Tectonosedimentologic Significance of the Upper Cretaceous Foreland Basin Siliciclastics: Western Interior, USA

The Upper Cretaceous Frontier Formation exposed along the western margin of the western interior foreland basin is composed of clastic sediments that were deposited during the initial late Cretaceous transgressive-regressive phases of the Western Interior Seaway across Wyoming (Figure 1). Current study is aimed at providing attendees with the best practices associated with tectonic, lithofacies and sedimentologic interpretation of foreland basin sequences and emphasizing the need for utilizing field, structural, geochemical, and compositional data for reconstructing a viable scenario connected with foreland basin sedimentary packages. An attempt will be made to compare documented sedimentological findings with foreland basins located in the northeast of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The lithofacies belonging to the Frontier Formation are subdivided into three distinct units which are, in ascending order: the lower Frontier unit, characterized by bioturbated sandstone, mudstone, bentonitic mudstone, and chert-pebble conglomerate; the middle Frontier unit, a thick sequence of sandstone, carbonaceous mudstone, bentonites, and chert-andesite-granite-quartzite pebble conglomerate; and the upper Frontier unit which incorporates thick beds of sandstone, siltstone, and bioturbated mudstone. Lateral as well as vertical variation in lithofacies is pronounced and sediment-fill is asymmetric. The basal sandstone (Peay sandstone) is composed of relatively thin layers of very fine to fine grained, bioturbated sandstone interbedded with irregularly laminated dark gray and poorly bioturbated mudstone. Small-scale troughcross-stratification and minute intraformational rip-up clasts are also present within this sandy facies. The middle Frontier sandstones are generally less well-sorted than those of the basal sandstones; although the grain size coarsens up section within this middle unit. In addition, the middle Frontier sandstones consist of low-angle, trough cross-stratification, plant debris, and thin beds of lignite. The upper Frontier unit is composed of thick beds of fine to medium-grained sandstone. Ripple bedding is common in this unit. Carbonaceous shale, sideritized mudstone, root traces, and plant remains are frequently observed within this unit. Small horizontal to inclined burrows (Ophiomorpha) are encountered in the outcrop

A Gossip Algorithm based Clock Synchronization Scheme for Smart Grid Applications

The uprising interest in multi-agent based networked system, and the numerous number of applications in the distributed control of the smart grid leads us to address the problem of time synchronization in the smart grid. Utility companies look for new packet based time synchronization solutions with Global Positioning System (GPS) level accuracies beyond traditional packet methods such as Network Time Proto- col (NTP). However GPS based solutions have poor reception in indoor environments and dense urban canyons as well as GPS antenna installation might be costly. Some smart grid nodes such as Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), fault detection, Wide Area Measurement Systems (WAMS) etc., requires synchronous accuracy as low as 1 ms. On the other hand, 1 sec accuracy is acceptable in management information domain. Acknowledging this, in this study, we introduce gossip algorithm based clock synchronization method among network entities from the decision control and communication point of view. Our method synchronizes clock within dense network with a bandwidth limited environment. Our technique has been tested in different kinds of network topologies- complete, star and random geometric network and demonstrated satisfactory performance

Geoengineering Constraints on Foundation: Case Study from Queens, New York City, USA

This paper deals with regional geologic information coupled with geoengineering and soil characterization aspects of a facility site to be developed by New York City Agency in Maspeth (40° 43\u27 28 North, 73° 55\u27 10 West), Queens. Soil and sediment samples, collected from depths close to the surface to over 60 m into the bedrock near the Maspeth site in Queens, consist of a zone of non-compact fill materials (3–8 m thick), underlain by a compressible peat and a partially decomposed highly plastic organic layer (liquid limit around 85) associated with calcareous clay and shell fragments (1–3 m thick). The presence of the shell-bearing unit close to the surface may be indicative of a buried estuarine complex in this area. In planning construction projects near waterways in older coastal cities, it is important to consider this possibility. The organic clay and peat layer were underlain by loose-to-firm glacial sand with gravels often intercalated with thin silty clay lenses. The current upper soil horizons are not sufficiently strong to withstand the required loading, which is estimated at near 1200 kips in some locations. The foundation support system will therefore have to be established in the glacial sand, possessing N (blow count) around 50 and liquid limit close to 30 (low plasticity)

WATER FLOW NET CHARACTERIZATION BY USING A TANK MODEL: PRELIMINARY OUTCOME

A model study was conducted to observe and characterize the flow of water through sandy soil. One of the most relevant tools used for characterizing groundwater flow is the flow net. Assuming that water is incompressible and there is zero volume change in the soil mass, it is known that the total rate of inflow is to equal the total rate of outflow. Thus, following the principle of flow continuity, we use the Laplace equation of continuity, to observe the concept of the flow net. Computing the flow through a miniature channel, we observed the total head difference from the first equipotential line to the last equipotential line divided by the number of equipotential lines between the first and last head drop qchannel=(k)(∆H)Nf/Nd. This resulted in multiplication of the permeability by the head difference 1.9 inches by the number of flow channels 4 divided by the number of equipotential line drops 6. Being that this is the scenario, Darcy’s Law is then substituted. This was done by multiplying the hydraulic conductivity by hydraulic gradient to find the velocity. The tank model has been designed to display the flow of groundwater around an obstruction. This model clearly illustrates the flow path and velocity of the groundwater. Constructed with sheets of glass glued together to seal and prevent leakage. A submersible pump was connected to a clear vinyl tube, which is attached to the apparatus with silicone sealing glue, allowing for a constant difference of pressure while the water flows from one side to the other. The apparatus was leak tested prior to the soil being added. The pumps on each side are attached to a bucket of water below to prevent water from over flowing or drying out the soil. As the groundwater flows, traces of the dye which represent the flow lines, or stream function, provides evidence of the water’s flow nets. Overall, it provides a simple approach to understand the practical aspects of groundwater flow

Study of Volcanic Sediments by Microbeam-PIXE Technique

Single mineral grains in a suite of Cretaceous (85–90 Ma) volcanic sedimentary rocks were analyzed using the microbeam-PIXE technique to understand fundamental geological processes responsible for micro-scale variation in elemental composition across mineral zones, twinning, cleavage planes, fractures and grain boundaries. Distributions of major and trace elements show distinct geochemical features indicative of a specific geological setting and a subsequent diagenetic process in these volcanic sediments. Examples of mineral zoning, microstructures of variable chemistry and post-depositional fluid flow are discussed using the data on feldspar group of minerals

PRELIMINARY GEOCHEMICAL AND MINERALOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE BEACH SAND, VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO

PRELIMINARY GEOCHEMICAL AND MINERALOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE BEACH SAND, VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO ROBBINS, Kathy H., KHANDAKER, Nazrul, SINGH, Andrew, and MUNRO, Toralv, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol 54, No. 5, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2022AM-379886 ROBBINS, Kathy H., Bronx Early College Academy for Teaching and Learning, 250E 164 STREET, Bronx, NY 10456, KHANDAKER, Nazrul, Geology Discipline, York College of CUNY, 9420 Guy R Brewer Blvd, AC-2F09, Jamaica, NY 11451-0001, SINGH, Andrew, Earth and Physical Sciences, York College of CUNY, 9420 Guy R Brewer Blvd, AC-2F09, Jamaica, NY 11451-0001 and MUNRO, Toralv, 10911 164th St Apt 1, Jamaica, NY 11433-2921 Representative beach sand samples were collected from Vieques (18.095901948142554, -65.49229758368986; Puerto Rico) and chemically analyzed for provenance interpretation. Puerto Rico is the eastern-most island of the Greater Antilles, which is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea that includes the countries of Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Jamaica, and the U.S. territory – the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico (and its outlying islands of Culebra and Vieques), along with the U.S and British Virgin Islands are the subaerial form of a microplate that exists at a seismically active plate boundary between the North American plate and the northeast margin of the Caribbean plate (United States Geological Survey Bulletin #1042-1, 1957). The Black Sand Beach is a short drive from the town of La Esperanza and it’s about a quarter of a mile long. Samples were collected from low-and high tide dominated areas. The most abundant heavy mineral in the beach sands of Puerto Rico is magnetite. It occurs on all shores of the island. Ilmenite is present, associated with the magnetite. The beach sands also contain minor amounts of chromite. The west and southwest shores, from Punta Guanajiba to Ponce, are composed of weathered rocks, mangrove swamps, and beaches composed of shell fragments. Heavy minerals are a major constituent of the beach sand in many places on the south coast and magnetite often constitutes more than 15 percent of the sand. The east coast, from the Rio Grande de Patillas to Naguabo, consists of outcropping volcanic and intrusive rocks of Cretaceous and early Tertiary age and sandy beaches. Rich concentrations of heavy minerals occur locally. Both bulk oxide (silica, alumina, soda, potash, magnesia, both ferrous and ferric oxide, calcium oxide, etc.) and trace elements (Ti, Zr, Y, Cr, Sr, Rb, Ce, La, etc.) analyses were performed on collected sands by using both X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Based on geochemical discriminating factor, there seemed to be an affinity of most of the black sands with volcanic-sourced derivation. Ceaseless shoreline processes ultimately fractionated heavy mineral concentrations in black sands due to hydraulic sorting. Keywords: Beach Sand, Heavy Minerals, Geochemical Investigation, Provenance, Black Sand, Puerto Rico, Vieques Sunday, 9 October 2022: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM Exhibit Hall F (Colorado Convention Center

INTEGRATING REMOTE DIGITAL TOOLS INTO POST-PANDEMIC GEOLOGIC FIELDWORK TO EFFECTIVELY DISSEMINATE CONTENT DELIVERY AND ASSIST IN OVERALL UNDERSTANDING OF VARIOUS GEOLOGIC PHENOMENA: SUMMER 2022 FIELD MAPPING EXERCISES

INTEGRATING REMOTE DIGITAL TOOLS INTO POST-PANDEMIC GEOLOGIC FIELDWORK TO EFFECTIVELY DISSEMINATE CONTENT DELIVERY AND ASSIST IN OVERALL UNDERSTANDING OF VARIOUS GEOLOGIC PHENOMENA: SUMMER 2022 FIELD MAPPING EXERCISES SHAMI, Malek, BETHEL, Cherise, NUNEZ, Eddy, RAYHAN, Salam, KHANDAKER, Nazrul and CABAROY, Charren C. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 54, No. 5, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2022AM-379779 SHAMI, Malek1, BETHEL, Cherise2, NUNEZ, Eddy3, RAYHAN, Salam3, KHANDAKER, Nazrul2 and CABAROY, Charren C.1, (1)Geology Discipline, AC-2F09, York College of CUNY, 9420 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11451, (2)Geology Discipline, York College of CUNY, 9420 Guy R Brewer Blvd, AC-2F09, Jamaica, NY 11451-0001, (3)School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, CUNY Queens College, . 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367 In the summer of 2020, a case study titled “Integrating Digital Tools in Remote Learning to Enhance the Delivery Methods of Technical Content in Undergraduate Geosciences” was virtually presented at the GSA annual meeting (initially scheduled in Montreal, Canada). The primary objective concerning the usage of digital tools was to highlight the abrupt COVID-19 induced transition to remote learning, the subsequent impact on geologic fieldwork, and the deployment of new digital tools as an adaptation to the unprecedented change in the learning environment. Here, authors discuss integrating such digital tools and lessons learned from geologic fieldwork conducted during the pandemic into the post-pandemic geologic field investigation. The summer 2022 Geologic Field Mapping Course (capstone course) conducted in Rosendale, Ulster County, NY, involved lower to mid Paleozoic complexly folded siliciclastic and carbonates and was taught by adhering to pre-pandemic standards. Students from both the City University of New York (CUNY) York College and CUNY Queens College had the opportunity to camp in the field using facility provided by North-South Lake for the entire duration of the course. Accommodation near the point of interest was possible largely due to easing of social distancing protocols and being closer to Rosendale, enabled students to inspect outcrops for field data collection. Digital tools carried over from the 2020-2021 pandemic era included the employment of a 5G Internet Hotspot, a miniprojector, and the use of various remote software such as DPlot, Sedlog, ArcPro GIS, and Google Earth. Pertinent lithologic and structural data were plotted to draw cross-sections, correlate outcrops/units, and decipher depositional environments of the exposed sedimentary rocks. The outcomes of this recently concluded field mapping exercises demonstrate that integrating lessons learned and utilization of digital tools not only optimize geologic fieldwork, rather, it also enhances the efficiency of statistically analyzing data, making real time decisions in the field, and correlating various findings to previously published academic literature. Access to 5G Internet Hotspot in remote setting became very effective in terms allowing students to gather peer-reviewed geologic information and minimize the knowledge gap, if any. Sunday, 9 October 2022: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM Exhibit Hall F (Colorado Convention Center

ASSESSING VEGETATION PATTERN USING MODERATE RESOLUTION IMAGING SPECTRORADIOMETER (MODIS) IMAGES ALONG THE WESTERN COASTAL AREA OF BANGLADESH

ASSESSING VEGETATION PATTERN USING MODERATE RESOLUTION IMAGING SPECTRORADIOMETER (MODIS) IMAGES ALONG THE WESTERN COASTAL AREA OF BANGLADESH AKHI, Atika Rahman, AHMED, Asib, HASSAN, Muhammad Qumrul, and KHANDAKER, Nazrul Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol 54, No. 5, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2022AM-379769 AKHI, Atika Rahman, Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh, AHMED, Asib, Department of Geography and Environment, Dhaka University, Agargaon, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh, HASSAN, Muhammad Qumrul, Department of Geology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh and KHANDAKER, Nazrul, Geology Discipline, York College of CUNY, 9420 Guy R Brewer Blvd, AC-2F09, Jamaica, NY 11451-0001 The coast of Bangladesh is known as a zone of vulnerability. It is prone to natural disasters like cyclones, storm surges, and floods. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images with spatial resolutions ranging from 250 to 1 km are primarily used to assess vegetation dynamics and processes at a large scale. Using pixel-based maximum likelihood classification (MLC) on these data can produce products with an accuracy ranging from 63% to 82%. The extraction of vegetation information from satellite images is based on interpretation factors such as color, texture, tone, pattern, and association. Many sensors provide imagery for producing VI (e.g., Normalized Difference Vegetation Index or NDVI) calculated from the bands in the visible and near-infrared regions. A good technique that has the potential to improve vegetation classification is the fusion of remotely sensed data with multiple spatial resolutions. The efficient integration of remote sensing information with varying temporal, spectral, and spatial solutions is necessary for accurate vegetation mapping. NDVI values range from +1.0 to -1.0. Areas of barren rock, sand, or snow usually show shallow NDVI values (for example, 0.1 or less). Sparse vegetation such as shrubs, grasslands, or senescing crops may result in moderate NDVI values (approximately 0.2 to 0.5). High NDVI values (about 0.6 to 0.9) correspond to dense vegetation such as that found in temperate and tropical forests or crops at their peak growth stage. The classification of Land use and Land cover of the Western coastal area of Bangladesh shows that there are eight different sectors: water, dense vegetation, grassland, flooded vegetation, agricultural land, shrub land, built-up area, and bare land. Using MODIS, greater than 6000 and 5374 pixels represent dense and sparse vegetation areas respectively. The NDVI found that the sparse vegetation of the western coastal area is increasing, but the site\u27s dense vegetation is decreasing from 2003 to 2022. This study validates the importance of a thorough understanding of the related concepts and careful design of the technical procedures, which can be utilized to study vegetation cover using remote sensing images. Keywords: Vegetation mapping, MODERATE RESOLUTION IMAGING SPECTRORADIOMETER (MODIS), Bangladesh, Remote sensing sensors, Image processing, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Image classification, and Coastal area Sunday, 9 October 2022: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM Exhibit Hall F (Colorado Convention Center