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Date Permissions Signed

6-4-2018

Date of Award

Summer 1978

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geology

First Advisor

Ross, Charles A., 1933-

Second Advisor

Suczek, Christopher A., 1942-2014

Third Advisor

Pevear, David R.

Abstract

The Tulameen Coalfield lies in a small, southeast plunging syncline in the Intermontane Belt of the Canadian Cordillera in south central British Columbia. The coal is interbedded with fluvial and lacustrine sediments of the Eocene Allenby Formation of the Princeton Group. The abundance of tephra and bentonite indicates volcanic activity was contemporaneous with coal and sediment deposition.

Although coal occurs on both sides of the basin, its economic importance is currently restricted to a 15-21 meter thick coal seam on the southwestern limb of the syncline. The coal is predominantly vitrain and clarain composed of greater than 90 percent vitrinite. Clean coal has 14 percent ash (mostly kaolinite and quartz) and low sulphur. The coal is interbedded with bentonite, mudstone and shale partings which increase in number from south to north. The partings are montmorillonite and/or kaolinite rich.

Coal rank along the southwestern limb of the basin was determined by measuring the percent maximum reflectance of vitrinite. Vitrinite reflectance increases laterally from .62 in the north to .86 in the south but shows no significant vertical variation. According to the A.S.T.M. classification, coal rank ranges from High Volatile C Bituminous to High Volatile B Bituminous. Field relations indicate partial post-deformation coalification.

Petrographic study of the coal suggests the coal-forming peat developed in a predominantly forest moor swamp environment.

Type

Text

Keywords

Tulameen Coalfield, British Columbia, Coal petrology

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

1079909486

Subject – LCSH

Coal--British Columbia--Tulameen region; Petrology--British Columbia--Tulameen region

Geographic Coverage

Tulameen Region (B.C.)

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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