Undergraduate Research
1995 On-Campus Abstracts
Paleontologic Analysis of the Arkose Shale and Hungry Hollow Formation: A Multimedia Presentation
Max Boettger, Julie Stinson, and Charles Wriska
Faculty Sponsors: Michael Stinson, Reed Wicander
Abstract: During the Fall of 1994, a group of students from the geology Department of Central Michigan University, led by Reed Wicander, went on a reconnaissance fossil collecting trip to Arkona, Ontario, Canada. At the collecting site, Middle Devonian fossils from a 23.5-foot outcrop of the Arkona Shale and Hungry Hollow Formation were collected for paleonotological analysis. Student research papers were based on the stratigraphy of the area, identification of the fossils, and determination of the food web of the fossil fauna from the collection site.
Students from the Central Michigan University department of Computer Science have developed a multimedia presentation based on one of the research papers. The multimedia presentation highlights several aspects of the research and provides a general background to invertebrate marine life during the Middle Devonian Period in the mid-continent area. Th e multimedia presentation allows interested users to examine pictures, text, and maps of the area to enhance their understanding of the research.
The computer environment will allow users the point-the click interactive ability to choose additional information on the fossil site, and the geologic time scale will be a central icon from which information on the stratigraphy of the collection site, and the Middle Devonian marine food wed can be retrieved. Pictures of the fossil species and their paleoenvironment will also be among the selection options.
Finally, this multimedia approach will include hand specimens of fossils collected from the two formations to give users actual examples of the fossils illustrated and discussed in the computer presentation.
Cenozoic Tuffs of the Pole Creek 7.5' Quadrangle, Humboldt County, Nevada
Matthew Carlson, Thomas Purdy, Kevin O'Brien, and Dean Govan
Faculty Sponsor: Stephen Stahl
Abstract: The Pole Creek 7.5' quadrangle map covers the northeastern section of the Sonoma Range immediately southeast of Winnemucca in Humboldt County, Nevada. The area has been mapped previously by two generations. The first effort was by Ferguson, Muller, and Roberts in 1951, who mapped as an undivided unit. The second effort was by J. G. Gilluly in 1967. He mapped the Winnemucca 15' quadrangle at a scale of 1:62,500, and divided the Cenozoic rocks into units on the basis of how well the rocks was welded.
As part of the USGS effort to update the geologic maps, the 1993 and 1994 field camps from the Central Michigan University geology Department have remapped the Pole Creek 7.5' quadrangle. The map is at a scale of 1:24,000. 1994 campers finished the amp by doing the northern section and have divided the exposures of Cenozoic tuffaceous rocks into four different layers based on color, welding, and composition. These layers from oldest to youngest are: Pole Greek tuff, unnamed air fall ash, two unnamed lahar deposits, and the Juniper Ridge tuff.
The Juniper Ridge tuff is mainly a vitric crystal Lapilli-ash tuff. The color of the Juniper Ridge tuff Ranges from a light gray to a dark red and is mainly mauve. The Pole Creek Tuff is mostly a vitric ash tuff. The color of the air fall ash ranges from white to off-white and is mainly white. The lahars are vitric ash with clasts of volcanic and Paleozoic rock ranging from 2cm to greater than 2m.
Groundwater Flow and Cavern Orientation Determined from Shallow Seismic Reflection Refraction
Daniel Droste, Dean Govan, and Matthew Carlson
Faculty Sponsor: Stephen Stahl
Abstract: A geographical investigation was conducted at a sinkhole in Alpena Limestone located in the north-central part of Alpena County. Significant amounts of surface and groundwater flow into the sinkhole without pooling. The absence of pooling indicates the probable presence of a significant cavern to which the sinkhole would be an adit.
Shallow seismic reflection and refraction surveys were performed to prospect for the purported cavern. The equipment used to carry out the survey was an EG&G shallow exploration seismography Model ES-1225. The seismography was set up such that it had automatic gain control to keep amplitudes on scale.
The reflection survey was done using the “optimum window” to a “common offset” technique due to the shallow depths. The goal was to minimize two different types of seismic noise. The first is ground roll, or surface waves that are a result of the hammer blast. To avoid these arrivals, the distance between the source and first receiver was set at 50 feet. The second type of noise is caused from direct waves, or body waves traveling through the overburden. This noise was reduced by maintaining a distance of no more than 170 feet between the seismic source and the last receiver. A spacing interval of 10 feet was used for the 12 geophones. The ground was hammered 4 times to enhance the signals and reduce random noise. To reduce harmonic noise the low pass filter was set at 100Hz and the high pass filter was set at 500Hz. Surveys were done utilizing vertical and horizontal geophones; polarization of S-waves was examined by duplicate surveys the horizontal geophones at orthogonal orientations. The refraction survey followed the same parameters as above except that the near offset was 10 feet. Preliminary results indicate velocity polarization of S waves. This is consistent with joint system-enhanced porosity, which is frequently important to cave development.
Reevaluation of Metamorphism in the Peavy Node, Iron County, Michigan
Michael Emilio
Faculty sponsor: Eric Johnson
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to re-examine the spatial pressure and temperature relationships within the Peavy node (Iron Co., MI) during the metamorphism to determine if the present day nodal isograde pattern is an artifact of deformation via a product of the juxtaposition by later faulting. The Bush lake reverse fault runs east-west across the field area and is major fault which clearly offsets the isogrades by thrusting staurolite on to biotite grade rocks. To the north, other faults have been recently defined and reported as east west trending. The evidence of these faults along with topographic evidence including the east west trend of the old Michigamme river had indicate that fault slices may actually be present within the study area. Using the current garnet-biotite temperatures and pressures, the geothermal gradient for the geothermal for the area is calculated up to 120 degrees Celsius per kilometer. This is extremely high gradient for this tectonic setting. Island arc – continent usually have a geothermal gradient of about 30-40 degrees C/km. Complicating the matter is the previously unexplored secondary mineral growths, which may have skewed the interpretation of the geothermometry, and barometric data that is currently accepted. The aforementioned secondary metamorphic overprint in these rocks ranges up to garnet grade, but are mostly biotite overgrowth fabrics. This secondary metamorphic event resulted in alteration of the staurolite and garnet porphoblasts along with the large overgrowth of biotite across the foliation fabric. A reevaluation of the garnet-biotite geothermometry has been done in order to gain a better constrain the data and elucidate the effects, if any, of the observations of secondary mineralization event. This research should provide a better understanding of the spatial, metamorphic relationships within the Peavy Node bullseye pattern in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northern Wisconsin.
Polyphase Deformation in Late Triassic Basinal Rocks, Northern Bloody Run Hills, Humboldt County, Nevada
Dean Govan
Faculty Sponsor: Stephen Stahl
Abstract: A road cut located in the Bloody run Hills revealed some interesting geology. The exposed rock is located about 25 miles north of Winnemucca, Nevada on the north East Side of Highway 95. The exposed rock consists of basinal deposits of graded mudstone and sandstones, that are Late Triassic to Early Jurassic in age. The original deposition of the sediments was determined to be the middle fan location in the Bouma Sequence containing units bce and ce. The strata are now highly deformed at this location. The rocks were investigated in detail to unravel their deformational history.
Various fabric elements of these rocks were noted and measure to aid in the unraveling process. A Brunton compass was used to measure the orientation of beds, axial planes, and axes. Facies was determined by visual inspection.
Visual observation revealed several folds. Fanning and antifanning was observed at the hinge of the folds due to competency differences between layers. The folds are verging to the east. Crenulation and lineation as also apparent. The beds experienced flexural slip indicating that the layers were deformed shortly after deposition. Four faults were observed.
The road cut was found to contain S, M, and Z folds. Overturned beds were observed in an isoclinal fold. Faulting was associated with the Z folds, as look north, chevron folds. The observations indicate a compressive stress from the west was the cause of deformation. The data collected supports evidence of two major deformation events. The first event contained three subevents or co-axial events. The cause of this deformation is thought to be the result of an island-arc collision.
Exercise: Determination of Water Table through Seismic Refraction
Jeff Nixon
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Stephen Stahl
Abstract: The following exercise involves the use of a seismograph to record seismic waves that have traveled through the earth. A group of high school students will analyze these seismographs to determine layers within the earth without actually drilling below the surface. Ultimately, the students will be able to identify the water table through data acquisition. A short video accompanies the exercise and shows the methodology of data collection. An EG & G Geometrics ES-1225 signal enhancement seismography was used in conjunction with an Epson 286 laptop computer running SeisView, a data refining program. The seismograph, geophones, battery, and computer were brought to the site. 12 geophones were placed so that they were perpendicular to the trace of the waves. The trace is actually a straight path away from the source of seismic energy. Along this path one can determine which direction to record the seismic waves: parallel or perpendicular. A striking plate was placed on the ground and a sledgehammer was used to simulate an earthquake. A cable connected to the hammer detected the initial blow and started the seismograph. Electronically the data are sent back to the seismograph through data cables and record.
Investigations of the Emplacement of the Kiernan Sills
Kevin O'Brien
Faculty Sponsor: Eric Johnson
Abstract: The Kiernan Sills are located in the Lake Mary quadrangle in Iron County in the western part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The goal of this study is to examine the contact between the Hemlock basalt and the Kiernan gabbro in an effort to determine if the contact is igneous, tectonic, or both. A traverse across the contact from west to east shows that the contact is complex with lenses of ultramafic roc k separated by zones of variably deformed basalt. Deformation within the basalts is highly variable, amygdaloidal textures are well preserved in some basalt's, while others show mylonitic textures. A 4+ meter wide zone of mylonitic basalt separates lenses of variably deformed ultramafic rock at the contact. Within the mylonitic zone, intense deformation is evidenced by the rotation of plagioclase porphyroblasts and boudinage of inter structural layers. A normal shear sense was determined by studying rotated “tails” on plagioclase porphyroblasts, using oriented thin sections. The mineralogy of these rocks is consistent with metamorphosed basalts and gabbros of the greenschist facies. The typical mineral assemblage is amphibole (low Al) + plagioclase (An0-5) + chlorite + serpentine + epidote + sphene + relict pyroxene (cpx). Bulk and trace element geochemistry show that the basalt's (non deformed and mylonitic) at this contact have chemistries within the range of published analyses for Hemlock basalts. The ultramafic rocks at this contact have bulk and trace element chemistries similar to those published for ultramafic rocks at the base of the Kiernan Sills. It is interesting to note that these ultramafic rocks are found at the top of the sill brings into question the previous interpretation of the Kiernan sill as a vertically differentiated body. Conversely the placement of the ultramafic rocks may be the result of faulting-deformation of a vertically differentiated sill. The presence of mylonitic zones at the ultramafic/Hemlock contact support the latter interpretation, the calls into question previously published explanations, that the contact zone is igneous in nature.
Investigations of the Geochemistry, Petrogenisis and Tectonic Implications of the Granophyres in the Kiernan Sill
Thomas J. Purdy
Faculty Sponsor: David Matty
Abstract: The Kiernan Sills were originally described by Bayley (1959) as layered mafic intrusions ranging in composition from ultramafic to gabbro to granophyre. The Kiernan Sills intruded basaltic lavas and mafic pyroclastics of the Hemlock Formation during the early Proterozoic. While the Kiernan Sills have been studied petrologically by Ueng et al. (1988), the granophyric rocks of the Sills have received little attention and only limited petrochemical data exist. The relationship of the granophyres to the Kiernan Sills is usually considered to be one of fractional crystallization, with the granophyres representing the most differentiated products of this process. However, the granophyres may instead represent partial melts of assimilated Kiernan wallrocks, or may have been derived from magmas completely distinct from that of the Kiernan Sills. Furthermore, Ueng et al. (1988) suggested that the local pockets of granophyre found within the Kiernan Sill were comagmatic with the rhyolites of the Hemlock Formation. However, more recent geochemical studies of the rhyolites (Crocco, 1992) do not support this. This study will attempt to clarify the origin of the Kiernan granophyres and their relationship to the Hemlock Formation rhyolites through petrologic studies. Results of this study will be presented.
Seismic Refraction Prospecting of the Eastward Continuation of the Hemlock Dam Fault
Thomas Purdy
Faculty Sponsor: Stephen Stahl
Abstract: The Hemlock Falls Dam fault is located in the southern Lake Superior Region of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The fault appears only at the base of the dam, where it is striking in an East West direction. The fault is also likely to extend beyond the dam apron in an east-west direction. This research project examined the possibility of the fault extending eastward from the dam. In order to locate the underground fault, a seismic refraction survey was used to determine the velocity of the crystalline bedrock. By this method, a low velocity zone should be recognized over the purported trace. Such low velocity zones are associated with fault zones. An EG&G 12 channel signal enhancement seismograph was utilized. Filters were set at 150 hz lowpass and 300 hz highpass to reduce harmonic noise. Eight to twelve samples were taken at each site to minimize random noise. The vertical geophones were spaced 50 feet apart, and surveys were shot in both forward and reverse directions.
A low velocity zone was found to exist along the trace of the fault. This low velocity zone is clearly related to the Hemlock Dam Fault.
Soil Geochemistry Method Development
Shane Renfer
Faculty Sponsor: Jane Matty
Abstract: The goal of this independent study was to establish a certifiable analytical soils testing laboratory. This soils testing laboratory will be directly linked with Great Lakes Water Quality Laboratory, Inc. This study focused on the methods and equipment used to detect Pb and Zn along with the nutrients: P, PO4, NO3, and NO2, in soil samples.
Criteria for this soils testing section included assembling test methods and obtaining appropriate analytical equipment. The various methods were tested for reproducibility and accuracy. Based on these tests a benchtop Standard Operating Procedure was written. Ultimately certification or accreditation from the appropriate agency/agencies (E.P.A., M.D.N.R.) will be sought.
Environmental Geochemistry Research Projects
Vincent Salerno, C. Vongphasouk, Dean Govan, Erik Pietrzak, Tom Purdy, Kevin O'Brien, Brian Warner, Sara Lamb, Ed Wilson, Laurie Rose, Doug Young
Faculty Sponsor: Jane Matty
Abstract: Students in GEL 402 Environmental Geochemistry design and perform group research projects as part of the course work. In 1995, three projects were completed. All projects utilize EPA-approved methods and protocols for collection, processing, and analysis of samples. Chemical analysis is performed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the Hydrogeochemistry Laboratory. Results of all three projects will be presented.
The first project was an assessment of the effects of railway traffic. The objective of this study was to determine whether heavy metals produced through the wear of rails, wheels, and lubricants used in the railroad system were released to the surrounding environment. Two sites were examined along the Tuscola and Saginaw Bay Railroad in Isabella County. One site was at a bend west-northwest of Shepherd and the other at the junction point of the Tuscola-Saginaw Bay R.R. to the Ann Arbor R.R. Three soil samples were taken from each site, and analyzed for three trace metals: chromium, nickel, and molybdenum.
The second project was a study of potential contamination in a retaining pond near the Forum Apartments in Mt. Pleasant. Water and sediment samples were taken at each inlet into the pond to identify particular sources of contamination, and in the center of the pond to assess overall contamination. Samples were analyzed for possible contamination by lead, chromium, and nitrate. These elements were chosen because they are commonly associated with water runoff contamination, lead and chromium from traffic and nitrate from agriculture.
The third project was an investigation into whether landfill leachate was reaching a nearby river. A closed landfill in Isabella County was the subject of this investigation. This site was of particular interest because the landfill has produced a plume of contaminated groundwater flowing towards the Chippewa River, which is located about 1 mile east of the landfill. The objective of this study was to determine whether heavy meals leached from the landfill are entering the river via groundwater. Several soil and groundwater samples were taken from various locations along the river. Samples were analyzed for lead and chromium.
A Reconnaissance Survey of the Microfauna from the Middle Devonian Arkona Shale and Hungry Hollow Formation at Hungry Hollow, Ontario, Canada
Nicholas S. Spens
Faculty Sponsor: Reed Wicander
Abstract: An abundant, diverse, and well preserved fauna was collected from a 23.5 foot outcrop of the Middle Devonian Arkona Shale and Hungry Hollow Formation and Hungry Hollow, Ontario, Canada. At the collection site, the lowest unit, the Arkona Shale, is composed of 16.5 feet of gray shale, and if conformably overlain by the Hungry Hollow Formation, which consists of 7 feet of interbedded calcareous shales and limestones topped by a thick layer of limestone.
In addition to the microfossils recovered from the rocks, the macrofossils were examined for micrepizoans living on them. The microfauna collected includes annelids, anthozoands, brachiopods, bryozoans, cephalopods, conodonts, echinoderm spines, foraminifera(?), gastropods, and ostracods. Annelids, anthozoans, bryozoans, and ostracods are common to both the Arkona Shale and the Hungry Hollow formation. The annelids, anthozoans, and bryozoans are more abundant in the Hungry Hollow Formation because of the greater abundance of macrofossils, which serve as a substrate for colonization. Cephalopods are common in the Arkona Shale, but do not occur in the Hungry Hollow Formation, whereas foraminifera(?) occur only in the Hungry Hollow Formation. Echinoderm spines are common in the Hungry Hollow Formation but rare in the Arkona Shale and microbrachiopods are rare in both formations. Only a single conodont specimen was recovered from the Hungry Hollow Formation.
Based on micro- and macrofaunal, as well as sedimentological evidence, the Arkona Shale was deposited in a shallow-water, offshore environment, while the Hungry Hollow Formation was deposited in a shallow-water, nearshore environment.
Heavy Metals in Saginaw Bay: Evidence for Brine Seepage?
Michele Struble
Faculty Sponsor: Jane Matty
Abstract: The Michigan Basin contains some highly concentrated brines. Geochemical and isotoptic evidence indicates that high values of chloride in the water of Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron may be caused by the direct discharge into the bay of saline groundwater from the Michigan Basin. If saline groundwater is seeping into these bodies of fresh water, the chloride could strip off any heavy metals within the sediment and carry them up into the water column.
In late May to early June of 1994, sediment samples from Saginaw Bay were retrieved by the process of gravity coring. Two sites were chosen for this study: Site SB-4 is located near the center of the bay and site SB-5b is located near the south east side of the bay. Pore water was extracted from the sediment cores using a squeezing apparatus. The following metals were analyzed using an ICP-MS, copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), barium (Ba), and chromium (Cr). All of the metals that were analyzed for were detected in most of the samples from both sites.
If the heavy metals that are present in the pore water of Saginaw Bay today are resulting from pollution such as atmospheric deposition, non-point and point source pollution, one would expect to find concentrations highest near the top of the sediment. Core SB-4 has higher concentrations of all elements, except for lead, toward the bottom of the core (roughly 60 cm). These evidence suggests that the source of these meals is coming from below not through atmospheric deposition, non-point or point sources pollution.
Core SB-5b is very different from core SB-4. Lead is the only element in core SB-5b that gets higher toward the bottom of the core (roughly 200 cm). Differences in absorption could be the explanation for the difference in the trends of these elements. This is consistent with the hypothesis that brine may be moving up, into the sediment and desorbing some of the metals that are less tightly held to the sediment.
Investigations of the Geochemistry, Petrogenesis, and Tectonic Implications of the Metagabbroic Bodies Surrounding the Kiernan Sills
Ed C. Wilson
Faculty Sponsor: David Matty
Abstract: The Proterozoic gabbros of the Kiernan Sills outcrop in the Iron County area of the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Although the Kiernan Sills have received considerable attention over the years (e.g. Bayley 1959, Ueng et al. 1988), the smaller metagabbroic bodies in the vicinity of the Kiernan Sills have not been studied. Bayley (1959) noted the presence of these bodies and interpreted them to be dikes. However, no one has since attempted to determine if these discrete bodies are genetically related to the Kiernan Sills. It is possible that these bodies represent magmatic offshoots of the main Kiernan Sill magma; conversely, these bodies could also represent portions of the original Kiernan Sill magma that has been subsequently tectonically dismembered. Alternatively, metagabbro bodies into a regional framework through petrologic and geochemical studies. Recently, several specimens of these small metagabbro bodies were collected throughout the Kiernan Sill area and the results of our analysis will be presented at the meeting.
A Petrologic Transect Across the Humboldt A-type Granite, Marquette County, MI.
Brad Zulewski, Michael Emilio, Adam Kanouse, Matthew Carlson, Jeff Rockwell, Roy Hoin
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. David Matty
Abstract: A cassiterite-topaz A-type granite was mapped in the vicinity of the Humboldt Mine in Marquette County, Michigan, by Hoffman (MTU PhD thesis, 1987). A-type, or Anorogenic granites commonly are enriched in K, Na, F, Zr, and Nb and are characterized by low Al and Ca abundances and high Fe/Mg ratios. Since Hoffman (1985) provided little data on the Humboldt Granite, the GEL 321 Petrology class decided to investigate this body in more detail as part of the requriements for the Gel 321 course. A SW to NE sampling transect across the intrusion was completed during a field trip to the area in the Fall of 1984. Subsequent petrographic studies indicated that the granites were composed of K-feldspar, Plagioclase feldspar, Quartz, Biotite, Muscovite, Fluorite, Chlorite, with accessory Apatite, Ziron, Tourmaline, and opaque grains. We did not observe any cassiterite or topaz. Evidence of tectonic interaction was evident in some samples in the form of granulated grains, preferred orientation and, in some cases, development of foliation. Energy-dispersive electron microprobe analysis (EDS) disclosed the presence of almost pure K-feldspar and Albite plagioclase throughtout the intrusion. Fe-rich biotite, muscovite and chlorite were also identified, with Fe contents generally increasing to the NE. Additionally, grains of uranothorite, columbite, euxenite, molydbenite, and pyrite were identified by EDS. Major and trace element analysis of collectd samples provided data consistent with A-type granite classification – specifically “within-plate” A-type granites. In addition, increasing concentrations of some elements and decreasing concentrations of others toward the center of the intrusion were noted. Derivation of the A-type granite from partial melting of surrounding granitic gneisses was not evident.
