Events
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JSG | BEG | UTIG | EPS |
DeFord Lecture | Isaiah Bolden
Start:December 1, 2022 at 4:00 pm
End:
December 1, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Location:
JGB 2.324 (Boyd Auditorium)
Contact:
John Lassiter
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Biogeochemical Fingerprints of Change in Coral Reef Ecosystems Across Space and Time by Isaiah Bolden, Georgia Tech
Abstract: Coral reef ecosystems are known to be in a global state of decline, largely attributed to sea-surface warming, ocean acidification, pollution, disease, and other direct human contributions. The impending transition away from calcified substrates to macroalgae dominance and other alternative stable states within these environments could translate to major losses in marine biodiversity, erosion of protective coastal barriers, stress on major fisheries, and numerous other sociocultural and economic impacts. My research combines discrete and autonomous measurements of carbonate chemistry, trace metal, and carbon isotope variability within coral reef environments, quantitative decomposition models of biogeochemical fluxes within reefs, and high-resolution mass spectrometry to investigate various geochemical proxies as fingerprints of stress-induced changes in reef metabolism and community composition. I also apply similar tools to understand the utility and nuances of coral skeletons as paleoclimate archives in modern and ancient reef ecosystems. Here, I will primarily report on (1) the use of temporal variability in modern reef seawater Sr/Ca ratios as an indicator of calcifier community composition shifts under compounding environmental stressors and (2) ongoing efforts to construct comprehensive paleoclimate records of Southern Caribbean temperature and aridity using co-located coral skeleton and speleothem geochemical analyses. The ultimate aim of research in my group is to build and apply sophisticated analytical and quantitative tools for detecting and monitoring environmental change on reefs and better protect the ecosystem services these dynamic environments provide.
DeFord Lecture Series
Since the 1940’s, the DeFord (Technical Sessions) lecture series, initially the official venue for disseminating EPS graduate student research, is a forum for lectures by distinguished visitors and members of our community. This is made possible through a series of endowments.
UTIG Seminar Series: AGU Special! Charles Babendreier & Eric Hiatt
Start:December 2, 2022 at 10:30 am
End:
December 2, 2022 at 11:30 am
Location:
PRC 196/ROC 1.603
Contact:
Constantino Panagopulos, costa@ig.utexas.edu, 512-574-7376
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Speaker: Charles Babendreier, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics
Host: Shuoshuo Han
Title: Massive submarine landslides imaged offshore southern Oregon
Abstract: Submarine landslides are gravity-driven, mass transports that occur beneath the sea surface along the slopes of underwater geologic features (e.g., continental slopes, submarine canyons). In some cases, submarine landslides can destroy valuable ocean bottom infrastructure and/or generate tsunamis, posing risk to nearby coastal communities. At the Cascadia Subduction Zone off the west coast of the U.S. and Canada, the oceanic Juan de Fuca Plate slides beneath the continental North American Plate. Previous bathymetric and seismic imaging have shown that submarine landslides are ubiquitous along the Cascadia margin. In 2021, new multi-channel seismic data were acquired onboard the R/V M. G. Langseth using a 12 km hydrophone streamer and a 6600 in3 airgun source through the CAscadia Seismic Imaging Experiment 2021 (CASIE21). Using this dataset, we have an unprecedented opportunity to map the buried deposits of submarine landslides and characterize their structure along this margin. We identified 10 massive submarine landslide deposits offshore southern Oregon (latitudes 42°-44° N). Landslide deposits of this scale are not observed elsewhere along this margin. Two of the older deposits, both near 44° N, have the largest spatial extent. They are imaged over 55 km seaward of the deformation front and cover an estimated area of 17000 km2 and 7430 km2, respectively. The mean estimated surface area of the other eight events is 470 km2. Six of the ten observed slides exhibit compressive thrust features contained mostly within the seaward portion of the deposit. These are interpreted to be zones of impact-induced deformation from the slide material. Six of the ten deposits also contain at least one distinct region of high-amplitude, semi-coherent reflections, which we interpret to indicate detached slide blocks. Our observations from the seismic images suggest that most of these slides failed and displaced as cohesive bodies with high seafloor impact-velocities. Given the size and style of deformation of these deposits, some of these events could have generated great tsunamis. We will conduct stratigraphic analysis and integrate existing ocean drilling data to determine the age of these landslide events and investigate their impact on wedge evolution and tsunami hazards in this region.
Speaker: Eric Hiatt, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics
Host: Sean Gulick
Title: Limited Recharge on Early Martian Aquifers: Numeric & Analytic Recharge Rate Estimates As Constrained By Geomorphic and Geochemical Observations
Abstract: The surface of Mars shows past evidence for liquid water at its surface, however the time water remained and its volume remain open questions. In this work, we derive an idealized mathematical solution for an equation often used to study groundwater flow on Mars. We use this solution to analyze and validate a computer model based solution in a configuration that reflects the geometry associated with a planet scale problem. We use publicly available elevation data to populate our model as well as Martian shoreline elevations proposed in previous works. This allows us to investigate possible combinations of shorelines and recharge rates that produce model outputs that resemble observations made on Mars. Large volumes of work have been produced to characterize the deposition and erosional history of landforms on Mars. There is general consensus that specific Martian terrains show evidence that make groundwater upwelling more likely. The same is true regarding groundwater sapping. We use these studies to eliminate model combinations that either produce upwelling or sapping in areas without evidence for these processes. In doing so, we find that recharge rates published in the literature are ten to one hundred times higher than our model predictions.
DeFord Lecture | Julia Cisneros
Start:December 6, 2022 at 4:00 pm
End:
December 6, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Location:
JGB 2.324 (Boyd Auditorium)
Contact:
John Lassiter
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The morphology of alluvial sand dunes
Abstract: In the process of sediment transport through a shearing flow, dunes are forming and simultaneously recording their surrounding conditions. These records offer clues about the movement of wind and water across an ancient, otherwise unknown, landscape. In turn, dunes are influencing how sediment is transported. Key to leveraging these records of ancient environments is our understanding of the links between flow, sediment transport, and bedform morphodynamics. To gain that critical understanding, we use modern bedforms to understand the conditions of the Earth and planetary systems and improve how contemporary environments are managed.
This talk will highlight research that aims to investigate dune formation and dune shape in big and small rivers and in shallow laboratory flows. This investigation allows the comparison and validation of the key processes controlling the formation of low-angle dunes. I then identify and discuss the conditions when one process may dominate in creating complex dune shapes. This talk highlights the balance between bedform superimposition and sediment suspension as controls on the formation of low-angle dunes. This information is vital to improving our approach to managing contemporary rivers under modern stressors and revealing the deposits of ancient rivers.
DeFord Lecture Series
Since the 1940’s, the DeFord (Technical Sessions) lecture series, initially the official venue for disseminating EPS graduate student research, is a forum for lectures by distinguished visitors and members of our community. This is made possible through a series of endowments.
DeFord Lecture | Jonathan Ajo-Franklin
Start:December 8, 2022 at 4:00 pm
End:
December 8, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Location:
Changed: JGB 4.102 (Barrow)
Contact:
John Lassiter
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Exploring the Subsurface with Regional DAS Networks: Results from the Imperial Valley Dark Fiber Project by Jonathan Ajo-Franklin, Rice University
Abstract:With recent advances in the large-scale deployment of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) approaches utilizing telecommunication infrastructure, the asymmetry between the per-channel cost of high-resolution passive seismic recording and corresponding active source deployments continues to increase. This has motivated renewed interest in both large-scale ambient noise studies as well as improved utilization of shallow natural seismicity for imaging applications. In this study, we highlight three approaches for using DAS, ambient noise, and shallow earthquakes to constrain larger scale S-wave velocity and reflectivity structure utilizing data acquired as part of the Imperial Valley Dark Fiber Project (IVDFP). The project targets structures near the Brawley Geothermal Field relevant to understanding the seismic signatures of hidden geothermal systems; to date, almost 19 months of continuous DAS data has been acquired on a 27 km (7000+ channel) dark fiber array stretching from Calipatria to Imperial, CA. In our first example, we show on-going work seeking to combine the high spatial density of DAS and anthropogenic ambient noise imaging to constrain zones of hydrothermal alteration directly beneath the Brawley field. In the second example, we attempt to utilize the abundant natural seismicity in the Brawley Seismic Zone (BMZ) recorded by DAS, and local earthquake tomography to improve constraints on S-wave structure over a larger region. In the third example, we image large lateral reflectivity features near the field using coherently scattered S-waves and 3D migration, an approach not possible using the classical sparse seismic arrays. These results are compared to existing datasets and interpreted to be related to deep hydrothermal alteration and fault-related structures at the southern termination of the Brawley Seismic Zone (BSZ).
Further information in: Ajo?Franklin, J., Rodríguez Tribaldos, V., Nayak, A., Cheng, F., Mellors, R., Chi, B., Wood, T., Robertson, M., Rotermund, C., Matzel, E. and Templeton, D.C., 2022. The Imperial Valley Dark Fiber Project: toward seismic studies using DAS and telecom infrastructure for geothermal applications. Seismological Society of America, 93(5), pp.2906-2919.
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DeFord Lecture Series
Since the 1940’s, the DeFord (Technical Sessions) lecture series, initially the official venue for disseminating EPS graduate student research, is a forum for lectures by distinguished visitors and members of our community. This is made possible through a series of endowments.
Doctoral Defense | Natchanan (Mint) Doungkaew
Start:December 9, 2022 at 1:00 pm
End:
December 9, 2022 at 3:00 pm
Location:
JGB 4.102 (Barrow Family Conference Room) and VIRTUAL
Contact:
Philip Guerrero
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The final doctoral examination for NATCHANAN (MINT) DOUNGKAEW is scheduled for DECEMBER 9; 1:00 PM; JGB 4.102 (Barrow Family Conference Room) and VIRTUAL.
The PhD project ” Fracture Growth In Chemically Reactive Geologic Systems: Experimental And Field Studies” was supervised by Dr. Peter Eichhubl.
Committee members include: Drs. Nicola Tisato, Mark A Helper, James E Gardner, David N Espinoza
The defense is open to all members of the University community and the public.
ZOOM link: https://utexas.zoom.us/j/93225848830
Alumni Reception at AGU in Chicago
Start:December 14, 2022 at 12:00 pm
End:
December 14, 2022 at 2:00 pm
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Join the Jackson School of Geosciences for an alumni reception at AGU’s annual meeting in Chicago.
WHEN: Wednesday, December 14 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm
WHERE: Fatpour TapWorks McCormick
Planetary Habitability Series: Valerie De Anda, UT AustinSeptember, 25 2023Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PMLocation: PMA 15.216B Speaker: Valerie De Anda, Provost’s Early Career Fellow and a Research Associate, Marine Science Institute, The University of Texas at Austin Host: Brett Baker Title: From Eukaryogenesis to Membrane Origins: using microbial metabolism as fossil record of early life Abstract: The origin of eukaryotes (eukaryogenesis) and the lipid composition of cellular membranes (lipid divide) have represented the most contentious problems in biology for decades. Recent findings, such as the discovery of Asgard archaea, have provided new clues on the emergence of complex life. Asgard archaea are now considered the closest prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes, yet little is known about the Asgard ancestor involved in the eukaryogenesis event (some 2 Gya). By using microbial metabolism as a fossil record of early life, we inferred the metabolic capabilities of the Asgard ancestor that gave rise to eukaryotes, including humans. Furthermore, we unravel another intriguing puzzle: the “lipid divide” which centers on the distinct lipid membrane compositions that separate bacteria and eukaryotes from archaea and how modern eukaryotes acquired their unique membrane-lipid composition. Drawing from the geological record we searched for genes that could explain the presence of steranes (fossilized lipids that are derived from sterols, a class of lipids produced by all major groups of eukaryotes). Until now, no archaea has been found to produce sterols in their membranes. By bridging different disciplines we identified for the first time sterol-like biosynthesis genes in Asgard archaea and verified their functionality through in vitro protein expression and lipid analyses. This is the first evidence of an experimentally diterpenoid cyclase in any archaea and the first to be described in Asgard representatives, providing new insights into the origin of membranes in complex life. Join us for a journey that transcends disciplinary boundaries and provides key insights into the prokaryote-to-eukaryote transition and the emergence of complex life on Earth. Biography: Valerie De Anda is a 2023 Provost’s Early Career Fellow and a Research Associate in the Baker Marine Microbial Ecology laboratory at UT Austin. She uses microbial metabolism to understand the past, present, and future outcomes of life on Earth. Her research focuses on unraveling the chemical and metabolic principles of life across ecological and evolutionary scales to develop an understanding of microbial properties and their implication in a changing environment. She earned her BSc in Biology and her PhD in Microbial Ecology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, both with summa cum laude. Her research has been published in high impact journals, including Nature, Nature Microbiology, and Nature Communications. Valerie has been invited to present her work in 10 countries at international conferences and universities and obtained several international awards. As a Mexican, first-generation female scientist, Valerie is committed to enhancing the representation and opportunities for women in science and other underrepresented groups. She believes that making science more diverse starts by awakening and empowering children and students that just need to see themselves reflected in real-life scientists from diverse backgrounds. |
UTIG Discussion Hour: Mohammad Afzal Shadab, Oden InstituteSeptember, 27 2023Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PMLocation: ROC 2.201 |
DeFord Lecture | Prosenjit GhoshSeptember, 28 2023Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PMLocation: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324) TBD by Dr. Prosenjit Ghosh, Indian Institute of Science Abstract: TBD DeFord Lecture Series Since the 1940\'s, the DeFord (Technical Sessions) lecture series, initially the official venue for disseminating EPS graduate student research, is a forum for lectures by distinguished visitors and members of our community. This is made possible through a series of endowments. |
Hot Science - Cool Talks: \"Living Wonders of the Hill Country\"September, 29 2023Time: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PMLocation: Welch (WEL) 2.224 \"Living Wonders of the Hill Country\" Discover the enchanting stories that make the Hill Country such a unique place. From colorful wildflowers to endangered species, an incredible variety of plants and animals call this region home. Learn about the importance of preserving the Hill Country\'s biological diversity and leave with ideas for how you can make a positive difference. Copies of Dr. Hillis’s new book, Armadillos to Ziziphus, will be available for purchase on site—don\'t miss the chance to get your copy signed after the talk! David M. Hillis is the director of the Biodiversity Center at the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Natural Sciences. He was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship (aka the \"Genius Award\") in 1999 and was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences in 2008. He is also known for his discovery of numerous new species, including Austin’s iconic Barton Springs Salamander. Cool Activities: 5:30 – 6:40 p.m. Talk with Q&A: 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Armadillos to Ziziphus Book Signing Post-Talk Hot Science – Cool Talks provides front-row seats to world class research. For additional information about the Hot Science events, please visit http://www.hotsciencecooltalks.org. |
UTIG Seminar Series: Eric Dunham, Stanford UniversitySeptember, 29 2023Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMLocation: PRC 196/ROC 1.603 Speaker: Eric Dunham, Professor, Department of Geophysics, Director, SDSS Center for Computation, Stanford University Host: Demian Saffer Title: Earthquake Swarms, Slow Slip, and Fault Valving in Coupled Models of Earthquakes and Fault Zone Fluid Transport Abstract: Fluids and changes in pore fluid pressure in fault zones are thought to affect earthquake occurrence and fault slip behavior. Here we integrate fault zone fluid transport into earthquake cycle models to explore the coupled evolution of slip, pore fluid pressure, and fluid transport properties. We explore several models that account for the evolution of porosity and permeability in response to dilatancy, permeability enhancement during slip, chemical healing and sealing, and creep compaction. We also model the pore fluid pressure distribution along subduction megathrust faults by integrating petrologic modeling of dehydration reactions with mechanical modeling of up-dip fluid flow. The models produce fluid-driven aseismic slip, even for rate-strengthening friction, with many similarities to slow slip events, as well as swarm seismicity. We explore the relevance of these models to observations of slow slip events in subduction zones and to earthquake swarms (both naturally occurring and from injection), while also highlighting the need for additional experimental and geologic constraints to discriminate between the models. |
Tailgate - UT vs. KansasSeptember, 30 2023Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PMLocation: The Holland Family Student Center at the Jackson School of Geosciences Tailgate 2023WHEN: Saturday, September 30, 12:30-2:30pm WHERE: Holland Family Student Center and Munib & Angela Masri Family Courtyard - Jackson Geological Sciences Building at 23rd & San Jacinto ![]() |
UTIG Discussion Hour: Megan Kerr, UTIGOctober, 04 2023Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PMLocation: ROC 2.201 |
DeFord Lecture | Emily GrubertOctober, 05 2023Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PMLocation: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324) TBD by Dr. Emily Grubert, University of Notre Dame Abstract: TBD DeFord Lecture Series Since the 1940\'s, the DeFord (Technical Sessions) lecture series, initially the official venue for disseminating EPS graduate student research, is a forum for lectures by distinguished visitors and members of our community. This is made possible through a series of endowments. |
UTIG Seminar Series: Kaixuan Kang, UTIGOctober, 06 2023Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMLocation: PRC 196/ROC 1.603 Speaker: Kaixuan Kang, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics Host: Thorsten Becker Check back soon for more details. |
UTIG Discussion Hour: Andrea Saavedra, MSUOctober, 11 2023Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PMLocation: ROC 2.201 |
DeFord Lecture | Ken BelitzOctober, 12 2023Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PMLocation: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324) TBD by Dr. Ken Belitz of the United States Geological Survey Abstract: TBD DeFord Lecture Series Since the 1940\'s, the DeFord (Technical Sessions) lecture series, initially the official venue for disseminating EPS graduate student research, is a forum for lectures by distinguished visitors and members of our community. This is made possible through a series of endowments. |
UTIG Seminar Series: Jingxuan Wei, UTIGOctober, 13 2023Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMLocation: PRC 196/ROC 1.603 Speaker: Jingxuan Wei, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics Host: Sean Gulick Check back soon for more details. |
GSA Friends and Alumni Reception 2023October, 16 2023Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PMJoin the Jackson School of Geosciences for a friends and alumni reception during GSA\'s annual meeting. WHEN: Monday, October 16 | 5:30-7:30pm WHERE: Scarpino at 960 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 RSVP HERE |
UTIG Discussion Hour: Sohini Dasgupta, UTIGOctober, 18 2023Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PMLocation: ROC 2.201 |
DeFord Lecture | Adam AtchleyOctober, 19 2023Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PMLocation: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324) TBD by Dr. Adam Atchley of Los Alamos National Laboratory Abstract: TBD DeFord Lecture Series Since the 1940\'s, the DeFord (Technical Sessions) lecture series, initially the official venue for disseminating EPS graduate student research, is a forum for lectures by distinguished visitors and members of our community. This is made possible through a series of endowments. |
UTIG Seminar Series: Evan Solomon, University of WashingtonOctober, 20 2023Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMLocation: PRC 196/ROC 1.603 Speaker: Evan Solomon, Associate Professor, University of Washington, College of the Environment Host: Shuoshuo Han Check back soon for more details. |