USU Geosciences - Field Notes 2022

Announcing the Michael Varge Lowe Scholarship for Academic Excellence

The biggest departmental news item of this past academic year was the generosity of alumnus Mike Lowe (MS, 1987). Mike provided the largest ever monetary gift to our department, establishing an endowment to fund a premier undergraduate scholarship. The Lowe Scholarship is awarded to the top Junior level Geology major, in order to underwrite their Senior year.

Mike is not someone to make a fuss about himself, but he deserves some recognition: Mike Lowe grew up, was educated, and spent his career in northern Utah. After getting his Bachelor’s at Weber State College and then a couple

years in the Texas oil patch, he came to USU for grad study. Mike earned his MS under Dr. Jim McCalpin studying geologic hazards along the eastern Cache Valley mountain front and producing a geologic map of the Smithfield Quadrangle. After USU, Mike started a distinguished career in geologic hazards and water resources as the County Geologist for Weber and Davis Counties. He eventually found himself at the Utah Geological Survey, where he ended up authoring over 160 reports and maps and serving as the Manager of the Groundwater and Paleontology Program. Mike received the John C. Frye Environmental Geology Award from the Geological Society of America and the Association of State Geologists for the best paper on environmental geology in both 1995 and 2015. Finally, Mike served in top leadership roles for the Utah Section of the Association of Engineering Geologists and the Utah Geological Association, as well as serving for close to 20 years on our Geo Advisory Board at USU.

Broadly speaking, Mike created the Lowe endowment to help our best students receive experiences like those he enjoyed when he was here at USU. The first recipient of the Lowe Scholarship was named at our Awards Party in April, 2022 geology major Jacob Cooley. Jacob is a transfer student from engineering who will benefit from a full ride on his tuition this academic year. Next year it will be another lucky student, and so on. Thank you, Mike!

Two Pillars of Department Retiring after a Combined 66 Years of Service

The USU Geo Department is widely known for our strength in the fields of structural geology, fault zone studies, and field training. This reputation can be directly traced to two faculty who formed the core of our department over the past decades

Dr. Jim Evans and Dr. Susanne Jänecke. Both Jim and Susanne have announced their retirements at the end of this calendar year.

As a rule, lumping two important people together in a single article should be avoided. But as many of you know, Jim and Susanne are married life partners. They have maintained over the years a balance of working mostly as individuals but also as a team.

In 1987, Jim arrived from his PhD in Michigan as a new faculty member in what is unfortunately still referred to as “Clyde Hardy’s position”. Jim has been at the top of his game for decades and has received many accolades, with a highlight being receiving USU’s D. Wynne Thorne Award for career long research accomplishments.

Susanne began her faculty appointment in 1991, filling roles in teaching and impactful, western U.S. research across structural geology, field geology, and geophysics. Together, Jim and Susanne have mentored over 50 (!) graduate students in their Theses and Dissertations, and a similar number of undergraduate researchers.

These two geocitizens have been especially active in giving they have established multiple scholarships and endowments in our department, and they have worked with our alumni to do so as well.

Both will remain involved in research after retirement, but Jim reports that he is looking forward to traveling to interesting places in western North America, reading books, and sitting on the Lake Superior shore in September. Susanne looks forward to more time for gardening, photography, abstract painting, hiking, winter sports, and all her other hobbies, as well as being able to advocate for equal rights of women and other minority groups.

When asked to identify the best thing about their time as professors, Susanne raves about learning new things: “It is exhilarating to occasionally be the first person to know something important about the earth, a process, an area, or rock units. What a gift to be paid to engage in original and

creative research as a researcher and teacher. I loved being able to learn and grow with our rewarding groups of students and with our collaborative colleagues.” Jim agrees with that last note that the best thing has been working with students, and watching them develop and thrive after their time at USU. Over the years, both Jim and Susanne have seen huge changes in our department and geology in general, noting how geoscience has become a broader and deeper topic, and at the department level experiencing the increase in skill, kindness, and number of our staff. Susanne highlights the arrival of excellent imagery in Google Earth, with LiDAR, and etc., which greatly improves our ability to understand the Earth. In her case, this means being able to quickly “ see” dozens of faults!

Together, Jim and Susanne have defined an era in our department. It has been a great ride, and we wish you the best in retirement!

JimEvanslikesthisrock

Meet Sharan

Dr. Srisharan Shreedharan is a new Assistant Professor in the USU Geo Department. His focus is on geomechanics and geophysics. Below is an interview to learn a little about him.

Dr. Bradbury’s Long and Winding Road that Kept Leading to our Door

Our departmental guru and Cache Valley mainstay, Dr. Kelly Bradbury, gained promotion to Associate Professor this year. More fundamentally, Kelly finally holds a fully benefited, “hard money” faculty position at USU, which has been a longstanding goal.

where we will study geohazards (mostly earthquakes, also other granular processes such as landslides, flank instability etc.). Considering we have an excellent natural laboratory in our backyard the Wasatch front this would be a great opportunity to also improve our knowledge of regional seismicity. On the teaching front, I want to contribute by expanding the geophysics curriculum at both the undergrad/grad levels by introducing courses in geo/earthquake mechanics, math modeling and broad applied geophysics/rock physics techniques.

Right now I'm working on a few different things. I'm running numerical models of earthquakes, specifically slow motion earthquakes, to understand the frictional properties that allow many different types of slow earthquakes (slow slip events, low frequency earthquakes, very low frequency earthquakes etc.) to occur on the same fault almost simultaneously. I'm also analyzing data from friction experiments to understand how faults restrengthen between slow slip events, and finally I'm spending some time developing new experimental techniques to study rock/ sediment strength and friction both on very small quantities of rock/sediment and on very large faults.

What is your latest research?

1. Huge fan of Ethiopian food, especially injera!

2. Rock climbing, hiking/camping, cooking/baking, brewing kombucha

Not a specific rock/mineral but more broadly phyllosilicates. I think I have a love/hate relationship with them because they are so unique in their physical and mechanical properties making them difficult but also rewarding to study. For all that we understand about them, there's so much we still don't know mechanically, frictionally, chemically especially in the context of earthquake generation.

I want to take advantage of Logan's proximity to so many national parks, forests and wilderness areas to explore, hike, climb and camp during the weekends and breaks.

Kelly’s looping path through our department started in 1994 when she arrived from Michigan as a new grad student. After completing her MS with Jim Evans on fracture controls on groundwater near Park City, Kelly held an array of consulting jobs in hydrogeology, hazards, and structural geology while also growing a family and deep roots in the Cache Valley community. Eventually, Kelly gave in and completed a PhD on San Andreas fault rocks in 2012 as one of our department’s very first PhD students! Kelly found employment in our region in the minerals industry, but was soon looping back to the Geo Department running our XRD lab and vying for research dollars. With success in gaining funding from NSF and the USGS, In 2016, Kelly was appointed as a mostly self funded Research Professor. Then in 2019 25 years after she first walked in the door we were able to formalize Kelly’s service duties and include more teaching in a Professional Practice faculty position that has subsequently grown.

That sketch of Kelly’s path does not relate the many ways she has become central to our geocommunity. Dr. Bradbury advises her own graduate students in research, while playing central roles as our Graduate Program Coordinator, teaching our new Geoscience Workforce Techniques and Communicating Geoscience courses, and spearheading our Speaker Series.

As important is the fact that Kelly has been central in evolving our department’s culture. Her advocacy towards diversity, equity and inclusion has led us to becoming one of the most progressive departments at USU. Kelly initiated our forming a departmental DEI working group, and she has led us into a cascade of other actions and improvements. Geo might be business as usual if it weren't for Kelly. For those of you who know her, this is no surprise. Foremost, Kelly is someone who cares for people and places and critters.

It has been a long and winding road to this point and we are lucky that it kept leading Kelly to the door of the Geo Department.

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What goals/ plans do you have for this job?

What is your favorite: 1) food; 2) thing to do on the weekends?

What is your favorite rock/ mineral?

Besides working for USU Geo, what is something you are excited to do in Utah?

Student Published Papers

McCarroll, N. R., Pederson, J. L., Hidy, A. J., & Rittenour, T. M. (2021). Chronostratigraphy of talus flatirons and piedmont alluvium along the Book Cliffs, Utah Testing models of dryland escarpment evolution. QuaternaryScienceReviews , 274, 107286.

Provow, A. W., Newell, D. L., Dehler, C. M., Ault, A. K., Yonkee, W. A., Thomson, S. N., ... & Billi, A. (2021). Revised Maximum Depositional Age for the Ediacaran Browns Hole Formation: Implications for Western Laurentia Neoproterozoic Stratigraphy. Lithosphere , 2021(1).

Hiett, C. D., Newell, D. L., Jessup, M. J., Grambling, T. A., Scott, B. E., & Upin, H. E. (2022). Deep CO2 and N2 emissions from Peruvian hot springs: Stable isotopic constraints on volatile cycling in a flat slab subduction zone. ChemicalGeology , 595, 120787.

Wigginton, S. S., Evans, J. P., & Petrie, E. S. (2022). The mechanics of initiation and development of thrust faults and thrust ramps.

Tuzlak, D., Pederson, J., Bufe, A., & Rittenour, T. (2022). Patterns of incision and deformation on the southern flank of the Yellowstone hotspot from terraces and topography. Geological SocietyofAmericaBulletin , 134(5 6), 1319 1333.

Armstrong, E. M., Ault, A. K., Bradbury, K. K., Savage, H. M., Polissar, P. J., & Thomson, S. N. (2022). A MultiProxy Approach

Using Zircon (UTh)/He Thermochronometry and Biomarker Thermal Maturity to Robustly Capture Earthquake Temperature Rise Along the Punchbowl Fault, California. Geochemistry,Geophysics,Geosystems , 23(4), e2021GC010291.

Aggie Geo History

Geology Field Trip, sometime between 1967 and 1972.

From left to right: bottom row: Norm Jones, Wes Pettingill, Zianne Chellal, Amy Sears, Sue Ann Bilbey, Mike Thompson, Robert top row: Terry Behines, Madani Salem, Pat McClellan, Joseph Nielsen, Mike Read, Bob Oaks, Alan Johnson, Michael

If you have any pictures from your time here at USU, please share them with us. Email ellen.imler@usu.edu with the picture(s) and any information you remember about it.

Adventures of Dr. Dennis Newell & Co.

What have you been working on since getting back from sabbatical?

Since returning from sabbatical I have been spending quite a bit of time managing and running the Geosciences Stable Isotope Lab, jumping back into my teaching rotation, and making progress on my NSF funded collaborative research projects. These include three relatively new projects and NSF EAGER (collaborative with the University of Alaska Fairbanks) grant working on spring isotope geochemistry along the Denali Fault in Alaska, a grant through NSF Tectonics (collaborative with CU Boulder, and the Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté) focused on hydration of the lower crust of the Colorado Plateau during the Laramide orogeny using xenoliths, and a NSF Hydrological Sciences (collaborative with USU Civil & Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, and Boise State University) investigating the recharge dynamics of the mountainous karst groundwater system of the Logan River drainage basin. In addition to these relatively new projects, I have been year NSF project focused on hot springs in Peru. Of course, I am always trying to make progress on various manuscripts related to these projects!

What projects are your students working on?

I have three graduate students. Coleman Hiett (PhD candidate) has been working on hot spring isotope geochemistry in the Peruvian Andes for the NSF Peru project, as well as conducting his own Graduate Research Fellowship funded research on xenoliths in the Altiplano Plateau of southern Peru. The overarching theme in Coleman’s work is how flat slab

subduction zone processes are and have modified the Peruvian lithosphere. Shelby Litton (MS student) is working on project, focusing on characterizing the source of hydrating fluids beneath the Colorado Plateau. She is using the hydrogen stable isotope in combination with trace element geochemistry of secondary “hydrous” minerals in xenolith samples from the Navajo Volcanic Field. Kayla Chaudoir (MS student) is working on a collection of silica fault mirrors from the Cordillera Blanca Detachment Fault in Peru. Kayla is investigating these surfaces at the micro to nano scale to document textures that inform the deformation

mechanisms responsible for these remarkably thin mirrors on this relatively low angle detachment fault. Both Shelby and Kayla received GSA Student Research grants this year to help fund their projects.

to understand the origins, history, and implications of “geofluids” and fluid rock interactions in the crust. My research targets basic and applied problems in energy geosciences, continental tectonics, and low temperature hydrogeochemistry.

My Peru hot spring research and the Denali Fault project both are quantifying the mantle to crust connection via the migration of fluids and volatiles associated with present day subduction zone processes. In part, both of these projects are asking how crustal scale fault zones influence and interact with these deeply derived fluids. The Colorado Plateau xenoliths project is addressing similar mechanism, but associated with ancient subduction.

My part of the Logan river project uses the stable isotopes of O, H, and C in spring and river water to understand how the snow melt dominated recharge makes it way to the river, how the groundwater flow paths between sub basins are connected, and how this hydrologic system changes geochemically from peak to base flows. Although not intended, the start of this research project has coincided with two back to back low snowpack years, allowing us to start to address how climate change may impact karst aquifer recharge and river flow in these mountainous systems.

What are your long time goals?

As I enter the mid career stage, I am motivated to advancing societally relevant research, pursuing those questions that are critical for a sustainable future. For example, this includes understanding the geochemistry of geofluid rock interactions as applied to development of technologies and the scientific basis geologic CO2 sequestration as one of our tools to address anthropogenic climate change.

ColemanHiettinthefield

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Student Highlights

Brian Ferrara April Phinney

Perhaps it’s fitting that Brian Ferrara is an undergraduate technician in the Stable Isotope laboratory, because just like carbon 12 or oxygen 18, his dependability and geologic versatility have contributed to the research success and programmatic growth of the Geosciences Department. Brian has worked with several faculty on research ranging from

geochemistry to wetlands delineation and fluvial restoration. Along the way, he’ s dazzled us with his math skills, positive attitude, and enthusiasm for every type of geology, and he was an easy choice for the Department’ s 2021 2022

Undergraduate Scholar of the Year award. Best of all, as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for GeoWorkforce Techniques this semester, Brian is encouraging a new batch of students to approach their studies with curiosity and excitement.

Brian’s accomplishments are not limited to the classroom. With two summer internships and work experience at hydrology, environmental, and geotechnical firms, Brian will be the first student to graduate from the new GeoWorkforce Degree Program and will likely have several job offers when he receives his diploma this Fall. Brian has embodied the goal of the GeoWorkforce Program through his eagerness to learn new skills, collaborate with others, and explore different geoscience pathways. We’re thrilled to see where his interests take him next!

April Phinney and her faculty mentor

Dr. Tammy

Rittenour have taken our department into new territory, illustrating that what we do and the research questions we are asking are evolving.

April grew up in rural Colorado and came to us during the pandemic from Wheaton College in Illinois. She

defended her MS this summer of 2022.

April is our first graduate student to be enrolled in the USU Climate Adaptation Science Program. This engaged her in professional training with the US Forest Service and a team project that tackled interdisciplinary research on the effect of climate change on native flora in the “sky island” mountains of southeastern Arizona. Being involved in the CAS program requires several special courses and a lot of time on the team project but it does not replace a traditional research Thesis

For her Thesis project in Geosciences, April joined Tammy and colleagues in NSF funded research pioneering the use of luminescence signals to trace the temperature of wildfires, using rocks, soils and archaeological pottery. As climate warms and human

management changes forests, fire is increasing across the western U.S., but we need tools to quantify and gauge those changes. April took the first steps by estimating with luminescence on quartz the temperature of the 2020 Magnum fire across the Kaibab Plateau north of Grand Canyon and comparing it to signatures from areas burned prior to a century ago.

April has a lifelong commitment to service and bettering our environment, and she looks to a future facilitating connections between science and society. She recently accepted a position as a Wetland and Riparian Ecologist for Birch Ecology in Lyons, CO. Congratulations to April, as she continues to explore new territory!

BrianFerrara(left)helpsfellowundergrad

Rockin

it Face to Face

After 2021 saw the first ever virtual Rock n Fossil Day, this year’ s event was an exciting step back to life after covid shut downs. The

1200 guests that visited the Geology building in February enjoyed three floors of activities and things to learn. The children had many hands on experiences and crafts: pet rocks, color pages, fossil digs, looking through microscopes, breaking open their own geodes, sifting sand from around the world, and “living” the life of a rock through a cycle game.

The adults enjoyed learning about groundwater, erosion, Lake Bonneville, fossils that can be found in Cache Valley, and earthquakes. Two guests shared their treasures with visitors: the Gunther Family and the USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum.

Join us at the next Rock n Fossil Day will be on February 25, 2023.

USU Geosciences has been selected from among 54 applicants for the American Geophysical Union’s Bridge Program. We are the first partner from Utah to join the nationwide network of 46 institutions.

The AGU Bridge Program seeks to increase the number of students from historically marginalized populations pursuing graduate degrees in the Earth sciences. They provide support for students and host a competitive pool of diverse applicants that member departments can make acceptance offers to.

This fall, we are excited to welcome Hawke Woznick to USU Geo as our first AGU Bridge graduate student! Hawke is pursuing a MS with Dr. Tammy Rittenour.

Through the generosity of our alumni and friends, our department is able to provide meaningful tuition, field camp, and research scholarships to over 20 students every year, and our students and faculty are very grateful.

The Summit Initiative is a three year effort to enhance these goals by initiating and increasing select endowments. More information can be found on our website: https://geo.usu.edu/information/giving to

Dr.JoshLivelyfromtheUSUEasternPrehistoricMuseumshowsone ofhisspecimen

Graduate Students Completed

Harriet Cornachione, PhD, AridityRecordsfromDuneFieldsin theCentralColoradoPlateau,Utah (Dr. Tammy Rittenour)

Kaitlyn Crouch, PhD, ShallowCompositionandStructureofthe SanGabrielFault,CaliforniainDrillCoreandGeophysicalLogs: ImplicationsforFaultSlipandEnergetics (Dr. Jim Evans)

Alex DiMonte, MS, NaturalandExperimentalSlowSlip ObservedAlongShallowHematiteFaults (Dr. Alexis Ault)

Connor Frederickson, MS, FingerprintingPaleo Groundwater SourcesUsingOxygenIsotopesofIronOxideConcretions fromthe “BoilerRoom”,MoabArea,Utah (Dr. Dennis Newell)

Kenneth Kehoe, MS, LithologicandGeochemical CharacterizationofRampSedimentsandaDepositionalModel fortheOrdovicianGardenCityFormation,NortheasternUtah (Dr. Dave Liddell)

Alex Short, MS, LatePleistocenePiedmontRecordsinthe GrandStaircaseRegion,SouthernUtah (Dr. Tammy Rittenour)

Noah Slade, MS, TheAlluvialDepositsofLowerWahweap CreekanditsTributaries,SouthernUtah (Dr. Tammy Rittenour)

Connor Smith, MS, EvaluationoftheGeothermalPotentialof theCamasPrairie,SouthcentralIdaho (Dr. Tom Lachmar)

Our Alumni Advisory Board

2022 members of the Advisory Board are:

Angela Isaacs (Chair) Sinclair Oil & Gas

Stephanie Carney Utah Geological Survey

Carrie Elliott U.S. Geological Survey

Dawn Hayes Petroleum Consultant

Al Jones Browning Foundation

Steven Kerr Millcreek Mining Group

Mike Lowe Utah Geological Survey

Karen Merritt Cache County School District

Craig Nelson Western GeoLogic LLC

Elizabeth Petrie Western State Colorado University

Caleb Pollock Magnolia Oil & Gas

Dan Rogers Amsted Industries Inc

Contact Information: Utah State University Department of Geosciences

Old Main Hill Logan, UT 84322

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