Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration
Georgia Section Meeting Notice
 
A meeting of SME Georgia Section will be held on March 18, 2010 in the University Banquet Room (Presidential Dining Room) at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Georgia. 

Abstract:  Serpentinized ultramafic rocks are magnesium rich and for this reason are being evaluated as potential source rock material for use in carbon-dioxide sequestration efforts.  Serpentinized ultramafic rocks are also typically magnetite rich and hence can produce distinct magnetic anomalies.  Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey and Columbia University have collaborated to produce a national-scale map of magnesium-rich ultramafic rocks within the United States.   We use the newly compiled geologic data in combination with airborne magnetic surveys over parts of the Coast Range and Sierra Nevada Foothills ultramafic belts in northern California to illustrate how the magnetic data can be used to extend the mapping of the ultramafic rocks into the shallow subsurface and to identify potentially unmapped ultramafic rock.  The geophysical data can provide three-dimensional information on the geometry, lateral extent, thickness, and volume of ultramafic rock that occurs in the shallowly buried subsurface to minable depths.  Results contribute to a first approximation of accessible rock material for mineral sequestration.  Airborne magnetic surveys exist for the United States and, consequently, we believe this study demonstrates an adaptable approach that can be used to map the surface and shallow subsurface extent of ultramafic rocks in other parts of the country.

About the Speaker: Anne is a Research Geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, Colorado. She has worked with the USGS for over 20 years with a research focus on analyses of airborne magnetic and electromagnetic data for a wide range of applications.  She has experience in development, application, and interpretation of geophysical data for hydrologic and geologic studies, experience with statistical approaches as a means to integrate geoscience information for resource assessments, and in the analyses of radioactive and magnetic minerals related to human health impacts.  She regularly participates on multidisciplinary teams and is currently contributing to a project to explore mineral carbonation as a means to sequester carbon dioxide in ultramafic rocks.

Location: The Presidential Dining Room is on the upper floor of the Maxwell Student Union located at corner of N. Clarke Street and W. Hancock Street on the campus of Georgia College & State University.  The entrance is on the Hancock St. side of the building.  See http://www.gcsu.edu/about/campusmap/ for a GC&SU campus map. 

For registration and additional information click on this PDF.