Miami University

Geology Department Open House

As part of the Miami University Bicentennial celebration the department is hosting an open house on Friday, November 20, 2009 from 1:30 – 3:30 PM.  Come to the Limper Geology Museum and talk with current geology faculty and students, tour the museum, and tour research facilities.  This provides an excellent chance to learn about current educational and research opportunities available to students of geology and environmental earth science.  Beginning at 4:00 PM, in room 10 Shideler, there will be a brief presentation on the history of geology at Miami and a discussion led by the department’s newest faculty members as the department enters its 90th year at the University.  Snacks and refreshments will be served in room 10 Shideler beginning at 3:30 PM.  This event is free and open to the public.

Graduate Student Research Forum

The First Annual Graduate Research Forum was held on November 6, 2009.  Ten geology graduate students participated in this forum and are listed below along with the title of their research work.  This forum was sponsored by the Graduate School and Graduate Alumni.

Shizuko Watanabe, “Platinum Group Elements and 1860s/1880s Isotope Systematics in the Azores Basalts”.  Advisor:  Elisabeth Widom

Laura Walkup, “Explosive Volcanism and the Temporal and Environmental Contexts for Human Evolution”.  Advisor:  William K. Hart

Stefany Sit, “A Detection Algorithm Exploiting the Frequency Content of Non-Volcanic Tremor”.  Advisor:  Mike Brudzinski

Christine Rasoazanamparany, “Os and Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopic Study of Jorullo Lavas, Mexico:  Implications for Petrogenesis”.  Advisor:  Elisabeth Widom

Sophie Lehmann, “Climatic and Geomorphic Implications of a Mid-Miocene (12Mya) Landscape Surface in the Atacama Desert, Chile”.  Advisor:  Jason Rech

Huimin Yu, “Lithium Isotope Systematics in Azores Basalts”.  Advisor:  Elisabeth Widom

Stephen Holtkamp, “An Earthquake Swarm Search Implemented at Major Convergent Margins to Test for Associated Aseismic Slip”.  Advisor”  Mike Brudzinski

Kenneth Brown, “Geochronology and Geochemistry of a Late Cretaceous Granitoid Suite, Santa Rosa Range, Nevada”.  Advisor:  William K. Hart

Devin Boyarko, “Non-volcanic Tremor in Cascadia:  Segmented Along Strike, Anti-Correlated with Earthquakes, and Offset From the Locked Zone”.  Advisor:  Mike Brudzinski

Olaf Borkiewicz, “Formation of Precursor Calcium Phosphate Phases During Crystal Growth of Apatite and Their Role on the Uptake of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides”.  Advisor:  John Rakovan