<p> A detailed petrographic, geochemical and strontium isotope study of the rocks representing the variations observed across the Coe Hill granite, Grenville Province, southeastern Ontario provides the basis for the determination of the age and possible origin of this pluton. This study also provides insight into the relationships between similar granitoid plutons in the immediate vicinity.</p> <p> The Coe Hill granite is a medium to coarse grained hypidiomorphic to allotriomorphic, leucocratic quartz monzonite with subordinate isolated inclusions of dioritic and gabbroic gneiss. Variations upon this otherwise homogeneous granitoid occur in discordant aplite dykes, assimilating mafic xenoliths and along brecciated contact boundaries.</p> <p> Generally the rocks of this pluton are more basic than the average for similar granitoids in the area (12.4% vs. 6.0% mafics) as observed in both thin section and major element oxide diagrams. Besides this trend major element diagrams have uniform distributions. A Rb-Sr isochron was determined for the rocks of the pluton proper which gave an age representative of the emplacement of these rocks (t = 1063 ± 21 M.a.; Ri = 0.7040 ± 5). Trace element Rb shows a value similar to the norm for granitoids yet is enriched in comparison to values acquired from similar granitoids in the area (144 ppm vs. 63 ppm).</p> <p> Through a synthesis of the available data, and that which was acquired from this study on the Coe Hill granite, a comparison with the available data on the Loon Lake quartz monzonite can be made. This comparison illustrates a great deal of strikingly similar trends which have been taken to represent a lower crustal, or upper mantle origin, cogenetic relationship between these two granitoids.</p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

<p> Tow Hill is a 109m butte located on the north shore of Graham Island, Queen Charlotte Islands. It is composed of a massive, 105m thick layer of olivine tholeiite, underlain by thin sills of tholeiitic basalt and interbedded sediments of the Skonun Formation. The age of this basalt body has been estimated to be less than 5Ma. Three hypotheses have been proposed as to the origin of Tow Hill: 1. a sill intrusion; 2. hydroclastic material; and 3. a lava flow or flows. Macroscopic features observed on Tow Hill do not indicate an origin and each of the three hypotheses can adequately explain the features. Petrographical studies indicate that the basalt is not fragmental and thus, the second hypothesis can be rejected. Neither of the two remaining hypotheses can be strictly accepted or rejected with petrographical examination. Chemical analyses indicate that Tow Hill is made up of "within plate" basalts which are probably related to activity associated with rifting and/or transtension in a continental environment. This constrains the late Tertiary tectonic history of the Queen Charlotte Islands in that any model of the tectonics of this area must involve rifting and/or transtension.</p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

No description available.

No description available.

Presented in this thesis is a case study of two study watersheds located in south central Virginia. For each, a HEC-HMS event-based hydrologic model was constructed to simulate the rainfall-runoff response from the Probable Maximum Storm (PMS), the theoretical worst-case meteorological event that is capable of occurring over a particular region. The primary goal of these simulations was to obtain discharge hydrographs associated with the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) at key locations in each of the watersheds. These hydrographs were subsequently used to develop flood inundation maps of the study areas and to characterize sediment transport phenomena in the study reaches under severe flooding conditions. To build the hydrologic basin models, ArcHydro, HEC-GeoHMS and ArcGIS were employed to assimilate the substantial amount of input data and to extract the pertinent modeling parameters required for the selected simulation methods. In this, the SCS Loss and Transform Methods, along with the Muskingum Routing Method, were adopted for the HEC-HMS simulations. Once completed, the basin models were calibrated through a comparison of simulated design storm flows to frequency discharge estimates obtained with regional regression techniques and a flood frequency analysis. The models were then used to simulate their respective PMS events, which were developed following recommendations from the Hydrometeorological Branch of the National Weather Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Descriptions of each of the study sites, explanations of the modeling theory and development methodologies, and discussions of the modeling results are all detailed within. / Master of Science

A flood inundation study is presented for a watershed located in south central Virginia. A HEC-RAS hydrodynamic model of the main river network was developed to assess the impact of a number of hydrologic events, including the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF), in the area of interest. The primary goal of the study was to transform discharge hydrographs produced by HEC-HMS, an event-based hydrologic model, into water surface elevations and flood inundation spatial extents. Initially, a river terrain model was constructed using data from publicly available sources and filed survey campaigns. HEC-GeoRAS and ArcGIS were used to document and integrate the considerable amount of data required for building the model. Then, a calibration process was performed using stage-discharge predictor curves. The HEC-RAS unsteady flow component was employed for routing the discharge hydrographs through the modeled river network. Flood inundation maps, as well as longitudinal water surface elevation and channel velocity profiles were generated for the study reaches. As part of the flood inundation study, an uncertainty quantification analysis was carried out on the boundary roughness of the floodplains. The objective was to measure the extent to which flood inundated areas, water surface elevations, and channel velocities were influenced by variations on this empirically-based model coefficient. Finally, the impact of various hydraulic characteristics of the modeled river on the sediment transport process is examined. This characterization is intended to provide a better understanding of a subsequent sediment transport modeling effort to be performed under severe flooding conditions. / Master of Science

This project is a romantic exploration of a site and a way of life. It is a proposition for blended boundaries between inside and out, between hill and house, as well as a study of mobility concerning a steep slope. Set in Lebanon overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the house is carved from the hill yet respects its topography. The hill becomes the communal spaces and rooms of the house. These uncovered spaces and stairways lead to small private spaces, separated by elevation as well as distance due to the accommodating hill. The Mediterranean climate is ideal, with its low rainfall, for outdoor living. The hill provides enough separation and privacy between each private room to function well for extended, multigenerational families. Each family has a similar viewing angle to the sea. / Master of Architecture

An evaluation of the geochemistry of the environment prior to large-scale changes enables scientists and other stakeholders to assess both baseline conditions and the potential impact of those changes to the environment. One area in which documentation of pre-development geochemistry is particularly important is in the exploitation of ore deposits. Ore deposits consist of concentrations of elements or minerals that are enriched enough to be of potential economic value. Their unusual geochemistry often leaves a signature on the environment that can both aid in location an economic resource and present environmental management challenges during its lifecycle. Coles Hill, Virginia, represents one such site. The Coles Hill property is the location of uranium-enriched rock, commonly referred to as the Coles Hill uranium deposit. This dissertation outlines study design, sampling, and statistical analysis methods that can be used in the geochemical characterization of a potential resource extraction site. It presents three studies on geoenvironmental media at Coles Hill. The first study discusses sampling strategies and statistical analysis to address variability in geology, hydrology and climate for baseline assessment and presents an example of such an assessment at Coles Hill. Results suggest a localized environmental impact of the deposit but that differences in bedrock geology within the area surrounding the deposit could also be responsible for some of the variation. This study also emphasizes the importance of consideration of data below analytical detection limits and describes methods for doing so. The second study compares the geochemistry of soil samples collected at Coles Hill with reference data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey using multivariate statistical techniques. Differences are used to suggest potential pathfinder elements such as light rare earth elements to aid in exploration for similar deposits. The third study uses multivariate statistical analysis to examine differences among rocks, soils, and stream sediments to infer important geochemical processes involved in weathering of the deposit. Overall, the results of these studies can aid in the development of future environmental site studies at Coles Hill and elsewhere. / Ph. D.

I set out to create a house to nestle within the rugged landscape of West Virginia; a dwelling that would suit those living in rural villages and up remote hollows. This place is created by a retaining wall to hold back the slope and a generous roof to shelter from the weather. The structure is divided into two seemingly equal halves, one half being enclosed to form the house, the other remaining for outdoor space. Terrain and orientation were considered, giving rise to three variations of the house. Within each house, memories of my childhood surroundings are recognized and celebrated. / Master of Architecture

This report describes the results of the survey and sample excavations of small cairns, annular structures and other remains on Coats Hill, near Moffat. The difficulties of assessing the dates and functions of certain of the structures are discussed. The project formed part of the archaeological studies for the North Western Ethylene Pipeline (NWEP) Project for Shell Chemicals UK Ltd, which wholly funded the archaeological work and the publication of this report.