Department of Geology, University at Buffalo

Integrated Tectonics and Stratigraphy

Recent research includes: Fault recognition and tectonic history based on a wide array of data sets; fault effects on sedimentology, stratigraphy, seismic hazards, and fluid migration (such as water, contaminants, and hydrocarbons); testing and refining the Ordovician sequence stratigraphic boundaries along the eastern Laurentian margin; interpreting the structure, sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy and biological evolution within the Taconic Foredeep Basin; evolution and biostratigraphy of various graptolite, trilobite and brachiopod groups.

STRATIGRAPHY AND PALEONTOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
The Stratigraphy and Paleontology Research group is an interdisciplinary research group composed of stratigraphers, paleontologists, geochemists, and structural geologists. We are currently working on a number of projects both locally and throughout the world. We are actively working in: US, China, Australia, and recently, Argentina. In addition to UB faculty, our group loosely consists of researchers from SUNY Albany, SUNY Fredonia, Ohio State University, University of Dayton, University of Rochester, and the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology.

Personnel

Rossman Giese, Clay mineralogy

Robert Jacobi, Fracture systems, tectonics, sedimentology, stratigraphy, marine geology (on long-term, 85% leave)

Charles E. Mitchell, Paleobiology, biostratigraphy, Appalachian Basin history, Ordovician geology

Gerald J. Smith, Stratigraphy and sedimentology

Tracy Bank, Biogeochemisty and economic geology; applications of to black shale studies
Zhangshaun Hou, Geophysics; applications of inverse modeling to petroleum exploration and production
Beata Csatho, Remote sensing and climate change; applications to petroleum exploration and CO2 sequestration

Description

We fuse a wide array of data sets in order to determine the presence and history of faults. We work generally in regions that were thought to be structurally simple (with few faults), such as the Appalachian Basin. The results of our research reveal a new tectonic paradigm that incorporates numerous faults. The data sets we integrate include aeromagnetics, gravity, seismic reflection profiles, well logs, outcrop structure, sedimentology and stratigraphy, soil gas, and remote sensing (e.g., Landsat, ASTER, DEMs).

Examples of Black Shale Studies at UB

Stacey Hanson

geo pic for mitchell.jpg core piece.jpg

I am working on my MS degree with Dr. Jacobi, studying core 75-NY-2 owned by the New York State Museum. The goal of my project is a fracture analysis of the 1197 ft (363.8m) Ordovician section of core 75-NY-2 from the Mohawk Valley. This core includes 452 feet (137.4m) of black shale from the Utica formation. The detailed analysis of kinematic indicators (such as calcite-filled rhombochasms (pictured), slickensides, vein offsets, fracture abutting relationships and other features) will provide critical structural guidelines for future gas extraction from Utica shale. This will be the first publicly accessible detailed structure study of the Utica Black Shale. This study will also offer insights concerning the seal potential for CO 2 sequestration in the Utica Shale.

Melissa Roloson

Melissa is also working on core 75-NY-2, but with the aim of determining the succession of graptolite species through the Utica Shale and Schenectady formations and conducting a graphic correlation analysis of the chronostratigraphic relations between this these units and the underlying Trenton and Black River group limestones based on the ranges of conodonts, graptolites, and fingerprinted K-bentonite (altered volcanic ash) beds. These analyses will help to illuminate the depositional and subsidence history of the Taconic foreland basin in this region, which in turn, will provide data needed to map the distribution and petroleum source rock potential of the organic-rich facies that flooded into the Taconic foreland basin during its rapid subsidence.

(Illustrated: Diplacanthograptus spiniferus , a characteristic graptolite from the upper Utica Shale; colony about 2 cm long)

Tom Malizia (MS student) and Tracy Bank

Correlating Geophysical Logs with Lithogeochemistry:

My thesis research is aimed at quantifying the uranium (U) to total organic carbon (TOC) ratio in Devonian shales of western New York and Pennsylvania and correlating this ratio to depositional conditions. Gamma ray responses from U, Th, and K are used as indicators of TOC and this U:TOC relationship is complex and can vary significantly. I am studying the geochemistry of Marcellus shale outcrop, core and well cutting samples. To determine the speciation and complexation of uranium in these samples I am using X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy at Brookhaven's National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS).

Tom Malizia operating Beamline x11A at NSLS at Brookhaven National Lab. X-rays are used to identify the oxidation state of uranium in organic-rich shales.

The inset shows the number of known faults in the Appalachian Basin of NYS in 1989--not very many faults. The larger map shows selected major faults--over 500--that we have identified in the past 10 years using our integrative techniques

The recognition of faults and their histories allows a better understanding of seismic hazards and of fluid migration, such as water, contaminants, and hydrocarbons. The fault studies are therefore extremely useful in helping solve several societal problems.

These are some of the data sets we integrate. To the right is an ASTER satellite image of the Finger Lakes, from which we identified lineaments.

To test whether the lineaments indicate faults, we "groundtruth" the lineaments by comparing their spatial positions and orientations to other data. For example, to the left is an aeromagnetic map overlain with Landsat lineaments. Below are other "ground-truthing" techniques.

Example of integrated surface structure, soil gas, topographic lineaments and seismic reflection data that indicate the presence of a fault zone in Allegany County, NYS.

Seismic hazards: Earthquakes occur on the recently recognized fault systems.

Oil and gas exploration: Several significant oil and gas fields occur along fault systems, including the Trenton/Black River gas pools and Devonian oil and gas pools.

Water resources and contaminant transport: The Cherry Valley Water Company (a small bottled water firm) collects its water directly from large fractures near a fault system.

Taconic Foreland

Faulting that accompanied the collision between North America and an arc system during the Taconic Orogeny also dramatically affected the deposition of sediments in the Upper Ordovician Appalachian foredeep basin. Shown here are a set of faults that were active in the Mohawk Valley region of central New York, along what was then the margin of the Trenton Shelf along the west side of the basin. Note the differing relative motions and effects on sediment transport directions (white arrows).

Ash from volcanoes in Taconic island arc produced striking event marker beds in the Upper Ordovician sediments of the Appalachian foreland - here seen as soft gray mudstone bands within hard black shale. They often contain volcanic phenocrysts such as this quartz grain (approx 300 µm long). These grains yield geochemical fingerprints that uniquely identify the event beds. From these relations we are constructing an integrated graptolite and conodont biochronology, calibrated in millions of years by radiometric dating of zircon crystals from the same ash beds.

Graptolite Paleobiology

Graptolites from Bolivia. These ancient colonial plankton are widely used for international correlation. Often they more resemble road kill than once living animals!

Graptolites are not always road kill, however. Here are two beauties, still in the original three-dimensions and showing the structure of their colonies. Each tube housed its own individual animal.

From detailed studies of the colony structure we also are able to reconstruct the evolutionary history of graptolites. Shown here is an evolutionary tree depicting the relations among a set of 47 species, and a comparison their observed stratigraphic ranges (green bars), and the range extensions implied by the phylogeny (pink bars).

The relatively complete and well studied fossil record of graptolites provides an excellent means to study the paleobiology of mass extinction. Graptolites were severely affected by the great Hirnantian Mass Extinction at the end of the Ordovician. This event was even more disruptive of the marine ecosystem than the famous K-T event in which dinosaurs went extinct.


Chasing graptolites and Ordovician history leads to work with colleagues from all over the world and takes us to the far reaches of the Appalachians in ophiolite terrane of western Newfoundland to the high Andes. We are also working in China, and planning a trip to eastern Siberia for summer 2006, among other places!