Clarence King's Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (1867–1872)

1. Congress authorizes the Fortieth Parallel Survey

   Mar 2, 1867Labels: Fortieth Parallel, U S, Engineer Corps

   • USGS Vol I
   • Smithsonian SIA

2. Fieldwork begins along the 40th parallel

   Jun 1, 1867Labels: Fieldwork, Clarence King, Topographers

   • Smithsonian SIA
   • LOC Photos

3. O’Sullivan photographs document the expedition’s work

   Jan 1, 1868Labels: Timothy O'Sullivan, Expedition Photographs, Public Collections

   • LOC Photos
   • Smithsonian SIA

4. Botany collections focus on Nevada and Utah

   Aug 1, 1869Labels: Botany Collections, Nevada, Utah

   • Smithsonian SIA
   • BHL Record

5. Mining Industry volume publishes key economic findings

   Jan 1, 1870Labels: Mining Industry, James D, Clarence King

   • USGS Vol III
   • BHL Record

6. Botany volume compiles the expedition’s plant science

   Jan 1, 1871Labels: Botany Volume, Sereno Watson, Nevada Flora

   • WorldCat Botany
   • BHL Record

7. King’s Mountaineering book raises public profile

   May 30, 1872Labels: Mountaineering in, Clarence King, Public Outreach

   • Nature Review
   • Bancroft PDF

8. King’s team exposes the Great Diamond Hoax

   Oct 21, 1872Labels: Great Diamond, King's Team, Fraud Investigation

   • Smithsonian Mag
   • Britannica

9. Field seasons conclude for the Fortieth Parallel Survey

   Dec 31, 1872Labels: Field Seasons, Fortieth Parallel, Fieldwork Conclusion

   • Wiki Overview
   • LOC Photos

10. Major topographic and geologic atlas is published

    Jan 1, 1876Labels: Geographical and, Survey Atlas, Mapping

    • USGS Atlas
    • BHL Record

11. Descriptive Geology synthesizes regional field results

    Jan 1, 1877Labels: Descriptive Geology, Arnold Hague, S F

    • USGS Vol II
    • BHL Record

12. Systematic Geology publishes King’s overall interpretation

    Jan 1, 1878Labels: Systematic Geology, Clarence King, Synthesis Volume

    • USGS Vol I
    • Britannica

13. USGS is established, merging the western surveys

    Mar 3, 1879Labels: United States, Congress Act, Department of

    • USGS 1879 1989
    • USGS Circular

14. Clarence King begins service as first USGS Director

    May 24, 1879Labels: Clarence King, USGS Director, Rutherford B

    • USGS Profile
    • USGS Circular