D E P A R T M E N T O F
P H Y S I C S A N D
G E O S C I E N C E S
Geosciences
Newsletter J A N 2 0 1 7 V O L U M E 1 1 , I S S U E 1
Program News
Four Geology Majors Graduated in the Fall Semester
Jacob Byerly, Tristin Shaw, Allen Hibler, and Kelsey
Robinette graduated in the TAMUK Fall 2016
Commencement. We appreciate the level of dedication
and effort given by these majors. Great job!
Jacob Byerly graduated with his BS degree in
geology and walked the stage at the December 2016
Commencement. Jacob Byerly received Presidential
Scholarship support from the University during his four
years in this program. He also earned money as a hunting
guide for local ranches. Jacob was a teaching assistant in
geography and geology classes that helped the
Department for several semesters. He also worked on
research projects in GIS with Dr. Brent Hedquist. Jacob was the President of the AAPG student chapter at
TAMUK from 2014-2015. His summer field camp work earned him the Javelina Field Geologist award with
Distinction for his consistent quality field work. Mr. Byerly completed a minor in GIS and earned a GIS
certificate. Jacob is applying to several graduate schools.
Kelsey Robinette graduated with her BS degree in geology and walked the stage at the December 2016
Commencement. Kelsey Robinette transferred into the program from engineering. Kelsey worked at the front
desk in the Dean’s office for 2 years. She was the president of the AAPG student chapter from 2015-2016. She
completed her field camp training at the University of Houston. Kelsey earned a GIS certificate. She has
demonstrated academic skills, work ethic, and writing skills that should pay dividends in her career. Kelsey is
applying to several graduate schools. Great job Kelsey!
Tristin Shaw graduated in December 2016. Tristin Shaw transferred into the geology program from
engineering. She completed her geology course-work in 1.5 years. Tristin Shaw completed a minor in GIS and
earned a GIS certificate. Tristin completed her field training at the Sul Ross State University field program.
Allen Hibler graduated in December 2016. Allen Hibler transferred into the geology program from
engineering. Allen completed his geology course-work in 1.5 years, completed a minor in GIS, and earned a
GIS certificate. Allen completed his field training at the Sul Ross State University field program.
Geosciences Program has Two New Degree Tracks The Corpus Christi Geological Community has requested that we prepare our geology graduates with training
in seismology to command jobs in the oil and gas industry. Recent geology graduates have discovered that they
must be proficient in seismology to compete. This required the addition of geophysics faculty to evolve our
program to what the industry requires.
Geographic Information Science has been offered as “vocational training’ in local high schools and at
community colleges in South Texas to provide some expertise in this science for local businesses. TAMUK
geosciences provided training for many teachers offering these classes in high schools. Growth in South Texas
and evolution of our industries will require new professionals with higher-level skills. The addition of a
geography program at TAMUK will increase the number of trained professionals in GIS and will provide
pathways to graduate schools for our evolving businesses.
Bachelors of Science: Geophysics Emphasis
Drs. Subbarao Yelisetti and Robert Schneider have received approvals to offer a new track in Geophysics in
our BS degree in Geology. They have constructed a degree program that will supply the needed professionals
for our South Texas oil and gas industry. They also have constructed a minor and certification in geophysics
for our geologists and natural gas engineers.
Bachelors of Science: Geography Emphasis
The BS degree in geography at TAMUK was discontinued in 2005. Drs. Haibin Su and Brent Hedquist
revived a new track in Physical Geography to add to our BS degree in Geology. Both faculties have expertise
in research and teaching GIS and Remote Sensing. This degree track will be a broad-based physical geography
course track with professional training in GIS and Remote Sensing. GIS Certification classes and supporting
minor in GIS has provided our TAMUK graduates with marketable skills in a support area. However, there are
many professional jobs that can be filled with a degree in geography.
Inside This Issue: Program News ··· 1
Photo Gallery ··· 5
Contact us / Editors
······················· 1
Page 1
Contact us:
Geosciences Program
Texas A&M – Kingsville
MSC 175, University Blvd
Kingsville TX, 78363
Phone: 361-593-3110
Fax: 361-593-2183
URL:
geosciences.tamuk.edu
Editors:
Dr. Thomas McGehee
Dr. Haibin Su
Dr. Mark Ford
Geosciences Newsletter
Department of Physics and Geosciences
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
F E B R U A R 2 0 1 0
Program News
Rebecca Roscoe graduated December 18th, 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology with a minor
in Geography. Rebecca attended Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2004 after graduating from
Woodland Park High School in Colorado. She came to the University with an interest in gemology,
but towards completion of her B.S., she was more interested in economic geology and glacial geology.
While attending the University, Rebecca taught geoscience laboratories almost every semester. She
took the position as treasurer and secretary for a couple semesters in the Geology Club. In the summer
of 2007, Rebecca received an internship with the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mine in Colorado.
That following summer and Fall 2008 semester Rebecca and team members participated in an Ore Microscopy Research
Project (with Orlando Gonzales and Jacob Hundl) in a study of the paragenesis of veins within the Cripple Creek/Victor
Diatreme. She presented her research at the Pathways to the Doctorate Research Symposium in Fall, 2008. During the 2009
spring semester, Rebecca received a scholarship from the Corpus Christi Geological Society. She was working in a open pit
hard rock gold mining environment. Most of the duties involved logging rock chip samples and planning drill holes. She also
had an internship in the summer of 2009 with the Alaska Geological and Geophysical Survey in Fairbanks, Alaska. There she
received valuable experience in ArcGIS, and great contacts with the State Survey and USGS. Rebecca is currently employed
as a Geologist at the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mine. She plans on attending Graduate School in January 2011. Rebecca
really enjoyed her time and experiences at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Melissa Ann Hidalgo received her Bachelor of Science degree in Geology with a minor in Biology from
Texas A&M University-Kingsville during the 2009 December commencement. Originally from
Beeville, Texas, she earned her Associate of Science degree with emphasis of Geology from Coastal
Bend College-Beeville in May 2006. While attending TAMUK, Miss Hidalgo was the 2008 Treasurer
of the Geoscience Club and worked an internship as an interpreter with the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department in the summer of 2008. This past summer , Melissa fulfilled her capstone course required
by her degree plan by completing a rigorous six-week field camp (this implements coursework learned
in lectures and laboratory in the field) with the University of Nevada-Reno. In her final year, she worked with Dr. John
Buckley on the preparation and partial reconstruction of Polyptchyodon Hudsoni, a plesiosaur. She presented her research at
the Pathways to the Doctorate Research Symposium in Fall, 2009. She had this to say; “First of all, I believe that TAMUK
was a perfect fit for me, especially the Geoscience department and their faculty. You develop a close professional relationship
with them that will serve you for years to come. Without their help, it would not have been a smooth transition from a
community college to a major university. Also, those opportunities that were offered will help me with furthering my career.
This is very much appreciated. Not only is this degree a symbol of my hard work and determination of an important
accomplishment but it also shows the great support that was given to me by individuals, especially my close friends and even
closer family. I thank God for them everyday.” Miss Hidalgo is planning on pursuing a Graduate Gemologist degree through
the GIA (Gemological Institute of America).
David Smith graduated December 18th, 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology with a minor in
Geography. He worked on two research projects that were presented at the Pathways to the Doctorate
Research Symposium in 2008 and 2009. He is a student member of the American Association of
Petroleum Geologist. He is working for Lewis Petro Properties getting valuable experience in the
petroleum industry. In regards to what the degree means to him, “This program has helped me in a lot
of different ways. Mainly how the Earth system works and how to use the tools like GIS and Remote
Sensing to study the different subsystems of the Earth.”
Samuel Cantu, Summa Cum Laude, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences with a
minor in English. He has taught most of the GIS and Remote Sensing labs while completing his
degree. He was the Coordinator for Educational Outreach on Dr. Jaeyung Yu’s DoD Geospatial
Technology grant for two years. He has completed four research projects that were presented at the
Pathways to the Doctorate Research Symposiums in 2007, 2008, and 2009. He won a second place
award in the Environmental Division in the 2008 Pathways Symposium. He presented his research
poster at the AAG Conference on a post-NAFTA GIS project that analyzed the environmental impacts
of growth to the Weslaco, Texas area. This meeting was held in San Francisco, CA in the Spring
2007. Sam Cantu was one of the most helpful, dedicated students in the Department.
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Geosciences Newsletter
Department of Physics and Geosciences
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
J A N 2 0 1 7
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Geosciences has Six New Majors David Benavides is an internal transfer student from the College of Business.
Dionel Colmenero is a transfer major from Del Mar College.
Jeremy Evans is a post-baccalaureate business graduate.
Jeremy Garza is an internal transfer student from Natural Gas Engineering.
Dallas Gonzalez is an internal transfer student from Biology.
Rikki Ponce is an internal transfer student from Mechanical Engineering.
David Dionel Jeremy Evans Jeremy Garza Dallas Rikki
TAMUK Students Attended Five Fieldtrips in the Fall, 2016
On September 10, eighteen students and Dr. McGehee studied modern fluvial, deltaic,
lagoonal, and barrier island depositional environments in the Nueces County Area. We
made multiple stops starting in Hazel Bazemore Park and ending in the Padre Island
National Seashore Park. The objective of this fieldtrip was to observe modern
sedimentation processes which produce the rock products
On September 29 - October 1 (Thursday-Saturday), twenty-one students, Richard Parker,
and Dr. McGehee traveled to Central Texas to study Paleozoic and Cretaceous rocks. This
included a lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic study of the lower Cretaceous rocks along
Fitzhugh Road near Flat Creek and lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic study of Cambrian
rocks near Hye Texas. The collected data in both areas were used to prepare two stratigraphic sections.
On October 20-22 (Thursday-Saturday) twenty students joined Drs. Ford, McGehee, and Su to study the mineralogy and
geochemistry of the Badu Hill Pegmatite. This included a mineralogical examination of the pegmatite at Badu Hill around the mine
site.
On November 12 (Saturday morning) thirty students traveled to Houston to the World Class Houston Museum of Natural
Sciences. The Mineralogy class and physical geology students spent most of the afternoon in the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals.
We also traveled to the 63rd Annual HGMS Houston Gem and Mineral Societies Gem, Jewelry, Mineral, and Fossil show in Humble
Texas that afternoon for student to observe the current key mineral localities where specimens are mined.
On November 17-19 (Thursday-Saturday) 18 students, Dr. Sanchez and Dr. McGehee traveled to the Slaughter Gap Ranch in
Marble Falls and Enchanted Rock to study the geomorphology of each area. Students gathered elevation data and learned to test rock
properties in the field with a Schmidt hammer. Students developed a hypsometric model in lab the following week. They also used
their field observations and geologic history to develop a landscape evolution model at the conclusion of the trip.
GCAGS Recognizes Dr. McGehee with “Outstanding Educator Award”
Drs. Thomas McGehee, Mark Ford, Veronica Sanchez, Subbarao Yelisetti, Robert Schneider,
and Brent Hedquist and 13 students provided many services for the 2016 GCAGS Conference.
TAMUK Short Course
Basic Seismic Attributes – Robert Schneider
TAMUK Session Chairs
Geo-education (4 presenters) – Mark Ford
Changing Coastal Landscape (6 presenters) – Brent Hedquist
Plate Tectonic Studies (4 presenters) – Mark Ford and Tom McGehee
TAMUK Judges
A. I. Levorsen Memorial Award – Bob Bell and Thomas McGehee
Thomas A. Philpott Excellence of Presentations – Bob Bell and Thomas McGehee
Gordon I. Atwater Best Poster Award - Bob Bell and Thomas McGehee
TAMUK undergraduate student participation included loading talks for the appropriate sessions, assisting speakers during workshops
and presentations. In the opening ceremony, Dr. McGehee received recognition with the Outstanding Educator Award for exceptional
contributions to Geosciences education in the Gulf Coast Area.
Writing Intensive Winter Intersession Field Camp 2016
We completed our fifth successful winter intersession field camp in December. We
welcomed back Dennis Moore (retired), Randy Bissell (Heddington Oil), Mike
Gisler (Gisler Brothers Logging), Lonnie Blake (senior geologist with EOG), Neal
Kunkle (alumnus; geologist with UEC), and Bob Underdown (engineer with UEC).
This year we added a tour of the San Miguel Lignite Mine presented by Nellie
Frisbee, mine geologist. Vernon Kramer (Del Mar), Richard Parker (TAMUK),
Thomas McGehee (TAMUK), and Sylvia Gatewood are the faculty and support
team for this camp. Dennis Moore gave a brief short course on geophysical log
interpretation with a required student exercise. Randy Bissell gave a brief overview
of sequence stratigraphy and how the interpretation of seismic data yields petroleum discoveries. Randy demonstrated how this is
done then has the students work through nine exercises. Vernon Kramer gave an overview of Uranium Company exploration for
roll fronts and has the students complete an exercise to find a uranium roll front. Bob Underdown and Neal Kunkle showed our
majors a well field at the UEC Palangana Dome Project and discussed some of the problems with these discoveries. Mike Gisler
gave an overview of the employee activities in the mud-logging business. We traveled out to Aransas Pass to view “Big Foot” and
another offshore platform in construction. Lonnie Blake gave an introduction to geophysics and provided an overview of data-
driven decision making in the life of a petroleum geologist. Vernon Kramer provided overviews of the fracking industry and
offshore drilling. Richard Parker took our majors over to the Corpus Christi log library to learn how to gather data for prospects.
He also prepared and guided our students through an exercise in log correlation.
Dr. Sanchez and Adolfo Enciso Win (TCUR) award
Adolfo (left) at GCAGS Conference
Adolfo Enciso received the 2017 TAMUK Council for Undergraduate Research (TCUR)
award. Adolfo will be working with Dr. Sanchez in evaluating drainage basins in active rifts in
southern Tibet via remote sensing methods. This is an exciting opportunity for Adolfo as he
combines his knowledge from geomorphology and previous courses into a structural geology
project. He will be presenting results at the South Central Geological Society of America
(GSA) annual meeting in San Antonio in March and at the Javelina Research Symposium in
April.
Aaron Barron, Alex Johnston, and Dr. Sanchez Present Research at the GSA conference
Aaron (right) at the conference
Aaron Barron and Dr. Sanchez presented their research at the Geological Society of America
Meeting in Denver, CO., last September. Aaron's presentation was primarily over his results
from remote sensing analyses of southern Oaxaca landslides, which were developed under the
TCUR grant. Dr. Sanchez presented her research on the Christmas Mts., which included work
done by recent graduate Alex Johnston. Both Dr. Sanchez and Aaron enjoyed the Colorado
Front Range by participating in a couple of geology field trips and meeting great people doing
geology out there.
Sanchez, V. and Johnston, A., 2016, Preliminary Structural Analysis of the Christmas Mountains, West Texas, to Assess the Role
of Transfer Zone Mechanisms in Rift Zones: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, No. 7 doi:
10.1130/abs/2016AM-279980
Barron, A. and Sanchez, V., 2016, 2016, Observations of Potential Mass Movements in the Rural Areas of Oaxaca,
Mexico: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, No. 7 doi: 10.1130/abs/2016AM-281293
Dr. Hedquist Received a Grant to Continue GIS Work at Historic South Texas Ranch
In mid-December, Dr. Brent Hedquist was awarded a $25,211 grant from the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez
Foundation to continue GIS database and online mapping work at the historic Rancho La Union in Zapata
County, Texas. The Grant was part of a larger interdisciplinary collaboration within the Institute of
Architecture Engineering Heritage and will be used to document and preserve information on historic
structures using online GIS tools, as well as acquiring images from a UAV/drone. The project will extend
from February 2017-May 2018 and involve training and educating some of our GIS undergraduate students
in the use of geospatial tools and technology.
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Geosciences Newsletter
Department of Physics and Geosciences
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
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Texas A&M University - Kingsville
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Geosciences Newsletter
Department of Physics and
Geosciences
Texas A&M University -
Kingsville
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Geosciences Newsletter
Department of Physics and
Geosciences
osciences
Texas A&M University -
Kingsville
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Geosciences Newsletter
Department of Physics and
Geosciences
Texas A&M University - King
GCAGS recognizes Dr. McGehee with “Outstanding Educator Award”
Physics and Geosciences
osciences
Texas A&M University -
Kingsville
J A N 2 0 1 7
Geosciences Newsletter
Department of Physics and Geosciences
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
J A N 2 0 1 7
The Year in Review: Geosciences Publications Over the Past 12 Months
Names in bold indicate undergraduate authors, underline indicate alumni.
Refereed journal articles:
Beck, R., S. Zhan, H. Liu, S. Tong, B. Yang, M. Xu, Z. Ye, Y. Huang, S. Shu, Q. Wu, S. Wang, K. Berling, A. Murray, E. Emery,
M. Reif, J. Harwood, J. Young, C. Nietch, D. Macke, M. Martin, G. Stillings, R. Stumpf, H. Su, 2016, Comparison of
Satellite Reflectance Algorithms for Estimating Chlorophyll-A in a Temperate Reservoir using Coincident Hyperspectral
Aircraft Imagery and Dense Coincident Surface Observations: Remote Sensing of Environment, 178, 15-30.
Chang, C-Y., Faust, E., Hou, X., Lee, P., Kim, H-C., Hedquist, B. C., and Liao, K-J., 2016, Investigating Ambient Ozone
Formation Regimes in Neighboring Cities of Shale Plays in the Northeast United States using Photochemical Modeling and
Satellite Retrievals: Atmospheric Environment, 142, 152-170.
Hedquist, B.C. and Barker, C., 2016, Detecting and mapping the urban heat island in a small South Texas city: The Southwestern
Geographer, 19, 15-27.
Wu, Q., H. Su, D. Sherman, H. Liu, Jennifer Wozencraft, Bailang Yu, Zuoqi Chen, 2016, A Graph-Based Approach for Assessing
Storm-Induced Coastal Changes: International Journal of Remote Sensing, 37, 4854-4873.
Extended Abstracts:
Sarah M. Dillon, Adolfo Enciso, and Mark T. Ford, 2016, pXRF analysis of Heterogeneous Rocks with Respect to Sample
Preparation: Applications to Mafic Igneous Rocks: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 66, p.
747–749.
Meeting and conference abstracts:
Barron, A. and Sanchez, V., 2016, Observations of Potential Mass Movements in the Rural Areas of Oaxaca, Mexico: Geological
Society of America Abstracts with Programs. v. 48, no. 7.
Estrada, M.M., Fenner, S.S. and Ford, M.T. 2016, Using pXRF to Assess Heterogeneous Sample Preparation Methods:
Applications to Coarse-Grained Felsic Rocks: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 66, p. 943.
Ford, M.T. and McGehee, T.L. 2016, Development of a geology field course in the Christmas Mountains and Big Bend region:
Christmas Mountains Research Symposium, Terlingua, TX May 23 – 25, p. 12
Ford, M.T. and McGehee, T.L. 2016, Expanding Horizons: A Writing Intensive Undergraduate Field Camp to Prepare Students for
the Future: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 66, p. 949.
Hales, B., Cano, R., and McGehee, T.L. 2016, Bridging Students’ Knowledge Gaps through Research: A Case Using Synthetic
Hydrogeologic Models: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 66, p. 971.Hedquist, B.C. and
Subedi, M.R., Creating a Geographical Information System (GIS) Database for Documenting Historical Structures at
Rancho La Union Ranch, Zapata County, Texas, South-Central Arc Users Group (SCAUG) meeting in Corpus Christi,
Texas, April 20, 2016.
Hedquist, B., Davenport, J., Norwine, J., Bruner, M., Preda, M., and Ketcham, A., 21st Century Environmentalism amidst Dueling
Weltanschaungen: Crossing the Axial Age or Adrift in the Gulf?, annual Southwest Division of the American Association of
Geographers (SWAAG) meeting, Denton, Texas, October 21, 2016.
Hedquist, B.C. and Subedi, M.R., Creating a Geographical Information System (GIS) Database for Documenting Historical
Structures at Rancho La Union Ranch, Zapata County, Texas, South-Central Arc Users Group (SCAUG) meeting in Corpus
Christi, Texas, April 20, 2016.
Johnston, A. 2016, Paleostress fields of the Christmas Mountains: Christmas Mountains Research Symposium, Terlingua, TX May
23 – 25, p. 13.
Long, S, He, T., Lan, K., Spence, G., and Yelisetti, S. Velocity structure and 3D finite element modeling for critical instability of
gas hydrate-related Slipstream submarine slide, offshore Vancouver Island, Canada: 2016 Fall Meeting, AGU, San
Francisco, CA, Abstract B21G-0491, 12-16 Dec.
Sanchez, V. and Johnston, A., 2016, Preliminary Structural Analysis of the Christmas Mountains, West Texas, to Assess the Role
of Transfer Zone Mechanisms in Rift Zones: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. v. 48, no. 7.
Sanchez, V. 2016, The southern extent of the Tascotal-Mesa fault at the Christmas Mountains: Christmas Mountains Research
Symposium, Terlingua, TX, May 23 – 25, p. 13.
Su, H. and Hedquist, B., 2016, Developing Pathways to Geospatial Intelligence for Underrepresented South Texas Students – an
Ongoing Project: Second Annual Intelligence Community Academic Research Symposium (ICARS), Washington DC,
September 20-23, 2016.
Su, H. and Hedquist, B., 2016, Developing Pathways to Geospatial Intelligence for South Texas Students: First Year Results: 2016
Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Annual Convention, Corpus Christi, TX, September 18-20, 2016.
Su, H., 2016, Incorporating Spatial Correlation for Improving the Prediction of Water Depth from Multi-Spectral Satellite Imagery:
The 2016 Annual Meeting of The Association of American Geographers, San Francisco, CA, March 29 - April 2, 2016.
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Geosciences Newsletter
Department of Physics and Geosciences
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Tuck, J.J., Kponi, B., McGehee, T.L. and Ford, M.T. 2016, Optimization of pXRF Sampling Methods in Analyzing
Hydrocarbon-Rich Zones in the Eagle Ford Shale: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 66, p.
1069.
Yelisetti, S., McGehee, T.L., and Hewett, L 2016, Overview of Proposed Geophysics/Petrophysics Programs at Texas A&M
University–Kingsville: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 66, p. 1081.
Yelisetti, S., Spence, G., Scherwath, M., Riedel, M., and Klaeschen, D.. Dual-vergence structure from multiple migration of widely
spaced OBSs: 17th International Seismix Symposium (oral), Avimore, Scotland, 15th-20th May, 2016.
In addition to the above, we had several other recent graduates from our program presenting at the GCAGS in Corpus Christi in
September including at least: Justin Mauck, Lisa A. McLaughlin, Jonathan Sulaica, and Michael Parker.
Winter Camp Galleries
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Geosciences Newsletter
Department of Physics and Geosciences
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Galleries
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