DOCSLIB.ORG

Characterizing Oil, Gas Hydrate, and Sedimentary Systems Via

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

CHARACTERIZING OIL, GAS HYDRATE, AND SEDIMENTARY SYSTEMS VIA GEOCHEMISTRY, COMPUTATIONAL MODELING, AND GLOBAL SYNTHESIS A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND THE COMMITTEE ON GRADUATE STUDIES OF STANFORD UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ZACHARY FLORENTINO MURGUIA BURTON DECEMBER 2020 © 2020 by Zachary Florentino Murguia Burton. All Rights Reserved. Re-distributed by Stanford University under license with the author. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial 3.0 United States License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/us/ This dissertation is online at: http://purl.stanford.edu/yt550pv4632 ii I certify that I have read this dissertation and that, in my opinion, it is fully adequate in scope and quality as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Stephan Graham, Primary Adviser I certify that I have read this dissertation and that, in my opinion, it is fully adequate in scope and quality as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. J. Moldowan I certify that I have read this dissertation and that, in my opinion, it is fully adequate in scope and quality as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Tapan Mukerji Approved for the Stanford University Committee on Graduate Studies. Stacey F. Bent, Vice Provost for Graduate Education This signature page was generated electronically upon submission of this dissertation in electronic format. An original signed hard copy of the signature page is on file in University Archives. iii ABSTRACT At the highest level, this dissertation investigates marine systems from a geochemical and sedimentological perspective through the undertaking of six distinct and only somewhat tenuously interrelated contributions. Nonetheless, the work detailed herein might be thought of as fitting, very broadly speaking, under two central themes, being (i) investigations into the formation, evolution, and destruction of hydrocarbon systems and (ii) advancement and refinement of the understanding of global controls on deep-sea clastic depositional systems. These investigations have important bearing on the interplay of climate, tectonics, and paleoceanography and attendant modulation of deep-marine depositional systems and the oceanic carbon cycle at local, regional, and global scales, and throughout Earth history. Chapter 1 of this dissertation presents an organic geochemical assessment of petroleum quality using petroleum seep samples from frontier exploration regions along the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island and northern South Island. We analyze biomarker compounds to assess the degree of biodegradation to which these samples have been subjected, and use biomarker and diamondoid analysis to estimate the thermal maturity of these oils and to identify petroleum mixing that may have occurred during migration and accumulation of these oils. Assessment of biodegradation based upon distributions of n- alkane, isoprenoid, sterane, and terpane compounds indicates negligible biodegradation of oils from the northern portion of our study area and low to moderate biodegradation in southern oils, with measurement of 25-norhopane further suggesting that biodegradation in southern oils may be solely aerobic. Taken together, these findings suggest fresh, active iv seepage (and thus, petroleum systems) in the north, and suggest that the quality of potential subsurface accumulations throughout the studied regions is potentially unaffected by biodegradation. Assessment of thermal maturity, oil-to-gas conversion, and hydrocarbon mixing using sterane, terpane, and diamondoid compounds reveals three distinct petroleum mixtures among the seeps, including components generated throughout the oil window as well as intensely cracked condensate-wet gas components. Identification of black oil components might indicate the presence of actively producing source rock in all regions represented by these seeps, while the intensely cracked components indicate petroleum mixing via thermogenic gas infiltration, and thus suggest an impact on oil quality. Chapter 1 has been published in Energy & Fuels (2018, vol. 32, p. 1287–1296) with coauthors Mike Moldowan, Richard Sykes, and Steve Graham, all of whom provided input and discussion important to the scope, design, and implications of the study. Mike Moldowan provided me the training and laboratory space necessary to the execution of the experimental portion of this work, and was particularly helpful in guiding and informing my interpretations of the results described herein. Richard Sykes provided me with the samples analyzed herein, courtesy of longtime Stanford geosciences collaborator GNS Science in New Zealand, and also provided key contextual information and public data on petroleum geochemistry of New Zealand oil and gas samples. Steve Graham was the one who, alongside Jared Gooley, first suggested I consider undertaking investigation of the frontier basins off New Zealand’s east coast of New Zealand, supported my early forays into petroleum geochemistry, and provided financial support for this study. Chapter 2 presents a geochemical assessment of petroleum source rock depositional environments and age based upon expanded analysis of the set of New Zealand oil seep v samples investigated in Chapter 1. We use biomarker distributions, stable carbon isotope distributions, and sulfur concentrations of these oil seep samples to interpret source rock characteristics including type of organic matter input, redox conditions, sedimentary facies, and age. Results show that samples generally cluster into two groups on the basis of these characteristics. These groups correlate with geographic location of seeps—namely, a distinct northern group and southern group emerge. While source rocks associated with all seep samples are interpreted to be marine, results suggest northern samples had more terrigenous organic matter input to their source rock(s), while southern samples had more marine input. Results suggest northern sample source rock(s) had more oxic depositional environments, whereas southern sample source rock(s) had more reducing environments. A shale source rock sedimentary facies was indicated for all samples. These observations suggest that southern samples may be derived from slightly higher quality source rocks (i.e., higher hydrogen index, deposited in more reducing conditions), although source rocks in both regions are oil prone. Biomarker age parameters suggest that the northern oil samples are from a younger (Cenozoic) source rock, whereas the southern oil samples are from an older (Cretaceous) source rock. Taken together, source rock characteristics (depositional environment and age) examined herein indicate the presence of at least two different source rocks—and, advance our understanding of paleodepositional environments and prospective petroleum systems in this underexplored frontier setting. Chapter 2 has been published in International Journal of Earth Sciences (2019, vol. 108, p. 1079–1091) with coauthors Mike Moldowan, Les Magoon, Richard Sykes, and Steve Graham. Coauthor contributions to this study are as detailed for Chapter 1, above, with additional key contributions by Les Magoon, who provided useful discussion, framing, and vi input—particularly with regard to assessment of oil seeps and correlative source rocks from a holistic petroleum systems perspective. Chapter 3 presents findings from an integrated computational modeling (i.e., basin and petroleum system modeling) study of the impact of tectonic uplift on the stability of submarine gas hydrate systems. We use two-dimensional modeling of a structurally restored transect from the Hikurangi margin of New Zealand (a region with confirmed presence of subsea gas hydrates) to investigate the potential for tectonic shortening and uplift to drive changes in the thickness and extent of the gas hydrate stability zone. We predict evolution of the gas hydrate stability zone from the late Oligocene to present, and demonstrate substantial (~70%) decreases in the extent of the gas hydrate stability zone over this period of tectonic uplift and attendant decreases in water depth along the modeled transect. These results provide modeling-based validation that tectonic uplift can destabilize subsea gas hydrate, with important implications for ocean chemistry and the carbon cycle, particularly during periods of increased plate convergence. Chapter 3 has been published in Geophysical Research Letters (2020, vol. 47) with coauthors Karsten Kroeger, Allegra Hosford Scheirer, Yongkoo Seol, Blair Burgreen- Chan, and Steve Graham, all of whom contributed to discussion of and publication of this work. Karsten Kroeger provided key discussion of gas hydrate systems and input to the overall framing of this study, with particularly helpful input regarding the modeling of gas hydrates, gas hydrate and sedimentary depositional systems of New Zealand, and interpretation of the gas hydrate stability zone from seismic datasets of offshore New Zealand. Allegra Hosford Scheirer suggested the idea of using Blair Burgreen-Chan’s Hikurangi margin basin model to explore model capabilities with regard to characterization vii of gas hydrate systems, and alongside other instructors in our group, was instrumental to my training in the use of basin and petroleum system modeling software. Yongkoo Seol provided insight into gas hydrate system dynamics (especially
Recommended publications
  • Islamic Art from the Collection, Oct. 23, 2020 - Dec

    Islamic Art from the Collection, Oct. 23, 2020 - Dec

    It Comes in Many Forms: Islamic Art from the Collection, Oct. 23, 2020 - Dec. 18, 2021 This exhibition presents textiles, decorative arts, and works on paper that show the breadth of Islamic artistic production and the diversity of Muslim cultures. Throughout the world for nearly 1,400 years, Islam’s creative expressions have taken many forms—as artworks, functional objects and tools, decoration, fashion, and critique. From a medieval Persian ewer to contemporary clothing, these objects explore migration, diasporas, and exchange. What makes an object Islamic? Does the artist need to be a practicing Muslim? Is being Muslim a religious expression or a cultural one? Do makers need to be from a predominantly Muslim country? Does the subject matter need to include traditionally Islamic motifs? These objects, a majority of which have never been exhibited before, suggest the difficulty of defining arts from a transnational religious viewpoint. These exhibition labels add honorifics whenever important figures in Islam are mentioned. SWT is an acronym for subhanahu wa-ta'ala (glorious and exalted is he), a respectful phrase used after every mention of Allah (God). SAW is an acronym for salallahu alayhi wa-sallam (may the blessings and the peace of Allah be upon him), used for the Prophet Muhammad, the founder and last messenger of Islam. AS is an acronym for alayhi as-sallam (peace be upon him), and is used for all other prophets before him. Tayana Fincher Nancy Elizabeth Prophet Fellow Costume and Textiles Department RISD Museum CHECKLIST OF THE EXHIBITION Spanish Tile, 1500s Earthenware with glaze 13.5 x 14 x 2.5 cm (5 5/16 x 5 1/2 x 1 inches) Gift of Eleanor Fayerweather 57.268 Heavily chipped on its surface, this tile was made in what is now Spain after the fall of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada (1238–1492).
  • Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Opportunity Observations Of

    Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Opportunity Observations Of

    PUBLICATIONS Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets RESEARCH ARTICLE Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Opportunity 10.1002/2014JE004686 observations of the Burns formation: Crater Key Point: hopping at Meridiani Planum • Hydrated Mg and Ca sulfate Burns formation minerals mapped with MRO R. E. Arvidson1, J. F. Bell III2, J. G. Catalano1, B. C. Clark3, V. K. Fox1, R. Gellert4, J. P. Grotzinger5, and MER data E. A. Guinness1, K. E. Herkenhoff6, A. H. Knoll7, M. G. A. Lapotre5, S. M. McLennan8, D. W. Ming9, R. V. Morris9, S. L. Murchie10, K. E. Powell1, M. D. Smith11, S. W. Squyres12, M. J. Wolff3, and J. J. Wray13 1 2 Correspondence to: Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, School of Earth and Space R. E. Arvidson, Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA, 3Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colorado, USA, 4Department of [email protected] Physics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 5Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA, 6U.S. Geological Survey, Astrogeology Science Center, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA, 7 8 Citation: Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, Department Arvidson, R. E., et al. (2015), Mars of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA, 9NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, USA, Reconnaissance Orbiter and Opportunity 10Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland, USA, 11NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, observations of the Burns formation: Greenbelt, Maryland, USA, 12Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA, 13School of Earth and Crater hopping at Meridiani Planum, J.
  • (Silurian) Anoxic Palaeo-Depressions at the Western Margin of the Murzuq Basin (Southwest Libya), Based on Gamma-Ray Spectrometry in Surface Exposures

    (Silurian) Anoxic Palaeo-Depressions at the Western Margin of the Murzuq Basin (Southwest Libya), Based on Gamma-Ray Spectrometry in Surface Exposures

    GeoArabia, Vol. 11, No. 3, 2006 Gulf PetroLink, Bahrain Identification of early Llandovery (Silurian) anoxic palaeo-depressions at the western margin of the Murzuq Basin (southwest Libya), based on gamma-ray spectrometry in surface exposures Nuri Fello, Sebastian Lüning, Petr Štorch and Jonathan Redfern ABSTRACT Following the melting of the Gondwanan icecap and the resulting postglacial sea- level rise, organic-rich shales were deposited in shelfal palaeo-depressions across North Africa and Arabia during the latest Ordovician to earliest Silurian. The unit is absent on palaeohighs that were flooded only later when the anoxic event had already ended. The regional distribution of the Silurian black shale is now well-known for the subsurface of the central parts of the Murzuq Basin, in Libya, where many exploration wells have been drilled and where the shale represents the main hydrocarbon source rock. On well logs, the Silurian black shale is easily recognisable due to increased uranium concentrations and, therefore, elevated gamma-ray values. The uranium in the shales “precipitated” under oxygen- reduced conditions and generally a linear relationship between uranium and organic content is developed. The distribution of the Silurian organic-rich shales in the outcrop belts surrounding the Murzuq Basin has been long unknown because Saharan surface weathering has commonly destroyed the organic matter and black colour of the shales, making it complicated to identify the previously organic-rich unit in the field. In an attempt to distinguish (previously) organic-rich from organically lean shales at outcrop, seven sections that straddle the Ordovician-Silurian boundary were measured by portable gamma-ray spectrometer along the outcrops of the western margin of the Murzuq Basin.
  • Testable Hypotheses for Opportunity's Traverse

    Testable Hypotheses for Opportunity's Traverse

    42nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2011) 2199.pdf TESTABLE HYPOTHESES FOR OPPORTUNITY’S TRAVERSE FROM SANTA MARIA TO THE RIM OF ENDEAVOUR CRATER. A. A. Fraeman1, R. E. Arvidson1, S. L. Murchie2, F. P. Seelos2, and J. A. McGo- vern2, 1Washington University in St. Louis, Dept. of Earth and Planetary Science, St. Louis, MO (afrae- [email protected]), 2Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD Introduction: As of January 2011, the Mars rover Botany Bay and the southern tip of Cape York: Opportunity was located at Santa Maria crater, ~6 km In contrast to the plains, CRISM normal [1] and over- away from the closest rim segment of the ~20 km di- sampled FRT data show signatures of hydrated phases, ameter Noachian-aged impact crater Endeavour (Fig. including hydrated sulfates, present throughout Botany 1). Endeavour predates the sedimentary rocks ex- Bay and the southern point of Cape York (Fig. 3). amined by Opportunity for the past 7 years, and Com- These phases have not been detected from orbit at any pact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars other location along Opportunity’s ~26km traverse (CRISM) data indicate that Fe-Mg smectites are (with the exception of a small group of CRISM pixels present on the rim of this highly degraded crater [1]. on the SE rim of Santa Maria crater [3]), and suggests The purpose of this abstract is to present working a change in mineralogy occurs, probably at a strati- hypotheses to help guide the acquisition and analysis of graphic contact within Botany Bay. Opportunity’s continued Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) cover- ground-truth observations will be essential in determin- age and Opportunity observations as the rover departs ing the nature of these phases as the rover approaches Santa Maria, traverses across the plains, and ascends Cape York, the closest rim segment.
  • The Sequence Stratigraphy of Niger Delta, Delta Field

    The Sequence Stratigraphy of Niger Delta, Delta Field

    THE SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF NIGER DELTA, DELTA FIELD, OFFSHORE NIGERIA A Thesis by AJIBOLA OLAOLUWA DAVID OWOYEMI Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE August 2004 Major Subject: Geology SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF NIGER DELTA, DELTA FIELD, OFFSHORE NIGERIA A Thesis by AJIBOLA OLAOLUWA DAVID OWOYEMI Submitted to Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Approved as to style and content by: _______________________ _______________________ Brian J. Willis Steven L. Dorobek (Chair of Committee) (Member) _________________________ _________________________ Jerry L. Jensen Richard F. Carlson (Member) (Head of Department) August 2004 Major Subject: Geology iii ABSTRACT Sequence Stratigraphy of the Niger Delta, Delta Field, Offshore Nigeria. (August 2004) Ajibola Olaoluwa David Owoyemi, B. Tech (Honors), Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; M.B.A., Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Brian J. Willis The Niger Delta clastic wedge formed along the West Africa passive margin. This wedge has been divided into three formations that reflect long-term progradation: 1) pro-delta shales of the Akata Formation (Paleocene to Recent), 2) deltaic and paralic facies of the Agbada Formation (Eocene to Recent) and 3) fluviatile facies of the Benin Formation (Oligocene-Recent). This study combines a three-dimensional seismic image with well log data from Delta field to describe lithic variations of the Agbada Formation and develop a sequence stratigraphic framework. The 5000-feet thick Agbada Formation in Delta field is divided by five major sequence boundaries, each observed in seismic cross sections to significantly truncate underlying strata.
  • 14Yearsofdiscovery

    14Yearsofdiscovery

    14 YEARS OF DISCOVERIES 14 years of discoveries 14 YEARS OF DISCOVERIES DesignedMARS to last 90 days, Opportunity survived for over a 1 Martian solar decade on Mars. Here day (Sol) we look back on how = the record-breaking 1.027 rover changed the way Earth days we see the Red Planet 2 14 years of discoveries 39 Sols 91 Sols Opportunity’s Opportunity from orbit Opportunity’s journey across Mars has objectives been closely watched and calibrated by the satellites in orbit around the Red Search for signs of past Planet. This image from NASA’s Mars ✔ Global Surveyor shows some of the liquid water tracks of the rover, the craters it was visiting, its back shell and parachute, Determine distribution along with the location of its discarded and composition of heat shield. It was taken on 26 April Martian rocks ✔ 2004 on Sol 91 from a distance of around 400 kilometres (249 miles). Discover the geological processes which formed the Martian terrain ✔ Validate measurements made by probes orbiting Mars ✔ Search for iron containing minerals that may have been formed in water ✔ Signs of past water This is a microscopic image of part of a rock called 'Last Determine the texture of Chance'. The view here is around five centimetres (two rocks and soils and what inches) across and was taken on Opportunity’s 39th created them ✔ Martian day. The texture of the rock has led scientists to believe that water was once present in the area in which Assess whether Mars’ climate it was found – the Meridiani Planum area of Mars, which was ever fit for life ✔ is close to its equator.
  • Sequence Stratigraphy of Niger Delta, Robertkiri

    Sequence Stratigraphy of Niger Delta, Robertkiri

    SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF NIGER DELTA, ROBERTKIRI FIELD, ONSHORE NIGERIA A Thesis by OLUSOLA AKINTAYO MAGBAGBEOLA Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE December 2005 Major Subject: Geology SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF NIGER DELTA, ROBERTKIRI FIELD, ONSHORE NIGERIA A Thesis by OLUSOLA AKINTAYO MAGBAGBEOLA Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Approved by: Chair of Committee, Brian J. Willis Committee Members, Steven L. Dorobek William. Bryant Head of Department, Richard F. Carlson December 2005 Major Subject: Geology iii ABSTRACT Sequence Stratigraphy of Niger Delta, Robertkiri Field, Onshore Nigeria. (December 2005) Olusola Akintayo Magbagbeola, B.Sc. (Honors); University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; M.Sc., University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Brian J. Willis Deposits of Robertkiri field, in the central offshore area of Niger Delta, comprise a 4 km thick succession of Pliocene to Miocene non-marine and shallow marine deposits. A sequence stratigraphic framework for Robertkiri field strata was constructed by combining data from 20 well logs and a seismic volume spanning 1400 km2. Major sequences, hundreds of meters thick, define layers of reservoir and sealing strata formed during episodic progradation and retrogradation of deltaic shorelines. These deposits progress upward from fine-grained prodelta and deep water shales of the Akata Formation through paralic sandstone-shale units of the Agbada Formation and finally to sandy non-marine deposits of the Benin Formation.
  • 2011-2 Sidereal-Times

    2011-2 Sidereal-Times

    The Official Publication of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton Director Treasurer Program Chairman Ludy D’Angelo Michael Mitrano John Church 609-882-9336 (609)-737-6518 (609) 799-0723 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Assistant Director Secretary Editors Jeff Bernardis Larry Kane Bryan Hubbard, Ira Pollans and Michael Wright (609) 466-4238 (609) 273-1456 (908) 859-1670 and (609) 371-5668 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Also online at princetonastronomy.wordpress.com Volume 40 February 2011 Number 2 From the Director again starting in April. We’ll be doing some equip- ment upgrading from another generous donation to Snow! And more snow! And very cold! I used to the club. Also, there will be Super Science day at the State Planetarium coming up soon. never mind it, but this year it’s bugging me. It’s stopping or delaying many things. Our last meet- ing cancelled (a rarity!), very cold observing Also, we will soon be looking for another round of nights, very cold Outreach nights. But you know nominations for the next Board of Trustees of the club. This needs to be done by the May meeting. We what’s coming? SPRING! March and April bring need a volunteer to lead a nomination committee by chances at Messier Marathons. Maybe we could do one, maybe it won’t snow, or rain, or sleet, or our March meeting. We will be taking nominations hail. Who am I kidding, this is New Jersey, and for Director, Assistant Director, Program Chair, Sec- retary, and Treasurer.

  • “We Are Nigeria”

    “WE ARE NIGERIA” CHAPTER ONE ‘Who can tell me what happened on the 1st of October 1960?’ asked our class teacher. None of the students wanted to answer the question. Our teacher looked around the class and we hid our faces because we knew what she was going to do next. ‘Jay’ She said, and he almost jumped out of his chair. ‘Please answer the question.’ She always picked a student randomly to answer questions when no one volunteered. ‘It was the day Nigeria defeated the Queen of England’ Jay got up to answer the question. His voice was a shaky whisper. Jay was always nervous when he had to answer questions in class. ‘Yes Didi’ our teacher said and the class turned to look at me as I stood up to answer the question. ‘Class, did you hear him?’ our teacher asked. ‘No ma’ the class chorused. Their mocking voices ‘Before the 1st of October 1960, Nigeria was ruled by made Jay more nervous. Great Britain. The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth the second was the Head of Government of ‘It was the day Nigeria defeated the Queen of Nigeria. Before independence, the money we spent England’ Jay repeated louder and the class erupted in Nigeria was pounds and shillings; the British people in laughter. taught us their language and that is why English language is the primary language in Nigeria.’ ‘Students, please be quiet’ she scolded and the class went quiet. I was enjoying all the attention as the class listened to me attentively. ‘Good effort Jay’ she said but we knew she was only trying to encourage him.
  • Adire Cloth: Yoruba Art Textile

    Adire Cloth: Yoruba Art Textile

    IROHIN Taking Africa to the Classroom SPRING 2001 A Publication of The Center for African Studies University of Florida IROHIN Taking Africa to the Classroom SPRING 2001 A Publication of The Center for African Studies University of Florida Editor/Outreach Director: Agnes Ngoma Leslie Layout & Design: Pei Li Li Assisted by Kylene Petrin 427 Grinter Hall P.O. Box 115560 Gainesville, FL. 32611 (352) 392-2183, Fax: (352) 392-2435 Web: http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~outreach/ Center for African Studies Outreach Program at the University of Florida The Center is partly funded under the federal Title VI of the higher education act as a National Resource Center on Africa. As one of the major Resource Centers, Florida’s is the only center located in the Southeastern United States. The Center directs, develops and coordinates interdisci- plinary instruction, research and outreach on Africa. The Outreach Program includes a variety of activities whose objective is to improve the teaching of Africa in schools from K-12, colleges, universities and the community. Below are some of the regular activities, which fall under the Outreach Program. Teachers’ Workshops. The Center offers in- service workshops for K-12 teachers on the teaching of Africa. Summer Institutes. Each summer, the Center holds teaching institutes for K-12 teachers. Part of the Center’s mission is to promote Publications. The Center publishes teaching African culture. In this regard, it invites resources including Irohin, which is distributed to artists such as Dolly Rathebe, from South teachers. In addition, the Center has also pub- Africa to perform and speak in schools and lished a monograph entitled Lesson Plans on communities.
  • Standard Research Grants

    Standard Research Grants

    July 2018 - Panel A Overall Lead / Sole Rank Grant Reference Grant Holder Research Organisation Project Title Call Routing Classification Score Grant Seismic imaging of lithospheric flexure along the Hawaiian-Emperor Seamount Chain and its implications for 1 9 NE/S01036X/1 Y Anthony Brian Watts University of Oxford plate mechanics and mantle dynamics Standard Grant JUL18 Panel A 2 9 NE/S010203/1 Y James Wookey University of Bristol Detecting melt in the deep mantle with seismic anisotropy and attenuation Standard Grant JUL18 Panel A Noble Gas Partitioning Into The Earth's Outer Core? Ab Initio Calculations On Noble Gas Partitioning Between 3 9 NE/S01134X/1 Y Lidunka Vocadlo University College London Silicate and Liquid Iron Standard Grant JUL18 Panel A 4 9 NE/S00968X/1 Y Jessica Hawthorne University of Oxford What causes tectonic tremor? Investigating tremor's origins and implications with seismology Standard Grant JUL18 Panel A 5 9 NE/S009566/1 Y Johan Green Bangor University Milankovitch and Tidal Cycle History (MATCH) Standard Grant JUL18 Panel A 6 9 NE/S009736/1 Y David Thornalley University College London Beyond the instrumental record: Reconstructing Atlantic overturning over the past 7000 yrs (ReconAMOC) Standard Grant - NI JUL18 Panel A 7 9 NE/S01120X/1 Y Frederik Fabel Scottish Universities Env Research Cen ScotIce - How fast could ice caps collapse? Standard Grant JUL18 Panel A 8 9 NE/S009965/1 N Mike Clare National Oceanography Centre Developing a Global Listening Network for Turbidity Currents and Seafloor Processes Standard
  • The Upper Ordovician Glaciation in Sw Libya – a Subsurface Perspective

    The Upper Ordovician Glaciation in Sw Libya – a Subsurface Perspective

    J.C. Gutiérrez-Marco, I. Rábano and D. García-Bellido (eds.), Ordovician of the World. Cuadernos del Museo Geominero, 14. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Madrid. ISBN 978-84-7840-857-3 © Instituto Geológico y Minero de España 2011 ICE IN THE SAHARA: THE UPPER ORDOVICIAN GLACIATION IN SW LIBYA – A SUBSURFACE PERSPECTIVE N.D. McDougall1 and R. Gruenwald2 1 Repsol Exploración, Paseo de la Castellana 280, 28046 Madrid, Spain. [email protected] 2 REMSA, Dhat El-Imad Complex, Tower 3, Floor 9, Tripoli, Libya. Keywords: Ordovician, Libya, glaciation, Mamuniyat, Melaz Shugran, Hirnantian. INTRODUCTION An Upper Ordovician glacial episode is widely recognized as a significant event in the geological history of the Lower Paleozoic. This is especially so in the case of the Saharan Platform where Upper Ordovician sediments are well developed and represent a major target for hydrocarbon exploration. This paper is a brief summary of the results of fieldwork, in outcrops across SW Libya, together with the analysis of cores, hundreds of well logs (including many high quality image logs) and seismic lines focused on the uppermost Ordovician of the Murzuq Basin. STRATIGRAPHIC FRAMEWORK The uppermost Ordovician section is the youngest of three major sequences recognized widely across the entire Saharan Platform: Sequence CO1: Unconformably overlies the Precambrian or Infracambrian basement. It comprises the possible Upper Cambrian to Lowermost Ordovician Hassaouna Formation. Sequence CO2: Truncates CO1 along a low angle, Type II unconformity. It comprises the laterally extensive and distinctive Lower Ordovician (Tremadocian-Floian?) Achebayat Formation overlain, along a probable transgressive surface of erosion, by interbedded burrowed sandstones, cross-bedded channel-fill sandstones and mudstones of Middle Ordovician age (Dapingian-Sandbian), known as the Hawaz Formation, and interpreted as shallow-marine sediments deposited within a megaestuary or gulf.