A proposal for a new type of paleochannel, Wyodak coal bed, Gillette, Wyoming, and, A summary of the geology of the Wyodak coal bed as part of an internship report

The purpose of this thesis is threefold. The first is a re-examination of the characteristics of the unique peat forming swamps that had to exist in order that one hundred foot thick, aereal extensive, low ash and sulfur coals might form. The second is to propose a new type of river channel found within the coal swamp and later expressed as a paleochannel within the coal seam of an open pit mine in the Gillette, Wyoming area. The third purpose is to develop a three dimensional model technique using Earth Vision to characterize the Wyodak coal seam's paleochannel in detail sufficient to permit accurate predictive mine planning.;This thesis is written in part for use by mine personnel to use in various aspects of their work.;The writer served as a mine geologist and field exploration drilling supervisor during a ten month internship at a mine in the Powder River Basin near Gillette, Wyoming.