Research being conducted by faculty members and
students in the Department of Geology/Geography is constantly being
presented at regional and national meetings.
During Spring 2005 research will be presented
by the following individuals:
During Fall 2004 research will be presented by the following individuals:
During Spring 2004 research was presented by
the following individuals:
Craig
Chesner
Michael Cornebise
Jim Davis
Steve DiNaso
Vince Gutowski
Bridget Hellwig
Robert Jorstad
Belayet Khan
Kaitlin McCormick
Michael Skridulis
John Stimac
TOTAL STATION AND GPS METHODOLOGIES AID SURFACE MAPPING OF ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
DINASO, Steven M., Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ, Charleston, IL 61920-3099, Sweeney, Michael M., Village of Downers Grove GPS Specialist, GUTOWSKI, Vincent P., Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ, Charleston, IL 61920-3099, Henson, Harvey, Southern Illinois University, GORNY, James R., Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ, Charleston, IL 61920-3099, Dove, David, Archaeologist, Mitchell Springs Ruins Group Archeologist, and Dove, Donald, Mitchell Springs Ruins Group Archeologist.
The entire article can be found online at http://www.pobonline.com in the August 2004 issue, pages 26 - 27.
Link to a PDF of the article.
| AN ONLINE
STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN OF KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA
GARNER, Kelsey and JORSTAD, Robert B., Geology/Geography Department, Eastern Illinois Univ, Charleston, IL 61920, kelso983@yahoo.com As part of the Stratigraphy course, Eastern Illinois University undergraduate geology majors are required to perform library research on the geology of a national park. With the information obtained, students construct a stratigraphic column for the park. The column is included in a written report that is placed on the web and presented orally to the class. Students examine each others columns as an introduction to the peer review process. Placement on the web provides an outreach service for the geoscience community. While researching Kenai Fjords National Park, it became obvious that there is very little detailed published geologic information pertinent to this park. This is due in part to the park’s inaccessibility and coverage by the Harding Icefield. This paucity of information combined with a desire to visit this Alaskan park in the future were important considerations in seeking a better understanding of the lithostratigraphy of the park. The online column is the most detailed that is readily available and can be found at http://oldsci.eiu.edu/geology/parks/kefj/kefj.html 2004 Denver Annual Meeting (November 7–10, 2004) General Information for this Meeting Session No. 24--Booth# 135 Sigma Gamma Epsilon Student Research (Posters) Colorado Convention Center: Exhibit Hall 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, Sunday, November 7, 2004 Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 36, No. 5, p. 0 |
| AN ANALOG AND MATHEMATICAL MODELING RESOURCE
CATALOG FOR UNDERGRADUATE STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY COURSES STIMAC, John P., Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ, Charleston, IL 61920-3099, jpstimac@eiu.edu, COOKE, Michele L., Geosciences, Univ of Massachusetts, 611 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003-9297, CRIDER, Juliet G., Geology, Western Washington Univ, 516 High Street, MS 9080, Bellingham, WA 98225, JIANG, Dazhi, Department of Geology, Univ of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, RESOR, Phillip, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Wesleyan Univ, 265 Church Street, Middletown, CT 06459, TIKOFF, Basil, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, Univ of Wisconsin-Madison, 1215 W. Dayton St, Madison, WI 53706, and TORO, Jaime, Depart. of Geology & Geography, West Virginia Univ, 425 White Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506 The Modeling Structural Processes Working Group of the recent NAGT Workshop: "Teaching Structural Geology in the 21st Century" (TSG21) presents a catalog of models used in the teaching of structural geology to undergraduate students. Structural geology models are simplified constructs of complex earth system processes that have long been known to engage students and enhance their intuition of the deformation of earth materials. We recognize four classes of models: conceptual models, data representation models (including maps, stereonets, three-dimensional renderings, and statistical descriptions), analog models (including experiments with rock and non-rock materials), and mathematical models (including analytical expressions and deterministic or stochastic numerical models). We have limited this teaching catalog to analog and mathematical (including analytical, numeric, and statistical). Crider et al. (this session) address the educational goals of using models to address different learning objectives. The premise behind modeling in structural geology is to understand how earth materials deform. We have divided the analog and mathematical modeling resources by subject matter and activity length (in-class demonstration to long-term projects). All presented models share a number of characteristics: they are accelerated relative to natural phenomena; they are descriptive; they can handle large variations in problem type; they allow the selection of appropriate variables and alternatives for comparison back to known parameters, and they show the complexity of natural systems. Goals for the Modeling Structural Processes
resource collection include a searchable catalog of analog and
mathematical models useful for teaching, with photos, reviews, and a
discussion of their best use in the classroom. Entries will include
limits and assumptions made using the models and a list of "expert"
contacts concerning the various models. We hope that this catalog of
models will serve as a teaching resource for structural geology
instructors, but success relies on the completeness of the catalog. We
encourage our colleagues to consider contributions to this site by
contacting either Michele Cooke (cooke@geo.umass.edu) or Basil Tikoff
(basil@geology.wisc.edu). General Information for this Meeting Session No. 186--Booth# 100 Teaching Structural Geology in the 21st Century (Posters) Colorado Convention Center: Exhibit Hall 1:30 PM-5:30 PM, Tuesday, November 9, 2004 Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 36, No. 5, p. 0 |
| USING ANALOG AND MATHEMATICAL MODELS TO
ADDRESS MULTIPLE LEARNING OBJECTIVES IN UNDERGRADUATE STRUCTURAL
GEOLOGY COURSES CRIDER, Juliet G., Geology, Western Washington Univ, 516 High Street, MS 9080, Bellingham, WA 98225, criderj@cc.wwu.edu, COOKE, Michele L., Geosciences, Univ of Massachusetts, 611 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003-9297, JIANG, Dazhi, Department of Geology, Univ of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, RESOR, Phillip, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Wesleyan Univ, 265 Church Street, Middletown, CT 06459, STIMAC, John P., Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ, Charleston, IL 61920-3099, TIKOFF, Basil, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, Univ of Wisconsin-Madison, 1215 W. Dayton St, Madison, WI 53706, and TORO, Jaime, Depart. of Geology & Geography, West Virginia Univ, 425 White Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506 Models are useful for teaching about the scientific process and the complex phenomena we investigate. Stimac et al. (this session) introduce the Modeling Structural Processes resource collection, initiated at the Teaching Structural Geology in the 21st Century (TSG21) summer workshop. The TSG21 Modeling resource collection will catalog analog and mathematical models useful for teaching. From a topical standpoint, such models are used to illustrate 1) geometries of structures, 2) properties of rocks, and 3) deformation processes. Models also address a number of other learning objectives. In this contribution, we describe some other learning goals that may be addressed using models in the classroom, and we showcase modeling exercises from the TSG21 resource collection that address those learning goals. Models can be used to improve student learning
by engaging students with the material; building students' intuition
about geometry, properties or process; and addressing multiple learning
styles. Models are useful for guiding students to make careful
observations, in preparation for "noisier" field experiences. Models
may be used to develop students' quantitative literacy, especially when
analog and mathematical models are paired. Quantitative literacy may be
honed as students perform data collection and analysis in a modeling
exercise. Projects involving hypothesis generation and testing are
readily accomplished with analog and mathematical models. Ultimately,
students may learn to critically evaluate models with respect to the
structural geologic process they are meant to represent. Teaching with
models engages students in the practice of science, in which the
development, application and evaluation of models is central. Teaching Structural Geology in the 21st Century Colorado Convention Center: 703 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, Tuesday, November 9, 2004 Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 36, No. 5, p. 0 |
AN
ANALYSIS OF BELIZEAN INTERNATIONAL IN- AND OUT-MIGRATION TRENDS
CORNEBISE, Michael, Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ,
Charleston, IL 61920 mwcornebise@eiu.edu
The population composition of Belize has changed significantly since
the country achieved independence from the U.K. in 1981 leading to
profound social, political and economic implications at home and
abroad. At a general level, much of this can be explained by the net
out-migration of Belizean "Creoles" (Kriols) coupled with net
in-migration of Spanish-speaking "Mestizos" from various countries of
origin. Additionally, Belize is home to regionally significant ethnic
groups (including pockets of Garifuna, Chinese, and Mennonites, among
others), each exhibiting unique population flows. This poster draws
from Belizean and U.S. census data along with field-derived data to
analyze Belize’s international in- and out-migration trends. A case
study focused on Belizean population patterns in the Chicago area
assesses the role of chain migration. Detailed analyses of selected
Belizean communities serve to further contextualize the dynamism of
Belize's population over the past 20 years.
The Association of American Geographers 100th Annual Meeting in
Philadelphia, PA (March 14-19, 2004).
WELCOME SIGNS: CREATING A SENSE OF PLACE IN MIDWESTERN RURAL COMMUNITIES
DAVIS, Jim A., Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ, 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920, jadavis2@eiu.edu
Rural communities in America have a unique sense of place. One common bond that these communities share is the presence of welcome signs at their city limits. This study is designed to examine these signs and evaluate how they reflect the culture of the region and provide a sense of place for the community. Extensive field work was conducted in North-Central Missouri and Central Illinois. Only communities under 10,000 in population were included in the study. A typology is presented to illustrate the themes represented by the signs. It was found that the welcome signs reflect many of the popular images of the Midwest that have been written about by other geographers and also provide us a glimpse of other images that characterize the Midwest.
The Association of American Geographers 100th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA (March 14-19, 2004).
A PRECISION, NON-INVASIVE SURVEY OF PUEBLO RUINS IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO
GUTOWSKI, Vincent P., Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ, 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920, vpgutowski@eiu.edu, DiNaso, Steven, Village of Downers Grove, and Henson, Harvey, Southern Illinois University.
Investigation of pueblo ruins on private lands near Cortez and Dove Creek, Colorado, has provided a unique opportunity for collaborative efforts of archeologists, anthropologists, geographers, and geophysicists. Having been slightly to moderately disturbed, the Mitchell Springs and Dove Creek sites exemplify the efforts of owners to investigate what lies beneath the surface, while maintaining and preserving the major portion of both sites. Non-invasive mapping and exploration methodologies have allowed recognition of surface and subsurface structures with little or no disturbance to the sites, thereby preserving such features for later generations.
The ruins represent dwelling and ceremonial structures of a group of Native Americans that occupied the Colorado Plateau area of the southwestern U.S. c.a. AD900 - AD 1000. Residing on two separate knolls, the ruins take the form of several large and small room blocks, with as many as 15 to 20 associated kivas. The importance of these vestiges lies in the fact that they represent a little studied era in the prehistory of the people of the Four Corners area.
A Leica SR530 Geodetic Receiver and Base were used to establish UTM 12 grid coordinates at on site monuments using static observations of at least four hours duration during a window of low GDOP and high satellite visibility. Raw GPS data sent to OPUS (Online Positioning User Service) at NGS (National Geodetic Survey) was processed and received via internet. Point data included topography, creeks, roads and paths, fence lines, and artifacts that were mapped at survey grade accuracy. The establishment of accurate horizontal and vertical control, detailed site topography, placement of excavation units, and grid development are all fundamental tasks on a working archaeology site. This site is unique in that all features have been surveyed to real-world coordinates at decimeter accuracy, allowing future researchers to work off established monuments. Subsurface exploration, using geophysical instruments focused archeologists efforts to determine the location of buried structures such as pueblo walls and fire pits, thus minimizing time in the field and area of ground disturbed.
The Association of American Geographers 100th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA (March 14-19, 2004).
AN X-RAY DIFFRACTION STUDY OF ROCKS FROM SAN MIGUEL VOLCANO, EL SALVADOR
HELLWIG, Bridget M. and CHESNER, Craig A., Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ, 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920, bri_725@yahoo.com
San Miguel is a composite cone that has dominantly erupted basaltic lava flows. Historic flank lavas and prehistoric crater lavas can be distinguished by their CaO, Al2O3, and Sr contents. Two small populations of basaltic andesites can be distinguished by their V contents. All San Miguel lavas contain phenocrysts of plag, ol, opx, ± mag, and the groundmass consists mostly of plag, cpx, mag, and glass. We believe that variations in major and trace element geochemistry among the different sample groups can be directly related to fractionation of varying proportions of phenocrysts. One method to test this hypothesis requires the accurate determination of modal mineralogy. This is typically done through exhaustive point-counting to determine both phenocryst and groundmass modes. However, with advances in X-Ray Diffraction technology and data reduction software, it may now be possible to make these determinations on rock samples. A major component of our study is to evaluate the feasibility of using an X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) to determine the crystallinity and qualitative and quantitative mineralogy of volcanic rocks. In order to assess the ability of the XRD to determine crystallinities, several samples with varying proportions of crystals and glass were point-counted. Powders of these rock samples were then run on the XRD to acquire diffraction patterns. These patterns were processed using background and profile fitting techniques, and then crystallinity calculations were performed on the refined patterns. Results from 4 samples with crystallinities ranging from 47-91% indicate near perfect concurrence between crystallinities determined by point-counting and those from the diffraction patterns. Deviation between the techniques was <1.3%. Evaluating the ability of the XRD to accurately determine the qualitative mineralogy of rock samples containing solid-solution minerals could not be done using end-member mineral patterns from the Powder Diffraction File. Thus, we performed mineral separations on selected rocks and determined diffraction patterns for each mineral. These patterns will be used to determine whether mineralogy can be accurately determined from the diffraction pattern of the rock sample. We hope to eventually determine quantitative mineralogy from rock diffraction patterns also.
Rocky Mountain (56th Annual) and Cordilleran (100th Annual) Joint Meeting (May 3–5, 2004)
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 36, No. 4, p. 89
SOME ASPECTS OF RECENT WEATHER PATTERNS IN BANGLADESH
KHAN, Belayet, Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ, 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920, bhkhan@eiu.edu
South Asian region, like many parts of the world, has experienced fluctuations in its weather conditions in recent times. The present study makes an attempt to evaluate any temporal and spatial patterns that may exist in the weather variability of the area with special reference to Bangladesh. A set of meteorological parameters including temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind speed covering the geographical breadth of the country has been chosen for the study. The paper further looks into any anomalies in the weather patterns of Bangladesh that may be linked to the two most severe El Nino occurrences of 1982-1983 and 1997-1998. Any fruitful outcome of the research should yield valuable information for local planners and forecasters.
The Association of American Geographers 100th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA (March 14-19, 2004).
NATIONAL PARK STRATIGRAPHY ON THE WEB: A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
MCCORMICK, Kaitlin and JORSTAD, Robert B., Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ, Charleston, IL 61920, kamackie2182@yahoo.com
As part of the undergraduate stratigraphy class at Eastern Illinois University, students write a report on the lithostratigraphy of a national park ot [sic] their choosing. Reports are subjected to review by other class members as an introduction to the peer review process. Under close faculty supervision, the report is then revised in HTML and placed on a university web server and linked to the National Park Stratigraphy Page at http://oldsci.eiu.edu/geology/parks/parkstrat.htm After placement on the web students orally present the page contents to other class members.
The project also gives the students the experience of translating information from a geologic map into a stratigraphic column. Students benefit from this project by being able to visualize and understand the stratigraphy of another area without having to visit the location. The students also gain experience writing and giving professional type reports; which are important professional skills. An example is the page on Dinosaur National Monument at http://oldsci.eiu.edu/geology/parks/dino/dino.html
North-Central Section - 38th Annual Meeting (April 1–2, 2004)
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 36, No. 3, p. 9
A COMPARISON OF THE HOUGH TRANSFORM WITH MANUAL VISUAL INSPECTION OF DLG DRAINAGE PATTERNS AND THEIR CORRESPONDENCE TO STRUCTURAL CONTROLS BY THE UNDERLYING BEDROCK, CLARK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
STIMAC, John P. and SKRIDULIS, Michael, Geology/Geography, Eastern Illinois Univ, Charleston, IL 61920-3099, cumjs3@eiu.edu
Orthogonal north-south and east-west joint sets along the Rocky Branch of Big Creek in the Pennsylvanian Mattoon Formation of Clark County, Illinois (northeast of Clarksville; E1/2, Section 30, T12N, R12W) were mapped. These joint sets, as well as regional large-scale structural features (e.g., Charleston Monocline, Edgar Monocline, Marshall-Sidell Syncline, La Salle Anticlinorium, and eastern margin of the Illinois Basin) all exert some control on surficial drainage patterns even though Quaternary overburden ranges from a few meters to nearly 75 meters thick.
The Hough transform was applied to a Digital Line Graph (DLG) or Digital Elevation Model (DEM) from which stream intersections were identified. The Hough transform mapped all possible lines through each intersection point onto a plane described by r (distance, from the origin, of a normal to the line) and q (angle from horizontal of the normal) with the equation r=x*cos (q) + y*sin (q), where x and y are the coordinates of the stream intersection. Alignments are chosen as maxima in the accumulator matrix and mapped back to image space in order to get azimuthal orientations. Several maxima can be chosen above an arbitrary threshold.
A second technique was manual visual inspection of the DLG or DEM and recording a best-fit orientation of stream segments. Rose diagrams of stream orientations were then plotted.
A comparison of both techniques to joint orientations in the underlying Mattoon Formation indicates a relatively large degree of similarity. Similarities increased, as expected, with decreasing overburden thicknesses as well as with increasing dominance of underlying structure (e.g., major anticlinorium).
North-Central Section - 38th Annual Meeting (April 1–2, 2004)
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 36, No. 3, p. 12
Last modified 3 December 2005