Here is a sampling of some of the undergraduate research projects that our faculty have overseen in recent years. The projects are grouped according to the faculty advisor.

Dr. Kyle Mayborn's Undergraduate Research Projects

Mitch Weller: An Investigation of vesiculation in dikes from Labrador, Canada: Implications for depth of emplacement

Mitch’s research project was to determine the depth of emplacement of a suite of dikes based on the volume and diameter of amygdules found within those dikes. This project required Mitch to read many articles concerning H 2O and CO 2 solubility in mafic magmas in addition to many hours of point-counting and making petrographic observations. He used a quantitative approach towards establishing the depth of emplacement by taking previous calculations for vesiculation of mafic lavas in the ocean and modify those equations to be applicable to vesiculation in dikes.

Christina Forbes: Determining eruption patterns from geophysical data from the Colima volcano, Mexico

Christina spent four weeks in Mexico working with on the Volcán de Colima with volcanologists at The Centre of Exchange and Research in Volcanology at the University of Colima, Mexico. Subsequently, at WIU, Christina evaluated data from the volcano in an effort to find correlations between plume sequences, plume temperatures and seismic signatures.

Athena Klotz: Quantitative modeling of fractional crystallization of an alkaline dike swarm from Nain, Canada

Athena’s project involved modeling of major and trace elements in an effort to determine the liquid line of descent of parental magmas for a suite of alkaline dikes from Nain, Canada

Troy Markin: Field investigation of Mafic Dikes in Labrador, Canada

This project was a four week field investigation of mafic dikes for the propose of describing their relative chronology, orientations, and mesoscopic textures. Troy and I camped at numerous localities and were transport from one camp to the next by boat or helicopter. (Photo shows Dr. Mayborn and Troy Markin in Labrador.)

Lauren Hunt: Characterization and Identification of Precambrian Mafic Dike Suites from Labrador Canada

This project was a petrographic study of samples previously collected from Labrador for the purpose of classifying the dikes into related suites. For part of the project, Lauren and I traveled to the University of Iowa to use their photomicrography equipment. (Photo shows a calcite-bearing amygdule in a Labrador dike)

Andy Brehm: The role of titanomagnetite in the evolution of Mesoproterozoic mafic dikes, Labrador, Canada

The project was a geochemical investigation of the role of titanomagnetite as a fractionating phase with the Nain dikes' parental magmas. As part of the project, Andy and I traveled to Indiana University to use their electronmicroprobe. (Photo shows electron backscatter image of titanomagnetite in a Labrador dike.)

Dakota Kubler and Steven Angster: A field investigation of volcanic rocks in the Flat Tops Volcanic Field, Colorado.

This project involved the detailed description of two sections of volcanic rocks in the Flat Tops wilderness area. Both Dakota and Steven are currently conducting further research utilizing samples gathered during the fieldwork. (Photo shows Steven and Dakota in the Flat Tops wilderness area.)

Dr. Leslie Melim's Undergraduate Research Projects

Neil Shannon: Cave pool speleothems in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Andy Brehm: Controls on shelfstone distribution, Lower Cave, Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico: Preliminary Results

Rust, Ginny: Pool merinque: A new speleothem found in Carlsbad Cavern, New Mexico

Wamsley, Melinda: Pressure solution in deep water carbonates, ODP Leg 166, Sites 1003C and 1007C

Dr. Fred Caspall's Undergraduate Research Projects

Brehm, Andy: Analysis of western Illinois soil strength by examination of soil texture and clay content

Andy used the hydrometer to determine soil texture and x-ray diffraction to determine the type of clay.

Kline, Lucas and Ray, Patrick: Relation of the Post-Illinoian Sangamon Interglacial Soil on the Upland and Upper Terraces of the La Moine River, McDonough County, Illinois

Lucas and Patrick used textural analysis and x-ray diffraction determinations to compare soils on these surfaces.

Markin, Troy: Correlation of Landfill Units with Samples from Recent Drill Cores

Troy used textural analysis to correlate these units.

Dr. Steve Bennett's Undergraduate Research Projects

Baughman, Amanda: An Investigation into the Discharge and Water Chemistry of Two Springs in western McDonough County

Amanda sampled water from Norris Spring and Vishnu Spring and sent them to a lab for chemical analysis. Her results showed that Norris Spring has a local recharge area during high-flow events whereas Vishnu Spring has a less variable discharge indicative of a much larger recharge area.

Kline, Lucas: Investigation of the Contribution of Springs to a Small Stream in Northern Warren County, Illinois

Lucas designed and constructed weirs to measure the discharge of in-bank springs. The spring that Lucas is "walling off" with the weir was the largest of numerous spring along this creek.

Brehm, Andy: Suspended Sediment Load of Spring Creek: A Preliminary Study

Andy measured the discharge and the suspended sediment concentrations in Spring Creek to compute the suspended sediment load at different stream stages. (Photo shows Andy holding DH-38 suspended sediment sampler in Spring Creek)

Rust, Ginny: Effects of Land-Use on Concentrations of Selected Chemical Species in Big Creek, Illinois: A Preliminary Study

Ginny collected and performed simple water analyses of samples taken along a stretch of Big Creek. She compared the downstream changes to the landuse characteristics of the contributing drainage area. (Photo shows Ginny by her poster during the 2004 Undergraduate Research Day)

Wamsley, Melinda: Estimating Water Table Recharge: Good Hope, Illinois

Melinda digitized and analysed 4.5 years of water level data and, combined with precipitation data, estimated the rate of water table recharge for a variety of precipitation events.