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2. GEOMORPHIC ANALYSIS <br />• Geomorphology is literally the study (-logy) of the shape (-morph-) <br />of the earth's (geo-) surface. Early geomorphic studies consisted of <br />qualitative descriptions of landforms and their relative age. Recently, <br />studies have applied quantitative procedures to landscape analysis and <br />emphasis has been placed on studying the processes which produce <br />landforms. An understanding of the controls of landscape development <br />can provide insight into the relative stability of artificial landforms. <br />2.1. Description of Mine Area <br /> The Colorado Yampa Coal Company Eckman Park Mine is located <br /> approximately 10 miles northwest of Oak Creek, Colorado on Routt County <br /> Road X17. Coal is mined from the Cretaceous Williams Fork Formation <br />• which contains interbedded sandstones, shales and coal beds. The <br /> topography of the area is controlled by resistant sandstone beds of the <br /> Williams Fork Formation and the Iles Formation of similar lithology. <br /> The sedimentary strata are tilted (dipping) to the northwest at an <br /> approximate gradient of 12 to 16 percent. Dip slopes are formed where <br /> the topographic slopes are the same as the dipping sedimentary strata. <br /> Scarp slopes are much steeper and they form where sandstone strata crop <br /> out at the surface. CYCC has mined most of a dip slope formed by the <br /> Williams Fork Formation to the south of Foidel Creek in all or portions <br /> of sections 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, Township 4 North, Range 86 West and <br /> sections 13, 24, 25, Township 4 North, Range 87 West. Topographic map <br /> coverage is U.S.G.S. 1:24,000 scale Rattlesnake Butte, Colorado <br /> quadrangle. <br />• <br />5 <br />