Tag: Earth and Environmental Geoscience

Documenting deformation conditions of the mid-crustal Rockfish Valley Deformation Zone in the Virginia Blue Ridge (Jeffrey Rahl)

Hybrid: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

The Rockfish Valley Deformation Zone (RVDZ) in the Blue Ridge of central Virginia preserves intense and localized deformation developed during convergence between Africa and North America ~320 million years ago. The RVDZ is a major structure developed within the crystalline basement of the Blue Ridge province; it has a thickness of at least 3 km and has been traced for over 120 km through central Virginia. These rocks represent an ideal naturally laboratory with which to investigate the rheology and microstructural evolution of mid-crustal shear zones, features essential to the strength and mechanical behavior of continental crust. In this project, we will document spatial variations in the deformation conditions of the RVDZ. Our work will involve literature review, field work, petrographic analysis, and electron-backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis to quantify crystallographic fabrics.

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Prerequisites

Students should have completed EEG 200. There are no other requirements, though students will benefit from having taken classes such as Structural Geology and Earth Materials.

Special Comments

This work will involve day trips to visit localities throughout the Blue Ridge.

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2

Research Location: Hybrid

Contact Information: Jeffrey Rahl (email: rahlj@wlu.edu)

CLOSED: Assessing what remains of Coral Gardens (Lisa Greer)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

Coral Gardens reef (Belize) previously contained an exceptional population of endangered Staghorn coral that has been monitored for over a decade. Between June 2023 and December of the same year, this reef collapsed, with live coral plummeting from over 30% live to zero. This project has several aims. We will document the impacts of this collapse and look for any surviving Acropora sp. corals in the wider area. We will also use 3D photogrammetry techniques to document changes in reef structure and the deterioration of individual corals post-collapse. Additionally, we will download temperature, light, and pH data from in situ data loggers stationed at several locations on the reef and analyze pH data collected in prior years. A final goal of the summer will be to further document and analyze the occurrence and distribution of microplastics at two sites adjacent to the reef.

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Prerequisites

NONE

Special Comments

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 3

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Lisa Greer (email: greerl@wlu.edu)

Assessing Drinking Water Suitability and Challenges of Springs and Private Wells in Virginia (Madhumita Chakraborty)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/16/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 8/8/2025.

Project Description

Did you know that over 1.7 million Virginians rely on private wells for their drinking water, while many others turn to roadside springs? These unregulated water sources are a lifeline for many households, yet their safety and quality remain a pressing concern. Here’s where you come in! Join an exciting research project that dives into the heart of spring and private well water quality in Rockbridge County and the surrounding areas. Together, we’ll explore critical questions, such as: (a) What contaminants are lurking in our springs and wells, if any? (b) How many people are at risk from these contaminants? (c) Who is most at risk from exposure to these contaminants? Are certain communities more vulnerable than others? (d) Do the contaminant profiles in spring water differ from those in well water? In other words, are spring water users exposed to a different set of contaminants than well water users? By participating, you’ll gain hands-on experience in water sampling, analyzing contamination patterns, and GIS-based spatial data analysis while making a real-world impact. This project isn’t just about water testing—it’s about connecting science to society. Your efforts will contribute to identifying inequities in water access and guiding potential interventions to ensure safe drinking water for all. Interested? Let’s tackle these essential questions together and make a difference!

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Prerequisites

For success in the project, you should have: (a) Enthusiasm for engaging in extensive fieldwork: While prior experience in field or lab settings is not required, you must be eager to actively participate in water sampling and laboratory analysis, learning and developing these skills throughout the project. (b) Willingness to travel off campus: You should be ready to travel to other laboratories for water quality analysis. (c) Curiosity and passion: A genuine interest in water quality issues and a drive to make a meaningful impact.

Special Comments

The work will involve: (a) three to four weeks of fieldwork, primarily consisting of day trips. (b) two to three weeks of off-campus travel for sample analysis at external laboratories.

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/16/2025

Estimated End Date: 8/8/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Madhumita Chakraborty (email: mchakraborty@wlu.edu)

Reconstructing Volcanic Processes at Mt Ijen (Nicholas Barber)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/9/2025 and run for 10 weeks, finishing on 8/15/2025.

Project Description

You will join Prof. Barberís Volcanology and Igneous Petrology (V.I.P.) to study the lavas produced by Mt. Ijen volcano, East Java. These samples were gathered on a field trip with W&L students last summer. We are attempting to reconstruct the eruptive history of Ijenís many volcanic vents, with a focus on Kawah Ijenís 1817 eruption. You will study sample microstructure, analyze 2D and 3D textural data, gather first-of-its-kind geochemical/microstructure data, and produce computational models (using QGIS, Python, and/or MATLAB) that fit your observations. You will do this in collaboration with local (Virginia Tech) and international (Cambridge, McGill, Gadjah Mada) partners. You will also participate in professional scientific conferences like the Geological Society of Americaís annual meeting in the Fall of 2025 (thanks to generous EEG department support) following our summer work together. I am looking for one to two students.

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Prerequisites

Ideally, the student will have prior experience with geoscience related cousework. However this is not required. If interested in relevant coursework: registering for EEG 322: Volcanology or any section of our “Dynamic earth” intro course this winter, or prior completion of EEG 211 (Earth materials) or EEG 105 (Volcanoes of the US) last academic year will be sufficient

Special Comments

Travel will be regional to visit supporting research facilitites/analogue field sites. 90% of work will be completed on campus in my lab.

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/9/2025

Estimated End Date: 8/15/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 10 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Nicholas Barber (email: nbarber@wlu.edu)

CLOSED: Building W&L’s first digitial archive of rocks and minerals (Nicholas Barber)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/9/2025 and run for 10 weeks, finishing on 8/15/2025.

Project Description

W&L hosts world class collections of rocks and minerals, most of which are locked in cabinet drawers away from the public eye. For the minerals on display as part of the generously donated Funkhouser collection, we are lacking crucial information about their origin, composition, and their role in W&L’s history. You will work alongside Prof. Barber to build W&Lís first digital archive of our teaching and research rock and mineral collection. You will work with Prof. Barber and the University library, using digital archiving tools like Omeka to design the database and develop the collection interface. You will also learn and apply geoscientific analytical tools like the scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the IQ Center to determine the composition and origin of unknown samples. This project will see you build a diverse suite of analytical and computational skills, while contributing to the preservation of W&L’s rich scientific and cultural history. After the conclusion of our work together, you will have the opportunity to present the results of your work at the Geological Society of America annual meeting in the Fall of 2025, thanks to generous EEG department support. I am looking for one to two students on this project.

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Prerequisites

No prerequisite knowledge or training required; passion for rocks/minerals/gems is crucial!

Special Comments

No corequisites or significant research travel.

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/9/2025

Estimated End Date: 8/15/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 10 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Nicholas Barber (email: nbarber@wlu.edu)

CLOSED: Bedrock erosion by plucking; experimental flume analysis (David Harbor)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

Since 2015, we have investigated the process of plucking, which is the removal of bedrock blocks from streams and dam spillways by hydraulic forces alone. We use an experimental flume to conduct experiments and are collaborating with a team from UC -Davis that does numerical modeling of erosion in our turbulent flows. This summer we will use a new flume to conduct many experiments with varying slope, discharge, block shape, and nonuniform flow conditions. We will collect video for block motion, flow in the bedrock and water surface profiling synced with digital data including pressure and turbulence. See it for yourself: https://vimeo.com/892423876

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Prerequisites

No prerequisites except curiosity, although 3D modeling and python coding are helpful skills to start.

Special Comments

The summer will include a week-long field trip and the fall will result in a presentation at the AGU meeting in San Francisco in December.

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: David Harbor (email: harbord@wlu.edu)

CLOSED: Critical mineral (rare earth element and yttrium) extraction by biotic manganese oxides associated with acidic mine drainage (Margaret Anne Hinkle)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/9/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 8/1/2025.

Project Description

With the projected growth in renewable energy and technology sectors along with their increasing reliance on critical minerals such as rare earth elements, yttrium, and manganese, identifying domestic sources of these critical minerals is essential. Large volumes of solid waste containing critical minerals are generated every year as a byproduct of acid mine drainage remediation. Within the United States, acid mine drainage remains an ongoing environmental issue. This research will examine the potential of adapting acid mine drainage remediation systems to produce critical minerals in economically viable concentrations. The research will investigate the impact of a variety of biogeochemical conditions (such as pH, sulfate concentrations, and the presence of microbes) on rare earth elements and yttrium (REYs) uptake by hydrous manganese (Mn) oxide minerals in acid mine drainage remediation systems. These results will help identify the optimal conditions for concentrating REYs in acid mine drainage remediation systems for the recovery of these critical minerals from unconventional domestic sources, while remediating harmful metal-laden acid mine drainage.

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Prerequisites

None

Special Comments

Part of the research may require travel to acid mine drainage field sites outside of Pittsburgh

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/9/2025

Estimated End Date: 8/1/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 3

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Margaret Anne Hinkle (email: hinklem@wlu.edu)