Digital geologic maps available for hole-in-the-wall country

Petroleum News

The Wyoming State Geological Survey has released the first two of a planned group of 12 digital quadrangle geologic maps for the southern Bighorn Mountains.

Map author Alan Ver Ploeg, senior geologist and head of the Geologic Mapping Section at the survey, said color geologic maps covering the Hole-in-the-Wall and Poker Butte 1:24,000-scale quadrangles are available as Open File Reports 04-12 and 04-13.

Bentonite is mined from the Frontier formation in the Hole-in-the Wall quadrangle, and terrace deposits — possible local sources for sand and gravel — have been mapped in both quadrangles.

The Hole-in-the-Wall is a narrow notch eroded in a nearly continuous, vertical cliff of Triassic Chugwater and runs for almost 25 miles along the east slope of the southern Bighorn Mountains. The Hole-in-the-Wall and the area around it was made famous by various groups of outlaws, rustlers, and army deserters who used this erosional feature as a hidden route in and out of the rugged surrounding area.

The maps can be purchased over the counter of by phone, fax, or e-mail from the Publications Sales Office at the survey in Laramie. The maps are $10 each and are available as a color plotted map, rolled only.

For more information, contact Alan Ver Ploeg at [email protected] or (307) 766-2286, extension 230.