The Wrangell Formation, Pt 1 |
Wesley Dunkle, 1956 -- Chapter 2 of "Legacy of the Chief" |
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Note from the author: In some chapters, including this one, you will encounter the thoughts of the characters. These are enclosed in a box which looks like this: |
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View from the top of the Kennecott mill looking north toward the Glacier Mine along Bonanza Ridge |
The old geologist reviewed the notes he had prepared for the class. So much had happened since Wes first signed on as a consulting engineer for Kennecott Corporation so many years ago. A most significant development was an evolving theory called plate techtonics. The theory was proving to be momentous in the understanding of the process of mountain building and volcanoes and the causes of earthquakes. It held that the forces which move terranes or even entire continents result from the interaction of many semi-rigid plates which are the basis of the earth’s crust.
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Wesley Earl Dunkle, 1887-1957, chief consulting engineer for Kennecott |
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The new school where W.E. Dunkle would have given his college-level class in 1956: This building was also used for the new community college. |
“Good afternoon, class and visitors. I have the privilege today of introducing Mr. Wesley Earl Dunkle, a retired mining engineer who is a living part of our early mining history in this great territory of ours. I have asked him to speak on the formation of copper in the Wrangell Range--a topic on which he could be considered an expert by virtue of his personal experience. Mr. Dunkle, meet my geology class 101 and our many guests, including other teachers, students from other classes and several interested locals who have come just to hear you speak.”
1904 image of Mt Blackburn from which the Kennicott Glacier originates |