The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-07-06
suRYEY NOW uNpER wAY
Explorations by the United States Geo.
logical Survey.

AA4AGAA 0OAFG4 NOW 0MOGN w "A
Explorations by the United States Geo.
logical Survey.
All the Alaskan field parties Of the
geological survey are now at work or
on their way to the interior, The sur
veys and Investigations Of 1909 include
fourteen parties, which are widely distgi-
buted over Alaska These parties COM
prise twelve biologists, seven topoTaph-
ers and three engineers. Two parties
will be at work III southeastern Alaska,
one in the Copper River region, two in
the Matanuska coal region, one in the
eastern part Of the Kenai peninsula, two
In the Hanna lake region, two in tine
Yukon Tanana region, one in the koyu-
kuk and Chandalar districts, one in the
Norton Bay region, aud one in Seward
peninsula.
These surveys and investigations are
carried on under the direction Of Alfred
II. Brooks, who will leave Seattle for
CordoYa on the first Of July. From Cor.
doya be will proceed up Copper river and
make a brief visit TO the Nizina dis
trict. Circumstances permitting, be will
then 90 by overland trail to Fairbanks,
and later will pay visit 10 the Berners
bay and Eagle river districts, ia south
eastern Alaska.
Southeastern Alaska.
General reconnaissance work in the min
ing districts OF southeastern Alaska hav-
ing been completed, the present investi-
cations include more detailed surveys.
Adolph Knopf, geologist, began work in
the Berners bay region on May 10, study
ing the geology and ore deposits in de-
tail. on the completion Of this work he
be viii start to Eagle river and will
there begin work on similar inyestiga
ton.
J. w. Bagley. with one assistant, is
making a detailed topographic survey
Of the Eagle river mining district. Con.
ditions permitting, he will extend his
work southwark to connect with previ-
ously surveyed areas near Juneau.
Copper River Region.
At the close Of the last year the gen
erai investigation Of the two copper belts
Of the Copper river region WAS eom-
pleted, and il now remains to make q
more detailed study Of the regions 81
present. greatest economic importance.
The area first to be investigated lies &c
the east end Of the Chitina .kotsina belt.
This field not only affords the best ex-
posures but II also the region where
greatest depth has been reached in de-
veloping the ore bodies; hence il viii
yield more facts than other parts Of the
district and was therefore chosen for
first investigation II Is hoped that
il win be possible later TO map in detail
the other important parts Of this copper
belt. Meanwhile il is expected that The
work in this field will throw important
light on the occurrence Of copper ores
throughout the region.
i. II Mofiitt and S. r. Caps. who
are to do this work, reached Valdez June
and reported a heavy fall of snow in
the pass, which delayed them. They are
now on their way 20 the interior
Kenai Peninsula.
u. s. Grant and D. +. Higgins sailed
from Seattle Oh june for Seward.
where they viii begin reconnaissance
of the eastern part OF kenai peninsula.
Much prospecting has been done in this
field during the last few years and II il
expected that Mr.. Grants Investigations
viii Be Of value to the prospeetors lie
will use a large launch for travelling as
the work win necessitate passing many
headlands that are open To the fun sweep
of the Pacific, Il is expected that Air.
Grant will be able to complete the pre-
hmnary examination Of the entire south
eastern and southern coast line Of the
Kcnai peninsula. Time permitting, he
may also begin work on Kodiak island.
Matanuska Coal Field
The policy Of mapping the Alaskan
coal fields in detail win be continued IN
the Matanusia field this season r. II.
Sargent, with one assistant and six men.
began work about the middle Of june.
This force win be divided into two par
ties. Mr.. Sargent's task viii be TO make
a detailed topographic map Of the most
important part Of the Matanuska coat
field, which will serve as a base map for
detailed geologic Investigations during
1910.
Hanna Lake Region.
West Of Cook inlet is large unsnr- |
veyed tract in which, ii is reported, /
there have been discoveries Of copper /
lode deposits and placer gold, In accord
ance with The policy of covering new
fields as rapidly as possible. the geologi- l
cal survey this year dispatched a double /
party 20 begin the survey Of this extern
sive area This party Is in charge Of
y. G. Witherspnon, topogTapher, with /
whom Is associated G.. e. Martin, geolo- !
gist The party landed at Hanna bay
May IA and according to the last report
received had encountered deep SHOWS, but
Il Is expected that they were able 10 be.
Pin their westward march about the first
IF June. F. J. Katz will assist in the
geologic work and G. f. Giffin in the to-
geographic survey. Besides these there
viii be seven other men. Canoes will /
Be used on the lakes and horses in land
travel
Yukon Region.
The extensive area lying between the
Yukon and Tanana has been the subject
If investigation for several years. A
reconnaissance map Of this area Is now
and much Of the geologic
work has also been done, but consid
,rable tract still remains To be covered
This work IS being continued by l. NJ.
orindle, assisted by B. j. Johnson. The
1arty win land at Circle about the mid
lie Of june and 90 southwestward,
'eaching Fairbanks ABOUT the first Of
August. Thence a trip viii be made to