The course is divided into two components. The first part of the course examines the geologic history of the Texas region, from the evidence provided by the rock record. Following a brief review of geologic principles, we start to build the collage that represents the geology of Texas, starting with the oldest rocks and working our way toward the present. We will learn that this part of the Earth's crust has been in vastly different positions on the planet than it is today. It has been at different positions with regard to longitude and latitude and with regard to its relation to other continental masses. These collectively resulted in different climates, which affected the type of sediments being deposited. Continental collisions created great mountain ranges, and erosion reduced these to subdued features and covered them with younger materials. Rifting produced basins in which sediments accumulated. Magmatism, metamorphism, and earthquake activity accompanied these dynamic tectonic episodes. We will examine areas around the state where remnants of these geologic episodes are preserved.
The second part of the course is devoted to the mineral resources of the state. Following a review of general principles related to the formation and utilization of natural resources, we will start to examine the mineral resources of Texas, including the geologic reasons for their development and location. Texas is important not only as a home for more than 20 million people but also as a major agricultural- and mineral resource-producing area. Texas' natural earth resources include oil, gas, coal, lignite, salt, gypsum, sulfur, clays for bricks, tiles, and other ceramics, clays and limestone for cement, sand, gravel, a large variety of building stones, other industrial rocks and minerals, nuclear minerals, geothermal and wind energy, water resources of all kinds, and a variety of soils that provide agricultural and forest products. The topography, soil patterns, and available water supplies combine to create the crop and land use mosaic of the surface of Texas and even shapes the tax collection patterns because of their relationship to employment. Many of these patterns mimic the surface rock distribution. We will consider the methods that are used to determine the nature of rocks below the surface and to explore for their locally contained mineral resources.
We also will discuss some of the complex general issues involving resources and society. Proper appreciation of the balance between resources demanded by modern society and the need to sustain our fragile environment will make each of us a more informed citizen of the state, country, and planet.
Supplementary Readings and Resources
Topic Suggested Readings On-line and Other Resources General Geology Review (introductory geology text) http://pubs.usgs.gov/publications/text/dynamic.html
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/help/timeform.htmlTexas Geologic Overview (1) p. 1-25 Kyle, R., 2000, Geologic History of Texas (CD)
http://www.ig.utexas.edu/research/Central Texas (1) p. 112-183 Long, L., 2002, Geologic Wonders of Central Texas http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rmr/llano.htm Marathon Region (1) p. 254-291 Kyle, R., 2000, Geologic History of Texas (CD) Permian Basin (1) p. 211-253, 321-328 http://www.science.ubc.ca/~eoswr/slidesets/guad/slidefiles/ Gulf Coast Geology (1) p. 35-90, 185-209 http://www.beg.utexas.edu
Leslie/Kyle, 1997, Salt dome geology and … (CD)Trans-Pecos Texas (1) p. 291-321, 329-353 Barker, D., 2000, Volcanoes: Killers & Creators (CD)
http://www.maroon.com/bigbend/Cenozoic Geology (1) p. 354-387, 91-111 http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/expltx/panh/panh.htm Resources and Society (2) p.1-57, (3) p. 1-9 http://www.usgs.gov/themes/resource.html
http://www.census.gov/
http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/education/index.html
http://www.mii.orgTexas Mineral Resources http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/state/tx.html Other Energy Review http://www.lignite.com Petroleum Geology (4), (5) http://www.energy.gov/
http://www.oilhistory.com/Texas Petroleum Resources (1) p. 26-34, (6), (7) Kyle/Papp, 2002, Principles of Petroleum Geology (CD) Other Energy Resources (2) p. 161-208
(3) p. 117-163http://www.wci-coal.com/index.php
http://www.uilondon.org/Water Resources Industrial Mineral Resources (2) p. 299-364
(3) p. 263-300http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/ Handbook of Texas Online http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/index.html
(1) Spearing, D., 1991, Roadside geology of Texas: Mountain Press, 416 p.
(2) Craig, J. R., Vaughan, D. J., and Skinner, B. J., 2001, Resources of the Earth 3rd edn.: Prentice Hall, 520 p.
(3) Kesler, S. E., 1994, Mineral resources, economics, and the environment: Macmillan, 391 p.
(4) Hyne, N. J. 1984, Geology for petroleum exploration, drilling, and production: McGraw-Hill, 283 p.
(5) Morris, J. and others, 1985, Practical petroleum geology: Petroleum Exten. Service, Univ. of Texas, 234 p.
(6) Galloway, W. E. and others, 1983, Atlas of major Texas oil reservoirs: Univ. of Texas, BEG, 139 p.
(7) Kosters, E. C. and others, 1989, Atlas of major Texas gas reservoirs: Univ. of Texas, BEG, 161 p.
(8) Webb. W. P., editor-in-chief, 1952-76, The Handbook of Texas: Texas State Historical Association
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