Some Engineering Problems Of The Panama Canal In Their Relation To Geology And Topography

8 ENGINEERING PROBLEMS OF PANAMA CANAL. (5) What proportion of the material to be excavated is of such phys- ical character that it may be utilized in any other part of the project, such as in concrete construction, road making, wharves, breakwaters, riprap work, etc. ? ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The first work of considerable scope bearing on isthmian geology was that of Hill a in 1895. In 1899 Bertrand and Zurcher b published a brief report on the geology of tho Isthmus for the New French Company (Compagnie Nouvelle du Canal do Panama). In July, 1906, Howe c d was sent to the Isthmus by the new American canal commission to report on such, phases of engineering geology as lock and dam foundations and the natural resources of the country. Again, from January to April, 1907, lie spent some time on the Canal Zone. His reports are most interesting. Other publications bearing on isthmian geology are listed in the bibliography given at the end of tliis bulletin. Hill, Howe, and the earlier workers must be con- gratulated on the results they obtained, in view of the shortness of the time at their disposal, the few and small excavations then made, the thick soil, and the jungle that obscured much of the land at that time. In 1910, as Culebra Cut was deepened, great masses of earth and rock began to crush down from its slopes. It was thought well to have these and other phases of tho work that had a geological bear- ing studied by a geologist. To make recommendations on this ques- tion C. W. Hayes/ then chief geologist of the United States Geo- logical Survey, was, at the instance of the Secretary of War and Secretary of the Interior, sent to tho Canal Zone. lie realized that certain geological principles underlay the slides and recommended that a geologist be appointed to study them. For this work the writer, who had been assistant geologist of the United States Geological Survey, was sent to the Isthmus, January, 1911, as geologist to the Isthmian Canal Commission. To this com- mission and to members of the engineering staff, but particularly to Col. George W. Goetlials, chairman and chief engineer, the writer is indebted for wide opportunity to make geological studies and for suggestion and interest in results. a Hill, R. 'I'., Geological history of the Isthmus of Panama and portions of Costa Rica: Bull. Museum Comparative Zoology of Harvard College, vol. 28, 1898. b Bertrand, M., and Zurcher, P., Étude géologique sur l’isthme de Panama; Rapport de la Commission. Compagnie Nouvelle du Canal de Panama, vol. 1, 1899, pp. 85-120. c Ilowe, Ernest, ('anal Commission Ann. Report 1907, Appendix E, pp. 108-138; Isthmian geology of the 1 anama Canal: Econ. Geol., vol. 2, 1907, pp. 639-658; Geology of the Isthmus of Panama: Am. Jour. Sei., vol. 26, ser. 4, 1908, pp. 212-237. d Hayes, C. W., Notes on the geology and slides of Culebra Cut: Canal Record, vol. 4, Dec. 7,1910, p. 115.