Earth Sciences Commons^™

Petrophysical And Empirical And Theoretical Rock Physics Modeling For The Moki Formation In Two Fields In The Taranaki Basin, New Zealand, Deniz Yener

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This work consists of conventional petrophysical analysis and sonic response determination from empirical relations, rock physics modelling, and fluid substitution for six wells in the Moki formation of New Zealand’s Taranaki Basin. The project composed of three parts encompassing conventional log analysis, rock-physics modeling using empirical and theoretical approaches, and finally rock-physics modeling for shaley sands using semi-empirical adaptations to Gassmann fluid substitution. Finally, comparisons are made between results for the different wells, based on their depths and mineralogy.

The first part of this study is presented as a petrophysical analysis, including crossplot analysis, conventional 3-mineral identification approach, and determination …

Cave Detection Using Seismic Methods At Madison Blue Spring State Park, Madison County, Florida, Charles Breithaupt

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Locating caves and quantifying their geometries has significant importance in aquifer characterization, sinkhole mitigation, and contaminant transport monitoring. Several geophysical methods have been used for cave detection with limited success, but no reliable solution has been found. New developments in seismic techniques, however, show promising results indicating that cave voids may be more accurately detected.

We evaluated the capability of several seismic techniques to detect caves by collecting new seismic data over a known conduit connected to Madison Blue Spring, in northern Florida. These analyses validated the abilities of diffracted surface waves to detect water-filled caves by viewing these data …

Enhancement Of Margrave Deconvolution And Q Estimation In Highly Attenuating Media Using The Modified S-Transform, Adnan Djeffal

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

We evaluate the performance of the Margrave deconvolution and spectral ratio methods using the Gabor, S-, and modified S transforms in highly attenuating media, where the quality factor changes with depth dramatically. Our results substantiate that the modified S-transform deconvolution is more robust in terms of generating fewer artifacts and providing better estimates of reflectivities than the Gabor transform. The results also show that using the modified S-transform in the spectral ratio method produces better Q estimates than the S-transform and the Fourier transform that is conventionally used in the spectral ratio method. This improvement in the estimates of reflectivities …

Reservoir Characterization Through Pre-Stack Seismic Analysis And Inversion In The Thrace Basin, Northwest Turkey, Emre Doguturk

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This study analyzes hydrocarbon reservoirs by using Amplitude-Versus-Offset (AVO) analysis and different inversion methods to investigate hydrocarbon reservoir in the Thrace Basin which is located in northwest Turkey.

A 3D seismic survey containing prestack data was provided by Turkish Petroleum Corporation as true amplitude NMO corrected 3D gathers.

The quality of this land data was poor for AVO applications, and steps were taken to make it useful. Radon filtering proved to be extremely useful for this purpose. Although application of this filter affected the AVO characteristics differently depending on the parameters selected for the filter, relative AVO characteristics remained useful …

Modeling Spring Catchment Discharge: A Case Study Of Candela, Panama, Central America, Jordan P. Van Sickle

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Where the proper geological and hydrological conditions exist, natural springs have provided a reliable source of clean water to mankind for eons. Changing climates and land development can negatively impact spring source replenishment and threaten their reliability as a source of water. In the face of prospects of diminishing supplies and increasing population demands, community leaders question whether and how to invest in development for enhancing sustainability and protecting water quality, causing water managers to dispute their reliability given decreasing flows. Springs located in the rugged jungle of western Panama serve as the primary water supply for many indigenous communities, …

Preliminary Seismic Coda Wave Attenuation Study Of Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala, Maximilian Guettinger

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Pacaya volcano is a basaltic complex in the Central American Volcanic Arc in Guatemala. Pacaya has been in an open vent condition since 1961. During January 2015 we deployed 19 short period seismometer stations on Pacaya at distances less than 1.5 kilometers from the summit. The resulting data consisted of tremor and thousands of discrete events associated with ongoing outgassing. Where possible, individual events were identified and located. They were found to be high in the edifice near the vent. We used the decaying codas of these events to model the attenuation structure of the Pacaya edifice, following the energy …

Numerical Modeling Of Ambient Noise Seismic Interferometry, Simisola M. Arogundade

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

CO₂ sequestration involves storing CO₂ in a deep geological formation and may help to mitigate the increasing emission of carbon. To monitor the migration of injected fluid in the reservoir, seismic observations may be used to observe changes in reflection character. Conventional methods to image the subsurface, using active seismic measurements, with man-made sources, have been applied at a few test sites, and the use of passive measurements, with natural sources, has been considered as a probable cost-efficient method to monitor CO₂ migration and leakage. This numerical modeling study examines the use of seismic interferometry to retrieve …

Rapid Response Tools And Datasets For Post-Fire Modeling: Linking Earth Observations And Process-Based Hydrological Models To Support Post-Fire Remediation, Mary Ellen Miller, Michael Billmire, William J. Elliot, K. A. Endsley, P. R. Robichaud

Michigan Tech Research Institute Publications

Preparation is key to utilizing Earth Observations and process-based models to support post-wildfire mitigation. Post-fire flooding and erosion can pose a serious threat to life, property and municipal water supplies. Increased runoff and sediment delivery due to the loss of surface cover and fire-induced changes in soil properties are of great concern. Remediation plans and treatments must be developed and implemented before the first major storms in order to be effective. One of the primary sources of information for making remediation decisions is a soil burn severity map derived from Earth Observation data (typically Landsat) that reflects fire induced changes …

Petrophysical Analysis And Rock-Physics Based Prediction Of Sonic Velocities In Carbonates, Yeliz Egemen

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This study performs a petrophysical analysis and rock-physics modeling of the Traverse Formation, using eleven different wells. In the first part of this study, well logs, crossplots, and mineral identification were used to determine the rock components, lithology, and to predict the sonic velocities of carbonate rocks using conventional methods for two of those wells.

In the second part of this study, rock-physics modeling methods were used to predict the sonic velocities using the Kuster-Toksöz equations. Sonic velocities are very difficult to predict in carbonate rock because of their complex pore systems. To overcome this difficulty, multiple aspect ratios for …

The Routine Disaster: A Case Study In El Salvador, Tyler M. Barton

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

A 2010 report by the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination ranked El Salvador as the most vulnerable country in the world to natural disasters, with roughly 95% of the population at risk. The combination of recurring natural disasters and high vulnerability in a relatively small country has led to repeated exposure of local residents to significant natural phenomena of all sorts, including earthquakes, flooding, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and hurricanes.

The effect of disaster assistance can be multi-faceted and this report examines the case of flooding hazards of a small town in the south-eastern San Miguel region of the country, called …

Origin And Quantification Of Diffuse Co2 And H2s Emission At Crater Hills, Yellowstone National Park, Peipei Lin

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

At Crater Hills, a thermally-altered area adjoining the Sour Creek resurgent dome that is located within the Yellowstone Caldera, we characterized volatile emissions based upon our soil degassing measurements and soil gas chemistry in 2014 and fumarole gas chemistry in 2007 (Bergfeld et al., 2011). The investigation at Crater Hills on its diffuse gases isotopes and CO2, H2S emission improve our understanding on its gas emission mode – including total emission and spatial distribution, and contribute to a more accurate estimation of total CO2 emission at Yellowstone volcanic system. The total emission of CO2 interpolated by sequential Gaussian simulation method …

The 2009 And 2011 Hazard Events At San Vicente Volcano, El Salvador: Vulnerability, Resettlement, And Disaster Risk Reduction, Luke Bowman

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Scientists from a variety of disciplines have made major advancements in the geophysical and social aspects of hazard science. Despite these advancements, economic losses and the number of people affected by disasters continue to rise. The field of disaster risk reduction (DRR) attempts to counter this rising trend of disaster losses by integrating a variety of disciplines to holistically solve complex problems related to risk and vulnerability. Frequent disasters in El Salvador provide insight into the evolution of DRR and its application during and after two hydrometeorological disasters in the department of San Vicente in 2009 and 2011. This dissertation …

Multi-Instrumental Investigation Of Volcanic Outgassing At Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala., Carlo Prandi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Pacaya is one of the most active volcano in the world and it is only ≈30Km South of Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala, that has a population of about 2 million of people and a surrounding metropolitan area where ≈4.5 million of people live. So mitigate the volcanic hazard improving the knowledge and the understanding of Pacaya is fundamental to decrease the risk factor at which the surrounding population is exposed. This study aims to furnish a new large database, the analysis, the comparison and the interpretations of data that come from different techniques of sampling, about the volcanic …

Deterministic And Stochastic Inversion Techniques Used To Predict Porosity: A Case Study From F3-Block, Hao Wu

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Within large-scale sigmoidal bedding of the F3-block in the shallow zone there appear to be some indicators of hydrocarbon deposits. In order to characterize target zone in the sigmoidal bedding, I combine the analysis of inverted results of post-stack seismic data with rock-physics relationships developed from well log data to predict the porosity, which ranges from 20% to 33%, for different system tracts in this area. The methods used in this study include conventional deterministic inversion and novel stochastic inversion. Through a rock physics analysis of the density, velocity and gamma-ray logs in two wells, I constructed relationships between the …

Biogeochemical Cycling In Lake Superior Tributaries: Seasonality, Quantity And Quality Of Export, Ashley Anne Coble

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Seasonal and spatial variability in environmental factors may affect dissolved organic matter composition and nutrient transformation and retention in streams. The objective of this research was to quantify and describe seasonality, quantity, and quality of nutrient processing and export of ammonium (NH₄), soluble reactive phosphate (SRP), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) into Lake Superior through intensive study in a small 1st order watershed coupled with snapshot measurements across 12 tributaries that varied in size, location, and wetland coverage. Our results suggest biodegradable C is exported from a small headwater stream year-round and that DOC mineralization rates can be …

Impact Of Antecedent Groundwater Heads And Transient Aquifer Storage On Flood Peak Attenuation In An Unconfined Karst Aquifer: Study Of The Upper Suwannee River, Florida, Usa., Jeremy Loucks

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Flood peak attenuation is an important aspect of understanding flooding and its effects. Few studies exist that look at the effects of ground-surface water interactions in regards to peak attenuation, and fewer still focus on karst environments. In the karstic, variably confined Suwannee River Basin, discharge, river stage, and water table data that were collected over a ten-year period were analyzed to determine the relationship between antecedent groundwater head and flood peak attenuation. Flooding causes high hydraulic heads in the river, which rise faster than corresponding groundwater heads. Springs which normally feed groundwater into the river reverse flow, and conduits …

Insights Into The Relationship Between Mixing Duration And Volcanic Explosivity Index (Vei): Pacaya And Fuego Volcanoes, Guatemala, Nicola Mari

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This study investigates whether the timing of magma mixing phenomena could be related to explosivity and style of volcanic activity. Lava flow and tephra samples, derived from observed, energetically-diverse eruptions, from Pacaya and Fuego volcanoes (Guatemala), were studied, the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) was used as an indicator of eruption intensity. Polarized light microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques were used for textural and geochemical measurements. Results are interpreted as evolution of mixing through changes in textures of plagioclase and olivine crystals. These suggest that boxy-cellular plagioclase (high frequency in VEI 0 samples) is associated with brief mixing residence …

Fossil Plants And Palynomorphs From The Late Paleozoic Cutler Formation, Eastern Paradox Basin, Kendall R. Grazul

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The late Paleozoic Cutler Formation, where exposed near the modern-day town of Gateway, Colorado, has traditionally been interpreted as the product of alluvial fan deposition within the easternmost portion of the Paradox Basin. The Paradox Basin formed between the western margin of the Uncompahgre Uplift segment of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains and the western paleoshoreline of the North American portion of Pangea. The Paradox Basin region is commonly thought to have experienced semi-arid to arid conditions and warm temperatures during the Pennsylvanian and Permian. Evidence described in this paper support prior interpretations regarding paleoclimate conditions and the inferred depositional environment …

A Petrophysical Evaluation Of The Trenton-Black River Formation Of The Michigan Basin, Lu Yang

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This work is conducted to study the geological and petrophysical features of the Trenton- Black River limestone formation. Log curves, crossplots and mineral identification methods using well-log data are used to determine the components and analyze changes in lithology. Thirty-five wells from the Michigan Basin are used to define the mineralogy of Trenton-Black River limestone. Using the different responses of a few log curves, especially gamma-ray, resistivity and neutron porosity, the formation tops for the Utica shale, the Trenton limestone, the Black River limestone and the Prairie du Chien sandstone are identified to confirm earlier authors’ work and provide a …

Exploration Of The Mtsat2 Satellite Capabilities For Real Time Detection And Characterization Of Volcanic Emissions, Nicholas R. Stewart

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

In this report, we attempt to define the capabilities of the infrared satellite remote sensor, Multifunctional Transport Satellite-2 (MTSAT-2) (i.e. a geosynchronous instrument), in characterizing volcanic eruptive behavior in the highly active region of Indonesia. Sulfur dioxide data from NASA's Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) (i.e. a polar orbiting instrument) are presented here for validation of the processes interpreted using the thermal infrared datasets. Data provided from two case studies are analyzed specifically for eruptive products producing large thermal anomalies (i.e. lava flows, lava domes, etc.), volcanic ash and SO₂ clouds; three distinctly characteristic and abundant volcanic emissions. Two primary …

Application Of A Hazard Rating System For Rock Slopes Along A Transportation Corridor Using Remote Sensing, Samantha M. Justice

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Rockfall hazards are a significant and ongoing threat to infrastructure located within steep terrain. Assessing the relative hazard along a transportation corridor is important in determining the likely location and mode of rock slope failure. Understanding where to focus attention and funds is vital for the infrastructure agencies because of the high cost of implementing preventative measures for long lengths of infrastructure. Hazard analysis has historically relied upon experienced field engineers assessing each site, which is not time or cost effective. This study focuses on using remote sensing techniques to analyze rock slopes along transportation corridors. A case study from …

Characterization Of Seismicity At Volcán Barú, Panama: May 2013 Through April 2014, Chet J. Hopp

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Volcán Barú, in the western province of Chiriquí, is Panama's youngest and most active volcano. Although Barú has experienced no historic eruptions there have been four eruptive episodes in the last 1600 years, the most recent occurring 400-500 years ago (Sherrod et al., 2007). In addition, there have been four reported earthquake swarms in the last 100 years. The most recent swarm occurred in May of 2006, prompting a USGS hazard assessment (Sherrod et al., 2007). In order to characterize local seismicity and provide a reference for future monitoring efforts, we established a seismic network that operated from May 2013 …

Climate Anomalies And Primary Production In Lake Superior, Marcel L. Dijkstra

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This dissertation supports the modeling of primary production in Lake Superior by offering site specific kinetics and algorithms developed from lab experiments performed on the natural phytoplankton assemblage of Lake Superior. Functions, developed for temperature, light and nutrient conditions and the maximum specific rate of primary production, were incorporated in a 1D specific primary production model and confirmed to published in-situ measured rates of primary production.

An extensive data set (supporting model calibration and confirmation), with a fine spatiotemporal resolution, was developed from field measurements taken bi-weekly during the sampling seasons of 2011, 2012 and 2014; considered to be meteorologically …

Evaluating The Long-Term Effects Of Logging Residue Removals In Great Lakes Aspen Forests, Michael I. Premer

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Commercial aspen (Populus spp.) forests of the Great Lakes region are primarily managed for timber products such as pulp fiber and panel board, but logging residues (topwood and non-merchantable bolewood) are potentially important for utilization in the bioenergy market. In some regions, pulp and paper mills already utilize residues as fuel in combustion for heat and electricity, and progressive energy policies will likely cause an increase in biomass feedstock demand. The effects of removing residues, which have a comparatively high concentration of macronutrients, is poorly understood when evaluating long-term site productivity, future timber yields, plant diversity, stand dynamics, and …

Management And Climate Contributions To Satellite-Derived Active Fire Trends In The Contiguous United States, Hsiao-Wen Lin, Jessica L. Mccarty, Dongdong Wang, Brendan M. Rogers, Douglas C. Morton, G. James Collatz, Yufang Jin, James T. Randerson

Michigan Tech Research Institute Publications

Fires in croplands, plantations, and rangelands contribute significantly to fire emissions in the United States, yet are often overshadowed by wildland fires in efforts to develop inventories or estimate responses to climate change. Here we quantified decadal trends, interannual variability, and seasonality of Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observations of active fires (thermal anomalies) as a function of management type in the contiguous U.S. during 2001–2010. We used the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity database to identify active fires within the perimeter of large wildland fires and land cover maps to identify active fires in croplands. A third class …

Melt Water Input From The Bering Glacier Watershed Into The Gulf Of Alaska, Edward G. Josberger, Robert Shuchman, Liza K. Jenkins, K. A. Endsley

Michigan Tech Research Institute Publications

The annual runoff from the melting of large glaciers and snow fields along the northern perimeter of the Gulf of Alaska is a critical component of marine physical and biological systems; yet, most of this freshwater is not measured. Here we show estimates of melt for the watershed that contains the largest and longest glacier in North America, the Bering Glacier. The procedure combines in situ observations of snow and ice melt acquired by a long-term monitoring program, multispectral satellite observations, and nearby temperature measurements. The estimated melt is 40 km3 per melt season, ± 3.0 km3, observed over the …

Light Detection And Ranging (Lidar) And Multispectral Scanner (Mss) Studies Examine Coastal Environments Influenced By Mining, W. Charles Kerfoot, Martin M. Hobmeier, Foad Yousef, Sarah A. Green, Robert Regis, Colin N. Brooks, Robert Shuchman, Jamey Anderson, Molly Reif

Michigan Tech Research Institute Publications

There are numerous examples of past and present mine disposal into freshwater and marine coastal bays and riverine environments. Due to its high spatial resolution and extended water penetration, coastal light detection and ranging (LiDAR), coupled with multispectral scanning (MSS), has great promise for resolving disturbed shoreline features in low turbidity environments. Migrating mine tailings present serious issues for Lake Superior and coastal marine environments. Previous investigations in Lake Superior uncovered a metal-rich “halo” around the Keweenaw Peninsula, related to past copper mining practices. For over a century, waste rock migrating from shoreline tailing piles has moved along extensive stretches …

Comparison Of Non-Heating Paleointensity Techniques Using Basalts From Lemptégy Volcano, France And Synthetic Magnetite-Bearing Samples, Geoffrey A. Lerner

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Data of the strength of Earth’s magnetic field (paleointensity) in the geological past are crucial for understanding the geodynamo. Conventional paleointensity determination methods require heating a sample to a high temperature in one or more steps. Consequently, many rocks are unsuitable for these methods due to a heating-induced experimental alteration. Alternative non-heating paleointensity methods are investigated to assess their effectiveness and reliability using both natural samples from Lemptégy Volcano, France, and synthetic samples. Paleointensity was measured from the natural and synthetic samples using the Pseudo-Thellier, ARM, REM, REMc, REM’, and Preisach methods.

For the natural samples, only the Pseudo-Thellier method …

A Surface Displacement Analysis For Volcan Pacaya From October 2001 Through March 2013 By Means Of 3-D Modeling Of Precise Position Gps Data, Brianna R. Hetland

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Volcán Pacaya is one of three currently active volcanoes in Guatemala. Volcanic activity originates from the local tectonic subduction of the Cocos plate beneath the Caribbean plate along the Pacific Guatemalan coast. Pacaya is characterized by generally strombolian type activity with occasional larger vulcanian type eruptions approximately every ten years. One particularly large eruption occurred on May 27, 2010. Using GPS data collected for approximately 8 years before this eruption and data from an additional three years of collection afterwards, surface movement covering the period of the eruption can be measured and used as a tool to help understand activity …

Evaluation Of The Evolving Stress Field Of The Yellowstone Volcanic Plateau From 1988 To 2010 From Earthquake First Motions Inversion, Elena Russo

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Within the Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, the silicic Yellowstone volcanic field is one of the most active volcanic systems all over the world. Although the last rhyolite eruption occurred around 70,000 years ago, Yellowstone is still believed to be volcanically active, due to high hydrothermal and seismic activity. The earthquake data used in this study cover the period of time between 1988 and 2010. Earthquake relocations and a set of 369 well-constrained, double-couple, focal mechanism solutions were computed. Events were grouped according to location and time to investigate trends in faulting. The majority of the events has oblique, normal-faulting solutions. …