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

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)

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

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

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF URBANIZATION ON THE DECLINING GROUNDWATER LEVEL OF GAZIPUR DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF URBANIZATION ON THE DECLINING GROUNDWATER LEVEL OF GAZIPUR DISTRICT, BANGLADESH RAZA, Jowaher, HASSAN, Muhammad Qumrul, AHMED, Kazi Matin, ZAHID, Anwar and KHANDAKER, Nazrul, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 54, No. 5, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2022AM-379416 RAZA, Jowaher1, HASSAN, Muhammad Qumrul1, AHMED, Kazi Matin1, ZAHID, Anwar2 and KHANDAKER, Nazrul3, (1)Department of Geology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh, (2)Bangladesh Water Development Boards (BWDB), Farmgate, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh, (3)Geology Discipline, York College of CUNY, 9420 Guy R Brewer Blvd, AC-2F09, Jamaica, NY 11451-0001 The Gazipur District belongs to the ‘Madhupur Tract,’ situated in the northern part of Dhaka, the central upland area of Bangladesh. The Gazipur district is located between 23˚53’ to 24˚20’ North latitudes and between 90˚09’ to 90˚42’ east longitude. Geographically, Gazipur is almost the center of Bangladesh, next to the fast-growing and developing Capital City, Dhaka. It is a growing industrial center resulting in rapid urbanization. Due to increased population growth, municipal services are stressed with the increasing demand for natural resources. Consequently, forest and water bodies are diminishing, resulting in significant environmental impacts. Gazipur City (GC) zone covers almost 48.50 km² and is subdivided into a center range, which encompasses 16 km2 surrounding the city\u27s core, and a periphery region which includes the remaining 32.5 km2. The highest population densities are situated in the middle of the central zone, while rural or semi-rural enclaves are located on the periphery. The population density of the GC Corporation is 1,884 inhabitants per square kilometer. Being part of the greater Dhaka metropolitan area, this district also faces insurmountable obstacles due to its uncontrolled growth. These include high levels of poverty and social vulnerability, inadequate infrastructure, lack of social services environmental equity, and incompetent urban management. Domestic and industrial sectors consume the most water in the Gazipur District, with 85 percent of the urban water demand being met by groundwater and 15 percent by surface water. Groundwater reserves are in peril due to uncontrolled groundwater abstraction and chronically reduced recharge, resulting in a constant decline of \u3e2 meters per year of groundwater level. It is necessary to link the impact of industrialization and urbanization on groundwater availability and quality as well. Keywords: Groundwater level, Sustainability, Urban Management, Smart City, Recharge, Bangladesh, Urbanization, Industrialization, Population Density Session No. 25--Booth# 64 Sunday, 9 October 2022: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM Exhibit Hall F (Colorado Convention Center

Reflections on the 2013 GSC-GSA ‘Roof of the World’ China Meeting and Chengdu

The recently concluded First Joint Scientific Meeting of Geological Society of China (GSC) and Geological Society of America (GSA) proceeded efficiently in the modern setting of the Jinjiang Hotel, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. GSA’s International Section played a key role bringing this meeting to the overseas communities. The meeting, titled ‘Roof of the World’, ended on 19th June, 2013, followed by several field trips that lasted from three to six days. The meeting was designed to promote and bolster the academic communication between the GSC and GSA, and covered a wide range of topics presented through 15 technical sessions, including: Evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Continental Deformation and Deep Lithosphere Processes, Intra-Continental Deformations and Geo-hazards, Accretionary Orogens, Deep Earth Processes through Geochemistry, Mineral Deposits, Basins and Petroleum Resources, Permian-Triassic Mass Extinctions, Ultra High-pressure Metamorphism, Ophiolites, Carbon Sequestration, Water Resources and Hydrogeology, Gas Hydrates, Critical Transitions in Earth’s History and Foreland basin tectonics

ASSESSING STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND INTEREST FROM THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO PRESENT USING ENGAGEMENT, ATTENDANCE, AND GRADES AS INDICATORS

ASSESSING STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND INTEREST FROM THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO PRESENT USING ENGAGEMENT, ATTENDANCE, AND GRADES AS INDICATORS SINGH, Andrew, KHANDAKER, Nazrul, ZARINE, Ali, ROBBINS, Kathy H., JACKSON, Shirley and AHMED, Masud, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 54, No. 5, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2022AM-379409 SINGH, Andrew1, KHANDAKER, Nazrul2, ZARINE, Ali3, ROBBINS, Kathy H.4, JACKSON, Shirley3 and AHMED, Masud5, (1)Earth and Physical Sciences, York College of CUNY, 9420 Guy R Brewer Blvd, AC-2F09, Jamaica, NY 11451-0001, (2)Geology Discipline, York College of CUNY, 9420 Guy R Brewer Blvd, AC-2F09, Jamaica, NY 11451-0001, (3)Geology Discipline, Earth and Physical Sciences, York College Of CUNY, 94-20, Guy R. Brewer Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11451, (4)Bronx Early College Academy for Teaching and Learning, 250E 164 STREET, Bronx, NY 10456, (5)Earth and Physical Sciences, York College (CUNY), Geology Discipline, AC-2F09, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11451 Preliminary data analysis involving several introductory geology courses, mostly tied with general education curriculum, indicated that when comparing interest and engagement between different geological topics being taught, there was no clear winner. However, topics that drew the most attention tended to be any that contained sub-topics that were controversial or exciting. For example: volcanoes (destructive capability and evacuation measures), earthquakes (similar magnitude with variable destruction), fluvial processes (frequency of mega-flood and impact on urban areas) and groundwater (contamination due to over pumping). Topics that did not yield positive outcomes, or generate enough curiosity, were those typically less sensational by their nature (glaciers, sedimentary rocks, mineral chemistry, identification of minerals and rocks, deserts, etc.). Interestingly, a scarcity of rare earth rich minerals drew attention, as the dwindling resource potential may cripple manufacturing of electronics and communication devices. Students seemed to be thoroughly engaged to participate in topics that connected with a broader spectrum of socio-economic consequences. In a way, it demonstrated the significance of applied geology as a cornerstone as part of geoscience knowledge gathering. Being in urban setting, where many students are commuting or non-traditional type, dissemination of content knowledge required incorporation of current events such as extreme weather-related mega-floods, forest fires, landslides, hurricanes, coastal surges etc. Assessing interest poses a challenge because of multiple variables and interconnectedness. Students tended to spend less time in class on Fridays, but more time during the last topic before an examination in anticipation of a review. Grades have been mixed, but are generally lower between Spring 2020 and Spring 2022 semesters for the same class covering the same topics, in the same order. Overall learning comprehension appears to have decreased. It is recommended to practitioners for devising pedagogically-sound lessons on any geology/environmental science-related topic to include using as many recent, real-world incident examples as possible and especially relying on controversial, debatable, and sensational sub-topics (within reason). Session No. 25--Booth# 62 Keywords: Geosciences, Natural Hazards, Effective Pedagogy, Assessment Rubric, Students Interest, Bearing on Societal Needs, Remote Learning, COVID-19 Pandemic Sunday, 9 October 2022: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM Exhibit Hall F (Colorado Convention Center