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THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN • JACKSON SCHOOL OF GEOSCIENCES • NEWSLETTER 2018 OF GEOSCIENCES SCHOOL • JACKSON AT AUSTIN OF TEXAS UNIVERSITY THE Newsletter2018

A Peek Inside the Jackson School’s Collections WELCOME

Dear Alumni and Friends

about the research we conducted in the specimens from across the Jackson wake of Hurricane Harvey is another School’s collections in this issue. illustration of the type of research and Sometimes we forget that our amazing education we are conducting to tackle collections are not just scientifically issues that affect everyone. valuable, but beautiful and inspiring. I The expertise and talent we have at hope you enjoy the photo spreads that the Jackson School is second to none. begin on page 74. This was recently recognized nationally Throughout the Newsletter, you will when the U.S. News & World Report’s see nods to the fact that we have 2019 edition of “Best Graduate Schools” surpassed more than a century of named us the No. 1 Geology program teaching students in our signature field in the country. You can read about the camps. I know many of you have fond rankings on page 4. This is a tremendous of these camps, just as I do. accomplishment that took the combined We should all take pride in the fact efforts of the entire Jackson School that even as other schools are cutting community. We should all be very proud. back their field offerings, we continue One reason we are constantly looking to find more and more ways to get our to hire the best is that we have to replace students the hands-on field experiences t’s been another incredibly busy those who move on. This year, a number that we all know are vital to training and exciting year at the Jackson of talented researchers and faculty have geoscientists. We couldn’t do so I School of Geosciences, capped decided to retire, topped by founding without your support. off by our new strategic plan, “ Dean Bill Fisher, who has spent nearly Thank you, and enjoy the Newsletter! Transitions in Space and Time.” The 60 years at the University of Texas. Bill far-reaching document was several years has had an astounding career and a major in the making and includes input from impact on the geosciences at UT and far throughout the school. It identifies the beyond. It is an honor to count him as vision, objectives and priority areas for a colleague and friend, and I encourage the school over the next 10 years in you to read the story about his and education, research, facilities and equity. career on page 88. Sharon Mosher, Dean I encourage you to read the summary We also said our final goodbye to a of the plan on page 106 and the full number of friends and colleagues this plan at www.jsg.utexas.edu. The stories year. As you’ll see in the memorials in this year’s Newsletter show the plan section, the list includes people who in action. The feature on page 68 about helped make the Jackson School the Leslie P. and Dianne White’s wonderful special place it is — Professors Emeriti donation of a Central Texas ranch and Bob Folk, Milo Backus and Leonard the school’s plans to turn it into our first Brown, as well as Ann Molineux, Texas Observatory is a great example. It curator and collections manager at embodies the type of interdisciplinary the Jackson School Museum of Earth COVER: THE BASEMENT OF THE JACKSON research and teaching we are pushing at History Non-vertebrate Paleontology SCHOOL MUSEUM OF EARTH HISTORY the Jackson School to help understand Collections. They will be dearly missed. VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY COLLECTIONS. and solve the major issues facing Texas On a lighter note, as the cover of the ABOVE: STRUCTURES IN THE GRENVILLE AGE ALBANY-FRASER BELT IN WESTERN and the world. The feature on page 58 Newsletter highlights, we are featuring AUSTRALIA’S BREMER BAY.

2018 Newsletter | 1 FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE

58 Rapid Response 58 4 Research Highlights Jackson School researchers study the aftermath of Hurricane 20 Newsmakers Harvey with an eye toward preparing for the future. 22 Profiles 68 The Texas Observatory 33 Library Report Leslie P. and Dianne White’s donation of a Hill Country ranch could be a game changer 34 Outreach for Jackson School research and education. 42 Awards & Honors 72 Texas 2050 NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS 50 Field Camps The university-wide grand challenge seeks to help prepare 55 Field Experiences Texas for a future of booming and 4 We’re No. 1! 50 Over a Century of 106 Strategic Plan climate extremes. The Jackson School of Field Camp Geosciences has been ranked the Students have been learning 108 Donors 74 Inside the Collections No. 1 Geology program in the the geosciences and making From prehistoric creatures and country by the U.S. News & World memories in the Jackson School’s 115 Advisory Council brilliant gems to the rocks that LOOKING FOR CLUES TO HURRICANE Report’s 2019 edition of “Best signature field camps for more revealed one of the country’s Graduate Schools.” than 100 years. We want to hear 117 Alumni Notes largest shale plays, the Jackson HARVEY’S LASTING IMPACT your stories. School’s collections house 10 Life Finds a Way 127 Memorials valuable and beautiful specimens. Life rebounded much more 127 Remembering Friends quickly than expected after the and Colleagues 84 Technology in the Field dino-killing ’s impact. A number of cherished members Modern geoscientists rely on a BILL of the Jackson School family have variety of technology — from 34 Hosting Top High FISHER passed, including Professors drones to PVC pipe — to help 50 School Emeriti Bob Folk, Milo Backus reveal the planet’s mysteries. RETIRES The Jackson School hosted about 60 and Leonard Brown, and members of the American Junior 88 Energy, Discipline Ann Molineux, curator and Academy of Sciences, treating collections manager at the and Vision them to a full day of lab tours and Jackson School Museum of For nearly six decades, Bill scientific discussion on the main Earth Non-vertebrate Fisher has been a driving force campus and the Pickle campus. Paleontology Collections. in geological sciences, policy and education.

96 Science at Sea Life on research cruises with THE NEWSLETTER, A TRADITION SINCE 1950, IS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY FOR FRIENDS AND SEND COMMUNICATIONS TO: Jackson School graduate students. OVER A CENTURY ALUMNI OF THE JACKSON SCHOOL OF GEOSCIENCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. NEWSLETTER EDITOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN OF FIELD CAMP EDITOR: ANTON CAPUTO ART DIRECTION: RYAN GOELLER JACKSON SCHOOL OF GEOSCIENCES 100 Unlocking Secrets 2305 SPEEDWAY, STOP C1160 Beneath Antarctic Ice ASSOCIATE EDITOR: MONICA KORTSHA GRAPHIC DESIGN: LAURA MARTIN, AUSTIN, TX 78712-1692 TILLIE POLICASTRO Jackson School researchers CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: SARAH BLOODWORTH, PHONE: 512-232-9623 the way to understanding what’s ANTON CAPUTO, ELIZABETH CATLOS, DAN DUNCAN, EMAIL: [email protected] SARAH GEORGE, JESSICA HALL, BOB HARDAGE, WEB: JSG.UTEXAS.EDU happening under the world’s BRIAN HORTON, MONICA KORTSHA, BARBRA RODRIGUEZ largest ice sheets. 88

UT JSG @TX GEOSCIENCES JSG UT AUSTIN @TXGEOSCIENCES RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Remote Fracture Mapping

Energy Geosciences

Over the past two years, the Bureau of Economic Geology’s Advanced Energy Consortium has been conducting downhole tests of its electromagnetic proppants at the bureau’s Devine Test Site in South Texas. The tests are run to help identify the location of proppants and fluids in hydraulic and natural fractures near the wellbore and in the interwell space with greater accuracy and can help scientists better EDITH'S CHECKERSPOT BUTTERFLY, THE SPECIES EXAMINED DURING THE STUDY. Jackson School Ranks No. 1 understand fracture geometries, which Research and Education Excellence influence oil and gas production and, ultimately, recovery within a field. Climate, & Geobiology In 2017, researchers fracked Rapid Evolution Fails Energy Geosciences The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences has been ranked the a 300-foot-deep well using Marine Geosciences No. 1 Geology program in the country by the U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 edition electromagnetic proppant in an effort to Save Butterflies Planetary Sciences of “Best Graduate Schools.” to characterize the resulting fracture The prestigious rankings rate graduate programs throughout the country every pattern. The results were validated with Climate, Carbon & Geobiology Solid Earth & Tectonic Processes four years. The Jackson School was also No. 7 in Earth Sciences (No. 3 among nearby offset wells that transected the Surface & Hydrologic Processes public universities) and No. 7 in Geophysics and Seismology (No. 2 among public fracture pattern. Fractures and proppant Other universities) in the rankings released March 20, 2018. from the fracked well were clearly New research from the University of Plymouth and The University of Texas at Austin “This is a testament to the exceptionally hard work and dedication of our visible in the cores. has found that adaption has its limits. The study examined a population of butterflies faculty, researchers and students,” said Jackson School Dean Sharon Mosher. “I’m In 2018, as a secondary check, the that adapted to a weed that was introduced with cattle ranching, but quickly died out tremendously proud of the achievements of everyone throughout the school and bureau’s Near Surface Observatory — when ranching ceased and the environment around the weed changed. the leadership members of the Jackson School have exhibited on a national and with Principal Investigator Jeffrey Paine The research shows that while wild species can adapt quickly to -induced international level. This external recognition of our work is an honor for all.” and Research Associate Lucie changes, the adaption can cause species to be caught in deadly “eco-evolutionary The school improved in all three categories since the 2015 rankings were released, Costard — brought logging equipment traps” when resources are quickly taken away. when the Jackson School was ranked No. 5 in Geology, tied for No. 8 in Earth Sciences to the site to log the new offset wells. The findings were the cover story of the May 10, 2018, edition of . and unranked in Geophysics and Seismology. They ran conductivity, gamma-ray and The researchers followed a large, isolated population of Euphydryas butterflies Overall, UT had five programs ranked No. 1 and 49 schools and specialties ranked mini-resolution logs in the wells to on a Nevada ranch that had historically fed on a native plant. The researchers among the nation’s top 10 in disciplines such as business, communications, education, sense the proppant in fractures and to documented how the population evolved complete dependence on a European weed engineering, information, fine arts, natural sciences, pharmacy, public affairs, social correlate those readings with what is introduced to Nevada with cattle ranching more than 100 years ago, and quickly work and liberal arts. observed in the actual cores. Analysis died off when cattle ranching ended in 2005 — a change that led to temperature Only two other public universities have as many top 10 graduate programs, and UT of the results is ongoing, but the initial changes around the weed that prevented butterfly caterpillars from developing. Austin has more top-ranked graduate programs than any other university in Texas. results of the experiment have been European conservation biologists have long believed this type of process is “In every college, school and department at The University of Texas at Austin, there very positive. underlying widespread butterfly population extinctions across Europe. However, is innovative research, teaching and multidisciplinary collaboration taking place “If we validate the experimental in Europe, the evolution of dependence on human management occurred before by our faculty and students,” said UT President Gregory L. Fenves. “These national model with this test, we may one day anyone documented it. The researchers said that this study is the first that provides rankings reflect our focus on quality and our impact as a public flagship university.” soon be able to use this technology hard evidence of the process in real time. U.S. News & World Report’s graduate rankings, separate from the magazine’s yearly at scale,” said Mohsen Ahmadian, a Co-author Camille Parmesan, a professor at the University of Plymouth and the JACKSON SCHOOL STUDENTS SEND A HOOK 'EM FROM THE ranking of undergraduate programs, are among the most widely regarded ratings in consortium program manager and lead Jackson School of Geosciences, said the findings point to the need to mesh land

TATRA MOUNTAINS OF SLOVAKIA. higher education. They are based on surveys of academic leaders. PARMESAN. CAMILLE RANKINGS: GABRIEL VILLASENOR. BUTTERFLY: researcher on the experiment. management practices with conservation.

4 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 5 Reveal Room for Improvement for Storage Models

Surface & Hydrologic Processes Newly Discovered Salty Research led by The University of Texas at Austin has found that models’ estimates of water storage in river basins around the world can differ markedly from Subglacial Lakes Could Help more direct measurements of values gathered by satellites. LEFT: THE VAST LANDSCAPE OF THE DEVON ICE CAP. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Jan. RIGHT: A UTIG RESEARCH SCIENTIST OPERATES DURING A FLIGHT OVER THE ICE CAP. 22, 2018, raise questions about global models that have been used in recent years to Search for Life in help assess water resources and potentially influence management decisions. Surface & Hydrologic Processes “People are depending more and more on global models to determine projections of the impacts of human water use and climate on water resources,” said lead author Bridget Scanlon, a senior research scientist at the university’s Bureau of Economic Two newly discovered, subglacial lakes the first found in the Canadian Arctic. Anja Rutishauser, a Ph.D. candidate at Geology. “We are now able to evaluate water storage changes from models with in the Canadian High Arctic could be Unlike all the others — which are the who will join GRACE data, which suggests that the models may underestimate large water storage a potential habitat for microbial life thought to contain freshwater — these The University of Texas at Austin as a changes, both large declining and rising storage trends.” and may assist scientists in the search two appear to consist of extremely postdoctoral fellow when she finishes The study used measurements from GRACE satellites from 2002 to 2014 to for life beyond Earth, particularly on salty water. Their hypersalinity could her degree. determine water storage changes in 186 river basins around the world and compared ’s icy . make the lakes similar to those thought By evaluating the airborne survey the results with simulations made by seven commonly used models. The findings, published April 11, to be trapped inside the icy shell of data and, eventually, samples from the For example, in the River, GRACE data indicated that water storage 2018, in , were made Europa. In 2011, researchers from lakes, scientists can better prepare for increased by 41 to 43 cubic kilometers during the study period — the largest possible by airborne radar data acquired UTIG found evidence for such lakes on NASA’s forthcoming Europa Clipper increase in water storage of any basin in the world. But most of the models projected by the University of Texas Institute for the Jovian moon. mission, which is expected to deploy huge declines in water storage, with one simulating a loss of 70 cubic kilometers. The Geophysics (UTIG) and NASA. An analysis of radar data shows similar remote sensing techniques to model that most closely matched the GRACE data calculated an increase of only 11 “Geophysically characterizing these that the lakes discovered in characterize Europa’s ice shell. For cubic kilometers. lakes and their sub-ice surroundings, are beneath 550 to 750 meters of ice the Clipper mission, Blankenship In the Ganges River basin, GRACE showed a loss of 12 to 17 cubic kilometers followed by very careful sampling of under the Devon Ice Cap, one of the is leading the development of the of water per year over the 12-year period — the biggest decrease in water storage their contents, should give us a real largest ice caps in the Canadian Arctic. ice-penetrating radar sounder, an measured by the study. The models range between a loss of 7 cubic kilometers and an head start on understanding Europa’s They are thought to be the first isolated instrument similar to the one used to increase of 7 cubic kilometers. potential for hosting life,” said co-author hypersaline subglacial lakes in the discover the Canadian lakes. Overall, the model results calculated a decline in global water storage during Donald Blankenship, a UTIG senior world, having no contact with an outside UTIG’s data acquisition and the study period, while GRACE data indicated it was on the rise. However, the research scientist. environment for thousands of years. processing were supported by NASA’s study notes that while the climate increased water storage globally, caused There are more than 400 known “If there is microbial life in these Instrument Concepts for Europa significant declines in certain regions. The study area covered about 63 percent of subglacial lakes in the world, lakes, it has likely been under the ice Exploration Program, the G. Unger global land area and excluded Greenland and because most of the water in MOUTHS OF THE AMAZON RIVER IN BRAZIL. concentrated primarily in Antarctica for at least 120,000 years, so it likely Vetlesen Foundation and the National

those areas is trapped in glaciers or ice sheets. MODELS:WATER NASA. SUBGLACIAL LAKES: ANJA RUTISHAUSER. with a few in Greenland, but these are evolved in isolation,” said lead author Science Foundation.

6 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 7 the Neoproterozoic. The authors also Did Plate note the geologic interval preceding the Neoproterozoic shows a lack of Tectonics geological activity — a feature that has earned it the nickname “the boring billion,” and which could indicate that Freeze the the Earth was covered by a single lithospheric lid rather than the many Planet? moving plates of today. The overlap in timing between the Solid Earth & Tectonic Processes appearance of these signatures of plate tectonic activity and Earth’s snowball AN ARTIST'S A research duo from The University phase led the researchers to think that INTERPRETATION OF they could be related. The paper lists 22 THE RAINBOW DINO, of Texas at Austin and UT Dallas have CAIHONG JUJI. put forward a hypothesis that links the proposed ways plate tectonic activity THE CASCADIA SUBDUCTION ZONE. WHITE OVAL INDICATES AREA WHERE SEDIMENT IS COMPACT. dawn of plate tectonics with “snowball could have brought about global cooling Earth” — a period of that that caused the Earth to be covered sent the planet into a deep freeze that from pole to pole with ice. They include lasted millions of years. volcanoes cooling the planet by releasing Seafloor Sediments Enhance Meet the Rainbow Dino They expect their hypothesis to sulfur into the ; the shifting generate controversy. Geologists of the plates changing the planet’s Earthquake Risk Climate, Carbon & Geobiology usually place the start of plate tectonics rotational axis; and increased rock 2 — a greenhouse Solid Earth & Tectonic Processes at about 3 billion years ago, while weathering pulling CO gas — out of the atmosphere and back Ancient were adorned in some amazing ways, from the horns of the new hypothesis puts the process into the Earth. the triceratops to the plates and spikes of the stegosaurus. A newly described, in a much younger era known as the The Cascadia Subduction Zone in the Pacific The authors note that their paper -like from contains evidence that could add a new Neoproterozoic, which occurred about Northwest is an incubator for powerful presents a possible scenario in Earth’s accessory to the list: a shaggy ruff of rainbow . 542 million to 1 billion years ago. earthquakes — and according to the geological history, and hope that this research will A team of researchers, including scientists from The University of Texas at “If you look at the preserved record, record, the region is due for a “big one.” lead other geoscientists to consider the Austin, are the first to conduct an in-depth study of the dinosaur. They dubbed diagnostic evidence for modern plate Sediment on the seafloor may be a key factor in evidence and test the hypothesis. it Caihong juji — a name that means “rainbow with the big crest” in Mandarin. tectonics involving deep subduction is determining where along the zone the next big Julia Clarke, a professor in the Jackson School of Geosciences Department mainly Neoproterozoic and younger,” quake will strike. of Geological Sciences who helped describe the new species, said that it’s said co-author Nathaniel Miller, a The research, published in Nature Geoscience possible that the dino used its flashy neck feathers and a bony crest on its research scientist in the Department EARTH MAY HAVE RESEMBLED 'S MOON on Nov. 20, 2017, found that compact snout to attract mates. of Geological Sciences at the Jackson DURING ITS "SNOWBALL" PHASE. sediments along the zone near Washington “Iridescent coloration is well known to be linked to sexual selection and School of Geosciences. “But most SHUOSHUO HAN and northern Oregon could make the tectonic signaling, and we report its earliest evidence in dinosaurs,” said Clarke. people think we had this much earlier plates more susceptible to sticking to each other. Subduction zones are the A description of the exquisitely preserved, chicken-sized dinosaur was in Earth history.” places where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating a trench. When published on Jan. 15, 2018, in the journal . Dongyu Hu, Miller and Robert Stern, a professor the plates move after enduring centuries of tension, the released energy creates a professor in the College of Paleontology at the Shenyang Normal University in the UT Dallas Department of earthquakes and tsunamis. led the study. Geosciences, examined a suite “We observed very compact sediments offshore of Washington and northern The dinosaur has features that are both ancient and modern. The bony crest of published scientific data on Oregon that could support earthquake rupture over a long distance and close is usually seen in dinosaurs from earlier eras, while the neck feathers show the geological activity during the to the trench, which increases both earthquake and tsunami hazards,” said lead evidence of pigment-containing cells called melanosomes. The scientists Neoproterozoic — the era of snowball author Shuoshuo Han, a University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) found that the preserved melanosomes most closely resembled those in the Earth — and found a link between plate research associate who conducted the work as a UTIG postdoctoral fellow. iridescent, rainbow feathers of hummingbirds. tectonics and a cooling world. The Cascadia Subduction Zone runs roughly from Vancouver, Canada to Caihong is also the earliest known dinosaur with asymmetrical feathers, The research was published in the April northern California. Han and her collaborators conducted a seismic survey off the type found on the wingtips of modern that helps control 2018 edition of the journal Terra Nova. the coast of Washington and Oregon that allowed them to see up to four miles of flight. But unlike birds today, Caihong’s asymmetrical feathers were on its Plate tectonics is one of the most sediment layers overlying the subduction zone. tail, not its wings — a finding that suggests that early birds may have had a fundamental processes that shape the According to the geologic record, the Cascadia Subduction Zone generates different steering or flight style. planet, and most geoscientists believe it a large earthquake about every 200-530 years. And with the last large quake A farmer from China’s Hebei Province found the fossil in 2014. Its has been active for most of the planet’s occurring in 1700, scientists are expecting another earthquake within the next nearly complete skeleton is preserved in a slab of rock and surrounded by 4.5 billion-year history. However, couple of centuries. impressions made by feathers which include imprints made by the microscopic according to Miller and Stern, there Han’s research could help scientists understand factors that influence how melanosomes. Chad Eliason, a postdoctoral associate at the Field Museum of are a variety of traces in the geologic earth-shaking events occur in Cascadia and subduction zones around the world. Natural History, helped analyze the microstructural fossil evidence for color record that could be consistent with The researchers note that a large earthquake anywhere along the subduction zone

while he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Jackson School. plate tectonics not getting started until DINO: VELIZAR SIMEONOVSKI. FROZEN WORLD: NASA. would have serious impacts for Cascadia, not just areas closest to the event.

8 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 9 CHRIS LOWERY

discovered in rock extracted from the crater during recent scientific drilling mission.

The scientists found the first evidence DINOSAURS IN RECONSTRUCTIONS ARE OFTEN SHOWN WITH TONGUES WILDLY WAVING — for the appearance of life two to three A FEATURE THAT IS INCORRECT ACCORDING TO RESEARCH CO-AUTHORED BY THE years after impact. The evidence included JACKSON SCHOOL'S JULIA CLARKE. burrows made by small shrimp or worms. By 30,000 years after impact, a thriving ecosystem was present in the T. Rex Couldn’t Stick Out crater, with blooming phytoplankton (microscopic plants) supporting a diverse community of organisms in the surface Its Tongue and on the seafloor. In contrast, Climate, Carbon & Geobiology other areas around the world, including the North Atlantic and other areas of the Gulf of Mexico, took up to 300,000 years Dinosaurs are often depicted as fierce creatures, baring their teeth, with tongues to recover in a similar manner. wildly waving like giant, deranged lizards. But new research reveals a major The core containing the fossil problem with this classic image: Dinosaurs couldn’t stick out their tongues like AN ARTIST'S IMPRESSION OF THE evidence was extracted from the crater lizards. Instead, their tongues were probably rooted to the bottoms of their mouths Life Finds a Way at Impact Site CHICXULUB CRATER YEARS AFTER IMPACT. THE THREE HAIR-COVERED during a 2016 expedition co-led by the in a manner akin to alligators. FORMS (LEFT) REPRESENT Jackson School of Geosciences. In this Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and the Chinese Academy of Dino-Killing Asteroid SPECIES OF PLANKTON FOUND study, scientists zeroed in on a unique of Sciences made the discovery by comparing the hyoid bones — the bones that INSIDE THE CRATER. THE Climate, Carbon & Geobiology GEOMETRIC FORM (BOTTOM LEFT) core section that provides a record of support and ground the tongue — of modern birds and crocodiles with those of IS A SPECIES OF ALGAE. the seafloor environment days to years their extinct dinosaur relatives. after the impact. The research was published June 20, 2018, in the journal PLOS ONE. About 66 million years ago, an asteroid the findings, which undermine a as a UTIG postdoctoral researcher. The relatively rapid rebound of life “Tongues are often overlooked. But they offer key insights into the lifestyles of smashed into Earth and triggered a theory that recovery at sites closest “It shows that there’s not a lot of in the crater suggests that the impact extinct ,” said lead author Zhiheng Li, an associate professor at the Key mass extinction that ended the reign to the crater is the slowest due to predictability of recovery in general.” didn’t hamper recovery. The scientists Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of the Chinese Academy of the dinosaurs and snuffed out 75 environmental contaminants — such The research was published May point to local factors, from water of Sciences. He conducted the work while earning his doctorate at the Jackson percent of life. as toxic metals — released by the 30, 2018, in the journal Nature. UTIG circulation to interactions between School of Geosciences. While the impact killed off species impact. Instead, the evidence suggests research scientists Gail Christeson organisms and the availability of Co-author and Jackson School Professor Julia Clarke said that the findings mean across Earth, researchers from The that recovery around the world was and Sean Gulick and postdoctoral ecological niches, as having the most that dramatic reconstructions that show dinosaurs with tongues stretching out University of Texas at Austin have found influenced primarily by local factors. researcher Cornelia Rasmussen are co- influence on a particular ecosystem’s from between their jaws are wrong. that the crater itself served as a habitat “We found life in the crater within authors on the paper, along with a team recovery rate. “They’ve been reconstructed the wrong way for a long time,” Clarke said. for sea life mere years after impact and a few years of impact, which is really of international scientists. The research was funded by the In contrast to the short hyoid bones of crocodiles, the researchers found that was a thriving ecosystem within 30,000 fast, surprisingly fast,” said Chris The evidence for life comes primarily International Ocean Discovery pterosaurs, bird-like dinosaurs, and living birds have a great diversity in hyoid years — a much quicker recovery than Lowery a research associate at the from the remains of unicellular Program, the International Continental bone shapes. They think the range of shapes could be related to flight ability. The other sites around the globe. University of Texas Institute for organisms such as algae and plankton Drilling Program, the National Science researchers propose that taking to the skies could have led to new ways of feeding

Scientists were surprised by Geophysics (UTIG) who led the work — as well as the burrows of larger ASTEROID: JOHN MAISANO/JACKSON SCHOOL. CHRIS DINO LOWERY: LOWERY. TONGUE: SPENCER WRIGHT. Foundation and NASA. that could be tied to diversity and mobility in tongues.

10 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 11 Hidden “Rock Moisture” Could Help Forests Survive

Surface & Hydrologic Processes

Research conducted by The University of Texas at Austin and the University of California, Berkeley has found that a little-studied, underground layer of rock can hold significant amounts of water that may serve as a vital reservoir for trees, especially in times of drought. This transitional zone beneath soils and above groundwater is often overlooked when it comes to studying hydrological processes, but researchers found that the water contained within the fractures and pores of the rock could play an important role in the water cycle at the local and global level. “There are significant hydrologic dynamics in weathered bedrock environments, but they are not Predicting La Niña traditionally investigated because they Climate, Carbon & Geobiology THE LA NIÑA WEATHER PATTERN CAN CAUSE DROUGHTS IN THE SOUTHERN UNITED are hard to access,” said lead author STATES, INCLUDING PARTS OF EASTERN TEXAS. Daniella Rempe, an assistant professor in the Department of Geological Sciences. CLOCKWISE: RESEARCHERS According to the National Oceanic and spreading drought conditions across of such an event occurring at 60 to The results were published in the ON A HILL SLOPE Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the southern U.S. in late 2017 and early 80 percent. journal PNAS on Feb. 26, 2018. AT THE RESEARCH as of December 2017, the global climate 2018 supported that prediction. DiNezio and Okumura had At the field site in Northern SITE; TREE ROOTS TAPPING is now in the midst of a “double-dip” La UTIG Research Associates Pedro previously found that a La Niña is California’s Mendocino County, INTO WATER Niña — a La Niña weather pattern that DiNezio and Yuko Okumura were more likely to last two years when it scientists found that up to 27 percent STORED AS ROCK MOISTURE; occurs for two consecutive winters. authors on both studies and collaborated is preceded by a strong El Niño — its of annual rainfall was stored as “rock DANIELLA REMPE NOAA determined that La Niña was with scientists from the National Center warm counterpart. Therefore, when a moisture,” with water clinging to WITH A BORE- back for another winter by tracking for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The record-breaking El Niño event occurred cracks and pores within the bedrock. HOLE DRILL. ocean surface temperatures in the studies have significantly improved just two years ago, they anticipated The impact of rock moisture will vary tropical Pacific. But the actual event was scientists’ ability to predict the strength that it could lead to a two-year La Niña. depending on the region and topography, predicted in advance by climate research and duration of droughts caused by DiNezio used the model developed at but researchers said it likely explains built up a supply of 4 to 21 inches of total rainfall amount does not influence led by The University of Texas at Austin. La Niña events — a recurrent cooling NCAR to test this idea. how the trees in the study area showed rock moisture during the winter wet the rock moisture levels. The research is part of two studies pattern in the tropical Pacific Ocean The study led by Okumura showed little affect from the severe 2010-2015 season, depending on the well. The The potential for rock moisture published in Geophysical Research Letters linked to drought and warm winters in that La Niña’s impact on atmospheric drought that killed more than 100 maximum amount of rock moisture to travel back to the atmosphere in November 2017 and led by scientists the . circulation and southern U.S. drought million trees throughout California. in each well stayed about the same via evaporation from tree leaves or at the University of Texas Institute The study led by DiNezio used a becomes stronger in the second year. The researchers monitored the rock throughout the study period, which to trickle down into groundwater for Geophysics (UTIG). The authors climate model developed at NCAR This is despite a weakening of La Niña’s moisture from 2013-2016 at nine wells included a significant drought year. It’s indicates that it could have a broad also predicted that the 2017 La Niña to predict that a La Niña that started cooling over the tropical Pacific relative drilled into the weathered bedrock a major finding that indicates that it impact on the environment and climate. would cause more intense weather than in 2016 would stretch into its second to the first year. along a steep forested hillslope. They doesn’t if it rains a little or a lot the event that occurred in 2016. The year. The model put the probability REMPE. DANIELLA MOISTURE: ROCK ADMINISTRATION. ATMOSPHERIC OCEANIC AND NATIONAL LA NINA: found that the weathered rock layer during the winter dry season — the

12 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 13 New Practices for Zircon Sampling Track Tremors Online

Surface & Hydrologic Processes THE RIO SAN JUAN TRANSPORTS SEDIMENT FROM THE HIGH ANDES (BACKGROUND) Solid Earth & Tectonic Processes TEXNET STATIONS LIKE THIS ONE NEAR POST IN WEST TEXAS ARE PROVIDING ACROSS THE PRECORDILLERA MOUNTAIN RANGE (FOREGROUND). A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT SEISMIC ACTIVITY ACROSS THE STATE.

A new study led by The University yy Bedrock materials erode at different “We’re exploring how we can use The University of Texas at Austin the Center for Integrated Seismicity how to mitigate their impacts in of Texas at Austin Jackson School of rates. This means sediment in rivers sediment from modern rivers to Bureau of Economic Geology has Research (CISR), a multidisciplinary the future.” Geosciences suggests that scientists will be disproportionately enriched calibrate ourselves for the ancient finished installing the state’s earthquake research team led by bureau Research TexNet includes 22 permanent may be able to better leverage zircon in zircon grains derived from weaker, sedimentary record,” Capaldi said. monitoring network, TexNet, and Scientist Peter Hennings and Professor monitoring stations, which brings data to understand landscape evolution. erodible bedrock sources. The study found that erosion patterns thanks to a new interactive website, Ellen Rathje in the Cockrell School the state’s total number of permanent The improvements involve considering yy Zircon fertility is a term that were reflected more accurately when the public can follow and sort seismic of Engineering’s Department of Civil, seismic stations to 40. The system a suite of factors that can skew zircon indicates how many zircons are in sampling larger river systems, which activity in Texas in real time. Environmental and Architectural also includes 40 portable seismic geochronologic data and interpretation of a bedrock source region. Materials receive sand from the entire region and TexNet, the most advanced state- Engineering. CISR is conducting stations that are being used to increase the origin of sediments. that produce less zircons can be record the overall erosion of the Andes. run seismic monitoring system in fundamental research to better the density of stations in areas with The study, published on Dec. 1, underrepresented in a study unless The findings are important because the country, was authorized by Texas understand natural and induced increased seismicity. These portable 2017, in Earth and Planetary Science this issue is accounted for. thousands of studies each year depend Gov. Greg Abbott and the Legislature earthquakes in Texas. stations allow for detailed examination Letters, focused on a method called yy Some zircons come from material on detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology, in June 2015 with $4.47 million in “Gov. Abbott and the Legislature of the location, depth, size and frequency detrital zircon U-Pb (-lead) that has been recycled over time. said Jackson School Professor Brian state funding. Like many areas in the have put Texas in the forefront of data of earthquakes, so scientists and geochronology. That means the zircons could contain Horton, Capaldi’s advisor and a co- south-central United States, Texas has collection and research into the causes engineers can better assess their cause. Zircon is an ideal mineral to trace complex signatures from multiple author on the paper. experienced an increase in the number of seismicity in the state,” said bureau For more information on TexNet and landscape evolution because it is found erosion events from different rocks. The good news is that this can be of earthquakes during the past decade, Director Scott W. Tinker, who led the CISR and to view the interactive web in most crustal rocks, is very durable largely accounted for by researchers especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, formation of TexNet in 2015. “Small page, go to www.beg.utexas.edu/texnet. (harder than diamond), and contains Tomas Capaldi, a Ph.D. student in in the field and lab, said co-author and the Permian Basin region and south- earthquake events have become more three isotopic clocks (chronometers) the Jackson School’s Department of Jackson School Professor Danny Stockli. central Texas. common in Texas recently, and we are that geoscientist can utilize. The Geological Sciences, led the study by “You might have to take some of these The seismic monitoring system now positioned to learn more about researchers found that estimates collecting zircon grain samples from complications that Tomas points out, is being operated in parallel with them and, hopefully, to understand of landscape erosion and sediment modern river watersheds in the Andes maybe even leverage them, to obtain dispersal could be improved by taking Mountains where the sediment sources a better understanding of long-term view texnet interactive seismic data at www.beg.utexas.edu/texnet several factors into account: and drainage networks are well known. landscape evolution,” he said. ZIRCON: TOMAS CAPALDI. TRACK TREMORS: BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.

14 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 15 Research Links Rainfall and Ocean Circulation in Past and Present

Climate, Carbon and Geobiology

Researchers have found that changes research while earning his doctorate at Little Ice Age, a cool period that lasted in ocean currents in the Atlantic the Jackson School of Geosciences. from 1450-1850. Since these ocean Ocean influence rainfall in the Western The Atlantic Ocean surface currents are known to influence global Hemisphere, and that it’s a system that circulation is an important part of climate, the researchers checked to see has been linked for thousands of years. the Earth’s global climate, moving how they correlated with rainfall in the Their findings, published on Jan. warm water from the tropics towards Western Hemisphere and how such a 26, 2018, in Nature Communications, the poles. The research tracked the correlation could change over time. provide a detailed look into Earth’s past changes in ocean circulation in new Researchers compared the core climate and the factors that influenced detail by studying three sediment cores data with proxies for it. The research could help scientists extracted from the seafloor of the data, such as data from tree rings understand how these factors may Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The samples and cave formations, as well as data influence future climate. give insight into factors that directly collected by humans during “The mechanisms that seem to be influenced the strength of the ocean the last century on the temperature driving this correlation [in the past] current over 4,400 years in about and salinity of the Gulf and rainfall are the same that are at play in modern 30-year increments. in the Western Hemisphere. They also data as well,” said lead author Kaustubh The cores showed that, compared analyzed data from a climate model Thirumalai, postdoctoral researcher at to today, the Atlantic Ocean surface developed by the Max-Planck Institute Brown University who conducted the circulation was much weaker during the for Meteorology in Germany.

World’s Largest Ice Sheet Lunar Resurfacing Not So Stable After All Planetary Sciences

Marine Geosciences MARINE SEISMIC TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYED FROM THE BACK OF AN ICE BREAKER NEAR ANTARCTICA’S SABRINA COAST. The Earth’s moon had a rough start in The results were published on Nov. viscosity of lunar magma directly. The life. Formed from a chunk of the Earth 21, 2017, in Geophysical Research Letters. feat involved shooting a concentrated The East Antarctic Ice Sheet locks away Co-lead author Sean Gulick, a research Basin, are particularly important that was lopped off during a planetary The research was led by Nick Dygert, an beam of high-energy X-rays into a lot of water — about 53 meters (174 professor at the University of Texas because regional glaciers are presently collision, it spent its early years covered assistant professor at the University of a sample of mineral powders and feet) worth of potential . The Institute for Geophysics and the UT thinning and retreating as nearby ocean by a roiling global ocean of molten Tennessee, Knoxville, who conducted flash melting them into magma. The stability of the ice sheet in modern times Department of Geological Sciences, said waters warm. magma before cooling and forming the the research while a postdoctoral researchers then measured the time it has kept it from gaining or losing mass, the survey found that glaciers from the “This process may just be the serene surface we know today. researcher in the Jackson School’s took for a melt-resistant sphere to sink even as ice sheets in Western Antarctica Basin have been stable only for beginning,” said co-lead author Amelia A research team led by the Jackson Department of Geological Sciences through the magma. and Greenland shrink. the past few million years. Shevenell, an associate professor at the School of Geosciences took to the lab Large portions of the moon’s crust The experiment found that the However, new research led by The “We have evidence for a very University of South Florida. “Once you to recreate the magmatic melt that are made up almost entirely of a single magma melt had a very low viscosity University of Texas at Austin and the dynamic ice sheet that grew and shrank have that combination of ocean heat and once formed the lunar surface and mineral. In these sections, 98 percent that would have supported plagioclase University of South Florida has found significantly between glacial and atmospheric heat — which are related uncovered new insights on how the of the crust is plagioclase. According to flotation, but would have also led to that the ice sheet may not be as stable as interglacial periods,” he said. “There — that’s when the ice sheet could really modern moonscape came to be. Their the prevailing theory, which this study mixing of plagioclase with the magma, a it seems. The first-ever oceanographic were also often long intervals of open experience dramatic ice-mass loss.” study shows that the moon’s crust calls into question, the crustal purity is process that would trap other minerals survey of ’s Sabrina water along the Sabrina Coast, with The National Science Foundation initially formed from rock floating to the due to plagioclase floating to the surface in-between the plagioclase crystals and Coast revealed that the ice sheet has a limited glacial influence.” manages the United States Antarctic surface of the magma ocean and cooling. of the magma ocean over hundreds of create an impure lunar surface. Dygert long history of expanding and shrinking, Using marine seismic technology Program and provided the funding However, the team also found that one millions of years and solidifying. This said the results support a “crustal a finding that indicates the ice sheet may deployed from an icebreaker and core and logistical support that made field of the great mysteries of the lunar body’s theory hinges on the magma ocean overturn” on the lunar surface where contribute substantially to global sea samples, researchers were able to research possible. formation — how it could develop having a specific viscosity that would the old mixed crust was replaced with level rise as Earth’s climate warms. reconstruct how glaciers on the Sabrina For more information, see the story a crust composed largely of just one allow plagioclase to separate from other deposits of pure plagioclase. The results were published in the Dec. Coast have advanced and retreated on page 100. mineral — cannot be explained by the dense minerals and rise to the top. 14, 2017, edition of Nature and the study during the past 50 million years. The initial crust formation and must have Dygert decided to test the plausibility

was featured on the cover. Sabrina Coast, and nearby Aurora PHOTO: SEAN GULICK. been the result of some secondary event. of the theory by measuring the

16 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 17 Carbon Mammal in Capture in Forerunner— Barnett Area and 38 Groundwater Marine Geosciences Babies— Naturally TERRY QUINN The Bureau of Economic Geology’s Shed Occurring Gulf Coast Carbon Center (GCCC) is renowned internationally as one of the on Energy Geosciences UTIG Director Accepts foremost academic research institutions investigating carbon capture and After four years of studies, scientists have NSF Leadership Role storage. In 2017, the GCCC’s Tip Meckel Evolution helped maintain that reputation by found no link between methane present in Climate, Carbon & Geobiology Leadership leading a crew of 20 on a six-day data- water wells outside of Fort Worth and nearby collection cruise off Japan’s north island gas production activities in the Barnett Shale. of Hokkaido. A newly described fossil of an extinct mammal relative — and her 38 babies Along the way, researchers believe they have In July 2018, Terrence M. Quinn left his role as director of the University of Texas Meckel’s team arrived in Japan with — is among the best evidence that a key development in the evolution of developed important methods that could be Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) to join the National Science Foundation (NSF) as unique acoustic instrumentation for mammals was trading brood power for brain power. applied in similar situations to determine director of the Division of Ocean Sciences. three-dimensional mapping of the The find is the only known of babies from any mammal precursor, where methane originates in an environment. “I am honored to have had a small role in UTIG’s great history, and its future geology below the seafloor with ultra- said researchers from The University of Texas at Austin who discovered The latest study, published in August 2018 is bright,” Quinn said. “I depart with a deep admiration and respect for the UTIG high resolution. (For more information, and studied the fossilized family. The presence of so many babies — more in Water Resources Research, is the fifth and scientists, technical staff, administrative staff and students. I will miss my friends see the story on page 84.) The key to the than twice the average litter size of any living mammal — revealed that it final in a series conducted by researchers and colleagues in Austin, but onward to Alexandria. I look forward to serving the equipment is a set of four, 25-meter-long reproduced in a manner akin to reptiles. at The University of Texas at Austin and ocean sciences community.” streamers containing eight-channel The study, published in the journal Nature on Aug. 29, 2018, describes the University of Michigan that looks at Quinn will remain a faculty member at the Jackson School of Geosciences. UTIG acoustic sensors that are towed behind a specimens that researchers say may help reveal how mammals evolved a groundwater wells in the Barnett Shale area. Associate Director Mrinal Sen will serve as interim director while the Jackson different approach to reproduction than their ancestors. The vast majority of the wells have little or no School undertakes an international search for a new permanent UTIG director. research vessel. When an acoustic signal “They had a lot of features similar to modern mammals, features that methane in the water, but a cluster of 11 wells Quinn has been UTIG director since 2009. He joined the Jackson School as a from a compressed air source is deployed, are relevant in understanding mammalian evolution,” said Eva Hoffman, near the Parker County and Hood County line distinguished visiting professor in 2005 and then as a professor in 2006. Prior to changes in the speed of the sound who led research on the fossil as a graduate student at the Jackson School had methane levels above 10 milligrams per joining the Jackson School, he was a professor at the University of South Florida returning to the dense array of sensors of Geosciences. Hoffman co-authored the study with her graduate advisor, liter of water, a level that can require venting of College of Marine Science. are converted to a very fine scale 3-D Jackson School Professor Timothy Rowe. well water systems to ensure the flammable gas Dean Sharon Mosher said she was proud of Quinn and what he accomplished model of the geology beneath the seafloor. The mammal relative belonged to an extinct species of beagle-size plant- does not accumulate to hazardous levels. at UTIG. The survey was conducted offshore eaters called Kayentatherium wellesi that lived about 185 million years ago. “Protecting groundwater quality is a “I see this as very positive for the Jackson School and UT Austin—this prestigious of the industrial port of Tomakomai, When Rowe collected the fossil more than 18 years ago from a rock fundamental requirement for sustainable position reflects well on our reputation,” Mosher said. “When Terry returns to the the site of an extensive CO2 capture, formation in Arizona, he thought that he had found a single specimen. energy development, and it is important to Jackson School at the end of his term, he will bring with him a better understanding transport, and injection demonstration Sebastian Egberts, a former graduate student and fossil preparator at of national priorities and NSF funding.” project. At the time of the survey, develop tools that can be used to monitor the Jackson School, spotted the first sign of the babies in 2009 when he As a scientist, Quinn’s area of expertise is paleoceanography and approximately 65,000 tons of CO2 had ongoing gas exploration and production noticed a speck of tooth enamel as he was unpacking the fossil. A CT scan paleoclimatology, focused on the tropical to subtropical oceans. He has written been injected into a geologic formation activities,” said lead author Toti Larson, a of the fossil revealed a handful of bones inside the rock. However, it took or co-authored over 75 peer-reviewed papers, many of them with his graduate 1,100 meters below the seafloor. research associate at the Bureau of Economic advances in CT-imaging technology during the next seven years to reveal students. He also served as a lead author of a chapter in the 5th Assessment The ultimate goal of the project is to Geology, a research unit of the Jackson School the rest of the babies. Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and has served in store 100,000 tons of CO2 per year. of Geosciences. Visualizations produced by Hoffman revealed that the skulls of the babies numerous advisory and service roles within the ocean sciences community. The surveys conducted in 2017 were Researchers used the of were like scaled-down replicas of the adult. This finding is in contrast Under Quinn’s leadership, UTIG’s budget increased by about $10 million, and the first to attempt high-resolution dissolved gases in groundwater — including to mammals, which have babies that are born with shortened faces and its climate and planetary geophysics groups expanded significantly. Among subsurface imaging at an active offshore methane, noble gases and nitrogen — to bulbous heads to account for big . The discovery that Kayentatherium other highlights during Quinn’s tenure, he helped establish new royalty streams CO2 demonstration project. Obtaining identify their likely sources. The researchers’ had a tiny brain and many babies, despite otherwise having much in to diversify UTIG’s funding, including partnering with a geophysical service such information can help reduce the findings and conclusions have remained common with mammals, suggests that a critical step in the evolution of company to market seismic data from the Gulf of Mexico, which has yielded about risk of leakage and could provide an consistent through the studies: The methane mammals was trading big litters for big brains and that this step happened $4 million in royalties to UTIG so far. estimate of the volume of CO2 stored appears to have migrated naturally to the later in mammalian evolution. “Over the nine years he has been director, the institute has undergone in the reservoir. Meckel noted that the wells from the shallower Strawn formations significant positive changes and made numerous scientific advances,” Mosher said. technology is suitable for deployment and not from the Barnett Shale, where ABOVE: A FIGURE REPRESENTING THE 38 KAYENTATHERIUM BABIES FOUND WITH AN “The institute has increased its diversity in terms of science, youth and gender. His at other offshore sequestration sites, ADULT SPECIMEN. THEY ARE THE ONLY KNOWN FOSSILS OF BABIES FROM AN EXTINCT natural gas production and hydraulic leadership for UTIG and JSG will be missed.” including sites in the Gulf of Mexico. QUINN: THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS INSTITUTE FOR GEOPHYSICS. HOFFMAN. EVA FORERUNNER: MAMMAL MAMMAL RELATIVE THAT LIVED DURING THE EARLY JURASSIC. fracturing are occurring.

18 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 19 NEWSMAKERS

In 2018, news outlets turned to Jackson School of Geosciences experts to

explain everything from ON MAY 4, 2018, A LANDSLIDE ON A CLIFF THAT OVERLOOKS CENTRAL AUSTIN’S SHOAL CREEK DAMAGED THE TRAIL THAT RUNS ALONG THE WATER, BRINGING DEBRIS CRASHING DOWN. local geology to some of KXAN INTERVIEWED THE JACKSON SCHOOL’S JOEL JOHNSON FOR AN OVERVIEW OF THE AREA’S UNDERLYING GEOLOGY AND WHY IT’S PRONE TO LANDSLIDES. the biggest moment’s in Earth’s history. For a full list of Jackson School in the news go to: jsg.utexas.edu/ news/in-the-news

OPPOSITE PAGE: MATTHEW BROWN, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT THE JACKSON SCHOOL’S VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY COLLECTIONS, THE BBC TURNED TO PROFESSOR JULIA CLARKE FOR HER EXPERTISE IN DINOSAUR CALLS AND APPEARED ON FOX 7 AUSTIN IN JUNE 2018 TO TALK COLORS. SHE APPEARED IN A DOCUMENTARY WHERE SHE HELPED RECREATE T-REX CALLS IN A ABOUT DINOSAURS IN FILMS, INCLUDING THE BERLIN RECORDING STUDIO AND EXAMINED FOSSILS FOR SIGNS OF COLOR. LATEST JURRASIC PARK MOVIE.

IN THE NEWS

Now Available in the Oil West Texas Sinkhole Venus May Have Study Finds ‘Rock Moisture’ Patch: Wind and Solar Studies Show More Reasons Hosted Life, Spared California Forest College Degrees for Concern Researchers Say From Drought

“What we should be training “Places like Wink have a favorable “Our work shows that a planet “What hasn’t been appreciated students for is to be subsurface groundwater regime, such as Venus, without plate is that this (rock) reservoir can energy practitioners.” and you have penetration through tectonics, could have had make or break a forest.” the salt wells that allow water to get Richard Chuchla surface temperatures over Daniella Rempe Director of the Energy and Earth into the salt and dissolve it. But not several billion years allowing for Assistant professor in the Resources Graduate Program every place is like that... Conditions liquid water, which could allow Department of Geological Sciences The Wall Street Journal, May 2, 2018 San Francisco Chronicle, Feb. 26, 2018 have to be uniquely suited for for life.”

formation of [a sinkhole].” ABOVE: THE JACKSON SCHOOL’S SEAN GULICK AND CHRIS LOWERY APPEARED IN THE NOVA Matthew Weller DOCUMENTARY “THE DAY THE DINOSAURS DIED.” THE FILM TELLS THE STORY OF THE ASTEROID Jeff Paine Postdoctoral researcher THAT WIPED OUT THE DINOSAURS AND GIVES AN INSIDER LOOK AT THE INTERNATIONAL at the University of Texas SCIENCE MISSION (CO-LED BY GULICK) TO RECOVER ROCK CORES FROM THE IMPACT SITE. Senior research scientist at the THE BBC ALSO DID A FULL-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY ON THE MISSION. Bureau of Economic Geology Institute for Geophysics Midland Reporter-Telegram, April 7, 2018 , April 3, 2018 JOHNSON: KXAN. CLARKE: BBC TWO. BROWN: 7 AUSTIN. FOX HOW THE DINOS DIED: NOVA.

Jackson School News: jsg.utexas.edu/news UTJSG @TXGEOSCIENCES JSG UT AUSTIN @TXGEOSCIENCES

20 | Jackson School of Geosciences SCIENTIST PROFILE SCIENTIST PROFILE Robert Dickinson Bob Hardage Climate Giant Leadership in 3-D Seismic Research

By Monica Kortsha By Jackson School staff and Bob Hardage When Bob Hardage arrived at the Bureau of Economic Geology 27 In the early 1980s, while serving as the deputy director of the years ago, he was tasked by then-director Bill Fisher with getting National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Climate the bureau recognized as the place for characterizing reservoirs and Global Dynamics Division, Robert Dickinson found that with cutting-edge 3-D seismic technology. It was a big ask: the computer models the agency was using to study and Hardage was the only person on the staff with experience in all predict the Earth’s climate had some serious issues. areas of the technology and applying it to deep reservoir targets. ROBERT DICKINSON BOB HARDAGE

The model was treating the landmass of the planet like a accomplishments hinge on how he refines his scientific Adding to the challenge, the bureau was completely He worked his way to becoming exploration manager of Asia big sponge, acting only as a storage spot for water. It was an expertise to match the topic at hand. unequipped. There were no work stations, no seismic and Latin America, making him responsible for half of Phillips’ unrealistic treatment for a complex surface covered in soils “He realized land was important so he made great processing or interpretation software and no budget to international exploration. But after an ongoing series of company and vegetation, and it led to some improbable predictions. So contributions,” Yang said. “He trained himself to become a plant purchase these essential tools. upheavals, he decided to try a quieter life in a university setting. Dickinson set out to fix it. scientist, a soil physicist and a remote sensing expert, “I had to start my assignment of building the bureau He immediately got to work collecting the hardware His work led to a complete revamping because to study land you need all of those.” into a world-class center of exploration required for building a seismic research of how the climate modeling community Dickinson’s work has earned him the top geophysics with zero resources and zero hub at the bureau. IBM donated a integrates land-surface processes into awards in climate science, including the budget,” Hardage said. workstation and former SEG president, models, with Dickinson being the first “He trained Rossby Award, the highest honor bestowed Thanks to Hardage’s hard work, what “Bob Hardage and Hardage’s friend, Robert Graebner scientist to account for the influence himself to by the American Meteorological Society, and started as a scrappy seismic research is a giant in donated the first 3-D seismic- of vegetation on the climate system in the American Geophysical Union’s Roger operation is now a hub for leading-edge interpretation software license. These climate models. Bringing the biosphere become a plant Revelle Medal, which recognizes sustained geophysics research. The bureau has more exploration gifts allowed the bureau to start on the into climate modeling wasn’t the only scientist, a soil and superior contributions to climate than 150 software licenses for seismic geophysics ... first of several in-house, 3-D seismic time research spearheaded by Dickinson science. His contributions to the fourth research, 12 research geophysicists, characterizations of gas reservoirs for a would lead to big improvements in physicist, and a assessment report of the United Nations approximately 20 graduate students He will be U.S. Department of Energy program called global climate models. In the early Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change doing seismic-related research, and more Secondary Gas Recovery. 1970s, when he was just starting as a remote sensing (IPCC) — the most detailed study of climate than 400 where scientists can greatly missed at By the early 1990s, Hardage persuaded scientist at NCAR, he discovered that satellite expert ...” change ever undertaken — earned him and conduct the analysis required for the bureau.” Landmark, the then-dominant developer planetary waves — a type of atmospheric the rest of the report co-authors the 2007 reservoir characterization. of 3-D seismic interpretation software, disturbance that can impact wind and – Zong-Liang Yang Nobel Peace Prize, which was shared with Now retired as of January 2018, Hardage – Scott Tinker to donate several more software licenses temperature — could transfer energy to former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. played an instrumental part in building the to the bureau. Hardage remembers some larger atmospheric systems that circulate Now, after more than 50 years working bureau’s seismic capabilities and exposing good-natured teasing about his persistence around the planet. to improve scientists’ understanding of the climate system industry — particularly small, independent operators — to 3-D from Landmark’s then-president John Gibson. Hardage recalls “I found climate a fascinating issue and continued to learn and the computer models that seek to emulate it, Dickinson seismic techniques. His career is inextricably linked with the approaching Gibson and other Landmark executives at an SEG about it, including the use of large computational models,” has retired from full-time climate science. This summer he growth and success of the bureau as a powerhouse for seismic meeting to thank them for providing licenses. Dickinson said. left Austin for Los Angeles, where he will keep an office in processing research and expertise. “John saw me coming, stood up, pulled his wallet from his Dickinson’s contributions to climate science have led to the Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences (AOS) Department at the “Bob Hardage is a giant in exploration geophysics, both pocket, laid it on the table, and said, ‘Hardage, what do you drastic improvements to climate models, with the global impact University of California, Los Angeles. technically with his work in VSP [vertical seismic profile], and want now?’” of his research receiving international recognition. By the time Before Dickinson went west, Yang organized a two-day multicomponent seismic, and in terms of service, culminating Gibson later served years on the bureau’s advisory committee he joined the Jackson School as a professor in 2008, he could research symposium in May to honor Dickinson’s career in his role as president of the SEG [Society of Exploration and has been a valuable bureau supporter and advisor. count himself as one of the very few members of both the achievements and discuss the trajectory of climate change Geophysics],” said bureau Director Scott Tinker. “He will be Hardage also acquired a full seismic test field for the bureau. National Academies of Sciences and Engineering, as well as a research going forward. More than 80 scientists, many of them greatly missed at the bureau and by me, personally.” The 100-acre Devine Test Site on the southern border of foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and an former students and numerous well-known experts, attended Hardage spent 25 years in industry before joining the bureau Medina County was gifted by BP to the bureau for public honorary member of the European Geosciences Union. the symposium, with an especially strong showing of scientists in 1991. Most of his industry experience was at Phillips 66, research, and is known worldwide as a research site for many Jackson School Professor Zong-Liang Yang, who first met from China, where Yang said that Dickinson’s climate change where he worked after earning his bachelor’s, master’s and U.S. and international companies, particularly for borehole-

Dickinson in 1991 as a graduate student, said Dickinson’s research has become especially relevant as the country is SCHOOL. JACKSON HARDAGE: SCHOOL. JACKSON DICKINSON: doctoral degrees in physics from Oklahoma State University. related technology.

continued on page 30 continued on page 30

22 | Jackson School of Geosciences 20182017 Newsletter | 23 SCIENTIST PROFILE SCIENTIST PROFILE Gary Kocurek Shirley Dutton Dune Drifter Sedimentary Detective

By Monica Kortsha By Sarah Bloodworth In the wandering dunes and swirling sand of deserts, A thin slice of sedimentary rock can hold a lot of history Department of Geological Sciences Professor Emeritus Gary and a lot of mystery. Shirley Dutton acts as the detective, Kocurek sees the wind at work. To Kocurek, those shifting whose magnifying glass is a microscope and whose clues are sands — often an analogy for ephemeral moments — are more petrography. Dutton’s career focused on classifying sandstones like a film reel, a recording of how the wind etches patterns and using her specialty, diagenesis, to unlock the secrets to oil and pushes sand across a landscape over years, decades and longer. gas reservoirs. GARY KOCUREK SHIRLEY DUTTON

“The process is highly satisfying,” said Kocurek, who holds the It was an interest that was piqued by a childhood spent While working at the Bureau of Economic Geology under Kitty Milliken, a sedimentary geologist who also worked J. Nalle Gregory Chair Emeritus in Sedimentary Geology. “You outdoors in Southeast Texas. Kocurek distinctly remembers then director Bill Fisher, she received her doctorate at The as a senior research scientist at the bureau, said Dutton’s know you’re getting it mostly wrong, but you can still get a “discovering” stratigraphy at about nine years old, noticing University of Texas at Austin in 1986. Dutton’s career as a expertise came in handy. handle on what’s happened.” how distinct layers of earth were exposed along the sides of a senior research scientist at the bureau was rich with research. “I will miss having her in her office ... and her expertise right Although the full story may be out of reach, the best way creek embankment. Overall, she published over 100 authored and co-authored next door to me. If I ever had a question or found something odd to improve understanding of the geologic record is to keep an Those early experiences led him to a career in geosciences papers and abstracts. Dutton is retiring after working 41 years in a sandstone, I could always run to Shirley,” Milliken said with eye on the field. For the past 37 years at the Jackson School research. After earning his doctorate from the University at the bureau. a laugh. of Geosciences, Kocurek has done just that, conducting of Wisconsin in 1980, Kocurek came back to Texas and Her research has been recognized by the Gulf Coast Milliken and Dutton both attended small undergraduate research at dune sites across the planet joined the UT Department of Geological Association of Geological Societies. The Jackson School universities and attended the intensive geology field camp of while teaching the next generation Sciences, his expertise in aeolian has recognized her research accomplishments with the Indiana University together in Cardwell, Montana. of geoscientist students how to read processes augmenting an already strong 2007 Joseph C. Walter Jr. Excellence Award and the 2010 Milliken said it was the geology field camp that made landscapes for themselves. “If there’s a sand sedimentary research team. Research Excellence Award. Dutton has also been asked twice them close. Over the years, Kocurek has supervised “It was the top soft rock school,” to participate in the American Association of “It was an amazing field camp but there weren’t a lot of women 16 doctoral students, 22 master’s dune within Kocurek said. “There were Folk, McBride, Geologists (AAPG) Distinguished Lecture Tours. Dutton was there at the time ... it was the early days,” Milliken said. “So students and the honors theses of four Land and Scott. It was a really good place only the fifth woman to ever participate in the AAPG series naturally all the women in the camp bonded. She’s just a really bachelor’s students. He also served as one reach in North to be with good people to work with.” when she presented on her first tour from 1986-87. wonderful, pleasant woman.” of the many instructors for GEO660, the America, he’s According to Jackson School Professor Dutton said she became interested in sedimentary processes Milliken said she refers to Dutton as her “academic sister” school’s capstone field course, teaching Emeritus Earle McBride, Kocurek during her junior year of college when she first studied since in grad school they had the same Ph.D. supervisor — undergraduates how to unpack the been there.” developed a reputation in the department and learned how to make a thin section. She added that Lynton Land. interlayered aeolian and marine deposits of for his Spartan approach to fieldwork. her interest in rocks has deeper roots. Her mother took her It is ultimately the people she worked with that Dutton said – Earle McBride Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. He never brought a sleeping pad, and to visit the Adirondack Mountains near her hometown of made her career. Now retired, earning the emeritus title preferred staying out directly under Schenectady, New York. “There are some really good people who work here with in 2017, Kocurek doesn’t plan on leaving the . He was also known for his “The Adirondack Mountains are just a lovely area,” Dutton great expertise, like Kitty,” Dutton said. “It’s encouraged [at the the field anytime soon. He spent this summer studying dune work on dunes in , including Egypt, Mali and Tunisia. said. “There wasn’t so much sandstone, but a lot of bureau] of course, that we collaborate and benefit from each origins in Namibia’s Namib Desert. Later in the year, he’s Kocurek said the regions he travelled to were relatively stable rocks. I would say that I became a geologist due to the influence other. The collaborative atmosphere was very important to me.” heading out to a dune field in Monahan, Texas, to flatten a places to conduct fieldwork, though in 1990 he was caught in of my mother. Her interest in the outdoors and rocks was the At the end of Dutton’s career, she returns to the beginning 300-square-meter area and watch how the dunes grow back. Mauritania just as a coup was beginning. The main doors of foundation for me being interested in geology.” of it. She will kick off retirement by visiting the Adirondack Aeolian processes, how wind pushes sand around, are the airport had been secured, so Kocurek crawled through an One of her key research topics was tight gas sandstones, Mountains and possibly starting new volunteer opportunities. among the quickest ways to shape a landscape. The speed lets airport window to make the last flight home. which are classified by their tight or low porosity due to Milliken said Dutton’s contributions will continue to impact researchers observe how dunes changes over real time — Back on the UT Austin campus, Kocurek played a key role cementation through diagenesis, or how sediment is turned sandstone geology. from days to decades. This basic research has applications in a in bringing a geosciences education to new communities by to stone. This characteristic is important in determining “Among the people who study sandstones, she is without a number of areas, from studying desert ecosystems to working with then-professor and current Dean Sharon Mosher reservoir quality. doubt one of the world’s greatest,” Milliken said. “She’s looked at finding energy, with Kocurek collaborating with major oil to create “Earth, Wind and Fire,” a course for non-majors. “Tight gas sandstones and I were just kind of made for each more sand grains, more than anybody. She is a storehouse of an companies as well as the National Park Service over his Founded in the 1990s and still going strong today, the course other,” Dutton said. amount of knowledge that is just tremendous. To see her retire is, career. However, his primary focus has always been on the is responsible for teaching thousands of students about how A recent emphasis of Dutton’s has been on reservoir quality of in a way, a big loss to the field ... but on the other hand, what she

fundamental questions. geosciences shapes the world and impacts society. DUTTON: KOCUREK. SHIRLEY GARY DUTTON.KOCUREK: deeply buried sandstones in the Gulf of Mexico. accomplished is a resource for generations to come.”

continued on page 31

24 | Jackson School of Geosciences 20182017 Newsletter | 25 SCIENTIST PROFILE SCIENTIST PROFILE Timothy Goudge Patricia Ganey-Curry Cross-Planetary Possibilities Preserving a Legacy

By Sarah Bloodworth By Sarah Bloodworth The surface of rusty, red is etched with a network The basin of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the most sought- of meandering formations that fork out like little after research zones in the world; not only for its petroleum Martian fingers. Timothy Goudge looks to these potential but for its intriguing, geologic diversity. The Gulf formations — the remains of ancient river systems that Basin Depositional Synthesis Project (GBDS), operated by the dried up long ago — for glimpses into the planet’s past. University of Texas Institute for Geophysics( UTIG), is a leader His work is influencing others to look with him. in synthesizing the rich, depositional history of the basin. TIMOTHY GOUDGE PATRICIA GANEY-CURRY (CENTER) WITH RICHARD BUFFLER (LEFT) AND WILLIAM GALLOWAY (RIGHT).

Goudge’s research on Crater — a crater, turned lake and “He is unquestionably a rising with tremendous UTIG project manager Patricia Ganey-Curry has been the “A lot of universities don’t have data from even 10 years ago river system, turned sedimentary rock formation — has helped potential,” said Jackson School Dean Sharon Mosher. steward of data from this important program for decades, but I made sure we did.” make the spot one of the top contenders for NASA’s Mars Rover His research involves deconstructing the properties of working with a team of researchers and geology students to As data manager, Ganey-Curry would spend 40 years not 2020 mission, which plans to look for signs of ancient life outcrops on Mars by comparing them to outcrops on Earth ensure that the history contained in the basin and collected by only helping secure new data, but ensuring that old data could preserved in rock. and forces that shaped them. In turn, his research is helping the institute is never forgotten. be easily accessed. Now the data from the original mountain of An expert in analyzing the sedimentary evolution of geologists better understand the sedimentary processes at work Ganey-Curry, who retired from UTIG after over four tapes resides on a single terabyte drive. planetary landscapes, Goudge started at the Jackson School on our planet’s landscapes and how these processes compare 33 decades with the institute, is no stranger to captaining a ship, The GBDS project, which began in 1995 and accessed much in 2015 as a distinguished postdoctoral million miles away. literally. She had a captain’s license while studying at Texas of these data, has brought millions in revenue from industry fellow. In January 2019, he’ll be joining “That cross-talk between studying A&M. And before joining UTIG in 1978, she worked as a partners. Ganey-Curry attributes much of that success to her the faculty as an assistant professor. different planetary bodies is the theme I seaman for Palisades Geophysical, acquiring seismic data in colleague Bill Galloway, who founded GBDS with Buffler. Goudge has an intellectual curiosity “The major career want to build in my research group,” he said. the Gulf of Mexico while working aboard the University of “Bill Galloway was really inspiring for me and my career,” that draws him to remote places on goal for myself An example of his cross-planetary Texas Marine Science Institute Research Vessel Ida Green. she said. “I call him the ‘God of the Gulf’ because one of the Earth and beyond. For his Mars work, research in action is field work conducted It was on this seismic cruise where UTIG researcher main reasons our project got funded was because of his great the research relies on images captured as much as with Jackson School geology professor Gary Richard (Dick) Buffler, one of the co-founders of the GBDS knowledge of the Gulf of Mexico.” by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. doing interesting Kocurek, who retired in 2017 (see page project, met Ganey-Curry. This fateful meeting is what led to Ganey-Curry also said the students she worked with helped Goudge analyzes snapshots taken by 24). The team found that microbial mats in her long, successful career at UTIG. make her career not only successful, but special. the satellite for ancient waterways and science, is also the Todlito formation of New Mexico are “We observed right away how talented she was as a crew “I keep in touch with a lot of the students,” she said. “I made topography changes that might be linked controlled by dune topography — a finding member, and we immediately hired her on at the institute,” sure we maintained a good database as the alumni are the key to sediment deposition. Goudge likens training young that potential Mars missions should keep in Buffler said. “It has been a wonderful experience to know to our success. the red planet to a large-scale laboratory, scientists.” mind when searching the dunes of the red and work with Patty for over 41 years. Her work with UTIG In 2010, Ganey-Curry initiated a seismic data reprocessing where sedimentary processes can be planet for signs of microbial life. has been exemplary and has contributed significantly to the program and negotiated royalty revenue. This has become examined, dissected and compared to – Timothy Goudge “He is a pleasure to work with,” Kocurek institute being recognized as a premier research facility.” one of the highest single earning royalties for the university. those on Earth. said of Goudge. “He has the instincts of a When Ganey-Curry first began working at UTIG, all data Ganey-Curry attributes much of that success to her “Mars is a really interesting natural field geologist; he is intuitive, and he sees was collected on 9-track tape. After the research group moved maintaining the viability of the vintage data. laboratory,” Goudge said. “It offers us a world where we know the whole complex package.” to Austin, one of her tasks involved working with a team to Looking back at her amazing career, Ganey-Curry said she there have been the same types of forces, but some of the Goudge grew up in Canada and earned a Bachelor of Science transport a library of 14,000-15,000 tapes from Galveston to is particularly thankful for the work-life flexibility that UTIG variables are different ... like gravity.” in geological engineering from Queen’s University. Through Austin, and then eventually transfer that data from a massive allowed her. The daughter she raised during her career is now Goudge’s research so far has resulted in an impressive the help of a professor, he discovered the world(s) of planetary collection of large tapes into a more archival medium. Ganey- a doctor, and Ganey-Curry has recently welcomed her second amount of publications and presentations for an early career sedimentology, though he enjoyed spending time outdoors in the Curry was well-prepared for the job, having been involved in grandchild into the world, so she’s not worried about being scientist. He has published 23 papers in peer-reviewed field long before that. a number of acquisition and data processing projects related bored in retirement. scientific journals — including the prestigious Science — with “Just being at an outcrop and investigating rocks up close is to these data. Recently, in preparation for retirement, Ganey- “Spending time with my family is very important to me,” she 11 as first author, and has given 13 invited talks at universities, really fun, especially in a group of geoscientists,” Goudge said. Curry has been working to ensure all records have been said. “I’m going to enjoy being a grandmother.” space-related government agencies and professional “Almost by design you’re going to places that have some type of digitally scanned and made accessible. meetings. He also is a co-investigator for the NASA Compact natural beauty.” “Going through those reports was sort of like going Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) After earning his master’s and doctorate in geological science at through lane,” she said.

instrument on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Brown University, Goudge was accepted to the Jackson School’s PROGRAM. GBDS GANEY-CURRY: GOUDGE. TIMOTHY GOUDGE:

continued on page 31

26 | Jackson School of Geosciences 20182017 Newsletter | 27 SCIENTIST PROFILE SCIENTIST PROFILE Eddie Collins Michelle Foss A Career Focused on Texas Geology A Global Energy Market Educator

By Monica Kortsha By Sarah Bloodworth In 1979, a year after joining the staff of the Bureau of Economic The global energy market is dominated by chance events — Geology, Edward “Eddie” Collins took a boat trip down the from the impacts of a natural disaster, to unexpected shifts Trinity River with then-colleague Dave Hobday. Their mission: in politics or stock prices. Michelle Michot Foss not only find out if East Texas salt domes could be a safe place to store researches the slippery oil and gas markets, but advises radioactive waste, or if there were signs of recent geological organizations and individuals around the world about how to activity that would nix the domes as a potential storage spot. better understand their idiosyncrasies. EDDIE COLLINS MICHELLE FOSS

They found small-scale faults in terrace sand and gravel overlying work led to the creation of numerous maps targeting areas For many years, through the Bureau of Economic Geology At the Colorado School of Mines, Foss diversified her faulted bedrock along the riverbank, a sign that the area had of environmental importance, especially urban corridors and Center for Energy Economics (CEE) and Texas Executive knowledge base by adding a mineral economics master’s and been more geologically active than previously thought. But that aquifers. He also counts mapping parts of Big Bend National Education, a continuing education program for professionals coordinating the Energy & Minerals Field Institute. wasn’t all they found. As the team’s boat moved along the river Park from 2003 to 2009 among his career highlights. offered by The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School After a year at energy investment banking firm Simmons they encountered an abundance of snakes. “More snakes than I Collins’ maps are a huge contribution toward understanding of Business, Foss has taken her expertise of energy economics & Company International, she left to pursue her doctorate. have seen in Africa and Australia combined,” wrote Hobday in a the geology of the Lone Star State, said Charles “Chock” to industry professionals in North America, parts of Asia, West Foss founded an energy research program at the University of collection of memoirs by bureau staff about Collins. Woodruff, a geologist at the bureau who frequently collaborated Africa, Angola, Uganda and Mexico. Houston that attracted interest from the bureau. In 2005, Foss That canoe trip kicked off Collins’ long career of conducting with Collins and co-authored six field guides with him. And although she retired on Aug. 31, 2018, from her position and her research team were invited to join the bureau, and the field research across Texas — and all that comes with it. During “From my perspective, if you want geologic mapping of Texas, as chief energy economist and program manager at the CEE, Foss CEE was formed. She said traveling and making an impact on his 40 years at the bureau, Collins has done geologic work in 182 Eddie Collins is somebody you’d want to check out,” Woodruff is continuing to engage with energy economics by staying on the industry were her favorite parts of the job. Over the years, of the state’s 254 counties and made a name for himself as a great said. “He’s done really significant work. He’s Mr. Texas Geology.” advisory boards and continuing involvement with ExxonMobil- Foss and her team implemented many U.S. government energy geologic mapper. Retiring in July 2018, Collins said that studying Woodruff spent time with Collins in the field conducting UT, a course she co-developed to help ExxonMobil employees, development assistance grants in several countries in Central and documenting the details of Texas geology — from the beaches mapping work, as well as leading field trips around Central Texas. such as engineers, researchers and scientists, understand the full Asia, Africa, South Asia and Mexico. She admits that another of the Gulf to the Panhandle plains — became his mission and the He said that like all good geologic mappers, Collins has developed range of upstream commercial issues. unwieldy factor in energy economics — human behavior — common thread binding his eclectic career together. a keen power of observation of surface geology and an intuition Britt Freund, the co-developer of the course and the assistant sometimes created its own challenges. “My BEG career seems to be linked to a lot of Texas’ geology, about the features that are below it. But what sets Collins apart dean of the McCombs School of Business, said that Foss’ “The hardest lesson I ever learned from our international a variety of long and short projects, a continual learning about from most others is his eagerness to put his shovel to work to expertise and drive to present the facts made her a valuable development experience was that not everybody is willing to geology, and a lot of geologists to learn from,” he said. check and see. part of the university and the energy industry as a whole. do the things that could be done to make life better,” Foss said. Collins first joined the bureau as part of the East Texas “He engages the outcrop with what I would call aggressive “There are few people that I know of in the industry who Mark Shuster, assistant director at the bureau, said radioactive storage mission, which included that field campaign physicality,” Woodruff said. have both the breadth and depth of knowledge that Michelle that Foss built a reputation for being an audacious and down the Trinity River. He came well-grounded in field One such instance happened along the Pedernales River possesses,” he said. “So many experts are either too tentative knowledgeable expert. methods. As part of his master’s thesis work at Stephen F. Austin at Hammett’s Crossing, the home of the Hammett Shale. As in their debates or are purely politically driven. Michelle is “Michelle has a knack for cutting to the chase and identifying University, he spent three months in the Llano Uplift conducting Woodruff recounts in the memoir collection, the namesake-shale neither, and that makes her a force to be reckoned with in the the critical issues or challenges,” he said. “She is also fearless detailed mapping, interpreting aerial photography, and verifying appeared to be missing from the site. All they saw was sandstone industry. It is the university’s (and industry’s) loss that Michelle and will call a spade, a spade based on her analyses. For me, it the features on the ground, plus follow-up lab work and analyses. and limestone — that is, until Collins started digging. is retiring, although it is well-earned.” is Michelle’s practical perspective and deep understanding of Although Collins’ work was field-focused, he first got hooked “He exhumed the Hammett Shale,” wrote Woodruff. In 2013, ExxonMobil recognized Foss’ abilities and influence energy finance, operations, regulators and policy-makers that on geology in the classroom, crediting his first general geology Spending large parts of his career in the field, Collins knows with the ExxonMobil Teaching Excellence award. sets her apart.” course and the engaging Trinity University professor who taught that even the best plans come with detours or unexpected Like the energy market, Foss saw some fluctuations in her Foss said that while she is formally retired from the bureau, it, Ed Roy, with inspiring him to pursue a career as a geologist. events — from those hordes of snakes, to hungry coyotes eying a interests before discovering energy economics. She grew up in The University of Texas at Austin and the state of Texas, she is Collins authored or co-authored dozens of geologic maps campfire cookout, to flat tires in the desert. South Louisiana, immersed in a rich Acadian culture, believing glad that she can look back on her accomplishments in the field at the bureau. From the late 1970s to the 1980s, the mapping When it comes to retirement, he said that he’s taking his time she was going to pursue English literature. Then, while working of energy education. focused on geologic features around the state that could to get the lay of the land. at a girl’s camp in Wisconsin, she decided to focus on science. “The program that I developed was not just a research potentially serve as long-term storage sites for radioactive “I’ve learned from my BEG career that while plans are required “That was one of those funny twists in life,” she said. “It just program, it was very active outreach,” she said. “You can make a wastes. In 1992, he became the coordinator of the Texas and good to have, one mostly has to be flexible and not fixed on hit me one day that biology was what I wanted to study.” She difference in someone’s life, and that’s something that you carry branch of STATEMAP, a national program dedicated to items in a plan,” Collins said. “I’ll probably treat retirement as a added geology to the mix, including a year in graduate studies with you all of the time.”

creating new geologic maps across the country. Collins’ new project and figure out what to do as I move forward.” FOSS. MICHELLE FOSS: SCHOOL. JACKSON COLLINS: at Texas A&M University.

28 | Jackson School of Geosciences 20182017 Newsletter | 29 at top research institutions, such as several entrepreneurs to develop 3-D cutting-edge of 3-D seismic reflection Kocurek joined the team to help analyze that in addition to collaborating well NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and seismic-interpretation technology. technology,” he said. formations spotted by the Curiosity with faculty, he was impressed with how faculty at top research universities. Hardage assisted with connecting Rover and provide guidance on the Goudge interacts with students. Dickinson was so well known in business owners to the Stratton data rover’s path to its final destination, “Goudge is an expert on remote his field, students would come from processed by the bureau. This exchange Mount Sharp. Mackenzie Day, who sensing, his specialty is greatly around the world to study with him, helped the bureau build a reputation earned her doctorate under Kocurek in appreciated because it adds a new, Yang said. But ever the careful mentor, as a resource for small geophysics 2017 and was also part of the NASA nice collaboration between the Dickinson, even in the later years of software companies and a key player team, used data collected from Curiosity experimentalists,” Kim said. “He worked his career, was known to spend time in applying 3-D seismic technology in and wind tunnel tests to show that the very hard and was very kind to my carefully reviewing students’ source reservoir characterization. mount was more of a mound, sculpted graduate students. He naturally became a code to confirm that the directions Along with building the bureau’s in part by wind eroding away sediment good colleague and sacrificed his time to underlying a model made sense. own technology and partnerships, inside of a crater basin. help others which is key to his success.” Dickinson said that spending the Hardage helped spread the word about McBride said that Kocurek’s ability Goudge said he is looking forward FROM PAGE 22 | Robert Dickinson years collaborating with students and 3-D seismic to the public via workshops to study dune fields from a variety of to communicating with students in his taking concrete measures to curb its colleagues should be counted among and lecture tours. He remembers how a vantage points has made for a career of research group, which he plans to be as large emissions. the top highlights of his career in particular workshop in Graham, Texas, impactful research. diverse as possible. Dickinson credits his interest in climate science. caused a stir among operators who had FROM PAGE 24 | Gary Kocurek “If there’s a sand dune within reach in “The major career goal for myself, as global climate science — and climate “For me, another direction of been exploring for gas reservoirs using Kocurek also brought an expanded North America, he’s been there,” McBride much as doing interesting science, is also change in particular — to the late highlights is all the wonderful people only 2-D seismic. They were amazed perspective to his own research, leading said. “[Aeolian processes] are a unique training young scientists,” Goudge said. Steven Schneider, a pivotal figure in I collaborated with or otherwise how the 3-D seismic showed evidence pioneering surveys that captured niche of expertise, and I’m impressed “The need to increase diversity in all sorts raising climate change awareness interacted with, ranging from students of Ellenburger karst collapse features, dune fields from on high. In 2007, he with his innovative ways of studying of aspects across STEM fields is an issue among the scientific community. They to postdocs to early career scientists which caused compartmentalization worked with the National Park Service modern dunes.” that I personally think about a lot. It’s an met when Schneider joined Dickinson’s to those more senior than I was at the of gas reservoirs in the shallower to establish an aerial survey of White As sure as the dunes and deserts important aspect of science that is often research team at NCAR as a post- time,” he said. Boonsville interval. Sands National Park in New Mexico, continue to shift, Kocurek will overlooked — the human aspect of it.” doctoral researcher. Dickinson’s retirement plans The workshop inspired Hardage to a 275-square-mile dune field that keep watching. Goudge has been an advocate for not In 1974, the two authored an continue training the next generation develop a larger-scale, short-course owes its blinding white dunes to sand only better representation of the field, influential paper simply titled “Climate of climate scientists to conduct series for independent operators. made of gypsum grains. The surveys but better communication of research. Modeling” that detailed the need for research that has implications for every The series was presented in Texas, used LIDAR, a technique that captures In graduate school he ran a program developing accurate climate models, person on the planet. New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma elevation data using lasers, and have where geology graduate students would what those models should include, and “I have an office in the AOS and Kansas, and later adapted for an provided details about dune topography provide hands-on science training the importance of figuring out how department at UCLA,” Dickinson international tour, presented with at the centimeter scale. for elementary-aged kids. In addition, humans could sway the climate system. said, “and I will continue to mentor or Landmark, that covered four continents. Kocurek’s research at White Sands he is a member of the Geoscience The first sentence of the abstract reads: otherwise help young people.” The short-course workshops were the helped provide some of the first evidence Empowerment Network (GEN), which “Understanding and predicting first exposure that some operators had to of dune-to-dune interactions in the promotes issues surrounding diversity climate change have recently acquired 3-D seismic technology, and as a result of field. In the early 1990s, computational across the Jackson School. a sense of urgency with the advent of the six-month tour, Hardage received a models had predicted that dunes could Goudge said he will continue to jump serious climate-related food shortages special commendation from SEG in 1998 combine or break one another apart. at any opportunity to participate in public and with the realization that human for transferring 3-D seismic technology Working with doctoral students Ryan outreach. After all, people love Mars. activities may have an influence to small independents. Ewing and Sarah Christian, Kocurek “Most of what we do is funded at some on climate.” Hardage’s efforts in collecting published research that documented the FROM PAGE 26 | Timothy Goudge level by the taxpayers, so you owe the Decades later, Dickinson served technology, building connections and behavior happening in the dune fields of distinguished postdoctoral program. general taxpayer your science ... plus it’s as lead author of the IPCC fourth spreading the word about 3-D seismic White Sands. Collaborating with the Jackson School’s just fun,” he said. assessment report section describing innovations has paid off for the bureau, “We had such a big data bank that you top-ranking sedimentology faculty, the role of land processes on climate which now has a seismic research could actually get on a real dune and Goudge sought to learn from them change. The report echoes many of capability that Hardage calls remarkable. follow it for decades and say that ‘yes, more about the sedimentary processes the key points that he and Schneider In 2012, the Jackson School as a whole it really does collide with another dune happening on Earth. described 33 years earlier — except now recognized his accomplishments and break apart and recombine, and “[I wanted] to focus more on the the evidence for human-induced climate FROM PAGE 23 | Bob Hardage by awarding Hardage the school’s have parts eject out,’” Kocurek said. “We terrestrial aspects of things to try to change was overwhelming. The bureau released the first 3-D Outstanding Service Award. always assumed that dunes migrated and broaden my horizons,” Goudge said. While at the Jackson School, survey that it designed, acquired, Reflecting on the decades-long task, that was the end of the story, but we now “There’s a strong group here. It’s been Dickinson advised or mentored, in some processed and interpreted (called Hardage said that he is proud to have know that dune interactions are probably a really enlightening several years, capacity, every student who studied the Stratton survey) as a public data guided the process. the dominant mechanism in how dune and it’s been really fun to bring a climate, according to Yang. His students set in 1994 to assist the transfer of “I have good memories of helping fields achieve such nice patterns.” different perspective.” have gone on to become leaders in the 3-D seismic technology to the global the bureau undergo the transition Kocurek’s expertise in studying dunes Associate Professor Wonsuck Kim, field of climate research in their own geoscience community. The release from near-zero capability in geophysics from a distance caught the attention of who worked with Goudge on research right, taking positions as researchers of the data coincided with efforts by to its present state of being at the NASA’s Mars Science Lab team. In 2012, projects on both Earth and Mars, said

30 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 31 GEOSCIENCES ACROSS TEXAS

From exploring energy frontiers to monitoring earthquakes, the Jackson School of Geosciences benefits Texans statewide.

9. WATER SCARCITY RESEARCH Leading research on the impact that energy production and agriculture have on water use and on how to manage the state’s limited water resources.

10. STUDYING METHANE HYDRATE AS A FUTURE ENERGY SOURCE

11. GULF BASIN DEPOSITIONAL SYNTHESIS PROGRAM 1. TEXNET/CISR STATEWIDE Science, Mathematics and Engineering GBDS builds an ever-evolving picture SEISMIC MONITORING SYSTEM Mentoring, the highest such honor of Gulf of Mexico geology using data AND RESEARCH (see page 15) from the United States government. from academic and industry partners. The data recently gave companies 2. TXSON 6. THE STATE OF TEXAS a first look into previously off-limits A network of ground-based monitors ADVANCED OIL AND GAS waters around Mexico, an area of throughout Texas that measures soil RECOVERY PROGRAM critical interest and importance to moisture to better understand and the Texas oil and gas industry. A state-funded program that predict intense droughts and floods. assists oil and gas operators using 12. HR3D GULF SURVEYS the latest technology, geoscience 3. SHALE RESOURCE AND High-resolution 3-D marine imaging RESERVE STUDIES and engineering understanding to technology is giving researchers The most comprehensive public increase production in existing fields a better look at Gulf of Mexico study of six major shale plays in and regional exploration projects. subsurface for the potential to the nation — with half in Texas. store large volumes of carbon 7. HURRICANES AND dioxide emissions and create a new 4. MG&G FIELD COURSE COASTAL EROSION industry in Texas (see page 84). ON THE TEXAS COAST From using state-of-the art LIDAR A one-of-a-kind class that is training techniques to map the Texas coast 13. CORE REPOSITORIES the next generation of geophysicists to the Rapid Response program, More than 1.5 million boxes of rock for the energy industry (see page 53). core and cuttings are available which places scientists at the scene for study at each of the Bureau of of natural disasters soon after 5. GEOFORCE TEXAS Economic Geology’s three core A program that teaches high school they occur, UT is helping the state repositories in Austin, Houston students from underserved areas in understand and prepare for the effects and Midland (see page 80). Texas about the geosciences and helps of natural hazards (see page 58). prepare them for college and careers. 14. CARBON MONITORING GeoFORCE recently received the 8. FORT WORTH METHANE IN AT PETRA NOVA Presidential Award for Excellence in WATER STUDY (see page 19) SEQUESTRATION SITE

UTJSG @TXGEOSCIENCES JSGUTAUSTIN @TXGEOSCIENCES JSG.UTEXAS.EDU 32 | Jackson School of Geosciences LIBRARY REPORT Walter Geology Library 2017–18 Annual Report

Our academic year started out with a economics, but we are working to find opens new information resources and bang, as a faulty plumbing repair on the the right mix of technologies to keep new readership, but there have been floor above the stacks resulted in an researchers and readers happy. unintended consequences. In some evening flood with about 1,000 books Budgets are under heavy pressure, cases, this has resulted in lower quality, getting wet and 2,000 books being a national concern for research shady reviewing and acceptance policies, moved. This was barely a week after libraries. Federal libraries we used to reduced stability and reliability, and Harvey tore into the Marine Sciences depend on as a fallback, like the USGS increases in retractions. As the flow of Library in Port Aransas, and emergency Library network, are under even more information increases from more diverse staff had just returned from stabilizing crushing limitations if not outright sources, discovery and archival access that facility. Thanks to the quick work decline. Increasingly academic libraries become serious concerns. It will take of building staff and (exhausted) library are forced to choose among people, time to stabilize, and in the meantime, emergency folks, no materials were technology and collections. we will have to be vigilant. completely lost, though a great deal of UT library’s efforts to develop a In staff news, Stacy Ogilvie is repair work was required. library Geographic Information System working on several website projects, Library storage facility No. 3 has (GIS) portal are under way, and we most especially the sprawling opened, and we anticipate moving lesser hope to make our first milestones this geoscience thesis index, which we used periodicals this year to make room coming year. Michael Shensky has joined hope to have in a single searchable for new materials and more space. The the Libraries as our GIS coordinator, file soon. She continues to work with USGS geologic map series has been working out of Perry-Castañeda Library. the map catalogers to bring us up to stored, since the majority are now In other e-services news, we have date on map processing. Six student available online, and with the assistance added more than 75 legacy theses to our workers graduated this year after many of James Galloway and staff-sharing online repository and many are getting semesters of service with us: Katy Lucas, from the Chemistry Library, the entire heavy use. We are on track to have Brianna Cooley, McKenna Magnuson, map collection was shifted and relabeled. everything prior to 1934 completed Soyoung Lee, Heather Maldonado and James is also helping us reorganize this summer, and this past year we have Elizabeth Menezes. We wish them well our oversized and atlas shelving areas. received permission to do many of Dr. in their future endeavors. This year’s Meanwhile, our gifts flow has been Jack Sharp’s students’ theses, thanks to winners of the Guion Service Award reduced, and we are slowly catching up an appeal from him. This year we have were recognized for their extra efforts with all pending materials on-site. Gifts also added undergraduate honors theses in the flood recovery: Janeice Connors, are a slow, expensive undertaking, but to the repository, which we hope will Bill Gannon, Matt McGuire, Joey Marez many of our most unusual materials be a growing trend. This year we are and Chris Stella. come from gifts, ensuring they are not also beginning a pilot project with the I presented on library and lost to research. With the passing of Dr. Vertebrate Paleontology Collections information topics to GEO 298T, a Peter Flawn, several collection managers to digitize a small number of their graduate course on teaching methods. reviewed his office collection and files. Work Projects Administration surveys. I have also taken over as subject Materials went to the Walter Library, You can visit the open ScholarWorks librarian for Petroleum Engineering the Briscoe Center for American History repository at repositories.lib.utexas.edu. and Geography, with the loss or and the Bureau of Economic Geology. Our social media presence is strong, retirement of other staff. I attended the This year’s major purchases included with almost 850 people following Geological Society of America meeting Australian natural history materials, our Facebook (you should too!). Nicola in Seattle and continue to serve as chair more quads of the China 1:250K Tisato and the Graduate Student of the American Geosciences Institute Geologic Atlas, and a number of new Executive Committee (GSEC) have GeoRef advisory committee. Deep maps. Most commercial and university been sponsoring a morning coffee break resources like GeoRef are essential to press monographs are now being on Mondays called ROKAFE, which research, but can be a hard sell against acquired as e-books, so while collections provides a social crossroads and helps the convenience of search engines, access is growing online, growth of GSEC raise funding. It’s a good crowd if which are neither complete, well- physical volumes has been reduced. you like to talk about geology! We also indexed, nor fully reliable. Some really like the convenience, some sponsored the new grad student pizza find reading e-books tedious and miss lunch during orientation. Dennis Trombatore the serendipity of browsing the stacks. There is a lot of buzz about open Librarian Many of our decisions are driven by access. For many, this movement

2018 Newsletter | 33 “They were very bright, asked challenging questions,” he OUTREACH said. “I was just a bit younger when a meteorologist from the National Weather Service gave me a tour of the NWS office for a school project — I can point to that event as a big reason I ended up in the geosciences today. I only hope 20 minutes in the pressure core center might have the same effect on one or two of them.” After the day of tours, students were given the opportunity to have a sit-down breakfast with 10 UT scientists, including two from the Jackson School. “The students are extremely impressive, and we were honored to host them and show them around our campuses,” said Maurie McInnis, executive vice president and provost at UT. “UT Austin is one of the world’s leading research universities, and our faculty love sharing their work with students and hearing about their interests and what they want to explore.” The tours were part of the Jackson School’s overall efforts during the AAAS Conference. UT, with the Jackson School’s support, helped sponsor the conference, which brought thousands of scientists to Austin. Among the conference- related events the Jackson School participated in were a mixer with UT researchers and national science reporters, family Jackson School Hosts science day, and representing the school at a UT booth. High School Researchers TOP: JESSIE MAISANO, THE CT LAB MANAGER AND RESEARCH SCIENTIST ASSOCIATE, SHOWS STUDENTS A RECONSTRUCTION OF A KOMODO DRAGON during AAAS Conference HEAD SCANNED AT THE CT LAB. BOTTOM: PETER POLITO, A RESEARCH SCIENTIST ASSOCIATE, WITH STUDENTS AND METHANE HYDRATE CORES.

Roughly 160 of the country’s best high school scientists converged on The University of Texas at Austin on Feb. 15-16, 2018, for a first-hand look at one of the nation’s top research universities. Jackson School The students were members of the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS), the nation’s only honor research society for high school Scientists Go Deep scientists. The university hosted the group as part of the AJAS annual conference, which is held in conjunction with the American Association for Cave and for the Advancement of Science’s (AAAS) annual meeting. In addition to the Jackson School, the students visited the Cockrell School of Karst Day Engineering, College of Natural Sciences and Dell Medical School. The Jackson School hosted about 60 of the students, treating them to a Jackson School of Geosciences scientists explained the full day of lab tours and scientific discussion on the main campus and the importance of cave research and cave environments in a J.J. Pickle Research Campus. These included tours of the CT Lab, Methane chat that was broadcast live from deep inside Natural Bridge Hydrate Pressure Core Center, Rock Deformation Lab, Vertebrate Caverns, a cave system located near San Antonio and the Paleontology Collections and the Austin Core Research Center. largest commercial cave in Texas. “The tour was short but effective,” said Assistant Professor Nicola Adjunct Assistant Professor Marcus Gary and Research Tisato, who led tours through his rock deformation lab. “Students from Associate Corinne Wong took part in the chat, which was my group and I explained the process of taking a rock sample, turning it held on June 6, 2018, in honor of National Caves and Karst into a precise cylinder, and testing it at pressures and temperatures that Day and broadcast on Facebook Live. Brian Vauter, the staff mimic the conditions in the Earth’s crust.” LEFT TO RIGHT: MARCUS GARY, BRIAN VAUTER AND CORINNE WONG INSIDE geologist for the caverns, moderated the discussion which NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS. Jackson School professors and researchers were impressed with the took place 165 feet underground in front of a formation students and offered them a variety of experiences. Research Scientist known as the Castle of the White Giants. Associate Peter Polito, who led tours through the pressure core center, Wong explained how she uses cave deposits to reconstruct past climates. Gary, who is also a hydrogeologist at the Edwards said the students reminded him a bit of his younger self. Aquifer Authority, emphasized the importance of the Edwards and Trinity aquifers, which both flow through the cavern area, in supplying drinking water to communities in Central Texas. “It’s really important for us to be able to document the conditions of the aquifer, how they recharge, what types of conditions are TOP: JACKSON SCHOOL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR NICOLA TISATO INTRODUCING STUDENTS TO ROCK DEFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. BOTTOM: AN AJAS STUDENT dependent for recharge to occur … to maintain a sustainable resource for the whole region,” Gary said.

EXAMINES CORE SAMPLES AT THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. AAAS: AMERICAN JUNIOR ACADEMY OF SCIENCE/JACKSON SCHOOL. CAVE: JACKSON SCHOOL. About 11,500 viewers tuned in to the broadcast.

34 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 35 BUREAU DIRECTOR SCOTT TINKER (RIGHT) RECORDS EARTHDATE OPENING CEREMONY OF GEO 2018. WITH WRITER/DIRECTOR HARRY LYNCH. On Earth Day, UT’s Bureau Director EarthDate Celebrated Presents Keynote One Year of Exploring in Bahrain

Bureau of Economic Geology Director Scott Tinker the Planet’s Mysteries gave the keynote address at the opening of GEO 2018 Did you know that 99.9 percent of species that have ever lived — the 13th Middle East Geosciences Conference and on Earth have perished, or that maps of the moon, Mars and Exhibition held in March 2018 in Bahrain. GEO, the even Venus are 50 times as detailed as maps of much of our largest and best-attended technical conference of its ocean floor? Did you hear that miners have recently discovered kind in the Middle East, hosts government leaders 2-billion-year-old water that provides a snapshot of Earth from and industry professionals interested in the future the time when only single-celled life existed? development of the region’s hydrocarbon resources. These are the types of fascinating tidbits that EarthDate brings Tinker’s address was titled “Energy, Poverty, and its listeners in digestible two-minute chunks. The radio show, Climate: Seeking the Radical Middle.” produced by the Bureau of Economic Geology, turned one year “The growth and development in the Middle East is old this Earth Day on April 22, 2018. Since premiering on Earth remarkable,” Tinker said. “It is underpinned by energy. I Day last year, it has grown tremendously and now can be heard appreciated the opportunity to discuss climate, poverty on more than 300 public radio stations in all 50 states, Canada, and energy with leaders from the region, probably for the Philippines and New Zealand. the first time in such a public setting. These issues must Graduate Students Host The remarkable growth of EarthDate underscores people’s be addressed as the region moves forward.” thirst to understand and connect with the world around them, Later in the week, Tinker appeared at King Abdullah An Evening on Texas Water said bureau Director Scott Tinker, who conceived of EarthDate University of Science and Technology, near Jeddah, and is the voice of the show. Saudi Arabia, as the Dean’s Distinguished Visitor. He About 200 people filled Austin’s The discussion helped bridge the often Caroline Hackett. “We had members “The Earth is a wondrous and complicated place full of presented on “The Future of Fossil Fuels” to a packed Scottish Rite Theater on April 27, 2018, disconnected worlds of academic research, of the film, music, and environmental amazing stories, and we help unravel those stories,” said Tinker, house. Tinker gave 40 such keynote and invited to attend “An Evening on Texas Water,” a public policy, law, environmental science communities all in one place, the state geologist of Texas. “Through EarthDate, we break those lectures globally to audiences of all kinds in 2018. unique event exploring the past, present regulation and environmental advocacy. and each group left with something stories down into ways that people can understand and future of water in Texas sponsored The panel included: more than what they came in with.” and, hopefully, enjoy. It’s really a nice convergence of science by the Jackson School of Geosciences yy Robert Mace, chief water policy and education.” and organized by graduate students. officer at the Texas State University The bureau is a research unit of the Jackson School of Tinker Filming The free, public event mixed art, Meadows Center for Water Geosciences and is the State Geological Survey of Texas. Each science and policy. It featured a yy Vanessa Puig-Williams, executive episode of EarthDate undergoes a rigorous process. Bureau Switch Sequels screening of the multi-award winning director and general Counsel for project manager Juli Hennings the research efforts for the film “Yakona” with music performed the Trinity Edwards Springs show, which involves employing experts from around the globe Bureau of Economic Geology Director Scott Tinker will by a live quartet. The film is a visual Protection Association to fact-check episodes. The show covers a wide variety of topics be spending much of 2019 filming two sequels to Switch, exploration of the San Marcos River, yy Michael Young, associate director of ranging from the 2004 tsunami that swept over , the award winning 2012 documentary that explores which is located about 30 miles south the Bureau of Economic Geology’s Thailand and 12 other countries, to the secrets of bird songs the world’s energy sources, and the issues and choices of Austin. It follows the river over space Environment Division. and glaciers. associated with each. In addition and time, tracing its path from source “I think the most exciting thing about Each episode is posted with the script and a fact sheet for to the two new movies—“Switch to sea and its history from prehistoric the event is that these folks all came teachers and the general public, and all the episodes are available On” and “Making the Switch”— times to the present. from different backgrounds and almost to download for free. To date, 101 episodes have been produced, Tinker will also be developing a video-based course on The screening was followed by a everyone was being introduced to and many more are in the works. Listeners can even suggest energy for high school and college level students. During TOP: (LEFT TO RIGHT) VANESSA PUIG- panel discussion with water experts, something new,” said graduate student WILLIAMS, ROBERT MACE, MICHAEL YOUNG, ideas for future episodes. Schlumberger sponsors EarthDate. that time, Associate Director Mark Shuster will be acting policy makers and advocates who focus Michael O’Conner, who helped organize MICHAEL O’CONNER AND CAROLINE HACKETT. For more information, or to listen to or download EarthDate as director. For more information on the switch projects,

on water research and policy in Texas. the event with graduate student BOTTOM: THE EVENT FLYER. SCHOOL. JACKSON PHOTOS: episodes, go to www.earthdate.org see www.switchenergyproject.com.

36 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 37 Geoscience Future of Geoscience Empowerment Education Initiatives Network Builds One of the goals in the 2018 Jackson School of Geosciences Strategic Plan is to provide national leadership in geoscience Support and education. To that end, the Jackson School is involved in two national efforts sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The Future of Undergraduate Geoscience Education, Diversity at JSG a national initiative that Dean Sharon Mosher has been In spring 2018, faculty and graduate students founded the spearheading since 2014, is nearing completion. A document Geoscience Empowerment Network (GEN), an organization Jackson School entitled “Vision and Change in Undergraduate Geoscience dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and equitable Education: A Call to Action” is being produced that will environment for people of different backgrounds at the Jackson Brings Earth in encapsulate all results and outcomes of this initiative School of Geosciences through mentorship and outreach. and will be published in partnership with the American “My reasons for founding GEN is in response to a need for a Geosciences Institute. This initiative developed a community more supportive community for our students, faculty and staff 2100 to Masri vision for undergraduate geoscience education through who are from diverse backgrounds,” said Associate Professor input from geoscience employers and academics from across UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT BLAKE CHAPMAN INTRODUCES the country. It identified concepts, skills and competencies Ginny Catania, a founding member of GEN. “My goal is to Institute A MOSASAUR FOSSIL TO EVENT ATTENDEES. prepare our students to be the future leaders in geosciences, needed by undergraduate geoscience students to prepare and in providing this support we can attract a more diverse In April 2018, The Masri Institute for Energy and them for the future workforce and best practices for achieving set of students to the JSG.” Natural Resources at the American University of Beirut these outcomes. Programs across the country have begun The organization offers the Jackson School research invited Associate Dean for Research David Mohrig implementing this community vision and are developing community opportunities for personal and career to present on the Jackson School of Geosciences’ Talking Texas best practices for curricular and program change. The vision development and mentorship, and frequently hosts female research vision for studying natural resources and the and change document will serve as a catalysis for change and and minority speakers to talk about their own experiences environment, and their effect on society. Fossils provide a roadmap of proven pathways to success. navigating a career in the geosciences. Mohrig delivered two talks as part of his visit. One Building on the success of the undergraduate initiative, the In addition to supporting the current Jackson School described the new Jackson School research initiative, Matthew Brown, the director of operations for the National Science Foundation has funded Dean Mosher for community, GEN is working with the Office of Outreach and Earth in 2100: Water, Energy, Land Use and Climate, Vertebrate Paleontology Collections at the Jackson an initiative to investigate the skills and competencies that Diversity to develop plans for a number of outward facing and the other focused on his own research on how School’s Museum of Earth History, launched a science should be an essential part of graduate geoscience education initiatives to help recruit and retain minorities. They include extreme weather events affect rivers and coastlines. outreach series called “Talking Texas Fossils” in spring to prepare students for a wide variety of career options, outreach at minority-serving institutions, minority-centered Earth in 2100 is a research initiative described in 2018. The series invites members of the community and the best means for developing these in programs scholarships and providing funds for minority students to the Jackson School’s new strategic plan. The initiative to learn from Jackson School experts about ancient nationally. Most master’s and doctoral students do not visit the Jackson School during Prospective Student Weekend. focuses on how issues related to energy, climate, water, life and fossils, especially those held at the school’s become academics when they graduate, and many that do The organization is interested in building a network of land and other areas concerning the environment and vertebrate paleontology collections. are employed at institutions where research is only a small mentors and supporters from both industry and academia. To natural resources, will impact society within the next So far, there have been three public presentations. part of their responsibilities, if at all. However, the focus of get involved, visit www.genatjsg.org/support-us. century and how humans can prepare to face them. The The topics covered include: the history of fossil geoscience graduate programs is on research, mentoring and initiative was also the launching point for Planet Texas collecting in Texas, the mosasaur research of Jackson instruction of students and on developing intellectual depth 2050, a UT-wide research program that treats Texas as School doctoral student Josh Lively, and how the and strength within a subdiscipline. By becoming experts IMAGE FROM THE GEN WEBSITE. a laboratory for environmental issues facing the world. dinosaurs depicted in the latest Jurassic Park movie in a specific subfield and having highly developed research “The environment is definitely a challenge that the compare to the real things. skills, graduate students are placed on a path toward an geosciences have a lot to contribute to,” Mohrig said. The talks usually take place at the museum. For academic career at a research institution where this kind of “And we probably have a couple dozen faculty [at the the Jurassic Park talk, the series teamed up with the specialization is sought and rewarded. The goal of this new Jackson School] who specifically work on integrated Alamo Drafthouse movie theater to host a question initiative is to change this dynamic so that graduate students environmental science.” and answer session after a showing of “Jurassic World: are prepared for academic, government, industry, consulting Alan Shihadeh, dean of the Maroun Semaan Faculty Fallen Kingdom.” or other employment. of Engineering and Architecture at the American Graduate Program Coordinator Philip Guerrero, The first workshop with geoscience employers was in October University of Beirut, said that the initiative is an who attended the event, said it was a great way to 2018, with over 50 employer representatives from across inspiration for research at his own program and is spread the word about the important collections held all branches of the geosciences, including Earth, atmosphere interested in hearing how UT and the Jackson School at the museum. and ocean sciences. The next step is to engage department approach these pressing global issues. “I think that’s important for its continued success,” heads, chairs, graduate program directors and advisors from “These problems require intellectual agility, radical he said. across the country to raise awareness of the critical skills and collaboration and tolerance for ambiguity,” Shihadeh To stay up to date on future talks, follow the competencies for geoscience doctoral and master’s graduates said. “I look forward to hearing about how Texas is University of Texas Vertebrate Paleontology collections and to find ways to implement the development of these skills

cultivating this mental landscape.” GEN: GINNY MASRI: CATANIA. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT. FOSSILS: JACKSON SCHOOL. on Facebook at facebook.com/TexasVertPaleo. and competencies into their graduate programs.

38 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 39 TAKING ON 21ST CENTURY CHALLENGES Teaching the Teachers CREATING 21ST CENTURY LEADERS Jackson School of Geosciences geosciences. McKeon admitted she who graduated from the University of scientists helped prepare 50 high found the task of teaching the subject Texas in 1963. From the Earth’s core to , research at The University of school teachers from throughout Texas a bit daunting but said she felt much Lundelius has been searching for Texas at Austin’s Jackson School of Geosciences is advancing the to teach geosciences to their students better about it after spending the and studying bones in the cave almost during a field trip to Inner Space morning with Jackson School scientists. since it was first discovered in 1963. But understanding of our world and beyond for the benefit of humankind. Cavern in July 2018. “This is very helpful,” she said. “They Sansom’s experience with the cavern The trip was part of The University explain things in a way that I can actually predates Lundelius’ — and Texas at Austin OnRamps Program, understand even though I don’t have a just about anyone else’s for that matter. which focuses on preparing high school geology background.” He was part of the highway crew that students for success in college. In this Others, like science teacher Rohn discovered the cave when they were case, a trio of Jackson School scientists Butterfield of Amarillo’s Caprock High building Interstate 35. After the drill gave the teachers an up-close glimpse School, had significant experience pipe and bit had fallen through thin of the geosciences. Among the subjects teaching the subject and a good air and then became stuck, Sansom they covered were karst geology and background in the geosciences. He volunteered to climb down the drill hole karst aquifers. graduated from the University of Texas to try and figure out the problem. “You’re going to get a real window El Paso with a degree in geology, but After a 25-foot descent, he found into how the aquifer works,” Professor even he said the trip taught him a lot. himself in the middle of one of Inner Jay Banner told the group. “We’re going “I haven’t done a lot of cave stuff, so Space’s awe-inspiring caverns, which to be able to see the path the water takes this has been really enlightening,” he would later became one of the region’s as it flows into the aquifer.” said. “I know how karst geology works, best known natural attractions. The high school educators learned but the intricacies of this, to have it “I told them they should be careful, about cave formations and how they explained by people of this caliber, is they might hit a cave,” he remembers contain detailed records of past climate really good.” warning the drilling crew. “I never change, and what the bones found in In addition to Banner, the teachers thought it would be anything like caves reveal about the environment of got to learn from two Jackson School this though.” past ages. scientists with more than 100 years Some of the teachers, like Sarah combined experience studying the ABOVE: GEOLOGIST AND UT ALUMNUS JIM SANSOM TRAINING HIGH SCHOOL McKeon from Crosby High School in famous cave: Professor Emeritus Ernie TEACHERS IN INNER SPACE CAVERNS,

Crosby, Texas, had no background in Lundelius and geologist Jim Sansom, WHICH HE HELPED DISCOVER IN 1963. SCHOOL. JACKSON PHOTO:

40 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 41 AWARDS & HONORS Land is a distinguished scientist in tidewater Virginia, I have tried ment of Geological Sciences, a research who has made an outstanding who spent his entire academic to use my scientific knowledge to professor at the University of Texas contribution to the advancement of career at the University of Texas educate citizens and local and state Institute for Geophysics and is the the science of geophysical exploration Department of Geological Sciences, government officials about critical Alexander Deussen Professor of Energy in the past five years. bringing worldwide recognition to [environmental] issues for the future.” Resources. His research focuses “It is a pleasant surprise and quite an our program in sedimentary geology The Jackson School’s Hall of on sedimentary basin development honor,” said Sen, who was nominated and geochemistry. Lynton made Distinction was founded in 1980 and and mountain building. Recent work by his peers for his work in seismic major contributions to the study of currently has 38 members, including includes investigating the connection wave propagation. diagenesis of sedimentary rocks, this year’s new inductees. To see a between geological processes, such Over the past five years, Sen and especially burial diagenesis in the Gulf full listing of honorees, visit www. as tectonic uplift, magmatism, erosion his students focused on developing of Mexico sedimentary basin. This jsg.utexas.edu and type “Hall of and sedimentation, and the biology and methods for building starting models research has important implications Distinction” in the search field. climate of the Amazon. for use in full wave form inversion and for petroleum reservoirs, and his work The award is named in honor of uncertainty quantification, and the modeling of seismic wave propagation was funded and closely followed by William R. Dickinson, a geoscientist ALVA ELLISOR LYNTON LAND in fractured media. These models have major oil companies. He was also the known for broadening the applica- applications in oil and gas exploration principal investigator of numerous tions for sedimentological analysis, and production. Alva Ellisor and Lynton Land NSF grants throughout his career. including developing the Gazzi- “There were some limitations in the Join Elite Group of Geoscientists Lynton’s work has been cited Dickinson method for statistically 5,374 times and, as of 1996, Lynton existing methods,” said Sen. “In earlier The Jackson School inducted a pioneering petroleum geologist and a distinguished measuring components in a sedimen- had supervised 19 master’s and 21 methods it was difficult to put discrete tary rock. Award recipients receive a academic scientist into its Hall of Distinction this year when it welcomed Alva Ellisor doctoral students, including two fractured networks in, so there was a medal featuring Dickinson’s likeness. and Lynton Land to the group. future presidents of the Society for serious computational bottleneck.” Ellisor was a pioneer in the who made a major technical Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) The new models developed by Sen’s breakthrough in 1921 when she discovered and proved that foraminiferal (Kitty Milliken and Dave Budd). He group use more specific information micropaleontology could be reliably used to correlate geological units in was an excellent teacher and won the instead of average properties, the Texas Gulf Coast. Her work and collaboration with two other female Knebel Teaching Award in 1979. He resulting in a more detailed picture of paleontologists, Esther Applin and Hedwig Kniker, led to the discovery of valuable worked closely with his colleagues Horton Inaugural the reservoirs. new oil fields, created oil industry jobs for micropaleontologists, and gave rise to (and Hall of Distinction members) Recipient of SEPM micropaleontology courses in 31 geology departments. By 1931, 75 percent of all Earle McBride and the late Robert Folk oil wells drilled and completed in the country were using micropaleontology. This and, making the department the Dickinson Medal new technology had a profound impact. Prior to that, there was no reliable way place to study sedimentary petrology The Society for Sedimentary Geology to correlate strata other than fragments of macrofossils found in cuttings — the and geochemistry. (SEPM) selected Jackson School of dogma of the day was that one-celled animals could not provide the diversity and In 1996, Land received the SEPM Geosciences Professor Brian Horton Pettijohn Medal in recognition of his as the first recipient of the William R. rapid change through time to be effective. continued contributions to carbonate Dickinson Medal. The award recognizes Ellisor is a University of Texas alumna. She graduated with high honors in 1915 sedimentology and geochemistry, a midcareer research geoscientist and taught at UT afterward for two years. She started working for in Sen Receive SEG’s Virgil diagenesis of siliciclastics, and origin of who is significantly influencing the 1920 when Walter Pratt hired her for its paleontological laboratory to examine Kauffman Medal dolomite and saline formation waters; sedimentary geology community with megascopic fossils, and her discovery revolutionized the industry. In 1927, she his inspiring teaching skills, and his innovative work. Mrinal Sen, interim director of the became Humble’s first research stratigrapher and paleontologist and worked international stature and leadership “Contributions to major shifts in University of Texas Institute for there until her retirement in 1947. She became a fellow of the Geological Society in sedimentary geology. Land is now a scientific thinking, via original and Geophysics, professor and Jackson of America in 1929, and in 1962 received the Distinguished Alumni Award from professor emeritus in the Department innovating data generation, tools Chair in Applied Seismology, was the Geology Department of The University of Texas at Austin. She is a founding of Geological Sciences. In retirement, and analyses, which help solve broad awarded the Virgil Kauffman Gold member of the Houston Geological Society. After a life devoted to stratigraphic Land uses his scientific expertise geological questions are hallmarks of a Medal from the Society of Exploration research, and marked by numerous publications on most phases of Cretaceous to help society. As he states on his Dickinson Medal awardee,” according Geophysicists (SEG) at their annual and Tertiary stratigraphy and paleontology of the American Gulf Coast, she Jackson School web page, “Since to the SEPM description of the award. meeting in October.

passed away in 1964 at the age of 72. retiring to Northumberland County SCHOOL. JACKSON PHOTOS: Horton is a professor in the Depart- The award is presented to a person

42 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 43 and multi- and interdisciplinary younger than 36 on the date of peer professors foster a melting pot of research. Mohrig also oversees the approval. The award was created in innovation and science that invigorates implementation of the research honor of Cedric Keith Ferguson, who undergraduate science education.” portion of the Jackson School’s died in 1953 at the age of 31. Clarke will apply her grant toward Strategic Plan. a program called “Curiosity to “Dave is an outstanding scientist Question,” which focuses on design- and educator, and a key addition to the centered thinking through project- Jackson School’s leadership team,” based research. Through a course, said Jackson School Dean Sharon and a new international summer Mosher. “I am pleased he has taken on SEG Recognizes program, UT Austin undergraduate this critical role in our school.” Bureau’s Excellence students will develop and execute their Mohrig’s own research focuses own interdisciplinary projects. The Society of Exploration on how sediment is transported and In addition, a Texas-focused Geophysicists honored the Bureau Clarke Named Mohrig Wins deposited to build landscapes on land Geoscience Ambassadors program of Economic Geology with its HHMI Professor Pettijohn Medal; and in marine environments. will establish a mentorship framework Distinguished Achievement Award. for Innovation in for minority and first-generation Named Associate Dean The award is given to a company, Undergraduate students where they present institution or other organization for of Research their research and undergraduate a specific technical contribution Education David Mohrig has been selected by Tinker Wins AGI experiences at high schools in their or contributions that have, in the Jackson School of Geosciences the Society for Sedimentary Geology Campbell Medal home communities. (SEPM) to receive the Francis J. unanimous opinion of the honors and Professor Julia Clarke was chosen by The American Geosciences Institute Pettijohn Medal for Sedimentology. awards committee and the board of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute has honored Bureau of Economic He is the second faculty member at directors, substantially advanced the to join a select group of world-class Geology Director Scott Tinker with the the Jackson School of Geosciences to science of exploration geophysics. scientist educators known as HHMI Ian Campbell Medal. receive the medal, which recognizes Among the bureau’s many Professors. The honor includes According to AGI, the award is given excellence in sedimentology. Mohrig achievements in geophysics that a five-year, $1 million award to in recognition of singular performance was also named associate dean for helped them garner the award were: support ongoing efforts to improve in and contribution to the geoscience research at the Jackson School. former bureau Director John Udden’s undergraduate education. profession. Candidates are measured The Francis J. Pettijohn Medal 1920 paper that showed the first Clarke researches the evolution against the distinguished career of recognizes individuals who have a raypath diagram explaining how of birds, drawing on both fossil Haddad Honored with Ian Campbell, whose service to the significant record of outstanding seismic reflection imaging should be data and anatomical information Ferguson Medal profession touched virtually every contributions in sedimentary geology, used in exploration; Bill Fisher and from birds living today to study facet of the geosciences. Campbell including all aspects of sedimentology Postdoctoral Fellow Mahdi Haddad has Frank Brown developing the basic the development of feathers, flight was a most uncommon man of and stratigraphy. The award will be been awarded the Cedric K. Ferguson principles of seismic stratigraphy styles and vocalization. She is one of remarkable accomplishment and presented at the 2019 President’s Medal from the Society of Petroleum concurrently with researchers three UT Austin professors selected Parmesan Gets widespread influence. In his career as and publishing on the concepts; and Reception and Awards Ceremony, Engineers (SPE). in December 2017 to be a HHMI a geoscientist, educator, administrator the bureau releasing the first 3-D “Make Our Planet during the SEPM Annual Meeting held in The medal recognizes professional professor. UT Austin is the only and public servant, he was noted for seismic data to the public (Stratton) in San Antonio on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. achievement in petroleum engineering. institution to have three awardees Great Again” Grant his candor and integrity. 1993. The SEG also noted that in the Mohrig has been a part of the faculty Haddad won for his paper published among the 14 winners, selected from Camille Parmesan, an adjunct Tinker has been bureau director late 1990s and early 2000s, three SEG of the Jackson School since 2006 and in the SPE Journal in December more than 200 applicants across professor at the University of Texas at since 2000. presidents were involved in research at is the John E. “Brick” Elliott Centennial 2017 titled “Integration of Dynamic the country. Austin Jackson School of Geosciences the bureau: Bob Hardage, Milo Backus Professor in Geological Sciences. As Microseismic Data With a True 3-D “These scientists are highly and professor at Plymouth University and Robert Graebner. the associate dean for research, he Modeling of Hydraulic-Fracture engaged and at the top of their in the UK, is one of 18 scientists is responsible for fostering an active Propagation in the Vaca Muerta Shale.” respective fields,” HHMI President selected to receive a “Make Our research culture and promoting the SPE considers papers that are Robert Tjian said. “By integrating the Planet Great Again” grant from the formulation and implementation of published in SPE journals by SPE same creativity and tenacity that they government of . The grant is

major collaborative research initiatives members in good standing and SCHOOL. JACKSON PHOTOS: employ in their own research, HHMI an initiative of President of France

44 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 45 Emmanuel Macron, and provides GSA Geological Society of America SHIRLEY DUTTON CAMILLE PARMESAN TIMOTHY DOOLEY THOMAS ETZEL Make Our Planet Great Again Grant, Senior Research Scientist, BEG Global Research Fellowship, awardees with three to five years of GSEC Graduate Student Executive Thomas A. Philpott Award 2nd Place, France UT Austin International Office funding to conduct climate and Earth Committee GCAGS JOHN LASSITER science research in France. IAS International Association of Professor, DGS SERGEY FOMEL ERIC POTTER PEDRO ALEJANDRO GARZA Sedimentologists Macron launched the initiative Alumnus of the Year, BEG DeFord Technical Sessions Best Speaker First Author Award, BEG on June 1, 2017, shortly after U.S. JSG Jackson School of Geosciences TIP MECKEL Spring M.S., DGS Best Paper in Interpretation, SEG Senior Research Scientist, BEG President Donald Trump announced SEG Society of Exploration ELLEN RATHJE William B. Joyner Lecture Award, EERI SCOTT ECKLEY that the United States would with- Geophysicists CYRIL GRIMA YUKO OKUMURA 2017 Travel Grant to Sudbury Impact draw from the Paris Agreement, SEPM Society for Sedimentary Outstanding Young Researcher Award, KATHERINE ROMANAK Research Scientist, UTIG Structure Field Course, NASA/LPI Geology a United Nations agreement to UTIG Outstanding Reviewer, International respond to climate change and keep UTIG Institute for Geophysics Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control DUNCAN YOUNG YI FANG Research Scientist, UTIG temperature rise below 2 degrees MAHDI HADDAD Elected Future Leader, Cedric Ferguson Medal, SPE American Rock Mechanics Association Celsius. The grant recipients were BRIDGET SCANLON Hydrologic Sciences Award, AGU selected from 1,822 applications Faculty and MARK HELPER President’s Award, International Students MASON FRIED and announced on Dec. 11, 2017. Researchers Knebel Teaching Award, Associations of Hydrogeologists Technical Sessions Best Speaker, Spring Ph.D., DGS Parmesan studies how plants and Graduate Course, DGS YASER ALZAYER animals respond to climate change. WILLIAM AMBROSE MRINAL SEN Best Talk Fall Seminar, DGS Best Talk Fall Seminar, DGS J. C. “Cam” Sproule Memorial Award, In the 1990s, she found that butterfly BRIAN HORTON Virgil Kauffman Gold Medal, SEG AAPG AUSTIN ARNOLD PETER GOLD populations in the U.S. and Europe William R. Dickinson Medal, SEPM JOHN SNEDDEN Endowed Scholarship, AGS Technical Sessions Best Speaker, Director’s Circle of Excellence, UTIG were dying out in southern regions NATHAN BANGS Director’s Circle of Excellence, UTIG Spring Ph.D., DGS Outstanding Educator Award, JSG while expanding their habitat north- Director’s Circle of Excellence, UTIG SEAN BADER Best Talk Fall Seminar, DGS wards. Her research was among the RONALD STEEL Best Student Poster Paper, JAIME BARNES MICHAEL HUDEC 2017 Annual Meeting, SEG SOPHIE GOLIBER first to show climate change directly J. C. “Cam” Sproule Memorial Award, Knebel Teaching Award, Tinker Family Publication Award, BEG AAPG Outstanding Graduate Student, UTIG impacting populations. Undergraduate Course, DGS Hamilton Book Awards Finalists, UT GRACE BEAUDOIN Parmesan plans to use her grant SCOTT TINKER 2nd Place Graduate Petrography, DGS KIARA GOMEZ THORSTEN BECKER NDSEG Fellowship Finalist, to study how animals from tropical MARTIN JACKSON (POSTHUMOUS) Ian Campbell Medal, AGI Director’s Circle of Excellence, UTIG Dept. of Defense areas are moving into Europe and Tinker Family Publication Award, BEG PATRICK BOYD Technical Sessions Best Speaker, how they may be spreading tropical HARM VAN AVENDONK BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY Fall M.S., DGS SARAH GREER JOEL JOHNSON Director’s Circle of Excellence, UTIG diseases into new areas. She will Distinguished Achievement Award, SEG Computational Science Knebel Teaching Award, Research Excellence Award, UTIG be conducting her research at an CLARA BRENNAN Graduate Fellowship, DOE Introductory Course, DGS ecological station in Moulis, France, TODD CALDWELL XINMING WU Graduate Student Research Award, GSA JESSE GU in the Pyrenees Mountains. Excellence in Review Editor’s Citation, Best Paper Award, Geophysics Vadose Zone Journal CHARLES KERANS TYLER CADENA Undergraduate Prize, Honorary Membership, SEPM 2nd Place Undergrad Petrography, DGS Mineralogical Society of America MICHAEL YOUNG GINNY CATANIA Joseph C. Walter Jr. Excellence Award, Director’s Circle of Excellence, UTIG RICH KETCHAM AMANDA CALLE JENNIFER HARDING Awards JSG Fellow, Mineralogical Society of America Technical Sessions Best Speaker, Fellowship, UTIG Common Abbreviations: GAIL CHRISTESON Fall Ph.D., DGS JINYU ZHANG AAPG American Association of Outstanding Research Award, JSG Best Talk Spring Seminar, DGS JAIME HIRTZ LUC LAVIER J. C. “Cam” Sproule Memorial Award, Petroleum Geologists Endowed Scholarship, AGS Director’s Circle of Excellence, UTIG AAPG JULIA CLARKE TOMAS CAPALDI AGS Austin Geological Society HHMI Professor for Innovation in Muehlberger Graduate Fellowship, JSG PEDRO GARZA JUAREZ TIP MECKEL AGU American Geophysical Union Undergraduate Education, Postgraduate Research Grant, IAS Technical Sessions Best Speaker, John C. Frye Award, GSA BEG Bureau of Economic Geology Howard Hughes Medical Institute Promotions Spring M.S., DGS PETER CARLSON DGS Dept. of Geological Sciences DAVID MOHRIG DGS FEMALE FACULTY WILLIAM AMBROSE Best Talk Fall Seminar, DGS MICHELLE GEVEDON EERI Earthquake Engineering Outstanding Service Award, JSG Pettijohn Medal, SEPM Senior Research Scientist, BEG Outstanding Teaching Assistant, Fall, DGS Research Institute CANSU DEMIR GCAGS Gulf Coast Association PEDRO DINEZIO YUKO OKUMURA TODD CALDWELL Fulbright Scholarship, DOMINIK KARDELL Geological Society Director’s Circle of Excellence, UTIG Director’s Circle of Excellence, UTIG Research Scientist, BEG Turkish Fulbright Committee Outstanding Graduate Student, UTIG

46 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 47 ALISSA KOTOWSKI MARK REID ANNA WEISS 1st Place Graduate Petrography, DGS Repsol Student Innovation Award Outstanding Teaching Assistant, Spring, DGS ADAM MARSH SAM ROBBINS Best Talk Fall Seminar, DGS Estwing Hammer Award, DGS JINYU ZHANG J.C. “Cam” Sproule Memorial Award, EDWARD MARSHALL ARISA RUANGSIRIKULCHAI AAPG Outstanding Teaching Assistant, Fall, DGS 1st Place Undergraduate Petrography, DGS DMITRII MERZLIKIN Staff Award of Merit for Best Student Paper, AARON RUSSELL 2017 Annual Meeting, SEG Endowed Scholarship, AGS JANEICE CONNORS Guion Library Staff Honors, DGS EMILY MIXON COLIN SCHROEDER Graduate Research Fellowship, NSF Outstanding Student Chapter Award KEVAUGHN EVANS SPWLA Foundation Grant Guion Library Staff Honors, DGS SEBASTIAN MUNOZ Groundwater Fields Methods Awards LISA GAHAGAN LILY SERACH Undergraduate, DGS Career Award, UTIG Student Service Award, GSEC Staff Excellence Award, JSG GRACE MUSSER BRANDON SHUCK Stephen J. Gould Award, ROSALIND GAMBLE Outstanding Graduate Student, UTIG The Paleontological Society Outstanding Staff Award, UTIG STUDENT RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM AWARDS Ornithology Collection Grant, In February 2018, the Jackson School’s Graduate Student Executive Committee organized its 7th Annual Research Symposium. SAAD SIDDIQUE American Museum of Natural History PATTY GANEY-CURRY Winners and honorable mentions are as follows: Repsol Student Innovation Award Career Award, UTIG ANDREA NOLTING LATE-CAREER PH.D. STUDENT EARLY-CAREER GRADUATE STUDENT Technical Sessions Best Speaker, LAURA SIGELMANN BILL GANNON 1st Place: Alissa Kotowski: Length Scales and Types of Fall Ph.D., DGS Brumley Next Generation Fellowship Guion Library Staff Honors, DGS 1st Place: Brandon Shuck: Constraints on Mantle Dynamics Heterogeneities Along the Deep Subduction Interface: Insights Best Talk Spring Seminar, DGS William H. Crook Fellowship During Jurassic Rifting in the ENAM Area from Seismic and from an Exhumed Subduction Complex on Syros Island, Greece Calvert Memorial Scholarship, JOEY MAREZ Petrological Modeling of the Oldest Oceanic Crust Houston Geological Society LOGAN SCHMIDT Guion Library Staff Honors, DGS 2nd Place: Sarah George: Testing Models of Orogenic 2nd Place: Carolyn Tewksbury-Christle: Rheological Properties 2018 Outstanding Mention Recipient, GSA Development in Ecuador: Multiproxy Provenance Analysis of the and Heterogeneities Along the Down-Dip Extent of a Subduction MARGO ODLUM MATT MCGUIRE Hinterland Cuenca Basin Megathrust: Insights from the Condrey Mountain Schist, Equinor (Statoil) Research Fellowship BENJAMIN SMITH Guion Library Staff Honors, DGS Honorable Mention: Rachel Bernard: Plagioclase-dominated Northern California STEM Chateaubriand Fellowship, Student Grant Award, SEPM Seismic Anisotropy in the Eastern Mojave Lower Crust Embassy of France SEAN MCKEEVER Honorable Mention: Kelly Olsen: Development of a Shallow Best Student Oral Presentation, 2018 CAROLYN TEWKSBURY-CHRISTLE Staff Excellence Award, DGS Decollement Along the South-Central Margin from 2-D International Thermochronology Outstanding Teaching Assistant, Fall, DGS LATE-CAREER MASTER’S STUDENT Seismic Reflection Data Conference PENELOPE PARR 1st Place: Evelin Gutiérrez: Provenance and KELLY THOMSON Outstanding Staff Award, UTIG ANDREW PARISI Geochronological Insights into Late Cretaceous-Paleogene UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT Equinor (Statoil) Research Fellowship Outstanding Teaching Assistant, JUDY SANSOM Foreland Basin Development in the Sub-Andean Zone and Student Research Grant, SEPM 1st Place: Sebastian Munoz: Heat Transport in the Streambed Spring, DGS Picard Excellence Award, UTIG Oriente Basin of Ecuador ExxonMobil/GSA Student of a Large Regulated River Geoscience Grant 2nd Place: Sean Bader: Missing Well Log Data ESBEN PEDERSEN STEFFEN SAUSTRUP 2nd Place: Elizabeth Davis: Pyroclastic Flows from Mount Interpolation and Semiautomatic Seismic Well Ties Using Equinor (Statoil) Research Fellowship Outstanding Staff Award, UTIG St. Helens: The Effects of Topography on Flow Behavior and Data Matching Techniques CHIARA TORNABENE Deposition on the Leeward Slope Best Graduate Paper, JSG AUDREY PFEIL SARA DIANE SEIBERATH Honorable Mention: Scott Eckley: Honorable Mention: 3-D Honorable Mention: Jordan Oefinger: Evidence of Possible Repsol Student Innovation Award Outstanding Staff Award, Textural and Geochemical Analyses on Carbonado Diamond: Ocean Acidification at the Paleocene-Early Eocene Boundary ALISON TUNE UT President’s Office Insights from Pores and the Minerals Within Them Recorded in the Adriatic Carbonate Platform ENRICA QUARTINI Groundwater Field Methods Award Best Talk Spring Seminar, DGS Graduate, JSG CHRIS STELLA Graduate Research Fellowship, NSF Guion Library Staff Honors, DGS CLOCKWISE: UNDERGRADUATE SEBASTIAN MUNOZ EXPLAINS BEST REPRESENTED RESEARCH GROUP EVAN RAMOS HIS WORK TO GRADUATE STUDENT SAM ROBBINS; LATE-CAREER PH.D. STUDENT LILY SERACH PROUDLY PRESENTS HER RESEARCH; MERT UGURHAN 1st Place: Whitney Behr Research Group Outstanding Teaching Assistant, RAMÓN TREVIÑO PROFESSOR MARK CLOOS REVIEWS LATE-CAREER PH.D. STUDENT

Spring, DGS Student Research Grant, SEGCF John C. Frye Award, GSA SCHOOL. JACKSON PHOTOS: DOUGLAS BARBER’S RESEARCH. 2nd Place: Brian Horton Research Group

48 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 49 “Field camp is my favorite FIELD CAMPS course, so it was wonderful to be able to teach in the field all year long.” Assistant Professor (now Dean) Sharon Mosher in 1982.

The UT Geology Department embarked on its first field camp more than 100 years ago. A lot has changed since Professor Hal Bybee organized that first camp in 1917 — fashion, transportation, locales and demographics to name a few. But the core mission of this right- of-passage has stayed the same: learn how to think like a geoscientist by witnessing and interpreting geology in the field. What started as trips to geological formations around Texas has since grown into three distinct field offerings. GEO 660 takes students on a six- week trip to classic geological formations across the United States. Marine Geology & Geophysics (MG&G) brings geophysics students aboard research vessels in the Gulf of Mexico to acquire and interpret seismic data and sediment samples. And the Hydrogeology Field Course teaches students the fundamentals of hydrogeology and water sampling research at Austin’s Hornsby THE JACKSON SCHOOL RECOGNIZES Bend, the streams of the Valles Caldera of New “I early learned that Mexico, and as of 2018, a hydrology field site OVER A CENTURY OF FIELD CAMP near Dripping Springs donated by Leslie P. and the success of a Dianne White (see page 68). Help us mark this historic achievement camp was largely To mark more than a century of shaping by sharing your own stories. young geoscientists through field camp, we’re determined in the asking the Jackson School community to share dining room.” their own memories of field camp. If you took part in a Jackson School field camp, no matter Professor Fred Bullard the year, we would love to hear from you. reflecting on the Please visit www.jsg.utexas.edu/field to upload stories and photos. You can also email Georgia 1930 field camp. Sanders at [email protected] or send us a letter at 2305 Speedway, Stop C1160, Austin, TX 78712. We are elated to have passed the century milestone, and to have expanded our field course CLOCKWISE: AN EARLY 20TH CENTURY FIELD SHOT; GEOLOGY STUDENTS AT BIG offerings as other geosciences programs around BEND’S SANTA ELENA CANYON; A SCENE FROM THE 1973 FIELD CAMP; GEOLOGY STUDENT JEANNE ALLEN FERRIN IN THE FIELD CIRCA 1949. the country have cut back. Geosciences is at its core a field science. With your continued OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: A FIELD TRIP PROBABLY FROM THE LATE 1960S; support, we will keep introducing generations of A 1936 FIELD TRIP; “RAISING THE FLAG” IN MARATHON, TEXAS, DURING THE 1968 GEO 660 FIELD CAMP. geoscientists to come to the fundamental skills and experiences that can only be gained through

PHOTOS: JACKSON SCHOOL. SCHOOL. JACKSON PHOTOS: education in the field.

50 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 51 Students spent six weeks in The class traveled the field conducting geology at to Galveston to take classic sites across West Texas, part in the collection New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and processing of Montana, Idaho and Utah. marine geological and geophysical data from the Gulf of Mexico.

CLOCKWISE: EXAMINING A RECENTLY COLLECTED CORE SAMPLE; (LEFT TO RIGHT) STUDENTS JOHN FRANEY, KATHLEEN WILSON AND DARBY LEE ABOARD THE R/V BROOKS MCCALL; (LEFT TO RIGHT) STUDENTS MAKSAT ZHAZBAEV AND TOM MESSER WITH SEISMIC STREAMERS. UTIG RESEARCH SCIENTIST ASSOCIATE MARCY DAVIS AND STUDENT HARRY HULL REVIEW MULTIBEAM DATA; STUDENT YANG ZHANG ON THE R/V SCOTT PETTY.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A RAINY DAY IN THE BIG BELT MOUNTAINS OF MONTANA; (LEFT TO RIGHT) BROOKE KOPECKY AND ABBY VARONA IN THE SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS OF MONTANA; A GROUP DISCUSSION OF AEOLIAN DUNE PROCESSES IN WHITE SANDS, NEW MEXICO.

ABOVE: UNDERGRADUATE EMILY MIXON IN WHITE SANDS, NEW MEXICO. RIGHT: GROUP SHOT IN THE BEARTOOTH MOUNTAINS OUTSIDE OF CODY, WYOMING. GEO 660: MIXON. EMILY MG&G: JACKSON SCHOOL.

52 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 53 LEFT: STUDENTS ABSORBING A FIELD CHEMISTRY LESSON ON THE BANKS OF THE JEMEZ RIVER, NEW MEXICO; ABOVE: RIO MURSINA AND ZACH MUNGIA PREPARING A BOTTLE KIT WHILE CHANCE BOLDUC TAKES NOTES NEXT TO TAYLOR MORRIS (WITH BRAID).

In addition to their usual field site stops at Hornsby Bend in Austin, Texas, and the Valles Caldera in New Mexico, the hydrology field course for the first time visited the property of Jackson School alumnus Leslie P. White, who donated the land to the school earlier this year.

CLOCKWISE: RILEY WINEBARGER USES AN ACOUSTIC DOPPLER VELOCIMETER TO MEASURE THE FLOW OF THE JEMEZ RIVER WHILE KIMMY MCCORMACK LOOKS ON: ANNA TURETSKAIA AND LOGAN SCHMIDT ANALYZING THE GRAIN SIZES OF A SOIL CORE IN THE VALLES CALDERA: LISA THOMPSON, COLT KERNAN, RILEY WINEBARGER AND CHANCE BOLDUC LOOK AT CORE SAMPLES FROM THE EDWARDS AQUIFER ON THE WHITE FAMILY OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER PHOTOS: JACKSON SCHOOL. JACKSON PHOTOS:

54 | Jackson School of Geosciences FIELD EXPERIENCES

Investigating Mountain Building in Slovakia

Understanding the origin of curved in this range and its western extension, activities. Students in the IRES program mountain belts has been a fundamental the Western Tatra Mountains, provide visited numerous sites associated problem in geology and is critical for clues into the nature and timing of with mining activities, from historical deciphering the mechanics of plate ancient mountain-building events that sites to active underground mines. boundaries. The National Science affected large portions of Europe and “Field work is the right of passage Foundation awarded an International North Africa. The mountains consist for any budding geologist,” said Jackson Research Experiences for Students (IRES) mainly of granites that vary widely in School of Geosciences IRES student grant to Drs. Elizabeth Catlos, Brent composition and age, resulting in their Thomas Quintero. “The International Elliott and Richard Kyle to provide four origin being debated. Understanding Research Experience for Students weeks of geological field-based research their history would provide insight kindled a passion in me to explore new and training experiences to students at into ocean-closure events that occurred fields of geology while continuing to The University of Texas at Austin who during the ancient Variscan orogeny. provide the support I need to complete studied a portion of a “type location” for As part of the IRES program, students a research project of my choice. I a curved mountain belt: the Carpathian are tasked with seeking to understand have never felt more confident in Mountains. The mountains are the second the origin and tectonic history of my decision to study geology than longest mountain range in Europe, metamorphic and igneous assemblages after the program, and I cannot wait forming about a 1,500-kilometer-long within the Western and High Tatras. to see what the future holds.” arc across Central and Eastern Europe. The region is highly accessible, being The project was developed with This past summer, three UT Austin only about 60 kilometers long by 20 the assistance of Slovak researchers undergraduates, Theresa Perez, Gabriel kilometers wide, with many hiking and geologists from Comenius Villasenor and Thomas Quintero, and trails and tourist ski lift and trams University and the Slovak Academy their graduate student mentor, Thomas providing excellent access to outcrops. of Sciences in Bratislava. UT Austin’s Etzel, traveled with Catlos, Elliott The range is considered a miniature- International Office and Center and Kyle to Slovakia to investigate sized, accessible Himalayas, where for Russian, East European and the geological processes exposed in one-day hikes can provide access to Eurasian Studies provided additional Slovakia that are associated with many geological features and rock types. funding to support student travel. the Western Carpathian Mountains. Students also studied Slovakia’s Because of its extensive exposures mineral deposits, which are a product Elizabeth Catlos of ocean suture zones and crustal of its geological history. Most of its Associate Professor, Department fragments, Slovakia is an ideal location economic resources are due to processes of Geological Sciences to study how continents grow. related to the closure of ancient oceans. The High Tatra Mountains are located Although today Slovakia’s mining in the northern part of Slovakia and are sector is not a major contributor to the the highest and best-exposed range in country’s economy, numerous cities the entire Western Carpathians. Rocks are named after its historical mining

The High Tatra Mountains are located in the northern part of Slovakia and are the highest and best exposed range in the entire Western Carpathians.

STUDENTS HIKING IN THE CHALLENGING TERRAIN OF THE HIGH TATRA MOUNTAINS. PHOTO: ELIZABETH CATLOS.

2018 Newsletter | 55 Training Arctic Geologists

During the short Arctic summer of 2018, four graduate students traveled to Svalbard and Far Eastern Siberia with Professor Daniel Stockli, principal investigator of a Norwegian-Russian- North American collaboration funded by the Norwegian Science Foundation to promote international circum- Arctic collaboration, research and education in Arctic and High Arctic regions, and training of the next During the second half of August and brown bears, and to truly amazing Field Stratigraphy in Romania generation of Arctic geologists. early September, Stockli and a colleague geology in one of the most-remote A major focus of the collaboration is to from the Yakutsk Geological Institute regions of the world, the coldest city on A geology field trip to Romania in presented key elements of numerous hinterland (backarc) basin, lithospheric connect researchers and expose students took two UT graduate students, Megan the planet, and semi-abandoned Soviet May 2018 provided opportunities research articles and designed a 78- delamination, intermittent connections to tectonics under the midnight . In Flansburg and Sam Robbins, and three mining towns. The trip’s unrivaled for 14 Jackson School of Geosciences page field guide that provided critical to Paratethys and the Black Sea, the early August, graduate students Margo Russian students and a U.S. post doc highlight was a four-day float trip down graduate students to explore a range information for over 30 stops on the paleodrainage history (including the Odlum and Cullen Kortyna traveled to from Norway on a three-week field trip the Indigirka River to investigate the of sedimentary, structural, tectonic 11-day field trip. They also wrote Danube River), and oil and gas resources Svalbard, a remote Arctic archipelago through the Verkhoyansk fold-and- transition from the fold-and-thrust belt and geodynamic issues related to the field reports highlighting important in the various basins. Special stops off Norway and Greenland at 78N for thrust belt. After crossing the mighty to the magmatic arc. evolution of the diverse sedimentary takeaways from the trip. Key topics included the Berca mud volcanoes, the a week-long short course and field trip Lena and Aldan Rivers, the expedition The NOR-R-AM initiative plans will basins of Romania. Department of included: marine versus non-marine Slanic salt mine, the medieval walled city co-taught by Stockli. The course included followed the Kolyma “highway,” offer future field opportunities to UT Geological Sciences Research Associate depositional systems, complex shifts of Sighisoara, and the Horezu historical classes on the tectonic, volcanic and constructed by GULAG forced labor, for graduate students in Svalbard, , Cornel Olariu, originally from Romania, in sediment routing and accumulation, ceramic center and monastery. The trip stratigraphic evolution of the High Arctic 1,000 km from the foreland, through and Alaska over the next couple of years was joined by professors Brian Horton and polyphase basin histories associated was partially funded by Chevron. since the Paleozoi as well as field safety the fold and thrust belt, to the magmatic and also have students and researchers and Ron Steel as well as Romanian with various Mesozoic-Cenozoic and survival training for working at the arc. The field work in eastern Siberia from the partner countries visit geoscientist Dan Jipa from the Romanian collisions and the development of the Brian Horton top of the world amongst polar bears exposed the students to extremely laboratories at UT. National Institute of Marine Geology Carpathian Mountains. Students and Professor, Department of Geological Sciences and in frigid conditions. An unexpected difficult working conditions in the Taiga and Geoecology. As part of a semester faculty generated a framework for Research Professor, Institute for Geophysics highlight: meeting the king and queen of with its swampy bogs, dense forests, Daniel Stockli long course, GEO 383U Dynamic understanding the linked development Norway at the University of Svalbard. permafrost, mosquitos and Siberian Professor, Department of Geological Sciences Field Stratigraphy, students read and of a fold-thrust belt, foreland basin,

Student Takeaway

As a fourth year doctoral student, I’ve had the privilege of attending several field trips Chasing Icebergs with Drs. Olariu, Horton and Steel. Each trip emphasizes different skill sets, depositional We went to gather observations on iceberg melt and movement in Greenland’s systems and tectonic styles, ensuring that new geologic frameworks are developed. fjords by tracking the horizontal and vertical motion of large, deep-keeled Romania has a complicated tectonic history, and the sedimentary strata provide insight icebergs at high temporal resolution. Researchers used multiple platforms: into the larger scale processes. During this trip, we observed and interpreted each stop ship-based hydrography and underwater imagery, aerial scanning, remotely without significant a priori knowledge about depositional environments. This method sensed iceberg movement (GPS sensors), and satellite derived iceberg forced us to think critically about diagnostic features of different depositional systems. distributions. I helped with multibeam imaging and the GPS sensors. The As somebody who works on regional tectonics, the ability to quickly discern between team consisted of 12 scientists from Oregon (University of Oregon), California depositional environments is a critical skill set. (University of California San Diego Scripps Institute), (Woods The students in the course had a range of backgrounds, which promoted significant Hole Oceanographic Institute), and The University of Texas at Austin. knowledge exchange. For example, the sedimentologists within the group explained how to distinguish between slope and basin floor turbidites and why the difference TOP: SURVIVAL SUIT TRAINING IN TOP: JSG STUDENTS AND FACULTY STUDYING LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD. JSG Dan Duncan THE LOWER MIOCENE (BURDIGALIAN) is so critical from a petroleum systems perspective. Similarly, the tectonicists SCIENTISTS INCLUDE: MARGO ODLUM Research Scientist Associate , University of Texas Institute for Geophysics SALT DIAPIR STRUCTURE AND DEFORMED emphasized the importance of understanding basin connectivity and subsidence (FRONT LEFT), CULLEN KORTYNA (FRONT SHALES AT LOPĂTARI, ALONG SLANIC patterns through time and offered various methods to infer paleogeography. RIGHT), DANNY STOCKLI (CENTER). DE BUZAU VALLEY, ROMANIA. BOTTOM: SCIENTISTS TAKE MULTIBEAM BOTTOM: STUDENTS ALONGSIDE DATA ALONGSIDE AN ICEBERG. A MUD VOLCANO. Sarah George

ARCTIC: STOCKLI. ICEBERGS: ALEX HAGER. ROMANIA AND BRIAN STUDENT HORTON. TAKEAWAY: Ph.D. Student, Jackson School of Geosciences

56 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 57 When Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast about one year ago, the Bureau of Economic Geology’s Jeff Paine was ready.

Paine, the coordinator of the bureau’s Near Surface Observatory, had been watching the storm since it was just a tropical wave in the Caribbean. When it rapidly gained strength while approaching the Texas coast — turning from a Category 1 to a Category 4 hurricane in less than 24 hours — he knew that there would be damage to the state’s beaches and barrier islands, home to coastal communities, robust businesses, busy ports and rare bird rookeries. While first responders and regular Texas residents alike sought to help people directly affected by Harvey — from the flooding in Houston to the wind-damaged homes of Port Aransas and Rockport — Paine began discussions about surveying the damage from the air with the General Land Office (GLO), the state agency that manages the state’s coastal lands. By the following Thursday, researchers from the bureau’s observatory were airborne. “Within a week of landfall we were out acquiring imagery and topographic data,” Paine said. Geosciences were probably not on most people’s minds in the wake of Harvey. But the days and weeks after a hurricane are a vital time for collecting field data about its impact. This data not only records the extent of the damage but can also hold clues about how the coast is expected to recover and what communities can do to prepare for future storms. Paine’s survey was just the start of this collection process for scientists at the Jackson School of Geosciences, with three research teams — one from each of the school’s research units — heading out shortly after the storm to conduct field work. Thanks to the Jackson RAPID School’s Rapid Response Program, they were all able to gather the resources and equipment they needed to get to the coast fast. Time was of the essence. With every passing day, evidence of the hurricane was starting to disappear, smoothed away by waves and wind or removed by communities on the mend. Disappearing with them would be valuable information about the potential lingering effects of the storm on beaches, wetlands and the state’s narrow string of barrier islands — a delicate system that forms RESPONSE the first line of defense against powerful storms such as Harvey. JACKSON SCHOOL RESEARCHERS STUDY AFTERMATH ABOVE: CHANNELS CARVED ON SAN JOSE ISLAND, A BARRIER OF HURRICANE HARVEY ON TEXAS GULF COAST ISLAND OFFSHORE OF PORT ARANSAS, BY STORM SURGE OVERTOPPING THE ISLAND AS IT FLOWED BACK TO THE SEA. THE IMAGE WAS CAPTURED DURING THE HURRICANE HARVEY RAPID RESPONSE MISSION LED BY THE BY MONICA KORTSHA BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY’S JEFF PAINE. CREDIT: JEFF PAINE. Although the GLO-funded surveys eventually spanned most of the Texas coast, they didn’t cover San Jose Island and Matagorda Island, the two barrier islands just a few miles offshore that took a direct hit from Harvey. All of San Jose Island and a portion of Matagorda Island fall outside of the state’s emergency response purview, explained Kevin Frenzel, a Jackson School alumnus who now manages the GLO’s Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act program. “The fact that they’re not publicly accessible means that the GLO doesn’t have authority for a response,” Frenzel said. “San Jo (San Jose) is also a private “COLLECTING DATA island, so we can’t expend public money on a private island.” EARLY DOESN’T HELP Nevertheless, the islands are an IF YOU CAN’T GET essential part of the state’s coastal well-being, shielding the coast from the IT OUT TO ANYBODY brunt of hurricane impacts and creating coastal channels that guide shipping FOR THEM TO USE.”

barges to Texas ports. – JEFF PAINE, “The islands protect everything [along BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY the coast], refineries, communities, fisheries,” said doctoral candidate John Swartz, who participated in the Rapid Response missions. “Understanding how they’re built up and destroyed is really important.” With Rapid Response support, the Jackson School teams turned toward discovering what happened to the barrier island system when Harvey After the Storm, Into the Field After Harvey, the Jackson School border — pausing only for an exhaust happen again, could we quickly get arrived, with Paine’s team collecting data quickly mounted a multipronged pipe replacement and on days when Gov. elevation data from LIDAR?’” Gao said. on the islands from the air and missions The Rapid Response Program was research mission that leveraged Greg Abbott or Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Harvey was the first chance for the led by the other units documenting created with speed in mind. The program the expertise and resources of its called dibs on the state-issued plane. team to put the plan into action. damage from land and at sea. funds fieldwork in the aftermath of research units. The survey was able to start only Paine’s initial GLO flights focused John Goff, a UTIG senior research natural disasters — research that is Paine’s mission was the first to take days after the storm in part because on quickly getting images of the Port scientist, took to the coast in September vitally important for understanding to the coast. Supported with funds of lessons learned from Hurricane Aransas area where Harvey made to lead a four-day seafloor mapping nature’s most powerful forces and their from the GLO and the Rapid Response landfall back to the state so workers Ike, said Daniel Gao, a geographic survey of Lydia Ann Channel and effects on the environment and society, Program, he and a team of scientists could assess the damage and plan Aransas Pass, and collect data on how information specialist at the GLO. but understudied because of the logistics from the Near Surface Observatory cleanup and recovery efforts. These the storm affected coastal sediments — After Ike, the office relied on LIDAR of funding research on the fly, especially captured changes from the air using flights zeroed in on beaches and dunes, the raw material that builds up barrier data collected by the U.S. Geological in disaster areas. high-resolution photography and shipping channels in bays, and coastal islands. Goff’s team included Research The program sent Jackson School Survey. Gao said the LIDAR data OPPOSITE PAGE: PRINCETON LIDAR, an imaging technique that uses bird rookeries, with data from each Science Associates Marcy Davis and Dan UNIVERSITY DOCTORAL STUDENT proved so important after Ike that the scientists to the Philippines to measure an array of laser beams to measure new flight being added to a digital map Duncan, as well as Swartz. KATJA LUXEM (PICTURED) CANOES aquifer contamination after Typhoon landscape elevation. From early GLO wanted to ensure it had a system operated by the GLO to help guide on- And in October, Associate Dean for ON A FLOOD PLAIN DURING A RAPID RESPONSE MISSION LED BY JACKSON Haiyan struck in 2013, to New York in September through October, they set up to quickly and accurately gather the-ground assessment. Research David Mohrig, a professor in SCHOOL DOCTORAL STUDENT HIMA 2012 to study signs of coastal erosion surveyed the entirety of the Texas Gulf data after the next storm. “Collecting data early doesn’t help the Department of Geological Sciences, HASSENRUCK-GUDIPATI. in the wake of “Super Storm” Sandy, shoreline — flying from South Padre “It was after [Ike] that we were in if you can’t get it out to anybody for led a survey of Sargent Beach and the ABOVE: JEFF PAINE, THE COORDINATOR OF THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC and to the Texas coast in 2008 to study Island near the mouth of the Rio Grande talks with the BEG where we asked them to use,” Paine said. “So we had Matagorda Peninsula, a barrier-island GEOLOGY’S NEAR SURFACE seafloor changes after Hurricane Ike. to Sabine Pass along the Louisiana them, ‘If something like this were to CANOE: HIMA HASSENRUCK-GUDIPATI. PAINE: JACKSON SCHOOL. next-day delivery.” peninsula to the east of Matagorda OBSERVATORY.

60 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 61 Island proper. During the three-day The rising waters also had a geological was still moving swiftly across a plain Harvey’s geological impact on Texas, water lashing onto the shoreline, the mission the team studied sand and effect, sweeping up sediments and dotted with debris. with the data collected by each unit inlets appeared in satellite imagery to sediments on land, digging trenches moving them to new places with the “The water on the floodplain was working together to tell a larger story be carved by water actually flowing to document the history of sediment flow of the current. To document this moving faster than what we were on the aftermath of the storm. over the top of the islands from behind. deposition and tracking how fans of part of the storm, Ph.D. candidate Hima expecting, so it took some courage to be Along the barrier island system, that The water was initially pushed through sediment deposited by the storm surge Hassenruck-Gudipati ventured into like ‘OK, let’s just go for it,’ ” Hassenruck- story centered around erosion. Harvey’s existing channels and passes by the sprawled across the island. Mohrig’s the field in a canoe to conduct a Rapid Gudipati said. storm surge stripped away massive hurricane, built up in the bays and team included Ph.D. candidates Response mission of her own. She and two field assistants, Timothy amounts of sediment from island estuaries behind the barrier island, and Benjamin Cardenas, Kathleen Wilson “It’s not storm surge, it’s not coastal Goudge, then a postdoctoral researcher beaches and carried it into the ocean. then topped the island as it returned to and Swartz; postdoctoral researcher erosion, but it’s important nonetheless and now an associate professor, According to the bureau’s LIDAR sea, with the counterclockwise rotation Eric Prokocki; and Jackson School because when Harvey made landfall, it and Katja Luxem, a Ph.D. candidate data, Harvey eroded the 21-mile-long of Harvey’s winds providing a push. undergraduates Arisa Ruangsirikulchai, brought all this moisture,” she said. in the Department of Geosciences shoreline of San Jose Island, removing “The water was pushed right out of Matthew Nix and Mitchell Pham. The mission site was a floodplain in at Princeton University, spent two sand up to 125 feet inland and Port Aransas,” said Goff. The barrier islands and coastal Liberty, Texas, about 40 miles east of days on the scene, piloting the canoe eliminating 13 feet of dune elevation in A computational model of Harvey’s communities faced Harvey’s 130 mph Houston. Hassenruck-Gudipati had been through the floodwaters and collecting the process. On Matagorda Island, the storm surge created by Clint Dawson, winds and storm surge. But what set monitoring the area for her doctoral data on current speed, a key variable erosion reached 75 feet inland along the a collaborator of Goff’s at the Harvey apart from other hurricanes — research on sediment transport, placing 38-mile-long shoreline and eliminated university’s Institute for Computational for estimating the size of sediment and what made it so destructive — was game cameras in trees to track the rising three feet of dune elevation. The storm Engineering and Sciences, helped moving through the water and how far the days-long deluge it dumped on waters during the area’s frequent flood brought a similar fate to the shoreline of confirm that theory, as did on-site OPPOSITE PAGE: UTIG SENIOR it could be deposited on the plain once RESEARCH SCIENTIST JOHN GOFF Houston and the surrounding areas. events. Harvey dropped 55 inches of the Matagorda Peninsula, flattening the analysis of beach sediments conducted the water subsided. CALIBRATES A CTD, A DEVICE THAT The rain led to flooding across the area, rain in the Liberty area, inundating the beach to a near uniform level. after the initial Rapid Response CALCULATES THE SPEED OF SOUND killing dozens by drowning and causing plain and causing the nearby Trinity On San Jose Island, erosion from the missions. But perhaps the clearest IN WATER. GRADUATE STUDENT JOHN SWARTZ LOOKS ON. the majority of Harvey’s estimated $125 River to overflow its banks. When Harvey by the Numbers storm also cut a series of inlets that evidence for outflow creating the inlets ABOVE: AN INFRARED SATELLITE IMAGE billion in property damage, according to Hassenruck-Gudipati arrived about a From the floodplain to the coast, the sliced up parts of the Gulf side beach. came from three large shipping barges OF HURRICANE HARVEY APPROACHING

the National Hurricane Center. week after Harvey’s landfall, the water Rapid Response missions documented NAVY. U.S. HARVEY: SCHOOL. JACKSON GOFF: However, rather than being formed by stranded on the Gulf side of the island THE TEXAS COAST.

62 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 63 after the storm. A satellite image taken away large amounts of sediment from debate. However, Goff hopes to learn GLO, said Frenzel. The LIDAR survey Coastlines Unzipped months earlier shows those same barges the islands and into the Gulf. And at more about where the sediments went data documenting erosion on the coast “THE MOMENT THE There’s a theory in sedimentology that secured to mooring posts in Lydia Ann Aransas Pass, two jetties that extend — and whether they might come back is helping the agency apply for federal when a hurricane disturbs sand and STORM PASSES, Channel, the shipping channel that runs the natural reach of the channel may — by collecting core samples offshore of grants for beach renourishment projects, sediment along a coast, that initial along the mainland side of the island. have exacerbated the loss of sediment the barrier islands. which bring new sand supplies to disturbance makes the coastline more RECOVERY BEGINS.” It’s normal for barrier islands to by acting like the nozzle of a hose — Whereas the coastline lost sediments, eroded coastlines. The renewed beaches vulnerable to more erosion. Unsettled – JEFF PAINE, lose large amounts of sediment during concentrating the fast-flowing water the floodplain near Liberty was a help bolster the coastline’s resiliency to BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY sand grains are simply easier to move. hurricanes, Paine said. The factor that and shooting it out to sea. different story, with the floodwaters future storms, Frenzel said, as well as “Once you’ve had a big erosion event will influence the long-term integrity “Without the jetties, the sand could taking material from the Trinity River recharge the local economies that took a and depositing it across the plain. and liberated a lot of sand that makes of the barrier islands is whether that have just been deposited [outside blow from the storm. Hassenruck-Gudipati’s research revealed the coastal deposit, it’s much more swept-away sediment can make its way the channel],” Goff said. “The jetties “Our cost benefit for beach that the floodwaters maintained high susceptible to future reworking by back to shore. channeled the sediment offshore.” nourishment range that for every $1 enough speeds for long enough to subsequent storms that happen in fairly According to the offshore seismic Offshore sediment can still make its spent, we get a return of $6 to $8,” spread sediment thousands of feet away short order,” Mohrig said. “You sort of data collected by UTIG researchers, way back to the barrier island system. Frenzel said. “That’s a heck of a return from the river banks. unzip it.” the fate of sediments that were swept However, if it happened to venture “We thought that any sedimentation on investment.” The theory makes sense conceptually, into the sea is uncertain. Signs of beyond a point known as the “depth of would happen locally near the banks, The Rapid Response results are also but according to Mohrig, there’s little seafloor erosion in Lydia Ann Channel closure,” the sediment exits the coastal not a half kilometer from the bank,” said helping Jackson School scientists conduct field data to show just how much more and Aransas Pass indicate that the system completely and is unlikely to Mohrig, who is Hassenruck-Gudipati’s basic research on the geoscience of easily erosion happens after an initial hurricane’s storm surge exited the return. The exact values for determining Ph.D. adviser. storms. In particular, findings from the hurricane strike. An unusual sediment waterways at high speed, sweeping the depth of closure are still up for The data showed otherwise, with the mission led by the department’s David fan observed by Mohrig’s team on water moving quickly enough to leave Mohrig are revealing how far-afield Sargent Beach is helping to show how deposits in the middle of the floodplain events can prime beaches for erosion this “unzipping” process works and what once the water dried up. Over time, when hurricanes such as Harvey strike. forces can influence it. this process may influence the lay of the land and affect what areas around Liberty are susceptible to future floods. In addition, Hassenruck-Gudipati notes that sediment distribution is a good indicator for how other substances, from nutrients to synthetic chemicals, can be transported throughout an environment during a flooding event, information that could prove useful to studying how hazardous materials might have spread through the Houston area. The data collected by the Rapid Response missions are a baseline that FAR TOP: GRADUATE STUDENT KATHLEEN WILSON (LEFT) AND UNDERGRADUATE ARISA researchers and policymakers can RUANGSIRIKULCHAI (RIGHT) INVESTIGATE A CHANNEL CARVED INTO SAN JOSE ISLAND BY use to gauge Harvey’s effects and are OUTFLOWING STORM SURGE. A STRANDED BARGE IS IN THE DISTANCE. ABOVE: GRADUATE STUDENTS KATHLEEN WILSON (LEFT) AND JOHN SWARTZ DIG A TRENCH TO STUDY DEPOSITION already proving useful to long-term

RATES AND SEDIMENTATION ON SAN JOSE ISLAND. RIGHT: RAPID RESPONSE MISSION SITES. recovery efforts coordinated by the CARVED CHANNELS : KATHLEEN WILSON. TRENCH DIGGING: KATHLEEN WILSON. MAP: JACKSON SCHOOL.

64 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 65 “THE REPORTS AND DATA WE GET FROM [THE BEG] ARE JUST SPOT ON. IT’S A BIG ASSET THAT WE HAVE THE UNIVERSITY HERE.”

– KEVIN FRENZEL, GENERAL LAND OFFICE

ABOVE: GRADUATE STUDENT KATHLEEN WILSON (LEFT) AND UNDERGRADUATE ARISA RUANGSIRIKULCHAI NEXT TO A BARGE THAT WAS WASHED ASHORE ON SAN JOSE ISLAND DURING HURRICANE HARVEY. OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP: THE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF RAIN DUMPED BY HURRICANE HARVEY CAUSED SEVERE FLOODING IN THE HOUSTON AREA. OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTTOM: UTIG RESEARCH SCIENTIST ASSOCIATE MARCY DAVIS DISEMBARKS FROM THE RESEARCH VESSEL SCOTT PETTY AFTER A DAY OF SEAFLOOR SURVEYING NEAR PORT ARANSAS.

Sediment fans are deposited during Wilson notes that under different Building on Knowledge Together, the data are helping Jackson this future data even more meaningful. storm surge events, with the sediments circumstances, the waves generated by School scientists evaluate the aftermath Frenzel, the geologist from the GLO, recording how far inland the storm surge Nate and Irma wouldn’t have disturbed It will take years to understand the long- of the storm. It will take ongoing research said the Rapid Response data from the reached. The team expected to find an the beach at all. But the erosion term effects of Hurricane Harvey on the to determine the storm’s long-term bureau will be key in informing how uninterrupted swath of sediments left caused by Harvey, which flattened Texas Gulf Coast. The data retrieved by effects and what should be done to Texas will rebuild. by Harvey. Instead, they found that the the beach and disturbed sediments, the Rapid Response missions will be an mitigate them. “The reports and data we get from them fan contained breaks and areas where the allowed the waves from the far-away important starting point for evaluating “It’s hard to know at this point how are just spot on,” Frenzel said. “It’s a big how the coast is recovering, and what deposits doubled in thickness. When the storms to wash over the shoreline much permanent damage was done,” asset that we have the university here.” actions the state can take to prevent team dug a trench into the sand to get a and leave deposits of their own. Paine said. “Material will be coming back Rebuilding is just part of the process. damage from future storms. better read of the depositional history “The coast was already damaged and to the beach and dune system within According to Mohrig, the Rapid Response “Very rarely have data like this been of the beach — with each sedimentation still in the recovery phases,” Wilson said. weeks, months and years after the storm.” missions kicked off research on the state’s collected so early,” Paine said. “We have event recorded as a distinct layer — the “So distant storms can definitely cause Having data collected in the wake of coastlines that will last for hurricane good data for what the conditions were break appeared there in the form of a dark an outsized effect to the coast than what the storm — when dunes were flattened, seasons to come. like right after the storm. And that’s layer made of material much smaller and otherwise would happen.” channels were scoured, and a flood plain “We’ll be monitoring how recovery really critical because the moment the finer than the surrounding layers. Mohrig said that the Rapid Response was still filled with water — will make happens,” he said. “That break left us scratching our heads findings illustrate how effects from storm passes, recovery begins.” and wondering what caused it,” said one storm can influence the damage But the Rapid Response data is Kathleen Wilson, a Ph.D. candidate who done by others. The sedimentary record just part of what makes the analysis took part in the mission. uncovered in the trench has inspired possible. The researchers were able to The researchers initially attributed his research team to look for signs of put their findings in context thanks the breaks to Harvey’s surge receding more storm interactions for past events, to consistent monitoring of the coast HELP SUPPORT OUR NEXT RAPID RESPONSE MISSION: and advancing at different points during including Hurricane Ike and Hurricane by the Jackson School and state and the storm. However, aerial photos of Ida, and how erosion and deposition federal research organizations. SCIENTIST-ESTABLISHED ENDOWMENT WILL MATCH the fan collected by Paine’s mission linked to hurricane events influence the Paine compared his group’s LIDAR DONATIONS DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR combined with data on wave energy off coastal landscape over time. data with surveys conducted by the the coast during the weeks after Harvey “This is the most interesting thing to Army Corps of Engineers in 2016; suggested a different story: Hurricane report scientifically, this idea that you Hassenruck-Gudipati had been Nate and Hurricane Irma — two storms can remobilize these things by far-afield monitoring the site in Liberty for months Natural disasters affect all of us. Rapid Response missions gather data that can help us that didn’t make landfall on the Texas events,” Mohrig said. “When we think prior to Harvey; and Goff’s baseline recover. James A. Austin, Jr., a senior research scientist at the University of Texas Institute Gulf Coast — were nevertheless still about our coast being hit by big, eroding data for the seafloor surveys came from for Geophysics, knows the value of Rapid Response missions and established an endowment able to disturb sediment on its beaches. storms, we have to think more broadly channel surveys collected in 2009 and to support them. Austin will be matching gifts made to the Rapid Response program dollar The storms even generated about as than we often do. Other storms in the 2012 by Jackson School students during for dollar up to $100,000. In the wake of natural disasters, Rapid Response missions gather much wave energy as Harvey, though Gulf can do a lot of damage — particularly their Marine Geology and Geophysics priceless geologic data that can help in understanding long-term impacts of events, and help

over a much shorter period. if there’s been a previous storm.” summer field courses. BEACHED BARGE: KATHLEEN WILSON. FLOODING AND DUCKS: TOM FITZPATRICK / FUGRO. RV PETTY: JACKSON SCHOOL. inform recovery and preparedness efforts. Your support makes future missions possible.

To make a gift online, go to www.jsg.utexas.edu. Click the“make a gift” link at the top of the page and note that it is for Rapid Response. You can also contact Belle German, Executive Director for 66 | Jackson School of Geosciences Development and Alumni Relations at [email protected] or 512-471-1993.2018 Newsletter | 67 not the past staring back at him. It’s “The White family property is a gem the future. The donation of the land to of the observatories in that it will be the Jackson School is a game changer the first one,” Mohrig said. “Everyone for immersive education. It’s a place realizes the benefit of these long- where generations of Jackson School term observatories now, but no single students will be able to learn how to institution has been as bold as our conduct field science of all sorts, with strategic plan is to try to get something their observations and measurements like this going. We have to lay baselines providing new data about the karst of integrated data to understand what geology that underlies and influences will happen in the next 50 years. the Hill Country landscape and Who better to collect the data than the its residents. Jackson School?” “The White family property will The Texas Observatory is part allow the school to make long-term of an effort to conduct long-term environmental observations that will interdisciplinary research on the Earth be truly cross-disciplinary,” Mohrig and all of its processes. This effort said. “Our challenge now is to develop enhances the school’s evolving mission a protocol for how to use the land and of tackling the big, hard issues facing leave a minimal footprint, so it can Texas and the world. These issues really be used for generations to come.” include how to manage scarce water The property has been described as resources in the face of a booming a living classroom. Its acreage, now population or, conversely, how to owned and controlled by the Jackson determine when heavy rains will turn School, is within an hour’s drive of into dangerous floods. campus, which means scientists and The Jackson School codified this students have easy access for research approach in the new strategic plan. And and fieldwork. This is a big deal for a the university as a whole has followed school that emphasizes fieldwork and suit, kicking off its first Bridging Barriers hands-on science as a foundational part grand research challenge with Planet of its world-class geoscience education. Texas 2050, a project that seeks to The property also fits in perfectly understand environmental and energy with the Jackson School’s new research challenges facing the state in the near focuses. The school just completed its future, in which the Jackson School is strategic plan, a document years in the playing a major role (see page 72). making, that will act as a road map Long-term access to key research for moving the school forward during sites is essential for conducting the the next decade (see page 106). The type of science that provides the sweeping plan outlines an expansive set knowledge and understanding of of research priorities. Among them is ecological and hydrological processes establishing a Texas Observatory that, that are at the root of big issues facing the plan states, “focuses on the science the state. The Whites said they are LEFT TO RIGHT: LESLIE P. WHITE EXPLAINING THE GEOLOGY OF THE PROPERTY TO (LEFT TO RIGHT) JACKSON SCHOOL ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH Covering 266 acres of rocky pasture, and human impacts of water, weather, excited that their donation of property DAVID MOHRIG, UT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT AMANDA BROWN IRVING AND UT FOUNDATION IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT REX BAKER. oak savannah and cedar-covered surface processes, energy resources, will be helping make that long-term hillsides, the White Family Outdoor tectonics, and geochemistry on the state research possible, all while educating of Texas.” students in the process. Learning Center is classic Hill Country. The Texas Observatory will be Leslie P. White, a Waco native, came South Onion Creek bisects the ranch, a network of strategically placed to The University of Texas at Austin in THE TEXAS providing a nice water source for the research sites across the state that 1951 to study geology, which he figured cattle that until recently grazed this can be accessed over the long term, was a reasonable choice for a young property outside of Dripping Springs. OBSERVATORY and places where scientists can study man looking for a career. Along the way, There’s even a 1920s-era windmill near and gather data on the intricate and he fell in love with the science and the Jackson School Turning Hill Country Ranch what’s left of the old homestead. It’s a interconnected processes that affect the university itself, which he talks about beautiful piece of history. land, water and atmosphere. With the like an extended family. Giving back into Field Site of the Future But when David Mohrig, the Jackson donation of the White Family Outdoor to future generations so they can make School of Geosciences’ associate dean Learning Center, the school is on the the same type of connections that he

By Anton Caputo SCHOOL. JACKSON PHOTO: for research, scans the property, it’s way to building that network. did, both scientifically and personally,

68 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 69 weeklong field camp here is definitely term and do hypothesis-driven science as soon and often as possible to learn shows warming over the whole globe, influenced by his professors, feasible. There is so much you can look that fundamentally changes how we science in a real-world environment yet there are some areas experiencing particularly Stephen Clabaugh, with at. The idea of driving an hour instead predict the land, atmosphere, climate, where things aren’t as nice and tidy as more severe winters. The next whom he developed a lifelong of 14 hours to New Mexico, it’s an hydrology and chemistry to change.” they are in a lab or classroom. generation of geoscientists will need to friendship. He stressed this impact to opportunity to have a field experience Department Chair Charlie Kerans In learning how to be a scientist, understand how to collect and analyze Rempe, urging her not to undervalue the that is so rich but also very local.” said the opportunities for students Mohrig said, messy can be good. that type of data, and be comfortable impact she will have on her students. Assistant Professor Daniella Rempe will go well beyond hydrology. The “I think we have a tendency to train working with and explaining that data Rempe said she knows exactly what led the camp with Ashley Matheny, advantages of ready access to a field site scientists to think that if they work to a wide variety of audiences. he is referring to. She graduated with her another assistant professor in the can’t be overstated for most geosciences hard enough, they can see change very “We talk more and more about bachelor’s degree from The University Department of Geological Sciences. disciplines, Kerans stressed. clearly and isolate it from other things,” environmental change, but we can’t do of Texas in 2008 and fondly remembers Rempe has made groundbreaking The Jackson School prides itself he said. “But the fact is that going it without recognizing that the change learning from Jackson School hydrology discoveries on the role rock moisture on offering field opportunities at out into the field, you realize that all is nested in variability that in many Professor Bayani Cardenas and now can play in helping trees survive every level of education. This is often these things are connected. It’s not a cases is as large as the change itself,” retired Professor Jack Sharp. She said extended droughts in certain geological accomplished by traveling hundreds laboratory setting where everything is he said. “When you’re thinking about that her experience conducting research settings (see page 13). The work was or thousands of miles and by spending set up to isolate a particular signal.” the Earth’s surface and that system, in the field with these two professors made possible by collecting long-term untold hours building relationships Understanding that interconnectivity that variability is as much the signal of was one of the main reasons she jumped data in an observatory in Northern with landowners and negotiating access. is vital, particularly when trying to what’s happening as the mean.” at the chance to return to the university California while she was earning With the White family property, those track issues such as environmental No matter which directions future as a faculty member. her doctorate at the University of issues don’t exist. change. This type of science often research goes, White is confident that “The science is important, but the California, Berkeley. Rempe said “To me, there is a big upside in that we involves studying large systems where his family’s property will play an relationships that you develop through having access to a similar site here in have a place where we can set up shop variability in the data can be massive. important role in the future of Jackson that science are as important,” White Central Texas opens a new world of and do different types of geology and The classic example, Mohrig said, is School students and their professors. said. “That tells the story of why we’re teaching and research opportunities. not worry about losing land access,” he climate change, where the overall trend White said his life was significantly making this donation.” ABOVE: LESLIE P. AND DIANNE WHITE She pointed out, for instance, that said. “I know that being able to go out RIGHT: ZACH MUNGIA LEADS FELLOW students will work on the Onion Creek and work through the exposures and the HYDROLOGY STUDENTS DOWN SOUTH watershed, which is already being creek beds and build the stratigraphy ONION CREEK. monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey will be a fun and useful project.” and has been modeled extensively by There are other observatories of this is exactly what he had in mind when he others at the university. She said this kind across the country, but this is the decided to donate the property. offers students the chance to have their first one that is in a carbonate domain, “Geologists need to be outside,” White work applied to projects such as the which, according to Mohrig, makes said. “They need to see geology where it National Oceanic and Atmospheric it uniquely important for studying . It thrills me to think about all the Administration’s national water and understanding karst ecology and young people that will be out here.” model, a hydrologic model that is being geology. The overall strategy for the The Jackson School is still determining developed to simulate and forecast Texas Observatory network is to expand exactly how it will incorporate the streamflow over the entire continental across the state to encompass its diverse property into its curriculum, but United States. geological and ecological settings. plans are to use it for all levels from “We’re able to extend what we learn The plan calls for four sites, with two freshmen on. Students have already here to much bigger projects that they in Central Texas, one in East Texas taken advantage of the donation. The may encounter in their research or near the coast and one in West Texas. hydrology field camp spent a day on the professional lives,” Rempe said. Discussions are in the works for the property in May 2018 before traveling She also stressed that the observatory other three. to New Mexico. During that single day, was going to be used for more than just Now that the White family donation they were able to stream gauge, look collecting measurements. She envisions is complete, the first job is determining at soil processes, soil moisture and it as a spot for working on scientific which instruments to install to start soil water tension, and practice some issues and processes that can span collecting data, Mohrig said. On the ecohydrological monitoring techniques, from the pore space in rock and soils to initial wish list are an eddy flux tower specifically using a pressure chamber to the entire landscape, with time spans to monitor local meteorology and look at water saturation in leaves. covering mere milliseconds to millions instruments to monitor streamflow, Doctoral candidate Stephen Ferencz of years. soil moisture, deep and shallow helped conduct the camp. He said he “As scientists, we’re uniquely suited to groundwater, and some of the local was blown away by the property and understand the processes that motivate ecology. Much will come down to the opportunities it offers for education our observations, not just make and funding opportunities, as do long-term and research. share the observations,” Rempe said. plans for a learning facility of some sort. “It’s fantastic,” he said. “We were sizing “We’re thinking about these sites as But the Jackson School is going to focus

up the property, and the idea of doing a places where we monitor over the long on getting students to the property PORTRAIT: MCSPADDEN; WYATT CREEK: JACKSON SCHOOL.

70 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 71 It’s tying together faculty members public at large, as well as bringing transportation planning, mitigate tracking and predicting the health and scientists from 14 colleges and other points of view to problems traffic-related air pollution, and improve impact a changing climate and rapid schools throughout the university so that will almost certainly require the prevalence and affordability of growth can have on Texas communities, they can begin looking at how Texas new approaches. The group includes energy-efficient construction. This which is an issue he wouldn’t have can support the enormous growth of a classics expert who specializes in issue is vital because all of the state’s had much exposure to without the the next three decades in a way that ancient civilizations that have dealt projected growth is coming into the interdisciplinary nature of the project. allows its communities, economy and with environmental change and urban areas, particularly in the corridor Some of the early research is environment to thrive. water shortages in the past, and an stretching from Dallas-Fort Worth to revealing interesting connections The project was chosen from English professor who focuses on the Rio Grande Valley and the Houston between human-made and natural hundreds of potential concept papers how we understand and respond to area. Conversely, the population of rural environments. For instance, Banner that researchers from throughout the environmental crisis. Both are from the Texas is projected to remain flat. is working on a project with students UT Schools At least 1 out of every 4 new Americans university submitted to the Office of College of Liberal Arts. In addition to The ability to use a large state for looking at the water supply of Austin’s between now and 2050 will be a Texan, the Vice President for Research. Planet this core group, 100+ researchers from a laboratory of this kind of effort is Waller Creek, which seems immune Work Together according to current projections. Texas 2050 is largely based on a concept 14 colleges and schools are helping with unique, said Young. Texas is the only to the droughts that dry up most area Let that sink in. submitted by eight UT researchers, the effort in some way. state in the contiguous United States creeks. By tracking the strontium to Help Make Texas Put another way, Texas’ population is including two in leadership positions Their work will focus on where nearly all of its water and isotope signature of the water, Banner’s More Resilient on track to reach 50 million or more by at Jackson School research units and understanding the interconnectedness electricity are generated within its team discovered that the urban creek midcentury, nearly doubling the amount programs: Michael Young, a Bureau of four critical resource systems: borders. Most of the state’s rivers begin does so well during droughts because, – of people in the state today. of Economic Geology senior research • Water – Scientists will conduct and end within Texas, as do the recharge when it’s not raining, as much as 90 BY ANTON CAPUTO Do you see any potential problems or scientist and associate director for a number of research projects, from zones of most aquifers. The same can percent of the water may come from issues with that kind of growth? If so, environment; and Jay Banner, Jackson measuring current water availability be said of the state’s energy, which is leaky water pipes in central Austin. And you’re not alone. School professor and director of the today to understanding the processes by virtually all generated and used within while this isn’t particularly good for From providing a sustainable supply Environmental Science Institute (ESI). which urbanization affects watersheds, its borders. Texas is also the only state water conservation, it may mean that of clean water and energy, to feeding “The two driving factors, climate with the goal of using that data to build in the continental U.S. with its own some components of the environment and housing a booming population, the change and population change, those an integrated modeling platform that self-contained power grid. and ecosystem supported by the creek challenge posed by the expected growth aren’t unique to Texas. What’s unique produces accurate long-term water This means these factors can be are largely immune to the otherwise is enormous. Throw in a changing to Texas is that we really hit those resource projections. studied in Texas without outside harmful effects of droughts. climate in which intense droughts such factors on all cylinders,” Banner said. • Energy – Researchers will focus on influence, a key feature in helping model Among the many challenges still to as the one we experienced in 2011 are “Coming up with a way to plan for a gaining a comprehensive understanding and predict how Texas communities be overcome are how to communicate projected to become more common, more resilient Texas, that’s what this is of the state’s energy sources and and environments will be affected by the research and results to the public as are devastating floods and massive all about.” production capabilities, and they will change. Young’s ultimate goal is to help and how to get the tools in the hands of storms such as Hurricane Harvey, and The Jackson School is playing a key build simulations that replicate the create a model platform that integrates decision makers in a way that will help the challenge grows. role in this project, but the geosciences energy needs of entire cities throughout these resources and that can help them determine the best paths forward It is what The University of Texas at are far from alone. In addition to seasons and weather events. Their decision makers plan for the future by for their communities and the state Austin has termed a grand challenge, Young and Banner, the organizing work will help engineers and architects looking at different growth, resource as a whole. These include companies one so large that it’s too big for any team includes experts on indoor design urban centers. and climate scenarios. For example: and industry in Texas, many of whom single sector or academic discipline to environments and air quality from the • Ecosystem Services – Healthy “If we got the 2011 drought in 2050, Young and Banner are currently visiting take on. That’s why the university chose schools of architecture and engineering, ecosystems are critical because they and we’re down to 28 percent in the to assess their interest in the project. the issue for its first Bridging Barriers a community health expert from provide crop pollination and shade, Highland Lake’s system — what are we Given the scope of the challenges Grand Challenge. The university-wide Dell Medical School and a researcher water filtration and natural carbon going to do,” Young said. “Are we going at hand, Young said that generating initiative introduced by President from the Texas Advanced Computing sequestration. Planet Texas 2050 to desalinate water and pipe in water? support during the early stage of the Gregory L. Fenves in his 2016 State of Center (TACC), which will be using its researchers will map Texas’ most Because building that pipeline takes project is key. the University address brings together to crunch the massive vulnerable areas and study the effects time, so we need to think about long- “We’ve not really seen anybody try to experts from across the university to amounts of data gathered during the that population growth and weather term planning.” do anything of this scale in a state this address pressing problems facing Texas, process. TACC is represented on the extremes have on the ecosystems that Just as important, what researchers size,” Young said. “This is really big for the nation, and beyond. organizing committee by Suzanne Texans rely on. at the university discover will have the university.” “The toughest questions facing Pierce, a research scientist at TACC • Urbanization – Researchers applications that extend far beyond For more information, go to: humanity and the world cross the who is also an assistant research will examine energy and water use Texas. The team plans to share its www.bridgingbarriers.utexas.edu. boundaries of existing knowledge, professor at the Jackson School- within single buildings and across findings, tools and processes with and we must take an interdisciplinary affiliated ESI. metropolitan areas. Other projects researchers across the U.S. and the approach to address them,” Fenves said. Beyond the sciences, there are also will focus on the connections among world who are facing similar challenges. “Breakthroughs happen when we break representatives on the organizing transportation corridors, air quality With Planet Texas 2050 just starting SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOURCES LIKE WIND down silos of knowledge. And we are committee from the humanities and and health outcomes. The goal is to up, it’s too early to know what form TURBINES (PICTURED ABOVE), AND ISSUES doing that now.” social sciences who will be helping find common ways that all of Texas’ most of the research will take. One RELATED TO GROWING URBANIZATION (LOWER PICTURE) ARE AT THE HEART OF Planet Texas 2050 is the first grand determine how to communicate 25 major metropolitan areas can better of the issues that Banner said he is

PLANET TEXAS 2050. challenge initiative to be announced. information to policymakers and the BRIDGING BARRIERS. PHOTOS: manage water distribution, improve most excited about is the prospect of

72 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 73 Inside the Collections

Specimens that span Earth’s history combine wonder with scientific worth

IMPRESSIVE SPECIMENS ABOUND IN THE COLLECTIONS OF THE JACKSON SCHOOL OF GEOSCIENCES. There’s the Texas Pterosaur, Quetzalcoatlus, the largest flying animal ever discovered; the rock cuttings that first hinted at the amazing energy productivity of the Eagle Ford Shale; and a trove of jewels personally faceted by internationally recognized lapidarists Glenn and Martha Vargas.

These select notables are just a miniscule sampling of the millions of items kept inside the collections, which include:

• The Jackson School Museum of Earth History’s Vertebrate Paleontology Collections, which hold approximately 2 million specimens and is one of the largest collection of vertebrate fossils in the United States.

• The museum’s Non-Vertebrate Paleontology Collections, the sixth largest non-vertebrate fossil collection in the United States. The collections hold an estimated 4 million specimens, which include rocks and minerals along with fossils. Roughly 95 percent of Texas’ 254 counties are represented among its diverse fossil holdings.

• The Bureau of Economic Geology’s three core and cuttings repositories — spread across Austin, Houston and Midland — which have combined holdings of nearly 2 million boxes of geologic material, and make the repositories among the largest public collections in the world.

• And the Jackson School’s gem and mineral collections, which hold hundreds of thousands of minerals and gems — from expertly faceted jewels, to historic samples collected during the early mapping of Texas, to meteorites.

Through careful curation and cataloging, the immense array of material is a world-class resource for education and research. The collections’ designation as a public resource means that students, scientists and the general public alike are

THE AUSTIN CORE RESEARCH able to benefit from the rare and diverse materials stored within them. CENTER IS STACKED FLOOR A small sampling from across the collections is featured on the following pages. TO CEILING WITH MORE THAN 700,000 BOXES OF CORE Chosen for their intrigue and beauty — as well as their scientific worth — we AND CUTTINGS FROM WELLS hope these treasures spark your curiosity while showcasing the importance of DRILLED IN TEXAS, THE U.S.

AND THE WORLD. maintaining collections that catalogue the history of our planet. PHOTO: SARAH WILSON.

74 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 75 Jackson School Museum 1. of Earth History: Vertebrate Paleontology

1. 2.

1. DIRE WOLF CANIS DIRUS RANCHO LA BREA, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

THE WORLD FAMOUS LA BREA TAR PITS PRESERVE MILLIONS OF FOSSILS THAT LIVED BETWEEN 11,000 AND 50,000 YEARS AGO. STAINED DEEP BROWN BY THE NATURAL ASPHALT THAT TRAPPED THE ANIMALS, THESE SPECIMENS ARE SIMILAR TO THE FLORA AND FAUNA THAT LIVED IN CENTRAL TEXAS DURING THE PLEISTOCENE.

2. ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE MACROCHELYS TEMMINCKII HIDALGO FALLS, 2. 3. WASHINGTON COUNTY, TEXAS

ONE OF THE LARGEST ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLES KNOWN AT THE TIME IT WAS COLLECTED, THIS SKULL WAS EXCAVATED DURING DREDGE OPERATIONS IN THE BRAZOS RIVER AND DESCRIBED IN A 1911 PUBLICATION 1. SCIMITAR-TOOTH CAT 2. TEXAS PTEROSAUR BY O.P. HAY. HOMETHERIUM SERUM QUETZALCOATLUS NORTHROPI FRIESENHAHN CAVE, BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TEXAS 3. UNSORTED SKELETAL REMAINS HALL’S CAVE, KERR COUNTY, TEXAS THIS BIG CAT LIVED IN TEXAS TWO MILLION TO WITH AN ESTIMATED WINGSPAN OF 36- 20,000 YEARS AGO AND HAS BEEN FOUND IN 39 FEET, THE TEXAS PTEROSAUR IS THE THESE BATCH-CURATED BONES SEVERAL CAVES IN THE HILL COUNTRY. THE LARGEST KNOWN FLYING ANIMAL TO HAVE REPRESENTING NUMEROUS SPECIES FOUND SABER TEETH ARE 3 INCHES LONG AND HAVE EVER LIVED. THE SPECIES LIVED DURING THE IN CAVE SEDIMENTS ARE STORED IN BULK SERRATED EDGES ON BOTH SIDES. LATE CRETACEOUS AND WAS DISCOVERED IN UNTIL NEEDED FOR RESEARCH. THEY WILL BE 1971 BY DOUGLAS LAWSON, A UT GEOLOGY SORTED, IDENTIFIED AND CURATED, AND CAN GRADUATE STUDENT. PHOTOGRAPHER SARAH BE USED IN BIODIVERSITY, CLIMATE, DNA AND

WILSON FOR SCALE. PHOTOS: SARAH WILSON. RADIOCARBON DATING STUDIES.

76 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 77 Jackson School Museum 1. 2. of Earth History: Non-Vertebrate Paleontology

3. 4.

DEVONIAN SEA URCHIN ARCHAEOCIDARIS BROWNWOODENSIS WINCHELL FORMATION, TEXAS

A SEA URCHIN’S MOUTH IS NORMALLY HIDDEN INSIDE ITS SHELL. IN THIS FOSSILIZED SPECIMEN, THE SHELL FELL APART AND EXPOSED THE STAR-SHAPED TOP OF THE MOUTH, AN APPARATUS CALLED ARISTOTLE’S LANTERN.

OPPOSITE: 3. CROSS SECTION OF FRUIT PIT 5. PALEOGENE OYSTER DRACONTOMELON MACDONALDII CUBITOSTREA SELLAEFORMIS 1. CRINOID CALYX AND ARMS BÚCARO FORMATION COOK MOUNTAIN FORMATION, TEXAS EOPINNACRINUS PINNULATUS LOS SANTOS STATE, PANAMA 5. 6. BROMIDE FORMATION, OKLAHOMA THE TISSUE-PAPER APPEARANCE OF THIS THIS FOSSILIZED FRUIT PIT WAS FOUND IN OYSTER’S SHELL RELATES BACK TO THE THIS SPECIES OF CRINOID, OR SEA LILY, LIVED CENTRAL AMERICA, BUT ITS ONLY KNOWN SPECIMEN’S LIFE HISTORY. AS THE ANIMAL DURING THE ORDOVICIAN PERIOD WHEN LIVING RELATIVES GROW IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. GREW SO DID ITS SHELL, WITH THE OLD MUCH OF WHAT IS NOW THE SOUTHERN SCIENTISTS ARE STILL WORKING ON WHAT SIDE LAYERS STACKING ATOP THE NEW. THE UNITED STATES WAS UNDER WATER. THIS OF THE WORLD THE FRUIT GENUS ORIGINATED. GROOVES IN THE SHELL REPRESENT TIMES EXAMPLE IS A HOLOTYPE, THE SPECIMEN ON WHEN THE OYSTER DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE WHICH THE SPECIES DESCRIPTION IS BASED. 4. BRACHIOPOD WITH MARKINGS RESOURCES TO ENLARGE ITS HOME. DICTYOCLOSTUS WELLERI 2. CRETACEOUS OYSTER CALLAHAN COUNTY, TEXAS 6. PALEOGENE BIVALVE ILYMATOGYRA ARIETINA VENERICARDIA ALTICOSTATA DEL RIO FORMATION, TEXAS BRACHIOPODS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE LIVING BURLESON COUNTY, TEXAS FOSSILS, AND ALTHOUGH UNCOMMON TODAY, THE DISTINCTIVE SPIRAL SHAPE OF THIS WERE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON SHELLFISH THIS SPECIMEN WAS COLLECTED MORE OYSTER’S SHELL HAS EARNED IT THE DURING THE PALEOZOIC ERA. THE LIGHT- THAN A CENTURY AGO BY THE BUREAU OF NICKNAME “RAM’S HORN OYSTER.” THE COLORED CHIPS IN THE FOSSIL WERE MADE ECONOMIC GEOLOGY DURING A GEOLOGIC SPECIES IS A COMMON FIND IN FOSSIL BY BARNACLES THAT BORED THROUGH THE SURVEY OF TEXAS IN 1899. THE RED MARK LOCALES AROUND AUSTIN. SHELL. THE CONCENTRIC BLACK RINGS ARE DESIGNATES THE SPECIMEN AS A HOLOTYPE, FROM A PALEONTOLOGIST’S GREASE PENCIL. THE SPECIMEN ON WHICH THE SPECIES

DESCRIPTION IS BASED. COLLECTIONS. PALEONTOLOGY NON-VERTEBRATE PHOTOS:

78 | Jackson School of Geosciences Austin Core 2. 1. Research Center

1.

Skeletal lime packstone

High-angle 1. CUTTINGS FROM PHILLIPS PETROLEUM fracture COMPANY NO.1 partially LASALLE COUNTY, TEXAS filled with very coarse 1. TENNECO NO. 1 NEY WELL CORE SLAB THE BEGINNING OF THE EAGLE FORD SHALE crystalline SLIGO FORMATION, SOUTH TEXAS BOOM CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THESE calcite INCONSPICUOUS CUTTINGS. FIRST BROUGHT THE SLIGO FORMATION IS KNOWN FOR ZONES TO SURFACE BY PHILLIPS PETROLEUM IN OF POROUS LIMESTONE, WHICH COMPRISE 1952, THE CUTTINGS LAID IN STORAGE FOR A LARGE PORTION OF OIL AND GAS DECADES UNTIL CORPUS CHRISTI GEOLOGIST PRODUCTION IN NORTH LOUISIANA, GREGG ROBERTSON TRACKED THEM DOWN ARKANSAS AND EAST TEXAS. THIS PIECE OF IN 2008 TO GROUND-TRUTH DRILLING PLANS CORE SHOWS A FRACTURE WITH CEMENT BY PETROHAWK ENERGY CORP. THE EAGLE FILL AND LARGE PORES. FRACTURES SUCH FORD IS NOW ONE OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE Skeletal lime AS THESE CAN BE A MAJOR CONDUIT FOR SHALE PLAYS IN THE WORD, HOLDING AN packstone HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION. ESTIMATED 8.5 BILLION BARRELS OF OIL.

2. CORE OF PURE SALT 2. ARCO NO. 17 GRIFFIN CORE MIDLAND BASIN, WEST TEXAS 2. 3. RUSK COUNTY, TEXAS

THIS NEARLY TRANSPARENT, PERMIAN SALT THE LIGHTLY COLORED UPPER CRETACEOUS CORE WAS SAMPLED FROM A WELL IN WEST AUSTIN CHALK (BOTTOM TWO ROWS), TEXAS IN THE 1980S. THE WORK WAS PART OF OVERLIES SANDSTONE AND SILTSTONE A DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY-FUNDED PROJECT BEDS OF THE WOODBINE GROUP THAT WERE THAT TASKED THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC DEPOSITED IN A DELTAIC SETTING. THE GEOLOGY WITH EVALUATING BEDDED SALT WOODBINE GROUP HAS PRODUCED MORE LAYERS TO SEE IF THEY COULD SERVE AS THAN 5.4 BILLION BARRELS OF OIL IN EAST STORAGE FOR HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE TEXAS SINCE THE FIELD’S DISCOVERY IN 1930. WASTE. YUCCA MOUNTAIN IN NEVADA WAS ULTIMATELY CHOSEN OVER TEXAS. 3. TENNECO NO. 1 NEY WELL 3. PEARSALL FORMATION, TEXAS 3. SANDSTONE CORE FROM GAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE’S STAGED FIELD EXPERIMENT NO.2 THE SEDIMENTS THAT COMPRISE THIS 18 FEET TRAVIS PEAK FORMATION OF CORE FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS BEXAR MEMBER OF THE PEARSALL FORMATION WERE DEPOSITED IN SHALLOW AND QUIET OPEN NATURAL FRACTURES ABOUND IN THIS WATER WHERE BURROWING ORGANISMS AND PIECE OF SANDSTONE CORE COLLECTED OYSTERS COULD EASILY THRIVE. THE YELLOW FROM 9,842 FEET IN THE CRETACEOUS SECTION REPRESENTS LATER GEOCHEMICAL TRAVIS PEAK FORMATION, AN IMPORTANT ALTERATION, INDICATING A TIME WHEN LOW-PERMEABILITY GAS RESERVOIR IN EAST OXYGENATED WATER WAS FLOWING THROUGH TEXAS. FRACTURES LIKE THESE SERVE AS THE ROCK. EQUIVALENT ORGANIC-RICH IMPORTANT CONDUITS AND CONTROLS STRATA DOWNDIP MAKE THE BEXAR MEMBER FOR GAS EXTRACTED FROM LOW- AN ACTIVE EXPLORATION TARGET FOR

PERMEABILITY RESERVOIRS. PHOTOS: SARAH WILSON. UNCONVENTIONAL OIL AND GAS.

80 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 81 The Vargas Collections, 2. The E.M. Barron Collections 1.

OPPOSITE: 3.

AGATES LAGUNA RANCH CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO

THESE THREE SPECIMENS ARE PART OF THE MORE THAN 500 AGATES HELD BY THE BARRON COLLECTION, WHICH WAS DONATED TO THE UNIVERSITY BY COLONEL ELBERT MACBY BARRON. THE AGATES ARE THE JEWEL OF THE COLLECTION. THEY ARE AMONG THE BEST SPECIMENS OF THEIR KIND AND SHOWCASE THE SPECTACULAR ARRAY OF COLORS THAT MAKE AGATES FROM NORTHERN MEXICO AMONG THE MOST PRIZED IN THE WORLD.

—

1. , VARIETY AMETRINE OVAL BRILLIANT CUT BRAZIL

2. GREEN GLASS WITH BUBBLE ROUND MIXED CUT UNKNOWN

3. QUARTZ, VARIETY CITRINE PENTAGONAL STEP CUT UNKNOWN

THE THREE GEMSTONES ARE AMONG THE MORE THAN 1,000 FACETED GEMSTONES DISPLAYED IN HAND-MADE WIRE MOUNTS THAT MAKE UP THE VARGAS GEM AND MINERAL COLLECTION. GLENN AND MARTHA VARGAS ASSEMBLED THE COLLECTION OVER 60 YEARS, HAND-SELECTING AND FACETING THE STONES THEMSELVES. FOR 24 YEARS, THEY TAUGHT THEIR CRAFT TO THE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WHO TOOK THEIR GEMS AND GEM MINERALS COURSE IN THE

PHOTOS: DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES. DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES.

82 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 83 TECHNOLOGY IN THE FIELD

BY MONICA KORTSHA

“These, they are light enough that we can just put them on our PORTABLE : packs and hike the 1 to 3 kilometers to our sites.” PINT-SIZED PLATE TRACKING Another improvement is the installation time. The boxes only their powers of observation to take about an hour to get in the ground. Geoscientists use seismometers to measure ground movement, In April 2018, Porritt led a team of undergraduates to eastern sheer-sided cliffs from up close, new places. Some of the devices with researchers often putting them to work along tectonic California’s Mojave Desert to deploy 19 seismometers above a ne of the most it takes more time and carabiners are cutting-edge and just making plate interfaces to track the daily movements of the plates. fault system about 150 miles east of the San Andreas fault, an important skills a field than most would care to spend. their way into the market, with Rob Porritt, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute active tectonic boundary and earthquake incubator. The project, geologist can develop To do all that, modern the Jackson School’s early adopter for Geophysics, said he remembers spending long hours in overseen in part by the Jackson School’s Thorsten Becker and O the field installing seismometers — a process that involved Whitney Behr (now at the university of ETH Zurich) and funded is the ability to interpret rocks geoscientists depend on diverse role helping refine applications mixing sand, cement and by the Southern California Earthquake Center, seeks to learn technology — cameras, sensors, and further development. Others, in their native environment. water, and moving heavy more about how nearby tectonic activity is deforming the fault, Developing a keen eye is a good sounders and more — that shows borne of elbow grease and batteries and sensors. and how it might relate to tension between the plates that could start. But at the end of the day, parts of the world that would Walmart runs, show the power But he said that a new be released as earthquakes. there’s only so much the human otherwise remain hidden. of creativity in problem solving. generation of pint-sized The ’s portable size allowed the team to hike to seismometers, only about eyeball can do. Scientists at the Jackson the area — cars are forbidden because of the area’s designation as the size of a soda can, is a habitat for endangered desert tortoises — with UTIG Research School of Geosciences are using We can’t see below the surface. simplifying the installation Scientist Associates Marcy Davis and Dan Duncan developing Or detect the tiny shifts in geosciences technology to take process, and changing the a seismic station design and installation protocol with the topography caused by tectonic type of work that’s possible undergraduate researcher in mind. movement underfoot. And and who can participate. “One of the design elements of this project was to make THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC DANIEL GEOLOGY. ORTEGA-ARROYO. ROB PORRITT. CHRIS ZAHM. TYLER MENG/ERIC PETERSEN. “This box weighs although it may be possible everything simple enough that an undergrad, without any help, 50 pounds, and that’s LEFT PAGE: UNDERGRADUATE ASHLYN ZARE FINISHING UP AN INSTALL OF A FIELD SEISMOMETER could put it all together,” Porritt said. to map the details etched into everything you need for the The mission was a success: Undergraduates Ashlyn Zare, RIGHT PAGE, CLOCKWISE: UNDERGRADUATES (LEFT TO RIGHT) ASHLYN ZARE, JACKIE RAMBO AND DANIEL ORTEGA-ARROYO INSTALLING A FIELD SEISMOMETER IN THE MOJAVE DESERT; A DRONE station,” Porritt said about Jackie Rambo and Daniel Ortega-Arroyo successfully installed TAKING FLIGHT DURING FIELDWORK IN THE BAHAMAS; GRADUATE STUDENT ERIC PETERSEN the seismometer and its monitors, which, if all is in working order, are currently CONDUCTS A RADAR SURVEY OF ALASKA’S SOURDOUGH ROCK GLACIER USING A HOME-BUILT “POD associated machinery held RACER;” RESEARCHERS DEPLOY THE P-CABLE SEISMIC SYSTEM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO TO LOOK recording the seismic lurches and wobbles happening miles

FOR CO2 STORAGE SITES. CLOCKWISE: PHOTOS CONTINUED:PHOTOS inside a plastic container. beneath the desert.

84 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 85 DRONES: that technique in graduate school A drone flight around the boulders THE P-CABLE: with help from a Department of Energy grant. Meckel has put FLY-BY GEOLOGY with little success). Drones, easily helped reveal their topography in CARBON STORAGE SCOUT the technology to the test during several surveys offshore of toted in a backpack and operated via new detail, bringing centimeter- Texas, as well as a six-day survey in 2017 at the Tomakomai Sometimes, revolutionary technology remote control, offer a much more scale features into view. They also The P-Cable system acquired by the Bureau of Economic carbon-storage site, an active carbon dioxide injection site solutions are available right off the maneuverable option. provided the raw material to conduct Geology in 2012 shows the strata of the sea floor in offshore of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. shelf. Chris Zahm, a bureau research Zahm and Department of Geological photogrammetry, a technique that unprecedented detail — offering a resolution up to four times Meckel said that these surveys are helping determine engineering scientist associate, said that Sciences Chair Charlie Kerans have pieces together photos from various better than conventional seismic systems. best-practices for P-Cable deployment, and that an drones — those small, whirring, and been using drones to investigate vantage points to construct a 3-D model. The system is best at revealing structures about a mile under international conference series focused on offshore CO2 camera-equipped quadcopters — have the carbonate geology of Texas and Zahm often uses photogrammetry the — a zone that’s critical when scouting for potential storage started by the Gulf Coast Carbon Center in 2016 is revolutionized fieldwork by making New Mexico and various islands to create topological maps of survey carbon sequestration spots, said Tip Meckel, a researcher with helping spread the word. hard-to-reach places easier to access. in the Caribbean for years, usually areas. In this case, the team applied the the bureau’s Gulf Coast Carbon Center. Faults and fractures in At the moment, the surveys are primarily for basic research “I remember being an early geologist accompanied by a cadre of graduate technique to calculate the weight and this stratigraphy could serve as passageways and escape valves purposes. However, with Texas and other states already and thinking — several times — man, if students during summer field trips. volume of “the cow,” with the boulder for carbon dioxide injected deep below. passing regulations governing carbon storage, it’s just a matter I could just fly and see what this looks This year, the group visited the island weighing between 518 and 620 tons, “You can see migrating methane in the subsurface, and that of time until this data could turn into an important resource like from the air,” Zahm said. “And now, of Eleuthera and used a drone to with a volume of 219 cubic meters. helps you understand whether you have preferential flow for companies looking for places to safely store the greenhouse suddenly, that’s possible.” photograph two gigantic boulders — paths for CO2 to the surface,” Meckel explained. “And we’ve gas. In addition, Meckel said that there’s a whole world of Earlier attempts by geologists to get dubbed “the cow” and “the bull,” each definitely been identifying sites that we think are suitable for subsurface geology that the P-Cable could help illuminate. a bird’s-eye view included releasing reaching more than 20 feet tall. It’s long-term safe CO2 storage.” “This type of tool could be used camera-mounted weather balloons a mystery how the duo got to their The reason for the improved for studying Quaternary [period] into the wild and dangling poles current spot, with many in the scientific resolution lies in the P-Cable’s relative sea level change. You equipped with cameras on a timer delay community thinking an ancient storm streamers — plastic tubes could use it to study geologic over cliffs. (Zahm said he attempted might have hoisted them into position. embedded with sound receivers hazards,” Meckel said. “Anywhere that are pulled behind a survey where better resolution is needed vessel. They’re short — only 25 is an interesting target for this feet long, in comparison with the technology, and it could be used kilometers-long streamers used to study a diversity of geologic by conventional systems. The interests that are in a relatively THE POD RACER: compact design keeps them from unexplored part of the stratigraphy RADAR ON ICE getting tangled, allowing for more below the sea floor.” streamers in a single area and It doesn’t always take the latest and greatest technology to get big resulting in a more refined image. improvements in data collection. Graduate students Eric Petersen Meckel described surveying and Tyler Meng, who both study rock-covered glaciers and how LEFT: SEISMIC STREAMERS ARE with the P-Cable streamers their ice records climate fluctuations, were able to do it by simply EMBEDDED WITH RECEIVERS THAT “like combing the sand with a PICK UP SOUNDWAVES REFLECTED BY putting their ground penetrating radar system on a sled. finer rake.” SEAFLOOR GEOLOGY. THIS DATA CAN Petersen came up with the idea while walking radar BE USED TO MAKE A PICTURE OF THE To Meckel’s knowledge, The UNDERLYING SEAFLOOR GEOLOGY equipment across parts of Alaska’s Sourdough Rock Glacier University of Texas at Austin is the during a 2015 summer field work trip with his adviser Research OPPOSITE PAGE: only university in North America TOP: THE PHANTOM 4 PRO V2.0 IS Professor Jack Holt (now at The ) and other conducting research using P-Cable THE DRONE MODEL USED BY ZAHM TO students. Carrying the radar system across the cragged surface SURVEY GEOLOGY FROM THE AIR. technology, with the bureau made for slow-moving surveying. Petersen thought that gliding BOTTOM: THE HOME-BUILT “POD RACER” acquiring the $2.5 million system CARRYING THE RADAR SYSTEM. the system over a winter snowpack could speed up the process. “To [Texans], dragging a sled behind skis is a novel idea, led to a significant boost in the data quality. The images of the but everyone does it up there,” Petersen said. “If you’re going glacier’s interior came back so clear that they didn’t need to go somewhere, look at how people get around … it can be a good through the usual post-processing that the walking surveys worth examining or ignoring. But out their surroundings and strive to source of inspiration.” required. And with Meng and Petersen taking turns pulling the with the new vantage points offered see more. In 2018, Petersen got his chance to try the design, with a Pod Racer on cross-country skis, they were able to cover more by the technology — from the high- “I encourage everyone to Jackson School seed grant covering the travel and the supply ground than ever before. A normal day of surveying on foot HELPFUL tech and high-dollar devices, to MacGyver,” Petersen said, referring costs of building the “Pod Racer” — the name Meng and Petersen usually covered about 200 meters. On skis it was about 630. humble DIY projects — geoscientists to the improvisational problem- gave to the two radar-toting sleds lashed together with PVC The technique does come with a few caveats. Not all winters are able to see more of the planet solving style of the 1980’s TV show pipes and a handful of nuts and bolts. produce enough suitable snowfall on the glacier to use the TECH than ever before. Petersen, one- character Angus “Mac” MacGyver. “This was the most fun aspect of doing this project,” Meng said. sled. And the ones that do come with an avalanche risk that Technology is not a panacea to half of the team that developed the “Put on your skis, but be safe!” “We came up with a rough idea of what we wanted to build and limits surveying to lower elevations. But the Pod Racer more problems in Earth science. That Pod Racer, said that opportunities do, but we basically arrived in Alaska and bought all of the pieces than proved its worth, Petersen said, providing useful data eyeball still needs to be honed and abound for creative application and and built it in a couple days.” and the confidence boost that comes with trying something tested to know when something is invention. He urges everyone to scout Meng estimates that the Pod Racer cost less than $200 to new and succeeding.

build. But that relatively inexpensive addition to the radar setup PODRACER: TYLERDRONE: DJI. MENG/ERIC PETERSEN. SCHOOL. JACKSON PHOTO:

86 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 87 88 | Jackson School ofGeosciences School |Jackson policy across the nation. across the policy of geoscience leaders and shaping Geosciences, educating generations launching the Jackson School of world-classa research institution, Bureau of Economic into Geology Texas and beyond, helping turn the has been adriving force in geology in For nearly six decades, Bill Fisher BY ANTON CAPUTO

PHOTOS: BILL FISHER/JACKSON SCHOOL.

PHOTOS: JACKSON SCHOOL. earn a place in the National Academy of of Academy National the in aplace earn him helped that geology sedimentary in breakthroughs scientific foundational made He powerhouse. international and anational shop into well-respected asmall, it from for 24 growing years, Geology Economic of Bureau the led he time, that During Austin. at Texas of The University with decades six aschool. be probably wouldn’t there him, without — School Jackson of the formation the in had role Fisher fundamental up the sums succinctly Jackson Jack founder of Geosciences School help. your without deal It reads: corner. right the in firmly scribbled anote and signatures are bottom At the desk. the near hangs letter typed a office, Fisher’s of Bill shelves and walls the line that pictures and memorabilia books, the Among This fall, Fisher is retiring after nearly nearly after retiring is Fisher fall, This from Jackson message simple That Jack Thanks, whole this together put have not I could To Jack, from Bill, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 1976. OPPOSITE: ABOVE: GOV. BILL CLEMENTS’ ANNOUNCEMENT OF ENERGY THE TEXAS PLAN IN 1979. LEFT: back to when Jackson joined the the joined Jackson when to back dated meeting first for Their 27 years. Jackson known had Fisher of Texas, University the to Estate Jackson the bequeathing officially letter on the Jack.” to important were relationships long-established and way, along went back that relationship personal a had and Jack “Bill finalized. was school of the formation the enabled that gift Jackson the when president university as who served Faulkner, Larry remembered it all,” through Texas. in of geosciences face the change help ultimately and School Jackson of the formation the to lead would that others, of group asmall with along years, the over stoked and Jackson with fostered Fisher relationship the was there course, of And, beyond. and Texas more in hundreds taught and students graduate 155 or co-supervised He supervised policy. science and energy national on Congress and presidents advising Washington, in serve to stops He made receive. can ageoscientist award major every about just win and Engineering By the time the ink dried in 2002 in dried ink the time By the of continuity thread the was “Bill BILL FISHER FISHER BILL THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY ON UT’S “LITTLE CAMPUS.” “LITTLE UT’S ON GEOLOGY ECONOMIC OF BUREAU THE FISHER’S OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ENERGY & MINERALS, &MINERALS, ENERGY FOR SECRETARY ASSISTANT AS PHOTOGRAPH OFFICIAL FISHER’S ( CENTER ) STANDING BESIDE ECONOMIST WALT WHITMAN ROSTOW AT ROSTOW WALT WHITMAN ECONOMIST BESIDE STANDING Fisher said. Fisher the world,”in difference the all make can it chance, bit of a alittle take to sometimes you’re if and energy, willing process. the in programs geosciences world’s one of the become would best what building while geosciences the on impact permanent apositive, leave friend a to help opportunity the saw he Jackson, of Jack case the In career. storied long, his during again time and time exhibit he would It’s askill opportunities. recognizes and picture big the sees Fisher out: point to quick is Fisher with time significant spent who anyone has that skill asingular to down it boiled But ultimately Jackson. more duties. many and societies national of president director, Foundation Geology chair, department director, bureau as roles juggling while prioritized Fisher arelationship It was university. beloved his for meaningful do to something desire his at hinted 2003 Jackson his as before decade death the in strengthened really relationship 1975, in Foundation Geology the but “If you’re willing to spend some some spend to you’re“If willing he liked Why? Well of course, 2018 Newsletter | Newsletter 2018 89 U.S. government had other ideas. In In ideas. other had government U.S. the But Kansas. of University the at studies graduate his beginning to forward a boy, looking was Fisher he when was church whom at he met Booth, Marilee marrying and degree aliving.” make to way best the to do, it’s fun is do and to like you that something you find “If him. suited change the obviously but skills, chemistry on his take professor’s his with disappointed was Fisher doing. was himself professor the which to geology, switch he suggested and for out chemistry cut he wasn’t told him professors one of his switch, the making after long Not biochemistry. to switched soon but major agriculture an as started one. He with Illinois of University the than scholarship a without University Illinois Southern attend to expensive it less he found but Champaign, at Urbana- Illinois of University the to ascholarship earned Fisher persuade. to hard he wasn’t farm, on the of working years After back. your one with earning to preferable is mind your with living a earning that reasoning not, had they though even college pursue to him encouraged parents his and student, work. hard with acquainted well was generation, of his kids most Fisher, like school, high from graduated he time By the bailer. the pulled that tractor the driving to 11, he graduated At operation. bailing ahay in wire punch to aday 50 cents 8, age at receiving job summer full-time first worked his He house. school atwo-room then and aone-room first attending worked, his where farms up on the grew Fisher , Great the during country discipline. the or state the to connection no virtually with life out started Fisher geology, on influence much so Texas he said. been,” has ever anybody as Texas in geology career succinctly. of Fisher’s impact up the sums Faulkner MAKING THE GRADE 90 After receiving his undergraduate undergraduate his receiving After it,” he said. with stayed it and liked “I diligent and abright was Fisher coal Illinois southern tough in Born But for who have someone would in figure a influential as is “Bill | Jackson School ofGeosciences School |Jackson – BILL FISHER– BILL LIVING.” A MAKE THE BEST WAY TO IS FUN TO DO, IT’S YOU LIKE TO DO AND THATSOMETHING YOU FIND “IF most famous geologists of his time and and time of his geologists famous most the of one Moore, C. Raymond Professor of presence by the there drawn He was as he planned. Kansas of University the you can.” best the situation the work to through learn You youwhere don’t control. much have situations into get you occasionally course, life’s “Over about,” he said. thing do adamn you can’t that in you are that lesson. life avaluable with away he came said Fisher Still, career. his pursue and wife his to return he could until days the counting himself found still Fisher but front, the at position initial his to preferable was lab The chemistry. in background his petroleum laboratory by exaggerating a in aposition wrangle to managed He years. two for Korea nearly South to sent and 1954, drafted was Fisher After returning home, Fisher attended attended home, Fisher returning After asystem how tolerate to “You learn RIGHT: ABOVE and that of the bureau, as well. well. as bureau, of the that and course — his set advice The bureau. the at position research the consider to him urged Moore winters. of harsh specter the and living of cost high the off by put Austin. in Geology Economic of Bureau Texas the and Island; Rhode of University the at Laboratory Marine Narragansett Mexico; New Farmington, in offers: job Texaco, three get to managed but he find, to hard were 1960, in doctorate industry the in jobs my time.’” say, waste ‘Don’t He would out. you right run just would he you weren’t, “If Moore’sat directive. Canyon Grand western of the geology the explored thesis doctoral whose well. him serve would that lesson another learned Fisher day. again, Here the left had for Moore it after retrieve to garbage the through sift to student the leaving student, grad of apanicked front in trash the into athesis dump to occasion one than more on known He was weight. their pulling not were he felt they if particularly students, for terrorizing areputation had Moore field. the in character a larger-than-life MOUNTAINS IN APRIL 2018. GUADALUPE TO THE TRIP STRATIGRAPHY HAT Fisher visited Rhode Island but was was but Island Rhode visited Fisher his with graduated Fisher When Fisher, said prepared,” be to “You learn ) LEADING THE ANNUAL SEQUENCE SEQUENCE ANNUAL THE LEADING FISHER FISHER : BILL AND MARILEE FISHER. ( CENTER, IN BURNT ORANGE ORANGE BURNT IN CENTER,

PHOTOS: BILL FISHER/JACKSON SCHOOL.

PHOTOS: BILL FISHER/JACKSON SCHOOL. really off the table.”the off really is nothing so and ambition, own your by limited only you are that believes Bill think “I abit,” quite he said. border Texas the beyond expanded hiring its and Bill’s leadership, under spurt growth profile. and scope its of widening terms in bureau the at of tenure Fisher’s importance the to overstate it’s difficult 19 said years, role for the in served who has Tinker, existence. of its aquarter for nearly helm the at for was 24 Fisher years, director 1970in 1994. in down stepping and As position the taking serving, longest the was Fisher history. organization’s the in Fisher’s. from acting the pulled Flawn and title, Flawn’s from acting the pulled university the later, months Six affairs. of academic president vice acting university’s the became Flawn 1970 in director when acting then and 1968 in bureau of the director associate Fisher named Austin, of UT president become wholater would Flawn, career. Fisher’s throughout mentor a become who would Flawn, Peter director bureau then with friendship lifelong a be would what formed Fisher that doctorate. his earn to conducted the work he with to do little had job the that fact the despite stratigrapher plain acoastal as hired was Fisher frequent. would colleagues his and Fisher young a that garden beer famous the Garten, Scholz near Campus Little the as known area an in It was organization. small but awell-regarded was bureau 1960, in joined Fisher the When CAPITAL TO CAPITAL “The bureau had its first real big big real first its had bureau “The Scott Director bureau Current directors eight only been have There bureau the at years early his in It was at the Department of the Interior Interior the of Department the at you’ve but how do to it.” know to got can, you yes was, answer The wind? that catch you of: Can aquestion was “It remembers. big,” he were concerns environmental and scarce getting were resources uranium resources. and lignite geothermal, into research expand to opportunity the with bureau the provided This sources. energy alternative in interest creating roof, the through prices gasoline sent and shortages oil created embargo OPEC the in Then 1973, reservoirs. new develop to plans its with concert in Texas South of geology environmental of the study a fund to Board Water Development 1972,In Texas the persuaded Fisher Basin. Permian the and zone coastal work on the system depositional and analysis basin on efforts up its stepped it as bureau the oversaw also Fisher aresearcher. as he started that coast Texas of the atlas environmental the work on he continued bureau, of the director became first Fisher When of research. array adiverse in part take day. this to case the remains That contracts. and grants from came funding of its 90 percent more than director, therole of he left time By the survey. geological state’s the as it for serving granted Legislature the Texas funding line-item modest relatively the had, it always as on, relied bureau the came, Fisher When bureau. of the vision the and mission the by expanding achieved was growth 1990s. tremendous That $20 early by the moreto than million of $384,000. abudget with grew That organization 1970, an inherited Fisher In 1975,In position a offered was Fisher energy when times were “Those to bureau the enabled has funding The In up. this back raw numbers The Ronald Reagan. Ronald President under Council Science House White on the served He also Legislature. Texas and Congress U.S. the to 100 occasions on more than testimony presented told, he has All Congress. to testimony and presenting committees on advisory serving Washington, to visitor afrequent be would Fisher recovery. gas world and of oil evolving quickly the including research of avenues new other many among Texas West in low-level waste and level nuclear high- both store to efforts national the for studies scientific involved in become bureau the helped Fisher returned, he 1977. in when organization For example, of the helm the to back hewhen came do could bureau the of what view his expanded It also duties. delegating while trust out whomto figure and prioritize quickly, to learn ability it honed his said But he environment. grueling sometimes and afast-paced as Washington Ford. Gerald President by minerals and of energy secretary assistant appointed he was year, that Later absence. his in director acting Groat Chip Director Associate naming bureau, the from leave atemporary took Fisher job. the take he insisted Marilee spouse move, his but the against decided have He might Washington. to family hisyoung by moving posed difficulties personal and financial of the because hesitant was However, he career. and knowledge his expand could a position such He knew councils. advisory policy and organizations of national boards on the served having level, a national on expertise his offering to stranger no for was Fisher energy. secretary assistant deputy as Washington in Even after his return to Austin, to Austin, return his after Even in time his describes Fisher 2018 Newsletter | Newsletter 2018 91 LEADERSHIP IN ACTION beyond today and looking over the nonmajors to help keep enrollment up. Kerans, who joined the bureau in 1985 the late 1990s, she hosted the Geology long term. He’s been a great mentor in “He helped bring a sense of order as a research associate. Foundation Advisory Council for Fisher recognized that generating that way.” and direction,” Cloos said. “That was “He would say here is where you’re dinners, first at the Fisher home and later world-class research at the bureau Jackson School Dean Sharon Mosher, fundamentally important.” going, and here’s the big picture and at their Hill Country ranch in Liberty meant creating the right environment. who started at UT Austin as an assistant Doug Ratcliff worked with Fisher how you fit into it,” he said. “That’s not Hill. She prepared a wonderful meal for As director, he played a large part in professor in 1978 before being named for most of his career, starting as a the traditional approach, but that was a group that could approach 80 people. setting up a workplace where science department chair in 2007 and dean in clerk in the bureau’s core repository his style.” How the Fishers made room for everyone could thrive. 2009, said Fisher has been a constant before Fisher recognized his talent with This certainly posed challenges to in the Austin house was memorable for Among Fisher’s innovations at the source of support. numbers and brought him over to help researchers, particularly if they weren’t all who attended. Cloos said Marilee bureau was starting the industrial “I’ve learned a great deal from Bill with the bureau’s budgeting. versatile or open to change. But it also probably hosted a dozen of these homey associates programs, which were the about leadership over the years, and “He’s the best numbers guy alive,” helped many grow and forge successful gatherings that created a truly special first at the bureau and among the first I have regularly sought his advice on Fisher said, pointing out that Ratcliff had careers in areas they might not have kind of interaction between the faculty in the country when the Offshore any number of issues,” she said. “Bill to keep track of more than 200 contracts considered. The best example, according and the department’s supporters who State Lands Lab (1985), the Reservoir has been a tremendous resource and at a time for the bureau at some points. to Kerans, is the late Martin Jackson, made up the advisory council. Characterization Research Lab has always been willing to help. I feel Fisher also took him over to the who came from South Africa to the Jackson attended many of these (1986), and the Applied Geodynamics fortunate that I’ve had the opportunity dean’s office when the Jackson School bureau with an interest in working on dinners. Through it all, the potential Lab (1988) were launched. These to work with him and hope that he was formed to help with the enormous brittle deformation. The work didn’t game-changing gift was not common programs bring industry together into remains available after his much- task of documenting the Jackson gift During his tenure as director, the fit in with the opportunities available knowledge. a consortium to help fund bureau- deserved retirement.” — valued at $272 million when it bureau published 483 reports, maps and to the bureau at the time, so Fisher “Very few people knew about it,” led research. Each industrial partner Fisher was also adept at juggling tasks, was finalized — and figuring how to atlases, and 1,433 research articles. In assigned him to salt dome research to Cloos said. “Bill nurtured it along for provides a relatively small amount of even big ones. In 1984, he was named use the money to tie the bureau, the addition, bureau staff members, taking help with potential geothermal projects. more than a decade. And then it finally funding, but the combination is enough chair of the Department of Geological Department of Geological Sciences and an example from their energetic and “That was the start of the best-known happened, and everything changed.” to support substantial research that Sciences, taking on the role at the same the Institute for Geophysics into the outgoing leader, gave 2,828 invited salt tectonics person in the world,” benefits all the partners. time he was bureau director and chair Jackson School. lectures, served on 170 committees Kerans said. SCIENTIST AND EDUCATOR There was a time when industry simply of the Geology Foundation. Professor Fisher was a tough and driven boss, and served in 10 national offices of It was this type of foresight that When reviewing Fisher’s many didn’t fund academic research, explained Mark Cloos, the Getty Oil Company Ratcliff remembers, but he got the best professional societies. helped Fisher years later to forge a accomplishments as a leader and Tinker. Each company depended on its Centennial Chair in Geological Sciences, out of people. Groat, who is now a professor at strong relationship with Jack Jackson. administrator, it could be easy to own labs, but this became an issue in the worked closely with Fisher during much “He was an incredible mentor, and Louisiana State University and acting The former oil and gas man, as Fisher assume that running organizations 1980s as the industry took a downturn of his time at the department, acting as he backed it up,” Ratcliff said. “He director of that state’s geological survey, pointed out, was a tough businessman took up all of his time. But he managed and research funding began to dry up. associate chair under Fisher from 1986 demanded a lot from his scientists. He said that there is an important lesson to and over the years reminded Fisher to do some teaching and conduct Fisher saw an opportunity for the bureau to 1989 and then serving as department demanded they do what was required learn from all the activity. often that he could change his mind groundbreaking research. to step into the void, and the industrial chair himself from 1996 to 2000, by the contract, and in addition, use “We need to be trusted in what we do about the gift at any time. Fisher’s research has focused on the associates programs were born. when Fisher was chair of the Geology their and a lot of hard work well, but part of that is rooted in getting “It was really just about getting on areas of stratigraphy, sedimentology, and The approach has since been Foundation and a professor. to generate publishable, meaningful out there and communicating, and Bill with him and developing trust,” Fisher oil and gas assessment. He’s credited with emulated across the country, including, Cloos remembers Fisher taking over scientific results.” symbolizes it well,” Groat said. “That’s said. “That’s true anytime, anywhere, two foundational discoveries. In 1967, he as Tinker points out, by successive at a difficult time when enrollment was Understanding that publishing world- something we all need to think about.” but particularly of individuals you are and colleague Joe McGowen introduced directors of the bureau. There were four falling quickly because of a downturn class science — not just conducting it Fisher’s good eye for talent and working with. You have to develop trust.” the concept of depositional systems, a industrial associates programs at the in the oil and gas industry. Fisher’s — was the lifeblood of an organization tremendous ability to see how smaller As department chair for several fundamental part of modern stratigraphy bureau when Tinker took over in 2000. business and leadership skills proved like the bureau, Fisher set up a complete parts fit into a bigger plan often led to years, Cloos remembers Fisher had and sedimentology. The second was the There are currently 11. to be crucial as he brought a steadying editing and graphics department to scientists being assigned tasks that great support from Marilee, who acted concept of systems tracts, introduced by “That’s the kind of vision Bill has,” hand to the department, Cloos said. He make it as easy as possible to create didn’t fit in directly with their specialty, quietly as the “first lady” of the Geology Fisher and colleague Frank Brown, which Tinker said. “It’s a matter of looking even helped create new courses aimed at quality copy and figures for publication, remembers Department Chair Charlie Foundation. From the late 1980s to linked contemporaneous depositional a setup that Ratcliff said was unique at systems from source to sink. Among the time. Ratcliff also said that Fisher his other research highlights is a 1987 set up a rigorous internal peer review assessment he led for the Department of system and made everyone understand Energy that turned around the then- that they weren’t publishing solely for prevalent view of natural gas scarcity. themselves, but were publishing for the Fisher was also a pioneer in the bureau. It was part of a concerted effort field of seismic stratigraphy, which to raise awareness of the organization was developed in the late 1960s and and its science. early 1970s simultaneously by Exxon LEFT: LARRY FAULKNER, JACK JACKSON researchers and Fisher, who was working (CENTER) AND BILL FISHER. with colleagues at the Petrobras Brazilian OPPOSITE, ABOVE: OFFICIAL OIL PAINTING OF oil corporation, and later with Brown, to FISHER AS JACKSON SCHOOL FOUNDING DEAN. RIGHT: FISHER TEACHING UNDERGRADUATES independently develop the approach in

IN GEO 416P, SEDIMENTARY ROCKS, IN 2010. SCHOOL. FISHER/JACKSON BILL PHOTOS: the offshore sedimentary basins of Brazil.

92 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 93 The first reference in scientific literature to the term seismic those early years as an educator who would always take time for stratigraphy (actually “estratifia sismica” in Portuguese) was in his students and loved to talk about science. a paper published by Fisher and Brazilian colleagues Ercilio Galloway was so taken with Fisher’s love for the science that Gama and Hideberto Ojeda in the Bulletin of the Brazilian he laughingly recounts predicting at the time that Fisher would Geological Society. never become director of the bureau or take a similar position In recent years, Fisher has taken on a full teaching load that that took him away from his research. Among Galloway’s many includes graduate courses and teaching sedimentology to memories was Fisher’s initial reaction after reviewing his first engineering students. Stephen Ruppel, a senior research scientist draft of his master’s thesis. at the bureau, taught advanced reservoir geology with Fisher “He said, ‘The first thing you want to do is take the first third for the past decade and described him as an engaging, highly and throw it away,’” Galloway said. knowledgeable and entertaining instructor. Ruppel said he The first third of the thesis was a “grand review of the geology always had a little advice for students when it came to Fisher’s of the Gulf of Mexico Basin,” which Fisher was quick to point out lessons: “Listen to what he says; he’s the one who developed could be found in plenty of books. It was during that time that these ideas so he knows what he’s talking about.” Fisher gave Galloway a piece of advice that he still hears echoing Fisher is also always in his head when writing papers. willing to pick up courses, “If you’ve got something a trait Kerans found a to say, you need to say it in little maddening at times, the title, the abstract and particularly when he thought the illustrations,” Galloway younger faculty members remembers Fisher telling him. might be dodging the classes. That was Fisher. “I said more than once, you “He always plowed straight don’t need to volunteer for this ahead, and he got stuff done,” stuff. You’ve done more than Galloway said. FISHER AT FUNDRAISING your fair share,” Kerans said. Forty years later, it was that Raised a total of $821 million, including $283 million at “But, of course, he’d wind up same attribute that would lead A GLANCE the Bureau of Economic Geology (1970-1994) and $538 doing it, and he’d do a great job.” to Fisher becoming the Jackson million for the Geology Foundation, virtually all dedicated to During his decades of School’s founding dean, taking geological research and teaching. teaching, Fisher supervised the helm of the school he helped FAMILY or co-supervised more than create. President Faulkner was Wife: Marilee Fisher, married December 18, 1954 NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 150 graduate students. Many looking for someone to launch Children: • Served as elected president of five national geological were international and went the new school and put it on a • Leah Fisher Nyfeler, Editor, Greenleaf Book Group and Writer/ societies and associations, with service on more than l50 back to their home countries solid course for the future. The Editor, Freelancer; professional committees, many of which he chaired; to take on leadership positions job was difficult, to say the least. • Dr. Karl B. Fisher, Astrophysicist, Executive Director, Applied • Served as trustee and secretary for the AGI Foundation and in the industry or government. It involved tying together three Research Labs, The University of Texas at Austin; served as elected chairman of the board of trustees of the These include places such as academic and research units with • Peter B. Fisher, Geologist, Director, Houston Division, Texas AAPG Foundation. Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, distinctly different identities, Railroad Commission. Turkey, China and of course, cultures and budgets. And it NATIONAL ACADEMIES AND Brazil, where Fisher played a needed to be done in a way that EDUCATION NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL foundational role in building the followed the guiding principles • B.S. Geology, Southern Illinois University, 1954 • Chaired or served as member of 15 committees, boards, country’s oil and gas industry. of the Jackson gift, which stated • M.A. Geology, University of Kansas, 1958 workshops, and commissions, including chair of both the For three years Cloos co-taught with Fisher a course on the money was not to be used “for daily bread” — meaning the • Ph.D. Geology, University of Kansas, 1961 Board on Earth Science and Resources and the Board of natural resources and the environment. He described Fisher’s funds weren’t for covering regular operational costs or programs, Mineral and Energy Resources; teaching style as distinctive and invigorating, one that would but to tie the university’s geosciences assets together and build TEACHING • Elected member of the National Academy of Engineering weave current events, historical anecdotes, and political and them into something truly exceptional. Given the energy, Supervised or co-supervised 155 graduate students, including (1994) and appointed a life-time National Associate for policy knowledge into practical lessons. abilities and strong will needed to handle such a unique job, 30 Ph.D.s, plus some 50 executive training students, many work supporting the National Academies and the National “He was one of these guys who always had a story to go with Faulkner said he didn’t seriously consider anyone but Fisher. of whom went on to accomplished careers in industry, Research Council. whatever the subject is,” Cloos said. “He was always able to put in “We were looking for leadership that would push it to government and the academy. parts of the story that aren’t found in a book.” advance,” Faulkner said. “Bill had the credentials and the MEDALS Fisher took on his first student in 1966, serving as a master’s eminence and the drive to do it.” SCIENCE • Powers Medal, American Association of Petroleum Geologists; adviser while working as a researcher at the bureau. That student, Now that he’s retired, Fisher hopes to keep his office at the • Published 350 titles, including 15 books; • Parker Medal, American Institute of Professional Geologists; Bill Galloway, went on to have a tremendous career in industry, Jackson School. He said he’s going to take it easy, which none of • More than 4,150 citations and an h-index of 26 (as • Boyd Medal, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies; at the bureau, and in the department, winning the Society of his colleagues really believe, and will finish a paper he’s been of April 2018); • Twenhofel Medal, Society for Sedimentary Geology; Sedimentary Geology’s Twenhofel Medal nine years after Fisher working on and having fun with during the past year. • Presented 750 invited lectures around the world, and has • Milling Medal, American Geological Institute, 2007; won the award. Galloway has since had a long professional and “I think I’ve got one more in me,” he said. “And maybe it will presented testimony to the U. S. Congress, the Texas Legislature • Campbell Medal, American Geological Institute;

personal relationship with Fisher. He remembers Fisher from turn a few heads.” SCHOOL. JACKSON PHOTOS: and federal and state commissions more than 100 times. • Hedberg Medal, Institute for the Study of Earth and Man.

94 | Jackson School of Geosciences OPPOSITE: THE OFFICIAL LETTER FROM JACK JACKSON BEQUEATHING HIS ESTATE TO THE UNIVERSITY. ABOVE: THE WALL IN BILL2018 FISHER’S Newsletter OFFICE. | 95 This research is essential for improving scientists’ COLLECTING DATA Dominik Kardell, a graduate research were constantly in communication with understanding of earthquakes and tsunamis. For instance, why For the students, being aboard these assistant, had spent very little time in the each other and the crew. And while do earthquakes in some places — like Chile — happen quickly cruises gives them insight into how to field prior to the SISIE cruise this January they were ultimately successfully in with great force, but in other places — like New Zealand — occur use the various equipment, including in New Zealand. He described the cruise gathering the data they required, hard very slowly over an extended period of time in what’s known ocean bottom seismometers, airstream as an unparalleled learning experience. decisions were being made every day, GRADUATE STUDENTS as “slow slip events?” These research cruises are imperative to guns and multibeam sonar. “One of the things I knew very Gulick said. understanding how our world works and helping those that live “It’s eye-opening to see how much little about was how some of the Involving students in those decision- PULL DATA FROM THE in areas impacted by earthquakes. work goes into collecting the data and scientific instruments worked and making discussions was a priority, The Jackson School provides opportunities for students to why it’s so expensive,” said graduate how to use them to efficiently collect he said. Learning how to collect data gather this data themselves, helping create the foundation student Andrew Gase. “A lot of people geophysical data,” Kardell said. “My eyes means also knowing when to stop data DEPTHS ABOARD of their scientific careers whether in academia or industry. have put a lot of work into these data were opened toward many research collection for safety — for those aboard Participating in field research allows them to learn about data sets and don’t get recognition for the components that successful scientists the ship and the instruments. SEISMIC CRUISES collection, meet people from around the world and develop work they’ve done.” need to be able to manage.” “Decision making skills are a critical leadership skills. Students are studying everything On the cruise, the team came across part of being a scientist,” Gulick said. “It’s important to see the entire process, for collecting and then from the development of megathrust two named storms and had to seek “Doing that under pressure is part of the BY JESSICA HALL processing the data,” Olsen said. “It gives me insight into how earthquakes, to failure of lithosphere shelter behind an island, delaying work job, it’s exciting to see it being done in data sets are collected and the uncertainties.” and tectonic history, to the changes in by days. The five primary investigators front of you and maybe advising.” Unlike industry cruises, research vessels like the Langseth physical properties and structures of allow plenty of opportunities for students to have a first-hand oceanic crust. By using various means experience in the data collection and processing, working of data collection, they are able to have side-by-side with lead researchers and the ship’s technical and more information to interpret and Kelly Olsen spotted dolphins for as far as the eye could see operational crew during the often six-week long experience. better understand how earthquakes are off the coast of Chile in 2017 while aboard the R/V Marcus Most recently, students took part in three cruises conducted happening and how the structure of our G. Langseth. But while the Jackson School of Geosciences off the coast of New Zealand from October 2017 to January planet comes into play. graduate student was excited to see the animals, she was also 2018, taking advantage of the Langseth’s schedule in its waning disappointed. The proximity of the protected marine species years of operation. (The research vessel is slated to end operations meant the end of data collection until the dolphins left the area. in 2020.) The missions were dubbed Seismogenesis at Hikurangi She would have to wait to gather data for her thesis — how Integrated Research Experiment (SHIRE), Hikurangi 3-D, and the incoming sediment off Chile influences the development of South Island Subduction Initiation Experiment (SISIE). ABOVE: A VIEW FROM THE DECK OF THE R/V MARCUS G. LANGSETH ON THE SISIE CRUISE powerful earthquakes — another time. Research Professor Sean Gulick, the co-principle investigator OFFSHORE OF NEW ZEALAND. This story is familiar to Jackson School graduate students of the SISIE mission, explained that bringing students aboard RIGHT: UTIG RESEARCH PROFESSOR SEAN conducting research with the University of Texas Institute for helps build them into better geoscientists. GULICK (LEFT), KENNY GRAHAM OF THE Geophysics (UTIG), a research unit of the school. Over the last “I think it’s critical for students to have the field experience,” VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON (CENTER) AND LUKE CARRINGTON OF THE few years, students have had many opportunities to take part Gulick said. “It is part of what makes us geoscientists; it’s an UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO (RIGHT) INSPECT AN

on research cruises, from Chile to Alaska to New Zealand. observational science.” PHOTOS: BRANDON SHUCK. OCEAN BOTTOM SEISMOMETER.

96 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 97 LIFE ON BOARD As Andrew Gase explained, being onboard a research cruise is a lot like Groundhog Day. Each person on the ship is assigned a shift, and that is when they work every day for the duration of the cruise. And in wide-open ocean, the scenery doesn’t change much.

A TYPICAL DAY INCLUDES: • Breakfast • Shift work (either in the lab or as a watcher on deck) • Down time (typically spent napping, reading, exercising or processing data) • Lunch • Shift Work • Down Time • Dinner • Sleep

A key thing to remember is that the research is happening around the clock, so breakfast could be at lunchtime or dinnertime depending on the time you are assigned. Graduate student Brandon Shuck said he made sure to do one thing on each of the two cruises he was on last year. “I tried to watch as many sunrises and sunsets as I could,” he said. “On SHIRE, I saw the sunset every night. And on SISIE, it was sunrise every morning.” This helps break up the monotony of day-to-day life on the cruise, Shuck said. Senior Research Scientist Nathan Bangs shared a few other tips to help with the monotony. “Patience, keep your eyes open, and talk to people,” he said.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Research cruises are building up what scientists know about how earthquakes happen. The knowledge doesn’t stop there, though. It’s essential data for real-world applications that seek to protect people from devastating events, like early warning systems for earthquakes and tsunamis. “Our career depends on collecting high-quality images of the earth, and it depends on the next generation to know how to collect it,” said Gulick. “We want to instill in [students] the excitement and attention to detail that has to occur at sea so what you come home with will satisfy the science questions and move the science forward.” And that’s just what they are doing. Each student expressed an interest in continuing to go into the field and conduct research, whether their own or to help fellow scientists. Olsen recently went to Alaska to gather data aboard a different research vessel for the added experience. And other students described it as invaluable for their own career plans, which include both academia and industry. But to Gase, the fact that the data could have a life beyond his own projects is what TOP: SCIENTISTS AND STUDENTS ABOARD THE SHIRE CRUISE OFFSHORE OF NEW ZEALAND. MIDDLE: (L TO R) JESS HILLMAN (GNS makes collecting it so worthwhile. What he finds could play a SCIENCE) AND ANDREW GASE (JACKSON SCHOOL) WITH A “BIRD,” A part in advancing research and helping others. DEVICE THAT HELPS STABILIZE SEISMIC STREAMERS. BOTTOM: (L TO R) DOMINIK KARDELL, SEAN GULICK AND STEFFEN SAUSTRUP, ALL PART OF “It’s cool to go in field and work on big projects,” he said. “It’s

THE JACKSON SCHOOL, CARRY AN OCEAN BOTTOM SEISMOMETER. going to be used by people for decades.” GROUP PHOTO AND BIRD PHOTO: STEFFEN RESEARCH SAUSTRUP. TRIO: BRANDON SHUCK.

98 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 99 BY BARBRA UNLOCKING SECRETS BENEATH ANTARCTIC ICE A. RODRIGUEZ

Spanning an area nearly the size of New globe have spent decades trying to monitor Thwaites. Then in the spring of the British Antarctic Survey and Even back then, Blankenship was no Mexico, Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier gather data and perfect the science to 2018, the national research foundations glaciologist David Vaughan. Both were newcomer to the study of glaciers. He has the potential to increase global sea determine how these glaciers work and of the U.S. and U.K. announced $50 concerned that little was known about and other glaciologists had determined levels by a meter if it unloads its ice. the affect they could have on the planet million in funding for an international the West Antarctic region despite its in the late 1980s how important the What’s more, the unstable giant acts as the climate changes. collaboration that will also work on potential for collapse. geology underlying a glacier was to its like a plug for much of West Antarctica. Nowhere have researchers done more the Thwaites Glacier system. Both of “Up until the 2000s, there had been behavior. UTIG glaciologists have since That means if Thwaites collapses in to overcome the scientific challenges the major research initiatives will have exactly one tractor traverse across pioneered detailed analyses of ice sheets’ upcoming decades — as scientists presented by Antarctica than at the distinct UTIG components. The glacier Thwaites,” said Blankenship. “The big subglacial geology and the forces that predict it might — it could release University of Texas Institute for models that the U.S.- and U.K.-led fear that everyone had of a runaway act upon them while revealing added sea enough ice from neighboring glaciers to Geophysics (UTIG). Scientists at UTIG international collaboration will use rely ice sheet collapse looked like it applied level threats from Antarctica. increase sea levels by 3 meters. have spent nearly 30 years looking into on 2004 aerogeophysical data collected to Thwaites, and we didn’t even know Understanding what’s happening and under the ice, and their history by the UTIG team. the shape of this ice sheet. Can you at Thwaites Glacier and other glaciers of leading the way isn’t likely to stop Carrying out the difficult 2004 imagine, having a single line of data across the continent of Antarctica anytime soon. journey fell to a group led by UTIG across an area the size of Texas, and

is vital and extremely challenging In 2016, UTIG joined an effort by Senior Research Scientist Don trying to understand geology and PHOTO: THWAITES GLACIER IN ANTARCTICA. science. Researchers from across the the Korea Polar Research Institute to Blankenship, who teamed up with hydrology from that?” IMAGE FROM NASA.

2018 Newsletter | 101 concern because the lower a basin’s rim The carvings in the Earth’s crust had Greenbaum and Blankenship thought is, the more likely the ocean can erode a different orientation than the way it was worth investigating whether and destabilize the ice sheet. the East Antarctic Ice Sheet is flowing there were troughs in the sea floor deep From outlining the structure of the today and came from faster moving ice enough to allow warm water observed subglacial basin that fed Thwaites, sheets during warmer millennia, when on the continental shelf to reach Totten Blankenship knew these basins coastlines were farther inland. Glacier’s grounding line, the area where resemble a soup bowl in profile where “Duncan made the convincing the ice transitions from resting on the water couldn’t pour in until it tops the argument that just looking at the sea floor to floating. rim. East Antarctic basins had been shape of the basin’s bedrock provided If so, warm water hundreds of meters assumed to be too high up along the compelling evidence that this ancient below the Southern Ocean’s surface coast for this to occur, but the UTIG ice sheet advanced and retreated could be the impetus of Totten’s melting. team had shown otherwise. multiple times, that it was a dynamic ice This deep water came from other oceans “Everyone thought that little of sheet,” Greenbaum said. over the centuries and is relatively East Antarctica was below sea level,” This demonstration that glacial warm compared with water near the Blankenship said, “but Martin and I carnage had occurred in East Antarctica surface. Most of it circulates around knew that everything that was going before, back when atmospheric CO2 East Antarctica without reaching the on at Thwaites and Pine Island in West levels resembled those of today (see coast. However, if deep water were PENGUINS ARE A COMMON SIGHT OUT ON THE ANTARCTIC ICE. Antarctica could go on there as well.” research highlight page 16), added to extend inland, its warmth could weight to the notion that the basin enhance ice melt along Totten Glacier’s would allow those ice streams to move could substantially retreat again. grounding line. The Underpinnings of unexpectedly dynamically, moving Widening the Unraveling Furthermore, the satellite data sets To map the shape of the sea floor Glacial Movement more slowly at first as the mud held the Antarctic Glacial Collapse showed that Totten Glacier — the beneath Totten, Greenbaum and ice back, but changing over time. basin’s main ice outlet — had become Blankenship used airborne gravity Glaciers can resemble rivers of flowing By the 2000s, the UTIG team had To help clarify the potential of East The findings reported in 1986 Nature the most rapidly thinning glacier in measurements to infer where the ice. Whether in the Alps or Antarctica, broadened its focus beyond West Antarctica to contribute to future sea articles have defined much of UTIG’s East Antarctica. Independent studies seafloor rock begins. They used this glaciers often rest on a bed of meltwater Antarctica. Why only study glaciers in level rise, Blankenship and Research glaciology studies ever since. confirmed that surface melting could method because although aerial radar that hastens their movement the same the west, the thinking went, when their Scientist Duncan Young developed a “We made the case that geology not explain the thinning, indicating signals can penetrate the ice, they way a water slide speeds swimmers into ice payload could be dwarfed by largely map of the major basin-feeding controls the evolution of marine ice other processes at work. bounce off the ice-water interface. a pool. unstudied glacial systems elsewhere glaciers such as Totten’s Aurora sheets,” Blankenship said. “As the The prevailing wisdom was that In a March 2015 Nature Geoscience Scientists used to think this was the that might have similar instabilities? To Subglacial Basin. climate changes, having a structural deep warm water couldn’t reach the article, the team reported finding two most important relationship guiding learn more, they ventured to the vast “We chose to focus on the Aurora understanding of what lies beneath base of Totten Glacier to thaw it. But unexpected seafloor troughs along the a glacier’s movement. However, for southern reaches of East Antarctica, Subglacial Basin because it may many polar glaciers the scenario isn’t so these glaciers is key to predicting future developing the ICECAP (International represent the weak ‘underbelly’ of the simple. Blankenship helped make this glacial decay and sea level impacts.” East Antarctic Ice Sheet,” Blankenship Collaborative Exploration of the clear in studies of West Antarctica in By the time he joined UTIG in 1991, said of the ice sheet. Cryosphere through Aerogeophysical the late 1980s while at the University Blankenship had moved on from the Using ice-penetrating radar, Profiling) program, which relies on of Wisconsin-Madison. During those ground-based seismology approach. By magnetometers and other instruments the research stations of multiple studies, he developed an array of new then, he had pioneered a multipronged attached to an airplane, they developed international collaborators to conduct seismic techniques to examine glaciers aerial approach to survey glaciers and the first high-resolution map of the broad airborne surveillance. feeding into West Antarctica’s Ross subglacial geology over thousands basin’s structure. In a 2011 Nature Nicknamed the “Sleeping Giant” at Ice Shelf, southeast of Thwaites and of miles during Antarctic field visits. paper, they revealed that about one-fifth the time for its assumed stability, East Pine Island Glacier. Unexpectedly, UTIG’s polar aerogeophysical survey of the California-size basin extended Antarctica covers about two-thirds researchers found that there was more methodology has since evolved more than 1 kilometer below sea than water at work controlling the to include improved instruments, of the continent. However, satellite level, making it susceptible to being glacial flow. acquisition and flight systems, and it has monitoring by UT Austin’s Center for destabilized by the Southern Ocean. While withstanding subzero been adapted for many different aircraft. Space Research in the 2000s revealed The ice contained in that basin could temperatures, the Wisconsin team dug “UTIG has provided important that areas in East Antarctica such as raise sea level by at least 3.5 meters, holes to drop dynamite deep within boundary information from our Totten Glacier were losing ice and mass more than the total amount believed the fast-moving ice streams. Seismic airplanes and helicopters that (based on GRACE satellite imaging). to be vulnerable to being lost in reflections from the explosions revealed researchers need to answer questions Moreover, field research led by West Antarctica. that about a mile beneath the glaciers about past glacial behavior and Blankenship, Professor Martin Siegert UTIG researchers also found that the that fed into the ice shelf, there was to improve predictions of future of Imperial College of London, and ice sheet filling the basin had a history mud, not water. change,” said Jamin Greenbaum, a Tas van Ommen of the Australian of instability when they discovered The 20 feet of soupy material was UTIG postdoctoral fellow who has Antarctic Division had shown that signs that the ice had advanced and glacial till, sedimentary leftovers of participated in every Antarctic summer parts of East Antarctica included retreated across the basin enough times rocks pulverized by ancient glaciers. season with Blankenship since UTIG unstable reservoirs of ice held within in the past to erode a large system of THE GLACIERS IN THE AURORA SUBGLACIAL BASIN MAY BE ESPECIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CLIMATE

This mud, infused with subglacial water, began studying East Antarctica in 2008. rock basins below sea level. This was of SCHOOL. JACKSON MAP: GREENBAUM. JAMIN PENGUINS: fjords into the subglacial topography. CHANGE BECAUSE THE BASIN MOSTLY LIES BELOW SEA LEVEL.

102 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 103 glacier’s southwestern flank that could “The warm water that’s deep starts decay in four Antarctic ice shelves “No one understands what’s occurring there’s potentially a big collapse because “We’ve always been where everyone allow seawater beneath Totten. rising over the continental shelf,” said and one in Greenland. It showed that about 100 kilometers upstream of we’ve got ocean water melting coastal else is not to get at these problems,” he “We showed that the troughs not Greene. “From there it can start attacking wherever an ice shelf was eroded from any Antarctic glacier’s grounding ice about 40 to 50 kilometers from the said. “We now need to understand how only existed,” Greenbaum said of the Totten, just the way it had been shown to below by warm ocean water, matching line,” Blankenship said. “In the case of lip of the Thwaites’ basin.” soon Thwaites will become a full-blown multinational work, “but were deep be attacking Thwaites and Pine Island.” grooves had formed on the surface. Thwaites, we’re within a few decades Blankenship and the UTIG team are problem that society cannot ignore.” enough that they could let warm water Greene had also developed a detailed Warmer Antarctic air temperatures in of the ocean disrupting its subglacial determined to lead the way and keep up reach Totten’s cavity in two places, assessment of Totten Glacier’s elevation recent years have added meltwater boundary conditions to the point where the important work. into those grooves, causing surface- driven melting. The researchers showed that in one of the glacier systems, the separation of of the ice sheet where bedrock is exposed over an area roughly a very large iceberg from the main ice ANTARCTIC BEDROCK equivalent to the United States east of the Mississippi River. sheet was associated with this process. This part of the POLENET system stems from a monitoring They also found that many other UPLIFT COULD DELAY ICE campaign started in the early 2000s and led by Dalziel called glacier systems have all the pieces in SHEET COLLAPSE WAGN (the West Antarctic GPS Network) where monitors place for it to occur as air temperatures By Monica Kortsha were run for a few weeks instead of year-round. UTIG has been continue to rise and cause additional The weight of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is a considerable load highly involved with both projects, Dalziel said, with a team of surface meltwater. for the planet to carry. Research published in June 2018 in the UTIG scientists leading the initial installation of four of the six “What’s going on beneath the journal Science has found that as the ice melts the underlying POLENET monitors used in the study. ice, unseen, is modulating what’s bedrock is showing signs of creating at least temporary relief, The uplift was not unexpected. Rock rebounding as an happening on the surface that satellites with the rock rising up to 4.1 centimeters (1.6 inches) per year. overlying load lightens is a phenomenon that has been have captured,” Blankenship said. The international team who conducted the research — which documented around the world. But no one expected such “Those two things are conspiring to includes the Jackson School’s Ian Dalziel — said that the uplift rapid uplift. disintegrate ice sheets faster, which is could stave off ice sheet collapse by raising parts of it out of The rate is so rapid, geologically speaking, that the not good.” reach from encroaching sea water. However, Dalziel said that researchers discovered that satellite data used to measure ice in the long run, even rapidly loss in the West Antarctic region Charting rising bedrock won’t be able needed to be readjusted to New Territory to outpace the effects of account for the uplift. Their work UTIG POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW JAMIN GREENBAUM SENDS A HOOK ‘EM FROM THE SOUTH POLE. climate change. revealed that up to 10 percent Never content to relax, the UTIG “That pinning bedrock more ice has been lost from the researchers are planning to study isn’t going to hold it back West Antarctic ice sheet than including one that wasn’t thought to be loss by combining hundreds of aerial the forces at play along the coast of forever,” said Dalziel, a previously thought. an entry to the ice shelf cavity at all.” laser altimetry profiles UTIG gathered the Wilkes Subglacial Basin in East research professor at the “That’s a critical correction However, before this could occur, while monitoring the region. As Antarctica, as well as revisiting University of Texas Institute for being able to use the the warm, deep water would have to described in a November 2017 Science Thwaites in the west. In the coming for Geophysics (UTIG) and a satellites to measure what’s breach the ridge that juts up at the edge Advances study, ice loss at Totten Glacier years, the international Thwaites professor in the Department actually happening and hence of Antarctica’s continental shelf. Chad peaked during periods when the Glacier collaboration will use research of Geological Sciences. to contribute to modelling Greene, a doctoral candidate advised wind conditions offshore allowed the icebreakers to investigate the glacier’s “Eventually the ice will of future ice sheet behavior,” by Blankenship, collaborated with upwelling of warmer seawaters. coastline and conduct seismic and retreat beyond that and nasty Dalziel said. Australian colleagues to look at one “Jamin and Chad’s remarkable radar investigations over the ice sheet things are going to happen to And as the ice sheet loses possibility: The winds over the research showed how and where the and floating ice tongue. As part of our sea level globally.” more ice over time, the rate Sabrina Coast, affected by global ocean was delivering heat, as well as this effort, UTIG has proposed a five- As the climate has been warming, the ice sheet has been of uplift is only expected to speed up. Within 100 years the changes in atmospheric conditions, how Totten Glacier is responding,” year international project called the losing mass near its seaward edge, notably south of the Pacific bedrock could be moving upward at a rate of more than 14 were stirring up enough deep water to Blankenship said of the seafloor trough LIONESS (Land-Ice/Ocean Network Ocean. The mass loss is allowing sea water to get closer and centimeters (5.5 inches) per year. breach the ridge. and wind-driven melting discoveries, Exploration with Semi-autonomous closer to vulnerable parts of the ice sheet grounded below sea The rapid rebound indicates that the mantle — the semi- Evaluations of wind-stress data which helped spur acceptance that Systems) to work with helicopters from level on the Antarctic continent. In the study, an international molten layer of the Earth that separates the crust from the core confirmed that the waters close to East Antarctica was awakening. “Now the Korea Polar Research Institute to team of scientists found that the rising bedrock is creating a — is in a low-viscosity state beneath the ice sheet. Like a water Totten flowed in the reverse direction we’re focusing on what that glacial monitor the evolution of the Thwaites barrier that could block water from reaching these critical parts bed mattress filling a vacated space faster than a foam mattress, of the waters farther offshore — a undercutting is doing to the interior of Glacier system. of the ice sheet. In addition, the uplifted bedrock slows down the mantle rock is quick to flow into the lower-pressure areas phenomena that allowed the divergent ice sheets.” Specifically, they will use the the flow of ice and the reduction in local gravitational attraction created by a lightening ice load. Dalziel said that this behavior waters to slide past each other along The answer has come in part from instruments Blankenship’s team has caused by the ice loss lowers sea level along the Antarctic coast, probably relates to the long history of the Pacific margin of the line of the continental ridge. These work that Greenbaum, Greene, Young developed over 27 years to look at which could help keep the water at bay. Antarctica as part of the volcanically and seismically active conditions allowed upwelling to occur, and Blankenship have done with a where Thwaites extends from its The team discovered the uplift using data collected by “Ring of Fire.” in which wind displaces the surface Canadian researcher and others that grounding line near the Amundsen the United States Antarctic component of POLENET (Polar The research findings exemplify the planet’s interconnected water, and deeper and warmer water appeared in Science Advances in June Sea to where the lip of its basin begins Observing Network), an international network of six nature, and show that ice loss in Antarctica results in uplift of

rises to replace it. 2018. The work focused on signs of farther inland. DALZIEL. IAN UPLIFT: GREENBAUM. JAMIN FLAG: continuous GPS monitors and seismometers installed on areas its own bedrock even as it contributes to global sea level rise.

104 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 105 Executive Summary of the Jackson School of Geosciences’ New 10-Year Strategic Plan

JACKSON SCHOOL OF GEOSCIENCES MISSION 1. RESEARCH: Jackson School research encompasses all 2. EDUCATION: Our strategic plan for education focuses The Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas The Jackson School of Geosciences seeks to advance the parts of the Earth’s dynamic systems, investigating the linkages on developing the conceptual understanding, skills, and at Austin is one of the largest and most prestigious academic understanding of Earth as a system, its resources and between the Earth’s interior, surface, hydrosphere, cryosphere, competencies that our students need to be successful geoscience institutions in the world. It was established as environment, for the lasting benefit of humankind. Combining biosphere and atmosphere, and coupling among chemical, physical, into the future. We will achieve these goals through an a college-level school in 2005, as the result of the bequest innovative research with educational experiences, we biological and geological processes. This research spans from deep increased emphasis on experiential learning, quantitative of Jack and Katie Jackson, with the overarching goal of work to train future generations of geoscience leaders. time to the present day and from basic to applied. Our 10-year and computational reasoning, independent research and becoming the preeminent academic geoscience program, strategic plan for research explores transitions on Earth and field experiences. Research and education are intimately with international prominence in geology and geophysics, VISION other planetary bodies with three broad areas of concentration: intertwined. By integrating our research into our energy, mineral and water resources and in the broad The goals of the Jackson School are to: undergraduate program and increasing its emphasis at the areas of Earth science, including Earth’s environment. yy Earth in 2100: Water, Energy, Land, and Climate: Some of the graduate level, our students will learn how to think critically, The school consists of the Department of Geological Sciences yy Address fundamental geosciences questions regarding grand challenges facing the world in this century are rooted in identify and address geoscience problems, and work in multi- (DGS), Institute for Geophysics (UTIG), and Bureau of Economic Earth’s transitions over space and time. We will lead the geosciences. We will address these challenges on local to and interdisciplinary teams. Moreover, they will develop a firm Geology (BEG), which also serves as the Texas Geological research in the areas of Earth science that directly global scales to provide the scientific data and models needed understanding of important geoscience concepts and be able Survey. It is made up of 53 faculty, 90 research scientists, 110 relate to societal challenges of the 21st century, for predicting and managing the effects of human activities to apply them to real-life research questions and applications. research staff and postdoctoral scientists, 600 graduate and including water, energy, natural hazards, natural on habitat and global climate, on securing affordable energy We will continue to have a strong focus on written and undergraduate students, and 140 support staff, working together resources, climate, life, land use and soils. resources, and providing sustainable access to clean water for verbal scientific communication to multiple audiences, to create a distinctive academic institution unlike any other human consumption and a diverse natural environment. with an increased emphasis on the importance of scholarly yy Foster a diverse community of scholars that includes in combined scope, impact and direct societal relevance. publications by our graduate students. We will transform our collaborative research groups that promote transformative yy Geodynamic Systems and Linkages: Couplings between the undergraduate courses, curriculum and teaching to improve research at the interfaces between traditional disciplines. mantle, lithosphere, surface, and atmosphere drive geologic student learning outcomes and to prepare our students for We will develop new programs and capabilities by not only change at vastly different temporal and spatial scales. We graduate school and/or the future workforce. Our graduate working between units within the Jackson School, but also seek to advance our understanding of these critical processes courses and curriculum will constantly evolve to reflect the collaborating with other schools and colleges at UT Austin, and their interaction, including mantle convection, tectonics, changing areas of scientific inquiry and technological advances as well as at the state, national and international levels. evolution of surface topography, basin formation, geochemical and to prepare students for success in all future geoscience cycling and impact of climate. All of these are fundamental yy Provide world-class education for students at all levels careers. Our goal is to develop the future leaders of academia, to the evolution of the Earth and other planetary bodies. by involving them in research, offering comprehensive, industry, government and non-governmental organizations. innovative curricula and field and practical experiences, yy Transitions, Boundary Events and Resilience of Life: Changing focusing on student learning outcomes, and preparing conditions at temporal boundaries have produced profound 3. BROADER IMPACTS FOR EQUITY AND effects on life, including mass extinction and mass survival. them for successful careers so they can create, INCLUSIVENESS: We will focus on broadening the We seek to understand the long-term processes and discrete innovate,and lead the geosciences into the future. societal impact of our research and teaching by increasing events that influenced life on Earth and to explore the limits This Strategic Plan for the Jackson School identifies the diversity within the Jackson School and the geosciences and requirements for life on other planetary bodies. vision, objectives, priority areas and roadmap for success and geoscience literacy of citizens and policy makers. of the school's enterprises over the next 10 years. The plan The Jackson School Research Themes provide an established will: (1) inform the school's long-term funding priorities and mechanism to facilitate and promote research collaborations infrastructure investments; (2) guide engagement with federal across the Jackson School and the university. Essentially all and state agencies, industry, non-governmental organizations research in the Jackson School falls within one of our six research FOR THE FULL PLAN, VISIT WWW.JSG.UTEXAS.EDU. and philanthropists, as well as institutions based in other themes: surface and hydrologic processes; solid earth and tectonic countries; (3) influence new directions for improving education processes; energy geosciences; marine geosciences; climate, carbon of Jackson School students; and (4) help faculty and research and geobiology; and planetary geosciences. We will establish scientists organize into teams for major research initiatives. research incubators/think tanks, geographic foci/collaboratories The primary components of this Strategic Plan are: and infrastructural nodes to implement our research initiatives. EARTH: NASA; EUROPA: NASA; MOUNTAINS: JACKSON SCHOOL.

106 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 107 Anonymous Janet & Dave Rainey Earl Bescher* DONORS David Arctur Cambria & Brian Reinsborough Caroline & John Bookout, Jr. James Austin, Jr. Marsha & Gregg Robertson Ann & John Bookout, III Jan & Tom* Barrow Rita & Jimmie Russell Judith & Douglas* Bostwick Anonymous Rita & Jimmie Russell Carolyn & John Bookout Maryjane & Bud Scherr Patricia Boyd In Recognition David Arctur Dick Stoneburner Patricia Boyd Nancy & Don Sheffield Vada & Walt Boyle Vada & Walt Boyle Elizabeth & Joe* Walter Vada & Walt Boyle Sandra Sigman Barbara & Philip Braithwaite of Donors Barbara & Philip Braithwaite Dianne & Leslie P. White Barbara & Philip Braithwaite Russell Slayback Marcelite & David Bristol Ina* and Jesse* Brundrett Ina* & Jesse* Brundrett Fifi & Bill* Stokes Ann & Doug Brown Susan Cage Jimmye & Ray Burke Dick Stoneburner Ina* & Jesse* Brundrett we are grateful to our Louise* & Decker* Dawson Katie Society Susan Cage Dorothy Sumner Thais Freda Bullard* donors, whether it is their Karen & Ed Duncan The Katie Society recognizes Carlotta Chernoff Julia Trimble & Tim Diggs Jimmye & Ray Burke Connie & Byron Dyer Betsy & Richard Chuchla Allison & Bryan Wagner Tom Burke first or 100th time giving individuals who have given Fred Gibson John Clinch Elizabeth & Joe* Walter Denise Butler cumulative gifts of $500,000 or to the jackson school Bill Gipson Billy Cotner Anita & Charles* Weiner Robert Bybee* more. It was established in 2014 in Pamela & Barnes Darwin Kathy & Steve Weiner Sarah Bybee of geosciences (jsg). we Hugh Hay-Roe Charlene and Dean Henney fond remembrance of Katherine Louise* & Decker* Dawson Wendy Weiss & Robert Mace Susan Cage Caroline & Tim* Denison Dianne & Leslie P. White Corinne & Toby* Carleton would like to recognize all Kathleen Howard G. “Katie” Jackson, beloved wife of Caroline Rose Hunt Mary Anne & Bill Dingus Mike Wiley* Susan & Bill Carlson donors who have designated the late John A. Jackson. Katie was Katie* & Jack* Jackson Sally & Ralph Duchin Mark Wilkinsoon Penni* & Chuck Caughey jsg in their estate plans, William Klett a great philanthropist and Jack’s Karen & Ed Duncan Cathy & Chuck Williamson Emma & Edward Cazier Marietta* and Wann* Langston partner in all things, including the Connie & Byron Dyer Pinar Yilmaz Donna & Michael Cervantes donors who are members Heather & John Echols Edith & Bob Zinn Carlotta Chernoff Sandra Lindquist creation and naming of the Jackson of our giving societies, and Kenneth Neavel Carol & Jim Farnsworth Betsy & Richard Chuchla School of Geosciences. Judy & Jim Gibbs Lorraine Clasquin & Eric Harslem annual donors for their Cheryl & Woody Pace Hill Society Terry & Elliott Pew Bill Gipson Sally & Craig Clayton Anonymous long-standing faithful Rita & Jimmie Russell Cala Ferrand & Albert Haertlein The Hill Society honors friends and John Clinch David Arctur Julia Trimble & Tim Diggs Ann & Henry Hamman alumni who have given $10,000 or Peg & Mitch Cline contributions. thank you Jan & Tom* Barrow Kevin Tuerff Lisa & Erik Hanson more over their lifetime in support Carolyn & Steve Compton Carolyn & John Bookout for your continued support Kathy & Steve Weiner Grace & Hugh Hay-Roe Diann & Frank Cornish Vada & Walt Boyle of the Jackson School. This society Wendy Weiss & Robert Mace Charlene & Dena Henney Billy Cotner to assure the jsg provides Barbara & Philip Braithwaite Raymond Woods* Melinda & Jeff Hildebrand is named after Robert T. Hill, the Carol & Weyman* Crawford Louis* & Decker* Dawson a superior education to John Wright* Jacque & Scotty* Holland first professor and chair of the Steve Crews Karen & Ed Duncan budding geoscientists and Edith and Bob Zinn Kathleen Howard Department of Geology and a Trammell Crow Jacque & Scotty* Holland Caroline Rose Hunt Pamela & Barnes Darwin founding member of the UT Mineral continues to lead the way in Kathleen Howard Rosa & Tom Layman Louise* & Decker* Dawson Flawn Circle of Excellence Ken Neavel Survey, which would later become the transformative research. Richard Leach Henry Dean The Flawn Circle of Excellence recognizes Edith & Peter O’Donnell Judy & Frank Lee Bureau of Economic Geology. Marion Wier DeFord Rita & Jimmie Russell individuals who have given cumulative Patsy & David Lehman Charles DeLancey Dick Stoneburner Sandra Lindquist Anonymous Bill DeMis & Mary Nelis gifts of $1 million or more. Established Elizabeth & Joe* Walter Susi & Mike Looney Doris Allday Caroline & Tim* Denison in 2014, this society is named after Dianne & Leslie P. White Judy & Ernie Lundelius Ellen & Ames Pat Dickerson Texas Leadership Society Peter T. Flawn, former president of The Cathy & Chuck Williamson Alicia & David Martineau Debbie & Jim Anderson Mary Anne & Bill Dingus The Texas Leadership Society is University of Texas at Austin, professor Sara & David Martineau David Arctur Sally & Ralph Duchin Marian Maxwell James Austin, Jr. Anne & Charles Duncan composed of a distinguished group of emeritus at the Jackson School of L.T. Barrow Founders Circle Susan & Jack Mayfield Carol & Rod Baker Karen & Ed Duncan friends and alumni who have included Geosciences and lifetime member of the The L.T. Barrow Founders Circle Joy & Jerry McQueen Dan Barker* Connie & Byron Dyer The University of Texas at Austin Geology Foundation Advisory Council. recognizes friends and alumni who have Susan & Jerry Namy Linda & Virgil Barnes Heather Wilson & John Echols in their estate plans. Estate gifts given cumulative gifts of $100,000 Ken Neavel Louise Barnes Katherine Ellins Anonymous Edith & Peter O’Donnell Donna & Ken Barrow Karen & Paul Erickson support faculty and research, provide and above. Named after Leonidas T. Jan & Tom* Barrow Cynthia Oualline Jan & Tom* Barrow Anne* & Tom Fanning scholarships and graduate fellowships, Carolyn & John Bookout and Laura T. Barrow, creators of the Cheryl & Woody Pace Kim Bates Carol & Jim Farnsworth and keep libraries, laboratories and Vada & Walt Boyle first Geology Foundation endowment Jim Patterson Annell Bay & Robert Suchecki Marilee & Bill Fisher facilities up to date. We would like to Barbara & Philip Braithwaite in 1953, Barrow Founders Circle Madrienne Petitjean Dunya McCammon Bean Priscilla* & Peter* Flawn Louise* & Decker* Dawson Eleanour & Scott Petty Reggie Beasley Cherie & James Flores recognize those members who have members honor the legacy of these two Karen & Ed Duncan Terry & Elliott Pew Teresa & Fred Becker Brian Flynn designated the Jackson School as Jacque & Scotty* Holland guiding spirits of geoscience education Carol & Jerry Pitts Mary Poteet & Chris Bell Jeanine & Ray Foutch their beneficiary. Edith & Peter O’Donnell at The University of Texas at Austin. Nancy & David Pustka Tiffany & Raul Benavidez Beatrice & Jesse Fowler

108 | Jackson School of Geosciences * Deceased 2018 Newsletter | 109 Michael Fox Judy & Frank Lee Nancy & David Pustka Mike Wiley* Donna & Ken Barrow Gail Christeson & John Goff Jim Frasher Patsy & David Lehman Stacey & Andrew Quarles Mary & Addison* Wilkinson Timothy Bartholomaus Betsy & Richard Chuchla Jean & Larry Funkhouser Walter Light, Jr. Janet & David Rainey Cathy & Chuck Williamson Vladimir Bashkardin Lillie & Uel Clanton Julie Garvin Sandra Lindquist Louise Reeser Carol & Chris Wilson Celia & David Bastis Cindy & Thomas Clark Allison & Bruce Gates Nancy & Allen Locklin Coleen & Peter Regan Mary Lou & Mark* Wilson Jacqueline & William Bath Mike Clark Rebecca & Jean Paul Gestel Mary & Leon Long Cambria & Brian Reinsborough Ruth & John* Wilson Alisha Battle Julia Clarke Judy & Jim Gibbs Susan and Ken Longacre Moonyean & William* Reynolds Vereen & Madison Woodward Annell Bay & Robert Suchecki Margaret & Wilbur Cleaves Fred Gibson Mark Longman Diana & Kenneth Ritmire John Wright Teresa & Fred Becker Megan Ferre Paula & Gerry Gilbert Susi & Mike Looney Katherine & Jeffrey Roberts Mary Anne & Phillip* Wyche Whitney Behr Ann Cochran Allen Gilmer & Riki Rushing Lillian & Howard Lowe Marsha & Gregg Robertson Cindy Ybarra Johnna Beltran Julia Cohen Bill Gipson Ann & Rolf Lundelius Mary & Hugh Rose Pinar Yilmaz Felix Benavides Philip Coholich Rusty Goetz Judy & Ernie Lundelius Tim Rowe Edith & Bob Zinn Jill Bennett Kitty Coley & David Hood Liz Gordon Linda & Mike Maler Rita & Jimmie Russell Rachel Bernard Janet Combes Charles Mankin* Adrienne & Les Ruthven Mary Cooke Nora & Charles Gray Annual Donors 2017–2018 Michelle Berry Marianne & Will Green Ada Marshall* Floyd Sabins Peter Besmer Camille Cooper Claire & Joseph Greenberg Mary & Sabin Marshall Lynn Salvador We honor the following individuals Colleen Bichler Jerry Cope Lynn & Jeremy Greene Jackie Martin Maryjane & Bud Scherr who have generously contributed to James Biemiller Diane Cope-Cunningham Robbie Gries Alicia & David T. Martineau Nancy & Don Sheffield the Jackson School of Geosciences Don Bilbrey Diann & Frank Cornish Cheryl* & Paul Gucwa Sara & David F. Martineau Janet & David Shomette Rosanne & Tom Bjorklund Steve Crews (JSG) during the 2017–2018 fiscal Cala Ferrand & Albert Haertlein Marian Maxwell Sandra Sigman Linda Black Carolyn Croom & John Tate Jo Ann & Karl Hagemeier Melissa & Steven May Russell Slayback year. Annual contributions are Kean Bliss Ted Cross Ann & Henry Hamman Susan & Jack Mayfield Joann & Dan Smith critical to JSG. As a result of annual Elaine Bohls Pam & Barnes Darwin Lisa & Erik Hanson Earle McBride Brian Smyth & Rebecca Marvil contributions, students participated in Carolyn & John Bookout Venita & John Dasch Janet Harman & Kent Mayes Janet & Michael McCall Shirley & Bob Steer Brian Bowers Kyle Davies field experiences, faculty conducted Linette & George Harwell Kathleen & Barry McConachie Fifi & Bill* Stokes, Jr. Samuel Boyar Louis Davis Grace & Hugh Hay-Roe Joy & Jerry McQueen Dick Stoneburner research, students received Elizabeth & Robert Boyce Marcy Davis Lisa Helper Jane & Robert Middleton Celika Storm scholarships, and the were Patricia Boyd Rondi & Joe Davis Charlene & Dean Henney Marion & Harry* Miller Evan Strickland kept on. Vada & Walt Boyle Henry Dean Juli & Peter Hennings Martha & Herbert Mills Juanita & Michael Strickler Cynthia Bradford Luke Decker Melinda & Jeff Hildebrand Steven Mills Donna & Paul Strunk Stan Abele Barbara & Philip Braithwaite Bill DeMis & Mary Nelis Carolyn & Bill Holland Lauree & Jim Bob Moffett Dorothy Sumner Roxanne & Bill Agee Susan Brand & Harry Mueller Robert Dickinson Jacque & Scotty* Holland Ann* & Ian Molineux Mark Swann Gabriel Aguilar Syble & Thomas Bridge Mary Jane & George Dill Debbie & Ben Hooper William & Deborah Monroe Cheri & Thomas Tanton Olufemi Agunbiade Marcelite & David Bristol Mary Anne & Bill Dingus Sandra & Richard Hoover Stephanie Moore & Tim Shin Elizabeth Thompson Thomas Altman Marianne & Roy Brown Christian Dohse Ann & John Howard Ione & Sidney Moran Sherry & Gary Thompson Debra & James Anderson Matt Brown Ruth & Hugh Doney Kathleen Howard Nancy & Roy* Muehlberger Allyson & Scott Tinker Jo & Raymond Anderson Karen & Mark Browning Connie Dong Karen Hamilton Huber Sally* & Bill* Muehlberger Debra Sue & Brian Trinque Betty Andrews & John Kleinschmidt Pat & Dale Bulla James Doyle Terry Huffington & Ralph Dittman Susan & Jerry Namy Dennis Trombatore Brenda Anzures Frances & Wade Burke Ranaye Dreier Katherine & Gary Hummel Ken Neavel James Truchard Sonia Arbona & Michael Meed Sarah & Ernest Butler Margaret & Ryan Du Mont Caroline Rose Hunt Carol & Ed Nelson Kevin Tuerff David Arctur Leon Byerley Jaquelin Dudley Mary Johns & Eric Beam Mark Nibbelink Evelyn* & John* Tuohy Patricia Armstrong Susan Cage Alan Dulaney Brenda & Jonny Jones Jim Nienaber Margie & Andy Udden Alexander Aronovitz Karen & Donald Campbell Tricia & Dallas Dunlap Jillian Jopling &Peter McGillivray Edith & Peter O’Donnell Glenn* & Martha* Vargas John Atkins Daniel Campos Gerald Ebanks Elizabeth Walter Keeney Frances* & Fred Oliver Janice VerHoeve Sean Avitt Dolores & Michael Campos Mary & James Eberhardt Suzie & Robert Kent Cynthia & Judd* Oualline Mark VerHoeve Deliece & Walter Ayers Tomas Capaldi Julie & Clay Edwards Ada & Howard Kiatta Cheryl & Woody Pace Zoe & Harry Vest John Babiarz Susan & Bill Carlson Kathryn & Carl Ehlert Bill Klett Jeffrey Palmer Allison & Bryan Wagner Kathy & Wayne Babin Laura Carpenter Kristin Elowe Christa & Glenn Klimchuk Ana & James Pape Leslie & Earl Wahrmund Kenneth Bader Susan & James Caruthers Pamela English Dianne Kline Marjorie* & Jim Patterson Suzanne & Virgil* Walston Patsy & Malcolm Bailey Ginny Catania Eunice & Carlton Erickson Dianne & Ken Kramer Don Paul Elizabeth & Joe* Walter Carol & Rodney Baker Jeff Catania Allison & Roger Espinosa Virginia & George Laguros Madrienne Petitjean Paula & Rusty Walter Carole Baker Elizabeth Catlos Brian Exton Lynton & Judy Land Eleanor & Scott Petty Debbie & John Watson Lorraine Baline Chuck Caughey Anne Finch & Robert Fakundiny Karen Langston Terry & Elliott Pew Anita & Charles* Weiner Patricia & Stan Ballard Emma & Edward Cazier Tom Fanning Marietta* & Wann* Langston Deb & Ron Pfeiffer Kathy & Steve Weiner Jay Banner Julian Chahin Denis Felikson Sandra Langston Mary Anne & Bob Pickens Bonnie Weise Liz Banner Ting-Benn Chang Cala Ferrand & Al Haertlein Rosa & Tom Layman Ed Picou Pamela & Rom Welborn Kristen Barazi Kari Cherland & Kent Nutt Marilee & Bill Fisher Richard Leach Elizabeth & Greg Pipkin Dianne & Leslie P. White Phillip Barnes Carlotta Chernoff Tyrrell Flawn & John Howe David Lear Carol & Jerry Pitts Sheri & Jamie White Jorge Barrios Rivera Carl Christensen Elizabeth Fleet

110 | Jackson School of Geosciences * Deceased 2018 Newsletter | 111 Mark Fletcher Russell Hamman Suzie & Bob Kent Kathleen & Randall Matthews Donna & Ben Patterson Steve Rutherford Gwenn Flowers Uschi Hammes Charles Kerans Colleen & Art Maxwell Tom Patty Adrienne & Les Ruthven Brian Flynn Alison Hansen & Matthias Granberry Ada & Howard Kiatta Melissa & Steven May Shelley & David Payne Devon Ryan & Dustin Schroeder Sergey Fomel Susan & Kurt Hanson Nancy & Robert Kier Loraine & Bob Mayfield Dorothy & John Percy Eleanor & Cornell Saathoff Karen Ford Kelly Haragan Robert Killian Earle McBride Mario Perez Floyd Sabins Patrick Fortson Kathryn Harden Jesse Kimball Janet & Mike McCall Garner Peterson Theron Sage Michael Fox Laurie & Paul Hardwick Tom Kirkpatrick Linda & Bruce McCall Erin Pettit Chris Sagebiel Kathleen & Matt Franey Jennifer & Matthew Harold Dianne Kline Cece McCann Terry & Elliott Pew Federico Salinas Jim Frasher Karen & David Harris Jan & Orion Knox Kimberly McCormack Stephen Phillips Richard Sams Susan & Paul Fredericks Mark Harris Tingwei Ko Linda McMillan Marta Picatoste Georgia & Geoffrey Sanders Stephanie Friedman Rasika Harshey & Makkuni Jayaram Nancy & Rick Kolb Nancy & Jerry McNeish Luis Picatoste Vasquez Jason Sanford Patricia and Jack* Frizzell Brad Hart Alison Koleszar & Joseph Levy Glenn Merkord Gene Pisasale Maryjane & Bud Scherr Rosemary & Bill Galloway Colleen & Chris Hart Michelle Koutnik Richard Meyer Claire Pluim Art Schiff Cynthia Garlan Jasper Hart Diane & Kenneth Kramer Carole & Wayne Miller Stephanos Politis Jay Schoenike Julie & Michael Garvin Peggy Harwood Margaret Kroehler Hope Miller Nanci & Nick Pollard Janet & Ted Schulenberg Cornelia & Edward Gates Angele & Danny Haskin Debra Swart & John Kuehne Joan & Steve Mills Sean Porse Robert Scott Cissy Geigerman Hima Hassenruck-Gudipati Charles Kurnik Martha Mills Mary Poteet & Chris Bell Paula & Clyde Seewald Sarah George Julie Hayes Angela McDannel & Bruce Kuyper Laura & Thomas Minor Linda Poyser & Mike Maler Carol & Jack Sharp Belle & Eric German Tiffany Hedayati-Benavides Misha Land Alexander & Stephen Mizer Nancy & David Pustka Robin Shaver Kay & Steve Germiat & Raul Benavidez Daniel Lalich Ann* & Ian Molineux Kim & Robert Quarles Nancy & Steve Shaw Omar Ghattas Lisa Helper Judith Lang & Lynton Land Kathleen Monahan & Michael Mullen Stacey & Andrew Quarles Patricia & Carlton Sheffield Judy & Jim Gibbs Curry Hendricks Julie & Jonathan Lass Jane & Scott Monroe Terry Quinn Isabel & David Shetler Fred Gibson Charlene & Dean Henney Kimberly Lau Terry Moody Mary & Charles Raby Thomas Shipley Gretchen Gillis Sean Hensarling Linda & Robert Laudon Gloria & Sam Moore Natalie Raia Sara Sieberath Patricia & Keith Ging Benjamin Hester Allison Lawman Ione & Sidney Moore Janet & Dave Rainey Sandra Sigman Bill Gipson Mary Hickok Richard Leach Jennifer Moore Francisco Ramirez Christine Skirius Caroline Goliber Sam Hiebert Ann & Scott Leist Stephanie Moore & Tim Shin Reynaldo Ramirez Marriott & John Smart Joey Goliber David Hill Chris Lerch Rosalind Moreman Kristie Ramlal Andrew Smith Joshua Goliber Janice Hill & John Garing Erick Leuro Frank Morgan Evan Ramos Ben Smith Kelly Goliber Jessie Hite & Frank Bash Phillip Levasseur Debbie & Frank Morrill Matthew Ramos Craig Smith Michael Goliber Matthew Hoffman Siwei Li Shannon Morrison & Mike Lothringer Shana Ravnsborg Elizabeth & Michael Smith Sophie Goliber Stephani Hoffman Walter Light Sharon Mosher & Mark Helper Lauren Redmond Gary Smith Eugene Goltz Tina & Paul Hoffman Christopher Linick Gail Muldoon Gene Reed Gordon Smith Kiara Gomez Carolyn & Bill Holland Joshua Lively Juan Munoz Robert Reed Joann & Dan Smith Victor Gomez Debbie & Ben Hooper Jane Lock Lyndon Murray Mary Wolf & Joe Reese Paul Smith Mark Gordon Clelon Houpt Nancy & Allen Locklin MaryLynn Musgrove Coleen & Peter Regan Traci & Doug Smith Andrea & David Gorney Susan Hovorka Susan & Ken Longacre Emily Nacol Daniella Rempe Krista Soderlund Win Goter Ann & John Howard Cecilia Lopez-Gamundi Archie Nahigian Enrique Reyes Luz Solano Ellen Gottlieb & Alan Lambowitz Karen Huber Mike Loudin Susan & Jerry Namy Marisol Reyes Sanjay Sood Nell Gottlieb Donna Hull Yongmei Lu Ken Neavel Peggy Rhea Pamela Speciale Timothy Goudge Diana Hun & John Ledbetter Judy & Ernie Lundelius Stefano Nerozzi Martha Richardson & Ron Wyllys Frederick Spiegelberg Mark Graebner Caroline & David Hundley Don Lundy Thomas Neumann John Richburg G. K. & Jim Sprinkle Ann Graham & Arlen Johnson Janice & Rusty Jackson Chelsea Mackaman-Lofland Terry Newman Charles Richey Ann St. Clair & Kirk Holland Kristie Graham Debra & Eric James Patricia Macqueen Thao Nguyen JoBeth & Wade Ridley Wanda & Ted Stanzel Jason Greager Borden Jenkin Barbara Mahler & Peter Van Metre Janet Nilsson & Arthur Busbey Margaret & Barrett Riess Susan Starks Marianne & Will Green Boe Jensen Jessie & John Maisano Victor Nkamany Wayne Ritcheson Joyce Statz & David Hogan Claire & Joseph Greenberg Mary Johns & Eric Beam Marianne & John Makis Linda Noyes Wendy Robertson Dick Stoneburner Vicky & Peter Gregg Douglas Johnson Patricia & Bruno Maldonado Casey O’Brien Sarah Roche Dorothy Sumner John Griffiths Ellie & Charlie Johnson Bernadette Maloney & Steve Bratteng Margaret Odlum Sharon & Peter Rock David Sutherland Barbara & Chip Groat Nadine & C. J. Johnson Katharine & Andrew Mangan Lauren & Christopher Oefinger Edna Rodriguez Chris & Tim Symons Paulette & Thomas Groves Brent Jones Regina Manion Fred Oliver LaVonne & Tom Rogers Charles Taylor Paul Gucwa Jillian Jopling & Peter McGillivray Jennifer Mann Yomi Olufowoshe Collin Roland Carl Tepe Lindsey Gulden & Enrique Rosero Bub Joyce Jill Marshall & Joe Kroesche Sarah & Rick Paige Lillian Rosa Richard Tesson Rosamond Haertlein Marilyn & Alan Joyce Rowan Martindale Dena Palermo Mylinda Rosen Dana Thomas James Halbouty Tamara Kahn Jennifer Martineau Robin & Jeff Palmer Susan Rosenbaum & Eric Schoen Elizabeth Thompson Danna & Bryan Hale Christina Karavoulia Sara & David Martineau Ana & James Pape Randall Rosenberger Mac Thompson Jason Ham Edward Keilman Amanda Masterson & David Ingold Adam Papendieck Stanley Roux Scott Thompson Ann & Henry Hamman Ann & Paul Kemp Maren Mathisen Maria & Frank Parigi Dawna & Peter Rowley Sherry & Gary Thompson

112 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 113 Kay & Leo Tiller Liang Yang Exxon Corporation Lucy Todd & Frank Huffman Pinar Yilmaz Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC Mary & Douglas Toepperwein Duncan Young Friends of the University David Tolces Eleanor & Steven Young Mildred & Elsworth Tonn Linda & William Young Haddington Ventures Margaret Tran Michael Young Halliburton Energy Services Inc. Barbara & Elliot Trester Virginia Young Hamman Foundation, George and Ramon Trevino Susan & Louis Zachos Mary Josephine Kristen & Travis Tucek Patricia Zamora Kevin Tuerff Cathy & Douglas Zarker Howard Hughes Medical Institute Michael Ueber Sarah Zellers Imagine Resources LLC Keelan Umbarger Lorna Zukas The KLE Foundation Linda & Don Urbanec Macquarie Group Foundation Rebecca & Jean-Paul Van Gestel Gifts of books and materials Kathryn & Matt Van Wie Marathon Oil Company Foundation John Veracruz to the Walter Geology Library McKinsey & Company Inc. Joseph Versfelt 2017-18 The Cynthia and George Kristopher Voorhees American Geosciences Institute Mitchell Foundation Sharmon & Todd Votteler Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer National Geographic Deborah Wagner Conservation District Frank Wagner Chris Bell The Nature Conservancy David Wahl Jim Bones P.T. Freeport Indonesia Betsy Walker & Calvin Parrish William Galloway Paleontological Society of Austin Martha Wall Earle McBride Parsley Energy Incorporated Jacob Walter Jack Sharp Liz Walter Chris Swezey Pfizer Foundation Wenfang Wang & Hao Zhu Ed Rachal Foundation Joshua Ward Riley Exploration Operating Company Molly Warsh Associations, Corporations Wei Wei and Foundations R & T Robertson Foundation Martha & Richard Weiland American Association of Roxanna Oil Company Kathy & Steve Weiner Petroleum Geologists Sams Exploration Inc. Bonnie Weise American Chemical Society Schlumberger Limited Wendy Weiss & Bob Mace Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Pam & Rom Welborn Apache Corporation SEG Foundation Adrienne & Charles West Austin Geological Society Shell Oil Company James Westgate Bank of New York Mellon, The Shell Oil Company Foundation Jill Whatley BHP Billiton Limited Southwestern Energy Company Dianne & Leslie P. White BHP Billiton Petroleum (Americas) Inc. Neil White BNK Petroleum Inc. Statoil Gulf Services Sheri & Jamie White BP America Inc. Stonegate Production Company LLC Steve White BP Corporation North America Inc. Sun Oil Limited Elizabeth & Bruce Wik BP Foundation Inc. Thunder Exploration, Inc. Tom Wiles BP plc Jeanene & Larry Williams Bybee Foundation TK Foundation Sarah & Ben Williams Cambrian Consultants Toyota Motor North America Inc. Cathy & Chuck Williamson Center for Inquiry Austin The G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation Karen & James Willdrodt Chevron Corporation West Texas Geology Foundation Gail & Feather Wilson Cirrus Logic Inc. Toya Wilson CML Exploration LLC Dennis Trombatore & Shiela Winchester Communities Foundation of Texas Molly Witter ConocoPhillips Company Linda & William Wofford Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc. Arnold Woods Dan A. Hughes Company LP William Woods Dell Technologies Inc. Kimberly & David Worthington EOG Resources Inc. Susan Wygant Equinor ASA Kaila Wyllys & Hugh Winkler Ernst & Young LLP

114 | Jackson School of Geosciences ADVISORY COUNCIL

co-chairs Mr. James W. Farnsworth Mr. Elliott Pew, M.A. ’82 Cobalt International Energy, L.P. Ms. Annell R. Bay, M.A. ‘80 Mrs. Deborah S. Pfeiffer, M.A. ’88 Mrs. Julia A. Garvin, B.S. ’82 Dr. Andrew I. Quarles, Ph.D. ’96 Dr. David I. Rainey Roxanna Oil Co. Endeavor Energy Resources Mr. James A. Gibbs Mr. Brian C. Reinsborough, M.A. ’93 Five States Energy Company, LLC honorary life members Venari Resources Mr. Gerald M. Gilbert, B.S. ’68 Dr. Robert E. Boyer Mr. Gregg Robertson Geokinetics First Rock, Inc. Mr. Thomas E. Fanning, B.S. ’56 Mr. Joseph G. Greenberg, M.A. ’86 Mr. Walter J. Scherr III Dr. William L. Fisher Alta Resources Valence Operating Company Mr. William E. Gipson, B.A. ’48; M.A. ‘49 Mr. Jeremy Greene, M.A. ’84 Mr. Daniel L. Smith, B.S. ’58 Gas Fund, Inc. Noble Energy Sandalwood Oil & Gas, Inc.

Mr. Jack H. Mayfield, M.A. ’65 Ms. Robbie R. Gries, M.A. ’70 Mr. Richard K. Stoneburner, B.S. ’76 Mayfield I, Ltd. Priority Oil & Gas Co. Pine Brook Partners

Mr. James R. Moffett, B.S. ’61 Dr. Paul R. Gucwa, Ph.D. ’74 Mr. Bryan C. Wagner, B.A. ’84 Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. Roxanna Oil Company Wagner Oil Company

Mr. Fred L. Oliver, B.S. ’51 Ms. Claudia J. Hackbarth Mr. John E. Watson, B.A. ’72 Shell Mr. James C. Patterson Dr. Charles R. Williamson, Ph.D. ’78 Mr. Erik G. Hanson Mr. Don B. Sheffield, B.S. ’58 Abaco Operating, LLC Ms. Cindy A. Yeilding Hahn and Clay BP America Mr. Bill D. Holland, B.S. ’54 Mr. Russell G. Slayback Holland Exploration Inc. Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. Mr. David L. Kirchner, B.S. ’73 ex-officio Basin & Range Hydrogeologists, Inc. Dr. Gregory L. Fenves members Mr. James T. Langham The University of Texas at Austin Dr. Mr. C. Douglas Brown, B.S. ’84 Langham McKay & Company Mrs. Belle German BXP Ltd Mr. Jeff Larson Geology Foundation Jackson School of Geosciences Mr. Thomas M. Burke, B.S. ’49 Luxe Energy The University of Texas at Austin Mr. Thomas B. Layman, M.A. ’87 Ms. Denise M. Butler Parsley Energy Dr. Maurie McInnis Ms. Danielle L. Carpenter, M.A. ’96 Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Susan A. Longacre, Ph.D. ’68 Chevron The University of Texas at Austin ChevronTexaco Fellow, Emeritus Mr. Andy Castaldi Dr. Sharon Mosher Mr. Richard Lunam Geology Foundation Dr. Carotta Chernoff ConocoPhillips Jackson School of Geosciences ConocoPhillips Alaska Mr. David T. Martineau, M.S. ’97 The University of Texas at Austin Mr. Herve Coutrix Martineau Petroleum, Inc. Total E&P Research and Mr. Otaviano de Cruz Pessoa Neto Technology USA, LLC Petroleo Brasileiro S. A. Petrobras Mrs. Pamela T. Darwin, M.A. ’84 Mr. Abayomi I. Olufowoshe, B.A. ’12 Mr. Edward A. Duncan, M.A. ’87 Halliburton-Landmark Great Bear Petroleum, LLC Mr. Forrest W. Pace, Jr., B.S. ’85 Mrs. Connie M. Dyer, B.A. ’58 Repsol

2018 Newsletter | 115 shortly prior to his passing. Professor The new edition does retain the clear ALUMNI NOTES Folk was the last of the initial group explanations and illustrations of basic of professors that educated me at the interactions between matter and University of Texas. When you share a electromagnetic energy that contributed 1940s “pup-tent” for a week or so a few times, to the technical and commercial success during a Korean winter, you remember of the three earlier editions.” Jule Jacobson Moon (B.A. ’40, M.A. it. John Oehlertz and I did this near the ’41) retired in 1992 to Fairhope, Ala. DMZ/38th Parallel, a couple of years Dan L. Smith (B.S. ’50) writes, “I She published Sherds a Memoire. She after the armistice. Our other lodgings continue as an explorationist generating also co-authored three Fairhope writers, were spartan, also. We were in the same and investing in oil and gas prospects. two books of short stories, and Fairhope platoon in the 31st Infantry Regiment, My life time interest in working with Original Guidebook. She will be 99 of the 7th Infantry Division, U.S. Army. professional societies continues with years old on June 13, 2019. John Oehlertz grew up working with trips lately to AAPG and SIPES. As an his father on the family farm in Western active member of the Jackson School Iowa, near Avoca. He continued with Advisory Council, I keep in touch with 1950s the farm, as well as many civic activities everything in Austin.” and singing in his church’s choir until Walter V. Boyle (B.S. ’54, M.A. ’55) the end. He and his wife Betty visited Theodore Stanzel (B.S. ’56) writes, “Our travels for 2018 have been shares, us but we did not get to Iowa. John was confined to the Lower Continental “All good news during the past year. a true husband to Betty and cherished United States. I stay active attending Growing older and wiser. Wanda and their family. He was a gentleman in all Houston Geological Society meetings, I spent 12 informative and rewarding aspects. I was fortunate to have had men’s church group sessions, men’s days visiting the holy places in book club meetings, and working in him as a friend. John Oehlertz was Jerusalem and other parts in Israel. We the yard. Vada continues to stay active my “buddy.” He recently passed away are watching the progress of Wanda’s in the Houston Symphony League, The abruptly.” Jimmie can be contacted at two great-grandbabies, a boy and a girl American Association of University [email protected]. born in February 2018. We wish our Women, and two women’s book clubs. classmates health and happiness.” Congratulations to Dean Sharon Floyd F. Sabins (B.S. ’52) shares, Mosher and the staff of the Jackson “My major news is to announce School of Geosciences for being Ranked completion of the manuscript for No. 1 in Geology, No. 6 in Geophysics & the 4th edition of my book “Remote Seismology, and No. 7 in Earth Sciences Sensing – Principles, Interpretation overall in 2018 by the U.S. News & and Application” that will be published Reports Graduate Ranking.” by Westland Press of . Jim Ellis is co-author. Since the 3rd edition Jimmie Russell (B.S. ’52, M.A. ’54) was published, there have been major shares, “Nostalgia: a longing for, or to advances in both the acquisition and go back to, something. Although going digital processing of remote sensing back is not possible, fond memories are, images that are particularly significant and those I have. Some are of UT, other for us earth scientists. For example, are not. Professor Robert Folk, to gain there is now a world-wide topographic some local knowledge of Texas geology, data base derived from NASA satellite Bill D. Watson (B.S. ’58) writes, joined Professor Sam Ellison and myself radar images. Hyperspectral images “Still enjoying my retirement. Would to review the area I worked on in Erath in the visible, near IR, and thermal never have dreamed that it would have County for a M.A. under Dr. Ellison. The IR spectral regions are now routinely lasted longer than my working career! trip went well, the investigation was acquired by global-orbiting satellites. The family continues to grow with the successful, and we enjoyed each other’s The data can be digitally processed and addition of a fourth great-grandchild. Jean company. A few months later, Dr. Folk visually interpreted for a wide range of and I play golf, sing in our church choir shared a pleasant evening at the annual applications. Sensor systems are now and senior adult choir. Trying to stay busy Sigma Gamma Epsilon banquet. As being miniaturized for deployment as long as I can at 88 1/2 years old. Miss president, I invited Dr. Folk to be the on drones. Drone operators can now going to the Longhorn games and playing guest speaker. He graciously accepted acquire images at a time, locality and in the Alumni Band, but The Longhorn and delivered an informative discussion spectral range of their own choice. Channel is a must in our household. on sandstone porosity. Although I saw In order to cover all these advances, Go Horns!” Bill can be contacted at him infrequently, we were pleased to over 50 percent of the illustrations [email protected]. meet at the Night of Remembrance, and text in the 4th Edition are new. Visit www.jsg.utexas.edu/alumni to learn about

116 | Jacksonupcoming School of Geosciences events and ways to get involved. 2018 Newsletter | 117 Leslie P. White (B.S. ’56) says, Jereld E. McQueen (B.S. ’61, Peter D. Rowley (Ph.D. ’68) says, of my former 1960s’ UT geology gang Island fired me from my Sea Turtle employment with a sheetrock crew. “Dianne and I are so proud of the M.A. ’63) writes, “I am still pursuing “Still in the consulting business but for should come to the Pacific Northwest, Program after 26 years! Then their The approximate nine months with Jackson School. We are happy to see investment opportunities and will fun and free-mapping the Markagunt please give a ring.” depredation from feral hogs shot the sheetrock crew in Austin and that U.S. News and World Report has always being astounded by the great and Sevier gravity slides of SW Utah, upward to a new record, 68.1 percent! onward to Wichita, Kan., provided discovered something that we have work of JSG.” the world’s biggest and third biggest William Feathergail So I’m finishing a few papers to get more education. I decided I might give known for a long time.” landslides on land. The Geological Wilson (B.S. ’60, some of the rest of my knowledge out college another try, so I came back to Joe Norman Meadows (B.A. ’62) Society of America sponsored their M.A ’62) shares, “Still before the end. Now in remission for school in the spring of 1975 on my own Don Winston (M.A. ’57, Ph.D. ’63) writes, “My bride of 50 years died of Thompson Field Forum in September working as a petroleum CLL and feeling fine. Cataracts are being dime. Things had changed. Other than says, “This is a hello, particularly to Alzheimer’s, so now I’m adjusting to 2017 — six days of field conference for and groundwater removed this summer, then I’ll start me, there was not a longhaired hippie those who were at UT in the middle being a widower. Enjoy the Newsletter about 30 specialists here.” geologist in Texas. Still renewing the search for fossilized nests in sight, and the engineering students and late 50s. I am writing this from and the amazing things going on. No living and working on a small ranch of the giant sea turtle, Archelon! Visited had traded their slide rules hanging on Quebec at the IAS Congress where I longer practice Oil and Gas law, but try Rubin Amos Schultz, Jr. (B.S. ’61) near Tarpley, Texas, on Williams Creek. Iceland last winter and will visit Ireland their belts for calculators. Even with am giving a paper on sheetfloods in the to keep up with what’s happening in the shares, “Still enjoying retirement and Primarily working West Texas and the and Scotland in August.” the best intentions I started to flounder Middle Proterozoic Belt Supergroup industry. The young men and women travels. Spent some time in Branson, Gulf Coast. Geology still remains my badly. I happened onto a How to Study in Montana. About 50 years ago, I got are doing so many exciting things. God Mo. in May. Family is growing. Last only passion and hobby at the age of 83. in College course and choose geology sucked into Belt rocks and switched bless them.” August, a great-granddaughter was Finished my third Texas and Mexico as a major. Who knew going to school my focus from bugs and carbonates to added and then September saw a great- historical novel - awaiting publication.” was a skill that could be acquired? It field stratigraphy and sedimentology grandson added. Not a lot else new. Still was the first time I had actually done in the high country of Montana. It has enjoy visiting UT and active in UT exes.” William C. Young (B.A. ’61) shares, “I well in school. The trip back to school, been challenging and fun. Harry West, am still marking off parts of my bucket though successful, featured several who some of you may remember, and I list. Next up, a trip down the Danube. more chapters of the saga: “The Perils of were both at the IGC in Copenhagen in Thankfully, no change in my eyesight Strong Drink.” The attraction of geology, 1960. Harry stayed in a rooming house and my family is well.” William can be and the influence of several excellent with lots of neat Danish girls, with reached at [email protected]. professors, somehow pulled me through. whom we partied. One of those is Bente, After finishing 660 in the summer of my wife of 50 years. We have two 1977, I returned to Colo. and took up my children and three grandchildren. Both previous career of construction worker. work in D.C. and live in Arlington, Va. 1970s C. Elmo Brown (B.A. ’76) shares, “The Somewhere in late 70s, after putting up Bente started a K-8 school in Missoula Sara Sue Avant (B.S. ’78) lives in big news this year is that I just retired sheetrock outside in 10 degree weather, and taught math. She still teaches the The Woodlands and can be reached at (more or less) this past March from I once again thought, “There has got to mathcounts team that generally comes Tom S. Patty (M.A. ’68) writes, “Field [email protected]. The Discovery Group in Denver, Colo. be a better way.” I had sort of kept track in within the top four schools in the studies for sand and gravel as well as where I served as a senior geological of Dr. John Lufkin and inquired if he state competition. I still have a couple of crushed stone were reduced during Janie Bell (B.S. ’78) writes, “Finally advisor. Since then, I have continued to knew of any employment opportunities. stratigraphic and sedimentologic field 2017 due to me spending extensive care Richard B. Waitt (B.S. ’66, M.A. ’70) moved to a place with outcrops and do a bit of work for the company, but Darned if he didn’t offer me a job projects that I plan to work on in late for wife JoAnn. She had reoccurring writes, “Though well past conventional real topography. Living in Nashville mainly Kathy and I have been traveling with a crew riding dirt bikes into the August and September. After that, I plan health issues that required increased retirement age, I remain a research and enjoying middle Tennessee. Come to different spots in Texas and Colorado desert collecting sediment samples to hunt ducks and geese at our hunting care giving. She passed in late December geologist at USGS’s Cascades Volcano see me!” to scope out potential retirement from intermittent stream drainages! A cabin on the Missouri River below 2017. We had been together for 61 Observatory in Vancouver, Wash. locations. In addition, we also did a bit better way for sure. That job eventually Great Falls. So, life is good.” years and married 58 years. She worked Continue writing various science- of sightseeing around the world as we took me around most of the western putting me through graduate school. journal papers and book chapters traveled to Paris and then on to states, supervising drill rigs, mapping, So far 2018 has allowed me to mentor — mostly on physical volcanology for a photo safari. It was our first trip to sampling and learning some geology, the younger employees at Wiss Janney as at Mount St. Helens, and on the both, and they were great in their own and having some role with two ore 1960s Elstner Associates in our fast growing Pleistocene Missoula floods. On the way; however, I still prefer the wilds bodies that went into production. 1985 Robert H. Fakundiny (M.A. ’67) Austin office and especially working great floods, I co-led a fieldtrip for GSA of the world compared to the big cities. found me recently married and out on writes, “Anne and I are still living in the with the new geologist in the Tom S. in fall 2017 and will co-lead a Friends Now it is on to our next big adventure, the street, as the gold business tanked. Capital District of New York. I continue Patty Petrographic Laboratory. Since of the Pleistocene one in September wherever it may be.” A pal told me to come to Midland. Got a to consult on a part-time basis to State opening the Austin branch in 1981 the 2018. (Rhythmic bedding in the photo job on a well site, met some people, and and Federal agencies on the long-term office and lab have grown to almost proves the giant floods had repeated by Roger Callaway (B.S. ’77) writes, moved into the oil business. Not long disposal of radioactive waste in western 50 engineers, architects and materials the score.) Editing a GSA Special Paper “I actually started at Texas in 1970 after, I was working out of Carlsbad, New York. I’m also finishing a large scientists. Although I retired five years on Quaternary geology. My 2015 book in engineering, but there were… N.M., 16 hours on and 16 hours off, as report on a landslide project South of ago, I remain on staff as an affiliated on Mount St. Helens’ 1980 eruption distractions. I finally decided to drop a mudlogger. After about six months, Syracuse, and compiling geologic maps of consultant and show up at the lab a few told through survivors and other A. Bishop (Ph.D. ’71) writes, out after the fall semester of 1972 and the downturn of 1985 commenced. I the Adirondack Mountains. Giant thrust hours a week.” Tom can be reached at eyewitnesses (Wash. State Univ. Press) “Still writing some about fossil bumbled around for a year, testing found I was about to become a dad, and sheets appear to dominate the structural [email protected]. continues in print. Will do another decapods and sea turtles and living in the resources of my guardian angel, I had a pal in Austin prospering in the picture of the modern and central parts driving tour round the continent this beautiful NE Iowa. My colleagues at and eventually coming back to Austin construction business, so I decided to of the Adirondack Mountains.” fall (2018) with my wife Cynthia. If any Georgia Southern and St. Catherines from Salt Lake City and falling into go back to construction. Things looked

118 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 119 good - tower cranes all over town and years and it will be gone. Still, I can go several local venues and working to Bill Olsen (B.S. in January 2017 and is enjoying lively questions and comments about six months work booked, until it just hiking near Asheville and see garnets expand into other communities in the ’78) writes, “I never retirement in Virginia Beach, Va. this forgotten pioneer of hydrogeology. I stopped. Who knew a state capital with 3/4 of an inch across and go to the area. It is humbling to work among and worked in geology, continue to translate geologic literature a big University could be affected by bank and admire the Rapikivi texture with local artists young and old with but during my U.S. Carol Swenumson Baker (B.S. ’84) from French to English. My most recent a downturn in the oil business? You in veneer on the floor and walls. so much talent. We have moved into Navy career, I created writes, “I’m still enjoying working at project is the 2nd edition of Aurèle could not buy a job of any kind. Then, Geology is endlessly interesting, and ground-level accommodations to avoid program successes ExxonMobil. Rod and I don’t get to Parriaux’ “Geology Basics for Engineers” out of the blue, an old pal from Houston I highly recommend it; it is after all, the hurricane debacle of multiple step and new technology breakthroughs Austin enough.” published by CRC Press. These projects Oil offered me a job in South Carolina, where you live. So, thanks UT Austin. I climbing in a towering condo when in environmental protection and have benefited from generous funding working on a gold mine! Heck Yeah! never had anything to apologize for in the power is out. I miss the views and maintenance efficiency, from ships Patricia Bobeck (M.A. ’85, Ph.D. and the professional community of the The gold mine was in the late discovery regards to my geology education. That the community there. I lean more now to shipyards to space shuttles, ’17) shares, “I finished a Ph.D. in Jackson School. I am immensely grateful stage, and we took it up to and into piece of paper from UT had a lot to do to Florida and Georgia, where my one saving $Billions$ and milestones. hydrogeology at UT in May 2017. to the Jackson School for what it has production. In 1989, I identified a hole with me making it through, at times, granddaughter is and the promise of Since ’99, I’ve been a group-process The dissertation title is “Jean-Baptiste helped me accomplish.” in the reserves, and I was invited to by the of my teeth. It certainly more grandchildren resides. I’m also facilitator, trainer and keynote speaker Paramelle: Method, Results, and seek work elsewhere! Seeking stability was entertaining.“ hopeful to see old and lost faces at our who guides program successes in Contribution to Hydrogeology.” in 1990, I got into preconstruction UT reunion at George Stanton’s in government, industry and nonprofits Paramelle was pioneering self-taught and geotech investigations with the JB Chimene (B.S. ’79) can be reached Austin this November.” around the globe.” hydrogeologist/country priest who highway department. I had stability, at [email protected]. in 1827 figured out how to find but was starving, and departed for Abelardo Garza-Hernandez (B.S. James C. Willrodt (B.S. ’77) writes, groundwater on a dry karst plateau the private side. I was hired to work Frank Cornish (M.A. ’75) writes, “I’ve ’75) shares, “I continue living and “Still residing in the Energy Corridor of in southwestern France. Thus began on a drilling project evaluating high been riding out this financial storm at working in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico, Houston, Texas and just missed flooding a career that spanned 1832 to 1854 purity limestone or dolomite projects, Suemaur, but now that is over. Suemaur running my own mining consulting by 1 whole inch from the Barker Dam during which he found groundwater in Pennsylvania and . We had has cut its staff and operations. I have business, and I can be reached at release last August due to Harvey’s at 10,000 places in 40 of 89 France’s managed to establish proven reserves several prospects from SV Energy [email protected].” drenching. We were blessed! I retired departments. He did not use a dowsing of a high purity dolomite deposit in and one from Suemaur that are being from deep-water drilling in 2016 after rod, and he did not have geologic maps. Bruce Calder (B.S. ’81) writes, Tiffin, Ohio, that made the economics handled now by Hurd. Hurd completed Borden Jenkins (B.S. ’78) writes, “I 35 years with ExxonMobil and four He developed an observational method “Everyone, please check out the and reserves of most goldmines look two of my conventional wells this finally got to walk through the Geology years of consulting in West Africa. Both based on lithology, stratigraphy and Falcon Cam that I got UT to install on silly. That one I think is still operating. year. Hopefully, we will move the building after 30 years — the new Karen and I are doing well. Our kids, geomorphology. After he retired, he the Tower: biodiversity.utexas.edu/ After that, the lure of a steady paycheck prospects forward as I try to get to Jackson Geological Sciences Building. Erika and Alec have also graduated from wrote a best-selling book called “The resources/falcon-cam.” kept me at the DOT until the beginning a better work balance between full The rock & fossil collection was great. UT and are doing well too. Erika is in Art of Finding Springs” to share his of 2016, when under the squeeze of goofing off (retirement) and geostuff. I Makes me wish I was 20 again. Going NYC and Alec is in Austin. I have been observational method and experiences privatization, I left. I thought, “I guess am currently president of the Corpus through a tough three years and slump settling in from the pace of drilling life with the public. Henry Darcy reviewed I’m retired!” Our three kids are mostly Christi Geological Society, as its in the oil business. This is my fourth to retirement by splitting time between Paramelle’s book in his own 1856 grown, all prospering in various ways, membership is in rapid decline because Boom to Bust Cycle, I think.” Houston and our place on the Texas publication, “The Public Fountains of the still talk to me, and, my “First Wife” and of aging and retiring members and coast. The past few falls, we have made City of Dijon,” and praised Paramelle’s I are still married, so winning! I found lack of jobs for young professionals. Charles Edward McKemie, Jr. trips to the Ozarks with a Porsche group work. In fact, Paramelle was more out late that eating turns me I am working on publishing my past (B.S. ’79) can be reached at to enjoy the great roads there. This past famous than Darcy in the 19th century. into “Snappy Dad,” instead of “Happy poster session at GCAGS, as a paper and [email protected]. January we made a nice trip to Hawaii Over the summers of 2014 and 2015, Dad.” Something about serotonin and also two future posters regarding the visiting Oahu, Maui and Kauai and a research on Paramelle took me to the 40 depression. I knew something had Wilcox canyons I have been mapping. John W. Preston (B.S. ’70) shares, Flying Longhorns Cuba trip a while French departments where Paramelle been making it hard to stay employed. I’ve found some interest among other “Retired but still riding with the Hurd back. Hello to all the old classmates. worked. I was able to find archives that Of my old geology school pals, I have Gulf Coast geologists on the subject. I herd. Have a bunch of Lobo prospects [email protected].” support Paramelle’s claims and have tracked down Mary Moran, Dr. Lufkin, am still involved in the Jackson School down in Webb Co. that I would like to documented two water distribution and Bruce Kuyper. It’s been at least 15 FAN program. The SIPES convention, see get drilled. First three almost sold systems built as a result of his Richard Frank Carroll (B.S. ’80) years since I touched base with James this year in Santa Fe, is always a great so hopefully this will be the year. I discoveries. As part of the dissertation, I writes, “I am still gainfully employed Willrodt, who prospered in oil. I stay in destination location, and great talks and think retirement is just another word 1980s translated, “The Art of Finding Springs,” by Caza Petroleum and still working touch with some of the distractables of field trips. I still like to see the rocks. that lets everyone know you have time Bill Anderson (Ph.D. ’85) shares, and the Geological Society of America the Delaware Basin. Good job and good the first go-around when I left school I’ve also been trying to make the AGS to do all sorts of things nobody else “I retired from ExxonMobil after 34 is in the process of publishing it. This people. Both of my sons are doing well, with a master’s in hippie. Though field trips. I am so glad I got to spend wants to do.” John can be reached at years and we bought a place up in summer I am again in France, presenting and I am very proud of both of them. geology has mostly been good to me, the some time talking with Bob Folk at the [email protected]. Breckenridge, Colo., where we spend the Paramelle story at professional And I have a new dog named Bob, and economics of metals seems grim. Gold UT Night of Giving. His passing is such summers and winters. Look us up meetings, improving my French, and I’m pretty proud of him too. I am still mines often wind up as superfund sites. a loss to our whole community. I’ve been Steven L. White (B.S. ’78) lives in sometime.” Jim and Deb can be contacted conducting research. The Comité doing some traveling for fun and outside The run of oil will never occur again. enjoying the down time, working on Tyler, Texas, and can be contacted at at [email protected]. Français de l’Histoire de la Géologie of New York and Colorado to visit my Get on Google maps and look at Oil photography, and the local art scene. [email protected]. invited me to speak at their June 2018 sons. I’ve been to Bhutan, India, Italy Center, NM. All those spots are wells. Find me at FrankGCornishPhotography Walter B. Ayers (Ph.D. ’84) quarterly meeting. I also presented at and Spain in the past couple of years. There might be a Permian Basin play in on Smugmug, Flickr, Facebook, and retired from Texas A&M University EuroKarst2018 in Besançon France on Not sure where I’ll be going next, but it China or one of the ’Stans, but 30, 40 Instagram. I have my works up in Department of Petroleum Engineering July 3. Both presentations provoked will be fun.”

120 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 121 Carolina Chapter of the Association to help others do the same. Please feel that I often do. So yes, all’s good and Theresa Damiani (Ph.D. ’08) shares, of Environmental & Engineering free to reach out to me, even if it is just well. I can be contacted at “There are two pieces of news to share: Geologists and expect to begin a three- to catch up! Best wishes to all.” Andrew [email protected].” Personally, I’m very happy to tell you year term as director for the southeastern can be reached at bowen.andrew@ that my husband and I welcomed US chapters for AEG in September.” gmail.com. our first child, a girl, to the family in September 2017! She is happy, healthy, Bill Layton (B.S. ’81) writes, “KC Danielle Leigh Carpenter (M.A. ’96) and such a joy to us! There may be a little and I are doing fine, and between us, we married Sam Downing on of mom in her since she’s already trying have seven grandkids to keep us in line. June 8, 2018. to disassemble everything she gets her I’m working at Abraxas Petroleum in hands on. Professionally, after nearly Joseph Elton Patterson (M.A. ’83) San Antonio, and we are busy drilling James Farmer (B.S. ’94) lives 10 years with the NOAA- National shares, “After almost three years in wells in North Dakota and West Texas in Houston and can be reached at Geodetic Survey as a research geodesist, Abu Dhabi working as an ExxonMobil primarily. Hope all you 1981 grads are [email protected]. I’ve been promoted to Chief of NGS’ secondee geologic modeler with Joel Mark Coffman (B.S. ’84) writes, healthy having phun...and to quote from Spatial Reference System Division. I’m ZADCO/ADNOC, it’s time to head “Still here at Region 9 EPA in the 660 field camp...“The Phantom Rules!!” Daniel Russell very excited to move into management back to the U.S. I’ll be returning, in Underground Injection Control program McConnell (B.S. and supervision of this active group, October, to the North Houston area trying to make it through some tough ’95) writes, “Life is who conduct both operations and to continue work for EM (at least for a years of budget cuts and being told to good. Beth and I were James (M.A. ’95) and Sheri White research! The Division helps to define while). Retirement is starting to sound do even more with even less and do it fortunate to not flood with their daughters Grace (age 12) and the U.S.’ National Spatial Reference kind of nice after 35 years. I hope to get better and faster. Looking to possibly during Hurricane Hadley (age 10). System, manages NGS’ national GNSS reacquainted with UT/ alums in the relocate to the Atlanta area in the Harvey because of the known, but network (CORS and Foundation CORS), coming year or two to be near our Ana Houston area.” fortuitous, quirk of being at the top of houses an International GNSS Service Rose, my 18-month-old granddaughter. a minor watershed in fairly flat-lying (IGS) analysis center for GPS satellite Robert Mark Reed (B.S. ’85, Ph.D. All is well with us! If you are in NW Houston (I think it is because the orbit products, and maintains the ’99) Northern California, give us a shout out! shares, “I am still working at Hockley-Cypress fault reoriented the OPUS suite of tools for precise GNSS Bella, Susan and Joel.” the UT Bureau of Economic Geology Cypress Creek watershed in the recent positioning.” Theresa can be reached at Bruno Maldonado (B.S. ’82) writes, (coming up on 20 years), where the focus past). Our daughters are well. The older [email protected]. William D. DeMis (M.A. ’83) shares, “Hello Longhorns...I am not quite fully of my work is on the microstructures of (B.A. Geography ’17) is working in “I am finally retired after three tries. retired yet but continue to consult. I am sedimentary rocks, particularly shales. Taiwan for her international experience Now Mary and I are traveling. We find currently working on a part time basis I was recently promoted to Research year before deciding on graduate geology wherever we go. We have a for Gustavson Associates as geophysical Scientist Associate V. I look forward to school. The younger is thriving and summer home in Colorado too. Life manager/business development role. seeing my former classmates at the JSG studying up the road at Southwestern John Wilcox (B.S. ’90) in is awesome.” Bill can be contacted at Additionally, I consult through my own alumni functions at the GSA and AAPG in Georgetown. My job at Fugro has Canyonlands National Park, Utah. [email protected]. company BXM Petroleum Geoscience. annual conventions.” me working future-oriented businesses Hook ’em! Most of my work focus is International, in gas hydrates and marine minerals Richard Alan (Rick) Kolb (M.A. ’81) but have done some work in Barrett Riess (B.S. ’86) is managing on both a technical and strategic level. writes, “Spent a week in Austin for the Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and the Texas projects worldwide with Core Lab I am interested in characterizing gas spring graduation ceremonies. Daughter Gulf Coast. I am still involved with Reservoir Geology in Houston. hydrates from seismic data and helping 2000s Jennifer (born when I was in grad school the Jackson School serving on their governments and research groups with Kelly Iacono Daniel (B.S. ’04) at UT) received her master’s in social FANs Board. My free time is dedicated Paul Quint Warren (B.S. ’88, gas hydrate field programs. This past was selected for the Austin Under work in August from the Steve Hicks to spending time with the grandkids M.A. ’95) can be reached at year, in a new development for me, 40 Award in the Energy, Mobility & School of Social Work, 37 years to the (shown in attached photo). My youngest [email protected]. I was appointed to serve a two-year Transportation Category based on her month after I received my master’s in son and wife are expecting another girl term on the U.S. Department of Energy leadership in the engineering industry, geology. She plans to stay in Austin this month. Hope to see you at some of Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee. specifically through environmental and be a social worker. Son Travis also the Longhorn and Jackson School events 1990s For marine minerals and deep sea services provided to the energy lives in Austin, working for GeoSearch. in the near future...Hook ’em.” mining, much of the pre-commercial industry, and her commitment to I am still a consulting environmental Donald Andrew Bowen (B.S. ’91) site characterization work has been serving the Austin community. She geologist in Cary, N.C., and completed Jeffrey J. Palmer (M.A. ’82)shares, writes, “Hello! I have made a career done by academic research groups, but manages the environmental group at my second and final term last year on the “I’ll be retiring from ExxonMobil at change. After graduating in ’91, I eventually it will need to be done for Kleinfelder and is the vice president of North Carolina Board for Licensing of the end of August, 2018, after almost worked as a groundwater consultant. In purpose-hire. To that end, I was the lead finance for the Pflugerville Education Geologists, but I’m still on the board ’til 36 years.” 1998, I left UT after earning my MBA. field scientist on a two month cruise — Foundation Board of Directors. She the governor appoints my replacement. However, I have found my true calling; one of the first private sector ultra- Gilberto A. Calderon (M.A. ’09) also contributes to the community by Achieved one of my goals on the board working as a professional life coach! I high resolution survey and sampling with niece Amalia in Mexico City where volunteering for Ronald McDonald by establishing a continuing-education will help people create an enjoyable life programs for polymetallic nodules in he is an advisor with the Comision House Charities and driving for Meals requirement for geologists licensed in that aligns with their personal values. the Eastern Pacific this year. It was good Federal de Electricidad. on Wheels. North Carolina. I’m also active in the I have done this in my life, and I’d like to be at sea again — it is not something

122 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 123 Laurel Michelle Gandler (M.S. ’06) my path will cross The University of Kayla Fenton (M.S. exploring in Mexico, and got married under the supervision of Dr. Glenn recently moved back to Houston with Texas at Austin again.” ’17) was selected for in July! I am working hard to find Sharman after completing a summer her family and started a new position the 2018 GreenBiz 30 and develop new resources using the internship as an exploration geologist with W&T Offshore. Maggie Behnke (B.S. ’12) is now Under 30. Determined world-class education I received both in with Lewis Energy Group.” a Texas professional geoscientist and to fight the sort of the class room and in the field while a Cory Lane Hoffman (Ph.D. ’00) is working as the sole geologist at the suburban sprawl that student at the JSG. Thanks again to the Christine O’Neill (M.S. ’14) shares, “I’m currently working in the mining writes, “After 11 great years with SM environmental consulting firm Blanton defined her Houston childhood, Kayla Alumni Network for organizing great & Associates in Austin, Texas. Maggie Fenton started her career in urban events in Houston and Austin. It is industry in Nevada and have the Energy in Midland, I recently decided can be reached at maggie.behnke@ planning, digging into community always fun to catch up with old friends wonderful opportunity to see all kinds to pursue another opportunity here in blantonassociates.com. development projects throughout and mentors.” Sam can be contacted at of different deposit types.” Midland, also within the oil and gas Portland, Oregon, and even developing [email protected]. industry. So, after two years of serving Ryan T. Brown (M.A. ’18) shares, “I a flood resilience plan there. She jumped Evan Pearson (B.S. in various manager roles (exploration completed a dual master’s program with to the private sector a year ago, armed Pedro Alejandro Garza Juarez (M.S. ’10) writes, “I will be Lauren Greene Martin (B.S. ’07) manager, operations geology degrees in energy and earth resources with a master’s thesis, analyzing the ’18) works at Pemex in Mexico and completing my law and her husband, Pascal, welcomed their manager, and asset development energy consumption and emissions school career at Texas son Ben in March. He joins big brothers from the Jackson School and global can be reached at alejandro.garza@ manager) focused primarily on the profile of meal-kit delivery services and Law beginning this Graham and Charlie. policy studies from the LBJ School. I utexas.edu or pedro.alejandro.garza@ unconventional plays of the Midland am now located in Geneva and working on-the-job experience at Nestlé Waters pemex.com. fall. I’m very excited to Basin, I am excited to return to a Julie Mitchell (B.S. ’08) shares, “I at the UN Economic Commission for North America and Amazon. The first be back in Austin, and I look forward technical role. Moreover, I’m excited to graduated from UT Austin in 2008 Europe in the Sustainable Energy was thanks to an internship with EDF Justin Mauck (M.S. ’17) writes, “I to hanging another degreee from join Apache and return to what brought with B.S. degrees in geological sciences Division promoting research assistance Climate Corps. The latter connection am off to the boom town of Midland, the University of Texas in my home. me to the Permian Basin some 19 years and aerospace engineering. I recently for the Group of Experts on Renewable led Fenton to her current job as part of Texas, to join the oil and gas industry! Although my career pivoted, I’ll never ago — working carbonate reservoirs. completed my PhD in geological Energy.” Ryan can be reached at the team that helped Amazon eliminate I look forward to interacting with all forget the opportunities that the Jackson I look forward to the challenges and sciences with a focus in planetary [email protected]. more than 305 million shipping boxes the past and future University of Texas School provided me.” Evan can be opportunities those reservoirs and science at Arizona State University. I’m in 2017 by researching and designing graduates.” Justin can be reached at reached at [email protected]. assets offer, immersing myself in the now working in the Astromaterials Mackenzie Day (Ph.D. ’17) shares, smaller, more flexible ways to deliver [email protected]. goods safely and efficiently. “A lot of Forrest Roberts (M.S. ’13) literature again, and collaborating with Curation Office at the Johnson Space “This past July (2018), I started a faculty is position as an assistant professor where the rubber hits the road is in a geologist at Terra Guidance and those having similar interests. On the Center; we curate NASA’s returned at UCLA. We are in the process of operations,” she said. “This is where we can be reached at forrest.roberts@ home front, Tonya, my wife of 24 years planetary samples, including the Apollo building a wind tunnel and have already have the most opportunity to influence terraguidance.com. is doing well as are all our 4 children. lunar samples, Antarctic meteorites, and other samples. As curator of ices and established a productive research group!” outcomes from an energy perspective, My oldest daughter, Rebecca, is now organics, I am responsible for preparing from a waste-reduction perspective, Jacoup Roiz (B.S. ’18) shares, “This a senior at high school with drivers NASA for sample return missions from lots of elements of sustainability that fall I will be starting my M.S. in geology license in hand and way too many the lunar poles and .” Julie can be are usually both economical and a win at the University of Texas at El Paso.” He potential career paths for my liking. My reached at julie.l.mitchell@.gov. when it comes to sustainable outcomes.” can be reached at [email protected]. middle son, Robert, is now a sophomore Fenton is an enthusiastic hiker and in high school, seems to have a strong camper who vividly recalls her first Reed Roush (B.S. ’12, M.S. ’15) is engineering bent, and still enjoys glimpse of the majestic Columbia River an exploration geologist with EOG training/competing in gymnastics. 2010s Gorge. She is also an EDF Climate Resources in San Antonio and can be My middle daughter, Leah, has started Gabriel Aguilar (M.S. ’14) and Fatma Corps mentor eager to guide her peers reached at [email protected]. middle school and is the only one of Kubra Arisoy (M.S. toward meaningful and rewarding Frank Morgan (B.S. ’11) shares, my children who has shown some ’15) writes, “Hello, I am careers in sustainability. “We’re missing “After almost 4 years of working for Makoto Sadahiro (M.A. ’14) can be interest in geology (I’m still hopeful). a reservoir geophysicist, out on really smart people that want to Devon Energy in Oklahoma City, I reached at [email protected]. started a new job as a geologist for My youngest daughter, Rachel, is still and I have worked work in this space.” Austin-based ATX Energy Partners in elementary school and also is into in the Deparment of Diana Eldam (B.S. ’12) and fellow JSG Stefanie Frelinger (M.S. ’15) has (formerly Brigham Resources). We focus gymnastics like her big brother. Our Reservoir Geophysics and Quantitative Seismic Interpretation alumn Julianne Wooten (B.S. ’12) been a geologist and 3-D geomodeller on U.S. onshore basins all over, but in family is very involved in First Baptist at Turkish Petroleum Corporation for 40-ft deep under water during a wall with Nexen NPU since October 2015. particular, the Rockies region including Church Midland, and I have had the almost three years. I was a graduate dive at UT’s favorite modern carbonate the Powder River Basin.” Frank can be privilege and blessing to teach a Sunday student at Jackson School of Geosciences system, Turks and Caicos! Hector K. Garza (B.S. ’16) is a reached at [email protected]. School class each week to a group of from 2013-2015. It was a unique geoscientist at Premier Oilfield Group in adult couples and senior adults for over experience that gave me so much Houston, TX. Juan Jose Munoz (M.S. ’17) can be 15 years. I look forward to hearing your confidence for my job and changed reached at [email protected]. stories. God bless!” Cory can be reached my whole understanding of what I am Sam Hiebert (B.A. ’10, M.S. ’13) at [email protected]. capable of. I learned a lot, met so many shares, “2018 was a great year. I started Jordan Oefinger (B.S. ’18) shares, Kristopher James Voorhees (B.S. great people, had so much fun and now I my second year of the Professional “I am pursuing a M.S. in sedimentary ’14, M.S. ’16) writes, “Since graduating am a proud alumni. I hope that someday MBA program at Rice, joined a team geology at the University of Arkansas from the Jackson School just over

124 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 125 two years ago, I’ve been working for set where they filmed “The Hobbit” couple of Luigi Folk’s ex-students and Apache. I’ve been able to work assets in and “Lord of the Rings.” This was truly I, with Dean Mosher’s approval, are offshore Suriname, the Gulf Coast, and a highlight for me as we got to walk compiling anecdotes about Luigi. If I’m currently working Permian Basin among the Hobbit houses and see where you have one to contribute, email it to stratigraphy. During my time in the the various scenes were filmed. Then me at [email protected]. Our Jackson School, I developed a love for we flew first to Christchurch and then compilation will become available as an the outdoors and adventure through to Queenstown. Queenstown is one download before long. Luigi extensive fieldwork and class field trips. of the most beautiful places on earth, and I started a study of the ferricretes I’ve continued to foster that passion located on a huge lake with surrounding (tertiary sandstones strongly cemented through travel. Last winter, I trekked mountains. It’s close to Doubtful Sound, by iron oxides) in central Texas. I to Everest Base Camp and summited so we took a side trip there and got to see was to do the field work and he most Kala Patthar. Over the summer, I went penguins and whales. Our last stop on of the SEM work. I’m pondering on an epic surf trip along the coast of this wonderful adventure was Hobart, how to proceed. The Jackson School Portugal. Feel free to reach me at Tazmania, where we spent five days International Rock Collection was [email protected]!” with Francisco’s childhood friend Victor established a few years ago. Samples and his family, who were super hosts. will be archived at the Pickle Campus. Rachel Veronica Simon Wallace The weather was a bit cold and drizzy A searchable database will be available (M.S. ’13, Ph.D. ’18) shares, “I after the first day, but we still had a great online. Already on hand are 6,000 of graduated from the Jackson School of visit. Later, in March, we visited Caddo Luigi’s samples, 3,000 of mine, plus Geosciences in the spring of 2018. I Lake State Park in NE Texas. It’s Texas’ samples from the collections of Steve am now beginning my dream job as a largest freshwater lake and is a maze Clabaugh, Doug Smith, Dan Barker, human gross anatomy instructor at the of slow-moving bayous, wetlands and Rich Kyle, and others. We would like Dell Medical School in Austin, Texas.” backwaters. It covers about 26,810 acres to have thin-section images of many of cypress swamp, depending on rainfall. of the samples attached to the on- The State Park has cabins to rent and is line database. My daughter, Suzanne very comfortable. Friends and coworkers McBride, is transcribing locality Friends may reach me at [email protected].” information of Luigi’s 6,000 samples Jay McGovern shares, “I wrote a book into a database. She has to interpret Luigi’s handwritten notes in pencil. So on Geology.” Professors Emeriti far she has kept her sanity!” James Sprinkle writes, “2017- 2018 was my fifth year as a professor emeritus. I kept busy presenting a joint abstract (with my co-worker Tom Guensburg) at the 2017 GSA Annual Meeting in Seattle, two joint abstracts (with my former Ph.D. student Lou Zachos, and with Tom) at the SE GSA Regional Meeting in Knoxville in April, another joint abstract and talk William I (Bill) Woods shares, “In FAMOUS SANDSTONE PETROLOGISTS; with Tom at the Fifth International November we took a month-long trip to ( TIM DIGGS MS 1989; CAREERS WITH SHELL Palaeontological Congress in Paris, Australia and New Zealand. Francisco AND SAUDI ARAMCO), FRANCESCO MCBRIDE ( ) France, in early July, and I was involved and I traveled first to Sydney and had a EMERITUS FACULTY , SHIRLEY PETERSON DUTTON, KITTY LOU MILLIKEN (STALWARTS OF in three additional joint talks (one that I great time doing the Bridge Climb and THE BEG AND DEPARTMENT). will present with six other co-authors, seeing the sites, including the Opera and two others in which I was the co- House, the Zoo, the Blue Mountains Earle Francis McBride reports, author) in a paleontological session in and Botanical Garden. It was fun to use “A year ago I got into print my my honor at the upcoming 2018 GSA the ferries to move around the city and interpretation of the sedimentary Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. Several to visit outlying beaches. Then on to geology of basal Paleozoic rocks manuscripts from these seven talks are Cairns where we snorkeled on the Great between Durango and Silverton, almost ready to be submitted, but no Barrier Reef and took the Kuranda rail Colo. My first sampling was done in journal papers of mine were published tour into the mountains. I really liked the 1980s; some projects move at a this academic year.” the laid-back atmosphere in Cairns; it’s glaciers pace. Some of the rocks were an easy city to visit. In Auckland, New misdated by the USGS in the 1890s. Zealand we visited the Hobbiton movie Lynton Land, Kitty Milliken, and a

126 | Jackson School of Geosciences MEMORIALS

George Baxter Olusegun Kokumo and reinforced the transmission and Adams, Jr. (B.S. '51, Agagu (M.A. '75) distribution systems by the time he left M.A. '53) passed away passed away in in 2002. He also laid the foundation for peacefully in his sleep September 2013. He was the privatization of the power sector and on March 21, 2018, just born in Okitipupa, Ondo unbundling of the Power Holding shy of his 90th State, Nigeria, and Company of Nigeria (PHCN) into birthday. Baxter was born in Paducah, graduated from the University of Ibadan different generation, distribution and Texas, to Baxter, Sr. and Nell Boutwell (UI) at the top of his class with a B.Sc. transmission entities during his tenure, Adams. He graduated from Waco High (Hons) in geology (1971). He worked as a which was implemented in 2012. He and was manager of the state co- geologist with Gulf Oil Company (now instituted an unprecedented planning championship football team in 1945. He Chevron Plc) before proceeding back to approach to governance, which resulted attended Baylor University for two UI to lecture in the Department of in unprecedented investments in years and graduated from the University Geology. He obtained his master’s degree infrastructure (roads, bridges, schools, of Texas with a master’s degree in in geology from The University of Texas water supply and health centres). His geology. He was a member of Kappa at Austin in 1974 and worked with a comprehensive healthcare strategy Sigma Fraternity and the Texas research scientist for the United States received an award from the UNDP and Cowboys. In 1952 he married Carol Atomic Energy Commission on was proposed as a template to be adopted Nash of Waco. He was employed in geothermal energy. He then returned to across the West African subregion. He Houston by Shell Oil Co., Edwin Allday the UI Geology department where he conceptulized and executed the Olokola Independent Oil Co., McCormack Oil & obtained a Ph.D. in petroleum geology in Free Trade Zone and Deep-Sea Port Gas, and was owner of Sunbelt Oil & 1978 and taught for 16 years before project, a 10,000-hectare complex with Gas. In 1981, he retired from the oil voluntarily retiring as a senior lecturer anticipated investment value of over $22 business and bought Love Creek Ranch and acting head of department in 1988. billion implemented as a joint venture by in the Hill Country and pioneered the He published several articles in reputable Ogun and Ondo States. This was widely Texas apple industry. He was also the national and international journals and regarded as potentially one of the largest first to propagate the Native Texas authored more than 100 technical and most viable free trade zone facilities Bigtooth Maple Tree. After 25 years reports. He worked as a geological on the African continent and attracted they sold the ranch and moved to consultant to numerous companies and investment from the Nigerian National Kerrville in 2002. Baxter and Carol governments including the governments Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Shell donated 1,400 acres of their ranch to of Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Ondo States; Oil, ChevronTexaco and British the Nature Conservancy to create Love Shell Petroleum Development Company; Petroleum (BP) towards the Creek Preserve in Bandera County. Mobil Producing Nigeria; Texaco; Nigeria establishment of one of the key Their gift demonstrated their Agip Oil Company; Lexington components, the Olokola Liquefied commitment to conservation and Exploration U.S.A and Nitex Exploration Natural Gas plant (OKLNG). Ondo State helped ensure their legacy will be U.S.A. He also established many received many awards and achievements enjoyed by future generations of successful private businesses including a under his leadership including: Best Texans. He was preceded in death by water borehole drilling company, a kaolin Poverty Alleviation Programme in his parents; his granddaughter, Audrey mining and processing company. The Nigeria by the UNDP in 2005, Best Zonal Ellen Ducote; and his brother-in-law, desire to help transform his native land Performance by Ondo State Universal James Roberts Nash. He is survived by led him to public service where he Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in 2006 his wife, Carol Nash Adams; sister, distinguished himself in the political and 2007 from the Universal Basic Katherine Adams Stanley, Ph.D.; three arena. He served as deputy governor of Education Commission, 2nd Cleanest daughters, Ellen Adams Ducote and Ondo State (1992-1993), Minister for Capital City (Akure) in Nigeria in 2005 husband, Lester; Ann Adams Landry aviation (1999-2000), minister for power by the Federal Ministry of Environment, and husband, Christopher; and Kelley and steel (2000-2002) as well as Designation of Ikaram (Akoko North Adams Burgess and husband, Bob; as governor of Ondo State, Nigeria (2003- West LGA) as one of the three well as six grandchildren, and four 2009). He had many landmark public Millennium Development Goal projects great-grandchildren. sector successes. He helped Ondo State and Akure as one of 10 Millennium become an oil producing state, which Development Cities in Africa by the UN massively expanded the economic base. in 2005, Inclusion of Idanre Hills as a He also restructured the aviation UNESCO World Heritage site. Olusegun industry. He increased power generation Agagu belonged to many national and

2018 Newsletter | 127 international professional bodies Texas A&M University. He worked as a is survived by his wife, Jacque Anne his life, Jimmye Myrtle Winkler from extremely generous man to both his and the Far East where Hal did including the Geological Society of geologist for Pennzoil (now Devon Bowland; sons, Jonathan Austin Giddings, Texas, at a dance at Lake family and community. His warmth and geological consulting through People to America, the Geological Society of Energy) for over 15 years. As successful Bowland, Jeffrey Addison Bowland, and Bastrop State Park. His studies were humanity, wit and wisdom will be People. He came down with a rare blood Africa, and the Association of Petroleum as he was in his career, he was most Gregory Allen Bowland; Jeff’s wife, interrupted by World War II. He became missed greatly by all who knew and disorder and died Nov. 14, 1984. Hal, Jr. Geologists. He was also a fellow of the proud of his wife, children and Mallory Bowland; Gregory’s partner, a naval aviator and flew over 30 loved him. married Karen Elisabeth Kummer and Nigerian Mining and Geosciences grandchildren, and he loved spending Samantha Patterson; and his missions in the Pacific Theatre. When he had one daughter Alice Marie. Ann Society and a fellow of the Nigerian time with family. You could often find grandchildren, Noah, Parker and Aubrey. was stateside for additional training, he Sarah L. Bybee, married Walter Preston Tyree, III and Association of Petroleum him around the kitchen table with his married Jimmye, in Wildwood, New spouse of the late had two sons, Walter Preston, IV, and Explorationists. He received the award of brothers Bryce and Dennis, talking Leroy C. (Lee) Jersey, and then returned to combat. Halbert H. Bybee John Edward. Sally moved into Austin the Citizen L’Órdre National du Merite, about the weather, their cattle business Buehrer (B.S. '57), After the close of the war, he finished (B.A. '41), died in her to Westminster Manor in 2004. She from the government of France in 2000. and politics. He was a great man who 87, died March 9th in his degree. Just last year, he was sleep on Dec. 24, 2017. befriended many on the nursing wing He received the prestigious Commander influenced many by living a life where Edmonds, Washington, honored by the L.T. Barrows Founders She was born October staff and will be missed by friends and of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2012. his actions spoke volumes of his following a lengthy Circle at the Jackson School of 29, 1917, to Richard Travis "R.T." family alike. We are all grateful for her In social capacity, he also received several character and kindness. illness. Lee was born in Geosciences. Ray and his brother Lipscomb and Leonora Gale "Nora" long life and positive contributions to honorary chieftaincy titles for his Brenham, Texas, on Dec.31, 1930 to Thomas created an ongoing scholarship Lipscomb. Growing up, Sally had fond people and society. contributions to the society, some of Christopher Lee Reinhart and Edna Buehrer. After and work program for students in the memories of going to their Ector, Texas, which are The Ajanuku of Osooro Bowland (M.A. '84), graduating from high school he Jackson School of Geosciences. Ray was farm where they raised sheep. She Weyman Wakefield Kingdom, The Gbobaniyi of Iloko-Ijesha, age 58, of Tomball, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While an oil finder extraordinaire. The arc of graduated from Bonham High in 1935. Crawford (B.S. '50), Osun State, The Atunluse of Idoani and Texas, passed away on stationed in Spokane, he met Florence his career with UNOCAL took him She entered The University of Texas in age 94, of Houston, The Atunluse of Ondo State. Olusegun July 20, 2018, after Besas, and they were married in 1954. from the Gulf Region, to West Texas and Austin majoring in math and pledged Texas, passed away Dr. Olusegun Agagu was a loving family suffering a sudden After Lee's discharge he attended the on to Los Angeles. From there, he the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was peacefully at his home man and was married to his school cardiac arrest while running with his University of Texas where he received helped open oil and gas regions later elected into Orange Jackets, Mortar on Nov. 9, 2017. sweetheart and dance partner, Mrs. dogs on July 3, 2018. Chris was born in his degree in geology, working in oil domestically and globally, creating an Board, and the Phi Beta Kappa honorary Weyman was born October 31, 1923 in Olufunke Agagu (also a University of Spring Valley, Illinois, on July 21, 1959. exploration. Lee and Florence lived in intercontinental industry for UNOCAL. society. There she met Hal Bybee, who Dallas, Texas, to Pearl and Fred Texas alumnus), for more than 39 years. He graduated from St. Bede Academy in various locations around the world and He was also a visionary in geothermal was also a native Texan, majoring in Crawford. He graduated from Mirabeau Their union was blessed with three 1977 and received a B.S. in geology from traveled extensively before moving energy, making UNOCAL the geology, and a member of the Sigma Nu B. Lamar High School in Houston. In children. He is also survived by seven Northwestern University. He later back to Dallas. They moved to Seattle worldwide leader in that industry. fraternity. Sally graduated in 1939 and 1942, he entered The University of Texas grandchildren…and counting. received an M.S. in geological sciences six years ago to be closer to family. In Having compiled an impressive list of married Hal on December 23, 1940. at Austin on a basketball scholarship. He from The University of Texas at Austin. addition to his love of travel, he also achievements, he retired in 1989 as When Hal graduated in 1941, he got a was drafted in 1943 and served in the Jannette H. Balke, He was married to Anne Smith Bowland loved the opera and symphony. Lee executive vice president in charge of job with the Carter Oil Company as a United States Army Air Corp stationed spouse of Bennie K. on June 15, 1985, in Austin, Texas, and was preceded in death by his parents, worldwide energy resources, a member field geologist, and they started a tour of in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. In Balke (M.A. '58), they lived in Plano, Texas, for 15 years, two brothers and one sister as well as of the Board of Directors and a member the Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky oil 1947, he returned to Austin to earn his passed into the loving where they had three sons. While living his beloved wife Florence who died in fields. There they survived war B.S. in geology, graduating in 1950. He of the Executive Committee of arms of our Lord on in Plano, he worked for 13 years at Arco 2015. He is survived by his friend and rationing and snowy winters. They had began his career at Union Sulphur UNOCAL. They lived in Arcadia, April 16, 2018, Oil and Gas and two years at Mobil Oil companion Nancy Ketterling and eight a son, Hal, Jr., in 1942, and a daughter, Company as a Gulf Coast geologist, then California, while working at UNOCAL surrounded by her loving husband Company. In 2000, Chris began working nieces and nephews. He will be dearly Ann Marie (born 1945 – died 2013). In left to work for the R.A. Welsh and raising their family. Ray was and family. for ExxonMobil, and the family moved to missed by all. 1947, Hal got a job with the Continental Foundation. He transitioned into decorated by the U.S. Navy and was Tomball, Texas, where they reside to this Oil Company, and they moved to Fort working for himself a few years before awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Charles Martin day. Chris has many passions and Ray A. Burke Worth, Texas. This started a tour of the moving to Texas Gulf Inc. where he and the Air Medal with five clusters. He Boenig (B.S. '61) of hobbies. Landscaping and gardening, (B.S. '47) passed on West Texas oil fields with stops in served as senior vice president. In 1982, also earned a Carnegie Hero's Medal for Woodsboro, Texas, running, movies, Star Trek, politics, cars, Aug. 11, 2018. It was a Abilene, Wichita Falls, Midland and Elf Aquitaine acquired Texas Gulf and he bravery, and the oil industry honored passed away with his comic book collecting and astronomical peaceful event with Houston. Sally was active with the served out the remainder of his career as him with the prestigious Mr. Spindletop family by his side on photography are a few of the things in several family members several geological wives' organizations executive vice president of the Oil & Gas Award. He was the recipient of June 27, 2018. He was which he was interested. He was looking present, in Mission and started teaching math at Midland Group, retiring in 1989. He served as a Thailand's highest honor, the Royal born on Dec. 17, 1936 and preceded in forward to retirement in a couple of Viejo, California. He was 96. He is High School. When they moved to member of the American Association of Decoration "Commander of the Most death by his parents Martin and Lottie years so that he could finally have time survived by his wife of 72 years, Houston in the middle 1950s, Sally Petroleum Geologist, Houston Geological Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand" Boenig and sister Kaye Melton. His high to focus on some of his interests. He was Jimmye Myrtle Burke, their three sons, taught at Spring Branch High School for Society, Houston Petroleum Club and the and received several other industry school sweetheart and wife of 55 years, an intensely private person who had few daughters-in-law, six grandchildren and a few years and finished at Memorial Houston Racquet Club. He also served on awards. Ray was a man of faith and Fran Boenig, and children Tracie Heil friends but loved his family and dogs. He a brother. Ray was born in Elgin, Texas, High School. In Hal's later career he the Advisory Counsel for the University leadership. He will forever be (John), Brad Boenig (Vanessa), Pam Cox, always looked forward to coming home to Wade Hampton Burke and Lula Belle managed Gulf of Mexico offshore and of Texas Geology Foundation and was an remembered as an adventurer with a Kari Burke and grandchildren Lauren from work so he could run with his dogs. Burke on December 5, 1921. He had North Slope Alaska oil fields. They had Elder at Grace Presbyterian Church. Mr. great curiosity for knowledge. He and Connor Boenig, Kaitlyn and Garrett On the weekends, he enjoyed running four brothers and two sisters. After one short assignment where they lived Crawford is preceded in death by his first possessed the drive to be his best at all Cox and Charlie and Ben Burke will errands and going to casual lunches with graduating from Elgin High School, he in Georgetown, Guiana, and he wife, the late Loraine Roscoe Crawford, that he did. He was modest in speech miss him very much. Charlie graduated Anne and working in the yard. He was went on to study geology at The consulted with the local government his infant daughter, Carole Ann but a brilliant conversationalist and from the University of Texas with a B.S. preceded in death by his parents, Charles University of Texas at Austin. It was under a temporary title of Conoco vice Crawford and his sister Martha Virginia storyteller who could talk about in geology and earned his M.S. from R. Bowland and Johanna F. Bowland. He during this time that he met the love of president. They made two trips to China Graham; his parents, the late Pearl anything but himself. He was an

128 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 129 Weyman Crawford and Fred Homer the adaptation of technology and Carr P. Dishroon (B.A. '53), 87, of Texas, the land being cleared at the Albuquerque, where Jack entered the animals were beneficiaries of his Crawford. He is survived by his present currently is the largest provider of native Houstonian, died August 11, time of dense cactus and mesquite booming search for uranium in the Four concern — stray dogs and cats as well as wife, Carol Akkerman Crawford and his geophysical services in North America 2018, following several years of forests, and well-populated with Corners Area. With the discovery of a the ducks who roamed his property next daughters, Carolyn Crawford of Houston and the longest standing name in the suffering with Alzheimer's disease. rattlesnakes and wild animals. He and promising deposit north of Grants, N.M., to the golf-course pond were sure to find and Anne Elizabeth Crawford of Austin. industry. Decker has served his Mr. Dishroon was a distinguished his sister Bettie moved with the family Jack was able to sell out and return to sustenance from his hands. Jack was profession as past president and honorary geophysicist who worked in many to Weslaco after the good life on the Texas where he would re-enter the oil preceded in death by his father J.O. "Tad" Decker Dawson, life member of the Permian Basin countries. He graduated from San farm came to an end as the family land business. They spent 10 years in Abilene, Frizzell, his mother Frances Matzen beloved husband and Geophysical Society. He served as Jacinto High School, the University of was sold off in the depths of the Great and then moved to Denver where Jack Frizzell, his brothers Joe and Skippy father, left this world on secretary-treasurer and president of the Texas, and went to work immediately Depression. Three more siblings were served as president of International Frizzell, sisters Bettie Buchanan and Feb. 6, 2018, to be Society of Geophysicists. He was a for The Humble Oil Company until his born, sister Ann and brothers J.O. "Joe" Energy Company. They returned to Ann Carter, wife Patsy Ann, and son reunited with the dearly member of the SEG since 1948, awarded retirement. Mr. Dishroon is survived and Gayle "Skippy." After joining the Abilene in 1972 and founded Frizzell Lane Patrick Frizzell. He is survived by departed love of his life the Enterprise award in 1997 and by his wife of 20 years, Janie Currlin U.S. Navy in 1942, Jack earned his rating Exploration with Allan and later Lane his son Allan Douglas and his wife Louise (Lou) Loper in the presence of his Honorary Life Member in 2002. He was a Permenter Dishroon. In his last years, as an aerographers mate and was then upon their graduation from Texas Tech Linda Ruth (Long) Frizzell of Abilene, Lord and Savior. Deck was born to Louis his daughter-in-law Miriam Holly (Lutz) past director, chairman of the board and he was cared for by his devoted assigned to Naval Intelligence as a University. Working together with his Decker Dawson and Suzie Cramer on July daughter, Karen Dishroon Breitbeil. Frizzell of Abilene, his daughter Joni honorary life member of the International cryptanalyst of Japanese encoded beloved wife and two sons, Jack 28, 1920. He was born at home in Tulsa Ann and son-in-law Bill O. Wood of Association of Geophysical Contractors. messages. He spent the rest of his duty at survived the booms and busts of the and passed in the comfort of his home in Curtis C. Franks Abilene, seven grandchildren, and 8 With a true love of Midland, Decker and CINCPAC (Admiral Chester Nimitz's Texas oil business for 45 years. During Midland surrounded by his loving family (B.S. '50), 92, died on great-grandchildren. Lou served the Midland community with command headquarters) near Pearl the last years of his life he was specially and caregivers. Decker was a clarinet March 5, 2018, in Fair love and support beyond his professional Harbor with a 500-man intelligence engaged in looking for oil reserves on player in the marching band at Tulsa Oaks Ranch, five years David Bruce Hailes contributions. Since 1979 Decker was a corps deciphering daily encoded the River Lake Ranch, a co-investment Central High School. He continued to after a stroke that transmissions from the numerous by Enrich Oil in a large tract of land on (B.S. '84), 57, of member of the Board of Governors for play the clarinet in various bands to help robbed him of speech enemy-occupied South Pacific islands. the Colorado River in Runnels County. Dawsonville, Georgia, the Midland Memorial Hospital fund his early years in the School of and mobility, but not the basic goodness He was honorably discharged in After several attempts and the passing of passed away at home on Foundation. He served his church as both Engineering at the University of Tulsa that made him widely loved. His wife of December 1945. Jack returned to the Rio his beloved wife in October 2017, Jack's September 9, 2017. He a deacon and an elder. Outside of from 1937-1939. Coming to the 71 years, Betty Jean Franks, preceded Grande Valley and enrolled under the dream of finding oil on the ranch finally was born on March 18, Midland, Decker was a member, past realization that his love of music (or lack him in death last year. Curtis was born G.I. Bill at Edinburg Junior College. came true with the discovery of a 1960, in Kansas City, Missouri. David chairman and Honorary Life Member of of talent, as he often quipped in jest) was in 1925 in Lockhart, Texas, to Curtis There he met Patsy Ann Day, and they deposit of oil and gas in the Odom was preceded in death by his father, Jack the Geology Foundation Advisory not going to provide an adequate living, Franks Sr. and Lillie Franks. In 1944, he married on June 21, 1947. Both enrolled Limestone formation. Never one to Hailes and father-in-law, Carl Miller. He Council of the Jackson School of he transferred to Oklahoma A&M (State) joined the Marines, fought in World War at the University of Texas in September retire, even at 94, he was preparing to is survived by his wife, Cindi Hailes of Geological Sciences at The University of in 1939 and completed his degree in civil II — including Okinawa, the bloodiest 1947. Pat studied business and worked drill again, perfecting his subsurface Dawsonville, Georgia; mother, Gladys engineering in 1941. Unable to find an Texas at Austin. Later in life Decker was Hailes of Cedar Park; sons, Paul Hailes battle in the Pacific — returned home in as secretary to Governors Beauford H. mapping and zeroing when he suffered a engineering job, he took a doodlebugger the recipient of multiple awards. In 1997 and wife Erica of Pflugerville, and John 1946 and married Betty. He got a Jester and Allan Shivers while Jack stroke at his home. Though Jack was an job as a geophysical helper (juggie) with he was inducted into the Permian Basin geology degree from the University of Hailes of Dawsonville, Georgia; studied geology and worked at the Texas accomplished and respected oilman, Magnolia Petroleum Company Petroleum Museum Hall of Fame. In that Texas and embarked on a long career in grandson, Ian Hailes; brother, Jack Board of Water Engineers. Their first son perhaps the greatest legacy of his long (ExxonMobil) working in Oklahoma and same year he received the "Top Hand" oil and gas. He was proud to have been a Hailes and wife Susie of Round Rock; as Allan D. Frizzell was born in 1949. Jack life is the love he shared with Pat. They Texas. After one year in the oil patch, Award from the Permian Basin founder and president of the San well as, many nieces, nephews and other and Pat moved to Plainview after enjoyed the bounteous times and Decker served the country in the U.S. Petroleum Association. Five years later Antonio Petroleum Club where he and extended family and friends. David graduation where Jack continued his endured the lean times — always Naval Reserves as a civil engineer. He Betty spent many happy hours with loved his family and friends and made a Decker received the Hearst Energy work with the TBWE while looking for together. Their greatest joy was their was stationed on the island of Guam friends. Curtis was an intelligent, huge impact on their lives. He always Award for Lifetime Achievement and in jobs in the oil field, which were few and family, and they participated in every during World War II preparing for the warm-hearted man of great integrity. made time for all of his nieces and 2005 the Top Pioneer Award from the far between in those years. The event in the lives of their children, invasion of Japan. He left the Navy having Like his beloved Betty, he will be much nephews. David made friends with Permian Basin Petroleum Pioneers. The beginning of Jack's good fortune in the grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. served as an Ensign and Lieutenant (jg) in missed. He is survived by sons Gary and everyone he met. His best friends AFP Permian Basin Chapter presented oil business came in November 1950, On vacations to Disneyworld, Hawaii, 1946. After his time in the Navy, Decker Jeff Franks, daughter Kerri Blanton, traveled miles to be with him at the end. Lou and Decker as Outstanding when he was employed as a geologist for and family reunions in California, the took a job with Republic Exploration their spouses and numerous David had a passion for teaching. He Philanthropist in 2010. Decker was also Delaware Drillers, a San Angelo based growing Frizzell clan traveled together, Company as a seismic party chief in grandchildren and nieces and nephews. graduated from the University of Texas the recipient of the T. Boone Pickens Boot company owned by Richard King, Jr., a laughing and playing in one big group, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma and with a B.S. and continued his education Strap Award from Oklahoma State as King Ranch heir who in Jack's words with Jack "Baba" and Pat "Granny" at the Texas. In 1950, Republic moved him to Jack Q. Frizzell (B.S. at New Mexico Technical Institute with well a member of the OSU Hall of Fame, "thought I could do everything." In head. They loved nothing better than to Midland as a seismic supervisor. Here, he '50) of Abilene passed an M.S. in teaching. He taught for over School of Engineering both OSU & reality, Jack was learning as he went, throw a big party where friends and found the love of his life Lou. Lou and away peacefully on 25 years at Grisham Middle School, University of Tulsa. Decker leaves behind perfecting skills that weren't taught in family could eat, drink, and dance to the Decker were married in 1950 until her April 14, 2018, due to McNeil High School and Stony Point his beloved daughter Mary as well as school, which later enabled him to find music of Lane's band, Slim Chance and passing in 2011. They have one daughter, complications from a High School in Round Rock, Texas. He many longtime friends, colleagues and millions of barrels of oil throughout the Survivors. When Pat's health Mary. In 1952, Decker and Lou founded stroke. He was 94. Jack then taught at Volcano Vista High co-workers. Decker was known for his Texas and the American West. While declined, Jack cared for her at their home Dawson Geophysical Company, and Lou was born June 24, 1923 to J.O. "Tad" and School in Albuquerque, N.M. and South honesty, integrity and . He living in San Angelo they were blessed with the help of dedicated caregivers became the first pregnant seismic Frances Atilla (Matzen) Frizzell. Life Forsyth High School in Cumming, Ga. was often referred to as a "Gentleman's with two more children, son Lane until the very end. Jack is especially computer known to the industry. Dawson began on farmland 12 miles north of He had a passion for sharing science Gentleman." He loved people, life and Patrick and daughter Joni Ann. After the known for his charity and generosity, a Geophysical became an industry leader in Weslaco in the Lower Rio Grande Valley with his students. David was a those around him. company was sold, they moved to trait he inherited from his father. Even

130 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 131 scoutmaster of Troop 145 and Charles W. Henslee Claire and Wendell Hodgkins. He grew During his tenure with FBCSO, Don While completing an M.A. degree in Mamie Jo Franklin Sweeney and Virgil cubmaster at Pack 404. He organized (B.S. '51) was known up in Kensington, Maryland, graduated was instrumental in the original 1976 at the University of Texas, Ken was William Sweeney in Vernon, Texas. She many trips and helped scouts grow into to friends as "Red" and from St. John's College High School in formation, construction and operation of a teaching assistant in the Department of is survived by her beloved husband of productive young men. He was an Eagle to family as “Pop." CW 1974, and received a bachelor's degree the Fort Bend County Law Enforcement Geological Sciences and a research 58 years. Scout, and this showed in all his actions Henslee gave this world from the University of Maryland. At an Academy, now known and named after assistant at the Bureau of Economic Robert Randolph Ray during his life. 90 years of love and early age, Stephen's desire was to work his good friend, the Gus George Law Geology. He turned in his thesis on a (B.S. '74) laughter from January 7, 1928, to in the oil and gas industry. In 1986, Enforcement Academy. Don was very Monday, showed up for work at Shell Oil was an Robert Sebran August 13, 2018. A native of Pyote, he Stephen enrolled in the University of proud that his efforts with the academy in New Orleans on Tuesday, and attended eternal optimist and Harvill, Jr. (B.S. '50) lived in San Antonio, Amarillo and Texas and received his M.S. in geology. resulted in a commendation from the his first Mardi Gras the following week. giver, in life and in his was born in Robstown, Houston. After graduating from He worked as a Landman in Texas for governor of Texas. Don was a lifetime From 1976 to 1980, he worked for Shell work as a geologist & Texas, on June 30, 1926 Amarillo High School, he served his almost 30 years. He is survived by his NRA Master Handgun Marksman and and then worked for Louisiana Land & geophysicist. He never to Robert Sebran Harvill, country and received an honorable parents, two sisters, Yvonne and Lisa was also a firearms instructor during his Exploration in New Orleans. Ken met knew a stranger. His smile will be Sr., and Francis Elizabeth discharge from the United States Army. (Richard); a brother, Gerald (Marissa); tenures with the FBI and FBCSO. Don Sandra Olson in 1976 at the Parc remembered forever. God called Randy (Fannie Nunley) Harvill. He passed away Red attended both Texas A&M and The three nephews and two nieces; many was preceded in death by his parents and Fontaine Apartments where they both home on Dec. 6, 2017, just shy of his on June 9, 2018 in Amarillo surrounded University of Texas at Austin where he other relatives and friends. his son, Donald Haden Martin, Jr. He is lived. Sandra was a teacher at Archbishop birthday on December 8. He and his wife by his loving family and faithful earned his bachelor's degree in survived by his beloved wife Barbara Blenk High School. They married June 11, Kathy walked this life together for 45 Robert B. Lomerson caregivers. He served his beloved country petroleum geology. He began his career and his son Bobby Martin and daughter- 1977 at St. Louis Cathedral in New years (married 43 1/2 yrs). They have two (B.A. '53) during WWII as a member of the United at Shamrock Oil & Gas in 1951 and was born on in-law Lynne Martin. He is also survived Orleans. By fall 1981, Ken went to work amazing sons, Brandon & Austin Ray. States Army Air Corps where he was retired as Gulf Coast regional geologist Sept. 11, 1929, and by three grandchildren and three for BlueSky Oil & Gas Company in Back in 1951, his proud parents were Bob sent to occupy Germany after the Allied from Maxus in 1989. Red was a member passed away on Oct.18, great-grandchildren. Houston and later worked for Adobe & Jeannine Hallmark Ray. Two awesome victory. When Bob returned to the of the Hearthstone Country Club, 2017. Robert was a Resources. In 1991, he moved to Dallas to sisters followed — Jean Ann DeFord Margaret Ellen (Tyer) United States, he continued his studies at Houston Geological Society, the Gulf resident of Fort Worth, work for Browning Oil Company. (husband Mike, children Kalena & Evan) Meadows, spouse of The University of Texas at Austin and Coast Geological Society and an avid Texas, at the time of passing. A 1953 Schlumberger hired him in Dallas and and Lisa Morris (husband Mark, children Joe Norman earned his degree in geology in 1950, Longhorn fan who proudly displayed graduate of The University of Texas at moved him back to Houston in 1999. Ken Tyler & Rachel). Sisters-in-law loved him, Meadows (B.A. '62) becoming a life-long, orange-blooded the burnt orange. He was a prolific Austin with a B.S. degree in geology, , was active with the Houston Geological too — Mary Ann Moghannam (husband Longhorn. Upon graduation, Bob went to , musician and singer who Mr. Lomerson was an advanced passed away Feb. 27, Society, the Dallas Geological Society, the Samir) and Shirley Dion — and many work for Humble Oil & Refining enjoyed both karaoke and singing his development engineer with a diverse 2016, at her home Gulf Coast Association Geological cousins, nieces, nephews, and a special Company which eventually became own songs a cappella. His last technical background. He made surrounded by her loving family after a Society, and the American Association of aunt & uncle, Audrey & Marion Porter, Exxon. Bob began to be commonly performance was on his 90th birthday! significant contributions to both private long struggle with Alzheimer's. Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and the will miss him dearly. Having grown up in known as "Red Dawg" amongst his He enjoyed softball, golf, bowling, industry and the U.S. government Imperial Barrel Award. He held numerous Dallas, Randy was a Texan at heart even Kenneth "Ken" friends, and later his grandchildren bridge, camping, fishing, storytelling, during his 50-year career. leadership positions and won many while straying to Calgary for high school. Eugene Nemeth (M.A. would call him "Grand Dog" or "GDog". traveling adventures and never stopped awards and honors from these groups. He He returned to his roots to attend college Don Haden Martin '76), While working for Humble in Perryton, telling jokes. Preceded in death by his 66, passed away was also a former board member and at UT Austin for a B.S. in geology, and (B.S. '58) Texas, Red Dawg met a beautiful woman parents, Alleen Matthews, Clint Henslee passed away June 14, 2018 in instructor at Ellison Miles there he met Kathy. They married in from Georgia named Norma Ruth & stepfather Max Matthews, wife of 54 on Jan.27, 2018, after a Houston. He was born GeoTechnology Institute, Brookhaven Austin and moved to Tulsa, where he was Marshall. They were married on Feb. 12, years Ruth, brother Harold, & son Kerry difficult and courageous June 15, 1951 in College in Dallas. Ken loved playing trained as a geophysicist with Cities 1954, in Perryton. The couple moved Henslee. Survived by three children: battle with thyroid Hamtramck, Michigan to Eugene and tennis. He attended multiple tennis Service Oil Co. From there they were several times with Humble before Gale Henslee (Careyn Henslee) . He was born in Patricia Anne (Ryder) Nemeth. He tournaments across the gulf coast and Denver bound. In 1980 Randy eventually settling in Conroe, Texas, (Samantha Scott), Karen Mitchell, Lora Houston on Oct.29, 1935, to Lucydean attended St. Rita’s in Detroit from first participated in the World Oilman’s Tennis established himself as a consultant, with their three children where they Putney (Brian); daughter-in-law Terry Haden McDow and Harry Lee Martin. through ninth grade and Clintondale Tournament (WOTT) for over 35 years integrating geology & geophysics, and R3 became long-time residents of River Henslee; sister-in-law Joy Smith; eight After the completion of high school at High School for tenth through twelfth held at the Houston Raquet Club. Exploration was created. Work was his Plantation. Red Dawg served as a grandchildren, eight great the Shreiner Institute in Kerrville, Texas, grade. High school activities and Surviving him are his wife, Sandra; life, and volunteering for the local & geophysicist for Exxon in Houston until grandchildren, and numerous nieces, Don first attended Rice University and achievements included: basketball, track, daughter, Samantha; brother-in-law, national geological societies, meeting his retirement in 1986. Bob was preceded nephews, close friends and “adopted then completed his degree in geology at captain of the football and wrestling Foster Olson; sister, Debbie and her new people, and sharing his knowledge in death by his wife, Norma, and his son, daughter” Diane (Jim). Red was a The University of Texas at Austin. While teams, National Honor Society, Quill and husband, Dan Doyle; nephews, Josh and enthusiastically was his passion. He Patrick Marshall Harvill. He is survived benevolent and selfless man with astute attending UT, Don was an ATO and also Scroll Society, Latin Club, Varsity Club, Kyle Doyle; brother, John and wife, furthered his education with an M.S. in by his daughters Sharlane Harvill intellect and wisdom who lit up every met the love of his life Barbara Ann Key Club, Student Council and Denise Nemeth; niece Stephanie and her geology at the Colorado School of Mines. Billman, and Lynn Harvill Rich. He is room he entered. Pearson. They were married in 1956 and Salutatorian. He was inducted into the husband, Michael Lee; and niece, Jennifer Randy was happiest climbing the also survived by his sons-in-law Greg began an exciting journey. Don's Clintondale Hall of Fame in 1999 in and her husband, Curtis Ferguson. outcrops with fellow geologists and Billman, and Jon Rich, and his daughter- Stephen W. professional career included stints as a recognition of outstanding athletic hiking Canyonlands with his buddies. in-law, Jelia Jones Harvill. "Gdog" also Hodgkins (M.A. '92) geologist, 1st lieutenant in the Army, achievement. At Albion College in JoAnn Sweeney God blessed me, Kathy Dion Ray, with Patty, spouse of Tom leaves behind seven grandchildren and passed away on Sept. land man, home builder, commercial Albion, Michigan, he majored in geology the Best Man on earth, and Austin & Patty (M.A. '68), three great-grandchildren. Red Dawg 26, 2017, in Edinburg, developer, private investigator, FBI and completed a B.A. degree in 1973. He Brandon with a wonderful, caring Father. loved his family, his friends, golf, dogs Texas. Stephen was special agent and lastly as a member of graduated with honors after surviving passed away on Dec. 31, We love you my Sweetheart and will and, of course, the Longhorns. He will be born in Rockville the Command Staff of the Fort Bend Division II NCAA football, where he 2017. JoAnn was born miss you greatly till we are united again greatly missed. Hook 'em! Centre, New York, on March 9, 1956, to County Sheriff's Department (FBCSO). co-captained the team his senior year. on Dec.24, 1940 to in God's beckoning.

132 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 133 Eric graduated from North High Trudeau, Noel Trudeau and Tim Trudeau recording and computer processing were Leland Thomas and enlisted in the Army Air Corp and his wife Tina; and kind uncle to Staff Faculty & at the heart of this paper, which became Stowe (B.S. '49), Eleanor P. on December 7, 1942. He served as a Belinda Trudeau, Danielle Trudeau and the focus of GSI's successful efforts to born at home in Dallas Picard, age Researchers flight engineer, top turret gunner, and Deanna Trudeau. Steve graduated from convert seismic recording in the global on March 24, 1926, 78, went to be Milo M. an engine mechanic. Through the G.I. the University of Texas with a B.S. in exploration geophysics industry from passed away on June with our Backus, Shell Bill, Eric obtained an Associates of Arts geology and spent his career in minerals analog to entirely digital recording and 27, 2018 in Hurst, Heavenly Chair Emeritus Degree in Science from the College and petroleum. He was proud Life processing within a period of about Texas. Leland graduated from Crozier Father on Dec. in the of Mines and Metallurgy. He went Member of the UT Ex-Students three years. Milo, who was the leader Tech and served in the Army Air Corp 15, 2017. Department of on to graduate with a B.S. in Geology Association. Steve was active in in this remarkable achievement, was before attending The University of Eleanor Geological from the University of Texas in 1950. numerous professional organizations: soon promoted to GSI vice president Texas at Austin. He spent his career at worked as Sciences, Eric and Barbara married August 25, Dallas Geological Society, Society of and research director. Later in the 1960s Alexander & Alexander Insurance assistant to the passed away 1951, the same year Eric entered Yale Independent Professional Earth and into the early 1970s, Milo led GSI Company before retiring as a senior director of May 25, 2018, University graduate school. Scientists and American Association of to the forefront of new technologies in vice president. He will always be geophysics at The University of Texas at in Dallas, Stanolind Oil Company lured Eric Petroleum Geologists. He had a general exploration seismology, especially in remembered as a strong Christian Austin for over 33 years. Art Maxwell Texas, after a and eight-months-pregnant Barbara to aviation pilot's license, was a member of three-dimensiona data acquisition and man. He is preceded in death by his brought Eleanor down to be his chief remarkable career in geophysics that Bismarck, ND, to begin his long career the Grapevine Sailing Club, and was an processing. Technologies developed at wife, Alleen Stowe and his daughter, accounts representative from Woods included two decades in industry and in the oil business. Eric was a proven avid racer of his Catalina 22 (named GSI under his direction are now the Debbie Stowe. Leland is survived by Hole Oceanographic Institution, where more than two decades at The University oil finder participating in the discovery , a bird-like dinosaur industry standard in the search for two sons, Gary Stowe and his wife, he had been for many years before of Texas at Austin. Milo was born in of Sandish Field, recommending whose name means “first wing"). Steve petroleum. With its strength in digital Linda; Dan Stowe and his wife, Mary; serving as director of the University of Chicago, Illinois, in 1932 and attended acreage on Cedar Creek Anticline, and loved the earth and the sky; now his brother-in-law, John Loucks and his Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) the Massachusetts Institute of data processing, GSI also became a completing numerous regional studies spirit sails and his soul is free to fly. wife, Kay; numerous grandchildren from 1982-1994. Even though Eleanor Technology (MIT), majoring in geophysics leader in the nascent field of seismic that lead to other discoveries. and great-grandchildren. was not a scientist, she was very well and graduating in 1952. He entered nuclear discrimination, and In 1962 Eric was ready to step out on Norman G. Van Broekhoven connected and soon established herself graduate school there, completed his many of Milo's publications from the his own and begin a career as a highly (M.S. '02) passed away July 30, Billy D. Thomas (B.S. as a wonderful colleague and leader in Ph.D. in 1956, and joined Geophysical 1960s are concerned with associated sought after consultant. Eric joined 2018, at his home in Austin at age 66. '49) passed away April her own right who contributed greatly Services Incorporated (GSI) in Dallas. He fundamental problems in array signal Wheless Drilling Company on a retainer Originally from Fayson Lakes, New 27, 2018, from to the positive, science-centered life at came to UT Austin in 1975 as the first processing and detection of seismic in 1970 and was instrumental in the Jersey, Norm moved to Austin in the complications of UTIG. The institute named the Eleanor Pratt Professor of Geophysics, which had signals in noise. Milo was not just a data discovery of the Salt Lake Field, Trail late 80s. He matriculated to the Jackson pneumonia. He Picard Excellence Award after her been endowed by legendary exploration processing technical genius, but was also Creek Field, and others. Being his own School for graduate work in 1994. graduated with a because of her exemplary performance geophysicist Wallace Pratt with the goal deeply engaged in the interpretation of boss gave Eric time to purse another Research for his thesis “Recharge in geology degree from The University of at UTIG during her tenure. Eleanor was of attracting a person of Milo's stature. seismic data, traditionally the purview passion — golf. a Semi-Arid Basin Aquifer: Ryan Flat Texas at Austin and worked for the preceded in death by her parents Walter Upon retirement in 1998, he moved to of geologists. His 1975 paper "Flat Family was important to Eric. He and Lobo Flat, Trans-Pecos, Texas” State of Texas. During WWII, he served and Helen (Hogan) Lahti; and her Dallas to be near family, while continuing Spot Exploration" demonstrated that and Barbara were married for 66 years. took him to West Texas where he fell his country as a B-24 pilot in the brother Lloyd Lahti. She is survived by his affiliation with the university as a seismic waves reflected from the level He was devoted to Barbara and took in love with the independent ranchers Pacific Theatre. Billy and Catherine the love of her life, her husband, Robert senior research scientist at its Bureau of surface formed by the water-oil or great pride raising two successful and open spaces. Texas became his were long-time members of Hyde Park of 58 years; her beloved children, Economic Geology until age 80. gas-oil contact in reservoirs provided children, Jan and Brad. He also found home. While in the program he was a Baptist Church. He loved flying, Robert, Russell and Mary (Gianino), Although Milo's doctoral dissertation a direct indicator of hydrocarbons. great joy in his four grandchildren and teaching assistant for the summer Field NASCAR and other car races, but Michelle and Patrick Morrelli; her was in the field of geochemistry, he was Upon joining UT Austin in 1975, Milo three great-grandchildren. Methods course under the guidance of especially his family. Billy is survived precious grandchildren, Michael, Joshua, surrounded at MIT by colleagues in the taught classes in exploration geophysics Eric lived a life full of passion for his his thesis advisor, Dr. John (Jack) Sharp, by his wife Catherine, daughter Phillip, Kristina and Autum; and her Geophysical Analysis Group, a petroleum and related fields and supervised many work, devotion to his wife, and love for who has shared many colorful stories Martha, and son Walter (Vickie). twin sister Eloise Morrison; and lots of industry-sponsored project (1952-57) master’s and doctoral students. Within his family. It was a life well lived. Eric about their years together. His large others who loved her dearly. developing time-series analysis tools a few years, he launched an industry- is survived by his wife, Barbara; his 6’6” frame was in sharp contrast to his Eric Elon Thompson, for geophysical digital data processing, sponsored consortium, Project SEER daughter Jan Thompson of Kennewick, nimble fingers that could reassemble an Jr. (B.S. 1950) was building upon MIT Professor Norbert (Solid Earth Exploration Research), WA; his son Braden (Allison) of antique firearm without a diagram. The born to Blenda and Eric Wiener's World War II classified research. which provided support for students Edmond, OK; four grandchildren; and several months he spent meticulously Thompson on May 6, There was also a direct MIT-GSI pipeline and the industry contact that launched three great-grandchildren. restoring water-damaged firearms at 1924, in Worcester, promoted by GSI President Cecil Green to careers for many. The focus of research the Texas Memorial Museum was a MA. Eric’s formative recruit graduate students for summer and efforts under SEER were, broadly, to Steven R. Trudeau testament to his passion and knowledge years were spent with the Greendale permanent positions. Milo worked at GSI, recognize and exploit information from (B.S. '70) passed in that area. His was recognized as a Avenue kids during the Depression. He including field work on seismic crews, both compressional and shear properties peacefully from this brilliant individual with many skills was active in baseball, basketball, Boys during his summers, and then joined of Earth materials. Up to this point, port on February 13. He as well as a great conversationalist. He Scouts, and he was a big fan of the GSI full time in 1956. Only three years most exploration seismic methods was a beloved husband was a gentle soul, yet he could stand up library. Spending summer days at the later, he published the landmark paper simply ignored shear properties and to Ruth Kelly Trudeau; for the truth no matter how unpopular. summer home at Stiles Reservoir was “Water Reverberations-Their Nature and shear waves, so an “acoustic" (that is, caring father to Wayne Trudeau and his Norm is survived by his sister, Nancy his favorite pastime. It was at the age of Elimination" using time-series analysis fluid) Earth was the customary starting wife, Evelyn; loving grandpa to Nicole Van Broekhoven of Barrington, Ill. and 9 that he met his future wife, Barbara methods to solve a major problem in model for designing field acquisition and and Michelle; playful brother to Sharon Breckenridge, Colo. May Carr. seismic reflection prospecting. Digital processing methods and for interpreting

134 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 135 data. Milo was again at the forefront of a L. F. (Frank) Shelf of the Midland Basin. In 1960, ubiquitous red ink filled the margins Coast Section SEPM Doris M. Curtis methods for cartography. After a hiatus revolution that changed the exploration Brown, Jr., Brown became an assistant professor of papers he edited. In 1972, Brown Medal, a career award recognizing his while raising her family, she obtained geophysics industry. Many research Professor in geology at Baylor University. Frank and Fisher began a joint research and lifetime contributions in sedimentary a Texas Certificate of Education in projects from SEER (with students) and Emeritus of continued fieldwork in North-Central training venture with the Brazilian geology. He was awarded the first earth sciences in 1989, followed by a later work at the UT Bureau of Economic Geological Texas for the BEG during the summers national oil company, Petrobras. For 10 honorary life membership of the Permian Ph.D. in geology in 1997, both from Geology were concerned with developing Sciences and a of 1961 through 1963. In 1966, Frank years, Bill and Frank brought Petrobras Basin Section SEPM in 1960. In 1990, The University of Texas at Austin. methods such as Amplitude Versus prominent, returned to UT full time as a research geologists and geophysicists to Austin he received the Monroe Cheney Award After completing her Ph.D., it seemed Offset (AVO) and others that extract internationally scientist, where he continued studying for several months of intensive analysis for contributions to the petroleum that no occupation could be quite as shear properties and associated lithology known the Eastern Pennsylvanian Shelf of of an offshore Brazilian basin. It was geology of the Southwest by the AAPG challenging or exciting as hunting for information from seismic data. He also geologist, died the Midland Basin. Frank also began a during their Brazilian studies that Southwest Section. In 2008 he received calcified demosponges (sclerosponges) helped develop field and processing Dec. 25, 2016. long-term research initiative on ancient they developed seismic stratigraphic the AAPG Pioneer Award. in the Caribbean. She was mistaken. techniques to generate, observe and He was 88. Brown was well known to deltas and other siliciclastic systems interpretations of the passive and rifted Frank and his wife, Linda, enjoyed Fascinated by the wealth of fossil interpret shear wave reflections. He geoscientists worldwide for his seminal with William Fisher. Their work, Brazilian basins, which led to their living in Georgetown, Texas. She material in the collections, she was served as the Society of Exploration contributions in siliciclastic depositional centering on Cenozoic and Paleozoic memorable contribution to the American preceded him in death in 2015. Frank infected by a strong desire to develop Geophysicists (SEG) Distinguished systems — not only formulating the deltas, led to the concept of “depositional Association of Petroleum Geologists Brown was a brilliant and dedicated some way to make the collections more Lecturer in 1985, presenting “The initial concepts, but also applying them to systems” first published in 1967. In (AAPG) Memoir 26 (1977) on seismic scientist with a keen appreciation for accessible to everyone. This involved Fourth Dimension — Offset-Dependent seismic stratigraphy, sequence 1969, Brown and Fisher, along with stratigraphy. Brown articulated his ideas detail and thoroughness in his work making them accessible both for Reflectivity," in recognition of his stratigraphy, and coastal studies Al Scott and Joe McGowen, published from a direct principle basis and logically and writings. His legacy will be the research, exhibit and education. She leadership in developing this technology. management. During his five-decade a monograph titled “Delta systems in extended the concepts of depositional rigorous scholarship he practiced and became collections manager at the Non- During his career, Milo was career, Frank had global influence as a the exploration for oil and gas,” which systems into their 2-D seismic inspired to advance key concepts in the Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory active in the SEG, serving on many researcher, consultant and mentor. Frank became the key publication of its time. stratigraphic signature. From 1987 to geological sciences. He is missed by his (NPL), eventually becoming director of committees and as vice­ president made these contributions while working Brown and Fisher were later (1977) 1989, Brown worked closely with three many colleagues in geology throughout museum operations and curator of the (1976-77) and president (1979-80). at the Bureau of Economic Geology in to introduce the concept of “systems groups of geoscientists from Soekor, the world. NPL at the Jackson School Museum of He became an honorary SEG member Austin (1957–1960, 1966–1989, tracts,” which, along with depositional then the state oil company of South Earth History. Paleontology remained in 1988, receiving its highest award, 1998–2011), with a faculty appointment systems, forms the core of modern Africa, doing regional studies in three Ann M. an insatiable passion for Molineux, the Maurice Ewing Medal, in 1991. at The University of Texas at Austin sedimentology and stratigraphy. offshore basins of South Africa. This Molineux with her own paleontological research His “Flat Spot Exploration" paper was (1971–1989). He also taught at Baylor In 1969, Frank undertook direction of work was published in the 1995 AAPG (Ph.D. interests involving relationships recognized by the European Association University (1960–1969) and worked as a the bureau’s Gulf Coastal Environmental Studies in Geology No. 41 and remains '97) between organisms and what can be of Geophysical Exploration with its full-time international consultant from Geology project. Frank also showed a premier publication illustrating how passed learned from their patterns of growth, Conrad Schlumberger Award in 1975. 1989 to 1996. breadth in his field by working on to do regional sequence stratigraphy and away especially within reef environments. The 1959 “Water Reverberations" Professor Brown was a native of modern depositional systems and basin analysis by integrating different February She was particularly interested in Oklahoma. He was born and raised in paper was the best article in the SEG environmental geology. During the data sets. From 1989 to 1996, Brown 2018. She sponges and rudist bivalves and the small town of Drumright, where his journal Geophysics that year. The SEG 1970s, this work resulted in a seven- retired from the University of Texas to worked conducted specimen-based research father worked in the Gulf Oil production also granted GSI two Distinguished volume environmental series covering undertake full-time geological consulting tirelessly grounded in fieldwork and collections. department. After high school, Frank Achievement Awards recognizing that, the entire Texas coastal zone, comprising and was named professor emeritus. In to build, Her career came full circle as she turned financed his college education by under Milo's direction, GSI had led the multicolor geologic maps of the Texas 1998, he was invited to return to the promote her attention to the development and working summers as a roustabout and industry to adopt digital seismic systems coastal Pleistocene and Holocene, as bureau as a senior research fellow, where and application of computer technologies sometimes as a roughneck. He finished a and processing methods (awarded 1986) well as many derivative environmental he worked until his retirement in 2011. preserve the amazing collections we to enhance the relevance of NPL four-year premedical program at Baylor and had developed three-dimensional maps emphasizing the impact of As a professor in geological sciences have here at The University of Texas at collections for stratigraphic and University in 1950 with a major in seismic methods (awarded 1989). After coastal processes and planning. Frank Brown co-taught Depositional Systems, Austin, and was a mentor and friend paleobiological research. Ann was a chemistry and biology. But rather than Milo's retirement from the UT Austin also managed the bureau’s long-term supervised seven doctoral and nine to so many of us here and around the true visionary about the possibiltiies attending medical school, he decided to faculty, the SEG devoted an article to nuclear waste isolation study of the Palo master's graduate students, and served globe. She will be deeply missed by of digital technologies for expanding pursue a B.S. degree in geology, which him in its magazine, The Leading Edge Duro Basin (1977–1985) for the U.S. on numerous thesis and dissertation those within the scientific community, access to the UT collections, and for he completed in 1951. He entered the (September 2000), which featured Department of Energy and was later committees. He served as an AAPG and the many organizations in which organizing and storing curatorial University of Wisconsin at Madison in testimonials from former students, many involved in siting of the Superconducting Distinguished Lecturer, stacking up a she was actively involved. She was born information to facilitate local access 1951, earning an M.S. degree in 1953 in academic and industry leadership Super Collider for the state of Texas. record 65 presentations to academic in Lindfield, Sussex, England and earned and improve collections management. and a Ph.D. degree in geological and positions. In 2004, the Milo M. Brown served as associate director departments and professional societies her M.A. in geography from Cambridge Those efforts earned her enhanced geophysical sciences in 1955. Backus Endowed Fund for Exploration of the bureau from 1971 to 1984 across the United States. As an University in 1965. Her professional national and international recognition, In 1955 Frank accepted a job with Geophysics was created by the Board of and then as senior research scientist international lecturer, Brown taught career began as a cartographer at the and elevated the NPL collections to a Standard of Texas (Texas Chevron Regents of the UT System, with funding from 1984 to 1989. During most of short courses in more than 40 countries Oxford University Press, followed new plane of relevance in the museum subsidiary) in Amarillo, Texas, but provided by Decker Dawson, also a his tenure at the bureau, Frank served over a four-decade period. Several by Syracuse University, Harvard community. To acknowledge Molineux’s he left there in early 1957 to accept former SEG president and a long­ time as a rigorous technical editor of all societies acknowledged Frank’s lifetime University Laboratory for Computer devotion to sharing the collections a position of research scientist at the colleague and benefactor of the university. geological publications. A good writer contributions. He received AAPG’s Graphics, Boston University, and the and her exemplary technical skills, The Bureau of Economic Geology in Austin, Milo was named to the Jackson School himself, Frank exacted a high standard highest award in 2010 — the Sidney NERC Experimental Cartography Unit University of Texas at Austin recently where he began stratigraphic studies of Geosciences Hall of Distinction by the for clarity of thought and expression Powers Medal — for his work in basin in London, England. Her focus at the named a room in the NPL the “Ann of Pennsylvanian strata on the Eastern UT Geology Foundation in 2011. in the manuscripts he reviewed. His analysis. In 2007, he received the Gulf time was on developing computerized Molineux Paleontology Laboratory.”

136 | Jackson School of Geosciences 2018 Newsletter | 137 In addition, he was awarded the Neil concept that the pyramids of Egypt are Miner Outstanding Teacher Award made of epoxy-cemented crushed stone. ALUMNI NEWS UPDATE from the National Association of He did this research without having Geology Teachers (1989). to squander science-time writing SUBMISSION FORM Folk was born in 1925 in Cleveland, proposals. Wherever he traveled Bob Ohio, a son of George Billmyer Folk sought out the local culture and cuisine, and Marjorie Kinkead. He became using bits of languages he quickly interested in rocks and minerals acquired and applied with abandon. All personal and work information submitted is confidential All alumni, former researchers, faculty and staff affiliated around age 5 because of all the He was passably fluent in Czech and and will not be shared outside of The University of Texas at with JSG and its research units are encouraged to submit. pretty pebbles that had been carried Italian, but never hesitated to make Austin. All fields are optional but we appreciate your effort If you are not receiving the Newsletter in the mail, this form down from the Canadian shield exclamations in Chinese. He liked by glaciers. He became attracted to to help us keep your information accurate and current. will ensure you receive future copies. to grade graduate student papers in sedimentary rock classifications, Egyptian hieroglyphics, leaving it because there existed exotic names up to the students to translate his for igneous rocks, like andesite or marking system. Personal Information gabbro, but sediments were just He had many hobbies, including a sandstone, limestone or shale; he very complicated dice baseball game Name thought there must be a better way. that he started in 1944 and maintained Robert Louis (Luigi) Folk. On June Later, he found the better way and right up until last year. He enjoyed Mailing Address City State Zip 4, 2018, the Department of Geological his classification of sedimentary rocks is still one of the gold standards history, particularly about the Civil Sciences of The University of Texas at Country Home Phone ( ) Email Austin and the sedimentary geology and established him as one of the War (both great-grandfathers were in community of the world lost one of its founders of “Soft Rock Geology.” the war), non-realistic painting (several heroes, Dr. Robert (Bob) Louis (Luigi) Bob received his B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. people have his acrylics), and collecting Folk. Bob joined UT Austin in 1952 from Penn State, where he was strongly rocks, stamps and coins, as well as and retired as professor emeritus in influenced by P. D. Krynine, one of engaging in amateur astronomy. Work Information Class Notes for the 2019 Newsletter 1987 after 35 years of service, the stalwarts of sedimentary geology. He served as a geological consultant Company Attach a separate sheet or use the online form at although he continued his research After getting a Ph.D. in 1952, he spent on archaeological studies in Israel and www.jsg.utexas.edu/alumni for longer entries. and provided counsel to students for a postdoc at Columbia University. Bob southern Italy. Title another 20 years. He supervised more worked briefly for Gulf Research and Bob liked to dance with his wife than 50 graduate students, many of Development Company in Houston, and students at the Broken Spoke, whom had stellar careers in academe Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama and loved as well as Address Line 1 and industry. He established an examining marine sediments and river Grand Opera, Symphony, and popular, international reputation based on his sands of the eastern Gulf Coast. At that melodious music. Marge and he were Address Line 2 classifications and interpretations of time, textural analysis was thought members of the Wedding Ring class at the origins of sandstones and to be the “key to finding oil fields.” First Methodist Church from 1954 on. City State Zip limestones, but also on his ebullient But Bob decided that his future lay in They enjoyed almost every weekend personality that allowed him to build teaching, and in February 1952, while at their log cabin overlooking Lake Country Work Phone ( ) friendships and collaborations with driving through Austin, Texas, Bob Travis. Bob was also an accomplished colleagues all over the world. walked in off the street to the Geology pasta chef (sauces only). Email Folk authored more than 100 Department and asked if they had any The last item in his recipe for research papers in international jobs. Luckily, their sedimentologist carbonara is “add a smattering of Preferred Mailing Address: scientific journals and professional was about to retire, so the department m Home m Work m Please do not send me mail. volumes. Six of his publications have fireplace ashes.” chair virtually hired him on the spot Preferred Email Address: more than 1,000 citations and his soft- for $4,200 a year. In those days, before Check if you would like more information on: m Home m Work m Please do not send me email. bound quasi-textbook on the Petrology the pressure of grant-driven science, m Alumni events in your area or at upcoming of Sedimentary Rocks, first printed in the department allowed him to work Print Preferred Email Address in Alumni News? geoscience meetings 1957, has 10,000 citations. The value on anything he pleased — dune sands m Yes m No m Mentoring and recruiting students of his written and oral contributions in Australia, pebble shapes in , Research Unit Experience: m K–12 outreach programs earned him the W.H. Twenhofel Gold modern carbonate sediments of Yucatan, m BEG m UTIG m Other m Continuing education and learning programs Medal from the Society of Sedimentary the petrology of avian urine, the Additional details on UT Austin or JSG experience: Geology (1979), the H.C. Sorby Medal petrography of roofing tiles, enhanced m Endowments and other support opportunities from the International Association stereo vision using two hands, black m I would like information about planned giving opportunities of Sedimentologists (1990), and phytokarst from Hell, a unit of scuffle the Penrose Gold Medal from the abrasion on stone steps, vitrified rat Geological Society of America (2000). feces of aragonite, and a challenge to the Or submit news and updates at www.jsg.utexas.edu/alumni

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