The Chromite Deposits of Stillwater and Sweetgrass Counties, Montana

In writing this report, two objects were kept in mind, (1) to explain, if possible, the origin of the chromite deposits found in Sweetgrass and Stillwater Counties, and (2) to bring up to date all information on these deposits which had thus far been available. The work done consisted of study of the rocks and ores of the area under the microscope, both as thin sections and as polished sections, practically all of which was done at the Montana State School of Mines, during the school year of 1928 - 1929. The rock specimens and much information as to their locations and probable compositions were obtained from Mr. P. F. Minister, of the East Butte Copper Company. United States Geological Survey Bulletin 725-A, Deposits of Chromite in California, Oregon, Washington, and Montana, and the unpublished report on the Chromite deposits of the Boulder River, prepared by Prof. C. H. Clapp of the University of Montana, were frequently referred to and considerable material was drawn from them. The map of the Boulder River area is from Clapp's report.

Some Early Geologists and Their Work in Montana

This paper marks an increased refinement and more detailed accuracy in the description of the geological features of the state. It includes the recent studies of mineral deposits, of oil structures, of the formations of bedded rocks and their included fossils, carried on both by the Federal and State governments and by various interested private persons, such as the mining companies. It is within this period that the Federal Government encouraged the U. S. Geological Survey in the publication of monographs on the National Parks, papers of great popular interest and educational value making these beautiful regions comprehensible in their geological features to the touring public.

Amphibian Biodiversity Survey - Wetland Area Southwest of Montana Tech

The primary goal of this project was to launch a pilot population study in the spring-fed wetland area southwest of Montana Tech to establish baseline data on density, distribution, abundance, and diversity of amphibians in the area. The current confirmed species at the select site is the Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris). Based on preliminary habitat assessment and existing literature, other species possibilities included the long-toed salamander (Ambrystoma macrodactylum) boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata), the Rocky Mountain tailed frog (Ascaphus montanus), and the leopard frog (Rana pipiens), (Werner et al. 2004) though the latter species is considered unlikely based on the specie’s declining status (Werner 2003; Werner et al. 2004). The project’s secondary goal was to collect basic habitat and environmental data: vegetation, precipitation, temperature. The third goal was to explore correlations between species prevalence and environmental data to expand the scientific understanding of population dynamics in the field of amphibian studies (see: Ferner, 2007; Dodd, 2010).

Historic Preservation at Nevada City, Montana

Primary emphasis this summer was placed on restoring the Richards Cabin however, the first week was spent priming and painting the interior of the Iron Rod Post Office. All the buildings within the Nevada City Outdoor Museum complex are historically significant, some more than others. Some have been used as sets on major Hollywood productions such as, "The MissouriBreaks"," Little Big Man", "Return to Lonesome Dove", "Thousand Pieces of Gold" and "The Left Handed Gun". Others have more historical significance. Some are from Yellowstone National Park. One specifically built for a County Sheriff's Department eventually accommodated a legal "triple hanging" of outlaws in 1917. One was used as a location for a Blackfeet treaty signing in 1865.

Age Relationships of Ore Deposits of Southwestern Montana (A Microscopic Study)

Although considerable work has been undertaken by some prominent geologists, the best known of which is that of Paul Billingsley and J. A. Grimes', in investigating the ore deposits of the Boulder Batholith and surrounding area, there has not been any complete microscopic investigation of these deposits, as a whole, published in the literature. With this in mind it was suggested to the writer by Professor Paul A. Schafer, of the Montana School of Mines, that a microscopic study of the ores of this region would be a worthwhile geologic problem. It was thought that the mineral association and the mode of mineral occurrence might afford methods of classify­ing these deposits so that they could be correlated with the age relationships worked out by Billingsley and Grimes.

The Aplitic Body Bordering Roosevelt Drive South of Butte, Montana

The area studied consists of a large body of aplite situated 12 miles south of Butte. It extends eastward almost to the Butte-Pipestone road, southward to Lime Kiln Hill and westward a distance of 3000 feet. The petrographic work was supplemented by a map of the area. Special attention was given to those frequent "Limonite Specks" found in the aplite.

Joint Planes in the Rhyolites of the Butte District, Montana

The problem herein discussed deals with the pointing planes found in the area of rhyolite located in the northwestern portion of the Butte District. The question to be determined was whether or not the pointing planes in the rhyolites could be class­ified with the Butte Ore fissure systems.

A Bentonite Deposit near Warm Springs, Montana

This report deals with a bentonite deposit recently developed, approximately seven miles northeast of Warm Springs, Montana. A group of claims have been staked on the deposit and are owned by the Lincoln Mining Company of Anaconda, Montana. The company also has several claims prospected for silver one mile from its present site of operations, but the silver prospects have failed to produce. The bentonite deposit was discovered incidentally during the course of other development work, and at present two adits have been driven into the side of a mountain, each crosscutting a vein-like mass of bentonite varying from two to three feet in width.

A Study of Montana Bentonite

Research has been undertaken both under Government and private auspices in an endeavor to develop uses for bentonite. Perhaps, the work done to date has had only in consideration the possible industrial importance of bentonite. No simple, quick methods for the determination of the properties or qualities of any particular bentonite have been developed. In an attempt to establish whether or not there is a means of making rapid simple determinations of the quality of Montana bentonitic clays, and in particular, with regard to the uses to which the clays may be suited. The problem also involves a study of Montana bentonite, and a comparison of it with the standard accepted bentonites and fullers earth on the market today.

Investigations Concerning Bentonite Deposits Near Ramsay, Montana

The purpose of Part I of this report is to determine the origin of the bentonite deposits, also to locate them with reference to section corners in the vicinity and to determine their extent. The field work for this report was done in the fall of 1933 and during the spring of 1934. The roads, geologic contacts, and culture in general were mapped with the use of an open sight alidade and plane table. Distances were determined on the roads by the speedometer on the automo­bile; the detailed survey in the immediate vicinity of the deposits was done with use of the Brunton compass and pac­ing. The purpose of Part II in this report is to determine if the bentonite deposits immediately west of Butte, Montana are of com­mercial importance and also to determine the use to which they are best suited.

Healthcare Costs: How Much Could a Hospital Make on Outlier Patients in Montana?

This poster illustrates hospital cost for outlier patients in Montana.

Conodonts from the Quadrant Shales of Montana

Conodonts have not been known to exist in Montana prior to the discovery of the specimens discussed and described in this paper. With this fact in mind, the author has endeavored to correlate the species of seven genera found in the Quadrant formation of Montana with similar micro-organisms from other North American areas.

Auriferous Tertiary Gravels Near Rocker, in Silver Bow County, Montana

Between the villages of Rocker and Silver Bow, in south­western Montana, are found an interesting group of placers. Gold occurs in Tertiary gravel beds that are interstratified with beds of rhyolitic volcanic ash. With the aid of a plane table and open-sight alidade, a small portion of the lake-bed area near Rocker was mapped; all distances were paced, but numerous checks assure a fairly accurate map.

Supergene Enrichment of Silver Ores with Special Reference to those from Neihart, Montana.

In the development of a technique it was necessary to learn the fundamentals of ore microscopy as applied to the various minerals of silver, which included the use of reflected polarized light, etch reactions, micro­chemical analysis, and sight recognition of mineral. In addition it was necessary to become familiar with the accepted criteria of sequence, replacement, and other textural phenomena.

Preliminary Floatation Tests on the Beneficiation of a Low-Grade Montana Bituminous Coal.

Coal is an aggregation of vegetal matter with varying small amounts of mineral and animal matter which have been so changed by the processes of sedimentation, decay and metamorphism that it has become a dense, dark, combustible substance. It occurs in beds varying in thickness from one foot or less to over 300 feet. The horizontal extent of a bed is sometimes continuous over an area as large as the State of Montana.