--> ABSTRACT: Remaining Coal Resource Estimates for Lee County, Virginia, Calculated Using NCRDS Computer Programs, by Elizabeth M. Campbell; #91031 (2010)

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Remaining Coal Resource Estimates for Lee County, Virginia, Calculated Using NCRDS Computer Programs

Elizabeth M. Campbell

The original and remaining coal resources for Lee County, Virginia, were calculated using the PACER and GARNET programs written for the National Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS) of the U.S. Geological Survey. This study incorporates data from 111 drill holes and 475 surface locations and uses the U.S. Geological Survey Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of the topographic surface and underground mine maps. New stratigraphic correlations developed from drill-hole data and recent geologic mapping in Wise County have improved the Lee County data base for resource estimates. Coal resources were calculated for categories based on coal thickness, amount of overburden, and occurrence probability.

The NCRDS programs help in the synthesis of large amounts of stratigraphic data to create computer-generated structure and isopach maps of coal beds. The programs further permit the arithmetical manipulation of two gridded surfaces to produce isopachs of overburden, isopachs of the barren intervals between coal beds, and isoline maps of coal/noncoal ratios within a coal interval. Stratigraphic cross sections and strip logs can also be generated from the data base.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91031©1988 AAPG Eastern Section, Charleston, West Virginia, 13-16 September 1988.