Transcript Intro to Geology Part 2

DFW Geology
DFW Geology
Tectonic Faults of Texas
Earthquakes in Metroplex
DFW Geology
DFW Earthquakes
Oklahoma Faults and Earthquakes
• Oklahoma Earthquakes
Oklahoma Earthquake Frequency Drop
• Connection to O&G Wastewater Injection Wells
Oklahoma Earthquakes
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September 3, 2016 earthquake
5.6 magnitude (one of the largest so far)
Felt throughout the Midwest U.S.
Shut down of 37 oil and gas deep injection wells
Major Earthquakes in History
What do the following have in common?
• Thomas Jefferson’s debt
• Setting of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
• Green sunrises
Effects of History
Effects of History
• Other examples include:
– 1783 eruption in Laki, Iceland: 9,350 deaths mostly due
to starvation
– 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington: 51
deaths, 200 homes destroyed, $1.1 B impact to timber,
civil works, and agricultural industries. Most destructive
U.S. volcano(?)
– 1985 eruption in Nevado del Ruiz: 25,000 deaths mostly
due to subsequent mudslide
Volcanoes
Volcano Definition
• 1. a vent in the earth's crust through which lava, steam, ashes, etc., are expelled,
either continuously or at irregular intervals.
• 2. a mountain or hill, usually having a cuplike crater at the summit, formed around
such a vent from the ash and lava expelled through it
Volcano Illustration
Why do Environmental Scientists
Care About Volcanoes!?
• Main constituents include:
– Water vapor (H2O): 60%
– CO2: 10-40%
– Sulfur
– Others include:
• N, Ar, He, Ne, Methane, CO, H
• About 500 million people live close to active
volcanoes
Why do Environmental Scientists
Care About Volcanoes!?
• + Return water to atmosphere
• +/- Carbon dioxide emitted from volcanoes adds to the
natural greenhouse effect.
– Sulphur dioxides cause environmental problems, because they
are converted to sulphuric acid in the stratosphere; the main
cause of acid rain.
– Sulphate aerosols are formed, which reflect solar radiation and
absorb heat, thereby cooling the earth. They also take part in
chemical reactions, forming ozone destructive material.
• + Improve soil fertility due to minerals present in volcanic
ash
• - Affects weather, lifestyles, well-being, habitat
• + Creates new land (volcanic islands)
– Hawaiian Islands
– Surtsey, Iceland
Volcanoes of the World
Volcanoes of the World
Volcanic Island Progression
“Ring of Fire”
Volcanoes of the U.S.
• 169 volcanoes in the U.S.
• 18 classified as “Very High Threat
Volcanoes”
• About 100 recent-activity
volcanoes
• Hawaii has the world’s tallest
volcano 13,000 ft above sea level
• About 1,500 on land around the
world
• An estimated 10,000 in the ocean
Paisano Volcano near Alpine, Texas
Volcanoes of Texas
Super Volcanoes
Yellowstone (Super Volcano)
• One of only 14 super volcanoes in the
world
• Eruption 2.1 MYA dispersed ash over
two-thirds of the U.S.!
• “Overdue” for an eruption by over
40,000 years
• Recent activity (9/4/2016)
• Breathing Volcano
• Yellowstone Time Bomb
Yellowstone Ash Dispersion
Yellowstone (Super Volcano)
• One of only 14 super volcanoes in the world
• Eruption 2.1 MYA dispersed ash over two-thirds of
the U.S.!
• “Overdue” for an eruption by over 40,000 years
• Recent activity (9/4/2016)
Notable Volcanic Eruptions in History