Cleat and joint patterns in some cretaceous coal sequences in Utah and their regional implications

Conference · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:6685566

Hucka, B ^[1]

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1. Utah Geological Survey, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)

Cleat and joint characteristics were investigated in 22 active mines in the Book Cliffs, Wasatch Plateau, Coalville, and Emery coal fields. The orientations, variations, spacing, and mineralization of cleats and joints were determined in coal beds and in adjacent clastic rocks. A knowledge of the cleat and joint characteristics can help in mine planning and design, evaluation of mine roof stability, and methane degasification. The cleats in coal beds and joints in the outcrop rocks in the four coal fields were formed by tectonic forces. Cleat and joint characteristics, such as smooth, planar, or slickensided surfaces; regularity of spacing; continuity of orientation over a large areal extent: plumose structures; and the presence of gouge zones suggest a regional stress field. A relationship also exists between cleats and joints and the regional structure. This relationship is especially evident in the Book Cliffs coal field where butt cleats and minor joints are roughly parallel to the axial trend of a monoclinal fold structure, where as face cleats and main joints are perpendicular to it. The study also shows that cleats and joints are perpendicular to it. The study also shows that cleats and joints are influenced by the presence of faults. In eleven mines located close to faults in the Wasatch Plateau coal field, the orientation of the fractures are rotated so that the face cleats and major joints are more or less parallel the strike of the faults.

• OSTI ID: 6685566
• Report Number(s): CONF-930947--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Journal Volume: 77:8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
011000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FISSURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGIC SURVEYS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINES
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
SURVEYS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
UTAH