Page:Report on the geology of the four counties, Union, Snyder, Mifflin and Juniata (IA reportongeologyo00dinv).pdf/191

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
16.Middle Creek in Snyder.
F³. 163

of solid blue stone in two beds about 20° from the bottom. The bottom stone is thin bedded, as well as that above the massive beds, but produces good lime. The stone weathers curiously to rough uneven surfaces, if indeed this may not be the natural bedding; for when freshly broken in the quarry the flat surfaces between the beds are quite rough. This is characteristic of the stone in many of the quarries here as well as in Union county.

The Fisher Estate quarry is opposite Aurand’s but a little further east on the south side of the road towards Middlecreek. It has sparingly developed some lower beds, lighter in color and more slaty, and taken in connection with the beds exposed in the Aurand quarry, there should be a series of good limestone here at least 150′ thick.

The road east from his quarry towards Penns township is largely composed of chert rolled down from the crest of the ridge and largely concealing the limestone rocks which would otherwise outcrop on the south flank.

Miller’s quarry is opened close to the township line on the north side of the road, and like all others hereabouts was inactive. It shows about 75′ of stone, dipping 35° northward. The bottom portion consists of thin gray beds, aggregating 6″–10″ in thickness, and not quarried. Above them is 15′-18′ of smooth-grained blue limestone of excellent quality, and above that a 10′ bed of stone, generally blue in color but not so pure as the lower bed. The top of the quarry shows thin-bedded gray and white limestone, containing many shaly beds. The quarry is not large, but is sufficiently developed to indicate what an excellent quality of stone might be obtained here and good facilities for working the same.

Going west from Wetzel on the north side of the creek, the road soon passes over the outcrop of No. VI and for a time runs along No. VII, gradually working north into the Marcellus limestone and slate on a 40° dip. The Oriskany ridge is well developed from here to the Franklin line, and while it shows no outcrop of rock in place, the whole road is laid upon bowlders and pebbles of chert derived from the erosion of the crest, which is here high and well wooded.