Resources and Facilities - Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences

Laboratory Safety

Emergency Procedures, Building Evacuation Plans, Medical Emergencies, Chemical Exposure, Chemical Spills, FIRE Emergencies

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Aqueous Geochemistry

Characterizes the chemical properties of water and solids to support research in hydrogeology, geochemistry, and geomicrobiology. Equipment used: carbon analyzer (TC), Organic analysis Field and laboratory gas chromatographs, thermal desorber, high pressure liquid chromatographs, Inorganic analyses Ion chromatograph, autotitrator, field and lab spectrophotometers. BET sorptometer for N2, Ar, and Kr BET surface areas, and A microporosities, organic carbon analyzer.

Computational Facilities

The Department maintains state-of-the-art computing facilities for use in both teaching and research. These include centralized servers, a multimedia teaching classroom, undergraduate and graduate computer laboratories and specialized computing sites. Unix, PC and Mac platforms are maintained by three technical staff members.

Electron Microbeam Laboratories

Four major instruments (EPMA, SEM, ESEM, and XRD) provide microscale imaging and chemical analysis of a wide range of earth materials. This lab serves a broad cross-section of the research interests represented in the School.

Fission Track Thermochronology Laboratory

Provides routine analysis of fission tracks in apatite and zircon to constrain the low-temperature thermal-time (T-t) history of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.

Geomicrobiology Laboratories

Facilities for culturing and characterizing aerobic and anaerobic prokaryotes (Eubacteria and Archaeabacteria) using a Coy anaerobic chamber (H2/N2 atmosphere), Constant temperature waterbaths, autoclave, incubator, horizontal and vertical gel rigs, refrigerated centrifuge, UV light box, Thermalcycler, phase-contrast and fluorescent microscope. HPLC and GC facilities for degradation studies.

Paleomagnetics Laboratory

Measures ancient magnetic fields for reversals helping to determine ages and initial locations of rock beds. A 2-G Magnetometer is the heart of our operation while electromagnetic coils and furnaces aid in the process of demagnetization.

Geophysics Facilities

Landmark and Geoquest software is used for processing and interpreting 3 Dimensional Seismic Date.

High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility

Provides high resolution non-destructive, density maps of solid samples (rocks, fossils, etc) up to a maximum size of 50 cm diameter by 150 cm high (50 kg mass). Equipment: An industrial CT scanner that is an adaptation of medical CAT scanners.

ICP Mass Spectrometry Facility

To perform trace elemental and isotopic analysis in solutions and solids, we have an Agilent 7500ce Quadrupole ICP-MS, a Micromass IsoProbe Multi-Collector Hexapole ICP-MS, and a New Wave LUV213 Nd:YAG Laser Ablation system.

Isotope Hydrology Clean Laboratory

This clean laboratory is for applications of radiogenic isotope and trace element analysis (including Sr and U-series isotopes and rare earth elements) as tracers and geochronometers in sedimentary and hydrogeologic systems. These analyses are in support of research to both internal and external collaborators (faculty, graduate students and researchers).

Non-vertebrate Paleontology Lab

Take a look at our non-vertebrate fossil collections. Find out more about the history of the collections. Learn more about the early Texas paleontologists. Understand why there are so many fossils in Austin. Become familiar with some of your local fossils. Find out about our exciting current developments.

Petrographic Imaging Facilities

Micro-scale imaging of rocks using directly observed visible light. Equipment: Low-power stereo microscopes, high resolution low-magnification scanned imaging, transmitted and reflected cross-polarized microscopy, high resolution 3D light microscopy (Edge R400) UV-stimulated fluorescence microscopy, microscope-mounted CL Photomicrography systems for all of these methods, both digital (Polaroid DMC) and conventional film.

Stable Isotope Laboratory

This laboratory has recently been completely renovated (2008). The new lab facility will house two, new state-of-the-science, Thermo-Finnigan isotope ratio mass spectrometers: 1) dual inlet MAT 253 with a Kiel IV carbonate device, 2) continuous flow Delta V. Routine analyses of carbonates (18O, 13C; Kiel, Gasbench), water (HD and 18O; TC/EA, Gasbench), organic material (C and N, EA; H and O TC/EA), and DIC (Gasbench) will be performed.

Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry Lab

Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) Lab

Measures the isotopic compositions and elemental concentrations of Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf, U-Th-Pb, Li, B, Mg, K, Zr, and REE. Equipment: Seven-collector Finnigan-MAT 261 thermal ionization mass spectrometer (1987) A single-channel ion-counting systems.

U-PB Geochronology Laboratory

Provides precise, conventional U-Pb ages in support of research to both internal and external collaborators (faculty, graduate students and researchers). Equipment: clean laboratory, with 3 laminar-flow HEPA-filtered workstations and related equipment for ultra-clean chemical separation.

Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory

The Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory (VPL) is known worldwide as a major repository for unique scientific collections from the American Southwest. VPL is the principal repository for vertebrate fossils collected from state and federal lands in Texas and contiguous areas, as well as for specimens collected elsewhere using state and federal funds.

Walter Geology Library

The primary research collections of the library presently include more than 100,000 book and journal volumes and 46,000 geologic maps, among them the publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, most state geological surveys, and those of many foreign countries. Regional emphasis is on the Southwestern United States, Texas, and Mexico.