Geology topics

A. Green

Publications and source records attributed to A. Green.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2012

Imaging the midcontinent rift beneath Lake Superior using large aperture seismic data

We present a detailed velocity model across the 1.1 billion year old Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) in central Lake Superior. The model was derived primarily from onshore-offshore large-aperture seismic and gravity data. High velocities obtained within a highly reflective half-graben that was imaged on coincident seismic reflection data demonstrate the dominantly mafic composition of the graben fill and constrain its total thickness to be at least 30km. Strong wide-angle reflections are observed from the lower crust and Moho, indicating that the crust is thickest (55–60km) beneath the axis of the graben. The total crustal thickness decreases rapidly to about 40 km beneath the south shore of the lake and decreases more gradually to the north. Above the Moho is a high-velocity lower crust interpreted to result from syn-rift basaltic intrusion into and/or underplating beneath the Archean lower crust. The lower crust is thickest beneath the axis of the main rift half-graben. A second region of thick lower crust is found approximately 100km north of the axis of the rift beneath a smaller half graben that is interpreted to reflect an earlier stage of rifting. The crustal model presented here resembles recent models of some passive continental margins and is in marked contrast to many models of both active and extinct Phanerozoic continental rift zones. It demonstrates that the Moho is a dynamic feature, since the pre-rift Moho is probably within or above the high-velocity lower crust, whereas the post-rift Moho is defined as the base of this layer. In the absence of major tectonic activity, however, the Moho is very stable, since the large, abrupt variations in crustal thickness beneath the MRS have been preserved for at least a billion years.

Lake Superior↗

USGS2008

Sediment and nutrient delivery from thermokarst features in the foothills of the North Slope, Alaska: Potential impacts on headwater stream ecosystems

Permafrost is a defining characteristic of the Arctic environment. However, climate warming is thawing permafrost in many areas leading to failures in soil structure called thermokarst. An extensive survey of a 600 km2 area in and around the Toolik Lake Natural Research Area (TLNRA) revealed at least 34 thermokarst features, two thirds of which were new since ???1980 when a high resolution aerial survey of the area was done. Most of these thermokarst features were associated with headwater streams or lakes. We have measured significantly increased sediment and nutrient loading from thermokarst features to streams in two well-studied locations near the TLNRA. One small thermokarst gully that formed in 2003 on the Toolik River in a 0.9 km2 subcatchment delivered more sediment to the river than is normally delivered in 18 years from 132 km2 in the adjacent upper Kuparuk River basin (a long-term monitoring reference site). Ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate concentrations downstream from a thermokarst feature on Imnavait Creek increased significantly compared to upstream reference concentrations and the increased concentrations persisted over the period of sampling (1999-2005). The downstream concentrations were similar to those we have used in a long-term experimental manipulation of the Kuparuk River and that have significantly altered the structure and function of that river. A subsampling of other thermokarst features from the extensive regional survey showed that concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate were always higher downstream of the thermokarst features. Our previous research has shown that even minor increases in nutrient loading stimulate primary and secondary production. However, increased sediment loading could interfere with benthic communities and change the responses to increased nutrient delivery. Although the terrestrial area impacted by thermokarsts is limited, the aquatic habitat altered by these failures can be extensive. If warming in the Arctic foothills accelerates thermokarst formation, there may be substantial and wide-spread impacts on arctic stream ecosystems that are currently poorly understood. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.

Journal of Geophysical Research G: Biogeosciences↗

USGS2004

Combined use of borehole geophysics and packers to site potable wells in a contaminated area in Montville, Connecticut

A leaking underground gasoline tank contaminated a crystalline bedrock aquifer in Montville, Connecticut, USA with MTBE and benzene. At the original residential bedrock supply wells, the median MTBE concentration was 165 micrograms per liter (mg/L), and the median benzene concentration was 320 mg/L. The maximum concentrations of MTBE and benzene were 4,300 mg/l and 1,700 mg/L, respectively. Because of the unavailability of a public water supply and the long-term expense of point-of-use (on-site) treatment systems, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program considered drilling replacement wells for water supply, if suitable drill sites could be located. Borehole geophysical methods were used as part of the investigation to find suitable drill sites. The U.S. Geological Survey performed borehole radar logging in three of the most contaminated wells. Other geophysical logs were run in two of the wells to enhance the hydrogeological characterizations. These data, combined with straddle-packer testing provided by a drilling contractor, formed the basis of a conceptual model used in the search for discrete fractures with better water quality than provided by an open-hole sample. At Property A, a single transmissive fracture was identified at the bottom of the well. This well, although having historically lower gasoline concentrations than the other two wells, had persistent high iron bacteria fouling of the filtration system. By 2002, concentrations of MTBE and benzene had decreased to 59 and 3 mg/L, respectively, and the water was treatable except for the iron. Because no water-bearing fractures were encountered above the well bottom, an alternate well site was selected based on a set of vertical fractures observed in a nearby outcrop, rather than on the geophysical data. The new well, sited along the strike of these fractures, yielded 9 gallons per minute (gpm) but was found to be more contaminated than the original well. MTBE and benzene were detected at 224 and 7 mg/L, respectively. At Property B, the isolated fractures associated with four radar reflections contained MTBE in concentrations ranging from 460 to 680 mg/L, with concentration increasing with depth. A new well site was selected based upon topography and physical limitations of the property. A target drilling depth was selected to avoid encountering the most contaminated fracture, as projected from the radar data in the contaminated well. A new well, drilled to the target depth, yielded 2 gpm, which was sufficient for domestic supply. No contaminants were detected during 7 years of annual sampling. Over the next 2 years, MTBE was detected twice at 2 and 8 mg/L. At Property C, the isolated fractures associated with 12 radar reflections and acoustic televiewer images yielded MTBE concentrations ranging from 47 to 1,200 mg/L and benzene concentrations from 6 to 1,000 mg/L, with concentrations generally increasing with depth. A new well site was selected based upon physical limitations of the site. A target drilling depth was chosen to avoid encountering the most contaminated fractures, as projected from the radar data in the contaminated well. A new well, drilled to the target depth, yielded 6 gpm. MTBE was detected at concentrations ranging from trace levels to 12 mg/L for 6 years. Benzene was not detected. These case histories suggest that the combined use of borehole geophysics and discrete-fracture sampling can, in some cases, be used to predict the locations of less contaminated or uncontaminated fractures, at distances of tens of feet from contaminated bedrock wells. This information may be used to improve the chances of successfully siting alternate potable water wells. Likewise, the same data and approach potentially could be used for targeting specific fractures for remediation.

Connecticut↗