Events

UTIG 2026 Spring Seminar Series: Ann Chen

Start:
January 16, 2026 at 10:30 am

End:
January 16, 2026 at 11:30 am

Location:
UTIG Seminar Conference Room - 10601 Burnet Road, Bldg. 196/ROC 1.603

Contact:
social@ig.utexas.edu, social@ig.utexas.edu

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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

Bureau of Economic Geology Seminar Series

Start:
January 16, 2026 at 1:00 pm

End:
January 16, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Location:
Zoom

Contact:
Alisha Lombardi, alisha.lombardi@beg.utexas.edu, 512-471-2677

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BEG Seminar presented by Pouyan Asem, UT Permian Basin on Zoom

Topic: Type I water-serpentinized harzburgite interactions: implications on geologic carbon cycle

SSL Seminar Series | Tian Dong

Start:
January 20, 2026 at 3:30 pm

End:
January 20, 2026 at 4:30 pm

Location:
Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324)

Contact:
Ruthie Halberstadt, annaruth.halberstadt@jsg.utexas.edu

 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 Lakshmi

Start:
January 22, 2026 at 3:30 pm

End:
January 22, 2026 at 4:30 pm

Location:
JGB 2.324

Contact:
Ruthie Halberstadt and Craig Martin

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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?

UTIG Spring Seminar Series 2026: Jinbo Wang

Start:
January 23, 2026 at 10:30 am

End:
January 23, 2026 at 11:30 am

Location:
PRC 196/ROC 1.603

Contact:
social@ig.utexas.edu, social@ig.utexas.edu

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Contact: social@ig.utexas.edu. Speaker: Jinbo Wang, Associate Professor, Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University Title: SWOT Wide-Swath Altimetry: A New Era for Submesoscale Ocean Dynamics Host: Patrick Heimbach Click here for more seminar details.

Bureau of Economic Geology Seminar Series

Start:
January 23, 2026 at 1:00 pm

End:
January 23, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Location:
BEG VR Room 1.116C

Contact:
Alisha Lombardi, alisha.lombardi@beg.utexas.edu, 512-471-2677

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BEG Seminar presented by Dr. Bridget Scanlon, BEG in person.

Topic: Remote sensing, hydrology

SSL Seminar Series | Kristin Bergmann

Start:
January 28, 2026 at 3:30 pm

End:
January 28, 2026 at 4:30 pm

Location:
Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324)

Contact:
Ruthie Halberstadt, annaruth.halberstadt@jsg.utexas.edu

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 Present

Start:
January 29, 2026 at 3:30 pm

End:
January 29, 2026 at 4:30 pm

Location:
Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324)

Contact:
Ruthie Halberstadt, annaruth.halberstadt@jsg.utexas.edu

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.

Energy AI Hackathon

Start:
January 30, 2026

End:
February 1, 2026

Location:
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Building

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UT PGE’s annual Energy AI Hackathon is one of UT Austin’s premier data analytics events. Over the course of a weekend, current students from across the university work together in teams to solve a real-world energy challenge using machine learning in Python — and compete for thousands in prize money and the opportunity to present to event sponsors at their corporate offices.

This is open to all UT students.

Bureau of Economic Geology Seminar Series

Start:
January 30, 2026 at 1:00 pm

End:
January 30, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Location:
BEG VR Room 1.116C

Contact:
Alisha Lombardi, alisha.lombardi@beg.utexas.edu, 512-471-2677

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BEG Seminar presented in person by Dr. Todd Halihan, Oklahoma State University, and Chief Technical Officer for Aestus, LLC in person

Topic: Subsurface hydrogeology

Energy AI Hackathon

Start:
January 30, 2026

End:
February 1, 2026

Location:
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Building

View Event

UT PGE’s annual Energy AI Hackathon is one of UT Austin’s premier data analytics events. Over the course of a weekend, current students from across the university work together in teams to solve a real-world energy challenge using machine learning in Python — and compete for thousands in prize money and the opportunity to present to event sponsors at their corporate offices.

This is open to all UT students.