SfATE OF MISSOURI GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AN!)

WATER RESOURCES

BIENNIAL REPORT of the

STATE GEOLOGIST TRANSMI1TED TO THE

FIFTY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

193 5

H. A. BUEHLER Dl RECTOR AND STATI!: GEOLOGIST

ROLLA, YC1SSOURI

MIDLAND PRI NTING COMPANY

J JffFERS01' CITY, Mo.

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CONTENTS

Letter of Transmittal. ..... The Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources.. . .. ...... .. . Appropriation Request for 1935-1936 . . . .... . . .

Page 4 5 8

Work of the Missom·i Geological Survey in 1933 and 1934 ......... . ... . Mineral Production of Missouri ...... . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . ........ .. . ... . Financial Statement for 1933-1934. . . . . . . ....... . . List of Publications of the Missouri Geological Survey ... . . . .. . . . . . ... .

Reports of Investigations:

Appendix I, The Geology and Bleaching Clays of Southeast Missouri, by Willard Farrar, Donald S. Grenfell and Victor T. Allen.

Appendix II, Oil and Gas Possibilities of the Savannah Area, Andrew County, Missouri, by Frank C. Greene.

Appendix III, Oil and Gas Developments in Missouri in 1933-34, by Frank C. Greene.

Appendix IV, Mineral Composition and Origin of Missouri Flint and Diaspore Clays, by Victor T. Allen.

Appendix V, Underground Waters in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, Missouri, by Charles D. Gleason.

Appendix VI, The Occurrence of Halloysite in Lawrence· County, Missouri, by A. ].i'. Smith, D.S. Grenfell and H. S. McQueen.

Appendix VII, Pre-glacial Drainage Pattern of Northwest Missouri, by F. C. Greene and R. M. Trowbridge.

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14 35 48 52

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

To Ilis Excellency, Guy B. Park, Governor of Missouri:

Dear Sir :- 1 have the honor to submit herewith a report covering the work of lhe Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources for the years 1933 and 1934. A number of investiga­tions have been completed during the past biennial period and the results are published as appendices to this report. It is hoped that they will serve as guides in the development of the mineral resources described.

Respectfully submitted,

II. A. BUEHLER, State Geologisl.

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CHAPTER I

THE MISSOURI GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND WATER RESOURCES.

In 1889, the State Legislature provided for a geological and mineralogical survey of the State, and an organization was created for that purpose. The 41st General Assembly of the Legislature of Missouri changed lhe enabling act and in 1900 created Lhe present State Geological Survey with offices at Rolla, Missouri, for the purpose of continuing the investigations of the mineral resources of Missouri.

Since its inception, the Department has followed the same general program and policy without interruption and it has for its primary purpose the development of new mineral industries and the orderly exploitation of existing ones. The results achieved in the past have been described in former biennial re­ports, and olher official publications which describe new and existing mineral industries in Missouri. It is of interest to note that in 1898, shortly before the present Department was made effective by law, the annual mineral output was valued at $13,-323,245.00. This figure increased to approximately $80,000,-000.00 in 1929.

Each biennial period the Stale Geological Survey endeavors lo call attention to undeveloped mineral resources and during Lhe period, 1933-34, the results of investigations of bleaching clays in Southeasl and Southwest Missouri, and studies of the oil and gas resources of western Missouri, have been completed and are published as a part of this reporl. The reports should be of value in the development of these resources.

The work of lhe Geological Survey is divided into three dis­tinct engineering branches, each of which is devoted to the de­velopment of the natural wealth of Missouri. They may be described as follows:

GEOLOGY AND MINING BRANCH. In lhis branch of the State Survey, investigations are made

of the melallic and non-metallic minerals which contribute materially to the State's wealth each year. Attention is called to these resources through publications, maps and correspondence

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6 Biennial Report

of the Department, which resulted in establishing new, and expanding previously developed mineral deposits.

This branch of the Department has devoted considerable time to a sludy of the underground water resources of Mis­souri. In this phase of its activities the Geological Survey in­directly benefits more people than in any other service that it renders.

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING BRANCH.

It is generally conceded that no broadly conceived plan of physical development can be conducted without topographic maps, and the demand for them of various localities in the State, as a whole, has been greater in the last two years than al any oLher period in the history of the organization.

A limited number of Lopographic maps had been prepared by the U. S. Geological Survey prior to 1907. At that time the Stale Legislature provided for the making of an accurate base map of Missouri in which Lhe SLaLe would cooperate financially wilh Lhe Federal Survey. At present, slightly more than one­fourLh of Missouri has been covered with these maps, which show in accurate detail the physical features of the earth's surface.

In recent years the State Highway Department has also cooperated in the program of topographic mapping, the maps being of particular value in· connection with the preliminary locations of highways. These maps are also valuable in con­nection with the Federal program of reforestation in southern Missouri. They are also of aid in the development of water power, in mining, in the exploration for ore deposits and in general engineering work. The Federal Geological Survey appropriates a sum equal to the amount allotted by the State of Missouri for this purpose, and it is hoped that this important work can be continued during the present biennial period.

The results of the Lopographic mapping in 1933 and 1934 are described in detail in later pages of this report.

WATER RESOURCES BRANCH.

In 1921, the 51st General Assembly authorized the State Geological Survey to eslablish and maintain, on the important streams of Missouri, gaging stations necessary for Lhe determina­Lion of stream flow. This work is also done in cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey, which again matches the State

7 State Geologist 7

appropriation, dollar for dollar. T he stream flow data that have been obtained previously and without interruption since that time are utilized in many fields of engineering.

The construction of Bagnell Dam on the Osage River, at a cost of $35,000,000, was a direct result of this work. The records obtained have also been utilized in the preparation of plans for olher hydro-electric developments in other portions of the Ozark region of souLhern Missouri. These records are also invaluable for a better understanding of the problem of flood control, in the proper drainage of lands, in a study of potential water supplies for municipalities and in problems related to the disposal of sewage.

The work of this branch is described in deLail on pages 27-31 of this report.

APPROPRIATION FOR THE BIENNIAL PERIOD 1933-1934.

The 57th General Assembly appropriated the sum of $80,000 for the invcstigaLions of the three (3) branches of the State Geological Survey during the biennial period 1933-1934. In addition to Lhis sum, the Federal Public Works Administration, through the UniLed States Geological Survey, also contributed an additional sum of $35,000:00 for topographic mapping and $20,000.00 for the rehabilitation of sLream gaging stations. No state funds were allotted or required in connection with these last menLioned expenditures, bul they indicate the high regard in which these engineering activities are held. T he Geological Survey also received from the Federal Civil Works Administra­tion allotments with which to conduct and supervise a state­wide engineering and geological project for geologic studies and the establishing of primary conlrol lines which 'are necessary in advance of topographic mapping. Allotments were also made by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration for the con­tinuation of these surveys after the completion of the CW A program on March 31, 1934. Small sums have also been received from cooperating individuals, cities and corporations interested in obtaining information relative to possible surface water supplies, hydro-electric developments, flood control problems, and in the chemical analysis of samples from various municipal water supplies.

8 Biennial Report

APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR 1936-1936.

The funds for the maintenance of this Departmen l are ap­propriated under four general heads in accordance with the present State Budget system. They are as follows: (l) Per­sonal Service (Salaries), (2) Operation (Expenses), (3) Addi­tions (New Equipment, etc.), (4) Repairs and Replacements. The sum under each item represents the tolal request for all three branches of the State Survey, namely, the Geologic, Topographic, and Water Resources. The request for funds for the proper operation of the above named branches during the biennial period during 1935-1936 totals $144,991.00. It is proposed to allot this sum to each branch as indicaled below:

Geology and Min,ing ... Topographic Mapping. Water Resources ... .

$110,991 20,000 14,000

$144,991

The total amount requested, $144,991, is divided in con­formity with the State Budget system in the following manner:

Personal Service (Salaries) ... .. . . . . .. . .. . ... . $96,520 42,045 4,666 1,760

Operations (Expense) . . . . . . . . . R,epairs and Replacements .. .. . . . Additions. . .. .. .... . .. .

S144,991

The detailed divisions under which the appropriation is requested for the operalion of the three branches of the Survey are indicated by the following tabulation:

SALARIES: Personal Service:

Geology and Mining. Topographic Mapping. Water Resources ....

EXPENSE: Operation:

Communication ... . . Travel, meals and lodging .. Operation of automotive equipment. 'l'ransportation of things . . .. . .. . .. . Printing and binding of reports, maps, etc. Materials and supplies... . . . .. . . . .... .

$62•,520. 00 20,000.00 14,000.00 ~~~-~ $96,520.00

$800.00 22,000.00 10,600.00

275.00 7,000.00 1,370.00

42,045.00

State Geologist

REPAIRS AND REPLACEMEN'l'8: Lahoratory equipment . . . . Cleaning and sanitation .. . . . Office furniture . . . Transportation and com·eying equipment. Other avd miscellaneous equipment.

$500.00 50.00 50.00

3,996.00 70 . 00

9

$4,666.00 ADDI'l'lONS:

Scientific equipment . . Office furniture and equipment. Miscellaneous equipment .. . ..

$660.00 900.00 200.00

1,760.00

TOTAL . .. .. .. . . . . .. ........ . .. . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . .. S144,991. 00

The work of the Geological Survey consists largely of field investigations by members of Lhe staff. The request for the Geology and Mining Branch covers the salaries and field expenses of Lhe present staff and the assistant geologists who are hired during Lhe summer for special investigations. The expense for the maintenance of the office is also included . No expansion of Lhe present force is contemplated during the biennial period 1935-1936, with the exception that the services of an additional geologist necessary for a full-time study of water supply problems is requested. There is an urgent need for this addition to the personnel in view of the large and increasing demands for such information.

At the present time, the Geological Survey has a number of unpublished geologic reports and maps, and although they are available for consultation in the headquarters of the Department, it is recommended that Lhe sum of S7,000 be appropriated so they may be published and made available for general distribu­tion. A lisl of these reports and maps is as follows:

59th Biennial Report, including preliminary geological nports covering the mineral industries ... .. . .. , . .

Underground Water Resources of Missouri. ... .. .... . Platte County, The Geology of. . . . . . . . ..... . .

Total. .......................... . ..... . ... . .

$2,000 2,000 3,000

$7,000

At the present time, about one-fourth of the State has been covered by accurate topographic maps, and this branch of the work should be continued. In the preparation of them the U. S. Geological Survey matches, dollar for dollar, the funds appropriated for this purpose by the State Geological Survey and the Missouri State Highway Commission. It is believed

10 Biennial Report

that similar cooperation will prevail during the coming biennial period, and if so, the well organized plan of covering the State with topographic maps will be conlinued.

The U. S. Geological Survey will also appropriate a sum equal lo lhe amount appropriated by the State of Missouri for furlher studies by the Water Resources Branch. The systematic collection of stream flow data, so important in any study of flood control problems, water power developments, land drainage, and municipal water supplies and sewage disposal, will be con­tinued during the current biennial period.

COOPERATIVE AGENCIES.

The reports, unpublished data, maps, and personal services of the State Geological Survey are widely used in many different lines of activity. As a result, many agencies and individuals look to this state Department for reliable information. The following is a list of the agencies which fully cooperated with the State Geological Survey during the biennial period, 1933-1934:

1. The United States Geological Survey. (a) Ac­curate topographic maps, which show in detail the physical features of the earth's surface in the localities surveyed, are prepared in cooperation with the State Survey. (b) A cooperative State and Federal study of the surface streams of Missouri with reference to water power possibilities, flood control, drainage problems, sewage disposal, surface water supplies for towns and municipalities, and other related problems pertaining to the surface water resources of Missouri, has been under way since 1921.

In both phases of this work the State Survey allotments arc met with equal sums by the Federal Survey.

2. The State Highway Department: (a) The top­ographic mapping of areas in the Ozark region with reference to the location of new highways has been undertaken in conjunction with the topographic mapping program of the State and Federal Surveys. (b) Stream gaging stations are maintained in Northeast Missouri. They were established in order to obtain run-off data necessary for the determina­tion of the size of bridges to be constructed in this part of Missouri.

State Geologist 11

3. The State Board of Health: (a) A study of sur­face and underground water supplies, so necessary to the public health, is under way. In connecLion wiLh this program, the Geological Survey supervises Lhe drilling of all wells for public water supplies, and delermines lhe deplh at which casing is lo be seL in order lo properly safeguard Lhe supply from conlaminalion. (b) Chemical analyses of Lhe surface and underground waters utilized by cities and Lowns localed within the Stale are also being made in cooperation with this Deparlment, and during lhe biennial period, 1933-1934, a total of 371 analyses have been made. The cosl of the analyses is borne by the cities and towns.

4. Ci Lies and towns of l\lissouri: (a) Field investiga­tions are made by geologists in order to insure adequate municipal water supplies from drilled wells. The best sites for deep wells are chosen, and lhe samples from them are studied Lo determine the depths at which casing should be set in order to safeguard the supply from contamination by surface walers.

5. United States Army and the Federal Emergency Conservation Works: (a) Geologists of the State Survey have examined all Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp sites and reported on the water possibilities for each camp, the total depth of the wells to be drilled, and have also assisted in the preparation of specifications for them.

6. Public Works Adminislration: (a) The State Sur­vey has furnished from office records and field data, reports regarding ground water possibilities in numerous cities and towns which have applied for loans and grants for the purpose of obtaining water supplies.

7. The Federal Emergency Relief Adminislration: (a) The State Survey has conducted and supervised reemploy­ment projects in Geology and Topography and has also administered the geological phases of the drought relief investigations in the summer of 1934. Other investigations necessary to conduct the program in Missouri have also been undertaken for the State Agency, the Missouri Relief and Reconstruction Commission.

8. The Secretary of State, Securities Department: The staff of the Geological Survey passes on the geology and possibilities of all applications to sell stock in Missouri in mining or oil companies. Where expense is incurred in

12 Biennial Report 7

making geological examinations of the property or leases involved, the applicant defrays all expenditures.

9. The Corps of Engineers, United States Army: (a) This Corps cooperates with the State and U. S. Geological Surveys in establishing and maintaining gaging stations on Missouri River. All expenses incurred in this work arc paid for by the Corps of Engineers.

10. United States Weather Bureau: (a) Stream gag­ing stations are maintained and reports of flood conditions on .Missouri streams are furnished through a cooperative agreement with this Bureau.

11. Drainage Districts: (a) The Survey cooperates with the officials of Drainage Dislricts in various parLs of Missouri in determining the flow of rivers and drainage ditches. This work is done wilh parti~ular reference lo flood control.

12. The Missouri State Fair Board: (a) The Geo­logical Survey maintains an exhibit of minerals at the Stale Fair Grounds at Sedalia, and a member of the staff is in attendance at this exhibit during the Fair.

13. Missouri Century of Progress Commission: (a) The Geological Survey furnished the Commission, for ex­hibit at the Century of Progress, in Chicago, Illinois, in 1933 and 1934, many ·specimens of ·Missouri rocks an<l minerals. The State Geologist also served the Commis­sion in an advisory capacity relative to the general plan of the State exhibit.

14. United States Bureau of Mines: (a) In the collec­tion of statislics covering the annual mineral production of the State, the Stale Geological Survey cooperates with this federal agency. The details necessary :.·or a successful canvass of the mineral induslry are handled by the Bureau of Mines.

PERSONNEL.

There have been no changes in the personnel of the regular employees of the Geologic Branch during the biennial period, 1933-1934.

In January, 1934, the Governor granted lhe State Geologisl permission to serve temporarily as State Engineer for the Mis­souri Relief and Reconstruction Commission, in connection

State Geologist 13

with the programs of the Civil Works Administration and the Emergency Relief Administration.

A limited number of part-time employees have been retained for special work during the biennial period. Lists of the per­manent and part-time employees during the period 1933-1934 are as follows:

GEOLOGY AND MINING BRANCH . Full-Time Employees , Geologic Branch.

Name. Posit·ion H. A. Buehler. . . State Geologist H. S. !lfoQueen. . . . . . .. . .. ... Asst. State Geologist F. C. Greene. . . . Pr incipal Geologist C. D. Glcas:>ll. . . . .. . . . .. ... . . .. Geologist John Grohskopf ... . . . Geologist W. Farrar.... .... . . . . .. . Geologist C. 0. Reinoehl.. . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . Engineer-Dra.ftsman

. . Chief Clerk Jean McCaw . . . E. E. Hawkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janitor-Laboratory Ass't.

Part-Time EmployeeB, Geologic Branch .

V. T. Allen . ..... . .... . . G. T. McIntyre .. R. T. Rolu.fs .... . . . . .. .... . John l\foC'utch eon .

. . Geologist, 1933-1934 . . . . Magnetometer Operator, 1934

. . Chemist, 1933-1934 . . . . . . Student Assistant

WATER RESOURCES BRANCH. The personnel of this Department is furnished, in the main,

by lhe U. S. Geological Survey, which cooperates with lhe State Survey in this work, and meets equally the State funds allotted for this purpose. The regular and part-time employees for the period, 1933-1934, and their status are as follows:

H. C. Beckman, District; Rngineer . . . . (l•'edc-ral) H. C. Bolon, Assistant Engineer. . (]Pederal) R. J. Schmickle, Junior Engineer. . . . . . . . ( l<'ederal) C. J. Eyberg, Junior Bngineer. . . . . . . .... . .. .. . . . . (Federal) C. H. Jennings, ,Junior Engineer . . . .. . . . . . . .. (State) G. A. LaRocque, Junior Engin ee1· . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . (Federal) S. C. Moore, Junior Engineer .. . . . . . . . (Federal) Dorothy Shaver, Stenographer. .. . . . . . . . . . (State)

TOPOGRAPHIC BRANCH. The U. S. Geological Survey also cooperates with the State

Survey in this phase of the work and again meets, dollar for dollar, the State funds allotted for topographic mapping. The personnel is furnished by the Federal Survey ..

14

FIELD

Biennial Report

STUDIES OF THE MISSOURI SURVEY IN 1933 AND 1934.

GEOLOGICAL

An attempt is made during each biennial period to make surveys and keep in contact ·with the mineral industries in prac­tically every part of the State. The period just closed is no exception. ,vork of some character has been done in every county of the State by at least one branch of the organization, and in some instances, by all three of them. The work of the Survey during 1933 and 1934 is briefly described as follows:

Ground Water Investigations. Ground waters constitute one of Missouri's greatesl natural resources and in a study of them the State Geological Survey reaches, indirectly, more people than in any other field of activity. Extensive field investigations of ground water supplies have been made during the biennial period, 1933-34.

Several years ago the State Geological Survey and the State Board of Health entered into an agreement whereby both departments would cooperate toward the elimination of con­taminated water supplies from drilled wells used for public supplies, and the betterment of them from the standpoint of chemical quality. Specifications covering the drilling of deep wells for public water supplies were also prepared in connection with this work, and at the present time, all wells being completed for this purpose conform to these specifications.

In connection with the drilling of deep wells for municipal water supplies, the Geological Survey furnishes a report to the engineers or interested city officials from data compiled from information available in the office or, in many instances, from studies made at and near the town under consideration. In this work an attempt is made to choose the best possible location for the well and to determine the amount of casing that will be necessary to safeguard adequately the su·pply from contam­inated surface waters. Data are also obtained relative to the most likely water producing formations, the total depth of the well, the probable capacity, the quality of the water, and other factors that are of importance in a consideration of the pumping and other problems necessary to make the water available to the distribution system.

In the drilling of deep wells for public supplies, the drillers are required to collect samples of the drill cuttings after every five feet of drilling and to submit them to the Geological Survey

7 State Geologist 15

for examination. A study of the samples makes possible the determination of the depth at which casing is to be set in order to shut out any crevices or openings that might permit the con­tamination of the supply of waler from the deeper formations by surface waters. A study of the samples by geologisLs of the State Survey results in the identification of the formations being drilled and permits the preparation of reports regarding the Lota! depth at which the well should be completed in order to obtain an adequale supply of water for the city or town in question.

The Geological Survey has developed and put into routine use during the pasl ten years, a simple method which permits the rapid identification of formations penetrated, and as a result, the Department is able to furnish, quickly, reliable information regarding the formations penetrated in any well being drilled. The method, known as the insoluble residue method, was fully described in the 56th Biennial Report of the State Geologist, and it is interesting to note that it has since been adopted and used in many other States.

The requests made to the State Survey for information obtained as a result of field studies of ground water supplies have increased steadily, and during the past biennial period the demand for such information has been the greatest experienced in the history of the present organization. The volume of work that must be handled is indicated by the fact that nearly 400 sets of samples from new wells were submitted for examina­tion and opinions relative to a number of important features were furnished on each one.

During the biennial period a total of over 17,000 samples, representing over 150,000 feet of drilling, have been received and examined, and the information obtained has been plotted on slandardized well-log forms. The details of the logs are also recorded on a series of maps which cover subsurface conditions in the State, such as the thickness and distribution of the water bearing formations and other water data intimately connected with this important phase of the Survey's work.

The State Survey has cooperated fully with the United States Army, and the Federal Emergency Conservation Works by examining sites for Civilian Conservation Corps camps with reference to the possibility of obtaining supplies of water. Although twenty-nine wells for this purpose have been com-

16 Biennial Report

pleted during the biennial period, a greater number of well sites were examined and many of them were found to be un­favorably located for successful drilling.

Field investigations and reports have also been furnished the Federal Public Works Administration, covering the possibilities of obtaining well-water supplies for many towns in Missouri which have made application for loans and grants for the con­struction of water supply systems. T his service has also been extended to the Federal Emergency Relief Administration during the period of the drouth, and also to other municipalities that have not appealed to the Federal Agencies for financial assistance. It is interesting to note that, during the past biennial period, the Survey has cooperated actively in the drilling of twenty-eight wells t o supply water to towns and municipalities . The towns to which such assistance was rendered are:

Town County Ashland . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . ... . . . .. .. Boone Butler. . . .. Bates Camdenton. . . .. . .. . ... Camden Edgar Springs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . ... Phelps Festus.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeffenon Forsyth .... ... .... .. .. .... . . .. . . .. . .. . ... .. . . 'l'aney Houston ........ .. . . ..... . . . ..... . . .. .... .... Texas Illmo. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Kahoka. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... Clark Maysville.. . . . . . . . . . . ... DeKalb Milan .... .. . . ........ . .. . . ... . . . . .. . ........ Sullivan Monticello ........ .. . .. . . .. . .. . . .. .... . . ... . . Lewis Mt. Vernon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lawrence Neosho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... Newton Pittsville. . . . . . .. . . . . .. Johnson Rolla ............. . .. .. ....... .. .. . ..... . .. . . Phelps Sikeston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . Scott Steelville .......... . .. .. ..... . . .. .. ... ..... . .. Crawford Summersville. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... Texas Tipton..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moniteau Wentzville... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... St. Charles.

At the present time, the Geological Survey has in its fi les over 70,000 carefully~preserved well samples and also the logs of many wells drilled..._in the past and from which no samples were submitted. During the period, 1933-34, these samples have been, in many instances, restudied and the information brought up:to date. All the logs of wells, regardles~ of their character, have been restudied and at the present time, maps,

State Geologist 17

cross sections, and other data pertaining to ground water sup­plies, are available for consultation in the office of the Geological Survey.

The development of any community depends upon the available water supply and with the coming years there will be increasing interest in this phase of civic improvement. The in­formation that has been and will be compiled by the Geological Survey in this field of activity will be invaluable.

Special water supply investigations during the drouth of 1934. The lack of precipitation for the past several years, and par­ticularly during the first six months of the year 1934, resulted in an acute shortage of water in the State of Missouri. The counties firsL affected are located in the west central portion of Lhe State. During the summer months, the siLuation became general, and severe demands were made upon the State Relief Commission and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration for assistance in obtaining supplies of water for human con­sumption and the watering of stock. T hese calls for aid came from nearly every part of the State, and in order to properly meet this situation, the State Administration requested the State Geological Survey at Rolla, Missouri, to employ geologists and organize a drouth relief project. The purpose of the project was to obtain emergency supplies of water and to furnish, locally, advice based upon geological investigations that would lead to and result in supplies of a permanent nature. The project was started J uly 26, 1934, and during the peak of the emergency, twenty-six people were employed.

The State was divided into districts and a geologist was placed in each one. At this time the entire personnel of the geological staff of the Missouri Geological Survey was placed at the disposal of the Relief Commission, and served during the period of the emergency. Conditions were investigated in practically every county, with the exception of those located in the extreme southeast part of the State where severe drouth conditions did not prevail.

In connecLion with the field investigations, the geologists supervised the drilling of shallow auger holes in many counties and obtained therefrom adequate supplies of water for many localities. In many instances, supplies were obtained locally from shallow sources which were not known to exist previously

·and had, therefore, never been ut ilized.

18 Biennial Report

The field geologists also supervised the drilling of a number of comparatively deep wells into the rock formations and the drilling or digging of shallow wells in the glacial deposits of northern Missouri. They also assisted in the location of supplies for pipe lines constructed for the relief of large areas, in in­vestigations before the conslruction of impounding reservoirs, and in many other ways aided in making water available to the people and the stock in drouth stricken communities.

Relief was obtained with the coming of the rains in many localities in September, and in the drouth stricken western part of the State, in October. Since that time the project has been continued, but with a restricted personnel, and at the present time only five geologists are employed in field surveys. Seven geologists are at present employed in the office of the Missouri Geological Survey at Rolla for the purpose of compiling the results of investigations by field geolo­gists, and in other studies relative to the preparation of a final report and general studies of ground water supplies.

In order to obtain further information relative to ground water supplies from the glacial deposits of north Missouri, the use of a portable drilling rig is being utilized in drilling small diameter holes to shallow depths at carefully selected localities in norLhern Missouri, where many towns suffered from an acute situation due to the lack of water. In connection with this work, one field geologist has been assigned to accompany the rig and keep accurate logs and obtain sets of samples in order that the character of the glacial deposits and the water supplies therefrom may be studied in detail. At present a number of these towns have no prospects of an adequate water supply, should a similar situation of greater or less magnitude prevail in the future, and the drilling program will result in benefit to them.

In connection with the drilling program; electric prospect­ing is also being done in advance of drilling to determine those areas in which deposits of glacial material occur. This field party consists of a geophysicist, one field geologist and two rodmen, the latter being employed temporarily and only as needed. The results obtained to date show that this method of geophysical prospecting definitely indicates areas in which the glacial drift is thick. It is believed that this work will outline the trend of sand and gravel-filled pre-glacial channels, which are important sources of water.

State Geologist 19

The other geologists furnished by the Emergency Relief Administration are at present collecting data in various parts of the State, in order to obtain as many details as possible for use in the event of a similar emergency.

The phase of the drouth relief program outlined above was under the direct supervision of the State Geological Survey. The results of the field investigations and the success of the program indicate the value of the State Geological Survey in work of this type and in acute situations of this character.

Oil and gas investigations. During the past five years there has been a steady development of the gas and oil resources in the western part of the State, and as a result, a number of shallow fields are now in production. A number of them were described in the 57th Biennial Report of the State Geologist and develop­ments during the past biennial period are described in Appendix III of the present report.

Natural gas is rapidly becoming one of the important re­sources of western Missouri, and in order to assist in the con­tinued exploration of this fuel, one geologist has been engaged in full-time field studies in western Missouri during the past biennial period. The field work has consisted of scouting and keeping in contact with drilling wells, in obtaining the logs and data regarding wells that have been completed, in determining the elevations and locations of all wells, in many instances by plane-table surveys, and in obtaining other general information that is necessary to properly understand the conditions under which gas and oil occur in this State.

Field work has been completed toward the preparation of an oil and gas map of Kansas City, where many shallow wells are now being utilized as a source of fuel. Jackson County has also been subjected to investigation, and it is hoped to complete, during the present biennial period, a map showing the location of all holes, all developed fields, and the well defined structural features, and the areas of promise for future production in this county.

In connection with the oil and gas investigations, extensive magnetometer surveys have been made in ·western Missouri in order to outline areas that have favorable magnetic features. Those areas in which favorable magnetic results are obtained are then investigated in detail to determine the geologic structure and the possibilities for the production of oil and gas. During the past biennial period the two types of surveys were correlated

/

20 Biennial Report

successfully in the Savannah area, in Andrew County, and a short article coverin-g the possibilities of oil and gas on the structure mapped is included in this report.

Additional field work of both types should be done in order to point out to operators and interested parties, the areas that are most favorable for drilling. Such work is distinctly within lhe province of the State Geological Survey and will go far toward developing new fields in this general area of western Missouri.

During the pasl biennial period a considerable amount of office work has been done with regard to the occurrence of oil and gas. A number of subsurface maps have been prepared on various formations and horizons within them, which show the slructural features and conditions existing in the producing sands. Studies are also being undertaken to establish the per­sistence of the producing horizons throughout the western part of the State in order to predict their possibilities in areas at present undeveloped. A general subsurface study of the so­called Forest Cily basin, a structural feature of considerable magnitude in Northwest Missouri, has been practically com­pleted during the biennial period.

In view o( the fact that there has been continued develop­ment, in recent years, of additional fields in that part of the State lying north of Kansa.s Cily and east of St. Joseph, it is felt thal this general area has future possibilities, and the maps prepared will be invaluable to companies and individuals in­terested in further exploration. In connection with the field work a number of water samples have been taken from oil and gas wells in order to determine the quality of the water. The results are not only of interest from an industrial standpoint, but are also of value in certain geologic interpretations.

Reconnaissance field studies have also been made pre­paratory to more detailed mapping, and during the present biennial period additional detailed plane-table surveys similar to that completed at Savannah are planned.

The clelails relative to oil and gas that have been collected and arc on file in the office of the Stale Survey, are available to inspection, and companies or individuals interested in drilling for oil or gas in western Missouri are invited to inspect lhe data and to take advantage of the work done to date by the Geological Survey.

7 State Geologist 21

Clay investigations. The State of Missouri is an important producer of clays, which range in quality from those utilized in the making of common brick to those used in the manufacture of the highest grade refractories. In fact, the so-called high-alumina or diaspore clays of the north central Ozark region, which are used in the manufacture of refractories, are the only commercial deposits known to occur in North America. The State also has enormous reserves of high grade plastic and flint fire clays and at the present time is a leading producer of both the raw material and the finished fire brick. A number of short reporls and maps covering the clay deposits of the State have been issued in previous years.

During the biennial period, 1933-1934, investigations of this mineral resource have been conlinued in order to add to the knowledge previously oblained. A microscopic study of thin sections prepared from the flint and diaspore clays of the Ozark region has been completed and the results are published as Appendix JV of this reporL. The information obtained is not only of value in connection with the study of the origin of the deposits and the manner in which the clays have been formed, but will also serve as a guide in further prospecting for these high grade clays. The microscopic studies will also add addi­tional information on the behavior of these clays when fired into the desired shapes, and the results will be of value to the manu­facturers of fire brick and refractories from these clays.

A detailed laboratory study was completed during 1934 of the bleaching clays of southeastern Missouri, which prior to surveys by this Department were not known to occur, and hence were not developed commercially. The results of this investiga­tion are published as Appendix I to this reporl.

Preliminary ceramic tests of pottery and china clays from southeastern Missouri have been made, and an investigation is now under way regarding the possibilities of utilizing the clays in the manufacture of clay products .

The study of the bleaching clays, and the ceramic test s above mentioned were made possible in connection with the re-em­ployment program of the Federal Emergency Relief Administra­tion.

In adclilion lo lhe work outlined above, a number of chemical analyses have been made to determine the chemical composition of certain high grade. clays fotmd in Missouri.

22 Biennial Report 7

Field and laboratory studies of the plastic and semi-plastic clays which occur in the important fire brick manufacturing dis­trict of easl central Missouri, were started during the past biennial period. It is planned to continue the clay investiga­tions during Lhe present biennial period in order to fully evaluate the clay resources of Missouri.

Magnetometer surveys. In 1929, the St. Louis Industrial Club requested the State Geological Survey to make an in­vestigation of the iron ores of Missouri, and furnished funds with which to defray field expenses and the purchase of field instruments and equipment.

In connection with this work, instruments known as mag­netometers were employed and it was found that their use in field surveys resulted in adding much to the existing knowledge of the occurrence of iron ores and, in some instances, the character of the ore found in each of several individual deposits. Data were also obtained which indicated that the presence of faults and folds in the rocks could be determined by such surveys, and the results of earlier surveys were published in the 56th and 57th Biennial Reports.

During the present biennial period, investigations in this field of work have been continued. Magnetometer surveys were made in the ·western part of the State and the results indicate that magnetic disturbances are present in the vicinity of anti­clines or similar structural· features from which oil and gas are obtained. The results have led to an extensive and systematic survey of the counties in western Missouri, in 1933 and 1934, and a total of 6,000 square miles has been surveyed with a magnetometer. A part of the surveys was made possible in connection with the program of the Civil Works Administration.

Although the results of magnetometer surveys do not specifically indicate those areas that warrant drilling for oil and gas, they serve as a guide in the detailed geologic mapping of structural features that have possibilities for the occurrence of these fuels. In fact, the magnetic work was largely responsible for the investigation in the Savannah area, which is described in Appendix II of this report.

It is planned to continue magnetic surveys during the present biennial period and to include a survey of the fire clay districts of Missouri, the completion of the partially surveyed barite producing district of Washington and adjoining counties, the disseminated lead belt of southeastern Missouri, and other

State Geologist 23

areas where additional information is desired regarding the oc­currence of mineral deposits and the structural features which control them.

Investigations of mineral deposits. Within the past year con­siderable interest has been manifcsled in deposits in the Central Ozark region which yield high-grade iron oxides and the high­grade iron sulphides, marcasite and pyrite. The latter are uLilized in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, and the new de­posiLs thal have been under development have been examined by geologisLs of the State Survey. An attempt is being made to outline Lhe conditions under which these ores occur and to offer suggestions in prospecLing for additional deposits.

At the present time there are no deposits of dolomite in the State of Missouri that are being developed commercially. The demand for such a rock, however, for use in the glass industry, and in the manufacture of dolomitic (burned) lime, is persistent. Field investigations have been made in Crawford, Franklin, Miller, Greene, Lawrence and Dade counties, and samples have been collected and analyzed in the chemical laboratory of the Survey. Although only preliminary results have been obtained to date, it is believed that promising deposits exist in certain localities. Plans are being made to continue the investigation of this rock during the years 1935 and 1936.

The rapid developments that are being made in the air­conditioning of buildings has resulted in a considerable demand for insulating malerial. During the past year, there has been an active interest in the manufacture of rock wool, which is pre­pared from dolomites and limestones with a rather definite composition. Although no commercial developments are under way in Missouri at this time, samples are being collected by geologists of the State Survey for chemical analysis in order to determine the presence of suitable rock in Missouri for the manu­facture of rock wool. It is hoped to continue the preliminary work now in progress, in conjunction with the investigation of the dolomite deposits which is described above.

Miscellaneous field investigations of the Department during the past biennial period have consisted in the examination of various ore bodies not mentioned above, in the investigation of other phases of the State's mineral industry, and in the examina­tion of local dam sites. Quarry sites also have been investigated, and a considerable number of them were inspected for the Mis­souri Relief and Reconstruction Commission for rock to be used

•

24 Biennial Report

in Lhe program sponsored by the Civil Works Administration and the Emergency Relief Administration in 1933 and 1934.

Stratigraphic studies. The occurrence of mineral deposits in the State of Missouri is directly related to the formational geology, and a study of the formations, or the stratigraphy, constitutes an important phase of the State Survey's investiga­tions.

During the past biennial period, stratigraphic studies of the Pennsylvanian rocks in western Missouri have been continued in connection with the oil and gas investigations. Additional work of this nature should be done in this part of Lhe State during the present biennial period.

In 1933, the discovery of fossils of Cretaceous age in ex­posures on Crowley's Ridge, Stoddard County, resulted in further field investigations and the finding of the so-called Porter's Creek formation. Bleaching clays are obtained in other parts of the United States from this formation which here­tofore had not been known to occur in Missouri. More detailed investigations have been made during the past biennial period in this portion of Southeast Missouri, and a brief report covering this potential economic resource and the general geologic features associated with this clay in the lowland area of Southeast Mis­souri is published as Appendix I.

With the exception of these two portions of the State there have been no local detailed surveys during the biennial period, 1933-34. Certain regional stratigraphic studies have been under­taken, however, and may be described as follows:

'Fhe Ordovician formations in the southeastern part of Missouri and particularly in Cape Girardeau County, have been given some attention in view of the drilling for water sup­plies from the so-called St. Peter sandstone. In this part of Missouri there is a general thickening of the' formations beneath the surface, and formations which are not exposed also appear to be present in samples collected from deep wells. As a result it is necessary to obtain additional information in the field, regarding them, in order to properly direct the drilling of wells for water suppiies.

Rock quarries have been persistently operated in this part of the State and special attention has also been given to this phase of the mineral industry in stratigraphic studies· in South­east Missouri.

State Geologist 25

In the eastern counlies of the State, unusual conditions prevail with reference to the occurrence of ground water, and particularly the quantity and quality of the supplies that may be obtained from the rock formations. As a result, field studies have been made from time lo time during the biennial period in these counties, in order lo properly advise interested parties in the development of water supplies. The limestones in this part of the Slale are used in the lime, cement and quarrying industries, and allention has also been paid to the possible dc­velopmenl of new quarries in this area.

Field work has been continued in various parts of the Ozark region of soulhern :Missouri and additional information con­cerning its complex slratigraphy has been obtained. It has been particularly valuable in connection with the extensive drilling that has been done in southern .Missouri during the past two years. A knowledge of the stratigraphy of the Ozark region is also of the greatest importance in the consideration of the ore deposits and particularly those that contain iron oxide, iron sulphide (pyrite-marcasite), clay, barite, lead and zinc.

OFFICE WORK AND STUDIES. In addition to the administrative office work necessary for

the operation of the Geological Survey, the results of field in­vestigations are compiled and analyzed in order to make them readily available to the public. A considerable number of maps pertaining to the economic resources of the State have been prepared in the office during the past biennial period. During this time, many unpublished and heretofore uncorrelated data have also been assembled in an endeavor to bring all the records of the Geological Survey up to dale. A considerable part of this work, and particularly the tabulation of ground water informa­tion, was made possible, during the year 1934, as a result of funds granted by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration.

It has also been possible during this biennial period to re­calculate and bring lo a common datum, the results of magne­tometer surveys in Missouri. This has made possible a com­parison and correlation of magnetic anomalies throughout the State. As previously · described, this work is of considerable importance in any study of the mineral deposits of Missouri.

In connection with lhe office work, an analysis has also been made of the production of minerals in this State and tabulations prepared for publication in this report. These statistics rep­resent an index to the mineral production of Missouri.

26 Biennial Report

Many years ago the Survey adopted a system whereby the occurrence of any mineral deposit studied in the field was re­corded by section, township and range. In the biennial period just closed, many additions have been made to this file as the result of the indexing of field notebooks. A great many requests are made annually to the Geological Survey for information regarding the mineral possibilities of various lands. In many instances, it is believed that information furnished by the Depart­ment has resulted in the retention of title to lands which other­wise would have been abandoned in order to escape the payment of taxes. Maps are being prepared in this connection, and it is hoped Lhat a complete classification of mineral bearing lands in this State eventually will be available for consultation.

A number of profiles have also been made from Highway plans prepared by the State Highway Commission. These profiles are used by field geologists in the preparation of geologic cross sections which, when finally completed, will furnish an adequate cross section of the geology along the state highways of the State.

The scenic features of Missouri are of great interest to tourists. Several years ago, the Geological Survey described the large springs in Missouri in a report which has been in con­siderable demand. During the last two years, work has been undertaken in an attempt to assemble all the known information regarding lhe caves of lhe State. Upon completion of this study it is planned to publish a report describing them.

A chemical laboratory is maintained in the office of the Geological Survey and, although a lack of Survey funds has prohibited the employment of a full-time chemist, considerable information of an analytical nature has been secured. The results of analyses of water samples from municipal water sup­plies made in cooperation with the State Board of IIealth, the analyses of the mineralized deep-well waters of Missouri, the study of the bleaching clays of Southeast Missouri, and the analyses of dolomite samples and other work of this laboratory have been of interest and great value.

A considerable portion of the work in the office and the chemical laboratory has been made possible as a result of the state-wide research program for unemployed, technically trained people, which has been sponsored by the Civil Works Admin­istration and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, and supervised by the Slate Geological Survey.

7 State Geologist 27

The office of the Survey also serves as a clearing-house for information regarding the mineral resources of the State, and a considerable volume of correspondence is handled annually. A great many maps, official reports, and other published data describing the mineral resources of Missouri, are also dis­tributed each year.

WATER RESOURCES INVESTIGATIONS.

The work of the State Geological Survey during the biennial period relating to the water resources of the State has consisted principally of a continuation of the stream flow investigations for use in water-power, flood-control, drainage, and water­supply developmenls. These investigations have been carried on, as in the past, in cooperation with the Water Resources Branch of the United States Geological Survey, which organiza­tion furnished trained personnel lo carry on the work, and during the biennial period contributed $17,800 to the cost of the regular operation work and $20,000 of Public Works Administration funds to improve the equipment at practically every gaging station in the State. Six new gaging stations were established, all at the request of cooperating parties. Six stations were dis­continued. At this time 96 gaging stations are being maintained on the principal streams of the State, at the places shown on an accompanying map. At most stations a local resident reads a gage once or twice a day to determine the height of the water. At 33 stations a continuous height record is obtained by means of recording gages. The engineers make measurements of the flow, or discharge, of the stream in terms of cubic feet per second, prepare rating curves and tables showing the flow for any gage height, and then compute from the daily gage heights the flow for each day of the year.

During the biennial period, the Geological Survey received many requests for stream flow records for use in pla~ning water­power, flood-conlrol, drainage, water-supply, and sewage-dis­posal developments, and new bridges for the State highway system. The stream flow records constitute important basic information necessary .for the design of these developments.

An accompanying map (Plate I in pocket) gives information pertaining to the existing and proposed hydro-electric develop­ments and resulting lakes in the State, which have a capacity of 150 horse-power or more each. A number of smaller existing plants, used mainly to operate grist mills, are not shown.

28 Biennial Report 7

FrounE 1. Map showing location of gaging stations.

The water-power plants on Osage River near Bagnell and Osceola and the one on Niangua River near Lebanon were completed during the past few years at a cost of about $36,-000,000. T heir design and construction were based upon the stream flow records collected by the Geological Survey. With­out such records, these plants could not have been built and the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks, with a length of 129 miles and an area of 61,000 acres (resulting from the construction of the Bagnell dam), could not have been created.

The severe economic depression of the past few years has temporarily halted the construction of water-power plants in the Stale. An active interest is still being shown, however, by the companies or associations which are planning or sponsoring the proposed developments. The Empire District Electric Company, Gasconade River Power Company, and Current River Power Company, are still holding the prelimjnary or final permits they obtained from the Federal Power Commission to install the plants, and are continuing to cooperate with the

State Geologist 29

Geological Survey in collecting the stream flow records upon which their projecls are to be based.

The Osage Development Association (an organization of citizens in the upper Osage River Valley) is actively urging the Federal Government to build the proposed dam on Osage River near Osceola for the purpose of flood control and power develop­ment. This dam would create a lake 106 miles long and with an area of 218,000 acres- more than three times as large as the Lake of the Ozarks. The upper end of the lake would be within 60 miles of Kansas City and thus would afford a very attractive and easily accessible center of recreation for the people living in that vicinity.

The Missoui·i Ozarks Development Association (an organiza­tion of representative citizens from the entire Ozark region of Missouri) is urging the Federal Government to build the proposed dam on Meramec River just above Meramec State Park near Sullivan. The principal purpose of this project is to provide a lake 40 miles long and with an area of 18,000 acres to serve as a center of recreation for the million people living in St. Louis and vicinity. The dam would also develop hydroelectric power.

At the present time there is a widespread interest in the development of water power and the resulting lakes. If the proposed projects (shown on the accompanying map) are not built by private capital, it is quite possible that a part or all of them may eventually be built by the Federal Government. The President has recently indicated that he favors extrnding to all parts of the country work similar to that now being done in the Tennessee River valley. If this is to be done, a fertile field for such work will exist in Missouri.

The stream flow records being collected by the Geological Survey would supply the necessary information for planning such projects, regardless of whether they were to be built by private or public capital. '

During the summer of 1934, there occurred the most severe drought in the climatological history of the State. Not only was the effect upon agriculture disastrous, but severe shortages in water for municipal supplies occurred. This was particularly lrue in lhe northern and central-westtrn parts of the State, where the water from deep wells is too highly mineralized to be suitable for domestic use and where, consequently, the towns find it desirable to get their supplies from the surface streams. On account of the greatly decreased flow of these streams many

30 Biennial Report

towns had to restrict the use of water and some had to augment their supplies from temporary outside sources. During this period the Geological Survey received many requests for in­formation about the flow of the streams from parties concerned with municipal and industrial water supplies. In order to be assured of an adequate supply of water in the future, some of these towns will have to increase the capacity of their storage reservoirs or obtain their supply from larger streams. The stream flow records being collected by the Geological Survey will be indispensable to the proper planning of such work.

During the past few years the City of Maryville has co­operated directly with the Geological Survey in collecting such records for ·water supply studits.

The stream flow records have also been used during the biennial period by engineers, city officials, and the State Board of Health, in studies relating to sewage disposal and stream pollution. The Geological Survey cooperated with the cities of Springfield and Joplin in collecting records of flow of nearby streams for these purposes.

The State Highway Department has made frequent use of the stream flow records in designing new bridges for the State highway system. In order to obtain more complete information the Highway Department assisted in establishing 17 new gaging stations and is now cooperating in the maintenance of these stations by furnishing the services of maintenance mm to read the gages and of engineers to help make flow measurements during periods of high water.

A wide public interest is being shown in the large springs of the Slate, and many requests are received for information regarding their flow. In order to be able to supply this informa­tion, the Geological Survey makes occasional measurements of the flow of all the larger springs. The Survey also cooperates with the Stale Game and Fish Department' in determining the daily flow of four large springs in State parks- namely, Big, Alley, Round, and Bennett Springs.

The United Stales Army Engineers arc making extensive improvements -on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers within the State of Missouri to provide navigation and stabilize the banks. In planning this work, they make frequent and thorough use of stream flow records. They are furnishing funds to the United States Geological Survey (with whom the State S'urvcy co­operates) to pay the cost of maintaining ten gaging stations

State Geologist 31

on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers within the State. During the biennial period they contributed $17,000 for this purpose.

The widespread interest through the State in the stream gaging work is evidenced by the large number of requests for the records and also by the amount of cooperation furnished by privale and public agencies interested in developing the streams for water power, flood control, drainage, water supply, bridge design, and other purposes. These agencies contribuled $4,900 during the biennial period in order lo assist in the ex­pansion of the work. This is exclusive of the funds contributed by the United States Geological Survey and the United Stales Army Engineers, and of the services furnished by the Slate Highway Depart.rp.ent and State Game and Fish Department, as noted above. The following list gives the names of those who cooperated and the number of gaging stations each helped to maintain during a part, or the whole, of the biennial period:

Missouri Highway Department...... . . .. ..... . .. ....... 17 Missouri Ga.me and Fish Department... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 United States Army Engineers.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 United States Weather Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O Little River Drainage District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Empire District Electric Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Union Electric Light and Power Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Current River Power Company.. .. .. . ........ 3 Gasconade River Power Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Missouri Electric Power Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 City of Maryville. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 City of Joplin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 City of Springfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Total.. . ........ . . .. .............. .. . . . . . ........ 55

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING.

The program of preparing an accurate topographic base map of Missouri has been continued without interruption during the biennial period 1933 and 1934, in co-operation with the United States Geological Survey and the Missouri State H ighway Com­mission.

Topographic mapping during that time has been done in 43 counties, and it is estimated that 4,275 square miles of new topography will be mapped by December 31, 1934. M uch of the work done has been in areas where such maps arc needed for many engineering and geological activities.

32 Biennial Report

In the preparation of topographic maps, primary Lraverse or control lines must be established in order to furnish accurate base lines and control points necessary for the adjustment of the maps into the scheme planned by the United States Geological Survey for the United States as a whole. Level lines or points of elevation also must be established.

In connection with the re-employment program of the Civil Works Administration, a state-wide engineering projecl for the purpose of surveying primary traverse and level lines, was organized and supervised by employees of both the Missouri Geological Survey and the United States Geological Survey. This program was highly successful and upon completion of the program of that Federal agency, the work was continued, but with a greatly restricted personnel, under the auspices of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration.

It is worthy of note that this program of establishing im­portant base lines had resulted in surveying to December 1, 1934, a total of 4,812 miles of primary traverse. During the same period 2,156 miles of accurate levels had also been es­tablished, and more than 500 square miles of topography were completed.

In order lo make the traverse and level lines immediately available for the program of topographic mapping in Missouri, it has been possible to mafntain, in connection with the project mentioned, a small computing section, the personnel of which has been engaged in checking and calculating the lines surveyed by field parties. On December 1, 1934, this section had com­pleted the compulations on 4,300 miles of traverse and 2,080 miles of levels. The results of this program of basic surveying are permanent. No additional work of this character will be necessary in the localities surveyed and the topographic mapping can now be emphasized in them.

The uses of topographic maps are many and varied. They form the basis for planning all developments of a physical nature and are widely used in the mineral industries, in geologiral mapping, in the sludy of water supplies, in the preliminary location of highways and railroads, in the study of hydro­electric developments, in flood control, and the drainage of lands, as well as in the broader aspects of civic and state planning.

•

+

lhENNJ.\L REPORT 1933-1934. PLATE II.

••,o•~ /// .J ~J_._._ __ _, ___ ...1. ___ _J__"'~_~ _ _JL_ ___ 1

Map showing ar('a,s surveyed t-0pog1·aphically to Janm•ry. 1935.

t,('l, .. (D--~ .. 1-u. ..... ~ ... (-..,_·""··t ...... "-~........_,, .. , -~ ~-IIC.- - • r- 1 .. u --~-·· ... ~ ..... ,....,."~--.... ...__t,to,.~i-ue -.--u~- ---., -~W.0.,(·1-·

:'::;i;~.::i,.~a-<Ol>flotOl'-JIUINt i,r. .......

-l'•lorttl

--·--" .. --ot't.­... ,-.c,,..,._'<M_,... .... 'O

••-~- tu.t l"·I-

Slate Geologist 33

It is worthy of note that the :.viissouri State Planning Board specifically recommends the continuance of topographic surveys in :.viissouri under the supervision of the State Geologist.

The topographic maps completed and published to December 31, 1934, are shown on the index map, Plate II facing page 33. The demand for the maps of areas surveyed has been the greatest in the history of the Geological Survey, and the request for the completion of maps in unsurveyed areas has been likewise large.

VALUE OF MINERAL PRODUCTION OF MISSOURI, 1925-1933.

Commodity. 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933

Lead concentrates. $32,112,009 $28,793,639 $23,636,893 $19,223,836 $21,130,453 $16,640,768 $9,898,703 $4,932,306 $4,135,573 Zinc concentrates 1,488,593 2,431,344 1,418,911 924,577 845,356 573,607 127,131 30,728 264,951 Coal ............. 8,281,000 8,950,984 8,698,000 9,637,000 9,778,000 8,967,033 7,248,000 6,654,000 6,175,000 Clay products ..... 18,544,117 18,259,171 17,225,214 16,073.334 15,319,000 13,212,081 7,010.925 3,897,558 5,572,752 Cement .......... 14,155,795 12,917,342 11,117,047 12,367,018 11,557,905 11,470,751 5,052,840 3,666,220 4,722,441 Limestone ........ 4,085,883 4,416,006 4,002,987 4,476,135 5,704,241 4,819,475 3,962,469 3,223,507 3,194,792 Marble ........... 1,439,604 1,446,983 1,108,159 1,425,060 932,471 851,337 553,761 402,939 248,822 Sand and gravel. .. 3,595,187 2,980,242 2,875,530 3,248,813 4,170,593 4,776,078 2,646,756 2,114,400 1,668,048 Lime ............ 1,860,244 1,428,412 1,437,140 1,398,843 1,401,090 1,861,605 835,914 526,488 597, 180 Lime, hydrated. . . 750,710 790,531 752,280 853,577 918,796 805,090 645,326 508,362 524, 11.5 Clay ............. 1,463,880 1,571,026 1,693,792 1,442,644 1,797,448 1,275,787 738,607 504,403 713,127 Chats ......... . .. 399,002 382,080 526,933 475,888 646,292 355,821 335,865 260,000 493,597 Barytes .......... 749,927 946,595 797,465 810,203 880,319 938,812 539,152 463,347 510,551 Copper ......... .. 1,718 150,780 59,081 9,360 394 22,958 (b} (b} (b)

Mineral waters .. .. 32,000 41,955 29,452 (a) (a) 20,025 (b) (b) (b)

Tripoli-Silica . ..... (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) Iron ore .......... (a) 532,536 (a) (a) 661,055 508,354 337,144 72,144 (a) Granite ..... . .... 137 ,348 _ (a) 90,133 69,707 54,642 48,599 38,591 6,544 12,480 Silver ......... . .. 57,538 56,160 132,638 103,451 96,813 65,531 11,600 318 (b)

Sandstone ....... . (b} (b} (b) (a) 322,508 288,120 158,485 112,337 21,477 Natural gas ....... 3,100 (b} (b) (b} 25,920 85,120 122 ,720 82,016 59,224 Pottery .......... 77,090 56,684 69,849 (c) (c) (c) (b} (c) (c)

Miscellaneous (a) .. 327,289 328,585 559,962 579,190 141,170 239,663 192,243 131,159 221,357

Totals ........ $89,562,034 $86,481,055 $76,231,465 $72,539,446 $76,384,466 $67,826,615 $40,456,232 $27,588,816 $29,135,487

(a) Miscellaneous includes, besides items noted, Miscellaneous Stone, 1925-1933, Pyrite in 1932 and 1933, and Asphaltic Sandstone in 1932 and 1933.

(b) No production reported. (c) Included with Clay products.

CHAPTER II

MINERAL PRODUCTION OF MISSOURI. By H. S. McQUEEN and J. G. GROHSKOPF.

The Slate of Missouri is an important contributor each yea·r to the total value of the minerals produced, and in 1932 ranked fourteenth among the slates of the Union, the Territory of Alaska, and the Dislricl of Columbia. It ranked first in quantity and value for the production of lead, chats and barite, and third with regard to the quantity and value for lime. IL also ranked third in the production of raw clay. The principal mineral products of Missouri, in the order of their value in 1932, were coal, lead, stone and cement.

In 1933, Missouri held relatively the same position, nation­ally, for the production of minerals and the materials listed above. The statistics covering the production and value of the mineral resources of the State are an index to conditions within those industries, and it is interesting to note that there was an increase during the year 1933 in the value of several products, among ·which were lime, clay, granite, barite, pyrite, cement, lripoli, silica and miscellaneous stone.

The total value of the output for the State is shown on a preceding page. Statistics of production, and a summary of the conditions of each branch of the mineral industry in this State, are given on succeeding pages. These figures have been collected in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Mines, Washington, D. C., and in some cases have been taken, together with other information, from the annual publication of that Department, Minerals Year Book.

A resume of the mineral industry of Missouri follows:

ASPHALTIC SANDSTONE.

In 1932 the Sla~e Highway Commission became interested in the use of asphaltic sandstone in connection with road building and awarded contracts to several firms for material to be used in test sections constructed on certain roads in the southwest part of Missouri. As a result a number of deposits were operated in Barton, Cedar, and Vernon Counties.

(35 l

36 Biennial Report

In 1932, 7,598 tons with a value of $41,326 were mined and used chiefly in the test sections mentioned. There was a marked decrease in production, however, in 1933, when 3,979 tons wi lh a value of $20,890 was mined.

The asphaltic sandstone deposits of :.Vlissouri have been described in several reports published by lhe Missouri Geological Survey and copies of lhcm may be had upon requesL. This road surfacing material outcrops at many places in lhe counties menlioned, where it is obtained from comparatively shallow pils.

BARITE. The State of Missouri ranked first among the States of the

union in Lhe produclion and value of barite during the years 1932 and 1933, and in the former year, produced 65.2 per cent and in the latler, 67 per cent of the nation's total.

It is interesting to note that in 1933 the production of barite was 112,335 short tons which represent an increase in the tonnage produced in 1931 and 1932. The 1933 production was not as large as the record of 132,640 short tons in 1930, but compares favorably with Lhat of other years. The following figures in­dicate the production of this mineral from the years 1931 to 1933 inclusive.

PRODUCTION AND VALUE OF BARITE, 1931-19:13

1931.. 1932. 19;33_ ....

Short 'l'ons 93,417 88,409

112,335

Value $539,152 463,347 510,551

The largest tonnage of barile produced in this State comes from the Potosi district, which includes parts of Washinglon, Jefferson an<l St. Francois counties. Some barite is also produced in Cole, Camden, Franklin, Hickory, Morgan, Moniteau and :\'liller counties.

Because of the cheapness and abundance of hand labor it was uneconomical to mine by mechanical methods and large scale operations were not in general use during the past two years. This is also reflected in the price of the Missouri material, which is lower per ton than that mined in Georgia and Tennessee. Early in 1934, a reduction in freighl rates from $9.00 to $5.85 per short ton, on shipments consigned lo Lhe Atlantic· seaboard was made, which should result in an increase in production and sales in Missouri ore-.

Stale Geologist 37

The chief uses of this mineral are: as an ingredient in pig­ments; as a filler in rubber goods, oil cloth, linoleum and paper; and in lhe preparation of a heavy sludge in oil and gas wells, which are drilled by rolary methods.

A report describing the Geology of the Polosi disLricl has been published by this Department and describes Lhe mining, mode of occurencc, and size of the deposits of barite in Mis­souri. Copies may be obtained by writing to the State Geologist.

CEMENT

This indispensable material of construction is made by burning a mixture of crushed limestone and shale or clay in kilns. The ideal location for a cemcnl plant depends upon the avail­ability of an abundance of raw material, cheap fuel, and trans­portation facilities. Wilh lhe exception of the Ozark region, the State has many places in which this combination of con­ditions are present.

There are five plants in Missouri in which cement is manu­factured at present. Two of them are located in the SL. Louis industrial district where, the limestones of Lhe SL. Louis forma­tion of Mississippian age, the shales of the Cherokee formalion of Pennsylvanian age, and Pleistocene loess are used. The lime­slones and shales of the Kansas City formation of Pennsylvanian age are used in the plant at Kansas City. At Hannibal, lime­stone from the Burlington formation, and shale from the Grassy Creek formation, both of .Mississippian age, are used. At Cape Girardeau, alluvial clay from the flood plain of Mississippi River is used wilh Plattin limeslonc of Ordovician age.

Because of certain specifications required for cements used in Federal Public 'Norks construction, new types are being made. They are sulphate-resisting and have a low heat of hydration. In addition to the raw material mentioned above, iron ore and "iron band" diaspore clay are used in their manu­facture.

In 1932 cement sales Lotaled 4,846,871 barrels valued at $3,666,220. During 1933, sales decreased to 3,994,690 barrels valued at S4, 722,441, which represents decrease of both quantity and value compared to 1931. However, the value for 1933 was greater Lhan Lhat for 1932, and although lhe quantity was less, it reflects an increase in the unit price.

A report describing this industry in Missouri may be had by applying to this Department.

38 Biennial Report

Clay and Clay Products

The clay deposiLs of Missouri range from deposits of clay and shale suitable for use in the manufacture of fire brick to diaspore or high alumina clay which is used in the manufacture of high grade refractories.

The State has extensive deposits of fire clay and is one of the leading States in the production of raw clay and in the manu­facture of various types of fire brick and refractories. The production of plastic fire clay contributes largely to the total production of clay each year. Deposits of this type are mined in the St. Louis district and in Audrain, Callaway and Mont­gomery counties, in east central Missouri.

In 1932, the total value of this clay was $390,549, but in 1933, an increase was noted, the value of the production being $527,769. This figure compared favorably with the figure, $525,429, which represented the value of the production of this clay in 1930.

Flint fire clays are oblained chiefly in the norlhern portion of the Ozark region . of southern Missouri. This type of clay is utilized in the manufacture of fire brick, and the value of the annual production represents a considerable contribution to the total value of all clays produced within the State. In 1932, the total value of flint fire clay produced in Missouri amounted to $56,655. Marked increase in the value of the production was noted in 1933, when a value of $127,037 was reported.

The deposits of di as pore clay which are found in the northern portion of the Ozark region are the only deposits of commercial importance developed to date in North America. This clay is used in the manufacture of high alumina refractories and the value of the production reported for 1932 and 1933 was $51,798 and $53,485 respectively. This clay and the associated flint fire clays are the subject of a special report ,vhich appears as an appendix to this publication.

The Slate also has deposits of other clays, and among them may be mentioned the poltery and chinaware clays of Southeast Missouri. At ~he presenl time these clays are being studied by the Missouri Geological Survey in an effort to determine new uses and to furnish information that will be of value in connec­tion with lhe present utilization of this type of clay.

Shales and clays are found in many portions of the State and are used in the manufacture of common brick, hollow build­ing tile, drain tile and terra cotta.

State Geologist 39

The manufacture of clay products is an important industry in Missouri, and the value of the production is an important factor in the annual mineral production of the State as is in­dicated by the figures for 1932 and 1933, when the production was valued at $3,897,558 and $5,572,752 respectively. The manu­facture of fire brick contributes the largest sum to the annual value of clay products manufactured in Missouri.

The State Geological Survey has published maps and data relative to the clay industry, copies of which are available for distribution.

COAL Among the coal producing states, Missouri ranked eleventh

in 1932 and thirteenth in 1933. Coal became the ranking mineral from the standpoint of value in this State in both years, surpassing lead which had been the dominant mineral for many years; althoughl here was no increase in the production of coal, the industry suffered only a small decline probably because its markets are local, and lhe consumption is comparatively stable.

The coal beds of Missouri, while they are not as thick as those of other States, are very persistent over large areas. In the southwestern part of the State, most of the coal is mined by open pit methods. In the north central region, mosl of the mining is underground.

In 1932, 4,069,598 tons of coal with a value of $6,654,000, was mined. There was a slight decrease in 1933 when 3,432,212 tons valued at $6,175,000 was produced. In 1932, coal was mined in 27 counties in the State; of this number, six counties, Barton, Lafayette, Henry, Bates, Randolph, and Ray, produced 79 percenlof the tot~.

COPPER, COBALT AND NICKEL A small amount of copper is obtained from the matte

recovered in the smelting of Southeast Missouri lead concen­trates. None was reported for 1932, but in 1933, 181,703 pounds were recovered. None of this is reported lo have been shipped, so that it is no l included in the table of mineral values for that year.

Copper is known to occur in Ste. Genevieve and Shannon counties, but no mining activities have been reported during the past two years. The deposits worked in the past appear to be limited in size. They have been described in Volumes XXII and XXIV of the Missouri Geplogical Survey.

40 Biennial Report

Cobalt and nickel ores have been worked in the Frederick­town area in Madison County, but these properties are not being mined at the present time.

GAS AND OIL

During the biennial period, 1933-34, there were 201 wells drilled for gas and oil in iviissouri. Of these there were 90 gas wells with a total initial open flow of 26,033,256 cubic feet, 10 were oil wells with an initial daily production of 100 barrels and 101 were completed as dry holes.

Two reports describing the producing areas were published in the 57th biennial report of the Survey (1931-32) and Appendix III of this report covers the activities of the present biennial period. Appendix II of this report describes an undeveloped area in Andrew County.

During the year 1933 the production of natural gas in Mis­souri, according to the U. S. Bureau of Mines, amounted to 673,000,000 cubic feet, with an average value at the well of 8.8 cents per thousand rubic feel, or $59,224 for the year. This comparc>s with 932,000,000 cubic feet, with a value of $82,016 in 1932.

There were approximately 100 oil wells on Lhe pump in Jackson and Cass counties at the end of 1934, wiLh an output ranging from one-half barrel to 25 barrels per well per day. One lease with 13 wells has produced a little more than 50,000 barrels in 5 years, or an average of a trifle more than two barrels per well per day. An estimate of 150 barrels per day is believed to be conservative. The oil is sold for fuel in Kansas City.

IRON ORES

During Lhe latter part of 1932, the furnace of the St. Louis Gas and Coke Company went out of blast. , As it has been the only profitable market for :Missouri furnace ores, mining opera­tions and production have decreased very materially. Small amounts of ore suitable for lhe open-hear lh process were shipped Lo Granite CiLy, Illinois. This was mostly surface ore and the bulk of it came from Iron .Mountain. Several carloads of low grade brown ore were used in the manufacture of cemenl.

The sales of ore during 1932 totaled 25,418 long tons valued at $72,144. The production during 1933 was very small and ca.nnoL be given, as less than three producers shipped ·an of the ore thal was mined.

State Geologist 41

This deparlment has in its files much unpublished informa­tion on iron ores, such as magnetic surveys and mine rtporls. When the market re-opens, this information will be of value lo anyone interested, and is available for inspection in the offices at this Department.

LEAD

The Bonne Terre-Flat River lead district in southeastern Missouri is the largest lead producing dislrict in the United States. The lead industry has been affected by the low prices prevailing in the past two years and as a result production has been greatly curtailed. It is interesting to note, however, that this district produced 31 per cent of the metallic lead smelted in Lhis country in 1933 and ranked firsl in that respecl.

The ore consists chie(ly of galena (lead sulphide), which is clisseminaled in the Bonneterre formation of Upper Cambrian age. IL carries wilh it some silver and copper which are recovered in the refining and smelting operations. Sphalcrite (zinc sul­phide) occurs with the galena in small amounts.r

The Joplin clislricl contributes some lead to the State's production where the ore minerals are lead sulphide and lead carbonate (cerrusitc), and are found in cherty limestones of Mississippian age. The following table shows the value of lead concentrates produced in both parts of the state:

VALUE OF LBAD CONCEK'l'RA'l'ES

1932 1933

Southeast Missouri (Galena). . . . . . S4, 891,978 $4,081,486 Southwest Missouri (Galena and Cerrusite). . . . . 40,328 54,087

Totals . . $4,932,306 $4,135,573

The tolal short tons of metallic lead production in 1932 was 117,159 tons valued at $7,029,540. During 1933, production conlinued to decline and 8,1,980 short tons of metallic lead, valued at $6,288,520, was produced.

The concentrates produced from ore mined in Southwest Missouri contained 4.36 and 4.67 per cent galena in 1932 and 1933 respectively. The lead content of the galena concentrates

42 Biennial Report

was 72.4 per cent in 1932 and 73.7 per cent in 1933. The average value per ton of concentrates was $30.01 in 1932, and advanced to $35.12 in 1933.

PYRITE AND MARCASITE

During 1932 and 1933, considerable interest was manifested in the search for, and mining of, iron sulphide. This ore is roasted and the fumes driven off are converted into sulphuric acid. The Evans-Wallower Zinc Company produced 9,258 tons in 1932, and furnished sulphur dioxide gas to chemical plants in the St. Louis industrial district. The entrance of the Titanium Pigment Company into the field as a consumer has increased the demand for pyrite or marcasite. The price increased from $3.00 to $3. 70 per ton F. 0. B. St. Louis, for ore containing 45 per cent sulphur. A bonus of 12 cents per ton is paid for each per cent above this base figure.

In 1933, the Hobo Mine near Bourbon, and the Cherry Valley Mines near Steelville, both in Crawford County, were placed in production. Much prospecting was done during 1933, with the aid of the Geological Survey, and unpublished informa­tion in the files of this Department has been of value in the development of mines or the search for prospects. There has been considerable development work on old properties during the past year and more mines will doubtless be developed in the near future, as a result of the increased demand.

The ore is found in filled sink holes which occur near lhe contact of the Roubidoux and Gasconade formations. If the sink holes are located near the bottom of a valley, they may be entirely filled with pyrite or marcasite. If they are located on a ridge, they may contain pyrite or marcasite in the lower portion of the sink, and iron ore, which has resulted from oxidation of these minerals in the upper portion. For Lhi's reason, many old and abandoned iron mines which are favorably located topographi­cally, may contain the unoxidized sulphides. This is actually the case in some mines now operating. The mining operations are on a small scale and all the mines now operating are worked by underground melhods.

The following figures show that the production is small but they indicate the trend in this industry. In 1932 the production was 3,958 long tons; in 1933 the tonnage increased fo 18,355 with a value of $50,161.

State Geologist 43

SILVER

The silver reported as produced from this State is recovered in the refining of the lead from the Flat River-Bonne Terre dis­trict. The lead carries between one and two ounces of silver to the ton. For the year 1932, 1,128 fine ounces of silver valued at S318 was reported. No silver production was reporled for 1933.

Silver bearing galena, which carried from 35 to 50 ounces of silver per ton was formerly mined at Lhe Einstein mine in Madison County. This mine was the subject of a special report, Appendix I of the Biennial Report to the 57th General Assembly, copies of which may be had by applying to the Direclor of the Slate Geological Survey.

LIME

Limestone suitable for the manufacture of lime is found in many portions of this State. The plants at Ste. Genevieve use the oolitic Spergen limestone for their material. Plants at Ash Grove, Galloway, H annibal, Osceola and Pierce City utilize the Burlington limestone. The Kimmswick limestone is burned in the lime kilns at Glencoe.

This Stale ranked third among the lime producing States in 1932 and 1933. T he production of lime ranked seventh in the State's mineral production for the years mentioned. In 1932, the value of lime produced was $1,034,850, and in 1933 the value was $1,117,000. During 1932, 74 kilns were in opera­tion.

Although the chief uses of lime produced in this State are in the building and chemical industries, a portion of the total production is used each year in glass works, agriculture, paper mills, sugar refineries, tanneries, refractories, metallurgical plants, and in the purification of water supplies.

This Department has published a report describing this industry, and has also issued a publication describing the lime industry in Ste. Genevieve County.

MINERAL WATERS

Missouri has many springs and wells that yield waters which contain dissolved mineral matter in such quantities that they are considered to be of medicinal or therapeutic value. Health and recreation resorts have been built at some of these localities.

Biennial Report

Two of the more prominent healLh centers are Excelsior Springs in Clay County and Eldorado Springs in Cedar County. Other springs and wells yielding mineral waters arc near Seligman, Barry County; Chouleau Springs, Cooper County; DeSoto, Jefferson County; Kansas City, Jackson County; Princeton, Mercer County; Bowling Green, Pike County; St. Louis, Cily and Counly; and Sweet Springs, Saline County. Figures show­ing total sales of this commodity are not available, as much of the waler is sold locally and no accurate records are kept.

STONE

Limeslone, sandslone, marble, granite, silica, tripoli, and miscellaneous stone' arc quarried extensively in Missouri and each year contribute malerially to Lhe S tale's mineral production. In 1932, Lhis branch of the mineral induslry produced slone valued at $4,127,234 and Lhe product was Lhird in rank in Lhe list of minerals produced. The value in 1933 was very close Lo that of 1932, being $4,141,164. The various branches of this industry are discussed under separate headings on the following pages.

LIMESTONE The production of limestone constitutes the fifth largest

mineral industry in the State. In 1932 the value of the lime­stone produced was $3,223,507, lhe figures for 1933, S3,194,792 show but little change. This industry is described in a special report of the Geological Survey which may be obtained from the Director. l\.Jost of the material is used in general construction work. Hiprap and revetment work on Missouri and Mississippi rivers consumed a considerable part of the total. Limestone was used in road work and for railroad ballast; as a flux in glass manufacture; for agricultural purposes, meµ10rial sloncs, and whiting; in sugar refineries; and as a filler in rubber and painl.

MARBLE An attractive fossiliferous marble, of Devonian age, is

quarried near Ozora in Ste. Genevieve County. This stone takes a high polish and is in great demand for interior decorating purposes. The marbles of Mississippian age from Carthage, Phenix, and Joplin, are used in both exterior and interior con­struction. The value of the output was $402,939 in 1932, and

Stale Geologist '45

$248,822 in 1933. Missouri ranked fifth among Lhe nation's marble producing Stales in 1933. The Survey has published several reports describing the marble deposits and copies of Lhem arc available for distribution.

GRANITE The "Elephant Rocks" al Graniteville in Iron County are

familiar to many residents and tourists of the State. They arc composed of red granite of lhe type which is quarried in this part of the Stale and used as monumental slonc, archiLecLural stone, paving blocks, riprap, and road building. The value of the stone produced in 1932 was S6,54'1 and in 1933 il was $12,480. These deposits have been described in a reporl of the Stale Geological Survey.

CHATS Chats are a by-product obtained in the milling of lead and

zinc ores. The material from the Joplin district is chiefly flint or chert and is use<l for railroad ballasl and in road making. In the southeast lead disl ricl, l hey consist of dolomite or magnesian limestone and arc used as agricultural lime, in road building, and as railroad ballasl. The value of production was $260,000 in 1932 and $493,597 in 19:)3.

SANDSTONE The chief use of this material in the State is for riprap work

along ilissouri River. All of the reported production in 1932 was from Carroll County where sands!one yalued al $112,337 was obtaiMd. The State total represented 7.2 per cent of the total production for the United States. In 1933 the value was £21,,177.

SAND AND GRAVEL The sand and gravel industry ranks sixth in the mineral

production of lhe State. In 1932, 3,526,373 short tons was pro­duced and valued at $2,114,440. In 1933, the production was 3,434.,54.0 shorl tons, valued al SI ,GG8,048.

:\!any of the stream valleys of the Ozark region conlain large quantities of sand and gravel ,, hich arc suitable for building and road-making purposes, and have been an imporlanl source of material for the building of farm-lo-market -roads during the past two years.

•

46 Biennial Report 7

The St. Peter sandstone, which outcrops in the eastern part of the State is very pure and average analyses of many samples show that it contains 99 per cent silica with about 0.1 percent iron oxide. It is used in glass making, for core and moulding sand, for furnace linings, and for the manufacture of refractory brick.

A report which covers these materials in great detail has been published by this Department, and copies may be had upon request.

TRIPOLI This mineral is mined from deposits near Seneca in Newton

County. It is a dense, rock-like material which occurs near the surface and overlies the siliceous limestones of Mississippian age. The deposils average from 10 to 15 feet in thickness, and the overburden is usually less than 10 feet thick. This makes the mineral available for strip mining, which is the method used in all the deposits.

The material is ground in mills at Seneca and Carthage. It is used for abrasive purposes, in scouring and polishing powders, for foundry facings, as a filler in hard rubber, as a pouncing powder, as an admixture in concrete, and as a water filter.

Because there were less than three producers, the produc­tion figures cannot be revealed and they are included with lhe miscellaneous items in lhe table at the beginning of this chapter.

ZINC The Southwest Missouri district produced almost all of the

zinc ore obtained in this Stale in 1932 and 1933. A small ton­nage was also produced in Central and Southeast Missouri. The following table shows the production of zinc concentrates during 1932 and 1933.

ZINC CONCENTRATES PRODUCED IN 1932

Mineral in District Concentrates Tons Value

Southwest. . . . . ' . . . . . . . . . . . . Sphalerite .. ... . .... 1,538 $25,180 Southwest. ..... . . . .. . ... ... Silicate .. . . . . . ' . .. ... 404 4,248 Southeast and Central. . . . . . ... Sphalerite . . . ......... 80 1,300

Totals ... .......... . .. ... . . . . . . . . . . ' . . .. . .. .. . 2,022 S30,728

State Geologist

ZINC CONCENTRATES PRODUCED IN 1933

District

Southwost . ......... . .. . Southwest .. . ...... . .. . Sou th east and Central. . ... . .. .

Mineral in Concentrates

Sphalorite .. . ...... . Silicate .. . .. . ...... .

Totals . ... . .. .... .. . ... .... .. ..... .. .... . .... .

Tons

8 ,798 1 ,325

10,123

47

Value

$245,064 19,887

$264,951

The per cent of zinc concentrates in the ore was 4.69 in 1932 and 4.51 in 1933.

The metal content of the ore was 2.60 and 2.51 per cent in 1932 and 1933 respectively. The average zinc content of lhc sphalcrile concentrates was 59.9 per cent in 1932 and 59.8 percent in 1933.

During 1932, 986 tons of melallic zinc was produced, with a total value of S59, 160. An appreciable increase was noted during 1933, when 5,042 tons of metallic zinc, wilh a value of $423,528, was produced. The average price per ton of sphaleri te concentrates increased from S16.37 in 1932 Lo S27.85 in 1933.

48 Biennial RepOI'i

l<'TNANCTAL STA'l'J;}MENT FOR 1933-1934- GEOLOGV.

1933.

TI.A.Bu~!~.. . ...... . H. S. l\foQuoen ...... . F. C. Groene .. . C. D. Gleason ....... . John Grohskopf C. 0. Reinoehl. Willard l<'arrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . ....... . . V. 'l'. Allen ... . R. T. Rolufs ... ... . Dorothy Shaver .. . E. E . Hawkins. Jean I. l\foCaw ..... Student labor Office (miscellaneous supplies). J;'irestone Tire and Rubber Co . J<,. B. Powell Lumher Co. Rolla Motor Co. l\fidland Printing Co .... Ru th Glass Co .. Keuffel & Esser Co. . . ....... ... .. . A. A. Smith, Postmaster .... .... . .......... .

IT. A. Buehler .. . H. S. McQueen .. . F. C. Greene ..... . C. D. Gleason ...... . John G1·ohskopf . C. 0. Reinoehl. .. Willard J<'arrar .. V. 'l'. Allen R. 'r. Rolufs .. G. T. :Vfcintyre ..... . E. E. Hawkins. . . Jea.n l. l\foCaw. . . . . . ... Student labor. Office (miscellaneous supplies). Ruth Glass Co .. Moser & Suor ..... · .... . Ameriean Star C'ork Co. Keuffel & Esser Co . ..

1934.

lVIidland Printing Co. . . . . . . . . . . .. ..... .. . . F. Weber Co..... . ...... .. Central Scientific Co. . . .. . .......... . .. . . . Standard Electric Stove C'o ........... .

$4,823.60 4,116. :31 2,495.16 1,812.30 1. 521. 34 2,276.35 1,669.46

366.40 330.00 513.75

1,258.40 1,421.50

766.28 641. 53

84.GO 38.59 87.77 58.71

120.00 51.85

199.64

$24,653.54

$1,452.59 4,110.87 3,493.10 1,834. 15

703.10 2,011.88 1,845.55

180.00 26.00

947 .77 1,233.53 1,395.00

344 97 683.51

66 .77 10.05 14.82

244.59 46.58

7 . 03 18.39 22.00

State Geologist 49

FINAKCIAL STA'l'gMEN'l' l<'OH 1!)34- 0EOLOGY- Continued.

Bemis Bros. Bag Co ... . Underwood Elliot t J<'isher Co .... ....... . Union Oil Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... .. . Goodrich Tire & Rubber Co. . . ... . .. . Sieberling Rubber Co. . . .. . .. . . .. . .. . .. . . . Valley Bag Co . . . Hevi Duty Electric Co .. .. . .. . Goodyear 'l'irc & Hubber Co .. Kee Lox Mfg. C'o .. .. . . .. . Heil Chemical Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . .. . . .Millard-Heath Chemical Co. Monsanto Chemical Co ... American Askania Corporation .. Baker & Company, Inc . . .. . A. A. Smith, Postmaster . . . .. .. . . Corcoran Motor Co ... Rolla Motor Co. . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . .. . .. . . . . Armstrong Cork Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ..... .... .. .. . . . . .

$19 . 40 107. 55 16.39 62.56 96.76

301 .91 13.98 3'1.52

7 00 112.89 46.78 51.30 35.32 9.47

400 .44 406 . 31 188.26 11. 94

•$22,615 .03

FINANCIAL STA'l'EMEN'I' I•'OR 1933-1934-WATER RESOURCES.

19:33.

H . C. Beckman . . . . Computers .. . C. H. Jennings. John Grohskopf Dorothy Shaver . . Rolla Mot.or Co ..

H. C. Beckman .. . . .. . . ... . Gage Readers. . . . . . . . . . . . C. H. Jennings .. John Grohskopf. Dorothy Shaver .. R. T. Chapman . L. H. Green ....

1934.

*Does not include cost of printing 58th Biennial Report.

$417.75 1,085.33 1, -iOl. 34

418.50 350.25 525.87

$4,205.04

$1,761.16 1,583.53 1,416.88

976.50 854.75 279.84

18.20

$6,890.86

50 Biennial Report 7

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 1933-1934-TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING.

1933.

C. L. Sadler ..... ... ....... . . . . . .. . ... . .. . .. ..... . ...... . J. B. Leavitt..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . Jas. M. Rawls . . . . . . . . . ........................... . H.P. Jones..... . .. ..... . .. . ... . .... . ... . S. T. Penick .... . . .. . . .... .. .. . . . ..... . . .. .. .. .. . . . . . J. P. Rydeen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . .. .... . ...... . C. D. Mitnhell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. .... . J. G. Goninger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . .... ...... . J.B. Leachman.... ... . . . . . .. . .. . .. .. .. . . . .. . . .... . W. R. Broaddus ....... . .. . .. ... . .......... .. . ...... . ... . . T. V. Cummins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... .. .. .. . . .. . ..... .. . F. L. Whaley ... .. . ..... . . . ....... .. . .. . . ......... . .. . .. . J. M. Lawson.. . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. .. . .. ... . ... ... .. . . H. D. Walker... . ... . . ...... ... . . . .. . . ....... . . . G. N. Tex... . . . . ... .. ........ . . . .. . .. ...... . W. A. Tingey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... .. .. . .......... . J.M. Holmes .... . .. . . ... .... . .... .. .. .. . . . M. J. Harden.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. ... . ... .. . . .. . ... . L. A. Cassil .. . .. ... ....... .. . ... .. .. . . .. . 1'1 • S. Kuehnel. ............ . .. . . . . .... . .. .. . D. Kennedy. . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . .. . J. A. Shumate .. .. .. ... . ...... .... .

1934.

C. L. Sadler .... . . .. . .. . . ... . . ... . ...... . . .. . .. . .. . . . J. B. Leavitt... . . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . ..... .. . . Jas. M. Rawls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . .... . . . H. P. Jones.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .... . . .. .. . S. T. Penick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... .. . ... . J.P. Rydeen. . .. . . . . . ............ . . . . .......... . . . . . C. D. Mitchell.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... .. . . . , .. ..... . W. A. Tingey.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .... . J.M. Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . ..... .. . L. A. Cassil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . .. . D. Kennedy .... . . .. .. . .. . . . ... ..... . .. . .. .. . G. N. Tex... . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. .. . . ... .......... . D. E. Crangle. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ .... . F. L. Whaley. . . .. . .. .... . . .... . ..... .. . . . Tell 'I'. White.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . ...... ... . R. W. Blackburn ........ . ... . .. . .... .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . F. H. Nelson..... . . . .. . . ...... .. . . . . .. . . .. . F. W. Hughes .... . .................... . .. . .... . . . ... . F. S. Kuehnel. .............................. . .. .. ....... . W. R. Broaddus . ..... ... . ....... . ............ . . .. . ...... .

•

$114. 96 124.25 178. 90 104.11 265.06 220.54 160.08 110. 63 64.19

383.21 25.81

441.66 297.53

59.24 35.99

161.75 149.92 107.79 749.04 231.64 101. 00 82.75

$4,170.05

Sl,129.42 51. 74 11. 79

529.21 356.99

1,493.40 739.82 726.37 513.67 317.60 198.61

8.98 24 .26

542.20 153.81 474.03 133 .94 119. 27 300.36

1,289.08

State Geologist 51

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 1933-1934-Continued.

M. J. Harden .. .... . ..... ... .... . ... . C. A. Killian.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . ....... . . . . . . B. D. Harsha . . . . . . . ... . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .... . . . J. A. Shumate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . ... . J. B. Leachman . . . . . . . . ... . . .. . . .. . .. . . . .. . S. B. 0 Hara .. .. . . . . .. . .... .. . .. .. . . . .. . . .... . B. J. Munroe, Jr .. .. . . . .. .. .... .... . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . . . J. G. Groninger. . . . . . ... . .. ...... . ...... . . .. . .. . .

1,078.16 728.22 542.45 580.59 689 .72 475.66 57.73

168.10

$13,435.18

52 Biennial Report

PUBLICATIONS OF THE MISSOURI GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND WATER RESOURCES.

The following is a complele list of Lhe publications issued by the present and former Geological Surveys. The reporls of the second series are given 11rst as some of them arc available for dislribution. A majority of those listed under the hcad;ng of former Surveys arc exhausted. The volumes available are distributed at the prices indicated in the list.

The Biennial Reports are distributed al a uniform charge of 10 cents each. Remillances for puhiicalions should be made in stamps.

The reports available for distribution may be obtained upon application to II. A. Buehler, State G-eologist, Holla, Missouri.

Vol. No. 2nd series. I. *Geology of Miller County, by KR. Buckley, A. 1" . Smith and S. H. Hall. xvi +207

pp., .X \" 1 ll pis., including geologic map. 56 figs. l!J03. Describes the topo"raphy, g<>n,,ral gMlogy, and min<'ral resources of :.\Iiller County, l\To.

II. The Quarrying Industry of :\liss0uri, b) K I{. Huckl<'y and H. A. Buchl!'r. xv ""--371 pp .. LIX pJs., including g!'ologic map of '.\1issouri. 1901. DiscuSS<'S prop<>rties, geology. distribution and laboratory tl·sts of :\lissouri gran­ites, rhyolit!'s, limcston<•s and sand><tOll<'s and <!<'scribes tile <1niwries from which they arc obtained. Prier, 50c.

JH. The Geology of Moniteau County, by F. n. Yan Horn. ix + 10-1 pp., '<fll pis., in-cluding geologic map, 2,j figs. HIO,,. Describes the topography, genc>ral geology and mitwral resources of \fouiteau County, (\lo. Price 25c.

JV. Geology of the Granby J\r<>a, by lC. R. Buckley and If. A. Duehkr, viii + 120 pp .. XLl I pis., including gcm·ral g,•ologic, lOJ)ographi<' and ou1 crop maps, 3 figs. 1!106. Describes tlw geiwral i,,;\'ology. occur!'nce of lead and zinc ores of the Granby Arca in Newt 011 County. :-fo .. and ctiscuss,•s the genesis of the ores of southwest,ern :1-fissouri. Price 25c.

Y. •Public Hoads. th<•ir impro\"(•nwnt and maint,:,nanc-c hy E. R. Dnckl!'y. xiii + 124 pp .. XXX pis. 1907. Contains sp!'ciflcations for building roacls, dirPctions for their construction, im­provf'mont and upkeep, a chaptl'r on road materials, etc.

VI. The Lime and Cement Resources of Missouri, by H, A. Bu,'hlcr, xd + 2:;.:, pp .. .XXXVI pls., including a gf'ologic map of \·lissouri, showing location of Jim!' and cement plants. 1907. Price 2.5c. Oiscusses properties, manufacturl' aud production of lime and cement, the distri­bution of lime and ccm<'nt rf'sourccs by count,ics. including analyses and a chapter on f11P geoloirical formations of l\Jis,ourJ ;111<1 their composition.

VJJ. The Geology of Morgan Count~, by C. P. Marbut, xiv + 97 pp., XIX pis. , inclucling a geologic map ol' l\lorgan County, J.9 figs. 1908. Price 25c. Describes the topography. p;rn<'ral geology and niln<'ral resourcPs of :\!organ County, Mo.

VIII. *1'hc Geology of l'ikf' County. by R.R. Rowley, xiv + 122 pp., XX pis., 1~ figs., geologic map of Pike County. 1908. DPscribes tho topography, general gpoJogy. mineral resources and pakontology of Pik<' County, l\fo.

*Out of print.

Vol. No. 2nd series.

State Geologist 53

TX. *Geology of the Dis.seminatcd Lead DeposHs ot· St. l<'rancols and ,vashlngton coun-ties, by 1<;. R Buckley, 2 pts.; pt. 1, xvi + 2.'iO pp., pis. 1-Xxxrx. 10 figs., pt. 2, pis. XL-CXXJ, inchicllng a g<'neral geologic map of southeast.f'rn Missouri. 1909. Discusses location, history, production, pJ1ysiogmphy, general geological history, slrt1cturc, n1incs, ores, genesis of tho or<>s of soutlwast<>rn 1\Iissouri, with a chapter on barite and galena in tlw Potosi formation.

X. *The Iron Ores of :\1issouri, by G. \V. Crane, xvi + 434 pp., XLVII pis .. 29 figs., and geologic map of l\Iissouri showing the location of the iron deposits. 1912. Discusses the history, development. production. types and distribution of ::\1is.~ouri iron ores and general geology and physiography of the ore-b('aring district.

XI. *1.'he Coal Dc110sits of Missouri, by Ilf'nry Binds, xi t· 503 pp., XXIJI pis .. 97 figs .. and maps of the Clinton, Calhoun. L{·xington. Devier, Huntsville a11d Hiclu:nond quadrangles and 1:wological map of ::\1issouri. 1!)12. Describes briefly tho Pennsylvanian series in l\Iissouri and discusses in detail the mode of occurrence. coal industry, the distribution by counties. analysis. and tests of l\Iissouri coal.

XII. 'J'lle Geology of the Rolla Quadrangh>, by WallaCI' Lee, xii + 111 pp .. X pls., 17 figs .. toPQgraph.ic and geologic maps of the Rolla. Quadrangle. 1!)13. Descri bes the 1 opography, physlographic history, genera.I geology and m ineral resources of the Rolla Quadrangl<' in Phelps and Dent Counties, l\Io. Pricc 25c.

Xl r r. *The Stratigraphy of the Pennsylvanian Sc-ri<'s In J\Tissouri, by Henry Hinds and F. C . Greene, with a chapter on Invertebrate pakontology b)• n. H. (arty, xii + 407 pp., xxxrr pis., 5 figs. l!l15.

XlV. Tile Geology of ,Jackson County, by ,v. E. .Mccourt, assisted by l\f. AlbPrtson and J. W. Il<'nnctt. lfif! pp., XlX pls., including geologic maps and cross sections. 1917. Dcscribf"s topography, gem•ral geology and min<>ral resources of county and in­cludes brief discussion of hi~!ory and sPtt lt•mt•nt. Price 25c.

XY. T he San<I and Gran•! R<'sourc<'s of c\Jissouri, by (' . J,. Dake. 2,:;o pp .. XLVII pls . , including a large numbt•r of maps. l!ll8. Discusses nature ancl u~es of sand and gran•l. types found in :i\Hssouri and t h<' geology of Missouri sands and gravt'IS. A lnrg<' number of scrf'cn tests ancl nnalyses a re contained in the rf'port. PricP 2."ic.

·x \"I. The Occurrence of Oil and Gas in '.\lissouri. hy 1\Jalcolm E. Wilson. xi + 284 pp., XI pls., 1922. Disusscs the oil an<! gas possibilili<'S of l\Iissouri. Pl'ice 25c.

XVII. *The Devonian of :l\Iissouri, hy E . n. Branson. J. 8. ,vmlams. v. 0. Tansey and G. A. Stewart. x I· 279 pp .. A-II · " LXXl p is., 10 flgs. 1922. Describes the distribution of the Devonian formations in 1\!issouri and gives d<'­tailcd descriptions and synonomy of the paleontology. Of interest chietly to geologists.

XY I Ir. Structural ReconnaissanC<' of till' J\Jississippi Valley ,\rea from Old ::\Ionro<', Mis­souri, to Nauvoo. lllinois, by !•rank Kr<'Y, 86 pp .. xvrrr pls. l!l24. This report (in co-op<>ration wilh tll<' Illinois Geological Survey) gives detailed dPscriptions of structural con<litions in th<' ar<>a as a gui<IP to oil prospecting. Price 2Jc.

XIX. *'l'he GPology of Y,•,·non County, by F. C. Grcl'nc and ,v. F. Pond, ix + 1/\2 pp., XIV pls., 13 figs. , geological map of Y,•rnon County. 1!)26. Describes the geology and mineral rC'sources of V('rnon County.

XX. *The Water Rt·sourccs of '.\fissouri. hy H. C . Beckman. 424 pp., Xll p ls .. J 927. Describes the stream flow of l\Iis.souri rivers and <'Ontains 206 cht•mical analyses o r surface wa.tPrs, also state map showing area of drainage basios.

XXL *!;;arly Mis~issippian Formations in c\tissouri. by R. C. !\foore, 283 pp., XI Y pls ., 13 figs. 1928. Describes th<' stra tig1·aphy and paleontology of the Kind<•rhook and Osagt' groups of the Mis,sissippian syst<>m.

XXH. The Geology of Ste. GPnevieve County, by Stuart Weller and Stuart St. Clair, 352 pp .. XY pis., 5.flgs. l!l28. Describes the g<'ology and mill<'ral resourct's of this county; includes geologic: and topographic maps. Price 25c.

XXTJJ. The g<>ology of the Potosi and Rdg<>hill Quandrangles. by C' . L. Dak<>, 233 pp .. XXVl pis. , topographic and g<>0logic maps. rn:io. Describes tho geology and mineral resources of part of the St. l'rancois l\1ountain region in Washington, Iron. and R<'ynolds counti('S. 'Price 2,1c.

*Ou~ of print.

54 Biennial Report

Vol. No. 2nd Serles.

XXJV. Geology of the Eminence and Cardareva quadrangles. by Josiah Bridge, 228 pp., XXH pis . . 10 figs .. 2 tables. topographic and geologic maps. 1930. Describes the geology and mineral resources of part or the St. Fr ancois Mountain region in Shaonon, Iteynolds and Carter counties. Price 25c.

•The Oil and Gas Possibilities of ttto Belton Area, by :11:alcolm E . Wilson. Describes geology and geologic structure in Southwest Jackson an<l Northwest Cass counties. A pamphlet containing 39 pp .• III pis., including geologic structure map. 1918. (Incorporated in Vol. XVJ, 2nd series.)

*Mineral Resources of .Missouri, by H. A. Buehler. A pamphlet of 36 pp., about one­half being illustrations. Rrlef paragraphs on the distribut,ion of the mineral re­resources or the state.

*Largo Springs in Ml~souri; 13 pp., (incorporated in vol. XX. 2nd series. ) Chemical analyses of River a.nd Spring Waters, 15 pp .. (incorporated in vol. XII

2nd series.) Paleontology of Late Cambrian and Early Ordovician Formations in Missouri. 42pp.,

XXII pis., (incorporated in vol XXIV, 2nd series.)

BIENNIAL REP08'.l'/:!.

These reports describe the work of the Survey and contain a chapter on the mineral production of the State wlth statlst.lcs for the previous two years. Starting with the report to the 52nd General Assembly they also contain an account of the investigation of the water resources of tho St.ate with records of stream flow.

*Biennial Report of the State Geologist to the 42nd General Assembly, by E . R. Buckley, 83 + 3 pp., VTTI pis. Hl03.

Biennial Reports of the State Geologist to the 43rd General Assembly, by E. R. Buckley, 56 pp., III pis. 1905.

Biennial Report of the State Geologist to the 44th General Assembly, by E . R. Buckley, 57 pp. 1907.

Biennial Report of t,he State Geologist to tho 45th General Assembly, by H. A. Buehler. 59 pp. 1909.

Biennial Report of tho State Geologist to the 46th General Assembly, by H . A. Buehler. 68 pp., VI pis. Hlll.

*Biennial Report of the State Geologist t-0 the 47th General Assembly, by H. A. Buchler, 54 pp. TlI pis. 1913.

*Biennial Report oft-he State Geologist to the 48th General Assembly, by H. A. Buetller, 62 pp., IV pis. 1915.

Biennial Report of the State Geologist ·to tbe 49th General Assembly, by H. A. Buehler, 75 pp., I pl. 1917.

*Biennial Report of the State Geologist to ~he 50th General Assembly, by R A. Buehler, J 17 pp., IV pls. 1919.

Biennial Report of the St.a.to Geologist to the 51st General Assembly, by H. A. Buehler, 87 pp., IV pis. 1921.

Biennial Report of the Stat-e Geologist to the 52nd General Assembly, by H. A. Buehler, 133 pp., V pis .• l map. 1923.

*Biennial Report of the State Geologist to the 53rd General Assembly, by H. A. Buehler, 143 pp. , IV pis. 1925.

Biennial Repor t of tho State Geologist to the 54th General Assembly, by H. A. Buehler , 108 pp., I II pis. 1927.

Biennial Report of the State Geologist to the 55th General As,sembly, by H. A. Buehler, 112 pp., VI pis. 1929. ·

Contains three appendices: I. Initial dips peripheral to Resurrected Hills. by Josiah Bridge and C. L. Dake; II. Automatic Water Sampler, by H. W. Mundt; UI. Clay and Coal Resources of the Perry Area. by H. S. McQueen.

Biennial Report of the State Geologist to the 56th General Assembly, by H. A. Buehler, 151 pp., XX pis., 1931. Contains three appendices: I. Insoluble Residues as a guide in Stratigraphic studies, XlV pis .• by H. S. McQueen; n. The Pelocypoda of the Louisiana limestone, I pl., by James S. Williams; III, Geophysical prospecting, V pis.

Biennial Report of the State Geologist to the 57th General Assembly, by H . A. Buehler, 50 pp .• llI pis .. 5 appendices (paged separately), 1933.

Appendix I, 'l'be Geology of the Silver Mine Area. Madison County, Missouri, by Carl T ol­man. 39 pp .. VI pis.

Appendix II. Oil and Gas Pools of Western Missouri, by l?r11,11k C. Greene, 68 pp., IX pis., 4 figs.

•Out o! print.

State Geologist 55

Appendix III. The Geology of the Blue Springs Gas Field, Jackson County, Missouri, by Glenn G. Bartle, 64 pp., V pis. l fig.

Appendix lV, Magnet ic Surveys, by J. G. Grohskopf and C. 0. Reinoehl, 20 pp. V pis. , 1 fig. Appendix V, Laboratory Formation of Minerals, by H. A. Buehler and 0. J. Monroe, 4 pp.,

I pl. Bionnlal Report of the State Geologist t-0 the 58th General Assembly with 7 appendices (in

press). Appendix I. The Geology and Bleaching Clays of Southeast Missouri. by Willard Farrar,

Donald S. Grenfell and Victor T. Allen. Appendix II. Oil and Gas possibilities of tho Savanna.h Area, Andrew County, Missouri, by

Frank C. Greene. Appendix )II, Oil and Gas developments in Missouri in 1933-34, by l!'ra.nk C. Greene. Appendix IV, Mineral composition and origin of Missouri, Flint and Diaspore Clays, by

Viet-Or T. Allen. Appendix V, Underground waters in St. Louis County, a.nd the City of St. Louis Missouri,

by Charles D. Gleason. Appendix VI. Tho Occurrence of Halloysitc in Lawrence County, Missouri, by A. F. Smith,

D. S . Grenfell and H. S. McQueen. Appendix Vll, Pre-glacial drainage pattern of Northwest Missouri, by F. C. Greeno and R. M.

Trowbridge.

1YIAPS. Price

Base Map of Missouri, compiled in co-operation with the United States Geological Survey. 1926. Shows elevaf.ions of towns........ . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25c

Geological Map of Missouri. Revised, 1926. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25c Joplin District township maps: Scale 4 inches to tho mile, T. 27 to 29, R. 32 to 34,

inclusive, 1922. Each . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10c Caldwell County Topographic Map, 1926... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20c Lawrence County Topographic Map, 1922.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20c Lawrence County Geologic Map, 1929.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20c LI vlngston County Topographic Map, 1924 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20c Perry County Topographic J\Iap, 1926 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20c Platte County Topographic Map, 1914. . . . . . . . . . . 20c Ste. Genevieve County Topogl'aphic :.\1:ap, 1922. . . . 25c Ste. Genevieve County Geologic Map, 1922 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25c Topographic Maps of various quadrangles. Each . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10c

(An Index map will be sent on request).

FonMER SonvEY$.

The following is a list of publicat.ions to this Survey up to the publication of volume 13, 1st series. In this list the publications of the Surveys aro arranged in the order in which they were transmitted for publication.

1. * Report of a Geological Reconnaissance of that part of the State of Missouri adjacent to the Osa.ge River, made to Wllliam B. Morell, chiof engineer of the State, by order of the Board of lnlernal Improvement, by Hemy King, M. D. Geologist. (Senato Journal, Appendix, 1st Session, 11th General Assembly, pages 506-535.J Jefferson City, 1840.

2. *First and Second Annu al Reports of the Geological Survey of :Missouri, by G. C. Swallow, State Geologist, 448 pages, 17 plates, 18 sections. 26 figures and 5 maps, 8 vo. cloth. Jetrerson City, December, 1855.

3. *1'hird Report of I'roqress of the Geological Survey of Missouri, , by G. C. Swallow, 3 pages. Jetrerson City, December, 1856.

4. *Fourth Report of Progress of tho Geological Survey of Missouri, by G. C. Swallow, 8 pages. Jellerson City, December. 1858.

5. *Fifth Report of Progress of the Geological Survey of Missouri, by G. C. Swallow. 13 pages. Jellerson City, December, 1860.

6. *Geological Report of the Southwestern Branch of the Pacific Railroad, State of Missouri, by 0. C . Swal low, xvii + 93 pp., 2 pis., fold map. St. Louis. 1859.

7. *Annual Report of the State Geologist of the State of Missouri, by Albert D. Hager. 23 pages. Jellerson City, December, 1870.

8. *Report of Geological Survey of the St.ate of Missouri, 1855-1871, by G. C. Broadhead, l!'. B. Meek and B. l<'. Sl1umard, 327 pages. 29 illustrations and 9 maps, 8 vo. cloth. Jefferson City, March. 1873.

9. *Preliminary Report on the Iron Ores and Coal Fields from the field work or 1872, by R. Pumpelly, A. Schmidt, G. C. Broadhead and W. B. Potter. 671 pages, 190· mus­trations and an atlas with 14 large sheets, 8 vo. cloth. Jefferson City, April, 1873.

*Out of print.

56

10.

I l.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

2.5.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

;{4.

3/i.

36.

Biennial Report

*Report of the Geologiwl Surccy of the State of Missouri, including lkld work or 1>'>73-1874, by G. C:. Broadhead, 794 pag,•s, 91 illustrations and an atlas of rn shrNs, 8 vo. cloth. Jt>fTPrson City, August, 1874.

*Industrial Report on Lead, Zinr and iron, togotlwr with notes oJJ Shannon county and its coppt'r d<•posits, by Chas. r. Williams, Ph. D., Acting State Ocologlst, 199 pag,•s and 11 illustrations, 8 vo. cloth. Jefferson City, December, 1876.

•nulleti11 No. J. lly Arthm· Winslow, G. E . Ladd. A. E . Woodward and 0. Ilambach 85 pages and 2 sketch maps. Jefferson City, April. 1890.

*Dulleti11 No. - . A Hlbllography of tlle Geology of Missouri, by F. A. Samson, 76 pag<'S, 810 titles. Jefferson City, December, 1890.

*Bulletin Xo. t. By G. K La<ld and A. !J;. Woodward, 101 pages. 4 plates, 3 sections and 2 sketch maps. Jdferson City, DecPmber. 1890.

*Biennial Report of the State Geologist, transmitted to tile 36th General Assembly, Arthur ·winslow, Stlttc Geologist.. 53 pages, 2 rliagrams. Jt'fferson ('ity, January, 1891.

*Bulletin No. 1,. A description of somo Lowt>1· Carboniferous Crinoids from l\li.ssouri. by S. A. l\lil!Pr. 40 pages and 5 plates. Jefferson City, l<'ebruary, 1891..

*l.Ju/letin No . . 5. By 1£l'asmus Ra worth and G. E. Lade!, 86 pagt>s, s plates and 5 figures. .Jefferson City. July, 1891.

*A Preliminary Ueport an the Cool neposits of ,'lissouri, by At·thur Winslow. 226 pagf's. 131 illustrations and 1 map. 8 vo. cloth. Jplferson City, November. 1801.

*Vol. II. A Repotl of tlie Iron Ores of ,1/issouri, by F . L. Nason, 366 pagPs, 8 plates, 62 illustl'ations and I map, 8, o . <'loth. Jefferson City, D<'cf'mb<'r, 1892.

*Vol. Ill. A 1/eport on the Mineral Waters of Jiissouri. by Paul Schweitzer, including notes of A. K \Yootlwarcl, 256 pages. 3:l platP$, 11 figun•s ancl 1 11\ap, 8 vo. cloth. Jefferson Cit). D<'et·rnbcr. 1892.

*l.Jiennial Heport of the /itate Geologist. transmitted to the 37th General Assembly, Arthur Winslow, State Geologist. :H pagt•s, 3 diagrams. Jeffe>rson City, January, 1893.

*Vol. J\'. Paleontolo11Y of Missouri (Part!), by C. R. Keyes, 271 pag0s, 32 platrs and 9 figures, 8 vo. cloth. .Jetft•rson City. June, 1894.

*Vol. V. Poleontolo~y of Jliswuri (l'art IIJ. by C. R. KeJ,·s, 26(, pagrs, 24 pla.1es and 2 ligurE>s, 8 vo. cloth. .Jcffetson City, June, 1894.

*Vol. VI. Le(l(l and Zi11c Deposits (l'art !), JJy Arthur Winslow. 287 pages. J2 pla1.('S and 71 figui-es. 8 vo. clotll. Jdkrsori Ciiy July, 1804.

•Vol. VII. Lead an<l Zinr Deposits (l'art II), by ArtllUl' Winslow. 38:3 pages. 29 plates and 268 figures, i, vo. cloth. J<>lferson City, July, 1894.

• Vol. VI 11. Annual lie port u·ith ,1ccompa.1111i11g Z,apers, by C. R. Keyes, :-!95 pagPs, 30 platE's, Hl figur,•s and 1 map, 8 vo. cloth. Jeft'crson City, December, 1894.

*Biennial Report of the State GcologiM, !ran;;mltted to the 38th GeMral Assembly, C. R. Keyes, State Geologist, 60 pagt-s: Jefferson City, January, 189.'\.

*Vo!. IX. Ueports on Areal Geolo(l!J (Sheets 1-\). by C. H. Keyes, A. ·winslow, C. H. Gordon, Erasmus Haworth anct I:'. L. :-.;aso11, 430 pages, 22 plates, 53 figures. 3 folio p lates and 4 maps, 8 vo. cloth. Jcfkrson City, April, 1896.

*Vol. X. Surface Featwes of Mfaso1,ri and Bibliography, by C. R l{cyes, C. 1''. Marbut and J.E. Todd. r,aa pages, 22 platPs an<! 24 figures. 8 vo. cloth. Jt'fferson City, June, 1896.

*Vol. XI. Clay Deposits. hy l-1. A. Wheeler, E. :\1 .. 622 pages. 39 plat.es, 15 figures and 2 maps, 8 vo. cloth. .Jefferson City, '\ovembcr, 1896.

*Biennial Report of the State Geologist, transmitlcd to the 39th General Assembly, C. R Keyes. State Geologist. 63 pages, 7 plates and 2 figures. Jefferson City, DecembN', 1896.

•Vol. XII. Areal Geo/oyy (Sheets 5-10), E. l\J. Shepard, C:. 1•'. l\larbut and G. C. Hroad­heacl. cclit.ed bJ C . l<'. Marbut, 656 pages. 13 plates, 39 figu;·es and 6 maps, 8 vo. cloth. Jefferson City. Dcccmbot', 1898.

*Biennial Report of the State Geologi>t, transmitted to the 40th General Assembly, by John A. Gallaher, State Geologist, 68 pages. Jefferson City, December, 1898.

*New rear An11ounce111ent of the Bureau of Geology an(l Mines, by J. A . Gallaher. State Geologist, 27 pages. Jefferson City, January, HJOO.

Vol. XI I I. Preliminary !le port af the Structural and Emnomic Geology of .Hissouri, by Jolm A. Gallaher, State Geologist, 260 1,ages. 6,:; plates. 9 $CCtions and 6 figures, 8 vo. cloth. Jefferson City. September, 1900.

*Biennial lleport of tile State Geo/oaist. transmitted to the 41st, General Assembly, by Leo Gallaher, • .\ct. SlalP Gr·ologist, ,:,5 pae;cs. .Jefferson City, January, 1901.

*Out of print.

THE GEOLOGY AND BLEACHING CLAYS

of

Southeast Missouri By

\VILLARD FARRAR, DONALD s. GRENFELL

and \' ICTOR T. ALLEN

Appendix I, 58th Biennial Report

1935

M!SSOlJRJ GEOLOGlC.\I, <;l,R\EY AND WATER RESOURCES

f I. A. BUEHLER, State Geologist

RoLLA, ..\11ssouRr

•

CONTENTS

PART 1-THJ<; CRETACEOUS ANO TERTLARY GEOLOGY. By W!Ll,ARD FARRAR

Introduct.ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ .. .. ... . Acknowlodgments. . .. . . . .. . . ... . ... . .. .. . .. . . Previous worl<. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ..... . .. . . Geography and Physiography. . . . . .. . ... . .. . .. ... . . ... . .. ........... . . . . General Geology.......... .. ........ . ..... .. .. ...... . . . . . ........... .

Cret.'lceous System, Gulf Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . Ripley rormation. . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . ......... .

McXairy sand member .... ..... .. . .. .. . ......................... . Name... . ............. . . .. .. ..... ... . . . Distribution .......... . ....................... . Thickness... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . .. . ......... .. . Li tho logic character. . ............. .

Owl Creek tongue Na.me ......... . Distribution . ..... .. .. . Thickness .............. . .. •... .... Lithologjc character . . .. .... . ............. .

Section at Ardeola. . . . .. .. . .. .. ..... . Section at Fullenwider farm ........ .

Paleontology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . ..... . ......... . .. . Fossil localities and lists . . .. . ... . .. .. . .

Tertiary System, Eocono Series. . . . ................. . :Midway Group ......... , . , .. , , .. . ......... . ...... . ......... , . .. , .. . .

Clayton formation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... ..... . . Name ...... . ..... . . .... .... ... . .......... . Distribution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... Thickness................ . ..... · · · · ·, · · · · · · · Lithologic character ..... . . ........... . ... ....... . Paleontology .................... .. ...... . . . .... .. . ......... .

Fossil localities and lists. Porters Creek clay. . . . . ................... .

Name ............................. . .... .. ........... . . . Distribution ... . Thickness... . . ... .................. . L!tholog,c character. . ... . . .. . .. .... ... . .

WHcox group... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... .. .. ........ .. . Name ........ . .. . ................. . ... ..... .... . .......... . Distribution. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. . .. . . ... . . . . 'l'llickness. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .... ... . Lithologic character. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . Paleontology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ... . .. . .. . ... ' . .. . . ... . ... .

Fossil localities and lists. Correlation....... . . . . ........................ . ... . .. .

Pliocene ('I) Series .... . ..... .. .. ........ . ..... . . ..... .. .. . ..... .... . . "Lafayette" formation. . . . . . . . . .. . .................. . . .

:Xa.me ..... . Dlstribution . . Thickness ... . ...... . Lithologic character. . . ... ......... .. . .. .. .. .. . . .... . Correlation .... .............. .. . ................. .. . .. . . ... . .

Quarternary System. Pleistocene Serles .... . Glacial outwash ... Loess...... . ............... . .. . .. . ...... .... .... . ..... .

Recent Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ......... . Alluvium ... . ... . . .... . ................... .. .... . .................. .

Structure ................... . .. .. ........... ... . .•... .. . . ... .. .... ... .. .....

(:-! )

Page

7 8 8 0

10 11 11 11 11 11 13 13

15 15 15 15 16 17 17 17 20 20 20 20 20 20 21 21 21 22 22 22 23 23 23 23 24 24 25 25 25 26 26 26 26 26 26 27 27 27 27 27 28 28 28

4 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

r~conomic l'roducts. . . ... . Clay . .............. . Sand and gravel. .. . Ground water . ..

Ta.hie or chornical analyses ...

Page

30 ao :n 31 33

PART II A STUDY OF Tlll<: BLl~ACHING EARTHS. By DONAL T> S. ORENF'ELL.

Introduction ...... . Acknowledgments .... ..... . Survfly of the literature ..... .

lntroduction .... . . . . Characteristics .. ..... . ............. . Theory of decolorizing act.ion . . . PreparaUon . .. ...... . Production .. . .. . Consumption and uses . .... . .. . ::\lothods of testing .. ...... . .. .

Laboratory Investigation ... .... . .. .. ........................... . Origin of samples and methods of sampling. . . . . ......... .

l,ist of localities from which samples were tested for bleaching power .. Scott County locali1 ies ...... . Stoddard County localities.

.Method o( preparation of samples .... 'Methods of determination of physica I characteristics. Method of making percolation tests ... ::\1cthod of making contact t<"sts ..

Summary or results ... . Phssical chnracteristics . .

Shrinkage . ...... ... . Fracture .. . . Bell.a vior on wet,ting ...... . Apparent density ........ . Color ... ... .. . ......... . ...... . ........ . Apparent acidity. . . . . . .. .. . . .. . ..... . . Turpeutlne rise .. . ............. . Percolation bleaching values .. Re,·ivicalion tests .. . .... . Percolation by stages ... .. . ......... . Effect of dehydration of earths on the bleaching value. Contact color ralini:: . . Contact tosts on acid-treated earths. r:tfcct of variables in contact tests. Comparison of percolation and contact methods ... . l\Uscollnneous tests and experiments . . .... . . .

Resume or tests. . . . . . ........ .

Page 36 36 37 37 38 39 40 42 4;3 49 51 51 52 52 52 53 53 54 56 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 61 61 61 62 63 66 67 67 68 69 70

PART III-PJ~TROGRAPIIY AND ORIGIN OF '£IIE FULLER'S (BLl,;ACIIIKO) EARTH 01!' SOUTHEASTERN MISSOURI. By VICTOR 'l'. ALLEN.

Definition of Fuller's earth .. . . Mineral composition of Fuller's earth ......... . Montrnorillonite .. Quartz . .. Muscovite ... . . Glauconlte. . . . . . ........ . Amorphous Silica . . . . . . . .... . Other minerals ...... ............ .

Conclusions based on m1noral composition . Origin of tho Porters Creek format,ion.

Page 72 72 74 75 75 7G 76 77 77 77

Plate

l. II.

III.

TV.

V.

VI. Vil .

Vlll.

1\!Iissouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

ILLUSTRATIONS

Generalized geolof!'iC section in Scott and Stoddard counties ........ . A Quartdtlc phase of tho McXairy sand member at Bell City .... . B. Small fault in Porters Creek clay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . A. Outcrop of :McNairy sand member near Ardeola. . . ... .. .. . B. Exposure of l\lcXairy sand member at Bell City .. .... . A. Outcrop of Porters Creelc clay near Benton ....... . .. . D. Sand pit developed by St-. Louis-Sout,hwestern Ry .. . .. . A. General view of Porters Creek clay near A vort. . . . . . . . . . .. . . H. ),oar Yiew of above. . ........................... . Reconnaissance geologic ruap of a portion of Southeast :Missouri (in pocket/. Relative bleaching power of l\Iissouri and certain commercial bleaching earths.

Fig. 1. Diatom with the center obscured by cla) of tho Porters Creek formation . Glass bubbles (D) altered to montmorillonite .. . ............... . .... .

5

Page

12 14 14 18 18 26 26 30 30

70

76 76 Fig, 2.

Fig. 3 . Glass shard (S) ,1ith three curved sides and glass bubbles (D) altered to montmorillonite.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... .

Fig. 4. Pumice fragment (.I') and bubbles (Bl altered to montmorillonite ..... . . .

Figure

1. 2. 3. '1. 5.

Preliminary structure contour map of the Coastal Plain Arca of Missouri. . . Eilect or revhication on certain Missouri and commercial bleaching earths . Bleaclling value versus temperature .... . ....... . ............... . Weight loss above 105° <'. YCt'Sus temperature.... . . . ... . .. . . . . Equilibrium moisture content versus temperature ..... .

76 76

29 62 64 65 f,fi

APPENDIX I

THE GEOLOGY AN D BLEACHIN G CLAYS OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

PART I.

THE CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY GEOLOGY

By \,Villard Farrar.

INTRODUCTION

The discovery of fossils of Cretaceous age, by F . E . Matthes of the United States Geological Survey, in June, 1932, stimulated interest in the geology and mineral resources of portions of Southeast Missouri. Prior to that date, Cretaceous sediments had not been known to occur in this part of Missouri and follow­ing their discovery, additional investigations were undertaken by the Missouri Geological Survey in order to obtain a better understanding of the geology and mineral resources.

Field investigations have shown that in addition to the sediments above mentioned, the area contains formations of Tertiary age, among them the Porters Creek clay from which bleaching earths are obtained in other parts of the United States.

This report presents the results of preliminary studies of the geology by Mr. Farrar; a detailed laboratory study of the bleaching earths by Mr. Grenfell; and a microscopic study of the Porters Creek clay by Mr. Allen. Clays used for bleach­ing purposes are designated as bleaching clays, bleaching earths, and fuller's earth. The three terms as used in this report are synonymous.

The laboratory investigations have been made possible through funds granted by the Federal Emergency Relief Ad­ministration. This Agency also granted funds with which test holes were drilled with soil augers, and samples obtained for use in the laboratory investigations.

( 7)

8 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The wriler wishes to express his apprecialion of the interest shown, and Lhe constructive criticism offered, by Dr. II. A. Buehler, Dirertor of the :\1issouri Geological Survey, who made this work possible. Mr. H. S. McQueen offered many helpful suggestions during the course of the work, and assisted in the collection of fossils in certain localities. In addition to this, he took most of the pholographs, and critically reviewed the manu­script. Dr. L. W. Stephenson, of the United States Geological Survey, made a short field lrip to Stoddard and Dunklin counties with II. S. McQueen and the writer, and has identified all the Cretaceous malerial in the various fossil collections. He also arranged for the identification of the fossiliferous Tertiary material, and gave invaluable assistance and counsel in matters pertaining to the stratigraphy. Dr. Victor T. Allen, of St. Louis University, visited the area during the course of the field work, and made certain petrographic studies. Mr. D. S. Gren­fell conducted all but the preliminary tests on Lhe bleaching properties of the clay from the Porters Creek formation. Mr. R. T. Rolufs made most of the water analyses. Mr. Lawrence Bax assisled in the collection of samples. Many individuals were of considerable assistance at different times in many parts of the area.

PREVIOUS WORK

In 1858, Owen' published a description of the so-called "Chalk Bluffs," in Greene (now called Clay) County, Arkansas, an exposure which is separated from Missouri only by the St. Francis River. Call2 gave a brief descrip­tion of the topographic character and geographic extent of Crowleys Ridge in Missouri in connection with his detailed studies of the Arkansas portion of the ridge. Keyes3 mentioned the occurence of Eocene sediments in Scott and Stoddard counties and suggested that certain beds in Scoll County were of Cretaceous. age. He later classified the Cretaceous and

10wen, D. D .. first l'epo,·~ or a geological rPcon11aissance of the north!'rn countif's of Arkansas dul'ing the years 1857 and 1858, p. 20, Little Rock. 1858.

2Call. It. E .. The geology or Crowleys ltldge: Arkansas Geolo~ical Surn•y, Ann. HPpt. vol. 2. p. 30, 1889.

3Keyes. C. It., Paleontology of Missouri. Part J: Missouri Geological Sun ey, 1st. ser. vol. 4, p, 87, 1894.

7 The Geology and Bleaching Clays 9

Tertiary formations of Missouri.4 Marbut,5 discussed the geology when he described the results of his physiographic studies in this area.

The occurrence of sediments referable to the Midway group of Tertiary age was first reported from a Missouri locality by Berry.6 Wilson 7 discussed the southeast lowland area with special reference to oil and gas possibilities. Lamar8 discussed the sediments at the head of the Mississippi Embayment, and indicated their general distribution. Recently, Matthes9 as the result of studies in this area, has shown for the first time, the presence of sediments of Cretaceous Age, and the need for more detailed studies of the stratigraphy.

GEOGRAPHY AND PHYSIOGRAPHY

In the extreme southeastern portion of Missouri, in what is generally referred to as the Southeast Lowlands, are seven counties which are wholly or partially underlain by sediments which were laid down in the Mississippi Embayment of the Gulf Coastal Plain. These are Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott and Stoddard counties. Three of these, Dunklin, Stoddard and Scott, contain portions of a prominent topographic feature known as Crowleys Ridge, which extends from Commerce, Misso:uri, to Helena, Arkansas, and varies in height from 50 to 270 feet above the surrounding low­lands. The Scott County portion is entirely separated from the remainder by the Morehouse lowland,10 and it is generally referred to as the Benton Hills. The portion of the ridge lying in Stoddard and Dunklin counties has been called Bloomfield Ridge11 by some writers, and Lhe name is still applied. The portion of the ridge situated in Stoddard County has a width of over 20 miles in the northern part of tl).e county, but tapers to a width of about two miles on the Dunklin-Stoddard

'Keyes. C. R. , Iowa Academy of Sciences. Proc .. vol. 22. p . 252, 1915. 6Marbut, C. F .. The evolution of the northern part of the lowlands of sout,hoastorn

:Missouri: University of :Missouri Studios, vol. 1. :No. 3. pp. 18-33. 1902. 6Berry, E. W. , Northernmost extension of marine Eocene beds in Mississippi embay­

ment: Pan-Am. Geologist. v-01. 37, No. 1, pp. n-76. February. 1922. 1 ,vuson, M. E .• The occurrence of oil and gas in Missouri: Missouri Bureau of Geology

and Mines, 2d. ser., vol. 16, pp. 260-269, 1922. t Lamar, J. E .. and Sutton. A. H .• Cretaceous and Terthiry sediments of Kentucky.

Illinois, and Missouri: Bull. Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol., vol. 14, No. 7, pp. 845-866, July, 1930. 9Matthes, F. E .• Cretaceous sediments in Crowleys Ridge. Southeastern 1\-lissouri:

Bull. Amor. Assoc. Petrol. Geo!., vol. 17. No. 8. pp. 1003-1009, August. 1933. 10J\1a.rbut, C. F .. op. cit .. p. 8. llCall, R. E., op. cit., p. 30.

10 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

county line. This ridge area is cut into three parts by the valleys of Castor River and Duck Creek. In Dunklin County the ridge is from two lo four miles wide. In both Dunklin and Stoddard counlies, the eastern face of the ridge is very steep, while the western side slopes gradually to lowland level. In Scott County, the Benton )1ills extend for a distance of about 12 miles in a northeast-southwest direction, and have a maximum width of about nine miles. The eastern face of the Benton Hills slopes sharply to the level of the Mississippi River, and. the other faces are nearly as steep.

North of Bell City, near the villages of Messler, Painton and Perkins, in the portion of the Morehouse lo·wland lying between the Benton Hills and Bloomfield Ridge, are four small hills. The largest of these is Bird Hill, which has an area of slightly over a square mile, and the others, in order of size are, Ringer, Cow, and Lost Hill. The lower portions of these hills are precipitous, rocky slopes.

Low lying, flat topped ridges rising to a maximum height of 25 feet above the bottoms are found in two areas. Sikeston Ridge, the larger of the two, is about 30 miles long, and extends from New Madrid to the vicinity of Vanduser. It has a max­imum width of about six miles, although at Sikeston it is less than three miles in width. Malden Ridge is a long narrow strip of land which rises to a maximum height of 20 feet above the lowlands. This ridge extends from Clarkton, through Malden and Bernie to within about three miles of Dexter.

The entire lowland area has been recently mapped top­ographically by the United States Geological Survey, and the Corps of Engineers, United States Army. These maps are published on a scale of 1 :62,500, or approximately one inch equals one mile.

GENERAL GEOLOGY

The northern rim of the Ben ton Hills is underlain by dolomite, sandstone, and limeslone ranging from Ordovician to Devonian in· age. The northern portion of Bloomfield Ridge, and the isolated hills in norlheastern Stoddard County, are underlain by dolomites of lower Ordovician age, (Canadian of E. 0. Ulrich). The Paleozoic rocks have not been studied in detail.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 11

The remaining portions of the Benton Hills and Bloomfield Ridge are underlain by clays and sands of the Ripley formation of Cretaceous age, and the Midway and Wilcox groups of the Eocene series. Gravel, which Wells12 has referred to the Pliocene, has a very irregular distribution and thickness over the hilly porlions of the counlies, and the entire ridge is covered with a blanket of loess. Recent alluvium covers the lowlands and conceals all of the older deposits. A columnar section showing the stratigraphy in the two counties is shown on Plate I.

CRETACEOUS SYSTEM GULF SERIES

RIPLEY FORMATION

The distribution of the Ripley formation is shown on the accompanying geologic map (Plate VI). This formation con­sists of the McNairy sand member and the Owl Creek tongue, which are described separately. In Missouri, the maximum exposed thickness of the Ripley formation is aboul 190 feet.

McNAIRY SAND MEMBER

Name:-The McNairy sand member of the Ripley formation was first differentiated and described by Stephenson,13 from the section exposed in a cut on the Soulhern Railway, 1 Yz miles west of Cypress station, McNairy. County, Tennessee. Accord­ing to Matthes, 14 Stephenson first recognized this member in Missouri in exposures near the village of Ardeola, Sloddard County.

Distribution :-The zone of outcrop of this member forms a belt about 13 miles long between the towns of Commerce and Oran in Scoll county. The width of this belt increases from an average widlh of two miles near Commerce to a maximum width of about four miles near Oran. Within this area outcrops arr few, due to the widespread surface cover of loess. Scattered outcrops of the quartzitic phase of the McNairy occur in the lowlands south of Oran at several places, namely, in the drainage ditch in the west side of the road al the SW. cor. SE. ;!4 SE. >i sec. 19, in the field in the NW.~ sec. 30, and in the small patch of brush on the farm of F. M. Frand in the N. Yz SW.~ sec. 20,

12Wclls, F. 0., Ground water resources of western 'l'ennessee: U. S. Oeol. Survey Wtitcr­Supply Paper 656. pp. 18-19, 1933.

13Steph.enson, L. W .. Cretaceous deposits in the eastern gulf region: U. S. Gcol. Survey Prof. Paper 81, pp. 17-18, 19H.

14Matthes. 1!'. E., op. cit., p. 1005.

12 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

l\11ssounr GEOLOGICAL Sunv1tY. BIENNIAL REPOR'l', 1933-1934, APPENDIX I, PLATJ>. I.

t)

6 N 0 z:. IJ 0

x 8 ...l

~

0 .... ~ ~ .... Ill .... .. ... 5 z: :,

LITliOLOGlC

. . • • • . . . . : :·.·: : ... :-: : COA.11:& £f.O ,.WHITf. , · . . ·-.:... • .' · . &ANO WlTII Gl:AY·WW.~ ~· .• • · .. • •. ·. "-6V.Y-G'Ztf.N CLAY .' : ' '. . · . .' ~"E""~ COHTAlNING Rl'.St\. ltA\11'5 ·. :. ,- _:__~ ...:_. . . e(D 8. WHITU,•ND WITH . ·• ·.: ;_·.~.': ·. •. ·• · : • ltAY·WHJTE &C.OCOLAT!'.-. -:-:--"7=: ·. · .. · .. !'>1:0WNCUY~llill'IG

~-~..:;./:'.'7:~~-: £ED ~~EL~vt; .~-=,...=:- .. · · .· '. ·. ·· · :rt GtAV,GtUN15N•

·::., ~~/:. ·.' .: ; ·.:. f>UG~:~T~~:.U.Y, .' .":, ·.•. ' .. . •. :. ··.:.'. COA~t ttD 6-W>IITE ·• ·• : .~·. · ' 5"\NP WITM SANO',' GeAY : • • . • & GU.YIS>l-tleowNCUV

~~ :AJH.1"6 F'O$\L lU.Vt5

~ t,ISH.i.ltv •• SINE !""UL.AR, !:ED,

WHITE & Qi,.!Gt 5'-l<O LOCALLY 11'\DUr:ATED

~ SAHO

w -~·

·--··.··. : .· ' ' ... : . . .

10 QIJAl!TZrrE

ecATTEtED l.tNSE<; OI' CLAY OI' V,621QIF.,

COLO'i:!!>

-zoo

Sllt10 GV.~L G!OUHO WATE~

GeAVl!l ..

s.\NO

PaTTE.~

TIL.J:. ANO

STOl'\E',.._r:t

CLAY

Gi:c>VNO

WATER:.

IN SANDY

POE:.TlON5

SANO 110+ G.:OUHO

WATEI!.

PALU) FOtMATIO~ OF OleDcNICIAN (CA.HADIAN OF E,O.ULlelCH) OtDOVIC\,1;11, 5lLUCIAH, ;roNt l'Ofi!. -zoc AHO OE'IONIAH ME. "TOTAL TH!CKN!':!':,~ \Jl'IKNOWN. ~\~

Generalized geologic section in Scott and Stoddard counties.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 13

all in T.28 N., R.13 E. On the southeastern edge of the Benton Hills outcrops of the quartzite were seen along the road near the south line of the NW. 34 NW. 34 sec. 18, T. 28, N., R. 13 E., in the vicinity of the abandoned railroad station at Benton, and in the valley of a small stream in the NW. 34 SE. 34 SE. 34 sec. 27, T.29 N., R.14 E. Exposures of the unconsolidated sands and the quartzitic phases of this member are seen in Lhe bluffs along Lhe Mississippi River to the north of Commerce for a distance of approximately two miles. In Stoddard County, the southeastern limit of the area underlain by the McNairy is approximately on a line which may be drawn through Bell City, Zadock and Aid. North and west of this line outcrops of the McNairy sand member can be seen at many places. The area underlain by the McNairy sand member varies in width from about two miles in northeastern Scott County to approximately nine miles in northwestern Stoddard County.

Thickness:- The maximum thickness of the McNairy in Missouri is not known but 130 feet of the member is exposed in the vicinity of Bell City, where it has been indurated to quartzite. Near Zadock, unconsolidated sands referred to this zone have been drilled to a depth of 125 feet, and about the same thickness is exposed near Commerce, in Scott County. South­east of the area of outcrop the McNairy thickens considerably in the sub-surface, and in a well at Morehouse15, 224 feet of fine white sand has been referred to the Ripley, which may represent the McNairy. From a study of the driller's log of a well drilled by the Frisco Oil and Gas Company in the NW. 34 NE. 34 SE. 34 sec. 34, T. 23 N ., R. 9 E., about six miles north of Campbell, Dunklin County, the McNairy member is believed to have a thickness of 195 feel.

Lithologic Character :--The McNairy consists chiefly of fine grained, white and orange colored sands, in both of which mica is commonly present. Clay of various colors from white to nearly black is found at various places in this member in small amounts. Upon weathering, surface exposures of the sands frequently become indurated to a quartzite, massive outcrops of which may be seen in many places. The quartzite is especially well developed at Bell City, at Hodge Hill and Rock Knob, (sec. 3, T. 26 N., R. 9 E., and sec. 26, T. 27 N., R. 9 E.) in Stoddard County, and at Commerce in Scott County. (Plate II-A).

16Shopard. E. l.\-1., ti. S. Geo!. Survey, Water-Supply Paper 195, p, 175, 1907.

14 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Unconsolidaled, limonitic, red and orange colored sands of this member are exposed north of Commerce, in the north­eastward-facing bluff alongside the abandoned right-of-way of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad at the center of the east line of Lhe NW. X SE. 7'!, sec. 13, T. 29 N., R. 14 E. At the base of the unconsolidated sands at this place there is a bed of gravel, one foot thick, which is composed of black chert pebbles, frequently ellipsoidal in shape, the long axes of which vary between one and eight inches in length.

Only one well record is available which shows the character of the McNairy in detail in Scott County and it is given below:

Log of W. C. Pattongill Well, 2 Miles Northeast of Benton. (NW. cor. SE. 1/ 4 SE. 1/4 sec. 6, T. 28 N., R. 13 E. Elevation, 445 Feet Above Sea Level.)

Missouri Geological Survey Well Record No. 3137. Record Prepared From an Exami­nation of Samples Furnished by E. M. Gould, Contractor, and L. Gwin, Driller. Drilled in November, 1934.

So1L: Clay, yellowish-brown with a large amount of very fine quartz

sand and a few coarse angular fragments of quartz and gray chert ......................................... .

CRETACEOUS SYSTEM:

l\1cNAIRY SAND l\1EMD&n: San cl, reel ancl white. fine grained. angular, mlcaceous ....... . Sancl. yellow, fine grained. angular, micaceous .............. . Sand, whit-0, fine grained, angular, ·micaceous .... . .. .. ...... . Sand, white. fine grained. angular, with a few large rounded and

frosted grains of quartz .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. ........ .. .. . Sancl, white, very fine grained, angular, with a large amount of

mica flakes ................. ... .. . .. ...... ........ .. . Sand, white, ,•ery fine grained. angular, with a large amount of

mica flakes and a little white clay .. ... ............ .. .. . Sand. white, fine grained, angular, micaceous, llmonite ...... . Sand, white. fine grained, angular, micaceous ............... . Sand, white, fine grained, angular, with some large rounded

and frosted grains .................................. . Sancl, yellow and white. fine grained, mieaceous ............ . Sancl, red, coarse, well rounded ........................... . Sand, yellow, fine grained, angular, and coarse, rounded and

frosted ......................... . ... .. ......... . . ·. · Sand, yellow, coarse, rounded and frosted. with a small amount

of blue, gray and black chert fragments .... . ........... . Sand, yellow, coarse, well rounded, ancl bluish-gray sandy clay

with a small amount of pyrite ........... . ............ . Sand, white, fine grained, angular, and gray clay containing

rounded and frosted sancl grains ...................... . Sand, well rounded, and gray, sandy clay ........... . ...... .

0\tDOVICIAN SYSTEM :

PLA1'TIN LIMESTONE:

Limestone, bluish and brownish-gray. dolomitic ..... .. ...... . Sandstone, white, with shale partings ............ . . ........ .

Total depth ..... .

TWckness. Feet.

50

fi 5 5

5

10

10 5 5

20 5 5

10

5

5

5 5

7 l

Depth. l!'eet.

50

55 60 65

70

80

90 95

JOO

120 125 130

140

145

150

155 160

167 168

168

J\lissoURI GEOLOGICAL Sum·EY. BIENNIAL RF.PORT, 1933-1934, APPE:<DIX I. PLATE 11.

A Quartzitic phase of the :\lcXairy sand memb<·r on hillside near hotel at Hdl City, Stoddarcl County, 7' to.

"

D. Small fault in Po!"tcrs Creek cla,y. Locality 10. SW.'• SE. 1:( sec. 17, T. 27 X., R . 11 E. , Stoddard County, :.Io.

•

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 15

OWL CREEK TONGUE

Name:-The name is derived from the exposures on Owl Creek, near Ripley, Tippah County, Mississippi, and was first used by Wade. 16 The Owl Creek was first recognized in Missouri by Stephenson 17 in exposures near the village of Ardeola, Stoddard County.

Distribution :-The Owl Creek outcrops in a narrow belt to the southeast of the area underlain by the McNairy sand member. In Scott County, it is exposed along the southern margin of the Benton Hills from Commerce through Benton to a place about two and one-half miles southwest of Benton. It also outcrops from Oran southward on the west face of the hills for a distance of aboul two miles. In Stoddard County, it may be best observed in the face of Bloomfield Ridge at Ardeola, whence it can be traced north and south along the eastern slope of the ridge for about two miles. On the western slope of the ridge, exposures are found in the SE. U NW. U sec. 20, T. 27 N., R. 11 E., aboul one-half mile ,vest of the Gravel Hill School; in the valley of Link Creek sou th of Aquilla, on the west line of sec. 31, T. 26 N., R. 11 E.; at the cross-roads, at the NW. cor. sec. 9, T. 26 N., R. 10 E., three-quarters of a mile east of the Pleasant Valley School; and at many other points.

Thickness:- ln Stoddard County, near Ardeola, the Owl Creek tongue of the Ripley formation measures 22 feet thick, but a study of exposures in Scott County to the northeast sug­gests that this member is somewhat thinner. It thickens con­siderably to the south and in the Frisco oil test mentioned above, the Owl Creek tongue appears to attain a thickness of 130 feet.

Lithologic Character :- The Owl Creek is composed chiefly of impure clay with a subordinate amount of sand interbedded throughout. The best exposure of the Owl Creek and the related formations may be studied along the road between the Ardeola railroad station and the Ardeola School where the following section was measured.

16Wade, Druce, The fauna of the Ripley formation on Coon Creek, Tennessee: u. S. Geo!. Survey Prof. Paper 137, pp. 7-8, 1926.

17Stephenson, L. W., personal communication, 1933.

16 .Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Section Exposed Along the Road Between Ardeola Station and Ardeola Schoolhouse in the NW. 1/ 4 NW. 1/ 4 sec. 10, T. 27 N., R. 11 E., Advance Quadrangle, Stoddard County, Missouri.

Quaternary System: Pleistocene Series:

Loess: Clay. yellow-brown .. .......... .. ...................... . ... . .

Tertiary System: Pliocene (?) Serles:

"Lafayette formation": Gravel, brown, well rounded, with some red sand .... • .... • ..

Eocene Serles: l\1idway Group:

Porters Creek formation: Clay, dark gray-green on fresh surface. weathers to light gray,

containing beds of hlghly ferruginous clay locally ....... . Clayton formation:

Clay, green. very glauconitlc. considerable wblte angular sand and llmonite In lower portion, abundantly fossiliferous .. .

Cretaceous System: Gulf Series:

Ripley formation: Owl Creelc tongue: (22 feet)

Clay, yellow-brown, very sandy, highly fossiliferous ... Clay, gray-green, weathering to light gray and marked by pale

yellow stains. sandy, sparingly fossiliferous ............ . Clay, brown, with muscovite along parting planes. and con-

siderable intcrbedded sand ........... .. ............ . . :McNairy sand member:

Sand, white to bright orango, angular b'l·alns. cross-bedded, lignitic, cemented with limonite locally ..... . ........ .

Clay, brown, light and dark gray to black, with interbcdded sand. Ilmonite and muscovite along bedding planes ..... .

Lignite, very sandy.· ........... . ................ .. ...... . Sand, white. angular. with Iron oxide stains, somewhat lignitic Covered to lowland level. .... . .... . ..................... .

See Plate III-A.

Thickness. Feet.

5

6

47

5

5

()

11

11

27 l

11 38

On the west side of the Benton Hills south of Oran, the relationships and lithologic character of the coastal plain deposits are shown in the exposures on the Fullenwider farm, where the section given on page 17 was measured.

/

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 17

Section Exposed in Gully Northeast of Farmhouse of Mrs. May Fullenwider, in the . NW. 1/ 4 SW. 1/ 4 NE. 1/4 sec. 20, T. 28 N., R. 13 E., Morley Quadrangle, Scott County, Missouri.

Quaternary System: Pleistocene Series:

Loess: Clay, yellow-brown ........... . ... . ............. . . ... ....... .

Tertiary System: Eocene Serles:

Wilcox (?} Group: Clay, gray-white to gray-brown, sandy with few poorly preserved

fossil leaf prints .................................. . Midway Group:

Porters Creek formation: Clay, dark gray-green to nearly black ................... . . .

Clayton formation: Clay, dark green. highly glauconit.ic. with considerable pyrite

and limonito In the basal portion ... . ... .. ............ . Cretaceous System:

Gulf Serles: Ripley formation:

Owl Creek t-0ngue: Clay, gray-green, weathering to light gray, and marked by pale

yellow stains, sandy, sparingly fossilflerous ............ . Clay. brown, thin-bedded, with white, angular, mlca,ceous sand,

somewhat stained by iron oxide, along bedding planes ... . Covered Interval. ........... ..... ...................... .

McNairy sand member: Sand, white, angular, with interbedded brown and pink clay .. Covered to roa,d level. .................. . .............. . .

Thickness, Feet.

35

3~

24

5

4 14

5 20

Paleontology :- Calcareous material is very rare in the sediments of this area, and most of the fossil remains are poorly preserved shell prints in the clays. Two fossil localities have been given by Matthcs18 and the following Cretaceous localities, which have been found as a result of more detailed field work, may be added:

Stoddard County, Bloomfield Quadrangle:

Center of S. ~ NW. USE. ~ sec. 17, T. 27 N., R. 11 E., on left bank of dry branch, 300 feet down-stream from road crossing.

Scott County, Morley Quadrangle:

NW. U SW. J4 NE. U sec. 20. T. 28 "N., R. 13 E., in gully northeast of farmhouse of Mrs. May Fullenwider.

NE. U SW. U NE. J4 sec. 23. T. 28 N., R. 13 E., in gully on southeast side of U. s. Highway No. 61, and about 16 feet below road level.

North line of the SE. U SW. J4 sec. 17, T. 28 N .. R 13 E .• on south side of Oran­Benton roa,d, about ono-half mile east of Oran.

Scott County, Thebes Quadrangle:

NE. U NE. ~ SE. J4 sec. 26, T. 29 N .. R. 14 E .• In east bank of gully. Thls locality contains both marino invertebrates and poorly preserved plant remains.

1sMatthes, F. E., op. cit., pp. 1007-1009.

18 l\1issouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Collections have been made at some of these localities, and the specimens were identified by Stephenson19 of the United States Geological Survey.

Locality at the Center of the S. 1/ 2, NW. 1/ 4 SE. 1/ 4 sec. 17, T. 27 N., R. 11 E., on Left Bank of Dry Branch, 300 Feet Downstream from Road Crossing. U. S. G. S. Coll. 16451.

Coelenterata:

Clione (a sponge)

Polecypoda.:

Glycymeris sp. Inoceramus argenteus Conrad Trigonia sp. Lima a.ff. L. acut'ilineal(i (Conrad) Crenella sp. (large species) Liopistha protexta (Conrad) Tenea sp. Cardium (Criocardium) tippanum (Conrad) Shells of t,he family Ven.eridae Panope sp. Unidentified pclccypods

Gastropoda:

Gyrodes sp. Turritella tippana Conrad T. vertebroides Morton Anchura sp. Liopeplum sp. Unidentified gast,ropods

Cep halo pod a:

Baculites sp.

Arthropoda:

Crab claws

Geologic position: upper part of Ripley formation (Owl Creek tongue/.

At the Ardeola locality first described by Matthes20 the original collections were made from a bed of very sandy yellowish­brown clay measuring five feel in thickness, which represents the top of the Owl Creek at this point. Collections were also obtained here from the overlying greenish clay which has been referred to the Claylon21 formation of Tertiary age.

Beneath the five-foot bed of clay there is a six-fool bed of gray-green clay, which is marked by pale yellowish stains. In comparison with the overlying bed, this zone is sparingly fossil­iferous, but yielded forms which have been identified by Stephen­son 19 as follows:

19Stcphenson. L. W .• written communication, Sept. 13, 1933. 2oop. cit .. p. 1001. 21~.fatthes. F. 1£.. op. cit .. p. 1003.

l\f1ssoun1 GEor,001CA1, Sunv,w. Dn:NNJAJ, RKPOlt'l', 1933-1934, APP>:NDIX T, P 1,A'l'JC III.

A. Outcrop of l\1c~airy sand membn n ear ArdPola. Locality 7, N"'.)4 XW. 14 s<1c. 10. T . 27 N., R. 11 E.. Stoddard County, ':\lo.

n. 1,;xposure of )foNairy sand member at Boll City, St,oddard County, Mo. "Sand Bank'' at western limits of town.

•

, The Geology and Bleaching Clays 19

Locality at Ardeola in Road Cut on Southeast Slope of Crowleys Ridge, 0.35 Mile Northwest of Ardeola Station in the NW. 1/ 4 NW. 1/ 4 sec. 10, T. 27 N., R. 11 E., Advance Quadrangle; from a Clay Bed 6 feet Thick, the Top of Which is 5 Feet Below the Top of the Owl Creek. U.S. G. S. Coll. 16452.

Pelccypoda: Ledasp. Cucullaea capax Conrad (it young individual) lnoceramus aroenteus Conrad (fragment) Exogyra costata Say (young indh'1duals) Tri(lonia sp. Peden simplicius Conrad Lima aft. L. acutilineata (Conrad) Pinna laqueata Conrad (fragment) Crenella sp. (Same as a large undescribed species from Owl Creek, Miss.) Liopistha protexta (Conrad) Veniella canradi (Morton) (fragments) Scamlmlla sp. Cardium (Criocardium) tippanum Conrad Cardium (Criocardium) sp. Cardium (Pachycardium) sp. (young individual) Two unidentified shells of tho Veneridae family Leptosolen biplicatus Conrad Legumen ellipticum Conrad Corbula sp. Gastrochaena sp. UnidentUled pelecypods

Gastropoda: Turrilella vertebroides Morton? Turritella sp. (Same as a. large undcscribcd species from Owl Creek, Miss.) U niden tilled gastropod

Cephalopoda.: Baculiles sp. (fragment) Scaphites (fragment)

Geologic position: Ripley formation (Owl Creek tongue).

At the foot of the hill below this locality a specimen was found loose which Stephenson1? identified as Pholadomya aff. P. occidentalis Morton. Stephenson stated that this specimen and also a similar specimen found loose on the hillside at the Fullenwider locality described below, appeared to be identical with specimens occuring in the upper Ripley, on Owl Creek in Mississippi.

In Scott County, collections were made at the localities listed below, and yielded fossils of Ripley age, which have been identified by Stephenson, 22 as follows:

Locality on May Fullenwider farm, in gully northeast of the house, in the NW. 1/ 4 SW. 1/ 4 NE. 1/ 4 sec. 20, T. 28 N., R. 13 E., Scott County, Missouri. From upper­most bed of the Cretaceous at an altitude of 410 feet above sea level.

Pelecypoda.:

190p. cit.

Pholadomya sp. Crassatellites sp. Liopistha protexta (Conrad) Cardiurn (Criocardium) sp. Leptosolen /Jiplicatus Conrad

22Stepbenson, L. W., writtcn=communicatiou. Feb. 14. 1934.

20 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Gastropoda: 1'urritella sp. Cylichna sp.

Geologic position: Upper Cretaceous . .Ripley formation (Owl Creek tongue) .

Locality on United States Highway No. 61, one-fourth mile northeast of junction with secondary road near bench mark 374, on east side of road, 16 feet below highway, in NE. 1/4 SW. 1/4 NE. 1/4 sec. 23, T. 28 N., R. 13 E., Scott County, Missouri. Altitude, 360 feet = above sea level.

Pelecypoda: Crenella sp. (large) f,iopistha protexta (Conrad) Crassatellites sp. Cardiumsp. Carrtium (Criccardium) sp. Cyprimeria sp.

Gastropoda. Turritella sp, AnchuraP

Geologic position: Upper Cretaceous, H.ipley formation (Owl Creek tongue>.

TERTIARY SYSTEM MIDWAY GROUP

CLAYTON FORMATION

Name:-The Clayton formation is named from the type ex­posures along the Central of Georgia Railway at the eastern edge of the town of Clayton, Barbour County, Alabama. In Mis­souri, the Clayton was first recognized by Stephenson,23 from an examination of fossils collected by Matlhes, near Ardeola, Stoddard County.

Distribution :-There is some evidence, in the northwestern portion of the Bloomfield topographic quadrangle, that Quater­nary deposits rest directly on the Clayton formation with the Porters Creek formation absent, but the distribution of the Clayton is believed, in general, to occupy the same area as the Porters Creek clay. On the geologic map accompanying this report, they are shown together as the Midway group.

Thickness:- Data on the thickness of the Clayton formation in the area are limited, as exposures are few. The maximum observed thickness is at Ardeola, where five feet of the formation is exposed in the section previously described. On the Fullen­wider place near Oran, it is two and one-half feet in thickness, and at all other points where the Clayton was observed in con­tact with both the Owl Creek tongue below, and the Porters Creek clay above, the thickness was between two and one-half

23Matthes, F. E., op. cit .• p. 1003.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 21

and five feet. It has not been possible to differentiate this formation in well logs due to the imperfect character of the existing records, and samples of the cuttings have, unfortunately, not been available for study.

Lithologic Characler:-The Clayton formation consists of a dark green, highly glauconilic clay, with a small amount of fine grained, white, angular sand irregularly distribu Led through­out the entire bed. A reddish brown, sandy Iimonite, from three to six inches thick, is frequently seen at the contact with the underlying Ripley, and forms a distinguishing characteristic throughout the entire area of outcrop. Marine invertebrates are common and several localities at which they occur are listed below.

Paleontology :-The Clayton formation yielded identifiable fossils at four localities in Stoddard County. Specimens sub­mitted to the United States Geological Survey were identified by Dr. Julia Gardner and others, at the request of Stephenson.19

No collections have been made from the Clayton in Scott County.

Locality on County Road in the SW. 1/4 NE. 1/ 4 NW. 1/ 4 sec. 35, T. 27 N., R. 10 E., Bloomfield Quadrangle.

Pelecypoda: Cucullaea sp. cf. C. macrodonta Whitefield Venertcardia sp. possibly sp. nov. group of V. hesperia Gardner. -Venericardia sp. juvenile. Carditoid gen. and sp. indet. Crassatellites sp. cf. C. qabbi S:i.tforo Crassatellites sp. nov. CrassatelWes ? sp. indet. Pitarta? sp. nov.

Gastropoda: Turrltld gen. and sp. indet. Turritetla sp. nov.? Group of T. mortoni Conrad. TurriJ.ella sp. nov.? Group of T. mortoni Conrad. Turrilella sp. nov.? Group of T. mortoni Conrad.

Age: Lower Midway.

Locality on Missouri Highway No. 25 in the NE. 1/ 4 sec. 19, T. 27 N., R. 11 E., Bloom­field Quadrangle.

Pelecypoda: Fragme.nts of 1 ·enericardia ribs"!

Gastropoda: Turritella Sp. possibly sp. no,·. Group of T. mortoni Conrad.

Tubes, probably inorganic. Age: Lower Midway.

Locality on Bell City-Ardeola road in section 2, T. 27 N., R. 11 E., Advance Quad­rangle; about one-fourth mile southwest of Bell City, at an elevation of 380 feet above sea level.

Gastropod: Turritella sp. probably sp. nov. Group of T. morkmi Conrad.

Age: Lower Midway.

22 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Locality at the center of the west line of the NW. 1/ 4 NE. 1/4 sec. 13, T. 27 N., R. 10 E., Bloomfield Quadrangle, in south side of gully, 50 feet west of road.

Pelecypoda: Leda sp. ind. Cucullaea sp. indet. jur. Trigonia (mold of hinge, mechanically derived from underlying Cretaceous) Jndct. bivalves Venericardia sp .• possibly sp. nov. Group of V. hesperia Gai·dncr.

a astropoda: lndet. gastropod-3 species. Turritella sp. nov.? Group of T. mortoni Conrad Turritella sp.

Tubes. possibly of a boring bivalve. Cephalopoda:

Scaphites sp. (derived mechanically from underlying Cretaceous; identU\ed by J. B. Reeslde, Jr.).

Age: Lower l',,lidway (cf. Venericardia and Turritellal 1'ith numerous reworked Cretaceous fossils.

PORTERS CREEK CLAY

Name:-This term was used by Safiord24 to designate the clays that are exposed along Porters Creek in southeastern Hardeman County, Tennessee. The Porters Creek has been recognized in Kentucky and southern Illinois by Glenn25 and later writers, and was first recognized in Missouri by Matthes26

although its presence had been previously suggested by Lamar. 27

Distribution :-Outcrops of the Porters Creek clay can be traced from a point about one-half mile west of Commerce on the Benlon road, through various points in the southeastern portion of the Benton Hills. The width of the area in which outcrops of Lhe Porters Creek can be found increases in a south­westerly direction from Commerce. Along Highway No. 55 southeast of Oran, the clay outcrops from the Oran-Benton road to the southern point of the Benton Hills. In Stoddard County, the formation underlies a much larger area, and can be seen in the bluffs on the east face of Crowleys Ridge from a point about one-half mile southwest of Bell City to an unnamed stream entering the lowland abo.ut one-half mile northwest of Guam, a total distance of about ten miles. The Porters Creek clay under­lies a considerable area north, northwest, and west of Bloom­field, and poor outcrops may be noted as far south and west as Cane Creek in sec. 1, T. 24 N., R. 9 E. Southwest of Cane Creek, topographic conditions are unfavorable to good exposures. The Porters Creek clay is seen in the east flank of Crowleys

usatrord, J. l\1., On the Cretaceous and superior formations of west Tennessee: Am. Jour. Sci., 2d ser., vol. 37, p. 368. 1864.

26Glenn. L. C., Underground waters of Tennessee and Kentucky west of Tennessee River and of an adjacent area in Illinois: U. S. Geo!. Survey Water-Supply Paper 164, 1906.

2151\fatthes, F. E., op. cit., p. 1005. · 27Lamar, J.E., and Sutton, A. H .. op. cit., p. 853.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 23

Ridge at Idalia church (SE. y,i:' NE. }i' sec. 28, T. 26 N., R. 11 E.) where il is broughl lo the surface as the result of faulting. This is the only oulcrop of the formation on the cast face of the ridge, south of Guam. It has previously been suggested that the clay at this locality is lhe Porters Creek.28

Thickness:-The Porlers Creek clay is quite variable in thickness as the top of the formation was probably subjected to considerable erosion prior to Wilcox time. The maximum known thickness in Scolt County is 40 feet. In Stoddard County to the southwest it is over 80 feet thick al Idalia, and attains a thick­ness of 60 feet north of Zeta, al lhough lhe exact thickness is not known as the base is not exposed al either place.

To the south and southeast, the Porters Creek clay thickens markedly. In the well at Morehouse, previously referred to,29

the thickness is given as 218 feet, but it is possible that lhis may include both the Clayton formation and the Owl Creek tongue. In the Frisco oil test, previously mentioned, lhe Mid­way group (Porters Creek and Clayton) is 410 feet thick.

Lilhologic Character:-The Porters Creek formation consists of dark gray clay, which becomes almost black when wet, and dries Lo lighl gray or cream color. Samples of the clay break wilh a conchoidal fracture, and weathered slopes are generally covered with fragments shaped like hickory nut hulls. Joints, which are vertical or nearly so, are a noticeable and characteristic feature, and most of Lhem are filled with, or stained with iron oxide. Large nodules of impure iron carbonate occur at certain places, some of them forming definite horizons. Beds of brownish­yellow, highly ferruginous clay are sometimes observed. Musco­vite and sand frequently occur along parting planes in the clay.

WILCOX GROUP

Name:-Beds, Lo which the name Wilcox is now applied, were first described by Safford30 under the term "Orange sand". Hilgard,31 in 1860, applied the term "Northern Lignitic" to this group, and in 1869 Safford, 32 revised his description of the formation to exclude certain Cretaceous beds, and called this

28Lamar, J. E., and Sutton, A . .H., op. cit., p. 853. 29Shepard, E. M., op. cit., p. 175. 30Salford, J. 111., A geological reconnaissance of tho State of Tennessee; beiog the author's

first biennial report, pp. 148-162, Nashville, 1856. 311Ii!gard, E. W., Report on tho geology and agriculture of the State or :\~issippi.

Jackson, 1860. a2sarrord, J. M., Geology of 'fennessee, p. 424, Nashville, 1869.

24 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

the "Orange Sand or Lagrange group." The term "Lagrange formation," was later used by Glenn33 and more recently by Lamar.34, ss

The Wilcox group has been subdivided into five formations in Mississippi and Lhey have been described by Lowe,36 who also gives a detailed discussion of the nomenclature. Three of these divisions are now recognized in ·western Tennessee, 37 but there has, as yet, been no subdivision in the Missouri section. The term was used by Wilson38 and later by Mallhes, 39 but as used in this report, it does not correspond to the usage of either Wilson or Matthes, but refers lo the clays and sands lying between the top of the Porters Creek clay and the base of the Pliocene (?) gravel.

Distribution:-The Wilcox has a much wider distribution than the older Tertiary formations, and has a much greater thickness. It underlies the southern tip of the Benton Hills between Oran and Benton, and it is also found in the hills west of Commerce. Isolated outcrops can be seen in secs. 26 an9 27, T. 29 N., R. 14 E., where they occur in a downfaulted block, Lhe boundaries of which arc not known at this time. Clays and sands of Wilcox age make up the entire easl face of Bloomfield Ridge in Stoddard County from Guam southward, with the ex­ception of lhe previously mentioned exposure of the Porters Creek clay near Idalia. Between Guam and Zeta, the Porters Creek clay outcrops in all the valleys at their junction with the lowland area, and the Wilcox appears on all the ridg<"s. A few scattered oulcrops of the Wilcox formation appear in the hills north of the Castor River in secs. 17 and 20, T. 27 N., R. 11 E.

Thickness :- The Wilcox formation has an exposed thickness which is greater than that of any of the older formations and attains a maximum of 200 feet in the hills north of Idalia, although the base of the formation is not visible in this vicinity. The thickness of the individual beds in the formation varies widely from place to place, due to the lenticular nature of the clays. To the south and southeast it thickens rapidly and a 1500-foot well at Caruthersville seems to have penetrated about 1200 feel of Wilcox sand and clay without reaching the base.

33GJonn, L. C., op·. cit., pp, 33·40. 34Lamar, J.E., Preliminary report on the Fuller's earth deposits of Pulaski County, Ill.:

Illinois Geo!. Survey, Heport No. 15, 1928. 35Lamar, J. K, and Sutton, A. H .• op. cit. a~Lowe, E. N ., op. cit., pp, 32-119. 37Wells, F. G., op. cit., pp. 89-95. aswilson, M. E., op. cit., pp. 263-264. 39Matthes, .I<'. E .• op. cit.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 25

Lilhologic Character :-The Wilcox sediments in south­eastern Missouri consist of sand, sandy clay, and some lenses of nearly pure clay, although the latter are of limited extent both horizontally and vertically. The sands are usually white to red in color and the individual grains arc generally much larger than those of the McNairy. There is an excellent exposure of these sands in the center of the SE. %; SE. % sec. 11, T. 25 N., R. 10 E., about two miles northeast of Dexter on the "Sand Bank" road, in the valley of an unnamed stream which flows in a southeasterly direction from the Renner School. Coarse sands which are com­posed of polished fragments of black chert and frosted grains of quartz have a widespread occurrence in the Wilcox, and material of this character is found on the gently sloping hillsides in the NW. U SE. U sec. 11, T. 25 N., R. 10 E. Gray and brown sandy clay with interbcdded sand is found at the "Blunt Hill" in the SW. Yi SW. U NW. U sec. 9, T. 25 N., R. 10 E., about three miles northwest of Dexter. Pink, lavender, yellow, and gray clay and a large amount of coarse red sand of ·wilcox age outcrop near the center of sec. 24, T . 26 N., R. 10 E., on the south side of Route E, just west of Bloomfield cemetery. Choc­olate-brown and grayish-white clay occurs in the old Post Bros. clay pit in the SE. U NE. U NW. Yi sec. 23, T . 26 N., R. 11 E., about two miles northeast of Idalia.

Thin seams of limonite are widely distributed throughout the sandy portions of the Wilcox, and sand overlying a bed of clay is nearly always cemented with this mineral. Limonite, musco­vite, and lignite are the chief impurities in the clay lenses.

Paleontology :-Plant remains are fairly common in the clays of the Wilcox in southeastern Missouri, but usually are found in a poor stale of preservation.

Fossil leaves have been obtained at the following localities:

Stoddard County, Bloornneld Quadrangle:

Cenier or the NW. U sec. 12, T. 25 N., R. 10 E ., from brown clay exposed In creek bottom east of culvert.

SW. U SW. U NW. U sec. 9, T. 25 N., R. 10 E .. from various beds In north face of what ls loc.-i,lly called the "'Blunt liill."

SE. U. NE. U NW. X sec. 23, T. 26 N .. R.. 11 E .• in old pit of Post Brothers lll'ick and Tile Company. Leaves ma.y bo found in both tho gray-white and chocolato­colored clay.

Center of the SE. U SE. U sec. 15, 'J', 26 K .. }{. 11 E. The clay tn the bank 011 the east side of the stream at this point is highly fossiliferous.

Stoddard County, Valley Ridge Quadrangle:

In gully east of road near the center of sec. 19, T. 24 N., R. 10 K, from grayish­green clay.

26 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Collection from locality in the center of the NW. 1/4 sec. 12, T. 25 N., R. 10 E., Bloom-field Quadrangle. Identified by R. W. Brown.4 o

Grewicpsis tennesseensis Berry J-licoria crescentia Knowlton Juolans schimperi Losquoreux Platanus sp. ( ? )

Only one specimen collected from the "Blunt Hill" locality in sec. 9, T. 25 N., R. 10 E., was sufficiently well preserved for idenlification. This was identified by Brown40 as Euonymus splendens Berry, which is a widely distributed Wilcox species.

Correlation :-The sands and clays of Tertiary age which lie between the Porters Creek clay and the Pliocene (?) deposits have been referred to the Wilcox group on the basis of plant remains.

PLIOCENE (?) SERIES

"LAFAYETTE" FORMATION

Name:-The term "Lafayette" was used by Lamar41 to designate the gravel and associated sand and clay which is very widespread throughout the area. This formation in Mis­souri was originally named " Piketon" by Marbut42 from ex­posures at the former trading point of that name in the southern part of sec. 4, T. 27 N., R. 11 E., Stoddard County. Berry43 has shown that the name "Lafayette", as originally used by Hilgard and McGee, was applied to beds of various ages, ranging from Cretaceous to Recent. As used in this report, it includes the gravel and interbedded sand and clay which lie between the top of the Wilcox Group, and the base of the Pleistocene loess.

Distribution :- The gravel and associated sand is probably the most widespread of the Tertiary deposits in the lowlands of southeastern Missouri, and caps most of the ridges in the entire area. Locally, the gravel has slum.J?ed, however, and may be found at much lower elevations. No attempt has been made to show the distribution of the gravel and the loess on the geologic map which accompanies this report.

Thickness:-The maximum thickness of the gravel is about 50 feet but, in many places, it has a false appearance of greater thickness, for much gravel has been carried to lower elevations

• 0stephenson, L. W .. written communication. Sept. 13, 1933. 41Lamar, J. E .. and Sutton, A. H., op. cit., p, 858. 42Marbut. C. F .. op. cit., pp. 27-28. ~Berry, E. W., The age of the type exposure of the Lafayette formation: Jour. Geology,

vol. 19, pp. 249-256, 1911.

;\lrsr;ou1n GEOLOGICAi, SunvEY. DH:NNIAL REPORT, 1933-1934. APPENDIX I. PLATO: IV.

A. Outcrop of Porters Creek cla.y near Benton. Locality 4, NE. U SW. U sec. 23. ·r. 28 N., R. 13 E., Scott County. l\fo.

D. Sand pit developed by St. Louis-Southwestern Ra.ilway noar Idalia. NE. J1 SI~. U sec. 22, T. 26 N .• R. 11 E .. Stoddard County, i\fo .

•

•

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 27

by streams of a former erosion cycle and mixed with yellow­brown loessial clay. Typical exposures of this deposit can be seen in the valleys of the present streams at many localities.

Lithologic Character:-The "Lafayette" is composed chiefly of brown chert pebbles, which are interbedded with brightly colored sands and some red clay. Black chert pebbles of various sizes are found associated with these deposits in many places and typical exposures can be seen in the pits listed below:

S. ~ NW. J4 NE. J4 sec. 11, T. 26 N., R. 10 E .• about two miles north of BloomOeld. NW. cor. SW. J4 SE. J4 sec. 11, T. 25 N., R. 10 E .. about two miles north of Dexter. SW. J4 SW. J4 sec. 17, T. 24 N., R. 10 E., about three-quarters of a mJlo southeast of Pyletown, and about six miles southwest of Dexter.

Correlation :-W ells44 has stated that the gravel lying between the Eocene and the loess in western Tennessee is of Pliocene age, and it is believed that similar deposits in Missouri may be of an equivalent age.

QUATERNARY SYSTEM

PLEISTOCENE SERIES

Malden and Sikeston Ridges, which have been previously described, and the Advance lowland,45 which lies to the northwest of Bloomfield Ridge, are believed to be remnants of a glacial outwash plain46 which formerly covered the entire lowland area. Other and smaller portions of. this plain exist in the form of terraces at the southern margin of the Benton Hills, and along the east face of Bloomfield Ridge. These portions of this former outwash plain consist chiefly of coarse sand which contains pebbles of igneous and metamorphic rocks. These localities were not studied in detail in this investigation.

The loess covers the upland areas of Scott and Stoddard counties, and in many cases entirely conceals the underlying deposits. In Scott County, it has a maximui;n thickness of about fifty feet but decreases in thickness to the west and southwest. The greatest thickness in Stoddard County is about 30 feet. At places, the loess overlaps all formations from the Pliocene (?) to the McNairy. No attempt has been made to show the areal distribution of the loess on the accompanying geologic map.

44 Wells, F. C., Ground Water Resources of Western Tennessee: U. S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 656, pp. 18-19, 1933.

45:Marbut, C. lt., The evolution of the northern part of the lowlands of Southeastern Missouri: University of Missouri Studies, vol. l, No. 3, pp. 4-7, 1902.

46Matthes. F. E .• written CO\Dtnunication. November 23. 1934.

28 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

RECENT SERIES

ALLUVIUM

The flood plains of the present streams in the hill and lowland areas are underlain by deposits of sand, clay, silt, and gravel of varying thickness. These deposits are well de­veloped in Lhe valley of Lick Creek north of Bloomfield, where about 20 feet is exposed. The thickness at other points is de­pendent to some extent upon the size of the stream, but the maximum thickness is probably not greater than 150-200 feet. The alluvium has been referred to the Recenl Series, but it is possible that detailed work may show that some of these de­posits arc of Pleistocene age.

STRUCTURE With the exception of the Pliocene (?) Series, the Cretaceous

and Tertiary sediments outcrop in concentric belts and the beds dip gently to the southeast. In Stoddard County, Matthes47

has shown that Lhe Ripley formation dips at the rate of 75-80 feet to the mile. The Ripley dips to the southeast at the rate of approximately 50 feet to the mile, in the southwest portion of the Benton Hills, in Scott County.

Small faults are common in the Porters Creek clay. Their age is noL definitely known, although at least one, which can be seen near the top of the ridge on the gravel road on the north line of sec. 28, T. 27 N., R. 11 E., has occurred since the deposition of the Pliocene (?) Series. Another fault may be observed in the Porters Creek clay on the Gravel Hill School road in sec. 17, T. 27 N., R. 11 E. (Plate II B).

Near Malia, Stoddard County, there is a fault of considerable magnitude, which involves the Porters Creek clay and beds of Wilcox age. The amount of movement cannol be determined from outcrop data, but borings at this place indicate the Wilcox has been downthrown 70 feet on the northeast side of the fault. The fault plane cannot be traced for any distance, as the out­crops are masked by loess, and the amount of movement is though L to become less to Lhe west, as no evidence of faulting was observed in the valley of Lick Creek.

In Scolt County, the eastern portion of the Benton Hills has been subjected to considerable deformation, the f~rmations involved ranging from Ordovician to Tertiary in ·age. The

41Matthes. F. E .. op. cit' .• p. roos:

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 29

structural details in this area are not known at the present time, and a considerable amount of boring will probably be necessary to determine them in the area underlain by the Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments.

The sub-surface structure of the area is not known in detail, due to the lack of deep wells and accurate logs of those that have been drilled. A generalized map showing the elevation of the top of the Midway group is given in this report (Figure 1). In drillers' records, the Midway group is usually reported as

CAPE-GI RARDEcAU

! ~--. L -r··t

BOLLt NG Ee Q. 5TATI:- O'F 11..LINOIS.

L , ·· ··1 WAY N 1:-~;J. .. - .. ~

5TATf: OF

FIGURF,).·1· • .

PRELIMUJARY STQUCTIJRI: CONTOUR MAP

~HOWi HG

COA~TAL PLAIN AREA 0~

MI~~OUQI C.OKTOUR.$ OR>.WN ON TOP 0 1'" MttlWAV GQOUP

~[:A. Lt"tlf-1.. OA.TUM

30 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

shale, soapstone or blue clay, and the Owl Creek tongue is generally described in the same terms. The character of these descriptions does not permit an accurate separation of the Creta­ceous and Tertiary sediments in these records, and as there is a pronounced difference between the lithologic descriptions of the Wilcox and Midway groups, the top of the Midway has been used as a datum. Unfortunately, no samples were available for study.

ECONOMIC PRODUCTS

Bleaching Earths :- The Porters Creek clay in this area has considerable value as a bleaching earth for the refining of mineral oils and the results of laboratory tests by D. S. Grenfell of the Missouri Geological Survey, which are given in this report, show that samples of the clay taken from several localities do not have the same bleaching qualities. In two areas in Scott County, secs. 25 and 26, T. 29 N., R. 14 E., and sec. 23, T. 28 N., R. 13 E., the Porters Creek clay has commercial possibilities as a fuller's earth. (Plate IV A.) Near Avert, in Stoddard County (sec. 3, T. 27 N., R. 11 E.) clay of commercial value as a bleaching earth may exist in workable bodies. (Plate V A & B.) In southern Illinois, near Olmstead, the Porters Creek clay is mined for use as a bleaching earth and its occurrence has been described by Lamar. 4s

Pottery, Tile and Stoneware Clays:-A clay in the Owl Creek tongue of the Ripley formation was formerly mined near Com­merce (NE. U SE. U sec. 26, T. 29 N., R. 14 E., Thebes Quad­rangle) by the Post Brothers Brick and Tile Company, and used in the manufacture of sewer pipe. It is chocolate-brown in color, and is contaminated by iron oxide, sand, and mica. At the present time, a brown clay in the Owl Creek is mined near Zadock (SW. 74'. SW. }4 SW. 74'. sec. 12, T. 27 N., R. 10 E., Bloomfield quadrangle) and used as a pottery' body by the Evans ­Pottery of Dexter. This clay, and others from the area, are now being tested by the Missouri Geological Survey.

Clay from the Wilcox formation was formerly mined by the Post Brothers · Brick and Tile Company, near Idalia (sec. 23, T. 26 N., R. 11 E.) but this company is not operating at the present time in either Scott or Stoddard County. Some of the Wilcox clays are highly ferruginous and sandy, but they enclose

48La,ma.r. J. E .. Preliminary report on tbo Fuller's earth deposits of Pulaski County, Ul.: Illinois Geo!. Sul'Ve'Y, Report No. 15, 1028 •

•

:'\llf,1,1-,0 U RI 0£.or.O ( H CAL SURVEY. Dn:NNIAL R£1'01tT, 1933-1934, A1• 1•1':NOLX I. PLAT£ V.

A. General ViPw of Porters Creek clay near Avert. Loc.-ility 12, NW . .)( St.; y.\' sec. 3 . T . 26 .N .• R. 11 E .. Stoddard County, 1\10.

B. Sear d ew of above.

•

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 31

many lenses of pure clay which may be used for pottery bodies, tile, or stoneware. Good clays for such purposes may be found in secs. 14, 15, and 23, T. 26 N., R. 11 E., and section 14, T. 25 N., R. 10 E. The resulls of several burning tests are included in another part of this report.

Sand and Grai:el :-Sand and gravel may be found at many places throughout Crowleys Ridge in unlimited quantities. A large sand pit has been opened by the St. Louis-Southwestern ("Colton-belt") Railway near Idalia in sec. 22, T. 26 N., R. 11 E. (Plate IV B.)

A typical gravel pit can be seen east of North Antioch School about two miles north of Bloomfield (NE. >i sec. 11, T. 26 N., R. 10 E.) and the deposit in the valley of Dexter Creek in the SW. U sec. 14, T. 25 N., R. 10 E. is typical of the gravel deposits of the present streams.

Ground Water:- Four formations in the area are utilized as sources of supply by towns and individuals. Water from various horizons of the Paleozoic is used for city supplies at Bloomfield, Puxico, Chaffee, Benton, and Illmo. Flowing wells, which produce from the Paleozoic rocks, have been drilled near Himmel and Morehouse, but unfortunately the water is of the sulpho-saline type. South of Dexter, any well which is drilled into the Paleozoic rocks will encounter similar water, and the well will probably flow if the elevation of the collar of the well is less than 300 feet above sea level.

Water from the sands of the Ripley formation is used for the city supply at Campbell and Dexter. The well at Campbell formerly flowed at the rate of 16 gallons per minute, but ex­cessive pumping has now lowered the head. South and east of Campbell, a well drilled into the Ripley formation should pro­duce flowing water, but the water will show an increase in mineralization in the direction of the Mississippi River and the northern border of Arkansas.

The sands of the Wilcox group are drawn upon as a source of water-supply by the towns of Sikeston, Charleston, Caruthers­ville, and Deering. None of these wells flow, although the static water level is close to the surface of the ground in all of them. At Sikeston the water is treated for iron removal, and is of excellent quality for all domestic and industrial purposes.

32 1\1issouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

The alluvium is the chief source of water in the area, and the towns of New Madrid, Malden, Portageville, Hayti, Kennett, Senath and Steele use water from this source. In general, these wells are about 100 feet deep. Many individuals obtain adequate supplies of water by driving sand-points into the alluvium to depths varying between 15 and 50 feet. The composition of the water from the alluvium is variable. Chemical analyses of water from various geologic sources are appended.

SOUTHEASTERN LOWLANDS CHEMICAL ANALYSES 0:B' WATER FROM PALEOZOIC

Location. Bloomfield.

Total Depth . . . . . . ' . . ' .... 918' Date Analyzed .. . . .. . .. . . 3-21-32 Laboratory Number .... ... 578 Turbidity ... . ........ . ... Sl. Turbid Odor ......... . .. ..... None Total Suspended Solids .. . .. 8.6 Total Dissolved Solids .... . 283.0 Loss on Ignition ...... .... . 77.0 Chloride (Cl) ..... . . . . . . . ' 3.7 Nitrate (NOs> .......... . .. 0.40 Sulphate (SO,J ........... 8.0 Bicarbonate (HC03J .. . .... 293 . 2 Carbonate (COs) ........ . . . . . .... . . . . . Sodium and Potassium* . . . . 8.5 Magnesium (Mg) ......... 23.8 Iron (Fo) ......... . .. . . . .. 0.30 Silica (Si02J ........... .. . 6.0 Calcium (Ca) .. . . . ... .. .. . 56 .0 Total Hardness** .......... 237.6 Carbonate Hardness . ... . .. 237.6 Alkalinity ...... .... ...... 240.4 Temporary Hardness ...... 127 .7 Oxide or Alumina (Ai203) •.. . .. .. . . . . ... Precipitated Iront ......... 1 . 5

Remarks: (x)-Flowing well. (a)- Analysis by H. W. Mundt.

Puxico.

508' 3-10-32

575 Clear None

.......... . 388.0 180.0

11.2 4.43

10 .3 335.3

8.3 10.4 34.0

0 .50 7.6

oa.o 269.9 274 .9 274.9 151.8

0.32 . . .. . . .. . ..

*Sodium and potassium calculated as sodium. ••Calculated as CaC03.

R. T. ROLUFS, Analyst

(Unless Otherwise Not{)d)

Results in Parts Per Million.

Himmel. (x) Tillman. Benton.

2910' 665' 1500' 10-28-32 10-28-32 11- 27- 34

725 727 1297 Turbid Sl. Turbid Clear None :--one None

14.4 4 .4 . . . . .. .. . 639 .0 291.0 388.0 228.0 153.0 106.0 162.9 6.3 25 .6

2.01 5.53 2.80 8.2 19.1 10.9

297.6 240.7 347.4 4.2 9.8 .. . .. . ... . . .

98.7 22.3 18.4 26 .7 39 .4 30 .7 0 . 20 0.20 0.05 9.6 2.8 17 .6

77.5 14.4 63 .5 392.3 197.5 284.6 244.0 197 .4 284.6 244.0 197.4 284.9 168.l 40.9 151.0

0.90 0.10 0.33 7.92 3.96 . . . . .. . ... ..

tlron precipitated from solution after sample was collected.

Cba!ree.

2075' 2-17-32

547 Clear None

. .. .. . . . . . . . 584.0 304.0 84.6

1.92 8.4

412.5 17 .9 33 . 8 46.3 0.07

10.8 91.0

417.3 338.3 338.3 209.5

0.7 . . ' . .......

Morehouse. Poplar Illmo. (x) Bluff. (a)

923' 780' 927' 11-27-34 10-28-32 . .. . .....

1298 723 . .. ....... Clear Turbid .. ........ l'<ono Nono ... . .. .

. .... .. ... . . 20 . 0 . . . . . . . . . . 313.0 2840.0 294 77.0 501.0 . .. . . ..... 5.3 1216 . 8 14 . 3 0.57 0.36 .. . ....... 6.6 42.4 4.9

339.1 156 . 6 258 . 0 .... . . .. .. . . .. . .... . . . 13.8

12.9 621 .7 11.3 19.0 49.7 20.5 0.07 0.30 0.58

14.4 10.8 9 . 6 70.7 189.5 56.6

254 .7 677 . 5 225.5 254.7 128.4 . ....... 278.1 128.4 ·········· 164.5 89.9 ... .... .. .

0.70 0.77 . . ..... .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . 1.98 .........

SOUTHEASTERN LOWLANDS CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF WATER FROM RIPLEY AND WILCOX

R. T. RoLUFS, Analyst

Results in Parts Per ;\.fillion.

Locat.fon.

Total Depth ........................................ .... ... . . Date Analyzed ........ . .. .. ..... . ...... .. .. . .. •. ............. Laboratory Number ..... •. ... . . .. ...... • ..... . ....... . ... Turbidity ............... . ..... . .............. . .... . . •.. ... . .. Odor ........................................ . ....... . .... .. . Tot.al Suspended Solids ......... • . ............... ..... ...... .. . Tot.al Dissolved Solids ..... • ....... • ...... . ...... • ........ • . .. . Loss on Ignition ..... .. .. .•. ... . . . ..... ... ................... . Chloride (Cl) ................. • ...... . .• . ..... . ........... Nitrate (NO)a ....... ...•. .................... . ...... .• , · · · · · · Sulphate (SO}. ........ .••... .. .. .. . ... . ...... . ............... Bicarbonate (HCOa) ........... . ... . .................. . ...... . Carbonate (C03) •••••••.•.•..•• • •.•.•••••••••••••..•• •• •••..• •

Sodium and Potassium* .•.... .. .............. • ........ . ....... Magnesium (Mg,) ........... ... . ........ ... .•... .. .. .. .. . ... . Iron (Fe) ..................... • .............. . ....... . ....... Silica ( Si (h) . . . . . . . . . . . • • . . . . . . . • . . . . . . • • . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calcium (Ca) ................. .. ...... • ...... .• ....... . ..... . Total Hardness** ............. . .............................. . Carbonate Hardness ..... •. ...... . ............ , ......... . ..... . Alkalinity . ..................... • ...... .• .. . ... .. .... . . . ...... Temporary Hardness ......................... .. ... . .. .. ... . . . . Oxide of Alumina (Al203) ••••• • ••••••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••••

Precipitated front .......... ... ........ •. . ....••... . ... ........

Remarks: *Sodium and Potassium calculated as sodium.

**Calculated as CaCOa. tlron precipitated from solution after sample was collected.

(a) Water from Ripley formation-McNairy sand member. (b) Water from Wilcox group.

Dexter. (a)

289' 10-13-33

844 Sl. Turbid

None 1.4

232.0 68.0 16.7 3.07

29.6 71.9

17 .6 7.0 0.35

12.4 21.5 82.5 59.0 59.0 3.6 0.30 1.0

Campbell. (a)

960' 4-10-33

801 Clear None

............ 402.0 90.0 44.2 0.84 6.0

300.5 11.2

153.1 ...........

0.35 10.8 5.0

12.5 12.5

264.4 . · · ···· ..... . · · ······ · ·.

Deering. Charleston. (b) (b)

650' 400' 2-13-33 4-10-33

747 803 1'urbid Sl. Turbid None None

22.4 10 .8 218.0 140.0 70.0 44.0 0.8 2 . 5 3.2.1 0.63

11.9 1.2 185.1 139.6

5.6 5.6 25.0 13.1 11.2 5.2 0.20 0.50

10.4 7.2 35.2 31.6

133 . 9 100.3 133.9 100.3 151.8 114 .5 77.0 57.3

0.04 . ......... 1.05 2 . 49

Sikeston. Caruthers-~ (b) ville. (b) -. ~ ~ C

405' 900' t:: 10- 13-33 10-13-33

.... -. 85S 836 ~

Sl. Turbid Clear ~

None None C ..... 3.00 C . ........... <c:i

144.0 109.0 -. (")

40.0 20 . 0 I::)

5.4 0.8 ..... 0.25 0.20 V,

2.9 9.1 t:: .... 146.7 59.0 <:::

~

............ 7. l <i::: 13.2 19.4 I::)

7.2 2.4 :::, 0.80 1.00 s::i...

10.8 5.6 ~ 29.4 9.3 I::)

103.0 33.1 ...... ~

103.0 33 . 1 .... 120.3 48 .3 ~ 63.7 . ........... ~

~ 1.66 1.37 C

2.0 · • ·· ....... . t:: .... (") ~ ~

SOUTHEASTERN LOWLANDS CHl!:MICAL ANALYSES OF WATER FROM ALLUVIUM

R. T. ROLUFS, Analyst (Unless Otherwise Noted)

Results in Parts Per l\1illion.

Portage-Location. }.falden. Steele. ville.

Total Dopth . . .. .. .... . . . 122' 23' 109' Date Analyzed .. , ..... .. .. 2-22-33 11-27- 33 11- 27-33 Laboratory Number ... . ... 754 901 886 Turbidity . . ..... . . . . . . . . . Clear Turbid Turbid Odor . ... . ... . ... . ........ None None None Tot.al Suspended Solids .. .. . None 13.6 18 . 2 Tot.al Dissolved Solids . . .. 171.0 420.0 370.0 Loss on Ignition . .. . .. . . . . . 44.0 85 .0 83 .0 Chloride (Cl) .. . . .. .. ... . . 3 . 3 l:l. 9 20 .8 Nitrate (NOaJ . .. . .. .. . .. 4 .61 0.13 0.13 Sulphate (SO,> . . . .. . . ... . 21.2 30 . 5 39.9 Bicarbonate (HC03) .. .. .. 113.9 366.7 267.5 Carbonate (COa) . .. . . . .. . 1.4 4.2 5 . 7 Sodium and Potassium*. . . . 14.2 10. 7 15.1 Magnesium (Mg) ....... . . . 6.2 25.6 18.7 Iron (Fe) . .......... ...• . . 0 . 05 0.03 0.03 Silica (Si02) .. . .. .. . . . . .. . 10.8 20.0 20.4 Calcium (Ca) .. . ........ • . 31.6 91. 7 74.5 Total Hardness** ....... .. 104.4 334.2 262.9 Carbonate Hardness . ... 93.4 300.7 219.4 Alkalinity ............ . . .. 93 .4 300 .7 219.4 Temporary Hardness ...... 29.2 257 .1 168.7 Oxide of Alumina (A120 3) .. 0 .33 0 .37 1.17 Precipitated Iront .... .. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.98 7.97

Remarks:

*Sodium and Potassium not separated and calculated as sodium. **Calculated as CaCOa. tiron precipitated from solution after sample was collected.

(,~) Analysis by H. W. Mundt. (bl Analysis by Cart Contracting Co.

Senath. Konnott.

128' 88' 12-28-33 4- 10- 33

897 807 Sl. Turbid SL Turbid

None :-.one 10.0 6.4

246.0 284.0 58.0 115.0

3 .7 17 . 9 0 . 29 0.39

13.0 35.8 233.7 166.6

2.7 8.4 12 . 3 19 . 5 11.2 11.1 0.04 0.01

14.4 20.8 53.7 55.3

180.2 183 .8 180.2 136.6 191.6 136.6 124.7 75.9

1.43 1.46 2.99 1.99

Hayti.

175' 11-4-33

852 Turbid None

23.0 382.0 139.0 11.1 0.46

29.4 290.5

4 . 2 14.2 18.0 0 .12 1.6

75.2 261.8 238.2 238 .2 161.6

1.03 10.96

~"few Poplar Charles-:\fad rid . Rlufr. (al ton. (bl

108' 80' 110' 4- 10- 33 1928 1925

809 . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . Turbid . ..... . ... . . . .. ... .. . None . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . ...

13 .6 . .. .. .... ... .......... 237.2 313 ::133 57.0 . ... . . . . . . . ...... .. .. 6.7 1.9 50 0.38 0.33 . .. . .. . .. .

20.0 1.4 30 197 .9 316 .0 244

4.2 11.1 . .. . ...... 14.5 6.3 ...... .... 9.0 30.7 12 0.35 3.85 3

12 . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . 52.4 52.8 75

167.0 257 . 5 237 162.3 None 200 162.3 ........... . 37 95.7 ·· ·· · · · ... .. ..........

1.10 ... ·· ·· ·· . .. .. . .. .. . .. 6.47 ...... .. . ... . ·········

PART II.

A STUDY OF THE BLEACHING EARTHS By Donald S. Grenfell

INTRODUCTION

The discovery of fossils of Cretaceous age, previously mentioned in Part One of this report, led to additional field investigations in an endeavor to find outcrops of the Porters Creek formation, from which bleaching earths are obtained in other States.

The results of the field work, which have been described in previous pages, show that the Porters Creek formation has a comparatively wide distribution in Scott and Stoddard Counties. Samples were collected, and preliminary laboratory work in 1933 showed that they have possibilities for use in the bleaching of mineral oils. In view of the fact that the clay obtained from this formation is produced on a commercial scale at Olmstead, Illinois, lhe present detailed investigation was undertaken in order to obtain information on the value of the clay found in Missouri.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The writer is greatly indebted to Mr. D. M. Long of this Bureau who made many of the tests and also contributed many ideas and participated in much constructive and stimulating discussion during the course of the investigation. Dr. W. T. Schrenk and Dr. H. L. Dunlap, of the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, and others aided greatly by advice and un­restricted loan of equipment and available facilities without which the work would have been lefs effective. Valuable in­formation and advice was contributed by Messrs. A. R. Moor­man, L. C. Menestrena, and J. M. Wilson of the Shell Petroleum Corporation and by Messrs. R. E. Wilson and Clarke Miller of the Standard Oil Company (Indiana). The evaluation of the commercial possibilities of the Missouri earths would have been impossible without comparative tests of samples· of com-

e ao >

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 37

mercial bleaching earths contributed by the following individuals and organizations:

Attapulgas Clay Co., 260 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. Coen Companies, (Inc.), 610 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, Cal. General Reduction Co., (Inc.), Popular St., Macon, Ga. Illinois Geological Survey, Urbana, Ill. Shell Petroleum Corp., Locust and 13th Sts., St. Louis, Mo. Standard Oil Co. (Indiana), 910 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago,

Ill. The Floridin Co., 220 Liberty St., Warren, Pa. The Fuller's Earth Co., 10616 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Robert V. West, 803-804 Tulsa Loan Bldg., Tulsa, Okla. Western Clay and MeLals Co., 576 Chamber of Commerce

Bldg., Los Angeles, Cal.

All samples of Missouri earths were collected by Mr. Willard Farrar, who has also contribuLed much in time and thought toward the interpretation of Lhe data and the formalion of the report. He has also supplied the data on the "Origin of samples and methods of sampling."

Finally, the writer is indebted to Dr. H. A. Buehler and to Mr. H. S. McQueen for the ideas which have made the work possible, and, to the latter in particular, for guidance and con­structive criticism throughout the invesligation and for assistance in preparation of the manuscript.

SURVEY OF THE LITERATURE

Introduction: The type of earthy materials first used for decolorizing the

products of the edible and mineral oil industries were the same as those originally used for "fulling" or removal of grease and oil from woolen cloth--consequently it was natural that they be called "fuller's earths". This term is still in use, notably in government reports and statistics. It has been mentioned by Nutting,1 that the products now in use for decolorizing oils are far more active than those used for "fulling"; Lhis might be expected since the ·process of "fulling" only requires an agent capable of removal of all of the nalural oil and grease from wool in the process of cleaning, while the bleaching agent of the mineral oil refinery must be able to selectively remove objection-

1 Nutting, P. G ., Tho bleaching clays: U.S. Geo!. Survey Circ. 3, p. 12. 1933.

38 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

able hydrocarbons from a petroleum without disturbing the other constituents in the mixture. For this reason, and also because the amount of these mate:ials used for "fulling" is an insignificant proportion of the total, there is a growing tendency to abandon the use of the term "fuller's earth" as applied to the bleaching agent used in oil refining, and to desig­nate them as "bleaching clays" 2 or as "bleaching earths". 3

While many of the commercial bleaching products are of a clay-like nature, others are not, and Nutting4 has demonstrated that a wide variety of mineral substances, either in the natural state or after suitable chemical and heat treatment, are capable of decolorizing oils. Therefore, the term "bleaching earths" seems preferable because it is less specific, and will be used in this report.

Characteristics : It seems impossible to make any definite statement con­

cerning the physical or chemical characteristics which define a bleaching earth. Color, for example, varies through practically the entire range from white to black although the more widely used commercial products are only slightly colored. The fracture is conchoidal, like that of many other materials. The true specific gravity is not materially different from that of common clays5 but the apparent density or weight per unit of gross volume is usually low because of the high degree of porosity.6

There is evidence that the better earths are characterized by an extremely fine grain size, possibly of colloidal dimensions. 7

Chemical analysis is of some value for detecting the more com­mon undesirable constituents which have been classifieds as

(a) dil.uents (e. g., quartz) and

(b) substances which reduce the original activity or shorten the active life (e. g., iron sulphides, soluble salts, and calcium carbonate).

2Nutting, P. G., op. cit., title page. 3Whitlatch. a. I., Bleaching earth prospects in Tennessee: Cer. Age. Vol. 24. No. 2,

p. 37. title, Aug., 1934. 'Op. cit., pp, 43-50·. 5Parsons, A. 13 .. Marketing of fuller's earth: Eng .. and Min. Jour. Press, vol. 118,

p. 771, 1924. 6J.\,fayuard, 1'. P .. and Mallory, L. E .. Commercial preparation and uso of fuller's earths:

Chem. and :Met. Eng., vol. 26, p. 1074, 1922. 'Maynard, T. P .• and Mallory, L. E., op. cit .. p. 1075, 1922. 8Davis, C. W., and Messer. L. R., Somo properties of fuller's earth and acid-treated

earths as oil-refining adsorbents: Amer. Inst. of Min. and Met. Eng. 'l'ech. Pub. 207, p. 9, 1929.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 39

The recent work of Nutting9 shows that data concerning the loss of water of hydration appears to be of value in judging the activity of an unknown earth, which was anticipated by Wesson10 in earlier studies.

While ultimate chemical analyses as well as X-ray analysisu have failed in the past to prove whether or not a mineral will be an active bleaching agent, it may be stated that most bleach­ing agents are hydrated aluminum silicates and it is entirely possible that something may yet be accomplished with lhese methods. Nutting12 recognizes three chief sources from which the active earths have been derived or may be prepared arti­ficially:

(a) volcanic ash, (b) certain igneous rocks that are low in silica, and (c) the sedimentary mineral, glauconite.

Theory of Decolorizing Action.

The action of the bleaching earths has received much con­sideration, and the processes of filtration, chemical reaction, catalysis, and adsorption have each been credited with the results attained. There is little doubt that all of them do contribute in one commercial application or another, but it is difficult to account for all. known facts on the basis of any one of them. The adsorption theory has received much atten­tion in recent years and has many adherents; at least one large mineral oil refiner uses the empirical Freundlich adsorption isotherm 13 for interpretation of the results of experimental bleaching tests. This theory is stated by the equation:

X -= KCN M

where X is the t-0tal amount of solute adsorbed. M is the amount of adsorbent used. C ls the equilibrium concentration of solute in tho solvent when the ad­

sorbent is present. N and K are constants depending on t,ho identity of the adsorbent. solute.

and solvent.

90p. cit., pp. 32-42 . . 1owesson, David, Bleaching of oils with fuller's earth: 'l'rans. Amer. Inst. of Chem.

Eng., vol. 3, p. 330, 1910. 11Nuttlng, P. G., The bleaching earths: Ind. and Eng. Chem .. Anal. Ed .. vol. 4, p. 139,

1932. 12Nuttlng, P. G., The bleaching clays: U.S. Cool. Survey Circ. 3, p. 3, 1933. 13Froundlich, H., Kapillarcbemte, p. 232, Akademlscbe Verlagsgesellschaft, ·m. b. b.,

Leipzig, 1922.

40 1v!issouri Geological Survey and Water Resources 7

In the application of the equation to decolorization of oils, X and C are expressed in terms of color measured by some "true color" scale where the numbers representing color are directly proportional to the amount of color present. When the logarithm is taken of both sides of the equation, and the data are plotted on double logarithmic paper, the locus of points be­comes a straight line with a slope equal to ~ and an intercept on ~ axis equal to the logarithm of M, 14 so that two points de­termine the curve.

The consensus of opinion is that the action of bleaching earths is governed by physico-chemical laws. For a thorough discussion of the modern theories of action of bleaching earths as well as delailed information concerning all phases of their use in mineral oil refining, the reader is referred to the com­prehensive work by Kalichevsky and Stagner .15

Preparation. The earths, as found in nalure, usually contain a large

amount of mechanically absorbed moisture which can be re­moved by heating at a temperature of about 100° C. (212° F.). They vary widely in amounts of combined moisture, a part of which remains until heated to about 800° C. (1440° F.) or higher. They are highly hygroscopic. In commercial earth producing plants, lhe mechanical moisture is reduced or eliminaled by air drying, 16 or by artificial mcans17 at the point of production to facilitate handling and to reduce freight charges. Some­times an attempt is made to prepare a product for use by the elimination of a portion of the combined moisture, but the hygroscopic nature of the product and, subsequent deterioration during storage and shipment, have doubtless been responsible for a tendency toward the practice of dehydrating the earth at the point of consumption just before use. 18 • 19 In either case, it is the practice to mill the dried product and to prepare two grades, namely:

(a) Percolation grade ranging from 16 to 90 mesh, and (b) Contact grade ranging from 100 to 300 mesh.

14Hogers, 'l'. H., Grimm, l!'. V .. and Lemmon, N. E .. Adsorption studies on the dPcolorlza­tion of mineral oils: Ind. and Eng. Chem., vol. 18, pp. 165-166. 1926.

l• Kalichevsky, V. A .. and Stagner, B. A., Chemical refining of petroleum: Amer. Chem. Soc. Mon. 63, pp. 168-220; Chemical Catalog Co .. 1933.

161<alichevsky, V. A., and Stagner, B. A .. op. clt .. p. 176. l7Parmclee, C. W., Fuller's earth deposit at Olmstead, Illinois: Chem. and :.Viet. Eng.,

vol. 26, p. 177, 1922. 18Moorman, A. R .. personal communication, 1934. 19:Mi.J.J.er, Clarke, personal communication, 1934.

7 The Geology and Bleaching Clays 41

The process of mining, drying, milling, and grading in a modern plant involved a reported cost of less than $5.00 per ton in 1933.20 The quoted prices for these natural products, proc­essed in this manner, have been given as $6 to $16 f. o. b. point of producLion in 1933, the higher price applying to the percola­tion grade.21 Delivered prices, including freight, ranged from $16 to $26 in a mid-western district in 1933, and a price of $38 was given for a California product delivered in Texas in 1927.22

It is known that some earthy materials, not economically useful in the natural state for decolorization, could be activated by suitable chemical and heat treatment. The process attained much success in California where suitable natural earths were not readily obtainable. The process is conducted essentially as follows: the raw material is finely ground and suspended in an acid solution of 17 to 25 per cent strengLh where it is agitated and heated at approximately the boiling point for the required period of time as determined by experience; the acid treated solids are then separated from the mother liquor and washed to remove the water soluble salls,23 and the bulk, but not all24 of the residual acid.

The product is aptly called "acid treated clay" or sometimes merely "treated clay" and has an activity many times greater than the best natural products.25 It was found that some selection was necessary in the · choice of raw material for this process.26 Davis and Vacher27 have classed as "subbentonites" those bentonitic minerals which are most amenable to treatment and which are characterized by a large proportion of acid-soluble alumina. The most highly activable minerals are generally the most non-active before treatment.2s

20Nutting, P. G., Wide variety of bleaching clays in United States to satisfy the needs of petroleum refiners: Oil and Ga.s Jour., vol. 31, No. 36, p. H, Jan. 26, 1933.

21 Mantell, C. 1, ., Adsorption, Sect. 11, in Perry, J. JI., Chemical engineers handbook, 1st. ed .• p. 1059, :vtcGraw-Hill, 1934.

22.Reld, George, Use of eontact clay in filtering lubricating oils: Refiner and Nat. Gas Mfrer., vol. 6, No. 4. p. 58, Apr., 1927.

23 Ilurghardt, 0., Activated bleaching clays: Ind. and Eng. Chem., vol. 23, p. 802. 1931. 24Nuttlng, r. G .• The bleaching clays: U.S. Geo!. Survey Circ. 3, p. 49. 1933. 26Ladoo, R. B .. Bentonite, U. S. Bur. of Mines Rcpt. of Invest., Serial 2289; Abstr. in

Chemical and Mot. Eng .. VQL 30, p. 783, 1924. 26Kauffman, H. L., The role of adsorption in petroleum refining: Chem. and Met. Eng.,

vol. 30, Xo. 4, p. 153, 1924. 27 Davis, C. W., and Vacher, H. S., Bentonite, its properties, mining, preparation and

utilization: U. S. Bur. of Mines, Techn. Pa.per 438, p. 19, 1928. 28Kauffman, H. L., 'l'he role of adsorption in petroleum refining: Chem. and Met. Eng.,

vol. 30, p. 153, 1924.

42 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

The washed product, if prepared at the point of production of the raw material, is dried and packed; if treated at the point of consumplion, it commonly is sent direct to the refinery de­partment ·where it is used as a thickened slurry with 25 per cent solids,29 or as an air-dried cake with about 70 per cent solids for decolorization of fractions with a high boiling point.30

No information regarding the cost of the treatment is available. Quoted prices on the activated earths are $50 to $80 per ton,31 and a prominent product cost $55 to $56 in 1933 in a mid-western district. While the cost of production may be considerable, il appears that the prices received for the acid­treated product would permit the establishment of a profitable industry in this part of the country.

The commercial value of an earth depends on:

(a) its ability to decolorize an oil, (b) the stability of the color in the product, (c) the e1Iect upon viscosity, acid number, and de­

mulsibility, (d) losses incident to the treatment in addition to the (e) delivered price at the point of consumption. 32

Production: The most recent available summary of statistics33 shows that

the production of 1933 came largely from the territory east of the Mississippi River:

Number Number Short Average Locality of of Tons Price Por

States Plants Produced Short Ton

East of Mississippi River ... . .. .. . .. .. .... . . . . 4 9 182,600 $9 . 07 West of M.ississippi River ....... . . . .. ' .... . . .. 4 '7 68,55S 9 .61

8 21 251,158 $9.22

2D Kauffman, H. L., Arizona halloyslte suitable for clay pulp contact filtration: Refiner and :Nat. Gas. Mfrer., vol. 6. No. 8, p. 70. Aug .. 1927.

30Meyor. J. E .. An Investigation of treated clays: Refiner and ~at. Gas. Mfrer .. vol. 9, No. 7. p. 82. July, 1930.

31Mantell. c. L., op. cit .. pp. 1059-1060. a2Kallchevsky, V. A .. and Ramsay, J. W., Lubricating oils In contact with clays: Jud.

and Eng. Chem., vol. 25. p. 943, 1933. 33Adams, W. Vv .. and Metcalf. R. W'., Fuller's earth: In Minerals Yearbook, 1934, pp.

969-974, Government Printing 001ce, 1934.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 43

Consumption and Uses:

The only available statistics arc those issued annually by the U. S. Bureau of Mines under the caption "Fuller's Earth" in Minerals Yearbook where it is shown that the consumption of the products for the year of 1933 was distributed as follows:

Short Per Cerit Tons of

Consumed Total

Mineral oil refining ..... . .. . ... . . 232.896 92.7 Animal and vegetable oil refining. 15, 975 6 . 4 :Miscellaneous uses ..... . 2,287 0.9

Totals .................. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .... . ... . 251,158 100.0

Other adsorbents are found to be of value in sugar refining, dehumidification and drying, purification of many liquids and solutions, and recovery of metals34 and it is conceivable that the earths may also find use in some of these applications. The field of drying seems to be an especially promising possibility since it has been demonstrated that an activated earth will remove moisture from phosphorus pentoxide35 which is one of the more powerful desiccating agents.36

The quantity of earths used for "fulling" is very small and the miscellaneous uses need only be mentioned here.

There are two possible methods of procedure in oil refining, as in treatment of a liquid with a solid for any purpose. By the "Percolation" process, the liquid seeps slowly through a column of relatively coarse bu l uniformly sized adsorbent; the initial product is quite thoroughly treated (or decolorized in the case of oils, with which ,:ve are most interested), but it becomes pro­gressively less affected as the percolation proceeds until finally the liquid emerges in the same condition in whicl1 it was fed to the filter. The product is therefore non-homogeneous. By the "Contact" process, the adsorbent and liquid are mixed together in predetermined proportions, agitated for a time and at a temperature condition found to yield the desired results, and then separated from each other by filtration. This product is homogeneous within the batch although there may be slight

3•Mantoll, C. L., op. cit .. p. 1058. 36N utting. P. G .. The bleaching clays: U.S. Geol. Survey, Cl rc. 3. p. 28. 1933. 36lnternational critical tables. vol. 3, p. 385. McGraw-Hill. 1928.

44 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

variations between di.ITerent batches, and continuous treatment has been practiced to minimize the amount of change incurred as well as to secure other operating advantages. 37

A combined treatment is reporled in at least one instance where an acid treated oil was first percolated and then con­tacted.38

It is common practice in vegetable and animal oil refining, to use the "Contact" process by mixing 1 to 10 per cent of fine earth with the neutralized oil for a period of 10 to 45 minutes while it is heated by steam. After filtration, the oil is dis­placed in the cake by hot water or steam, and the spent earth is wasted. 39 The alkali and alkaline earth bentonites are reported to be most suitable for direct use with edible oils.40

Both processes are used in mineral oil refining although "Percolation" was chronologically first in the field. Since this industry is a larger consumer than the others, practice will be described more fully than will similar practices in other in­dustries. It is outside the scope of this report to consider in detail the steps in petroleum refining which precede the decolor­ization by bleaching earlhs, and the reader who may be interested in the detailed procedure of prior treatment should consult the literature. There are many publications, both of a general and a specific nature, which describe the processes fully. However, the prior history of the oil to be treated influences the details of treatment with earths. Some of the known factors are the type, color, kind of color, acidity, and source of the oil41 and, since these are all influential, it may be appropriate to briefly summarize the method of operation.

The raw petroleum or crude oil is dehydrated, if necessary, and then subjected to fractional distillation which splits the petroleum into a variety of hydrocarbons because of differences in vapor pressure. The distillates vary in nature from a light naphtha to a heavy wax, and the characteristics of the undistilled residuum depends largely on the source of the crude oil. The

a1Kal!cllevsky, V. A., and Stagner, B. A., op. cit., pp. 198-199. 38Yost, 0. T., Contact filtration: Reflner and Nat. Oas. l\1frer., vol. 9, No. 5, p. 75,

)fay, 1930. 39Wesson, David, op. cit., p. 332. •onavis. C. w .. and Vacher, fl. c., op. cit., p. 42. 41Kalichecsky, V. A., and Stagner. B. A .• op. cit., pp. 180, 193, 196.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 45

distilled fractions conLain proportions of undesirable constituents which may be classified as:

(a) suspended matlcr of colloidal dimensions or larger, (b) organic acids, (c) unsaturated hydrocarbons, (d) tars, resins, and asphalts, and (e) moisture.

Some of these arc apparent to the eye in lhe form of color or cloudiness--others arc invisible. The several fractions are next individually rcfractionated with careful control Lo obtain a further separation. Some of these separations are treated with sulphuric acid which has lhe effect of eliminating many of the impurities in the form of a viscous sludge which is heavier than the oil and settles from it. There have been instances of refin­ing by substitution of earth for acid treatment but there are practical objections42 to Lhis practice. The Edeleanu process substitutes liquid sulphur dioxide which is regarded more as a solvent than as a reagent.43 Some products arc "doctored" after the acid treatment with sodium plumbate or litharge which remove sulphur as an insoluble lead sulphide. Former practice dicLated Lhe use of causlic soda at this stage to "sweeten" Lhe "sour" oil by neutralization of residual acid; now, lhe step is frequen Lly omitled as the bleaching earths have lhe ability to perform the same function44 in a slightly different manner, that is, the earths adsorb Lhe acid where the alkali neutralizes it. The process of decolonzalion or bleaching is applied at this point to remove the traces of objectionable constituents not completely removed by the prior sleps of refining.

Extensive research has shown lhat the action of the bleach­ing earLhs is highly selective. While there is no complete agree­ment among the wrilers, it is generally conceded that the earths act upon the constituents of an oil in the app

0

roximate order indicated. 4 "

(a) unsaturated hydrocarbons wi Lh multiple bonds, (b) compounds with supplementary valences in the mole­

cule (like· 0, S and N),

121.:alichovsky, V. A .. and Stagner, ll. A., op. cit .. p . 204. 43 Day, D. T .• Ed .• A nandbook of tho petroleum industry, vol. 2. p. 368. foot note 2,

Wiley and Sons, 1922. "Ginsberg, Ismar, Using activated bleaching earths on acidified lubricath1g oils: .Refiner

and ~at. Gas. 'Mfrer .• ,·ol. 5, So. 5, pp. 32, 34. May, 1926. ••curwitsch. Leo-Moore, Harold. The scientific principles of petroleum technology,

p. 402, Van Xostrand, 1927.

46 Missouri Geological Survey and Waler Resources

(c) aromatic hydrocarbons, (d) naphthenic hydrocarbons, and (e) saturated or paraffin series.

It is also conceded that the compounds of high molecular weight of any series are adsorbed first 46 and there is experimental evidence47 to show that the characterisLic properties of an oil show a progressive change in conformity with the above state­ments as percolation proceeds; this is known as Day's phe­nomenon.

In effect, therefore, the bleaching process produces a con-centration of paraffin hydrocarbons from the petroleum.

The practical result is an improvemenL in: (a) acidity, (b) color, (c) demulsibility, (d) gums, (e) sulphur, (f) carbon residue, (g) corrosion, and (h) moisture.

It may aptly be mentioned at this point that the lerm "bleaching" is perhaps unfortunately chosen; color in an oil is oflen not objectionable in itself, except from the psychological point of view, but, in the c.ase of mineral oils, the color is gen­erally an indication of an impurity which is undesirable. There is some thought that the exlreme degree of decolorization de­manded by the public in motor oils, for example, is accompanied by a loss of some valuable lubricating properties.48

It has been mentioned that the properties of the oil influence the details of treatment with earths; similar details relating to the history of the earth must also be considered.49

In preparation for "Percolation", it is of primary importance that the earth be graded carefully and heat treated or dehydrated to the degree found to be specific for that earth50 and that oil;51 the temperature varies from about 200° to 480° C. (392° to 900° F.).52 • 53

·16Gurwitsch, Leo-Moore, Harold. op. cit., pp. 401, 403. 47 GUpin, J. E., and Schneoburger. P., Fractionation of California petroleum by difrusion

thru fuller's earth: Amer. Chem. Jour., vol. 50. pp. 64-100, 1913. ' 8Kauffman. l:l. L .. The role of adsorption in petroleum refining: Chem. and Met. Eni:,:.

vol. 30, p. 153, 1924. 0Mant~ll. C. L .. op. cit .. pp. 1062, 1065. sooay, D. 'I'., op. cit., vol. 2, p. 378. ••Kalichevsky, V. A., and Stagner, B. A .. op. cit., pp. 176-177. • 2Parmelco, C. W .. op. cu,., p. 177. 53Kuttlng, l'. G., The bleaching clays: U.S. Geo!. Survey, Clrc. 3, p. 40, 1933.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 47

A mineral oil fraclion is usually neutralized and then diluted to reduce the viscosity, so as to permit a reasonably rapid rate of flow during the percolation. The oil is normally (but not always) 54 heated to 38° to 65° C. (100° to 150° F.) by heat ex­changers55 or otherwise. It may be passed through the filter bed in either direction.66 Frequently, the process is in stages where fresh, untreated oil passes first through a partially spent earth and finally through a fresh product.57 The process is stopped when the product attains the limiting degree of color, the excess oil is removed by solvents and by steam, and the earth is removed from the filter for revivification or regeneration.

This process consists of ignition in a furnace at a carefully controlled temperature, ranging from 205° to 760° C. (400° to 1400° F.) in the presence of an excess of air so as to burn the adsorbed hydrocarbons which remain in the earth. There is a progressive deterioration of the earth during the successive cycles of revivification attributed to incomplete combustion and deposition of carbon in the microscopic pores and channels. 58

However, the Floridin Company59 has shown that this is less serious when the ignition is conducted in a multiple-hearth furnace, where close temperature control is readily obtained, than in other types of furnaces formerly used for the purpose. It has been stated that this type of furnace makes it possible to retain the earth in use indefinitely at about 80 per cent of its original efficiency by replacement of the normal mechanical loss amounting to about 3 per cent60 with new earth after each cycle.

In the "Contact" process of refining petroleum products, the undiluted oil is mixed with fine earth in proportions ranging from about 0.3 to 30 per cent,61 and the mix is heated to tem­peratures ranging from about 120° to 370° C. (250° to 700° F.) 62

in an agitator tank of about 125 barrels capacity for about one-half hour, or until the froth (due to moisture) disappears. The evolution of steam increases agitation and protects the hot

54Day, D. T., op. cit., vol. 2, p. 377. ••Brockway, G. G., Filtering oil by percolation method; restoring spent earth: Nat.

Pet. News, vol. 19, No. 38, p. 145, Sept. 21, 1927. 56Kaufl'man, H. L., Effect of size and shapo of filter on percolation filtration: Refiner

and Nat. Gas. Mfrer .• vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 74-75, Apr., 1928. • 7Brockway, a. a., op. cit., p. 147. S8Gurwitsch, Loo-Moore, Harold, op. cit., p. 415. 69~1antell, C. L., op. cit .. , p. 1070, Fig. 19. 6°Kaufl'man, II. L., Effect of size and shape of filter on percolation filtration: Refiner

and Nat. Gas. l\llfrer., vol. 7, No. 4, p. 74, Apr., 1928. G1Davls, C. W., and Vacher, H. C. op. cit., p. 40. 6!Kalichevsky, V. A., a.nd Stagner, D. A., op. cit., pp. 202, 205, 206.

48 Jvfissouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

oil from oxidation.63 The earth may be added in the dry form or as an emulsion of earth, water, and oil.64 After the treatment is concluded, the entire mass is cooled to 65° to 150° C. (150° to 300° F.),65, oo to prevent darkening on exposure to air and is separated by filtration into its constituents, spent earth and refined oil. The spent earth is trealed in the press with solvents and steam to displace the oil with which it is saturated, and is then normally wasted67 since investigation has failed to evolve a practical method of revivification. Contacting by stages should be a more efficient use of the earth if the Freundlich adsorption isotherm applies, 68 but, so far as is known to the writer, the practice has not been adopted.

The choice between the two methods, "Percolation" and "Contact" depends largely on praclical conditions including the relative cost of lhe two grades of material.69 The present difference in prices has doubtless been a result of the fact that manufacture of the coarser sizes, which were in great demand for percolation, necessitated the disposal of undersize or fines, as it ·will be readily recognized that the milling cost of producing fine material is normally greater than for coarse. The contact process &eems to be most popular, 70 although a reluctance on the part of some of the older refiners to abandon existing equip­ment, and the high degree of development of lhe revivification of coarse earth, have succeeded in keeping percolation equipment in use. It is also no doubt true that a further increase. toward the point of complete domination in the use of the contact process will result in a more normal price comparison between the two grades of earlh, in which case the percolation grade will be cheaper than Lhe contact. The relative merits of the two methods of decolorizing mineral oils have been discussed widely, and the matter is summarized by Davis. 71 The use of earths for

6.1l(auffman, H. L .. 'l'he roi<' of adsorption in petroleum rcfl~ing: Chem. and Met. )Ing .• vol. 30, p. J 55, 1924.

64l(auffman, H. L., Arizona halloysitc suitable for clay pulp contact filtration: Refiner and Xat. <1as. l\lfrer., vol. 6, );o. 8, p. 168, Aug., 1927.

<l<>f! rock\,ay, G. G .. op. cit., p. 145. 66Kalichcvsky, v. A., and Stal!'ner, B. A .. op. cit., p. 207. 67BeJI, H. s., American petroleum refining, 2nd. ed., 4th ptg., p. 398, Van Nostrand, 1933, os1,alichevsky. Y. A .. and Stagner, B. A .. op. cit ., p. 170. 69Kauffman. H. L., Effect of size and shape of filter on percolation filtration: Refiner

and Kat. Gas. :Mfrer., vol. 7, No. 4, p. 74, Apr., 19213. 70 1\uttiog. P. G., The bleaching clays: U. S. Geo!. Survey. Circ. 3, p. 8, 1933. 71 Davis, L. L., 1; nderlying principles of contact ftltration: Paper before New York

meeting or Amer. Jnst. of Min. and Met. Eng,, Feb. 22-3, 1928, published in Refiner and Nat. Gas. c\1frer., vol. 7, ):o. 3, pp. 91, 100, Mar., 1928.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 49

contacl petroleum refining in the vapor phase, which is relatively old in theory but new in commercial application, is described by Kalichevsky and Stagner. 72

Methods of Testing.

There have been many attempts in Lhe laboratory examina­tion of materials to obtain an indication of the bleaching value by short methods based on various facts and theories which have been proposed. For example, it has been suggested that adsorbents be evaluated by: (a) "heat of moistening" which is a characteristic phenomenon encountered when an adsorbent acts on a solute, 73 • 74 and is frequently attributed to polymerization; (b) "apparent density" which is a rough measure of the porosity of a material; n

( c) adsorption of dyes which are materials of definite composition and readily duplicated in contrast to the almost infinite varia­bility of petroleum oils; 76

• 77 and

(d) adsorption of bases which depends upon the fact discovered long ago that active earths adsorb the basic ions from salts and thus appear to be acid in nature. 78

None of these tests have proven to be of great value in this investigation, and at present there is general agreement that laboratory tests must be of the nature of an actual decolorizing Lest with a duplication, as nearly as possible, of the oil to be treated commercially and of the conditions under which it is to be treated in plant practice. 79 Much thought has been given to the details of laboratory procedure. The proposed methods are based on the mutual relationship between

(a) weight of earth, (b) volume of oil, and (c) color of product.

72Qp. cit., pp. 210-215. 7SDunstan, A. E .. Thole, F. B., and Rcmfry, F. G. P., Bauxite as ,~ refining agent for

petroleum dl.stillation: Jour. of the Soc. of Chem . . Ind. (British). vol. 43, p. 181-185, 1924. 74Gurnitsch, .Loo-:'vioore, Harold, op. cit., pp. 398-399. 76Cupit, C. W., Jr .. Clays- and their application iu refining: ){eflner and l\at. Gas.

Mfrer., vol. 7, No. 4, p. 69, Apr., 1928. 76Ashley, II. rn., The colloid matter of clay and its measurement: U. S . Ocol. Survey

Bull. 388, pp. 46-47, 1909. 77 Hill. J. B., Nichols, L. W .• and Cowles. );(. C., Jr .. A test fc:ir relative decolorizing

efficiencies of clays: lnd. and Eng. Cl1ern., vol. 17, pp. 818-819, 1925. 78Bancroft, W. D., Applied colloid chemistry, 1st ed., 2cl. Jmpr .• p. 121, :\-1:cGraw-Hill,

1921. 79Parsons, A. B .• op. cit., p. 771.

50 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Time, temperature, concentration and type of color are variables of importance, but they can be held constant for any series of comparisons so that any one of ihe first three variables will affect the second if the third be constant. The various schemes of evaluation can be classified on Lhis basis. The test may be a determination of (a) Lhe amount of earlh necessary to decolorize a fixed quantity of oil to a given degree, (b) the amount of oil of a given color produced by a fixed quantity of earth, or (c) the amount of color removed when a fixed amount of oil is treated with a fixed amount of earth.

The first system is awkward to use because it is impossible to predict in advance the exact proportions of an unknown earth to oil which is necessary to match the given color, but an out­line has been given. 80

The second system is practical to apply and lhe results can be calculated so as to state the quantity of earth required per unit of oil as the refiner would wish to have it for cost com­parisons. Such methods are described by a number of writers for percolation tests, 81 • 82 • 83 and they are in use by prominent oil refiners. 84 • 85

The third system is readily applicable if some means of color comparison is available. Several writers have outlined procedure for tests, which might be termed qualitative, where the relative position of earths with respect to each other in a series can be determined but not the numerical ratio of values. If suitable means are available for color measurement on a "true color" basis, where the numerical designation of the color is in direct proportion to the amount of color present, these tests may be and have been made quantitative. 8 6 , 87 , 88, 89

The third system is particularly adapted to ihe quantitative study of relative values of adsorbents by Lhe application of the Freundlich adsorption isotherm 90 previously described.

soMeyer, J. E., op. cit., p, 82. 81 Cross, Roy, A handbook of petroleum. asphalt and natural gas: Bull. 25 of Kansas

City ·resting Laboratory, p. 373, 1931. •2('upit, G. W., Jr., op. cit., pp. 69-70. 83Nutt.ing, P. G. , Activation of three common types of refinery bleaching clay using

water and weak acid: Oil and Gas Jour .• vol. 32. No. 26, p. 17, Nov. 16. 1933. S<Wilson. J. ·w., personal communication, 1934. s.;Mlller, Clarke, personal communication, 1934. "6Cross. Roy. op. cit., p. 373. 87Davis, C. W .. and Messer. L. n .. op. cit., p. 10. ssl<alichevsky. V. A., and Ramsay, .r. W .. op. cit .• pp. 941-3. 89Moormann, ,\. R., Special decolorizing method reduces manufacturing costs: A paper

presented before Oklahoma sect.ion, Amer. Chem. Soc., Oil and Gas. Jour., vol. 23, No. 51. p. 100. May 14. 1925. .

00Rogers, 'I'. H., Grimm. J<'. V., and Lemmon. N . E., Adsorption studies on the decolori­:tation of mineral oils: Ind. and Eng, Chem .. vol. 18, pp. 164-169, 1926.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 51

A large number of methods of procedure for the lesting of edible oils, particularly Lhat of the American Oil Chemists Society, 91 were summarized by l\Ia and Withrow 92 who studied the various factors afiecting the results obtained by the official melhod. So far as the writer has been able to find, there is no accepted or standard method of procedure in the case of mineral oils, nor is there any attempt to establish one. From preliminary advice, il has seemed desirable in this investigation to apply both " percolation" and "contact" in the order named since there was information to the effect that an earth which did not successfully decolorize an oil by percolation would not normally be of value for contacting.

LABORATORY INVESTIGATION

Origin of Samples and Method of Sampling:- A large number of samples of earth were obtained from a number of prospects in the Porters Creek (Eocene) formation in southeastern Mis­souri.

For practical reasons, these were consolidated into com­posites to form 88 samples of the Porters Creek series and 9 of miscellaneous clays and earths of varying character. In addition, 17 samples of commercial earths were received from sources previously acknowledged.

The samples used in the tests were of two types, outcrop and borehole. In taking an outcrop sample, the entire face to be sampled was thoroughly cleaned off, and from 25 to 40 pounds of material were collecled from the zone sampled. This method was used on deposits believed to be of lesser importance, and those which were favorably situated with respect to roads and railroads were drilled with a soil auger and samples were saved every foot. A four-inch Iwan pattern post auger was used in this work, with four-foot sections of one-half-inch pipe as an extension handle. The deepest hole drilled with this equip­ment was 25 feel, using two men and pulling the pipe by hand. In many cases it was found necessary to break ahead of the auger with a chisel bar to speed up the drilling.

The location of the properties listed below is shown on the geologic map accompanying Part I of this report. Petrographic

91 American Oil Chemists Society. Olllcial methods of chemical analysis of the. published as loose-leaf data sheets. Rev. to Aug. 1, 1930, 51 pp .. c. !. p. 18, obtainable through J . C. Helm. Sec'y .. New Orleans. La.

92Ma. Chieh. and Withrow, J. R., A study of the official method of bleaching test of the American Oil Chemists' Society: Jnd. and Eng. Chem .• Anal. Ed .• vol. 2. pp. 874-377, 1930.

52 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

studies of samples of clay from some of these localities have been made. These results are given in Table l, in Part III of this report.

List of Localities from Which Samples Were Tested for Bleaching Power

RCOTT COUNTY:

Locality 1: .\LA. Eisenstein property in the NE. h 8E. J,4 sec. 26, T. 29 N .. R. HE, l J,<, miles southwest of Commerce, on Benton road ('l' hPbes Quad1·angleJ at "hat is locally called "Jackson Hill." 'l'hrcc holes were drilled "hkh, "hen combined, represent the entire thickness (31 feet) of the Porters Creek clay at this point. The formation lies bet"een elnatlon 409 and 140 feet aboYe sea level. and a,·eragc lO\\ lanrl level is 325 feet above sea level.

Locality l: .\1. A Eiscnstain property, in the NW. U sec. 25. T. 29 N., R. 14 E .. 1 mile soulh\\est of Commerce, on the .Henton road (Thebes quadrangle) at property known as the Joe Ellis farm. ,\ hole was drlUed which represents the entire thick­ness (25 feet) of the Porters < reek clay at this point. The formation lies between elevation 375 and 400 and avcrag<' lowland level Is 325 feet above sea level.

Locality 3: ::'ITetropolltan Life lnsuranee Company Parm No. 646X. in the SW. )1 Nl<:. h sec. 2:l, '1'. 28 N., R. 13 E., 2 milrs southwest of Benton on r. S. Highway Xo. 61 (.\forlcy <1uadranglc) . Three holes were drill1•d which. when comhinecl. represent the entire thickness (40 feet) of Porters Creek clay at this point. The formation lies b<'t\\een elevation 366 and 406. and average 10\dand level ls 3r,o feet abo,·c sea Jovel

Locality 4: Hobert Wade property, In the J°\E, Jo SW. Ji sec. 23. T. 28 X., R . ia K. 2),<, miles so111lrn<'st of Henton on r . S. Highway No. (H (l\lorley quadran1tle) . Two holes were drilled which. when combined, represent tbi> entire thickness (25 feet) or the Porters C'reelc clay at this point. '!'he formation lies bet\\e('n <'le,·ation 370 and 395, and aYeragc lowlaud levPl is 350 feet abov(' sea lC'vcl.

Locallt)· 5: iYU!lam Glasscock property, in the SW. J4 NW. Y,, sec. 28. T. 28 N., R. 13 E., 3 miles southeast of Oran on ;.llssouri Highway Xo. 55 (Morley quad­rangle ). Two holes were drilled which. when combined with an outcrop sample covering a 15 foot face, represent the entire thickness (40 feet) of the Porters Creek clay at this point. Tho formation lies between elevation 364 and 404. '!'he ele· Yation of the valley floor at this point ls 378 feet above sea. level.

r,ocallty 6: l\fay l•'ulle1rnidn property, in the SW. Yi ~.I!:. )4, sec. 20. 'I', 28 N., R. 13 E., 1 ~ miles southeast of Oran on )Ussouri Highway )<o. 55 ()1orley quadrangle). An outcrop sample was taken "hlch represents a face of 24 feet which is the total thickness of the :Porters Creek clay at this point. The formation lies between ele­vation 413 and 437, and average lowland levP.l is 3aO feet above sea level.

STODDARD COU.'.\'TY:

Locality 7: Ardeola. school property, in the XW. H NW~, sec. 10, T. 27 ,..; ., R. 11 E. ;!,,!, mile northwest of Ardcola (Advance quadrangle). Two halos were drllled which. when combined. represent the lower 22 feet of the Portors Creek clay at this point. The total thickness of the formation is 47 feet and the upper portion ls represented by outcrop samples. The formation lies between elevation 435 and 482, and M·erage lowland level ls 325 feet above sea level.

Locality 8: Union Central Life Insurance Company property, in the NW. U S-W. y,[, scc. 21. T. 27 K.. R. 11 E .. %; mile north of Zeta (Bloomflold quadrangle). Two outcrop samples were taken which represent a 20 foot face exposed in a gully be­t\\ecn elevation 380 and 400 feet. The total thickness of the Porters Creek at this point is unknown.

Locality 9: W. H. Palmer property, in the NE. H XW. U. sec. 28, 'l'. 27 :N., R. 11 E .. ~ mile north of Zeta on Toppert-Owu road (Bloomfield quadrangle). A series or eight holes we.re drilled which, when combined, represent the upper 60 feet of the Porters Creek clay at this point. That part of the formation which was sampled lies between elevation 326 and 386, and the total thickness of the formation is unknown. Average lowland level ls 325 feet above sea level.

Locality 10: William Emery property, in the SW. USE. ?'i, sec. 17, T. 27 N .. .R. 11 E .. 2~ miles northwest of Zet.a, (Bloomfield quadrangle). An outcrop sample was taken representing the middle third of a total exposure of 40 feet. The Porters Cre~k clay lies between elev-at.ion 420 and 460 at this point.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 53

Locality 11: 0. D. Layton property, in the NW. U NW. U, sec. 4, T. 26 N., R. 11 E., 1%; miles west of Avert (Bloomfield quadran@le). An outcrop sample was collected from an exposure along the road at an approximate elevation of 400 feet. The total thickness of the Porters Creek clay at this point is unknown.

Locality 12: Mrs. A. D. Blocker property, in the NW. U, SE. U. sec. 3, T. 26 N .. R. 11 E., 3 8 mile south of Avert (Bloomfield quadrangle). Three holes were drilled which represent the upper 45 feet of the Porters Creek clay at this point, lying between elevations 322 and 367. The total thickness of the formation at this point is unknown. Poplar Branch is at elevation 340.

Locality 13: Mrs. E. I. Jorndt property, in the NW. !4 NW. )4, sec. 9. 'T'. 26 ~ .. R. 11 E., 1~ miles southwest of Avert (Bloomfield quadrangle). Two outcrop samples were taken of a 10-foot face of clay exposed on Poplar Branch, which repre­sents the upper portion of the formation at this point. The total thickness of tho formation at this point ls unknown.

Locality 14: D. )vt. Davis property, In the SK U. NJ!:. U. sec. 10, T. 26 N., R. 11 E., ~ mile upstream from Beech Grove School (Bloomfield quadrangle). An outcrop sample representing a bank exposure 25 feet high on Beech Grove Branch. the base of which Is at an elevation of approximately 360 feet above sea level. The total thickness and the relation of this exposure to tho top of Porters Creek clay is un­known.

Locality 15: Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. property, In the SE. U, NW. U. sec. 11, T. 26 N., R. 11 E., 1 mile northwest of Guam (Bloomfield quadrangle) . Two outcrop samples were taken representing the upper 30 feet of the formation at this point.

Locality 16: Mrs. A. W. Bess propert,y, in the SE. )4, NE. !4, sec. 28, T. 26 N .. R. 11 E., ~ mile north of Idalia (Bloomfield quadrangle). Three outcrop samples were taken representing the upper twenty feet of the formation at this point.

Locality 17: E.W. Richmond property, in the SE. U, SE. U, sec. 2. T. 26 N .. R. 10 E., 2~ miles north of Bloomfield (Bloomfield quadrangle). One hole was drilled, cutting 8 feet of the Porters Creek beneath 7 feet of soil.

Locality 18: S. A. Book property, in tho NE. U, SE. >i, sec. 5, T. 25 N., R. 18 E., 3~ miles northwest of Dexter (Bloomfield quadrangle). One bole was drilled, cutting 7 feet of the Porters Creek beneath 10 feet of soil.

Method of Preparation of Samples. Most of the commercial earth samples were received as a

milled product ready for use by the consumer. A few of them, however, and all of the Missouri earths, were received as lumps or as samples taken from borings with an earth auger. A few representative pieces were chosen for superficial physical ex­amination, in all cases where lumps were available. The balance of the material was reduced by crushing and g1inding, with the necessary amount of intermediate drying, to obtain two products using Tyler Standard screens on a Rotap testing machine: (a) Percolation grade, between 65 and 100 mesh ( -65 + 100 m.) and (b) Con tact grade, finer than 100 mesh ( -100 m.). It was believed that the two grades were similar in quality in all respec ls, since these earths were of a comparatively uniform and homo­geneous texture.

Methods of Determination of Physical Characteristics. Available lumps were examined for shrinkage of the moist

lump, and for fracture and behavior on wetting of the dry lump with a small amount of water. All samples except those com-

54 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

mercial earth samples already of contact grade and a few others of minor importance were examined as to "apparent density" by the method described by Cupit. 93 The test was performed on a percolation grade earth by determination of the weight of approximately 50 cubic centimeters of the earth as packed in a 100 cubic centimeter graduate by dropping it 50 time£ from a height of about 1 inch on a rubber stopper. The results were staled in grams per cubic centimeter of gross volume. Color was observed on the percolation grade ground material. A few determinations were made on contact mesh earth of the "ap­parent acidity" following essentially the method used by Par­sons94 where 2 grams of earth were stirred thoroughly with 100 cubic centimeters of distilled water in a 250 cubic centimeter beaker and titrated with N / 10 sodium hydroxide solution using phenolphthalein as an indicator. The dark color of the earth used in most of these tests obscured the color of the indicator, and this difficulty was evaded by addition of an excess of alkali, filtration of lhe earth from the solution, and titration of the excess of alkali in the filtrate by back titration with standard hydrochloric acid rnlution. The results were expressed as cubic centimeters of N / 10 sodium hydroxide per 100 grams of earth.

Method of Making Percolation Tests. The method used by Nutting95 was chosen from those

available as one which seemed most readily applicable to this case. After a period of study, some modifications were applied which effected speed and accuracy. This test falls in the ~econd classification previously outlined where the measure of Lhe value of the earth is the amount of oil obtained on treatment with a given amount of earth before the oil allained a predetermined degree of darkening.

The filter vessel consisted of two of the pinch clamp type of buretles (without the customary rubber tubing, tip, and clamp) with overall lengths of 34 and 45 centimeters and bore of 1.15 and 1.09 centimeters respectively. The use of two burettes permitted simultaneous duplicate determinations on all samples without loss of time. Several discs were cul from bronze wire screen cloth of slightly less diameter than the bore of the filter ves£els. An automatic feeding device was provided Lo maintain

9i c upit, G. w ., Jr., op. cit .. p. 69. 94Parsons, C. L., Fuller·s earth: U.S. Bur. Mines Bull. 71. p. 32, 1913. 95Nutting, P. G., Activation of three common typos of refinery clay using water and

weak a.cld: Oil and Gas Jour., vol. 32, No. 26. p. 17, Nov. 16, 1933.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 55

a substantially constant head of oil above the filter bed, and consequently a uniform rate of flow, during the test. Several 10 cubic centimeter graduates and a number of homeopathic 21 by 70 millimeter vials were used to receive the filtrate. T he vials were specially selected from a large stock with particular reference to uniformity of size and shape of bottom, and they were marked at a point corresponding to approximately 2 cubic centimeters but as accurately as possible at the same height above the base.

The earth was of the percolation grade and most tests were made on air-dried material.

The oil was one obtained from, and recommended by, a prominent petroleum refining company for the purpose, and was an untreated lubricating oil distillate with properties described in the Lable below. The viscosity was reduced by dilution with an equal volume of high Lest gasoline. A color buffer or "end-point" was prepared from this dilution by a second dilution with an equal volume of the same gasoline so that the second dilution contained one-half as much color as the oil fed to the filter or one-quarter as much as the undiluted oil; iL was called a "half color end-point". The extreme volatility of the gasoline necessitated a renewal of the feed oil at frequent intervals, no less often than twice daily in hot weather.

TABLE SHOWING PROPERTIES OF TEST OIL.

The original oil was described as an "untreated lubricating oil distallate of viscosity 300 to 500 Saybolt Universal second.

Proper ty

Obser ved gravi ty, A .P.I. , d egrees . ............. . Obser ved density. . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . Corrected specific gravity.. . . . . ........... . .. . Corrected gravity A.P.I. , degrees .. . .. . .. .. . . .. . Raybolt Fnive rsal Viscosity at 208°F .. seconds ... . C olor, N.P .A. num ber ........................ . Color. X.P.A. name. . . . . .. . ........ . .

Original Oil Treated Original Untreated 1 hr. with 22.5 lbs.

Oil C.P. H,SO, per

21.1 at76°F. 0 .926 a.t 76° 1<' . 0 .933 at 60 / 60

20 . 2 at 60 / 60 71 4-

orange pale

bbl. at 100°F.

22 .4 at76°F . 0. 918 at 76°F . 0.925 a.t 60; 60

21. 5 at 60 / 60 67 4-

orangc pale

The filler tube was prepared for a test by insertion of a wad of absorbent cotton followed by one of Lhe screen discs­lhis assembly was then seated against the constricted end of the tube. About 10 cubic centimeters of earth was added to the tube which was inclined and rolated slowly in order to avoid

56 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

air pockets and to reduce Lhe tendency toward segregation of coarser particles along the wall of the tube. Packing of the material was carefully avoided. The volume of earth was recorded after supporting the tubes by a ringstand, the feed oil was added, and the head was adjusted to attain essentially the same velocity of flow in the two lubes which was arbitrarily taken as 0.75 centimeters per minute. The filtrate was col­lected in 10 cubie, centimefer graduates and the calibrated vials. As the color of the filtrate darkened, successive vial portions were compared wilh some of the "half color" oil by viewing from above Lhrough a bond paper "diffuser" against an incandescent globe in a home-made color comparator, and when the color of the filtrate matched the end point, the test was completed. The volume ot filtrate collected up to this time divided by the volume of earth used, or cubic centimeter oil per cubic centimeters earth, was the measure of the "Bleach­ing Value" for that earth, oil and end-point, which may be translated into barrels of oil per ton earth by determination of the specific weight of the earth in the unpacked condition.

The Bleach Value, as determined here, is thus directly proportional to the value of an earth for decolorizing the given oil to the degree represenled by the "half color end-point" chosen. The apparatus was Lhen cleaned thoroughly with gasoline before the next test.

All of the filtrate was mixed together, and a small portion was subjected to a stability test by heating in an electric drying oven 72 hours at 105°C. (221 °F.) which was followed by deter­mination of the color rating on Lhe cooled oil by comparison in a Dubosq colorimeter with an arbitrary standard. (Results showed that the colors of both Missouri and commercial earths were so dark under these conditions that no color comparison was possible and the writer recommends a heat treatment for this test of not to exceed 6 hrs. at 105°C.)

Method of Making Contact Tests. This method adopted for use in this phase of the invesliga­

tion was essentially that used by the organization which fur­nished the oil but some desirable modifications were applied. The test is of the Lhird classification where the earth is evalualed by the color of the oil produced when fixed quantities of oil and earth were used.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 57

The contact vessel was a 200 cubic cenlimeter Lall form glass beaker supported by a ringstand and provided with a glass stirrer of the propeller type, operated at about 1000 revolutions per minute, a thermometer, and a source of carbon dioxide for protection of the oil against oxidation during the heating and cooling cycles.

The earth was the -100 mesh grade previously described. The screen Lest on one sample believed Lo be representative was:

Mesh Per Cent. -100 + 150.. . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 -150 + 200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 -200 + 300.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 - 300. .. . .... . ...... . .... .. ..... . . .. .. . ...... .. . 19

100

The earth was used in the air dried condition in routine tests. Special tests were made on several of the earths which were acid treated in a manner based on general plant procedure, but essentially according to the conditions outlined by Nutting, 96

excepl as to quantities. The acid treatment was conducted in a 600 cubic centi­

meter tall form beaker provided with a glass stirrer of the pro­peller type operated at about 1000 revolutions per minute, a therm0meter, and a gas burner for heating. The contact grade of earth was used. Chemically pure sulphuric acid was diluted to the required strength with di.stilled water: 20 per cent acid was used in routine comparisons. In the treatment, 308 cubic centimeters of the dilute acid was placed in the beaker, the agitator was started, and 150 grams of the fine earth was added. This is equivalent lo about 0.5 pounds of 66° acid per pound of earth. The temperature was Lhen raised to about 100°C. (212°F.) and maintained at that point for 6 to 7 hours. Stirring was continuous, and evaporation loss was replaced by distilled water. The agitator was stopped after remova,l of the heat, Lhe beaker was removed and the contents were diluted with an approximately equal volume of distilled water, stirred, and allowed to settle. The supernatant liquor was then decanted, and the process of washing by decantation was repeated until a test of the liquor showed less than 1 per cent acid. The batch was then filtered through paper on a Buechner funnel, but not washed, dried on a sand bath overnight, and screened through 100 mesh.

9Ci:Nutting, P. G., Activation of three types of refinery bleaching clay using water and weak acid: Oil and Oas Jour., vol. 32, No. 26, p. 17, 1933.

58 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

For contact testing, it was recommended that the oil first be acid treated. The method outlined follows essentially Lhe proportions of plant practise with some of the details modified in accordance with suggestions by the organization which furnished lhe oil used in this investigation.

The acid treatment of the oil was conducted in a 5-liter round-bol tomed flask provided with a glass-propeller-type agitator (which was motor driven al about 1000 revolutions per minute), a thermometer, and a gas burner. One gallon of oil was poured into the flask, the agitator was started, and Lhe oil was heated gently to about 38°C. (100°F.) At Lhis Lime Lhe source of heal was removed and 130 cubic centimeters of chemi­cally pure sulphuric acid was added; Lhis is equivalent to about 22,%' pounds of 66° acid per barrel of oil. The temperature normally rose to 46°C. (ll 7°F.) due to heat of reaction and lhen cooled slowly to 42°C. (108°F.) About 38 cubic centimeters of water was added 55 minutes after lhe lime the acid was added lo facilitate separation of 1 he sludge from Lhe oil and the agi ta­lion was terminated after one hour exposure of acid to the oil. The hatch was allowed to settle at room temperature for 40 hours or more, and the oil was decanted from the sludge. Filtra­tion of the oil is difficult and was found to be an unnecessary refinement if decantation is per±ormed carcf ully. IL was dis­covered during this investigation that it is extremely difficull, if not impossible, to exactly duplicate results on different small batches, and that the differences were such as to cause serious discrepancies in the contact color rating; subsequent lo this dis­covery, several batches were prepared and carefully blended for future work, and it is of great importance that some such practise be followed by anyone engaged in a similar series oi tesls.

The procedure for contact testing was as follows: 100 cubic centimeters of the acid treated oil was placed in the beaker, 9.2 grams of earth was added (equivalent lo 10 per cent. by weight of the oil), and the agitator was started. A steady stream of carbon dioxide was bubbled through the mixture at a rapid rate, and the mixture was healed lo 121°C. (250°F.). The temperature was maintained manually at this point for 30 minutes (the temperature variation was within the limils ±5°C.) . The mixture was then cooled, with continual agitation and vigorous gassing with carbon dioxide, Lo 50°C. (122°F.). The use of a fan during the cooling period will greally accelerate the cooling rate, and this practise was followed during Lhe latter

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 59

part of this investigation. The cooled mixture was filtered through paper Oil a Buechner funnel and stored in a bollle. The color rating was determined as soon as practicable after the filtration by the use of a Dubosq colorimeter. An arbitrary standard, matching the color of an oil prepared by contacting with a well known commercial earth, was prepared with pola.5-sium chromate and bichroma le in the proportion 20.18 grams potassium chromate and 2.94 grams potassium bichromate per liter of waler solution; to this, a value of 100 was assigned. The standard water solution was then placed in one cup of Lhe colorimeter, the unknown in the other, and the ralio of depths at which Lhe colors became equal was determined and expressed as the "Color Rating." The "Color Ratings," as thus expressed,

Dopth of column for unknown x 100 -----------= Color Rat!ng

Depth of column for standard

are higher for light colored oils than for dark ones and are reciprocal to "true color" values.

It should be observed that the "Color Ratings" are not truly proportional to the relative value of the earths, and there can therefore be no direct comparison between "Color Ratings" of the contact tests and "Bleaching Values" of the percolation tests. By a simple calculation, it can be determined that the true value of any one earth with reference to a second is some­thing less than the ratio which would be found by dividing the "Color Rating" of the first by that of the second. The amount of this difference depends upon the "Color Rating," on Lhe same basis, of the original uncontacted oil, but is always quite large under practical conditions.

A portion of the filtrate from each batch of .oil contacted was heated for 72 hours at 105°C. (221°F.) to determine the color stability. The color of the oil so treated was evaluated in Lhe same manner just described for the unheated oil.

For the very desirable application of Freundlieh's adsorp­tion isotherm lo this study, iL would have been necessary to evaluate lhe color of the acid treated oil before contacting. Several allempls tq make such measurements failed, largely because the acid treated oil was characterized by a green color, whereas the normal product of contacting with an earth of practical value was an oil ranging in color from red to yellow, and the standard of comparison was. necessarily of the same nature colorimetrically. An evaluation of the color of th~ un-

60 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

contacled oil would involve the use of a color analyzer by which the three primary colors could all be measured, and equipmenl of this nature was not available.

The "Color Rating" on the freshly contacted oil was called the "Initial Color Rating," and that obtained on the oil after the stability lest was called the "Final Color Rating"

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

Physical Characteristics. Shrinkage:-Since some shrinkage cracks appeared on dry­

ing the moist lumps of nearly every sample examined, the characteristic may be favorable in an earth used for decoloriza­tion but is certainly not conclusive.

Fracture: - The conchoidal type of fracture was common to all lump samples examined and cannot therefore be used to distinguish between good and poor earths.

Behavior on Wetting:- None of lhe Missouri earths and only one of the two commercial earth samples available in lump form were sufficiently porous to float on water. Since the com­mercial earth which did float was of good quality, it may be that the characteristic is favorable, but the evidence obtained is not conclusive. It was noticed that those earths later proven to be the better bleaching agents did not completely disintegrate to a slime.

Apparent Density:-There appears to be a very rough rela:ionship b€.Lween the apparent density and the bleaching value, but the evidence is not conclusive and the test would certainly not be a reliable index of the value of the Porters Creek clays although it might apply to other types. The ap­parent density of Missouri earths ranged from 0.57 to 0.86 grams per cubic centimeter; six commercial earth samples yielded values ranging from 0.48 to 0.815.

Color:-A light color may be considered favorable since the color of the better commercial earths was uniformly light; however, some of the lighter Missouri earths were of lesser value and some of the darker earths were of higher value, so that no conclusion is possible from the evidence obtained here.

Apparent Acidity:-Only a few determinations of this property were made, and the results do not show any relation­ship between the apparent acidity and the value of the earth for bleaching purposes.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 61

Turpentine Rise:-A closely related material, Lurpentine, was used in place of pinene, in an attempt to evaluate some of the earths by their "heat of moistening." It seemed to be im­possible to obtain consistent resulls on any one sample, and the results arc therefore not reported.

Percolation Bleaching Values:- The results of the per­colation tests are shown graphically on Plate VII, on which commercial earths are distinguished by letters, and Missouri earths from the Porters Creek formation are designated by symbols chosen as a means of identification of the locality and depth from which they were taken.

Revivification Tests:-The procedure for determining the stamina of the earths after successive cycles of revivification was chosen to approximate plant operation. Spent earth was accumulated from previous percolation tests. It was first washed four times with an approximately equal volume of high test gasoline in order to remove the oil with which it was satu­rated; the washing was performed rapidly by shaking the mixture vigorously for a few seconds in a stoppered bottle followed by about a minute of settling and then decantation of the liquid. The earth was allowed to dry thoroughly in the bottle for several hours after the final wash. It was then ignited in a crucible at about 500°C. ± 10° ( about 930°F.) for 2 hours in an electric muffle, with portholes open for circulation of air, cooled in a dessicator, and subjected to a percolation test. The procedure differs materially from commercial practise in that it was not feasible to stir the material during the ignition period and there was therefore a deficiency of air in the body of the earth for com­bustion of the absorbed hydrocarbons from the pores. In this respect, the results in commercial practise should be better than those made here in the laboratory. It is pertinent to mention that the observed temperature was that of the air above the material and not Lhat of the earth itself which was doubtless materially colder than 500°C. The amount of time involved in the test prohibited a complete set of data on all samples, con­sequently the test was applied to four of the Missouri earths which appeared to be of particular interest, namely: locality 1, the Eisenstein property near Commerce, at what is known locally as "Jackson Hill;" localities 3 and 4, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and Wade properties, about 2;4 miles southwest of Benton on Highway 61, in Scott county; the Blocker farm near Avert, in Stoddard county, and to two of the commercial

62 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

materials. The test on these samples was continued through eight revivification cycles without ma1erial decrease in value in any case which indicates that the earths tested retained their value Lo about the same degree. The data are presented graphi­cally on Figure 2, where the bleaching value charted for zero revivifications is that obtained on a sample of the earth after ignition at the same temperature used throughout this series.

Percolation by Stages:- A test was made to determine the effect of stage percoiation using one of the Missouri earths. After the initial percolation, the spent earth was replaced by a fresh portion and the oil product was treated a second and a

NUMBE.li?. OF 11.EV\VIFICATIO'H&

l ~ -4 5 A.

'll-------~-r---·· ~-~-- ~-1,--2 I

0 l

CoA WIEl.:CIAL IF,AQ1H •n•

z ~--'---i.---...! ~-,._ ---, tr- -- ,--- ' r--I

0 I LOC.A ITV A. ~joe,E,QT WA ~E, PQ()P1!12 V tl "All. e,i NTO« , $(() h Co. D PTK &· I?> llT

z .._.__ I>--- - I;-- - --r-ii- - i,- -~

l

0

locA ITV 1,. } ~R~.A D.Bu i(.KfQ Pl20PI 12TV Hfell! ll,VE,QT, $TO DOA.RD Co. Du Tc.ROP

z. -I,--- -' ..__ ____; ,.__ - ~-II-- --' 11,..... --, 1,-,

I

0

LOCA ITV 1. M . fl$tN~Ttl PQOP~RT• NOQ COM Mt!llc.t , S OTT Co. p u,ccioP

2 -- r-1-- - s--L..._ -- IL

{

0

C, MMcl2C.IA l:A.QTH 0

,f,:

I 2 3 4 5 6 7 0

F ,oun E 2. E!fect of revivifications on certain 1-tissour i and commercial bleaching earths.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 63

third time. The oils were also subjected to the stability test. The color of the successive products was evaluated by the Dubosq colorimeter and the following data recorded:

Initial Flnal Oil Color Color

Rating Rating

Feed oil .. . ... . .. . .. . .. . ........ ... . . .. . . .. . .. .. . .. . ..... .. . . 11 0 1st product ..... .. . .. . .. .. . . .. .. . ........ . ...... . ....... . .. . . 18 1 2nd product. .. . . .. . . .. ..... . .. . .. . .. . ............ . .. .. . 2,5 3 3rd product .... ... . .. . . ... . ... . . .. . . .. . .. . .. .. . .. ..... . ..... . 61 11

Effect of Dehydration of Earths on the Bleaching Value:-An extensive series of tests were made to obtain information on the effect of dehydration on the ability of the earth to decolorize mineral oil by percolation. Four of the promising Missouri earth samples, namely: locality 1, the Eisenstein property near Commerce, at what is known locally as "Jackson Hill"; localities 3 and 4, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and Wade properties, aboul 2~ miles southwest of Benton on Highway 61, in Scott county; the Blocker farm near Avert, in Stoddard counly, and two prominent commercial earth samples, were used in the tests. A portion of earlh, sufficient for al least two percolation tests, of each of the above samples was placed in an uncovered porcelain crucible and healed in the furnace at the stated lemperature until equilibrium was reached. The sample was then removed, cooled in a dessicator, and tested by percolation. The time necessary to reach equilibrium was determined by heating other weighed portions of 10 to 15 grams of lhe same samples until further loss was less than 0.01 per cent. over a period of 2 hours or longer. The temerature recorded is that of the air above the material and not that of Lhe material itself, but, since the heating period was 30 hours or more, il is believed that the difference is small. Temperatures up to 100°C. (752°F.) were determined by a mercury thermometer and those above this poin l by a thermo­couple of platinum and platinum-rhodium. The tests were starled al low temperature. The earth used by the percolation tesl was replaced wilh fresh earth. The sample used for de­termination of weight loss was reheated at the next higher temperature without renewal. This procedure yielded two sets of data; one of them demonstrated the influence of dehydration on the percolation bleaching value and the other showed the per­centage loss in weight at the lemperature reported. By calcula-

•

64 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

tion, the latter dala permitted a determination of Lhe equilibrium moisture content of Lhe earth at different temperatures, if it be assumed that the loss in weight is due only to loss of moisture. This assumption is common and seems lo be justifiable in the specific case of materials of the nature of the bleaching earths.

The data on bleaching value versus temperature are p e­sented graphically on Figure 3, which is self-explanatory.

The remits of tests showing the percentage weight loss above 105°C. versus temperature are shown on Figure 4. The corresponding calculated relation betwee,1 temperature and equilibrium moisture contenl may be found on Figure 5. The hygroscopic nature of the earths rendered accurate weighing difficult but the data are reasonably consistent. They show transition points which appear most clearly in Figure 5. The Porters Creek earths, locality 4 and locality 12, and one of the commercial earths arc very similar to each other but the remain-

TEMPEll:ATUl?E. - o~e!!.e!.& CENTIG~ADE

.so ... - ,00 - ,oo .00 .,.. - - .... I ' l ~,--- ~--- lo--~- to-- -I -I

....._ -0

I I (OM ilERCIAL A~TH 0 :P".

I

I I 2 .,..-16 ,-~ ,._ __

er-- - lo---!0-- - "--- -I I --r--,.._

''.:!01 i ~ Lo< A\.1T1 4 Roat ir,-WAO .. Pr jQ<,<QT V H~AQ. Bt:H'T i>!<, :XOTT .. o. D•• H 6 -11, I • w

'<:;

z 0

~ _J

8

;'.' 2 -; .!! I 'i1 ~ ·" .,, ~

V

~ 62 t E

!o " :;; ~

OJ. uJ Q. - ~

2

I

0

I

1e--~ _ _. .__ .,,-- -~-~-.,--

I ilr-- -I I - -I

------I Loe ~UTV l'2,, MR.>.A.01 BLcx.KeCI PS.:OPt-Cl"T ' MUR A.\11 R.T, 5 TO OC •ao Co QuTCR OP

I i &' - I>-- -0-- _ , -0-- --0- to-- -

...... __ ~ -......:.._ -

Lo AllTV 1. M .A .l:.1 EHSTE--IN QOPE:-RTV HEAii Co t,IM .. QCf' . ScoTT Co Ou 1c<10 .

/ w--t,-..---- ._ __ ..,___

' ,. ,---... .......

:,.. --..:::::

i-- -

•• I 0 200 >OO C~a;,MeR.Cl .t.\

00fAQ.'TH ·~:

100 400 ... tOOO

FIGURE 3. Bleachlng value versus temperature.

7 The Geology and Bleaching Clays 65

IS

-LE.GBND--·---COMMU!C!AL EAQTH ·o·

- -- LOCALITY 4.•WAOt l'ROPEl!TY. _ -----LOCAUW 12.·111.0C~!RPRCll'f11TY -·- LOCALITY 1·!1~~T!IMP1!0P!ffi k,----- -<>-·-· --·-·-COMMtQO"l E"QTH •A•. ,.0.-'_ ..

,,, . . /

;ao IO

I .. I 9 /

5

~ ' !t I . - i.-- --~-__QI-

i .r-· ,u

.. / 0

/ .. I 0

~ ' -- ... -~- -1 l r-------~ .. / ,,,~ ~ / ; / M

'1/ /'

I 7 r _;.:::::::-= . ~ 'i _,...

~

[7~ ~----~--_.;.7 .~ TEMP't2A.TU~t!•t>El.~~e~ GEMT1Gu.ot.

0 100 too 300 100 aoo - lOOO

Frau R E 4. Weight loss abovo 105°C. versus temperature.

ing samples are not like these three, nor are they like ~ach other, It is particularly strange that the sample from locality 1 is so notably different from the other Missouri Porters Creek earths.

It is an interesting fact that the moisture content in equili­brium with the earth at 105°C. (221°F.) is in all cases materially less than would be found if the samples were composed largely of any of the minerals commonly believed to be Lhe active con­stituent of a bleaching earth, and the discrepancy is much greater at the lransilion point. For example, montmorillonite with the composition (Mg, Ca)O. Alz03 • 5 Si02 • (5-8) H 20 97 would have a constitutional moisture content ranging from 16.43 per cenl with the calcium base and 5 molecules of water to 24.57 per cenl. with the magnesium base and 8 molecules of water, and other minerals which have been mentioned have still higher proportions of constitutional moisture. In contrast to this, the equilibrium moisture content at 105°C. (221°F.) of the earths tested, ranged from about 4. 9 to 11. 7 per cen l. If any one of these minerals or any group of them, is responsible for the bleaching action,

97Allen, V. T. , Petrograpby a nd origin of the fuller's oart.h of southeastern Missouri: Econ. Geo!. , vol. 29, No. 6, p . 590, 1934 .

•

66 Jvfissouri Geological Survey and Waler Resources

it must therefore be true lhat these samples were greatly con­taminated by inert materials. As a corollary to this statement, it may be observed that, on the basis of lhese data, the bleaching value of any pure mineral which is responsible for the action of bleaching earths must be far above that of any material used in industry, and some concentration process might be devised to produce a super bleaching agent.

The report of a study of the thermal dehydration character­is tics presented by Nutting98 shows similar data; results for a number of samples of earth of known value in commercial use indicale a range of equilibrium moisture content at 100°C. (212°F.) of 4.5 to 12.2 per cent water which corresponds very closely to the facts obtained here.

It would be of great inleresl and possible value to extend this sludy to other earths of known value as decolorizing agents.

Contact Color Ralings:-The resulls of contact tests are shown on Plate VII with the percolation resulls.

15 ---

-LEGEND----coMMe:Rc1AL EARiH ·o· - - LOCAUi V 4 WAOE PROP~RTY

G-·- ---- LOGALITV 12. 6LOCl<El2 PllOP!:12TV

~ '-q -·- LOCALITY 1 fl~EHElll>Tf:111 Pl!OPtQTY.

t= \: -·-·- COMMERCIAL E-Al2TH .A •.

10 -3 ---1----- i,i----l----+---+----....;l----l----+---I

,L, tt: :, i,. .. 0 I:

:r :>

i :::; 5 a iJ

0

b ~---!.s-"~c---+---lf----''\.--+-----l----1---+--- +--~ z .. " " " ..

100 200 400 700

F,oun~ 5. Equilibrium moisture content versus tomporat,ure. ·

98Nutting, P. G., The bleaching clays: U. S. Geo!. Survey Circ. 3, pp. 35-39, 1933.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 67

Contact Tests on Acid Treated Earths:- Eight of the more promising earth samples were acid lreated according to the method previously outlined using 20 per cent. sulphuric acid in each case. The resulls as shown on Plale VII indicate an appreciable improvemenl in all cases. There was no atlempt lo determine optimum condilions in every case, nor to estimate the cost of treatment, so that il is impossible to state whether the treatmenl would improve the earlh to a degree commensurale with the cos l.

Effect of Variables in Contact Tests:- The more obvious variables, with which the investigator is concerned are

(1) nature of the acid-lreated oil, (2) proportions of earth Lo oil, (3) fineness of earlh particles, (4) temperature al which trealment is conducted, and (5) duration of treatment.

It was previously emphasized that the nature of lhe oil contacted was found to be of Lhe greatest importance in the attempt lo secure consistent comparisons. Because of the difficulty of evaluating the color of the acid-lreated oil, no accurate numerical data can be offered. However, contact oils prepared from three differen l batches of acid-trealed oil with a commercial earth showed color ratings of 50, 23, and 86 ,vhen lreated under essentially the same conditions. In addilion to the above, which relate specifically to a variable which may be encountered in routine tests, there was one set of experiments to compare the resulls obtained with acid-treated oil and those obtained with untreated oil, as received. A Missouri earlh was used with similar conditions in both tests. The dala were as follows:

Initial Final OU Color Color

Rating Rating

Untreated ...... .. .. . . .. . .. . .. . . .. . ' .. . . . .. . 7 0 Acid treated .. ' . . ..... . 98 14

It is apparent that acid-treatment prior to contacting relieves the earth of a large part of the purification which the earth would do if the acid treatment were omitted. This· sug­gests that a treatment of the crude distillate with a larger pro-

68 Jv!issouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

portion of earth might approximate the color of the better prod­uct. A test was successfully made with about 63 per cent of earth to oil and yielded a contact filtrate of Initial Color Rating 30. This is an improvement but not in proportion to Lhe in­creased amount of earth used.

One comparison was made between coarse and fine earths using a sample from Missouri. The -80 + 100 and -300 mesh products were screened from a coarsely ground sample and contacted with the same oil under similar conditions wilh the following results:

Initial Final Fineness Color Color

Rating Rat.ing

-80 +100 ... ............... . .......................... . 23 6 -:·!00 . .. . 55 10

Since Lhe time and fineness factors are doubtless related, it is possible that a longer time of exposure of a coarse product would yield the same results as a rapid treatment of the fine, but no evidence was obtained.

Considerable attention was given to the question of temper­ature, without entirely satisfactory results. Data were taken for four of the Missouri samples and for two commercial materials. The most complete data indicated that increases in temperature from about l 00°C. Lo 200°C. was accompanied by a gradual darkening of color of the contacted oil.

In a series of tests on one of the Missouri earths, treated for periods of 5, 15, 30 and 50 minutes, the product produced in the 30-minute test had the best color.

Comparison of Percolation and Contact Jv!ethods: Several tests were made in an attempt lo investigate the relative merits of the two methods of treatment. In one case where a 10.2 cubic centimeter sample of a commercial earth produced 34.8 cubic centimeters of filtrate before the "half color end-point" was reached in the percolation test, equivalent proportions of per­colation grade earth and cold, diluted oil were mixed by stirring intermittently in a covered beaker for about one-half hour and were then fillered by suction. The resultant filtrate appeared to be lighter in color than the corresponding composite percolation filtrate, in spite of some evaporation which would occur under these conditions and would tend to concentrate the darker con-

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 69

stituents in the mixture. A second attempt was made with another commercial earth of similar nature and quality, but this time the earth and oil were mixed by shaking vigorously in a glass-stoppered bottle for about 25 minutes, which was about the same time consumed in percolating the same sample, and were then filtered from each other by gravity. Since the filtra­tion was very slow, considerable diluent was lost, as before. This time the filtrate was darker than the corresponding per­colated oil. The same relative color difference existed after lhis set of samples stood in open containers for several days to permit the diluent lo reach an equilibrium concentration in both cases. A third test was made with one of the Missouri earths by the same method as that just described except that suction was used during the filtration. The filtrate was slightly lighter than that obtained by percolation in this case as in the first. While the results are not in agreement, it appears that con­tacting as performed during these tests has a possible advantage over percolation, if any difference exists.

Miscellaneous Tests and Experiments. A large number of questions arose in the course of this work which suggested in­vestigation. Two of the series of tests performed as a result of these suggestions seem worthy of attention in this report.

The hygroscopic nature of the earths has often been men­tioned in the literature and it was noticed here during the de­termination of the effect of temperature on the loss in weight. The phenomenon was also encountered in a series of tests where there was an attempt to correlate the loss in weight at 200°C. (392°F.) with the bleaching value. Two of the Missouri earths, locality 9, depth 0-9 feet and locality 6, outcrop, and two commercial earth samples were heated in crucibles to 200°C. for about two hours, then cooled without covers in a desiccator charged with fresh calcium chloride and weighed as quickly as possible. They were then returned to the 'desiccator and removed at irregular intervals for reweighing. The test was extended over a period of 39 days. The results showed a gradual increase in weight although the rate of increase became slower as the period of st9rage increased. The amount of increase in weight could be due to absorption of gases or of vapors although the latter seems the more probable. If we attribute the in­crease to an absorption of water, it is impossible to explain the facts other than by stating that the moisture was removed .from the calcium chloride.

70 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

The other test of possible interest was an attempt to de­termine, approximately, the relative effect of light, heat, and air on contacted oils. Several portions of a contacted oil were placed in vials and these ·were stored at various points in a building in order to expose them Lo extremes of the variables in question.

(a) The light was varied from that represented by the darkness beneath an inverted cardboard box in a vault to that of occasional direct sunlight filtered through the glass of a north window.

(b) Heat was varied by storing one sample in a cool vault and another on the sand bath at 80-90°C.

(c) Extremes of exposure to air were represented by a sample left open to lhe air in lhe laboratory and another saturated with carbon dioxide and sealed with paraffin.

Various combinations of these extremes were tried. The results may be summarized by the following statements:

(a) in every case, heat caused lhe oil to darken; (b) ditTused day-(or artificial-) light, in absence of air and

heat, produced an appreciable degree of decolorization but direct sunlight (even when fillered through window-glass) def­initely caused a darkening, possibly due lo a slightly higher temperature;

(c) a consistent superiority of sealed samples over the un­sealed shows that exposure to air is influential in causing dark­ening of contacted oil.

In commercial practise, the refined oil is normally stored in metal containers, is thus protected from light, and is not exposed lo any great degree of heat or of oxidation. This evi­dence as well as other facts observed in this investigation lead to the belief that the accelerated stability test as conducted in this laboratory and others does not truly indicate the degree of darkening which would be found in practice and therefore that the initial color rating is a more reliable index of the value of an earth than the final rating or accelerated stability color.

RESUME OF TESTS ON MISSOURI BLEACHING EARTHS

Six commercial bleaching earths were compared with the Missouri earths by the percolation test; one of these, which was of the same geologic age, was found to be of approximately the same quality as the Missouri samples while the others were markedly superior. (Plate VII.) Four of the Missouri samples,

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 71

namely, those obtained from the M. A. Eisenstein property on "Jackson Hill" (Locality 1); from a farm owned by the Metro­politan Life Insurance Company (Locality 3); from the Robert Wade farm (Locality 4); all in Scott county, and from the Blocker property near Avert (Locality 12), in Stoddard County, showed at least an equal degree of stamina on revivification (Fig. 2) and on dehydration of the earth by exposure to high temperatures (Fig. 3) as compared with two commercial bleaching earths.

Eleven samples of natural commercial earths and two prod­ucts understood to be specially processed were compared with the Missouri samples by contacting. Of the natural products, seven were superior to the best sample tested from Missouri and the other four were inferior. Some of the :Missouri deposits as a whole, compared favorably with the commercial earths of lesser value. Of the seven Missouri samples which were acid treated, all proved to be capable of improvement but none were quite equal to either of the two specially processed commercial samples tested. It is to be presumed that the commercial materials were processed under optimum conditions for that earth while time did not permit a complete study of this phase of the matter for the Missouri samples so that the comparison is somewhat unfair to the Missouri earths. It is believed that acid treatment of these earths is entirely feasible and that further study should be made of the optimum conditions for treatment and of other factors relating to the cost and commercial applica­tion of the process.

The Missouri earths compare more favorably with com­mercial bleaching earths by the contact method than by per­colation.

The results of this laboratory investiga lion indica le tha l earths from the Porters Creek formation in southeastern Mis­souri compare more favorably with commercial ·products when the contact method, rather Lhan Lhe percolation method is used.

PART III.

PETROGRAPHY AND ORIGIN OF THE FULLER'S (BLEACH­ING) EARTH OF SOUTH EASTERN MISSOURl.1

By Victor T. Allen

Definition of Fuller's Earih.-Fuller's earth is a clay that has marked ability to remove color from mineral, vegetable or animal oils. Originally, fuller's earth was used for fulling or removing grease from cloth, but now it is used chiefly for bleaching and clarifying mineral and organic oils.

Mineral Composition of Fuller's Earth.-All the important commercial fuller's earths have been shown to be composed mainly of the clay mineral mon tmorilloni te (Mg, Ca) 0 . A l20a . 5Si02(5-8) [H20]. Some Texas fuller's earth may be an excep­tion, but as yet its exact mineral composition is uncertain.2

Kerr3 has demonstrated that smectite, regarded by some as the constituent of fuller's earth, has the identical optical, chemical, and X-ray properties of montmorillonite, and that montmoril­lonite is the more satisfactory name for the clay mineral of fuller's earth.

Extensive deposits of monlmorillonite occur in southeastern Missouri, especially in Stoddard and Scott counties, lha t are promising potential fuller's earths. Samples from several locali­ties were collected by the writer and W. Farrar, Geologist, Mis­souri Geological Survey. These belong to the Porters Creek formation of Eocene age and are of the same stratigraphic hori­zon as the deposits now being commercially worked at Olmstead, Illinois. A comparison of the mineral composition of the Mis­souri deposits with that of the fuller's earth produced in Illinois, Georgia, Texas, and England follows:

1Reprinted, with permission from ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, vol. XXIX, No. 6, Soptember­October. 1934, with authorized minor changes.

2Broughton, M .' N . : Texas Fuller's Earth. Jour. Sod. Pet., vol. 2, pp. 135-140, 1932. 3Kerr, Paul F.. Montmorillonite or Smectite as Constituents of Fuller's Ea.rtb and

Bentonite. Amer. Min .. vol. 17, pp. 192-198, 1932.

(72)

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 73

TABLE 1

OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF MONTMOJULLONITE FROM MISSOURI, ILLINOIS. AND OTHER LOCALITIES•

Refractive Indices

Locality

*Olmstead, J llinols: Top, S tandard Pit .. . . . .. ...... .. . .. ... .. .. . Middle, Standard Pit .. .. .. .. . .. ... . ... . .. . Bottom. Standard Pit .... . ....... ..... . ... . Top, Sinclair Pit ...... .. .. .. .. . ... . .. ..... . Middle, Sinclair Pit . ... . .. .. . .. ... . . ... .. . . . Bottom, Sinclair Pit ... . .... .. . .... ... . ... . .

•English Fuller's Earth, Bath . .... ... . .. .. .. . .. . . •Georgia l<'uller's Earth, Twiggs Co . .. .. .. .. .. . . . . *Texas Fuller's Earth, Bexar Co . .. ...... .. .. .. . . .

Missouri: Scott County :b

Locality 1-Samplo from middle portion of 31 root exposure ... .. ... . . . . ... . ... .

Locality 2- Sample from 11 foot o..--.:posure . Locality 3-Sample from 9 foot exposure. Locality 4-Sample from 12 foot exposure . Locality 5- Sample from 15 foot exposure . Locality 6-Sample from upper portion of

24 root exposure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Locality 6- Sample from middle portion or

24 foot exposure . ....... . . . .. . ... . l,ocality 6-Sample from lower portion of

24 foot exposure .... . .. .. .. .. . . . . .. .

Stoddard County: Localit.y 7- 7 feet above base of Porter's

0:

l.500 1 .499 1.500 l.500 1.499 1.500 l.481 1.495 1.492

1.473 1 .500 1.473 1.473 1.503

1.495

1.490

l.490

Creek clay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l . 480 Locality 7-14 feet above base of Porters

Creek clay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l . 480 Locality 7- 28 feet above baso of Porters

Creek clay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . 503 Locality 7- :-19 foot above base of Porters

Creek clay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . '\03 Locality 9--25 feet a-bovc junction, county

and private road ... .. ... . .. .. . . . . .. l. 503 Locality 9--30 feet above junct.ion, county

and private road. ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . J .• '\03 Locality 9-39 feet above junction, county

and privato road. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . 503 Locality 9- 44 feet above junction, county

and private road. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l. 503 Locality IO- Sample from midclle port.ion of

40 foot exposure .... . .. . . .. ..... , . . . 1. 503 Locality 12-5 feet above zone of iron

carbonate concretions . .... . . .. . . .... 1 . 500 Locality 12- 10 feet a.bove ,-one of iron

carbonate concrNions. . . . . . . . . 1. 503 Locality 12-15 feet above zone of iron

carbonate concrot.ions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . 503 Locality 12- 23 feet above zone of iron

carbonate concretions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 503 Locality 12-28 feet abovti zone of iron

carbonate concretions . .... , l . 500

-y ± .003

l.523 l.522 l.523 1.523 1 . 522 1.523 l.502 1.517 1.514

1 ,404 1 . 521 1.494 1.494 J . 524

1.516

1.511

1.511

Bire-fl'ingence y - o:

.023

.023

. 023

.023 .023 . 023 .021 .022 .022

.021

.021 .021 .021 .021

.021

.021

.021

1. 501 . 021

1.501 .021

1.524 .021

l.524 . 021

1 . 524 .021

1. 524 .021

1. 524 .021 '

1. 524 .021

l. 524 . 021

1 .521 .021

1. 524 .021

l. 524 .021

1. 524 .021

1. 521 .021

Optlc Angle 2V

13° ± Small Small Small 13° ± 12° ± Small 10° ± Small

Small Small Small Small Small

Small

Small

Small

Smallt

Small

Small

Small

Small

Small

Small

Small

Small

Small

Small

Small

Small

Small

74 Missouri Geological Survey and Waler Resources

TABLE 1-Cont.inued

Refractive Indices Bire- Optic

Locality fringence Angle <X Y± .003 y-a: 2V

Locality 12-30 feet above zone of iron carbonate concretions ............... 1.503 1.524 .021 Small

Locality 15-Sample from 5 foot exposure below zone of iron carbonate concre-tlons .......................•... ... 1.495 1.516 .021 Small

aAll the material here listed is optically negative. bSee list of localities given in Part 2, and localities shol\n on geologic map. *Data by Grim, Ralph E., Petrography of the fuller's earth deroslts. Olmstead, lllinois.

with a brief study of some non-IIIJnois earths: Econ. Geol., vol. 28, pp. 344-363, 1933. tinterference figures are too indistinct for exact measurement of optical angle. In

bettor figures it is estimated to be a.bout 10° or 12°.

M ontmorillonile:-The optical proper lies of lhe Missouri montmorillonite listed in Table I are within the range of lhe optical properties of the montmorillonite from commercially u lilized fuller's earths. This indicates that possibly the Porters Creek formation of Missouri may likewise be u lilized as fuller's earth.

The optical properties of the montmorillonite in the upper part of the Porters Creek at Ardeola, Avert, and Zeta are close to those of montmorillonite that comprises the fuller's earth at Olmstead, Illinois. The refractive indices of mon tmorillonite from the lower 20 or 25 feet of the Ardeola exposure are more like those of the English fuller's earlh near Bath. For those seeking fuller's earth for a particular purpose, it would be well Lo try both the upper and the lower part of the Missouri deposit, for experience4 has shown that some fuller's earths are better adapted lo refining one kind of oil than another.

The refractive indices of Lhe clay mineral from the part of the exposure above lhe concretions al Wilson Creek (S. 11, T. 26 N., R. 11 E.), from Beech Grove Branch (S. 10, T. 26 N., R. 11 E.), from Poplar Branch (S. 9, T. 26 N., R. 11 E.) and Idalia (S . 28, T. 26 N., R. 11 E.) are higher than those in Table I and indicate that these samples are less likely to be satis­factory as fuller's earth. Although their clay mineral may be montmorillonite with different chemical composition, such as

4La.doo, R. B., Xon-Metallic Minerals, pp. 231-240: McGraw Ilill nook Co., Ne" York, 1925.

Parsons, C. L., :Fuller's }:arth: lJ. 8. Bureau of Mines, Rull. 71. 38 pp., 1913. Porter, J. T., Properties and tests of fuller's earth. U. S. Geo!. Survey, Bull. 315, pp.

268-290, 1906.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 75

high alkalies, the optical properties are more like those of beidel­Iitc (Al203. 3Si02. nH20).

Since the absorption capacity of all the described fuller's earths is believed to be connected with clay minerals of the mont­morillonite group, Lhe amount of other minerals present must be considered. Certain beds of the Porters Creek formation in Mis­souri are at leasL 95 per cenL montmorillonite, and in those examined the total of all minerals besides montmorillonite did not exceed 20 per cent. The minerals that may be present in amounts greater than 1 per cent arc quartz, muscovite, glauconite and amorphous silica. These will be discussed briefly.

Quartz.- Unsorted angular quartz grains form about 10 per cent of some parts of the Porters Creek formation in Missouri. The maximum diameter of the grains observed is 0.14 mm., but the average is nearer 0.05 mm. Large and small grains occur close together with little suggestion of sorting or arrangement in lenses. The angularity of most grains combined with lack of sorting is unusual in a marine deposil and requires explana­tion. Embayments in quartz like those reported• in the Porters Creek formation of Illinois are common in luffs and bentonite. It seems more likely in the light of the origin advanced later in this paper for the Porters Creek formation that such embayments belong to the earlier volcanic phase rather than indicating a partial replacement of quartz by montmorillonite.

Muscovite.-Muscovite makes up 2 or 3 per cent of the Por­ters Creek formation. Locally it is concentrated in layers about 1/16 inch thick and causes the bedding to be more pronounced. When these layers are split open, the shiny flakes of muscovite with their flat surfaces arranged parallel to the bedding give one the impression that the layer is nearly all muscovite. However, under the miscroscope, much montmorillonite can be seen sur­rounding the muscovite. The muscovite-rich layers alternate at intervals of about one-half inch with clay contai,ning the usual amount of muscovite, so that the average percentage of muscovite for a thickness of 5 or 10 feet does not exceed 5 per cent. An example of this concentration of muscovite is in the bottom part of the exposure near Zeta, where the maximum diameter of the muscovite is 0.24 mm.

In the Porters Creek formation of IUinois it has been sug­gested that muscovite forms from and alters to montmorillonite.6

This is unusual for a mineral regarded by most geologists as rela-

6Grim, Ralph E., op. cit .• p . 350. 6Grim, Ralph E., op. cit., p. 351.

76 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

lively resistant and the stability of which is attested by its occur­rence in the sediments of all periods from Cambrian to Recent. If it is considered in its broader relationship, it is doubtful that any of the Porters Creek muscovite may be considered as having formed from montmorillonite. Muscovite is pres?nL in the underlying Cretaceous beds at Ardeola and in the over­lying Wilcox formation of Missouri as well as Lhe Lagrange of Illinois. There is no montmorillonite in Lhese formations, therefore the muscovite in them did not develop from mont­morillonite. Furthermore, another source suggests itself. The few grains of k.yanite and epidote in the Porters Creek formation indicate some contribution directly or indirectly from a meta­morphic rock; probably the muscovite came from the same source.

Glauconite.- The glauconite of the Porters Creek formation of Missouri is strikingly similar to that which occurs in the Olmstead fuller's earth. It forms 1 per cent or less of the total rock and the maximum diameter of the grains is 0.1 mm. The characteristics of both lypes7 described in the Illinois earth are exhibited in the Missouri earth. The one with a mottled ap­pearance is a brighter green and appears as rounded grains with the shape of some suggesting molds of foraminifera. The other type with good cleavage is frequently altered to Iimonite and some grains have properties that agree fairly well with the optical data given for the glauconite in the Olmstead deposit. Textural relationships similar to those interpreted by Grim as evidence that montmorillonite has formed from glauconite are also present.

Amorphous Silica.-Cellular masses of amorphous silica con­stitute less than 1 per cent of the Porters Creek formation. These are probably diatoms, of which there are two main types. An oval one is more common but slender elongate forms may represent a lanceolate species. The majority of the diatoms are broken, and the contact of the fragments w'ith the surrounding montmorillonite is irregular. A photomicrograph of a complete individual (Fig. 1) liberated by washing the clay shows no indication that it is altering to montmorillonite.

Taliaferr0 8· considers that diatomaceous and other associated siliceous sediments are related to volcanism and that volcanic activity was the source of silica for lhe growth of lhc organisms.

7Grim, Ralph E., op. cit., p . 351. 8Taliaferro, N. L., The Relation of Volcanism to Diatomaceous and Associated Siliceous

Sediments. Univ. Calif. Pub. Bull .. Dopt. Geo!. Sci., vol. 23, pp. 1-56, 1933.

::Vtrssou m GE0Loo1cAL Sunv>:Y. BtENNIA L R E PORT. HJ33• l 934. A PPEND<X I. PLAT" V I JI.

I

I

1

Fig. 1. Diatom with the center obscured by clay of t he Porters Creek format ion. Angular quartz (Q) and feldspars (F) . Scott Co., Mo. X 130.

f,'ig. 2. C lass bubbles (B) altered to rnontmorillonitc. Kear t he center a rc three bubbles joined together. Porters Creek formation, 12 feet ahove the Cretaceous­Eocene contact. Ardeola, Mo. X 130.

Fig. 3. Glass shard (S) with three curved sides and glass bubbles (73) altered to montrnori llonite. Porters Creek formation, 12 feet above the Cretaceous-Eocene contact. Ardeola, Mo, X 130.

Fig. 4. Pumice fragment (P ) and bubbles (B) a lte red to montmorillonite. Large dark areas (C) a re glauconite altered to limonite. Porters Creek formation, 12 feet above Cretaceous-Eocene contact. .Ardeola, Mo. X 130.

.

The Geology and Bleaching Clays 77

The Porlers Creek formation is another case where siliceous organisms occur with volcanic producls.

Other Minerals.-Angular or embayed feldspars are nexl in order of abundance. These were probably derived from several sources and include albite, oligoclase, microcline, and orthoclase. Small euhedral or angular grains of tourmaline, kyanite, epidote, rutile, zircon, and leucoxene are sparsely distributed throughout the Porters Creek formation and together do not total 1 per cent of the rock mass.

CONCLUSIONS BASED ON MINERAL COMPOSITION

All the minerals of the fuller's earth at Olmstead, Illinois, are present in the Porters Creek formation of southeastern Missouri. The optical properties of these minerals are remarkably similar and lend support to the stratigraphic evidence that both are of the same age and belong to the same formation. The Porters Creek formation in Illinois is used industrially as a fuller's earth and the continuation of that deposit in southeastern Missouri with similar mineral composition presents promising possibilities that it will prove satisfactory as a fuller's earth. 9

ORIGIN OF THE PORTERS CREEK FORMATION

In the lo·wer part of the Porters Creek formation at Ardeola there is conclusive evidence that montmorillonite has formed by the alteration of volcanic glass. The characteristic textures of volcanic tuff s have been preserved as well as some of the original glass. The most common relict texture consists in the retention of walls of glass bubbles ranging in diameter from 0.007 mm. to 0.1 mm. (Fig. 2.) Single bubbles are most abundant, but there are numerous examples of two or more bubbles joined together. Shards with three curved sides have been altered to montmorillonite (Fig. 3.) Slender pumice fragments with the inclosing walls are preserved (Fig. 4) and complete Lhe list of structures that are regarded as unquestionable evidence of vol­canic ongm. Alteration has apparently been more complete in the upper part of the Porters Creek formation of Missouri and Illinois, and only a suggestion of an occasional bubble, with no volcanic glass, remains. However, the similarity in mineral

9Preliminary tests made in the laboratorJes of the '.\,fissouri GeologJcal Survey since this manuscript was prepared indicate that this material is satisfactory as fuller's earth.

78 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources 7

composition in the upper and lower parts combined with the excellent preservation of relict structures in the lower, removes any doubt that the alteration of volcanic glass was the principal source of montmorillonite. Even if the unproved reactions in­volved in ihe change of glauconite, muscovite or other mineral to montmorillonite took place, as has been suggested for the Olmstead deposits, this would provide a very small quantity of mon tmorillonite.

Deposition of the volcanic products took place in the sea, and delrital minerals, including muscovite, kyanite, epidote, quartz, feldspars and others, were added during accumulation. Condi­tions were favorable for contemporaneous formation of glau­conite and siliceous organisms. A volcanic origin for the deposil offers a satisfactory explanation for all its features, including the embayed quartz and feldspars, and provides a source of silica for the growth of siliceous organisms.

In every respect the Porters Creek formation complies with the accepted definition of bentonile :10

Bentonite is a rock composed essentially of a crystalline claylike mineral formed by devitrification and the accompanying chemical alteration of a glassy igneous mate­rial, usually a tuff or volcanic ash; and it often contains variable proportions of acces­sory crystal grains that were originally phenocrysts in the volcanic glass .... The char­acteristic claylikc mineral has a micaceous habit and facile cleavage, high birefringence, and a texture inherited from volcanic tuff or ash, and it is usually the mineral mont­morillonite but less often beidellitc.

According to this definition, the clays of the Porters Creek formation are bentonite. Based upon commercial usage, clays which have marked ability to remove color from mineral or organic oils are termed fuller's earth. Combining the two con­cepts, the Olmstead deposit is a bentonitic fuller's earth and the continuation of this deposit into Missouri with similar composi­tion suggests its use as a fuller's earth. Bentonitic fuller's earths include some of the most excellent fuller's earths. 11

10Ross, Clarence S., and Shannon, Earl V .. The Minerals of Bentonite and Related Clays and Their Physical Properties.: Amer. Cer. Soc. Jour., vol. 9, p. 79, 1926.

11Ross, C. s .. and Shannon, E. V., op. cit .• pp. 77-96. Kerr, Paul F .. op. cit., pp. 192-198. Grim, Ralph E., op. cit., pp. 344-303. Broughton, M. N., op. cit., pp. 135-140.

OIL AND GAS POSSIBII_jITIES of THE

SAVANNAH AREA By

FRANK C. GREENE

Appendix II, 58th Biennial Report

1935

1IISSOURI GEOLOG ICAL SURVEY AND WATER RESOURCES

H. A. BUEHLER Director and State Geologi,t

RoLLA, Mo.

CONTENTS

Page Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Stratigraphy ............................ .. ... , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Magnetometer survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Oil and gas horizons.... . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Recommendations for drilling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page Plate l. Geologic structure n:iap of area near Savannah. Andrew county. 5 Plate II. ~lap of Savannah area, Andrew county, Missouri, showing the anomalies of

vertical magnetic intensity in tho earth's field. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

(3)

.

APPENDIX II

OIL AND GAS POSSIBILITIES OF THE SAVANNAH AREA, ANDREW COUNTY, MISSOURI

By Frank C. Greene

INTRODUCTION For several years, geologists of the Missouri Geological

Survey have been interested in the oil and gas possibilities of Northwest Missouri. Although only a few deep and geologically favorable holes have been drilled, some of these have penetrated sections that have indicated, by marked changes in the thickness of certain formations, the possibility of the presence of structural features of a regional nature. Two wells in this part of the State which may be mentioned in this connection are:

The diamond drill hole on the W . F. Davis farm, SE. cor., NW. J4 sec. 4, T. 59 N., R. 38 W., near Forest City, Holt county; tot.al depth, 2500 feet.

Home Oil and Gas Company :l\o. 1, ·w. E. Patterson well in the SE. cor., SW. U NW. J4' soc. 8, T. 59 N., R. 35 '\Y. , near the town of Savannah, Andrew county; total depth, 2516 feet.

In the latter part of 1933, a plane table party was placed in the area and the mapping of structure was started in the vicinity of Savannah. This was later extended to the north and resulted in the mapping of an elongated dome in and near sec. 28, T. 60 N., R. 35 W., four miles north of Savannah. At the same time, a magnetometer survey of Andrew County and parts of the adjoining counties was made. The results of this survey showed some very significant relationships between the magnetic anomalies and the geologic structures. '

The structural features under consideration are located in an area underlain by Pennsylvanian formations, from which oil and gas are produced in western Missouri, and in Kansas and Oklahoma. The nearest producing locality in Missouri is approximately 30 miles to the southeast, near Plattsburg, Clinton County.

The nearby town of Savannah is the county seat of Andrew County, Missouri, and is located about 10 miles north of St. Joseph and about 70 miles north of Kansas Cily. It is served

( 5 )

6 Missouri Geological Survey and Waler Resources

by the Chicago-Great Western Railway, the Chicago, Burling­ton and Quincy Railroad, U. S. Highway number 71 and Missouri Stale Highway number 116.

The topography of Lhe area described is shown on the topographic maps of the St. Joseph and Bolckow quadrangles prepared by the United Slates Geological Survey in cooperation with the Missouri Geological Survey.

STRATIGRAPHY

The rock outcrops are of Pennsylvanian age and are con­fined chiefly to Lhe valley walls. The outcrops extend from Lhe valley boLLoms Lo a maximum of about 1,000 feet above sea level, and no exposures have been found above this elevation. The lops of lhe inlerslream areas are covered by glacial clay and in a few places there are drift-filled pre-glacial valleys that extend below the present valley level. In general, rock ex­posures are sufficient for the purpose of structure mapping, but the fact that continuous ou lcrops are lacking renders the final results less satisfac Lory than in unglacia ted regions.

The Pennsylvanian rocks exposed in the area extend from the Lawrence shale member of the Douglas formation, just belo\v the Amazonia limestone, to Lhe top of the Deer Creek limestone member of the Shawnee formation, Lhe interval be­tween the two being occupied by the Oread, Kanwaka, Lecomp­ton and Tecumseh mem hers. A generalized section, with brief descriptions of the beds, is given below: the beds designated A, B, elc., were used in preparing the accompanying structural contour map.

Generalized section of Pennsylvanian rocks in the vicinity of Savannah, Mo. ----------------------'------ ---

Shawnee formation: Deer 0rcok limestone:

Limestone, gray a.ncl buff . . . . . . ......... . ..... . . fl bale, gray above, black a.nd slMy below ... .. .. . ..... .... . Limestone, gray, compac~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ... . ... . Shale . ..... ........ . .. . ..... . .. . ........... .. .. .. . .. .. . Limestone, buff, argilla.ccous, earthy at base ............. . .

Tecumseh sbale: Shale, gray, argillaceous ...... ... .... . ...... . ...... . .... .

Thickness

Feet

15-20 5 2

10-11 . 5- 7

44-52

Incbes

Oil and Gas Possibilities of Savannah Area 7

Generalized section of Pennsylvanian rocks in vicinity of Savannah, Mo.-Continued.

Lecompton limestone: Limestone, gray, contains Fusulina (bed "A") .... .. .. . .. .. . Shalo with limestone layers and nodules .. . Limestono. in sovoral r01,rular beds with calcareous shale and

nodules bctwoon thorn (bed "B") .. ....... . ... . Shale, gray above, black and slaty below ............... .. . Limestone. gray, conta.ins Fusulina (bed "C") ... . ... . . Limestone a.nd shale; at top, gray, blocky, even-bedded cotton-

rock that weathers to buff nodules. followed by a few inches to 5 feet or dark shale; massive gray cotton-rock that wcat.bcrs to deep buff at base (bed "E") ...

Kanwaka shale: Shitle, gray argillaceous to arenaceous, in places contains up

to 10 feet of sandstone, 5 to 10 feet above base . . ...... . Lituestone, gray. shelly on top. massive below, forms water­

falls in creeks and occurs as large slabs on hillsides (bed "G") .. . .. . .

Shale, dark, with thin ca.lcareous layers ........... . ... . ... . Douglas formation:

Oread Limest011e (top is bed "H"): Limestone, upper part oxtremcly variable, consisting at top of

limestone 2-10 feet, tbtn-bNlded to mas.<iive. oolitic, fol­lowed by shale of variable thickness and lithology; lower 20 feet t,hin-bedded and cherty. regular beds "ith wavy, buff snaly partings. . . . . . . . ............... .

Shale, gray at top, black and slaty below .. .. . Limestone, bluo, hard, dense, in 2 layers (bed ",J") ...

Shale, gray. . . . . . .. . . · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Limestone, gray, weathers to bufr and gray (bed "l(") ...

Lawrence shale: Shale, gray ttt top and bottom, red and green In mlddle .. . Limestonf' (Amazonia) massive to thin-bedded, variable ln

lithology .. Shale . . . ..... .

Thickness

l<'eet

2 6 7

4-5 3

12-18

30-32

2 8-13

28-40 4 2

7- 15 4-5

22- 29

8- 15 10 +

Inches

6 6 -8

6

In general, the members of the section may readily be identified, even in isolated outcrops, but, nearly everywhere, other beds above and below will permit a positive correlation to be made. With the exception of lateral changes in thickness, most of the beds are ralher uniform. The top of bed "B" in the region north of Savannah is a nearly plane surface, broken only by scattered colonies of corals and bryozoans. One of these is two feet across and projects a foot above the surface of the limestone. South of Savannah, the surface of bed "B" is everywhere covered by calcareous incrusting material, possibly a species of marine algae, which gives it a knobby appearance.

The upper part of the Oread, as shown in the section, is extremely variable. It is generally oolitic and the individual oolites vary in size fro.m microscopic particles up to one-half

8 JV!issouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

inch in diameter. In places it is cross-bedded but elsewhere this feature is Jacking and more massive beds prevail. In one locality there is an eight-foot face from which dimension stone has been quarried. The shale separating the upper and lower parts of the upper Oread is also variable in lithology and thick­ness.

The lateral changes in thickness are gradual and need cause no confusion in correlation. In contouring a large area, however, these changes must be considered in reducing the elevations, taken on different beds, to a common datum.

The unexposed formations which will be encountered in wells in lhe Savannah region are kno,vn from the logs of the two holes previously mentioned, one located west of Savannah in section 8, T. 59 N., R. 35 W., (Plate I), and another 17 miles west in sec. 4, T. 59 N., R. 38 W., south of Forest City in Holt Coun Ly. These, and other logs, follow:

Log of Home Oil Company No. 1, W. E. Patterson Farm. Location: SE. cor. SW. 1/ 4 NW. 1/4 NW. 1/4 sec. 8, T. 59 N., R. 35 W., Andrew County, Mo. Elevation: 1077 feet. Completed May 4, 1921.

Pleistocene Series: Surface soil, yellow, soft. . . . . . . . . .. . Sand and gravel, gray, ha;rd (set 90 feet of l2U-inch casing) .. .

Pennsylvania System: Shale, blue ...... . ... .... .. .. . . Lime, gray, hard (bed "A") . . Slate or shale, light, soft. . . . . . . . . . . . .. ...... . Lime, gray, hard ...... . .. . ..... .. ..... . ... . . . . Slate and shale, blue .... . Shale and lime shells. . . . . . . . . . Lime, gray (base of Amazonia?) .. Clay, red ....... . Shale, gray .... .. . Clay, red ...... . .. ... . Lime, gray, hard, sandy (Iatan). Slate or shale, gray .... Lime, gray, hard. Shale, hard ... .. . Lime, white, hard (base of Stanton) ... .. Shale, dark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lime, white (Plattsburg). Shale, blue ....... . Lime, white, bard .. . Shale, blue. Lime, white, hard .... .. . Shale, blue .. .... . . Lime, white, bard ....... . Slate or shale, blue .. Lime, blue . . .... . Lime, gray, bard (base of Bet,hany Falls at 660) . .. Shale, blue .... ........ •· ...... . ... ........ .

Thickness. Depth, Feet. Feet.

75 75 15 90

10 100 2 102

13 115 5 120

15 135 77 212 30 242 10 252 83 335

5 340 8 348

52 400 10 410 3 413

17 430 10 440 20 460 15 475 15 490 30 520 12 532 28 560 20 580 5 585

20 605 55 660 15 675

Oil and Gas Possibilities of Savannah Area 9

Log of Home Oil Company No. I , W. E. Patterson Farm-Continued,

Thickness, Depth, Feet. Feet.

Lime, white, bard (Hertha) .............. . 15 690 Shale, blue ............ ...... . 36 726 Sand, white, hard, fine (hole full of salt water) (J<uobtown). 29 755 Shale, blue.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .... .. ... . 10 765 Lime, gray, hard.. ......... . . ......... . 5 770 Shale, blue.. ..... ..... . .. . 5 775 Lime, gray, hard.. . .. . . ... . ..... . 5 780 Shale, drab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 790 Shale, white ..... 10 800 Shale, drab (sot 812 feet of 10-inch casing) . . .......... . .. . 15 815 Mud, red ............................... ...... . 3 818 Shale, gray. . . . ....... . 4 822 Lime, gray, bard ........ . 4 826 Shale, gray to white .. 20 846 Coal. . . .......... . 1 847 Limo, gray, hard .. . 8 855 Shale, gray, hard .. . 10 865 Shale, white .... . 13 878 Shale, gray .. . 7 885 Shale, gray, sandy ..... . 25 910 Shale, gray ........ . . 50 960 Shale, white. sandy .. . 40 1000 Shale, gray .......... ... . ...... . 40 1040 Shale, white.... ... . . . ...... . 30 1070 Lime, gray, bard. 5 1075 Shale, gray ....... . . 5 1080 Coal. ...... .... . 3 1083 Shale, drab. 30 1113 Sand, white, fine (hole full or salt water) .... 137 1250 Lime shells and sand, white ........ ... . 5 1255 Slate or shale, black, hard ...... . . . .. ...... . 35 1290 Sand, gray, brown (more water) ... . 12 la02 Shale, blue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 10 1312 Limo. gray, sandy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . ... . 13 1325 Sand, wltite, bard, fine .... . . . 90 1415 Lime, black, bard . . ...... . 8 1423 Sand, white, hard .. . 10 1433 Lime, gray, mixed wit,b blue shale. 7 1440 Shale, black. .... .. .. . .. .. . 10 1450 Lime, black and gray .. 18 1468 Shale, black and blue. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37 1505 Sand, white, bard. fino (hole full of sweet water) . . . ... . .. . 100 1605

(Set 8 M -inch casing at 1605 feet.) Mississippian System:

Lime, gray, bard ("Mississippian Lime") . . .... ... ... ....... . 45 1650 Shale. light blue. . .. . . . .. .. .. . ....... . 1 1651 Lime. light brown, bard. 234 1885 Shale, blue, soft (lGnderhookJ .... . ...... . ... . ....... . 25 1910

Devonian System: Lime, gray with brown spots. hard ............... .. . 80 1990 Sand. gray (water) ................. ..... . 3 1993

Silurian System: Lime, gray (brown asphalt) . . .... ...... . 82 2075 Limestone, magnesian, and dolomite ............ . 135 2210 Dolomite. some magnesian limestone (asphalt reported) .... 110 2320

Ordovician (?) System: Shale (Maquoketa), some dolomite in upper portion, set 6 5/8-

inch casing at 2425 feet ............... . .. . ............ . 105 2426 Ordovician System:

Dolomite (Galena), sulphur gas reported from 2425 to 2450 feet. (Strong show of sal t water and asphalt reported) ........ . 91 2516

10 J\llissouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

The above log is given as it was reported by lhe driller, with lhe exception of that portion from 2070 to 2365 feet and from 2420 lo 2435 feet, for which samples are available. The correlations to the base of the Pennsylvanian were made by the writer and those for lhe underlying rocks were furnished by H. S. McQueen.

•Log of Diamond Drill Hole on W. F. Davis Farm near Forest City, Mo. Location: SE. cor. NW. 1/ 4 sec. 4, T. 59 N., R. 38 W. Elevation: 868 feet. Completed in 1901.

Pleistocene system: Sandy clay, no core (loess) . Clay and boulders, no core (drift) .............. •. ..

Pennsylvanian system: Shawneo formation:

Tecumseh shale: Clay shale (no coro) .... . .................. .

Lecompton limestone : Limestone, dark gray to green, argUiaceous,

very fossiliferous, especially Fusulina .. Limestone, gray, fine-grained. much calcite.

very fossiliferous, especially Fusulina . ... . Shale, gray to black . .... .. .. .... ........ . Limestone, da.rl< gray, Fusulina .. . .......... . Limestone, gray, fine-grained . .. ...... . ... .. . Limestone and shale ........... . . Limestone .............. : . .. . ........... . .

Kanwaka shale: Shale. greenish-gray fossiliferous . . . . Llmestono, dark gray . ...... . ...... . Shale, gray, with a thin one-half inch seam of

coal..... . . .......... .. .. . . Douglas formation:

Oread limestone: Limestone. dark gray, granular to oolitic . .. Limestone, dark gray ............ .. .. . Shale ......... . ...... ......... . ...... . Limestone, gray .. ............ . .. ... . Shale, gray and greenish. . . . ....... . Limestone ....... .. .. . . . . ........ . ..... .

Lawrence shale: Shale ...... . ... . .. . .. ......... . Limestone, mottled gray and b,·own .... . . . .. . Shale, dark gray, arenaceous . . . . .... .. . Sandstone and sandy shale interbedded. Shale ............. . .... . ... .. .. ... . Limestone, soft, very fossiliferous.

Shale . .................. ... . ..... . Iatan limestone:

Limestono, gray, nodular ... ...... . . . Weston shale:

Shale .... .

Thicln1ess.

65 10

15

6

4 3

10 3 4

16 4

13

!)

21 3 2

11, 6

19 4

12 77

!)

10

!)

61

In.

8

7 5 9 4

10 10

10 2

9

10 6 3 8

1 11 8 8

3

Depth.

Ft.

65 75

90

0G

101 104 105 115 110 124

141 145

158

168 189 103 195 206 213

232 237 250 a27 ;{36 337 347

356

418

ln.

8

3 8 5 0 7 5

3 5

6

3 3 1 7

10 6

7 6 2

10 10 10 10

10

*Abridged from detailed log published in Mo. Bur. Geo!. and Mines, vol. XIII. pp. 215-239. 1915.

Oil and Gas Possibilities of Savannah Area 11

Log of Diamond Drill Hole on W. F. Davis Farm near Forest City, Mo.-Continued.

Thickness. Depth.

Ft. In. Ft. In.

--------------- - ---------1---------- ---

Lansing formation: Stanton limestone:

Limestone. medium-grained, gray ........... . Clay shale, greenish. . ... . ..... . . Limestone ......................... . Shale. ............. . ....... . Limestone, buff. . .... . . ..... . . ......... .

Vilas shale: Shale, dark . ....

Plattsburg limestone: Limestone ........................... .. . . . Shale, black, calcareous .. .. ................ . Limestone, gray ............... . Sha.le, gray to dark gray ............. . ..... . Limestone, dark gray, argillaceous .......... . Shale, greenish ..................... . Limestone, light gray, fine-grained ... . . . .... .

Lane shale: Sha.lo, dark blue, fossiliferous ........... . .. . Limestone ................ . Shale . ......... .

Kansas City formation: Iola limestone:

Limestone, light gray ............... . Chanute shale:

Limestone, very argillaceous ....... . ... . Shale ........ ....... ............ . .... . Limestone, gray, argillaceous. Shale, green, calcareous ... .

Drum limestone: Limestone, gray, argillaceous.

Cherryvale shale: Sha.lo, gray. calcareous ............. . Limestone. shaly ......... ................ . Shale. dark, bituminous, calcareous .... ..... . Limestone, mottled light and dark gray ...... . $bale, dark gray, calcareous, bituminous. Shale ...................... . ............. .

Winterset limestone: Limestone, light gray, compact, crystalline ... . Shale .............. .. .................... . Limestone, light gray, medium-grained, fossil-

iferous ... .... .................. . ..... . Galesburg shale:

Shale. black to gray ... . ................... . l:lothany Falls limestone:

Limestone, gray. nodular at top ..... Ladore shale:

Shale, dark, bituminous, calcareous .. . .... . . . Limestone, very argillaccous . . ............. . Shale, greenish. calcareous ................. . Limestone, argillaceous. with shale beds . .. . . .

Hertha limestone: Limestone, gray, with shaly partings ........ .

Pleasanton and Ilenrietta formations: Shale, blue-gray, calcareous, sandy .......... . Sandstone, dark and light bands, shaly . .... . . Clay. bluo-gr3y, arenaceous .... ......... ... . Sandstone, grayish, fine-grained, calcareous .. .

8 2

17 8 3

12

4

9 l 8

2 4

38

11

5 15

4 4

8

1 6

17

7 7

34

5

2a

3

5 4

12

l 4 2

17

5 l 2 5 2

9 11

6 10 3 7 8

3 4 9

8 3 l 2

6

11 11 10 3 8

2

8

5 7 4 8

11

6 11

4 10

426 428 445 451 457

469

474 475 484 486 494 495 496

409 503 542

553

558 574 578 582

590

592 594 595 596 603 620

627 634

669

675

698

701 702 707 712

725

726 731 734 752

6 7 9 2 4

5

2 1 7 5 8 3

11

2 6 3

3

11 2 3 5

11

10 9 7

10 6 7

7 0

6

2

2

7 2 6 2

1

7 6 4 2

12 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Log of Diamond Drill Hole on W. F. Davis Farm near Forest City, Mo.-Continued.

Sh:ile, grayish-blue.. . . . . . . .. .. .... . Limestone, dark gray, argillaceous .. ... . Shale ....................... . .. . Limestone, light-colored, argillaccous ... ..... . Shale, green, upper half calcareous .. . . . . Clay and shale, blue, green, black ........... . Limestone and shale, nodular . ...... . Sha.lo, greenish ........... . Limestone .. ... . Sandstone, light green, fine-grained (peru). Shale, gray, banded with red and green . . .... . Limestone, greenish, mottled, argillaceous ... . Sha.lo .................... . ............... . Shale, black, with a thin layer of coal (Lexing-

ton) at bottom ....................... . Clay shale ............. . Limestone, gray, argillaceous ........... . Clay, light gray, calcaroous ... ..... . Shale .... . ..................... . . Limostono, dark gray, fine-grained . . . . Sandstone, dark bluish-gray, fine-grained ..... Shale, black, slaty ........... . Coal, bony (Summit)... . . . ....... . Sandstone ......... ..................... . . Shale, dark gray, arenaceous ... . . Limestone ........... .

Cherokee shale (top): Shale .... .... ........ . Limestone, greenish, argillaccous .. Shale. green, calcareous; slightly arenaceous. Limestone, light gray, very argi!laceous .. . . .. . Shale ................................ ... . Sandstone, fine-grained, argillaceous, calcareous

in places; pyrltlferous ... .. ....... .... . . Shale...... . ........... .... . ...... . Limestone ..... . Coal. rotten (Bedford) .. Shale. gray, pyritiferous. Sandstone, mica.ceous .... Coal, pyritiferous (Bevier) ... Shale, bluish-gray, micaceous . ... . Sandstone, gray, soft, argilla.ceous .. Shale .. ........ .. ............... .. . Limestone, greenish-gray, compact . . Shale, slaty, calcareous and carbonaceous ... Limestone, dark. bituminous, fossiliferous, ar-

gillaceous ... .... .. .............. . .... . Sha.le, black, sla.ty, carbonaceous. Lltnestone, brownish-black, compact, argil-

laceous. fossiliferous ............. .. .... . Shale, black, slaty. carbonaceous . . . Limestone, brownish-black, compact, argil-

laceous, fossiliferous .. . .......... . Shale, black, slaty, carbonaceous .. . Coal (Tobo) ........ .. ...... .. ...... . Clay............... . .. ........ . Sandstone, fine· grained, greenish ........ . ... . Sha.le ................. .. .............. . Coal. .. . .......... ........... .. . . .... . . . .

Thickness.

Ft.

19 3 4 1 1 9 3 4 1 9 5 6

14

6 5 2

14 2 5

15

5 4 8

11 2 4 2 8

7 40

1

6 1 1 1 7

+6 1

1

2 1 4 6 7 1

In.

7 6 2 9 3 2 2 5 5 6 2 4 6

10 7 7

11

5 8 4 7 4 9

IO 2 2 3 2

5 6 8 4 9 3 2 4

7 8

10

11 1

4 9

8 2 3

3 11

Depth.

Ft.

771 775 779 781 782 791 794 799 800 810 815 821 836

836 843 849 851 865 867 873 889 889 894 899 908

919 922 926 928 936

944 984 986 986 993 994 995 007

1004 1030 1031 1033

1034 1035

1035 1037

1037 1040 1041 1046 1051 1059 1060

In.

9 2 4 1 4 6 8 1 6

2 6

10 5

11 11

4

4 11

3

10

2 5 7

6 2 6 3 6 8

7 3

5 2

10

3 3 6 5 5

Oil and Gas Possibilities of Savannah Area 13

Log of Diamond Drill Hole on W. F. Davis Farm near Forest City, Mo.-l'ontinued.

Thickness.

);'t.

Shale, dark gray, clayey ................... . Sandstone, gray, fine-grained. . . . . . . 4 Shale, black. slaty toward bottom. . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Coal. ........................ . . ... ..... . Sha.le... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Clay, brownish. very sandy; grading to sand-

stone below. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Shale... ... ............................... 30 Coal, pyritiferous .................... . Clay, gray, pyritiferous. . . . . . . . . . 4 Shale, brown, lron-stained, very hard . ... . Sandstone, dark, argillaceous; slicken-slded. 1 Shale, dark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clay, light colored, sandy. ... ..... . .. .. ..... 1 Sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Shalo, dark colored, arenaceous at top... .. .. . 2 Sandstone, light colored, fine-grained......... 1 Shale............................... 10 Sandstone, very argillaceous .......... ...... . Shale, dark biue to nearly black. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Wasted core.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Sandstone, brownish-black. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Shale...................... ...... .. .... . :l3 Sandstone, light gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Sha.lo. greenish-gray ..... . ................. . Sandstone, greenish ....... . ...... •. .... .... Shale, greenish-gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sandstone, light bluish-gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Shale, black. slaty, carbonaceous, with thin

coal sea.ms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Sandstone, gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Shale................................ . .... 15 Coal. . ........ .. ........... . . ........... . Clay, dark gray, sandy, with coal partings ... . Sandstone, fine-grained, has thin coal partings

usually diagonal t-0 the core. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Shale, black....................... .... . ... 5 Coal, rot-ten .............................. . Sandstone, gray, fine-grained. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Shale............................. .. . ..... 2 Sandstone. argllla.ceous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sha.le, black. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sandstone, banded, shaly .................. . Shale. An inch or coal occurs in the lower pa.rt

of tho bed............................ 5 Sandstone, gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Shale, dark brownish-black......... . ....... 10 Sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Shale ....... .. ,........................... 12 Sandstone. brownish-black. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Shale, dark brownish-gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Shale, black.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I Coal. ............ . ...................... . Clay, gray, sandy at top... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Sha.le, black. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Coal .. ..... . ..................... . ...... . Clay, gray, soft... . . . •. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . 1

In.

4

8 9 4

4 10

4 9 3 5 2 6

11 2 6

10

6 4 2 3 5 6

10 4 6 3

9

5 4

11 5 3

10 6 4

5

2 9

1 10

5 1 4 5 6 9

10 1

Depth.

Ft.

1060 1064 1070 1071 1082

1084 l llO 1141 1141 1146 1146 1147 1158 1160 1168 1170 1172 1182 1183 1186 1188 1190 1214 1215 1216 1:.1.17 1222 1227

1229 1236 1251 1251 1252

1258 1263 1263 1269 1272 1278 1281 1281

1286 1291 1301 1343 1356 1357 1361 1383 1384 1384 1387 1390 1390 1392

In.

9 \)

5 2 6

10 8

9

5 7 1

2 8 6 6

4 6 9 2 8 6

lO 4 7

7 4 4 9 1

5 8 6

4 4 9

11 8 g !l 7 7

1 5

10 4 1

11

14 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Log of Diamond Drill Hole on W. F. Davis Farm near Forest City, Mo.- Continued

Thickness.

"\Vastcd core.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Clay, gray, grading to black below. . . . . . . . . . . 1 Shale, black............ .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Sha.le, black. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Clay shale, dark gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sandstone. dark gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Shale, dark gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Sandstone. brown .. ................... . Clay, dark gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sandstone, brown, coarse. . . . ......... .. .. . Shale...... .. .. .. .. . .... 30 Sandstone, light colored. . . . . . . . . 4 Shale.............. .. ......... . . 2 Sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Shale, black. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l 1 Coal. ............... . .......... . Shale, darl,. . . . . . .............. . . . .... . Sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Shale, banded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sllale. bh\ck; contains a one-half inch bed of

coal Jlve inches from the base. . . . 2 Sandstone. light colored. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Shale. dark gray to black. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Sanclstone. line-grained . . 1 Shale, black.......... . ............. . 4 Sandstone, blacl{. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Shale.. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Sandstone light gray to wlute. ..... . ... ... .. 4 Limestone, argillaceous. crystalline . .... ..... . Sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Mississippian system: St. Louis limestone:

Limestone, gray io brownish-gray, chcrty. . 11 Limestone, gray, donse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Limestone, dark gray, fine-grained. . . . . . . 17

\\'arsa w shale: Limestone, light gray, flue-grained. . . . . . . . 5 Dolomite, gray. soft, argUlaceous. . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Shala, dark greenish-gray. . . . . . . . . . 4 Dolomlte, blue-green, calcareous. . . . . . . . . . . . . ,l Shale... .. .. ... . . ........ . ............. .. . 5 Dolomite, light, argillaceous, calcareous.... . . 1 Dolomite, light gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Shale, dark, greenish-gray. . . . . . . . . . 1 Dolomit.e, fine-grained. very a.renaceous . .. . . . . 5 Wasted core. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Dolomite, very fine-grained. arg!llaceous . .... .

Burlington and Keokuk limestones: Limestone, light to dark gray, cherty, and dolo·

mite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Wasted core. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Kinderhook group:* Oolomltlc limestone, light gray. . . . . . . . . • . . 16 Chert, light and dark gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

*May include other beds below 1800 feet . •

In.

4 4

11 5

8 4 3 6 7 2 8 4 2 6

10 2 4 3 2 4

10 2

11 3 3 8

10 7 2

7 10 10

6 5 3 1 7

11 9 4

6

2 5

9

DepU1.

Ft.

1393 1394 1412 1435 1440 1444 1445 1454 1454 1457 1458 1488 1493 1495 1506 1518 1530 1530 lr.30 1645 1551 1557

1560 1566 1580 1582 1586 1587 1613 1618 1618 1621

1633 1643 1661

1666 1667 1672 1673 1678 1680 1600 1692 1698 1700 1701

1813 1821

1837 '1838

ln.

4 8 7

8

3 9 4 fi 2 6 8 2

2 6 0

11 3

I 3 3 2 5 8 4 2 9

11

6 4 '.l

2 8

4

5

11 8

6

8 1

1 10

Oil and Gas Possibilities of Savannah Area 15

Log of Diamond Drill Hole on W. F. Davis Farm near Forest City, Mo.-Continucd.

Thickness.

l<'t.

Limestone, gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Shale, blue-gray to greenish. . . . . . . . . . 39 Hematite, dark red, flat oolites resembling

typical "flaxseed," iron ore.. ....... .. .. . 4 Shale, bluish-gray, pyritiferous. . . . . . . . . . 83

Devonian system: Limestone..... 15 Shale, dark bluish-gray. . . . . 5 Llmestono, light to dark gray. . . . . . 71

Silurian system: Dolomite. . .. .. .. . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 35 Limestone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Dolomite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Chert, partly decomposed and chalky. . . 1 Dolomite, cherty in part.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Dolomit<'. bluish-gray, crystalline to shaly. . . . 134

Tn.

1 6

1 7

8 11 10

10 3 8

10 11

Depth.

Ft.

1913 1953

1957 2041

2056 2062 2134

2169 2180 2232 2234 2365 2500

In.

11 5

6

9 8 6

6 4 7 3 1

Condensed Log of Diamond Drill Hole near Saxton, Mo. Location: SW. cor. NW. 1/ 4 NW. 1/ 4 sec. 21, T.57 N., R.34 W., Buchanan County, Missouri. Elevation: 836 feet. Commenced May 3, 1900, completed June 26, 1900.

Pleistocene series: Clay .. .. . Sand .. . Gravel. . ..... . . .... . .. ...... . ........ .

Pennsylvanian system: Douglas formation:

Weston shale: Shale, blue ..

Lansing formation: Stanton limestone:

Limestone. . . . . . . . .......... ... .. . Shale. bh1e ... ................•. . .......... Limestone ... .. . . .. .. . ................... .

Vilas shale: Shale, blue ..... . ..... .. ..... ... ... .... .. . .

Plattsburg limestone: Limestone .....

Lane shale: Shale, blue ... .. . .. . .. . Limestone. . . . .. . . . . ..... . Sandstone .. .................. . ... . . Shale, blue.... . . . .. .. . .. . .. . Limestone. . . . . . . . .... .. . . Shale, blue .................... . . .. . . ..... . Limestone . .......................... .. . Shale. blue.. . . . ......... . Limestone .......... ... .. ................ . Shale, blue ..... ...... ~ ..... . ... ..... ..... .

Thickness.

23 2 4

1

1 1

20

4

16

6 1

17 1 2 9 4 4 1

38

6

6

Depth.

23 25 29

30

31 32 52

56

73

79 80 97 98

100 109 113 117 118 156

6

16 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Condensed Log of Diamond Drill Hole near Saxton, Mo.-Continued.

Kansas City formation: Iola 11.mestone and Chanute shale:

Limestone. . ..... . .... . ... . . ......... . . Limestone. fossiliferous . .. . ........ . ... . Shale ................ .......... . Limestone ........... . .. ... .... . Sha.le ........ .. ........•. · ··· ··· · ·· ······· Limestone .......... . Shale, bluo . .......... . .... .

Drum limestone:• Limestone ..... ............ .

Cherryvale shale: Shale, bluo ............ . .. .............. . Limestone ....... .. .. .... . ... . Shale, blue ....... ..... . Limestone ... .. . .....• . .. ...... . .. ... ..... Sha.le, blue. . . . . . . . . . ................. . Limestone ..................... . Shale. blue.. . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . .... . Limestone ... . Shale. blue ......... .. ...... .. .......... . . .

Winterset limestone: Limestone ................. .. .. ......... . . Shale. blue .... ... .... . .. . . . Limestone .... . . ................. . ....... .

Galesburg shale: Shale ............... ..... .

Bethany Falls Jimest-one: Limestone .......... .

Ladore shale: Shale, blue ...................•............

Hertha. limestone: Limestone ............ .... . . ... . .. ... .. .

Pleasanton formation: Shale. bla{:k ........................ .. .. . Coal (Ovid) .................... . Shale ........ . .... . .. • . .... . .... ..........

Limestone ......... ..... . ...... . ............ . .... . Shale, blue ..... ...... .. ... . .. ....... .... . .

Henrietta formation: Limestone ......... .. ......... . Shale, sandy. . . . . . . . . . • . . ............... . Limestone ............. ... .......... . .... . Shale ................... . Limestone, conglomera.tie ...... . ... . .. . Shale. black ............ . ... .. ...... . .. ... . Limestone .. . Sandstone ........ . . .... .. .. . ... .... .. ... . Shale. black. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . T,lmestone. blue. . . . ......... . Shale ............... .... .. .. .. ... .. • . . ... . Coal. .......... . Shale, blue ............................... . Limestone .... .... ..... .. .... . ...... ... .. . Shale, blue. . . . . . ............... . Limestone ................ ... ........... .". Shale. mixed with limestone .. .............. . Limestone .......... .. . .. . ...... ..... .. .

*May include some of the tWn beds below.

Thickness.

Ft.

7 4 5

9 4 8

6

1 3 5

13 2 7 5 6

8 1

20

6

21

2

18

127 1 8

3 6 2

23 2 3 1 6

11 l 2

8 7 9 3 5 4

ln.

6

6

6

6

6

6

1 11

6 6 5 7

6

Depth.

~·t.

163 167 l72 173 182 186 194

200

201 202 206 211 224 226 2:13 238 244

252 253 273

279

300

302

321

322 322 440 441 449

452 458 460 483 485 488 489 495 506 508 510 511 519 526 535 538 543 547

Iu.

6 6 (i

6 6

6

6

6

5

6

Oil and Gas Possibilities of Savannah Area 17

Condensed Log of Diamond Drill Hole near Saxton, Mo.-Continued

Thickness. Depth.

Ft. In. Ft. In.

Chorokee shale: Shale ...... . 5 6 553 Sandstone... .... . ................ . 5 558 Shale. clayey ........................... . 4 562 Sandstone .. . . . . 3 565 Shale, blue. . . . . . ..... . .... . 22 587 Sandstono ....... . 3 590 Shale. blu e ................. . ... . 6 596 Sandstone .. . .. ..... . .. . .. . . . . .. ... . . 2 598 Sha.lo, blue. . . . . ................... . 16 614 "Cap rock". l 615 Coal (Bedford) . 1 8 616 8 Sandstone .... . .. ..... . 11 4 628 Shale, blue ..... . 17 645 Coal (Bevier) . . . ...... . ........... . 1 9 646 9 Shale, bluo. . . . . . .................. . 3 3 650 Limestone .... ....... .. .. .. ........ ... . 3 653 Shale ...... . ... . . . .... . ..... . . 14 667 Sandstone ... . 8 675 Shale ........................ . 13 4 688 4 Coal. . ... . . ... . .... . . . .. .... .. .. . . ...... . 1 5 689 9 Shale. .. . . . . . . . . . .... .. ...... . 28 9 718 6 Coal....... . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ... . .. . 1 6 720 Shale... . . ...... . ...... . .. ......... . . 22 9 742 9 Coal. ....... . ... ..... . ............. .. .. . . 1 6 744 3 Shale .. .. ......... . .... . .... . 12 9 757 Coal. slaty .... .. . ... . . . . . . . .. . ... . . ...... . 3 757 3 Shale, bluo.. . . . . . . ....... . 11 9 769 Sandstone .... ......... .. ................ . 11 780 Shale. blue. . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . .. ... ... . 4 784 Sandstone.... . . . ... .. . .. . . 2 786 Shalo, blue. . . . . ................. .. . 80 866 Sandstone... . .. . .. . ... . ... . . 1 867 Shale. bluo.. . . . . . . ..... . 3 870 Sandstone . . 12 882 Conglomerate . ...... . . . 5 887 Shalo, blue .... . 22 909 Sandstone ................. . ............. . 9 918 Shale. sandy .. 1 919 Sandstone ... . . . 9 928 Coal. ... . . ... . .. . 6 928 ()

Shale. blue. . ....... . 20 6 949 Coal. . . ... . 7 949 7 Shale, sandy. . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . 6 5 956 Shale, blue. . . . . . ... . .. .. ............ . 4 4 960 4 Coal. . ... 1 4 961 8 Sandstone ... ........................ . 3 4 965 Shale. blue. . . . . . ................ . 7 972 Limestone .. . 3 975 Shale, bluo .. .. ... .. . ........ . ............ . 7 982 Sandstone .... · ............... . 2 984 Shale, sandy ................. . 9 993 Coal . . .............. . 10 993 10 Sandstone ...... . 3 2 997 Shale, sandy ....... ... . .. .. ..... . ....... . . 1 998 Sandstone ... . ........ . ... .. .... . ........ . 5 1003 Shale............ . . .. .. .. . . 43 1046

18 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Condensed Log of Diamond Drill Hole near Saxton, Mo.- Continued.

Thickness. Depth.

Ft. In. l't. In.

Sandstone .... ...... . ...... .. •......•.... . 4 1050 Shale, blue ...... .... ........ .. .... . 1 1051 Sandstone ..... .... .... ... .... .. ..... .... . 26 1077

Mississippian system: Limestone .... • .. . . ......... . ... .......... 39 1116 'r.D.

NOTE : Tltis holo is reported to have had a slight showing of ga.s at an unstated depth, according to Leo Gallaher, acting State Geologist. Bien. Hept.. State Geologist to 41st Gen­Assembly, 1901. p. 22.

Log of F. 0. McCain No. 1, Frank Bermond Farm. Location: SW. cor. SE. 1/ 4 SW. 1/ 4 sec. 26, T. 58 N., R. 34 W., Buchanan Co., Mo. Elevation: 1013 feet. Com­menced: about June 16, 1928, date of completion not known.

Thickness, Depth, Feet. Feet.

Pleistocene Aeries: Surface soll, yellow ... .. . . ........................... . 5 5 Olay, yellow ...... . ............................... . 10 15 Shale, soft light. . . . . . . . . . . . . •. ... ........• 22 37 Quicksand. light. ~ bailer water.. .. . ....... . .. .... . 6 43 Sand, light.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . 13 56 Shale. gray .... . .. . .... . ...... .. . 4 60 Quicksand, gray. 17 77 Sand, light. 3 bailcrs wator . :. 28 105 Sand, very fine, blue .................... . . . 5 110 Sand and gravel, gray, fresh water, unlimited supply . 140 250

Pennsylvanian system: Lansing formation:

Shale, light ..... ..... . ...................... .. ...... . 10 260 Shale and shells, light ... . . ... .. . ... . . ................ . 15 275

Kansas City formation: Shale, da.rk. . . . . . . . . ..... .. ..... . 20 295 Limo, white ......... .. .. .. ..... .. . .. .. .. .. . ... . ..... . 15 310 Shale, dark . . ......... . .... . . .. .. .... .... . . .. ... ... .. . 10 320 Shale, light . . . . . . .. .. .... . ..... .. . . . ... . 10 330 Shale and shells, light ....... . .. ........... ... ........ . 10 340 Lime. light . .. . .. .. ..... . ...... .. . . ............... 1• 5 345 Shale, blue .. . . . 15 360 Lime, gray . . . . ................................... . 20 380 Shale, light. . . . . ..... .. . . . .......... . . 5 385 Lime, gray ..... 25 410 Shale, dark. . . . . . . . ... . .. .. . .. .. . ... .. . . 5 415 Lime, light .... 45 460

.Pleasanton format.ion : Shale. light . ... . ....... . 15 475 Sand, hard gray. )4 bailer water . .. . ..... .. . .. . 15 490 Shale, light .... ..... . .. .... .. . 35 525 Shale, dark .... .. .. . ...... .. .... ............... . .... . 5 530 Shale, light. . . . . . . . .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. ......... . 70 600

Ilenrietta formation: Limo, gray......... . . .. ........ .. ....... .... . . 5 605 Ume and shells, light g1·ay. . .............. . . . 25 630 Lime, gray .......• . . .... .. .. ... . •. ... . .. .. ..... • .... . 5 635

Oil and Gas Possibilities of Savannah Area

Log of F. 0. McCain No. 1, Frank Bermond Farm-Continued.

Shale, black . . ...... . .. ... . . ... . . .. .. ....... . . . .. . Lime. gray. . . ......................... . Shale, light . . . . . . ............. . Lime and shells, gray ..... . .. ... .. .... ... . .... . . . . .. .. . Shale, hlack . ... . ........... . . . . .. . .. . . . ... .. .. . Shale. lJght . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ... . Sand, gray. Ught show gas .. ... ..... .. ...... .. ..... . . Shale, light. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. . Shale, dark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . . . . Lime, dark .. . .. . .... . .... ... . .......... .

Top (?) of Cherokee formation: Sha.le, dark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. .. ..... . Shale, light. . . . . . . . .. . .............. •. ... .. . . . . Shale, dark .... .. . .. ..... .. .•. .... . . ..... . ...... , .... Lime shells. gray .. . ..... .. .. ........... . .. • ..... ..... Shale, dark ......... ... ............ . ..... ... .. ...• ... ShalO. light ... . .. . ... ... ...... . .. . ... .... ..... . ... .. . Shale, dark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ..... .. .. . Shale, black. . . .. .. .... ... . ... . .•.......•. . ....... sa.nd, light ........ . . ... ..... . . .. .. .. ....... • ... Shale. dark.. . .. . . . . . . . .. .. . . .. . .. .. .. .. . Shale, clark, sandy ..... ..... . .. . ........ ... . . Shale, light . ....... . .. . . .. .. .. . . ... . . Shall', d:trk. . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . ....... . ..... . Shale, light ....... . ....... . .. ......... . .. . . .. .. ..... . Sand, brown and gray. . ......... . Shale, greenish-blaclc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . .. ... . Coa.\, black, question as to amount ... ... . . . .... . . .. . Sand., gray. . . . . . . . . . . ...... . .. .. . .. . . .... . Shale, black............... . ... . . . . . . . . ... .. .... .. . Sand, brown and gray. Show gas and oil . . . .. .. .. . .. .. .

'.i\'1issJssippian system: 'Warsaw formation:

Lime, sharp and hard .. . . . ...... . .... . ............... . Shale, black. . . . .. .. .. . .. .. .... . .. .. . . ... . Lime, light and hard. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. .. .. .. .. . . . Lime, gray and bard .. .. .. .. . ... ... .... . . . .. . .... .... . Shale. wWte .. . ..... ... ... ... .. ................... . .. .

Burlington-Keokuk limestone: Lime, gray .............. . .... ... .. .........•. . ... . . . . Lime, gray...... . .. . .. ... . .... . .. .. .. . .... . Lime, gray and hard . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ..... .. . Lime. gray. . . . . ...... . . ... . .... .. . Lime, brown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . .. . Limo, brown . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . ... . .. . . .• . . Lime, white .. . .... ... . .... .. .... ... .

Chouteau limestone: Lime, brown .... .. . . .. . . Lime, llgbt.... . . . .. .. .. . Lime, brown and soft .... . ...... . . Lime, brownish and hard .. ... .

hindorhook shale: Shale. green and red ..... . . Shale, green ..... .. .. ·.. .. ... . .. .. . .. . ... . ..... . Shale, mixed colors ..... . . .. . .. . .. ...... . . . . . . .. .. .. . . . Shale, mixed colors . . . . ... . . .. . . . .. .. . . .... . .

Devonian system: Lime, brown ............ .. .... ....... . . . .... .. . .. . . . . Lime, brown and white, hard .... ... .. . .... . . Lime, gray.................... . .. . . . . .......... .

Silurian system: Lime, gray . . .. . . ..... ..•........... . ... . ... ... . .. Lime. light brown ......... ~ ...... . .. . .. . . ... .. . . .... .

Thickness, I•'eet.

5 15 10 10 5 5 5

10 5 5

10 25 20

5 5

10 20 75 15 10 23 47 25 30

145 2 3 7

28 20

16 3

12 14 2

18 20 30 15 10 55 10

10 12 38 20

10 20 20 35

5 5

95

185 15

19

Depth, Feet.

640 655 665 675 680 685 690 700 705 710

720 715 765 770 775 785 805 880 895 905 928 975

1000 1030 1175 1177 1180 1187 1215 1235

1251 1254 1266 1280 1282

1300 1320 1350 1365 1375 1430 1440

1450 1462 1500 1520

1530 1550 1570 1605

1610 1615 1710

1895 1910

20 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Log of F. 0. McCain No. 1, Frank Bennond Farm- Continued.

Lime. light brown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . ... ....... . Lime. white ..... ... . . .. ... . ......... .. .... ... . ...... . Lime. light brown ... .. . ... . .. ..... . . ..... . ..... •.. .... Lime, gray .. ............. • . ... . ... .. .......... ....... Lime, light brown ......... .. .... ... ................. .

Ordovician system: Maquoketa. shale:

Shale, light blue. . . . .... .•...... .............. . ...... Ga.lena. dolomite:

Lime, soft light gray .............. •. ... . ...... .. ... . . . Lime. white . . ......... .. . .•.....•. . ....... .. .... ..... Lime, dark brown ..... . . •... . . . .... ... . ..... ••. ... . .. Lime, gray .... ... . . .......... . .... . . ... . .... .... . ... . Lime. brown .......... ...... . .. .. ... . ...... .. . . ..... . Limo. white and brown . . . .... . . .. . .. ..... . . . . . . ...•.•. Lime, hard, whiLe. Show sulphur gas . . .... ..... .... . Lime, soft brown ....... .. ......... . ... . Lime, very hard brown ...... . . .. . ... . .. .. ..• ... . ... ...

Decorah formation: Lime. soft brown ...... .. .. ....... . ...•.. .. .. .. . .. .. .. Lime. hard brown ........... . ... . .. .. . ... . .......•...

St. Peter sandstone: Sand ... . . ... ... .. ... . . .••.... . ... . .. . .. . ......

Canadian system: Cotter dolomite:

Dolomite . ...... ..•. .. ....... . ... ...

Casing record: 250 ft. 12~"

Thickness, Feet.

25 15

8 7

10

30

15 10 20

8 17 JO 20 25 30

52 18

92

53

Depth, Feet.

1935 1950 1958 1965 1975

2005

2020 2030 2050 2058 2075 2085 2105 2130 2160

2212 2230

2322

2375

NOTE: The correlations of the pre-Pennsylvanian formations are based on a study of samples by II. S. McQueen.

Log of Chicago & Great Western Railroad Company Well. Location: North of Railroad Station, Savannah (SE. cor. NE. 1/ 4 NW. 1/ 4 SE. 1/ 4 sec. 9, T. 59 N., R. 35 W.) . Elevation: 1099 feet. Date of completion: not known.

Thickness, Depth, Feet. Foet.

Pleistocene Series: Clay, red ................... . .. .. . .•............ , ... . 88 88

Pennsylvanian System: Shawnee formation :

Limestone, gray (Bed "E'/") .. • ... . . . .. ............ , . .. . Clay. blue . ... ... . . ... . .... ... . . .. . .. . ... . . . . .

2 90 22 112

Limestone, gray (bod "G"). ... . . ....... . . ...... . 2 114 Clay, shale, or soapstone... . . . ..... .. .. .. . ....... . 14 128

Douglas formation: Limestone (Upper Orea.cl )... . .. .. ..... . .. . 24 152 Soapstone.... . . . . . . . .............. . 4 156 Clay, red. . ... .. ... . . .. . ....... . ...... . ..•• . ... 12 168 Limestone (Lower Orcad) . . ....... ...... . ..... .. . ... .. . 4 172 Clay, red, shaly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... .. ... . . 25 197 Limestone (Amazonia) .... . ... ..................... . . . 13 210 Clay, blue ........ ... . . ..... .. ... . ... . ... ........ . 12 222 Soapstone ........ ...... , ..... .... . . .. .. ..•... . .... .. 64 286 Limestone...... .. ....... . . . . ....... . .. ...... . . a 289 Clay, blue . ......... ......... . ........ .. .. .. . 13 302 Limestone (la.tan) ...... .. ....... • . . . ....•. .. ......... 8 310 Soapstone ................. . .•. ..... .. ... . . . ......... 60 370 T.D.

Oil and Gas Possibilities of Savannah Area 21

STRUCTURE The area under consideration lies on the east flank of a

regional structural feature known as the Forest City basin, so termed because the lower Pennsylvanian deposits (Cherokee formation) are 300 to 400 feet thicker in the center of the basin than at the edge. The Forest City basin, as determined by the configuration of the top of the Mississippian, is the northern end of a regional structural trough which extends south into Oklahoma. The dip of the rocks in the Savannah area is slightly west of north, and at a low angle. South of Savannah, in Missouri and eastern Kansas, the same direction of dip prevails, but in east central Kansas the regional dip is interrupted by the presence of the Nemaha granite ridge, a pronounced structural feature which affects both the surface and subsurface geology.

The rocks dip in an easterly direction from the axis of the granite ridge in eastern Kansas. In southeastern Nebraska the dip is to the southeast, and in that portion of western Iowa adjacent to Missouri, the dip is south-southeast. Thus the presence of a regional basin is expressed.

As mentioned above, one of the main features of the Forest City basin is the thickening of the Cherokee formation toward the center of the basin. As nearly as can be estimated, the Cherokee is 750 feet thick in the Patterson well in sec. 8, T. 59 N., R. 35 W., and its base (or.top of the "Mississippi lime") is 528 feet below sea-level. In the Forest City hole in sec. 4, T. 59 N., R. 38 W., it is 714 feet thick and the base is 754 feet below sea-level. To the south and east of the Savannah area, the Cherokee thins to 530 feet at Saxton, in sec. 21, T. 57 N., R. 34 W., where the base is 241 feet below sea-level; to 544 feet in the Bermond well in sec. 26, T. 58 N., R. 34 W., where the base is 222 feet below sea-level; and to 439 feet in the Bril­hart well in sec. 15, T. 55 N., R. 30 W., in Clil'lton County, where the base is 51 feet above sea-level.

The structure of the Savannah area is shown on Plate I. The main structural features are a dome which has its center in sec. 28, T. 60 N., R. 35 W., and a somewhat irregular terrace or anticlinal nose in secs. 2 and 3, T. 59 N., R. 35 W. The dome in section 28 has more than 40 feet of closure and 50 feet of northeast dip. While the interpretation of structure depends mainly on the correlation of the beds mapped, south and south­east dips are shown in outcrops which may be "walked out"

22 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

in sections 33 and 34. The northeast dip is exposed in an abandoned quarry in section 22, where there is a continuous verlical face of the upper Oread for several hundred feel. On the west side of the dome Lhere are unusually steep dips which may be seen in continuous oulcrops in the NE. X of section 29.

The dome in section 28 is elongated in a northeast-south­west direction and, to a lesser degree, in a northwest-southeast direction. These structural trends are expressed in many places in Missouri and the surrounding region and probably indicate two different periods of uplift. The northwesl-soulheast Lrend appears to be the more important in Missouri as illuslrated by the Halls Station anticline in Boone County, Lhe Cap-au-Gres uplift along the Mississippi River and the trends of the major faults of the Ozark region of southern Missouri. The northeast­southwest trend is the dominant one in eastern Kansas where il is expressed by the Nemaha granite ridge already mentioned.

MAGNETOMETER SURVEY.

The results of the magnelometer survey of the region are shown on Plate II. Attention is called to the fact that this map is on a smaller scale and covers a larger area than the structure map. The most striking feature is the area of low magnetic intensity in the approximate position of the dome in sec. 28, T. 60 N., R. 35 W., with, however, the long axis cor­responding to the shorter, or northwesl-southeast axis of the dome. This is bordered on the sou Lh by a belt in which the magnetic intensity shows a steep gradient. This feature has been traced for a considerable dislance to the northwest and southeasl. As mentioned under "Structure", this is the main struclural trend in northern Missouri and suggests a deep-seated origin for the folding in the area.

OIL AND GAS HORIZONS.

The formations which carry oil and gas in western Missouri and in Kansas have been given geologic names or have been named by drillers. Some of them are fairly persistent and others are discontinuous, particularly Lhe sands which may grade laterally into shale. However, the horizons have a more or less definite position with relation to each other and may be identified as drilling progresses.

7 Oil and Gas Possibilities of Savannah Area 23

l\{Is,;OURI GEOl,OGICAL SURVEY. BIENNIAL 1tEPOn·r, 1933-1934. AJ•l'ENDIX II. PLATE IL

:\Iap of Savannah area. Anclrew County. J\.Io .. showing the anomalies of vertical magnetic intonsity in the eart.h's field.

24 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

The first sand encountered in the Patterson well near Savannah, 726 to 755 feet corresponds to the Knobtown sand of the Kansas City district. Here it is 29 feet thick and 36 feet below the Hertha. The Squirrel sand is represented in the driller's log as sandy shale in the Patterson well. The driller apparently is in error in not logging the Rich Hill limestone at about 1,000 feet. The base of the Squirrel sand, if found in this region, should be about 900 feet below Lhe datum bed.

The section from the Rich Hill limestone to the Mississippian limestone in both Lhe Patterson and Forest City wells, is largely sand. In the former some very thick sand bodies are logged, but in the Forest City core hole, which is probably more accurate, no sand more than 35 feet in thickness was drilled. Waler is reported in three of the sands in the Patterson hole.

Black shales which carry commercial amounts of gas in Missouri and Kansas, are not logged in the Patterson well near Savannah. Black shales will almost certainly be found in future Lests if the drill-cuttings are saved and examined care­fully. They should be looked for below Lhe Stanton, Raytown, Winterset, and Bethany Falls limestones, and at the Lexington Coal horizon. The approximate depths at which they should have been found in Lhe Patterson well are 430, 550, 630, 660, and 810 feet, respectively.

Asphalt is reported irt the Patterson well in Silurian lime­stone (so-called "Hunton" of the mid-continent region) at 1,993 to 2,100 feel, in the Silurian dolomite from 2,100 to 2,365 feet, and in the Galena dolomite from 2,450 to 2,516 feet.

The depth to the St. Peter sandstone where the Patterson well was drilled is estimated to be about 2,650 feet. In the nearest well to the Savannah area (see log of F. 0. McCain No. 1, Frank Bermond, (page 18), the St. Pe~er is 92 feet thick. This sandstone is considered by many geologists to be the equiv­alent of the Wilcox sand of Kansas and Oklahoma.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DRILLING. Drilling for oil and gas in an untested area always involves

an element of uncertainty. This factor applies even when the well is drilled on favorable structure, but experience has shown that the chance of success is enhanced greatly when the well is so located. Two areas in the Savannah region are recommended

7 Oil and Gas Possibilities of Savannah Area 25

for drilling, but with the reservation that this report is only designed to point out certain facts and conditions pertaining to the drilling, and does not pretend to forecast the results.

The most favorable location is near the center of sec. 28, T. 60 N., R. 35 W., and the next most favorable location is near the center of the E. U sec. 3, T. 59 N., R. 35 W. Gas is found in the Pennsylvanian formations in the pools of Clinton, Clay and Platte counties, and the same beds offer the best possibilities in the Savannah area. These formations are described under "Gas and Oil horizons" in this report. In the nearest pool, the Hammond pool near Plattsburg in sec. 18, T. 55 N., R. 31 W., and sec. 13, T. 55 N., R. 32 W., (See Appendix III of this report), gas is produced from the Knobtown sand in the Pleasanton formation and the Peru sand and Lexington coal horizon in the Henrietta formation, and showings were found in black shales of the Kansas City formation. The Squirrel sand produces gas in Clay County and is a potential gas horizon in the Savannah area, if it exists as a porous sand. In Jackson, Cass, Bates and Vernon counties, other sands below the Squirrel have produced gas.

The oil production in Jackson and Cass counties is from the Squirrel sand, and the Bartlesville sand is the horizon of the oil formerly produced in the Richards-Stotesbury area of Vernon County. As already mentioned, there are other sands in the lower part of the Cherokee in Andrew County which are not present in the Kansas City region or farther south. The first well should be started with a hole sufficiently large to drill to the base of the Pennsylvanian, or to a depth of 1,500 feet below the datum bed shown on Plate I, in order to completely test all horizons known to produce in western Missouri and eastern Kansas.

In central Kansas and Oklahoma, oil and gas 'are obtained in many horizons below the Pennsylvanian, including the so­called "first break in the Mississippi lime", Hunton lime, Viola lime, Wilcox sand and the top of the "Siliceous lime". The latter, which is approximately the top of the Cotter or Jefferson City formation of Missouri, is the deepest horizon from which production has been obtained in the mid-continent region. A well 2, 700 feet deep will be necessary to test the Cotter-J etierson City formation in this region.

26 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources 7

If gas is encountered in a commercial quantity at a relatively shallow depth in the Pennsylvanian, iL is suggesled that this gas be developed first. This will enable the operator to obtain subsurface data which will be helpful in selecting the sile for a deep test. A deep test in northwestern Missouri must be con­sidered a gamble, from which some of the hazard has been removed by locating the test on a large dome. If Lhe development of shallow production is successful and the resulting drilling shows that the doming exists on some beds several hundred feet below the surface, the lower horizons should be tested .

•

OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENTS IN MISSOURI IN 1933-34

By

FRANK C. GREENE

MDCCCXX

Appendix III, 58th Biennial Report

1935

MISSOURI , GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND WATER RESOURCES

H. A. BUEHLER Director and State Geologirt

ROLLA, Mo.

CONTENTS

Page Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Oil... ... ..... .. .. . . . ........ .. . .. .. ..... . ..... . ... . . ... ....... . . ............. 9 Gas ...... . .... . .. . .. ... .. . .. .. . .. ... . . . ... . .. ..... . . .. . ........ . . ....... ..... 10

Figu re 1. 2. 3.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Hammond gas pool. .. .. . .. .. .................. .. .. ...... . . . Page

10 13 16

Blue Ridge gas pools. . . . . . . ... .. .... ... . . ..... . . West Grandview pool.. . . . . . . . . . .... ... . . .. ............ . ... .. . .

(3)

•

APPE NDIX III

OIL AND GAS DEVE LOPME NTS IN MIS­SOURI IN 1933- 34

By Frank C. Greene

INTRODUCTION

Drilling for oil and gas during the biennial period, 1933-34, was marked by several discoveries, the most important of which were lhe northward extension of the commercial gas­producing area in Clinton County, a new gas pool wilhin sight of Kansas City and Independence in an area which has been prospected for 50 years or more, and a new oil pool in Cass County.

There was a total of two hundred completions, of which ninety were gas wells with a combined initial open flow of 26,-033,256 cubic feel per day, ten were oil wells with a combined initial daily capacity of one hundred barrels, and one hundred and one were dry holes. These figures compare with one thou­sand one hundred and thirty-nine gas wells, three hundred and Lwenly oil wells and one thousand and thirty-six dry holes completed from the time drilling began Lo lhe end of December 31, 1932 (see table 1) . This tabulation, here attempted for the first time, is based on information obtained by the Survey through a canvass of drillers, operators and other unofficial sources, as there are no laws or regulations in Missouri requiring the fi ling of logs or well cuttings, or the plugging of dry holes. For the earlier years, it is almost certainly incomplete and probably is deficient in the number of dry holes. For Lhe biennial period, 1933-34, the record is nearly complete and in addition, lhe Survey has obtained the logs and elevations of most of the completions.

• ( 5)

6 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

OIL AND GAS WELLS AND DRY HOLES OF RECORD DRILLED lN MISSOURI.

Drilled to ondofl932. Drilled lo 1933-34. Initial product Open flow

County. of on In of gas welLq Oil. Gas. Dry. Oil. Gas. Dry. (bbls. ) . (Cu. ft. ) .

- ------ - - ---

Andrew . . .. ... 0 0 2 Atchison .. . .... . . . .. . . 0 0 3 Audrain . .. . .. .. . ... . . 0 0 Barry .. . .. . 0 0 2 Barton ... ... .. . .. .. . 0 0 2 Bates ... ... . . . . . . 0 37 49 6 431,000 Buchanan ..... . 0 0 6 Butler .... . ....... 0 0 3 Caldwell ....... . .. 0 l 9 Cape Girardeau ..... . . 0 0 l Carroll ...... . . . . ... .. 0 0 2 Carter . . .. . .. . . . . . .... 0 0 2 Cass ... . . . .. . 8 194 166 8 7 15 95 1.357.440 Cedar ....... . . . . . . ... 0 0 1 Chariton ... .. ... . .. . .. 0 0 4 Clay .•.... . .. .. 1 94 85 0 8 13 1 .337,000 Clinton .... .•.. .. •.... 0 18 27 0 19 8 8,051,200 Crawford .... . . . . .•. . . 0 0 1 Dade ... . ...... 0 0 1 Daviess .... .•. ... . . . .. 0 0 4 DeKalb ..... . ... .. . .. 0 0 2 Dent ....... . .. . .... . . 0 0 1 Dunklin . . . ... . . . ... . . 0 0 l Franklin .... .. . . . ... •. 0 0 2 Gentry .... .. 0 0 l Grundy . .. ... .... . .... 0 0 3 Harrison . . .... 0 0 10 Henry ....... • ... . . .. 0 0 . . .. .. .. ... . Holt ... . .... . . • . . ... . 0 0 2 Howard. .. .. ... . ... 0 0 3 H owell . . . .. . . • . 0 0 2 Jackson ... .. . . 130 781 463 2 55 58 5 15,401 , 616 J efferson .. . .. .. . 0 0 1 Johnson . . .. . ... 0 1 14 Knox ........ . . . . . ... . 0 0 3 Lafayette .... . .... . . . . 0 2 3 Lewis .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 2 Linn ........ . .. ... .. . 0 0 3 Livingston ..... ... .. .. 0 0 2 Macon .•.. . .. . ... 0 0 Madison . . ... .... . .. . . 0 0 l :Marlon . .. . . ... . .. 0 0 1

McDonald . ... . . . . . .. 0 0 2 Mercer .•.......... . .. 0 0 2 Miller ....... . . . . .. ... 0 0 Montgomery . .. . .. . . .. 0 0 l New Madrid . .. .. .... . 0 0 l Nodaway .... . . ...•... 0 0 5 Perry ........ . . . .. . .. . 0 0 Pettis .... . . .• ..... • . . 0 0 2 Phelps ..... . . . ..... . , . 0 0 Pike ..•......... . .... 0 0 1 Platte . . ... . . ..... . . .. 0 9 37 Polle. ...... .. . . .... . 0 0 l Put,nam ..... . . .. . . ... 0 0 4 Ralls . ....... .. .. . ... . 0 0 3 Randolph ..... . . . ..... 0 0 2 Ray ..... . .... . .... . .. 0 2 16 Ripley ....•••. .. ...... 0 0 l

Oil and Gas Developments in 1933-34 7

OIL AND OAS WELLS AND DRY HOLES OF RECORD DRILLED IN MISSOURI­Continued.

Drilled to end of 1932. Drilled in 1933-34. Initial product Open flow

County. of oil in of gas wells Oil . Oas. Dry. Oil. Oas. Dry . (bbls.). (CU. ft .) .

--------St. Charles .. . .. ...... . 0 0 7 St. Clair . .. ... . ... . ... 0 0 3 St. Louis .. . .. . .. . . . . . 1 3 15 Saline ... . . . . .... .. . . . 0 0 1 Scotland .. .... . ... . ... 0 0 2 Scott . . . . . .. . . . ...... . 0 0 1 Shelby ... .. . • . ... . .. . 0 0 1 Stoddard .. ... . . ... .. . . 0 0 10 Sullivan ..... .• ... . . . . 0 0 1 Taney .. . . . .... ... .. .. 0 0 1 Vernon . .. . . . ... . ..... 180* 31 17 Worth . . ... ........... 0 0 4

---·------ -Total to e nd of 1932 320 1 , 139 1,036 10 90 101 100 26 , 578 , 256

*Oil wells listed under Vernon county are t hose on Pond's ma~hows no dry holes­all aro abandoned at present.

In addition to scouting drilling wells, the Survey has carried on plane table work in order to obtain locations and elevations of wells already drilled and to map areas beyond the present limits of development. The result of the work in the Savannah area is published as Appendix II of this report. Magnetometer surveys have now been made of most of the western counties, as a possible aid in locating favorable structure in the heavily drift-covered region of northwestern Missouri. Numerous samples of water from oil and gas bearing formations have been collected and analyzed for possible aid in future proipecling for oil and gas, and for indications of possible deep sources of fresh water.

As in former years the cooperation of drillers and operators has been very satisfactory. With few exceptions, they have placed logs, maps, and other information at the writer's dis­posal, and the writer takes this opportunity to express his gratitude. The Survey has in turn been able to render much assistance in furnishing well elevations, correlations of drilling wells, logs in the vicinity of proposed wells, and other informa­tion. As the files of the Survey become more complete, such information will become more readily available.

8 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

At Lhe end of the biennial period 1931 -32, two reports were published on the oil and gas areas of the State.1 These reports cover many of the areas developed in the years 1928 to 1932 inclusive, and the reader is referred to them for details of stra­tigraphy and the nomenclature used in the fo llowing pages.

A study of a number of developed gas pools has been made in order to determine the size of the structural area and Lhe relationship of the productive area to the size of the fold. A number of factors enter into the computations. The maps used are based on subsurface control and in some cases the locations of the productive wells and surrounding dry holes do not permit as complete contouring as is desirable; in such cases, it has been necessary Lo estimate the position of some contour lines, par­ticularly the lowest closing contour.

The size of the area within the lowest closing contour has been computed by means of a planimeter and is shown in the following table:

TABLE SROWING LOCATlON AND AREA OF so~m MISSOURI GAS POOLS.

Elev. Acres Maps };ame of Pool. Location. County. No. of lowest within published

feet of closing closing in biennial closure. contour. contour. report.

JV[arota gas pool. ... sec. 17, 'I' . 49X . . R. 32W .... .. Jackson . . . 20 590 355 58th

Hammond gas pool. . secs. 18 and l3. ·r. 55N .. Rs. 31 and 32W. PlaUsbur·g, Mo. Clinton . .. 25 515 480 58th

Knorp gas pool. .... 1'ps. 46 a.nd 17N .. R. 30W ....... Cass and

Jackson. 15 760 404 57th Gas pools nea,r Free'"

man. J\.,Io ........ soc. 11. T . 44N .. R. 33W . . .... Cass ..... 22 630 157)4 57th

secs. 12 and 13. T., 44N., R . ' 33\Y .... . . . .. Cass .. . . . 30 640 213~ 57th

Gas pools between Freeman an<l Pe-cnliar .... . .... . . . secs. 5 and 6. T.

44N., R. 32W. Cass. .. .. 10 680 109 57th sec. 31 'l'. 45 N ..

R. 32W .. . .. Cass. .... 19 720 36y,( 57th A vonda.Je gas pool. .. secs. 6 and 7, T .

50~ .. R 32W. Clay. .. . . 8 510 87 57th sec. 7, 'r. 50X ..

R . 32W ....... Cla. y .. ... 24 510 177 57th

1Groeno, F. c., Oil a.nd gas pools or Western Missouri: 57th Biennial J{eport, State Geologist; App. IJ, 1933, pp. 1-68; and Bartle, 0. 0 .. The geology of the Blue Springs gas field: App. III. pp. 1-64.

Oil and Gas Developments in 1933-34 9

TABLE SHOWING LOCATION AND AREA OF SOME :MISSOURI GAS POOLS-Continued.

Elev. Acres J\faps N amo of Pool. Location. County. No. of lowest within published

foot of closing closing in biennial closure. contour contour. report.

----Long gas pool. ..... SW. J( , sec. 27,

S:ti;. U , sec. 28. NE.U, sec. 33. NW.}i sec. 34. T. 41N., R. 33W ........ Bates . . .. 23 720 256 57th

Liberty gas pool .... secs. 35 and 36. Tps. 51 and 52N., It. 32W. Clay . . ... 32 500 680 57th

LMhrop gas pool.. . . 'l'. 55N., R. 30W .. Clinton . .. 24 770 083 57th Shawhan gas pool. .. T. 47N .. Rs. 29

and 30W ... .. Jackson ... 16 720 17) .2 57th Independence gas

pool. ............ secs. 26 and 35. 'I'. 50N., R. 32W ......... Jackson ... 48 810 404 57th

Paradise gas pool . . . 'l'. 53N .. R . 32W. Clay ..... 24 490 1,728 57th

The arrangement of gas wells and dry holes within the lowest closing contour, and the presence of a few gas wells outside of the iowesl closing contour, can be explained in some cases, but in others no explanation is apparenl. The presence of dry holes in the producing area is due in many cases to the absence of a reservoir bed, which may be the result of the pinching out of the sand. Gas wells low oi1 the slructure obtain the gas from shale in many cases. As water commonly is present in gas-producing shales, even in wells structurally high, the presence of shale gas beyond closing contour is not uncommon.

When these facts are considered, it is believed that the figures given in the table represent approximately the areas of the pools considered in each case.

OIL

A new oil pool was opened by Mr. Louis Knoche, of Belton, Missouri, on Lhe Clark lease in seclion 16, T. 46 N., R. 33 W., west of Bellon, Cass County. The wells are about six hundred feet deep and production is from the Squirrel sand of the Cherokee formation. The sand is about one hundred feet thick, but the upper half, or two-thirds, is broken and shaly, and most of the oil is obtained in the lower thirty feet. The largest well com­pleted produced eight barrels per day but, after shooting, yielded twenty-five barrels per day .

•

10 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

GAS

Several new gas pools were opened during the biennial period 1933-34, the most important of which are, the Hammond pool in section 18, T. 55 N., R. 31 W., and section 13, T. 55 N., R. 32 W., just north of Plattsburg, Clinton County; the Marota pool, in the Blue Ridge area, in section 17, T. 49 N., R. 32 W., Jackson County; and the West Grandview pool, in sections 3, 4, 9, 10 and 15, T. 47 N., R. 33 W., Jackson County. These pools are described in detail in this report. Several other new areas were proven during the latter part of 1934, but have not been fully developed.

The Hammond pool (Fig. 1) was discovered in the course of geological work by Mr. R. M. Hammond, who also leased and drilled it. The first well was completed in March, 1933, on the Hoover farm in section 13, T. 55 N., R. 32 W., and made 300,000 cubic feet in the black shale at the Lexington coal horizon (total depth 498 feet). Showings of gas have been found at

R32W

\

R31W

/ /

-LEGEND-100, ~urfo«, t\e.votlon -<>~Nome oflt\-~t.Wt-11 Number ~i& Top of \.c..,\n~on Cooi

1't At>ondonc.d C,.ca,Wtll. i:t ProdYGlnt ()()1, Well

~,' Con~ou~ on +opof moin. thole ~o~ horhOC\(l•iiMJton C0<11)

F1oum:i. 1. Hammond gas pool, Clinton county, Mo.

Oil and Gas Developments in 1933-34 11

unusually high levels for this area, in Lhe black shale ( Gales­burg) between the Winterset and Bethany Falls limestones, and the Ladore shale between the Bethany Falls and Hertha limestones. The Knobtown sand in the Pleasanton formation produces in one well, and in several wells the Peru sand which lies a few feet above the Lexington coal horizon, has been pro­ductive. Porter No. 2 making 2,332,000 cubic feel of gas per day from the Peru sand is the largest well completed in the pool.

To date there have been drilled, fourteen producing wells and six dry holes (including one previously drilled by other parties in the syncline to the east of the structure). One well drilled in this field was abandoned at a shallow depth because it was low structurally and hence did not have favorable possibililies. The gas is piped into Plattsburg, Liberty, and other towns by the General Utilities Company.

The log of a typical well, which was deepened to the Squirrel sand in the Cherokee formation is given below.

Log of R. M. Hammond No. 5, Porter Farm. Location: NW. 1/ 4, SW. 1/ 4, SW. 1/ 4, sec. 18, T . 55 N., R. 31 W. Elevation: 1001 feet. Completed to 486 feet, Dec. 7, 1933; deepened Feb. 1, 1934.

Thickness Depth feet. feet.

Quaternary system. Soil .. .. ............ .... ................ ...... ... . . . . 4 4

Pennsylvanian system: Lansmg formation:

Lime breaks ... ...... .. .. . . ...... .. .. . 3 7 Limo (ba.se of Stanton) ..... . . . 4 11 Dark shale ... .. . ...... ... . 3 14 Lime (water) (Plattsburg) .... . . 21 35 Gray shale....... .. .. ... . . .. .... . . .... . . .. . 2 37 Lime......... .. .. . . .. . ........ .. .... . 1 38 Gray shale ............ . ... . ......... .. .. . . . .. . 7 45 Lime....... .. .. . .... .. . .... . · ·· · · · · · · · 2 47 Gray shale.. . .. . . . ...... . . . . . . .... . 19 66 Lime ...................... .. . 3 60 Gray shale ............ .. ....... .. . .. . .. .... . ... .. . .. . 30 108

Kansas City formation: Lime ....................... . 8 116 Gray shale . . . .... ........... . 9 125 Lime . .. ...... ...... ..... . . 7 132 Gray shale . ... ... .... . ........ . 2 134 Limo ........... · . ... ... . .. . . . . . ... . 1 135 Dark shale ................. . .... ...... . . 4 139 Black shale (bubble of gas) ....... . l 140 Dark gray shale ...... . ... . .. ..... ... ........... . .... . 13 153 Lime................. . . .......................... . 3 156 Light shale.. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . 5 161 Brown shale ........ .. . .. . . . .. . . . .. .. ...... .. .... ... . . 7 168 Light gray shale...... . .. . .. .. .. ......... .. ... . 3 171

12 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Log of R. M. Hammond No. 5, Porter Farm-Continued.

Thickness feet.

Depth feet.

-------!--- --!-----

Lime ... Green shalP .. . ...... . . Gray shale .. Lime ... . .............. . Gray shale. Lime... . .... .. .... . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . ... . .. . Gray shale ............ . ... . .. . ............ . Lime (Winterset) .. . ...... . . ... . .. . Gray shale. .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . lllack shale (bubble of gas) ...•. Lime (Rethany J•'aUs) .... Gray shale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ... . .. . Black shale (bubble of gas and water) ........... . .. . Dark sha.le. . .. . ... . ..... . Lime <Hertha) ....... . .

Pleasanton and Henrietta formations: Dark shale .. ... . ............ . Gray shale ......... . Light shale . . ...... ...... . Sand (gas bubble) (Knobtown) .. Gray shale .... . Rod bed. . .......... . Gray shale. . . . .. . ......... . Lime, sandy. . .......... . Gray shale (set casing 400 H) . . . .. . ... . .. . Light shalo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . Gray shal<• ........... . Lime .. . .. GrePn shale .. ... . . . . ............... . Sand (gas and oil show) .. . Sandy shale. . .............. . Lime . ....... . Light sandy shale. Gray shale . . ... .... ...... . Lime. sandy . .. . .. . Light sandy shale . . Gray sandy shale .. .. .. . ...... . ... . Sand (wat~r--little bubble of gas) (Peru) . Dark shale.. .. . . ......... . ..... . Lime (packer-perforation at 479) .. ... . .... . Dark shale . ....... .. ....... . ... . l31ack shale (gas 236,000 cubic foet) (Lo:dngton coal horizon) Dark shale.... . ....... .. .... . ....... . Gray sha le . . .. .. ........ . ..... . . ........ . Limo.... . ......... . Gray shalo . . . . Light shale ...... .. .

. . .•. .

Rlack shale . . . . ............... . Gray sandy shale. . . . . . . ....... . Lime. . . . . . ...... . .... .. .. .. ..... . .. .

Cherokee rormation: Dark shale. . .. .. . .. . Lime .. . . .. . .. ..... . ... .. . . Gray shalo (plugged .~34) . . . . . . ............. . Light shale.... . . . . . . . . . . . ... . .. .. . . . ........ . Lime, very hare!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . Sand. soft (gas 100,000 cubic feet) ... ..... . . . Sand, sort (show of oil). . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............. . . . Gray shale ......... . ................ . .... . .. . ....... .

3 174 3 177

19 196 8 204 4 208 5 213

13 226 25 251 3 254 1 255

21 276 2 278 1 279 1 280

12 292

4 296 3 299

11 310 4 314

69 383 7 390 3 393 5 398 5 403

20 423 7 430 2 432 9 441 2 443 3 446 1 447 8 455 4 459 5 464 5 469 3 472 2 474 3 477 2 479 3 482 :l 484 1 485 1 486 2 488

1.2 500 10 510 5 515

10 525 2 527

3 530 531

14 545 17 562 4 566 2 568

13 581 1 582

'l'otaldP.pth

Oil and Gas Developments in 1933-31

R32W

6----

0

-LEGEND-

-~-

( \

" \

F 1a u nE 2. Blue H,idge gas pools. Jackson county, lYlo.

13

The Marota pool, while a new development as a commercial pool, has produced shallow gas for private use for many years. Mr. Fred E. Davis deepened an old well on the Marota place in section 17, T. 49 N., R. 32 W., from the Peru to the Squirrel sand in April, 1934, completing it for 450,000 cubic feet at a depth of 478 feet. Subsequent drilling showed the Marota pool to be a separate dome, closely related to the older Kline pool in section 8, T. 49 N., R. 32 W., to the north (Fig. 2). Thirteen holes have been drilled to the Squirrel sand, of which nine \Vere producers and four (including one previously drilled a short dis-

•

14 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

tance south of the pool) were dry. The main production is from the Squirrel sand. Woodson No. 1, having an initial open flow of 1,100,000 cubic feet, is the largest producer. Many of the ,vclls had gas in the Wayside, Warrensburg channel and Peru sands, and also in the Lexington black shale. In several wells these flows were sufficiently large to justify the expense of saving them. A gathering line has been laid into the pool and connected with the Cities Service Pipe Line.

The following log of a well drilled just south of the pool illustrates the succession of beds in the area more completely than the logs of the producing wells.

Log of Davis, Bartle & Hulse No. 1, Denton. Location: Near center SE. 1/ 4, SW. 1/ 4, sec. 17, T. 49 N., R. 32 W. Elevation: 1,007 feet. Completed: Sept. 30, 1933.

Quaternary system: Soil and clay ........... . ............. , ..... . . ....... .

Pennsylvanian system: Kansas City formation:

Lime, broken .... ... . .. .. . .... . . ..... . Lime (Iola). • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . Shale .. . . ..... ..•......... .. ....... .. Lime .... . .. ...... . ...... . .......... .. . ..... .. . Shale . .... .• .. .. ..... .... ..................... . Lime .. . . ........................... .. .... . Shale ................. ..... ..... ... ... .. ............ . Lime (Cement Olty) ..... . .. . ...... ..... ... .. ........ . Shale, dark ........... . .... : .... .. ..... . ... . ......... . Lime....... .. .. ...... ... . ... , , . ........... .. .. .. . Shale ............ . ...... . . ..... . ..... . .. ... . . . . . . ... . Lime (Drum) ..... , .......... . .. ......... . Shale ...... ...... . .. .. .................... . ....... . . . Lime ................ . ........ .. . ......... .. .. . . .... . Shale ....... .. .. .. .............. . ................... . Lime (top of Winterset) . . . .... ... .......... . .. ..... . . Shale......... .. ..... . .. . ........ .. ..... .. . ..... . Lime......................... . ..... . .. . ...... . Shale ..................... ...... . ..... . ... .. .. .. .... . Lime (bottom of Winterset) ... .. .................. . Shale, dark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . ... . . Lime (Bethany Falls) . ............... .......... .. .' .. . . Dark shale. . .............. . . .......... .. . ... . .. . . . . Lime ... .. .. .. . .. ... .............. . Black slate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .... ......... .. .. .. . Lime (Hertha) . . . . . . . . . . . ....... .

Pleasanton formation: Sha.le, gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ........... . Lime ........................... . .. .. ......... ....... . Shale, gray .............. .. . .. . ....... . .. . ........... . Light shale, sandy ... .. ... ... .... ... .. ....•.. . .... .... Red bed .............................. .. . ...... . Green shale (set 6 Yo(-inch casing) ........ .

Henrietta formation: Lime ....... . ......................... . Shale. .......................... .. .. . . ... ·, , ,,,. Lime .......................................... • .....

Thickness Depth feet. feet.

10 10

5 15 29 44

l 45 2 47

16 63 9 72

15 87 8 95 8 103 l t04 5 109

12 121 22 143

1 144 2 146

20 166 2 168 8 176 1 177 5 182 6 188

21 209 4 213 1 214 2 216

15 231

83 314 1 315 7 322

13 335 8 343

42 385

5 390 2 392 5 397

Oil and Gas Developments in 1933-34 15

Log of Davis, Bartle & Hulse No. 11 Denton-Continued.

Thickness Depth feet. feet.

Light gray shale ............ . . .. ... ........ . ......... . 8 405 Lime ......................... . . .. .. . ... ........ .. .. . 5 410 Sand (Peru-puff of gas) .. .... ... . ..... .. . ... . .. . .. . . . 9 419 Dark shale ..... ...... .. ....... .. . ... ... .. . . ..... . ... . 7 426 Lime . ...... .... ............. .. ..... .. . .. . . .. .. . .. .. . 3 429 Black slate (Lexington coal horizon-puff of gas) .. .. . . ... . 4 433 Gray shale ............................. . .... . 2 435 Broken sand .. . ....................... • . .. .. . .. .. . ... . 8 443 Light sandy shale ....... . . ... . . .. .... ... ... . ....... .. . 12 455 Lime .... . ...... ...... ... ........... ••.... . .... . ... . . 1 456 Black slate . . . .............. . .. . . .. . .. .. .. . . .. . ..... . . 3 459 Gray shale .. .............. . . .... .... • .......... .. .... 16 475 Lime .. . ... . ... . .. . .. .. .. ........ . . ..... ..... . ...... . 2 477

Cherokee formation: Black slate (some water) ..... . .. ... . ... . .. . . . .. . . ..... . 1 478 Blue shale .......... .. . . . . . . . ... .. .... . ....... . .... . . 5 483 Light shale ....... ........ . ....... ......... . . .. ..... . . 3 486 Sand (Squlrrell- puff of gas) .... .. . ..... . . ... . .. .. .. .. . 24 510 Sand (Squirrel-showing of oil and water) ... ... .. ...... . 70 580 Black slate . ...... ... ........... .... ... . . ..... . .... .. . 4 584 Lime..... ..... ... .... .... . . .• ...... . .... 2 586 Bia.ck slate .... . . ........... ... .............. .. ...... . 6 592 Shale . ..... . . . ... . ............. . . ... .. .. ...... .... .. . 2 594 Lime ... .. ..... . .. •. . ..... .. ... .. . .. .. . ......... .... . 10 604 Gray shale . ...... .. .. ............ . .. . ..... .... .. .... . 8 612 Black shale ...... .. ..... ..... ........ . . .. ... .... . .. . . 4 616 Light gray shalo .. . . .. . . .. . ... ... .................... . 10 626 Lime ............................................... . 9 635 Sand (Bartlesville---water) .. ....... . . .... . .. . ...... . . . . 17 652

Total depth

The Wesl Grandview pool was opened by Bartle and Marshall in September, 1933, when Swafford No. 1 was com­pleted for 1,000,000 cubic feet in the Peru sand of the Henrietta formation, in section 3, township 17 north, range 33 west. Early in 1934 the Ruf Drilling Company began drilling to the south in section 10 and later in section 15. Twelve gas wells and seven dry holes have been drilled (see Fig. 3). Nearly all the gas is from the Peru sand, although a small amount has been obtained in the Wayside sand of the Pleasanton formation and the Squirrel sand of the Cherokee formation. All the wells are connected to the gathering lines of the Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company.

16 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

R.33W

CONTOUR IHTE,RVI\L 10 F-f:CT ON TOP OF­

CAP-R:OCK OF- PC:-RU !SAND (PAWNl:t- LIMeSTON&)

LE:4E:ND • OIL WE:LL ~ CASWE:Lt. -Q- DRY HOLE, Qww ORILLE:O rOR WATE,R 962 SURfACE: cLEVATION -¢-'e NAM C- OF LcS5CI!: t WcLL NO. 609 f:Lf:VATION OP. PAWNee Lll'lcSTONI!:

IOOt / t~ ... ~RAHAM

I r

1 1014 \

~3 oww / I ... ( (ftlO \

5 \ !:;. o---t--t -,--,

o ... 'o , \ I <o ~-· ... \ 11 1#4C~AM.AM iOT ;!t' ~00$ \ J .. AL I A. Y'1ktfl'T/ ...

K.C.O~~~ TIST OIL <O.

I

~~-14~~~

l

I SCAL E:

z ,-j!

~Al'il"ORD OM L-.....l.------1------~ .. ,_,_ _____ __, ______ ...,_ _____ _.

F1ovnE 3. We.st Grandview gas pool, Jackson county, Mo.

One of the producing wells was drilled Lo the Barllcsville sand which showed only oil, and the well was plugged back to the Peru sand and completed as a gasser. The log follows:

Oil and Gas Developments in 1933-34 17

Log of Ruf Drilling Co.'s No. 1, Pinkston. Location: NW. 1/ 4, SE. 1/ 4, SE. 1/ 4, sec. 10, T. 47 N., R. 33 W. Elevation: 1,017 feet. Completed: Apr. 30, 1934.

Quaternary system: Soil and clay .. .

Pennsylvanian system: Kansas City formation:

Lime (Iola) .. .. . . Shale . . ... .. ........ . Lime-shale break at 56' (Raytown). Shalo. gray . ............. .. .. ... . . Green shale, some red bed. Lime (Cement City) ........ . Shale.. .. . . .. .. . .. .. .. . ....... . . . .. . .. . Lime (Drum) ........ . ... . .. . .. . .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .... . . . Shalo... . ..... . . . . Lime. .. . . . . . . .. ...... .. . . .. .. .. .. ........ . Shale... . . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. . . . . . .. .... . . Lime .... . ..... ... .... ............ . ... . Shale... .. . . . ... . .. . ... . .. . ... . Lime (top of Winterset) . . . . . . . . . ... ..... . Shale . ... ... ....... ..... . .. . . Lime . ............ . Shale ............. .. . Umo, shale break at 166'. Shale .. . ................ . Lime (bottom of Winterset) . . Shale, dark ............. . Lime ( Bethany Falls) ... . Shale .. . Lime ..... .. . Shale . . . lJme.. . ......... . Shale, dark. . . .. . .......... . Lim{' (Hertha) (correct measure 215).

PlC'asant.on formation: Shale. ... .. . . . . . .. ... .. . .. . . . . Sand, bard ...... . ...... . ... . ..... . Shale, sandy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. ..... ... · Sand (gas bubbles at 319') (Waysido) .... . . Shale.. . .... . .................. . Red bed .. .. . Sand. hard . . ............... . .. .. .. . . ... ... .... . . . . Sha!o . ...... . .... . .. .. .. . .. ..... ... . Red bed..... . .. . . ....... · . .. ·. · · · · · · · Shale. . .......... . .... .... . .... · ·. · Lime .............................. . Shale... . . ....... · ·. ·. · · · · · · · Lime ...... .. . .. . ...... . .. .. .. .. . .. . .... . Shale.. ... . ... . ........ .

Henrietta formation: Llmo.. . ................... . Shale. ...... . . . ..... . . ..... . ... . . ...... . Lime ..... . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . · Shale..... .. ...... . . . . . ... . . . .. .. ..... .. . .. . . . Llme . ..... . .. .. .. . . . . . . . ... . ...... . Shale .. Sandy lime... . .... ... . .. .. .. ..... . . . ... ... . .. . Shale. . ... .. .. . .. . . .. .. .. . . . Sand (Peru) (138,0-00 cubic feet of gas). . .. .. . . ... . Shale, dark ......................... .. . . .... .. ... •. . . Lime (Le:dngton coal ca.p- rock) . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . Shale, black (gas bubbles at 442') ... . ...... .

Thickness Doptll f.:et. feet.

8 8

21 29 21 50 7 )1 57)1

12V, 70 8 78 5 83 6 89 6 95

35 130 1 131 1 132 1 133 6 139 4 143 2 145 9 154 2 156

13 169 )1, 169 )A,

0.2 170 G 176

22 198 5 203 l 204 ~ 204)1

1 205~ 4)1\ 210 6 216

44 2GO 4 264

54 318 7 325

17 342 1 343 5 348

18 366 3 369

11 380 l 381 l 382 1 383 8 391

5 396 4 4.-00 4 404 6 410 6 416 1 417 2 419 1 420 5 425

10 · 435 6 441 4 445

18 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Log of Ruf Drilling Co.'s No. 1, Pinkston- Continued.

Thickness Depth feet. feet.

Sand and lime, hard . . . ...... . ........ . ..... • . .. . ..... 7 452 Shale ........... . ..... . ... . . . . . ........... . ... . .. .. . . 12 464 Lime ........................... . .. . ........ . . .. .... . 1 465 Shale................ . ......... . .. . . . .. . 5 470 Lime .......... • ...... ••. ... .. . . ....... . .. . ...... .• .. 1 471 Shale................... . ... . .... . .. ...... .• . 18 489 Lime............... . ... . ... . .. . . .. . . .. . 2 491

Cherokee formation: Shale, dark, muddy .............. . 6 496 Shale, white, muddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . 19 515 Shale, dark ......................................... . 30 545 Sandy lime (gas bubbles and oll show) ....... • ........... 2 547 Lime ....................... . ...... . ................ . 2 549 Shale, sandy ....................... . ...... . ......... . 30 579 Lime, sandy ............................ . ....... • . . ... 2 581 Shale. sandy, some black sbalc bot. 681-585 ............. . 9 590 Shale. dark .................................... . ..... . 16 605 Shalo, light ............................... . .. . .... . . . 7 612 Llme rib, some black shale bet. 610-615 ............... . . . 1 613 Shale. dark ...................................... . .. . 32 645 Shale, whito ................... . ......... . ..... •. . • ... 18 663 Sand (Da.rtlesvllle) (oll show) .................... . 7 670 Sha.le ........ ...... ..... ... .... . ................... . 5 675

Total depth

Plugged back to 426 feet and completed In the Peru sand.

An interesting feature of development during the biennial period 1933-34, was the drilling of a gas test well near the south­west edge of the Dehoney pool of the Blue Springs gas field by Russell, et al. This well penetrated the top of the Gasconade formaLion. A complete sel of samples was obtained by the Survey and was used in the correlation and description of the formations of the log published in this report.

Of special interest, is the presence in this well of beds similar to those found to the west and southwest in Kansas and Oklahoma. The Hunlon limestone of that area is represented in this well by eighty feet of Devonian limestone, the so-called Viola limestone by twenty-nine feet of Black River (Decorah?) limestone and the Wilcox sand by seventy-three feet of St. Peter sandstone. In the top of the latter, a showing of gas was encountered, variously estimated at ten thousand to fifteen thousand cubic feet per day. The gas flowed for two or three days. All the waters encountered in drilling this test were salty and several of Lhem were analyzed by the Survey. Water from the St. Peter sandstone contained 40,691 parts per million of total dissolved solids, the greater part of which was sodium

Oil and Gas Developments in 1933-34 19

chloride. A sample from the Jefferson City formation ai 1,539 to 1,541 feet contained 46,119 parts per million total dis­solved solids and is the most highly mineralized water found in this state to date.

The well was drilled to 1,820 feet where it was plugged back and produced as a gas well from the sand at 435 to 445 feet and the black shale at 472 io 474 feet. The log follows:

Log of Russell et al. No. 1, Bannister. Location: Southwest corner NW. 1/ 4 NE. 1/ 4 NE. 1/ 4 sec. 36, T. 48 N., R. 33 W. Jackson County, Missouri. Elevation: 1,028.5 feet. Completed: Dec. 4, 1934.

Quaternary system: Soil, yellow ............................ . ............ . Gravel-water ........... .. . .

Pennsylvanian system: Kansas City formation:

Limo........ . ... . . . ...... . Shale, blue .... .. .......... . •.. ......... .......••....• Lime, light ........................ .. . ......... . ..... . Shalo. blue ................ .. ..... .. . . . .•. .. . .. • .... .. Lime, light ... . ..... . ...... . ......................... . Shalo. dark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. . Shale, red... . .. . .. . .......... ........ . . Lime, light ................. . ........................ . Shale. dark. . . . . . . ........ . .. . ....• .. ........ . Lime, light . ... ... . . .. ..... .. •. .. ... . .. . .... .. .... .. . . Shale, blue ...•. ........ .... ..•......... .. ..... ... . . ..

. Limo. light (Winterset) ............. . .....•.... ... ..... Shale, dark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... . . . ... . Lime, light (Bethany Falls) .... .. . : ................... . Shale, black . ..... ... ......... .. ........... . Lime, light (Bertha) ..... .

Pleasanton formation: Shale, black .. ..... . ... . .... . ...... . •............... .. Lime, light. .. . . . . . ........................... . . Shale, light. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . Lime, light .. . ...... . .. . .. ...... ... • . .....•.. .... .... . Sand (Wayside) sbo'\\oing of oil ......................... . Shale, blue .... .... . .......................... . ...... .

Henrietta formation: Lime, light. . . . . . . . . . • . . . . ................. . Shale, dark ...... ... . ...•............ .. . .. .......... . Lime, light ............. • .. . .. . .....•......•. .. ..•.... Shale, light ............................ . ............ . Shale, dark .... ... ....... . . . ... ..... . . . . ..... . ... . . . . T.Jme, light (Lexington cap-rock) . ..................... . Shale, sandy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. ......... . Sand, 80.000 cu. ft. gas.. . ..... . .. . . ..... .. ...... . Shale, light . . .. . . . .. . . ......... . ................ . •.. . Shale, pink ...... : . . .......................•.. .. .... . . Shalo, dark .. ... .. . . .. ... ... .... .. ...• .. .. ...... .•. . . Shale, black, 100.000 cu. ft. gas ........ .... ............ . Shale. light ..................................... . ... .

Cherokee formation: Henrietta-Cherokee contact (approx.):

Shale, black ........... . .................•...... . ..... Shale, light ......................................... . Sand (Squirrel--show of gas and oil) . .................. .

Thickness Depth fE'et. feet.

16 16 2 18

4 22 4 26 7 33

12 45 10 55 12 67 8 75 (I 81 4 85

16 101 25 126 44 170

4 174 16 190

4 194 14 208

3 211 11 222 89 311

4 315 14 329 56 385

10 395 10 405 5 410 fi 415

11 42,6 4 430 5 435

JO 445 15 460

4 464 8 472 2 474

16 490

10 · 500 13 513 33 546

20 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Log of Russell et al. No. 1, Bannister- Continued.

Sha.le, dark .. Shale, white, soft .. Sha.le, blue.. . . .. . ... . Sha.le, whit-0. . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . Lime .... . .. .. . .. . ... .. . .. . . . . .. .. .... . Sand- water- stands 500 ft. from top. . .. ... . . .. . . . . . Shalo, dark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . Sha.le, Jlght ......... . . . Sand (black slate one root) . .. . . .. .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Shale. gray .. . .. . Shale, dark sandy . .. . . . Lime, dark, hard .. Sha.lo. dark, sandy, hard.

Missi;;sippia.n system: 1"Ieramcc Group:

,varsaw formation: Limestone, gray, white, dense to crystalltno, shaly and

glauconitic in lower part. . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . Osage Group:

Keokuk and Burlington formations: Limestone. gray white. cherty, crysta.Jline, thin dolomi­

tic Ii mestone beds in upper part. Sedalia-Reeds Spring formaUon:

Limestone, dolomitic, tan white to gray, cherty. .F'ern Glen formation:

Limestone. gray, dense. Kinderhook Group:

Northview forma tion: Sha.Jc, green, calcareous.

Chouteau formation: Llmestone, dolomitic, gray. dense . .

Devonian system: Limestone, gra.y white to brown, dense to lithographic.

sanely at base .......... . .... . . .. . . . Ordovician system:

Black River (Decorah formation·!) : Limestone. gray-white, densely crystalline, argillace-

ous ........... . St. Peter formation:

Sandstone. white . . . Everton formation:

Sha.le, green ......... . Canadian (of E. 0. Ulrich) systom:

Jefferson City formation: Dolomite. gray-white to buff. cherty, a.rgi!laceous.

Roubidoux formation: Dolomite, gray-white, cherty, sandy, distinct sandstone

at base . . . . ...... . Ozarklan (of E. 0. Ulrich) system:

Gasconade formation: Dolomite, gray-white, cherty- base not reached ...

CASING RECORD.

Thickness feet.

104 15

5 4 4 8

22 17 7

13 49

3 18

98

173

166

20

10

12

80

29

73

13

174

147

10

Depth feet .

650 665 670 674 678 686 708 725 732 745 794 797 815

913

1.086

1 .252

l .272

1,282

1,294

1,374

1,403

1 , 476

1,489

1,663

1 , 810

1.820 Total depth

8 )4"- 21 feet: 6 )4 " - 447 feet (pulled); 4 % "-668 feet (pulled) : 3"- 1,550 feet (pulled),

Oil and Gas Developments in 1933-34 21

The following notes were taken from the driller's log:

"At 977 fee L increase of wa Ler, stands 320 feet from top; at 1417 feet gas show, set 3-inch casing with packer at 1400 feet, swabbed water down, next morning water stood at original level; at 1539-1541, more water, stands 275 feet from top; water at 1556 feet; more water al 1573-1583; crevice at 1655-57, more water; at 1731-1751, more water; two crevices at 1805-10, more water."

•

Mineral Composition and Origin of Missouri Flint

and Diaspore Clays By

VICTOR T. ALLEN

Appendix IV, 58th Biennial Report

1935

MISSOURI GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND WATER RESOURCES

H. A. BUEHLER Director and State Geologist

RoLLA, Mo .

•

CONTENTS

Introduction. . . . . . . . . ....................... . .. . ...... . .. . . . . .. ... . Purpose of this stu<lY . . . .......................................... . Acknowledgments ......... .......... . ..... . ..................... . Mineral composition and classificatfon of the clays. . . . . .... . . .... . . . .

Mineral composition of filnt clay . . ........... . ....... . Mineral composition of diaspore clay ............. .. ...... . lVlinoral composition of burley clay ..........•......... . .. . Petrographic Interpretation ...... .. . .. .. . .... ... .. .... .. .. . Formation of oolites .... . . Other petrographic features ...... . . Origin of the clays. Removal of silic;i. and alumina by solution ....

ILLUSTRATIONS

Plate r. A. Slickcnsidcd filnt clay composed of halloysito and tine kaolinite .. B. Banded red flint clay composed of halloyslte and kaolinite ......... . C. Ilalloysitc and kaolinite in oolite..... . .......... . D. Sandy flint clay. . . . . . ........ ..... . .... . .

Plate II. A. 80ft oolite composed of halloysite and kaolinite in flint clay. . ........... . ll. Halloysitc altered to !).ibbsito in oolito. C. Halloysite and kaolinite clay ... D. Calcite in diaspora ..

Plate Ill. A. Oolite of halloysite and kaolinite in flint cla)' ........................... . B. Diaspore in oolite.. . . . . . . . . . . ......... . ... . . . ...... . .. . C. Oollt..e composed mainly or cllaspore .... .. .. .. . .. ..... ..... .. ..... .. •.. . D. Diaspora r eplacing original minerals of oolit,e.. . ...... . . .............. .

Phtte IV. A. Diasporn clay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ......... . . . B. Burley and flint clay ·with gibbsite . C. Diasporo cla,y . . . D. Diaspore clay ............... .

l•'igure 1. Location of flint and diaspo re clay de1>osits. . .. ............. . Figure 2. Relationshlp between the refractive index and the alumina content of tho clay.

( 3 )

Page.

5 6 6 6 7 9

13 14 17 18 19 23

Page.

9 9 9 9

12 12 12 12

16 16 16 16

20 20 20 20

5 15

.

APPENDIX IV

MINERAL COMPOSITION AND ORIGIN OF MISSOURI FLINT AND DIASPORE CLAYS

By Victor T. Allen

INTRODUCTION

The only known district of commercial diaspore clay in North America is situated in the north central Ozark region of Missouri, principally within Osage. Gasconade, Franklin, Phelps, and Crawford counties. Diaspore clay contains more alumina than any other type of clay, and Lhe ceramic products manu­factured from it are noted for their capacity to withstand high temperatures. Production of these high alumina clays commenced

Frov10, t. Location of flint and diaspore clay deposits.

( 5 )

6 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

with the first commercial shipment from Cuba, Missouri, in 1918, and the development of the producing district has steadily expanded with the growth of the high alumina refraclories in­dustry. A map of the district was prepared by McQueen.t

The diaspore clays are found filling sandstone-lined de­pressions of the sink-hole type in parts of the district underlain by rocks of Pennsylvanian age. Diaspore clay is a rough, open­textured, gray '.lr buff colored clay, usually containing t he mineral diaspore in shot-like particles or ooliles. It grades into hard, smooth, ,vhiLe clay, which is known as flint clay because it breaks with curved fracLures. Flint fire clay has a wider distribution throughouL Lhe State Lhan diaspore clay, as has been shown by Wheeler,2 who as early as 1896 described the occurrence of flint clays in sandstone-lined sink-holes. More recently, McQueen~ has contributed an excellent summary of the relationship of diaspore day to flint clay a.ad has given valuable suggestions in prospecting for new deposits.

Purpose of This Study.- The present microscopic sLudy was undertaken to determine the mineral composition of the diaspore and associated clays of Lhese unique deposits and to propose a mode of origin suggesLed by Lhe petrographic evidence. Since the composii.ion of a clay determines its use, knowledge of the mineral constitution of clay should be of value, especially to those studying Lhe burning behavior of these unusual clays.

Acknowledgrnents.-The writer acknowledges the help and encouragement of Dr. H. A. Buehler, Director of the Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources, who made this sLudy possible. Mr. H. S. McQueen, Assistant State Geologist, materially assisted in the collection of samples, and frequent discussion with him has contributed to the present ideas regard­ing the origin of the clays. Dr. Paul F. Kerr of Columbia University determined the X-ray patterns of purified clay samples submitted to him. T he chemical analyses were made by H. vV. Mundt and R. T. Rolufs, chemists, :vfissouri Geological Survey and Waler Resources.

Mineral Composition and Classification of the Clays.-The most common clay mineral of refractory clays is probably kaolinite (Al20 3.2Si02.2H20). From the data available halloy-

1McQuecn. H. s .. Map of East Central lVlissouri fire clay districts: Mo. Bur. Ceo!. and 11-unes, 1926.

2Wheclcr, H. A .. Clay deposits: :Mo. Geo!. Survey, vol. 11. p. 202, 1896. · a:McQueen. H. S., Geologic relations of the cliaspore and the flint fire clays of :Missouri:

Jour. Am. Cer. Soc .. vol. 12, pp. 687-697, 1929.

Mineral Composition, Flint and Diaspore Clays 7

sile (Al20s.2Si0 2.2H20.nH20) is equal or slightly superior to kaolinite in refractory properties. The clays of Missouri described herein are valuable and are used exlensively because of their refraclory properties. These flint clays are composed mainly of the hydrous aluminum silicates, halloysite and kao­linite.

The flint clays are exceeded in Lheir refractory properties and alumina content by diaspore clay, because the latter conlains aluminum hydrates. The mineral diaspore (Al203.II20) has long been recognized as the aluminum hydrate accounting for the high alumina of diaspore clay, bu L during this investigation minor amounts of other hydrates were identified in Missouri diaspore clay. These minerals are: gibbsite (AI20a.3H20) and cliachite (Al20a.nH20), the amorphous constitutent of many bauxites.

In the clay producing district it is generally understood tha L a diaspore clay contains at least 70 per cent alumina. Clays with a lower alumina content are termed "burley" by Lhc miners, the name being derived from the presence of "burls" or oolites which characterize the clay. The term is J1ot a good one, and it has been loosely used to include clays varying widely in chemical composition and physical properties. Although the term is unsatisfactory, it will probably endure during the life of the districl, so attempts have been made to reslrict its usage and define the alumina content. McQueen4 defines: No. 1 burley clay as containing 65 to 70 per cent alumina; No. 2 burley clay as containing 60 to 65 per cent alumina; and No. 3 burley clay as containing less than 60 per cent alumina. Forbes5

has proposed a different usage and designates the clays as follows: diaspore clay, more than 68 per cent alumina; burley clay, 56-68 per cent alumina; burley-flint clay, 45-55 per cent alumina. This nomenclature will be followed in this paper, and clays having the appropriate physical properties · and less lhan 45 per cenl of alumina will be termed "flinl clays". Chemical analyses of representative types are listed in Tables 1 and 2.

MINERAL COMPOSITION OF FLINT CLAY

The principal clay mineral of the Missouri flint clays occurr­ing in sink-holes is halloysile, for under crossed-nicols of a petrographic microscope large areas of the flint clay are isotropic.

<Op. cit., p. 692, 1929. •Forbes, C. R .. Grading and sampling of Missouri burley and diaspora clay: Jour.

Am. Cer. Soc .. vol. 14, pp. 382-388 .• 1931.

8 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

Also, the silica and alumina content of these flint clays (Table 1) are close to the theoretical amounts for halloysite, but their content of chemically combined water is lower. It is known that part of the water of halloysite is easily lost even at room tem­perature and that the index of refraction increases with loss of water from 1.47 to 1.57.6 The water content of the Dint clays listed in Table 1 is 13 to 14 per cent, and the index of refraction of the halloysite present in them consequently varies between 1.56 and 1.57. Halloysite ·with a high content of alkalies has even a higher refractive index, which probably accounts for the abnormally high refractive index of certain pink Dint clays and of those which contain black "pencil" lines that are known to be high in alkalies. Halloysite from a deposit near Aurora, Lawrence County, Missouri, which contains 18.48 per cenl chemically combined water, has a refractive index of 1.546 and supports the conclusions of recent investigators that the re­fractive index of halloysite varies inversely as its water content.

TABLE 1.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FLINT CLAYS.

Si02 ... . . ....... . . .. . . Al20a . ... .. . . ..•. .. ... l<'e20a .... . .. . . . ..... . . FeO .. . .. ... . .. . .. . . . . Ti02 .. .. . . . . ... . . .... . cao .... . .... . . ..... . . MgO .... ....... .. .. . . Na20 ... . .. .. . K20.. .. .. . . . .... . . P20, ..... .. . . . :s:20-110°0 .. . H20 +110•0 . . .

(1 )

44.80 38.84

} .36

2.44 .05 . 10 .30 . 23

(2)

44. 32 38.95

} 1.21

2.30 .05 .06 .14 .17

}13.62 }13.47

(3 )

43.31 38 . 51

} 1.01

2.41 . 24 .10 nd nd

.58 13 .05

(4)

44 . 36 36.64

} 1 . 77

2.14 .35 . 12 nd nd

(5)

43 . 28 38.98

} 1.20

.25

.96

.12 . 14

(6)

44.12 37.02

} .33

nd. .19 . 00

.62 } . 21

. 76 .055

.62 12 . 50

(7)

43.5 36.9

}19.6 1----1----1- - - - 1----1---- - ------

Total.. ... .. ...... 100.74 100.67 99.21 99.38 99.49 100. 38 R.= 1.563 R.= 1.563 R.= 1.567 R.= 1.567 R. • J.567 R. = 1.516

R.=Rcfractive index of halloysite present +-.005. (1) White flint clay, southeast face Forbes pit, NW. )4, sec. 35, T. 38N .. R. 8)V., Phelps

Co., Mo. R. 'l'. RoJufs, analyst. (2) Red flint claY, south face .Forbes pit, :-;w. )4 , sec. 3,5, T. 38 N., R. SW., Phelps Co.,

Mo. R. T. Rolufs, analyst. (3) White !lint clay, Bullington pit, :XE. )4, sec. 9, T. 41N., R. 5 W., Gasconade Co., Mo.

B. W. Mundt, analyst. (4) White flint clay, ·J. F. Bacon pit, SW. )4, sec. 35, T . 4.lN., R . 3W., Franklin Co., Mo. H.

W. Mundt, analyst. (5) Soft oolit<',s from runt clay, Canaan, Gasconade Co., Mo. R. T. Rolufs, analyst. (6) J:Ja.Uoyslto, 5 miles southeast of Aurora, Lawrence Co., Mo. IL A. Wheeler. op. cit.

p. 187, 1896. (7) Halloys:ite, theoretical composition to agree with formula, Al:?Oa. 2SI~. 2SH20. II20,

•Larsen, E. S .. The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals: U. S. G!lol. Survey Bull. 679, pp. 172, 173, 174, 1921; Spllchal, J .. Mineral Abst. l, p. 288, 1922.

:.Vhi<f<OUll l O >;01,00lCAL SURVEY. B1EN1<1AL Rtsvom·, 1933-1934. A,,,,r,;,.,,,,x ·1v. l' , ,AT..: 1.

A B

C D

(A) Slickensided flint clay composed of halloysite and fine kaolinite. Dark areas are kaolin ite stained ,,·ith limoni te. x38. Forbes P it, Rolla, Mo.

(B) Banded red flint clay composed of halloysite and kaolinite. A book of kaolinite (below K), perpendicular to the cleavage, is near the cen,ter. \\' hite areas (K) are kaolin ite parallel to the cleavage. x72. Forbes Pit, Rolla, Mo.

(C) Center of ooli te is composed of ha lloysite and kaolinite: worn1- likc masses are kaolinite (K). x72. Forbes Pit , Rolla, Mo.

(IJ) Sandy flint clay from cast side of Forbes Pit contains <Juartz grains (Q), which arc embedded in halloysite. x38. Rolla, Mo.

7 Mineral Composition, Flint and Diaspore Clays 9

Nearly all the flint clays contain some micaceous flakes of kaolinite which may constitute as much as 40 per cent of the clay. The kaolinite may be arranged in books or 'worm-like masses (Pl. I, B and Pl. IC). Small grains of quartz are present in some flint clays and an occasional grain of tourmaline, zircon, or rutile may be observed. The variation in the chemical com­position of the samples from the theoretical composition of halloysite is due partly to variation in the proportion of kaolinite, quartz, and minor minerals present. Dr. Paul F. Kerr of Colum­bia University has examined typical specimens of these flint clays and reports7 that their X-ray patterns are those of halloysite with some microscopic kaolinite. On the bases of chemical, X-ray, and optical studies it appears that the uniformly smooth flint clays which occur in the sink-hole-like deposits in the north­central Ozark region are mixtures of halloysite, kaolinite, and quartz with other minerals being present in minor amounts

A few flint clays contain soft oolites. An example of this type was collected at the Fritz Rudolph Mine No. 218, Canaan, Gasconade County, Missouri. These oolites (Pl. II, A and B) are composed of halloysite and kaolinile and rarely contain a mineral with the optical properties of gibbsite, for ils bire­fringence is about .02 and its refractive index gamma is 1.58. Diaspore is a rare constitutent of the soft oolites, but occasionally small crystals of diaspore have been observed in them (Pl. II, B). Some of the soft oolites from Canaan were separated from the matrix and analyzed with the results shown in Table 1, No. 5. Flint clays that contain hard ooliles have an alumina content greater than 45 per cent and are described in the ap­propriate group.

MINERAL COMPOSITION OF DIASPORE CLAY

It has been known for several years8 that the high alumina content of diaspore clay is due to the presence of the mineral diaspore (AI20a. H20), which is present as oolites or shot-like particles (Pl. III, A-D), or as crystals scattered in the matrix (Pl. IV, C and D) .. The microscopic determination of the dia­spore has been verified by Somers and others. 9 Mundt has

'Personal communication. •Wherry, E. T., Diasporite in Missouri: Am. Miner., vol. 2, p. 144, 1917. nR!es, Heinrich, High-grade clays of the Eastern United States: U. S. Geo!. Survey

Bull. 708, p. 139, 1922.

10 Missouri Geological Survey and \-Valer Resources

separated oolites from diasporc clay and chemically analyzed them. The results (Table 3, Nos. 1 and 3) indicate that the amount of alumina is close to the lheoretical content of 85 per cent required by diaspore. Dr. Kerr has examined some

·rABLl!: 2.

CHEMICAL COM.POSI'f!ONS OF DIASPORE AN!) BUHLEY CLAYS.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7 )

---Si02 . . .. 9 . 28 22.60 5.46 7.33 23.39 33 . 41 33 . 88 A120a .. ' ........ 69.76 59 . 32 74.33 73 .55 55.87 48.51 41. 77

l?e:iOa .. 1.14 t .14 1.12 .93 . 61 .6,5 1. OG Ti02 . .. . . ... . .. .. .. . .. 3 . 78 2.14 3.81 3.90 3.58 2.50 5 . 63 Cao ...... .. .40 .18 .46 .18 .20 .22 .65 MgO . . . . 15 .22 .22 .10 .10 .08 . 32 N~O .... ....... .40 . 66 nd nd nd nd .83 K20 ....... . .95 1.45 nd nd nd nd 2.92 H20 - 110°c ... }13.37 }12.35 .12 .17 .52 .39 1.32 H20 + 110°0 ... . ..... 14.06 13 . 74 13.38 13 . 39 I 1.14 P20 •.... . .. . .. . nd nd nd nd nd nd 1. 31

(1) Diaspora clay, Forbes pit. t\W. )<(, sec 35, T . 38N., R. SW., Phelps CountY. R. T. Rolufs, analyst.

(2) Burley clay, NW U. sec. 35, T. 38 N .. R. 8W., Forbes pit, Phelps County. R. T . .Holufs. analyst.

(3) Diaspore clay, Rolt pit, NE. U, sec. 30, T . 40X., R 5W., Crawford County. H. W. Mundt, analyst.

(4) Diasporc clay, Leach pit, SE. U, sec. 21, T. 42X., R. 5W., Gasconade County. H . W . Mundt, analyst.

(5) BurlE'Y claY. Travis pit. S fl:. U. sec. 29, 'f. 41 N., R. 7W., l\farics CountY. H. ,v. Mundt, analyst.

(6 ) BurleY-flint-clay, Travis pit, SE. U. S!'C. 29, 'r. 41 N . . R . 7W .. Maries County. H. W. Mundt, ana)Yst.

/7) Copper-bearing flint clay, Mason Rohrer pit, SW.)<(, sec. 16, T . 41 N., R. 7W., Osage Count~'- R. T. Rolufs, analyst.

oolites separaled by the writer and reports their X-ray patterns are those of diaspore. The chemical, optical, and X-ray data are in agreement that diaspore is the characteristic mineral making up 85 to 90 per cenl of diaspore clay.

The mineralogical composilion of the remaining 10 or 15 per cent, which constilules lhe fine matrix that encloses the oolites, is not known wilh the same degree of certainty. Some idea of its chemical composition has been obtained by Mundt, 10

who used various methods of separating the fine matrix from lhe oolites. His results are listed in Table 3 as No. 2 and No. 4 and show that -if the ignition loss is disregarded, the chief con­slitutents of the malrix are silica, alumina, and titania in variable amounts. The microscopic and X-ray examinations of the samples numbered 2, 4, and 7 in Table 3 showed that tiny dia-

••Cnpublished da,ta from files of the Mo. Geo!.. Survey and Water Resources.

Mineral Composition, Flint and Diaspore Clays 11

spore grains are included in these separations. In an effort to remove all the diaspore, the writer prepared a sample made up of only the material which would pass through a quantitative filter paper. The sample listed as No. 8, Table 3, was free from diaspore and was found to contain less alumina and more silica than the other samples prepared. Its titania contenl is 24.22 per cent. The portion of this sample examined by X-ray melhods was small and the X-ray paltern was so indistinct

'rABLE 3.

FRACTIONS PREPARED FROM DIASPORE ANO BURLEY CLAYS LTSTED IN TABLE 2.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) ------· ---- -----· - ------------

Si02 . ... ... . . 2.46 17.58 2 .. 53 27 . 67 30.52 38.61 14 . 18 22.14 14.8 A}z03. ' . .. .. .. 81.29 54 .48 79.28 41. 29 49.59 41.64 54 . 98 30.78 16 . 1 ·~·e203 . . .. .. . .. . 69 1.30 .56 1.02 .92 .85 1.56 1.56 5.5 Ti02 . . .... .... 1.95 10 . 07 2.92 11.25 3.94 3.34 13.74 24.22 ,57. 3 CaO . . . .. .. .. . .20 .54 .22 .83 .26 .20 .70 .60 1.3 MgO .. .. ... .. none . 34 none .84 . 10 .OG .02 .03 .7 Na,zO .... . . . nd ncl ncl .86 ncl nd . 20 nd nd K20 .... . . .... ncl nd nd 2.63 nd nd l. (;4 nd nd H20 -110°0 ... . 01 .24 .so .58 .41 .33 .4-5 .90 1. 3 Ig. Loss . . .. ... 14.73 12.04 14.86 10 . 10 13.90 13. 25 12. 98 14.00 2 . 5

(1) Coarse separate from cllaspore clay, Holt pit, NE. )4. s<>c. 30, T. 40 N .. R. 5W .. Crawford County. Separated and analyz<>cl by H. '\V. l',Iundt.

(2) Vine separate from diaspore clay, Holt pit, NE. )4. sec. 30, T. 40 N., R. 5W., Crawford County. Separated and analyzed by H. W. Mundt.

(3) Polished oolitcs from diaspore clay, Loach pit. SE.)4, sec. 21, T. 42 ~ .. R. 5W., Gas­conade County. Separated and analyzed by H. ,v. :Vfundt.

(1) Light material separat<>d by gravity from diaspore clay, Leach pit, SE.)4, sec. 21, T. 42 N' .. R. 5W., Gasconade County. Separat-od and analyzed by H. W. :Mundt.

(5) Fine separate from burley clay, Travis pit, SE. )1 . sec. 29 .. T. 41 N., JL 7W .. Maries County. Separated and analyzed by H. W. Mundt.

(G) Fine separate from burlcY-fllnt-clay, Travis pit. SE. )4, sec. 29, ·r. 41 N., R. 7W., Maries County. Separated and analyzed by H. W. Mundt.

(7) l<'inc separate from diaspore clay, J,'orbcs pit, NW. Ji'. sec. 35, T. 38 N., R. 8W., Phelps County. Separated by V. ·r. Allen, analysed by R . T. Rolufs.

(8) Fine separate from diaspore clay passing through filt<:r paper, Forbes pit, NW. )4, sec. 35, 'l' . 38 ~ .• .R. SW .. Phelps County. Separated by V. T . Allen, analyzed by R. T. Rolufs.

(9J Leucoxene coat.ing rutilc. Separa.ted by V. T. Allen, analyzed by R., B. Rllestad.

that it could not be matched satisfactorily with any known mineral. The optical examination of the fine material in diaspore clay reveals that il is partly isotropic, with a refractive index of about 1.61, and partly opaque. Cliachite (AhOa, nH20), which is the amorphous constituent of many bauxites and which frequenlly contains silica as an impurity, best fits the optical properties of this isotropic malcrial. 11 The opaque mineral

11Rogcrs, A. F., a.nd Kerr. P. E .. Thin-secf.ion mineralogy, p . 177, McGraw-HJU Book Co., New York, 1933.

12 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

which is believed to be leucoxene accounts for the high titania of diaspore clay. This is the most abundant titanium mineral, concentrated from diaspore clay by means of heavy liquids. Pseudomorphs after other titanium minerals are common. Chief among these are well developed pseudomorphs after pris­matic rutile. Some of these have parts broken away and no doubt the finely divided material from the missing portions has been disseminated among the fines, where recognition of the tiny fragments of leucoxene is difficult. Other titanium minerals recognized among the heavy mineral concentrates from Missouri diaspore clays are ru tile, titanite, and anatase, but the amounts of these minerals are small and do not increase proportionately to the tilania recorded in the chemical analyses of the various separations studied. Furthermore, each of these minerals except leucoxene has a characteristic X-ray paltern, bul none of these was observed by Dr. Kerr in X-ray examination of prepared samples of Missouri diaspore clay ranging from 10 to 24.22 per cenl in titania content. According to McCartney12 the leucoxene occurring in the sandstone of Chester age in Indiana gave no X-ray pattern. Dr. Kerr13 states that the X-ray pattern of leucoxene is so indistinct that it could not be identified, even in a sample analyzing 24.22 per cent titania where it is mixed with another mineral. It ,vould seem thal X -ray examination excludes rutile, titanite, and anatase as the principal titanium­bearing minerals of diaspore clay, but as yet such examination could not prove the presence or absence of leucoxene. An approach to the problem from the chemical side meets wilh difficulty because of the uncertainty regarding the chemical composition of leucoxene. Cathrein's14 analysis of leucoxene separated from diabase showed considerable CaO and led lo the idea that leucoxene is a calcium titanium silicate. The analyses of the high titania separations from Missouri diaspore clay listed in Table 3 show that the calcium content is less than 1 per cent. The titania could nol be present as leucoxene, if leucoxene is a calcium lilanium silicate. More recently CoiI 1,

has concluded that the leucoxene in the Pen;nian sandstones of Oklahoma is an amorphous, hydrous titanium oxide. The writer endeavored to secure pure leucoxene for analysis, and the

a McCartney, G . C .. A petrographic study of the Chester sands tone of Indiana: Jour. Sect. Petrology, vol. 1, pp. 82-90, 1932.

" Personal communication .. 1<Cathrein, A .• Zeltschr. Kryst. Min., vol. 6. pp. 244-256, 1882. 1'COU, Fay, Chemical compo!tition of leucoxene in the Permian of Oklahoma: Am.

Min., vol. 18. pp. 1\2-65. 1933.

::v[18$0URT GEOLOGICAL SunvEY. 8Hl.:<NIAT, REMllT, 1933-1934. APPENDIX IV, PLATE II.

A B

C D

(A) Soft oolitc composed of hatloysite (dark JI) and kaolinite (light) in flint clay. Dark boundaries of ooli te are due to ferric oxide staining halloysite. Fritz­Rudolf Pit, Ko. 218, Canaan, Gasconade County. x38.

(B) Center of oolite is halloysite (dark H) altered in part to gibbsite (l ight G) which has partly changed to diaspore. Boundary of ooli te, stained with ferric oxide which shows a dark line. Fritz-Rudolf Pit, No. 218, Canaan, Gasconade County. x38.

(C) Clay composed of ha lloysite and kaolinite from weathered Pennsylvanian surface below the sandstone rim-rock at t he For bes Pit, Rolla. x38.

(D) Calcite (c) impregnating the pore space of t he matrix a round diaspore grains (dark, D) in a nodule from Gerald. x38.

Mineral Composition, Flint and Diaspore Clays 13

besl malerial obtainable was thaL which coated the outside of rutile crystals in a pegmatite from Virginia. This was separated and analyzed with the results indicated in Table 3, No. 9. Calcium does nol seem to be an essential constituent, for only 1.3 per cent CaO is present, and if the silica in it is combined with alumina as an impuri ty, lhe malerial may be a hydrous Litanium oxide with a composiLio_1 like that which Coil has suggested for leucoxene. Thus, all avenues of approach converge towards '.eucoxene as being Lhe titanium mineral which accounts for the ma~ or port" on of the titania in analyses of Missouri diaspore clay.

MINERAL COMPOSITION OF BURLEY CLAY

The most conspicuous difference between burley clay and diaspore clay revealed by petrographic examination is that the number of diaspore oolites is less and many of these are smaller in burley clay than in diaspore clay. This feature itself would partly explain the lower alumina content of burley clay (Table 2, Nos. 2 and 5). Closer examination of the burley clay shows, however, that some of the oolites are not filled as solidly with diaspore (Pl. I II , B) as the oolites in diaspore clay hut are com­posed of rings of diaspore crystals separated by isotropic material similar to the matrix around the oolites. In a few oolites of burley clay, gibbsite is present.. Optical examination of the isotropic matrix around the oolites shows thaL the refractive index is greater than that of halloysite but less than that of the isotropic cliachite of diaspore clay, and the writer regards it as an intermediate stage between halloysite and cliachite. Mundt attempted to separate the matrix from the diaspore in burley clay. He succeeded in removing some diaspore, for the fine separation (T able 3, No. 5) is higher in silica and lower in alumina than the original sample of burley clay (Table 2, No. 5). The analysis, however, does not· truly represent the com­position of the matrix, for optical examination shows some fragments of diaspore in it. The titania content of burley clay is lower than that of diaspore clay (see Table 2) and is concen­trated among the fines but not to the same extent as in diaspore clay (see Table 3) . The heavy minerals concentrated from burley clay contain a much smaller quantity of leucoxene and rutile than those concentrated from an equal sized sample of diaspore clay. D r. Kerr has studied the X-ray patterns of the matrix surrounding the oolites of burley clay (Table 3, No. 5)

14 1\l!issouri Geological Survey and Waler Resources

and states16 lhat the X-ray patterns are similar Lo those of bauxite with fine kaolinite or halloysite. Bauxite is a name for a rock composed of aluminum hydrates, such as gibbsile and cliachite. X-ray sludy affords evidence of aluminum hydrates, which have bauxite X-ray patterns, in addition to diaspore in burley clay.

Burley-flint-clay (Table 2, No. 6) is more like flint clay than diaspore clay. Many of the so-called "rough-flints" of the miners are in this class. Only an occasional oolite of dias­pore is present, and very rarely some oolites contain gibbsile. Enough oolites are present to increase lhe alumina content above that of the ordinary smooth flint clay. The refractive index of the isotropic matrix around the oolites is slightly higher than that of halloysite. The writer regards il as altered halloysile.

PETROGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION

The discussion of Lhe relation of flint clay to diaspore clay may logically slarl with flint clay which is far more abundant and occurs in many Missouri districts where no diaspore is present. The chemical compositions of the flint clays from widely separa Led areas are remarkably similar (see Table 1) . Mineralogically, flint clay is composed mainly of halloysile and kaolinite. The refraclivc index of the halloysite from sink­hole deposils conlaining no diaspore or from parts of the diaspore pits away from the fraclured zone containing diaspore is 1.563 to 1.567, if Lhe alkali content is low. Halloysile and kaolinite with identical optical properlies occur in the weathered bed­rock surface below the sandstone-rim-rock al Lhe Forbes Pit, near Rolla, Phelps County (Pl. II , C). Because of the wide distribution of uniform halloysite and because identical material is present in the residual Pennsylvanian weathered surface, the writer believes that the flint clays had essentially their present mineral composition al Lhe Lime of deposition.

McQueen17 has observed that the diaspore clay is related to fracture zones, and the writer agrees with him. In the areas contiguous Lo the fractured zones the characterislic smooth texture of the flint clay is absent and in its place there is a slightly rough texture . Under the microscope each rough spol

u Personal communication . 110p. cit., p . 694, 1929.

Mineral Composition, Flint and Diaspore Clays 15

is seen to consist of n umerous small needles of diaspore. The refractive index of the halloysite around the diaspore needles is always higher than lhat of Lhe halloysite occurring alone and suggests a change in Lhe chemical composilion of Lhe halloysite. The introduclion of diaspore seems always to be accompanied by a change in the composilion of halloysile, and it was apparently caused by the same process thal altered the halloysile. If this is true, it would be expected lhal furLher formation of diaspore would be accompanied by further change in the optical properties of the altered halloysite. Figure 2 shows Lhat the refraclive index of Lhe isolropic maLrix around Lhe diaspore increases as the amount of diaspore and Lhe to Lal alumina increase. This curve is based on values secured by determining the refractive index of the isotropic matrix of samples analyzed for total alumina. The refractive index of the isotropic matrix of the burley-.flinl clay (1.575) recorded in Figure 2 is higher than Lhat of any known halloysite. The refractive index of the matrix of burley clay ( 1.575 to 1.585) is even higher, and the malerial conslituling the matrix having lost sufficient silica

I.G20 ?

I I

1.610 ··-r~-- ,__ I

V L~

V )( / .. 0 / ~

LS90 /

V V

JJ A >

j:: V '.i ./ ' ~LS&O

V .. OI ,./ " n

/ V

l.>70 / 0 y

.,.,.,.- 0

1.560

JO so Ii,() 70 TOTAL PfQCENT OF A LUMINA IN TIIE. CLAY.

FraunE 2. Relationship between tho refractive index and t he alumina content o r the clay.

16 Missouri Geological Survey and Waler Resources

contains aluminum hydrates, as is substantiated by X-ray ex­amination. The refractive index of the matrix of diaspore clay is highest (1.605 to 1.620) and is close to that of cliachite. The difficulty of assigning mineral names to these colloidal materials, which vary in composition and optical properties between two extremes, is appreciated, if it is realized that they represent intermediate stages between halloysite and cliachite.

Further evidence that diaspore has formed at the expense of the clay minerals in flint clay is obtained by examining a series of thin sections cut from several samples taken across a single contact of diaspore clay with flint clay. In the hand specimen taken nearest to smooth flint clay there are small rough spots, 1 mm. or less across, which somewhat resemble sand grains. In Pl. IV, A, the roughest part is on the right and toward the main body of diaspore clay. The roughness is due to numerous small grains of diaspore, and some diaspore grains are scattered through the part on the left which appears to be a smooth flint clay in the hand specimen. The contact between clay carrying some diaspore and flint clay is gradational, and extends through a zone several inches or several feet in width. In this zone there is a progressive increase in the size of grain and amount of diaspore until commercial grade is reached. Pl. IV, B, shows a photomicrograph of a specimen closer to high grade diaspore. The rough flint on the left contains altered clay minerals, a little gibbsite, and small grains of diaspore. The right half contains large, continuous areas of diaspore (white) and an increased number of small grains of diaspore (dark) that occupy space formerly taken by clay minerals. The alumina content of this parL is high enough to be classed as burley clay. In Pl. IV, C and D, the large areas of clear dias­pore (while) have increased in size, and the small diaspore grains (dark) have increased in number, un\il they now occupy all buL about 10 per cent of the space. It is clear that the alumina content of diaspore, burley, and burley-flint clay is largely dependent upon the amount of diaspore that has re­placed the original clay minerals of the deposit. The writer terms the above replacement zonal, because in some deposits the ashy gray color of the diaspore clay contrasts enough with the whiteness of the surrounding flint clay that the contact appears as a narrow zone which upon closer examination broadens to a transitional zone several inches wide. In many such zones ooliles are lacking and replacement may be regarded as progress-

:\l1sS1oum 0 1,oL.ocrcAL Senv>:Y. Il1•;Ni<JA1. lh:pon-r. 1033- 193-i. _.\,.,..1,:No1x I\'. P1,ATE ITJ.

A

D

(A) Oolite in flint clay composed main ly of halloysite and kaolinite conta ins, nea r the center (belo11· D) a sin!{le crysta l of diaspore. Tschappler Pi t, 6 miles nonh of Owensville. x38.

(B) The diaspore at. the cemer of t he oolite is su rrounded by isotropic material (dark) and farther out there is near ly a complete ring of fine gn1•

0

ned disapore, which in t urn is par t ially separated fron , the Outern ,ost ring of diaspore by more isotropic 111aterial. Tschappler Pit, 6 mi les north of Ownesvil!e. x38.

(C) Oolite has center a nd rings composed mainly of coarse diaspore (wh ite) and fine granular diasporc (dark). Tschappler Pit, 6 mi les north of Owensville. x38.

(D) White areas are coarse diaspore I hat has taken the place of I he original clay minerals of the oolite. Tschappler Pit, 6 miles nonh of Owens,·i lle. x38.

Mineral Composition, Flint and Diaspore Clays 17

ing at right angles to a plane rather than on specific points. Replacement about a point, resulting in the formation of an oolite, will be referred to as concentric, and it, too, affords con­vincing testimony that diaspore has replaced the clay minerals.

FORMATION OF OOLITES

It seems most likely that the oolitic or shot-like structure developed in the flint clay after the clay was deposited and as the result of the circulation of ground waters through the clays of the enclosing structural sinks. Some oolites, like the soft ones at Fritz Rudolf Mine, No. 218, Canaan, Gasconade County, (Pl. II, A), contain the same minerals as the non-oolitic parts or as the more common type of flint clay which contains no oolites. The first stage in the development of the oolitic structure was largely rearrangement of the colloidal particles about a point producing a concentric structure. In some cases this was accompanied by some alteration of the colloidal particles and by some additions from the circulating solutions which resulted in the coating of the ou Lside of the oolite with ferric oxide. Pl. II, A and B, shows the outlines of oolites which are accentuated by color bands. In other cases such iron-stained outlines are lacking, and the concentrically arranged minerals of the boundary grade into the same minerals of the surrounding clay (Pl. III, A). Mead 13 has demonstrated that the oolitic structure of Arkansas bauxite formed in place by extreme weather­ing of nepheline syenite. Relict structures within oolites, in which the form and twinning of feldspars are preserved in micro-crystalline gibbsite, provide proof of the nature of the original material which was altered in place to Arkansas bauxite. The identical minerals of the oolites of Arkansas bauxite con­stitute some of the oolites of Missouri flint clay, and it is logical to assume that the Missouri oolites formed in place and that in some of the less altered oolites the clay minerals retain their original positions. One is impressed with the similarity of arrangement of the clay minerals comprising parts of some oolites to the arrangement of the non-oolitic parts (Pl. II, A and PL III, A). Concentric shells of clay minerals were produced (Pl. II, B and Pl. III, A) as rearrangement continued from the periphery towards the center. With further alteration, the clay minerals were changed to gibbsite. In Pl. II, B, gibbsite

1aMead, W. J., Occurrence and origin of the bauxite deposits of Arkansas: Econ. Geol., vol. 10, pp. 28-52, 1915.

18 Jvfissouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

(while) can be seen forming at a number of places from halloysite (dark), and al Lhe margin of the large area of gibbsite (G) tiny grains of diaspore are rep lacing the gibbsite. At only a few places where condilions were favorable for its preservation can one see this evidence that gibbsile was an intermediate stage in the alteraLion of the clay minerals to diaspore. In the majority of ooliles there is no trace of gibbsite and it appears that the clay minerals have been altered directly to diaspore. The results of the gradual replacement of t he oolites by diaspore can be seen best in a series of thin sections made from specimens passing from flint cldy to diaspore clay in a single deposit. In Pl. III, A, the oolite consists mainly of concentric zones of clay minerals with a few single diaspore crystals near Lhe center. In Pl. III, B, nearly the whole center is diaspore and is surrounded by a concentric ring or zone of isotropic material. This, in turn, is partially surrounded by grains of diaspore which are separated from the outside ring of diaspore by more isolropic material. In Pl. III, C, nearly all t he oolite is fine grained or coarser diaspore which appears white in the photomicrograph . In Pl. III, D, is shown the completion 1f concentric replacemenL in which all of the ooliLe is composed of large, continuous areas of diaspore. The chemical composiLion of these oolites (Table 2, No. 3) is ciose to pure diaspore.

OTHER PETROGRAPHIC FEATURES

There is liUle question that circulating waters have re­peatedly passed through the clay-filled depressions, even after the diaspore was formed. Furthermore, the composition of these waters varied at different localities. At the Renick Pit, 8 miles south of Gerald, calcite nodules occur in the diaspore near the bottom of the deposit. In a thin seclion cul from this nodu le the calcite appears to fill the pore space around the dia­spore. In Pl. II, D, the boundaries of part s of three oolites con­taining grains of diaspore can be distinguished. There has been little or no replacement of the di as pore by calcite, but rather, impregnation of the open-texlure of the surrounding matrix . At the Frisco No. 3 mine near St. James, siclerite has been de­posited in a similar manner. At the Jones PiL near Rolla, red iron oxides, inlerbancled with gray diaspore, occur at the surface and deslroy the value of the diaspore as a refractory clay, but laler a commercial use for this type of material may be developed. No visible evidence exists thaL Lhe iron was

Mineral Composition, Flint and Diaspore Clays 19

deposited as siclerite and later changed to ferric oxide. Here, as well as at the Renick Pit, nodules of diaspore are encased in iron oxide layers, a half inch or mo.re in thickness. The diaspore clay of the interior has a grayish color and lacks carbonates or excessive amounts of iron oxides. The structure is concrc­lionary, and lhe diaspore clay is the nucleus abou l ,Yhich the iron oxide was deposited. Banded concretions, due lo variable amounts of iron oxides of different colors, arc presen l al some localities and are probably due to rhythmic precipitation of colloidal iron oxides which have diITused through the colbidal matrix around the diaspore. As the colloidal solutions advance inward, precipitation of iron oxides occurs where saturation is reached, and this uses up the colloidal iron oxides in lhe vicinity and causes precipitation lo cease unlil lhc difiusing solution has advanced far enough t0 produce another zone of precipitation. Successive bands of colored iron oxides are lhus produced in lhe diaspore clay concretions. Al the Gieck Pit, north of Belle, fine-grained pyrite or marcasile surrounds diaspore oolites. These occurrences indicate lhal solutions of different composition found their way through lhe clays after oolitcs of diasporc were completely formed. The remarkable flinl clay al the ~Iason­Rohrer pil near Belle shows lhal ground waler pcrcolalcd through the flinl clay during stages of its alteration. The chemical composition of this clay, given in Table 2, No. 7, is somewhat unusual because of its high content of alkalies and titania. IL contains some phosphorus which could not be assigned definitely to any mineral. Its content of alumina is higher lhan that of the usual smooth flint clay because under the microscope it is seen to contain oolilcs of gibbsitc and diaspore. Ils lruly unique feature, however, consists of leaves of native copper a half inch or more across which are localized about black, carbonaceous lumps. These exceptional occurrences of minerals usually foreign to clay deposits arc proof of the diffusion or circulation of grou nd waters afler lhc deposition and subsequent localization of the clay in the sink-hole-type of structure.

ORIGIN OF THE CLAYS

vVhecler'9 was unaware of the associalion of diaspore with flint clay, and his statements regarding lhe origin of the sink­hole deposits apply only to flint clays. He considers lhal the clays were derived from lhe underlying limcsloncs or dolomites

" Op. cit., p. 205.

20 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

by chemical weathering, and were washed into the sink-holes which drained the limestone region. The coarse siliceous malter of the limestone, when washed into the quiet waters of the clogged sink-holes, quickly settled near the edge as deposits of sand and formed the sandstone rim. The finer particles of clay settled out more slowly, and gave rise to the purer central masses of clay and lo a transitional layer consisting of sandy clay which overlies the sandstone. The lack of stratification of flint clay was explained as being due to the absence of any movement of waler within the basin of deposition, and to the uniformity in the clay deposited. The purity of Lhe flint clay resulted from very slow accumulation, which allowed time for leaching of lime, magnesia, iron, alkalies, and silica by waters charged with carbonic acid.

McQueen20 has suggested that the clays and associated rocks of Pennsylvanian age ,vere formed as a gradational series of some continuity and areal extent, which after deposition, slumped or caved into sink-holes formed by the solution of the underlying dolomitic limestones. Local faults, fractures, slicken­sides, and the brecciated nature of the clays and associated rocks arc Lhc evidence of movement involved in the slumping.

In a critical examination of these hypotheses one of the questions that arises is, did deposition of the basal sands now forming the rim-rock take place on a level surface or on a surface sloping towards the center? The writer collected samples of sandstone from the rim-rock at the Forbes Pit, Rolla, lo see if laboratory methods would help to answer Lhe question. Three samples were taken along the dip of a massive sandstone bed that could be followed several feet. Preliminary study of these showed that samples farther down the dip contained a sligntly larger quantity of coarse grains, suggesting thal the larger and better rounded grains rolled down an initial , slope as they were deposited. The largest amount of heavy minerals was in the sample from the lowest part of the dipping bed, and this sup­ports the inference of an appreciable slope towards the present center of Lhe deposit during deposition . A basin possessing such a slope would have the additional advantage of increasing the thickness of clay at that point. Furthermore, waler circulat­ing through the sandstone would be directed towards Lhe center of such a basin, and if the joints and fractures of Lhe. underly-

~•Op. Cit., p. 695.

::vr,ssounr GEOLOGICAL S U RVEY. BIENNIAL REPORT, 1933-1934. APPENDIX IV. PLAT!!: JV.

A B

C D

(A) D iaspore (dark) increases in size of grain and in amount from left to right to\\·a rds the main body of diaspore clay. Left half appeared smooth and to lack d iaspore in the hand specimen, but it can be seen to contain small irregular grains of d iaspore. Forbes Pit, Rolla. x38.

(R) A specimen t aken 8 inches closer t o high grade diaspore' clay, grading- from burley-flint-clay containing gibbsite (G) OJI t he left LO burley clay OJI t he right. Forbes Pit, Rolla. x38.

(C) H igh grade diaspore clay contains irregular areas of diaspore (white) which fo rmed at the expense of the 0riginal clay minerals. Forbes P it, Rolla. x38.

(D) Large white areas a re cl iaspore and much of the mat rix is fine diaspore t hat appears dark. Forbes Pit, Ro lla . x38.

Mineral Composition, Flint and Diaspore Clays 21

ing dolomites were of approximately equal size and number throughout, more water would pass through the openings near the center than through any other place. The collected waters would localize the greatest amount of underground solution below the basin where the thickest deposit of clay was collected. Continued solution would eventually cause collapsing of the overlying rocks, fracturing and slumping the rocks of the basin into lhe structure produced. The sandstone rim-rock was tilted by this slumping, and now it is impossible to estimate the amount of the initial dip of the sandstone.

The writer's concept of the sequence of events leading Lo the formation of diaspore clays begins with a low, gently undulat­ing plateau, on which there were numerous irregularities pro­duced by a variety of causes, such as unequal solution of surface rocks varying in composition and solubility, slumping due to underground solution, and local folding or faulting. Under the warm, moist Pennsylvanian climate the dolomitic limestones ,vere slowly dissolved leaving a thick residual soil composed mainly of quartz, halloysile, kaolinite, and some other minerals. As deposition took place these relatively insoluble materials were deposited to form a series grading from sand at the base, through sandy clay to clay. In the depressions the sand was deposited with its bedding conforming to the slope, and this was blanketed by a thick layer of clay. It seems possible that some flint clay deposits, with the rim-rock dipping gently and showing no sign of fracturing, represent such depressions as they were originally filled in Pennsylvanian time and which have remained undis­turbed until the present. Other depressions soon localized the drainage so that solution of the underlying dolomite was greatest below the thickest deposit of clay. Those depressions, which originated through slumping brought about by underground solution prior to deposition, would be subject to renewed slump­ing when solution had progressed to the proper stage. The writer agrees with McQueen that fracturing of lhe flint clay resulted from its slumping into sink-holes and that solutions traveled along these fractures and altered the flint clay lo burley and to diaspore clay.

22 Missouri Geological Survey and Waler Resources

TABLE 4.

(1) (2) (3) (4)

-- - - ------ -· --Si02 ... . .. .... 6(; 16 67 63 71 .76 66 . 50 AhOs .. . . ... . 16 .09 14 . 98 12 . 41 16 . 40 Fe203 . . . ... . . . 2 . 76 2.76 .50 3.11 l?oO . .. . ...... .64 .64 .64 .64 Cao ... . . . . . . I. 72 l. 51 1. 54 1. 59 MgO .. .. . . . . .14 .14 . 14 .16 N1120 . . .. ... . 3 . 14 2.79 2 . 72 3.07 !{20 .... . .. . 2 . 52 2.70 2.60 2.56 H20 -tl0°C . . 2.51 1. 87 2.93 1. 85 II20 + 110°C' . .. 3 . 43 4.41 4 . 65 2.74 T i02 . . . .. . . . . 88 I. 05 .92 .79 P20, ... . .. . . . .00/\ .oo.~ .002 . 11

(1) Original sample, Sonoma tufl'. (2) Sonoma tufl' in carbon dioxide water, 5 years. (3) Sonoma tuff in sulphuric a<'id, 5 years. (4) Sonoma tufr in sodium carbonatP, 5 years. (5) Sonoma tun· in sodium sulphate, 5 years. (6) Sonoma tutr in ma1,'11CSium bicarbonate, 5 years.

(5) (6) (7)

67.85 65.34 65.98 15.47 15. 50 15 . 24 3.22 2.88 3.60

.60 1 .39

.02 2 93 2 . 89 1 . 63 2.73

.95 66 .66

. 10

(8)

72 . 72 12.45 1.01

,66

(7> Sonoma tufl' in sodium carbonate, sodium cl1loricle, magnesium bicarbonate, 4 years. (8) Sonoma tuff in hydrochloric acid. 4 years. R. T. Rolufs, analyst.

TABLE 5.

(1) (2) (3J -- - - ----

Si02 . .. . 43 . 88 43.42 43 . 62 Ajz03 . ... 36.21 3fL 53 4-0.29 Fc20a . .. 1. 44 1. 80 .oo Ti02 .. . . . .. . ' .. . . . 1. 41 1.33 1. 41

(l) Original sample Elmont Oint clay, EJrnont, Franklin Co., Mo. (2 ) F,Jmont flint <'lay in carbon dioxide water, 2 years.

(4} (5)

44 . 28 45.24 37. 15 36.63 1.08 1. 26 l 33 1. 41

(3) Core of Elmont, flint clay through which carbon dioxide water clr culatcd at intcrvals during l Y:i years.

(4) J<:Jrnont flint c lay in sodium carbonate, 2 years. (5) Elmont flint clay in sulphuric acid, 2 years. R. T. Rolufs, analyst.

Mineral Composition, Flint and Diaspore Clays 23

·rABLE 6*

(I} (2) (3) (4) (5)

---

Si02 . . ........ 51 .20 71.32 63.42 48. 84 50.30 A1203 .. 1·1.60 3 . 96 3.40 18.25 17.93 Fc203 4.56 4.79 9.18 10.61 11.85 FeO . .. .... . . 8. 13 .26 .85 .76 .75 MgO. 4.40 .22 6 .20 5.42 2.21 cao . . ... . . . . ' 10.35 8.06 11 .48 9.32 9 85 Xa20 ... .. . ......... . 3.23 1.09 2.01 2.48 2.03 K20 .... . . . '' .. . ..... ' .82 .85 1. 76 1.19 .93 R20 + 1 l0°C ... 2 . 11 9.42 1. Ol 2.07 2.51 Ti02 . ................. .96 .42 . 8 1 1. Ifi 1 . 50 C'02 .. .. .. . . .. . ....... .04 . 01 .03 .24 . l(;

-------100 .40 100 .40 100 J.5 100 34 100. 02

• Roa, 1'. Y. ':11 .. A study or bauxitE>, ':11in . :\Jag., vol. 21. p, 407, 1 928.

(1) Fresh basalt from Giant's Causeway. (2) Basa.It from Giant's Causeway in sulphuric aC'id , after six months. (3) Sample No. 2 tr<'ated with alkali carbonatE>s. (4) Basalt from Giant's Causeway, 9 months in alkali carbonat<'S. (5) Basalt from Giant's Causeway, 9 months in C'arbon dioxide water. (6) Basalt from Giant's C'auseway in distilled water for 9 months. (7) Basalt from Giant's Causeway in humic acid for 9 months.

(6) (7)

50.63 50.!)8 15.68 15.34 I 1.01 12.06

.79 .79 4.76 4. 7i\ 9.66 9.44 2.60 3.06

. 74 . 42 2.39 2.40 1. t 7 .94

.08 nil

99. 51 100 18

REMOVAL OF SILICA AND ALUMINA BY SOLUTION

Solutions which are elTeclive in conccnlrating alumina al the expense of silica are perhaps best determined by experiment. Table 1 records the results of the action of seven solutions upon fragments of a silica-poor rhyolite tuff from Sonoma County, California, which were immersed at room temperature in flasks containing these solutions for four or five years. Table 5 records the results of three of these solutions acting on a flint clay from Elmonl, Missouri, for a two-year period. For com­parison, Lhere is listed in Table 6 data obtained by R oa,21 who subjected basalt to some of these solutions at temperatures between 32° C. and 52" C. which were controlled by a water balh. These experiments indicate that sulphuric acid, alkaline sulphates, and hydrochloric acid all concentrate silica and remove alumina. Carbonic acid or alkaline carbonates are elTective in removing silica and concentrating alumina.

The arrangement of rock fragments immersed in slill solutions wilhin flasks does nol duplicate nalural conditions, bu Lit does make possible a comparison of the relative effectiveness of each solution under similar conditions. I n order to approach

"Roa, T. V. M .. A study of bauxite: Min. 211:ag., vol. 21, p. 407, 1928.

24 Missouri Geological Survey and Waler Resources

nearer to notura1 conditions, a core of Elmont flint clay was fitted tightly into a glass cylinder which was filled with carbon dioxide water at intervals during a year and a half. By this method fractures and visible pores developed in the flint clay. The amount of alumina concentrated by carbon dioxide water circulating through the flint clay is larger than that produced in another sample of the same clay in a longer time by still solu lions of carbon dioxide waler (compare No. 3 with No. 2 in Table 5). Movement of solutions through flint clays accelerates the re­moval process, for it brings fresh solutions in contact with the clay to take the place of lhose saturated wilh dissolved material. As material is removed, the openings in the flint clay increase in size and these facilitate further circulation.

In the diaspore district carbonate waters were very likely present, and the writer believes that the progressive change of flint clay to diaspore clay indicated by this petrographic study was accomplished by carbonate solutions. Colloidal silica was removed by carbonic ·acid, by alkaline carbonates, or by mag­nesium bicarbonate, and the alumina conlenl was gradua!ly increased along fractures until commercial diaspore clay was formed.

•

Underground Waters In St. Louis County, and City of St. Louis, Mo.

By

CHARLES D. GLEASON

Appendix V, 58th Biennial Report

1935

MISSOURI GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND WATER RESOURCES

H. A. BUEHLER Stau Geologist

RoLLA, Mo.

•

CONTENTS

Introduction. . . ....... . . ... .. ..... ... . . ..... .. ..... . ..... .. . Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . ..... .. .. .. . . . Stratigrapby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................... ... .... ..... . Structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ... . .. .. .............. . 'Nater-Producing Forma.tions ... . .... .. .. .. .. . . Chomical Composition of Well Wators. . . . ................ . .. ... .. . Drilling Conditions ...... . ... . Well Logs and '!'heir Use . . Su=ary .............. .

Plate I.

II. III. IV. V.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Geologic and water map of St. Louis county and the City of St. Louis .. .. Composite Stratigraphic section . .. . .. .... . Cross-section through southern St. Louis county ..... . Cross-section through northern St. Louis county. Graph sbO\\ing chemical composition of well waters. . . . . .... .. .. . ... . . . ... .

Figure

1. Graph showing mineraliw.tion of water from St. Peter sandstone . .. .......... .

( 3)

Page

5 5 6 6 8

10 15 16 16

Page

4 6 7 9

12

13

•

UNDERGROUND WATERS IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY AND CITY OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

By Charles D. Gleason

INTRODUCTION

The growth of the City of SL. Louis, and the consequenl developmenl of areas within St. Louis County, have presented many local problems relative to water supplies. A number of wells for domestic supply have been drilled in Lhis part of Mis­SOllfi and, in some instances, were not successful because they failed to obtain an adequate supply of fresh waler, or encountered mineralized water.

In recent years the Missouri Geological Survey has made studies in St. Louis City and County, and has also cooperated closely with well drilling contractors, in an endeavor to make available to interested parties, information regarding fresh or mineralized ground water supplies. Particular attention has been paid to the ~ccurrence of and the depths at which mineralized (salt) water is found in drilled wells. Although mineralized water is not satisfactory for general use, it has been in some demand in recent years for use in salt-water bathing pools.

The purpose of this paper is to present a preliminary and generalized summary of the underground water resources of this area in the hope that it may be an aid to those who are interested in obtaining supplies of water from drilled wells.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The writer wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to Dr. H. A. Buehler, State Geologist of Missouri, and Mr. H. S. Mc­Queen, Assistant State Geologist of Missouri, under whose supervision the work was accomplished and the report was written; and to the many water well owners, well-drillers, and well-drilling contractors, all of whom have furnished logs, samples of cuttings, and other information which have been of value.

( 5)

6 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

STRATIGRAPHY

The stralified rocks which outcrop in St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis include formations ranging in age from the St. Peter sandstone of lhe Ordovician Lo the Pleasanton forma­tion of the Pennsylvanian. The areal distribution of these formations is shown on the map, Plate I. This map was com­piled from Fenneman's1 map of the St. Louis QL1adrangle and from unpublished maps in Lhe files of the Missouri Geological Survey.

Older rocks, which underlie Lhose that outcrop, are known from studies of deep wells in this area. They range in age from the pre-Cambrian Lo the Coller formation of lower Ordovician ( Canadian) age. As only a few wells have penetrated the forma­tions which underlie the Roubidoux, this reporl is confined to a discussion of the Roubidoux and overlying formations.

The sedimentary rocks which lie beneath the Roubidoux have a thickness of about 1600 feet and consist chiefly of dolo­mites, with the exception of the shale beds of the D avis forma­tion and the Lamotte sandsotne. Although these sedimentary rocks c:>ntain large supplies of water, they will probably produce mineralized water in the entire area, with the possible exception of the extreme southwestern part of St. Louis County.

A composite stratigraphic section from the base of the Roubidoux formation through the Pleasanton formation of the Pennsylvanian system has been compiled from surface and sub­surface studies, and is shown as Plate II. The slraligraphic sequence is nol uniform in the entire area, as some of the forma­tions had been removed by erosion in certain localities prior to the deposition of Lhe overlying rocks. This relationship is shown in the cross-sections, Plates Ill and JV.

STRUCTURE

The regional structure of the rocks in St. Louis County and the City of SL. Louis is that of a monocline gently dipping to the northeast al an average rate of 55 feet per mile. This figure was determined from the relative position of the top of the St. Peter sandstone at Pacific, Missouri, where it is 580 feel above sea level and in the Belcher well, in the City of St. Louis where

1Fenneman, N. M., Goology and minoral resources of tho St. Louis quadrangle: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 438, 1911.

l.\lf1asoun1 0EOLOOICAL SURVEY.

:;tA UVEL --- ----

-AOO

-600

-1200.

CR05S·51:.CTION A·A SOUTHERN 5T. LOUIS COUNTY.

t10RIZONTAL $CALI:

0 A.M',lc.•.

B 1 >::-<N I AL R>:POR T . 1933-1934. APPl<:Nl) I X v. PLATE III.

8 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

it is 1082 feet below sea-level. The general dip, however, is interrupted by several anticlinal and synclinal folds that trend in a northwest direction. (Plate I.) The two most prominent anliclinal folds in this area are the Eureka anticline and the northern extension of the Dupo, Illinois, anticline.

The Eureka anticline passes through the town of Eureka in sec. 36, T. 44 N., R. 3 E., and continues through western St. Louis County with a general north-northwest trend. The axial trend of this fold marks the boundary between the area of fresh and mineralized waters from the Roubidoux formation.

The northern extension of the Dupo, Illinois, anticline passes through the SL. Louis City Workhouse Quarry, which is located at the foot of Meramec Street (sec. 3, T. 45 N., R. 7 E.), and continues to the northwest through sec. 16, T. 45 N., R. 7 E., and appears to die out north of this location. \Velis located on this structure were reported by Fenneman2 to have produced small amounts of oil and gas. It is possible that drilling on or near the axis of this fold may produce a small amount of oil and gas which would be undesirable if a water supply is sought.

It appears that all of the folds in this area, to some extent, affect the chemical composition of the well waters, bu L the lack of available data prevents a discussion of this relationship at this time.

In addition to their probable a1Iect on the chemical com­position of the water, geologic structures control the position of the beds and the hydrostatic pressure developed in them. At several localities in this area, flowing artesian wells have been obtained. (Plate I.) A number of factors are involved in obtain­ing a flowing well, and locating the sites for prospective wells of this type should be considered as distinct problems.

WATER-PRODUCING FORMATIONS

The rocks which produce water in the City of St. Louis and in St. Louis County are sandstones, limestones, and dolomites. Rocks other than these are non-productive over the entire area. The position · of the sandstones, limestones, and dolomites in the geologic section, is shown in Plate II. The sandstones con­tain water chiefly in the openings between the sand grains, while the limestones and dolomites contain it along. fractures,

tFennoman, N. M .. op. cit .. p . 59.

1\{1$SOURI GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

400

·600

· IWO

CROSS-SECTION 8- B NOR.THER.N ST. LOUIS COUNTY

HOQ1Z:ONTAL SCALE

0 3 4Milce

Bt£NN IAL REPORT, 1933-1934. APPENDIX V, PLATE IV.

~ 00l OMIT£

10 Missouri Geological Survey and Waler Resources

joints, solution channels, bedding planes and cherty beds. Any one of these features may be present in the limestone or dolomite or they all may be absent and, because of this latter possibility, these rocks locally are not a reliable source of water supply.

The unconformities or Lhe "breaks" which occur between formations usually carry groundwater. IL is near these uncon­formities that lhe maximum development of fractures, joints, and solution channels, the "open ground" of the driller, is fouDd. The presence of large beds of chert is also noticeable near the contacts of some formations, and these beds are usually a source of water, particularly if they are fractured.

The consolidated rocks which provide ground-water re­sources for this area can be divided into six groups based on Lhe occurrence and chemical character of the water which they conLain. They are (1) the Roubidoux, Jefferson City and Cotter formations of the Canadian, (2) the St. Peter sandstone, (3) the Joachim, Platlin, Decorah, and Kimmswick formations of the Ordovician, (4) the Kinderhook and Osage groups of the Mississippian, (5) the Meramec group and the Ste. Genevieve formation of the Mississippian, and (6) the formations of the Pennsylvanian. The imporLant water-producing formation or formations of Lhe six groups are as follows:

Group 1. The main .water sources of this group are the sandstone beds and sandy dolomites of the Roubidoux formation. However, the JeJTerson City and Cotter formations yield small supplies from sec:rndary openings, chert beds, and the Lhin sandst:rne or sandy dolomite which marks the base of the Cotter.

Group 2. The St. Peter sandstone is widespread and is the most important source of water in this area. It produces fresh water in the western part of the County and mineralized water over lhe rest of the area.

Group 3. · The upper and lower parls of the Kimmswick and the upper part of the Plattin formation are the chief sources of water from this group, and it is conLained along secondary openings, bedding planes, and cherty beds.

Underground Waters in St. Louis County and City 11

Group 4. The source of water in this group is from the Bushberg sandstone member of the Sulphur Springs formafr)Il, and the massive-bedded, cherty limestones of Lhe Reeds Spring, Burlington and Keokuk formations.

Group 5. The Spergen, St. Louis, and Ste. Genevieve formations yield small supplies of waler from secondary openings, cherLy beds, and bedding planes.

Group 6. The only sources of water from this group are the sandy shales and thin sandstones of t he Cherokee formation. The yields are small and somewhat mineralized and unsatisfacLory for domestic use.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF WELL WATER

Supplies ::>f underground water may be obtained from wells in any part of St. Louis County or the City of St. Louis, buL the chemical composition of the water varies widely. The chemical analyses shown in Table 2 illustraLe t he wide variation in chemical composition of well waters from the same formation al different localities.

It is not the purpose of Lhis paper Lo discuss the probable origin of the mineralized waters in this area but to indicate the areas in which mineralized waters are known to occur in the various rock formations. \\Tith that thought in mind and after studying Lhe mineralization of the ground water, it has been found convenient to divide this area into five provinces, as foJlows:

Province l. Area of fresh water in the Roubidoux forma-, tion and overlying rocks.

Province 2. Area of fresh water in the St. Peter formation and overlying rocks.

Province 3. Area of fresh water from the formations overly­ing the SL. Peter formation.

Province 4. Area of fresh water from the Mississippian formations.

Province 5. Area of fresh water from the Mississippian formations overlying the Osage Group.

12 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

MISSOURI GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. BIENNIAL REPORT, 1933-1934. APPENDIX V, PLATE V.

I-z 30 alJ <.) C! w C.

,.,, ,JJ

:> J

20

~ (.)'

z I-u 10 < J.J C!

6 7 12 13 17 20

~ CI-I L.ORIOf:- ANO NITRAT ~ ~ S OOI UM ANO POTAS!!>IUM

~ S UL.PI-IAT ~ • M A c;N E: t, I U 11

D ACIO C AR l?>O NATE:- ~ C A L ~I UM A.NO CAR l!>ONA T~

Chemical composition of well waters.

Numbers refer to chemical analysis l.n Table 2.

Underground Waters in St. Louis County and City 13

These provinces arc outlined on the accompanying map, Plate I. The boundary lines between them arc arbitrary, as there is no abrupt change in the mineralization of the waler in any formation in passing from one province to anolher. The standards adopted by the United States Public Health Service for water used on common carriers for drinking and culinary purposes spccify3 that it should not contain over 1,000 parts per million of dissolved solids. Waters containing over 1,000 parts per million of dissolved solids were considered as mineralized waters in preparing this map.

0

\ 14 GRAPH $HOWING PART5 Pl::R MILLION

~ TOTAL D15WLVED $OLIO$

3 14 INDICATES ANALV$l$ IN TABLE 2 i VERTICAL $CALE: l lNCH r 5000 PARiSPl:Olll\.1011. "' t HORIZONTAL $CALf:: l INCH" <c, MILE$

t 5000 \ : ..

I\ ol 0 ;:j

$l 0 ~10000

\20 2.4 ;.J 0 $ 0 .., ~ ~

1.4.- I~

SU LEffl. ~ ~ ~

f'-..-._ -1000 FT.

$TRUCTURAL PROFILE DRAWN ON TOP OF ~ THE ST.Pt:TER SANDSTONE: DAiUM:SEA Lf:Vl:L

14 INDICATE$ WELL NUMBf:R IH iA'olE: '2. VERTICAL $CALE: : 1 IHCH " 1000 FEET.

HOR.l!ONTAL SCALI:; 1 INCl1 "G Mlll::5.

-·~"n R~t: R4E- I RSE:- 1 R '-E I R7E

F1ouRE l. Diagram showing increase in mineralization of St. Peter \\ater down tho dip

, Public Health Reports, vol. 40, •No. 15, Apr. 10, 1925. Reprint No. 1029.

14 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources 7

The dissolved mineral content of the waters in this area is greater clown the dip, and the character of the salinity changes in this direction. The down-dip increase in mineralizalion of the water in t he St. Peter sandstone is shown graphically in Figure 1. For purposes of comparison, Plate V shows graphi­cally the chemical composition of six of the waters which arc !isled in Table 2. Analyses Nos. 6 and 7 show the character of the mineralization of water from the Keokuk formation, Nos. 12 and 13 of waters from the Kimmswick formation, and Nos. 17 and 20 of waters from the SL. Peter sandstone. Ana lyses Nos. 6, 12, and 17 are classed as fresh waters and Nos. 7, 13, and 20 as mineralized waters. As shown in t he table of chemica' analyses and graphically by Plate V, the dissolved solids in the fresh waters are predominately calcium, and magnesium bicarbonates and those in the mineralized waters are sodium and potassium chlorides. The analyses of well waters in Table 2, show that this general relationship •is true with one exception, which is indicated by analysis No. 9.

DRILLING CONDITIONS

Some of the formations which are present in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County often cause considerable dif­ficulty during the drilling. of a well. If the conditions which cause the trouble are known before the well is started, the drilling may be accomplished with less difficulty.

The soft shale beds in the Pennsylvanian may cause some delay in drilling due to their caving tendencies. The maximum amount of caving from these beds occurs when the drilling is done in a hole full of water, as Lhc shales S\vell and break off into the hole. The swelling and breaking otT of the shale will con­tinue after the bottom of the hole is below t(1ese beds, and most drillers case off the entire thiclrncss of the Pennsylvanian to prevent caved material from contaminating the water from the lower horizons.

The Mississippian rocks do not offer any difficulty to the driller except that they arc generally hard. Of these rocks, the Reeds Spring, Burlinglon, and Keokuk formations deserve mention as t hey conLain a great deal of chert which wears the tools rapidly. In some areas, where thick sections of the Hanni­bal shales of the Kinderhook group are encountered, drilling may be found difficylt because of lhe caving tendencies of lhis

Underground Waters in St. Louis County and City 15

formation. In such a situation a liner may be required to keep the shale out of the hole.

In the areas where the Maquoketa shale is encountered in drilling, some inconvenience may be caused by the caving of this formation. The greatest difficulty is met when a thick section of this formation is penelrated. The largest amount of caving from Lhis formation is from the upper part, where the rock is a soft, thin bedded shale, wilh minor amounts of calcareous material. Locally this portion of the shale tends to cave very rapidly and a liner is often set to allow the drilling Lo proceed. In the areas in which only the lower part of the formation is present, it has never been reported to cave or to hinder the drilling in any manner.

The Canadian formalions in this area do not offer any particular problem to the driller, aside from their extreme hardness and Lheir large content of silicious material, which wears the tools appreciably.

WELL LOGS AND THEIR USE

The writer wishes to stress the fact that accurate drillers' logs and carefully collected samples arc necessary to enable the geologist tJ understand fully the geologic conditions in any locality. Sample sacks and drillers' log books are furnished free to the drillers by the Missouri Geological Survey at Rolla, Missouri, and will be sent Lo any person who desires to co­operate with the Survey in Lhis respect. In filling out the log book, the driller should indicate the deplh to rock, the kind of rock drilled, the amount of casing used, the length and position of liners, the sizes of casing and liners, the sizes of the hole, and the depth at which fractures or any unusual features are encountered. Depths at which waler is found should be noted, as well as the static waler level each time additjonal water is obtained. If the well has a flowing head, Lhe depth at which the flow was obtained should be indicated. All of this information is necessary if the well is to be successfully shot, repaired, or drilled deeper.

Many well records are on file at the office of the Missouri Geological Survey and Lhis information is available to anyone interested in ground waler as a source of water supply. The writer wishes to urge water engineers, contractors, drillers, and future well owners to cooperate with the Missouri Geological Survey in problems relating to ground water supplies.

16 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

SUMMARY

The study of the groundwater resources of the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County has shown that this area can be divided into 5 water provinces. Water supplies suitable for domestic use may be obtained from drilled wells in any one of the provinces, providing the drilling is confined to lhe formations which are described in this report.

No.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15

TABLE N0.1

WELLS IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

WELLS COMPLETED IN THE LIMESTONES OF THE MERAMEC GROUP

Location. Owner.

Sec. Twp. R.

Lasky ..... .... .... SW. UNE. U 20-45N-5E ... DorcWen ..... . SW. USE. U 23-45N-5E .... Gysbers ... . .. . .... SE. USE. U 23- 45N-5E .... Square Deal OU Co .. NE. U SE. U 3-46-X-5E . .. . IGlnefelter ....... SW. }a NW. U 35-46N- 5E. Hilmer .... . . ... . .. NW. UNW. !4 64 3N-6E .. Prietzel. . . . ....... . c-s·w. U ll-43N-6E . . ... . .. Herman ... . . ... . . . NE. UNW. U 24-43N-6E. Byrne ........... .. NE. U 8-44N-6E . .... . .. .. Downey . . . . ..... .. NW. UNW. U 13-46N- 6E . . Grafe . ... •• ,,,a, ., SE. USE. M 24-46N- 6E . .. . Ileime .. . . .. .... .. . NE. usw. U 26-46N-6E . .. Fisher ... . . . . . .... SE. USE. U 2-45N-7E .... J<uetman . .. ... .. .. SE. UNE. U 20- 47N- 7E ... Cornell ....... ... . NE. UN W. U 35-47N-7E . .

MSG- Ste. Genevieve format ion. MSL-St. Louis format.ion. MSP-Spergen formation.

Total depth.

220' 200 • 154' 365' 200' 140' 312' 340' 230' 300' 240' 460 ' 210' 550' 280'

Depth to Capacity, S tatic top of ·water gallons water Mera- horizon. per level Quality. mec. minute. in feet.

72' MSL 7 GPM . .. ... .. Fresh. St.art ln MSP 4GPM ... ' . . .. Ftesh. Start in MSP 2.5 GPM 25' Fresh.

84 ' :MSP 4GPM 42' Fresh. 120' MSL . . . . . . . . . . ... .. . ' . .Fresh.

Start in MSP 2GPM .. .... .. Fresh. Start in MSP 3 GPM . . . . . . . Fresh ... . . Start in MSP 3 GPM 70' Fresh. Start in MSP 1~ GPM .. . .. . . Fresh.

205' MSL ~ GPM . ' .. ... Fresh. 170' MSL .. .. ... . . . . . . . . . Fresh. 205' MSL. Iv!SP 5GPM . . . . . . . . Fresh .. . . .

Start ill MSL 30 GP)1 25' Fresh. 225' l\1SL. MSP . .... . .. . . .. . Fresh. 180' MSG. MSL 18 OPM 100' Fresh ....

Remarks.

. .

Chemical Analysis No. 1.

Chemical Analysis No. 2.

Chemical Analysis No. 3.

'l'ABLF~ 1\0. I-Continued.

,YELLS C0:\1:PLETED IN THE LI::\H£ST0XES OF 'l'HE OSAGE GROUP

Capacity, Static Location. Total Depth to ,Yater galloos water

No. Owocr. depth. ~op of horizon. per level Quality. Sec. Twp. R. Osage. minute. In feet.

16 Clime,· . . SE. )1 NE. )4 l-44:N-4E .. . 205' 25' MKB 4 OPM ... .. ... l•'resh. . 17 Sandfas ... NW. J,aSW. J4 36-45N-4E. 102' 50 )fK 5 GPM Fresh. . . . .. .. .. . 18 Rowe ...... .. . NW. )4 SW. )4 3-44N-5~~ .... 240' 105' .MK 3 GPM ... ... ' Fresh .... 19 Jones. NW. )1 NW. J4 5-44N- 5E . . 290' 120' :VIKB . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Fresh. 20 Bliss . . NW. )4SW. )1 6- 44N'-5E . . . . 218' 108' ::-.rn: 2~ GPM 118' Fresh. 21 Wehrenberg. SE. )4 NE. 14' 24-44N-5E . . . 450' 250' MK . . . . . ' ... . .. . . .. . Fresh .... 22 Taume ... SW. )4 SW. J4 27-44N- 5E .. . 270' 40' MKB 50PM 70' Fresh. 23 Moder .. . . SW. J4 SE. )4 27-44N-5E ... 417~· 165' MKB 6 GPM 200' Fresh. 24 Culver . .. SE. )<(NE. )4 9-45N-5E .. . 575, 405' MSP, JVU{ 10 0 p:V[ 160' Fresh .... 25 Oernhardt ... . .... xw. J4 NW. )4 l7-45'.\' - 5E . . 300' 250' MKls 1 OPM 55' Fresh. 26 Menke!. .. . NE. !4 NW. J4 19-45N-5E . . . 400' 250' MKB 1 GPM . .. ..... Fresh. 27 Wllber . .. . . . SE. )4 :::SW. J..i 23-45N-5l,; ... 340' 335, MSP, MK . . . . . . . . . . . ' .... Fresh. 28 Wagoner . . NE. J1 SE. )1 32-45N- 5E . . . . 108' 53· .MK 6 GPM 17' Fresh. 29 Fredmar No. I. ... XE. )4 NE. )4 21-43:s'-6!<~ .. 28·1' 218' MK 7 ),1 GPM 62' Saline . ... 30 Fredmar No. 2 .. .. . C- NW. )1 34- 43:\7- 0E ... . . . 322' 300' :MK ·1 OPM 163' Saline .. 31 Zollman . NE. )4 SW. )1 il-45N-6E. .. . 649' 565' MK 8 GPM 100· Saline. 32 Sanitarium .. N'E. )4 NE. !4 7-46N-6E . . . 775' 500' . ....... . . . . 18 OPM . .. . .. Saline. 33 Gnadt ... NW. Ji SW. %' 16- 46:N 6E. .. 581' 500' MK 6GPM . .. .. . . . Saline ...

34 Lingua. SW. USE. 14' 4-46N-7E . . . 660' 595' :MK 25 GPM . ....... Sa.line ... . 35 Waltke. . . . . .. . . . SW. )4 SE. )4 35-46N-7E .. . 415' 410' . .... .. . )lone . . . . . . . .. . . . ....

MK B- Keoku k-Burlington formations. MK-Keokuk formation. MSP-Spergeo formation.

){emarks.

Chemical Analysis No. 4.

Chemical Analysis No. 5 .

Chem.lea! Analysis No. 6.

Chem.lea.I Analysis No. 7. <Jhemical Analysis No. 8.

Mineralized water in Koo-kuk. Chem.lea! Analysis No. 9.

Chem.lea! Analysis No. 10 .

-00

~ "' "' 0 s:::: .... -. C'i "" 0

0 «:)

~· ~ ,.._ V) s:::: .... <:::

"" cc:: .:i :::i R.

~ ~ "" .... ~ <'> "' 0 s:::: .... ('>

<'> "'

:::-.o.

36 37

38 39

No.

40 41 42-43

TABLE NO. !- Continued.

WELLS COMPLETED IN THE KINDERHOOK GROUP

Location. Owner.

Sec. 'l'wp. R.

City of St. Louis. C-5-44N-5E .............. .. .Maryhurst: .. .. ' . SE. ~ SW. )4 1Z-44N-5E .. . .

Lang ..... . ..... SE. Ji SE. U 9-45N-5E .... Nims. .. . . . . . . .. . . :NW. )4 NW. )4 2- 42N- 6E ...

MKB-Keokuk-Burlington formations. :-.iFG- Fcrn Glen formation. ::VISP-Spergen formation. MSP-Sulphur Springs formation.

Total depth.

350' 600'

685' 605'

Depth to Capacity, Static top of Water gallons water

Kinder- horizon. per leYel hook. minute. in feet.

-310' )IKB, MS . ' ........ 60' 540' :\·!KB, MFG 5 GPM 190'

655' MSP, :MKB 5 GPM 150' 550' '.\1KB. MFG 1)4 GPM . . . . . . . .

Quality. .Remarks.

Fresh. Saline .... )Iinerallzed water In Fern

Glen. Fresh. Saline ... ,\lineraliwd water in Fern

Glen.

WELLS COMPLE'l'ED IN THE ORDOVICIAN Lll\-!ESTONE FORMATIONS ABOVE THE ST. PE'l'ER SANDSTONE

Capacity, Static Location. Total Depth to Water gallons water

Owner. - depth. top of horizon. per level Quality. Remarks. Sec. Twp. R. Trenton. minute. in feet.

Big Chief Hotel .... SW. )4 SW. U 2-44N- 3E .... 429' 135' OP, O.T 20 GPM ..... ... Fresh. Salfrank ........... XE. Ji SE. Ji 3-44N-3E ..... 202)4' 185' MS, OK 5 GPM . ...... Fresh. Schwartz .......... XE. )4 NW. )4 1Z-44N-4E ... 300' 245' OK 1 GPM 57' Fresh. Union Electric .. ... . NW. )4 SW. J4 13-44N-4E .. . 300' 155' MS, OK,OP . .. . . . . .. . .... ... Saline .... )linerallzed water in Plat-

tin

No.

44

45 4G 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54

55 56 57 58 59 60

TABLE NO. 1-Contlnuect.

Location. Total Depth to Water Owner. depth. top of J1orizon.

Sec. Twp. R. Trenton.

Kron. SW. )4 SW. )4 12- 45X- 4E.. . 437' 420' :,\1KB, OK

Willi . Buehler. Sutton . Vitale. Fro~sel .. . Valsis ... Ganahl. Petty .. . Kessler . Queem•y . .

West Lake. Desloge .. . . . .. . .. . . Hoffman. Mccurdy. ·welle-Boettler. Schautz.

SW. U. NE. '! 21-45N-4E. SW }.i SW. y.( 25- 45 N- 4E. NW. U SF:. J4 29-45N-4K SE. )4 NE. },., 31-45N-4E . . . SE. }a SE. U 32-45N 4E .. SE. U. SW . .M 32-45N-4E . . NW. J4 SE. J4 45:\'-4E ... . . SW. U SW. U 18-.44:---SE .. . NJ£. U. SB. U. 19-44X-5E. :\'W. )4 SW. )i 29- 45X- 5E . .

XW. J4 SW. y.f 2- 46N-5JE . . NE. U NE. )4 4-47..'f-6E. SW. J4 SW. )4 3-•UN-7E ... . NE. J4 SE. U. 19-44..'f- 7E . . . . C-16-45N-7E ......... . ... . . SW. )4 SE. U. 35-47N-7B ... .

MKl:l- Kcokuk-Burlington formations. :,\lS-Sulphur Springs formation. OK- Kimmswick formation. ·0D-Dcco1·ah formation. OP-PlaHin formation. OJ- Joachim formation.

464' 625'

369 )1' 300' 500' 35.5' 610' 406' 215' 460'

915' 1470'

901' 950' 934'

1300'

395' 445' 287' 220· 2Ci0' 210' 310' 265' 175' 400'

875' 1135' 860' 788' 735'

1220'

11KB OJ<. OP OK, OD OK OK. OD OK, OD OK. OD 01(, 00 OK OK

OK . . ... .. ..

OK MKB. OK

Capacity, Static gallons water

I !)Pr le,·el

minute . in feet.

30 G-P1I 27'

7 Y:! GPM 2 GPM 150'

20 G l'l\1 80' 1 GP)! 153'

15 GPM 220' 12 G Pl\1

. . . . . . . . . . 30 OPM 55'

Plowing

Quality.

Sa)ino ...

Fresh. Fresh. Fresh. Fresh. ~·resh. Fresh. Saline. Fresh. Saline ..

Fresh . Saline. Saline. Saline. Saline .. . . Saline .

Remarks.

:.\1ineralized water in Kimmswick.

Mineralized water in KlrnmS\\0lCk.

Chemical Analysis No. 12.

Oil test. Oil test. Also produced oil and gas. Chemical Analysis No. 13.

8urface Elev. ·H:2 .

N 0

TABLE :\TO. 1-Continucd.

WELLS COMPLETED IN 'l'BE ST. PETER SANDSTONE

Capacity, Static

No. Location. Total Depth to Water gallons water

depth. top of horizon. per level Quality. Sec. Twp. R. St. Peter. minute. in feet.

Remarks. Owner.

61 :VIohlcr .... . Sffi. USE. U 4-43N'-3E . . . .. 473' 323' St. P. 15 GPM 150' Fresh . Chemical Analysis No. 13. 62 Radforth .... . . SE. U NE. U 36- 44N'-3E .. 110' 60' St. P. 5 GPM l<'resb. 63 Larrimore .... SE. UNW. U 16-45J:\- 3E ... 600' 550' St. P. Fresh. 64 U. S. Government .. SK U NE. U 20-45N'-3E .. . 450' 350' St. P. 25 GPM Fresh . Chemical Analysis No. 1.5. 65 Lang. NW. UNW. U 23- 45N-3E .. 655' 575' OK, St. P. 250' Fresh. 66 Sherman School .... NW. U N'W. U 2l-44:\'-4E . . 390' 380' St. P. Fresh . Chemical Analysis No. 16. 67 Pevely ... . C-29-44N-4E .. . 285' 190' St. P. Fresh. 68 Corley .. NE. ya NW. U 16- 45N-4E. 805' 726' St. l'. 3l. GPM 140' Fresh ... Chemical Analysis No. 17. 69 Huber .. .. .. .. ..... SW. U SW. !4 36-45~-4F: ... 800' 785' St. P. Saline . Chemical Analysis No. 18. 70 Hessoun. SW. USE. U 27-45N'-4E .. 855J1?' 855' OK.OD,St.P. 16 174' Saline .. . Fresh water in "Trenton.''

Chemical Analysis No. 11.

71 Roska ... . ' .. .... . SW. usw. Ji 34- 45N-4E. 840' 790' St. P . 50 GPl','! 100' Fresh. 72 Ilot,ze . SE. usw. ya 35-45N-4E ... 865' 860' St. P. Saline. 73 Arbogast .. NW.USE. U 3.5-44X-6E. 1200' 1190' OK, St. P. Saline . ... '.\-lineralized wate,· in

Kimmswick. 74 Reller. SW. USE. U 27-48N'-6E . . .. 1759' 1600' ... . .... .. Saline .. Oil test. 75 J< Oll<schneidcr. NE. ya NE. U 10-45N- 7E . 1430' 1360' St. P. Saline. 76 Amer. '.\1an. Co ..... NE. MNW. ya 26-45N- 7E . .. 1482' 1385' St. P. Saline.

St. P.-St. Peter. OK-Kimmswick. OD-Dt.'corah.

l'V ......

No.

--77 78 79 80

81 82

83 84 85 86 87 88

89

TABLE NO. I-Continued.

WELLS COMPLETED IN FORMATIONS BENEATH THE ST. PETER SANDSTONE

Location. Owner.

Sec. Twp. R.

---------

Kiel. ........ .... .. SE. UNW. )4 26-44N-3E ... Wyman ........... NE. )4 SE. U 25-44N- 3E ... . '\Vh.itmore ........ . . NE. USE. U 24-44N-4E .... Baumhoer ... .. ..... SE. U NE. U 16-44N-5E ....

Meramec Oil Co .. .. SW. )4 NE. )417--44N-5E .. . Well . ......... .. .. NE. )4 NW. U 34-44N-5E ...

Manchester Oil Co .. NW. U SW. U 31--45N-5E ... Lake Ozark .... .... NE.USE. )4 32-45N-5E ... Asylum ............ NE. )4 SE. U 25- 45N-6E .. .. Marshall ....... •. .. NE. UNE. )4 21l-45N-6E ... Furs ten burg . . ...... 0-23- 46N-6E .. .... ... .. .... Culli ..... .. .... . .. SW. U NE. U 18-47N- 6E . ..

-

Belcher .... ........ SW. U SW. U 13--45N-7E ...

St. P.-St. Peter formation. J. 0.- Jofferson City formation. Rbx.-Roubldoux formation.

Total D epth to depth. base of

St. Peter. ----

835' 265' 575' 200'

1152' 600' 1287' 670'

1190' 622' 823' 690'

1260' 785' 940' 900'

3882' 1585' 1800' 1240' 3070' 1755' 2755' 1594'

2200' 1640'

Capacity, Static Water gallons water

horizon. per level Quality. minute. in feet.

St. P., Rbx. 50 GPM ........ Fresh .. .. J.C. 16 GPM 190' Fresh ....

St. P ., Rbx. .......... Flowing Saline . ... St. P., Rbx. 300 GPM Flowing Saline ....

St. P. , Rbx. 350 GPM Flowing Saline .... St. P. 60 GPM Flowing Saline ... .

St. P .. J.C. .. ........ Flowing Saline .... St. P. .......... Flowing Saline ....

............ .. . . .. . . .. 128' Sallne. St. P., Rbx. .. .. .. .... Flowing Saline .... ............ .. . . .. .. . . .. ······ Saline. St. P., Rbx. . . . . . . . . . . Flowing Saline ...

St. P. 150 GPM Flowing Saline .. ..

Remarks.

Chemical Analysis No. 19. St. Peter cased off. Surface Elevation, 435'. Surface Elevation, 415'.

Chemical Analysis No. 20 and 21.

Surface Elevation, 422'. Surface Elevation, 419'.

Chemical Analyses No. 22.

Surface Eluvation, 507'. Surface Elevation, 479'.

Surface Elevation, 470'.

Surface Elevation, 455'. Chemical Analysis No. 23.

Surface Elevation, 420' Chemical Analysis No. 21.

TABLE N0.2

CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF WELL WATJ::RS IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY ANO ST. LOt:1$ CITY. (R. T. ROUfFS AC'lD H. MUNDT, AnalySts. QUANTl'l'IES rn PARTS PER MILLION.)

~ No. Owner Location 0

(J)

"" " "" " 8. B "'

Sec. Twp. R. 2 0 ~

1 I Prietzel. 2 Heime . . 3 Cornell . .

. NE.Ji SW. ~ 26-46N-6E . ... 21.4 · / C-SW. U 11-43N-6E ... .. .. .. , 8.41

. NE. ,li NW. ,li 35-47N-7E. ... 15. 2

4 Rowe . .......... NE.%' SW. ,li 3-44N-5F. .. . . . . j.jj 6 Wehrenberg ...... SE. %' >IE. ~ 24-44N-5E . . .. . 6 CulYer .. ....... SJ,;.%' NB. )1 9-45N-6E . . ... 26 .2 7 Fredmar No. 1 . .. NE. ~ NE.%' 21 -43N- GE . . .. 90 6 8 Fredmar No. 2 .. . C- NW. ~34-43N-6E .. . . .. . 73 .2 9 Onadt .. . ...... . . NW. _l-.' S ' . %' 16-46'.'i - GE . . . . II

10 Lingua ...... . . .. SW. U SE. U 4-46N-7E ..... ..... -

... e

d » .. () 6 s

~ c3 I::. ;,: 8 d 8 " ~ " ·i ~ ;z ::. <e u ~ " " " <.> ,5 0 "' "€ ] .,, .£ ~ ~ <.> ~ ,5 I'-. e ! " " :a .. ~ ,. .-a "" ~ ::il ... :,:: :,;

0 ~ .. " -0

~ Iii ~ ii:; -:. 2 " s s -g " ~ .,, e,

" a,

~ " " " " .. ~ ~ ! i5 .. I s s ·a g l ~ ..8 " s '=- :,:: " ~ " -e ~ .::' s 5 ..Cl

.~ " .11 l? 3 ~ 0. :a " i 8 {: 5 :i. :i £ ;a ,g ~

.. 0 " < ~ ..:, "' i:Q () Q ~ Q

Waters from the limestones of tbe Meramec Group, Mississippian

438, 1571 532 137 488 152

3.5,2.4117.5 ,404.2113 21 7 6144 , . I ts 172 51 3Gl.71 331 .41331.41 1.011182.51 2:7 5 .27 44 2 462 19 .8 148.5 13.2 .0710.8 34.8 141.1 141.1 378.8 2.02 58 .9 2.73.4 10.1515.719 8 15.9 44 .6 .1512.8 93 .5 416 5 416 5 422.9 4.04 246.4

Waters from the limestones of the Osage Group, Mississippian

638 1781 99.7 1.02 47.7 362 .3 15 141.2 27.5 .07 5 2 42. I 218 .0 218.0 297 .1 ... .. 107.7 943 107 279 .2 .68 73 2 381.7 1 4 246 3 31.2 05 11 .2 53.7 262. 2 262 .2 313.0 1.01 122.5 508 199 7.5 5 33 53 .7 437 8 22.5 66 2 46 0 .I 8 8 57 3 331 9 331 .9 359 2 02 118.5

79711639r 51 5 ... . 409 6 274.8 8 .4 1869.9 224.5 .35 6.4 330.5 1746.5 225 3 225.3 18 09 194.9 4883 8672-320 .9 . ... 226 .7325 . ... 1243.1 151 .05 3 .6 214 6 1155 6 266 .5 266 5 18.18 224.5

867 202 31.71.24 175 9 413 .5,50.4 306.9 1.1 .4 1.6 3 6 13.5 13 5 257 I 1 01 ... . .. 1596 159 99.4 . . .. 623 .6 490.5j21.6 532 15 .3 3 . 6 21 7 115 .8 115.8 402 . 2 ··· · · .. . ...

Waters from the Ordovician limestone formations above the St. Peter sandstone.

11 Hessoun. ..... . .. SW.){ St;.){ 27-45K-5F: .. . 19 997 165 355.1 .48 89 .7 179.6 6 .9 224.9 49. 7 .25 2.4 42 308.8 147 .3 147.3 3.9 46 .1

12 ·west Lake ... ... . 28 .6 459 129 6.2 7.38 64 453 .9 13.2 12. J 41.3 .2 19.2 94 .3 405 .1 372.2 372.2 2 02 228.8

Formation Completed

In.

0

"' ~ ] <

.61 RI Warsaw. . 3 R Spergen .

. 99 R St. Louis .

.. . .. R Keokuk. 1.93 R Keokuk.

.26 R Keokuk. ... . . R Keokuk. 1.13 R Keokuk.

.63 R Keokuk. 2.47 R Keokuk.

.84 R Sample taken when well was

.5 R in the Joachim. Kimmswick.

13 Schautz ..... .... NW.;f SW. ~ 2-46N-5E ..... SW. •a SE. !i 35-47N-7F. ... . . 17456 ... . 10022 .38 22 8 24 7 .... 6151 188 4.5 4 252 1400 202.5 202.5 ... . . ... .... ... . M Kimmswick.

TABLE N'O. 2- Continued.

No. Locat io ~ Formation "' Comfnl~tcd

" 'E

! ~

O"'ner

a "' c $ [ :e -~

':;J -;; s ;.,.,

"" i s -;;

~ ~ < ~ See. 'l'wp. H.

Waters from the St. Peter sandstone .

14 Mohler. . · I SE. 'i SE. 1{ 4-43N--3E . . . 13 .4 400 175 5.1 .48 10.9 361 7 5 .6 9 .4 32.1 .35 13. 2 76 8 323.6 296.6 296.6 2.86 200.8 ..... R St. Peter.

15 U.S. Go,·'t . ... . SE. Ii NE. !4 20-45N--3F. . . .. .. 9 30.9 128 2.7 .. .. 21.6 265 8 9 4 9 6 26.5 .28 6.8 54.9 245 9 218 218 81 .4 R St. Peter. 16 SbermanSebool. ·1 NW. r.i'. KW. y.f 2l--44N-4E . 376 33 e.2 1.9~ 29 . 6 380 3 2· s 14.2 9 .4 .15 12 108.2 309 309 311.8 .99 285.9 I. 79 R St. Peter. 17 Corley. . . . ... . JS'E. M' NW. )1 J6--45N-m. 676 .2 429 227 II 7 5 98 4.1 4:lS . 6 20 0 28 0 .1 7 .2 103.4 375.4 a.59 7 359. 7 .9 255 .7 2 66 R St. Peter. 18 Huber . . .. .. .... SW. J(i SW. r.i'. 36-45'.'<--4E .. . . 30.4 3890 496 1748.2 !.86 288.7 294.1 11.9 1046. 1 90. 6 .15 8 .8 195 8J9 241.2 241.2 2.02 1.39 123.2 R St. Peter.

Waters from the St. Peter sandstone and undcr'i•ing formations.

19 Kiel. . .... .. . SE. \4 :'<II'. r.i'. 26-44N'--3E .. 45.6 382 151 2 3 2 25 10 5 ao.; . 1 12 .2 5 8 29. l .05 5 6 79.8 318 8 299 .4 299.4 I.OJ 207.8 .33 R Roubidoux. 20 Baumhoff .. . .. SE. )i NE. )4 16--HN--3F. . .. . 85 5 11010.6 2358 4448.7 .39 545. 9 262.2 12.4 2422 . 7 185. 7 .10 15.6 440.2 1859 .8 217 .5 217.5 ... .. 191.0 1.86 ll. Cotter. 21 Baumhoff ,, . . .. SE.){ NE.){ 16-44:-1--5E. 40 .2 96'18 1582 4366 .13 562 9 249 .S 7 9 2571. 6 IS6.8 .2 8 i64 192,>.9 204.8 204.& 1.01 179.4 . I R Roubidoux. 22 Weil . .. . ... .. . NE. )4 NW. U 34-4'4)1--,E 9233 533 4330 .5 .... 530 2 '2S3 .6 1.3 2376 .1 191 .25 8 .8 452 1913.1 232 6 232 . 6 . .... 132 . 7 .84 R Cotter. 23 Culli . .. ······ · SW. ~ NE.){ 18-47N- OE. 24 .2 4415 629 2067 .39322 .6 44 .3 2 7 1:J19 .6 87 . 5 .I .4 87 576 :36 3 36 3 3 0.1 7.9 . 20 R Potosi. 24 Belcher. . ... . SW. a SW. U 13~15N--7E. ... 25.6 JJ147IJ9S2 5113.2 . 16 G14.4l266.o 10 s

1291s 9 209.5 05 10 562 .6 2265.5 218.9 218.9 2.02 197.4 . ... . R Jefferson City.

THE OCCURRENCE OF HALLOYSITE

In

Lawrence County, Missouri By

A. F. S.MITll, D. S. GRENFELL and H. S. McQ uEEN

Appendix VI, 58th Biennial R epor t

1935

MISSOURI GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND WATER RESOURCES

H. A. BUEHLER Director and State Geologist

R OLLA, Mo.

•

CONTENTS

Page

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Geology of tbe area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Section at Sumners shaft.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Occurrence of halloyslte. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7 Character of the halloysite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Chemical analysis of sample from Sumners prospect.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Size of the deposit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Results of bleaching tests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page

Plate I. Graph showing results of bleaching tests on halloyslte from Lawrence County. l\1o.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Figure 1. Map showing location of area.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Figure 2. Section of east face of drift, Sumners prospect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

( 3)

•

THE OCCURRENCE OF HALLOYSITE IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, MISSOURI

By A. F. Smith, D. S. Grenfell, and H. S. McQueen.

INTRODUCTION

The occurrence of halloysite, a clay mineral of the kaolin group, in Lawrence County, Southwest Missouri (Fig. 1) has been known for many years, and a brief description of an out­crop located southeast of Aurora, in sec. 28, T. 2G N., R. 25 \\7., \Vas published by Wheeler. 1 In 1907 a shaft was sunk on the Sumners farm in the NE. cor. SE. ~1 NE. ~ sec. 20, T. 26 N., R. 25 \\7., to a reported depth of 59 feel which encountered lhree distinct beds of halloysite. Since that time, additional prospect­ing has been carried on in the immediate vicinity of this shaft, but no commercial development of lhe clay has been underlaken.

In connection with the investigation of the bleaching clays of Southeast Missouri, interest was again manifested in the occurrence of halloysite in Lawrence County, and samples for testing were collected from lhe dump located near the original shaft on the Sumners farm. Although the results of these tests were favorable, additional tests on freshly mined samples were desired in order to determine fully the value of lhe clay. Ar­rangements were made whereby work-relief labor was supplied through a projecl of the Federal Emergency Relief Adminis­tration, and the shafl was cleaned ou L. Additional samples were then collected from Lhe previously cul drifts. The labora­tory tests and a portion of lhe field work were also made possible as a part of a research project sponsored by Lhe above-named agency.

GEOLOGY OF THE AREA

The Sumners deposit is located at the NE. cor. SE. Ji NE. ;l4 sec. 20, T.. 26 N., R. 25 W. The surface is marked by boulders of chert, which are similar to those from the Burling­Lon formation of :\llississippian age. In cleaning out the shaft,

1Wbeeler. II. A., Clay deposits: J\'lissouri Geo). Survey. vol. 11. 1st scr .. pp. 186-187. 1896.

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6 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

2 ~, 6 3 Ci I

S.L. -s.r. II 10 Jf

T Mo (6rDvel} 26 Mo N 14 13

~ 18 17 ~

~ .. 15 ~

SCAL.I!' ~ ~ .,. Mo ~ 0 I Mile ....

LEGEND (:) SUMMERS

"'I t,J,JR_0, Pennsylvanian "

TRACT

:3 19 20 "" IP Cherokee furmation ~ ® Mi&sis.,ppian Pc~!• Summers

Prospect Carterville Formation HAWKINS I! Mo Mo Miuissippisn :~:'JI

Osage Group Pc ~ Shaft

6EOLOG Y AFTER. 30 31 33

R. 8. RUTLEDGE

LAWRE JI,,! CE co. FIGURE 1. Map showing location of area.

it was impossible to measure an accurate section and the section measured by Stromme,2 at the time the original shaft was sunk is given below. In his notes the halloysite was called kaolin.

Section at Sumners Shaft, sec. 20, T. 26 N., R. 25 W. Measured by 0. U. Stromme.

Formation.

Soil and residua.I chert ... Ilalloysito, badly streaked and st,alned with iron; red. pink, and brown Chert, bedded , d ense. fossiliferous, white: with clay in joints and

partings . . . .. . Halloysit-0, milk-white. . . . . ........... . ... . .. . Chert, very hard.. . . .. .. ........... . . ........ . Halloysite . white and pure .. ... . .. .. .... ... . .... . Chert, broken and fractured ..... . Ochre . soft. yellow . .... .......... · . ...... .

Thickness. Feet.

6 6

18 2

10 6

10 1

Depth, Feet.

6 12

30 32 42 48 58 59

Although the halloysite occurs in the lower part of the Burlington formation, there is a suggestion that the deposits of the clay bear some relation to isolated outliers, or channel

2Stromme, 0. U .• ~fissoarl Geo!. Survey, unpabllsbed field notes, 1907.

The Occurrence of Ii alloysite in Lawrence County 7

deposits, of Pennsylvanian age (Fig. 1). The Sumners prospect lies a short distance west of the so-called3 Aurora sandstone channel deposit, the outline of which has been indicated by Rutledge. 4 It is interesting to note that local masses of halloysite have also been observed at or near the contact of the sandstone filled channel of Pennsylvanian age and the chert of Mississippian age, in the :Missouri Paciftc railroad cut in the NE. X NW. 31 sec. 16, T. 26 N., R. 25 W.

A prospect shaft on the Hawkins farm in the SE. X sec. 19, T. 26 N., R. 26 W., disclosed the presence of iron-stained halloy­site, at depths ranging from five to nine feet. The clay was badly jointed and appeared to occur in a brecciated zone. Chert of Mississippian age occurred above and below the clay. Two outliers of Pennsylvanian age are located in close proximity to this shaft, and a relationship between the clay and the Pennsyl­vanian outliers is again suggested. Because halloysite and sandstone of Pennsylvanian age occur in the same localities, it is suggested that additional prospecting adjacent to other sand­stone outcrops might result in the discovery of additional de­posits.

OCCURRENCE OF HALLOYSITE

The most favorable place for the observation of the halloy­site is the Sumners shaft in the. NE. cor. SE. X NE. X sec. 20, T. 26 N., R. 25 \V., which, as previously mentioned, was recently cleaned out to a depth of 45 feet. The clay occurs as masses or blanket-like deposits between beds of cherl or flint, or as irregular masses in zones of fracturing or brecciation. In the Sumners deposit (Fig. 2), the associated beds of chert have a slight dip to the north, and are badly fractured. The fractured zones appear to have a general east-west strike, and dip sharply to the north. In the drift which extends wesl from Lhe shaft, the north face is marked by highly brecciated chert, which probably cuts ofi the halloysite in this direction. The halloysite is more jointed adjacent to the chert, than in other parts of the workings.

Dark gray and occasionally brown mottled flint or chert occur locally as nodules within the halloysite. In the north

3Rutledge, R. B., The geology of Lawrence county: :Missouri Bureau Geo!. and Mln<'s, unpublished manuscript.

4Rutledge, R. B., Geologic map of Lawrence county: Missouri Bureau of Geology and Mines, 1929.

8 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

I/

V

V white and grayi5h halloysite v

....... fine pinkish seams ....... V V V V ..... ,.,. .....

V v- ~ V V ...... Q)

V V ... -o V V V V V ,..... ........ - ~

c:> V:,, ~1 very ..,. 't:; ~+ .......... ...... white ha/loysite V V C:, <.) C V V ti} . ·-1 ~ - 11) - V V .,. C ..... ·- it,... V V ...... ........ V'

.;::: v8 white ~

! vi SCALE ..- .... c.:::> v L-- .,.. ...... ~ V V 0 tFT.

~ .:==' .,, - ..- .....- halloysite c:::::> -- V I,/ Norfh V rl002 I-- Soufh

l<'rGuflE 2. Section of east face of drift, Su mncrs prospect.

face of the clrif t and at other places, the halloysite appears to grade into while fossiliferous chert, and a few fossil casts are found in il.

CHARACTER OF THE HALLOYSITE

The halloysite observed in the Sumners deposiL varies considerably in its physical properlies. A considerable portion is snow-while in color, slightly friable and, as a rule, granular in texture. Anolher variety is hard and vitreous, has a waxy lusler, and resembles glazed porcelain. This variety is observed at some places to grade into white, fossiliferous, unaltered chert. The halloysite also occurs as a bluish-gray oi; yellowish colored, slighlly plaslic, fine-grained material. Locally, a white, greasy variety is also present.

Adjacent to the joint planes, the halloysite is stained red by iron oxide, and. locally has the appearance of ochre. Films of iron oxide are also present along small fractures and slickensides. With the exception of the areas adjacent to the larger joints or fraclured areas, the amount of iron present is not large and, in Lhe main, would not be detrimental to the utilizalion of the clay for bleaching purposes.

The Occurrence of Halloysite in Lawrence County 9

Microscopic examinations of samples from this locality by Allen," show the clay mineral to be halloysile. The chemical composition, as determined by an analysis of a sample from the Sumners deposit in the SE. ~ NE. :J-1 sec. 20, T. 26 N., R. 25 W., Lawrence County, is in close agreement with analyses of halloy­site recently published by Ross and Kerr.6

Chemical Analysis, Halloysite, Sumners Deposit. D. M. Long, Analyst.

Constituent Per Cent . Silica (Si02) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44. l :l Alumina (Al20a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 . 7 5 Iron (Fc20a) . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . 3 5 Titania. (TI02) . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . oo Ca.lcium (CaO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Magnesia (MgO).. ... .. ... .. . .. .. . . .. ... .... . .. .... .00 Sodium and PoLassiu mas (Na) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Loss on Ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14. 77 Moisturo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . 1 . 45

1'0T\L ...... .. .. ............. .. ... . ... . . ... . . . 99.73

SIZE OF THE DEPOSIT Definite information regarding the size of the deposit on the

Sumners farm is not available because of the lack of sufficient prospecting. AfLer the debris had been cleaned out of the shaft, and the drif L reopened, hand auger holes were drilled horizontally in to lhe exposed faces. The longest hole, located in the west end of the drift, was eleven feel long. Many oLher shorter holes were also completed. The drilling of auger holes was difficult because of the occurrence of occasional chert nodules. When nodules of chert were encountered, the hole was abandoned unless the chert could be broken through with a steel bar.

No estimate of the tonnage can be made at this time, but it is believed that approximately 30 tons of halloysite were removed by former operations, and at least an equal amount appears to be available at present.

Any additional prospecting in the vicinity of the Sumners shaft, and in Lhe area in general, will be more economical if a portable churn drill rig is employed.

RESULTS OF BLEACHING TESTS Samples of halloysite were collected from the Sumners

prospecL (Samples No. 1 and 2), and the Hawkins prospect (Sample No. 3). Their physical characteristics were examined

6Allen, V. T., written communication. 6Hoss. C. S .. and Kerr. P . F .. Halloysiteand allophane: U.S. Geo!. Survey, Prof. :Paper,

185-G p. 137, 1934.

10 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

and bleaching tests were made by both the percolation and contact methods on the clays in the air-dried condition; contact tests were also made of acid-treated material (Plate I). Other tests were made to determine the efTect of heat treatment of the clay upon its percolation bleaching value and on the percentage loss in weight, from which the equilibrium moisture content al different temperatures was calculated. The methods in making these tests are discussed in detail in the report7 describing the bleaching clays of Southeast Missouri.

Percolation tests indicate that the air-dried material has a high degree of adsorbing power for the lighter-colored constitu­ents of the oil although its rating of cubic centimeters of oil per cubic centimeter of earth is not high at the "half color endpoint" on which the results of the percolation test are based. The tests to determine the effect of heat treatment on the bleaching value show lhat it has an unusual degree of stamina, since the bleaching value remained practically constant throughout the entire range of heal treatment from 105° to 1000° C. The revivication tests supported the evidence concerning the stability of the mineral to heat since it was practically unaffected by eight successive cycles of regeneration. The evidence obtained indicates that halloy­sile might be adapted to use as a finishing agent in the last step of a multi-stage percolation process.

The data concerning the stamina of halloysile on heating are in agreement with the results of Nutting 8 for a sample of halloysite from Rome, Georgia, if we assume that "ignited" refers to heating at temperatures of 800° C. or higher in the usual manner.

The data on loss in weight on ignition at different tempera­tures show a type of dehydration curve somewhat different from thal of common bleaching clays. The weight loss between 105° and 1000° C. is approximately 15.35 per cent. A transition point in the range 375° to 125° is indicated ·by the rapid loss in weight in that range. The equilibrium moisture content at the transilion point is about 14.0 per cent (sec Plate I), which corresponds closely to the formula, Al20a, 2Si02, 21-120.

Several f~cts of interest were discovered aside from the numerical results. Halloysile, unlike all other samples tested, retained its original color without appreciable darkening and did

'The geology a.nd bleaching clays of Southeast Missouri : Missouri Geol. Survey and Water Resources, 58th Biennial Report of the State Geologist, App. I , 1935.

8Nutting, P. G., The bleaching clays : U.S. Geol. Survey Clrc. 3. p. 46, 'l'able7, No. 18 . 1933.

The Occurrence of II alloysite in Lawrence County 11

not decrepitate, sinter, or shrink noticeably throughout the entire range of heat treatment used. These facts, as well as the type of dehydration curve, are all evidence of a considerable degree of purity insofar as available samples are concerned.

Contact tests showed the halloysite to be of moderately good quality, but lower than the available commercial clays with which it was compared (see Plate I). It is equal or superior to other Missouri bleaching clays tested. Acid treatment ef­fected a decided improvement, but not enough to make it of equal value to certain high grade, acid-treated commercial clays which were available for testing. The more impure halloysite, represented by the sample collected from the Hawkins property, was inferior in Lhe air-dried condition; no acid treatment was applied to this sample.

It was noted by Shearer9 that the alumina of halloysite is more readily soluble in sulphuric acid than that of other clays; any plans to apply acid treatment to this material should there­fore include consideration of the aluminum sulphate as a by­product.

A brief study of the acid-treating process showed that the use of sulphuric acid, diluted to 20 per cent with a proportion equivalent to one-half pound of 66° acid per pound of halloysite, yielded better results than acid of other strengths or a lesser proportion of acid to clay, and that washing of the acid-treated clay with 1 per cent acid ,vas superior to a waler wash. A temperature of 120° C. proved better for contact testing than 100° c.

The possibilities of utilizing lhe halloysite as a bleaching medium and possibly in the manufacture of aluminum sulphate have been described. It should be noted that this clay also has a high fusion point (above Cone 35, 1785° C.) and tests are now being made to determine its value in the manufacture of fire brick and refractories. Tests are also under consideration to determine the suitability of Lhe clay as a bleaching agent in the refining of edible oils.

9Shearcr. H. K .. A report on the bauxite and fuller's earth deposits of tho Coastal Plain of ~eorgla: Georgia Geo!. Survey Bull. 31, p. 330, 1917.

•

Pre-Glacial Drainage Pat­tern of Northwest

Missouri By

f. C. GREENE and R. M. TROWBRIDGE

Appendix VII, 58th Biennial Report

1935

MISSOURI GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND \\TATER RESOURCES

H. A. BUEHLER Director and State Geologist

RoLLA, Mo.

•

APPENDIX VII

PRE-GLACIAL DRAINAGE PATTERN OF NORTH­WEST MISSOURI

By F. C. Greene and R. M. Trowbridge.

The pre-glacial topography and drainage of northern Mis­souri have long been the subject of scientific interest. In recent years the pre-glacial valleys, now filled with deposits of clay, sand and gravel, have become of economic importance as a source of farm and municipal waler supplies. Where recent erosion has removed part of the overlying drift, exposing the lower part of the valley-filling material, they are also a source of sand and gravel for construction purposes.

On the accompanying map (Plate I), the pie-glacial topog­raphy of Northwest Missouri is shown. The present map has been prepared from studies of outcrops and well logs, and is to be considered as a preliminary one and subject to revision as more information is available. Locally Lhe covering of glacial drift is over three hundred feet thick, and as there are some areas of many square miles where no outcrops are present and no wells have been drilled to bed-rock, it is obvious that many of the features shown on the map will be subject to change as more data are acquired.

The main features of the pre-glacial drainage pattern of Northwest Missouri were two large valleys, the probable courses of which are briefly described . One entered the State near the northwest corner of Nodaway County or the northeast corner of Atchison County and roughly paralleled the present valley of Grand River from Gentry County southeastward to the south­west part of Chariton County. From this point it followed the present valley of Missouri River to a point near the mouth of Lamine River in northwestern Cooper County. The other entered the State at the site of Kansas City and followed ap­proximately the present valley of Missouri River to near Malts Bend, Saline County, thence across the site of Marshall to the Lamine River near the town of Blackwater, Cooper County. The chief reasons for the latter suggestion are the presence of

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K A N S A

Pl(ELIMI NA~Y MAP 5howing

PJ&-·GLACIAL TOPOGJZAPHY of

NORTHWEST MISSOU~ St.A. I.. EVE!.. DATUM

CONTOUR INTERVAL 100 FEET Scale

0 10

0 w

L A F A Y E T T E

S A L &11 N E MA,tSHAU.

Pre-Glacial Drainage Pattern of Northwest Missouri 5

glacial drift in northeastern Saline County and the narrowness of the trough of Missouri River at Miami. Both of these features were described by Todd.1

From the mouth of Lamine River, where the two main branches of the ancienl stream united, it followed the present course of Missouri River Lo the cast.

The northern valley, which, for reasons to be given later, will be designated as the Platte, received a large tributary from the north in Grundy County, and one from the wesl in Daviess County. The latter crossed the site of St. Joseph and flowed easl across Buchanan and DeKalb counties. Northwest of St. Joseph, iL may have partly occupied the present site of lhc Mis­souri Valley in Holt and Atchison counties, but this is prob­lematical. From St. J oscph to Kansas City, the present :Mis­souri River almost certainly flows through a posL-glacial valley, as indicated by lhe narrowness of the valley and the presence of Pennsylvanian formations in the bluffs to an elevation rang­ing between eight hundred and one thousand feet above sea level.

The first writer, as far as known, to suggesl a buried valley under MissoLiri River was Captain Theo. A. Bingham. In his report2 on the result of borings in the Missouri Valley he calls attention to· lhe discovery, near Nebraska City, Nebraska, of a buried valley in which bed-rock is sixty to seventy-five feet lower than i L is a short distance Lo the north or south, or one hundred and sixty-five to one hundred and seventy-five feet below the level of Lhe flood plain. This valley is al right angles Lo that of the Missouri (about S. 80°£.) and is filled with "very hard, tenaceous, drab-colored clay, mixed with angular frag­ments of stone, generally of lime, though in one observed in­stance (boring number 231) of red quartzite, the prevailing boulder material of the northern glaciers." The suggestion is made that the Plalle River of Nebraska left its present valley al Lhe abrupt turn about twenty miles above its mouth (at Soulhbend, Nebraska) and flowed southeast. The writers have not had Lhe opportunity of Lesling this theory in the field, and therefore can offer no conclusive proof of its correctness.

1To dd, J. E .• J<'ormation of the Quaternary deposits: lvlissouri Geological Survey, Vol. JO, pp. 111-217, 1896.

2Report on borinb'S in the lvlissouri Valley: Missouri River Commission report, year ending June 30, 1890, published as Appendix XX to the report of tho Chief of Engineers , U. S. Army. Pt. 4, pp. 3375-3390, 1890. .

6 Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources

J. E. Todd3 has suggested that the Platte may have crossed norlhern Missouri, following the present course of Grand River most of the distance. In this supposition he was only partly correct. Assuming lhe ancient Platte crossed the present Mis­souri Valley at the place described by Bingham, it flowed across the southwest corner of Iowa and entered Missouri in Nodaway or Atchison county. The depths to bed-rock near Maryville, Conceplion Junction, and Albany indicale its positions. From a short distance east of Albany, Grand River has eroded a post­glacial rock-·walled valley south of the old valley. The pre­glacial valley trends east from Albany across Harrison, Daviess, Grundy, Linn, and Chariton counties, but there is a possibility lhat it may have gone across southern Harrison into northern Grundy, or il may have paralleled Grand River on the north from near Gallatin to the easlern side of Livingston County.

A valley is shown in Holt County trending to the southwest. If an old valley occupied part of the sile of the present Missouri Valley in Holt Counly, this may be shown correctly. However, thf're is some evidence that the stream in this valley flowed northeast to the old Platte Valley in Nodaway County.

The stream, which enlered the State at Kansas City and followed the present :Missouri Valley, with a few deviations, to Malta Bend, Saline County, should properly be considered as a continuation in pre-glacial time of what is now Kansas River.

The bottoms of the lroughs of nearly all large pre-glacial valleys arc filled with sand, gravel and boulders, and usually yield a supply of water adequate for the requirement of cities and towns. The minor valleys are capable of furnishing supplies for farms and smaller communities. Tarkio, Albany, and Mar­shall may be cited as examples of cities obtaining ·water supplies from pre-glacial channels, and it is believed that similar supplies will be available to olher lowns in this part of the State.

The largest gravel pit in northwestern Missouri, situated near Sampsell in Livingslon County, is being operated in a pre­glacial valley. Post-glacial erosion has removed part of the over-burden of sand and glacial clay so that the amount of stripping necessary is not excessive.

3Scionco, new series, Vol. XXXIX. No. 999, Feb. 20, pp. 263, 274, 1914.

Pre-Glacial Drainage Pattern of Northwest Missouri 7

The Survey is atLempting to secure the logs and cuttings of all weils drilled in norlhweslern Missouri. The drill cuttings are necessary in order to make a screen test of the sand to determitle the type of strainer needed for the proper develop­ment of the wells.

The map accompanying this report was started and virtually completed as a projecl sponsored by lhe CW A.