Earth Sciences Commons^™

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Bridge Grate And Pipe Cattle Guard Designed To Mitigate Ocelot Road Mortality On Texas State Highway, Rupesh Maharjan, John H. Young Jr., Kevin W. Ryer, Md. Saydur Rahman, Richard J. Kline

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

The mitigated and fenced section of State Highway 100, extending from Laguna Vista to Los Fresnos, includes five wildlife crossing structures and 16 modified cattle guards (also called wildlife guards) installed to mitigate ocelot road mortality. Bridge grate and pipe wildlife guards were deployed at vehicle entries, and we evaluated their effectiveness in preventing meso-carnivores and ungulates from entering the roadway through the fence gaps from April 2020 to 2024. Wildlife guards collectively were >82% effective in repelling ungulate attempts to enter the roadway, while only 16.64% of meso-carnivore attempts were repelled. The pipe wildlife guard (PWG) design repelled 86.79% …

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 …

Pioneering The Pacific In Earth Sciences: Uh Mānoa Students Establish The First Sigma Gamma Epsilon Chapter In HawaiʻI And Beyond, Ken H. Tungpalan, Olivia Schmitt, Wellington Rothschild, Susannah Heller, Alyssa N. Kamanu

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

The Iota Delta Chapter is proud to announce its establishment as the first Sigma Gamma Epsilon chapter in the Pacific, with the hope that it will serve as a foundation for future chapters across the region. The chapter has been created at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST). The Department of Earth Sciences is loosely divided into three working research divisions (Geophysics and Tectonics [G&T], Marine and Environmental Geology [MEG], and Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology [VGP]), with numerous laboratories and research facilities.

Sigma Gamma Epsilon Chapter And Student Awards For Academic Year 2024–2025, Lee S. Potter

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

The Society of Sigma Gamma Epsilon (SGE) encourages efforts to broaden the education and impact of its members through community outreach. In Academic Year 2024–2025, seven (7) awards were given at the chapter level: The Chapter Service Award to Gamma Sigma, Gamma Chi, and Epsilon Sigma; and The James C. Walters Quality Chapter Award to Gamma Sigma, Gamma Chi, Epsilon Sigma, and Theta Beta. Individual merit was recognized through the W. A. Tarr awards given to thirty-two members by their respective chapters. Two awards, the Austin A. Sartin and Charles J. Mankin Outstanding Poster Awards, were given to two students …

47th Biennial Convention Of Sigma Gamma Epsilon, Western Illinois University, April 11–13, 2025, Richard L. Ford, Lee S. Potter

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

The Society of Sigma Gamma Epsilon (SGE), the national honorary society for the Earth sciences, held its 47th biennial convention (April 11–13, 2025) at the Quad Cities campus, located in Moline, Illinois, of Western Illinois University (WIU). The convention was hosted by SGE’s Delta Psi Chapter and the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences at WIU. Ten (10) of SGE’s approximately 57 active collegiate chapters sent delegates to the convention. The traditional convention field trip, an exploration of the Paleozoic stratigraphy and economic geology of the Quad Cities area of Illinois and Iowa, made stops at the Fryxell …

The Compass - Volume 94 Issue 3 - Complete Issue, Scott R. Beason

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

No abstract provided.

Laboratory Investigation Of High-Temperature Preformed Particle Gels For Fluid Control In Granite Cores For Geothermal Applications, K. Caleb Darko, Yanbo Liu, Thomas P. Schuman, Mingzhen Wei, Baojun Bai

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

To understand the applicability of high-temperature preformed particle gel (HT-PPG) for control of short-circuiting in enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs), core flooding experiments were conducted on fractured granite cores under varying fracture widths, gel particle sizes and swelling ratios. Key parameters such as injection pressure, water breakthrough pressure, and residual resistance factor were measured to evaluate HT-PPG performance. The gel exhibited strong injectability, entering granite fractures at pressure gradients as low as 0.656 MPa/m; HT-PPG yields a superior sealing performance by significantly reducing the permeability; and dehydration occurs during HT-PPG propagation, with a dehydration ratio ranging from 4.71% to 11.36%. This …

Effect Of Coniferous Trees And Water Availability On Soil Acidification, Jessica A. Cheever

Journal of the Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression

Project Mentor(s): Mary Poulson, PhD

Water availability and coniferous tree species can cause acidification and a change in soil fertility. Previous research in European forests found that rainfall, soil acidity, and conifer prevalence influenced soil quality and biodiversity. However, not much is known about these effects in the Pacific Northwest’s forests. Three forests were chosen based on a gradient of annual precipitation. The Hoh Rain Forest, the Tiger Mountain State Forest, and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest were used for wet, mesic, and dry conditions, respectively. Each location had a three-by-six grid spaced 50 meters between each plot. The location was …

Refining The Geochronologic Framework Of The Early Cretaceous Nonmarine Western Interior Basin, Usa, Jack Fekete

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Early to mid-Cretaceous marks a period of dynamic shifts in tectonism, depositional environments, climate, and biota across the mid-North American continent. However, despite their importance for understanding crucial biotic and geologic transitions during this period, nonmarine Early Cretaceous strata of the Western Interior Basin (WIB) remain poorly constrained geochronologically. Radiometric dating of syndepositional detrital minerals, such as ash-fall zircon, offers a solution to refining geochronologic frameworks. However, a magmatic lull in the Cordilleran magmatic arc during the Early Cretaceous limited the delivery of syndepositional zircon to the WIB, impeding such refinement. In this dissertation, I developed and tested new …

Fungal Palynomorphs From The Lower Cretaceous (Berriasian–Albian) Of Jangareddygudem Area Of The Chintalapudi Subbasin, Andhra Pradesh, South Part Of India, Harinam Joshi, Neerja Jha, Sarah Gonçalves Duarte, Sari̇ye Duygu Durak, Haytham Elatfy

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

A diverse array of thalli, fruiting bodies, spores, and other fungal structures has been observed in palynological samples collected from the sedimentary sequence MJR-11, drilled in the Jangareddygudem area of the Chintalapudi subbasin, Andhra Pradesh, southern India. The sedimentary sequence is dated to the Kimmeridgian–early Albian, based on palynology. However, the focus of the present work is on the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian–early Albian). A well-developed and diverse fungal assemblage consistently occurred throughout most of the succession, together with predominant conifer pollen grains and highly diversified pteridophytic and bryophytic spores. Furthermore, the recorded palynomorphs suggest deposition under both continental and marine …

Fault Morphology Along A Sinistral Active Fault Near A Continental Triple Junction: The Ilıca Segment At The Northern Termination Of The East Anatolian Fault Zone, Türkiye, Aynur Di̇kbaş, Hani̇fe Merve Önal

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

The East Anatolian fault zone (EAFZ) is an approximately 430 km long sinistral transform fault that bounds the southwestern margin of the Anatolian microplate between Karlıova (Bingöl) and Kahramanmaraş. It constitutes part of the Karlıova triple junction (KTJ) in eastern Anatolia. Near the KTJ, the Ilıca and Karlıova segments delineate the EAFZ. The Ilıca segment, approximately 38 km long, exhibits distinct fault-related geological structures, including linear valleys, elongated ridges, saddles, sag ponds, shutter ridges, thermal springs, and travertines. Based on extensive mapping using high-resolution imagery and field investigations, the Ilıca segment has been categorized into three sections: section 1 and …

First Insights Into The Origin Of Iron In Eastern Cilicia During The Iron Age, Using Osmium Isotope And Trace Element Analysis, Ivan Stepanov, Hüseyi̇n Öztürk, Michael Brauns, Ernst Pernicka, Nurullah Hanilçi, Ümi̇t Güder

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

Due to the abundance of ore resources and the probable technological advances of the Hittite civilisation, the Anatolian plateau is conventionally regarded as “the birthplace” of iron smelting technology. The present paper presents a complex archaeometric investigation of iron production remains from the Middle and Late Iron Age phases (c. 750–575 BC) at Kinet Höyük, a major trading port on the coast of eastern Cilicia (modern-day Dörtyol, Hatay). To provide an initial insight into the sources of iron processed at Kinet Höyük and to generate an overview of the 187Os/188Os and 187Re/188Os isotope ratios expected from eastern Anatolian iron ores, …

Coseismic Surface Deformation Analyses Using Sar And Optical Images: 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence, Türkiye, Han-Kyung Bae, Gwang-Woo Oh, Jin-Hyuck Choi

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

The 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence in Türkiye, including Mw 7.7 and 7.6 mainshocks, caused significant surface ruptures along the East Anatolian Fault (EAF) and Sürgü–Çardak Fault (SCF). We calculated the coseismic displacement fields through pixel offset tracking (POT) analysis of Sentinel-1 SAR data and optical image correlation (OIC) analysis of Sentinel-2 imagery. Our results reveal distinct sinistral motion along both the EAF and SCF, with maximum offsets of about 7 and 9 m, respectively. Deformation zones were identified both on and off the fault, highlighting the relationship between the rupture geometry and the broader deformation field. A comparative evaluation of …

Geomagnetic Activity For The Kp = 7.3 Geomagnetic Storm In November 2023 Assessed By Observational Data, Eli̇f Çi̇ftçi̇, Özlem Hacioğlu

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

The geomagnetic storm of 4–6 November 2023, driven by an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME), was a significant event marked by a peak geomagnetic activity index (Kp) of 7.3 on a 0–9 scale, indicating severe disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field. This CME-induced storm was characterized by intense auroral displays and reached a G3 level (Dst = −172 nT) around 12:40 UT on 5 November, with auroras observed at midlatitudes across Europe. This study examines the effects of the storm on the horizontal (H), declination (D), and vertical (Z) components of the geomagnetic field using data from sunlit-side magnetometer measurements. Planetary …

Preliminary Petrological, Mineralogical, And Geochemical Evaluation Of A Newly Discovered Lignite Field In Yatağan, Muğla (Sw Türkiye), Işik Hacimustafaoğlu, Mehmet Akbulut, Hülya İnaner, Kimon Christanis

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

Thirty-two coal and seven inorganic core samples from a newly discovered coalfield in the Yatağan region of the Muğla Basin were analysed to reconstruct the depositional palaeoenvironment. The coal has an average bed moisture of 34.60%, an ash yield of 33.73% (db), a volatile matter yield of 57.91% (daf), and a gross calorific value of 12.18 MJ/kg (maf). It is composed of mainly huminite macerals (up to 91 vol.%, on whole-rock basis), predominantly densinite, along small amounts of liptinite and inertinite macerals. The average random reflectance of huminite is 0.28%, and the primary minerals identified include pyrite, quartz, and clay …

Quick Antiquing Of Natural Stones In The Restoration Process, Hakan Elçi̇

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

When ancient buildings are restored, even though the restored section uses natural stone with the same lithological characteristics and texture as the building, there is a noticeable color difference between the restored and ancient portions of the building, signifying an old/new difference. This color difference, which is caused by the deterioration of the natural stone used in the ancient structure over many years, gives the natural stone a black or brown appearance. In this study, white marble, travertine, and sandstone were treated with antiquing techniques described in the literature. The goal was to identify the technique that produces the most …

Orphan Basalts: Understanding The Origins Of Unassigned Eastern Oregon Basalts, Angela Rae Stetson

Dissertations and Theses

For more than a century, scientists have studied the geologic stratigraphy of eastern Oregon, which chronicles a rich history of volcanic activity spanning millions of years. Recent and ongoing geologic mapping of the northeastern Harney Basin -- along a corridor east of Highway 395 between the towns of Burns and John Day -- provides a more detailed understanding of an area originally mapped only in reconnaissance during the 1960s. At that time, geologic units were poorly delineated, often with entire quadrangles mapped as a single unit. For example, over 90% of the Calamity Butte quadrangle was previously mapped as 'Tba' …

Enrichment Factors And Play Fairway Mapping Of Helium In Typical Zones Of The Ordos Basin, Gao Jianrong, Tao Shizhen, Liu Xiangbai, Yang Wei, Zhao Zhenyu, Chen Xiuyan, Xu Wanglin, Zhang Chunlin, Song Wei, Chen Yue, Huang Junping, Ma Zhanrong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background The Ordos Basin enjoys abundant natural gas resources, which generally bear helium, making this basin hold great helium resource potential. In this case, detailed exploration is essential for the future transition from natural gas-helium joint exploration to special helium exploration in the basin.Objective and Method To systematically investigate the distribution and potential of helium resources in the Ordos Basin, natural gas samples were taken from different areas of the basin for analysis and tests. To examine the primary factors controlling helium accumulation and enrichment, this study conducted a systematic analysis of the basement, sedimentary rock layers, fault systems, …

Process And Mechanism Of Defluorination Using Magnesium Chloride-Modified Coal Gangue, Zhao Li, Zhou Wangxu, Zhang Qing, Xing Mingfei, Xu Feng, Kong Weifang, Liu Yifei, Qin Guangyu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background The rapid development of industry has resulted in a yearly increase in wastewater discharge, which induces a gradually rising fluorine concentration in water. In this context, removing fluoride using natural materials and industrial waste has emerged as a popular research topic. Coal gangue, one of the largest contributors to industrial waste in China, contains substantial clay minerals, and its pore structure can be effectively improved through modification. This helps significantly enhance its adsorption performance and thus achieve efficient fluoride removal from water. Methods This study investigated coal gangue from a typical mining area of the Henan Energy and Chemical …

A Modular Casing While Drilling Rig For Large-Diameter Horizontal Boreholes For Underground Rescue, Fan Dong, Ni Xiaoyang, Mu Shuyuan, Zou Zujie, Wen Guojun, Li Yingping, Lu Feifei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Operations in a narrow space pose a challenge to rescue in the case of the collapse of mine roadways or tunnels. To address this challenge, this study developed a modular rescue casing while drilling (CwD) rig system for horizontal boreholes. With the capacity for quick responses, this CwD rig was designed to enhance the rescue efficiency and safety under complex geological conditions. Methods Following the modular design concept and compact layout principle, this study optimized core components such as the power heads, feed devices, and power system. The auxiliary operation vehicle was checked against overturning through multibody dynamics (MBD) …

Structural Optimization For Transfer Chutes Based On Energy Dissipation Mechanisms Of Coal Particles, Shi Yaocheng, Zou Zujie, Wen Guojun, Cheng Siyi, Wu Laijie, Wang Yudan, Liu Pu, Chen Mengxi

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Bulk material transport in emergency rescue scenarios and coal transportation poses stringent demands for the structural performance of transfer chutes. Given this, from the perspective of the energy dissipation mechanisms of particles, this study proposed structural optimization methods for transfer chutes based on the regulation of particle energy dissipation. Methods An experiment–simulation integrated analysis framework was established. Using this framework, this study systematically simulated the impact process of particles between two-stage walls I and Ⅱ using the discrete element method (DEM), highlighting the coupling mechanisms among velocity fluctuations, stress distribution, and energy transformation pathways. Based on the results, this …

A Simulation And Experimental Study Of Bottomhole Flow Field In A Large-Diameter Rescue Borehole, Zhao Yan, Liu Songhe, Hao Shijun, Zhao Jiangpeng, Li Peishu, Wang Xuebo, Yu Yongping, Gao Ke, Dong Bo, Zhang Bo

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective In mine rescue, reaming using a large-diameter down-the-hole (DTH) hammer faces is challenged by complex bottomhole flow fields and difficult slag discharge. This study aims to address these challenges. Methods To reveal the influence patterns of drilling parameters on the bottomhole flow field and slag discharge efficiency, this study determined the optimal drilling parameter combination. Then, using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-discrete phase model (DPM) method, this study established a numerical model for the slag discharge and bottomhole flow field during the reverse circulation drilling using a DTH hammer. Relying on this model, this study analyzed the variation patterns …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Injection-Production Process Parameters Of Well Group Configurations For Autothermic Pyrolysis In Situ Conversion Of Oil Shale, Zeng Yijian, Zhu Chaofan, Li Yanwei, Shui Haoche, Guo Wei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background A well group acts as a multi-well synergistic unit, and its configuration directly determines both the selection of optimal injection–production process and the utilization efficiency of stratigraphic conditions, ultimately affecting the overall performance of resource recovery. Methods Using numerical simulations, this study assessed the performance of autothermic pyrolysis in situ conversion (ATS) under three vertical well group configurations: one injection well and one production well (1I1P), one injection well surrounded by four production wells (1I4P), and one injection well surrounded by six production wells (1I6P). Furthermore, it revealed the synergistic mechanisms between well group configuration and energy efficiency. Results …

Attenuation Characteristics And Wave Impedance Inversion Of Depth-Domain Nonstationary Seismic Data, Ma Ming, Ma Feng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background The efficient application of depth migration methods has enabled the extensive implementation of depth-domain seismic data interpretation. Previous studies on the impacts of time-to-depth conversion and velocity models merely determine that an increase in depth corresponds to reduced dominant wavenumber of seismic waves and waveform stretching, without considering the changes in amplitude and phase. Objective This study aims to accurately characterize the waveforms of nonstationary seismic signals in the depth domain and enhance the impedance inversion accuracy. Methods First, based on energy dissipation and frequency dispersion effects during the propagation of seismic waves, this study investigated the complex mapping …

Analysis Of The Connotation Of Hidden Disaster-Causing Factors In Coal Mines And The Key Points Of Their Reconnaissance, Lian Huiqing, Wang Xu, Yin Shangxian, Xia Xiangxue, Cao Min, Li Qixing, Wu Xiaoming, Zhang Bin, Wang Yangyu, Zhang Qing, Wang Guo’An

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background To systematically normalize the reconnaissance of hidden disaster-causing factors in coal mines, the National Mine Safety Administration issued the Specification for General Survey of Hidden Disaster-causing Factors in Mine in 2024. Nevertheless, coal mining enterprises still face a range of notable issues in reconnaissance of hidden disaster-causing factors, including ambiguous connotations of the factors, broad scopes of reconnaissance, unclear implementation stages, a disjunction between explorations and reconnaissance, and improper conclusion descriptions. These problems severely restrict scientific and operational reconnaissance.Methods This study reviews the history of research on the reconnaissance of hidden disaster-causing factors, presents a summary of significant …

Molecular Simulations Of Selective Adsorption Of Lithium In The No.6 Coal Seam, Junggar Coalfield, Zhang Junshuang, Sun Beilei, Zhang Bin, Liu Chao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective With the discovery of metal deposits in coal-bearing strata, the distribution and occurrence patterns of lithium in coals have attracted much attention. However, its partitioning mode between organic structures and minerals in coals remains poorly understood.Methods This study investigated typical coals with a high lithium content in the Junggar Coalfield in Inner Mongolia. By integrating multiple simulation methods, including quantum mechanics, Monte Carlo simulation, and molecular dynamics, this study established the structural models of organic matter and inorganic minerals, as well as a visualized lithium-coal molecular structure model. Accordingly, it investigated the preferential adsorption sites on both organic …

Molecular Simulation Of Adsorption And Diffusion Behaviors Of High-Concentration Helium In Salt Cavern Storage Reservoirs, Chen Zeya, Wanyan Qiqi, Liu Mancang, Liu Xiaoqiang, Chen Jianfa, Li Kang, Wu Jianan, You Bing

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Artificial salt cavern underground helium storage is the optimal approach for achieving long-term, large-scale strategic helium storage and represents an essential solution for establishing an autonomous, controllable helium supply system. The core challenge currently constraining China’s development of salt cavern underground helium storage facilities lies in the sealing capacity of salt rock against high-concentration helium (helium volume fraction ≥70%). Methods Molecular dynamics simulation was used in this study, a composite model of salt rock slit pore and channel pore was constructed to reveal the influences of temperature-pressure conditions, helium concentration, and pore fluid properties on the occurrence state and …

Source And Primary Factors Controlling Differential Enrichment For Helium In The Dongping Gas Field, Qaidam Basin, Xu Zhusong, Li Jian, Wang Xiaobo, Cui Huiying, Xia Yutian, Tian Jixian, Li Wanting, Chen Dawei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background In recent years, promising helium-rich natural gas shows have been discovered in the Dongping gas field. However, the helium resources in the gas field exhibit lateral heterogeneity and vertical differential accumulation in multiple sequences, which restrict the further exploration of these resources. Methods By analyzing the lateral and vertical distribution characteristics of helium in the Dongping gas field, this study explored its origin and sources, analyzed the differences in geological backgrounds between helium-rich and helium-deficient gas reservoirs, and systematically summarized the differential enrichment pattern across different blocks within the Dongping gas field.Results and Conclusions In the Dongping gas …

Water Filling Intensity Assessment Of A Coal Seam Roof In The Dahaize Coal Mine, Northern Ordos Basin, Liu Xi, Ding Xiang, Huang Haiyu, Li Zhaoyang, Li Zhe, Zheng Sheng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Assessing water filling intensity in coal seam floors lays a foundation for the prevention and control of water hazards in mines. However, in the Jurassic coalfield in the northern Ordos Basin, complex hydrogeological structures and sedimentary heterogeneity pose severe challenges to traditional evaluation methods. Methods This study investigated the water hazard characteristics in the superimposed aquifers of the Jurassic Yan’an and Zhiluo formations in the Dahaize Coal Mine in northern Shaanxi. The purpose is to establish a zoning and assessment system of water filling intensity that is suitable for continental sedimentary settings and to provide a scientific basis for …