News Release, Kansas Geological Survey, Jan. 12, 1999
The map, compiled by Tulsa geologist Allan P. Bennison, updates a previously published geologic map of the county. "This new map not only brings the geology up to date, it shows much more detail," said Larry Brady, head of the Survey's geologic mapping program.
In addition to the county's geology, the map shows roads, railroads, streams, lakes, and other features. Because geologic maps show the rock formations likely to be encountered in a given location, they are useful in construction, in understanding soils and agriculture, in searching for water and mineral deposits, and in a variety of engineering and environmental uses.
The southeastern corner of Labette County is part of the region known as the Cherokee Lowlands. The coal-bearing rocks of the Cherokee Group are the oldest surface rock in the county, deposited during the Middle Pennsylvanian Period of geologic history, about 330 million years ago.
The rest of the county is rolling hills of the Osage Cuestas region. In this area, limestones and shales are also of Pennsylvanian age.
Because Labette County is on the Oklahoma state line, the geologic map allows comparison of the latest stratigraphic classification and nomenclature in Oklahoma and Kansas.
"Bennison has spent many years working out the stratigraphic problems in the Pennsylvanian of Kansas, particularly in southeastern Kansas," said Brady.
The map, produced in full-color, is drawn at a scale of 1:50,000, so that one inch on the map equals about 3/4 mile of actual distance. The full-color map measures about 48 inches by 32 inches.
Copies of the new map are available from the Kansas Geological Survey, 1930 Constant Ave., Lawrence, KS 66047 (or phone 785-864-3965). The cost is $15.00, plus $5.00 for handling. Kansas residents should add 6.9% sales tax.