The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1908-10-05
IMPORTANT WORK Of STATE GEOLOGICAL
SURVEY REVEALS DEPOSITS OF RICHES

therefore the Oldest, are those found
In the vicinity of Yule, in southern
Billings county The highest and
youngest are those which appear in
Sentinel Butte and in the northwest
ern part OF the county.
Great Coal Area.
1t is interesting to know that &C.
cording to the estimates of the I'm
tied States geological survey Norh
Dakota has 500 billion tons of coal,
or more than any other state in the
Union. 1t is the function of the state
geological survey to make these coal
resources known as widely as posi-
Bile, in order that they may be devel-
oped, and this the survey is doing
in its reports, which deal with the
coal and clays of the region.
The discovery of the large fossil
bones of enormous land reptiles
(Dinossaurs) was another important
result of the summers field work,
These were found in the bad lands,
few miles from the new town OF
Marmarth and several large boxes
of these were shipped to the univer-
sity to add to its collection. Many
of these huge bones were buried in
the clays of the region, and some had
been washed out and were lying on
the surface. This discovery is of in
creased Importance owing to the fact
that these fossil bones will make it
possible to determine the geological
age of the strata In which the fossils
occur, the age of the formation hav-
Ing been In doubt up to the present
time.
Eastern Work.
The work in the eastern part of the
state was In charge of ]. G. Barry
of the state university and consisted
in the mapping Of the geological for
nations of Pembina and Cavalier
counties and adjbir.lng portions of
Walsh and Ramsey counties. 1t
was found that the northeastern part
OF North Dakota can be divided, on
the basis of its topographic features,
Into three distinct districts, namely,
the Red river, valley; the deeply dis
sected Pembina mountains bordering
the valley on the west; and the high
rolling prairie which forms the great
er part Of Cavalier county.
The origin, physical characters and
drainage of the Red river valley were
studied. Occasional occurrences of
sand and gravel and the old beach
line of glacial Lake Agassiz were
mapped. The lack of water suitable
Tor domestic purposes is an important
problem in parts of the Red river
valley. Data in regard to wells and
character of waters was collected
The survey will present these facts
q
make suggestions which will enable
people living in those districts to
solve the problem.
The origin, physical characters and
economic resources of the Pembina
mountains were studied. These nat
ural resources are brick, shales, ce-
ment rock. sand and gravel. Much
material In regard to these was gath
cred, In addition to that already se-
cured the year before, by v. J. Mel
sted, and will enable the survey to
prepare report on the cement re-
sources of the state.
The greater part of Cavalier county
Is glaciated, rolling, imperfectly
drained prairie Its origin, character
and drainage were studied and will
be discussed in full in the forthcom-
ing fifth biennial report. Deposits of
sand and gravel were mapped where
they had been exposed by natural and
artificial means, such as road-making.
small amount of time was spent in
studying the terminal moraines,
! which are not developed in a very
decided way.
Bottineau Gas.
During the early part of September,
the gas wells of Bottineau county
were visited. Much data was collect
ed in regard to the depth, pressure,
characteristics and apparent quanti-
ty Of the gas deposits. In general,
the productive area seemed to be re-
stricted to the neighborhood of the
Parker farm, nine and one-half miles
south OF Westhope. The gas occurs
In shallow trend, the top of the gas
bearing sand being about ITO feet be-
low the surface. at the base of the
glacial drift, the sand layer being