Remote sensing program activity report

Major accomplishments in an effort to encourage investigation and technology transfer for practical applications of remote sensing to solve Earth resources problems in Vermont include: (1) acquisition, installation, and operation of the ORSER digital processing system on the University's IBM 3031 computer; (2) acquisition and operation of printing and CRT computer terminals for remote access to computer facilities for analysis of remotely sensed digital tape; (3) acquisition and operation of optical interpretation and image transfer devices for use with all types of aerial photography; (4) development of audio visual and other training materials for use in presentations, workshops, and short courses to enhance technology transfer; and (5) cooperation government agencies in demonstration projects to show the feasibility of using remote sensing technology

Lithostratigraphic Correlation of the Coconino Sandstone (Permian) and Its Equivalents, Western United States

The purpose of this study was to correlate Upper Paleozoic sandstone bodies of Pennsylvanian and Permian ages across the western United States. The cross-bedded Coconino Sandstone (Arizona) is perhaps one of the best-known formations in this collection of sandstones, many of which contain large cross-beds and thus are often interpreted as eolian in origin (McKee and Bigarella 1979). The Coconino Sandstone (Leonardian) is found in northern Arizona in places like Sedona and Grand Canyon. Stratigraphic columns were obtained from multiple sources including the AAPG’s COSUNA charts and data, the RMAG’s Geological Atlas of the Rocky Mountain Region, and published papers from a variety of books and journals (Adler 1986; Ballard et al. 1983; Bergstrom and Morey 1984; Hintze 1985, 1988; Hills and Kottlowski 1983; Kent et al. 1988; Mankin 1986; Mallory 1972a, 1972b). About 60 generalized stratigraphic columns were collected, drawn and then correlated across the western United States. North American Chronostratigraphic Units were used for this study since virtually all the Permian and Pennsylvanian literature for the western United States uses this nomenclature. Columns were “hung” on the Pennsylvanian/Permian boundary. Four sections were correlated from southern to northern states. Some of the better-known sandstones and formations included in this study were the Casper (WY), Cedar Mesa (UT), Coconino (AZ), Cutler (UT), De Chelly (AZ), Esplanade (AZ), Glorieta (NM, OK, TX), Lyons (CO), Minnelusa (MT, WY), Quadrant (MT), Queantoweap (UT), Tensleep (MT, WY), Weber (UT) and White Rim (UT). These sandstones often do not contain fossils, so many of the correlations were based on lithology, presumed age and distinctive units above and/or below the sand bodies of interest (such as limestone, salt, gypsum and phosphorite deposits). It was found equivalent sandstones can be correlated on both the eastern and western sides of the Rocky Mountains along transects from California-Arizona-Utah-Idaho-Montana-Dakotas and from California-Arizona-New Mexico-Texas-OklahomaColorado-Wyoming-Nebraska-Dakotas. The sandstone body is diachronous, meaning the northern sandstones were found to be slightly older than the southern ones. When the correlations are examined, it is clear there are large lenses of mud and siltstone within the sandstone bodies (like the Hermit Formation of Grand Canyon). It is estimated that the total area covered by the nearly continuous sand body consisting of all these named sandstones is about 2.0-2.5 million km2. The conventional interpretation of the Coconino is that it is an eolian deposit, its cross-beds forming as the result of large migrating desert sand dunes. The outcome of this study is significant because it demonstrates the lithostratigraphic equivalence of the Coconino with other sandstones, some of which are recognized as being marine, which is consistent with other findings indicating a marine origin for the Coconino (Whitmore and Garner 2018). Additionally, it would be hard to conceive of an eolian sand body being continuous around the area of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains (roughly in central and western Colorado); a continuous marine body would be much more plausible

The Hartford Basin of Central Connecticut: Multiple Evidences of Catastrophism

The Hartford basin consists of a long band of clastic sediments and basalts outcropping in Central Connecticut and Massachusetts. Geologists have long considered these sediments to be deposited by uniformitarian processes. Evidence will be presented in support of catastrophic deposition of these sediments over a short period of time. A possible Flood model for the formation of the basin shall be proposed

Lithostratigraphic Correlation of Upper Paleozoic Sandstone Bodies in the Western United States with Special Emphasis on the Coconino Sandstone

The purpose of this project was to correlate Upper Paleozoic sandstone bodies of Pennsylvanian and Permian age across the western United States. The lateral extent of the Coconino Sandstone (Leonardian) was of particular interest; it is found in northern Arizona in places like Grand Canyon. Data was obtained from multiple sources including the AAPG’s COSUNA charts and data, the RMAG’s Geological Atlas of the Rocky Mountain Region and published papers from a variety of books and journals. About 60 generalized stratigraphic columns were collected, drawn and then correlated across the western United States. Some of the more well-known sandstones and formations included in this study were the Casper, Cedar Mesa, Coconino, Cutler, De Chelly, Esplanade, Glorieta, Lyons, Minnelusa, Quadrant, Queantoweap, Tensleep, Weber and White Rim. These sandstones often do not contain fossils, so many of the correlations were based on lithology, presumed age and distinctive units above and/or below the sand bodies of interest (such as limestone, gypsum and phosphorite deposits). It was found equivalent sandstones can be traced northward on both the eastern and western sides of the Rocky Mountains along transects from California-Arizona-Utah-Idaho-Montana-Dakotas and from California-Arizona-New Mexico-Texas-Oklahoma-Colorado-Wyoming-Nebraska-Dakotas. When the correlation is examined, it is clear there are large lenses of mud and siltstone within the sandstone bodies (like the Hermit Formation of Grand Canyon). It is estimated that the total area covered by the nearly continuous sand body is about 2.0-2.5 million km2. The conventional interpretation of the Coconino is that it is an eolian deposit, its cross-beds forming as the result of large migrating desert sand dunes. This project is significant because it demonstrates the lithostratigraphic equivalence of the Coconino with other sandstones that are recognized as being marine, which is consistent with other findings indicating a marine origin for the Coconino

Is There a Difference Between Supposed Eolian and Subaqueous Cross-bed Dips?

Edwin D. McKee (1906-1984) is widely recognized as the Grand Canyon’s most distinguished geologist. His monographs on the Canyon’s formations range from the Coconino Sandstone early in his career (1934) to the Supai Group late in his career (1982). Within his publications, extensive cross-bed dip data can be found for the Tapeats, Manakacha, Wescogame, Pakoon, and Esplanade units. McKee never published any of his own data on cross-bed dips of the Coconino (despite writing the seminal work on the topic), but he claimed in a 1979 publication that its dips mostly fell within the 25-30° range. The purpose of this study is to statistically examine data published by McKee and Reiche to see if there is any difference in cross-bed dip angles between supposed subaqueous and eolian formations of the Grand Canyon area. McKee (1979) argued that “steep” cross-bed dips within the Coconino were one of the primary things that indicated it was an eolian sandstone. Many authors have argued that supposed eolian cross-beds are steeper than subaqueous ones. This project aims to test the validity of that claim. Cross-bed dip data was gathered from papers by McKee and Reiche and then statistically analyzed with Excel and Grapher. Calculating ANOVA with Excel showed that the cross-bed dip angle populations of the Tapeats, Wescogame, and Coconino could not be distinguished from one another. Notched box and whisker plots drawn with Grapher visually confirmed these results. This is a significant and unexpected result because the three formations supposedly represent very different depositional environments within a conventional model: the Tapeats, a high-energy nearshore marine environment, the Wescogame, a high-energy fluvial environment, and the Coconino, eolian dunes deposited by wind. McKee’s claim that most dips of the Coconino fall within the 25-30° range are not supported by the data. Similar cross-bed dip populations between these three formations, all having median dips of about 20°, is further evidence that the Coconino was not deposited by eolian processes. Work is ongoing to compare these results with the dips of other cross-bedded formations and the cross-bed dips of modern eolian dunes

A MIXED METHODS APPROACH TO SOCIAL LICENSE TO OPERATE FOR AQUACULTURE: UNDERSTANDING HOW BROAD PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS AND LOCAL COMPANY ACTIONS INFLUENCE COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE

With aquaculture development becoming increasingly important in meeting global food needs, understanding social dynamics of development is essential. Social license to operate (SLO), a concept that describes community acceptance and approval of incoming industry, offers a lens into these dynamics and possible strategies for successful development. Using a mixed-methods approach, this project aimed to investigate how broad public perceptions and local company actions influence social license to operate in aquaculture. First, a systematic literature review of SLO studies identified perceptions that would likely condition a community’s willingness to issue social license, independent of company actions. These predictors included environmental values, economic values, use-conflict, knowledge of aquaculture, experience with aquaculture, confidence in government, and perceptions of the safety of farmed seafood. Second, data from a nationally representative survey validated six of the seven themes as significant predictors of acceptability of aquaculture here in the US. Third, interviews with 30 Maine shellfish and seaweed farmers identified specific strategies used by farmers to earn trust from stakeholders, offering insights into state-specific barriers to social license for aquaculture. As stand-alone pieces, these three chapters add to a growing body of work on social license in aquaculture. The first chapter enhances SLO measurement, providing a community-focused framework that could be refined to help to identify communities that would benefit from and be receptive of aquaculture activity. The second chapter validates these predictors, but also expands research related to public perceptions of aquaculture more broadly. This chapter demonstrates that key predictors found in studies from across the globe are also relevant here in the US. The third chapter, though structured as an applied guidebook for SLO, contributes to several research gaps including understanding of the social networks that exist around aquaculture development, the community benefits offered by aquaculture, the ways that aquaculture companies incorporate SLO activity into their business strategies, and the relationship between third party certifications and SLO in aquaculture. Together, this body of work offers insights into the relationship between public perceptions, community dynamics, and social license. While farmers relay specific strategies used to gain local trust, they acknowledge that community context and pre-existing perceptions affect success. Considering public knowledge of aquaculture is low, perceptions are often formed through local experiences. For farmers, social license as a heuristic encourages creating positive experiences for community members. Collectively, these experiences could bolster support for the industry more broadly, acting as a catalyst for future growth. Further, putting community at the forefront leads to a more socially sustainable industry, where industry members are aware and attentive of social concerns. Though there is still much work to be done, this project highlights the utility and necessity of social license to operate as a way of thinking within aquaculture as well as natural resource industries more broadly