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Donald Edward White

Publications and source records attributed to Donald Edward White.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1988

The Geology and Remarkable Thermal Activity of Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Norris Geyser Basin, normally shortened to Norris Basin, is adjacent to the north rim of the Yellowstone caldera at the common intersection of the caldera rim and the Norris-Mammoth Corridor, a zone of faults, volcanic vents, and thermal activity that strikes north from the caldera rim to Mammoth Hot Springs. An east-west fault zone terminates the Gallatin Range at its southern end and extends from Hebgen Lake, west of the park, to Norris Basin. No local evidence exists at the surface in Norris Basin for the two oldest Yellowstone volcanic caldera cycles (~2.0 and 1.3 m.y.B.P.). The third and youngest cycle formed the Yellowstone caldera, which erupted the 600,000-year-old Lava Creek Tuff. No evidence is preserved of hydrothermal activity near Norris Basin during the first 300,000.years after the caldera collapse. Glaciation probably removed most of the early evidence, but erratics of hot-spring sinter that had been converted diagenetically to extremely hard, resistant chalcedonic sinter are present as cobbles in and on some moraines and till from the last two glacial stages, here correlated with the early and late stages of the Pinedale glaciation <150,000 years B.P.). Indirect evidence for the oldest hydrothermal system at Norris Basin indicates an age probably older than both stages of Pinedale glaciation. Stream deposits consisting mainly of rounded quartz phenocrysts of the Lava Creek Tuff were subaerial, perhaps in part windblown and redeposited by streams. A few small rounded pebbles are interpreted as chalcedonic sinter of a still older cycle. None of these are precisely dated but are unlikely to be more than 150,000 to 200,000 years old. ...Most studies of active hydrothermal areas have noted chemical differences in fluids and alteration products but have given little attention to differences and models to explain evolution in types. This report, in contrast, emphasizes the kinds of changes in vents and their changing chemical types of waters and then provides models for explaining these differences. Norris Basin is probably not an independent volcanic-hydrothermal system. The basin and nearby acid-leached areas (from oxidation of H2S-enriched vapor) are best considered as parts of the same system, extending from Norris Basin to Roaring Mountain and possibly to Mammoth. If so, are they parts of a single large system centered within the Yellowstone caldera, or are Norris Basin and the nearby altered areas both parts of one or more young independent corridor systems confined, at least in the shallow crust, to the Norris-Mammoth Corridor? Tentatively, we favor the latter relation, probably having evolved in the past ~300,000 years. A model for large, long-lived, volcanic-hydrothermal activity is also suggested, involving all of the crust and upper mantle and using much recent geophysical data bearing on crust-mantle interrelations. Our model for large systems is much superior to previous suggestions for explaining continuing hydrothermal activity over hundreds of thousands of years, but is less attractive for the smaller nonhomogenized volcanic system actually favored here for the Norris-Mammoth Corridor.

Professional Paper↗
USGS1978

Ground-water data for the Salt Basin, Eagle Flat, Red Light Draw, Green River Valley, and Presidio Bolson in westernmost Texas

From October 1971 through October 1974, the U.S. Geological Survey collected ground-water data in the basins in Texas west of the Pecos River drainage area and northwest of the Big Bend country. The basins included are, from east to west: The Presidio Bolson; the Salt Basin; Green River Valley, Eagle Flat, and Red Light Draw. These data, which were collected in cooperation with the Texas Department of Water Resources (formerly Texas Water Development Board), will provide information for a continuing assessment of water availability within the State. The data-collection program consisted of an inventory of all major irrigation, municipal-supply, and industrial wells; selected stock and domestic wells; and selected springs. Water samples were collected from representative wells and springs for chemical analyses. These data, together with data from geophysical surveys and test drilling, will be used to prepare a report on the availability of ground water in the basins of westernmost Texas. Data collected prior to this study are contained in the reports listed in the selected references. The well-numbering system is shown on figure 1, and the locations of the wells, test holes, and springs are shown on figures 2-8. The records of wells and springs are given in table 1, and the water levels in selected observation wells in the Salt Basin are given in table2. The chemical analyses of water samples from selected wells, test holes, and springs are given in table 3.

Texas↗
USGS1976

Test drilling for ground water in Hudspeth, Culberson, and Presidio Counties in westernmost Texas

From November 1973 to October 1974, the U.S. Geological Survey drilled four deep test holes to supplement hydrologic and geophysical studies evaluating fresh ground water in the basins of westernmost Texas. For each test, samples of drill cuttings were collect&middot;ed, borehole geophysical logs were run, and water samples were collected from specific zones. The Leopold Guerra No. 1 test hole penetrated sand and gravel :o 1,100 feet (335m), and logs and water samples indicated fresh ground water to that depth. Below 1,100 feet (335m), the material probably has low permeability. The Clay Evans No. 1 test penetrated sand, gravel, and clay to 555 feet (169m), sand and thin volcanic flows to about 1,250 feet (381 m), and volcanic flows and tuffs to 2,006 feet (611 m). Logs and water samples indicated fresh ground \vater to about 1, 250 feet (381 m); below that, permeability is probably low. The Culberson County Airport test was drilled through sand, gravel, and clay to 1,145 feet (349m), conglomerate to 1,205 feet (367m), and the Lower Cretaceous Cox Sandstone to 1,306 feet (398m). Logs and water s~mples indicated fresh water in the alluvial fill and in the Cox Sandstone to about 1,265 feet (386m); below that depth, permeability is probably low. The Davis test was drilled through clay with some thin beds of sand and gravel containing fresh water to a depth of 2,012 feet (613 m). Borehole temperature data indicated above-nonnal gradients in the Guerra and Culberson County Airport tests. Temperature gradients in the Evans and Davis tests were near normal.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1962

Antimony in the United States, exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii

The principal sources of antimony in the United States (exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii) are shown on the accompanying map. The types of deposits are indicated by shape of symbols and the relative importance of the deposits is indicated by size of symbols. In the locality index the localities are listed by States and are keyed by numbers to the map. Localities are distinguished by name of mine, prospect, or geographic area, and their coordinates are given to the nearest minute of latitude and longitude. Geologic relations of each occurrence are characterized briefly. The text and map were compiled from published and unpublished information, and at least one reference is given for each locality if reports on it have been published.

Continental United States↗
USGS1956

Sub-glacial volcanic eruptions

The literature on sub-glacial volcanic eruptions and the related flood phenomena has been reviewed as a minor part of the larger problem of convective and conductive heat transfer from intrusive magma. (See Lovering, 1955, for a review of the extensive literature on this subject.) This summary of data on sub-glacial eruptions is part of a program that the U.S. Geological Survey is conducting in connection with its Investigations of Geologic Processes project on behalf of the Division of Research, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

Trace Elements Memorandum↗