SUU Geology Programs Newsletter

Fall 2014

Welcome to Dr. Jason Kaiser

Were absolutely ecstatic about our new
faculty member, Dr. Jason Kaiser! Were
expecting quite an explosion of activity
around here, especially considering Dr.
Kaiser focuses his research on
supervolcanoes. In fact, hes already
begun mentoring a students
undergraduate research project
(described below in the Undergraduate
Research section).
While earning degrees from Missouri
University of Science and Technology,
University of Massachusetts at Amherst,
and Oregon State University, Dr. Kaiser
participated in three field camps based
out of Cedar City as a student, a
teaching assistant, and an instructor.

Dr. Kaisers new lab Trashcano! Students observe a volcanic eruption

caused by the expansion of gas (boiling liquid nitrogen) beyond the yield
strength of its confining medium (2-liter bottle). Students then map the
spatial distribution of various objects.

He brings his familiarity with southern Utahs

geology to the classroom and the field as our new
Mineralogy, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology,
and Geochemistry professor. Were also excited
about his approach to the general education course
Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Natural Hazards (see
photo above). Please join us in welcoming Dr.
Kaiser to the SUU Geology family!

Dr. Kaiser showing his versatility in the Navajo Sandstone.

Fall Semester Field Trips

Capitol Reef
A variety of students and professors
spent three days exploring the
spectacular geology of this hidden
gem of Utah. As the students
summarized, this park has it all. The
first day, we visited remote parts of
the park in order to observe the
monoliths of Cathedral Valley,
remarkable dikes and sills, a
sinkhole, and Glass Mountain. Dean
Eves and his family treated the
participants to a delicious meal.
What a way to end a great day!

The second and third days we explored closer to the

Visitors Center. Short hikes offered amazing examples of
sedimentary structures, including reptile tracks. We saw
examples of fossilized wood, as well as a normal fault. This
field trip was a great introduction for our freshmen, as well
as a refresher for our more experienced students.

Styles of Deformation in the Valley of Fire and the

Virgin Mountains
Fourteen SUU students experienced two drastically
different styles of deformation on this 3-day adventure.
We first observed and mapped how brittle structures
controlled subsequent fluid flow and diagenesis in the
Aztec Sandstone. We actually walked inside of a fault
zone, observed its corresponding damage zone and splay
fractures, and mapped various orders of faults.
Additionally, we took another look at Riedel structures in
deformation bands.

We then traveled to the nearby Virgin

Mountains and measured plastic structures
formed in a Precambrian shear zone. The
comparison of brittle and plastic structures
provided a wonderful opportunity to apply
classroom concepts to outcrops in the field.

GSA Annual Meeting

The Geological Society of
America Annual Meeting in
Vancouver, British Columbia,
provided an unforgettable
international experience for
seven geology majors, all three
faculty members, and Dean
Eves. The trip was an absolute
success!

We presented oral presentations and

posters, met with potential graduate
school advisors, learned about the latest
geologic discoveries and research efforts,
and participated in stimulating discussions
throughout the conference. Such
experiences give SUU undergraduates an
advantage over the majority of geology
majors across the country who dont
participate in professional conferences.

Undergraduate Research

Jeff making observations in the Harmony Hills Tuff west of Cedar City in the Harmony Mountains.

It would be difficult to
give every undergraduate research
project the attention
each deserves. Instead,
we like to highlight one
project in each
newsletter. This
semesters highlighted
project is Jeff Chipmans
research on the Indian
Peak/Caliente Caldera
Complex. He spent the
spring and early summer
researching the existing
scientific literature on
the Great Basin
Ignimbrite Provence.

Since July, Jeff has been making field observations of the volcanic stratigraphy of the 22.5 Ma
Harmony Hills Tuff, 1100 km3 ignimbrite that resulted from the catastrophic collapse of the
Caliente caldera. The goal of his research is to better understand the flow dynamics of a largevolume ignimbrite by examining changes in pumice and lithic content as well as crystallinity in
stratigraphic sections of the unit. The stratigraphic sections from around the source caldera
are being compared to identify subtle changes in physical properties. These changes can be
used to interpret the style and relative timing of caldera collapse as well as how the flow
moved through and around paleotopography. These interpretations are important in
understanding how supervolcanoes erupt.

Alumni Corner Written by Skyler May (12)

I completed my bachelors degree and GIS certificate from SUU in the
spring of 2012. I went on to Brigham Young University to work on a
masters degree with Dr. Bart Kowallis, one of the foremost experts of
Utah geology. With Dr. Kowallis I worked on a project doing a
stratigraphic characterization and correlation of the Upper Triassic
Bell Springs Formation across northern Utah and southern Wyoming.
While at BYU I took many classes pertaining to the oil industry and
went on field trips focusing on topics like petroleum systems in
Wyoming, sequence stratigraphy in central Utah, and modern
carbonates in the Bahamas.

Skyler May.

After my first year of graduate school I had an internship working deep basin exploration in
the Permian Basin of west Texas for Whiting Petroleum. During my second year at BYU I had
the opportunity to interview with Chevron and was offered a full time position as a geologist
after I graduated. After finishing school at BYU I moved to Midland Texas to start my new job
with Chevron.

Skyler recording field notes in the Bryce Canyon area.

I am currently working in an operational role providing technical support to three teams of

petroleum engineers. My job is to find more hydrocarbons in existing oil fields; the work is
challenging and exciting. I can say with certainty that I would not be where I am today if it was
not for the experiences and opportunities that I took advantage of while studying at SUU.
- Skyler May

An Opportunity to Give Back

Dear Alumni and Friends,
Please consider taking advantage of a
new and ongoing opportunity to help
SUU Geology majors enhance their
field experiences. Skyler May (12)
worked with SUU to set up an account
to which anyone can donate. Every
dollar that goes into the account will
be applied to geology field trips and
will help to offset students costs.
Thanks to this initiative, we are now
able to donate a portion of each
paycheck (automated deduction) to
the fund. If we each donate a small
amount every month, the fund will
grow quickly, and students will
benefit.

SUU Field Camp, summer 2012.

Alumni will receive a letter in January from SUU that outlines instructions on how to donate.
Also, dont forget to ask your employer if a company match is available. Thank you so much
for helping our future SUU Geology majors!
Best Wishes,
Jennifer, Jason, and Johnny

Death Valley field trip, spring 2011.