Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Textural Investigation Into Rapid Welding Transitions In The Tuff Of Leslie Gulch Along Succor Creek At The Mahogany Mountain-Three Fingers Rhyolite Field, Southeastern Oregon, Alicia J. Martinez-Garling, Martin J. Streck

Student Research Symposium

The Mahogany Mountain-Three Fingers Rhyolite Field (MM-TFrf) in southeastern Oregon, associated with mid-Miocene rhyolite activity and Columbia River flood basalts, has been the subject of geological scrutiny. Previous studies proposed separate origins for the tuff of Leslie Gulch (LGT) and Spring Creek, but Benson and Mahood (2006) suggested a single ignimbrite event at 15.8 Ma, prompting a reassessment of MM-TFrf's history. This research focuses on LGT, investigating textural disparities between welded and non-welded tuff formations. Petrographic examinations delve into the transformation stages of pyroclastic tuff deposition, revealing the dynamic influences of volcanological and magmatic processes on welded and non-welded tuff …

Analyzing Intensifying Storm Events Correlation To Landslide Frequency In Portland’S West Hills, Aurora Villa Juan

Student Research Symposium

As the Pacific Northwest climate changes, extreme weather, such as intensifying storms, and a shift in the type of precipitation experienced with warmer winters causing more precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow, may lead to an increased frequency of landslides. There have been several recent landslides in Portland, noticeable to the public, particularly in areas of high elevation such as Council Crest, which stands at 1,073 feet. Additionally, residents of neighboring homes have observed changes in the landscape, including those on private properties. To better safeguard both public and private property, comprehensive research and mitigation efforts are required. …

Analysis Of Aftershock Parameters For The Alaskan Subduction Zone Tectonic Region, Gabrielle M. Paris (They/Them), Richard C. Hugo, Andrew J. Michael

Student Research Symposium

On 29 July 2021, a magnitude 8.2 earthquake was felt by over 200 people near Perryville, Alaska. The early aftershock forecasts issued by the USGS use default parameters based on expected productivity within a given tectonic region. These forecasts predicted a slower decrease in aftershock activity than what was observed. Even after the USGS adjusted the aftershock forecast parameters, the forecasts did not improve in the long term. Accurate aftershock predictions are important for maintaining public confidence in disaster alert systems. The question I want to explore is: are the generic parameters used in aftershock forecasting accurately describing the observed …

Detecting Climate Change In Trilobite Time, Michelle Norman

Student Research Symposium

Trilobites are a signature marine fossil of the Cambrian explosion, which took place about 500 Ma (million years ago). By studying these fossiliferous rocks (limestone), we can get an understanding of ecological and environmental change. In fact, we can detect the ancient carbon cycle by measuring stable carbon isotopes in these limestone samples. By studying the carbon environment the trilobites lived in and which trilobite species evolve or go extinct, we can learn more about ancient climate events and constrain them to a certain period of time based off the age of radioactive zircons we find in sandy material around …

Isotopic Analysis Of Hydrous Phenocrysts In Lava Flows Of The Peruvian Altiplano Plateau: Testing For A Subduction Signature, Alyssa Schiwal

Student Research Symposium

The process of flat-slab subduction introduces fluids directly into the overlaying lithosphere, leaving behind a unique stable isotope and trace element signature to the surrounding crust/mantle. Fluid alteration of the deep lithosphere can help explain geologic processes that are observed at the surface, such as patterns of crustal deformation (mountain building) and volcanism. The young high-K mafic volcanic rocks found in the Altiplano region of Southern Peru are derived from the melting of an altered mantle source. By analyzing the hydrogen stable isotopes as well as the trace elements of these volcanic rocks we can locate the water source associated …

Glacial Meltwater Modeling To Simulate Streamflow And Lake Levels In Taylor Valley, Antarctica, Julian M. Cross, Andrew G. Fountain

Student Research Symposium

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) are the largest ice-free region (4,500 km²) in Antarctica. The MDV are a polar desert with an average annual temperature of -18˚C and minimal precipitation, < 50 mm w.e. a^-1. In Taylor Valley (77°35’ S, 163°00’ E), a closed-basin, perennially ice-covered lakes occupy the valley floor. Ephemeral streams transfer glacier meltwater for ~10 weeks each summer. Glacial meltwater accounts for nearly the total inflow to these streams and lakes, groundwater is essentially non-existent. A microbially-dominated ecosystem in Taylor Valley depends on glacier runoff and thus is highly sensitive to changes to the hydroclimatic regime. A model …

Cluster Chondrite Accretion Temperatures Determined With Electron Backscatter Diffraction, Secana Goudy, Alexander Ruzicka

Student Research Symposium

We studied ordinary chondrites with cluster chondrite lithologies using electron backscatter diffraction to measure the temperatures of their olivine grains during deformation. Samples analyzed with the technique are shock classified as S1 and are type 3, so the deformation analyzed is inferred to represent the temperatures of the chondrules during accretional deformation. It was found that the studied samples are of a mixture of chondrules at mostly hot temperatures (>850°C) and some at cold.

Estimating Sand Loss: Using Eolian Sand Ramps As A Proxy For Estimating Past Erosion Within The Lincoln City Dune Sheet; Lincoln City, Oregon, Kara E. P. Kingen, John Bershaw, Curt D. Peterson

Student Research Symposium

Eolian sand ramps are features that are sculpted from beach sand blowing up against sea cliffs or bluffs. In some coastal areas, sand ramp deposits only appear as the erosional remnants of pre-existing ramps that have been truncated at eroded shorelines, separating them from their previous sediment supply. Although sand ramp features have been observed in other areas on the western coast of the United States , they had not been studied or documented within the Lincoln City Dune Sheet (LINC) prior to this study – which documents the existence of truncated eolian sand ramps in LINC and uses them …

Mineral Physics Modeling Of The Effect Of Water On Crustal Seismic Velocity Ratios, Eric Lyman, Anthony Lowry Phd

Student Research Symposium

This poster presents the relationship between the presence of water (H2O) in the make up of rocks at different levels in the crust. The relationships were calculated using Perple_x software to adjust the level of the different chemical and mineral make up of the rock. The densities were calculated using the velocity of primary waves and shear waves as collected by Tony Lowry. This study focuses primarily on quartz content. There seems to be at least a casual link between water content and quartz content.

Stable Isotope And Radiocarbon Analysis Of Modern Lacustrine Stromatolites Near Great Salt Lake, Utah, Jordan L. Jensen, Dennis L. Newell, W. David Liddell

Student Research Symposium

Stromatolites are accretionary structures that form mainly from bacteria colonization in subaqueous environments and comprise mostly calcium carbonate (CaCO3). They can be found throughout the rock record (Archean-present day) and modern stromatolites are now restricted to areas that have few or no grazing animals. The hypersaline Great Salt Lake in Utah is host to numerous modern stromatolites, which are currently exposed to the air because of low lake levels. Here, we present C and O isotopic data and radiocarbon dates from a transect of a stromatolite dome (SD-1-01). Carbon and oxygen isotopic values covary strongly along the transect and range …

Nwa 8614: The Least Heated Winonaite, Karla Farley, Alexander M. Ruzicka, Katherine Armstrong

Student Research Symposium

Northwest Africa 8614 is classified as a winonaite on the basis of oxygen isotope ratios, mineralogy, and highly reduced chemistry. Unlike other winonaites, it contains numerous and readily apparent chondrules. Here we discuss various features of NWA 8614 and the possible significance of the meteorite.

Petrological and chemical analyses were performed using optical microscopy with a DM2500 Leica petrographic microscope and a Zeiss Sigma VP-FEG scanning electron microscope (SEM) with a high-efficiency energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Oxygen isotopes were analyzed by Karen Ziegler at the University of New Mexico on acid-washed samples to remove terrestrial weathering products.

Owing to the …

Structure From Motion Elevation Model For Adding Topographic Correction To Ground Penetrating Radar, Leslie A. Mowbray

Student Research Symposium

High resolution elevation models have become a standard tool in environmental, geological and archaeological investigations, however; the cost of acquiring Lidar in remote areas, on small project sites or over repeated time intervals remains prohibitively expensive. Here, open-source software and GIS are used to create a digital elevation model (DEM) from aerial photos in a process known as Structure from Motion (SfM). This process is a fraction of the cost of Lidar acquisition, and is shown to produce a model with comparable resolution. The photos used here were taken from a camera hung from a balloon flown at Mickey Springs …

Open-Source, Low-Cost Sensor For Custom Water Level Monitoring In Observation Wells And Piezometers, Leslie A. Mowbray

Student Research Symposium

Many commercial sensors exist for monitoring water levels in piezometers and wells. However, these sensors tend to be expensive and contain proprietary hardware and software that make customization by users difficult. Recently, the vast open-source Arduino programming community has enabled the development of highly customizable, low cost sensors with the precision and accuracy needed for scientific research. Here, an ultrasonic distance sensor is developed to monitor the water level in a 2” piezometer with sub-centimeter resolution, powered by a lead-acid battery and solar cell to record sub-minute time increments for duration of days to weeks. This sensor was developed specifically …