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28 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Carbon Storage in Fold‐and‐Thrust Belts: An Overlooked Gigatonne Storage Opportunity

This study presents numerical investigations of the trapping characteristics of fold-and-thrust belt structures, defining three carbon capture and storage (CCS) play types that could be used to store commercial volumes (millions of tonnes) of CO 2 . Specifically, we present simulations of CO 2 storage in three fold-and-thrust belt models comprising a thrust-ramp, duplex, and thrust-fold geometry. To constrain these play types in realistic geology, each model is based on a study site, including a novel investigation of a greenfield saline reservoir in Virginia, USA, being considered for commercial carbon storage and two well-characterized petroleum fields: the Wilburton field in Oklahoma, USA, and the Incahuasi field in Bolivia. Our results provide insight into several key parameters, such as the long-term security of injected CO 2 in these geologies and injection strategies for maximizing storage efficiency while reducing pressure-related risk. These results improve the understanding of CCS in fold-and-thrust belt storage sites globally by describing general storage parameters that may be applied to site-specific projects. We find that thrust-ramp geometries may securely trap CO 2 through solubility and hydrodynamic trapping under suitable reservoir conditions, duplex structures may store some quantities of CO 2 but are pressure-constrained, and that thrust-ramp structures may store large quantities of CO 2 by maximizing fetch volume, which simultaneously lowers geomechanical risk by reducing pressure buildup along zones of weakness.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Exploring Sustainable Critical Mineral Production in Central Appalachia: A Pathway to Economic Revitalization & Environmental Justice

The Evolve Central Appalachia (Evolve CAPP) project team was formed to explore the sustainability of critical mineral production within the Central Appalachian coal basin, spanning Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee in the United States. The initiative is evaluating the rare earth and critical mineral resource potential essential for powering clean energy technologies, while fostering a circular economy throughout the energy transition. Opportunities are being sought to address environmental justice, workforce development and responsible sourcing. By promoting greater resource utilization, the project is identifying downstream value-added industries, further fostering economic revitalization in the region.

Bishop, Richard↗
DOE OSTI2025

Marcellus assessment shows continued expansion

Increasing uncertainty regarding the remaining volume of recoverable gas in Appalachian shale plays provided the original motivation for this study. Assessments of the Marcellus and Utica shale plays published by the US Geological Survey (USGS) in 2019 established resource volumes dramatically lower than ongoing well performance would indicate. Further, as production in the Marcellus increased and wells matured, operators observed that wells were producing more than the estimated gas-in-place (GIP).

03 NATURAL GAS↗
NASA NTRS1972

Discovery of two lunar features, part H

Study of the Apollo 16 photographs resulted in the discovery of two large features in the far side highlands near the eastern limb of the moon not indicated on existing lunar maps and charts. The larger unnamed feature is a three-ringed 1000 km diameter basin, and the smaller feature is a 200 km diameter crater that is located between the eastern middle and outer rings of this basin. This crater surrounds Becvar Crater. Since these newly discovered features are large enough and significant enough to warrant the assignment of names, the following names have been recommended to the Committee on Nomenclature of the IAU for consideration. Arabia is the name suggested for the newly-found basin to honor Arab contributions to astronomy. Rupes Sibericus (Siberian Scarp) is suggested for the 1 km high scarp that borders the eastern part of the middle ring of the basin. Rupes Apalaches (Appalachian Scarp) was suggested for the 2 km high scarp that borders the western part of the middle ring of the basin. Necho has been suggested for the new found 200 km diameter crater between the eastern middle and outer rings of the basin.

El-Baz, F.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A study of the United States coal resources

Geologically significant coal resources were identified. Statistically controlled tonnage estimates for each resource type were prepared. Particular emphasis was placed on the identification and description of coals in terms of seam thickness, inclination, depth of cover, discontinuities caused by faulting and igneous intrusion, and occurrence as isolated or multiseam deposits. The national resource was organized into six major coal provinces: the Appalachian Plateau, the Interior Basins, the Gulf Coastal Plain, the Rocky Mountain Basins, the High Plains, and North Alaska. Each basin within a province was blocked into subareas of homogeneous coal thickness. Total coal tonnage for a subarea was estimated from an analysis of the cumulative coal thickness derived from borehole or surface section records and subsequently categorized in terms of seam thickness, dip, overburden, multiseam proportions, coal quality, and tonnage impacted by severe faulting and igneous intrusions. Confidence intervals were calculated for both subarea and basin tonnage estimates.

Ferm, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Validation of a Remote Sensing Based Index of Forest Disturbance Using Streamwater Nitrogen Data

Vegetation disturbances are known to alter the functioning of forested ecosystems by contributing to export ('leakage') of dissolved nitrogen (N), typically nitrate-N, from watersheds that can contribute to acidification of acid-sensitive streams, leaching of base cations, and eutrophication of downstream receiving waters. Yet, at a landscape scale, direct evaluation of how disturbance is linked to spatial variability in N leakage is complicated by the fact that disturbances operate at different spatial scales, over different timescales, and at different intensities. In this paper we explore whether data from synoptic streamwater surveys conducted in an Appalachian oak-dominated forested river basin in western MD (USA) can be used to test and validate a scalable, synthetic, and integrative forest disturbance index (FDI) derived from Landsat imagery. In particular, we found support for the hypothesis that the interannual variation in spring baseflow total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and nitrate-N concentrations measured at 35 randomly selected stream stations varied as a linear function of the change in FDI computed for the corresponding set of subwatersheds. Our results demonstrate that the combined effects of forest disturbances can be detected using synoptic water quality data. It appears that careful timing of the synoptic baseflow sampling under comparable phenological and hydrometeorological conditions increased our ability to identify a forest disturbance signal.

Eshleman, Keith N.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The relationship of extensional and compressional tectonics to a Precambrian fracture system in the eastern overthrust belt, USA

The central and southern Appalachians have a long history of interrelated extensional and compressional tectonics. It is proposed that each episode was controlled by a reactivation of a fracture system in the Precambrian basement. Proprietary seismic-reflection profiles show a system of down-to-the-east Precambrian extensional faults. When under renewed extension, these faults produce features such as the western border faults of Mesozoic basins, and when under compression, probably produce tectonic ramps in the overlying sedimentary cover rocks as well as the spatially and genetically related Alleghenian folds. This system, which parallels the Appalachian trend, is cut by a system of cross-strike hinge or scissors faults that have probable strike-slip movements. Reactivation of this cross-strike system appears to have produced lateral ramps that connect decollements at different stratigraphic levels and caused abrupt changes in fold wavelength along strikes. Continued reactivation of this cross-strike system is suggested by east-west border faults and Precambrian highs between Mesozoic basins. The present activity of this system is suggested by the fact that more than 35% of recent earthquakes are coincident with cross-strike faults and lateral ramps.

Pohn, H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Electromagnetic induction studies

Recent developments in electromagnetic induction studies of the lithosphere and the asthenosphere are reviewed. Attention is given to geoelectrical studies of active tectonic areas in terms of the major zones of crustal extension, the basin and range province along western regions of North America, and the Rio Grande rift. Studies have also been performed of tectonic activity around Iceland, the Salton Trough and Cerro Prieto, and the subduction zones of the Cascade Mountains volcanic belt, where magnetotelluric and geomagnetic variation studies have been done. Geomagnetic variations experiments have been reported in the Central Appalachians, and submarine electromagnetic studies along the Juan de Fuca ridge. Controlled source electromagnetic and dc resistivity investigations have been carried out in Nevada, Hawaii, and in the Adirondacks Mountains. Laboratory examinations on the conductivity of representative materials over a broad range of temperature, pressure, and chemistry are described.

Hermance, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Late Cenozoic flexural deformation of the middle U.S. Atlantic passive margin

Despite the century-long recognition of regional epeirogeny along the middle Atlantic passive margin, relatively few studies have focused on understanding postrift uplift mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that epeirogenic uplift of the central Appalachian Piedmont and subsidence of the Salisbury Embayment represent first-order, flexural isostatic processes driven by continental denudation and offshore deposition. Our results show that regional epeirogenic processes, present on all Atlantic-type passive margins, are best resolved by specific stratigraphic and geomorphic relationships, rather than topography. A simple one-dimensional geodynamic model, constrained by well-dated Baltimore Canyon trough, Coastal Plain, and lower Susquehanna River (piedmont) stratigraphy, simulates flexural deforamtion of the U.S. Atlantic margin. The model represents the passive margin lithosphree as a uniformly thick elastic plate, without horizontal compressive stresses, that deforms flexurally under the stress of strike-averaged, vertically applied line loads. Model results illustrate a complex interaction among margin stratigraphy and geomorphology, the isostatic repsonse to denudational and depositional processes, and the modulating influence of exogenic forces such as eustasy. The current elevation, with respect to modern sea level, of fluvial terraces and correlateive Coastal Plain deposits or unconformities is successfully predicted through the synthesis of paleotopography, eustatic change, and margin flexure. Results suggest that the middle U.S. Atlantic margin landward of East Coast Magnetic Anomaly is underlain by lithoshpere with an average elastic thickness of 40 km (flexural rigidity, D = 4 X 10(exp 23) N m), the margin experience an average, long-term denudation rate of approximately 10m/m.y., and the Piedmont has been flexurally upwaped between 35 and 130 meters in the last 15 m.y. Long term isostatic continental uplift resulting rom denudation and basin subsidence resulting rom sediment loading are accomodated primately by a convex-up flexural hinge, physiographically represented by the Fall Zone. Our results elucidate an inherent danger in using topography alone to constrain late-stage passive margin deformation mechanisms. Only through careful synthesis of field stratigraphic and geomorphic elements such as fluvial terraces, Coastal Plain deposits, and offshore stratigraphy can age control be extended from the offshore depositional setting to the erosionally dominated continent. This sudy demonstrates that despite a relatively subdued topography, the middle U.S. Atlantic margin experiences progressive flexural isostatic deformation similar to that proposed for high-relief margins characterized by great escarpments. Thus margin topographic diversity remains a function of other factors, such as lithospheric composition and/or structure, supracrustal stratigraphy and structure, degree of drainage integration, drainage divide migration and climate.

Pazzaglia, Frank J.↗