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Structure, Petrology, and Paleomagnetism

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Structure
Studies in structural geology involve microscopic to tectonic scale investigations in the field, augmented with laboratory work. In the masters program, thesis typically involve field mapping of Penokean and Keweenawan age Precambrian rocks that have complex structural histories. These upper Michigan projects typically consist of a few kilometers of river section containing polyphase fold structures and foliations and complex fault development. In some cases, when markers are available, measurements of finite strain are correlated with the structural history. Numerous structural problems remain in the proterozoic belts, including thrusting relationships in the cover rocks and details of basement deformation.
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Paleomagnetism/Environmental Magnetism
Magnetic properties of iron oxides found in naturally occurring sediments have been shown to reflect changes in environmental processes operating on the Earth's surface. Research in the state-of-the-art Environmental Magnetism Lab is focused on the application of magnetism to understanding these global environmental processes. Much of our work is concentrated on investigating sediments from loess sequences and caves in the Czech Republic as well as local sediments from Lake Superior and lakes from the Keweenaw. More traditional research in rock and paleomagnetism cuts across many disciplines within the department so our students can work toward degrees in either geophysics or geology.

We have ongoing projects to determine the effects of alteration on magnetic properties of the oceanic crust, to investigate the magnetic properties of tephra, to evaluate landslide potential on volcanic islands such as Hawaii, and to decipher the details of apparent wander to gain insight into the relative motion of lithospheric plates, and to understand geomagnetic field behavior. Our laboratory is equipped with a fully automated 2G Superconducting Rock Magneto meter housed in a magnetically shielded room(ambient field < 500 nT), a vibrating sample magnetometer, a spinner magnetometer, susceptibility bridges, thermal and alternating field demagnetization equipment, and field equipment.

Research Grants
National Science Foundation, $129,000, 7/15/98 - 6/30/00, Acquisition of a Superconducting Rock Magnetometer and a Field-Free Room, $209,00 MTU cost-share, J. F. Diehl and S. Beske-Diehl.

National Science Foundation, $71,894, 5/1/97 - 5/31/00, Magnetic susceptibility variations in cave sediments from the Moravian Karst, Czech Republic: A record of environmental change?, J. F. Diehl.
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Mineralogy and Petrology
Mineralogical research centers on the world class A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum (include a link to the museum's web page) on campus. This research includes characterization of new mineral species as well as descriptive mineralogy and the paragenesis of both classic and new mineral occurrences. Current work centers on the mineralogy of Canada's Grenville Province and the St. Lawrence Lowlands of northern New York State, and includes investigations on naturally occurring spherical graphites, and lead and other hydrothermal vein minerals. Research in clay mineralogy has covered a wide range of topics including:

    1) Modern sediments in Lake Superior, as part of a multi- departmental investigation into the origin of the Keweenaw Current and its impact on sediment dispersal in the lake;

    2) Clay diagenesis in petroleum fields (Gulf Coast, North Sea, and Michigan);

    3) Layer silicates in ore deposits and the White Pine copper sulfide deposits;

    4) Clay minerals in geothermally altered volcanic and sedimentary rocks; and

    5) Identification of clay minerals in soils as part of geological engineering site investigations.

Many of the clay mineral investigations are part of larger mineralogical and petrological investigations into sedimentary diagenetic systems, as well as geothermal systems and ore deposits. These investigations utilize a wide range of tools including Optical Microscopes, Scanning and/or Transmission Electron Microscopes, Electron Microprobe, and X-ray Fluorescene Analyzers, as well as a very well- equipped Petrographic Image Processing facility. Most investigations in Metamorphic Petrology have emphasized low-grade metamorphism in sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Most Igneous Petrology is a component of volcanic hazards investigations, to establish the past history and eruptive style of volcanoes under investigations. Petrologic research is also a major component of field investigations of Precambrian metamorphic, plutonic, and fold and thrust belts of the Great Lakes region.

Research Grants
National Science Foundation, $160,900, 91/99 - 8/31/01, X-ray Diffractometry Applications for Geological Engineering and Geology Undergraduates, $80,450 MTU cost-share, S. D. McDowell (PI), T. J. Bornhorst, and G. W. Robinson.
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Faculty Information

    Theodore J. Bornhorst    PG Department Chair & Professor of Economic and Engineering Geology
    University of New Mexico
    Economic geology, geochemistry (mineral deposits and environmental),geology of the Lake Superior region, statistical analysis of geosecience data.
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    William J. Gregg    Associate Professor of Geological Engineering
    Ph.D., State University of New York--Albany
    Structural geology, tectonics, mineral deposits, mining geology, rock slope stability
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    Jimmy F. Diehl     Professor fo Geophysics
    Ph.D., University of Wyoming
    Applied geophysics, paleomagnetism, tectonics
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    S. Douglas McDowell    Professor of Geology
    Ph.D., California Institute of Technology
    Metamorphic petrology, geothermal geology, clay mineralogy
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    Jacqueline E. Huntoon    Associate Professor of Geology
    Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
    Sedimentology, stratigraphy, tectonics, petroleum geology, basin analysis
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    Suzanne J. Beske-Diehl     Professor of Geophysics
    Ph.D., University of Wyoming
    Paleomagnetism, rock magnetism, sedimentology, geophysics
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    George W. Robinson    Curator of Mineral Museum and Professor of Mineralogy
    Ph.D., Queens University
    Mineralogy
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Courses

    GE4050 - Advanced Structural Geology

    GE4300 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

    GE4500 - Plate Tectonics and Global Geophysics

    GE5040 - Evolution of Structures in Deformed Rock

    GE5050 - Structural Analysis and Interpretation

    GE5300 - Clay Mineralogy and X-ray Diffraction

    GE5400 - Global Geophysics and Geotectonics

    GE5500 - Paleomagnetism and Environmental Magnetism
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Research/Publications

    S. Beske-Diehl and H. Li, Magnetic properties of hematite in lava flows from Iceland: Response to hydrothermal alteration, Journal Geophysical Research, 98, 403-417, 1993.

    Bornhorst, T.J., 1997, Tectonic context of native copper deposits of the North American Midcontinent rift system: Geological Society of America Special Paper 312, p. 127-136.

    Bornhorst, T.J., Rasilainen, K., and Nurmi, P.A., 1993, Geochemical character of lithologic units in the Late Archean Hattu schist belt, Ilomantsi, eastern Finland: Geological Survey of Finland Special Paper 17, p. 133-145.

    Bornhorst, T.J., and Johnson, R.C., 1993, Geology of volcanic rocks in the southern half of the Archean Ishpeming greenstone belt, Michigan: U. S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1904-P, 13p.

    Conway, F.M., J.F. Diehl, W.I. Rose, and O. Matias, Age and magma flux of Santa Maria Volcano, Guatemala: Correlation of paleomagnetic waveforms with the 28,000 to 25,000 yr BP Mono Lake excursion J. Geol., 102, 11-24, 1994.

    Diehl, J.F. and T.D. Haig, A paleomagnetic study of the lava flows within the Copper Harbor Conglomerate, Michigan: New results and implications, Can. J. Earth Sci., 31, 369-380, 1994.

    Everham, W.D. and Huntoon, J.E., 1999, Thermal history of a deep well in the Michigan Basin: Implications for a complex burial history, in Merriam, D. and A.

    Forster (eds.) Geothermics in Basin Analysis, New York, Plenum Press, p. 177-202.

    Grice, J.D. and Robinson, G.W. (1989) Feruvite, a new member of the Tourmaline Group, Canadian Mineralogist, Vol. 27, 199-203.

    Huntoon, J.E., Hansley, P.L., and Naeser, N.D., 1999, The search for a source rock for the giant Tar Sand Triangle accumulation, southeastern Utah: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 83, p. 467-495.

    H. Li and S. Beske-Diehl, Low-temperature metamorphism and secondary components in the Portage Lake volcanics: A reassessment, Canadian Journal Earth Science, 30, 1404-1414, 1993.

    A. Pawse, S. Beske-Diehl, S. Marshall, 1998, Use of hysteresis properties and Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy for Identification of volcanic ash: A preliminary study, Geophysical Journal International, 132, 712-720.

    Price, K., Huntoon, J.E., and McDowell, S.D., 1996, Thermal Evolution of the Nonesuch Formation, Lake Superior Basin, Midcontinent Rift, near White Pine, Michigan: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 80, p. 1-15.

    Price, K.L., Huntoon, J.E., and McDowell, S.D. (1996) Thermal History of the 1.1 Ga Nonesuch Formation, North American Midcontinent Rift. American Assoc. of Petroleum Geologist Bull. 80, 1-15.

    Remeika, P. and S. Beske-Diehl, 1996, Magnetostratigraphy of the western Borrego Badlands, Anza-Borrego Destert State Park, California: Implications for Stratigraphic Age Control, South Coast Geological Society Annual Field Trip Guide Book No. 24, ed. P.Abbott and D.C. Seymour, pp. 209-220.

    Riley, C.M., J.F. Diehl, J.L. Kirschvink, and R.L. Ripperdan, Paleomagnetic constraints on fault motion in the Hilina Fault System, south flank of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, J. Volcan. Geotherm. Res., in press.

    Robinson, G.W., 1994, Minerals. Simon & Schuster, New York, 208 pp.
    Robinson, G.W., Van Velthuizen, J., Ansell, H.G. and Sturman, B.D., 1992 Mineralogy of the Rapid Creek and Big Fish River Area, Yukon Territory, Mineralogical Record, Vol. 23, 4-47.

    Sroubek, P., J. F. Diehl, J. Kadlec, and K. Valoch, Preliminary study on the mineral magnetic properties of sediments from Kulna Cave (Moravian Karst), Czech Republic, Studia geophysica et geodetica, 40, 301-312, 1996.

    Zao, G, Peacor, D.R., and McDowell, S. D. (1999) Retrograde Diagenesis of Clay Minerals of the Freda Sandstone, Wisconsin. Clays and Clay Minerals 47, 119-130.
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Students

    Derek Sondergaard
    Pavel Sroubek
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