The long history of petroleum exploration in Arctic Alaska by Government and industry began in earnest in 1923 with the establishment of Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4 and climaxed in 1968 with the discovery of the largest oil field in North America at Prudhoe Bay. Geologists and topographers of the U.S. Geologic Survey played a vital role in this exploration. The administrative programs of and actions by the Federal Government in the development of this region have been driven by the Nation's needs for energy fuels, predictions of coming shortages, and actual short term crises, such as the Arab oil embargo of 1974. The nations concerns for the environment and the well being of the Native population in this remote Arctic wilderness have added to the complexities of such policy decisions. This book provides a graphic overview of the gradual accumulation of information on the geology and geography of northern Alaska, exemplifying the lead-time required for resource exploitation and the difficult environmental consideration involved. It should serve to illustrate how interagency cooperation and a good working relationship between Government and industry have functioned during a crucial period of resource expansion and ecologic awareness in successfully dealing with the challenges that still face us for an uncertain energy future.