Geology of Graham Island, British
Columbia.

CHAPTER. I.
INTRODUCTION.

GENERAL STATEMENT.

The southern islands of the Queen Charlotte group are
known to contain several deposits of metallic minerals, the value
of which has not yet been ascertained except in a preliminary
way, and Graham island, the subject of this report, has long been
considered to have deposits of coal, lignite, and petroleum. The
search for workable bodies of these substances has been carried
on at irregular intervals since 1859, and has lately been vigorously
renewed.

In the year 1912 a short reconnaissance of part of Graham
island was made by Dr. C. H. Clapp, then connected with the
Geological Survey, and his report made evident the necessity for
further and more detailed study. Accordingly, in 1913, the
writer was instructed to make a geological examination of
Graham island for the purpose, mainly, of determining the
extent, structure, and value of the coal deposits. It was found
necessary to continue this examination during two months of
1914, with the result that, in addition to a large amount of
detailed work, a reconnaissance was made over the whole island.
The results of the two seasons’ exploration and study are con-
tained in this report.

FIELD WORK.

In 1913, field work was carried on during the three months
from June 22 to September 20. For the work done in that
year no maps of sufficient accuracy to serve as a base for geolo-
gical mapping were available, with the exception of the Admiralty