Events
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UTIG Seminar Series: Christina Patricola, Berkeley Lab
Start:February 1, 2019 at 10:30 am
End:
February 1, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Location:
PRC ROC Room 1.603
Contact:
Constantino Panagopulos, costa@ig.utexas.edu, 512-471-0160
View Event
Click to watch the seminar online
Speaker: Christina Patricola, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Host: Pedro Di Nezio
Title: Natural and Anthropogenic Influences on Tropical Cyclones
Abstract: Tropical cyclones (TCs) are among the costliest and deadliest natural hazards. There are numerous influences on TCs that can originate from the atmosphere and ocean, act constructively or compensate, operate on timescales spanning weather to climate, and arise from natural variability or anthropogenic forcings. Due to this complex set of factors, as well as the limited period of consistent observations, I use ensembles of convection-permitting regional climate model experiments to uncover causal relationships. Starting with anthropogenic change, I will (1) discuss how the intensity and rainfall of 15 recent destructive TCs could be different if similar events were to occur in pre-industrial and future climates. On the topic of TC variability, I will (2) demonstrate that Atlantic TCs are not limited by their typical precursor (African easterly waves) on the climate timescale, and (3) discuss the influence of the diverse spatial patterns of El Niño’s sea-surface temperature (SST) warming on TCs. Finally, I will (4) present a new index for the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) that, for the first time, uniquely captures ENSO’s diversity and extremes and accounts for both the nonlinear response of deep convection to SST and background SST changes associated with the seasonal cycle and climate change. Altogether this research sheds light on the ongoing debate as to whether climate change has yet affected TCs and identifies the utility of potential atmospheric and oceanic sources of seasonal-centennial TC predictability.
UTIG Special Seminar: Carlos Calderon
Start:February 1, 2019 at 3:00 pm
End:
February 1, 2019 at 4:00 pm
Location:
PRC ROC Room 2.201
Contact:
Constantino Panagopulos, costa@ig.utexas.edu, 512-471-0160
Special seminar hosted by UTIG.
Speaker: Carlos Calderon, Senior Geophysicist, ION Geophysical
Host: Mrinal Sen
Title: Improving the resolution of the velocity model with full-waveform inversion of diving waves and reflections
Abstract: Deriving an accurate subsurface velocity model in complex geology requires seismic data with long offsets and wide signal bandwidth in combination with high-resolution model building and imaging methods. Full waveform inversion (FWI) has become a powerful tool for improving the shallow part of the velocity. This type of inversion makes use mostly of first arrivals from the longest offsets. Signal from smaller offsets and later times extend the depth range and resolution of FWI. A top-down FWI approach in combination with offset and frequency staging potentially produces a robust and accurate velocity model that improves the image. Furthermore, the inverted model can be used as a product for quantitative interpretation with post-stack or pre-stack inversion methods. We illustrate the benefits of a FWI flow with field data.
Student Research Symposium
Start:February 2, 2019 at 9:00 am
End:
February 2, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Location:
University of Texas at Austin campus
Contact:
Kristen Tucek, ktucek@jsg.utexas.edu, 512-775-6745
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UTIG Brown Bag Seminar: Dan Duncan, UTIG
Start:February 5, 2019 at 12:00 pm
End:
February 5, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Location:
PRC ROC Room 1.603
Contact:
Kelly Olsen, kolsen@utexas.edu
Informal weekly presentations by UTIG students and researchers. Bring your lunch!
This week: Chasing ice in Greenland and Alaska from beneath the sea surface, improving multibeam techniques
Speaker: Dan Duncan, Research Scientist Associate IV, UTIG
DeFord Lecture: Kate Marvel
Start:February 7, 2019 at 4:00 pm
End:
February 7, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Location:
JGB 2.324
Deutschlandjahr Alumni Initiative: Julia Clarke
Start:February 7, 2019 at 6:00 pm
End:
February 7, 2019 at 7:00 pm
Location:
JGB 2.324
Contact:
Elizabeth Catlos, ejcatlos@jsg.utexas.edu
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Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils New Discoveries?
Prepare to take a journey of discovery into the exciting world of modern paleontology with Dr. Julia A. Clarke who will highlight new discoveries in this field and its implications. For example, a new species of feathered dinosaur discovered in southern Germany is changing the perception of how predatory dinosaurs looked. The fossil of Sciurumimus albersdoerferi, which lived about 150 million years ago, provides the first evidence of feathered theropod dinosaurs that are not closely related to birds. Dr. Clarke will particularly focus on sounds and colors of these magnificent reptiles.
UTIG Seminar Series: Gregor Steinbrügge
Start:February 8, 2019 at 10:30 am
End:
February 8, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Location:
PRC ROC Room 1.603
Contact:
Constantino Panagopulos, costa@ig.utexas.edu, 512-471-0160
View Event
Click to watch the seminar live online (streaming starts 10:30am)
Important note: This is a live-only event. The presentation will be streamed live but there will be no recording available after the event.Speaker: Gregor Steinbrügge, UTIG
Host: Don Blankenship
Title: Tides of Planets and Satellites
Abstract: Tidal interactions and resulting deformation of planets and satellites are key to understand the dynamics of our Solar System. Tides are relevant for the rotational state of bodies, their orbital evolution, thermal state and are important for assessing the habitability of icy satellites in the outer Solar System. I will summarize the current understanding of tidal processes and how they link to the interior structure and orbital evolution of terrestrial and icy bodies. I will outline the theoretical basics, related observations and also highlight the future challenges in view of the upcoming missions Europa Clipper, Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer and BepiColombo to worlds affected by tides.
DeFord Lecture: Ran Feng
Start:February 12, 2019 at 4:00 pm
End:
February 12, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Location:
JGB 2.324
DeFord Lecture: Geeta Persad
Start:February 14, 2019 at 4:00 pm
End:
February 14, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Location:
JGB 2.324
Alumni Reception in Houston in conjunction with winter NAPE
Start:February 14, 2019 at 5:00 pm
End:
February 14, 2019 at 7:00 pm
Location:
The Rustic, 1836 Polk Street, Houston TX 77003
Contact:
Kristen Tucek, ktucek@jsg.utexas.edu, 512-775-6745
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UTIG Seminar Series: Sarah Brownlee, Wayne State University
Start:February 15, 2019 at 10:30 am
End:
February 15, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Location:
PRC ROC Room 1.603
Contact:
Constantino Panagopulos, costa@ig.utexas.edu, 512-471-0160
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Speaker: Sarah Brownlee, Wayne State University
Host: Rob Porritt
Title: Seismic anisotropy in the middle and lower continental crust: using rocks to improve seismic interpretations
Abstract: Seismic anisotropy, the directional dependence of seismic velocity, has been an invaluable tool for understanding strain and flow in the upper mantle. The utility of seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle can be attributed in part to a wealth of studies characterizing the properties of mantle rocks and minerals. In contrast, the continental crust is not nearly as well-characterized due in large part to its very small volume in relation to global seismic raypaths. The continental crust also poses numerous complexities in mineralogy and structure making it significantly more difficult to characterize. Recently, a number of studies have been focused on characterizing the full anisotropic elasticity of rocks from the continental crust. These studies have motivated efforts to predict how these rocks will appear in seismic observations, and thus to recalibrate the assumptions used in seismic inversions in order to improve our ability to distinguish various rock types and deformation in the continental crust. I will begin by discussing the basics of seismic anisotropy and how it is observed. Then we will delve into the catalogue of crustal rock properties, reviewing some of the trends in elastic symmetry with deformation and rock type in the continental crust. I will present a simple scaling scheme to allow for more realistic non-elliptical hexagonal elastic tensors in seismic inversions, and discuss how real crustal rocks might appear in seismic data. The take home message is that while the continental crust is complicated, it cannot be ignored, because even when the focus of study is the mantle, most of our observations are made through the window of the continental crust. Further characterization of the elastic properties of crustal rocks, and how these rocks are expressed in seismic data will improve our ability to use seismic methods to understand deformation in and beyond the continental crust.
Hot Science - Cool Talk "Investigating Our Cosmic Origins"
Start:February 15, 2019 at 7:00 pm
End:
February 15, 2019 at 8:15 pm
Location:
San Jacinto Residence Hall (SJH)
Contact:
Didey Montoya, didey@austin.utexas.edu, 5124714211
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The cosmos is too vast for us to comprehend – from the backyard of our solar system, which spans hundreds of millions of miles, to the Milky Way galaxy, and beyond to the cavernous voids of deep space. Dr. Casey will share some of the remarkable recent strides in studying distant realms of the Universe, what implications this has for our cosmic origins, and what challenges lie ahead in solving its most elusive mysteries as well as the quest for life in the cosmos.
DeFord Lecture: Cristian Proistosescu
Start:February 19, 2019 at 4:00 pm
End:
February 19, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Location:
JGB 2.324
DeFord Lecture: Yi Ming
Start:February 21, 2019 at 4:00 pm
End:
February 21, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Location:
JGB 2.324
UTIG Seminar Series: Baole Wen, UT ICES
Start:February 22, 2019 at 10:30 am
End:
February 22, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Location:
PRC ROC Room 1.603
Contact:
Constantino Panagopulos, costa@ig.utexas.edu, 512-471-0160
View Event
Click to watch the seminar online.
Host: Kehua You
Title: Modeling of convective CO2 dissolution in a closed porous media system: from low-pressure ideal-gas to high-pressure real-gas conditions
Abstract: Motivated by geological carbon dioxide (CO2) storage, many recent studies have investigated the fluid dynamics of solutal convection in porous media. Here we study the convective dissolution of CO2 in a closed porous media system, where the pressure in the gas declines as convection proceeds. This introduces a negative feedback that reduces the convective dissolution rate even before the brine becomes saturated. We analyze the case of an ideal gas with a solubility given by Henry’s law, in the limits of very low and very high Rayleigh numbers. The equilibrium state in this system is determined by the dimensionless dissolution capacity, ?, which gives the fraction of the gas that can be dissolved into the underlying brine. Analytical approximations of the pure diffusion problem with ? > 0 show that the diffusive base state is no longer self-similar and that diffusive mass transfer declines rapidly with time. Direct numerical simulations at high Rayleigh numbers show that no constant flux regime exists for ? > 0; nevertheless, the quantity F/Cs2 remains constant, where F is the dissolution flux and Cs is the dissolved concentration at the top of the domain. Simple mathematical models are developed to predict the evolution of Cs and F for high-Rayleigh-number convection in closed systems. Finally, the modeling is extended to high-pressure & real-gas conditions and verified using laboratory experiments.
Special Lecture: Matt Kohn
Start:February 23, 2019 at 1:00 pm
End:
February 23, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Location:
JGB4.102
UTIG Special Seminar: Xiaotao Yang
Start:February 25, 2019 at 11:00 am
End:
February 25, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Location:
PRC ROC Room 2.201
Contact:
Constantino Panagopulos, costa@ig.utexas.edu, 512-471-0160
Join us for an informal special seminar in the second floor conference room at UTIG.
Speaker: Xiaotao Yang, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Host: Thorsten Becker
Title: Seismic imaging of slab segmentation and correlation with volcano distribution along the Aleutian-Alaska subduction zone
Abstract: The along-strike variation (segmentation) of downgoing slabs and surface volcanic activity has been observed globally. However, the influence of slab segmentation on volcano distribution is poorly understood. The diverse magmatism and the presence of volcanic gaps make the Aleutian-Alaska subduction zone an ideal place to investigate this question. Using full-wave ambient noise tomography, we present a high-resolution shear-wave velocity model in Aleutian/Alaska. The new model reveals a distinct high-velocity Pacific slab along the Aleutian arc, subducting at a steeper angle than the Yakutat slab beneath southcentral Alaska. The change in slab geometry and mantle wedge velocities correlate with the non-uniform distribution of volcanic activities. In contrast to the back-arc and forearc low velocities within the Aleutian mantle wedge, the seismically fast mantle wedge beneath the Denali volcanic gap may indicate the lack of melt. Our findings provide direct evidence for the correlation between slab segmentation and magmatism at subduction zones.
DeFord Lecture | Dr. Richard TaylorApril, 25 2024Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PMLocation: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324) Adapting to the Amplification of Climate Extremes Through Freshwater Capture: Evidence from the Tropics by Dr. Richard Taylor, Department of Geography, University College London Abstract: In low-income countries of the tropics undergoing rapid growth, global warming presents challenges to the expansion and sustainability of water supplies required to advance progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Substantial uncertainty persists in projections of precipitation under climate change. A widely observed impact, pronounced in the tropics, is the intensification of precipitation comprising a transition towards fewer but heavier rainfalls. How does this transition impact terrestrial water balances? How might these changes influence freshwater demand? I will interrogate these questions and review mounting empirical evidence from the tropics of the resilience to climate change of groundwater resources, which act as a natural inter-annual store of freshwater supporting adaptation to the amplification climate extremes. Presented evidence includes case studies and local-to-regional scale analyses from tropical Africa and the Bengal Basin of South Asia. Outcomes emphasize the interconnected nature of surface water and groundwater as well as the value of groundwater as a natural, distributed store of freshwater. This insight provides a platform to explore more equitable and sustainable water development pathways resilient to climate change. |
UTIG Seminar Series: Cornelia Rasmussen, UTIGApril, 26 2024Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMLocation: PRC 196/ROC 1.603 Speaker: Cornelia Rasmussen, Research Associate, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics Host: Krista Soderlund Title: The Emerging Field Of Position-Specific Isotope Analysis: Applications in chemical forensics, exobiology, geo- and environmental sciences Abstract: Complex organics can be found all over our solar system and within each living thing on our planet, be it as part of its physiology or as a contaminant. However, different processes can lead to the formation of chemical identical molecules. This makes answering a number of scientific questions challenging. One example is distinguishing between biotic and abiotic molecules, hence hindering life detection on early Earth but especially on other planetary bodies, such as on Mars, Titan, Enceladus and on meteorites where organics have been detected. Moreover, tracing molecules as they move through the environment can be demanding, yet is essential in studying the flow of organic molecules as well as correlating pollutants with their source. Novel tools to address these challenges are currently being developed. Especially, the emerging field of position-specific isotope analysis is beginning to grant access to the unique intramolecular carbon (13C/12C) isotope fingerprint preserved in complex molecules. This fingerprint can be applied in various scientific disciplines, ranging from forensics to exobiology, geo- and environmental sciences, including geo health. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) has the potential to become a key player in this research area, as it allows the analysis of organics within complex mixtures, all without the need to fragment the molecule into single carbon units or the combustion of the molecule of interest. We have been developing several NMR tools that allow us to investigate the intramolecular carbon isotope distribution within various molecule classes and to test the central hypothesis that the position-specific carbon isotope distribution within complex organics depends on a molecule’s source and formation history. |
Planetary Habitability Seminar SeriesApril, 29 2024Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PMLocation: PMA 15.216B UT Center for Planetary Systems Habitability Seminar Series. See website for speaker schedule and more details: View Events Join remotely: https://utexas.zoom.us/j/94052130734 In person: Classroom 15.216B, Physics, Math and Astronomy Bldg. UT Austin, Department of Astronomy 2515 Speedway, Stop C1400 Austin, Texas 78712-1205 |
UTIG Discussion Hour: Kristian Chan - PhD Talk (UTIG)April, 30 2024Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PMLocation: ROC 2.201 |