______................._ 201, 274

Illinois______._..... 13, 134, 204, 265, 270

Indiana____________ 63, 64, 73, 81, 91, 179

Iowa____________ 13, 17, 18, 45, 111, 168,

169, 216, 219, 241

Kansas_________________ 125, 163, 167

Kentucky. 94, 95, 131,152,193, 200, 227, 228, 229

Magnesite, general__ 4, 19, 55, 96, 109, 115, 122,

136, 175, 177, 178, 207,

211, 246, 247, 273, 274

Magnesium, general 56, 106, 144, 178, 192, 237 

metallurgy....___- 5, 46, 84, 120, 157, 184,

185, 186, 213, 259

Magnesium compounds, general._._..-- 213,245 

Maine________.________ 1, 10, 129, 242 

Maryland______ ___________ 155, 156 

Massachusetts_____________ 2, 69, 88, 190 

Michigan_____________ 138, 154, 217, 256

Index

no.

Minnesota_______________ 220, 221, 222 

Missouri__ 29, 31, 32, 62, 66, 114, 153, 160, 161 

Montana__...._____ 75, 76, 78, 90, 133, 181

Nevada.. ._ 43, 44, 80, 92, 99, 113, 116, 117,

144, 147, 164, 177, 196, 203, 208,

211, 218, 249, 258, 267, 274

New Jersey- ___________ _____ 135, 142 

New Mexico_ 70, 71, 85, 140, 239, 240, 266, 273 

New York___......_...... 69,, 190, 191, 195

North Carolina______ 121, 130, 148, 172, 252 

Ohio__________ 24, 93, 94, 95, 200, 235, 261 

Oklahoma_._.. .. 12, 74, 108, 171, 236, 263 

Olivine...__.___..._____.__... 107 

Oregon.___....__..___ ____. 115

Pennsylvania_________ 40, 104, 158, 159,

180, 231, 232, 233

Sea water.. ____________________ 211 

Serpentine...-______.._______ 8 

South Carolina. ____ __________ 130, 214 

South Dakota____________ 30, 72, 83, 202 

Tennessee.. 123, 170, 187, 197, 198, 199, 212, 268 

Texas___ 7, 48, 52, 132, 150, 209, 210, 260, 263 

Utah___... 34, 42, 59, 77, 86, 102, 143, 166, 194 

Vermont________ 41, 50, 51, 67, 68, 128, 190 

Virginia__........__ 9, 37, 38, 57, 58, 65, 87

Washington__ 14, 15, 16, 82, 115, 176, 211, 223, 

230, 250, 262, 269, 273, 274

West Virginia__________ 105, 151, 189, 234 

Wisconsin_____._ 11, 13, 127, 188, 226, 238 

Wyoming_____________._ 20,49, 173

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