Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Growth Of Synthetic Silver Wires From Natural Acanthite, Calvin J. Anderson

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Wire silver is an unusual crystal habit of native silver which is intimately associated with acanthite (Ag2S). These delicate wires have been collected for several centuries, but much remains unknown regarding their growth mechanism and crystal structure. This study has successfully produced synthetic silver wires from natural acanthite in order to investigate the nature of their crystallinity.

Chunks of crude acanthite crystals from the Hongda mine, Shanxi Province, China, were trimmed into roughly 1 cm chunks for growth experiments. Preexisting silver wires, which appeared to be natural, were avoided.

Several techniques were explored with varying degrees of success. Attempts using …

On The Aquatic Habits Of Sauropods – An Antiquated Theory In Need Of Revival?, Michael D. Sprague

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

When sauropods were first discovered, they were thought to have been restricted to life in the water due to their immense size. This image of sauropods was dismissed in the 1950’s when it was determined that the lungs would have been placed under massive amounts of pressure at these depths, rendering breathing nearly impossible (Kermack, 1951). However, these experiments failed to consider pneumaticity of sauropod vertebrae and were later dismissed. Sauropods possessed pneumatic features in all their presacral vertebrae, originally identified as weight-saving structures. These features kept the strength and integrity of the bone while dramatically reducing its weight. The …

Preliminary Correlation And Isopach Map Of Navajo-Aztec-Nugget Sandstones, Western United States, Emily Jackson

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Lower and middle Jurassic sandstones across western North America were correlated using stratigraphic thickness and lithofacies data obtained from the AAPG-produced Correlation of Stratigraphic Units of North America (COSUNA) data charts and spreadsheets. An isopach map and a series of stratigraphic cross-sections were created to display the lateral and horizontal extent of the correlated formations. The goal was to determine lateral equivalents of the primarily lower Jurassic Navajo Sandstone from Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. The Nugget Sandstone of Wyoming, Utah, and southern Idaho, and the Aztec Sandstone of southeastern California and southern Nevada were determined to be laterally equivalent to …

The Petrology And Geochemistry Of The Independence Dike Swarm, Owen’S Valley, California, Sean B. O'Donnell

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Petrologic studies are important because they provide insights into the conditions under which rocks form. The Late Jurassic Independence Dike Swarm is a series of vertical igneous dikes that crop out in eastern and southern California, and range from mafic to felsic in composition. In order to examine their petrology and geochemistry, surface samples were collected from four different dike outcrops within Owen’s Valley, CA. The samples were examined through thin-section analysis under a petrographic microscope, X-ray diffraction analysis, and X-ray fluorescence analysis. Mineral composition, mineral size, major, trace, and rare earth element concentrations were collected from these analyses. Results …

Identifying The Ordinary High Water Mark Through The Use Of Uavs, Victoria Couser

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The accurate determination of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) on streams and shorelines has taken on an increased importance since the recent redefinition of “Waters of the United States” by the U.S EPA. The redefinition has increased the amount of land and water over which the federal government has jurisdiction. The OHWM helps define the limits of those jurisdictional waters. Accurate, consistent, and efficient OHWM delineation practices are thus essential to proper and effective implementation of these laws and regulations by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program and other agencies.

Through this research it is shown that …

Preliminary Correlation And Isopach Map Of Pennsylvanian And Permian Sandstones Of The Western United States, John H. Whitmore

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Using the COSUNA data compiled by the AAPG in the 1980’s, Permian and Pennsylvanian sandstones were correlated across western North America. Stratigraphic sections and thickness information were obtained from charts and spreadsheets available from that data set. An isopach map was constructed from the thickness data of sandstones usually found below a Guadalupian Limestone. In particular, this project was concerned with sandstones that could be lithostratigraphically correlated with the Leonardian Coconino Sandstone of the Grand Canyon region of northern Arizona. These sandstones are mostly Lower Permian (Leonardian and Wolfcampian) but some are Upper Pennsylvanian, especially in the northern part of …

Laboratory Determination Of Porosity For A Vugular Carbonate Core Section By Water Immersion Method - Is It Effective Porosity?, Nolan Shula

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Porosity is one of the most vital characteristics in hydrocarbon reservoir evaluations, affecting the methods implemented in the completion process and the efficiency of the production process. Several methods are used for porosity calculations, but due to both lithologic and downhole drilling factors, these values can range more than ± 5%. Also, most limestone reservoirs contain multiple-porosity systems, which lead to effective porosity concerns, especially when secondary porosity is a significant factor. Therefore, through both geophysical wireline log analysis and basic laboratory analyses, this project compared total and effective porosity values of a vugular Onondaga Limestone pinnacle reef core section …

Correlation Of Basal Cambrian Sandstones Across North America, Joshua W. Perez

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

A thin, widespread sequence of siliciclastic strata ranging from lower to upper Cambrian age overlies Precambrian crystalline and metamorphic basement rock bounded by the Great Unconformity. This sequence is mainly comprised of basal Cambrian sandstones which can be subdivided into three distinct suites of lithofacies transitioning in age across most of North America. From the west, which is most notable for the Tapeats sandstone of Arizona and Nevada, lies gravelly to boulder sized conglomerates directly overlying basement rock. Eastward, the lower to middle Cambrian consists of a variety of ledge-forming sandstones which contain various areas rich in cross bedded, as …