Sinkhole Detection, Mapping, and Characterization Using LiDAR-Derived DEM in WINK, Texas

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Yosef Darge Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 3, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Subsidence is a downward sinking of earth materials that creates a large or small circular surface, but it may produce linear or irregular failure patterns. The highly dissolved calcium carbonate or evaporite rocks allow acidic rainwater to permeate its strata. Near or underlying rock can easily be dissolved in water and create space and caverns underground, making a sudden catastrophic collapse of the land surface. Highly soluble bedrocks are a widespread geologic phenomenon in the West Texas Permian Basin. The majority of the area has been impacted by the subsurface dissolution gypsum layers, which is a cause of the active sinkhole formation from a few meters to 100 m wide. This geohazard has caused damage on infrastructure and civilian property. It can cause environmental problems when it alters the local hydrology. Sinkhole detection using field surveying is expensive, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and not easily accessible, and it might be potentially dangerous for the surveyor. In this paper, I detect, map, and thus analyze anthropogenic triggering factors of sinkholes in Wink, Texas, using open-source high-resolution LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data. Methods involve Generating Digital Elevation Model (DEM), extracting the depressions from DEM, identifying sinkhole boundary contour, and then converting the delineated sinkhole to a polygon shapefile, analyzing the shape and geometric properties. False alarm sinkhole depression eliminates based on the threshold value. Finally, human-induced factors have been investigated.

Morrison Formation

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Preston Dupree Geological Sciences Sam Totz Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 4, Position 3, 1:45-3:45

Distributive fluvial systems (DFS) are cited to be one of the most dominant fluvial depositional systems seen in continental basins. This system can now be defined by five common characteristics seen in many continental basins: 1) channels that radiate from an apex; 2) a channel size decrease downstream; 3) an increase in preservation of floodplain deposits relative to downstream deposits; 4) a decrease downstream in channel grain size; 5) a change from amalgamated channel deposits in proximal areas to more separated and smaller channels in distal areas. DFSs have been heavily studied in the Morrison Formation near the Four Corners of the United States, however, they have not been tested in eastern New Mexico. The above set of parameters are tested in the Morrison Formation in East New Mexico against the Salt Wash DFS to see how the two systems compare.
Completing this study will provide quantitative analysis over a potential ancient DFS with the goal of providing a dataset that can be used to compare with other DFSs. Additionally, analyzing an unknown area of the Morrison Formation will ultimately open up studies to be worked on in the future. Correlating the East Morrison Formation DFS with the Colorado Plateau Morrison Formation DFS will bridge the gap for determining similarities and differences between these exposures and set the stage for future studies. Additionally, this work will also help us better understand the wider Morrison basin and facies distributions within.

The Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation has been extensively studied in the Western-Interior United States since it contains economic resources of uranium, vanadium, and some of the most well-preserved dinosaur fossils in the United States. Covering over 450,000 square miles from southern Canada to New Mexico, the Morrison Formation's enormous extent presents a unique opportunity to understand the processes happening on Earth's surface during the Late Jurassic. Studies of the Morrison Formation have primarily focused on areas where there are large concentrations of the aforementioned economic resources within its strata. The geologic community has largely overlooked Morrison Formation outcrops in northeastern New Mexico compared to the exhaustively studied outcrops in and around the Colorado Plateau. The absence of recent studies in the Morrison Formation in northeast New Mexico provides a chance to explore it with a level of detail unobtainable until recently. This study will undergo a detailed architectural analysis of two to three extensive outcrops of the Morrison Formation in northeastern New Mexico. This Study will do detailed bedding and facies diagrams of these outcrops from drone images to constrain fluvial style and fluvial history of these rocks. Studying the Morrison Formation in a high level of detail will, in all likelihood, produce new information on the climate and fluvial morphology of the environment in the Late Jurassic. With a new detailed understanding of this all but forgotten piece of the Morrison Formation, the groundwork will be laid for the potential to correlate this piece of the Morrison Formation with other understudied or non-correlatable pieces elsewhere across its vast depositional extent and to piece this part of the Late Jurassic fluvial story into the larger puzzle.

Classification and Petrogenesis of a New Martian Meteorite

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Emily Gackstatter Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Rhiannon Mayne Environmental Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 2, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Martian meteorites provide us with a window into the processes occurring during the formation and evolution of the terrestrial planets, such as: accretion and differentiation, emplacement and formation of magmatic rocks, the behavior and content of volatile compounds, and the effects of impact events. Here, we present the initial results from a two-phase study on a presumed Martian meteorite, hereafter referred to as NWA X. First, the 800g main mass of NWA X was imaged prior to cutting using 3D laser scans and photogrammetry to produce 3D models of the meteorite’s exterior, and computed tomography (CT) to provide scans of the interior. The main mass was cut and a 175g end piece was donated to the Monnig Meteorite Collection, along with a 5g chip for scientific analysis. In the second phase of the study, we will characterize NWA X in terms of its texture, modal mineralogy, and mineral chemistry. Results from this study will allow us to confirm if NWA X is of Martian origin and, if so, place it in context within the existing dataset for Martian meteorites.

Reexamining Mesosiderite Classification Schemes

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Ethan Gower Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Rhiannon Mayne Environmental Sciences
Location: First Floor, Table 5, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Mesosiderites are a group of stony-iron meteorites that contain roughly equal amounts of core material (metal) and crust (silicates) from one or more asteroid parent body. The core material is predominantly Fe,Ni-metal, with some troilite (FeS), and is found as clasts and/or intimately mixed within the meteorite matrix. Silicate clasts are basaltic or gabbroic in origin, representing different formation depths within the crust, and are predominantly plagioclase and pyroxene. The formation of mesosiderites is not fully understood, but observed features require a three stage process: (1) formation of asteroidal silicate crust; (2) metal-silicate mixing, where molten metal is injected into the solid silicates; (3) deep burial, as reflected by the extremely slow cooling rates of less than 1ºC/My. Mesosiderites are classified by pyroxene content and degree of metamorphism, which focuses only on the silicate phases. That not only ignores half of their mineralogy, but also the third stage of their formational history. Additionally, only 15% of known mesosiderites have been studied in detail. This research aims to 1) investigate five previously understudied and ungrouped mesosiderites and 2) determine if metal within mesosiderites can be used to refine current classification schemes.

Determining the Most Dangerous Streets of Fort Worth, TX Using Spatial Analysis

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): William Hart Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 10, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

Fort Worth, Texas has become one of the most populated areas in the United States. With a growing influx of commuters on a daily basis, there is no doubt that there will be a large amount of car crashes in the city. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2020 there were over 15,000 car crashes while in 2021 there were over 17,000 car accidents. In 2022 alone there have been over 3000 car crashes already. Many of these car crashes are likely avoidable and finding the areas that are most susceptible to these accidents will be valuable knowledge for drivers and the city. Applying ESRI ArcGIS Pro’s spatial analysis extension to the Texas Department of Transportation's car accident the roads of Fort Worth with high crash and fatality rates will be found and mapped accordingly.

Mapping Landslide Susceptibility in California State

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Rosbeidy Hernandez Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 3, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

Debris flow is a landslide with a quick velocity of displacement that involves risk and damages to life and property. It can be triggered by periods of intense rain usually on steep slopes. Also, a second triggering factor is the influence of wildfire. Wildfire can increase drastically the probability of this type of landslide because the fire burned the vegetation which helps to stabilize the soil and the slope. The research uses geographical information system (GIS) for the development of mapping landslide susceptibility, with a particular interest in the evaluation of areas vulnerable to debris flow natural hazards that may be triggered after a wildfire, with the effects of intensive periods of precipitation. The method has been applied to Montecito city, which was exposed to a massive mudslide in January 2018. The spatial landslide susceptibility response in this study area is correlated to different factors, such as vegetation, lithology, slope gradient, and distance to streams networks which are considered the control of the probability of incidence of a landslide event in this area. Obtained by using the methodology of the multi-criteria decision evaluation (MCE) model. The results obtained from this study indicate that the GIS-based model is valuable and appropriate for the scale used in this study. The model helped to identify areas that still are affected by the wildfire, which can be vulnerable to a new process of debris flow impacting the population closer to the rivers downhill.

Mapping Landslide Susceptibility and Ground Displacement Assessment of Austin City and its Surroundings

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Rosbeidy Hernandez Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 3, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

The city of Austin and its surrounding area is experiencing tremendous growth and expansion as a consequence of fast urban development and population growth. This has led to increased constructions and other anthropogenic alterations of the environment to accommodate the growing population and economy. These activities, coupled with the natural conditions and forcings, have made areas within the metropolis susceptible to the threats of landslides. The present study aims to identify zones in the study area that are susceptible to the threats of slow-moving creep/slow-slide landslide hazards and understand the factors and processes that control the occurrence of these events through an integrated study approach. This includes: (1) generating a landslide susceptibility (LS) map through a combination of the triggering factors including local geology and tectonic features, land use/cover, elevation/slope, and precipitation; (2) detecting active deformation processes that could lead to landslide failure using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) analysis techniques applied on Sentinel-1 SAR datasets (2015 – 2020) and validated through datasets from campaign GPS surveys and permanent stations; and (3) identify the factors and processes that directly or indirectly constrain the occurrence of the phenomenon through spatial analysis of relevant datasets. Our findings show: (1) the main concentration of vertical displacement (-1 to -6 mm/yr) is around the northern region of the study area; (2) zones with a moderate subsidence rate coincide with urbanized areas (up to -2 mm/yr) whereas pockets of high displacement rates (up to -6 mm/yr) are noted on NW parts; (3) most of the areas experiencing subsidence are underlain by the Comanche Series characterized by alternating beds of harder and softer limestones interbedded with beds of marly/clayey layers, and formations of marine marl, sandstone, and carbonaceous shale from the Gulf Series; (4) there is a high spatial correspondence between areas with high subsidence rates and high LS index; and (5) efforts are currently underway to analyze relevant datasets to determine factors and processes that control the occurrence of the hazard.

Climatic Influence on Shallow Groundwater Quality in Texas

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Benite Ishimwe Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Harvey Omar Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 7, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

Nationally groundwater supplies 30% of the freshwater while within Texas that number increases to 60%. As population increases across the United States, Texas being the 7th fastest-growing state, there is immense pressure on freshwater resources. It is important to monitor the quality of groundwater reservoirs to ensure continuous and sustainable use of these reservoirs for current and future populations.
This study assesses the water quality of all nine major aquifers in Texas, with a focus on investigating the water chemistry change across shallow wells (below 300 feet) in these aquifers. This study used a distributed analysis to extrapolate the pH and Total Dissolved Salts (TDS) distribution across Texas major aquifers and revealed that all the shallow wells exhibit signs of water chemistry change. Decadal analysis of data from the Pre-1960s up to 2016 indicates that the pH of these shallow wells had sudden salinization between 1975-1985, followed by significant acidification from 1985 to 2016, where all aquifers followed this trend with the exception of Carrizo Wilcox in the far East and Hueco Mesilla Bolsons in the far West of Texas. On the other hand, TDS increased consistently statewide.
Added effort will be geared towards finding a correlation between the long-term groundwater chemistry change and the land use/land cover change around the major aquifers of Texas. The results of this project will help to determine the possible origin and causes of the change in groundwater chemistry of shallow aquifers in Texas.

Analysis of Tornado Events in Alabama Using Geospatial Techniques: Impacts and Aggravating Factors

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Navya Kolli Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 1, Position 3, 1:45-3:45

For this research project, geospatial analysis will be utilized to study tornado outbreaks in Alabama, and to analyze the impact of major tornado events at different times (1974-2020) in the specified study regions and analyze that as well. This project is significant because these tornado outbreaks resulted in many deaths and lots of devastation in the region. By studying these tornadoes closely, a better understanding of the tornado events will be developed .
The goal of the study is to compare the relationship of elevation to the severity of the tornadoes (EF Scale) as well as look into how surface modification has amplified the effect of the tornadoes to analyze results more closely. Other primary goals are to 1) map the tornado track and 2) to analyze the change in the impact of tornadoes over time, taking land surface changes, elevation, and EF values into consideration to better understand the relation between them. In terms of the time series analysis, I will look into major tornado outbreaks that affected the study sites from 1974-2020. All of this will be accomplished using ArcMap, Google Earth Engine, and possibly other programs/tools. Relevant datasets are coming from LANDSAT, Sentinel 1 and 2, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and from other possible sources.

Mechanical stratigraphy and fault zone deformation in the Austin Chalk in Ten-Mile Creek, Texas

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Carter Lewis Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Helge Alsleben Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 6, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

The Austin Chalk is a rhythmically bedded sequence of chalk and marl that represents pelagic to hemipelagic carbonate deposition in the ancestral Gulf of Mexico during the Upper Cretaceous. The Austin Chalk differs from traditional chalk deposits due to its relatively high abundance of clay and volcanic ash. Outcrops of the chalk stretch from north-central Texas to west Texas and surface exposures mirror the subsurface trend of the Ouachita orogen. Deformation of the heavily fractured Austin Chalk is caused by the normal faults associated with the Balcones Fault Zone.
Historically, the Austin Chalk has been exploited as a conventional hydrocarbon reservoir produced from natural porosity and permeability without large hydraulic stimulations. More recently, the Austin Chalk has been explored as a combination fractured and unconventional reservoir, relying on natural porosity and permeability combined with induced hydraulic fracturing to generate new fracture permeability to release hydrocarbons trapped in microscopic pores. In addition to its reservoir properties, much of the city of Dallas is built within the outcrop trend of the chalk. Thus, understanding the properties and deformation features of the Austin Chalk is also important to the construction industry in north-central Texas.
Deformation of the Austin Chalk in Ten-Mile Creek is characteristic of normal faulting seen in platform carbonate sequences. Faults are identified by the presence of slickenlines and fault gouge, and are surrounded by a damage zone defined by synthetic faulting, jointing, and folding. Deformation is concentrated near the fault core and decreases with distance from the fault core. Here, we present a structural analysis of Church of the Nazarene section of Ten-Mile Creek. The mechanical properties of stratigraphic units are quantified using a Schmidt hammer. Fracture parameters, such as fracture density and intensity, are quantified using scanline surveys. Additionally, spectral gamma ray measurements are made in the field using the RS-230 spectrometer. Spectral gamma ray properties are combined with fracture parameters to create an integrated structural and petrophysical analysis.

Petrogenetic relationships of the Barker Pass volcanic debris-avalanche deposits in the northern Sierra Nevada, California

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Guthrie McLain Geological Sciences Richard Hanson Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Richard Hanson Geological Sciences
Location: First Floor, Table 5, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

The Sierra Nevada in California has a rich Cenozoic volcanic history including important arc sequences related to the southern Ancestral Cascades dating as far back as 30 Ma (du Bray et al., 2014). The present study focuses on Pliocene volcanic debris-avalanche deposits in the northern Sierra Nevada that fill paleocanyons west and northwest of Lake Tahoe. The paleocanyons trend west, west-southwest, and west- northwest from an unknown volcanic source to the east (Berkebile, 2003; Harwood et al., 2014). The main objective of this study is to examine petrogenetic relations of the debris-avalanche deposits and obtain isotopic ages for them. Another purpose is to determine if the three debris-avalanche deposits are from the same eruptive event or possibly the result of separate eruptions and multiple source vents. To acquire detailed data for this study, I am using whole-rock chemistry of both major and trace elements, electron microprobe analysis of phenocryst phases, and analysis of melt inclusions for magmatic volatile contents. Isotopic ages will be obtained using 40Ar/39Ar dating. Clinopyroxenes (CPX), orthopyroxenes (OPX), and plagioclase phenocrysts from samples collected have been analyzed using an electron microprobe (EMP) at Fayetteville State University, North Carolina under supervision of Dr. Steven Singletary. Data from these phenocrysts phases will be used to determine geothermobarometric conditions of the parental magma chamber or chambers.

Energetics and Binding Dynamics of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) with Iron (III) Hydr(oxides) as Studied by Flow Adsorption Microcalorimeter

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Manyiel Mel Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 5, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Organic matter, a complex mixture of organic compounds, is responsible for the cycling of global carbon and nutrients in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding the sorption and desorption dynamics of organic matter on mineral surface is then important in determining the mechanisms of carbon, pollutants and nutrients cycling in the environment. This project assess the energetics and dynamics of sorption and desorption of natural organic matter from different sources with 2-line ferrihydrite. To understand how theses interaction occur on mineral surfaces, we studied the sorption and desorption behavior of various fraction of organic matter such as humic acid, fulvic acid, natural organic matter as well as water-extracted organic matter from charred plant biomass. Result thus far show the differences in energy, quantity and the kinetics of sorption and desorption involved in these interactions. The energy and rate involved in the binding and de-binding of natural organic matter with the surface of 2-line ferrihydrite is greater than those associated with charred ashe juniper. Additionally, the energy of sorption and desorption decrease with increasing pH conditions. In contrast, the rate of reaction increase with increasing pH. This presentation will link the chemical properties of organic matter as well as the surface properties of ferrihydrite and their influence on the sorption and desorption dynamics across different environmentally relevant pH conditions.

Dendrimeric organic nanomaterials at the Fe(III)-oxide-water interface: Size effects on dynamics of binding

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Brooke Newell Geological Sciences Omar Harvey Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 3, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

As the nature and quantity of new/novel nanomaterials continue to expand to meet industrial, medical, and domestic demands, their accidental or intentional release becomes inevitable. To this end, an evolving understanding of the interaction dynamics between nanomaterials and naturally-occuring geomaterials is central to supporting continued sustainable development and use of nanomaterials. The current study explores the chemodynamics of the organic nanomaterial, polyamidoamine (PAMAM), binding to (and debinding from) ferrihydrite. Specific focus is placed on how PAMAM size affects the quantity, kinetics and dynamics for three carboxyl-terminated PAMAMs (Gx.5-COOH) sorbing/desorbing to/from the variably-charged ferrihydrite (FFH). Early results suggest that at pH 5, the smaller PAMAM G1.5-COOH sorbed/desorb to/from FFH in similar quantities but at slower rates than G3.5-COOH. Sorption/desorption was also found to occur via 1- or 2-steps with a faster surface-mediated step being followed by a slower diffusion-mediated step and the proportion of surface-mediated: diffusion-mediated sorption/desorption increasing with PAMAM size (i.e. G1.5-COOH<G3.5-COOH). This presentation will further cover results obtained with G5.5-COOH PAMAM.

pH-dependent energetics and energy dynamics of Adenosine triphosphate disodium (ATP) at the ferrihydrite surface interface

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Aurore Niyitanga Manzi Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 1, Position 3, 1:45-3:45

A flow adsorption microcalorimtery-UVvis spectroscopy method was used to directly measure high temporal resolution energetics and energy dynamics of Adenosine triphosphate disodium (ATP) at the ferrihydrite-water interface. Ferrihydrite is amongst the most reactive and ubiquitous form of Fe-oxide minerals in the geosphere known to exhibit controlling effects on the bioavailability and cycling of nutrients such as Phosphorous. Fe-oxide minerals are known catalysts in the phase transformation from organic phosphate (Po) to inorganic phosphate (Pi) depending on the surface and organic molecule speciation. Interactions of ATP and ferrihydrite at pH 2, 5, and 8 were conducted to quantify the effect of pH on energetics and energy dynamics. At pH 2, 5, and 8 where the speciation of ATP was cation, uncharged, and anion respectively, its interactions with nitrate (NO3-) saturated ferrihydrite were exothermic with 13.8 J g-1, 11.4 J g-1, and 8.7 J g-1 respectively. Nitrate’s interactions with ATP saturated ferrihydrite were endothermic with 13.8 J g-1, 11.5 J g-1, and 45. 4 J g-1 at pH 2, 5, and 8 respectively. Post ATP anion exchange indicated that the interaction of ATP and ferrihydrite decreased by a factor of ≈ 1.8 (6.51 ± 0.38 J g-1 to 3.63 ± 0.23 Jg-1), ≈ 1.6 (0.13 ± 0.01 J g-1 to 0.08 ± 0.02 Jg-1 ), ≈ 2 (0.15 ± 0.05 J g-1 to 0.07 ± 0.02 Jg-1 ) at pH 2, 5, and 8 respectively. In addition to ATP’s speciation and ferrihydrite’s surface charge, differences in interaction energetics and dynamics were attributable to the Pi produced by hydrolysis of ATP. A decrease in post ATP anion exchange suggested partial reversibility by NO3- pointing to inner sphere interactions with ferrihydrite. The presentation will further discuss the molar heats of inner sphere interactions of the ATP and Pi with ferrihydrite at pH 2, 5, and 8.

Transcontinental vs. Local Sediment Dispersal: Evidence from Late Mississippian to Early Pennsylvanian Strata in the Ardmore Basin, OK

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Fabian Pena Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Xiangyang Xie Geological Sciences
Location: First Floor, Table 2, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Beginning in the Late Mississippian to Early Pennsylvanian, southern Laurentia experienced a major tectonic regime change. Progressive closure of the Rheic Ocean and collision between Laurentia and Gondwana along the Ouachita-Marathon fold and thrust belt drove deformation and subsidence within a series of basins along the southern Laurentian margin. Few provenance studies in the Ardmore Basin have been conducted mainly based on facies distribution, and heavy mineral and petrographic analyses. There are two opposing ideas regarding regional sediment deposition; 1.) a transcontinental system with headwaters from the Appalachian Orogen region and minor inputs from uplifts associated with the Ouachita Orogen, and 2.) a dominant transport from a southern source, likely accreted Gondwanan terranes. Here I propose a detailed U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology study to document the provenance of major upper Mississippian (Chesterian) to lower Pennsylvanian (Atokan) sandstones in the Ardmore Basin. I hypothesize that due to increased regional tectonic activity to the east and south, the Ardmore Basin experienced a major source shift from the Late Mississippian to Early Pennsylvanian with sediment transitioning from mature sand, mainly derived from Laurentia, to less mature sediments likely sourced from the Appalachian and Ouachita Orogens and local uplifts. Results of this study will provide critical evidence for the debate between previously proposed transcontinental vs. locally-derived sediment dispersal models, and contribute to the understanding of paleogeography during the collision of Laurentia and Gondwana.

Bank Pull or Bar Push? An Investigation of the Missouri River's Meander Habits

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Noah Underwood Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 2, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

Meander bend theory has been around since Albert Einstein popularized it in the 1920s. Since then, many geologists and physicists have grappled to understand the mechanics and concepts that cause rivers to meander in the ways that they do. Through the years, scientists have learned that bedload, slope, and flow velocity are all major drivers of cutbank erosion and bar building. However, one answer that has eluded scientists to this point is whether bar building (bar push) or bank scour (bank pull) causes meander bend migration. This study aims to analyze meander bend patterns in an 88 Km unchannelized stretch of the Missouri River between Yankton, SD and Sioux City, IA. Landsat images of this stretch over the last 30 years have been processed in remote sensing software to track bank, bar, and channel changes over this span of time. Extensive remote sensing processing (ESRI ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro) and statistical analyses will be performed on the river with respect to bank vs. bar movement, mid-channel bar migration, bar growth, and bar life cycles.

Applying Chemical Analysis Methods to Address Food Desert Problems in Fort Worth

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Audrey Wilson Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 9, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

A Potomalogical Study into the Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces of the Red River of the South, Southern Oklahoma and Northern Texas

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Tyler Zeiger Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 1, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

The Red River of the South is a highly understudied fluvial system with limited mapping. Early work, however, did map four fluvial terraces along the flanks of the modern river valley. These terraces record a period of time in which the ancestral Pleistocene Red River was a continent-scale river, sourcing from the Rockies and the volcanic uplands of New Mexico and depositing into the Gulf of Mexico. The ages of these terraces, though, are poorly understood. With these four known terraces, spanning the “terrace zone” (a ~5 km radius from the modern valley), and with surface areas of the terraces ranging between ~3 km2 and ~8.8 km2—there exists the potential to document the deposits of these four distinct periods of lateral migration—as well as to characterize various paleochannels and other fluvial features preserved within these terraces through hand auger sampling.

I aim to track the evolution of the Red River both physiologically and geochronologically, utilizing allostratigraphic methods to reconstruct some of the River’s past through the floodplain’s lithology and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of preserved terraces. I aim to construct detailed cross-sections of the valley fill by sampling the deposits of each of the various ancient terraces, as well as the modern floodplain, running roughly perpendicular to the axis of the current stretch of the Red River. Ideally, I would encounter paleochannels while drilling so as to potentially assess the features of the paleochannel belt. To maximize the likelihood of encountering paleochannels and related assemblages, I have begun to process and analyze Lidar and satellite data in an effort to identify remnants of these paleo-structures. I will collect sealed samples containing silica grains to send for OSL dating. In doing so, I can ascertain definitive dates on when the deposits associated with specific terraces were laid down.

Mapping Fertilizer Runoff in the Mississippi River Delta

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Amy Lam Environmental Sciences Graham Rice Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremicharl Geological Sciences
Location: Zoom Room 5, 03:11 PM

The Mississippi River Delta is the 7th largest river delta on Earth that consists of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, it contains 40% of the wetlands in the contiguous United States and over two million hectares (4,942,108 acres), an area equivalent to the size of two football fields, of agricultural lands. Due to fertilizer runoff from agricultural lands, the river delta has been experienced excess levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. The excess levels of these nutrients have contributed to water pollution in the delta and the hypoxia zone in the Gulf of Mexico. This research will focus on mapping the levels of nitrogen and phosphorous across the river delta to determine where the highest levels are

Assessing Lake Sediment for Use as an Amendment

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Meagan Alexander Environmental Sciences Benite Ishimwe Environmental Sciences Olivia Jones Environmental Sciences Manyiel Mel Geological Sciences Montreal Taylor Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences
Location: Zoom Room 6, 01:10 PM

Agricultural soils require the presence of three basic plant nutrients: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK). Each nutrient has its role in plant growth and their deficiencies have adverse effects. Therefore, detailed analysis was required to analyze whether soils from a lake were sufficient in terms of these nutrients and could be suggested for use as an agricultural soil amendment on a particular plot of land. Experimental study by way of specific chemical analysis methods (LOI, spectroscopy, etc.) looked at water content, pH, EC, SOC (Soil Organic Carbon), phosphorus and nitrogen content in the lake sediments; these values were used to determine what contents/nutrients in the lake sediments would need to be optimized for crops of interest. Results from the concluding experimental procedures would allow the property owner to effectively make use of their resources.

Comparing Different Storm Surge Events and Their Effects on Coastal Vegetation, Southern Louisiana

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Blake Bezucha Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Zoom Room 5, 12:54 PM

The Louisiana coast is prone to power tropical storm systems, known as hurricanes, which commonly cause significant damage to the environment and financial infrastructure in coastal states, such as Louisiana. Using landsat data acquired from the USGS, determining land cover degradation from seasonal low-pressure storms that span different decades can be made possible. This GIS-based study also takes into account elevation models (DEMs) to provide an accurate portrayal of how coastal vegetation influences the impact of these storms, as well as how storm intensity influences the morphology of coastlines.

Volcanic Hazard Assessment of Kilauea's Lava Lake, Halema'uma'u

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Lauren Burden Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Zoom Room 2, 12:30 PM

Hawaii’s most active volcano, Kilauea, poses many threats to the surrounding infrastructure of the Big Island. Surface deformation from eruptions and underground magma tunnels have produced a growing lava lake within the Eastern Rift Zone, located on the Southeast tip of the island, since 2018. Using remote sensing techniques and GIS, I will use recent data collected from Kilauea’s eruptions and Halema’uma’u lava lake to create a volcanic hazards map of the region. A volcanic hazards map gives us insight to where the safest place are to inhabit on the surface of the island.

Identifying outcrops of the Eagleford Shale and Woodbine Sandstone in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex using GIS

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Josh Davidson Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Zoom Room 4, 02:23 PM

There are many major geologic units that outcrop in various regions of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. A major unit that will be discussed in the current study is the Eagleford Shale. Previous studies have generated geologic maps that illustrate where this unit crops-out within the study region. The goal of this study is to create a modern geologic hazard zonation map of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex focusing on areas where the Eagleford crops-out. On this map, I will include the spatial distribution of discovered Eagleford outcrop locations and will integrate photographs that illustrate the stratigraphy of this formations using GIS.
Subsequently, I will use the map to calculate the area of all Eagleford surficial deposits within the study region. This shale is a mudrock that is primarily made up of soft-sediments and clays and can pose a geological hazard where it reaches the surface due to shrinking and swelling. This can cause major foundation issues to infrastructure that is built on this unit. Therefore, this map can be used for the purpose of taking precautionary measures when planning the construction of new buildings and road networks within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Identifying the Source of the Lower Cenomanian Maness Shale

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Josh Davidson Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Richard Denne Geological Sciences
Location: Zoom Room 5, 02:15 PM

The Lower Cenomanian Maness Shale is an argillaceous mudrock that occurs between the Buda Limestone and Woodbine Sandstone in the East Texas Field, and was originally placed within the Washita Group based on its biostratigraphy. It regionally extends throughout the East Texas Basin in tandem with the overlying Woodbine Group and displays considerable thickness and facies variations. The Maness interval is significant because previous studies indicate that it may be a hydrocarbon source rock.
Although this mudrock has been studied for several decades, the sediment source of the Maness remains in question. Prior studies have indicated that the sediment comprising the Maness could have come from multiple sources, one of them being the southern side of the Sabine Uplift. In the current study, I will correlate well logs through the south side of the Sabine Uplift from Polk and Tyler counties through Rusk county. I will then generate an isopach map of the study area and will compare thickness trends to those shown on the composite isopach map constructed by English (2020). Lastly, I will examine a core from Tyler or Polk counties that could potentially reveal clastic sandstones occurring within the Maness. The findings will be used to test my hypothesis that the Maness Shale is sourced from the southern portion of the Sabine Uplift.

Deforestation and Fragmentation in the Atlantic Forest

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Connor Duncan Geological Sciences Annie Deck Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Environmental Sciences
Location: Zoom Room 2, 01:42 PM

The Atlantic Forest, which extends over 17 Brazilian States, is one of the richest biomes in the world. Historically it has been a hot spot for biodiversity including endangered and endemic species. Despite this, only 15% of the forest’s original range remains. This loss is disproportionally distributed as 4 of the 17 states accounts for 90% of the loss. The source of this deforestation can be attributed primarily to logging developments and eucalyptus plantations. Through using public geodatabases, satellite imagery, and ArcGIS Pro we will show this forest loss and fragmentation in a visually accessible way.