abstract: I investigate the Black Canyon City landslide (BCC landslide), a prominent deep-seated landslide located northeast of Black Canyon City, Arizona. Although the landslide does not appear to pose a significant hazard to structures, its prominent features and high topographic relief make it an excellent site to study the geologic setting under which such features develop. This study has the potential to contribute toward understanding the landscape evolution in similar geologic and topographic settings, and for characterizing the underlying structural processes of this deep-seated feature. We use field and remotely-based surface geology and geomorphological mapping to characterize the landslide geometry and its surface displacement. We use the Structure from Motion (SfM) method to generate a 0.2 m resolution digital elevation model and rectified ortho-photo imagery from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) - and balloon-based images and used them as the base map for our mapping. The ~0.6 km2 landslide is easily identified through remotely-sensed imagery and in the field because of the prominent east-west trending fractures defining its upper extensional portion. The landslide displaces a series of Early and Middle Miocene volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The main head scarp is ~600 m long and oriented E-W with some NW-SE oriented minor scarps. Numerous fractures varying from millimeters to meters in opening were identified throughout the landslide body (mostly with longitudinal orientation). The occurrence of a distinctive layer of dark reddish basalt presents a key displaced marker to estimate the long-term deformation of the slide mass. Using this marker, the total vertical displacement is estimated to be ~70 m, with maximum movement of ~95 m to the SE. This study indicates that the landslide motion is translational with a slight rotational character. We estimate the rate of the slide motion by resurvey of monuments on and off the slide, and examination of disturbed vegetation located along the fractures. The analysis indicates a slow integrated average landslide velocity of 10-60 mm/yr. The slide motion is probably driven during annual wet periods when increased saturation of the slide mass weakens the basal slip surface and the overall mass of the slide is increased. Results from our study suggest that the slide is stable and does not pose significant hazard for the surrounding area given no extreme changes in the environmental condition. Although the landslide is categorized as very slow (according to Cruden and Varnes, 1996), monitoring the landslide is still necessary. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Geological Sciences 2016

O objetivo do presente estudo foi demonstrar que as informações produzidas pelos trabalhos científicos, quando organizadas e colocadas em formato eletrônico (digital), facilitam a utilização por pessoas a quem venham interessar. Foi desenvolvido um projeto em mapeamento geotécnico, utilizando-se um sistema de informação geográfica e um projeto dentro do ambiente de uma linguagem de programação(elaboração de um aplicativo). Observou-se que esses instrumentos proporcionam facilidade e rapidez na manipulação, na busca, no armazenamento, na visualização, na consulta e na análise da informação. A Pesquisa teve lugar na região de Ribeirão Preto (SP) e, utilizando-se o desenvolvimento do projeto de mapeamento geotécnico na escala 1:50.000 (escala regional), foi feita a análise das formas de organização das informações no formato eletrônico considerando o sistema de informação geográfica e usando um aplicativo externo ao SIG. Puderam- e verificar vantagens e desvantagens do uso desses instrumentos, em relação ao formato não-eletrônico (e forma de papel). Além do SIG (SPRING4.0, desenvolvido pelo Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais – INPE) e o aplicativo desenvolvido na linguagem de programação Visual Basic (comercializada pela Microsoft), recorreu- e a um visualizador de informações georeferenciadas (TERRAVIEW, desenvolvido pelo INPE) e um programa (um anplet SPRINGWEB, desenvolvido pelo INPE) que ajuda a disponibilizar as informações na Internet. Ficou comprovado que a informação armazenada eletronicamente é mais fácil de ser manipulada, organizada e consultada. / This research had proposed to show that the information produced by scientific jobs, when this information is organized and electronically, this facilitated the use for other interested people. Therefore, a geological engineering mapping design was developed using a geographical information system (GIS) and another project about the elaboration computer program. It was observed that theese tools proposed easier and faster manipulation, search, storage, display, reference and the analysis of geo-referential information. The research was realized in Ribeirão Preto and region in the state of São Paulo, using the development of the geological engineering mapping desing on a scale of 1:50,000 (regional scale). Analyse of the ways of organizing of the information electronically: in GIS and using a computer program apart from GIS. You can verify the advantages and disadvantages when using these tools on paper as well. In addition to using GIS (SPRING, it was developed by Instituto de Pesquisas Espaciais - INPE) and the computer program, in this research which was developed in Visual Basic (it was sold by Microsoft), a displayer for geo-referential information (TERRAVIEW, it was developed by INPE) and a software were also used, wich offers the visualization of the information in the internet (SPRINGWEB is an anplet which was developed by INPE). And it proved that the electronically stored information is easier to be manipulated, visualized, organized and consulted

As the world pushes for ‘greener’ technologies and carbon neutrality, efforts have focused on creating novel ways to mitigate humankind’s carbon footprint. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has become a prevalent technique that has proven to be an effective long-term method to safely relocate excess carbon dioxide (CO2) into subsurface formations. However, CCS is a newer technique which requires constant monitoring due to potential leakage pathways present in CO2 storage sites; therefore, a preventive approach to seal leakage pathways is recommended. This dissertation explores the potential of CO2-sensitive polyacrylamide (CO2-SPAM) as a novel sealing agent for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and CCS applications. This manuscript explores the strength and weaknesses of various CO2-triggered chemicals and selects the appropriate fit for subsurface in-situ sealing. Relevant literature shows that CO2-SPAM can significantly reduce permeability in porous media. Additionally, organically cross-linked polyacrylamide-based gels, of which CO2-SPAM is one, are thermally stable, resistant to low pH levels, highly injectable, and widely used in various industrial processes. These characteristics make CO2-SPAM a suitable candidate for in-situ sealing. Further studies were performed to comprehend the chemical mechanism, rheological behavior, and injection effects of CO2-SPAM into subsurface formations. Firstly, past literature knowledge and organic chemistry principals were used to develop the complete chemical breakdown of CO2-SPAM gel’s synthesis. Secondly, the effect of salt and polyacrylamide (PAM) concentrations on gelation time, gel strength and viscosity were tested through qualitative (Sydansk gel strength coding system) and quantitative methods (rheometer measurement). The results showed that high salinities increase gelation time and decrease gel strength and viscosity, while high PAM concentrations do the opposite. Lastly, the effects on geomechanical stresses caused by CO2-SPAM injection into the subsurface are also addressed by using the image well method for pore pressure estimation, and frictional faulting theory. The final results determined that the injection of aqueous CO2-SPAM would induce seismicity in normal faulting zones dipping at a large array of angles in the plane of failure. These findings are significant as they determine the potential of induced seismicity in the area of CCS, which in this case was the Raton basin.

Master of Science / Department of Geology / Abdelmoneam Raef / Geotechnical site characteristics are a function of the subsurface elastic moduli and the geologic structures. This study integrates borehole, surface and laboratory measurements for a geotechnical investigation that is focused on investigating shear-wave velocity (Vs) variation and its implication to geotechnical aspects of the Ogden test site in eastern Kansas. The area has a potential of seismicity due to the seismic zone associated with the Nemaha formation where earthquakes pose a moderate hazard. This study is in response to recent design standards for bridge structures require integrating comprehensive geotechnical site characterization. Furthermore, evaluation of dynamic soil properties is important for proper seismic response analysis and soil modeling programs. In this study, near surface geophysical site characterization in the form of 2D shear-wave velocity (Vs) structure that is compared with laboratory measurements of elastic moduli and earth properties at simulated in situ overburden pressure conditions and synergy with downhole Acoustic Televiewer time and amplitude logs, proved very robust “validated” workflow in site characterization for geotechnical purposes. An important component of a geotechnical site characterization is the evaluation of in-situ shear modulus, Poisson’s ratio and reliable and accurate elastic modulus ([lambda]) and shear modulus ([mu]) estimates are important in a good geotechnical site characterization. The geophysical site characterization, undertaken in this study, will complement and help in extrapolating drilling and core-based properties deduced by the geotechnical engineers interested at the test site.

An inventory of unstable slopes along transportation corridors and performance modeling are important components of geotechnical asset management in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). Hazards and risk were assessed for 285 unstable slopes along 151 miles of roadway. A multi-criteria model was created to select fourteen sites for two-dimensional probabilistic rockfall simulations and Acid Base Accounting (ABA) tests. Simulations indicate that rock material would likely enter the roadway at all fourteen sites. ABA test results indicate that influence of significant acid-producing potential is generally confined to slaty rocks of the Anakeesta Formation and graphitic schist of the Wehutty Formation. The research illustrates an approach for prioritizing areas for site-specific investigations towards the goal of improving safety in GRSM. These results can help park officials develop mitigation strategies for rockfall, using strategies such as widening ditches and encapsulating acidic rockfall material.