Geology Commons^™

Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis, Part 1: Example From The Snake River Plain, Idaho, John W. Shervais, Jacob Deangelo, Jonathan M. Glen, Dennis L. Nielson, Sabodh Garg, Patrick Dobson, Erika Gasperikova, Eric Sonnenthal, Lee M. Liberty, Dennis L. Newell, Drew Siler, James P. Evans

Geosciences Faculty Publications

The Snake River Plain (SRP) volcanic province overlies the track of the Yellowstone hotspot, a thermal anomaly that extends deep into the mantle. Most of the area is underlain by a basaltic volcanic province that overlies a mid-crustal intrusive complex, which in turn provides the long-term heat flux needed to sustain geothermal systems. Previous studies have identified several known geothermal resource areas within the SRP. For the geothermal study presented herein, our goals were to: (1) adapt the methodology of Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) for geothermal exploration to create a formal basis for its application to geothermal systems, (2) assemble …

Quantifying Co2 And Heat Fluxes At Roosevelt Hot Springs, Hydrothermal Area, Samantha R. Wolf

Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

Roosevelt Hot Springs is an actively producing hydrothermal system that has been extensively studied by field, geophysical and geochemical techniques since the 1970’s. Roosevelt Hot Springs sits at the western base of the Mineral Mountains in Utah, an area that has formed because of many volcanic, thermal and structural events since the late Oligocene. The work in this manuscript is the first of its kind to incorporate measurements of spring-based CO₂ fluxes with diffuse measurements to quantify the total CO₂ Flux in tons per day of a Basin and Range and Colorado Plateau Transition Zone-hosted hydrothermal system. Using …

The Geologic History Of Primary Productivity, Peter W. Crockford, Yinon M. Bar On, Luce M. Ward, Ron Milo, Itay Halevy

Geosciences: Faculty Publications

The rate of primary productivity is a keystone variable in driving biogeochemical cycles today and has been throughout Earth’s past.¹ For example, it plays a critical role in determining nutrient stoichiometry in the oceans,² the amount of global biomass,³ and the composition of Earth’s atmosphere.⁴ Modern estimates suggest that terrestrial and marine realms contribute near-equal amounts to global gross primary productivity (GPP).⁵ However, this productivity balance has shifted significantly in both recent times⁶ and through deep time.^7,8 Combining the marine and terrestrial components, modern GPP fixes ≈250 billion tonnes of carbon …

Examining Paleoshorelines In The Eastern Gulf Of Mexico: Insights On Sea Level History And Potential Areas Of Interest For Habitat Management, Catalina Rubiano

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

An inventory of multibeam bathymetry containing relict drowned and lithified paleoshorelines has been compiled and analyzed in the first ever shelf-wide investigation of paleo sea level indicators on the west Florida shelf (WFS). On the largest scale, the WFS is a wide and gently sloping terrain that is characterized by a carbonate-rich sediment regime. This framework coupled with the region’s tectonic stability provided a setting in which sea level changes since ~ 20 ka have been recorded to a remarkable degree of resolution in the form of paleoshorelines which formed at sea level and were subsequently drowned and preserved in …

Evaluation Of The Slip History And Holocene Activity Of The Strawberry Fault, Grant County, Oregon, Andrew Dunning

Dissertations and Theses

Lidar topographic data for the Strawberry Mountains, Oregon has revealed youthful fault scarps that likely result from Holocene-age earthquakes. We have mapped 27 km of fault scarps striking roughly east-west across the northern foothills of the Strawberry Mountains (Strawberry Fault, SBF) and another scarp lineament striking north-south along the uppermost John Day River 10 km to the south. SBF scarps are aligned with the bedrock John Day Fault, a reactivated Miocene structure that is accommodating distributed extension north of the Basin and Range region. The Strawberry Mountains sit near the interface of the extensional Basin and Range province to the …

Groundwater System Characterisation: Fortescue Alluvial Fan, Michael J. Donn, Olga V. Barron, Axel Suckow, Chris Turnadge, John A. Simons, Robert J. Paul, Christopher Schelfhout Dr

Natural resources commissioned reports

This report focuses on groundwater system characterisation in the region north of Newman, based on analysis of pre-existing data and data newly acquired during project activities. Groundwater system characterisation was an important research component supporting the assessment of managed aquifer recharge opportunities, using mine dewatering surplus generated (due to mining below the watertable) at large BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations in the eastern Pilbara mining zone, and aiming to support irrigated agriculture. The assessment area is located north of Ethel Gorge and covers the Upper Fortescue River floodplain and surroundings. The project added much knowledge to this largely ‘data-poor’ region, …

Transforming Agriculture In The Pilbara: Newman Managed Aquifer Recharge (Mar) Feasibility Assessment, Michael J. Donn, Joanne L. Vanderzalm, Olga V. Barron

Natural resources commissioned reports

In the Newman region, DPIRD commissioned an assessment of the potential for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) near Newman using surplus water resulting from mine dewatering as the water supply for irrigated agriculture. The objectives of the MAR assessment were to:

• identify focus area for MAR feasibility assessment within the initial larger area of interest for MAR
• assess the viability of MAR with mine dewater near Newman to support development of irrigated agriculture, in keeping with national and state MAR guidelines
• identify key risks associated with MAR with mine dewater for irrigation supply, and identify knowledge/investigation required to adequately assess risks …

Kgs Joint Data, Steven L. Martin

Research Data--KGS

Joint orientation measurements collected by KGS personnel at rock exposures from 2009 to 2024. New joint data was collected using a Brunton compass. This data set is a compilation of joints measured by Steve Martin. There are three worksheets related to data structure. The joint location and joint measurement worksheets show a 1-to-many relationship. The 1to1 worksheet shows a 1-to-1 relationship between joint locations and measurements.

Version 2 uploaded December 2024, adding new data to existing set.

Kentucky Karst Dye Trace Database, Sarah M. Arpin, Benjamin W. Tobin, Maaz Fareedi, Adam Link, James C. Currens

Research Data--KGS

This dataset provides the geographical locations of karst groundwater basins, groundwater flowpaths, and dye injection/recovery points in Kentucky. Dye tracing is a common method used for understanding groundwater movement. Dye is poured (or injected) into a sinking stream, well, sinkhole, or body of water, where it is carried down-gradient by flowing water. The locations at which dye is recovered (typically at artesian springs) indicates a connection from injection to recovery site. This connection is refered to as a groundwater flowpath. Conducting multiple dye traces across an area allows for the interpretation of regional groundwater flow by assessing where flowpaths either …

Observed And Modeled Moulin Heads In The Pâkitsoq Region Of Greenland Suggest Subglacial Channel Network Effects, Celia Trunz, Kristin Poinar, Lauren C. Andrews, Matthew D. Covington, Jessica Mejia, Jason Gulley, Victoria Siegel

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

In the ablation zone of land-terminating areas of the Greenland Ice Sheet, water pressures at the bed control seasonal and daily ice motion variability. During the melt season, large amounts of surface meltwater access the bed through moulins, which sustain an efficient channelized subglacial system. Water pressure within these subglacial channels can be inferred by measuring the hydraulic head within moulins. However, moulin head data are rare, and subglacial hydrology models that simulate water pressure fluctuations require water storage in moulins or subglacial channels. Neither the volume nor the location of such water storage is currently well constrained. Here, we …

Modelling And Forecasting Claim Payments Of Tanzania National Health Insurance Fund, Imani Kapungu, Emmanuel Evarest, Nyimvua Shaban, Andongwisye J. Mwakisisile

Tanzania Journal of Science

The expenses of medical services are increasing across the globe. As a result, pressure is placed on government and insurance companies’ budgets. The amounts of money collected are not enough to cover the claim payments. Therefore, it threatens the sustainability of the health insurance companies due to the mismatch of income and expenditures. This study aimed to model and forecast claim payments for the national health insurance fund (NHIF) in Tanzania. The claim payment data for the period of 2001–2021 from NHIF were used in building the ARIMA model. It was proven that ARIMA (0, 2, 2) is the most …

Assessment Of Viability Of Coal Mines In Tanzania For Extraction Of Rare Earth Elements, Juma Sija, Mohamed Mazunga

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study aimed at determining the concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) in coal and coal fly ash (CFA) from three coal mines in Tanzania: Kiwira, Ngaka and Rukwa. The goal was to assess if these resources could be commercially viable for extracting REEs. Coal and CFA samples were analysed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The total concentrations of REEs in the coal samples ranged from 89.48 parts per million (ppm) to 196.30 ppm, while in CFA samples, ranged from 362.55 ppm to 475.77 ppm. Computed percentage of critical REEs (REYdef, …

Water Chemistry Variability In Peacock Springs Cave System And Spring Basin: Impacts On Continuous Monitoring Of Karst Aquifers, Mahnoor Kamal

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Upper Floridan Aquifer (UFA) is a highly transmissive and heterogeneous karst aquifer that makes it acutely susceptible to pollution. Rapid and extensive water quality changes in nutrients at springs draining the UFA have prompted intensive monitoring at several priority springs, including continuous and discrete water quality sampling. Springs, however, are a discrete discharge point of an often-expansive phreatic cave network that can intersect different land uses and thus drain distinct geographic areas of a springshed. The extensive network contains convergent passages from deep and shallow aquifer regions and may contribute to varying water chemistry across passages resulting in water …

Review Of Harmful Algal Bloom Effects On Birds With Implications For Avian Wildlife In The Chesapeake Bay Region, Barnett A. Rattner, Catherine E. Wazniak, Julia S. Lankton, Peter C. Mcgowan, Serguei V. Drovetski, Todd A. Egerton

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

The Chesapeake Bay, along the mid-Atlantic coast of North America, is the largest estuary in the United States and provides critical habitat for wildlife. In contrast to point and non-point source release of pesticides, metals, and industrial, personal care and household use chemicals on biota in this watershed, there has only been scant attention to potential exposure and effects of algal toxins on wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay region. As background, we first review the scientific literature on algal toxins and harmful algal bloom (HAB) events in various regions of the world that principally affected birds, and to a lesser …

Mining Multibeam Transit Data For Deep Ocean Polymetallic Nodules: Case Study In Se Pacific Ocean, Mark E. Mussett

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Occurrences of nodules on the seafloor represent benthic habitats and present potential deposits of economically important metals. Better understanding their extent throughout Earth’s oceans will aid in resource management and determining different factors which influence their formative factors and respective local characteristics. Multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data, along with auxiliary data suggest an area of seafloor near the Foundation Seamount chain in the southern Pacific Ocean, centered around -36.84° latitude, -119.75° longitude, contains a previously uncharted polymetallic nodule occurrence. Our analysis of Simrad EM12 DUAL (12 kHz) multibeam data, collected during a 1997 transit, shows an area of strong backscatter …

Aroutcrop: An Augmented Reality Mobile Application For Enhancing Geoscience Learning And Comprehension In The Field And Classroom, Benjamin S. Wilkerson, Zachary Wilkerson, M. Scott Wilkerson

Student Research

Most geologists have long recognized the educational value of immersive opportunities and hands-on experiences that teaching geology in the field and using natural rock samples in the classroom offer students. However, these instructional approaches also give rise to distinct logistical and pedagogical challenges. For example, in the field, students sometimes struggle to fully connect concepts, models, and interpretations from classroom lectures with seemingly amorphous masses of rock that they encounter. Or, in the classroom, students may only have limited time for analysis when passing individual hand specimens person-to-person, and may not have access to valuable or fragile samples outside of …

Restoration And Balancing Of A Cross Section Of The Mt. Crandell Duplex, Waterton National Park, Canada, Danielle Sommerman, M. Scott Wilkerson

Student Research

Cross-section balancing provides a useful tool for checking the potential viability of structural interpretations through complexly deformed terranes. Balanced cross sections contain structures that are similar to those observed in outcrop or on seismic profiles in the area, that can be restored to a realistic pre-deformational configuration of faults and undeformed strata where areas are preserved between the deformed and restored states, and whose development from the undeformed state can be described in a kinematically reasonable sequence. Quick-look inspection of cross sections greatly facilitates the balancing process by comparing corresponding hanging wall and footwall features (particularly focusing on ramps and …

Hydrochemistry Of An Alpine Karst System, Northern New Mexico: Las Huertas, Kambray A. Townsend

Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

Las Huertas in the Sandia Mountains relies on snowmelt, monsoonal recharge, and groundwater inputs. Our hypothesis, the proportion of groundwater contribution varied spatially and temporally, was assessed by observing travertine and multiple geochemical tracers to differentiate water balance components. We report 26 samples from 13 locations (sampled between 2021-2023). Major ion and isotopic analysis indicated Las Huertas headsprings vary spatially. Capulin Spring has higher salinity; major ions suggest recharged waters are a mix of CaCO3-rich and sulfate-chloride-containing water. The proportion of groundwater to spring discharge is a mix of winter and summer precipitation. Travertine supersaturation is seasonal, with variations downstream, …

Reducing Uncertainty In Sea-Level Rise Prediction: A Spatial-Variability-Aware Approach, Subhankar Ghosh, Shuai An, Arun Sharma, Jayant Gupta, Shashi Shekhar, Aneesh Subramanian

I-GUIDE Forum

Given multi-model ensemble climate projections, the goal is to accurately and reliably predict future sea-level rise while lowering the uncertainty. This problem is important because sea-level rise affects millions of people in coastal communities and beyond due to climate change's impacts on polar ice sheets and the ocean. This problem is challenging due to spatial variability and unknowns such as possible tipping points (e.g., collapse of Greenland or West Antarctic ice-shelf), climate feedback loops (e.g., clouds, permafrost thawing), future policy decisions, and human actions. Most existing climate modeling approaches use the same set of weights globally, during either regression or …

Field Guide To Big Bone Lick, Kentucky: Birthplace Of American Vertebrate Paleontology, Glenn W. Storrs, H Gregory Mcdonald, Eric Scott, Robert A. Genheimer, Stanley E. Hedeen, Cameron E. Schwalbach

Special Publication--KGS

Big Bone Lick is the birthplace of vertebrate paleontology in the Western Hemisphere and has a long and celebrated history in the exploration of the American colonial frontier and of the early United States. Notable European scientists of the 18th century such as Buffon, Cuvier, and Hunter discussed the fossils found there. Prominent Americans of the time, such as Boone, Washington, Franklin, and Jefferson are also part of the site’s history. It is the type locality for several extinct late Pleistocene megafaunal mammals, most notably the iconic American Mastodon, who were attracted to the area by salt licks dictated by …

Core-Cm Williston Basin Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, And Critical Minerals, University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Fact sheet on the Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative, an Energy & Environmental Research Center and U.S. Department of Energy project. Includes information on the importance of critical minerals and utilizing lignite from the Williston Basin.

More Than Energy: Coal As A Mineral Resource, University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Brochure on Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative, an Energy & Environmental Research Center and U.S. Department of Energy project. Explores the benefits of utilizing lignite coal from the Williston Basin.

Geophysical Survey In Central North Dakota, University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Fact sheet about a 2023–2024 Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) geophysical survey in central North Dakota to evaluate the feasibility of developing safe and permanent CO₂ storage in the project area. Describes the purpose of the survey and potential impact on local landowners.

Seabed Reflection Coefficient Variability In The Mono Lake Using Seismic Reflection Sparker Data, Francis Nnamdi Okeifufe

Earth Sciences Theses and Dissertations

Acoustic reflections from a lakebed provide valuable information about the dynamic boundary between water and the lakebed, where sediments and biota in the water column eventually settle. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of reflected sound wave amplitudes to gain insights into the physical properties of a water-sediment boundary. We decided to carry out this analysis within the unique ecosystem of the Mono Lake basin due to the fact that the Mono Lake, a meromictic and hypersaline waterbody is situated within one of the most active yet understudied volcanic regions in the United States. The fact that the …

Mineralogy And Geochemical Characteristics Of Matamba Kaolin Deposit-Njombe Region South-Western Tanzania: Implications For Industrial Applications, Melania A. Nyimbo, Ronald J. Massawe, Michael M. Msabi

Tanzania Journal of Science

Kaolin is a commercial clay material composed of hydrated aluminosilicate mineral kaolinite and used in various industrial applications such as ceramics, paper, paints, refractories, fiberglass, plastics, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It is formed as a result of strong chemical weathering of crystalline and feldspar-rich rocks or hydrothermal alteration of granitic rocks at relatively low temperature and pressure conditions. The kaolin deposit of Matamba originated from the weathering of leucogabbro rock during the development of the African land surface. In view of highlighted properties, the mineralogy and chemical characteristics of the Matamba kaolin deposit were investigated to determine its industrial applications. As …

Wind Speed Forecasting Using Wavelet Analysis And Recurrent Artificial Neural Networks Based On Local Measurements In Singida Region, Tanzania, Rajabu J. Mangara, Mwingereza J. Kumwenda

Tanzania Journal of Science

High accuracy wind speed forecasting is essential for wind energy harvest and plays a significant role in wind farm management and grid integration. Wind speed is intermittent in nature, which makes the forecasting to be a big challenge. In the present study, three hybrid single-step wind speed forecasting techniques are proposed and tested by local measurement data in Singida region, Tanzania. The three techniques are based on Wavelet Analysis (WA), Back Propagation (BP) optimization algorithm, and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN). They are referred to as WA-RNN, BP-RNN, and WA-BP-RNN. The model results showed that WA-BP-RNN outperforms the other two proposed …

Seasonal Dynamics Of Karst Surface Dissolution Based On A Limestone Tables Experiment (Slovak Karst), Alena Gessert, Zdenko Hochmuth

International Journal of Speleology

Chemical denudation in karst is the basic process of karst relief formation. However, it is influenced by many factors of varying intensity that depend on the climatic conditions and characteristics of each given location. Based on measurable results of weight loss of limestone tablets, we monitored the intensity of chemical denudation in two areas of the Slovak Karst, Silica Plateau and Jasov Plateau that are situated in the most developed karst plateau region of Slovakia. Both experimental sites are similar in terms of geographical conditions, thus comparable between them. In each locality, we placed three sets of standardized tablets at …

A Field, Petrological, And Geochronological Investigation Of The Chief Joseph Dike Swarm, Mary Joyce Mass

Dissertations and Theses

The Columbia River Basalt Group is the youngest continental flood basalt province in the world and covers an aerial extent of 210,000 km² covering Oregon, southern Washington, and eastern Idaho. Eruptions occurred between approximately 17 million and 6 million years ago, with 92% of eruptions occurring within the first million-year interval. Aside from mapping and some bulk compositional data, few studies have focused on the Chief Joseph dike swarm in NE Oregon, the main eruptive center of the Columbia River Basalt Group. Prior to this study there were no published age dates for the Chief Joseph dike swarm.

This …

Shallow Composition And Structure Of The Upper Part Of The Exhumed San Gabriel Fault, California: Implications For Fault Processes, Kaitlyn Crouch, James P. Evans

Geosciences Faculty Publications

Quantifying shallow fault zone structure and characteristics is critical for accurately modeling the complex mechanical behavior of earthquakes as energy moves within faults from depth. We examine macro- to microstructures, mineralogy, and properties from drill core analyses of fault-related rocks in the steeply plunging ALT-B2 geotechnical borehole (total depth of 493 m) across the San Gabriel Fault zone, California. We use macroscopic drill core and outcrop-sample analyses, core-based damage estimates, optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction mineralogic analyses to determine the fault zone structure, deformation mechanisms, and alteration patterns of exhumed deformed rocks formed in a section of the fault that …

Inventory Of Glaciers And Perennial Snowfields Of The Conterminous Usa, Andrew G. Fountain, Bryce Glenn, Christopher Mcneil

Geology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This report summarizes an updated inventory of glaciers and perennial snowfields of the conterminous United States. The inventory is based on interpretation of mostly aerial imagery provided by the National Agricultural Imagery Program, US Department of Agriculture, with some satellite imagery in places where aerial imagery was not suitable. The inventory includes all perennial snow and ice features ≥ 0.01 km². Due to aerial survey schedules and seasonal snow cover, imageries acquired over a number of years were required. The earliest date is 2013 and the latest is 2020, but more than 73 % of the outlines were …