The Teton peak. [volume] (St. Anthony, Idaho) 1899-1904, 1903-03-12
REASONS FOR BELIEVING THERE ISION N BASIN
A Geological Article Explaining the Formation
of the Teton Basin and Its Surround.
ing Hills and Mountains.


and theories afiOat relative to the exis-
tence of oil in the Teton Basin that I
deem it advisable to state through the
columns of the TETON PEAK, some of
the well known and established facts
relative to the origin and existence of
oil, as generally conceded by leading
biologists and experts on oil and coal
deposits. All the carbon gas, OIL btu
men, gilsentine, peat coal and graphite
was once floating in the air as carbonic
acid gas, but through organic life it was
life absorbs carbonc gas from the air
in is growth and retains the carbon in
its structure, eliminating the oxygen.
On burning the coal or wood, the carbon
of it again unites with the oxygen of
the air, giving off heat by the combus-
ton, an amount equal theoretically to
that absorbed from the sun in the grow
ing of the plant Thus as we sit by the
fire, we enjoy the heat of the suns rays
of few thousand, possibly million
years ago Prior to, and during the
luxuriant life when all the immense
beds of coal and deposits of oil were
being formed, the earth was surrounded
by the carbonic acid gas which is now
stored up in these beds. The gas acted
as an envelope for the earth in much
the same manner that the glass roof of
the green house acts to retain the heat
that is transmitted through the pane of
glass, furnishing comparatively equal
temperature to all parts of the globe.
Hence, the evidence of a tropical elm
ate in polar regions. for in the arctic
zone we find fossil palms and other fossil
tropical life. During what is known as
the carboniferous period and until the
end of the cretacious, this condition
existed, Of course gradually changing
to nearer present conditions as more and
more of the carbonic acid gas was con-
snmed by vegetable and semi-vegetable
life and reduced to organic forms.
Again, heat increased evaporation of
water, and the earth was evidently much
warmer than at present, evaporation
was greater, humidity of the air was
greater than in recent periods, all of
which was conductive to the lower
forms of animal life. In proof of these
facts, coal contains the fossils of trees,
and leaves and even the grains Of wood
can be seen in oil producing shale, also
fish, cellular plants, and the remains OF
microscopic animals are plainly discern
able 1t has been established by these
and many other evidences that such is
the origin of coal and petroleum and the
ting that such is the origin of our i'm
mense carboniferous deposits, the mex
question arises, how were these grea
bodies of carbon preserved and sub
merged so deep beneath the surface o.
the earth as we find them and so solidll
imbedded between the stratas of rock
1t is generally conceded and i'll proc
thereof there are many evidences tina
the earth was once molten mass mucl
the same as the sun is at the presen
time. This was finally cooled until
crust was formed at first hot, but grad
ually cooling until water would remain
on the surface without evaporating
This water began eroding the surfac
producing silt or soft earth, as we recog
nize soil or clay. This essentially, the
as now, would wash into the depres
sions of the crust wherever they Oc
n Cured. The depressions were caused
! the following manner: Most all know
| substances expand upon being heate
and visa versa contract upon cooling
AS the earth cooled, the first crust wa
essentially too large for the cooling il
terror, hence the crust under the actio
of gravity and lateral pressure in try
. ing to adjust itself to the shrinkin
n globe, would assume a wrinkled or folt
J. ed shape making the swells of moul
y tain ranges and the depression of va
:, leys As the cooling continued and tt
o CRUST Un1cKeneu, the Hills anu uOuHtdl
k ranges became more rugged and tt
washing Of debris into the depression
more pronounced, making great beds {
clay slate, sand and lime which, soon'
or later under metamorphic influence
and also the percolating of miners
water, became solid stratas of rocl
Along the lines of the swells or hil
necessarily would occur fractures an
breaks which would establish lines
least resistance. These mountain
under the influence of the elemen
were, and are today, gradually washir
away and being carried to the low
valleys, the depressions in the eartt
g crust. The mountains under this i
fuence, being the weakest portion
j. Notice.