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Search results for "geology"

Matthew T Balhoff
Director, Center for Subsurface Energy and the Environment, Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering
balhoff@mail.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 3246
Expertise: Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery, Geological CO2 Storage, Reservoir Simulation

Jay L Banner
Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
banner@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 5016, +1 512 471 6854
Expertise: Isotopic methods, sustainability, groundwater, oceans, ancient oceans, climate change, aquifers, caves, environmental science, geochemistry, paleoclimatology, urbanization, environmental justice.

Donald D Blankenship
Senior Research Scientist, Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences
blank@ig.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 0489, +1 512 471 6156
Expertise: Antarctic ice sheets, robotic space missions to Europa, airborne and ground-based geophysical techniques (including laser altimetry, radar sounding, seismic reflection and refraction), West Antarctic rift system, West Antarctic Ice Sheet, climate change, global warming, remote sensing, Thwaites glacier, East Antarctica, Europa Clipper

William D Carlson
Professor Emeritus, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
wcarlson@jsg.utexas.edu
Expertise: Field, analytical, and experimental studies of metamorphic petrogenesis, with emphasis on the rates and mechanisms of metamorphic reactions.
Geological applications of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography.
Analytical and computational studies of intracrystalline and intergranular diffusion.

Elizabeth J Catlos
Associate Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
ejcatlos@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 4762
Expertise: Can also see https://www.catlos.work/
My primary research focus is <strong>geochemistry</strong>, and how the fundamentals of chemistry (mineral reactions, radiogenic and stable isotopes, major and trace elements) can be and are used to understand what the Earth was like in the past. In this, I have interests that span a broad range of range of plate boundary processes and laboratory approaches. Many ancient fault systems are clues to determine the evolution and migration of Earth's continents in the past, identify important economic resources that formed during specific times in Earth's history, and/or to assess geological hazards that result due to reactivation of older faults or mass movement of rocks. They are used to understand how plate tectonics operates today and how it operated in the past. I am interested in constraining the evolution of a number of fault systems and mountain ranges that formed during the closure of ancient ocean systems primarily across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
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<br>For example, a major portion of my <strong>Himalayan research </strong> agenda involves constraining past motion on the Main Central Thrust, a large-scale shear zone that worked to create the highest mountains on the planet. I currently use novel geochemical and geochronological approaches that take advantage of modern-day technology to understand how <strong> garnet-bearing rocks </strong> moved at a high-resolution scale within that structure. Garnets are chemical tape recorders, and their chemical elements can be used to ascertain the pressures and temperatures they experienced. They also enclose radioactive minerals, such as monazite, that can be dated to time their history. Data from numerous garnet-bearing rocks across the Main Central Thrust can be used to inform us regarding how and when the Himalayas uplifted in the past, and lend insight into the motion that affects it today. To this end, I collaborate and learn from other researchers, such as geophysicists and modelers.
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<br>I apply similar approaches to garnet-bearing rocks found in extensional systems in western <strong>Turkey</strong>. In this region, the plate boundary experienced a major switch in the geological past from compression to extension. Again, I apply new approaches in the thermodynamic modeling and geochronology to garnets in this locale to understand why and how this plate tectonic transition occurred.
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<br>In this portion of my research, I also include the study of <strong>granites</strong>, as these igneous bodies emplaced during the extensional phase. The timing of their formation is key pieces of information regarding how extension occurred in western Turkey, both in time and space. To this end, I pioneered new imaging approaches to their study, and collaborate with economic geologists in Turkey who are interested in how heat and fluid flow around these granite bodies are intricately involved in the formation of ore resources. Their research sparked my interest in granite petrology, and I also study this rock type in China and Slovakia. Some of these granites formed at ancient plate boundaries as continents collided, and their ages and chemistry constrain when and what types of geological processes operated during their formation.
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<br>The approaches I apply (geochemistry and geochronology) are of interest to a wide variety of researchers, so I collaborate and involve students in projects that include other geologists. An example of this is the dating of radioactive minerals from <strong>ancient meteorite impact craters and massive volcanic eruptions</strong>, events that are key for shaping how life evolved in Earth's history. These projects involve the use of modern and ever-evolving <strong>technological advances in geochemistry</strong>, such as the laser ablation of tiny zircon crystals, or the use of instruments that do not require minerals to be separated from rocks, such as secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS).
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<br>I am interested in <strong>accessory minerals</strong>, such as zircon and monazite, and what controls their appearance in metamorphic and igneous rocks. Monazite, in particular, has been a focus of my research and I have key expertise in its formation, composition, geochronology, and its use as a rare earth resource.
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<br>Although my research primarily involves compressional and extensional plate boundaries and igneous and metamorphic rocks, I recently delved into understanding sedimentary rocks from along the North Anatolian Fault, a major strike-slip system in north-central Turkey. In this research, we obtained oxygen isotopes across transects along calcite-filled fractures in limestones using SIMS. These calcite-filled fractures have the potential to record their source and provide key insight into the history of the limestones as well as their use for recording modern day fluid flow driven by seismic activity along the active fault system.
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<br>Fundamentally, my research is <strong>field-based</strong> and involves the mapping and collection of rocks and understanding their importance in addressing research questions regarding what the Earth was like in the past. The research is <strong>laboratory-based</strong>, and I take advantage of modern advances in technology applied to geosciences, including numerous facilities at UT Austin and elsewhere.

Richard J Chuchla
Energy and Earth Resources Graduate Program Director, JSG Energy and Earth Resources
richard.chuchla@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 232 9510
Spanish Speaker
Expertise: Graduate studies were focused on igneous processes, magmatism and related formation of ore deposits. Professional career included exploration for base and precious metal ore deposits, coal assessment and development, and research, exploration and development in the upstream sector of the oil and gas business. Managerial positions led to development of skills in commercial analysis, strategic planning and valuation. Concurrently, led numerous teams negotiating new contracts which led to a strong grounding in analysis of fiscal regimes and petroleum contracts. Familiar with many of the world's basins and experienced in both conventional deepwater and unconventional resources.
Remain very interested in the technology of extractive industries and related commercial and policy issues. As Director of the Energy and Earth Resources graduate program, my personal learning objective is to broaden and deepen my understanding of renewable resources.
Have a personal passion regarding the workings of the creative process and how it is impeded. Wrote a widely read internal company newsletter called Creative Contemplations.

Ian W Dalziel
Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
ian@ig.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 0431, +1 512 471 6156
Expertise: Tectonics, geodynamics, geography of ancient times, plate reconstructions, structural geology

Ian J Duncan
Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
ian.duncan@beg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 5117
Expertise: Expertise 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 storage. He has a particular interest in risk analysis, decision making, and legal/regulatory issues related to fracing, CO2 sequestration, CO2-EOR, and energy production.

William L Fisher
Professor and Leonidas T. Barrow Centennial Chair Emeritus in Mineral Resources, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
wfisher@jsg.utexas.edu
Expertise: Basin analysis, sequence stratigraphy, depositional systems, petroleum geology, resource assessment, energy policy

Peter B Flemings
Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
pflemings@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 475 8738, +1 512 475 9520
Expertise: Stratigraphy, basin analysis, basin-scale fluid flow, pore pressures in seafloor sediments, submarine landslides, oil and gas migration, methane hydrates, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP)

Omar Ghattas
Professor, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering
omar@ices.utexas.edu
+1 512 232 4304
Expertise: Computational geoscience and engineering, simulation and optimization of complex solid, fluid, and biomechanical systems, inverse problems, optimal design, and optimal control

John A Goff
Senior Research Scientist, Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences
goff@ig.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 0476
Expertise: Seafloor morphology and bathymetry, swath sonar mapping, stratigraphy of the shallow seabed, ultra-high resolution seismic reflection (chrip) systems, sedimentary horizons, sea ice draft, crustal heterogeneity, canyon morphology on continental slopes, abyssal hills

Sean S Gulick
Research Professor, Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences
sean@ig.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 0483
Expertise: Marine and planetary geophysical imaging at nested resolutions and ground truth through drilling, coring, logging, and sampling.<br>
Tectonic processes, tectonic-climate interactions, and geohazards of convergent margins and transitional tectonic environments.<br>
Role of catastrophism in the geologic record including impact cratering, hurricanes, and tectonic events.<br>
Planetary habitability, impact generated ecosystems, biotic crises.

Mark A Helper
Distinguished Senior Lecturer Emeritus, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
helper@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 1009
Expertise: Dr. Helper is a field geologist, a generalist whose interests span igneous and metamorphic petrology, structural geology, tectonics, mineralogy and planetary field geology. His current research explores geochemical and isotopic similarities of Proterozoic and Archean crust in East Antarctica and the southwestern U.S., the Precambrian geology of Texas, and the origin of epidote blueschists in the Klamath Mountains of northern California. Recent senior honors theses under his supervision have examined the mineralogy of Texas topaz, hydration and textural patterns in Balmorhea blue agate, and the distribution and origin of joints in the Hueco Tanks syenite.
Working with NASA colleagues, he is also involved in analog planetary field research that examines the utility and efficacy of robotically gathering field data, both as a prelude to and follow-on to human geologic field work on the Moon and Mars. As co-chair of FEAT (Field Exploration and Analysis Team), he helped develop a new curriculum for the geological field training of astronauts and currently co-leads NASA's astronaut field geology training exercises. He also teaches field mapping techniques to NASA engineers and scientists who are developing capabilities for exploring the surface of asteroids, the Moon and Mars.

Peter H Hennings
Senior Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
peter.hennings@beg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 0156
Spanish Speaker
Expertise: My expertise is applied structural geology and geomechanics for which his interests are broad spanning structural systems analysis, subsurface interpretation, fault system characterization, fractured reservoir characterization, reservoir geomechanics, and subsurface fluid flow. Dr. Hennings is known as an integrator which is vital for the study of induced seismicity for which he is now known globally. I am currently not recruiting graduate students for my supervision.

Brian K Horton
Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
horton@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 1869
Expertise: Tectonics of sedimentary basins, evolution of orogenic systems, sediment provenance and routing systems, nonmarine depositional processes.

Susan D Hovorka
Senior Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
susan.hovorka@beg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 4863
Expertise: Geologic carbon sequestration in deep sedimentary environments as part of carbon capture and storage. PI of the Gulf Coast Caron Center (www.gulfcoastcarbon.org) focused on research relevant to commercial development of geologic sequestration in regions where it is both needed and possible. Monitoring field projects.
Petrography and sedimentology supporting hydrogeology in karst and contaminated systems.
K-12 and public outreach and education.

Charles S Jackson
Research Associate Professor, Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences
charles@ig.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 0401
Expertise: global warming, abrupt climate change, sea level rise, ocean mixing, Bayesian Inference, inverse modeling, simulation, climate projections, uncertainty quantification

Charles Kerans
Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
ckerans@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 3519, +1 512 471 4282
Expertise: Carbonate sequence stratigraphy, depositional systems, reservoir characterization, basin analysis, seismic interpretation, seismic stratigraphy, paleokarst analysis, carbonate diagenesis

Carey W King
Research Scientist, Energy Institute
careyking@mail.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 5468
Expertise: Energy and renewable energy generation, usage, conservation, policy, and education; energy systems approaches; energy return on energy invested, net energy; carbon capture and sequestration; nexus of water and energy; renewable energy and electricity integration

J. Richard Kyle
Professor Emeritus, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
rkyle@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 4351
Expertise: Ore deposits geology, mineral resources and society, geology and supply chains of critical materials, minerals exploration and evaluation, industrial mineral resources, origin of ore-forming fluids in sedimentary environments, fluid inclusions, stable isotopes, salt dome cap rock formation, surficial processes and earth resource formation, high resolution X-ray computed tomography applications to petrology, adaptive reuse of mining and processing sites.

Larry W Lake
Professor, Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering
larry_lake@mail.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 3161, +1 512 471 8233
Expertise: Enhanced oil recovery; Reservoir engineering; Reservoir characterization; Geochemical modeling; Simulation

Stephen E Laubach
Senior Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
steve.laubach@beg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 1534, +1 512 471 6303
Expertise: Structural diagenesis, structural geology, fracture analysis, fluid inclusion and cathodoluminescence studies, rock mechanics, mechanical and fracture stratigraphy, hydrocarbon exploration and development in deep and/or structurally complex areas, tight gas sandstone, coalbed methane, shale gas; geothermal, geologic aspects of hydraulic fracturing, application of borehole-imaging geophysical logs to stress and fracture evaluation, structural evolution of North American Cordillera, fracture history of NW Scotland, regional fracture studies Argentina.

David Mohrig
Associate Dean for Research, JSG Research Administration
mohrig@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 2282
Expertise: Sedimentary Geology, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Geomorphology, Rivers, Deltas, Coastlines, Submarine Channels, Geohazards, Sediment-Gravity Currents, Sediment Transport, Seismic Interpretation, Basin Analysis

Sharon Mosher
Dean Emeritus, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
smosher@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 8018
Expertise: Structural petrology, field-oriented structural geology, the evolution of complexly deformed terranes, strain analysis, deformation mechanisms, the interaction between chemical and physical processes during deformation

Jon E Olson
Department Chair, Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
jolson@austin.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 3161, +1 512 471 7375
Expertise: Naturally fractured reservoirs; Rock mechanics; Hydraulic fracturing; Structural geology

Jeffrey G Paine
Senior Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
jeff.paine@beg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 1260, +1 512 471 1534
Expertise: Near-surface geophysics in hydrogeology and environmental and Quaternary geology; coastal geology; Quaternary geology and geomorphology; computer applications in the geological sciences

Bridget R Scanlon
Senior Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
bridget.scanlon@beg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 1534, +1 512 471 8241
Expertise: 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

Timothy M Shanahan
Associate Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
tshanahan@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 232 7051
Expertise: The Shanahan research group uses a combination of geochemical and stable isotopic proxy reconstructions of past climate, in combination with climate model simulations, to understand past and future climate change. Our primary focus is the use of organic geochemical and stable isotopic techniques applied to marine, lacustrine and terrestrial sediment records to understand changes on timescales ranging from interannual to millennial, and orbital to tectonic. If you are interested in learning more, please visit our <a href="https://www.jsg.utexas.edu/paleoclimatology-environmental-geochemistry-lab/" target="_blank">research website.</a>

John M Sharp
Dave P. Carlton Centennial Professor Emeritus in Geology, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
jmsharp@jsg.utexas.edu
Expertise: Hyrdogeology; 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.
Mark Shuster
Deputy Director, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
mark.shuster@beg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 1534, +1 512 471 7090
Expertise: Mark Shuster is responsible for managing energy-related research at the Bureau of Economic Geology.

Scott W Tinker
Director, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
scott.tinker@beg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 0209, +1 512 471 1534
Expertise: Global energy supply and demand, Technology Administration, Multidisciplinary reservoir characterization, Carbonate sedimentology, Sequence stratigraphy, 3-D reservoir modeling, Resource assessment.

Clark R Wilson
Professor Emeritus, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
crwilson@jsg.utexas.edu
+1 512 471 5008
Expertise: Geophysics, including gravity, space geodesy, and applied seismology

Kenneth W Wisian
Program Director, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
kenneth.wisian@utexas.edu
+1 512 471 2003
Expertise: Geothermal Geophysics, SETI, Exoplanets, Space Exploration, Disaster Response, Recovery & Resiliency, Military Technology Applications, International Affairs, Innovation, Curriculum Development