Geological Engineering Commons^™

Rain, Rain, Go Away: Geoengineering And The Illusion Of Control, Hannibal Newsome

The Lender Center for Social Justice

In this article, Newsom critiques geoengineering proposals by examining how they reflect a human impulse to exert control over nature; a control that may be illusory. The piece argues that while geoengineering is increasingly touted as a solution to climate change, it brings with it ethical, ecological, and political risks that are often underappreciated, including unintended side effects, issues of governance, and moral hazard. The author calls for more caution, rigorous oversight, and humility in considering geoengineering as part of climate policy.

Evaluation Of Towed Tem Potential For Rapid Characterization Of Levee Foundations, Kolawole Arowoogun, Katherine Grote, Jeremy Maurer

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Assessing the geologic conditions of levee foundation soils is a challenging task owing to the extensive length of most levees and the heterogeneity of many alluvial deposits. Traditional investigation techniques (such as boring and cone penetrometer testing [CPT]) are expensive, invasive, and provide spatially-limited information. As a result, they are restricted to pre-identified problematic zones in the levee. To overcome these challenges, geophysical instruments capable of better spatial coverage are proposed for rapid geoelectrical characterization of levees. In this study, we presented a field-based application of the towed time-domain electromagnetic method (tTEM) system in characterizing the subsurface geology adjacent to …

Feasibility Study On Large-Scale Geologic Carbon Sequestration In Southern Colorado, Yanrui Ning, Ali Tura, David Herman, Jay Bridgeman, Dana Clark

Michigan Tech Publications

This study evaluates the feasibility of storing over 50 million metric tons of CO2 within a 30-year period in southern Colorado. The target for injection is the 7000 ft (2134 m)-deep Lyons saline aquifer formation, with the overlying alternating layers of anhydrite and shale serving as seals. Geological static models were constructed using seismic, well log and core data, followed by fluid flow modeling to understand the CO2 injection strategy, saturation distribution and plume size. The results indicate that approximately 60 million metric tons of CO2 can be injected with 2 wells into the formation over 30 years, with 85 …

Quantifying The Decay Timescale Of Volcanic Sulfur Dioxide In The Stratosphere, Paul A. Nicknish, Kane Stone, Susan Solomon, Simon Carn

Michigan Tech Publications

The injection of sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the stratosphere and its subsequent oxidation to form sulfate aerosols after large volcanic eruptions can have profound effects on Earth's climate. The removal of volcanic SO2 in the stratosphere is thought to be driven by its gas-phase oxidation by the hydroxyl radical (OH); once oxidized, it goes on to form sulfate aerosols. However, it has also been suggested that heterogeneous oxidation on ash could also be important or even dominant, which would imply the faster removal of SO2 and thus the faster formation of aerosols, at least in ash-rich plumes. Additionally, recent work …

Insights Into The Construction Of The Oruanui Magma Reservoir From A Comparison Of Zircon Hosted In Plagioclase And Whole-Rock, Tyler D. Schlieder, Kari M. Cooper, Adam J.R. Kent, Darren Gravley, Chad Deering, Seth Rubin, Adelicia Johnson

Michigan Tech Publications

Silicic magmatic systems play a critical role in the evolution of continental crust, and their eruptions could pose significant hazard to modern civilization. However, the processes of silicic magma storage and assembly prior to eruption are not well understood. We report new ²³⁸U-²³⁰Th ages and trace-element data for both rims and interiors of zircons separated from whole-rock (WR) samples and from bulk plagioclase separates from the 25.4 ka Oruanui eruption, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. These data provide petrologic context and a more complete record of zircon crystallization than previous analyses of whole-rock hosted zircon interiors. In …

Detecting Electrical Submersible Pump (Esp) Failures And Estimating Run Life Using Artificial Neural Networks, Mostafa Ahmed Sobhy

Theses and Dissertations

Electric Submersible Pumps (ESPs) are one of the important artificial lift methods for sustaining production in mature and high-water-cut wells; but may suffer frequent failures due to mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, chemical, and operational failures. These failures can yield substantial deferred production and intervention costs. Plenty of ESP installations are fitted with downhole sensors. Yet, it is observed that the current industry practice underutilizes the wealth of available sensor and operational data and lacks standardized, explainable failure-type identification and classification.

In this thesis, a comprehensive Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) framework was introduced for ESPs that simultaneously estimates remaining …

Predicting Groundwater Withdrawals Using Machine Learning With Limited Metering Data: Assessment Of Training Data Requirements, Dawit Asfaw, Ryan G. Smith, Sayantan Majumdar, Katherine Grote, Bin Fang, B. B. Wilson, V. Lakshmi, J. J. Butler

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The future of major aquifer systems supporting irrigated agriculture is threatened due to unsustainable groundwater pumping. Metering of pumping is key for implementing robust groundwater management, but metering is limited in most aquifers. Although machine learning methods have been used to estimate pumping over certain regions, these studies have not fully demonstrated the data quantity and input parameter requirements to accurately estimate regional groundwater pumping. This study determined the data quantity required and identified relevant features to develop Random Forests-based annual groundwater pumping estimates (2008–2020) over the Kansas High Plains aquifer. We predicted pumping at two spatial scales, i.e., point …

Determination Of Excess Pore Pressure In Under Consolidating Soil By Using Cptu, Karolina Villa Delfia Ihut, Martin Wijaya, Aswin Lim, Alfrendo Satyanaga, Grisella Aglia, Sharfina Faradiba Syifanaya, Andy Sugianto

Makara Journal of Technology

North Jakarta is predominantly composed of soft soil that is still undergoing consolidation. According to research by Raharjo et al. (2022), excess pore pressure is still present in the soils of Jakarta. The degree of consolidation and excess pore pressure values indicate that consolidation is not yet complete (Raharjo et al., 2022). In this study, the researchers developed two methods to determine excess pore pressure using field testing. The Stress History and Normalized Soil Engineering Properties (SHANSEP) model equation from Ladd and Foot (1974), as well as Finite Element Method (FEM) modeling using the PLAXIS program, were utilized …

Origin Of The World-Class Eagle, Eagle East, And Tamarack Ni-Cu-Pge Deposits, Robert Nowak, Chad Deering, Espree Essig

Michigan Tech Publications

The 1.1 Ga Mesoproterozoic Midcontinent rift hosts the Eagle, Eagle East, and Tamarack Ni-Cu-PGE deposits and Embayment Prospect. These deposits are hosted by ultramafic igneous rocks and have some of the highest Ni-Cu grades on Earth. We use new bulk-rock data and published datasets (bulk-rock, mineral chemistry, and isotopic analyses) to examine major, minor, and trace element trends of both Midcontinent rift-related alkaline and tholeiitic intrusions. In addition, we compare the geochemical data to local kimberlite-hosted lower-crustal xenoliths and local igneous (Archean) and sedimentary (Paleoproterozoic) country rocks. We found the peridotite magma compositions dominantly consist of primitive mantle compositions with …

Mantle Flow And Crustal Deformation Revealed By Seismic Anisotropy In The Subduction Zone Beneath Myanmar, Enbo Fan, Mingming Jiang, Yinshuang Ai, Stephen S. Gao, Kelly H. Liu, Yumei He, Yiming Bai, Guangbing Hou, Yuan Ling, Chit Thet Mon, Myo Thant, Kyaing Sein

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The oblique convergence of the Indian and Eurasian plates drives significant deformation in the crust and mantle beneath Myanmar. However, the crustal deformation in the Indo-Burman Ranges (IBR) and mantle flow beneath Myanmar and adjacent areas remain unclear due to limited studies. We utilized data from the newly deployed second phase of the China-Myanmar Geophysical Survey of the Myanmar Orogen array to perform shear wave splitting analysis of PKS, SKKS, and SKS (XKS) phases. Our results, together with previous findings, provide new insights into mantle flow and crustal deformation across central Myanmar. In the IBR, we observed a transition from …

Analysis Of A Saline Dust Storm From The Aralkum Desert – Part 2: Atmospheric Flow Precursors In The Euro-Atlantic Region, Xin Xi

Michigan Tech Publications

Wind-blown dust emissions from the man-made Aralkum Desert pose significant environment and human health risks across Central Asia. Yet, little is known about the atmospheric circulation patterns favoring dust outbreaks from the region. This study examines the role of upstream atmospheric blocking and recurrent transient Rossby wave packets (RWPs) in initiating a severe dust storm from the Aralkum Desert in May 2018. Results show that the dust event was triggered by an unusual early-summer cold air outbreak and attendant postfrontal northerly winds reaching 24–31 m/s. The compound cold air and dust outbreaks were preceded by repeated meridional flow amplification linked …

Deformation And Earthquake Potential On The North America - Caribbean - Cocos Triple Junction In Guatemala, Jeremy Maurer, Andreas Eckert, Qiaoqi Sun, Jonathan Obrist-Farner

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The triple junction between the Cocos (CO), North American (NA), and Caribbean (CA) tectonic plates in Guatemala is a region of high seismic risk and includes many large faults and historic earthquakes. Previous analyses of the tectonic system have been overly simplified, resulting in discrepancies between geologically derived and geodetic models of fault slip rate. This study leverages available geodetic, seismic, and geologic data to develop new strain rate maps and faulting models for the region. We find that locking on the regional faults matches historic reports of large earthquakes and that multiple minor fault segments are active and accommodate …

Hourly Sulfur Dioxide Observations Over North America: First Retrieval Results From Tempo, Can Li, Nickolay A. Krotkov, Joanna Joiner, Simon Carn, Vitali Fioletov, Chris Mclinden, Debora Griffin, Xiong Liu, Heesung Chong

Michigan Tech Publications

We present the first sulfur dioxide (SO2) retrievals from Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO), the first geostationary atmospheric composition sensor to cover North America, along with some potential applications of TEMPO SO2 data. We show that high resolution (∼10 km²) TEMPO measurements can be used to produce good quality SO2 retrievals with relatively small noise and biases. We demonstrate that hourly TEMPO data are useful for monitoring volcanic hazards, by providing frequent updates on the plume location and additional information on the plume height or winds. With the large number of measurements from TEMPO, it is also …

The Relative Importance Of Wind And Hydroclimate Drivers In Modulating Wind-Blown Dust Emissions In Earth System Models, Xinzhu Li, Longlei Li, Yan Feng, Xin Xi

Michigan Tech Publications

Windblown dust emissions are subject to large uncertainties in Earth system models (ESMs), yet model discrepancies in dust variability and its physical drivers remain poorly understood. This study evaluates the consistency of 21 ESMs in simulating the climatological distribution and interannual variability of global dust emissions and applies dominance analysis to quantify the relative influence of near-surface wind speed and five hydroclimate variables (precipitation, soil moisture, specific humidity, air temperature, leaf area index) across different climate zones. In hyperarid regions, the models exhibit poor agreement in dust variability, with only 10 % of pairwise comparisons showing significant positive correlations. Most …

Analysis Of A Saline Dust Storm From The Aralkum Desert - Part 1: Consistency Between Multisensor Satellite Aerosol Products, Xin Xi, Jun Wang, Zhendong Lu, Andrew M. Sayer, Jaehwa Lee, Robert C. Levy, Yujie Wang, Alexei Lyapustin, Hongqing Liu, Istvan Laszlo, Changwoo Ahn, Omar Torres, Sabur Abdullaev, James Limbacher, Ralph A. Kahn

Michigan Tech Publications

The Aralkum Desert presents a challenging environment for satellite aerosol observations due to its very bright, heterogeneous, and dynamic surfaces and the lack of in situ constraints on region-specific aerosol properties. We survey current global satellite algorithms capable of detecting the presence, column burden, and elevation of airborne dust over the Aral Sea basin. Discrepancies and potential biases in retrieved UV aerosol index (UVAI), mid-visible and thermal infrared optical depth (AOD), and layer height due to different assumptions on surface and aerosol properties are assessed. The results indicate that (1) UVAI products consistently delineate dust plume extent but show large …

Traditional Energy And Renewable Energy And Their Implications On Sustainable Development (Examples From Lebanon And The World), Radwan Ejel

Al Jinan الجنان

This study aims to introduce the types of fossil and renewable energies by presenting the various associated concepts. It shows their characteristics, in addition to the concept of sustainable development, to show the extent of traditional energy's repercussions on sustainable development and the role of renewable energies in promoting its concept through its three economic, social, and environmental dimensions. It also presents some statistical models on renewable energy, especially solar energy in Lebanon, the Arab world, and the world.

Previously, man used to invest in traditional fossil energy, such as oil, gas, and coal, to meet his economic and technological …

Chromatography In Analysis And Quality Control Of Oil And Gas Products: Modern Approaches And Prospects, Muborak Akramovna Mirshomilova, Natalia Evgenievna Sheina, Lala Bekirova

Technical science and innovation

Chromatography plays a key role in the analysis and quality control of oil and gas products. Modern chromatographic methods, including gas and liquid chromatography, provide high accuracy, sensitivity and speed of analysis. They allow you to identify impurities, control the composition and compliance of products with standards. The article considers innovative approaches, such as multidimensional chromatography and the use of automated systems. Development prospects are discussed, including integration with AI and digital technologies, which opens up new opportunities to improve the efficiency of quality control in the oil and gas industry. This article considers the role of chromatographic methods in …

Research On Geological Complications Occurring During Drilling Operations At Uzbekneftegaz Jsc Wells, Otabek Rajabovich Eshmurodov, Komilxodja Anvarxodjayevich Raximov, Shaxnoza Hikmatullayevna Mirsaatova, Tolib Olimovich Komilov, Sherali Halloqovich Umedov

Technical science and innovation

This article presents an analysis of maintaining wellbore stability, preventing pack-off formation, stuck pipe incidents, and drilling fluid losses. A technology aimed at ensuring successful and high-quality trouble-free well drilling is analyzed and recommended. Based on data obtained from the Surkhandarya Basin fields, many wells were not drilled to the designed depth. Geophysical data from studied fields indicate that pore pressure retained in clay formations causes wellbore instability. These data also help to identify zones prone to collapse; however, the direct measurement of pore pressure in such formations remains impossible. This research was primarily conducted in the Ustyurt region, one …

Technological Schemes For Recycling Used Mineral Oils Carbon-Based Adsorbents Derived From Petroleum Coke, Jaloliddin Sharafiddinovich Bakhtiyorov, Vais Narzullaevich Juraev, Mirzhalol Nuriddinovich Norpulatov

Technical science and innovation

Currently, the demand for mineral oils used in engine vehicles and transformers is increasing year by year worldwide. Additionally, a significant portion of used oils is burned as fuel. At present, the contact method is widely used for oil regeneration with the help of adsorbents such as aluminosilicates, zeolites, silica gels, bleaching clays, and others. The existing industrial reprocessing technologies are of great importance in the recycling of used engine and transformer oils. Furthermore, scientists worldwide are conducting research to create long-lasting carbon-based adsorbents for the regeneration of used engine and transformer mineral oils. In this regard, special attention is …

Improving The Methodology Of Complex Organization Of Rural Areas Based On Gis Technologies, Anvarjon Pardaboyev

Technical science and innovation

In the world, scientific research is being conducted aimed at improving the efficiency of complex organization of rural areas by utilizing modern geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing data. These studies focus on shaping the land allocated to these areas, organizing their activities, and forming the basis of cartographic information. Additionally, the use of modern GIS and remote sensing data has become widespread in the complex organization of rural areas in many countries. This method stands out for its effectiveness in organizing regions today.

In our republic, comprehensive measures are being implemented to consistently develop production through structural, institutional, …

Numerical Analysis Of Stone Column Installation In Soft Clay: Evaluation Of Dynamic Effects, Saleh I. Rashwan Eng, Waseim R. Azzam Prof, Ahmed M. Nasr Prof

Journal of Engineering Research

This study presents a numerical investigation into stone columns’ installation and post-installation behavior in soft clay. A parametric study was conducted to explore excess pore water pressure generation and bearing capacity enhancement. Five stone column configurations were simulated across two radial expansion ratios using the Cylindrical Cavity Expansion (CCE) method implemented in PLAXIS 2D. Results showed that dynamic installation process, simulating vibro-replacement, produced transient stress waves, inducing fluctuations in lateral earth pressure and excess pore water pressure immediately around the column. Moreover, the columns with larger diameters and lengths significantly enhanced the lateral confinement and generated higher excess pore pressures …

Remote Sensing Of Seismic Signals Via Enhanced Moiré-Based Apparatus Integrated With Active Convolved Illumination, Adrian A. Moazzam, Anindya Ghoshroy, Durdu Güney, Roohollah Askari

Michigan Tech Publications

The remote sensing of seismic waves in challenging and hazardous environments, such as active volcanic regions, remains a critical yet unresolved challenge. Conventional methods, including laser Doppler interferometry, InSAR, and stereo vision, are often hindered by atmospheric turbulence or necessitate access to observation sites, significantly limiting their applicability. To overcome these constraints, this study introduces a Moiré-based apparatus augmented with active convolved illumination (ACI). The system leverages the displacement-magnifying properties of Moiré patterns to achieve high precision in detecting subtle ground movements. Additionally, ACI effectively mitigates atmospheric fluctuations, reducing the distortion and alteration of measurement signals caused by these fluctuations. …

A Controlled-Source Physical Model For Long Period Seismic Events, Sananda Ray, Gregory P. Waite, Radwin Askari

Michigan Tech Publications

Long-period seismic events (LPs) are observed within active volcanoes, hydrothermal systems and hydraulic fracturing. The prevailing model for LP seismic events suggests that they result from pressure disturbances in fluid-filled cracks that generate slow, dispersive waves known as Krauklis waves. These waves oscillate within the crack, causing it to act as a seismic resonator whose far-field radiations are known as LP events. Since these events are generated from fluid-filled cracks, they have been used to analyse fluid transport and fracturing in geological settings. Additionally, they are deemed precursors to volcanic eruptions. However, other mechanisms have been proposed to explain LP …

The Crystal Mountain Fluorite Deposit: Scandium-Rich Mineralization And Geochronology, Natalie Kilanowski-Doroh

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The Crystal Mountain fluorite mine is located in the Sapphire Mountains of the Bitterroot National Forest, near Darby, Montana. Crystal Mountain was a significant US producer of high-purity fluorspar between 1952 and 1972. As well, the deposit is rich in yttrium (Y) and scandium (Sc), and could possibly be a domestic source of these critical metals. The ore occurred as lodes of massive fluorite up to 10 m thick and 100 m long (now mined out), with few other associated minerals. Recent studies have speculated that Crystal Mountain may be a rare example of a magmatic fluorspar deposit. The main …

Fracture Initiation Pressure As A Measure Of Cemented Paste Backfill Strength, James A. Frimpong, Basel Ahmad Shabab, Rohit Pandey, Snehamoy Chatterjee, Gabriel Walton, Alexander S. Brand

Michigan Tech Publications

This laboratory-scale study presents the development and validation of a hydraulic fracturing technique to directly measure the tensile strength of cemented paste backfill (CPB), providing an alternative to traditional strength testing methods. Fracture initiation pressure (FIP) was used as the primary measure of CPB strength. Experimental results were compared with traditional benchmark measures such as uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), and critical Mode-I fracture toughness (KIc). Regression analysis of experimental results revealed a strong linear relationship between FIP and these benchmark strength measures, indicating that FIP can be used as a reliable predictor of CPB strength. However, …

Prediction Of Undrained Shear Strength From Towed-Tem Resistivity Attributes Using Machine Learning Techniques, Kolawole Arowoogun, Katherine R. Grote, Jeremy Maurer

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Microphysics Regimes Due To Haze–Cloud Interactions: Cloud Oscillation And Cloud Collapse, Fan Yang, Hamed F. Sadi, Raymond Shaw, Fabian Hoffmann, Pei Hou, Aaron Wang, Mikhail Ovchinnikov

Michigan Tech Publications

It is known that aqueous haze particles can be activated into cloud droplets in a supersaturated environment. However, haze–cloud interactions have not been fully explored, partly because haze particles are not represented in most cloud-resolving models. Here, we conduct a series of large-eddy simulations (LESs) of a cloud in a convection chamber using a haze-capable Eulerian-based bin microphysics scheme to explore haze–cloud interactions over a wide range of aerosol injection rates. Results show that the cloud is in a slow microphysics regime at low aerosol injection rates, where the cloud responds slowly to an environmental change and droplet deactivation is …

Some Results Of Studying The Connection Between Geodynamic Processes And Observed Anomalous Electromagnetic Phenomena, Botir Khamidovich Khaydarov, Umar Abdullaevich Najmiddinov

Technical science and innovation

This article provides information about various cases of anomalous changes in electromagnetic fields recorded in real field conditions in seismically active areas in connection with the occurrence of earthquakes and various assessments and interpretations of the noted anomalies are carried. The main attention was focused on the consideration of the concept of changes in the conditions of waveguide propagation of atmospherics and the model of surface emitters. There is considered сevery reason to believe that both mechanisms can manifest themselves separately or together depending on the nature of the process, the rheology of the medium and other geophysical conditions, just …

Coastal Environments: Lidar Mapping Of Copper Tailings Impacts, Particle Retention Of Copper, Leaching, And Toxicity, W. Charles Kerfoot, Gary Swain, Robert Regis, Varsha K. Raman, Colin N. Brooks, Chris Cook, Et. Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

Tailings generated by mining account for the largest world-wide waste from industrial activities. As an element, copper is relatively uncommon, with low concentrations in sediments and waters, yet is very elevated around mining operations. On the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, USA, jutting out into Lake Superior, 140 mines extracted native copper from the Portage Lake Volcanic Series, part of an intercontinental rift system. Between 1901 and 1932, two mills at Gay (Mohawk, Wolverine) sluiced 22.7 million metric tonnes (MMT) of copper-rich tailings (stamp sands) into Grand (Big) Traverse Bay. About 10 MMT formed a beach that has migrated 7 km …

Magmatic Volatiles Control The Sub-Plinian Basaltic Eruptions At Ambae Volcano, Vanuatu, Philipson Bani, Alessandro Aiuppa, Diego Coppola, Simon Carn, Dominique Cluzel, Estelle Rose-Koga, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

The 2017–2018 eruption of Ambae volcano provided a rare opportunity to investigate gas emissions during a sub-Plinian basaltic eruption. Here we document the gas emissions during this eruption using satellite observation, alongside gas measurements and geochemical analyses. Our results indicate that the volcano released 3.3 teragrams of sulfur dioxide, 7.7 of carbon dioxide, 134 of water vapour, 0.2 of hydrogen sulfide, and 0,001 of dihydrogen, ranking Ambae among the world’s top volcanic gas emitters. Despite these substantial emissions, the relatively modest volume of 0.47 cubic kilometer of magma that fueled the eruption indicates a volatile-rich magma source. This enrichment is …