Geophysics and Seismology Commons^™

Monitoring Groundwater Flow At Old Works Using Anisotropy, 3-D Electrical Geophysics, And Dem-Based Terrain Analysis, Yihaun Gao

Honors Theses

Groundwater flow in shallow heterogeneous environments is often difficult to characterize using a single geophysical method. This study applies an integrated approach combining azimuthal resistivity anisotropy, self-potential (SP) measurements, DEM-derived terrain indices, and three-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography (3-D ERT) to delineate preferential groundwater pathways at the Old Works Golf Course in Anaconda, Montana. Azimuthal anisotropy analysis from eighteen 2-D ERT profiles revealed a dominant directional dependence in electrical conductivity, indicating a structural or sedimentological control on subsurface flow. The anisotropy results indicate a preferred conductivity direction of approximately 200°–210° in azimuth (0° is north), suggesting that groundwater movement is guided …

Monitoring The 2018 Eruption Of Kīlauea Volcano Using Various Remote Sensing Techniques, Ninad Bhagwat

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Monitoring the regions that are prone to natural hazards is essential in disaster management to provide early warnings. Airborne and space-borne remote sensing techniques are cost-effective in accomplishing this task. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is an advanced remote sensing technique used to detect and measure the changes in the Earth’s topography over time. Spaceborne InSAR is a precise (~mm accuracy) way to measure the land surface altitudinal changes. Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) is a powerful method of differential SAR interferometry that processes the InSAR data by automatically selecting the persistent scatterers in the region. In this thesis, I developed …

A Geophysical Survey Near Blacktail Creek In The Thompson Park Area Near Butte, Montana, Guolong Wu

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Subsurface electrical information can be obtained by electrical and self-potential methods. These geophysical methods, compared to drilling, provide a much cheaper option for investigating the hydrogeological setting. In this project report, we carried out resistivity and self-potential survey along Blacktail Creek in the Thompson Park area near Butte, Montana to understand the hydrogeological setting.

Three geophysical methods have been used: 2D electrical resistivity, 3D electrical resistivity, and self-potential. The least-square inversion resistivity model results showed a general variation of resistivity with depth and delineated the extent of the ground water. The ERT results show three electrical layers, one of them …

Raspberry Pi Cluster For Parallel And Distributed Computing, Ngoc Ha

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Parallel and distributed computing have become an essential part of the ‘Big Data’ processing and analysis, especially for geophysical applications. The main goal of this project was to build a 4-node distributed computing cluster system using the Raspberry Pi single-board computers for educational and research purposes. After assembling together the system, a standard test was performed to check the system functionality. A Monte Carlo simulation to calculate π (pi) was used to demonstrate the advantages and drawbacks of parallelization and distribution of tasks and data within the cluster. Challenges encountered during installation of the software and testing phase, and their …

Fault Mapping In 3d Seismic Reflection Data Using Seismic Attributes And Velocity Anisotropy: Example From West Virginia, Megan Valdez

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Fracture characterization is highly important in the oil and gas industry. Knowing the location of fractures allows for the assessment of reservoir quality, aids in well placement and planning, and helps identify locations of possible traps. Fracture locations can be determined using seismic data for attribute calculations and anisotropy analysis. Attribute calculations, such as coherence and curvature, identify subtle changes in the dataset that conventional seismic data interpretation might overlook. Anisotropy analysis looks at directionally dependent variations in the wave propagation velocity. Fractures slow the propagation velocity of a wave if the fractures are perpendicular to the wave direction. A …

Integrated Geophysical Methods To Characterize Subsidence In Butte, Montana, U.S.A., Kristen Prudhomme

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Geophysical investigations, designed to characterize unique subsidence features of unknown natural origin, provide imaging analysis of potential causes of subsidence. Recent subsidence in the alluvial plain in Butte, Montana is unrelated to historic mining in the area. This study aims to utilize a combined application of shallow electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), self-potential (SP), and frequency-domain electromagnetic (FDEM) methods in order to develop a better understanding of the particular set of hydrogeological and environmental conditions that contribute to this unique phenomena. Geophysical measurements provide lateral and vertical variations of electrical resistivity in the subsurface to a depth of 10 m while …

Investigation On Relationships Between Optical Properties And Cell Concentrations Of Microalgae, Zhaoming Zhou

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Biofuel from microalgae is a very promising renewable energy resource. Growth of microalgae depends on ambient temperature, appropriate nutrients in water, and light condition for photosynthesis. As microalgae grow, the depth of light penetration decreases and the growing conditions at depth deteriorate. Monitoring of microalgae concentration during their growing phase is imperative to ensure efficiency in biomass production. Conventionally, cell concentration (number of cells per unit volume) of microalgae solution is estimated by taking images of samples under microscope and then counted and estimated using the Metallized Hemacytometer Hausser Bright-Linewe (MHHBL) method developed by Hausser Scientific. This method of measuring …

Comparing Distributed Acoustic Sensing To Three-Component Geophones In An Underground Mine, Nikolas Nesladek

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Geophones have become the industry standard for seismic data collection. However, a relatively new method is gaining popularity called Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS). DAS uses changes in backscattered light of a fiber-optic cable to detect strain from acoustic energy. The purpose of this project was to make a direct comparison between DAS and three component geophones, specifically in a mining setting. Experiments were done in the Underground Education Mining Center on the campus of Montana Tech. The sources used for this project were vertical sledgehammer shots, oriented shear sledgehammer shots, and blasting caps set off in both unstemmed and stemmed …

Georgetown Lake Seismic Survey, Timothy Clayton Rodriguez

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

A near surface seismic survey was performed in order to locate the Georgetown Thrust Fault. The location of the thrust fault relative to Georgetown Lake has been previously proposed by field mapping methods (Lonn et al.,2004). A seismic survey could be useful to identify the thrust fault because of possible geologic discontinuities at the boundaries of the thrust fault that could give rise to diffraction energy indicative of the presence of those discontinuities. The Montana Tech summer field camp recorded a seismic survey along the southern edge of Georgetown Lake. This report focuses on the optimal processing methods for near …

Cordilleran Front Range Structural Features In Northwest Montana Interpreted From Vintage Seismic 2 Reflection Data, Mason Porter

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Industry seismic reflection data were collected in 1983 in the Rocky Mountain Cordillera front ranges of northwest Montana. These seismic profiles represent 160 km of deep reflection data that cross the eastern Purcell anticlinorium, Rocky Mountain Trench (RMT), Rocky Mountain Basal Detachment (RMBD), and Lewis thrust. We have reprocessed these data using modern processing techniques including refraction statics, pre-stack time migration (PSTM), and pre- and post-stack depth migration. The RMT contains Tertiary fill to 1 km depth and the RMT fault system has a minimum of 3-4 km of normal displacement. The RMT and Flathead fault systems are interpreted to …

Investigation Of Ambient Seismic Noise Using Seismic Interferometry In Western Montana, Natalia Krzywosz

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Passive seismic interferometry is a process by which ambient noise data recorded at different seismic stations can be cross-correlated to estimate Green's functions. In the past, both surface waves and body waves have successfully been extracted by cross-correlation of ambient noise data on both regional and global scales. In this study, I have generated Matlab code to simulate an application of seismic interferometry on a synthetic model with pre-defined layers and p-wave velocities. For areas with known velocity models, the Matlab code produced in this study can be used to generate synthetic seismograms, and model the effects of cross-correlation on …

A Hydrogeophysical Investigation Of Logan, Mt Using Electrical Techniques And Seismic Refraction Tomography, Taylor Stipe

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Logan, Montana USA is located on the Gallatin River, one of the three rivers forming the headwaters of the Missouri River. Previous hydrogeological studies have determined that the location at Logan is a possible pinch-point for the local Gallatin watershed where shallow groundwater is expected to discharge into the Gallatin River. However, groundwater monitoring wells indicate dry Tertiary sediments overlying bedrock, suggesting surface and groundwater systems are disconnected. We performed shallow seismic refraction, electrical resistivity, spontaneous potential, and electromagnetic surveys to investigate the groundwater system in the study area. Geophysical measurements were obtained near the Gallatin River and close to …

Stable Isotopes Of Hydrothermal Carbonate Minerals In The Butte Porphyry-Lode Deposits, Montana, Ryan Stevenson

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The stable isotopic compositions of over 90 hydrothermal carbonate minerals in the Butte porphyry-lode system were analyzed. These samples came from the underground workings as well as the active Continental Pit area. Most material came from polymetallic “Main Stage” veins which post-date the porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization of Butte. Some samples from late calcite-stellerite veins were also included in the study. Rhodochrosite d¹³C and d¹⁸O values range from -8.3 to -2.9‰ (average of -6.7±1.0‰) and -1.8 to 12.8‰ (average of 3.6 ±3.4‰) respectively, while calcite d¹³C and d¹⁸O values range from -9.0 to …

Effects Of Oxygen Content Of Admitted Gases In Sulfide Flotation, Brian J. Boyle

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

No abstract provided.

Methods Of Studying The Effects Of Frothers, Frank L. Bazzanella

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

No abstract provided.

Studies In Modulation Of Interfacial Reactions For Certain Sulphide Minerals, Robert Owen Beyaert

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

No abstract provided.

Habit Modification Of Naclo3 With Nai, William A. Coghlan

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

No abstract provided.

Production Of Standard-Grade Ferromanganese In An Electric Arc Furnace, Force F. Baney Jr.

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

The investigations conducted in this project were essentially concerned with the effects of various compositions of two different slag systems upon the increased recovery of manganese in a standard-grade ferromanganese.

Investigation Of The Ternary System Silver-Aluminum-Indium (Ag-Al-In), Elvin H. Beardslee

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

This thesis paper contains material pertaining to & preliminary investigation of the ternary system Ag-Al-In. Procedures in this preliminary investigation are discussed in detail.

Preliminary Examination Of The Aluminum Corner Of The Ternary System Aluminum-Silver-Indium (A1-Ag-In), Jerome J. Blake

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

In this paper the author attempts to lay the groundwork for future work on the Al-Ag-In system.

Increased Corrosion Of A 304 Stainless Steel Upon Bending, William C. Tiddy

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

No abstract provided.

Identification Of Nonmetallic Inclusions In Armco Ingot Iron With Polarized Light, Frank E. Panisko

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

No abstract provided.

The Hydrometallurgy Of Uranium, John E. Cesarani

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

No abstract provided.

Crystal Habit Modification Of Sodium Chlorate, Michael R. Keegan

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

All single crystals have a particular habit or morphology. The crystal habit refers to the relative degree of development of crystallographic planes into surfaces which make up the external appearance of the single crystal.

In this paper, NaClO3 is used as a parent crystal. Its simple cubic habit is modified to tetrahedral by the use of impurities of SO4=, S2O3=, Cr2O7=, and NO3-. The degree of habit change is studied as a function of impurity concentration and temperature. The problem and phenomena are explained in terms of surface chemistry and thermodynamics.

Physico-Chemical Principles Of Sixteenth Century Metallurgy, Robert E. Johnson

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

Following a review of sixteenth century metallurgical literature and a discussion of Gibbs free energy, this thesis discusses thermodynamic considerations of galena (PbS) reduction by iron from a lead assay of this period. The importance of fluxes in this assay is emphasized. The discussion covers both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions at 1100 degrees Celsius. Possible substitutes for iron are also covered.

Information from twenty-one small controlled lead assays is correlated with the thermodynamic discussion to determine the purpose of each constituent in the assay.

The Beneficiation Of Titaniferous-Magnetite Sands, Ronald Lloyd Nordwick

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

The purpose of this investigation of beneficiation methods is to develop and study possible economic methods for recovering an iron-titanium concentrate of sufficient purity to meet metallurgical requirements for subsequent direct reduction to pig iron and a high titanium slag.

Stress-Corrosion Cracking Of Brass, Paul A. Fossey

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

the mechanism of stress-corrosion cracking of brass has been sought for many years. Investigators have proposed many mechanisms, but each of these mechanisms has always had several drawbacks. This paper presents an account of experimental work done in the laboratory on this subject and compares it to the work of previous investigations. It evaluates the mechanisms presented by investigators and shows the failures of these mechanisms. A theory of Nitrogen Embrittlement is presented and an evaluation of this theory with experimental work follows.

Experimental Arc Furnace Smelting Of Titaniferous Iron Sands From The Northern Oregon Coast, Allan P. Herring

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

This investigation is an attempt to experimentally smelt titaniferous iron sands from the Northern Oregon Coast in a laboratory arc furnace.

The Effect Of Ph Upon Chelation Reactions In Montmorillonite Clays, Joseph Michael Keane

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate several chelation reactions and determine the effect of variable pH upon these reactions.

An Investigation Of The Sintering Of Iron-Wire Compacts, George L. Vivian

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

A study of the sintering of iron has been made by observing the rate of bonding of iron wires wound on iron spools. The specimens were sintered at a constant temperature of 850c in vacuum furnaces capable of producing pressures of 10-5 to 10-4 mm of mercury, and the growth of the bond between wires was observed as a function of time.

It has been concluded that the volume-diffusion mechanism is strongly operating in the sintering of iron at 850c, but in an evacuated system, the evaporation-condensation mechanism also contributes to the sintering process.