The Wasatch Plateau coal field, Utah

Bulletin 819
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Abstract

The Wasatch Plateau, the northeasternmost of the great group of high plateaus in central and southern Utah, is underlain by a succession of Cretaceous rocks that, contain valuable coal beds, and the eastern part of the plateau, in which the coal is accessible, is generally known as the Wasatch Plateau coal field. This field and its continuation east of Price River the Book Cliffs coal field contain excellent coal of bituminous rank and together form the largest and most productive coal area in Utah. Coal from these fields has long been highly esteemed by users of western fuels and commands an important position in the fuel markets of the West.

Mining of the coal began in a small way with the earliest settlements in this part of Utah. As population increased and transcontinental railroads were built, large mines were, opened and commercial development has advanced until at the present time most of the places accessible by existing railroads are the scenes of large mining enterprises, and the volume of coal passing out to the fuel-consuming centers of the West has reached an annual average of about 4,800,000 tons. The area now undergoing exploitation, however, is small compared with the part yet undeveloped, and the present examination of the field has shown clearly that the great bulk of its coal remains, constituting a reserve of many millions of tons.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The Wasatch Plateau coal field, Utah
Series title Bulletin
Series number 819
DOI 10.3133/b819
Year Published 1931
Language English
Publisher U.S. Government Printing Office
Publisher location Washington, D.C.
Description Report: iv, 210 p.; 16 plates: 29.16 x 43.80 inches or smaller
Country United States
State Utah
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