Chapter IN
INTRODUCTION

By R.M. Flores and D.J. Nichols

in U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1625-A



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Contents

Perspectives
Objectives
Strategy
Background
Geologic Setting
     Coal geology
     Coal stratigraphy
     Biostratigraphy
Depositional Settings and their Influence on Coal Resources
     Early Paleocene
     Middle Paleocene
     Late Paleocene
     Influence of Depositional Environments
Coal Quality
References
 

Figures
IN-1.   Index map of Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains region  showing locations of 
            sedimentary basins and distribution of Fort Union Formation and equivalent strata and coal.
IN-2.   Composite stratigraphic section of coal-bearing Paleocene rocks in the four major basins studied in 
            the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains region.
IN-3.   Fluvial depositional model.
IN-4.   Stratigraphic nomenclature for the Paleocene of the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains 
            region.
IN-5.   Ferris coal beds.
IN-6.   Wyodak-Anderson coal zone.
IN-7.   Beulah-Zap coal zone.
IN-8.   Deadman coal zone.
IN-9.   Some key species of fossil pollen used in biostratigraphic zonation of the Paleocene and Eocene in the 
            Rocky Mountain region.
IN-10. Biostratigraphic (palynostratigraphic) zonation of the Paleocene and adjacent rocks in the Rocky 
            Mountain region.
IN-11. Composite stratigraphic section for the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains region showing 
             the assessment units with age relations based on palynostratigraphy.
IN-12Composite correlation of Paleocene sections based on palynostratigraphy.
IN-13Physiographic diagram showing the region in early Paleocene time.
IN-14Physiographic diagram showing the region in middle Paleocene time.
IN-15Physiographic diagram showing the region in late Paleocene time.

Tables
IN-1. Arithmetic means of heat-of-combustion (Btu/lb) and moisture, ash, and total sulfur contents (percent) of 
          coal in the Powder River and Williston Basins
IN-2. Arithmetic means of pounds of SO2 per million Btu of coal in the Powder River and Williston Basins
IN-3. Arithmetic means of concentrations of trace elements of environmental concern in the Powder River and 
          Williston Basins

Chapter IN  - Introduction -  U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1625-A