The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-06-28
Dr.. Gibson
Speaks On
OuI
Geologic Topic
Gives Instructive Discourse
Descriptive of Natures
Work in This District.
NEW PRESIDENT
PRESIDKS AT MEET

The members Of the Libby CONNER
cial club listened to a most interestin,
and instructive discourse by DR.. Russell
Gibson, professor of geology at Harvard
university, at their dinner and meeting
at the Turner Tavern last night. DR.
Gibson spoke on the geologic history O
this area and for some 80 minutes hele
the closest attention of his audience
while he told of the method Mother
Nature used in building and develop
ing this section of the earth we live in
Space does not permit detailed re-
port of DIR. Gibson's most interesting
discourse and we can merely touch the
highlights. Suffice it to state that as
DR.. Gibson explained, this section Of
Montana, much Of northern Idaho and
an area extending into British Column
bia was covered by an immense shall
low, inland sea several million years
ago. This sea gradually filled up with
silt, sand and mud, until there had &C
cumulated deposit some $4,000 feet in
depth. If one asks how shallow sea
could hold a deposit of that thickness,
the explanation is that as the silt ac-
cumulated the bed of the sea gradually
sank throughout the ages.
Sea Disappears.
Eventually the sea disappeared, leav-
ing uncovered this vast area of silt.
sand and mud. The chemical compost
ton OF 1t was such that 1t hardened and
formed rock. As the sea disappeared
and as the deposit was exposed
to weathering. it changed its lorna
ton. 1t shrank and cracked and buck
led, became folded and piled--a slow
process and extending through long
years OF time This Is how most of the
rock Of this district was formed and
placed, and the trained observer can
see evidences OF this geologic work all
about him throughout the district.
Later there came forced UP from the
interior of the earth an upward surge
OF extremely hot, rather thick material
consisting of various chemicals in
melted condition. These worked up
ward through cracks and assures fill
ing every available open space that
the mixture could reach under heavy
pressure. Cooling and freezing" this
created another kind of rock known
as dikes or stills. A number of these
can be seen in this district, especially
one on Pipe creek.
Still later there came another upward
surge from the earths interior of
OF different content, likewise
extremely hot and Of the consistency of
tar. This came in larger bodies filling
more extensive areas, and it too even
tuaiiy afroze' and formed rock. Many
evidences of this can also be found
the district.
Minerals Deposited.
In the due course of geologic time,
q third permeation of substance from
the earth's interior was made This
of very hot, watery sub
stance, under extreme pressure and
carrying in solution various minerals
and chemicals. This water-like sub
stance was forced into every available
crack and fissure. 1t also eventually
cooled, whereupon the mineral in it
was condensed into solid form and thus
was deposited the minerals the miner
now seeks These were of many and
varied character
1t is believed, said DIR. Gibson, that
none of these instrusions from below
reached the surface. There followed
ages of weathering, a breaking and
tearing down Of the earth's surface.
Later there came the ice age, when this
entire area was covered with ice to
depth of about 1900 feet, leaving only
the highest mountain peaks exposed.
These glaciers aided greatly in cutting
and grinding out the valleys and can
yons and helping to expose the veins
Of what we now call ore and the bikes
and sills Eventually the ice disappeared
and geologic history had reached what
the Reologist calls the present-som
5000 years ago.
Constantly Changing.
In closing, DR. Gibson remarked that
the keynote of natures geologic labors
Is constant change. The layman is in
clined to think of earthquakes and
eruptions and such tremend-
Gus evidences of natures work as geo.
logic in nature, and rightly SO, but one
should also realize that the process of
tearing and breaking down the rocks
and mountains is constantly going on
and that undoubtedly several thou
sand years from now these mountains
will be much lower than they are now.
Geologic work is a constant process,
never ceasing.
In his opening remarks DIR. Gibson
his associates and his ap-
probation of the uniform and cordial
courtesy always extended to him by
the people of the community, during
their work in this district
New President Presides.
E w. Oylear, newly elected president
presided ably over the meeting and in
tnoduced DR.. Gibson At the conclusion
of Mr. Gibson's remarks he said the
clubs board of directors were perfect
ing plans for year of activity and
asked for the hearty support of the