Unequaled advantages: A brief history of the geological exploration and mining development of the anthracite fields in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

James C. Hower, John E. Hower

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pennsylvanian anthracites and semianthracites in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, on the southwestern 'fishtail' of the Southern Anthracite field, were highly regarded in the geologic reports of the early 1840's. By the time anthracite became an important fuel of the industrial growth in the 1860's, the Lebanon County deposits were largely forgotten. Poor quality of the coal has been cited as a reason for the abandonment of the deposits. While coal rank in Lebanon County is lower than to the east, coal quality differences may not have been as important a factor as previously stated. Instead, difficult mining conditions did not justify the exploitation of the comparatively (compared with adjacent Schuylkill County) thin coal. In addition, the remoteness of the region delayed the development of the transportation system. Finally, the coal field became ready for full production at a time of a nationwide economic slowdown.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)281-293
Number of pages13
JournalNortheastern Geology and Environmental Sciences
Volume20
Issue number4
StatePublished - 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology
  • Ocean Engineering
  • Geology

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