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GeosciencesDEPARTMENT OFPHYSICS ANDGEOSCIENCESInside This Issue:Program News ···1Photo Gallery ··· 4Contact us / �· 1Contact us:Geosciences ProgramTexas A&M – KingsvilleMSC 175, University BlvdKingsville TX, 78363Phone: 361-593-3110Fax: 361-593-2183URL:geosciences.tamuk.eduEditors:Dr. Thomas McGehee(kftlm00@tamuk.edu)Dr. Haibin Su(haibin.su@tamuk.edu)NewsletterVO L UM E6,I S SU E3S E P2 0 1 2Program NewsGeology Field Camp at TAMUK is up and runningOur Geosciences Program is evolving a new Field Camp program that is unique in the United States. Weare training future Geologists with three two-week field experiences in Big Bend National Park (springintersession), Central Texas (summer intersession), and on campus (fall intersession). The first two fieldexperiences incorporate traditional training exercises to teach students how to map complex geologicalterrains and to place the knowledge gained into the development of the regional geology. The third part ofour field camp is organized to provide our students local job training in the mining, petroleum, andhydrogeology industries with professionals from these career fields.During the Spring Intersession 11 majors and three faculty (Scott Hughes,Tom McGehee, and Dan Jackson) traveled to Terlingua, Texas to study the“Tectonic Influences on the Geology of Big Bend National Park (BBNP)”.Our students studied a number of outcrops that provided evidence that fivemajor tectonic events shaped the geology of BBNP including the LatePaleozoic Marathon Orogeny, Late Triassic through Late Cretaceousrifting, Middle Tertiary volcanism and plutonism, and Late Tertiary Basinand Range faulting. Students prepared a geologic map of an exposedvolcanic dike cutting the western flank of the Chisos Mountains. Studentshiked up to the rim of the Blue Creek Ranch volcanic deposits to studythe differences between air fall, flow, and lahar volcanic deposits. Students prepared rock descriptions anda topographic profile from base to the rim. Students examined a number of outcrops along Hwy 386 andprepared a geologic cross section from Marathon, Texas to Persimmon Gap. A pace and compass exercisewas used to describe a vertically-tilted series of turbidite beds south of Marathon.During the Summer Intersession 8 majors and three faculty (TomMcGehee, Dan Jackson, and Rebecca Harper) traveled to Central Texasto study the “Tectonic Influences on the Geology of Central Texas.” Ourstudents studied a number of outcrops that provided evidence that threemajor tectonic influences shaped the geology of the Llano area includingthe Late Paleozoic Ouachita uplift, Late Triassic through Late Cretaceousrifting, and Miocene Balcones Faulting. Brian Hunt and Brian Smithwith the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District led thefirst part of the fieldtrip to study Trinity Formation (Cretaceous)lithostratigraphy. Brian Hunt provided a detailed stratigraphic description with insights into thedepositional environment. Our students prepared a detailed stratigraphic column of the Trinity Formationand added the sedimentary environment of each facies. With this information our majors mapped thesurface geology of a neighboring ranch. We packed up the gear and traveled to Mason, Texas. RebeccaHarper, instructor at Tyler Community College, led the study of Cambrian sedimentary rock outcrops nearMason, Texas. Our majors prepared a stratigraphic section of these rock exposures. With this informationour majors mapped the surface geology of part of Professor Harper’s thesis area. Paul Tybor (GeneralManager of the Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District) and Ron Fieseler (General Managerof the Pedernales-Blanco Groundwater District), provided an exercise which involved geophysical loggingof a well and interpreting the well log by reference to logs and cores from nearby wells. Mr. Jim Chude(retired geophysicist) led the group to outskirts of Fredricksburg to perform a pace and compass exercise onan unconformity between Paleozoic sedimentary deposits and Cretaceous sedimentary deposits.We are planning the third stage of the fieldtrip and need industry support to complete this rewarding fieldcamp for our majors. We were extremely fortunate to have the academic staff that supplied their expertise tothese exercises. Special thanks from our faculty and students go to Dr. Scott Hughes, Brian Hunt, BrianSmith, Rebecca Harper, Ron Fieseler, Paul Tybor, and Jim Chude. We are indebted to all of you for freelysharing your expertise and for your energetic presentations and preparation for each of the projects. Wehave had resources support from Dr. John Buckley, the Corpus Christi Geological Society, the UraniumMining Industry, the TAMUK President’s Council, the Quality Enhancement Program, Dean of Students,and the Dean of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Buckley has supported us for over a decade with his land and waterresources to build toward this field camp. Without all these contributors support we would be thinkingabout a future field camp rather than having already completed two of the three phases of our camp.Page 1
S E P 2 01 2FE BR U AR 2 01 0GeosciencesGeosciences NewsletterNewsletterDepartmentDepartment ofof PhysicsPhysics andand Texas A&M University - KingsvilleProgramNewsSevenMajorswalked the stage in AugustthRebecca Roscoe graduated18Paul, 2009with a BachelorSciencein Geologya minorAlexandraDecemberBreeding,Laraway,Austin ofNye,AdamPasciak, withLaurenRossen,in Geography. aftergraduatingTimothy Scott, and Randall Simpson graduated with their Bachelors offromScience inWoodland Park HighSchoolColorado. She came to the University with an interest in gemology,Geologyin inAugust.but towards completionof her BreedingB.S., she wasmore interestedin r capstonefield courseat andIdahoStateUniversityWhile attending theUniversity,Rebecca taughtgeosciencelaboratoriesalmost everysemester.Scholar,Sheearlierthis summer.AlexandraBreedingwas a TAMUKPresidentialthetook the position astreasurerofandsecretaryscholarshipsfor a couple semestersthe prestigiousGeology Club.In thesummerrecipientnumerousincluding inthe2012AIPGNationalof 2007, Rebecca Scholarship,received an internshipwith theCrippleassistant,Creek andVictorGold Minein Colorado.researchan outstandingteachingandoutstandingundergraduateThat following summer and Fall 2008 semesterteam amembersin anCorporationOre Microscopyassistant.RebeccaShe hasandacceptedjob with participatedUranium Energy(UEC).ResearchProject(withcompletedOrlando GonzalesJacobprojectsHundl) within a Dr.studyof the paragenesisof veinswithinthe CrippleCreek/Victor andPaulLarawaytwo majorandresearchMcGehee.Their eResearchSymposiuminFall,2008.Duringthe 2009 andmodel construction for groundwater numerical simulation. Paul Laraway demonstrated high level skills in model inginaopen pitnumerical simulation. Paul received the President’s Award at the Inaugural University Javelina Research Symposium in s.SheAustin Nye completed his capstone field course with James Madison Universities (JMU) Geology Field Camp in Ireland. alsoAustininAmericanthe summerof 2009 Inc.withandthe AuroraAlaska ResourcesGeologicalCorporation.and Geophysicalin Fairbanks,sheNyehadwasana internshipLandman atShoreline,He isSurveycurrentlya consultantAlaska.at NyeThereOil, LLC.receivedvaluableexperiencein ArcGIS,and greatcontacts Michiganwith the StateSurveyhydrogeologyand USGS. Rebeccais currentlyemployedAdamPasciakcompletedhis capstonefield courseat WesternUniversityfield camp.Adam Pasciakwas capast president of the Geosciences Club and is credited with rejuvenating the interest in student club activities.reallyRossonenjoyedcompletedher time andat courseTexas A&MUniversity-Kingsville.Laurenher experiencescapstone fieldwith BoiseState University Geology Department in Sardinia Italy. Laurenher BachelorRossen has accepted a jobMelissawith VirAnnTexHidalgoOil and receivedGas in CorpusChristi. of Science degree in Geology with a minor in Biology fromA&M University-Kingsvillethe 2009 DecemberOriginallyfrom the “2012Timothy Scott completedTexashis capstonefield course at Idaho duringState Universityearlier thiscommencement.summer. TimothyScott ng Field Student” award from the geosciences ngTAMUK,MissHidalgowasthe2008TreasurerRandall Simpson completed his capstone course with University of Nevado-Reno this summer.of the Geoscience Club and worked an internship as an interpreter with the Texas Parks and WildlifeDepartment in the summer of 2008. This past summer , Melissa fulfilled her capstone course requiredSixteen new majorsjoinourplanGeosciencesby herdegreeby completing aProgramrigorous six-week field camp (this implements coursework learnedWe are happy to have 16 new majors enroll in classes this Fall, 2012.AndrewAery isanlaboratoryentering freshmanfrom withFriendswood,Texas.of Nevada-Reno. In her final year, she worked with Dr. Johnin lecturesandin the field)the UniversityJacobByerlyan preparationentering freshmanfromreconstructionCorpus Christi,ofTexas.Jacob Byerlyis a PresidentialScholar.Buckleyonistheand partialPolyptchyodonHudsoni,a plesiosaur.She presented her research oustonCommunityColleges.Mr.Hernandezone of theschoolthe Pathways to the Doctorate Research Symposium in Fall, 2009. She had this to say; “First of all, isI eUniversityofTexasGeoFORCEProgram.was a perfect fit for me, especially the Geoscience department and their faculty. You develop a close professional relationshipAustinis anfreshmanfromtoCibolo,withJohnsonthem thatwillenteringserve youfor yearscome.Texas.Without their help, it would not have been a smooth transition from Texas. that were offered will help me with furthering my career.community college to a major university. tudentfromBlinnCollege.This is very much appreciated. Not only is this degree a symbol of my hard work and determination of an importantStephanieGarza is buta it also studentshows thegreatsupportofthatwas Pangivento me by individuals, especially my close friends and llege.closer family. I thank God for them everyday.” Miss Hidalgo is planning on pursuing a Graduate Gemologist degree throughTimothyMcClurkanis anInstituteenteringoffreshmanfrom Georgetown, Texas.the GIA(GemologicalAmerica).Casey Mibb is a transfer student from Del Mar College. She is alsoa Presidential Scholar.David Smith graduated December 18th, 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology with a minor inVeronica Nieto is an internal transfer student.Geography. He worked on two research projects that were presented at the Pathways to the DoctorateScott Sundland is a transfer student from the Lone Star College System.Research Symposium in 2008 and 2009. He is a student member of the American Association ofHoracio Talip is an entering freshman from Kingsville, Texas.Petroleum Geologist. He is working for Lewis Petro Properties getting valuable experience in theRafael Villegas is a Post Baccalaureate student from Biology.petroleum industry. In regards to what the degree means to him, “This program has helped me in a lotCharles Winn is a transfer student from TAMUCC.of different ways. Mainly how the Earth system works and how to use the tools like GIS and RemoteJuan Zamora is a Post Baccalaureate student from Biology.Sensing to study the different subsystems of the Earth.”AndrewSamuel Cantu, Summa Cum Laude, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences with aminor in English. He has taught most of the GIS and Remote Sensing labs while completing hisdegree. He was the Coordinator for Educational Outreach on Dr. Jaeyung Yu’s DoD GeospatialTechnology grant for two years. He has completed four research projects that were presented at thethe Doctorate Researchin 2007, 2008,and 2009. StephanieHe won a secondJustinplaceJacob Pathways toAntonioAustin SymposiumsAlexanderDakotaaward in the Environmental Division in the 2008 Pathways Symposium. He presented his researchposter at the AAG Conference on a post-NAFTA GIS project that analyzed the environmental impactsof growth to the Weslaco, Texas area. This meeting was held in San Francisco, CA in the Spring2007. Sam Cantu was one of the most helpful, dedicated students in the harlesJuanPage2 2Page
Geosciences NewsletterS E P2 01 2Department of Physics and GeosciencesTexas A&M University - KingsvilleGeosciences Club President’s Page (Michael Parker)The officers of the TAMUK Geosciences Club are excited to usher in a great new semester for our club members! We have alot of fun and educational events lined up, such as movie nights, club activities, and guest speakers. The elections held at theend of last semester brought some familiar faces and new blood into the club leadership, with Michael Parker as ClubPresident, Jonathan Sulaica as Vice President, Cody Barker as Club Treasurer, Sarah Roos as Club Secretary, and JeffEllsworth as our Club Historian. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the club, please bring it up during our meetings(which are free to attend and open to all), or simply tell one your club officers about it! We are open to new ideas, and arededicated to making this a great year for the Geosciences Club!AAPG Student Chapter President’s Page (Stephannie Resendez)Texas A&M University – Kingsville AAPG student chapter is looking forward to a wonderful school year! With the help ofour Treasurer (Naomi Pankratz), Secretary (Sarah Roos), Vice President (Jordan Schwabe) and President (StephannieResendez) we are planning to increase our service to the local area. Specific service activities that we are implementinginclude continuation of water monitoring activities from last year and expanding our presence in local schools where weexplain geology to elementary students. These students are always excited to learn some of the basics of geology and to get toactually work directly with rock, mineral, and fossil specimens. Lisa McLaughlin will lead a field trip to the Canyon Damspillway where a 1983 flood carved out a gorge, exposing some spectacular geology. We also are working toward anexpanded agenda of professional speakers to give our majors a better understanding of what they will be doing as professionalgeologists.Upcoming Fall FieldtripsWe will be traveling to Central Texas again for both Fall fieldtrips. We will conduct hydrogeology and geomorphology fieldexercises on the first fieldtrip on September 27-29. Brian Smith and Brian Hunt are taking us on a tour of the hydrogeology ofBarton Springs. Ron Fieseler and Paul Tybor will be leading our group on a pumping test and log a water well. ProfessorJackson will lead the geomorphology group to study karst features. On October 18-20 we will meet Frank Roberts at BaduHill to map the feature and the surrounding geology. Dan Jackson has structural geology exercises planned for his class. Weare also planning to go to the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences on November 14 to look at the “World’s Finest MineralCollection.”Brent Hedquist is our new faculty replacement for Dr. YuWe are proud to announce that Dr. Brent Hedquist is joining our Department this Fall, comingfrom Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan. He has also held an appointment at BrighamYoung University in Idaho. Dr. Hedquist graduated from Arizona State University in Geography in2010. Brent’s dissertation title "Micro-Scale Evaluation of the Urban Heat Island in Phoenix,Arizona" and subsequent research at Saginaw Valley and BYU Idaho will provide Texas newexpertise in a needed area of GIS and Remote Sensing research. Dr. Hedquist will be teachinggeography courses and providing leadership for the University GIS Laboratory.Bree McClenning is a new Graduate Teaching Assistant for our ProgramBree McClenning accepted a graduate teaching position in our program to alleviate some of ourload this fall semester. In the Fall semester she will teach three classes at TAMUK while finishingthe final editing phase (mid-October) of her Master’s thesis (A&M main campus). Dr. McGeheeand Dan Jackson will be mentoring/supporting her teaching experience at TAMUK.Drs. Jaehyung Yu and Tom McGehee receive the top paper awardThe National Council for Geographic Education awarded Drs Jaehyung Yu and Thomas McGehee the best article award forGeographic Program Development 2012. Our paper “Vertical Integration of Geographic Information Sciences: A RecruitmentModel for GIS Education” was chosen by the NCGE Journal of Geography Awards Task Force from among those published inVolume 110. Dr. Yu will be traveling from South Korea to San Marcos, Texas to present this work.Page 3
Geosciences NewsletterS E P2 01 2Department of Physics and GeosciencesTexas A&M University - KingsvilleDrs. Jaehyung Yu and Scott Hughes retiresJaehyung YuScott HughesDrs. Jaehyung Yu and Scott Hughes retired this year, but both are active geoscientistsin other parts of the world. Dr. Jaehyung Yu is in South Korea in his formergeosciences department in Chungnam National University, South Korea. He iscontinuing his Master’s work in Economic Geology. Dr. Scott Hughes is working outof his home in Oroville, California. Jaehyung Yu helped our program in recruiting,professional recognition, instructional quality, collegiality, etc. Scott Hughes helpedour geology program advance to a new instructional level. He is currently a consultantto our program and will lead the Big Bend fieldtrip next year. Our Department willmiss our friends (Jae and Scott), but, they are only an email or phone call away.Geospatial Technologies Research LaboratoryDr. Brent Hedquist will be overseeing the Geospatial Lab this year. Introductory and intermediate GIS workshops will beoffered to Faculty and staff on campus. There will also be a graduate teaching assistant in the lab part-time to be available forsoftware support and for workshop instruction. A Fall opening event for the lab will be announced shortly. There are plans forcelebrating GIS Day on November 14th. Please contact Dr. Hedquist if you want to volunteer to help promote GIS on campusduring this week.TAMUK Spring Intersession Geology Field Camp 2012 - Big BendStudents: Cody Barker, Devon Cuevas, Michael Garza, Christina Jones, Jorge Luarca, Jacob Reese, PrestonRidley, Jordan Schwabe, Cesar Serna, Aaron Storbeck, and Brent WinborneFaculty: Scott Hughes, Thomas McGehee, Dan Jackson and Jim ChudePage 4
Geosciences NewsletterS E P2 01 2Department of Physics and GeosciencesTexas A&M University - KingsvilleTAMUK Summer Intersession Geology Field Camp 2012 - LlanoStudents: Cody Barker, Devon Cuevas, Michael Garza, Christina Jones, Jorge Luarca, Jacob Reese, PrestonRidley, and Brent WinborneFaculty: Thomas McGehee, Dan Jackson, and Rebecca HarperJim Chude, Paul Tybor, Brian Smith, Brian Hunt, John Buckley, and Ron FieselerPage 5
Austin Nye completed his capstone field course with James Madison Universities (JMU) Geology Field Camp in Ireland. Austin Nye was a Landman at American Shoreline, Inc. and Aurora Resources Corporation. He is currently a consultant at Nye Oil, LLC. Adam Pasciak completed his capstone field course at Western Michigan University hydrogeology .
