Surface & Hydrologic Processes
From watersheds and aquifers to source-to-sink sediment transport and land surface dynamics, our research focuses on processes that shape the Earth's surface, the rock record results, and interaction with hydrologic systems.
Research in the Surface & Hydrologic Processes theme focuses on the following subthemes:
- Alluvial Fan, River Channel, Delta & Coastline Dynamics
- Ecohydrology & Vadose Zone Hydrology
- Fluid Transport & Poromechanics
- Geohazards: Hurricanes, Flooding, Volcanic Eruptions, Earthquakes & Landslides
- Groundwater Quality & Contaminant Transport
- Land Surface Dynamics
- Paleoenvironmental Analysis & Dynamic Stratigraphy
- Source-to-Sink Sediment Transport
- Watersheds, Aquifers & Surface-Groundwater Interactions
Faculty
![]() | Jay L BannerIsotopic methods, groundwater, oceans, ancient oceans, climate change, aquifers, caves, environmental science, geochemistry, paleoclimatology |
![]() | Philip C BennettAqueous geochemistry, geomicrobiology, environmental and microbial geochemistry, hydrogeology |
![]() | M Bayani CardenasHydrology and Hydrogeology |
![]() | Peter B FlemingsStratigraphy, basin analysis, basin-scale fluid flow, pore pressures in seafloor sediments, submarine landslides, oil and gas migration, methane hydrates, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) |
![]() | James E GardnerVolcanology, volcanic eruption processes, magmatic processes, experimental petrology, volatiles in magmas, degassing of volatiles from magmas, control of degassing behavior on volcanic eruptions and formation of ore bodies |
![]() | Omar GhattasComputational geoscience and engineering, simulation and optimization of complex solid, fluid, and biomechanical systems, inverse problems, optimal design, and optimal control |
![]() | Timothy A GoudgeRemote sensing; surface processes; geomorphology; sedimentology; reflectance spectroscopy; martian surface geology; planetary science. |
![]() | Marc A HesseMultiphase flow in porous media, geomechanics, numerical simulation, mathematical, modeling, reactive transport, magma dynamics. |
![]() | Brian K HortonTectonics of sedimentary basins, evolution of orogenic systems, sediment provenance and routing systems, nonmarine depositional processes. |
Joel P JohnsonProcess geomorphology, feedbacks between channel morphology and hydrology and sediment transport, landscape sensitivity to climate and lithology, bedrock river erosion, flash floods, arroyo erosion, canyon formation, environmental monitoring and sensor networks, laboratory flume experimentation, numerical modeling, tsunami sediment transport and deposition. | |
![]() | Luc L LavierTectonics; the structural and geodynamical evolution of continental and oceanic rifts, as well as collisional environments; numerical techniques to model tectonic processes on crustal and lithospheric scales; deformation; subduction |
![]() | Ashley M MathenyEcohydrology, Bio- and Micro-meteorology, Vegetation Hydrodynamics, Watershed Hydrology, Land-Atmosphere Interactions, Biogeochemistry, Water and Carbon Cycles, and Modeling |
![]() | David MohrigSedimentary Geology, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Geomorphology, Rivers, Deltas, Coastlines, Submarine Channels, Geohazards, Sediment-Gravity Currents, Sediment Transport, Seismic Interpretation, Basin Analysis |
Dev NiyogiResearch seeks to significantly contribute to our understanding of the Earth system, particularly the urban and agricultural landscapes, and the dynamic role of coupled land surface processes on regional hydroclimatic and environmental extremes. An important ongoing and emerging focus of the group's research is to translate the scientific work undertaken ... | |
![]() | Mary F Poteetkarst ecosystems, biotic response and vulnerability to climate change, invasive species |
![]() | Daniella M RempeHydrology, Geomorphology, Ecohydrology, Catchment Hydrology, Near-surface Geophysics, Hydrogeology |
![]() | Timothy B RoweVertebrate paleontology, evolution and development of the vertebrate skeleton, phylogenetic systematics, the early history of mammals and their extinct relatives among Synapsida, the history of birds and their extinct relatives among Dinosauria, the history of other amniotes, high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, CT scanner, DigiMorph, informatics |
![]() | Timothy M ShanahanPaleoclimatology, paleoceanography, paleolimnology, sedimentary geology and geochemistry, organic geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, compound-specific stable isotope analysis |
![]() | Daniel StockliThermo-/Geochronology, Tectonics and Structural Geology, Isotopic Provenance Analysis, Archeometry, Geothermal Exploration, and Thermal Maturation |
![]() | Daniel Trugman |
![]() | Clark R WilsonGeophysics, including gravity, space geodesy, and applied seismology |
![]() | Zong-Liang YangDr. Yang's primary research interest is to understand the exchanges of momentum, radiation, heat, water, carbon dioxide, and other materials between the atmosphere and the Earth surface spanning from small (short) to very large (long) scales. This includes analysis of in-situ and remotely-sensed data for the Earth's surface, and modeling ... |
Lecturers
![]() | Marcus GaryKarst Hydrogeology |
![]() | Cornel OlariuClastic Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Depositional Environments, Basin Analysis |
![]() | Jeffrey G PaineNear-surface geophysics in hydrogeology and environmental and Quaternary geology; coastal geology; Quaternary geology and geomorphology; computer applications in the geological sciences |
Emeritus
![]() | Robert E DickinsonClimate, Global Warming, Land Surface Processes, Remote Sensing, Hydrological Cycle, Carbon Cycle, and Modeling. |
![]() | William L FisherBasin analysis, sequence stratigraphy, depositional systems, petroleum geology, resource assessment, energy policy |
![]() | Gary A KocurekSedimentology, geomorphology and stratigraphy of aeolian systems; fluid flow and grain transport; bedform dynamics and pattern evolution of dune fields; the stratigraphic record of aeolian and related systems on Earth and Mars. |
![]() | John M SharpHyrdogeology; flow in fractured rocks; thermohaline free convection; fracture skin effects; regional flow in carbonate rocks; hydrology of arid and semi-arid zones; subsidence and coastal land loss; effects of urbanization; alluvial aquifers; hydrogeology of sedimentary basins;hydrological processes in ore deposit formation; and hydrogeophysics. |
![]() | James T SprinkleInvertebrate paleontology; evolutionary biology; fossil and living echinoderms; echinoderm systematics; Paleozoic marine communities and ecosystems; paleoecology; crinoids; blastoids; rhombiferans; eocrinoids; parablastoids; blastozoans; edrioasteroids; edrioblastoids; starfish; stylophorans; ctenocystoids; helicoplacoids; Cambrian evolutionary fauna; Paleozoic evolutionary fauna; Ordovician radiation; Cambrian explosion; environment & earth science |
![]() | Ronald J SteelDr. Steel's research is aimed at using clastic sedimentology to address problems in basin analysis, dynamic stratigraphy and clastic reservoirs. I am particularly interested to decipher the signatures of tectonics, climate, sea level change and sediment supply in stratigraphic successions. |
Postdocs
Jasmine Masonfluvial geomorphology, sediment transport, coastal rivers, bed forms, bar forms, backwater zone, deltas | |
![]() | Zachary T SickmannBasin Analysis, Convergent Margin Tectonics, Source-to-Sink Sediment Dispersal, Provenance Analysis, Sedimentology in the Anthropocene |
![]() | Gaia Stucky de QuayPlanetary Surface Processes; Fluvial Geomorphology; Erosion and Uplift; Land-Climate Interactions; Early Mars; Terrestrial Analogs; Volcanic Islands; Geochronology. |
Jinyu ZhangSource-to-sink sediment transport, numerical modeling, sedimentary geology, basin analysis |
Research Scientists
![]() | William A AmbroseSedimentology, subsurface mapping of clastic depositional systems, oil and gas production analysis, coalbed methane |
![]() | David K ArcturGeographic Information Systems and Database Management Systems, with focus of interest in standards for interoperability of data and models for multidisciplinary geosciences research (water resources, climate, and geohazards in particular). Data and model semantics, and digital preservation of physical samples are crosscutting subthemes of interest. |
![]() | James A AustinStratigraphic evolution of a wide range of marine and lacustrine environments around the world |
![]() | Jacob A Covaultsedimentology, stratigraphy, marine geology |
![]() | Ian J DuncanExpertise in geomechanic and geochemistry applied to: risks associated with CO2 sequestration; hydraulic fracturing for shale gas production; environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing; and the water-energy nexus. Current research focuses on the scientific, environmental and public policy aspects of unconventional natural gas production, the water-energy nexus, and carbon capture and ... |
![]() | Peter P FlaigResearch Focus: Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway of North America, North Slope-Alaska, Central Transantarctic Mountains-Antarctica, Canada,- Clastic sedimentology - Fluvial sedimentology - Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of continental to shallow-marine systems using sedimentology, stratigraphy, architecture, and ichnology in outcrop studies - Photography and high-resolution imagery (e.g. LiDAR, GigaPan) of clastic systems ... |
![]() | Craig S FulthorpeMarine geology, sedimentary geology, seismic stratigraphy and sedimentary architecture of continental margins, sequence stratigraphy and sea-level variation. |
Cyril Grima | |
![]() | Seyyed Abolfazl HosseiniResearch interests are mainly topics related to fluid transport in porous media. Current research includes: Enhanced Oil Recovery - Enhanced Gas Recovery - Upscaling and Upgridding - Above Zone Monitoring Interval - Reservoir Simulation and History Matching - Unconventional Reservoirs |
![]() | Xavier JansonCarbonates sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy, petrophysics of carbonate, seismic signature of carbonate rock, seismic modeling, carbonate modern depositional environment |
![]() | Robert G LoucksResearch in carbonate, sandstone, and mudrock stratigraphy, sedimentology, diagenesis, reservoir characterization, and pore network analysis. |
![]() | Kitty L MillikenPetrography and geochemistry of siliciclastic rocks; diagenesis; electron microbeam methods: X-ray mapping, cathodoluminescence imaging; micro-scale reservoir characterization |
![]() | Jean NicotSubsurface hydrology, numerical modeling and optimization of groundwater resources, multiphase flow and contaminant transport in both the unsaturated and saturated zones, geochemistry modeling and subsurface reactive transport, Mathematical geology, geostatistics, inverse modeling, optimization, risk assessment and risk analysis |
![]() | Maria-Aikaterini NikolinakouMaria-Katerina Nikolinakou is currently a Research Scientist at the Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on understanding stress and pore pressure in complex geologic systems, including salt systems and thrust belts. She studies the behavior of geologic materials ... |
![]() | Cornel OlariuClastic Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Depositional Environments, Basin Analysis |
![]() | Katherine D RomanakGeochemistry and isotope systematics of carbon cycling in the vadose zone and in freshwater aquifers; soil-gas monitoring and surface gas flux measurements at CO2 sequestration sites; microbial influences on carbon geochemistry in the shallow subsurface; fate and transport of organic contaminants. |
![]() | Bridget R Scanlon (Theme Lead)Evaluation of the impact of climate variability and land use change on groundwater recharge, application of numerical models for simulating variably saturated flow and transport, controls on nitrate contamination in aquifers |
![]() | John W SneddenSequence Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, Reservoir Development and Connectivity, Petroleum Geoscience |
![]() | Alex SunSubjects: Carbon sequestration, hydrological modeling, computational geoscience, fracture/fault modeling Skill sets: Geostatistical modeling, inversion and optimization algorithms, numerical modeling, web-based decision support systems Programming: Matlab, Python, Fortran, C, ArcGIS |
![]() | Frederick W TaylorTectonic geomorphology, stratigraphy, and paleogeodesy/paleoseismology at convergent plate margins Paleoclimate, fossil corals as a proxy for past sea-surface temperatures. Corals as recorders of relative sea level for vertical tectonics and sea-level history. |
![]() | Timothy L WhiteakerGeographic Information Systems (GIS) in water resources engineering; hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality modeling; scientific information management; bringing water resources engineering solutions to end users by developing Web and desktop applications. |
![]() | Kehua YouMethane Hydrate, Hydrogeology, Flow and Transport in Porous Media, Analytical and Numerical Modeling |
![]() | Duncan A YoungIce-rock physical interactions in an ice cap context, tectonic evolution of the younger planetary crusts |
Michael H YoungEcohydrology of arid and semiarid landscapes; groundwater recharge in both managed agriculture and natural (arid and semi-arid) systems; influence of soil structure and vegetation on water cycling; design and implementation of monitoring systems for above-ground and near-surface below ground environments. |
Research Staff
![]() | Amy A BanerjiStratigraphy, Aquifer / Reservoir Characterization, Water / Energy Resource Evaluation, Petroleum geology |
![]() | Kathy EllinsGeoscience education; Discipline Based Education Research (DBER); teacher professional development; geoscience curriculum development; undergraduate geoscience teacher preparation; climate literacy; geoscience, art and design engagement |
![]() | Marcus GaryKarst Hydrogeology |
![]() | Tucker F HentzSiliciclastic sequence stratigraphy, sandstone petrology, continental depositional systems, field mapping and stratigraphy |
![]() | Nathaniel R MillerSedimentary geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, Earth system evolution, Q-ICP-MS, microanalytics, GIS, Neoproterozoic climate [link: http://www.jsg.utexas.edu/news/2018/05/new-research-suggests-that-dawn-of-plate-tectonics-could-have-turned-earth-into-snowball/] |
Graduate Students
![]() | Rawan AlasadI study the sedimentary record, surficial processes, tectonic relief and catchment evolution that occurs during rifting. |
Arnold Aluge AlugeCO2 capture, sequestration, seismic interpretation and subsurface monitoring. Renewable energy and energy systems Mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry and petrogenetic evolution of igneous and metamorphic rocks Structural geology and tectonics Developing computer aided field mapping techniques | |
Emily BamberI am a PhD student in the Planetary Surface Processes lab My current research addresses the past hydrological evolution of impact crater lakes on Earth, Mars and elsewhere with fieldwork, satellite observations and modelling. | |
![]() | Taylor BarnhartTaylor Barnhart is a second year master's student in the energy and earth resources program at UT. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in geological sciences with minors in economics and environmental studies from the University of Oregon, Taylor joined the Peace Corps in Tanzania teaching science and English ... |
Lillian Beaman | |
![]() | Kristina ButlerI am a field-based sedimentologist and geochronologist who uses sedimentary basin records to understand the drivers and consequences of mountain building. My current research focus is sediment routing and foreland basin evolution of Northern Patagonia. I combine a variety of provenance techniques (sandstone petrography, detrital zircon U-Pb, Lu-Hf and trace ... |
Amanda Z CalleMy research is focused on the Cenozoic sedimentary, structural and exhumational history of the Eastern Cordillera to modern Chaco foreland basin in southern Bolivia. A multidisciplinary approach of source-to-sink, geochronology, low-temperature thermochronology and structural mapping will be used. Inherited pre-Andean structures and their response to contractional settings will also be ... | |
Benjamin T Cardenassedimentary geology | geomorphology | planetary science Publications Cardenas, Mohrig, and Goudge, 2018, Fluvial stratigraphy of valley fills at Aeolis Dorsa, Mars: Evidence for base-level fluctuations controlled by a downstream water body. GSA Bulletin, 130, 484-498. Goudge, Mohrig, Cardenas, Hughes, and Fassett, 2018, Stratigraphy and paleohydrology of delta channel deposits, Jezero crater, Mars. ... | |
![]() | Max S Daniller-VargheseI am a versatile scientist with five years of research and analytics experience in the geosciences. My analytical skills include signal processing, numerical modeling, and image processing. In my doctoral work I study how rivers transport sediment, how deltas are formed, and how underwater landslides wobble, all using ... |
![]() | Cansu DemirWith increasing concerns on global climate change, there has been a growing interest in the potential impacts of it to groundwater reservoirs along with the surface waters. My principal research interest is based on the interaction between these major reservoirs in regional and local scales with the emphasis on water ... |
Stephen B Ferencz | |
Yuqian(Philomena) GanI have broad interests in sedimentology and stratigraphy with focus on: Slope channel architecture and evolution Sediment density flow processes and deposits Sequence stratigraphy of medium depth (200-500m) back-arc and foreland systems | |
![]() | Jake GearonMy research focuses on constraining morphology, sedimentary dynamics, depositional architectures, and sediment-water interfaces in the modern and ancient using remote sensing, data analytics, and old-fashioned field work |
![]() | Nicole GonzalezI am eager to use my geologic knowledge and problem solving skills to contribute to society as a geoscientist. My research project focuses on the continuity and compartmentalization of shallow marine sandstones along the Southwest Oregon coast, specifically looking at the Coaledo Formation. I am passionate about STEM outreach and ... |
![]() | Evelin G GutierrezMy current research is focused on sediment routing systems at various temporal and spatial scales. I am interested on elucidating how these systems respond to allogenic controls in sedimentary basins as well as understanding the impact on the structural setting, stratigraphy and hydrocarbon systems of the basin. |
Hima J Hassenruck GudipatiResearch Interest: geomorphology, sedimentology, hydrology | |
![]() | Scarlette HsiaPhD student in Geology at the University of Texas at Austin! My primary interests include carbonate facies mapping, sedimentology, paleo-sea level reconstruction, stratigraphy, STEM outreach, canoeing, and scuba diving. If you are an undergraduate student seeking research opportunities and advice, feel free to contact me! |
![]() | Cullen D KortynaI am broadly interested in the controls on and dynamics of sediment routing systems. I investigate this at both the sedimentary basin scale, where I apply detrital geo-thermochronometry and other sedimentary provenance techniques, and at the outcrop scale, where I apply sedimentological and stratigraphic techniques, to evaluate sedimentary system response ... |
![]() | Bryan P La Bissoniere |
Yejin Lim | |
Tyson McKinney | |
![]() | Colin J McneeceI am a Ph.D. candidate in geological sciences at UT Austin. My research is in reactive transport modeling, a field that sits on the interface of fluid mechanics and geochemistry. My work couples theory and experiments to understand fundamental controls on transport behavior in natural settings. |
![]() | Mariel NelsonI'm a geomorphologist and first-year PhD student in the Department of Geological Sciences co-advised by Dr. David Mohrig (quantitative sedimentology and morphodynamics) and Dr. Tim Goudge (planetary surface processes and remote sensing). I study the shape of landscapes and seek mechanistic descriptions of how they change over time. For my ... |
![]() | Michael T O'ConnorI am most interested in the hydrologic and biogeochemical processes occurring at and near the surface of the Earth. I use field and laboratory techniques as well as numerical modeling to understand and represent these complex systems. My current research focuses on the variably saturated flow and nutrient transport dynamics ... |
![]() | Emily C PeaseEmily is a second year Masters student in Energy and Earth Resources working with supervisor Suzanne Pierce. Her research interests include bridging disciplines between data science, hydrogeology, and GIS/remote sensing to address pressing water issues in Texas. Until early 2019, Emily had been with the USGS Texas Water Science Center ... |
![]() | Evan J RamosMy research incorporates stable isotope geochemistry, reactive transport modeling, field work, and hydrology to understand the geologic carbon cycle. Whether deep in the crust or at the Earth's surface, I see the physics and chemistry of fluid-rock interactions as a unifying lens to probe whole-Earth geochemical cycles. I have worked ... |
![]() | Ana Maria Restrepo AcevedoI am interested in studying the potential effects of ecological stresses, specifically drought, disturbance, and salinity, in forest ecosystems at tree-level scale and how can this understanding informs a global perspective. Moreover, I want to determine how forests' ecosystems react to more frequent and severe ecological stress events due to ... |
Logan SchmidtLogan is interested in the shallow subsurface and its interaction with terrestrial ecosystems. His graduate research seeks to identifying regions of the Earth in which rock moisture (groundwater existing beneath the soil but above the water table in weathered, fractured bedrock) is ecologically important and to quantify the hydrologic dynamics ... | |
Cole M SpeedResearch Interests: Clastic sedimentology and stratigraphy, geomorphology, remote sensing, Python | |
![]() | John M SwartzResearch interests: Sedimentology/stratigraphy, coastal and nearshore processes, quantitative geomorphology, marine geophysics, statistical methods in geoscience |
Michelle Tebolt | |
Alison Tune | |
![]() | Anna Turetcaia |
Kat Wilsoncoastal geomorphology | |
![]() | Wen-Ying WuWebsite Hydrologic Cycle, Climate Variability, Land-Atmosphere Interaction, Satellite Data Analysis, Land-Surface Model |
Innovative Detrital Provenance Studies - Double Dating PLUSGraduateA major thrust of my current research the development and application of more comprehensive isotopic detrital provenance tools. U-Pb on zircon is clearly the big work horse, but only goes so far and sometimes yields "no" useful info, e.g., if the source of the sediment is mostly recycled sediment. We have extensively pursued double dating of zircons by U-Pb and He, as zircon He ages yield very interesting insights into the thermal and tectonic history of the source terrane; often yielding very different insights than crystallization ages. The combination is powerful, but I think we can take things so much farther by combining double dating with other constrains. People have tried fission track (not precise enough), Hf/Hf (to get mantle separation model ages), etc., but what we want to do and are working on is really Double Dating ++, combining zircon U-Pb-He dating with a variety of other geochemical aspects to more comprehensive understand detrital provenance and improve paleo-tectonic reconstructions. For example, trace-element thermometry (Ti in zirc), REE on zircon (met vs mag origin), Hf/Hf (see above), oxygen isotopes, etc. and also to develop rutile in an analogous manner (e.g., Zr in rut thermometry, Cr/Nb ratio (mafic vs granulitic), REE, etc.). The sky is the limit and what can learn so much. The issue in part it, how much can a single grain tell us before it's gone? The project sounds very laboratory oriented, but it's really a combination of field and lab work. We have identified a few possible case study areas, e.g., Morocco; great exposures, long-lived and preserved record of basin deposition since the Precambrian. My group is already working on some case studies in NW Himalayas, the N & S Pyrenees, the Sevier FTB, Permian Basin and other foreland basin. New projects include provenance studies along rifted and passive continental margins such the Gulf of Mexico, the central Atlantic Margins in Canada, USA, Portugal, and Morocco. Posted by: Daniel Stockli |
PhD StudentGraduateI am accepting applications for a new PhD Student in my lab. This student must be interested in paleontological or carbonate sedimentology research (both would be best), and should be aware of the current/recent projects in the Martindale Lab. Exceptional MSc students will be considered, but preference is for a doctoral student (prior research experience at the undergraduate or MSc level is desired). Posted by: Rowan Martindale |
Prospective StudentsGraduate or UndergraduateThank you for your interest in joining my research group! There are currently opportunities at all levels beginning in the Fall of 2016. I welcome the opportunity to work with students who have a strong academic record, quantitative skills, research and writing experience, and unquenchable curiosity and creativity. Our group focuses on spatial and temporal patterns of water movement in the near surface. If you're interested in joining the lab, please contact me directly (rempe@jsg.utexas.edu) with a CV and a statement of your research experience and interests. Posted by: Daniella Rempe |
Using Big Climate Data to Plan for Water Stress in the Western U.S.Undergraduate - 10 hrs/wk through Fall 2020, eligible for renewal for up to two yearsMany communities and industries across the United States, particularly in the Western U.S., already struggle to meet their water needs. State-of-the-art climate projections suggest that climate change will only intensify these problems, but water decision-makers often struggle to apply the available climate projection data to their management needs. The student working on this project will use high-resolution climate model projections of future water cycle conditions in the Western U.S. to analyze how the metrics that matter most for regional water management may change in the future. Opportunities available to present within the University community and in external venues and to engage with decision-makers. Helpful skills: • Basic experience navigating a Linux-based system using the command line • Familiarity with opening and plotting gridded data files in a programming language like Matlab or Python • Eagerness to self-teach any new programming skills necessary • Thoroughness with documenting code and research activities. Posted by: Geeta Persad |
Hydrogeochemical investigations in urban riparian zonesGraduate or UndergraduateHydrogeochemical investigations in urban riparian zones Posted by: Darrel Tremaine |
Speleothems and cave monitoringGraduate or UndergraduateSpeleothems and cave monitoring Posted by: Darrel Tremaine |
Dendrochronology and dendrochemistryGraduate or UndergraduateDendrochronology and dendrochemistry Posted by: Darrel Tremaine |
Sustainable Urban SystemsGraduate or UndergraduateSustainable Urban Systems Posted by: Darrel Tremaine |
Electromechanical instrumentation designGraduate or UndergraduateElectromechanical instrumentation design Posted by: Darrel Tremaine |
![]() | Aerogeophysical DataThe Institute for Geophysics shares data from a range of aerogephysical missions flown over Antarctica. |
![]() | Aerogeophysical SystemsUTIG has developed, maintained, and operated a suite of aerogeophysical instrumentation since the early 1990s with continual improvements since inception. The suite was installed aboard a Dehavilland DHC-6 ("Twin Otter") up to 2005 and aboard a Basler BT-67 (a version of DC-3T -- a Douglas DC-3 refitted with turboprop engines) since 2008. The current instruments are: High Capability Radar Sounder (HiCARS); Multibeam, Scanning Photon Counting Lidar; Cesium Vapor Magnetometer; Gravimeter; Dual-frequency, carrier-phase Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS); Laser Altimeter; Two GPS-aided Inertial Measurement Units; Three-Axis Fluxgate Magnetometer; System Control, Data Acquisition, and Real-time QC and Monitoring functions. |
![]() | Airborne Optech LIDAR SystemFor fine-scale topographic mapping |
Aqueous Geochemistry LabCharacterizes the chemical properties of water and solids to support research in hydrogeology, geochemistry, and geomicrobiology. Equipment used: carbon analyzer (TC), Organic analysis Field and laboratory gas chromatographs, thermal desorber, high pressure liquid chromatographs, Inorganic analyses Ion chromatograph, autotitrator, field and lab spectrophotometers. BET sorptometer for N2, Ar, and Kr BET surface areas, and A microporosities, organic carbon analyzer. | |
![]() | Core Research Center (Austin)The Austin Core Research Center (CRC), located adjacent to Bureau headquarters, is the Bureau of Economic Geology's main core repository for core and rock material donated to the university. More than 500,000 boxes of core and cuttings from wells drilled throughout Texas, the U.S., and the world are available at this facility for public viewing and research. Austin, Houston, and Midland core facilities have combined holdings of nearly 2 million boxes of geologic material. The Integrated Core and Log Database (IGOR) is a searchable database for all CRC core and well cutting holdings. Public facilities include core examination layout rooms and processing rooms for slabbing core. Other services are available upon request. |
![]() | Core Research Center (Houston)The Houston Research Center (HRC), is located on the west side of Houston, Texas, six miles north of I-10 and two miles south of U.S. Highway 290. This state-of-the-art climate-controlled facility is equipped to permanently store and curate over 900,000 boxes of geologic core and cuttings. The Houston, Austin, and Midland core facilities have combined holdings of nearly 2 million boxes of geologic material. In addition to the climate-controlled core and cuttings warehouse, the HRC complex has offices, laboratories, and a well-lit core layout room available for visiting scientists. There are also two conference rooms to accommodate guests attending short courses and seminars. Other services are available upon request. Nominal fees are charged to rent table space and to view core. The HRC has space dedicated for storing samples and cores acquired by NSF-funded research. The HRC curates this material and facilitates continued access to the material by researchers. The Integrated Core and Log Database (IGOR) is a searchable database for all core and well cutting holdings. |
![]() | Dual-frequency Geodetic Quality GPS ReceiversWe have 5 Trimble Net-RS receivers, tripods, choke ring antennas. One is with Tiffany Caudle at BEG used to support the Optech Lidar system. The other 4 are in JGB 3.122 and used by various groups. |
![]() | Electron MicroprobeInstalled in 2002-2003, the JEOL JXA-8200 electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) is equipped with five wavelength dispersive spectrometers (WDS), an energy dispersive detector (EDS), and two image detectors in secondary and backscattered electron modes. The primary aim of the microprobe is quantitative elemental analysis of minerals on a microscale with high precision (less than a percent relative for major constituents) and low detection limits (commonly a few tens to few hundreds ppm) |
![]() | Flash Flood & Tsunami FlumeThe Flash Flood and Tsunami flume is a large (approximately 40 x 1.5 x 0.8 m) outdoor flume with a computer-controlled headbox lift gate that generates reproducible flood bores. It is being used to study the hydraulics and sediment transport of rapidly changing hydrographs. |
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Laboratory | |
![]() | Geophysical Equipment for GlaciologyWe have a custom built, low-frequency, short-pulse, ground-based radar system to image deep (>100 m) internal layers and the base of the ice sheet. Frequencies used with this system include 1, 2, 5 and 10 MHz. We also have a GSSI high-frequency (100MHz) ground-based radar system which can be used in several configurations and with a range of antennae frequencies. In addition, we have 7 GNSS GPS units for high-precision positioning, as well as multiple data loggers and time-lapse cameras for use in glaciological settings. |
Grain-sizing Sedimentology LabThis laboratory contains Ro-tap seiving apparatus, a Micromeritics 5100 clay and silt size x-ray analyzer, and an automated settling column for sizing sand fraction. | |
HPLC Mass Spectromtery Laboratory | |
Hydro LabThis lab is dedicated to hydrogeology and environmental geology courses. It has facilities for grain-size analyses, porosity/ permeability testing, and a wide variety of lab demonstration techniques. It is also used as the base for groundwater field methods courses. | |
![]() | Hydrogeophysical EquipmentThese tools include: 1) Electrical Resistivity Meter. The AGI SuperSting R8 IP is an 8-channel resistivity and induced polarization imaging system specially designed for large surveys where speed of data acquisition is of essence. Can be used for land applications with 6 m spacing, underwater applications with 2 m spacing, or boat-towed surveys with 1 to 5 m spacing. 2) Infrared Camera. The FLIR ThermaCAM SC640 is a high-resolution thermal infrared camera. The portable handheld radiometer (7.5 to 13 micron wavelength) takes images at 640x480 pixels at rates of down to 16 Hz. The precision of the camera is 0.08 C. |
![]() | Ice Dynamics ModelA 4' x 6' bench-top physical model simulating water flow under ice sheets and glaciers. Ice is represented by a transparent polymer. Water is injected below the "ice" at varying rates to observe the effects of discharge pulses on the channel geometry and surface motion of the "ice." Changes in discharge are designed to mimic a typical diurnal discharge pattern observed on alpine glaciers. |
Isotope Clean Lab (Banner)The Isotope Clean Lab is a 600 square foot clean chemistry lab with seven Class-100 workspaces for preparation of rock, mineral, soil, plant and water samples for chemical and isotopic analysis under low-contamination conditions. | |
Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS)The MC-ICP-MS facility is centered around a Nu Instruments Nu Plasma 3D MC-ICP-MS featuring 6 Daly detectors for simultaneous measurement of multiple low abundance isotopes, in addition to 16 stationary Faraday cups, enhanced abundance transfer sensitivity optics (EATO) and dry scroll pumps. It is installed in a positively pressured, hepa-filtered, clean lab and supported by two clean chemistry labs for dissolution of samples and isolation of specific elements for isotope analyses. Samples may be introduced as a solution using the DSN100 desolvating nebulizer or as a solid using an Elemental Scientific Lasers (ESL) NWR193 laser. The facility regularly analyzes Li, Pb, Hf isotopes, parent isotopes Lu, Sm, and Rb for isotope dilution analyses (Sr and Nd measured by TIMS), and Lu-Hf in zircon by laser ablation. We are developing methods for multi-Daly measurement of low abundance isotopes for U isotope measurements, U-Th dating and laser ablation Pb and Li isotope measurements. | |
![]() | Narrow Temperature-controlled Open Channel FlumeCustom built 5-m tilting flume. Width: 30 cm. Depth: 1 meter. Other features: 3 removable windows with septa ports, fluids can be extracted or injected from the floor. |
Paleoclimatology and Environmental Geochemistry LaboratoryMajor instrumentation includes: (1) Gas chromatograph-single quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-IRMS) for quantification and identification of organic compounds, and (2) HPLC-signgle quadrupole mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS) equipped with intelligent fraction collection for identification, quantification and isolation of high molecular weight compounds. | |
Paleolimnology Laboratory | |
Revolving Environmental LabThe REL includes a geoprobe for drilling, an Ion Chromatograph for analyzing anions and cations, and a stratified aquifer sampler for analyzing varying groundwater flow and quality with depth. | |
Stable Isotope Lab for Critical Zone GasesThis lab is designed for the study of caves, soils and vegetative canopies. The GasBench II and Thermo Electron 253 in the High Temp. Stable Isotope lab are currently being used to measure the carbon isotope composition of soil and cave CO2, CO2 respired in soil respiration experiments, and dissolved inorganic carbon and calcium carbonates from multiple environments. | |
![]() | Superconducting Gravimeter LabA GWR superconducting gravimeter (precision ~0.01 micrGals) configured to be transportable, used in hydrologic and other studies. This is usually deployed in the field for campaigns of months and longer. |
![]() | UT Experimental Deep Water BasinThe UTDW Basin is an experimental tank designed to physically model morphodynamic and stratigraphic evolution of continental margins and other subaqueous sediment transport systems. It is 4 m wide, 8 m long, and 2 m deep. The tank has 5 observation windows, underwater lighting and an array of synced overhead cameras. The facility is designed to map underwater deposit surfaces in space through time and measure fluid dynamic and sediment transport properties of formative density flows. |
![]() | UT Sediment Transport and Earth-surface Processes (STEP) BasinThe STEP Basin is an experimental flume designed to physically model morphodynamic and stratigraphic evolution of the fluviodeltaic system. It is 4 m wide, 5 m long, and 1.5 m tall. This facility is one of only three in the world with a computer-controlled basement motion, which can mimic 1) fore-hinge (passive margin), 2) back-hinge (foreland basin), and 3) lateral tilting subsidence patterns. |
![]() | Walter Geology LibraryThe primary research collections of the library presently include more than 100,000 book and journal volumes and 46,000 geologic maps, among them the publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, most state geological surveys, and those of many foreign countries. Regional emphasis of the collection is on the Southwestern United States, Texas, and Mexico. The Institute and Bureau also have extensive libraries related to their specific research areas. |
Wind Tunnel/Flume LabThe Department of Geological Sciences maintains two wind tunnels for experiments in aeolian transport. One tunnel (0.5 m2 X 10 m) features a long transport section that ends in a slipface. The second tunnel features a rotating table (1 m in diameter) that can be used to simulate any range of wind directions. |
Center for Integrated Earth System ScienceThe Center for Integrated Earth System Science (CIESS) is a cooperative effort between the Jackson School of Geosciences and the Cockrell School of Engineering. The center fosters collaborative study of Earth as a coupled system with focus on land, atmosphere, water, environment, and society. |
Land, Environment & Atmospheric DynamicsThe LEAD group consists of graduate research assistants, postdoctoral fellows, research scientists and visiting scholars. We view the earth system in a holistic way, linking the atmosphere, ocean, biosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth as an integrated system. We use powerful methodologies such as satellite remote sensing and supercomputing simulations which are now profoundly changing research in earth system sciences. We place a strong emphasis on the societal impact of the research in earth system sciences. |
Affiliated UT Programs & Centers
Center for Space ResearchThe University of Texas at Austin, Center for Space Research was established in 1981 under the direction of Dr. Byron D. Tapley. The mission of the Center is to conduct research in orbit determination, space geodesy, the Earth and its environment, exploration of the solar system, as well as expanding the scientific applications of space systems data. |
Research Groups
Dynamic Stratigraphy Workgroup |
ENCOMPASS: Research for Earth-Society Systems |
Morphodynamics and Quantitative Stratigraphy |
Alaska Fieldwork
Posted by Peter P FlaigPhoto set includes images of fieldwork done on the North Slope of Alaska from 2005-2013
Antarctic Fieldwork
Posted by Peter P FlaigPhotos of fieldwork in the Central Transantarctic Mountains during the 2003-2004 and 2010-2011 field seasons.
Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway Fieldwork
Posted by Peter P FlaigPhotos of fieldwork on clastic wedges of the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming