Events
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JSG | BEG | UTIG | EPS |
EPS Awards Ceremony
Start:May 1, 2012 at 4:00 pm
End:
May 1, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Location:
BOYD Auditorium- 3.214
PGST Seminar: Paul Betka
Start:May 2, 2012 at 12:00 pm
End:
May 2, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Location:
JGB 3.222
UTIG Seminar : Charles Brothers, Dan Eakin, Michael Ramirez, Yao You
Start:May 4, 2012 at 10:30 am
End:
May 4, 2012 at 11:30 am
Location:
PRC, Bldg 196, Rm1.603, 10100 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78758
Contact:
Gail Christeson, gail@ig.utexas.edu, 471-0348
View Event
Fellowship Talks
“New Constraints on the Formation of Abalos Mensa, Mars from Radar Stratigraphy and High-Resolution Imagery” (Brothers)
Abstract:
Abalos Mensa is a lobate, wedge-shaped landform on Mars’ north pole. The morphology of Abalos Mensa has led to various hypotheses for the genesis of this landform. The work presented here will analyze the stratigraphy and composition of Abalos Mensa in effort to constrain its genesis. These results indicate that published hypotheses for Abalos Mensa feature formation are insufficient; a purely depositional environment best agrees with radar and optical data, as well as new wind modeling results.
“Crustal-Scale Seismic Profiles across the Incipient Arc-Continent Collision Zone of Taiwan” (Eakin)
Abstract:
The relatively recent application of geophysical data acquisition techniques and their ability to image deep crustal structure has improved our understanding of the tectonic evolution of mountain belts all over the planet. Despite this advance, several fundamental questions concerning collisional mountain building remain unanswered. For example: What is the role of continental lithosphere? Does continental subduction occur? How does the subduction of continental crust affect the architecture of the upper plate?
Although these questions can be applied to any mountain belt, they are of particular significance in Taiwan. As a young active orogen, Taiwan provides the unique opportunity for geophysical imaging of active orogenic processes at depth. Furthermore, being one of the few examples of active arc-continent collision on the planet, Taiwan is the perfect natural laboratory to address several controversial topics in this relatively non- understood tectonic realm: What is the composition and thickness of the subducting Eurasian crust in the northernmost South China Sea? To what extent do subduction and potential accretion of continental crust affect the accretionary prism, and what mechanisms are responsible for swift exhumation of this material to the surface? What is the geometry of the forearc backstop? Is this geometry modified as collision progresses? New onshore-offshore geophysical data collected as part of the 2009 TAIGER acquisition program can provide some of these answers. Furthermore, the proposed study will yield new insights into the growth of mountain belts in general that can then be applied to similar orogens on the planet. It will also provide initial constraints for future geodynamic modeling of the Taiwan orogen.
“Suspension of Bed-Material Sand over Lateral Bars in the Lower Mississippi River, Southeastern Louisiana” (Ramirez)
Abstract:
Understanding specific pathways for sand transport in the lower reaches of large rivers, particularly the Mississippi, is the key to addressing multiple significant geologic problems and for environmental restoration efforts. Field studies were performed in the Mississippi River 75-100 km upstream of the Gulf of Mexico outlet in April 2010 (water discharge: 23,000 m3 s-1), May 2010 (18,500-20,500 m3 s-1), and March 2011 (27,000 m3 s-1) to examine sediment transport phenomena in the river channel. Methods comprised multibeam sonar bathymetric surveys, acoustic Doppler current profiler measurements of current velocity and acoustic backscatter, point-integrated isokinetic suspended sediment sampling, and channel-bed grab sampling. Channel morphology surveys revealed a 30-60 m deep thalweg, alternating between banks every 2-3 km, opposite bedform-covered lateral sand bars. Dune sizes nearest the thalweg ranged from 7 m wavelength and 0.3 m height to over 100 m wavelength and 2.3 m height as a function of water discharge, with decreasing dune sizes towards shallow water. Material comprising the dunes was well-sorted, 125-500 µm sand. Bedload transport rates increased exponentially with water discharge in April 2010 and March 2011 comparable to previous studies in this reach, though rates in May 2011 were well below predicted values for a site (Myrtle Grove) immediately downriver of a sand-mining project. Average water velocities ranged from 1.3 m s-1 in May 2010 to 2 m s-1 in March 2011. Skinfriction shear stress increased with water discharge, but varied over an order of magnitude at all measured discharges. Suspended sand concentration and grain size increased with proximity to the bed during all study periods, and was most pronounced in March 2011. Suspended sand concentrations were greatest over the center of lateral bars, and lowest in the thalweg, indicating that sand transport downstream occurs primarily over lateral sand bars where there is a combination of high shear stress and available bed material. Total bed-material discharge increased exponentially with water discharge. Bedform-induced turbulence may be responsible for the bed material suspension. These results are relevant to coastal restoration efforts by river diversion which seek to distribute sand from the upper water column to deltaic
interdistributary wetlands.
“Slope Failure in Submarine Sand and Silt Deposit” (You)
Abstract:
Slope failure in sand and silt deposits often generates turbidity currents. The size of the slope failure and the rate of which sediments are released downstream are important inputs for turbidity current models. Here we study the mechanics for subaqueous slope failure of sand and silty deposit using lab experiments and numerical models. We find that the changes in stress in the deposit are controlled by the dissipation of abnormal pore pressure that is generated by slope failure. As a result, the erosion rate for certain types of slope failure is proportional to the coefficient of consolidation of the deposit. We also find deposition of the turbidity current changes the pore pressure in the remaining deposit and constrains the size of the slope failure.
Hydro Brown Bag: Suzanne Pierce
Start:May 4, 2012 at 12:00 pm
End:
May 4, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Location:
JGB 3.222
Suzanne Pierce with the CIEEP in the JSG will be presenting “Fulbright NEXUS Presentation: Cyberinfrastructure for Chilean Natural Resource Management” on Friday 5/4 in JGB 3.222 at noon.
The Hydro Brown Bag seminar is an informal lunch-time seminar sponsored by the Department of Geological Sciences. Lunches are welcome.
UTIG Seminar Series: Erik Scott & Richard Denne, Marathon Oil Corp.
Start:May 11, 2012 at 10:30 am
End:
May 11, 2012 at 11:30 am
Location:
PRC, Bldg. 196, Rm 1.603, 10100 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78758-4445
Contact:
John Snedden, jsnedden@ig.utexas.edu, 471-0452
“The Impact of Chicxulub on the Deep-Water Gulf of Mexico”
Abstract:
The Chicxulub impact on the Yucatan peninsula at the Cretaceous (K) / Paleogene (Pg) boundary has been cited as the cause of numerous geologic events including a mass extinction of 40-70 % of all species, global distribution of ejecta material and re-mobilization of sediments along eastern North and Central America as well as around the Gulf of Mexico and redistributing it out into the deep water Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Well log and biostratigraphic data from Cretaceous well penetrations in the deep-water northern Gulf of Mexico show a distinctive micritic deposit at the K/Pg boundary that is similar in composition and biostratigraphy to sediments found near the Chicxulub Crater, DSDP/ODP cores and outcrops in Cuba. Investigation of seismic data in the northern Gulf of Mexico shows anomalous sedimentary wedges of high amplitude reflectors situated at the top of the Cretaceous section that are interpreted to be the resulting deposit from the mass transport flows and suspension fallout initiated by the impact. At the end of the Cretaceous, the northern Gulf of Mexico was undergoing allocthonous salt movement from the Jurassic-aged Louann Salt that was expressed in numerous salt highs defining potential clastic sediment fairways. The sediment redistribution caused by the Chicxulub impact filled in the available accommodation space around the salt highs, as well as depositing on the highs themselves, and altered the seafloor topography across the northern Gulf of Mexico resulting in a highly efficient transportation pathway from shelf to deep water and influence the sedimentation patterns of the subsequent sediment gravity flows of the Wilcox Formation.
JSG Spring Commencement
Start:May 19, 2012 at 3:00 pm
End:
May 19, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Location:
Bates Recital Hall
Contact:
Erin Negron, erin.negron@jsg.utexas.edu, 512-471-5870
Save the date. More details on Spring 2012 Commencement will be out later this semester.
Texas Water Summit: Securing Water for Texas’ Future
Start:May 20, 2012
End:
May 21, 2012
Location:
AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center
Contact:
Maegan Houghes, maegan.houghes@austin.utexas.edu
View Event
The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas (TAMEST) will hold the 2012 Texas Water Summit: Securing Water for Texas’ Future at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin, Texas on Sunday and Monday, May 20-21, 2012. This event will explore the major challenges of ensuring future water resources including: supply and demand, water science and conservation, surface and groundwater resources and developing new forms of water resources.
This event, hosted by The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas System, will include keynote addresses by The Honorable Mark Strama, Texas House of Representatives and Robert E. Mace, Ph.D., P.G., deputy executive administrator, Water Science and Conservation, Texas Water Development Board, as well as presentations by prominent experts from Texas industry, academia and government.
WHEN:
Reception and Dinner on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Full Program on Monday, May 21, 2012
WHO:
Dinner Keynote: The Honorable Mark Strama, Texas House of Representatives
Luncheon Keynote: Robert E. Mace, Ph.D., P.G., Deputy Executive Administrator, Water Science and Conservation, Texas Water Development Board
Prominent water experts from Texas industry, academia and government
Texas Water Summit: Securing Water for Texas’ Future
Start:May 20, 2012
End:
May 21, 2012
Location:
AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center
Contact:
Maegan Houghes, maegan.houghes@austin.utexas.edu
View Event
The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas (TAMEST) will hold the 2012 Texas Water Summit: Securing Water for Texas’ Future at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin, Texas on Sunday and Monday, May 20-21, 2012. This event will explore the major challenges of ensuring future water resources including: supply and demand, water science and conservation, surface and groundwater resources and developing new forms of water resources.
This event, hosted by The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas System, will include keynote addresses by The Honorable Mark Strama, Texas House of Representatives and Robert E. Mace, Ph.D., P.G., deputy executive administrator, Water Science and Conservation, Texas Water Development Board, as well as presentations by prominent experts from Texas industry, academia and government.
WHEN:
Reception and Dinner on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Full Program on Monday, May 21, 2012
WHO:
Dinner Keynote: The Honorable Mark Strama, Texas House of Representatives
Luncheon Keynote: Robert E. Mace, Ph.D., P.G., Deputy Executive Administrator, Water Science and Conservation, Texas Water Development Board
Prominent water experts from Texas industry, academia and government
UTIG Seminar Series: Tanner Mills, UTIGApril, 19 2024Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMLocation: PRC 196/ROC 1.603 Speaker: Tanner Mills, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics Host: Peter Flemings Title: Predicting greenhouse gas fluxes to the atmosphere from thawing permafrost Abstract: Arctic permafrost is thawing at rapid rates, which threatens to expose large stores of soil organic carbon to microbial degradation. As microbes utilize this carbon source, they produce greenhouse gasses (GHGs; CO2 and CH4) that can be emitted to the atmosphere and act as a positive feedback during future global temperature increases. While the permafrost carbon feedback has received much attention in the literature, little is known about the multiphase flow properties and the temperature dependence of microbial GHG production rates in thawing permafrost, both of which are essential for predicting GHG emissions from permafrost in the future. Flow experiments of synthetic and natural permafrost specimens under frozen conditions and incubations of permafrost samples are being performed to better understand the effective and relative permeabilities and GHG production rates of thawing permafrost soils. These data will be integral in providing new source terms for permafrost and global carbon models. |
Master\'s Thesis PresentationsApril, 19 2024Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PMLocation: JGB The Master of Science (MS) degree at the Jackson School of Geosciences is considered to be the professional degree for a career in the Geosciences. This degree is the foundation for students pursuing employment in the petroleum industry, environmental and hydrogeological fields, state and federal government agencies, and other related geoscience fields. Some students also use the MS degree as preparation for pursuing a Ph.D. The Energy & Earth Resources Interdisciplinary program provides the opportunity for students to prepare themselves in management, finance, economics, law and policy leading to analytical and leadership positions in resource-related fields. The private sector and government organizations face a growing need for professionals that can plan, evaluate, and manage complex resource projects, commonly international in scope, which often include partners with a variety of professional backgrounds. As requirements for these degrees, students must present a professional talk on Master\'s Thesis Presentations. |
Hot Science - Cool Talks: \"Humans vs AI\"April, 19 2024Time: 5:30 PM - 8:15 PMLocation: Burdine 106 Advancements in AI have unleashed astonishing capabilities, but it is not magic. Peter Stone reveals his insights into cutting-edge AI and robotics and explores how they may reshape our world. Someday these technologies could win the World Cup, and they are already outperforming the best humans at complex tasks like high-speed racing. |
Planetary Habitability Seminar SeriesApril, 22 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: Nicholas Montiel - PhD Talk (UTIG)April, 23 2024Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PMLocation: ROC 2.201 |
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 |