Geophysics and Seismology Commons^™

Ground Penetrating Radar Investigations In Upper Kama Potash Mines, Oleg N. Kovin

Doctoral Dissertations

"An understanding of the structure and state of the rock mass surrounding underground openings in the potash mines is critically important for safe mining, planning the methods of extraction of an orebody, and preventing the influx of ground water. Continuous common offset ground penetrating radar (GPR) data were acquired in the potash mine operated by the Joint Stock Company (JSC) "Silvinit" (Russia) as part of an investigation of both pre-existing fractures exposed by mine workings and other anomalous geological structures. During the course of GPR investigation, the electrical properties of salt-bearing units were determined, site-specific data acquisition techniques and object-oriented …

Seismic Interpretation And Reservoir Characterization Of The Middle Frio Formation In The Stratton Field Gulf Coast Basin Of South Texas Using Three-Dimensional Seismic And Well Log Data, Uchenna H. Aboaja

Masters Theses

"The Stratton field is a large mature gas field located between Nueces County and Kleberg County in the northwest Gulf Coast Basin of south Texas. The Oligocene middle Frio Formation is one of the major progradational units within the Stratton field. It is characterized by rapid deposition and high subsidence rates that create complex internal facies architecture. The reservoir facies architecture of the middle Frio Formation is described as channel-fill deposits, crevasses-splay deposits, and floodplain mudstones. Previous two-dimensional seismic studies indicate some level of compartmentalization. Three-dimensional seismic and well log data provided by the Bureau of Economic Geology at the …

Cretaceous/Paleogene Boundary Biostratigraphy And Palynofacies Of The Alo-1 Well, Southeastern Nigeria, Janet Diane Raymer

Masters Theses

"The Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary (K/Pg) has been studied in great detail because of the fascination most people have with the extinction of the dinosaurs. The response of the vegetation to this extinction event has been studied in detail in mid to high latitudes, but little is known about what happened in the tropics. Sixty-seven samples from the Nsukka and Imo formations in the Alo-1 well in the Anambra Basin, southeastern Nigeria have been studied for their palynological contents. The aims of the study was to use spores, pollen and dispersed organic matter components to interpret biostratigraphy, and evaluate depositional conditions across …

Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Mechanisms And Geochemical Analysis Of Particulate Material Found Within The Waters Of Maramec Spring, St. James, Missouri, Kyle Steven Rybacki

Masters Theses

"The purpose of the present study is to determine whether a mineral phase is precipitating from solution in the natural Maramec Spring system giving the spring water a milky blue color, to identify the mineral phase, and to investigate potential mechanisms for inducing precipitation. Maramec Spring is a first-order magnitude spring located 11 km southeast of St. James, Missouri. The water that expels from Maramec Spring varies between being near saturation, but undersaturated in calcium, with respect to calcite (saturation index of 0.994 mg/L). Moving downstream, away from the conduit, the spring waters increase in pH and temperature. Eh is …

Palynology Of The Middle To Upper Eocene Esmeraldas Formation In The Nuevo Mundo Syncline Area, Middle Magdalena Valley Basin, Colombia, Guillermo Rodriguez-Forero

Masters Theses

"The palynology of the Eocene Esmeraldas Formation in the Middle Magdalena Valley Basin, Colombia was analyzed in order to constrain the age of the unit. This formation is a very important oil reservoir in the Middle Magdalena Valley Basin, which is a product of a fragmentation of a Cenozoic foreland basin by the Northern Andes. It created structural complexities and syntectonic deposition. The lateral continuity of the formation, as well as its correlations with lithostratigraphic units is adjacent basins, are not clearly understood. The Los Corros Fossil Horizon, a mollusk horizon in the upper part of the Esmeraldas Formation, is …

Investigating The Source Of Thermal Anomalies In The Northern United Arab Emirates (Uae) Desert Using Geophysical Methods, Khalid Ahmad

Doctoral Dissertations

"We conducted geophysical surveys to investigate the source of thermal anomalies and to delineate any potential water transport pathways from the recharge zones in the Oman Mountains to the location of the temporal thermal anomalies within the desert plain of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In the visible region of the spectrum of both ASTER and MODIS satellite images, the desert plain of the UAE appears as a bare sandy surface. However, detailed examination of these images in the thermal bands reveal cooler thermal anomalies within the desert plain following major rainfall events. This anomaly has a cooler surface of …

Crustal Modification By Tectonic Events And Upper Mantle Anisotropy Beneath The Midcontinent Rift And New Madrid Seismic Zone: Insights From Receiver Function Studies And Teleseismic Shear Wave Splitting, Moikwathai Moidaki

Doctoral Dissertations

"The earth's crust and upper mantle have been continually modified by tectonic processes such as rifting, earthquake activity. In this dissertation, shear wave splitting and receiver function techniques were employed to study the extent of crustal and upper mantle modifications beneath the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) and the Midcontinent Rift (MCR). Shear wave splitting analysis in the MCR reveals the presence of fossilised anisotropy along the rift axis...In the NMSZ, anticipated rift-parallel fast directions associated with vertical magmatic dikes or along-rift flow, rift-orthogonal fast directions from small-scale convection, or reduction in splitting times as a result of vertical asthenospheric …

The Cretaceous-Paleogene Transition In The Northern Mississippi Embayment, S.E. Missouri: Palynology, Micropaleontology, And Evidence Of A Mega-Tsunami Deposit, Tambra L. Eifert

Doctoral Dissertations

"Upper Cretaceous to lower Paleogene sedimentary rocks in Southeastern Missouri record the northwest extension of the Mississippi Embayment, yet very little information exists about them due to lack of exposures. Access to borehole and trench material and well logs provided an opportunity to study the sedimentology, palynology and micropaleontology of the three formations spanning the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary interval: Owl Creek (Cretaceous) and Clayton and Porters Creek (Paleocene). Lithologic features, palynomorphs (mainly spores, pollen, dinoflagellate cysts), dispersed organic matter, and foraminifera were used to interpret biostratigraphy, paleovegetation, paleoclimatic and depositional conditions, thereby creating a framework upon which further questions involving …

Environmental Geochemistry Of Metal Contaminated Sediments From The Big River System Of Southeastern Missouri, Helen Carrie Bender

Masters Theses

"Geochemical analysis of stream sediments from the Big River Watershed of southeastern Missouri indicates that they contain elevated concentrations of contaminant metals such as Pb. Zn, Cu. Co, Ni and Cd. The elevated concentrations are derived from natural exposures of metal enriched strata and the numerous mine tailings piles and water seeps created as a result of about 300 years of lead-zinc mining in the “Old Lead Belt”. Galena (PbS), sphalerite (ZnS), and pyrite (FeS₂) are the primary sulfides found in the tailings piles and Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis of individual metallic sediment particles collected at intervals downstream …

Investigating The Impact Of Microbial Interactions With Geologic Media On Geophysical Properties, Caroline A. Davis

Doctoral Dissertations

"The goals of this study were to investigate the effect of: (1) microbial metabolic byproducts, microbial growth, and biofilm formation on the low frequency electrical properties of porous media, (2) biofilm formation on acoustic wave properties, and (3) the natural electrical (self-potential) signatures associated with an in-situ biological permeable reactive barrier (PRB). The results suggest: (1) increases in electrolytic conductivity are consistent with increased concentrations of organic acids and biosurfactants; (2) mineral weathering promoted by organic acids causes increases in electrolytic conductivity, concomitant with increases in major cation concentrations; (3) interfacial conductivity generally parallels microbial cell concentrations and biofilm formation; …

The Carbonatite-Hosted Apatite Deposit Of Jacupiranga, Se Brazil: Styles Of Mineralization, Ore Characterization And Association With Mineral Processing, Paula Regina Alves

Masters Theses

"The carbonatite-hosted apatite deposit of Jacupiranga is located in southeastern Brazil. The major styles of apatite mineralization are veins or veinlets, small pods or patches, disseminated apatite, and massive aggregates (locally). The concentration of apatite involves grinding of the carbonatite, removal of magnetite with a magnet drum, size classification with cyclones, and flotation to suppress carbonates and collect apatite. Samples of carbonatite were collected from more recent exposures of the mine and drill holes. This study utilized a variety of microscopy methods, namely transmitted and reflected light, cathodoluminescence (CL), and scanning electron microscopy (with wavelength-dispersive spectrometers for mineral compositions)"--Abstract, page …

Textural Analysis Of A Rhyolite Dike Of The Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen At Medicine Park, Oklahoma, Sean Patrick O'Donnell

Masters Theses

"Detailed analysis of the modal abundance and crystal size distribution (CSD) of glomerocrystic quartz and alkali feldspar phenocrysts in a porphyritic "rhyolite" dike at Medicine Park, Oklahoma were integrated with known phase relationships in the system SiO₂-NaAlSi₃O₈-KAlSi₃-O₈-H₂O to constrain the history of this intrusion"--Abstract, page iv.

Lateral Reservoir Compartmentalization Of The Woodford Shale In The Arkoma Basin, Southeastern Oklahoma, Adedapo Omotunde Ajibade

Masters Theses

"Analysis of geochemistry, mineralogy, total organic content (TOC) and rock evaluation pyrolysis on Woodford Shale well cuttings taken from a horizontal well (Quaid 13-30H) drilled in the Arkoma Basin (Pittsburg County), Oklahoma shows no significant variation in the thermal maturity, type, and/or quantity of organic matter. This is interpreted to mean that the organic matter of the Woodford Shale is relatively homogeneous and has all undergone similar thermal history. In addition, the analysis shows that there are lateral variations in the gas geochemistry in which the shale appears to be broken up into sections, some of which are more enhanced …

Incipient Continental Rifting: Insights From The Okavango Rift Zone, Northwestern Botswana, Baraka D. Kinabo

Doctoral Dissertations

"In this dissertation aeromagnetic, gravity, and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model (SRTM DEM) data from the Okavango Rift Zone in northwest Botswana are used to map the distribution of rift and basement structures. The distribution of these structures provide useful insights into the early stages of continental rifting. The objectives of this study are (1) assessing the role of pre-existing structures on rift basin development, (2) characterizing the geometry of the nascent rift basins, (3) documenting fault growth and propagation patterns, and (4) investigating the border fault development"--Abstract, page iv.

An Investigation Of Lead And Other Metal Contaminants In The Sediments Of Clearwater Lake, Missouri, Gary W. Krizanich

Doctoral Dissertations

"The purpose of this investigation is to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution and concentration of trace metals in sediments of Clearwater Lake. Understanding how trace metals are released to and transported in aquatic environments is important to the overall understanding of the impacts of mining on the natural environment. The main focus of this research will be on historic sedimentation within Clearwater Lake, which may act as a sink where mining related trace metals are stored. Because of their high preservation rates in basins, sediments can provide detailed chronostratigraphic histories of trace metal inputs in lakes. Sediment records can …

Impacts Of Acid Mine Drainage On Carbon Cycling In Receiving Streams, Ernest W. Fonyuy

Doctoral Dissertations

"Field and laboratory investigations of acid mine drainage (AMD) contaminated and uncontaminated waters were conducted in order to determine and model processes and reaction mechanisms that control dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) transformation and shifts in isotope ratio of DIC (Δ¹³C_DIC). The results show that AMD caused variable pH changes, overall decreases in Fe²⁺, alkalinity, and DIC, and increases in (Δ¹³C_DIC) in receiving streams. AMD caused more than 50 to > 98% seasonal DIC loss in stream water through CO₂ degassing. High DIC losses corresponded to high Fe²⁺ and lower or no HCO₃⁻ in the water samples, because …

2nd Annual Undergraduate Research Conference Abstract Book, University Of Missouri--Rolla

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

No abstract provided.

Paleocene To Early Eocene Dinoflagellate Cyst Biostratigraphy In Southeast Nigeria And The Cote D'Ivoire-Ghana Transform Margin (Odp Site 959), Hernan Antolinez-Delgado

Masters Theses

"This study represents a contribution to Early Paleogene biostratigraphy in the tropics where published studies are sparse in comparison with mid and high latitude regions. Data were derived from a comprehensive analysis of dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts) in 45 samples from the Early Paleocene to Early Eocene interval at two localities in West Africa, namely Alo-1 well in the Anambra Basin, southeastern Nigeria, and Ocean Drilling Program Hole 959D (ODP Leg 159) in the Cote d'Ivoire-Ghana Transform Margin. Dinocyst recovery varied from very good to poor, and the specimens were commonly well preserved. The dinocyst data were calibrated with existing calcareous …

Stratigraphy And Diagenesis Of The Paleoproterozoic Bushy Park Zinc-Lead Deposit, South Africa, William Daniel Baugaard

Masters Theses

“The Bushy Park zinc-lead deposit is located in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. The sulfides are hosted by karst-related breccias that were formed in carbonate shelf deposits of the Neoarchean (2.55 Ga) Campbellrand Subgroup. These rocks are dolomitized completely and silicified partially but have not undergone major metamorphism and thus display remarkable preservation of depositional fabrics. The stratigraphic interval includes the Papkuil and Klippan Formations (> 210 m), a sequence of cyclic microbial laminates interbedded with domed and columnar stromatolites. The Klippan is distinguished from other formations b intense silicification and brecciation. These strata are overlain by the Kogelbeen …

Constraining The Crystallization And Post-Crystallization History Of The Wallamatogus Pluton, Maine, Using Compositional Data From Garnet, Biotite And Muscovite, Joy Kathleen Drake

Masters Theses

"The Wallamatogus Pluton, Maine, exhibits systematic variation in grain size, mineralogy, and phenocryst abundance (alkali-feldspar) from the margin to the center of the pluton. Three facies are recognized: 1) outermost, seriate, coarse-grained (Owe), 2) porphyritic medium- to fine-grained (Dwp ), 3) innermost, fine-grained equigranular (Dwf). These facies are concentrically arranged and their contacts are gradational. Muscovite and biotite occur in all facies; the outer two facies contain garnet, and tourmaline. Muscovite and biotite grains within micaceous enclaves compositionally overlap primary muscovite, suggesting that they are early-crystallized accumulations. Muscovite in multiphase clusters and secondary muscovite compositionally overlap, suggesting formation during post-crystallization …

Stability Of Paleosinks And Karstic Carbonates In The Southern Fire Clay Mining District Of Missouri, Robert Weiser Dillon

Doctoral Dissertations

"The Southern Fire Clay District of Missouri was intensely mined during the late-1800’s to mid-1900’s for its valuable resource of high refractory clays deposited within Pennsylvanian sinkholes “paleosinks”. Mining operations have produced modifications in the Ozark aquifer, which in effect has possibly increased the instability of this paleokarst terrain and the potential of further environmental impacts to the land. Evidence supporting this hypothesis are: (1) A southerly shift in the regional groundwater divide relative to the topographic divide. This possibly is caused by the distribution of leaking clay pits, which suggests that the bedrock permeability or hydraulic conductivity has been …

Reflected Light Microscopy, Electron Microscopy, Electron Spectroscopy, And X-Ray Diffraction Mineralogical Characterization Of Electric Arc Furnace (Eaf) Dusts, Ann M. Hagni

Doctoral Dissertations

"The secondary steel industry in the United States generates 600,000 tons of electric arc furnace (EAF) dust each year. Over 5,000,000 tons of EAF dust are generated annually world wide. The dust, which is removed from off-gasses from the high temperature furnaces, is considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to be hazardous waste due to its leachable lead, cadmium, and chromium. In addition to hazardous components, EAF dust contains valuable zinc, averaging 19%. This study was initiated to determine the mineralogy and characterization of the dust to aid in the processing of the dust for metals recovery and rendering the …

Dolomite Cement Stratigraphy Of The Reelfoot Rift And The Relationship Of These Cements To Dolomite Cements Found In Southeast Missouri, Timothy James Keller

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

The formation of the southeast Missouri Mississippi Valley-type Pb, Zn, Cu ore districts have been a subject of controversy. Using petrology and geochemistry, earlier studies have attempted to reveal fluid flow, composition, and origin of the ore forming fluids. In this study, the potential role of the Reelfoot rift (New Madrid seismic zone) as a source and/or conduit for ore forming fluids is addressed. By observing cuttings and cores from four oil test wells within the Reelfoot rift using cathodluminescence, four cement types were described: 1) A multiple generation cement type similar to that observed associated with mineralization in southeastern …

Depositional Facies Analysis And Sea Level Curve Determination From The Soth Western St. Francois Mts. To The Western Margin Of The Reelfoot Rift, Missouri, Aaron Ramon Rezendez

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

Knowledge of the relative influence of eustatic and tectonic controls on sedimentation in basins is important to developing a regional facies model. The Reelfoot Rift basin is located on the southern margin of the North American Craton. The tectonic and sedimentary history of the rift began during Middle Cambrian time and extended through the Early Ordovician. Oil test well cuttings and cores were used to construct a stratigraphic fence extending from the Cambro- Ordovician platform west of the St. Francois Mts. southeastward info the rifted basin. Three major transgressive-regressive sequences and numerous minor transgressive-regressive sequences were observed in Cambro-Ordovician rocks …

Geology And Petrochemistry Of The Mount Chase Massive Sulfide Prospect, Penobscot County, Maine, Michael V. Scully

Masters Theses

"The Mount Chase massive sulfide prospect of northern Penobscot County, Maine was discovered in 1979 by Getty Mining Company. The deposit occurs within a sequence of lower paleozoic metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks. The footwall units consist of rhyolitic flows, quartz-feldspar crystal tuff, and altered tuffaceous volcanic breccias. These rocks lie unconformably upon intensely folded sediments which are tentatively correlated with the Grand Pitch Formation of probable Cambrian age. The footwall volcanoclastic rocks exhibit a narrow zone of intense chloritic alteration immediately below the massive sulfide horizon, and a broader zone of sericitic alteration below that. A zone of stringer mineralization …

Lithofacies Analysis Of The Lamotte Sandstone In South Central Missouri, Michael Gerard Kraenzle

Masters Theses

"Based on the analysis of thirty-one cores obtained from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in Rolla, the upper Cambrian Lamotte Sandstone in South Central Missouri has been divided into six sedimentary facies ranging from alluvial fan and braided stream to open marine.

The Lamotte Sandstone is the basal Cambrian sandstone found throughout most of the state of Missouri. It directly overlies late Precambrian (1.4 to 1.5 billion year old) granites and metasediments. The Lamotte and overlying Bonneterre Formations are generally considered to have been deposited by a transgression which occurred during the Late Cambrian Period (Croixian Epoch).

The Lamotte …

A Gravity And Magnetic Study Of The Crooked Creek Cryptoexplosion Structure, Crawford County, Missouri, Charles Edward Woodbury

Masters Theses

"The pre-Pennsylvanian structure at Crooked Creek consists of a complex, vertically faulted ring of Cambrian and Ordovician sediments with a central uplifted core. The center of the structure is strongly deformed and contains shatter cones, brecciation, and other signs of extreme shock.

A magnetic low over the center of the structure suggests that igneous material was not involved in the formation of the structure, and this is corroborated by core analysis. Gravity data indicates several small gravity lows, possibly associated with areas of brecciation, circling the flanks of the structure. As in the magnetic data, there is no indication that …

A Paleoenvironmental Study Of The Salem Limestone In The Vicinity Of St. Louis, Missouri, Douglas J. Van Brunt

Masters Theses

“The Salem Limestone (Meramecian) of Mississippian age in the vicinity of St. Louis, Missouri is composed of a variable sequence of limestones deposited in shallow waters adjacent to scattered positive elements. This unit varies in thickness from zero up to 160 feet.

A medium to coarse-grained calcarenite is the dominant rock-type of the thesis area and is most abundant in the central and southwest regions. Stratigraphic sections in the northern region are more dolomitic, increasingly brecciated, and contains numerous secondary features. The southeast region is thinly bedded and composed of greater amounts of micrite formed by algal activity or direct …

A Petrographic Investigation Of The Rhythmically Bedded Upper Fayetteville Formation (Mississippian) In Northern Arkansas, Edith Ann Starbuck

Masters Theses

"The upper Mississippian Fayetteville Formation in northern Arkansas is primarily a calcareous black shale, but in some localities the upper one third to one half of the formation is made up of alternating black shales and limestones. Comparable lithologies have been suggested by some (Hallam, Ricken, Kent, and Sujkowski) to have been created by the diagenetic segregation of carbonate from calcareous shale.

Petrographic thin section analysis reveals that the lowest limestone beds of the rhythmic upper Fayetteville are made up almost entirely of microspar and all fossil material is recrystallized, even to the point of obliteration in some cases. The …

Geology Of The Escalante District, Iron County, Utah, James William Biehl

Masters Theses

"The Escalante Silver District, Iron County, Utah, occupies a group of low hills extending to the Escalante Desert from the Black Hills to the south. Tertiary volcanics serve as host rocks for silver bearing quartz veins. Five map units, with a total of 12 members are recognized. X-ray fluorescence and field mapping enabled differentiation of the units, while thin section analysis enabled characterization of the members. The map units formed in three episodes. The oldest is extrusive doming of distinctive older lava and breccia flows. The middle group is made up of tectontic breccias, sillar-like lava flows, and volcaniclastic sediments …