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We take pride in having a department where cooperation and collaboration cross the traditional bounds of specialization. Faculty and students across the spectrum interact on productive research projects. Research and teaching in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Rice University are organized into two larger and one smaller programs. Earth's Structure and Dynamics (ESD) seeks to characterize the near surface and internal structure of the solid earth and quantitatively understand the processes acting within the earth that shape its evolution. Earth System Science (ESS) has been developed in the past ten years as a new approach to link studies of the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and atmosphere and focus on their interaction and feedbacks. Energy Resources (ER) studies at Rice include programs in sequence stratigraphy, sediment deposition, seismic imaging in heterogeneous media, fluidrock interactions, and faulting dynamics. These programs are outlined in more detail in the following sections. |
Earth Structures and DynamicsCurrent research within ESD at Rice University encompasses problems spanning a range of scales that cover not only fundamental research into earth processes, but also their applications to energy resources, environmental problems, and geologic hazards. Research to unlock the connection between global tectonics and mantle convection, the driving mechanism behind plate motions and large-scale surface deformation, is moving from the purely kinematic to the fully dynamic realm. The Rice ESD group is particularly focused on understanding the connections between continental tectonics and mantle dynamics through a combination of seismic data collection, structural tectonics studies, and theoretical modeling. Global scale studies are unraveling the interactions among tectonic plates and the manner by which broad zones of deformation can form at the Earth's surface. This research is changing long held paradigms about the workings of plate tectonics as we see that distributed deformation is a widespread phenomena and not simply an exception to plate tectonic "rules". Research at the regional scale includes large-scale lithospheric structure and tectonics to study continental margins and interiors. Marine and land-based active-source seismic studies are used to provide detailed images of crust and upper mantle architectures to study continental formation, evolution and breakup, and its relationship to earthquake and volcanic activity . These geophysical studies are coupled with detailed geologic mapping and analysis of drill cores and logging data for microscale evidence of deformation history . Field based research is complemented by numerical simulations of plate interactions and crustal deformation. Investigations of magmatic processes with geologic mapping, geochronology, and geophysical studies are used to understand the formation and evolution of oceanic and continental crust, and the recycling of materials between lithosphere and mantle at subduction zones and mantle hotspots. Fault processes are being studied by field-based methods such as mapping and seismic imaging of active continental and marine fault zones and by numerical simulations that reproduce fault mechanisms and deformation, providing insight into the generation of destructive earthquakes. At the smallest scale near-surface geophysical imaging, mainly seismic and ground penetrating radar, can address problems of environmental concern. Very high-resolution seismic techniques can provide subsurface images of sufficient detail to be used in groundwater characterization and contaminant remediation studies. Research in Earth Structures and Dynamics
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Earth Systems ScienceCurrent research in ESS focuses particularly on processes and records related to Earth surface dynamics. The program provides the basis for competitive education and research. It is designed to address challenging societal issues related to pollution, global warming, and the depletion of energy resources. Building on several successful existing programs in sedimentology, stratigraphy, and geochemistry we add faculty in the general fields of low-temperature geochemistry, biogeochemistry , physical surficial processes, and past records of global change. Our objective is to help forecast future climate change. The combined programs within Earth System Science have natural collaboration with faculty in the Earth Structure and Dynamics and Energy Resources Programs. Forecasting the global climatic and environmental changes for the next centuries will only become feasible once the overall variability of the main dynamic processes occurring on the Earth's surface are better understood. To accomplish this, it is essential to assess the responses of the intricately coupled systems of the atmosphere, ocean, ice, continents and biosphere to climate environmental change. Past responses of the Earth system to climatic and environmental changes are recorded at various time scales in marine, lake, and terrestrial sediments, soil deposits, corals, tree-rings, and ice cores. These geological records provide a unique framework to understand the Earth surface dynamics in terms of environmental and climatic changes and assess to what extent recent natural and anthropogenic perturbations will impact those natural variations. The Earth System History initiative, a coordinated paleo-science program supported by all Geoscience Divisions and the Office of Polar Programs at NSF, and the Office of Global Programs at NOAA, is research programs that gather information on: (I) natural temporal and spatial variability of the Earth's climate, (2) periods of extreme climate and episodes of rapid climate and ecological change, (3) major changes in ocean and atmospheric circulation and composition, and (4) regional effects of climate and environmental fluctuations. These types of information need to be developed in order to forecast future changes in the Earth's climate and environment on societal time scales. Existing research programs in our department focus on Antarctic ice sheet history and behavior, the history of ocean carbonate production and preservation in the context of the global carbon cycle, records of sea level fluctuations at different time scales, and low temperature geochemistry emphasizing fluid/solid interactions. Another, research program focuses on the expanded strati graphic record preserved in Gulf Coast bays for evidence of dramatic coastal change related to rapid sea level rises and high frequency climatic events. Major changes in neritic carbonate production and accumulation can have major implications on the ocean/atmosphere carbon reservoir. Results of ongoing research at Rice have suggested that the mid-Brunhes interval has witnessed the worldwide establishment of modern barrier reefs and the optimum production of CaCO3 banks in low latitudes. After a period of extensive renovation and investment, the geochemistry laboratories at Rice offer a combination of state-of-the-art and cutting edge technology to explore a large variety of key geochemical questions. E.g., optical interferometry in combination with atomic force mlcroscopy, SEM, and BET techniques are used to study the dynamics of dissolution/precipitation processes on mineral surfaces. For the first time, it is possible to quantify even extremely slow processes at the microscopic scale that often govern global cycles. Our experimental and analytical approach adds a whole new dimension to the study of the key factors in solid (mineral)-solution kinetic rate laws (e.g., the effect of saturation state, catalysis or inhibition, pH, organic acids). Ongoing work focuses on silicate/carbonate fluid interaction with a particular emphasis on the quantification of reaction rates. The comparison with stable isotope exchange kinetics, and the influence of bacteria on these processes are important directions for future work. Research in Earth Systems Science
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Energy ResourcesResearch on Energy Resource issues is a smaller, but growing part of the program in our department. All of Vail's research in sequence stratigraphy is of interest to industry . His students are working in diverse regions which include Northwest Australia, Colorado Plateau, West Siberian Basin, offshore Angola, and offshore Louisiana. Some of Anderson's and Talwani's research is in areas of specific interest to industry. Anderson's research supported byan industry consortium involves refining sequence stratigraphic models for prediction of reservoir occurrence and character. Talwani is conducting research in inverting gravity gradiometer data and its possible use in detecting the fluid gas boundary in shallow heavy oil reservoirs where steam injection is being used. A number of the faculty are engaged in research projects of potential use to industry. Levander and Zelt are developing new ways for imaging in strongly heterogeneous media. Morgan 's work encompasses various studies of faults, fault related deformation structures and mineralogy and diagenesis relating to fluid rock interactions. Morgan's work, Luttge's low temperature geochemical investigations, Droxler's research involving carbonate banks, and Ave Lallement's studies in structure, all have potential applications in research that is of interest to industry. Research in Energy Resources |
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Last Changed 2 November 2000 by Dale Sawyer