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PROCEEDINGS OF WASHINGTON MEETING. 



discussion of the age and history of the Ozark uplift. The hypothesis is contrary 

 to the authoritative and generally accepted views concerning the original limits of 

 the Coal Measures both in Missouri and Iowa, Such representation of the relation 

 and positions of the Coal Measure strata leading to conclusions contrary to accepted 

 views, it behooves us to attempt a presentation of the results and of the process of 



Figure 28 — Ideal Section of the Coal Measures of Missouri and Iou-a restored to horizontal Attitude. 



deposition which will be in harmony with the observed facts and well substan- 

 tiated conclusions. 



Starting with the indisputable fact, as proved by deep drilling and shafting in the 

 western portion of the state, that at or very near the base of the ( !oal Measures there 

 are strata of shallow- water origin, we must allow that the lower part of the floor was 

 at the beginning of deposition near the surface. We will assume next that sub- 

 mergence soon began over the central area of the ( !< >al Measures, and that, as repre- 

 sented in figure 29, the margin of the early Coal Measures sea or swamp />' was well 



Figure 2'.i — Idnd Representation of the Beginning of Cod Measun Deposits 



within the present limits .1 of the deposits. As soon as this area became submerged 

 deposition over it would begin ; but, as all material is derived from or beyond the 

 margin, the accumulation during any stated period would be thickest along the 

 margin and would thin thence gradually toward the interior, the character of the 

 material changing at the same time. The marginal area would thus be the first to 

 become a shallow-water area suitable for the formation and accumulation of coal. 

 As the basin became gradually filled with sediment from the margin toward the 

 interior the coal swamp would slowly creep out horizontally, until it covered the 

 whole surface in a continuous sheet, apparently slightly unconformable with the 



