The study will focus on petrographic and geochemical properties of the Mt. Simon Sandstone in Illinois and its burial/cementation history. The study will examine and sample sedimentary cores for petrographic and geochemical analysis. The results of this study will be used to build up a database and detail different diagenetic trends within this sandstone. Experience in sedimentology and completion of GEOL440 would be an advantage. Project to begin Fall 2015, but with possibilities of summer 2015 work.

Advisors: Jared Freiberg (ISGS) and Jim Best

The study will focus on petrographic and geochemical properties of thick Carboniferous sandstones in Illinois and their burial/cementation history. The study will examine and sample sedimentary cores for petrographic and geochemical analysis. The results of this petrographic study will be used to build up a regional database and create isocontour maps of data detailing different diagenetic trends within these sandstones. Experience in sedimentology and completion of GEOL440 would be an advantage. Project to begin Fall 2015, but with possibilities of summer 2015 work.

Advisors: Nathan Webb and Jared Freiberg (ISGS) and Jim Best

This project would work with the ISGS to construct regional cross-sections to correlate and define stratigraphic relationships of the Carboniferous Cypress Sandstone, an important hydrocarbon reservoir. The project would give experience in collecting samples from core to analyze for bulk and clay mineralogy, and updating regional maps of the Cypress sandstone by building on existing datasets. These mineralogical results will be related to sedimentological interpretations of the Cypress Sandstone and a large study examining the hydrocarbon characteristics of this sandstone. Experience in sedimentology and completion of GEOL440 would be an advantage. Project to begin Fall 2015, but with possibilities of summer 2015 work.

Advisors: Nathan Webb and Shane Butler (ISGS) and Jim Best

Extract images from ALVIN and JASON video of portions of the mid-section of ocean crust.  Mosaic the images together and analyze for proportions of dikes, lavas, breccia, and other. Measure dike and lava thicknesses and proportions. Calculate and interpret amount of magma flow possible, and the percent available to erupt on the surface. Measure apparent and true dips of planar dike margins, faults and flows.

Steve Hurst

shurst@illinois.edu
33 CAB