Computational Geosciences
Modeling and simulation offer tremendous opportunities for improving our understanding of the Earth system, addressing geoscience grand challenges, and providing decision-support tools for geoscience policy-makers and industry. The emergence of computation as a powerful tool for prediction and decision-making in the geosciences is driven by advances in three areas: the rapid expansion of our ability to instrument and observe the Earth; sustained improvements in computational models and solution methods for complex geoscience systems; and the relentless growth in computing power.
Computational geoscience is characterized by large-scale nonlinear models that couple multiple physical, chemical, and biological processes over a wide range of length and time scales. The solution of the complex interdisciplinary problems requires advanced numerical algorithms running on high performance computers. To tackle these challenges researchers at the JSG collaborate with the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES) and the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC).
The Computational Geoscience discipline is the focal point of computational and modeling activities at the Jackson School of Geosciences and serves to:
- Bring together computational researchers from across the three units of the Jackson School and across all research themes
- Foster a culture of large-scale modeling and simulation within JSG
- Energize research at the interfaces of modeling and data, and lead to wider application of inverse methods.
- Develop a unique curriculum to educate a new generation of geoscientists well-versed in computation and ready to become leaders in their field.
Climate Modeling
Jackson School climate modeling activities include integration with comprehensive global and regional climate system models developed at NCAR and contributions of process components to these models. The research threads have emphasized fundamentals of climate dynamics, assimilation, and prediction, climate over land and land processes, especially those involving canopy radiation and those coupled to the hydrological cycle. The latter include snow, frozen ground, water tables, runoff and vector based river routing. Mechanism and processes for floods and drought are of especial current interest.
Geodynamic Modeling
Mantle convection drives plate tectonics and continental drift and, in turn, controls the occurrence of earthquakes and volcanoes, mountain building, and long-term sea level change. The major challenges in modeling global mantle convection lie in resolving the wide range of space and time scales and the orders of magnitude variation in material properties. Computational geodynamics research in the Jackson School is aimed at creating advanced mathematical and computational models of mantle convection processes that overcome the above challenges through advanced discretizations, adaptive mesh refinement, and scalable parallel solvers that run on state-of-the-art supercomputers. A new thrust is to develop inverse methods that assimilate observational data into mantle flow models.
Modeling flows in porous media
Porous media are ubiquitous throughout the geosciences and the computational modeling of porous media flows is a common interest across all three units of the Jackson School. Activities range from complex large-scale simulations of specific field sites to nanoscale transport models of fundamental geological and environmental processes. Topics include the dynamics of marine methane hydrates, fluid flow in nanopores of shale strata, reactive transport during diagenesis, partial melting and melt migration in the earth’s mantle. Researchers optimize the design of enhanced oil and gas recovery and geological CO2 storage projects or the sustainable management of water resources.
Inverse modeling
One of the central challenges in computational geosciences is the systematic assimilation of observational data into large-scale simulations to address and characterize model parameters and their associated uncertainties. This is necessary to account for measurement error, the scale-dependency of those measurements, and ambiguity in relating physical earth properties to the observations. The Jackson School has been a leader in the development of inverse methods for data assimilation and their application to such areas as seismology, thermal history and climate modeling.
Geophysics
Research in theoretical and computational geophysics includes: the solutions to inverse problems to estimate complex multi-parameter earth models from large data sets; development of numerical methods to simulate wave propagation and deformation in complex materials via finite element and finite difference methods; inference from and analysis of complex systems, such as Earth’s climate variations; and development of algorithms using parallel processing architectures. Researchers relate geophysical datasets to physical properties at scales including whole-earth structure, plate tectonics, sedimentary basins, fluid reservoirs, and pore scales.
Lithospheric deformation modeling
One of the most important problems plate tectonics is to develop a model for solid deformation of the lithosphere with localization over narrow shear zones in the rigid crust and mantle, as well as viscoplastic flow in the ductile lithosphere. To validate such models, numerical simulations of lithospheric deformation must often carry on over the tens of millions years. Therefore, a realistic description and understanding of natural processes requires both the development of a mathematical model and its accurate and fast numerical solution to identify the corresponding parameter regimes. The Jackson School has been a leader for many years in integrating new numerical techniques in computational mechanics and recent geophysical constraints. This effort has allowed for the development of new geological concepts for rifting, mountain building and subduction deriving from forward models of lithospheric deformation.
3D data analysis
Full exploitation of volumetric data sets acquired by X-ray computed tomography (CT) on rocks, fossils, meteorites, and other materials to answer geologic questions requires development of innovative and specialized analysis techniques and methodologies. The Jackson School has been a leader in creating these capabilities to exploit the unique data being generated at its world-leading CT facility. Applications include measuring size, shape and spatial and contact relationships of minerals, clasts and vesicles; measuring the density and anisotropy of trabecular bone fabrics in vertebrate fossils; imaging pore networks and fluid displacement within them; and quantifying fracture roughness and aperture variation and their effect on fluid flow.
Faculty
 | Thorsten Beckermantle convection; plate tectonics; structural seismology; numerical modeling; earthquakes; fluid dynamics |
 | M. Bayani CardenasHydrology and Hydrogeology |
 | Kerry H CookClimate dynamics, atmospheric dynamics, global climate change, paleoclimate, climate and weather of Africa and South America, climate system modeling, climate change in Texas |
 | Sergey FomelComputational and exploration geophysics; seismic imaging; wave propagation; seismic data analysis; inverse problems; geophysical estimation |
 | Anna Ruth (Ruthie) HalberstadtIce-sheet and climate modeling, model-data integration, marine geology, glaciology, geomorphology, paleoclimatology, glacial dynamics, past warm periods, Antarctica, Greenland, ice sheet (in)stability |
 | Patrick HeimbachClimate Variability, uncertainty quantification, Antarctica, climate change |
 | Marc A HesseMultiphase flow in porous media, geomechanics, numerical simulation, mathematical, modeling, reactive transport, magma dynamics. |
 | Dev Niyogisustainability |
 | Mrinal K SenSeismic wave propagation including anisotropy, geophysical inverse problems, earthquakes and earth structure, applied seismology, petroleum exploration including 4D seismology |
 | Zong-Liang Yangmodeling, hydrology |
Research Faculty
Shuvajit BhattacharyaPetrophysics, Formation Evaluation, Quantitative Seismic Interpretation, Machine Learning, Integrated Subsurface Characterization, Carbon Sequestration | |
 | Seth BusettiStructure and geomechanics, induced seismicity, computational modeling |
 | Yangkang ChenSeismic modeling, earthquakes, seismic processing |
Hassan DashtianSoil Moisture | |
 | Mahdi Haddadgeomechanics of induced seismicity, smoothed particle hydrodynamics methods, geomechanics, induced seismicity, numerical simulation, Fluid Dynamics |
 | Zhe JiaSeismology, Computational Geophysics, Bayesian Inference, Inversion, Deep Learning |
 | Maria-Aikaterini Nikolinakougeotechnical engineering, geomechanics, Salt tectonics, numerical modeling |
Alexandros SavvaidisSeismology, Geophysics, earthquakes, induced seismicity, modeling, data acquisition | |
 | Krista M SoderlundAstrobiology, Cryosphere, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Magnetohydrodynamics, Planetary Science |
 | Zoltan Sylvestersedimentology, Geomorphology, Stratigraphy |
 | James O ThompsonWildfires, Volcanology, Remote Sensing, Thermodynamics of Geological Processes, Infrared Spectroscopy, Geohazards and Surface Geology, Multi-scale Land Surface Modeling |
 | Danielle Toumaclimate variability, climate change, extreme climate events, natural hazards, hydroclimatology |
 | Kehua YouCarbon cycle, Methane Hydrate, Hydrogeology, Flow and Transport in Porous Media, Analytical and Numerical Modeling |
 | Tongwei ZhangOrganic-inorganic interactions, Unconventional gas reservoir characterization, geochemistry, Isotope geochemistry, basin modeling, reservoir characterization, CO2 sequestration |
Affiliated Faculty
 | Michael Pyrczgeological modeling, geostatistics, spatial statistics, data analytics, machine learning |
Research Scientists
 | Timothy L Whiteakerhydrologic, hydraulic, water quality modeling, scientific information management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) |
Research Staff
 | Robin D Dommisse- Integrated reservoir characterization, - Petroleum Geology, - Petroleum Engineering, - Carbonate sequence stratigraphy, - Petrophysics, - Geostatistics, - Reservoir simulation, - Software development, and modeling, Integrated reservoir characterization, petroleum geology, Sequence stratigraphy, Petrophysics, geostatistics, reservoir simulation |
 | Dave EdeyX-Ray computed tomography, X-ray physics, Tomography reconstruction, Digital morphology, CT data visualization, Volumetric data analysis, Digital educational resources |
 | Thomas HessGeoscience software, anisotropic imaging, seismic processing, seismic geometry, deconvolution, problem solving. |
 | Seyyed Abolfazl HosseiniCO2 sequestration, reservoir simulation |
 | Jay P KipperPersonnel management, fiscal reporting, budget management, contract negotiation, management of geological samples |
 | Kutalmis Saylamremote sensing, lidar, sea ice, marine geophysics, hydrology, lidar bathymetry |
Emeriti
 | Timothy B RoweVertebrate paleontology, phylogenetic systematics, high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, CT scanner, DigiMorph, informatics |
Graduate Students
 | Tolulope Agbajemachine learning |
 | Cameron CumminsPlanetary Science, big data |
 | Sohini DasguptaGeophysics, machine learning, Carbon Sequestration, Rock Physics, reservoir characterization, Seismic Interpretation |
Cameron M deFabry | |
 | Nicole FerriePaleoclimate, earthquakes, Metamorphic petrology |
 | Eric Guentherremote sensing, lidar |
 | Odai A Hezamseismic imaging |
 | Shirley T Mensahmachine learning, CO2 sequestration |
Neelarun Mukherjeeglobal warming | |
Romal RamadhanFluid flow in porous media | |
 | Akshika Rohatgi |
 | Owen SeinerIce-sheet climate modeling, glaciology, sub-glacial hydrology, glacial dynamics, past warm periods, Antarctica, Greenland |
 | Koutian Wuhydrology |
 | Mingda Wu |
Students/postdocs on ML/AI-based earthquake data analysisGraduateI am looking for self-motivated graduate students and postdocs who are interested in research on advanced earthquake data analysis using ML/AL. Posted by: Yangkang Chen |
Carbon Cpature and Geologic StorageUndergraduate - ongoing - get in touch: tip.meckel@beg.utexas.eduThe Gulf Coast Carbon Center often engages with undergradutes in geology, EER, and petroleum engineering on topic related to carbon capture and geologic storage (CCS). Posted by: Tip Meckel |
Carbon Cycle in Arctic PermafrostGraduateI am looking for a new graduate student who is interested in research on carbon cycle in Arctic Permafrost. Posted by: Kehua You |
Ph.D. Opportunities in Environmental Seismology and Energy TransitionGraduateMy research group "Seismo4D" is actively looking for PhD students and postdocs. Please email me if you're interested. Our group applies 4D seismology to understand Earth's physical processes associated with climate change and energy transition. Potential research topics focus on fluid/vapor systems in Earth's shallow subsurface, including hydrological processes, geothermal energy exploitation, critical zones, and volcanic unrest. Students in our group will develop and employ cutting-edge seismic techniques (such as passive seismic interferometry and time-lapse imaging) to study the spatiotemporal evolution and physical mechanisms of subsurface processes. Posted by: Shujuan Mao |
Mantle and Fault System Dynamics Graduate ResearchGraduateThe UT Geodynamics Team is always looking for motivated graduate and undergraduate students. The University of Texas at Austin hosts an exciting community of researchers at the Jackson School of Geoscience, which includes the UTIG and EPS units. and the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, the three of which I am affiliated. We are always looking for motivated students with a keen interest and solid background in the Earth sciences, physics, engineering, or computer science. Please take a look at some of our recent publications to give you an idea of current projects, but I like to work with students who think and work independently and challenge and extend my expertise and interests. Please consider applying for our program should you be interested in pursuing a PhD in my research group, and see the JSG pages for admission procedures. The (important) Fellowship deadline is December 1 each year. If you think this could be a match, please do reach out by email. Posted by: Thorsten Becker |
MTMOD Megathrust modeling frameworkUndergraduateVarious summer projects and undergraduate research opportunities Posted by: Thorsten Becker |
Analyzing seismic data using machine learning techniquesUndergraduateSeismic recordings are used to detect earthquakes and to create images of the Earth’s interior. Seismic data contain rich patterns that can be discovered for extracting detailed information. Newly developed machine learning techniques aid in the discovery process. Deep learning has been used to detect arrivals of seismic signals from earthquakes and volcano eruptions and to extract from subsurface images such features, as faults, channels, salt bodies, etc. In detecting geological features, computational algorithms prove to be as powerful or even more powerful than the human eye, especially in higher dimensions. In this project, we are adopting the latest ideas from the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve the resolution ability of seismic images. Our objective is to advance the state of the art in discovering seismic data patterns. The approaches include unsupervised learning for analyzing seismic waveforms and compressing data in the transformed domain and supervised learning for teaching the computer how to imitate the work of human interpreters. We are seeking an enthusiastic student to participate in this project. The student will develop data-analysis skills and contribute to an open-source software project. Some prior familiarity with seismology and machine learning, as well as some prior experience with computer programming using Python are helpful but not required Posted by: Sergey Fomel |
Graduate research opportunities in computational seismologyGraduateTexas Consortium for Computational Seismology is looking for Ph.D. students interested in computational research. Our group works on a broad range of topics in exploration geophysics, from wave-equation seismic imaging and inversion to computational algorithms for seismic data processing and seismic interpretation. The work is supported by industrial sponsors. We use open-source software tools and high-performace computing resources. Posted by: Sergey Fomel |
Postdoctoral Fellowship PositionGraduateMarch 27, 2018 The Bureau of Economic Geology in the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin currently has long-term, funded projects on the environmental implications of CO2 sequestration. We are currently recruiting recent Ph.D. scientists or engineers for a postdoctoral fellowship position. Position: Numerical and Analytical Modeling of Fluid Flow in Porous Media Related to CO2 Injection General topics of research is related to reservoir fluid flow modeling and simulations in CO2-EOR/Sequestrations settings with various focuses including history matching, optimization algorithms, regional geomechanics and economics related to oil and gas production. We are interested in outstanding fellowship applicants with direct experience in reservoir simulation using commercial packages specially CMG package (all modules). Experience in running simulations in parallel environment is a plus. Candidates must have interest in theoretical analyses and mathematical modeling of fluid flow problems. Strong and deep understanding of fundamentals of reservoir engineering and coding skills in Matlab, Python or other relevant programing languages are required. We anticipate that the successful candidate will have formal training in petroleum engineering or related fields. Successful candidate will be part of Gulf Coast Carbon Center (GCCC), an interdisciplinary team of research geologists and engineers who conduct CO2-sequestration research at the Bureau of Economic Geology. GCCC is one of the world’s leading research groups in CO2 sequestration. Our Frio brine injection experiment was the first to monitor CO2 injection into brine, and we are currently involved in several large scale CO2 injection monitoring projects in the U.S. GCCC collaborates closely with faculty in departments across the UT-Austin campus, other universities, and U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories. This position will be based in North Austin, at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, The University of Texas at Austin. Austin is often on the list of top 10 places to live in the U.S. Please send a resume and a short expression of interest to: Dr. Seyyed Abolfazl Hosseini The University of Texas at Austin is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All positions are security sensitive, and conviction verification is conducted on applicants selected. Posted by: Seyyed Abolfazl Hosseini |
Graduate and undergraduate research in geologic sequestration of CO2GraduateGulf Coast Carbon Center supports a team of students and post docs working in geologic sequestration (deep subsurface long-duration storage) of the major greenhouse gas CO2, as a method to reduce release to the atmosphere. Student projects are wide ranging, from sedimentology to policy, linked in that they are 1) multidisciplinary and 2) applied to current issues. |
PhD/MS opportunitiesGraduateMy group welcomes new students with strong motivations on understanding how solid Earth and planets operate and its impacts on shaping habitable surface environments. Prospective students are expected to have a STEM background. If these describe you, feel free to contact me through email for position openings in my group. Posted by: Chenguang Sun |
Student OpportunitiesGraduateI am always interested in adding motivated new students to my Earthquake Science research team in the Jackson School. For prospective graduate students, please review the application guidelines and expectations listed on the Jackson School website (see orange link above). We do not accept "off track" admissions in the Jackson School, so the standard Fall application season is your best bet. I strongly encourage prospective students to reach out to me via email during this time with your CV and research interests. I highly value diversity in thought and experience, and students from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Posted by: Daniel Trugman |
Center for Planetary Systems HabitabilityThe Center for Planetary Systems Habitability is an interdisciplinary research center at UT and is the result of a partnership between the Jackson School, the College of Natural Sciences, and the Cockrell School of Engineering. The center advances our ability to search for life on other planets by collaborating on research that helps better understand where habitable zones develop and how they evolve within planetary systems. |
High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography FacilityThe High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility at The University of Texas at Austin (UTCT) is a national shared multi-user facility supported by the Instrumentation and Facilities Program of NSF's Earth Sciences (EAR) directorate, and also supported by NASA as a Planetary Sciences Enabling Facility. UTCT offers scientific researchers across the earth, biological and engineering sciences access to a completely nondestructive technique for visualizing features in the interior of opaque solid objects, and for obtaining digital information on their 3D geometries and properties. |
Quantitative Clastics LaboratoryThe Quantitative Clastics Laboratory (QCL) carries out geologic studies of the processes, tectonics, and quantitative morphology of basins around the world, with research that emphasizes the use of mega-merged 3D seismic data sets for quantitative seismic geomorphologic study of the basin fill, evaluation of source-to-sink relationships between the shelf, slope and deep basin and analyses of the influence of tectonics and fluids on the evolution of these complex continental margin settings. |
Texas Consortium for Computational SeismologyThe mission of the Texas Consortium for Computational Seismology is to address the most important and challenging research problems in computational geophysics as experienced by the energy industry while educating the next generation of research geophysicists and computational scientists. |
Affiliated UT Programs & Centers
Texas Advanced Computing CenterThe Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin is one of the leading centers of computational excellence in the United States. Located on the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, the center's mission is to enable discoveries that advance science and society through the application of advanced computing technologies. |