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Houston Geological Society Newsletter
April, 2005
HGS Events Calendar
Technical Programs
April 11, HGS General Evening Meeting, Jon Blickwede et. al., Unocal, "Trident Discovery: Play Opener of the Perdido Foldbelt, Deepwater Northwestern Gulf of Mexico," Westchase Hilton, new format (for April only) is buffet appetizers and a cash bar followed by theater-style seating and the presentation. At least one related poster will be on display during the cocktail hour. The reservations deadline has been extended until noon on Monday, the day of the Dinner.
April 18, HGS International Explorationists Dinner, Westchase Hilton, Social 5:30, Dinner 6:30.
April 19, HGS Northsiders Luncheon, Dan Orange, AOA Geophysics, "Advances in Hydrographic Systems Aid Hydrocarbon Exploration and Geohazard Evaluation, Hotel Sofitel, Social 5:30, Dinner 6:30.
April 25, HGS North American Explorationists Dinner, Marc B. Edwards, "Is there anything useful to be learned by correlating several thousand well logs from the Middle and Upper Wilcox of South Texas?" Westchase Hilton, Social 5:30, Dinner 6:30.
April 27, HGS General Luncheon, Harold Illich, John Zumberge, and Stephen Brown, Geomark Research, "Oil Mixing in Deep Shelf and Deep Water Areas of the Gulf of Mexico," Petroleum Club, 11:15 Social, 11:45 Lunch.
Other HGS Events
April 15-16. There will be a follow-up "Keep 5 Alive" event on Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16. We are building a 770-foot fence along the Market St. side of the cemetery. Work on Friday begins at 9:00 am drilling post holes. Fence installation begins Saturday morning at 8:00am. Parking is available on a nearby vacant lot and along the street by the cemetery located at Lockwood and Market.
April 16, 23, & 30. Check the HGS Website periodically for updates and schedules on "Rebuilding Houston Together" Service Projects.
April 21, HGS/GSH Astros Night Out. Be sure to get your discounted tickets to see the Houston Astros play at Minute Maid Park April 21.
April 23, HGS Road Rally. This fun annual event gives you clues to cultural, historical and geological sites in and around Houston. T-shirts, coffee & donuts, and lots of fun for all participants, trophies to the winners! Driving teams forming now. Contact Diane Yeager at 713-646-1138 or fill in and mail the application form on the HGS web site.
April 23, NeoGeos Spring Galveston Beach Cleanup meets at Menard Park, 28th and Seawall Blvd in Galveston at 9 a.m. All HGS members and their families are invited to come have a great time.
June 11 is HGS Guest Night! Come join your fellow HGS members and bring your guests at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. This year David Applegate, head of the USGS Earthquake Hazards program, will speak on "Lessons of Sumatra, Reducing Earthquake Risk Worldwide," in the IMAX amphitheater, followed by the IMAX film, "Forces of Nature." Stroll through the exhibits on the 1st and 2nd floors and have BBQ and fajitas catered by Goode Co. BBQ. Registration is now open on the HGS website, and will close as soon as we reach our 400-person limit, so buy your ticket early and pay online to be sure it''s yours. This is a great event, and a sellout every year!
Don''t forget the Southwest Section meeting of AAPG will be in Fredericksburg this year, April 10-13!
Published 8 April, 2005
HGS Undergraduate Scholarship FoundationPresents Seven ScholarshipsThe HGS Undergraduate Scholarship Foundation has been providing scholarships to deserving students since 1984. To date, over $108,000 in scholarships have been awarded. This year the Foundation awarded seven scholarships totaling $10,500. Chairman John Adamick presented scholarship winners at the February 7th HGS dinner meeting. Universities included in the undergraduate scholarship program include Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Rice University, Texas A&M University, the University of Houston, and the University of Texas. Prior to the dinner meeting, several of the students and professors also participated in a tour at Unocal. The purpose of the tour was to show the students what it is like to be a petroleum geologist in today’s industry. Many thanks are extended to Unocal for generously hosting this event. The Foundation intends to make the tour a regular part of our scholarship program and invite other local companies to participate. If you believe that your company might like to host students in the future, please contact John Adamick. Vitae for our scholarship winners are listed below. These students are to be commended for their accomplishments. Melissa HalickUniversity of TexasMelissa Halick is a senior majoring in geology at the University of Texas at Austin. She plans to graduate in December 2005 with high honors from the school of natural sciences. She is currently working as a research assistant in metamorphic petrology for Dr. William Carson. Melissa has been preparing to do her own research for a senior honors thesis, which she will be presenting at the end of the year. She has already completed a graduate class that has taught her how to use the scanning electron microscope and the electron microprobe. Melissa plans on using these techniques to anaylze metemorphic minerals and their trace elements for her thesis. She is also an active member of the undergraduate geological society at UT. Future plans include going to gradate school for a master’s degree and possibly a Ph.D.Heather BerglundUniversity of HoustonHeather is majoring in geology at the University of Houston and will graduate in June 2006. Her main interests lie in geochemistry, petrology and mineralogy. Last summer, she spent a month in Yellowstone National Park researching the role of microbes in precipitate minerals forming in hot springs and geyser basins. She has also participated in research investigating petrofabrics in the Stillwater Complex layered igneous intrusion. After graduation in 2006, she plans to pursue a master's degree and a Ph.D. in planetary geology or igneous petrology. Heather's other interests include hiking, backpacking, rock climbing and photography.Anne HerrinTexas A&M UniversityAnne is a senior geology major at Texas A&M University and will be graduating with her Bachelor of Science degree in May. While at A&M, she has been actively involved in the Geology and Geophysics Society as a general member and became an officer this year, a member of the Visual Arts Committee, and involved in planning a career fair for the Geosciences Student Association. Currently, she is working on a research project with Dr. Phillip Rabinowitz cataloguing ODP and DSDP cores containing the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary. After graduation this spring, she will be working as an intern for Dominion Exploration and Production during the summer. Next fall, she will be attending graduate school to earn her master’s degree in structural geology. Nivedita ThiagarajanRice UniversityNivedita is a geology and geochemistry major at Rice University and hopes to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in May 2005. At Rice, she worked as a Research Assistant in a Geochemistry Lab and coauthored a paper on the desert varnishes. Nivedita has received the following honors: Eugen Merten Memorial Prize in Geology and Geophysics, Society of Exploration Geologists' Scholarship, Devlin-Schnable Field Camp Scholarship and has been on the President's Honor Roll. Nivedita is a member of the American Geophysical Union and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. She is also involved in tutoring children at the Star of Hope, a homeless shelter, and volunteering at the Texas Children's Hospital. She has applied to several graduate schools and will be pursue her Ph.D in the fall of 2005.Marcy StonecipherStephen F. Austin State UniversityMarcy is a senior geology major at Stephen F. Austin State University and will be receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in May. She is quite active in the geology department having served as the Geology Student Association President for 2 years and the Secretary of Sigma Gamma Epsilon (geology honor society) for 1 year. She is also a student member of the AAPG. Marcy has received several scholarships from the SFA geology department as well as scholarships from the Shreveport Geological Society. Her interests include camping, hiking, and playing the guitar.Lynn HolikSam Houston State UniversityLynn Holik is a senior at Sam Houston State University and will graduate in May with degrees in both geology and geography. While attending SHSU, she has served as secretary of the Sam Houston Association of Geology Students, instructor for both physical and historical geology labs, and departmental tutor for the geology department. Lynn is currently participating in two research projects. Her primary research is a sedimentary research project, under the direction of Dr. Chris Baldwin. A secondary project involves using the SEM to look for microorganism in the Jurassic Entrada and Navajo sandstones for Dr. Dennis Netoff. Lynn has received a number of honors and awards while attending SHSU, including the HGS Outstanding Student Award, the Cannon Geological Scholarship, the John H. Bounds Geography Scholarship and she is currently serving as president of the Gamma Theta Upsilon Honor Society. Lynn plans to join the workforce following graduation. Lynn hopes that her new adventures in the work force will be as rewarding and memorable as the years she
Book ReviewsHGS Bulletin, April, 2005Earth: An Intimate HistoryBy Richard ForteyAlfred A. Knopf, New York, 2004405 pp. + index $30.00Fortey has done it again. The English paleontologist, already author of two acclaimed popular science books, Life: A Natural History of the First Four Billion Years of Life on Earth and Trilobite! Witness to Evolution, has produced a third which may be the best of the lot.In Earth: An Intimate History, Mr. Fortey takes the reader on a grand tour of the geology of the world, starting at the Bay of Naples with a description of Mount Vesuvius and then swooping from outcrop to outcrop around the planet, finally returning to Italy for his finale.Some of the finest pleasures of his previous books have been Mr. Fortey’s descriptions of terrains. His technique in Earth is to first describe the landscape of each area of interest and its relationship with the people who live there before delving into the geology that created the terrain. Along the way, he tells the stories of the scientists who, through hard work and trial and error, have unraveled the history of our world.Mr. Fortey leaves few geological bases untouched as he goes around the earth. His lucid explanation of plate tectonics is woven through the entire fabric of the book as he explains how so much of the form of the Earth is the result of the collisions, splitting aparts, grinding togethers, and subductions of the mobile crust of the planet.The book describes in geologically delicious terms many of the critical places in the history of our science and the geology of the earth, with chapters devoted to Pompeii and Herculaneum, Hawaii, the Alps, the development of the theory of plate tectonics, the “ancient ranges” of the Appalachians and Caledonides as typified in Newfoundland, the geological origins of the dollar, the Deccan traps and the nature of granite, faults around the world, the age of the planet and Precambrian continents, a wonderful description of a mule ride into the Grand Canyon, the earth from surface to core, and finally a whirlwind journey around the earth that ties it all together. This is not a “coffee table” book—the text is the thing--but it is loaded with illustrations, both drawings and color photographs, that come with informative captions.The author is successful with his method of presentation—starting with the surface of the world as we see it before plunging into the rocks—in large part because he has seen so much of the planet. Fortey’s search for trilobites has taken him to all sorts of odd places, starting with a bleak island near Spitzbergen doing his graduate work, an experience that he described—appropriately bleakly—in his first book, Life. He is not at all lyrical about some of the landscapes in Earth, either. For example, he describes a sabkha along the coast of Arabia as “a dark and scrofulous-looking patch”—“the most treacherous place I have ever visited, a darkly crusty, boiling hot wasteland, sprouting gypsum crystals like perverse jewels.”Earth is very readable and entertaining, as well as being informative. It is on a level with John McPhee’s similarly acclaimed books about North America (Rising from the Plains, Basin and Range, etc.). The difference between the two is that Mr. Fortey writes in a slightly more technical style because of his professional background, whereas Mr. McPhee, a journalist, wrote his books for the mostly non-scientific, but educated, readers of the New Yorker.I recommend Richard Fortey’s book highly to anyone interested in understanding how the world works or in just a darn good read.Copyright 2005, James Allan Ragsdale, reviewer.
New Geologic Time Scale 2004
(Note: Since publication of this article, a reader has informed us that the chart shown is not the chart available from the source mentioned. Please see the addendum at the end of this article for his comments.)
A new geologic time scale is to be officially published in February 2005 (Gradstein et al. 2004). A brief explanatory note has already been posted on the official website of the International Commission on Stratigraphy. A 232 Kb PDF of the new chart is available here for download.
A large number of specialists working with astronomical cycles, radiogenic and stable isotopes, stratigraphy, palaeontology, magnetic polarity reversals and geomathematics have co-operated on the mammoth task of incorporating all the new data which has been acquired since the time scale that was published by Harland et al. 1990. A few highlights of the new timescale are listed below:
This new time scale represents a great step forward in our geological knowledge, and we are greatly indebted to authors for the time and effort spent on this unprecedented collaborative project. It is hoped that individuals, companies and organisations will adopt the new timescale as soon as possible. Otherwise we are left to grapple with using a confusion of different out-dated timescales which can be more than 10 million years different at certain stage boundaries. A comparison of these differences is available at www.stratigraphy.org, to see just how far out you may be using an outdated scale. The worldwide web and e-mail should ensure that all geologists are aware of this important new development in geology, even before it is officially published, so please pass the message on to your colleagues.
Wall charts of the new timescale can be purchased at the Commission for the Geological Map of the World website address. That website is also the source of other nice maps and CD-ROMs like "The break-up of Pangaea and continental drift over the past 250 million years in ten steps."
References:
Gradstein, F.M..Ogg, J.G., Smith, A.G., Agterberg, F.P., Bleeker W., Cooper R.A., Davydov, V., Gibbard P., Hinnov, L., House, M.R., Lourens, L., Luterbacher, H-P., McArthur, J., Melchin, M.J., Robb, L.J., Shergold, J., Villeneuve, M., Wardlaw, B.R., Ali J., Brinkhuis, H., Hilgen, F.J., Hooker, J., Howarth R.J., Knoll, A.H., Laskar J., Monechi, S., Powell J., Plumb K.A., Raffi, I., Röhl, U., Sadler, P., Sanfilippo A., Schmitz, B., Shackleton, N.J., Shields, G.A., Strauss, H., Van Dam, J., Veizer, J., van Kolfschoten, Th., and Wilson, D.. 2004. A Geologic Time Scale 2004. Cambridge University Press, p. 500.
Harland, W.B., Cox, A.V., Llwellyn, P.G., Pickton, C.A.G., Smith, A.G., and Smith, D.G., 1990. A geological time scale 1989. Cambridge University Press, p. 263.
Addendum:
Many thanks to each of you who helped me search for the new Geologic Time Scale 2004 wallchart. To each of you, I wanted to follow up with my findings, for whatever they are worth.
The article entitled "New Geologic Time Scale 2004" printed in the Houston Geological Society Bulletin Volume 47 Number 8 April, 2005 [this article] mentions that "wall charts of the new timescale can be purchased at the Commission for the Geological Map of the World website address: http://ccgm.free.fr/index_gb.html." This website for CGMW does not offer the same wall chart as identified in the April Bulletin. The chart offered at http://ccgm.free.fr/index_gb.html is a different version, and not the identical Geologic Time Scale 2004 wallchart pictured in the [HGS Bulletin].
The publisher of the new book entitled "A Geologic Time Scale 2004" is Cambridge University Press. They indicate that the only way to purchase the wallchart is to purchase the book, either in paperback form ($70) or hardback form ($140). The chart is actually a "pull-out poster" according to Cambridge U. Press and is not sold separately...
Billy Forney III
McCombs Energy, L.L.C.
April, 2005 HGS Bulletin in HTML Format
April, 2005 HGS Bulletin in PDF Format (6 megabytes)
Regular Monthly Articles:
From the President
From the Editor
GeoEvents Calendar
Webnotes
HGA/GeoWives
Professional Directory
Letters to the Editor
Feature Articles:
HGS General Evening Meeting April 11. "The Trident Discovery: Play Opener of the Perdido Foldbelt, Deepwater Northwertern Gulf of Mexico"
HGS International Explorationists Dinner Meeting April 11. "New Perspectives On African Tectonics and Petroleum Systems of the Past 200 My"
GSH Technical Luncheon April 19. "The Northern Sumatra Earthquake of 2004: Forty Years of Ignoring Plate Tectonics"
HGS Northsiders Luncheon Meeting April 19. "Advances in Hydrographic Systems Aid Hydrocarbon Exploration and Geohazard Evaluation"
SIPES Luncheon Meeting April 21. "Certification of Petroleum Reserves Evaluatorrs: The Time is Now?"
HGS North American Explorationists Dinner April 25. "Is There Anything Useful to be Learned by Correlating Several Thousand Well Logs from the Middle and Upper Wilcox of South Texas?"
HGS General Luncheon Meeting April 27. "Oil Mixing in Deep Shelf and Deep Water Areas of the Gulf of Mexico"
New Geologic Time Scale 2004
Candidates for the 2005-2006 HGS Executive Board
Co-Volunteers of the Month: Arlin Howles and Henry Wise
Scholarship Benefit Party Raises the Roof for Students, by Steve Levine
W.L. and Florence W. Calvert Memorial Scholarship Fund
Proposed Rules for Professional Geoscientist Continuing Education Program by Henry M. Wise.
Book Review "Time Traveller, In Search of Dinosaurs and Ancient Mammals from Montana to Mongolia," by Michael Novacek. Reviewed by George Chandlee.
Book Review "Earth: An Intimate History," by Richard Fortey. Reviewed by Jim Ragsdale.
GEOWIVES Spring Field Trip and Newsfor the April, 2005 HGS BulletinHGA and GeoWives NewsBy Vicky Pickering, 3rd Vice PresidentThe ladies of HGA are experiencing a busy time in Houston with the 2004-2005 Calendar year drawing to a close in May. On Thursday, May 12, 2005 we will have our Business Luncheon and enjoy musical entertainment by “The Kingsmen”, a barbershop chorus. We will meet at the Briar Club. Members please watch for your invitation in the mail and get your reservations in early. The party is being planned by Lois Matuzsak and her talented committee.Remember we have two bridge groups. “Cinco-Mas” plays bridge on the second Thursday of each month at the Junior League. Call Audrey Tompkins at (713) 686-0005 for reservations and information. The Petroleum Club Ladies Bridge Group meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Call Daisy Wood at (713) 977-7319 for reservations.We would like to invite all wives of HGS members, widows of HGS members and female geologists who are members of HGS to join the Houston Geological Auxiliary for the coming year 2005-2006. Membership forms are found in the Bulletin.GeoWives Welcome to springtime in Texas. April is a great month to be in the East and South Texas areas. GeoWives will celebrate the season with a trip to Nacogdoches April 13, 2005 to visit historical places involved in the founding of the state of Texas. Hostesses will be Martha Lou Broussard and Linnie Edwards. The visiting on the bus trip adds a lot of fun to the day. Come join us.The May luncheon will be Installation of Officers for the 2005-2006 Calendar year.Membership forms for GeoWives appears in the HGS Bulletin. The Geowives Spring Field Trip is Thursday, April 14 to Nacogdoches Texas - the oldest town in Texas. The first European settlement was founded in 1779 by Antonio Gil Y''Barbo, a prominent Spanish trader. He laid out a town site and built a two story stone home known now as the Old Stone Fort which we will visit. Of course the Nacogdoche Indians had a village here many centuries earlier. Continuing our study of Sam Houston, we will visit the Adolphus Sterne home (built 1830). Houston was baptized as a Catholic on the porch of this house soon after he arrived in Texas in order to be eligible to own land under the Mexican government. After our lunch we will conclude our day with a guided tour of other historical sites. is Thursday, April 14 to Nacogdoches Texas - the oldest town in Texas. The first European settlement was founded in 1779 by Antonio Gil Y''Barbo, a prominent Spanish trader. He laid out a town site and built a two story stone home known now as the Old Stone Fort which we will visit. Of course the Nacogdoche Indians had a village here many centuries earlier. Continuing our study of Sam Houston, we will visit the Adolphus Sterne home (built 1830). Houston was baptized as a Catholic on the porch of this house soon after he arrived in Texas in order to be eligible to own land under the Mexican government. After our lunch we will conclude our day with a guided tour of other historical sites. We will leave from Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church at 8:00 A.M and return about 5:30 P.M. Your check made to Geowives for $18 and sent to Janet Steinmetz by April 9 is your reservation. This includes lunch, snacks, entrance fees, guide and transportation. All members of Geowives, HGA and HGS are invited. Guests are welcome. Questions to Martha Lou Broussard or Linnie Edwards.May Business MeetingOur annual business meeting will be Thursday, May 19, at Cohen House, the faculty club at Rice University. Please keep this date available. More information to come.
Proposed Rules for Professional Geoscientist Continuing Education ProgramBy Henry M. Wise, P.G.The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) will require continuing education to maintain your Professional Geoscientist (PG) license. There have been numerous questions and comments regarding the proposed rule. This article is based on the TBPG draft version 2.1 of the proposed rule. As will be seen, there are a wide variety of ways to fulfill the continuing education requirement, and not all of them are expensive.The proposed rule will require 15 professional development hours (PDH) per year plus a minimum of one PDH per year in the area of professional ethics, roles and responsibilities of PGs, or review on-line of the Texas Geoscientist Practice Act and Board Rules. If the license holder exceeds the 15 PDH in a year, up to 30 PDH units may be carried forward for the next two years. For example, if you take a course worth 45 PDH, you can apply 15 PDH units per year for 3 years and not have to take another course until the fourth year.PDH units may be earned as follows:
All of the above must be relevant to your practice of geoscience and include technical, ethical, or managerial content.The conversion of other units of credit to PDH units is as follows:
You need to keep a record of all credits claimed. Required records include:
If you do not certify that continuing education requirements have been met for a renewal period, your license will not be reviewed until you certify that the continuing education requirements have been met. A determination by audit that continuing education requirements have been falsely reported shall be considered to be misconduct and will be subject to disciplinary action.All logs and associated supporting evidence should be kept for three years. Approximately 10% of all logs and associated supporting evidence will be audited each year. If you get audited, you’ll need to present these records to the TBPG. If it’s determined that you lack the required number of hours, you’ll need to acquire the additional PDH to fulfill the minimum continuing education requirements.There are several exemptions to the continuing education requirement. They are:
W. L and Florence W. Calvert Memorial Scholarship Fund
The W.L. and Florence W. Calvert Memorial Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to Graduate Students from nearby universities. Each year a total of over $10,000 worth of scholarships are presented to deserving individuals. These reductions to the corpus of the Fund are partially offset each year by donations from individual HGS members. These donations allow us to maintain the number and size of scholarships each year.
The HGS and the Memorial Scholarship Fund Board gratefully acknowledge the following contributions to the Fund in 2004. The three categories of contributions are Patron ($500 or more), Donor ($100 to $500), and Contributor (less than $100).
Donors:
Justine Boccanera (in memory of D.Van Siclen)
Arthur Mullenax
Daniel L. Smith
Zinn Petroleum Company
Contributors:
Steve Adams
Robert Alexander
Michael M. Anderson
Antoine International
Lawrence Baldwin
Jack R. Banttari
Kenneth Beeney
Orville R. Berg
George R. Bole
Steven Brachman
Michael W. Brennan
Arthur W. Browning
BW Petrophysics
Martin Cassidy
Chelsea Energy
David W. Childers
Christopher K. Clark
Robey H. Clark
Paola Dattilo
G.M. Dow
Lynn Duncan
D. Burt Dunn
Fayette Exploration (in memory of Clyde Harrison)
Richard Fillon
John E. Frost
Patrick T. Gordon
Kirk Hansen
Wayne Harris (in memory of Steve Harris)
Arch W. Helton
Gary Huxford
Jamex, Inc.
James Janssen
Robert Kaufmann
John Klein
Tako Koning
Labyrinth Consulting
Stephen D. Levine (in memory of Jerry Thornburg)
Jeffery W Lund
Claudio D. Manzolillo
John Maxwell
Tom D. Mooney. (in memory of Tom Mooney)
Craig Moore
Sidney Moran
David Morton
John Polasek
Pratt Geoscience Services
Walter Pusey
James Ragsdale
John Ross
John C. Scheldt
William Schroeter
Theresa F. Schwarzer (in memory of R.Schwarzer)
Arthur E Jr Smith
Daniel L. Smith
George T Smith
Frank Sonnenberg
Amy E. Sullivan
Michael Sweet
Mark A. Taylor
Edwin L. Trice (in memory of E.L. Trice, Jr)
Randall W. Wells
Williams Geological (in memory of June Lathon)
HGS Guest Night, June 11, 2005
Will Discuss Earthquakes and Tsunami
with USGS senior science advisor Dr. David Applegate
By Linda Sternbach and Bill Osten, Guest Night co-coordinators
On Sunday Dec 26, 2004, a major earthquake and tsunami (tidal wave) struck the islands of Sumatra, Indonesia, causing over 235,000 deaths. The earthquake, whose epicenter was in the subsea, active subduction zone between the Indian and Burma tectonic plates, was one of 20th-21st centuries largest and most devastating, registering magnitude 9 on the Richter scale. The energy released from the earthquake is estimated to have been the equivalent to 475 megatons, or 23,000 atomic bombs (see their website for more info.) The tsunami waves that followed within minutes flooded the islands of Sumatra, Malaysia, Sir Lanka and Thailand early in the morning when people in low-lying areas were unprepared. Devastation was caused by the waves and debris. The earthquake could not have been prevented, but the loss of life would have been lessened by a modern geophysical warning system such as the US and Canadian governments currently have in place.
The Houston Geological Society is dedicating this year’s Guest Night to scientific understanding and public awareness of the risks, causes and steps the U.S. and world governments need to take to avoid the damage that major earthquakes and tsunamis cause. We are fortunate have been able to schedule an dynamic and knowledgeable USGS senior science advisor, David Applegate, to fly in from Reston, Virginia and present a talk at this year’s Guest Night event. Dr. Applegate’s talk is titled: “ Lessons from Sumatra: Reducing Earthquake Risk Worldwide.” HGS Guest Night will be on Saturday June 11, starting at 6:30pm, at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, 1 Hermann Circle Drive.
The Guest Night event includes a buffet of Goode Company barbeque and fajitas, and access to the Houston Museum of Natural Science exhibits on the first and second floors before the main talk in the IMAX. As a special bonus, after Dr. Applegate’s talk, we will show the IMAX movie “Forces of Nature,” free to Guest Night attendees. The Guest Night event has to be limited to 400 people (due to IMAX seating limits) and registration closes Monday, June 6. There will not be tickets sales at the door the night of the event. Registration forms are in this issue and can be mailed or faxed to the HGS office, or members can register and pay by credit card on the HGS website.
Earth Scientists needed to help spread public awareness
This year’s Guest Night will be a great opportunity for earth scientists of the HGS, whether working in oil and gas, or environmental science, to bring their friends and family and learn about what could happen if a major earthquake or tsunami (tidal wave) hits the coastline of the U.S. Did you realize that tsunamis from earthquakes of magnitude 6 and below have caused significant destruction to the US coasts of Alaska, California and the Canadian Newfoundland coast in just the last 30 years? Did you know that the USGS and NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) monitors an early warning system of satellites and buoys? Even though Houston is not in a tsunami/earthquake high-risk zone, Houston is home to a large number of geoscientists who can be involved in public awareness. One of the important roles of the USGS is to get earth scientists involved in public education, so that local groups can be ready to support safety efforts in the event of an US major earthquake and tsunami.
Interview with Dr. David Applegate
Dr. David Applegate leads the Geologic Discipline''s Earthquake Hazards Program of the U.S. Geological Survey, based in Reston, Virginia. Dr. Applegate holds a B.S. in geology from Yale University and a Ph.D. in geology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
HGS Bulletin: What does your job at the USGS, involve on a daily basis and what are the big ongoing projects right now?
My job is to oversee USGS work on geologic hazards. I''m directly responsible for programs in earthquake hazards, global seismic monitoring and geomagnetism and coordinate with our other geologic hazard programs that address volcanoes, landslides and coastal hazards. These programs support several hundred scientists and support staff, who are spread across the most geologically hazardous regions of the country. Since almost none of them are stationed at USGS headquarters in Reston, Virginia, where I am, that means a lot of travel to stay in touch with them and with our many partners. In the case of the earthquake program, about a quarter of our funding goes right out the door to support targeted research and regional seismic monitoring networks at universities and state geological surveys.
We are currently planning a major initiative focused on catastrophic natural hazards. It will build on existing USGS capabilities and partnerships to take advantage of new technology to deliver information products that emergency managers and the public can use to reduce our Nation''s vulnerability to earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, tsunami, floods, hurricanes and wildfires.
HGS Bulletin: Where were you, and what were you doing, when you got the news about the Sunday, Dec 26, Sumatra earthquake and tsunami? Were the early reports accurate about the magnitude of the disaster, or was the early information not reliable? What was your initial reaction to the news of the tsunami disaster?
I was down in Florida enjoying the Christmas holiday with my family when I received word of the earthquake and subsequently hustled back north to Washington. But I was on the sidelines – our on-call duty seismologists at the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) in Golden, Colorado were the ones who first received the automated alerts and cut short their Christmas celebration to get to the office (because of the International Date Line, it was still Dec. 25th here in the US but the morning of the 26th in South Asia). Many more of our seismologists headed in to the office as they realized the magnitude of what had happened and the need to analyze data from the mainshock and expected aftershocks. Quite a number didn''t sleep that night or, for some, the next
April, 2005 Co-Volunteer of the MonthHenry WiseThis month’s Co-volunteer of the Month is Henry Wise. Henry is the Technical Services Manager at Eagle Construction & Environmental Services, L.P. where he performs environmental site assessments, remediation, and emergency response to spills, leaks, and other releases. Henry is co-chairman of the HGS Government Affairs Committee and writes “Governmental Update” for the HGS Bulletin along with Arlin Howles. He is also a founding member of the Environmental & Engineering Geology Group (back when it was only a committee), and is on the Continuing Education Committee.Henry has actively participated in getting the Professional Geoscientist legislation passed by keeping the HGS membership informed of why it was needed, and some of the obstacles that stood in its way. Now that the PG bill is law, Henry is continuing to keep other geologists informed of the evolution of the Board of Texas Geoscientists, new rules and regulations, and other interesting governmental issues pertinent to geologists through the monthly “Government Update”, upcoming articles on new PG rules, such as the continuing education requirement, and his semi-weekly “Wise Report” which can be found on the AIPG-Texas and AEG-Texas websites.Henry received his Bachelor’s degree in geology from Boston University in 1975 and his Masters Degree in geology from The University of Texas at El Paso in 1977. Henry will always tell you with a broad smile that he’s unique amongst Houston geologists, as he’s “one of the few geologists in Houston who was never, ever in oil and gas!” He started his career working for U.S. Steel exploring and producing uranium in south Texas. In 1985 he left the uranium fields for the environmental field because of a depression in the uranium market. He is currently overseeing three large contracts with the TCEQ to provide emergency, site assessment, and environmental remediation activities. April, 2005 Co-Volunteer of the MonthArlin HowlesThis month’s Co-volunteer of the Month is Arlin Howles. Arlin is the Vice President and Principal Geoscientist for Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc. where he performs management of hydrogeologic and geologic investigations, hazardous waste site remedial investigations and feasibility studies. Additional responsibilities include groundwater monitoring system planning and installation, aquifer testing and analysis, assessment of contaminant transport as well as representing clients and negotiating with local, state and federal regulatory agencies.Arlin has actively participated in registering HGS members as Professional Geoscientists in Texas and has been co-chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee for the HGS. He and Henry Wise write a monthly column for the HGS Bulletin called “Governmental Update” to keep HGS members informed about regulation changes and activities in Texas and the nation that affect geoscientists and engineers, and to monitor Texas legislative activities including the Senate Select Committee on Water Policy. Arlin recently attended a Professional Engineer Policy Opinion Stakeholders Meeting and represented the HGS position on geoscientists. Arlin has also developed and patented mobile remedial operations for recovery and destruction of petroleum hydrocarbons for losses during oil exploration, transportation and distribution.Arlin received a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Edinboro State University, a Master’s degree in Geology and Geophysics from the University of South Carolina and did post-graduate studies at Wright State University. He is a Texas Professional Geoscientist and is a Corrective Action Project Manager for the Texas Commission-Environmental Quality LPST Program.
Guest Night Speaker David Applegate
is a Field Geologist at Heart
By Linda Sternbach
Our HGS Guest Night speaker is a senior government scientist at the USGS who is also field geologist at heart. In an email interview in March, David Applegate reveals what attracted him to geology and why he jumped at the chance to lead the USGS Earthquake Hazards program in Reston, VA.
About our speaker:
Applegate leads the Geologic Discipline''s Earthquake Hazards Program of the U.S. Geological Survey, based in Reston, Virginia, which provides coordination for geologic hazards across the Bureau. Applegate has a B.S. in geology from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in geology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he did his dissertation on the tectonic evolution of the Funeral Mountains in the Death Valley region of California. He still spends time as an adjunct professor at the University of Utah. He sent us this photo of himself in the field in Utah.
figure caption: David Applegate, Guest Night speaker, co-instructing the University of Utah''s field camp in the Raft River Range of Idaho in May 2002. The photo is by David Dinter. Applegate is adjunct faculty in the University of Utah Department of Geology and Geophysics.
HGS Bulletin: What made you want to study geology/geophysics and continue to the Ph.D degree? Was there a significant teacher or mentor that guided you in your geological studies?
Like many geologists of my generation, I was drawn into the science through the writings of John McPhee, who gave me a perhaps overly romantic view of field geology in the western United States and a window into the pursuit of deep time. At the end of my sophomore year, I switched to geology from being a history major, making up the pre-requisites as I went. I was thoroughly hooked after spending the summer before my senior year at field camp in Idaho and Wyoming and then doing my own research in the Olympic Mountains of western Washington. I was eager to keep learning and particularly to spend time in the Basin and Range: the Death Valley region of California as it turned out.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to both my undergraduate advisor, Mark Brandon, and my doctoral advisor, Kip Hodges, for giving me the opportunities they did. Kip taught all his students to identify interesting problems and then assemble the tools needed to solve them, rather than becoming hidebound to one tool and then searching out problems to try it on. He encouraged us to care about writing well and to view our analytical skills broadly, both qualities that served me well when I decided to do postdoctoral work in the U.S. Senate as the American Geophysical Union''s Congressional Science Fellow and in all my jobs since.
HGS Bulletin: What was the path that took you to your job at the USGS?
A lot of my job is externally focused, representing USGS in a variety of settings, including the White House National Science and Technology Council''s Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction, for which I serve as vice chair, the USGS''s parent Department of the Interior, Congress, other Federal agencies – for example NOAA, with whom we have worked very closely on the tsunami response – and external partners. Those aspects of my job may explain the path I took to get here.
I have been on the job for just over a year, spending the previous eight years at the American Geological Institute, a non-profit federation of 43 geoscience societies, running their government affairs program and editing Geotimes, the newsmagazine of the earth sciences. At AGI, I worked on a wide variety of policy issues that affect the geoscience community and where the members of our member societies -- the largest being the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the American Geophysical Union -- had a great deal of knowledge and perspective to contribute: energy policy, environmental policy, science policy, and natural hazards policy. Both of my jobs at AGI were about translating between geoscientists on the one hand and the public and policymakers on the other.
Although natural hazards policy was always an important part of my work at AGI, my interest deepened while working with Pete Folger at AGU and a wide range of other organizations like the American Red Cross, National Emergency Management Association, and American Meteorological Society to establish a Senate caucus on natural hazards, co-chaired by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC). The caucus was intended to sustain political interest in making the Nation more resilient to natural hazards. It''s easy for politicians to take credit for handing out relief after a disaster has struck, but it is harder to find ways for them to take credit for softening the blow of natural hazards through mitigation and preparedness.
When the opportunity arose to come to USGS and focus all of my energy toward reducing the impacts of natural hazards, I leapt at it.
HGS Bulletin: What has been the most memorable event of your work with the USGS?
This past year, we have seen the reawakening of Mt. St. Helens, the long-awaited magnitude 6 earthquake on the Parkfield segment of the San Andreas, and extensive landslides following the torrential rains in southern California and the four major hurricanes that struck the East Coast last fall. But nothing compared to what happened on December 26th off the coast of Sumatra. The weeks and months that followed have been dedicated to doing whatever we can to ensure that such a disaster will not occur again.
HGS Bulletin: What is your impression of the TV and print/internet media reporter relating to issues about tsunamis and earthquakes? Have you been interviewed on TV and how did you handle this? Is TV an effective medium to educate the public about geologic hazard preparedness.
In the days following the Sumatra earthquake, I gave a wide range of print, radio and especially television interviews. Once the news networks had extensive footage from the devastated areas, they went to near-saturation coverage, and with the death tolls rising day by day, the story lasted longer than other similar stories. The media questions changed as they moved through several news cycles, first the interest was solely on understanding what had happened in South Asia, then it turned to the question of whether it could happen here, and then to the question of what the US was planning to do in relief and response.
Overall, my impression of the media was quite positive. I felt that the reporters I spoke with were trying to get the
Art: The more research I do, the more amazed I am by what the early submarine cable guys achieved. They really had no idea what they were doing for about ten years, until the commission of inquiry into the numerous (and expensive) failures of the late 1850s published its report in 1861. This comprehensive report of the first ever inquiry into an industrial failure is a landmark document in the history of technology, somewhat unappreciated, I fear. The entire document of 520 legal-size pages is on line.Between the commissioners and the witnesses, the cast of characters includes just about every businessman, engineer, and scientist involved in the cable and electrical industries at that time. It makes interesting reading.Incidentally, I sent your article to a 40-something friend in Boston who has a keen interest in science and technology, and she just emailed me: "This was the best article on plate tectonics I have ever read. I remember being fascinated by it in school. Surprisingly, it was being taught tentatively, and like something "new" even then."Regards,Bill BurnsArthur - I enjoyed your HGS Bulletin article about the Sumatra earthquake, really an incredible earthquake. As it is the first megathrust to have occurred since establishment of the global seismic network, there will be intense research on the event. In fact the Amer. Geophys. Union (AGU) has already organized a special session at its spring meeting in New Orleans in May.You have probably heard already that your explanation for why a wave breaks is missing one component. Speed and amplitude of a water wave are functions of water depth. As the water depth decreases the velocity slows and the amplitude increases, The wave gets higher as it gets closer to land and the top of the wave travels faster than the base, so the wave eventually breaks. There is a mathematical treatment of this at online; see the Chris Chapman articles. He is a Schlumberger seismology specialist who wrote an interesting article in the Jan 11 edition of EOS, the AGU news magazine. He was staying at one of the Sri Lankan hotels hit by the tsunami. When he saw the sea recede he knew what was coming and persuaded the hotel staff to clear the beach. There were no fatalities at his hotel.I share your concern that there was no warning system in place for the tsunami, but history does not seem to be that much of a lesson here. As far as I can find out there has never been a tsunami in Sri Lanka and probably never in Somalia either. Chapman's article says he was told there was one in Sri Lanka '2000 years ago', but he hasn't been able to corroborate. It actually turns out that there are scientists who were thinking of tsunamis in the area, at least closer to Sumatra. Kerry Sieh, a seismologist at Caltech, has been studying the Sumatran forearc islands for some time. He mostly worked on the Mentawi islands, which are the islands south of Simeulue and Nias, the islands closest to the epicenter. Sieh has studied coral growth patterns and has been able to map uplift associated with the 1833 and 1861 earthquakes, probably the last Sumatran megathrusts. He realized the dangers and was just starting to distribute information brochures to the local population. He gave a talk at the December 2004 AGU meeting entitled 'Mitigating the effects of large subduction-zone earthquakes in Western Sumatra' just 12 days before the quake There is a fascinating series of letters written by Sieh from the field when he travelled to the area in January to service his GPS array. See his CalTech article for the first in a series of seven (the others are linked from this one). There were very few tsunami casualties on Simeulue. There was a tsunami there in 1907 (must have been a relatively local earthquake) that killed 'many' people, and there was enough knowledge of this in the local population that they ran for the hills when they felt the earthquake. There is probably a lesson here in people who rely on nature for a living, keeping 'in touch' and listening to warning signs (like Chris Chapman, I suppose).There was another article about Indian Ocean tsunamis published last year. The Sept 2004 issue of AusGeo News, a magazine published by Geoscience Australia, has an article on tsunami threat to NW Australia. They did some modeling of the 1833 earthquake and concluded that this particular one didn't cause much of a tsunami in Australia, but the article, like yours, points out the danger of ignoring plate tectonics.Best regardsIan NortonExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyP.O. Box 2189Houston, TX 77252-2189Ph 713-431-4240 Fax 713-431-6193ian.o.norton@exxonmobil.comHi Arthur,I want to thank you for the two great articles in the February Bulletin. The in-depth coverage of the SE Asian tsunami was simply a masterpiece! Also, your interview with Dr. Roy Dokka was equally thought-provoking and presented many insights to the problems of coastal subsidence and its quantification. As a 45-year resident of the city of New Orleans, I am always concerned about subsidence and flooding problems. Incidentally, I am active with LSU, presently serving as chairman of the College of Basic Sciences Development Council, and as a representative of the Geology and Geophysics Alumni. I've known Roy Dokka for many years and have carefully followed his research. Thanks again for the two great articles! Ed PicouA 25-year member of the HGS January 30, 2005Mr. Arthur E. BermanEditorHouston Geological SocietyDear Mr. Berman.I'd like to congratulate you to your article in the February 2005 HGS Bulletin ”The Sumatra Earthquake of 2004: Forty Years of Ignoring Plate Tectonics”. The article brings a welcome fresh wind to the Society Bulletin and is well placed because our society is not a Houston Petroleum-Geological Society that many assume, but a Geological Society; and so we can and should discuss
Article and Photosby Arthur E. Berman,editor@hgs.orgHGS Bulletin From the Editor April, 2005 Letters From Jakarta:Indian Ocean Nations Select a Tsunami Warning Systemby Arthur E. BermanAfter 12 years of siege, the armies of King Priam awoke one morning to find their Greek opponents gone from the Plain of Troy. A giant wooden horse stood alone outside the city. Priam and his men decided to bring the horse inside the walls of Troy to celebrate their victory over the Greeks. Not all of Priam'' s men, however, agreed with the decision. Chief among the king'' s counselors was an elder named Laöcoon.* Laöcoon and his sons urged Priam to reconsider the decision and to investigate the situation more fully before bringing the horse into the city. It seemed peculiar, Laöcoon argued, and out of character that the Greeks had departed for no apparent military reason and had left behind a gift. In addition, he thought he heard sounds coming from inside the horse. Laöcoon and his sons were killed by the Trojans. The horse was brought into the city and the Greek soldiers concealed within the horse emerged, sacked Troy, and won the Trojan War.[* Laöcoon is the root for the English word laconic, meaning terse or concise, often used to refer to someone who says little but, when he speaks, is worth listening to. He is known for the famous quote, "When Greeks bring gifts, I fear them, gifts and all." (Virgil, The Aeneid, Book II, 59-70) Myth accounts for his death by snakes sent by Poseidon or Athena. My interpretation is that he was killed by his fellow Trojans.]In my February From the Editor (Berman, 2005), I was critical of the leaders of the Indian Ocean nations for doing nothing to prepare their people for the possibility of a tsunami. The Malay Archipelago, on the eastern margin of the Indian Ocean, is the most active earthquake region in the world and undersea earthquakes are the principal cause of tsunamis. While no one could predict when or where an earthquake might occur large enough to produce a deadly tsunami, the plate tectonic model clearly underscored the probability of such an event around the Archipelago. As a result of that article, I received many letters from people around the world including the Hungarian Ambassador to Indonesia, Dr. György Busztin. I published Dr. Busztin'' s first letter in the March 2005 Bulletin. In it he asked me to help him communicate to Indonesian leaders what the earth science community knew about earthquakes and tsunamis so he might influence creation of greater awareness in that devastated country.In a subsequent letter, Dr. Busztin described what he had seen in Banda Aceh, the capitol of the most heavily damaged part of Indonesia, following the tsunami. He wrote:"Banda Aceh itself, the provincial capital, is like a cake cut in half. The part of the city exposed to the sea literally disappeared, with nothing remaining but the debris of buildings covered by mud, or not even that. Houses reduced to their foundations. Cars look like a giant has stepped upon them, even huge lorries squeezed into grotesque forms. A mid-size drilling tower sits in the middle of one destroyed suburb, planted there by the tsunami. Large boats were taken inland to the distance of a kilometer. "Your article has reached top destinations. The beneficiaries requested not to be named, for obvious reasons. The reactions I had were—obviously—muted. One decision maker was slightly irritated by your comments. He argued no contingency plan can deal with a situation where you can only guess when the calamity will take place, give or take a few decades."As I see it, your article is a great eye-opener and should be treated with due respect. The problem of prevention and contingency planning is essentially money. You cannot relocate people to a safe distance from the sea, nor build tsunami-proof structures without adequate funding. The reconstruction effort now under way will certainly take into consideration the looming danger of a new tidal wave, but how will you prevent people from slowly moving back to the seaside, with the sense of imminent danger fading away? For those making a living from the sea—fishermen, prawn and seaweed cultivators, etc.—there is not much alternative to living on the shore. Unless they are settled in places made disaster proof, but that needs more resources than are possibly available."Someone I can''t remember, a scientist of renown, once said: humanity can always foresee the impending catastrophe, can never avert it, but always survives it. A great truth. But no consolation for those who didn'' t make it this time."Later, he sent me a letter reporting on an important meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Phuket, Thailand January 28–29, 2005. Approximately 50 nations, including those most affected by the December 2004 tsunami, decided to accept a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) plan for a tsunami early warning center for the Indian Ocean region. The plan entails implementing a detection system of deep ocean buoys and tethered bottom bottom-moored pressure recorders (BPR) similar to the U.S.'' s Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) network in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.The Indian Ocean tsunami alert system would include shared use of satellite-based weather forecasting data, hazard maps and disaster-response strategies at a community level. The estimated cost for the plan is about $30 million but only $8 million has been pledged to-date by UNESCO nations. In the best case scenario, the alert system would be operational in 18 months, but structural and political barriers, commercial and national rivalries, as well as financial pressures resulting from the 2004 tsunami, are likely to delay implementati
Web Notes for April, 2004RSS Feeds and RSS Feed ReadersBy Dave CraneIt is a lot of trouble to search the HGS or GSH Websites frequently to see what’s new. And how do you know where to look so you won’t miss something? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just look in the corner of your computer screen and see a list of what has been posted recently? Now you can! It’s called Really Simple Syndication (RSS) or, variously, RDF Site Summary or Rich Site Summary. Whatever the name, it’s a way to syndicate the changes made on any website. All you need is a Feed Reader, sometimes called an Aggregator, and subscriptions (feed links) to as many sites as you like. Virtually all subscriptions are free and, so far, they are free from ads and spam.Here are some sample web references for RSS:Definitions:
There are many, many feed readers available, most are free and some not. There are so many to choose from that, rather than make a recommendation, I will tell you that I started with KlipFolio and am too lazy to change. The best way I can describe any RSS reader is to show you what mine looks like at the moment. (Hint: Click on the illustration to enlarge it, then you may have to resize it to be able to read the text clearly. Mouse-over the lower right corner to see the expansion symbol.)In the illustration, there are a variety of local weather and general news feeds on the left. The HGS feed is in the upper right and GSH is just below it. The feed in the lower right is my son-in-law’s blog. In KlipFolio, the HGS and GSH entries are in three sequences (Events, Articles, and GeoJobBank), with the oldest posting first. The HGS site is showing 50 unread entries and the GSH site has 15. You can keep any entry visible and delete those that don’t interest you. Other readers may present things in different order and some even show the topic (Event, etc.) in a separate column.In the expanded illustration, I placed the mouse icon over the General Dinner entry in the HGS feed and it popped up to give me a basic overview of the talk. A similar expansion is possible for any posting on these feeds. Read up on RSS. Look for the RSS feed logo on your favorite websites. You’ll find RSS simple to install and use.
by Steve Levine,president@hgs.orgHGS Bulletin From the President April, 2005 Our Society Is Like a CourtbouillonCourtbouillon (coo-be-yon) to those unfortunate few uninitiated in Louisiana cuisine, is a spicy soup or stew made with fish fillets (redfish, red snapper, catfish, etc.), tomatoes, onions, and vegetables. The cook must first prepare a fine roux of vegetable oil and flour in a large heavy skillet. Add onions, fresh vegetables, pepper, salt, other spices and keeps stirring. Let it simmer for 1 to 2 hours before adding the fish filets. Continue cooking on low heat until the fish is done. Courtbouillon is served with white rice or mashed potatoes. Great redfish courtbouillon is hard to beat. Two things are for certain – it is essential that someone keeps a close eye on that skillet at all times, and that the ingredients are fresh.The Houston Geological Society works with a variety of ingredients as well. The HGS Board is busy in the kitchen overseeing the skillet of 42 committees trying not to burn the roux or let it simmer too long. We mull issues such as the budget, website advancements, populating the calendar, awards, Bulletin updates, office needs, etc. Occasionally we have brief moments to look away from the skillet to modify the recipe (brainstorm), but generally the best ideas come from the members at large and from the committees themselves. We are privileged that our skillet contains so many committees that provide quality ingredients for our members. Please take a few minutes to read about a few of these achievements and how they have spiced up the HGS.Continuing Education Committee The Continuing Education Committee has transformed itself in a short time span from being “barely there” to an incredibly vibrant group. Led early in the year by Jonathan Jee (prior to his transfer to Malaysia) and currently by Cheryl Desforges, this team that has organized 3 terrific short courses and has 2 more scheduled. These include: 1. “The Petroleum Reserves—Avoiding Write-downs” Mini-series: Part 1- “An Overview of Definitions and Reporting Requirements” by John Hodgin and Thomas Wagenhofer2. “The Petroleum Reserves—Avoiding Write-downs” Mini-series: Part 2 - “An Overview of Recommended Geologic Practices” by Dan Tearpock3. “Rock-Based Integration: Geologic Interpretation of the Integration of Seismic and Petrophysical Data” by Roger Young and Gordon Van Swearingen4. “An Overview of Recommended Engineering Practices” by Bill Kazmann and Ed Travis (May 20)5. “An Overview of Recommended Petrophysical Practices” by Bill Price (Sept./Oct.)Dick Easterwood of Dominion Exploration and Production stepped forward to contribute funds for the purchase of equipment for the HGS to tape these and future continuing education courses. Thomas Smith of Seismic Micro-Technology, offered to sponsor the reproduction of the DVDs, as well as to provide expertise of the process. HGS member Mike Allison graciously volunteered to provide the labor and technical expertise to produce the DVD. Mike has done a remarkable job after many hours of toil to make the first of the series of DVD’s. With these two financial offers, the DVD preparation should produced at no cost to the HGS, so revenue from the sale of the DVDs can be used for other HGS programs. So if you missed these great short courses, the first of several DVDs should be available for purchase at a bargain price by the AAPG Convention in June.Ad Hoc “Community Involvement” CommitteeAn ad hoc “Community Involvement” committee led by Cathy Ferris was formed to generate ideas to expand our presence in the community through service projects, further our interaction with local K-12 students (in coordination with the Academic Liaison Committee), and to identify social events that could cast a larger net across our membership and to bring new members into the fold.1. Home repair projects to provide community service and to make the HGS more visible in the community. The HGS will assist in a “Keep 5 Alive” service project on Saturday, April 2 at the 177 year-old Evergreen Negro Cemetery with partners ConocoPhillips and Wheatley High School senior students.2. Social events such as sports or entertainments events such as the “Rockets Night Out” held in March and the “HGS Astros Night” scheduled for Thursday, April 21, are direct responses to these recommendations. 3. Adding “K-12 Teacher Resources” to the HGS website to assist in our partnership with local schools. Bill Osten is working with our Webmaster Dave Crane to add this component.4. Other ideas included sponsoring and running a field trip for some Houston Area high school students and the HGS manning a water stop for a selected Houston Area race such as the Houston Marathon in January, 2006.First Annual Scholarship Benefit The scholarship benefit committee worked very hard to make the first Scholarship Benefit Party “Scholarship Rock Dance” held at the Petroleum Club on February 5, 2005 a success. Preparations required acquiring silent auction items, decorating, and selling tickets. A total of $3500 was raised which will be matched by the AAPG-GCAGS to bring our total to $7000 for the HGS Foundation and W.L. Calvert Memorial scholarship funds. More details of this event will be in the May Bulletin.Below are just a few of the terrific volunteers from the above-mentioned committees. Space does not allow me to mention the many other worthwhile projects and committees that make our spicy recipe one of best. Continuing Education Committee: Cheryl Desforges, Mike Allison, Jonathan Jee, Donna Davis, Henry Wise, George Klein, Selim Shaker, Huw James, Edgar Guevara, Thomas Tucker, Dave Hixon, Henry Wise, and Matthew CowanAd Hoc Community Involvement Committee: Cathy Ferris, Jennifer Burton, Sherrie Cronin, Tom Miskelly, and Bill Osten.Scholarship Benefit Committee: Deborah Sacrey, Marsha Bourque, Andrea Rey
Government Update
by Henry M. Wise, P.G. and Arlin Howles, P.G.
Report on February 7, 2005 TBPG Meeting
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) met on February 7, 2005. Many topics were discussed, including Continuing Education. A separate article appears in the April HGS Bulletin. The proposed rule has been published on the TBPG Website.
Dale Beebe-Farrow, P.E. spoke on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the TBPG and Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE). Essentially, there will be a committee formed consisting of two PGs, two PEs, and two members of the general public. This committee will be used to hash out those gray areas where both the PEs and PGs feel they have jurisdiction. This should help to alleviate the type of problem encountered last December. While this Memorandum of Understanding was passed and should help, we still need to support our interests at policy advisory meetings.
Ms. Beebe-Farrow also discussed the TBPE policy advisory opinion regarding water quality planning, presentation, discussion, and possible action. By state law, the TBPE is supposed to give a policy advisory within 180 days of a request. Due to the large turnout of people and written opinions from individuals, the TBPE is reviewing their proposed policy advisory. The re-draft will be published and sent out to all Stakeholders on record in early March for additional comments. Only the Stakeholders who were at the December meeting or submitted written opinions will receive this draft. There will be no public comment on the re-draft. Ms. Beebe-Farrow stated that PEs are supposed to follow all advisory statements and the TBPE will probably back up on the requirement for PEs to supervise other professions. This is a case where the new Memo of Understanding should help to alleviate this problem.
Dr. Christopher Mathewson, from Texas A&M University, spoke on the ASBOG exam, which is made up of two parts. Part 1 of the exam is basically for people right out of college. It tests the candidate''s knowledge of general geology and is not designed to test trivia. For example, identification of a particular fossil wouldn''t be on the exam, but knowing that particular fossils relate to certain epochs may be. Dr. Mathewson, who helps to write the exam, stated that Part 1 has a failure rate of 42%. This rate is consistent across the US and since the exam was first given. It is his opinion that part of the reason the failure rate is so high is because most states require geologists to wait five years before taking the exam, plenty of time to forget a lot of what was learned. It would make more sense to take the exam immediately after graduation and could be used as the basis for a Geologist in Training level. The TBPG said that they would allow graduates to take the exam, providing they have the required 30 hours of geology courses. There was some discussion about allowing geology students to take the exam if the exam were to be given before graduation and they would have the required 30 hours of geological courses by the end of the semester, but no final decision was made. The ASBOG exam is typically given twice a year, and the next scheduled exam after this TBPG meeting was in March.
Part 2 of the ASBOG exam is taken after five years of working experience and relates to the practice of geology. It covers aspects that would be important to public safety, etc. Part 2 has a failure rate of about 32%, which has also been consistent across the US and since the exam was first given.
ASBOG meets periodically to discuss the exam questions. A typical meeting includes everyone taking the most recent exam and discussing the questions. Ambiguous or irrelevant questions are thrown out and new questions are added.
If you are going to take the ASBOG exam, you need to apply with the TBPG first for approval.
The TBPG is also planning on writing a newsletter to keep all PGs informed of the latest rules, etc.
This covers the most important information discussed at this meeting, other than the continuing education requirement. If you''re interested in going to the next TBPG meeting, it''ll be on May 20, 2005.
From the Texas Register
Four bills have been introduced to the Texas Legislature that involve groundwater. The first is House Bill (HB) 653 and it''s senate companion, SB 141. These bills relate to the regulation of subdivision of land under the jurisdiction of certain counties. HB 653 and SB 141 can be found on-line.
SB 343 relates to county authority to regulate the placement of water wells in unincorporated areas of the county, providing a penalty.
SB 344 relates to the notice, hearing, rulemaking, and permitting procedures for groundwater conservation districts.
The Senate Select Committee on Water Policy is charged with:
1. Study all issues related to ground and surface water law, policy and management, including, but not limited to:
Scholarship Benefit Party Raises the Roof for Students
The first annual Scholarship Benefit “Rock Dance” held on February 5, 2005 was a rousing success. Over 110 participants enjoyed terrific food and great music at the 43rd floor rooftop of the Petroleum Club. Everyone appeared to have a wonderful time. Over 50 silent auction items were bid upon netting $3500 in donations. With the combined matching contribution from the AAPG-GCAGS, over $7000 will be donated to the W.L. Calvert Memorial and HGS Foundation scholarship funds. The scholarship fundraiser committee comprised of Marsha Bourque, Deborah Sacrey, Carl Norman, Andrea Reynolds, Mary Kae Dingler, Natalie Uschner, and I enjoyed putting this event together. We are already eyeing plans for an even bigger and better event in 2006. Additional volunteers to assist in this worthy cause are most welcome.
Music was provided by Ted Roddy and the King Conjure Kombo from Austin, Texas. Ted Roddy, lead vocalist and guitarist, led the eight piece band which included a tenor sax, trumpet, backup vocalist, three additional rhythm and lead guitarists, and drummer as they belted out great hits from Motown, Memphis, and Austin.
A sample of items from the silent auction included roundtrip airline tickets from Continental Airlines, ballet tickets, opera and theater tickets, golfing rounds, autographed sports and music memorabilia, and hotel accommodations at The Galvestonian and Hilton Americas-Houston.
Just because this event is concluded, does not mean that the fundraising for the HGS scholarships is over, we shall continue throughout the year, as the AAPG-GCAGS will match our contributions up to $10,000. What an achievement if we can reach such a target!
Thanks go to all of those that attended this inaugural event, and to the donors of silent auction items. Special thanks are to those that gave up so much time and effort to make this happen from the Scholarship Benefit Committee.
These kind sponsors and fellow HGS members provided the silent auction items to make this event a success. We thank you and are grateful for your generosity.
Snapshots Taken at the Party February 5th.
Deborah Sacrey and Charles Sternbach
Stephanie Levine and Elsie Bilby
Left to right:
Andrea Reynolds, Kay Lynn Jenkins and Stacy Jenkins.
Snapshots of the Undergraduate scholars taken at the HGS General Dinner on February 7th.
Scholarship Recipients and their Professors.
Anne Herrin & Dr. Andy Hajash (Texas A&M University)
They are flanked by Steve Levine (on Anne''s right) and John Adamick.
Nivedita Thiagarajan and Dr. Andre Droxler (Rice University)
Marcy Stonecipher and Dr. Volker Gobel (Stephen F. Austin State University)
Melissa Halick (University of Texas)
Heather Burgland (University of Houston)
Shawn Miller and Dr. Jim Jordan (Lamar University)
Book Reviews
HGS Bulletin, April, 2005
Novacek, M., 2002, Time Traveler, In Search of Dinosaurs and Ancient Mammals from Montana to Mongolia, 365 pp., Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux, $26.00.
Depictions of time travel are often found in the realm of science fiction. As an example, consider H.G. Wells classic story of time travel in the “Time Machine” and other similar works. Michael Novacek’s book is appropriately titled because in a sense time travel is possible in the field of geoscience. This book is partly autobiographical, travelogue, and natural history, combining elements of all three into enjoyable reading material. It is also entertaining to non-geoscientists because it offers insight into the driving forces to be a geoscientist and to illuminate what motivates “rock-hounds.”
Novacek is currently curator of vertebrate paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City. The book focuses on the events that led to his career as a vertebrate paleontologist and to his adventures in the field searching for dinosaurs, mammals and extinct animals. (Novacek is also the author of Dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs in 1996. This book was listed by the New York Times as a Notable Book of the Year.)
Novacek begins his paleontological field work in the western United States and in Mexico. During fieldwork in Baja California, there is a meeting with a cowboy “with dirty sheepskin chaps” in an adobe tavern, armed with a holster that “opened around the sweat-polished ivory handle of a pistol” (quotes from the book). The crew was able to desert the bar quickly without incident as a result of crafty handling of the encounter.
Novacek’s position at the AMNH put him in a uniquely fortuitous position for fossil collecting. In an unusual series of events, as the book describes, in the mid-1980’s, a veterinarian from Chile was delayed for several hours at JFK Airport in New York during an intercontinental flight. The time allowed the veterinarian to visit Novacek at the AMNH and to present photographs of fossil whale vertebrae collected in the Andes Mountains. Novacek organized a field expedition to Chile in the hopes of finding additional fossils that would increase understanding of the geological and biological history of South America. This sparked the planning and execution of the Andean Paleontological Expedition.
The expedition to the Andes included several colleagues from various universities and the AMNH. There is a detailed tale of the trip to the Lomas Las Tetas de Cabra (Hills of the Goats Teats). The purpose of this expedition was to search for vertebrate fossils. Some were found, namely, animals closely related to deer and antelope (Meniscotherium), typical of Eocene faunas of North America, and a primitive horse (Hyracotherium). We are given detailed glimpses into what it is like to perform fieldwork as a paleontologist. During the 1986 Andean Paleontological Expedition as Novacek dismounted from a horse, he “swung the right leg over the flanks of the horse, but my left foot was trapped in the open stirrup.” The horse started bucking and dragged Novacek over a clearing “which was studded with sharp-edged rocks.” The result was serious injury to his head and legs. The work involves “shivering in a snowstorm for a half-hour while the guides debated options for escape…..we started east on an uncharted route; Crus rode attentively back and forth, reminding us to keep a very tight grip on the reins. My legs were throbbing in pain” (quoted from the book). The terrain and mountains around Chile had “summits that seemed unassailable and the forests below them impenetrable, yet in the middle of this wilderness was the best fossil locality for land vertebrates yet found in Chile.”
An expedition to Yemen in the late 1980’s to investigate localities for fossil was disappointingly unsuccessful. Novacek describes the scenery in Yemen as beautiful with enchanting architecture. However, the geology of Yemen was not enchanting regarding paleontology. The expedition encountered Yemeni soldiers with AK-47s suspicious of the exhibition members, as well as several dangerous situations, sometimes being detained at gunpoint. Sentry and inspection posts seemed to pop-up overnight on the roads and hampered the efforts of the expedition.
Perhaps one of the most famous fossil explorers of the twentieth century is Roy Chapman Andrews, discoverer of spectacular fossils (photographs of some have become icons in popular culture) in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. Andrews was a floor sweeper in the AMNH until he led a series of expeditions in the 1920’s to Mongolia in search of fossil evidence of early humans. Near a mountain range known as the Gurvan Saichan the expedition found plentiful vertebrates remains in an area known in the western world as the Flaming Cliffs. Novacek describes seeing the Flaming Cliffs for the first time. It felt very natural to be at the foot of these spectacular outcrops where the Andrews expedition had uncovered the fabulous vertebrate fossils during the Central Asiatic Expeditions of the 1920’s. These cliffs “were familiar; they felt like home” and, as readers, we can appreciate how it must have been to stand at the base of these famous, prodigiously productive fossil cliffs.
The book also discusses the Cretaceous vertebrate fossils discovered at a place named Ukhaa Tolgod (“Brown Hills”) in Mongolia. The AMNH Asiatic Expeditions of the 1990’s discovered spectacular vertebrate fossil specimens in numbers that exceeded more than in all the Gobi upper Cretaceous localities combined. These remains included abundant well-preserved theropods, lizards, and mammals in exquisite states of preservation. Perhaps the most evocative fossils were those of Oviraptor embryos inside the shell, as well as a nesting oviraptorid. It was originally, but mistakenly, thought that Oviraptor was raiding the eggs that were thought to be Protoceratops eggs. A possible explanation for the abundance and extraordinarily fine quality of preservation of these fossils in the Gobi Desert is presented in the book. It is suggested that at various intervals, storms caused mudflows and mud avalanches off the high desert sand dunes into gullies where the dinosaurs lived, nested, and were buried.
There are many illustrations of fossil vertebrates strategically placed throughout the book. As a nod to the educated lay reader, there are also detailed explanations of geological and paleontological concepts. Novacek lays the groundwork for his explorations by explaining the natural events that occurred over a period of hundreds of millions of years to create the present day setting in which the fossils are b
"Keep 5 Alive" HGS Community Service Project
This Saturday Morning 8-12 Noon
The majority of the work for the Saturday, April 2 community services project will be at the Evergreen Negro Cemetery. Volunteers will be needed to help paint one side of the white picket fence on the outside of the Evergreen Negro Cemetery, and to clear the overgrown cemetery of weeds and tree limbs. A historical study including gridding and grave identification will be made at a later date when sufficient debris removal is completed.
Everyone should plan on wearing long trousers and boots if you have them (otherwise closed shoes or tennis shoes). Gloves and equipment will be supplied on site but HGS members should feel free to bring weedeaters, hoes, and rakes. Please mark your name on all equipment you bring from home.
We will be provided water and lunch courtesy of ConocoPhillips. The HGS will provide breakfast taquitos and HGS T-shirts to all of our volunteers (family members and friends are most welcome).
Additional volunteers from ConocoPhillips, Wheatley High School, and Prairie View A&M will be attending.
Parking will be available on a vacant lot and along the street by the cemetery located at Lockwood and Market. The ConocoPhillips will have a tent and possibly banners. (See map link on the HGS website or click here.)
Please join us Saturday morning 8am-12pm to meet other HGS members, help beautify our community, and show our HGS pride with a large volunteer contingent. Contact Steve Levine at (281) 293-3896 (work) or (281)221-5529 (cell).
Thank you again for volunteering.
Steve
Sent March 30, 2005
Houston Geological Society UpdateLate March and April 2nd, 2005 There are two more great HGS meetings in March: Monday, March 28 - North American Dinner: "The Maverick Basin - New Technology, New Success" at the Westchase Hilton 5:50pm.Wednesday, March 30 - General Luncheon: "Rigel Field Appraisal and Development" (Mississippi Canyon, Deepwater Gulf of Mexico) at the Houston Petroleum Club, 11:15am.And a Community Project that everyone can enjoy:Call for Volunteers - April 2nd "Keep 5 Alive Project"
To sign up, contact me (Steve Levine) by email or cell phone (281) 221-5529. Job Assignments for April 2 "Keep 5 Alive" will be posted on the HGS event calendar beginning the middle of next week, so volunteer now! New HGS T-shirts and breakfast will be provided to all participants. See you there,Steve LevineHGS President(281) 221-5529 Published 24 March, 2005
Candidates for 2005-2006 HGS Offices
See http://www.hgs.org/elections/ for the candidates'' qualifications and comments.
Office
Firstname
Lastname
Company
President-elect
Kara
Bennett
Pratt Geosciences
President-elect
Steven
Brachman
Pogo Producing
Vice President
Steven
Earle
Sabco Oil and Gas
Vice President
Linda
Sternbach
Kerr-McGee
Secretary
Susan
Black
Newfield Exploration
Secretary
Beverly
DeJarnett
Bureau of Econ. Geol. - Houston Research Center
Treasurer-elect
Cheryl
Desforges
Consultant
Treasurer-elect
Michael C.
Allison
Consultant
Director
George
Kronman
Landmark Graphics
Director
Michael
Deming
Consultant, Swift Energy
Director
James D. "Jim"
Doyle
ENI Petroleum Co., Inc.
Editor-elect
William D. "Bill"
Rizer
Consultant
ASBOG® Exam ReviewsArlen Howles and Andrea Reynolds have been researching the possibility of organizing an Exam Review for the ASBOG test. The research that has been gathered so far is:
ASBOG® provides a Candidate Handbook on their website. Dr. Chris Matheson (Texas A&M) is currently updating the Candidate Handbook and expects to finish it in April 2005.Florida Short Courses are offering an ASBOG Exam Review in Gainesville, Florida on August 25-26, 2005. The two-day course is a focused review of the subjects that are most strongly emphasized on the ASBOG® exam. Timed tests using ASBOG format allow participants to sharpen their test taking skills. The cost is $550 plus travel and expenses.I hope this helps people who are going to take the ASBOG test.Arlin Howles, HGS Government Affairs Committee[For additional ASBOG information, search for HGS Website articles containing "ASBOG."]
HGS Internationists Newsletter
March, 2005
To: HGS International Explorationists
Subject: Meeting Reminder - March 21, 2005, HGS Internationalists Dinner
The HGS International dinner meeting next Monday March 21st features
Dr. Sandro Serra, speaking on "Structural Trap Styles of Large Gas Discoveries Tarim Basin, Western China."
Place: Westchase Hilton, 9999 Westheimer
Social Hour 5:30-6:30 PM
Seated Dinner at 6:30 PM
Main Talk at 7:30PM
Register on-line by Friday on the HGS Website.
Published March 14, 2005
TBPG Exam NewsTwo examinations are required to obtain a Professional Geoscientist license in Texas
They will next be given on October 7th, 2005. The exams are given by the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG®), but you must make preliminary application through the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) because eligibility must be determined before an applicant may register with ASBOG® for an exam. A $25 administrative fee for each exam part is required when registering to take the exam(s). You are permitted, but not required, to take both parts of the examination during the same test period. These fees are in addition to the $150 initial license and annual license renewal fee to be paid after you have passed both exams.New applicants for a Geoscientist license in Texas must first submit information regarding their qualifications to TBPG, plus an $25 administrative fee per exam part. Once this has been submitted to TBPG and it is determined that you are eligible to take that particular exam, you will be sent an ASBOG® registration form which you will submit to ASBOG® along with the $200.00 exam fee. A courtesy copy of the completed ASBOG® registration form should be forwarded to TBPG. To request registration for either portion of the exam from TBPG, applicants must submit:• A TBPG license application, • 3 professional reference forms, • 2 personal reference forms, and, • A resume that reflects at least five years of work experience and 30 hours of course work in geology. Work experience is waived on the first part of the examination.If you are registering for both parts of the exam at the same time, a similar set of forms must be submited for each part.The required forms, referenced above, as well as a license application check list, are available on the TBPG Website under the "Forms" tab. Note that as of March 1, 2005, the checklist does not exactly match the instructions presented here, but we have researched the details with TBPG officials and believe our version is accurate. It will be your responsibility to determine exactly what is required in your situation and requirements may change.The last day to register with ASBOG® for the next examination period is August 23, 2005. The exams will be given on October 7, 2005. Applicants will be notified of the exam location when they are accepted. The Texas examinations are normally held in Austin. Additional ASBOG® dates for examinations in 2005/2006 can be found in the TBPG News. An exam Candidate Handbook is available on the ASBOG® Website. Andrea Reynolds, a Director of the HGS, and Arlin Howles of the HGS Government Affairs Committee has researched ways to study for these tests. Their conclusions are available in a separate article on this Website.
Houston Geological Society NewsletterMarch, 2005 HGS Events CalendarMarch 7, HGS General Dinner, Carl Fiduk, CGG. "Extensional Rafting: A New Idea for Structural Control of Shelf Margin and Slope Facies Deposition in Upper Wilcox Strata of South Texas, Northwestern Onshore Gulf of Mexico", Westchase Hilton, 5:30 social, 6:30 dinner. Walk-ups welcome. MMarch 15, HGS Environmental and Engineering Dinner, Don Grauer, Environmental Data Resources, "The Federal "All Appropriate Inquiry" Rule: A New Phase in Phase I''s", Guadalajara Hacienda, Social 5:30, Dinner 6:30. March 18, HGS/GSH Rockets Night Out. Discounted tickets to see the Houston Rockets play the Boston Celtics at Toyota Center for HGS and GSH members if you buy by March 10th. Big thanks to Steve Levine for this one!March 21, HGS International Dinner, Dr. Sandro Serra, Consultant, "Structural Trap Styles of Large Gas Discoveries, Tarim Basin, Western China," Westchase Hilton, Social 5:30, Dinner 6:30.March 28, HGS North American Dinner, Robert J. Scott, "The Maverick Basin -- New Technology, New Success," Westchase Hilton, Social 5:30, Dinner 6:30.March 30, HGS General Luncheon, Rick Fowler and Ed Frame, "Rigel Field Appraisal and Development", Petroleum Club, 11:15 Social, 11:45 Lunch, $30/35.April 2, Keep 5 Alive community service project on Saturday, April 2 . The 177 year-old Evergreen Negro Cemetery located at Lockwood at Market needs cleaning and fence repair. Work with ConocoPhillips employees and Wheatley High School senior students. More detailed information coming soon on the HGS Website. Volunteers are also needed for Preparation on March 26th. Free HGS T-shirts for all volunteers attending. Call the HGS office to sign up.April 23, HGS Road Rally. This fun annual event gives you clues to cultural, historical and geological sites in and around Houston. T-shirts, coffee & donuts, and lots of fun for all participants, trophies to the winners! Driving teams forming now. Contact Diane Yeager at 713-646-1138 or fill in the application on the HGS web site.Published 7 March, 2005
Advances in Hydrographic Systems Aid Hydrocarbon Explorationand Geohazard EvaluationA paper presented to the HGS Northsiders Luncheon on April 19, 2005.ABSTRACTSeafloor mapping systems, originally developed for defense purposes, were applied to academic projects as early as the 1970’s. Such systems were first applied commercially to cable route surveys with the increase in global telecommunications traffic and explosion in fiber-optic cable laying in the 1980’s. In the 1990’s, two separate trends lead to an increase in hydrographic surveys for the oil industry. First, the resolution of mapping systems improved significantly, and second, the push to deeper water made such systems relevant to oil industry problems. Marine geologists and geophysicists are accustomed to the 100% seafloor image that results from a good water bottom pick from 3D seismic data. Hydrographic systems can provide a similar image. The water bottom obtained from seismic can proved bathymetry and amplitude (a function of impedance), whereas the water bottom obtained from a hydrographic system can provide bathymetry and backscatter (a function of impedance and roughness, as well as volumentric scatterring from below the mudline). 3D seismic can of course provide a volume of data, allowing sub-surface horizons and faults to be picked with confidence. Hydrographic surveys provide a comprehensive image of only the seafloor horizon. Hydrographic surveys, however, can be conducted rapidly, although the amount of area surveyed per day will decrease as a function of water depth (800 sq. km. per day in water deeper than 1000m; 400 sq. km. per day in water depths of ~500m; 100 sq. km. per day in water depths of ~100m). Data can be processed within 12 hours of acquisition, and cost approximately 100 times less than 3D seismic (per sq. km.). In this presentation, we will discuss the application of hydrographic techniques to both exploration and geohazards. ExplorationIn exploration, a hydrographic survey can be the foundation of a two-stage field program whose objective is to reduce exploration risk or rank prospect areas, typically in a block with little previous exploration and no known discoveries. We typically begin with an analysis of satellite derived synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, which can image sea surface slicks. Such slicks may provide an indication of hydrocarbon seepage to the sea surface, and the location of the slicks can be tied to the possible sea-floor origination points of the seeps. Our approach for the first stage of the survey is to combine a hull-mounted survey system (mulutibeam) with other acquisition programs that are amenable to a ’mowing the lawn’ survey strategy; this can include the acquisition of gravity, magnetics, and sub-bottom profiler. The combination of these data sets can define the tectonic fabric within a block, indicate the presence of volcanics or the location of thick basin sequences, image shallow faults and indications of fluids at and immediately below the mud-line (Figure 1).Such ’mowing the lawn’ surveys can be conducted at 10 knots, with short (15 minute) line turns. We can also acquire 2D seismic data during these surveys, although this requires a slower survey speed (4.5 kt. max), and the 2D is typically a hybrid between the traditional long-cable 2D and the short-cable used for geohazard surveys. In previous programs, we have used a 4.5km streamer and 1700 cu. in. gun array to acquire 8 second data (25m bin) at a survey speed of 4.5 knots. Figure 1: Hydrographic survey (multibeam bathymetry) of a mud volcano province in an exploration region. Colors indicate depth (warmer colors = shallower), whereas brightness indicates slope (edge map). Note the broad seafloor dome, and the numerous circular highs in the field of view. These circular highs indicate the presence of “mud volcanoes” up to 1500m across, which may provide conduits for fluids from depth. Regions of rapidly changing slope suggest geologic “youthfulness”, and can be used to guide sampling strategies when combined with multibeam backscatter. Inset: photograph of a small positive relief ‘gryphon’ (side vent) on the Dashkili mud volcano, Azerbaijan, showing actively seeping (bubbling) hydrocarbon-rich fluids. Knife for scale. Note small mud flow in background.100% seafloor maps of an area can provide valuable information regarding the tectonic and sedimentary processes that are active today, or that have been recently active and impact the seafloor (e.g.: Figure 2). For example, the location of seafloor slumps may provide information on the distribution of shallow gas charging or hydrate, or the location and style of slope canyons can provide information on the style of sediment by-passing of the slope to basin floor fans. ”The present is the key to the past”, and we have found in previous projects that the high-resolution data we acquire at the mudline can be applied to exploration relevant questions. Figure 2: Multibeam data maps of an exploration block approximately 40 km x 80 km in the central Makassar Straits, Indonesia (after Decker et al., 2004). On the left is a high resolution bathymetric map (25m bin size; no interpolation or smoothing; water depths range from 2250 to 2450m) and on the right is a backscatter mosaic (5m pixel) from the same area (backscatter ranges from a high of -5 db (light) to a low of -60 db (dark)). The survey of this block documented an unexpected (based on bathymetry alone) and spectacular basin floor fan, which was subsequently sampled to evaluate the origin of the backscatter and the sediment distribution within the channel-fan system. The first stage data can be processed and interpreted to identify possible sites of seafloor fluid seepage. By applying a stacking approach similar to that used for seismic, on hull-mounted surveys acquired at up to 10 knots we have been able to achieve a bathymetric bin size of 25m, and a backscatter pixel size of 5m in water depths up to 2500m deep. This resolution is sufficient to identify relatively small sites of fluid seepage on the seafloor. The acquisition systems can be adjusted to acquire more square kilometers per day (wider swaths), athough this will result in lower resolution data.
March, 2005 HGS Bulletin in HTML Format
March, 2005 HGS Bulletin in PDF Format (4.8 megabytes)
Regular Monthly Articles:
From the President
From the Editor
GeoEvents Calendar
Webnotes
HGA/GeoWives
Professional Directory
Letters to the Editor
Feature Articles:
An Interview with Jim Hackett, Anadarko Petroleum CEO, by Arthur Berman
NAPE 2005. Article and Photos by Arthur Berman
Gold! Adult Education Programs at the HMNS
Louisiana Oil and Gas Park, Jennings Louisiana by Burt and Mary Tietje
Governmental Update
Career ChoicesDear HGS Bulletin Editor: It was with a semi-heavy heart that I read a reminder in a recent HGS Bulletin that the particular issue would be the last for members who hadn’t paid their 2004-2005 dues. The comment reminded me that next year will mark my own last issue, since I’m in the process of dropping most memberships in oil and gas related organizations now that I’m one of those 60+ year-old geophysicists/geologists who has been nudged into retirement and/or new careers by company downsizings. I may not get much sympathy, since I have now moved from Houston back to Western Colorado, where my grandchildren represent the sixth generation of our family to have continuously lived and worked in the county. I, also, now have an interesting, low-paying, government job.I stayed in Houston a little longer than I should have, since I thought anyone should be able to sell a 300 BCF prospect that was simple to understand and was documented in numerous industry and academic publications – even without the 3-D survey. How wrong I was – probably due to underestimating the negative impact of the relatively large $3-4MM drilling costs and the probability of minor (if there is such a thing) amounts of CO2 and H2S. The inability to get access to the 3-D dataset again and the generally poor market for wildcat prospects probably didn’t help either, even though the majority of the acreage was available.I would like to offer a couple of comments and bits of advice from my biased, but distant, perspective. First, give yourself no more than two years to remain in the pool of prospect promoters/consultants if you know you would really prefer to live in another part of the country. Move back there and start something new, particularly, if you haven’t made something equivalent to six months of your previous salary or sold half your prospect within that two-year period of time. Second, become active in the local and national professional societies. Looking back from the outside via recent articles in the Bulletin, Explorer, and The Leading Edge, it’s my opinion that officers and volunteers are trying about everything that can possibly be tried with the time and resources available – look at the attempts to reorganize society operations to become more efficient, put everything on the internet, etc. The first volunteer job is the hardest to commit to – the rest come almost too easily, until you’re president of something. For example, the 75th Annual SEG Convention will be held in Houston next fall, and you’ll find the times set for those committee meetings fit most schedules better than do the times for most Luncheon and Technical meetings. The last time I volunteered to work on the OTC, I got in free and got free parking.Right now, I plan to retire my 70-page report of maps and displays along with the package of detail logs to the basement (for those of you in Houston and New Orleans, that’s a big hole in the ground under your house where you put the kids’ bedrooms and store stuff) while I wait for the next boom.Jim Wood1390 East 3rd StreetDelta, Colorado 81416Phone: 970-874-5036E-mail: jawood04@msn.comE-mail-2: jawood.63@alum.mines.edu Mr. Berman, As a person who has lost a work companion (his wife, aunty and uncle also died), I am disgusted in you smug article of how you ‘could have told us it was going to happen’ or ‘that it should not have been a surprise.Someday when you loose a friend or family member (in a motor vehicle accident) and someone tells you – I could have predicted they would die in a road accident, don’t you read the statistics – I am sure you will be understanding and laugh it off.You really must be a jerk.If you want to continue such article or follow this matter further, you have my e-mail address, I can assure you I will forward all such articles and communications to the appropriate people within the oil and gas industry.Thank you for nothing.David RichardsPrincipal ConsultantAustralian Industry Training Providers Pty Ltd Mr. Arthur E. BermanEditorHouston Geological Society Bulletin Dear Mr. Editor,My learned friend, Dr. István Bérczi, President of the Hungarian Geological Society has relayed to me your article "The Northern Sumatra Earthquake of 2004" published in the latest number of your Bulletin. The article is an exceptionally well written presentation of the scientific background of this unprecedented cataclysm. Please accept the warm congratulations of a layman who witnessed this tragic event from the direct neighbourhood (Java). I wonder, whether you would consent to this article being circulated among top Indonesian decision makers and foreign diplomats based in Jakarta, for a more profound understanding of what really happened. I would be honored if my Embassy could disseminate your article, truly a gem of science made comprehensible to the un-initiated. The current international summit on infrastructure development under way in Jakarta, attended by most Government ministers and top businessmen of Indonesia, would be an exceptionally good setting to distribute your article, in, let's say, 50-100 copies. If you consent to my idea, my Embassy is ready to do the job. This unorthodox approach might be useful as the people I mentioned would rarely have the opportunity to reach your website or obtain your publication. I hope I am not overtly intrusive with my approach.Seeking your indulgence, I remain, Sir, most respectfully, Dr. György Busztin Ambassador of Hungary in Jakarta Sir: I, too, made the 100th anniversary field trip to Spindletop, led by Mike Halbouty.What was not mentioned in the recent HGS articles, however, is the fact that Mr. Halbouty also led the 50th anniversary field trip to Spindletop.Truly remarkable! Respectfully,Bil KalilHGS Member #3587Dear Art:I would like to congratulate you to your HGS Editor's Letters. They are well written, extremely lucid and to the point. Most importantly, they address very relevant issues. I can hardly wait for the next one to arrive.
Louisiana Oil and Gas ParkThe birthplace of the Louisiana oil industry is looking to build a museum to commemorate the momentous event which took place in September 1901. The discovery well was located about five miles northeast of the south Louisiana town of Jennings. Drillers penetrated a high-pressure oil sand at 1832 feet on top of a salt dome and the resulting gusher signaled the beginning of the oil industry in the state. The city has long eyed the project ever since the state legislature dedicated 11 acres of land as the Louisiana Oil and Gas Park in 1975 alongside the Jennings exit on Interstate 10. The project languished for years until the city hosted the Louisiana Oil Centennial celebration in 2001. The successful centennial celebration produced a surplus of funds that was earmarked as seed money for the museum effort. Additional planning money was secured from the state and a separate foundation was established to oversee the effort.The Louisiana Oil and Gas Museum Foundation hired Burt Tietje as executive director and charged him with developing the project. The foundation has established its 501-c3 status with the IRS and has hired Southwest Museum Services of Houston as consultants to help write the master plan for the museum. “We have had the luxury of a well funded project and have taken the time to be very deliberate in our decision-making. We don’t want to make any mistakes in this process,” said Tietje. “We feel we will be successful raising funds for the museum project only if our plan is good enough. We have good local story to tell about the discovery of oil and hope to partner with those in the industry who want to tell the wider story of the oil industry.”“Our location in the park along side Interstate 10 offers unparalleled visibility and accessibility to the 14 million vehicles passing each year. We will partner with our parish Tourist Commission which already operates in the park and registers over 30,000 visitors a year with its mix of information and a live alligator exhibit. Those are very powerful numbers for any museum to begin with,” said Tietje. Exhibits about geology and history will, of course, will be central to our story,” said Tietje, “but I would like to explore other avenues like a geologist’s hall of fame to honor a portion of the industry that has produced many remarkable men and women whose stories have not been told. Most of today’s hope for the industry lies in advances in seismic technology and the geologist’s ability to use it.” Education will be central to the mission of the museum. Programs will center not only on history but also the physical sciences and even sociology and ecology. The group has received a lead donation from the Zigler Foundation of $500,000 and has raised some $1.3 million to date. Mr. Gene Gibson of Arizona, whose grandfather Elmer Dobbins was the driller on the discovery well, has been an early and enthusiastic supporter of the museum concept. When he ran across a restored 1918 Oldsmobile oil hauling truck for sale in Kansas, he just had to have it for the future museum. “Gertie,” as the truck is affectionately called, is on display temporarily in Oregon where it awaits the completion of its home in Louisiana. “This will be a great object to use in fundraising and publicity,” said Tietje “as well as a valuable addition to our exhibits.”
HGA and GeoWives News for March, 2005by Vicky Pickering, 3rd Vice President, HGAHGA News:It is time to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather in Houston. Come join the ladies of HGA for two luncheons.Thursday, March 31, 2005 the ladies of HGA will enjoy a Spring Style Show with Fashions by Harrold Powell with luncheon at the Houston Racquet Club. Shirley Gordon and Norma Jean Bacho will chair this luncheon with their excellent committee.On Thursday, May 12, 2005, HGA will have the yearly Business Luncheon with musical entertainment by The Kingsmen, a barbershop chorus. Lois Matuzsak will be chairperson of this party with her able committee.Two bridge groups are available for those interested in bridge. Contacts are Audrey Tompkins at 713-686-0005 and Daisy Wood at 713-977-7319.Wives of members of HGS and women geologist members of HGS are invited to be members of HGA. Contact our president Margaret Jones at 281-558-3171 for information on membership.GeoWives News:In March Lois Matuszak is preparing a wonderful program on India. April 14, 2005 is the Spring Trip for GeoWives. They are going to the oldest town in Texas – Nacogdoches. There are many sites involving Texas history as well as the oil industry. Hostesses are Martha Lou Broussard and Linnie Edwards. Mark you calendar for a fun-filled day.
