Coal resources of Alaska
Journal Article
·
· Alaska Geogr.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5524214
In the late 1800s, whaling ships carried Alaskan coal, and it was used to thaw ground for placer gold mining. Unfortunate and costly political maneuvers in the early 1900s delayed coal removal, but the Alaska Railroad and then World War II provided incentives for opening mines. Today, 33 million acres (about 9% of the state) is classified as prospectively valuable for coal, much of it under federal title. Although the state's geology is poorly known, potential for discovery of new fields exists. The US Geological Survey estimates are outdated, although still officially used. The total Alaska onshore coal resource is estimated to be 216 to 4216 billion tons of which 141 billion tons are identified resources; an additional 1430 billion tons are believed to lie beneath Cook Inlet. Transportation over mountain ranges and wetlands is the biggest hurdle for removal. Known coal sources and types are described and mapped. 1 figure.
- OSTI ID:
- 5524214
- Journal Information:
- Alaska Geogr.; (United States), Journal Name: Alaska Geogr.; (United States) Vol. 9:4; ISSN ALGED
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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