Geophysical and Geospatial Monitoring of Coastal Wetland Dynamics in Texas Gulf Coast: Implications for Coastal Hazard Mitigation

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Joshua Benford Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

Coastal wetlands are critical ecosystems located at the dynamic interface between terrestrial and marine environments, shaped by the intricate interactions among sediment transport and deposition processes, geomorphology, hydrodynamics, and biogeochemical processes. They offer essential services, acting as a primary defense against storm surge flooding and reducing cyclone wind wave energy. However, the sustainability of coastal freshwater wetlands is increasingly threatened by natural and anthropogenic stressors, including sea level rise and land subsidence. The latter process alters coastal morphology and, in combination with saltwater intrusion, which is primarily driven by unsustainable groundwater pumping rates, contributes to the salinization of the soil, leading to a severe decline in freshwater wetlands' spatial extent and significantly reducing the ecosystem services they provide. Wetlands are particularly important in areas such as the Texas Gulf Coast, including regions extending from the Galveston to Beaumont County coasts, where there is a recurrence of cyclone events causing severe devastation, sprawling urbanization extending toward the coasts, and extreme use of groundwater resources to meet the demands of the growing population. This study utilizes an approach that incorporates remote sensing datasets and analysis techniques, including deep learning methods facilitated by GeoAI, and field-based geophysical methods to explore the following key objectives: (1) quantify spatial and temporal changes in coastal wetland extent and type from 2000 to 2024 in response to major stressors; (2) investigate the hydrogeological conditions of the critical zone in areas experiencing declining freshwater wetland coverage, assessing the impacts of environmental stressors on the wetland critical zone using key indicators such as subsurface erosion and other morphological indicators (3) evaluate how shifts in wetland dynamics influence their ability to mitigate cyclone-related hazards and examine corresponding spatiotemporal variations in methane emissions.

Reconstructing the Triassic Crime Scene of West Texas

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Madison Crowns Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences Arthur Busbey Geological Sciences

The Dockum Group is of palaeontologic and sedimentary significance due to the fossils and preserved sedimentary structures. The units contain a vast variety of Late Triassic vertebrates ranging from aquatic and amphibian to early mammals and dinosaurs, and in addition the Dockum Group contains preserved upper-flow-regime structures. Early result from initial samples collected from an outcrop of a preserved lake have yielded potential bone fragments and teeth. The opportunity to study how upper flow regimes and fossil assemblages are related to preservation makes the Dockum group a unique study area.

A Multi-Criteria Spatial Analysis of Vegetation Zones at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge: Implications for Ecological Management

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Ava Delgado Environmental Sciences Isaac Aldrete Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

This project proposes using ArcGIS-based spatial analysis to identify various vegetation zones at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge and the surrounding areas, with the goal of supporting ecological management decisions. This will be accomplished through spatial overlay and other GIS analysis tools applied to relevant datasets, including topography (elevation), soil type, land cover, geology, and vegetation distribution derived from existing geospatial datasets. The distribution of plants based on these factors will help identify distinct zones, such as Fort Worth prairie, Cross Timbers savanna, and riparian forest. By compiling the results of the GIS analysis and producing maps to support both visual and statistical analysis, the project will provide insights for end users to identify existing and potentially new zones for ecological management.

Evaluating the Impact of Fire Ant Expansion on Texas Horned Lizard Habitat and Prey Availability

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Kindal Ferrans Environmental Sciences Matt Dengler Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

Our project will focus on the evaluation of how the introduction of invasive fire ant species has affected horned lizard populations. The fire ant species is not native to the greater Texas area and, when introduced, preyed on the Texas horned lizard’s primary food source, the harvester ant. This has greatly reduced the lizard’s range, as it consumes few other insects. Its status as the university mascot further highlights its vulnerability to the TCU community. This study examines the impact of invasive fire ants on horned lizard populations in Texas. We will accomplish this through two approaches in the ArcGIS environment: first, by comparing maps of the lizard’s historical and current ranges, and second, by analyzing the temporal distribution of fire ant populations to determine whether a correlation exists with changes in the lizard’s range.

Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Changes to Galveston Bay Aquifer's Contamination

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Harrison Lamb Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

Coastal aquifers around the Galveston Bay System, located along the Texas Gulf Coast, have been experiencing saltwater contamination for the past few decades. This is driven by extensive groundwater use, land subsidence as a result of groundwater pumping, and rising sea levels in both the short term (through storm surge from cyclones) and long-term (relative sea level rise). This study leverages multitemporal groundwater quality data from wells located proximal to the coast and further inland to assess the spatial distribution and propagation of key saltwater contamination indicators (TDS, Chloride, etc.). This is accomplished through cluster mapping to identify contaminant hotspots and their progression over time, as well as by assessing the extent of contamination through evaluating the relationship between distance from the coast and inland contamination. The key objective is to provide insights of the modes of aquifer contamination, identify susceptible areas, and determine key drivers that may contribute to this accelerating contamination.

Identifying High-potential Corridors for a Light-Rail Passenger Network in the Fort Worth, TX Metro Area

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Anna Claire Lindow Environmental Sciences Jack Grimm Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremicheal Geological Sciences

The Fort Worth metropolitan area faces increasing roadway congestion, automobile dependency, and growing accessibility challenges for households with limited vehicle and physical access. Although Tarrant County contains several rail assets, much of the regions' transit network remains limited in coverage and connectivity compared to neighboring systems in Dallas. Rather than proposing new infrastructure, this study aims to evaluate the existing rail corridors within Tarrant County to identify where improvements could generate the greatest mobility, equity, and connectivity benefits.

Using ArcGIS Pro, a weighted multi-criteria analysis is applied to three existing corridors where freight lines are already present: a south-to-north line dubbed the “Green Line”, with termini in Burleson and Keller, a west-to-east line dubbed the “Blue Line”, with termini in Benbrook and Arlington, and a southwest-to-northeast line dubbed the “Purple Line”, with termini in Crowley and Euless/Grapevine. Each corridor meets at Fort Worth T&P / Central stations and stops in significant population/economic centers. Buffers surrounding each corridor are analyzed to evaluate demographic demand, transportation efficiency, connectivity, and physical feasibility. Key variables include the percentage of households without vehicles, median income, senior and disability populations, highway congestion proximity, risk factors, and major destinations served.

By integrating demographic vulnerability indicators with transportation demand and physical constraints, this study identifies which existing retail corridors demonstrate greatest need and potential for targeted improvements. The results provide a GIS-based framework for prioritizing transit investments in automobile-dependent metropolitan regions and offer data-driven guidance for improving rail accessibility and connectivity across Tarrant County.

Assessing the Leachability of Rare Earth Elements and Critical Metals from Coal and Coal Ash

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Emma Maxwell Geological Sciences Amanda Whitley Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences

This project will study how rare earth elements (REEs) and other important critical materials can be released (leached) from coal and coal ash. Coal ash is produced in large amounts across the United States, and many studies show that it can contain valuable elements that are needed for electronics, renewable energy technology, and national defense. However, we still do not fully understand how easily these elements can be removed from the ash or what chemical conditions make them more or less available. Learning this will help determine whether coal ash can be used as a practical source of critical materials and how it should be safely managed.

Petrography and Geochemistry of Rhyolites and Diabase Intrusions in the Wichita Mountains, Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Michael Mbah Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Richard Hanson Geological Sciences

The late Ediacaran to Cambrian Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen (SOA) records extensive bimodal magmatism associated with continental rifting during the opening of the southern Iapetus Ocean. Igneous rocks exposed in the Wichita and Arbuckle Mountains include the Carlton Rhyolite Group, Wichita Granite Group, gabbros, widespread diabase intrusions, and extensive subsurface basalt flows.
The Carlton Rhyolite Group forms the uppermost portion of the igneous rift fill and provides key constraints on the distribution and petrogenesis of felsic volcanism during early rifting. Diabase intrusions record information about mantle source regions and the evolution of mafic magmas during crustal extension. Petrographic observations show that rhyolites are characterized by felsic groundmasses containing quartz and feldspar phenocrysts with varying degrees of devitrification and alteration, whereas the diabases are dominated by plagioclase and clinopyroxene and commonly display ophitic to subophitic textures.
This study presents petrographic observations together with new major and trace element geochemical data for 30 rhyolite samples, a series of late diabase intrusions that occur throughout the aulacogen, and small gabbros that occur locally in association with diabases from the Wichita Mountains that have not been previously analyzed or for which trace element data were incomplete. On standard discrimination diagrams, most diabase samples fall within the compositional range of previously documented diabases in the SOA. Rare earth element (REE) patterns show moderate light REE enrichment and slight Eu anomalies similar to enriched MORB compositions. Two samples display higher total REE concentrations but similar overall E-MORB–type patterns, suggesting the presence of at least two related but distinct mafic magma sources.
Rhyolite samples exhibit strong LREE enrichment, pronounced negative Eu anomalies, and elevated high-field-strength element concentrations consistent with high-temperature A-type felsic magmatism. One rhyolite dike intruding the Wichita Granite shows trace element compositions similar to rhyolite flows that predate granite emplacement, indicating a shared petrogenetic origin. Another rhyolite dike located at the base of the thickest rhyolite flow in the Wichita Mountains displays strong geochemical similarity to the overlying flow, suggesting that the dike acted as a feeder conduit. This represents the only recognized example of a rhyolite feeder dike within the SOA.

Sea-Level Rise in the Bay Area

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Andrew McArdle Environmental Sciences Megan Linsley Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

We are looking to map sea-level rise along the California coast from 2000 to 2026. The sea level is currently rising approximately .25 inches per year. We are going to focus on how this is affecting California, and we are going to pair this information with properties in California that will be underwater by 2050. It is estimated that 10 billion dollars' worth of property will be underwater in the next 30 years. The part of California that is under the highest risk is Northern California, specifically the Bay Area. We will be mapping floodplains and low-lying areas in the Bay Area to show what areas are at the highest risk of water damage.

Mapping of an andesitic to rhyolitic volcanic to intrusive complex emplaced at shallow levels beneath the seafloor in a Devonian submarine island-arc sequence in the northern Sierra Nevada, California

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Quinton Mindrup Geological Sciences Richard Hanson Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Richard Hanson Geological Sciences

The Devonian Sierra Buttes Formation (SBF) occurs at the base of a thick succession of submarine Paleozoic island arc strata in the northern Sierra Nevada. Bulk eastward rotation of the succession has provided cross-sectional views of a variety of SBF sediments and volcaniclastics, arc deposits, and associated hypabyssal intrusions. The area of concern herein is centered on the prominent glaciated Sierra Buttes peaks, from which the formation takes its name. Coeval andesitic to rhyolitic volcanic deposits and subsequent intrusive bodies form a multistage complex assemblage making up much of the SBF in this area. To better understand this assemblage, detailed mapping of a small area was done in 2025.

Here we report results of detailed mapping of glaciated outcrops that occupy an area of ~ 245,000 m2 within the intrusive assemblage. A total of ten separate geologic units were identified within the field area. Sedimentary rocks, SBF, cap the sequence, and consist of black radiolarian chert and ash fall tuffs. A large unit of lapillistone, the result of seafloor fire fountaining, is at the base of the complex. Six separate intrusive units are identified, ranging from andesitic to dacitic in composition. Peperite, a rock that forms when magma quenches and mixes with unconsolidated wet sediment, is present along the contact with the SBF. Hyaloclastite, consists of glassy shards, which are the result of nonexplosive quench fragmentation, is the most abundant unit in the field area. Hosted within the hyaloclastite are disrupted fluidal feeder bodies, once part of an interconnected tubular network that fed the hyaloclastite and broke apart during continued intrusive activity.

A Logistic Distribution-Based Assessment of the Spatiotemporal Evolution of Groundwater in Texas (1985-2026)

Type: Graduate
Author(s): ELVIS OWUSU Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences

Rapid population growth in Texas has accelerated urbanization and land-use/land-cover (LULC) changes, increasing pressure on groundwater resources. This study uses a logistic distribution–based approach rather than simple averaging to account for the heterogeneity of groundwater chemistry at different depths, evaluating long-term trends in major ions, pH, TDS, buffering capacity, and partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂). The analysis examines the spatiotemporal evolution of groundwater hydrogeochemistry across West Texas, Eastern Texas, and North-Central Texas, assessing how climate variability and land-use change influence water–rock interactions, geochemical buffering, and aquifer resilience over time.

Geochemistry of Ediacaran-Ordovician diabase dikes in southern Colorado with a potential relationship to rifting in the Southern Oklahoma aulacogen

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Caleb Perkey Geological Sciences Richard Hanson Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Richard Hanson Geological Sciences

The Southern Oklahoma aulacogen is a northwest-trending structure containing abundant igneous rocks representing the remains of a major Cambrian rift zone. Previous geologists have mapped numerous igneous intrusions in Colorado that follow the same trend, ranging from Ediacaran to Ordovician in age, and have speculated that these intrusions may be a part of the same rift. These intrusions include abundant igneous dikes of various compositions that originated from deeper magmatic bodies, filling fracture systems in older igneous rocks and Precambrian gneisses. This study involves the geochemical analysis of samples we collected from diabase dikes found along that northwest trend in southern Colorado. The dikes include a prominent diabase dike swarm in the Gunnison area as well as other individual dikes in the Wet Mountains and Front Range farther east. On the discrimination and REE diagrams, twenty-six representative dike samples from both sample regions plot tightly together, indicating the clustered dikes share a petrogenetic history of E-MORB-type magma that interacted with intercontinental lithosphere. In addition, this cluster generally plots within the same regions as data from diabase dikes associated with the Southern Oklahoma aulacogen.
Fifteen samples were taken from generally NW-trending diabase dikes in the Gunnison dike swarm, and these make up the majority of the dike samples that cluster together. The remaining eleven samples originate from general NW-trending diabase dikes in other locations across southern Colorado. Five samples were taken from WNW- to NW-trending diabase dikes in the Wet Mountains. Five samples were taken from NW- to NNW-trending diabase dikes in the Front Range, ~80 km north of the Wet Mountains. One sample was taken from a NW-trending diabase dike in the Unaweep Canyon, ~270 km west-northwest of the Wet Mountains.
The geochemical similarities between diabase dikes sampled for this study and those within the Southern Oklahoma aulacogen suggest a linked petrogenetic history. Furthermore, the distribution of these samples raises the intriguing possibility that dikes related to Ediacaran-Ordovician intraplate magmatism in Colorado may be more extensive than previously thought.

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Arianna Simmons Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremicheal Geological Sciences

Landslides are among the most common and, at times, the most destructive natural hazards, posing significant risks to infrastructure, ecosystems, and human populations. Central Texas, particularly the Texas Hill Country, is recognized as a landslide-susceptible region due to its rugged topography, variable geology, and intense rainfall events. This project aims to map landslide susceptibility across the region using spatial analysis techniques in a GIS framework. Multiple datasets will be integrated, including Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to derive slope, aspect, and flow accumulation, as well as geologic formations, soil types, precipitation patterns, and stream networks. Each variable will be reclassified according to relative landslide risk and combined using a weighted overlay analysis to generate a landslide susceptibility map identifying areas of high, moderate, and low risk. The resulting analysis will provide a framework for environmental hazard assessment and inform land-use planning and risk mitigation strategies in Central Texas.

Mapping Dark Sky Access Across Texas Over Time

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Jasper Tyner Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Rhiannon Mayne Environmental Sciences

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument onboard of the Suomi-NPP satellite has provided unprecedented night time light data that could be used as an indirect indicator of various parameters, including light pollution, population distribution, etc. The proposed project will integrate multi-temporal night light data from VIIRS with other datasets, including population data from the most recent census, ground-based light classification data (Bortle scale) to better understand how population growth affects light pollution over time, and to give insight into the importance of Dark Sky Preserves as population growth continues, across the State of Texas. Various spatial and statistical analysis techniques will be applied to address the objectives of this proposal including hotspot and density analyses, and statistical analysis of changes in population datasets.

Spatial Mapping of Hydrological Features and Inundation Zones in the Fort Worth Nature Center

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Samuel Villarroel Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Gebremichael Esayas Geological Sciences Xie Xiangyang Geological Sciences Xie Xiangyang Geological Sciences Xie Xiangyang Geological Sciences

The Fort Worth Nature Center (FWNC) is one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the U.S., located in northwest Tarrant County. It covers over 3,600 acres, including nearly 20 miles of hiking trails. The park is home to a wide variety of species within a diverse ecosystem that includes forests, prairies, and wetlands. Currently, there are multiple ongoing projects assessing invasive species, habitat management and restoration, and the impact of park visitors, among others. However, little has been done to understand the local hydrology, its dynamics across the park, and its interactions with watershed-scale processes, as well as the resulting impacts on refuge habitat. This project aims to integrate multiple spatial datasets and analysis tools, including digital elevation models (DEMs) and high-resolution hydrography datasets from the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), to delineate hydrological features within the refuge, understand their dynamics, and assess their interactions with the medium and habitat within the refuge. The ultimate goal is to generate a product that can serve as input in FWNC’s efforts to monitor flood risk and support critical ecosystem and refuge planning.

Tracing Water Chemistry in the Trinity River System: Clear Fork, West Fork, and Their Confluence

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Amanda Whitley Geological Sciences Elvis Owusu Geological Sciences Chris Zamora Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences Andrew Brinker Interdisciplinary

The Trinity River is a major recreational and ecological waterway that flows through the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex in North Texas. In downtown Fort Worth, the Clear Fork and West Fork branches merge to form the main Trinity River. These branches drain watersheds with different land-use characteristics: the West Fork drains a heavily industrialized region, while the Clear Fork drains a primarily urbanized watershed. This confluence provides an opportunity to examine how distinct watershed environments influence river chemistry and how these chemical signatures interact upon mixing. Biweekly sampling of the Clear Fork, West Fork, and their confluence measures key hydrochemical parameters including pH, electrical conductivity, and major cations and anions. These data help characterize spatial variations in water chemistry and mixing dynamics within the Trinity River system. Establishing baseline hydrochemical conditions is particularly important as the upcoming Panther Island River project will modify river channels and the location of the confluence.

Norfolk UST Risk Assesment

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Joshua Benford Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremicael Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 1, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Leaking underground storage tanks (USTs) pose a significant environmental hazard in Norfolk, Virginia, where factors such as weather, casing materials, and varying ground conditions contribute to potential leaks over time. Corrosion, exacerbated by Norfolk's coastal location and harsh soil conditions, is a primary cause of these leaks. Geographic Information System (GIS) tools can be utilized to develop a predictive model for identifying at-risk UST locations by integrating data from multiple sources, including UST records from the state of Virginia and other relevant datasets. This model would employ various spatial analysis techniques to generate maps and web applications, enabling field teams to validate its accuracy and support the City of Norfolk in mitigating risks associated with leaking USTs. The goal of this research is to produce valuable insights that help safeguard the health of Norfolk's residents and protect the delicate surrounding ecosystem, including the Atlantic Ocean, marshes, rivers, and Chesapeake Bay.

The Effect of Red-Light Traffic Cameras on Vehicle Collisions in Fort Worth

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Sovereign Bourgeois Environmental Sciences TJ Willson Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: SecondFloor, Table 3, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Prior to 2019, Texas used red-light traffic cameras to deter drivers from driving recklessly and running red lights. However, due to legislation signed by Governor Greg Abbott, red-light cameras are no longer used in Texas. This decision was made to ‘protect drivers' constitutional rights.’ Additionally, it was argued that these cameras increased the rate of rear-end collisions.

This study investigates the effect of removing red-light cameras in Fort Worth before and after the ban by examining the rate of different types of collisions. The location data of crash sites and police reports will be mapped using ArcGIS Pro to determine the frequency and density of these crashes.

Amazon Deforestation: A Spatial Analysis of Its Impact on Carbon Sequestration and Global CO2 Emissions

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Lauren Breach Environmental Sciences Justus Bedford Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: FirstFloor, Table 2, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

The Amazon rainforest is one of the largest carbon sinks in the world, playing a critical role in regulating global carbon dioxide levels. However, deforestation has significantly reduced its ability to sequester carbon, contributing to rising CO2 emissions. We will analyze deforestation trends in the amazon over the last three decades by integrating satellite imagery, historical land cover data, and carbon flux models. Using remote sensing data from Nasa and Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE), we will generate temporal GIS layers to map forest loss and quantify the impact on carbon sequestration. Through identifying key deforestation hotspots, this project aims to provide important insights into the relationship between land-use changes and atmospheric carbon levels, supporting future conservation strategies and policy recommendations.

Exploring Levee Systems of the DeGrey River: Geomorphological and Reservoir Potential

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Jacinto Garza ll Geological Sciences Henry Henk Geological Sciences Matt Kelly Geological Sciences Simon Lang Geological Sciences Victorien Paumard Geological Sciences Andrew Winch Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 7, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

The ephemeral DeGrey River of northwestern Australia’s Pilbara region presents unusual very high relief double levees of up to 5.8 m that are still poorly understood. This study aims to take advantage of excellent exposures of these double levees to assess their likely origin. Accessing and studying these features in a modern setting constitute a unique opportunity to better understand their geomorphology and evaluate their reservoir potential as an analogue for the subsurface.
We investigated these levees using shallow augering, percussion coring, digging of shallow pits, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), calibrated using dGPS surveys. Remote sensing data, such as LIDAR and photogrammetric drone surveys, were also used to identify and visualize fluvial geomorphologic features, which were then ground truth by pedestrian surveys and general field observations. Core and auger samples were described according to grain texture using the USDA classification and a Munsell color atlas. to distinguish the similarities or differences from sediments by depth. Grain size was further assessed in sand and gravel using a Brunton Grain Size Card.
These levees were primarily developed by water during multiple large flooding events which exceeded their height limit, as opposed to the alternative hypothesis that these were large eolian features coincidental with levee positions at the channel margin. This is evidenced by the common layers of gravelly and poorly sorted coarse sand dispersed within the levee strata. Similarly, sedimentary structures of lower and upper flow regimes typical of water flood are observed for these strata. Locally, the outer part of the two levees was found to include an eolian cap, which provided additional height to the levee locally. These strata were fine-grained and well-sorted by contrast, typical of aeolian origins.
Cyclone-driven floods control the activation of the DeGrey River and associated sedimentation. These double levees form through rapid sediment deposition in unusually energetic overbank flows. The high permeability and sandy stratification of these levees provide opportunistic reservoir potential. This contrasts with silty levee deposits observed in perennial rivers with lower discharge variation. The high double levees of the DeGrey River appear to be a hydrologic and geomorphic feature characteristic of ephemeral river systems.

A Study of the Coll de Montllobar to Further Characterize Channelization as the Units Shift Through Transgressive-Regressive Sequences

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Samuel Knox Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 4, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

The Tremp-Graus basin, located in Northern Spain, is a foreland piggyback basin that sits on the foot of Pyrenees Mountains. More specifically within the Montsec range, North of the Montsec thrust belt. The basin is a result of an east to west trending syncline area between the Boxial and Montsec Thrusts, North and South of Tremp, Spain, respectively. During the end of the Cretaceous period, syntectonic sedimentation began and carried throughout the Miocene. Thus, forming the basin that is structurally open in the west and open in the east, possibly due to structural events and quite possibly a shallow sea that protruded the area during the Ypresian (56 – 47.8 Ma). The sediments came from sources in the North, East, and the South in less quantities. The Pyrenees Mountains to the north are the main source of the sedimentation in the area as an influx of sediment occurred over time as the thrust sheets became proximal to the basin. The Boxial thrust supplied alluvial fans during the Maastrichtian in a localized setting (Arevalo, 2022; Busquests, 2022).
There is an overall transition from continental to deltaic sediments in the east to a western section that is mainly slope mudstones, thin-bedded turbidite wedges, proximal turbidites, channel-fills, distal turbidities and basin-plain deposits. This study will focus on a vertical section in the Coll del Montllobar Cliffs to help identify and differentiate channel characteristics as the rocks shift from continental/terrestrial deposits to marine influence deposits (tracking transgressive-regressive cycles) within the Upper Ager Group through the Lower Montanyana Group. The study will include at least five highly detailed measured sections, fluvial mapping conducted through drone footage and 3D modeling as well as possible point counting root density within the sections. In the conclusion of this study researchers will have a reliable Type Section as well as a basic understanding of how transgressive – regressive cycles alter channel behavior within the region, as well as the defining characteristics of the fluvial channels.

Using GIS Technologies to Explore Urban Heat Island Effect in Tarrant County

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Sloan Malleck Environmental Sciences Sean Farrell Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: SecondFloor, Table 2, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

This study aims to investigate how the growth and expansion of Tarrant County has potentially increased average temperatures from 1985 to 2020. The study will utilize satellite imagery from the USGS, weather data from the NWS, and population and land cover data to better understand the relationship between urban growth and temperature change. We speculate that the rapid growth and development of Tarrant County has led to a measurable increase in average daytime temperatures due to the urban heat island effect.

The Impact of Texas Coastal County Land Cover on Hypoxia Levels in the Gulf Coast

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Emma Maxwell Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: SecondFloor, Table 1, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

This project will analyze the relationship between land cover in Texas coastal counties and dissolved oxygen levels in the Gulf of Mexico. Utilizing GIS, we aim to understand land cover changes in Texas coastal counties from 2021 to 2023 and corresponding changes in dissolved oxygen levels in the Gulf of Mexico during this time frame. The analysis will examine spatial data from the Gulf of Mexico and Texas, focusing on urban areas, agricultural land, coastal wetlands, and freshwater wetlands.

GIS STUDIES AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF SELECTED CAMBRIAN IGNEOUS ROCK UNITS IN THE SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA AULACOGEN

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Michael Mbah Geological Sciences Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Richard Hanson Geological Sciences
Location: SecondFloor, Table 8, Position 3, 1:45-3:45

The Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma hold over a billion years of geological history, offering valuable insights into rift dynamics, magmatism, and basin evolution. These mountains are remnants of the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen, a failed rift that initially formed during the Cambrian period through crustal extension but was later uplifted due to tectonic inversion. The region features a diverse range of igneous and sedimentary rocks, including the Carlton Rhyolites, gabbroic anorthosites, and granites of the Wichita Granite Group, which reflect a complex magmatic history. Over time, major tectonic events such as the Pennsylvanian uplift during the formation of Pangea and subsequent Permian burial played a key role in shaping the area's present landscape. This study utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to examine the spatial relationships, structural features, and lithological distribution of the Wichita Mountains. Using remote sensing, digital elevation models (DEMs), and geospatial analysis, this research provides a deeper understanding of the regions geological history and demonstrates the effectiveness of GIS technology in structural geology and regional mapping.

Quenched and disrupted dacitic to rhyolitic hyaloclastie complex emplaced at shallow levels beneath the seafloor in a Devonian submarine island-arc sequence in the northern Sierra Nevada, California

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Quinton Mindrup Geological Sciences Richard Hanson Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Richard Hanson Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 4, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

The Devonian Sierra Buttes Formation (SBF) occurs at the base of a thick succession of submarine Paleozoic island arc strata in the northern Sierra Nevada. Bulk eastward rotation of the succession has provided cross-sectional views of a variety of SBF sediments and volcaniclastics, arc deposits, and associated hypabyssal intrusions. The area of concern herein is centered on the prominent glaciated Sierra Buttes peaks, from which the formation takes its name. Coeval andesitic to rhyolitic volcanic deposits and subsequent intrusive bodies form a multistage complex assemblage making up much of the SBF in this area. To better understand this assemblage, detailed mapping of a small area was done in 2025.

Here we report results of detailed mapping of glaciated outcrops that occupy an area of ~ 245,000 m2 within the intrusive assemblage. A total of ten separate geologic units were identified within the field area. Sedimentary rocks, SBF, cap the sequence, and consist of black radiolarian chert and ash fall tuffs. A large unit of lapillistone, the result of seafloor fire fountaining, is at the base of the complex. Six separate intrusive units are identified, ranging from andesitic to dacitic in composition. Peperite, a rock that forms when magma quenches and mixes with unconsolidated wet sediment, is present along the contact with the SBF. Hyaloclastite, consists of glassy shards, which are the result of nonexplosive quench fragmentation, is the most abundant unit in the field area. Hosted within the hyaloclastite are disrupted fluidal feeder bodies, once part of an interconnected tubular network that fed the hyaloclastite and broke apart during continued intrusive activity.