Engineering-geologic map of the Dalton Highway from Galbraith Lake to Slope Mountain, southern Arctic Foothills, Alaska

Title:

Abstract:

This derivative engineering-geologic map illustrates potential near-surface sources of various geologic materials that may be useful for construction near the Dalton Highway area, from Atigun Gorge to Slope Mountain. The map area is located in the west-central Philip Smith Mountains quadrangle. The map extends from the northern flank of the Endicott Mountains into the Arctic Foothills province. Field observations indicate that each geologic unit (for example, stream alluvium) has a definite composition or range of composition. Therefore, the probable presence of materials is interpreted from the distribution of geologic units on the geologic map of this quadrangle. Map unit descriptions also include discussion of the potential geologic hazards that can be inferred from the typical physical properties of each map unit, such as sediment texture and ground-ice content and typical topographic settings. This map is generalized and is not intended to show exact locations of specific materials. Local variations are common, especially near unit boundaries. The map was derived electronically from a related surficial geologic map of the area using Geographic Information System (GIS) software. Geologic units were locally verified by ground observations during field visits. The results should be considered reconnaissance in nature.

Supplemental_Information:

The DGGS metadata standard extends the FGDC standard to include elements that are required to facilitate our internal data management. These elements, referred to as "layers," group and describe files that have intrinsic logical or topological relationships and correspond to subdirectories within the data distribution package. The metadata layer provides an FGDC metadata file and may include other documentation files. Attribute information for each data layer is described in this metadata file under the "Entity_and_Attribute_Information" section. Data layer contents:

border:    A polygon that encompasses the maximum geographic extent of the data observations
MapUnitPolys:    Polygons that record the distribution of mapped or interpreted geologic units
OtherPolys:    Polygons that record the location and extent of geologic or geographic features other than the geologic units.

Value	Definition
(GD)	Poorly to moderately graded gravel with silt, sand, and clay covered by silt-rich overburden of variable thickness - Estimated 20-60 percent coarse, granular deposits with considerable oversized material. Extremely variable in composition and areal extent of individual component deposits. Engineering applications vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Older deposits may contain highly weathered clasts and thus may not be suitable as construction materials. Includes primarily GP, GP-GM, GP-GC, GM, and GC of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988). Overburden includes primarily ML, OL/OH, and SM.
GD	Poorly to moderately graded gravel with silt, sand, and clay - Estimated 20-60 percent coarse, granular deposits with considerable oversized material. Extremely variable in composition and areal extent of individual component deposits. Engineering applications vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Older deposits may contain highly weathered clasts and thus may not be suitable as construction materials. Includes primarily GP, GP-GM, GP-GC, GM, and GC of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).
MS	Sandy silt with gravel, organic silt, and silty sand with gravel - Chiefly fine materials. Estimated greater than 70 percent silt. May be organic rich. Commonly frozen and ice-rich, especially on north-facing slopes. Includes primarily ML, OL/OH, and SM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).
BU	Undifferentiated mixed rocks - Rocks of mixed lithology and/or very fine-grained sedimentary lithologies that are generally poorly suited for use as construction materials. Includes non-quartzose sandstone, shale, mudstone, siltstone, limestone, and coal.
GV	Mixed coarse and fine materials - Mixed deposits of rubble, gravel, sand, silt, clay, and organic material in variable proportions and areal extent. Engineering applications vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Includes primarily GP, GP-GM, GP-GC, GM, GC, SM, ML and OL/OH of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988). Locally includes GW, GW-GM, SW, and SW-SM.
GR	Poorly graded rock debris and rubble, with minor variable amounts of interstitial sand, silt, and clay -Estimated 90 percent coarse, angular deposits with considerable oversized material. Engineering applications vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Includes primarily GP of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).
GA	Well to locally poorly graded gravel with sand and silt - Chiefly (estimated greater than 80 percent) clean sand and gravel with some (estimated 10-30 percent) silt. Grain size and degree of stratification are variable. Permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Older deposits may contain highly weathered clasts and thus may not be suitable as construction materials. Rare oversized materials may include boulders. Includes primarily GW and GW-GM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988), with possible subordinate proportions of GP and GP-GM.
(GO)	Well graded, weathered gravel with sand and silt - Chiefly (estimated greater than 80 percent) clean sand and gravel, overlain by 0.3-2.5m organic-rich silt. Grain size and degree of stratification are variable. Ice rich permafrost may be present, especially in overburden. Rare oversized materials may include boulders. Includes primarily GW and GW-GM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988). Overburden includes primarily ML, OL/OH, and SM.
MO	Well graded organic rich silt and sand - Estimated greater than 80 percent organic silt and peat. Commonly frozen and ice-rich due to the excellent insulating properties of peat, especially on north-facing slopes. Includes primarily ML and OL/OH of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).
ML	Silt with minor sand and small pebbles - Estimated greater than 90 percent silt. May be locally organic rich. Commonly frozen and ice rich, especially on north-facing slopes. Includes primarily ML of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).
GL	Very poorly graded silty and clayey gravel with organic debris -Estimated 20-80 percent coarse, granular deposits with considerable oversized material. Engineering applications limited, and vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Includes primarily GP-GM, GP-GC and GP of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988), with subordinate proportions of OL/OH, SM, and ML.
GI	Well to moderately graded gravel with sand and silt - Chiefly (estimated greater than 80 percent) clean sand and gravel, with some (estimated 10-30 percent) silt. Grain size and degree of stratification are variable. Ice rich permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Older deposits may contain highly weathered clasts and thus may not be suitable as construction materials. Rare oversized materials may include boulders. May locally include some poorly graded gravel with higher silt and/or clay content. Includes primarily GW, GW-GM and GM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988). Locally includes GP-GM.
BQ	Medium-jointed, fine- to coarse-grained quartzose sedimentary rocks - Chiefly chert-rich conglomerate and sandstone.
MC	Well graded silt, silt with sand, sandy silt, and clay - Estimated greater than 80 percent silt and sand, with some (estimated 10-30 percent) clay. Commonly frozen and ice-rich, especially on north-facing slopes. Includes primarily ML of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988), with subordinate proportions of CL, CH, or MH.
SW	Well graded fine- to coarse-grained sand - Estimated greater than 90 percent sand. Includes primarily SW of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).
SA	Well to moderately graded sand, with silt and gravel - Chiefly fine materials. Estimated greater than 80 percent sand. May be locally organic rich. Ice-rich permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Includes primarily SW, SW-SM, and SM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).
GW	Well graded gravel, with sand - Chiefly (estimated greater than 90 percent) clean gravel and sand. Grain size and degree of stratification are variable. Ice-rich permafrost may be present, especially in overburden and older deposits. Rare oversized materials may include boulders. Includes primarily GW of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).
GF	Moderately to poorly graded gravel with sand and silt - Estimated 30-80 percent coarse, granular deposits with considerable oversized material. Engineering applications vary somewhat due to range of grain size and sorting properties. Ice rich permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Includes primarily GW-GM, GP-GM, and GM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).
GT	Poorly to moderately graded gravel with silt and sand - Estimated 20-80 percent coarse, granular deposits with local oversized material that may include boulders. Engineering applications vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Ice rich permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Includes primarily GP-GM and GP of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).
BC	Medium-jointed to massive, fine- to coarse-grained sedimentary carbonate rocks - Chiefly limestone. May include chert nodules and zones of platy bedding.
BM2	Mixed medium-jointed to massive, medium-grained sedimentary carbonate rocks and very fine-grained, platy sedimentary rocks - Chiefly limestone overlain by shale.
(GA)	Well to locally poorly graded gravel with sand and silt covered by covered by 0.5-1.0m silt-rich overburden - Chiefly (estimated greater than 80 percent) clean sand and gravel with some (estimated 10-30 percent) silt. Grain size and degree of stratification are variable. Permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Older deposits may contain highly weathered clasts and thus may not be suitable as construction materials. Rare oversized materials may include boulders. Includes primarily GW and GW-GM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988), with possible subordinate proportions of GP and GP-GM. Overburden includes primarily ML, OL/OH, and SM.
BM1	Mixed medium-jointed, fine- to coarse-grained, quartzose sedimentary rocks and very fine-grained, platy sedimentary rocks - Chiefly conglomerate, sandstone, and shale.

Value

Definition

(GD)

Poorly to moderately graded gravel with silt, sand, and clay covered by silt-rich overburden of variable thickness - Estimated 20-60 percent coarse, granular deposits with considerable oversized material. Extremely variable in composition and areal extent of individual component deposits. Engineering applications vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Older deposits may contain highly weathered clasts and thus may not be suitable as construction materials. Includes primarily GP, GP-GM, GP-GC, GM, and GC of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988). Overburden includes primarily ML, OL/OH, and SM.

Poorly to moderately graded gravel with silt, sand, and clay - Estimated 20-60 percent coarse, granular deposits with considerable oversized material. Extremely variable in composition and areal extent of individual component deposits. Engineering applications vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Older deposits may contain highly weathered clasts and thus may not be suitable as construction materials. Includes primarily GP, GP-GM, GP-GC, GM, and GC of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).

Sandy silt with gravel, organic silt, and silty sand with gravel - Chiefly fine materials. Estimated greater than 70 percent silt. May be organic rich. Commonly frozen and ice-rich, especially on north-facing slopes. Includes primarily ML, OL/OH, and SM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).

Undifferentiated mixed rocks - Rocks of mixed lithology and/or very fine-grained sedimentary lithologies that are generally poorly suited for use as construction materials. Includes non-quartzose sandstone, shale, mudstone, siltstone, limestone, and coal.

Mixed coarse and fine materials - Mixed deposits of rubble, gravel, sand, silt, clay, and organic material in variable proportions and areal extent. Engineering applications vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Includes primarily GP, GP-GM, GP-GC, GM, GC, SM, ML and OL/OH of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988). Locally includes GW, GW-GM, SW, and SW-SM.

Poorly graded rock debris and rubble, with minor variable amounts of interstitial sand, silt, and clay -Estimated 90 percent coarse, angular deposits with considerable oversized material. Engineering applications vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Includes primarily GP of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).

Well to locally poorly graded gravel with sand and silt - Chiefly (estimated greater than 80 percent) clean sand and gravel with some (estimated 10-30 percent) silt. Grain size and degree of stratification are variable. Permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Older deposits may contain highly weathered clasts and thus may not be suitable as construction materials. Rare oversized materials may include boulders. Includes primarily GW and GW-GM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988), with possible subordinate proportions of GP and GP-GM.

(GO)

Well graded, weathered gravel with sand and silt - Chiefly (estimated greater than 80 percent) clean sand and gravel, overlain by 0.3-2.5m organic-rich silt. Grain size and degree of stratification are variable. Ice rich permafrost may be present, especially in overburden. Rare oversized materials may include boulders. Includes primarily GW and GW-GM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988). Overburden includes primarily ML, OL/OH, and SM.

Well graded organic rich silt and sand - Estimated greater than 80 percent organic silt and peat. Commonly frozen and ice-rich due to the excellent insulating properties of peat, especially on north-facing slopes. Includes primarily ML and OL/OH of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).

Silt with minor sand and small pebbles - Estimated greater than 90 percent silt. May be locally organic rich. Commonly frozen and ice rich, especially on north-facing slopes. Includes primarily ML of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).

Very poorly graded silty and clayey gravel with organic debris -Estimated 20-80 percent coarse, granular deposits with considerable oversized material. Engineering applications limited, and vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Includes primarily GP-GM, GP-GC and GP of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988), with subordinate proportions of OL/OH, SM, and ML.

Well to moderately graded gravel with sand and silt - Chiefly (estimated greater than 80 percent) clean sand and gravel, with some (estimated 10-30 percent) silt. Grain size and degree of stratification are variable. Ice rich permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Older deposits may contain highly weathered clasts and thus may not be suitable as construction materials. Rare oversized materials may include boulders. May locally include some poorly graded gravel with higher silt and/or clay content. Includes primarily GW, GW-GM and GM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988). Locally includes GP-GM.

Medium-jointed, fine- to coarse-grained quartzose sedimentary rocks - Chiefly chert-rich conglomerate and sandstone.

Well graded silt, silt with sand, sandy silt, and clay - Estimated greater than 80 percent silt and sand, with some (estimated 10-30 percent) clay. Commonly frozen and ice-rich, especially on north-facing slopes. Includes primarily ML of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988), with subordinate proportions of CL, CH, or MH.

Well graded fine- to coarse-grained sand - Estimated greater than 90 percent sand. Includes primarily SW of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).

Well to moderately graded sand, with silt and gravel - Chiefly fine materials. Estimated greater than 80 percent sand. May be locally organic rich. Ice-rich permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Includes primarily SW, SW-SM, and SM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).

Well graded gravel, with sand - Chiefly (estimated greater than 90 percent) clean gravel and sand. Grain size and degree of stratification are variable. Ice-rich permafrost may be present, especially in overburden and older deposits. Rare oversized materials may include boulders. Includes primarily GW of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).

Moderately to poorly graded gravel with sand and silt - Estimated 30-80 percent coarse, granular deposits with considerable oversized material. Engineering applications vary somewhat due to range of grain size and sorting properties. Ice rich permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Includes primarily GW-GM, GP-GM, and GM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).

Poorly to moderately graded gravel with silt and sand - Estimated 20-80 percent coarse, granular deposits with local oversized material that may include boulders. Engineering applications vary widely due to large range of grain size and sorting properties. Ice rich permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Includes primarily GP-GM and GP of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988).

Medium-jointed to massive, fine- to coarse-grained sedimentary carbonate rocks - Chiefly limestone. May include chert nodules and zones of platy bedding.

BM2

Mixed medium-jointed to massive, medium-grained sedimentary carbonate rocks and very fine-grained, platy sedimentary rocks - Chiefly limestone overlain by shale.

(GA)

Well to locally poorly graded gravel with sand and silt covered by covered by 0.5-1.0m silt-rich overburden - Chiefly (estimated greater than 80 percent) clean sand and gravel with some (estimated 10-30 percent) silt. Grain size and degree of stratification are variable. Permafrost may be present, especially in older deposits. Older deposits may contain highly weathered clasts and thus may not be suitable as construction materials. Rare oversized materials may include boulders. Includes primarily GW and GW-GM of the ASTM standards soil classification (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1988), with possible subordinate proportions of GP and GP-GM. Overburden includes primarily ML, OL/OH, and SM.

BM1

Mixed medium-jointed, fine- to coarse-grained, quartzose sedimentary rocks and very fine-grained, platy sedimentary rocks - Chiefly conglomerate, sandstone, and shale.

Value	Definition
certain	Indicates that the author has sufficient observational and/or other supporting data to be reasonably confident in the scientific credibility of the interpretation of the feature. The level of certainty is specific to the map scale.

Value

Definition

certain

Indicates that the author has sufficient observational and/or other supporting data to be reasonably confident in the scientific credibility of the interpretation of the feature. The level of certainty is specific to the map scale.

Formal codeset
Codeset Name:	MapUnit
Codeset Source:	MapUnit field of this dataset

Formal codeset

Codeset Name:

MapUnit

Codeset Source:

MapUnit field of this dataset

Value	Definition
0A20	CMYK value - C:0%, M:8%, Y:20%, K:0%
30X0	CMYK value - C:30%, M:0%, Y:100%, K:0%
2230	CMYK value - C:20%, M:20%, Y:30%, K:0%
A540	CMYK value - C:8%, M:50%, Y:40%, K:0%
0A40	CMYK value - C:0%, M:8%, Y:40%, K:0%
0030	CMYK value - C:0%, M:0%, Y:30%, K:0%
0A50	CMYK value - C:0%, M:8%, Y:50%, K:0%
4060	CMYK value - C:40%, M:0%, Y:60%, K:0%
4020	CMYK value - C:40%, M:0%, Y:20%, K:0%
1240	CMYK value - C:13%, M:20%, Y:40%, K:0%
0250	CMYK value - C:0%, M:20%, Y:50%, K:0%
1110	CMYK value - C:13%, M:13%, Y:13%, K:0%
1060	CMYK value - C:13%, M:0%, Y:60%, K:0%
1370	CMYK value - C:13%, M:30%, Y:70%, K:0%
A360	CMYK value - C:8%, M:30%, Y:60%, K:0%
0160	CMYK value - C:0%, M:13%, Y:60%, K:0%
0330	CMYK value - C:0%, M:30%, Y:30%, K:0%
A5X0	CMYK value - C:8%, M:50%, Y:100%, K:0%
21A0	CMYK value - C:20%, M:13%, Y:8%, K:0%
3220	CMYK value - C:30%, M:20%, Y:20%, K:0%
3330	CMYK value - C:30%, M:30%, Y:30%, K:0%

Value

Definition

0A20

CMYK value - C:0%, M:8%, Y:20%, K:0%

30X0

CMYK value - C:30%, M:0%, Y:100%, K:0%

2230

CMYK value - C:20%, M:20%, Y:30%, K:0%

A540

CMYK value - C:8%, M:50%, Y:40%, K:0%

0A40

CMYK value - C:0%, M:8%, Y:40%, K:0%

0030

CMYK value - C:0%, M:0%, Y:30%, K:0%

0A50

CMYK value - C:0%, M:8%, Y:50%, K:0%

4060

CMYK value - C:40%, M:0%, Y:60%, K:0%

4020

CMYK value - C:40%, M:0%, Y:20%, K:0%

1240

CMYK value - C:13%, M:20%, Y:40%, K:0%

0250

CMYK value - C:0%, M:20%, Y:50%, K:0%

1110

CMYK value - C:13%, M:13%, Y:13%, K:0%

1060

CMYK value - C:13%, M:0%, Y:60%, K:0%

1370

CMYK value - C:13%, M:30%, Y:70%, K:0%

A360

CMYK value - C:8%, M:30%, Y:60%, K:0%

0160

CMYK value - C:0%, M:13%, Y:60%, K:0%

0330

CMYK value - C:0%, M:30%, Y:30%, K:0%

A5X0

CMYK value - C:8%, M:50%, Y:100%, K:0%

21A0

CMYK value - C:20%, M:13%, Y:8%, K:0%

3220

CMYK value - C:30%, M:20%, Y:20%, K:0%

3330

CMYK value - C:30%, M:30%, Y:30%, K:0%

Value	Definition
certain	Indicates that the author has sufficient observational and/or other supporting data to be reasonably confident in the scientific credibility of the interpretation of the feature. The level of certainty is specific to the map scale.

Value

Definition

certain

Value	Definition
NULL	Blank (NULL) field values indicate that a "Symbol" value is not applicable

Value

Definition

NULL

Blank (NULL) field values indicate that a "Symbol" value is not applicable

Formal codeset
Codeset Name:	FGDC Digital Cartographic Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization
Codeset Source:	Federal Geographic Data Committee [prepared for the Federal Geographic Data Committee by the U.S. Geological Survey], 2006, FGDC Digital Cartographic Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization: Reston, Va., Federal Geographic Data Committee Document Number FGDC-STD-013-2006, 290 p., 2 plates.

Formal codeset

Codeset Name:

FGDC Digital Cartographic Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization

Codeset Source:

Federal Geographic Data Committee [prepared for the Federal Geographic Data Committee by the U.S. Geological Survey], 2006, FGDC Digital Cartographic Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization: Reston, Va., Federal Geographic Data Committee Document Number FGDC-STD-013-2006, 290 p., 2 plates.

Value	Definition
NULL	Blank (NULL) field values indicate that a "Label" value is not applicable

Value

Definition

NULL

Blank (NULL) field values indicate that a "Label" value is not applicable

Formal codeset
Codeset Name:	FGDC Digital Cartographic Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization
Codeset Source:	See MapUnit field of this dataset.

Formal codeset

Codeset Name:

FGDC Digital Cartographic Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization

Codeset Source:

See MapUnit field of this dataset.

Value	Definition
NULL	Blank (NULL) field values indicate that a "Notes" value is not applicable

Value

Definition

NULL

Blank (NULL) field values indicate that a "Notes" value is not applicable

Data format:	Shapefiles
Network links:	<http://dx.doi.org/10.14509/25486>

Data format:

Shapefiles

Network links:

<http://dx.doi.org/10.14509/25486>

Engineering-geologic map of the Dalton Highway from Galbraith Lake to Slope Mountain, southern Arctic Foothills, Alaska

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