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Geology Research

Department of Geology

Geology is the study of the Earth, its materials, and its processes. Geology is essential for finding solutions to climate change, natural hazard mitigation, pollution and waste disposal, resource exploration and sustainability, and civil engineering projects. The Geology Department offers applied degrees and certificates to prepare students for careers in industry, government, and education.

Areas for Industry Support and Collaboration

Faculty-led department research groups include:

ENVIRONMENT AND REMEDIATION

This research group studies contaminants in the environmental media – soil, groundwater, sediment and surface water. Recent students involved in faculty research are employed in environmental remediation companies, government agencies and nonprofit groups.

NATURAL RESOURCE EXPLORATION

This group studies mineral and energy exploration for efficient use and extraction, emphasizing the Earth processes that concentrate economically valuable resources. Recent students involved in faculty research are employed in petroleum companies and mining industry.

MAPPING, GIS AND GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS

This group applies geographic information systems and mapping techniques in environmental sciences, natural resource exploration, social sciences and life science applications. Recent graduates work with government agencies, environmental industries, and natural resource exploration companies.

EARTH AND CLIMATE HISTORY

This group focuses on the study of Earth’s history including climate change, plate tectonics, physical geography and paleontology. Recent graduates are employed in environmental companies, natural resources industry, education, and government agencies.

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Applied Research and Scholarship

Geology is fundamentally an applied and practical discipline that supports industry and societal interests. Research in the department addresses fundamental questions about the physical processes and history of the Earth and applies this knowledge to benefit society. The research programs of many faculty are broadly interdisciplinary, blurring the boundaries between geological and other disciplines and between fundamental and applied research. Geology’s three faculty and an Executive in Residence are involved with four research clusters. They also participate in specific centers and groups that further faculty research and involve student participants.

Geology Faculty:

Dr. Zelalem Demissie (Asst Professor)

Kevin Doyle (Executive in Residence)

Dr. Will Parcell (Assoc Professor and Chair)

Dr. Andrew Swindle (Assoc Professor)

Research Topic Highlights

Demissie: 3D Displacement Maps using remote sensing technologies DInSAR and MAI

Demissie, Parcell, Swindle: Assessing strain localization and distribution in the southcentral Kansas using geodetic and seismic observations

Parcell: Gamifying Geology - Digital transformation of field experiences through Minecraft, Unreal, and Unity3D game engines

Parcell: Elemental and mineral stratigraphy of mixed carbonate-clastic system: Middle Jurassic Gypsum Spring Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming

Parcell: Microbial carbonate textural controls on porosity and permeability; application to geothermal, petroleum, and groundwater aquifers.

Parcell: Philosophy of Geology. Translation and analysis of Athanasius Kircher’s Mundus Subterraneus (1665), Itinerarium Exstaticum (1656) and Iter Exstaticum II (1657)

Swindle: Clay minerals in surface soils of Kansas prairies (w/ G. Houseman, Dept. of Biology)

Swindle: Using sandstone to increase the effectiveness of passive and semi-passive AMD remediation

 

Publication and Presentation Highlights

An Integrated TIME-SERIES Surface Deformation Analysis Using INSAR, GNSS, and NLDAS Data, Wichita earthquake. Demissie, Z., 2022, Journal of Remote Sensing (MDPI)

3D Displacement Maps of the 2019–2020 Puerto Rico Earthquake Sequence from DInSAR and MAI and Comparison with Mapped on Land Faults. Demissie, Z., 2020, Seismological Research Letters

Holocene to Recent Sedimentology & Stratigraphy of Dickmans Island, a Mangrove Island in the Northern Portion of the Ten Thousand Islands Estuary of SW Florida, Doyle, K. 2021, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting

A Field Camp experience with Minecraft: Gamifying field mapping, exploration, and discovery in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. Parcell, W.C., 2020, Geological Society of America

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Thermoelectric Properties of Ternary Phosphides BaCu5P3. Cicirello G, Swindle A, Wang J, 2021, Journal of Solid State Chemistry

Synthesis, Crystal Growth, Electronic Properties and Optical Properties of Y6IV2.5S14 (IV=Si, Ge).  Ye Z, Bardelli S, Wu K, Sakar A, Swindle A, Wang J, 2020, Journal of Inorganic and General Chemistry

Grants and Industry Donation Highlights

Our faculty consistently excel in attaining industry awards and gifts. Between 2017 and 2022 the Geology Department was awarded over $5.5 million.

Acquisition of a Bench Top SEM and Field Equipment for Research and Teaching. National Science Foundation. Andrew Swindle, 2021 ($275K)

Nanoparticle sorption behavior in chemically complex environments: bridging the gap between lab and field investigations. National Science Foundation. Andrew Swindle, in review 2022

Woolsey Family Field Camp Fund (1 million endowment) and Woolsey Family Petroleum Fund (1 million endowment) 2018. Gifts to support energy and mineral resource development and student field training

 

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