Events
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DeFord Lecture: Melissa Kemp
Start:January 21, 2021 at 4:00 pm
End:
January 21, 2021 at 5:00 pm
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Biodiversity in the Anthropocene: a paleobiological perspective
About Dr. Melissa Kemp (UT Austin)
Impact of Sea level change and colonization on Caribbean lizards; how extinction, diversification, and colonization are shaped by environmental perturbations; integration of macroevolutionary theory with paleobiology, ecology, and conservation biology by combining field, laboratory, and quantitative methods.
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: William Frank, MIT
Start:January 22, 2021 at 10:30 am
End:
January 22, 2021 at 11:30 am
Contact:
Constantino Panagopulos, costa@ig.utexas.edu, 512-574-7376
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Speaker: William Frank, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Host: Demian Saffer
Title: The transient and intermittent nature of slow slip
Abstract: Slow, aseismic slip (such as slow slip and surface creep) is now recognized as the glue at tectonic plate boundaries that holds the earthquake cycle together. Since the first observations of surface creep along the San Andreas plate boundary more than 50 years ago, advances in geophysical instrumentation and innovative observational approaches have revealed that faulting at major plate boundaries covers a broad spectrum of slip modes, from fast earthquake ruptures to intermittent slow slip.
Today, the continuous GPS record and satellite imagery reveal the jerky, intermittent nature of aseismic slip. The pattern that is emerging suggests that slow slip at plate boundaries and surface creep on major transform faults is not a steady, continuous process as once thought, but is rather a complex spatiotemporal cluster of interacting aseismic transients. Aseismic slip rate variations have now been observed at all temporal scales, from seconds to decades. These new observations suggest slow slip is much more similar to earthquake slip than previously acknowledged, with strong implications on our understanding of the dynamics of active faults. These new observations call for new families of models with much broader dynamics that are able to reproduce the observed rich spectrum of slow slip.
Habitability Seminar: Eric Anslyn, University of Texas at Austin
Start:January 25, 2021 at 1:00 pm
End:
January 25, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Location:
Zoom Meeting
Contact:
David Goldstein, david@oden.utexas.edu
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A seminar from the Center for Planetary Systems Habitability
Title: Information Storage in Abiotic Sequence-Defined Polymers – Their Potential for Replication and in Seeking Molecular Complexity
DeFord Lecture: Jennifer McIntosh
Start:January 28, 2021 at 4:00 pm
End:
January 28, 2021 at 5:00 pm
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Evolution of Earth’s Deep Terrestrial Water Cycle over Geological Timescales
About Dr. Jennifer McIntosh (University of Arizona)
Hydrogeochemist who works at the interface of hydrology, geochemistry, and microbiology to understand micro (pore) to macro (continental scale) processes throughout the earth’s crust. Regional hydrogeologic phenomena and geofluids. Reactive transport.
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: Emily Eidam, UNC at Chapel Hill
Start:January 29, 2021 at 10:30 am
End:
January 29, 2021 at 11:30 am
Contact:
Constantino Panagopulos, costa@ig.utexas.edu, 512-574-7376
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Speaker: Emily Eidam, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Host: John Goff
Title: Changes in hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics of the Coos Bay Estuary related to 150 years of modifications
Abstract: Estuaries worldwide have experienced modifications including channel deepening and intertidal reclamation over several centuries, resulting in altered hydrodynamics and fine sediment routing. The Coos Bay Estuary in Oregon, the largest west-coast estuary between San Francisco Bay and the Columbia River mouth, has been extensively modified since the 1860s. We used a coupled hydrodynamic and sediment transport model to evaluate changes in estuarine dynamics between 1865 (using a grid based on digitized historic survey charts) and present (using a compilation of new high-resolution bathymetry data). Dredging and other development projects have led to an increase in channel depth from ~6.7 to 11 m, a 12% increase in area, and a 21% increase in volume. These changes are associated with a 33% increase in tidal amplitude, an 18% increase in salinity intrusion length, and a doubling of the subtidal salt flux. These changes have reduced current magnitudes, reduced bed stresses, and increased stratification, especially during rainy periods. River water and sediment effluent from the Coos River have been re-routed from broad intertidal flats to a dredged navigation channel, where an estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) forms. This “new” ETM supplies sediment to proximal embayments in the middle estuary and the shallow flats. Overall, sediment trapping during winter (and high river discharges) has increased more than two-fold, owing to increased accommodation space, altered pathways of supply, and altered bed stresses and tidal asymmetries. In contrast to funnel-shaped estuaries with simpler geometries and river-channel transitions, these results highlight the importance of channel routing and dredging to sediment routing and retention.
Bureau of Economic Geology Seminar SeriesJanuary, 16 2026Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PMLocation: Zoom BEG Seminar presented by Pouyan Asem, UT Permian Basin on Zoom Topic: Type I water-serpentinized harzburgite interactions: implications on geologic carbon cycle |
UTIG 2026 Spring Seminar Series: Ann ChenJanuary, 16 2026Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMLocation: UTIG Seminar Conference Room - 10601 Burnet Road, Bldg. 196/ROC 1.603 Title: Studying the earthquake cycle using InSAR and coral derived surface deformation observations Speaker: Ann Chen, Associate Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin Host: Thorsten Becker |
SSL Seminar Series | Tian DongJanuary, 20 2026Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMLocation: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324) Natural and Human Impacts on Coastal Land Building by Dr. Tian Dong Abstract: Sediment and water delivered by rivers build and sustain coastal landforms such as deltas and wetlands, which are densely populated and ecologically vital areas threatened by rising sea levels. In this talk, I highlight theory-driven and field-based research to understand how coastal land building operates across broad deltaic plains and how human activity affects these processes. On the theoretical front, inspired by Hack’s law (the scaling between watershed drainage area and channel length in tributary networks), we analyzed a global dataset of distributary delta networks and discovered a nearly identical scaling relationship between distributary channel length and nourishment area, the land-building counterpart to drainage area. Despite this apparent global scaling, we identified two distinct local land-building patterns: Uniform Delta Networks consistently follow Hack’s law, while Composite Delta Networks exhibit a scale break, transitioning from space-filling growth around the delta apex to quasi-linear growth near the coast. These surprising growth patterns suggest that global simplicity and local variability coexist in how river deltas grow and organize. To assess regional variability and human impacts, we combined remote sensing with field observations from the Lower Rio Grande, finding that the river currently carries about one-third of its median 1900s discharge, and only about 0.3% of its natural flow reaches the Gulf due to human consumption. This reduction leads to channel contraction, higher water levels for the same discharge, and significant shoreline retreat (up to 6 m/yr). I conclude by highlighting three ongoing/future research directions on deltaic land building: (i) sedimentation influenced by human engineering, (ii) wind-driven sediment redistribution, and (iii) the effects of sediment influx from retreating glaciers. |
DeFord Lecture | Venkat LakshmiJanuary, 22 2026Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMLocation: JGB 2.324 Progresses and Challenges in Hydrology by Dr. Venkat Lakshmi, professor at the University of Virginia Abstract: In order to study land surface hydrology, we need to use a multitude of tools, namely, modeling, observations and their synergism. After multiple decades of hydrological modeling, we still have major challenges. However, we have novel observations and mathematical methods that are now available and can be harnessed to achieve progress. These include earth observations that are available at global scales and at high spatial resolutions and frequent temporal repeat. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) can be used (specifically Transfer Learning) to determine streamflow in un-gaged or poorly-gaged watersheds. In this talk, I will focus on four major questions and provide examples for each of the questions. These examples will highlight both advances and limitations for each issue. (i) Do earth observations compare well with in-situ counterparts? (ii) How important is rainfall in hydrological modeling? (iii) Can we get higher spatial resolution of earth observations? (iv) How do we study un-gaged/poorly gaged watersheds? |
Bureau of Economic Geology Seminar SeriesJanuary, 23 2026Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PMLocation: BEG VR Room 1.116C BEG Seminar presented by Dr. Bridget Scanlon, BEG in person. Topic: Remote sensing, hydrology |
SSL Seminar Series | Kristin BergmannJanuary, 27 2026Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMLocation: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324) Temperature and the earliest animals: Quantitative climate reconstruction across the Neoproterozoic–Phanerozoic transition by Dr. Kristin Bergmann Abstract: The Neoproterozoic–Phanerozoic transition records the emergence of complex animals, the origin of biomineralization, and the establishment of modern marine ecosystems—yet the climate context for these evolutionary milestones remains poorly quantified. Reconstructing ancient temperatures requires integrating sedimentology, carbonate petrography, and isotope geochemistry. Our field-based stratigraphic analysis establishes depositional context and identifies the most promising sampling targets; detailed petrographic screening and microstructural analyses constrain diagenetic paragenesis. Clumped-isotope thermometry (Δ47–Δ48) reconstructs temperature signals within this sedimentological framework, resolving the ambiguity between temperature and seawater composition that limits traditional δ¹⁸O approaches. This rocks-first workflow reveals large, directional climate shifts with ecological consequences. In the Tonian and Cryogenian, data from Oman and elsewhere indicate near-modern tropical temperatures before and after Snowball Earth glaciations, suggesting dynamic hydrologic and climatic transitions. During the Ediacaran, post-glacial warming followed by ≥20 °C cooling likely expanded oxygenated habitats and set the stage for early animal diversification. In the Ordovician, ~15 °C of long-term tropical cooling over ~40 Myr culminated in brief but extensive glaciation, providing the climate context for the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event. By grounding geochemical data in sedimentological and petrographic observations, we build a quantitative framework linking climate and habitability and provide evidence that temperature change guided life\'s evolutionary trajectory in deep time. |
SSL Seminar Series | Ted PresentJanuary, 29 2026Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMLocation: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324) Biogeochemical Signals of Seafloor Oxygenation by Dr. Ted Present Abstract: Earth’s oxygenation transformed the atmosphere, oceans, and ultimately the seafloor, establishing the carbon and sulfur cycles that govern our planet today. When and how did oxygen penetrate into marine sediments, shifting where organic matter was recycled and setting up the biogeochemical architecture we recognize in modern oceans? I approach this question by studying how microbial and chemical processes at the sediment-water interface leave lasting signatures in sedimentary rocks. Using sulfur isotopes and detailed sedimentology, I will show how Paleozoic carbonates and evaporites track the reorganization of ocean redox structure through critical evolutionary transitions like the Late Ordovician glaciation and mass extinction. The Permian Reef Complex of West Texas demonstrates how cementation and dolomitization patterns archive ancient sulfur cycling, with insights grounded in observations from modern tidal systems where diagenetic processes govern carbon storage along our changing coasts. I will close with how I envision training UT Austin students in integrated field and laboratory approaches to pursue future research leveraging evaporite basins, novel phosphatic archives, and terrestrial carbonates. By extracting environmental signals from the diagenetic processes that create the rock record, this work builds a framework for understanding how Earth’s oxygenation reshaped life and its environment. |
Bureau of Economic Geology Seminar SeriesJanuary, 30 2026Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PMLocation: BEG VR Room 1.116C BEG Seminar presented in person by Dr. Todd Halihan, Oklahoma State University, and Chief Technical Officer for Aestus, LLC in person Topic: Subsurface hydrogeology |
SSL Seminar Series | Mackenzie DayFebruary, 03 2026Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMLocation: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324) From sand to stratigraphy: How dunes record the changing landscape of Earth and other planets by Dr. Mackenzie Day Abstract: Desert dune fields preserve rich sedimentary records of environmental change, providing insight into both past climate and modern landscape evolution. This presentation explores three desert systems on Earth and Mars, using dune fields as a lens to examine how landscapes, both ancient and modern, respond to shifting environmental conditions. These investigations address the longevity of Earth’s dune fields, the interplay between wind and water, and the applicability of aeolian sedimentology to planetary bodies beyond Earth. Together, they highlight how dune fields serve as dynamic archives of change, and how Earth, Mars, and other bodies can be studied in tandem as natural laboratories for generalizing aeolian sediment transport to arbitrary fluid-gravity conditions. |
SSL Seminar Series | Marjorie CantineFebruary, 05 2026Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMLocation: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324) Human, climate, sediment and geobiological history of a rapidly-growing carbonate island by Dr. Marjorie Cantine Abstract: You may have heard the line that real estate is valuable because \"they aren\'t making more land\"; in this talk, I\'ll show you that that\'s not true. I\'ll use the sedimentary and radiocarbon records of a carbonate island in the Caribbean, Little Ambergris Cay, to describe its formation over the last millenium, how its growth relates to past climate, and what it means for mechanisms potentially capable of protecting shorelines in the near future. I\'ll leverage geobiological field experiments to help explain the mechanisms of island growth. Finally, I\'ll share how ongoing work in my group is leveraging geoarchaeological archives to better understand the human and climate histories of the Common Era and inform hazard predictions in the region through testing climate models. I will also briefly describe other work ongoing in my group, which tackles questions at the nexus of time, sedimentary processes, and geochemistry from the Precambrian to the Common Era. |
15th Annual Jackson School of Geosciences Student Research SymposiumFebruary, 06 2026Time: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM |
Bureau of Economic Geology Seminar SeriesFebruary, 06 2026Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PMLocation: BEG VR Room 1.116C BEG Seminar presented by Stacy Timmons and Mike Timmons, New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, in person. Topic: New Mexico Geological Survey |
SSL Seminar Series | Vamsi GantiFebruary, 10 2026Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMLocation: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324) From Dunes to Channel Belts: How Rivers Organize and Move Across Scales by Dr. Vamsi Ganti Abstract: Rivers are Earth’s arteries: they transport water and sediment from uplands to oceans, sustain ecosystems and agriculture, and build the stratigraphic record of past environmental change. Yet rivers are far from static—they are dynamic systems that evolve across scales, from ripples and dunes on the riverbed to entire channel belts. In this seminar, I will present three discoveries that reveal the mechanisms shaping alluvial river form and motion across these scales. (1) Laboratory experiments and theory identify a previously unrecognized transition in river-dune organization at the onset of significant suspended sediment transport. This transition influences flow roughness, flood-driven dune reconfiguration, and the nature of preserved fluvial strata. (2) Using a new image-processing tool, we analyzed 36 years of satellite imagery from 84 rivers to uncover the origins of single- versus multithread channels. Single-thread rivers achieve a balance between lateral erosion and accretion, maintaining equilibrium width, while multithread rivers arise when erosion outpaces accretion, causing individual threads to widen and split. This mechanistic insight informs both planetary geomorphology and cost-effective river restoration. (3) Finally, I’ll show how human activity and climate change are already altering the way rivers flow and evolve. Dams dampen river motion and reduce the number of active threads, whereas increased sediment supply from land-use change and glacial melt are making rivers in the Global South and High Mountain Asia more dynamic. Together, these discoveries provide a mechanistic view of river evolution across scales and highlight why understanding river behavior is essential—not only for managing water, life, and landscapes they sustain today, but also for decoding the history of environmental change recorded in sedimentary strata. |
DeFord Lecture | Jake JordanFebruary, 12 2026Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMLocation: JGB 2.324 |