Marine Geosciences

From tectonics at active plate margins to clastic sedimentation and carbonate systems in the marine environment, our research encompasses a wide range of marine geology and geophysics. Our researchers also study the interactions between oceanography and climate with tectonic and sedimentary systems and use a variety of techniques to past environments and paleoclimatology. Our rapid response program allows us to make timely field observations of transient geohazard events.

Research in the Marine Geosciences theme focuses on the following subthemes:

Marine Geosciences News

January 21, 2026

Evidence of ‘Lightning-Fast’ Evolution Found After Dino-Killing Asteroid Impact

The asteroid that struck the Earth 66 million years ago devastated life across the planet, wiping out the dinosaurs and other organisms in a hail…

October 1, 2024

Scientific Ocean Drilling: UT Researcher Wins Prestigious Prize for Work on Mass Extinctions

From plate tectonics to the dinosaur extinction, scientific ocean drilling has led to major discoveries about our planet’s history and evolution. Now, the field has…

June 1, 2022

Research Shows How Gulf of Mexico Escaped Ancient Mass Extinction

An ancient bout of global warming 56 million years ago that acidified oceans and wiped-out marine life had a milder effect in the Gulf of…

February 22, 2022

Chris Lowery Earns Top Early Career Scientist Award for Sedimentary Geology

Chris Lowery, a research associate at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics, has received the James Lee Wilson Award from the Society for Sedimentary…

September 7, 2021

Austin Partners with UT to give City Lakes a Health Checkup

The waters of Austin’s city lakes are enjoyed by millions each year, but years of urban development and weather extremes are taking their toll. Now,…

More News

Faculty

	Thorsten Becker mantle convection; plate tectonics; structural seismology; numerical modeling; earthquakes; fluid dynamics
	Patrick Heimbach Climate Variability, uncertainty quantification, Antarctica, climate change
	Matthew A Malkowski depositional systems, tectonics
	Lorena G Moscardelli sedimentology and stratigraphy

Research Faculty

	James A Austin, Jr
	Nathan L Bangs processing, inversion, tectonics, Stratigraphy, and modeling
	Sean S Gulick (Theme Lead) tectonics, Geohazards
	Shuoshuo Han tectonics
	Susan D Hovorka Carbon Sequestration, sedimentology, hydrogeology
	Michael R Hudec Salt tectonics, 3-D computer modeling, kinematic models for evolution and growth of salt structures, structural geology, cross-section restoration and balancing, seismic interpretation
	Xavier Janson Carbonates sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy, petrophysics of carbonate, seismic signature of carbonate rock, seismic modeling, carbonate modern depositional environment
	Tingwei (Lucy) Ko Source Rock Characterization Geochemistry (Organic, Biomarker, Gas Isotope) Mudrock Characterization Petrography, SEM
	Robert G Loucks Research in carbonate, sandstone, mudrock stratigraphy, sedimentology, diagenesis, reservoir characterization, pore network analysis
	Tip Meckel Carbon capture and storage, CO2 sequestration, CCS, high-resolution 3D seismic acquisition, processing, imaging, Stratigraphy, structural geology,
	Yuko M Okumura Climate dynamics, climate variability and change, large-scale ocean-atmosphere interactions, atmospheric teleconnections, paleoclimate and thermohaline circulation, climate change
	Cornel Olariu Clastic Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Depositional Environments, Basin Analysis
	Jeffrey G Paine coastal geology, Quaternary geology and geomorphology, Geophysics, hydrogeology, Geomorphology
	Judson W Partin Paleoclimate, Stable and Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry, climate change
	Estibalitz Ukar Fracture analysis and structural diagenesis Brittle structural petrology Fractured carbonate rocks Tectonics and metamorphism of subduction zones
	Laura Wallace Crustal deformation, GPS/Geodesy, active plate boundary processes, subduction tectonics, geohazards
	Hongliu Zeng Seismic sedimentology; seismic geomorphology; seismic and sequence stratigraphy; Characterization of thin-bed reservoirs; seismic chrono-stratgraphy

Research Scientists

Kitty L Milliken

Petrography and geochemistry of siliciclastic rocks; diagenesis; electron microbeam methods: X-ray mapping, cathodoluminescence imaging; micro-scale reservoir characterization

Michael L Sweet

Research Staff

	Jose L Abella Gutierrez
	Marcy B Davis Map, figure, MB System, Fledermaus, Adobe CS2, ArcGIS, csh, Science writing
	Richard A Denne depositional systems
	John W Snedden Gulf of Mexico Basin global expert, Sequence Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, Reservoir Development and Connectivity, Petroleum Geoscience

Emeritus

	William L Fisher Basin analysis, sequence stratigraphy, depositional systems, petroleum geology, resource assessment, energy policy
	Charles Kerans Carbonate sequence stratigraphy, depositional systems, reservoir characterization, basin analysis, seismic interpretation, seismic stratigraphy, paleokarst analysis, carbonate diagenesis
	Lawrence A Lawver Marine geophysics, plate tectonics, magnetics, gravity, heat flow, seismic studies, paleogeographic reconstructions of Gondwana, the Polar Regions, East Asia, the Western Pacific
	Sharon Mosher Structural petrology, field-oriented structural geology, strain analysis, deformation mechanisms, petrology, structural geology
	Terrence M Quinn Paleoclimate, climate, climate change, climate dynamics, paleoclimatology, paleoceanography, sedimentary geology and geochemistry
	Timothy B Rowe Vertebrate paleontology, phylogenetic systematics, high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, CT scanner, DigiMorph, informatics
	Ronald J Steel tectonics
	Paul L Stoffa Multichannel seismic acquisition, signal processing, acoustic and elastic wave propagation, modeling and inversion of geophysical data
	Robert H Tatham
	Frederick W Taylor, Jr tectonic geomorphology, Stratigraphy, Paleoclimate
	Scott W Tinker Global energy supply and demand, Technology Administration, Multidisciplinary reservoir characterization, Carbonate sedimentology, Sequence stratigraphy, 3-D reservoir modeling, Resource assessment.

Postdocs

Tanner Mills

Graduate Students

	Soraya Alfred
	Jonathan P Amendola Geomorphology
	Gerson Gonzalez-Marin environmental science
	Caroline Mackin
	Emma Martin Marine Geosciences, seismic imaging, tectonics
	Ema Parker
	Sara Peters Glaciology, Numerical Modeling, Glacial Geology, Marine Geology, Sea Level
	Danielle Zaleski

On a general level, Marine Geosciences is a multi-disciplinary endeavor and students take a broad range of courses. This includes a Marine Geology & Geophysics Field Course to provide hands-on instruction for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in collecting and processing Marine Geosciences data.

Marine Geology & Geophysics

GEO 381T Marine Tectonics

Tectonic processes within the dynamic Earth, with a focus on oceanic structures. Subjects may include fundamentals of plate tectonics; plate motion, driving forces, and mantle convection; evolution of triple junction and plate margins; plate reconstructions; earthquakes and focal mechanisms; structure and geochemistry of the Earth’s interior; mantle structure and tomography; rheology and deformation mechanisms in mantle and crust; heat flow, gravity, the geoid, and paleomagnetism; hotspots and mantle plumes; seafloor spreading and oceanic spreading ridges; oceanic transform faults and fracture zones; and subduction zones, volcanic island arcs, and marginal seas. Only one of the following may be counted: Geological Sciences 338T, 371C (Topic: Tectonics I), 381T, 391 (Topic: Tectonics I). May not be substituted for any required geological sciences course.

GEO f391/f348K Marine Geology and Geophysics Field Course

Each Maymester we offer a field course designed to provide hands-on instruction for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in the collection and processing of marine geological and geophysical (MG&G) data. The course covers high-resolution air gun and streamer seismic reflection, CHIRP seismic reflection, multibeam bathymetry, sidescan sonar, sediment coring, grab sampling and the sedimentology of resulting seabed samples (e.g., core description, grain size analysis, x-radiography, etc.) [More on instrumentation here]. Scientific and technical experts in each of the techniques first provide students classroom instruction. The class then travels to the Gulf Coast for a week of at-sea field work as well as on-shore lab work. Two small research vessels are used concurrently: one for multibeam bathymetry, sidescan sonar, and sediment sampling, and the other for high-resolution seismic reflection and CHIRP sub-bottom profiling. Students rotate daily between the two vessels and lab work. Upon returning to Austin, students, working in teams, are expected to integrate the techniques into a final project that examines the geologic history and/or sedimentary processes as typified by a small area of the Gulf Coast continental shelf. This class satisfies field experience requirements for some degree programs. Enrollment is limited to 12 students.

GEO 391 Marine Geology

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in geological sciences. Some topics require additional prerequisites; these are identified in the Course Schedule. Course number may be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

GEO 391 Marine Geology and Geophysics Topics

Sedimentology & Stratigraphy

GEO 380G Construction and Interpretation of 3-D Stratigraphy

Uses three-dimensional volumes of basin-filling stratigraphy to explore how depositional landscapes are preserved in the sedimentary record and how sedimentary deposits can be analyzed to produce quantitative reconstructions of past environmental states. Four lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

GEO 380R Dynamics of Sedimentary Systems I

Explores the fundamental concepts of transport systems at the Earth’s surface, focusing on principles and quantitative aspects of fluid flow, sediment transport, and bedforms, as well as atmospheric and oceanic circulation, complex systems, and the integration of small-scale processes in developing quantitative stratigraphic models. Four lecture hours a week for one semester. Geological Sciences 380E and 380R may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

GEO 383 Depositional Systems: Terrigenous Clastics

The processes, characteristics, and relationships among fluvial, deltaic, shore-zone, shelf, and slope depositional systems; depositional basin analysis used in stratigraphy and economic geology. Four lecture hours a week for one semester, with two weekend field trips. Normally offered in the fall semester only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

GEO 383N Depositional Systems: Carbonates/Evaporites

Analysis of carbonate and evaporite depositional systems from sedimentary structures, faunal and ichnofaunal associations, grain types, vertical and lateral facies successions within time-significant packages, and sediment body geometries. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Offered irregularly. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

GEO 380N Sequence Stratigraphy

Use of seismic reflection systems for quantitative stratigraphic characterization of the subsurface. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester. Normally offered in the spring semester only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Geological Sciences 416M and 465K or their equivalents.

GEO 383S Sedimentary Basin Analysis

Quantitative and applied study of basin subsidence and sediment accumulation. The first half of the course considers theoretical basin evolution due to flexural, thermal, dynamic, and fault-related subsidence. The second half of the course involves in-depth analysis of selected basin systems and includes student research projects and presentations on assigned topics. Specific topics vary from year to year. Normally offered in the spring semester only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Geological Sciences 383 or the equivalent.

GEO 383T Tectonic Climate Interaction in Foreland Basins

Integration of recent advances in the understanding of modern and ancient foreland basin sedimentation, quantitative basin modeling, regional and global climate change, and the geometry and kinematics of fold-thrust belts. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Geophysics

GEO 383D Numerical Methods I

A survey of geophysical data analysis methods, with a focus on time series, including sampling and aliasing, convolution and correlation, statistics, linear digital filters, properties and applications of the discrete Fourier transform, and least squares. Instruction in MATLAB and Fortran and solution of data analysis problems using these two languages. Two lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester. Normally offered in the fall semester only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

GEO 391 Earth Dynamics

The study of the evolution of the Earth lithosphere and its tectonics evolution sometimes requires a quantitative approach based on continuum mechanics. The aim of this class is to provide the basic tools to approach geological questions in a quantitative manner. The major outstanding questions concerning the formation of convergent and extensional plate margins as well as mantle convection will be addressed. This course is based on a discussion of the physical properties of earth materials and dynamic processes in the solid Earth. We will follow Geodynamics by Turcotte & Schubert, in covering topics in stress and strain, elasticity and flexure, heat transfer, gravity, fluid mechanics, rock rheology, and crustal faulting as mechanisms and consequences of plate tectonics. Other material on the rheological properties of Earth materials will be provided as the class proceeds. We will also perform numerical and analogue experiments of tectonic and geodynamics processes.

GEO 384C Geophysics I: Exploration Geophysics

Seismic, gravity, magnetic, electrical, and electromagnetic methods of exploration for petroleum and minerals. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester. Normally offered in the fall semester only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

GEO 384S Seismic Reflection Processing

Reduction of seismic and other geophysical data from field data to final geologic cross sections, using real data sets and commercial seismic processing software. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester. Offered irregularly. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Geological Sciences 384R or the equivalent.

GEO 384G Subsurface Mapping on Petroleum Workstations

Introduction to basin analysis, subsurface mapping, and petroleum exploration using a workstation. Subjects may include common tectonic settings of petroleum basins, seismic stratigraphy, structural styles, and petroleum systems. Workstation techniques include well log editing, lithology interpretation, correlation of tectonic events, integration of seismic and subsurface well data, interpretation of two- and three-dimensional seismic reflection data and structure, and isopach and seismic attribute mapping. Geological Sciences 384G and 391 (Topic: Introduction to Petroleum Workstations) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Structure and Tectonics

GEO 386G GIS & GPS Applications in Earth Sciences

Theory and practice of geographic information system (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies, and their applications to problems in earth sciences. Laboratories and field trips provide hands-on experience with the collection, mapping, and analysis of geologic and other field data using GPS equipment and GIS software. Topics include map projections; datums and reference frames; cartographic principles; remotely sensed data (satellite and aerial photos, image radar); vector- and raster-based image formats; geospatial data resources; GIS software applications; surveying principles; GPS constellation and data structure; differential GPS; data logging schemes; GPS postprocessing software; integration of GPS and GIS in mapmaking; extant GIS applications in geology and hydrogeology. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester, and two weekend field trips. Offered in the fall semester only. Geological Sciences 386G and 391 (Topic: Geographic Information System and Global Positioning System Applications in Earth Sciences) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in geological sciences and consent of instructor.

GEO 381K Tectonic Problems

Origin of regional structural features, complex and controversial structures; tectonic control of ore deposits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in geological sciences and consent of instructor. Course number may be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

GEO 391 Ins and Outs of Subduction Zones

GEO 380C Advanced Structural Geology

Origin of earth structures, solution of advanced structural problems, newest techniques, field techniques, and field problems. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

GEO 391 Continental Tectonics

Hydrogeology

GEO 291 Hydrogeophysics

For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one class hour a week for one semester; additional hours may be required for some topics. Offered irregularly. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in geological sciences. Some topics require additional prerequisites; these are identified in the Course Schedule.

GEO 382D Crustal Geofluids

Designed to provide a technical foundation for exploring how fluids drive fundamental geologic processes in sedimentary basins. Includes characterizing pressure and stress in sedimentary basins, exploring the origin of overpressure through theory and characterization, and examining how pressure and stress couple. Problems include how sedimentation generates overpressure, how hydrocarbons are trapped in the subsurface, how mud volcanoes form, how submarine landslides are generated, and the origin of methane hydrates. Geological Sciences 382D and 391 (Topic: Crustal Fluids) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Climate

GEO 380T Paleoclimatology

Examines climate records encoded in sedimentary archives through geologic time. Normally offered in the fall semester only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

GEO 391 Late Pleistocene Variability

Carbon Cpature and Geologic Storage

Undergraduate - ongoing - get in touch: tip.meckel@beg.utexas.edu

The 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

Offshore CO2 Storage

Graduate - Seeking Graduate Research Assistant interested in integrated seismic, well log, and geology integration for CO2 storage resource assessment.

Current DOE grant to study CO2 storage options in the Gulf of Mexico offshore Corpus Christi, Texas.

Posted by: Tip Meckel

Carbon Cycle in Arctic Permafrost

Graduate

I am looking for a new graduate student who is interested in research on carbon cycle in Arctic Permafrost.

Posted by: Kehua You

Mantle and Fault System Dynamics Graduate Research

Graduate

The 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

Geomechanics and Geofluids Research Jobs for Undergrads

Undergraduate

Do you want to study the Earth while learning the ins-and-outs of cutting-edge laboratory equipment, from maintenance to experiment design? UT GeoMechanics and GeoFluids investigates fluid flow and deformation in Earth materials using lab experiments, field work, and computer modeling.

We seek hard-working and detail-oriented students with a passion for learning. You will assist with ongoing projects: offshoots could lead to your senior thesis.

Tasks will include everything from the routine to the experimentally complex. You will work independently or with staff and researchers on experimental setup, equipment maintenance, laboratory clean up, sample preparation, data analysis, and a host of other tasks.

For more information contact Josh O'Connell.

Learn more about our research projects at UT GeoMechanics and GeoFluids.

Posted by: Peter B Flemings

Graduate student positions in geomechanics and geofluids

Graduate

The GeoMechanics and GeoFluids research group has immediate opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral study. Drs. Saffer and Flemings are most enthused by students who have a commitment to a doctoral program because that allows time to delve deeply into research. However, we also regularly accept exceptional M.S. students into our research group. If you are interested, please email Demian Saffer (demian@ig.utexas.edu) or Peter Flemings (pflemings@jsg.utexas.edu).

Browse opportunities and learn more about our research group at UT GeoMechanics and GeoFluids.

Posted by: Peter B Flemings

Research in Marine Geology and Geophysics

Graduate

There are opportunities for research within Marine Geology and Geophysics.

Posted by: Sean S Gulick

MSc or PhD Student

Graduate

Our team is almost always interested in recruiting new graduate students who are interested in paleoecology, marine communities, carbonate sedimentology, and/or geobiology. We currently have teo areas of focus, modern and Pleistocene reef and coastal communities in Jamaica and Early Jurassic marine paleoecology in Morocco

Posted by: Rowan C Martindale

High Resolution 3D marine seismic for fluid studies

Graduate

Opportunities exist to become involved in the design, acquisition, processing, and interpretation of high-resolution 3D marine seismic data. Current applications include characterization for subsurface storage of carbon dioxide and natural fluid migration studies. We anticipate development into imaging modern systems as reservoir analogs.

Posted by: Tip Meckel

PhD/MS opportunities

Graduate

My 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

Bars in Tidal Environments

Gulf Basin Depositional Synthesis Project

The UT Gulf Basin Depositional Synthesis Project (GBDS) is an ongoing, industry-supported, comprehensive synthesis of Cenozoic fill of the entire Gulf of Mexico basin. The results are distributed as a digital data base that is updated regularly. The project has led to major new contributions to the understanding of the depositional history and framework of the Gulf of Mexico Basin. The project has focused on refining sequence correlations between the continental margin and deep basin stratigraphies, mapping sedimentary transport axes and paleogeographies through time, defining the evolving roles of submarine canyons, retrogradational margins, and shelf-margin delta systems in localizing in time and space sand transport to the slope and abyssal plain, and better understanding regional controls on reservoir facies and their deposition.).

Marine Geosciences