Events

RoKafe

Faculty Meeting

DeFord Lecture | Tim Lyons

How three billion years of Earth history may help us find life on exoplanets by Tim Lyons, University of California, Riverside

Abstract: Life and life-sustaining environments, including oceans, have existed on a dynamic Earth for more than four billion years. Each of our many past planetary states was associated with a particular atmospheric composition, and those atmospheres contained gases that were produced by Earth’s early life. Using ancient Earth to understand when and how these biosignature gases accumulated is allowing us to select targets and techniques for exploring the many Earth-like planets beyond our solar system.

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.

Tim Lyons

UTIG Seminar Series: Eli Tziperman, Harvard University

Speaker: Eli Tziperman, Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University

Host: Yuko Okumura & Patrick Heimbach

Title: Warm climate surprises: from an enhanced frequency of Sudden Stratospheric Warming events to a wet future California

Abstract: First half: Major Sudden Stratospheric Warming events (SSWs) occur in the Arctic stratosphere during winter at a frequency of about six events per decade. An SSW features a distorted or completely collapsed stratospheric polar vortex, as well as tens of degrees of warming within several days. SSW events affect the Arctic Oscillation (AO)/ Northern Annular Mode (NAM) and are related to extreme winter weather events in North America and Europe. We suggest that the expected strengthening of the tropical tropospheric variability known as the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), which is currently the dominant atmospheric variability in intraseasonal time scales (20–40 days), may lead to an increase in the frequency of future SSW events, and discuss the mechanism. [Work led by Wanying Kang].

Second half: The early-to mid-Pliocene (5.3–3 Myr), characterized by warmer temperatures and a similar CO2 concentration to that at the present, is considered a useful analog for future warming scenarios. Geological evidence suggests that at that time, many modern-day desert regions such as the South-West United States, including Death Valley in California, received higher levels of rainfall and supported large lakes and wetter vegetation types. These wetter conditions have been difficult to reconcile with model projections of 21st-century drying over the same areas. We show that this discrepancy between past evidence and future projections may be due to the models missing an important feedback: Increasing sea surface temperature (SST) due to a weakening of the California coastal upwelling leads to wetter conditions over nearby land, and wetter land leads to a weakening of the wind that forces the upwelling. The mechanism and consequences are discussed. [Work led by Minmin Fu].

Mark Cloos retirement celebration

Help us celebrate our incredible retiring faculty!

WHEN: Friday, November 4 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
WHERE: Holland Family Student Center at the Jackson Geological Sciences Building at 23rd & San Jacinto

DeFord Lecture | Bruce Fouke

Life on the Edge of Entombment: 3.8 Billion Years of Biomineralization by Bruce Fouke, University of Illinois

Abstract: The survival of all forms of Life on Earth through geological time has depended on successfully responding to, and eventually controlling, mineral growth within the environment. This process, called biomineralization, has been an essential, unavoidable, and ubiquitously distributed force of nature that has provided essential strategic benefits (such as coral skeletons), as well as profound practical problems and impediments (such as kidney stones). This presentation will explore the scientific renaissance being driven by convergence of the geological, biological, and medical sciences (GeoBioMed), as a means to reframe our basic approach to tackling the grand challenges that face society regarding the environment, energy, health, and space exploration.

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 | Scott Eckley

The final doctoral examination for SCOTT ECKLEY has been scheduled for NOVEMBER 11, 2022; 8:00AM; JGB 3.222 AND VIRTUAL.

The PhD project ” Magmatic Thermal Histories And Emplacement Mechanisms Of Martian Shergottite Meteorites” was supervised by Dr. Rich Ketcham.

Committee members include: Drs. John C Lassiter, Yang Liu, and James E Gardner

ZOOM link: https://utexas.zoom.us/j/92206044593?pwd=YmluS2g0eVFNeG53NHF3WFhVNDEzQT09

UTIG Seminar Series: Kelin Wang, Geological Survey of Canada

Speaker: Kelin Wang, Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada

Host: Thorsten Becker

Title: TBA

Abstract: TBA

UTCT 25th Anniversary

Hot Science At Home "Hurricane Destructiveness in the 21st Century"

Tropical cyclones cause on average more than 10,000 deaths and billion in damages globally each year. Not only are hurricanes destructive because of the damaging winds but heavy rainfall and storm surge lead to flooding, rip currents and even tornadoes. Are hurricanes becoming more powerful and destructive and to what extent are these changes caused by climate change? Dr. Kerry Emanuel shares his research on hurricane prediction models and the long-term risk of hurricanes.

Kerry Emanuel of MIT is one of the world’s leading authorities on hurricanes. Dr. Emanuel’s research interests focus on tropical meteorology and climate, with a specialty in hurricane physics. Professor Emanuel is the author or co-author of over 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and three books, including Divine Wind: The History and Science of Hurricanes, published by Oxford University Press, and What We Know about Climate Change.

The event will be streamed live through our Facebook and YouTube channels and will include a Q&A with Dr. Emanuel.

For additional information about other Hot Science events, please visit hotsciencecooltalks.org.

Doctoral Defense | Kristina Butler

The final doctoral examination for KRISTINA BUTLER has been scheduled for NOVEMBER 14, 2022; 9:00AM; JGB 4.102 (Barrow Family Conference Room).

The PhD project “Mesozoic-Cenozoic Broken Foreland Basin Evolution In Northern Patagonia, Argentina (~42-46s): Integrating Sedimentation, Magmatism, and Subduction Dynamics” was supervised by Dr. Brian Horton.

Committee members include:

Andres Folguera

Cornel Olariu

Matthew A Malkowski

Peter P Flaig

The defense is open to all members of the University community and the public.

CPSH Seminar: Edwin Kite, University of Chicago

Center for Planetary Systems Habitability Seminar Series.

Speaker: Edwin Kite, Associate Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences,
The University of Chicago

Hosts: David Goldstein and Sean Gulick

Title: Exoplanet Atmosphere Recipes

Abstract: The James Webb Space Telescope will enrich our understanding of the atmospheres of sub-Neptunes and super-Earths, including potentially habitable worlds. I will discuss what determines which exoplanets retain atmospheres and oceans, and how exoplanet atmosphere compositions are shaped by elemental fractionation. Key processes that can shape habitable-exoplanet atmospheres include impact erosion, XUV-driven atmosphere loss, planetesimal contamination, and atmosphere-magma exchange. I will discuss sub-Neptunes, terrestrial exoplanets, and the worlds in between.

Doctoral Defense | Natasha Piatrunia

The final doctoral examination for NATASHA PIATRUNIA has been scheduled for NOVEMBER 15, 2022; 8:15AM; VIRTUAL.

The PhD project “Glacial to Holocene Climate Variability in the Southern Mid-Latitudes”” was supervised by Dr. Tim Shanahan.

Committee members include:

Daniel O Breecker, Rowan C Martindale, Pedro Di Nezio, Judson W Partin

ZOOM link:  https://utexas.zoom.us/j/98150482370

The defense is open to all members of the University community and the public.

Faculty Meeting

Doctoral Defense | Zachary Foster-Baril

The final doctoral examination for ZACHARY FOSTER-BARIL has been scheduled for NOVEMBER 15, 2022; 2:00PM; JGB 4.102 (Barrow Family Conference Room) and virtual (see below).

The PhD project “Triassic And Jurassic Provenance, Sediment Dispersal, And Magmatism During The Breakup Of Pangea, Eastern North American Margin, U.S.A.” was supervised by Dr. Danny Stockli.

Committee members include:

Paul Olsen

Brian K Horton

Harm J Van Avendonk

Amy Weislogel

ZOOM link:  https://utexas.zoom.us/j/95686995683

The defense is open to all members of the University community and the public.

Faculty Meeting

DeFord Lecture | Barbara Carrapa

Rising from the ashes: marine and continental feedback responses to Andean volcanism and Miocene climate by Barbara Carrapa, University of Arizona

Abstract: The late Miocene is a critical time within the generally cooling trend of the Cenozoic, characterized by a warmer climate than today, shifts in global geo- and bio-chemistry and sea surface temperatures, and modern-like atmospheric pCO2. Although the cause(s) of these shifts remains unresolved, we show a strong correlation between Andean volcanism and diatom occurrence and abundance. This combined with increased Si flux from the Amazon river into the Atlantic starting at ~9Ma, and increased aridity, supports a connection between an increased flux of nutrients (Fe, Si) to the oceans in the Late Miocene that could have led to increased marine primary production associated with the Late Miocene Carbon Isotope Shift (LMCIS), the Late Miocene Biogenic Bloom (LMBB), and, through an enhanced biological pump and increased organic carbon burial, Late Miocene cooling. Peak late Miocene magmatism in the Central Andes coincides with global SST cooling. Peak Andean magmatism also correlates with a sharp increase in marine megafauna extinction rates. We suggest that the combination of Andean volcanism, climate and tectono-morphic regime contributed to ocean fertilization, enhancement of the biological pump, biogenic carbon burial, CO2 drawdown, and cooling in the last ca. 12 Ma, which disrupted marine ecosystems, especially in coastal waters, and contributed to the extinction of marine megafauna and the establishment of modern marine communities.

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 | Naoma McCall

The final doctoral examination for NAOMA McCALL has been scheduled for NOVEMBER 18; 9:00AM; JGB 4.102 (Barrow Family Conference Room) and virtual.

The PhD project “Geophysical Insights Of The Crater Subsurface At The Chicxulub And Ries Impact Craters” was supervised by Dr. Sean Gulick.

Committee members include: Michael Poelchau, Gail L Christeson, Marc A Hesse, and Richard A Ketcham

ZOOM link:  https://utexas.zoom.us/j/96284445687

The defense is open to all members of the University community and the public.

UTIG Seminar Series: Mika Tosca,SAIC

Speaker: Mika Tosca, Associate Professor, School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Host: Benjamin Kiesling

Title: TBA

Abstract: TBA

CPSH Seminar Series: Sara Miller, Cornell University

Center for Planetary Systems Habitability Seminar Series.

Speaker: Sara Miller, Graduate Student, Department of Astronomy, Cornell University

Host: Tim Goudge

Title: A General Circulation Model to Assess the Dynamics and Habitability of Europa’s Ocean

Abstract: Magnetometer measurements and remote sensing data of Jupiter’s moon, Europa, give strong evidence for a salty, liquid water ocean underneath a dynamic exterior ice shell. This work demonstrates progress towards a general circulation model to study heat, salinity, and momentum transport between the ice shell and ocean at Europa. Leveraging the terrestrial MIT general circulation model (MITgcm) as a baseline, the code is modified as appropriate to adapt it to the Europa environment. An important component of the Europa model is the ice shell code, which captures melting and freezing physics using a modified version of a widely adopted parameterization developed for ice-covered portions of Earth’s ocean. Given that global ocean circulation of heat, salt, and nutrients is an essential component of maintaining the marine biosphere on Earth, the thermal, geochemical, and momentum fluxes produced by the proposed model will shed light on the potential habitability of Europa’s ocean. Moreover, using a state-of-the-art terrestrial ocean model as its foundation, the proposed model seeks to capture a level of detail far beyond what has been done in existing planetary ocean models. The anticipated results of the proposed model will advance our understanding of the dynamical mechanisms that form and sustain ocean worlds across our solar system, as well as their potential to sustain life.

Doctoral Defense | Nam Phuong Pham

The final doctoral examination for Nam Phuong Pham has been scheduled for NOVEMBER 29; 1:00 PM; BEG VR Room.

The PhD project “DEEP LEARNING FOR AUTOMATIC GEOPHYSICAL INTERPRETATION WITH UNCERTAINTY QUANTIFICATION” was supervised by Dr. Sergey Fomel.

Committee members include: Drs. TBD

The defense is open to all members of the University community and the public.

Masters Tuesday

Please help us celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating Masters students by joining us for a special DeFord Presentation Tuesday (11/29) at 4:00 pm.

This Fall’s Masters Presentations event will be “klein aber fein”, with three outstanding presentations scheduled:

Rachel Blandon (EPS): Effect of rigid crystals on the experimental sintering of rhyolitic ash under shallow conduit conditions

Ashton Grace Crues (EER): Analysis of the Temperature Effects Related to Power Generation Surrounding Wind Turbine Installations Southwest of Abilene, Texas

Siang-Huei Liao (EER): The Challenge of Addressing Impact of China’s Crude Steel Production on Global Warming