Geology Commons^™

Hydrogeochemical Characterization Of Yalahau Region, Mexico, Jessica Leann Mckay

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The Yalahau Region, located in the northeastern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula, hosts a series of elongated depressions trending north/south in the direction of Isla Holbox, identified as the Holbox Fracture Zone. Previous studies have explored the geomorphology and various hydrologic characteristics of the Yucatán Peninsula; however, there is a paucity of data concerning the interior region where the fractures are located. Strontium isotope and major ion geochemistry data of the surface water and groundwater of this region serves as a hydrogeochemical fingerprint, aiding to constrain the hydrological boundaries, determining flow paths, and characterizing hydrogeochemical processes that impact the composition …

Large-Area, High Spatial Resolution Land Cover Mapping Using Random Forests, Geobia, And Naip Orthophotography: Findings And Recommendations, Aaron E. Maxwell, Michael P. Strager, Timothy A. Warner, Christopher A. Ramezan, Alice N. Morgan, Cameron E. Pauley

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Despite the need for quality land cover information, large-area, high spatial resolution land cover mapping has proven to be a difficult task for a variety of reasons including large data volumes, complexity of developing training and validation datasets, data availability, and heterogeneity in data and landscape conditions. We investigate the use of geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA), random forest (RF) machine learning, and National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) orthophotography for mapping general land cover across the entire state of West Virginia, USA, an area of roughly 62,000 km2. We obtained an overall accuracy of 96.7% and a Kappa statistic of …

Protoconch Enlargement In Western Atlantic Turritelline Gastropod Species Following The Closure Of The Central American Seaway, Stephanie Sang, Dana Suzanne Friend, Warren Douglas Allmon, Brendan Matthew Anderson

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Abstract The closure of the late Neogene interoceanic seaways between the Western Atlantic (WA) and Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP)—commonly referred to as the Central American Seaway—significantly decreased nutrient supply in the WA compared to the TEP. In marine invertebrates, an increase in parental investment is expected to be selectively favored in nutrient‐poor marine environments as prolonged feeding in the plankton becomes less reliable. Here, we examine turritelline gastropods, which were abundant and diverse across this region during the Neogene and serve as important paleoenvironmental proxies, and test whether species exhibit decreased planktotro‐ phy in the WA postclosure as compared to …

An Analysis Of Fractures Around The Sevier Fault Zone Near Orderville, Utah, Charley H. Hankla

Senior Independent Study Theses

Structural discontinuities—such as opening mode joints, shear fractures, and faults— tend to occur in close geographic proximity to one another; however, the timing relationships between these structures is not always easy to discern in the field. In southwestern Utah, the Jurassic Navajo Sandstone is cut by large-scale normal faults associated with the Sevier Fault Zone, making it perfect for observing several fracture types. The aim of this study is to complete a dynamic and kinematic analyses of the fractures near a major fault and to determine the chronologic relationships between the fractures. Specifically, we observed a previously unnamed segment of …

Paleoenvironment And Paleoclimate Of Ne Pangea In Early Permian-Linking Chemo- And Cyclo-Stratigraphy, Bogda Mountains, Nw China, Xin Zhan

Doctoral Dissertations

"The overall objective of this study is to understand physical and chemical responses of Earth Systems to environmental and climatic perturbations of diverse magnitudes and time scales in Bogda Mountains, NE Pangea. Field investigations, petrographic observations, and geochemical analyses have been used to interpret paleoenvironment and paleoclimate in cm-m-scale high-order cycles (HCs: 0.1-100 kyrs), low-order cycles (LCs: 1-10 Myr), and critical events of late Paleozoic ice age (LPIA: 320-260 Myr ago). Four organo-facies are one-to-one correlated with the four lithofacies in the meter-scale HCs, suggesting litho- and organo-facies are genetically linked and fundamentally controlled by environmental changes associated with lake …

Fault Imaging Enhancement In Taranaki Basin, New Zealand And Rock Physics And Inversion Based Reservoir Characterization In The Central Gulf Coast Region Of Texas, Tianze Zhang

Doctoral Dissertations

"Fault imaging technique and reservoir characterization based on rock physics analysis and pre-stack inversion has been widely used hydrocarbon exploration. For the fault imaging technique, the ant tracking has been widely used in fault interpretation. However, the reliability of the results is highly dependent on appropriately choosing a signal processing method and volume attributes. In our study area, which lies in the southern Taranaki Basin, we applied Graphic Equalizer as the processing tool and the Chaos attribute before running the ant tracking algorithm. Results show that the procedure provides a better result and can map both the major and minor …

Volatiles And Trace Element Contents In Melt Inclusions From The Zoned Green Tuff Ignimbrite (Pantelleria, Sicily): Petrological Inferences., Pierangelo Romano, John C. White, Alessandro Ciulla, Ida Di Carlo, Claudia D'Oriano, Patrizia Landi, Silvio G. Rotolo

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The island of Pantelleria is one of the best known localities of bimodal mafic-felsic magmatism (alkali basalt and trachyte-pantellerite). Among the felsic rocks, the coexistence in a single eruption of products of both trachyte and pantellerite compositions is limited to few occurrences, the Green Tuff (GT) ignimbrite being one of these. The GT is compositionally zoned from pantellerite (70.1 wt% SiO2, mol Na+K/Al = 1.86, 1871 ppm Zr) at the base to crystal-rich (>30 vol%) comenditic trachyte (63.4 wt% SiO2, mol Na+K/Al = 1.10, 265 ppm Zr) at the top, although the pantellertic compositions dominate the erupted volume. We …

The Leyva Canyon Volcano, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Presidio Co., Texas., John C. White, Kevin M. Urbanczyk, Kelly Watson

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Leyva Canyon volcano is an Oligocene (37.3 to 27.1 Ma) trachyte shield volcano whose eruptive and volcaniclastic deposits of rhyolite and trachyte lavas, ash-flow tuffs, lahars, and associated sedimentary rocks comprise the Leyva Canyon Member of the Rawls Formation. The lavas and tuffs originated from vents located near the present-day "Bofecillos vent" in the central Bofecillos Mountains, approximately 5 km west of the Sauceda Ranger Station in Big Bend Ranch State Park in southernmost Presidio County, Texas. The pyroclastic and volcaniclastic units form the distinctive cliffs and caves at the periphery of the Bofecillos Mountains, with the caves developing in …

Provenance And Depositional Environments Of The Upper Permian-Lowermost Triassic Fluvial And Lacustrine Sandstones, Wutonggou Low-Order Cycle, Bogda Mountains, Nw China, Dongyu Zheng

Doctoral Dissertations

"This work integrates petrographic and fieldwork studies and documents the spatial and temporal distributions of compositions and textures of the upper Permian-lowermost Triassic fluvial-lacustrine sandstones, Wutonggou low-order cycle (WTG LC), Bogda Mountains, NW China. In the first part, three petrofacies are identified on the basis of the relative abundances of quartz, feldspar, and lithics and conglomerate compositions and paleocurrent directions are documented. These data indicate that rocks of the eastern North Tianshan Suture (ENTS) and rift shoulders were the provenance lithology. Moreover, the upsection changes of petrofacies and conglomerate compositions suggest that the lithology of ENTS changed. During approximately Wuchiapingian, …

Geological And Mineralogical Characteristics Of Pilok And Takua Pit Thong Tin-Tungsten Deposits, Western Thailand, Karn Phountong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Pilok and Takua Pit Thong mine were one of tin-tungsten mines associated with the Western Granitoid Belt. Despite the very poor condition of the outcrop, petrographic and geochemical studies reveal two granitoid units: porphyritic granite and equigranular granite, which show similar petrography characteristics except for tourmaline that appears only in equigranular granite, and their textures. Based on whole-rock geochemistry, porphyritic granite is ferroan to magnesian, alkalic, peraluminous granite whereas equigranular granite is ferroan to magnesian, alkali to alkali-calcic, peraluminous granite. Both granites show S-type affinity. The REE patterns show enrichment in LILE (e.g. K, Rb) and HFSE (e.g. Nb, Ta). …

Petrography And Geochemistry Of Volcanic Rocks In Khao Sam Sip Area, Sa Kaeo Province, Maythira Sriwichai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The volcanic rocks at Khao Sam Sip, Sa Kaeo province is part of the Loei-Phetchabun-Sa Kaeo Volcanic Belt. Based on field observation, petrographic and geochemical studies, the rocks in the study area can be divided into four rock units namely, 1) Basalt-andesite unit, 2) Polymictic andesitic unit, 3) Epiclastic unit, and 4) Clastic unit. Unit 1 is the lowest unit in sequence consisting of olivine-pyroxene-plagioclase basalt, pyroxene basalt, hornblende-plagioclase andesite, and plagioclase andesite. Unit 2 consists of polymictic andesitic breccia and polymictic andesitic sandstone. Unit 3 is epiclastic unit comprising of crystal-lithic sandstone and polymictic conglomerate. Units 4 includes fine-grained …

Geology And Mineralization Characteristics Of Epithermal Gold, Suwan Prospect, Changwat Phitsanulok, Tanad Soisa

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The Suwan prospect is located about 6 km northwest of the Chatree gold mine in Phitsanulok province, central Thailand. Gold-silver mineralization occurs as veins and stockworks hosted in volcaniclastic and volcanogenic-sedimentary rocks of Late Permian- Early Triassic age which is classified as a low sulfidation epithermal deposit base on mineralization texture, alteration pattern and sulfide mineral assemblages. From top to bottom, the hosted volcanic succession can be divided into 3 units, namely 1) Felsic volcanic unit (Unit 1), 2) Volcanogenic-sedimentary unit (Unit 2), and 3) Porphyritic andesite unit (Unit 3). Unit 1 consists predominantly of quartz-rich fiamme breccia, lithic-rich fiamme …

Organic Geochemical Characteristics Of Coal Deposits In Lampang Province, Patthapong Chaiseanwang

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

ถ่านหินและหินตะกอนจำนวน 31 ตัวอย่างจากแหล่งถ่านหินแม่ตีบและแหล่งถ่านหินแม่ทานที่ตั้งอยู่ในจังหวัดลำปางทางตอนเหนือของประเทศไทยถูกนำมาศึกษาลักษณะเฉพาะทางธรณีเคมีอินทรีย์ (Organic geochemistry) ผลจากการวิเคราะห์ปริมาณสารอินทรีย์ทั้งหมด (Total organic carbon) พบว่าตัวอย่างถ่านหินจากแหล่งแม่ตีบมีค่าระหว่าง 30.12 - 73.71 wt. % และสูงกว่าตัวอย่างถ่านหินของแหล่งแม่ทานซึ่งมีค่าระหว่าง 23.48 - 52.50 wt. % หินดินดานจากทั้งสองแหล่งมีค่าใกล้เคียงกันระหว่าง 4.82 - 19.49 wt. % ในแหล่งแม่ตีบ และ 14.00 - 24.87 wt. % ในแหล่งแม่ทาน ค่าที่น้อยที่สุดของปริมาณสารอินทรีย์ทั้งหมดปรากฏในตัวอย่างหินโคลนซึ่งมีค่าระหว่าง 0.88 – 4.92 wt. % ในแหล่งแม่ตีบ และค่าระหว่าง 0.59 – 5.98 wt. % การวิเคราะห์ปริมาณสารอินทรีย์ที่สกัดได้ (Extractable organic matter) ในตัวอย่างหินของแหล่งแม่ตีบมีค่าระหว่าง 1,277 - 9,764 ppm ในขณะที่ตัวอย่างหินของแหล่งแม่ทานมีค่ามากกว่าโดยอยู่ระหว่าง 1,256-16,421 ppm จากข้อมูลข้างต้นทั้งสองแหล่งมีศักยภาพการเป็นชั้นหินต้นกำเนิดของแหล่งปิโตรเลียมอยู่ในเกณฑ์ดีถึงดีเยี่ยมยกเว้นหินโคลนบางตัวอย่าง ข้อมูลลักษณะเฉพาะทางธรณีเคมีอินทรีย์ศึกษาจากแก๊สโครมาโตแกรม (Gas chromatogram) ได้มาจากการวิเคราะห์โดยใช้เครื่องมือแก๊สโครมาโตกราฟี-แมสสเปกโตมิเตอร์ (Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer) ซึ่งให้ข้อมูลของตัวชี้วัดทางชีวภาพ (Biomarker and non-biomarker) ที่มีประโยชน์ในการตีความทั้งระดับความพร้อมสมบูรณ์ (Maturity) ชนิดของอินทรีย์วัตถุ (Organic matter input) และสภาพแวดล้อมการสะสมตัวในอดีต (Depositional environment) ในการศึกษานี้ถ่านหินมีระดับความพร้อมสมบูรณ์เทียบเคียงกับระดับถ่านหิน (coal rank) อยู่ในระดับลิกไนต์ถึงบิทูมินัสสารระเหยสูงระดับซี (Lignite – high volatile bituminous C) อ้างอิงจากตัวชี้วัดความพร้อมสมบูรณ์ทางชีวภาพ (Biomarker maturity) ซึ่งบ่งชี้ว่าตัวอย่างหินมีระดับความพร้อมสมบูรณ์อยู่ในระดับตอนต้น (immature-early mature stage) แก๊สโครมาโตแกรมของแอลเคนสายตรง (n-alkanes) …

Terrain Analysis In Phetchabun Province, Tanapat Pichetsopon

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Phetchabun province, lower northern Thailand is vulnerable to geohazards, landslide and flooding with the potential for significant harm to people and property. In addition, Phetchabun province has many lineaments that could be potential source of tectonic activities. In this study, terrain analysis techniques are used through 30 meters resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data in order to determine geomorphic indices related to tectonic activity. The statistic index method (Si) is calculated in relation of six parameters to indicate landslide susceptible area. and the hydromorphometric contrast index (HCI) is used to identify sensitive area to flooding by evaluating five parameters. According …

Color Enhancement Of Tourmaline By Electron Beam Irradiation, Waratchanok Suwanmanee

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Tourmaline is a semi-precious stone that is quite popular in gem market. Red-purple tourmaline, so-called “Rubellite”, is particularly famous. Consequently, pink tourmalines have recently been enhanced by gamma radiation to intensify color as rubellite. In this study, an electron beam technique was applied for experimental treatment. Moreover, gamma ray irradiation was also applied to treat the same sample collection for comparison. Color enhancement was designed for both radiations at three levels of doses, i.e., 400, 800, and 1,200 kilogreys. Pink and green tourmalines from Nigeria were collected for the experiment. Each sample was cut into two tablets for experimental irradiations …

Suid Fossils And Sedimentology From The Chaloem Phra Kiat And Phimai Sandpits, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thunchanok Kawinate

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The suid fossils were recorded in fluvial sediments at the Chaloem Phra Kiat and Phimai Districts, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. In this study, numerous suid fossils were identified systematically by the measurement and description in detail of the external morphology of teeth, and comparison with other related species. Sedimentary facies and facies association from stratigraphy of fluvial depositional environment from sandpits have also been studied. As a result, sediments from Chaloem Phra Kiat and Phimai sandpits comprise very fine to coarse-grained sand with dominate sedimentary structures of the fluvial deposits. The cumulative stratigraphical thickness of the studied successions was 12-15 m. …

Reconstruction Of Sea Level Fluctuation And Environmental Change In Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Changwat Prachuap Khiri Khan During The Late Holocene, Worakamon Nudnara

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The Gulf of Thailand is generally provided the efficiency evidences of sea level fluctuation according to the lack of tectonic events. Sam Ro Yot National Park (SRY) is located in the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand with its elevation approximately at sea level. Sedimentary sequences from SRY wetland has been obtained. This sedimentary sequence can be divided into 3 units, comprised dark grey silty to sandy clay of unit A, beige clay of unit B, and gyttja sediment of unit C. An intensive analysis was focused on core CP-4 because it is the longest core and compose of …

Sediment Provenance Study Of The Lower Hamilton Group: An Analysis Of The Organic-Rich Facies And Its Depositional History, Luke Patrick Fritz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Currently, insufficient geological models exist to explain the variability and distribution of TOC in the Marcellus Shale, within the Hamilton Group. TOC is one of the several limiting factors for natural gas production within the Marcellus Shale basin. One possible explanation for the low TOC regions is that detrital dilution was variable across the basin, with different sediment sources contributing detritus to low TOC areas, compared to surrounding regions with higher TOC. This hypothesis is tested by analyzing the source composition of inorganic detritus, using elemental and mineralogical proxies, with two cores in the Hamilton Group. The Armstrong #1 core …

A Soil Genesis Investigation Into Possible Long-Range Transport Of Foreign Sediments In The Stann Creek District Of Belize, Heath Sawyer

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Throughout the world, long range transport (LRT) of aeolian dust plays a major role in the total global dust budget. Research suggests that LRT dust from the deserts of North Africa play a role in soil genesis in the Americas. The focus of this study is a preliminary investigation for evidence of North African dust or volcanic ash influence on the soils in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in Stann Creek District, Belize. A series of 7 soil profiles were analyzed from a catena transect to determine if there is evidence of foreign materials by using X-ray diffraction and Scanning …

Beneath The Gypsum Dunes: Cenozoic History Of Wind And Water From A Core Drilled At White Sands, New Mexico, Jackson Bentley Jakeway

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

White Sands, New Mexico is the largest gypsum dune field on planet Earth, the result of reworking of gypsum deposits. The dunes have been well studied, but the Cenozoic history preceding the formation of the dune field has been poorly studied. A core drilled to a depth of 192 ft (58.5 m) beneath the modern dune field contains deposits from saline lakes, sandflats, perennial freshwater lakes, perennial brackish to saline lakes, and saline mudflats.

The core is composed of bottom-growth bedded gypsum, gypsum sandstone and siltstone, mixed siliciclastic-gypsum sandstones and siltstones, laminated siliciclastic mudstones, gypsum mudstones, and carbonate mudstones. Bottom-growth …