Conference ‘an amazing experience’ for geology students

Students shared research, went on field trips at Geological Society of America meeting

By California State University, Bakersfield

November 5^th, 2024

The Geological Society of America held its annual meeting in Anaheim in September, drawing in geologists from all over the world. Among them was a group of faculty members and students from California State University, Bakersfield’s Geology Department.

With research presentations, networking opportunities, field trips and more, the conference gave professional and student geologists alike the chance to connect and learn more about a wide range of topics in their field.

“I cannot say this enough: it was an amazing experience!” said Brooklyn Macross, a senior geology major. “It felt like I was actually stepping foot into the professional world, instead of just being a student.”

Macross was one of several CSUB students who presented their research at the conference. Along with her fellow student researchers, Braedon Scarry and Elijah Swanson, Macross presented two posters on mine tailings.

“Mine tailings are waste piles left behind after all the valuable materials are collected from the mine,” Macross explained. “There are millions of these piles around the world that just sit there, doing nothing at best and potentially leaching harmful contaminants into the environment at worst.”

Her group’s first poster — Carbon Mineralization for Potential Long-Term Carbon Capture and Storage: A Mineralogical Analysis of Mine Tailings in Mojave Desert, California — detailed their research on repurposing mine tailings for carbon sequestration, a method of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it to reduce greenhouse gases. The process occurs naturally in certain rocks, Macross explained, and her group wants to see if mine tailings can be moved elsewhere to maximize the amount of carbon being mineralized.

Their second poster — Environmental and Health Impact Assessment of Mining Tailings: A Case Study from the Randsburg Mining Complex, California — explained how potentially hazardous elements like arsenic, chromium, rubidium and strontium can be transported when mine tailings are moved. Contaminating the new environment is something geologists will naturally want to avoid, so Macross and her team hope to study improved waste management practices to mitigate that risk.

Fellow CSUB undergraduates Joshua Barnes and Tyler Garza each presented posters highlighting their field research and internship experiences at sea and in the Smithsonian National Natural History Museum. While most student presenters at the conference were graduate students, Macross and other student researchers from CSUB were among a smaller group of undergraduate presenters.

“Before the conference, my group and I were a little nervous that we would be grilled by these experts, but everyone we interacted with was very professional and provided constructive feedback,” she said. “Collaboration is a key step in the advancement of sciences, and it felt great to be a piece of the puzzle.”

Brooklyn Macross shared her research on "Environmental and Health Impact Assessment of Mining Tailings: A Case Study from the Randsburg Mining Complex, California."

Brooklyn Macross and fellow student researchers Elijah Swanson and Braedon Scarry, with their research poster.

Senior geology major Madison Tarpley also attended the conference, though her experience took her out of the convention center and into a better-known Anaheim destination: Disneyland. One of a few field trips available to conference-goers, the tour of the park was both educational and fun, Tarpley said.

“The tour focused on how geology and paleontology are essential to ‘making the magic’ at Disneyland Resort,” she said. “It was fascinating to see how famous geological sites like the Matterhorn and Bryce Canyon National Park influenced the design of the park’s attractions, such as Big Thunder Mountain and Galaxy’s Edge. It gave me a whole new appreciation for how geoscience shapes even the most unexpected places, like theme parks!”

Back at the conference, Tarpley attended a meet-and-greet for officers of college geology clubs. As the president of CSUB’s Geology Club, she enjoyed the opportunity to exchange ideas and see what other clubs are doing. Another highlight of the conference was a women’s geology event, where Tarpley met Cate Larsen, also known as “the Groovy Geologist.”

“It was amazing to connect with someone who’s making geology more accessible and engaging through social media,” Tarpley said of Larsen. “We had a great conversation, and I left feeling even more inspired by the power of community in this field.”

Research Tarpley and other CSUB students (Tyler Garza, Maggie Izumi and Olivia Arias) worked on was presented by their faculty mentor, Dr. Liaosha Song. The team’s research focuses on the practicality of geological hydrogen storage in California’s Central Valley, specifically on the use of depleted oil and gas reservoirs for long-term storage. The team assessed the integrity of the caprock from the Miocene Monterey Shale, evaluating its ability to permanently seal the reservoir, Tarpley explained. Determining the potential of depleted reservoirs for safe and effective underground hydrogen storage is a crucial component for sustainable energy solutions.

“Although I didn’t personally present at the Geological Society of America Meeting, it was an inspiring experience to see my work shared with such a large audience of geologists,” Tarpley said. “Seeing my professor present our research gave me a sense of pride and accomplishment, especially considering the number of attendees and the discussions that followed. It was incredible to see how our work fit into the broader dialogue about sustainable energy and geological storage technologies.”

Madison Tarpley outside of the conference in Anaheim.

At the conference, Madison Tarpley met Cate Larsen, the Groovy Geologist.

Both Macross and Tarpley said their favorite part of the conference was connecting with other geologists from around the world and learning about their research.

“It was inspiring to exchange ideas and hear different perspectives on the same challenges we face in the field,” Tarpley said. “Talking to experts from different geological disciplines gave me a fresh perspective on how I could improve my research, particularly when it comes to refining methodologies and thinking about applications for my work in new ways.”

The students also enjoyed a variety of presentations, two of which were led by CSUB’s own Dr. Matt Herman. The assistant professor of geology arrived at the meeting a day early to lead a short course on the thermal signature of mountain building, giving those in attendance a better understanding of Earth’s temperature field and how it changes in response to geological processes. He also gave a research talk on the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, presenting a new conceptual framework for what happened during this earthquake.

Macross recommends students at CSUB connect with faculty in their department and get involved with research if they can. She said her team wouldn’t have had the opportunity to attend the GSA conference without the help of faculty mentors and poster co-authors Dr. Junhua (Adam) Guo (who presented additional research at the conference) and Dr. Katie O’Sullivan (who also participated in a conference field trip).

CSUB Geology Department Chair Dr. Anthony Rathburn, who also attended, said the conference is a great opportunity for geologists at any stage of their education and career.

“It was gratifying to see CSUB geology students experience the thrill of discussing their research with peers and scientists at a large professional conference,” he said. “Their excitement was clearly evident as they attended research talks, visited graduate school tables and checked out vendor and publisher booths.”

Dr. Matt Herman works on the modeling section of a short course, along with Dr. Kevin Furlong from Penn State (standing) and Dr. Kirsty McKenzie from James Madison University. CSUB geologist Dr. Chris Krugh is one of the attendees paying close attention.

Dr. Liaosha Song presents a talk co-authored with four CAL-EPIC students, Olivia Arias (engineering), Tyler Garza, Madison Tarpley and Maggie Izumi.

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Footnotes

Story by Kelly Ardis, communications specialist, College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering (NSME); Photos courtesy of Dr. Rathburn, Macross and Tarpley

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FootNotes

Story by Kelly Ardis, communications specialist, College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering (NSME); Photos courtesy of Dr. Rathburn, Macross and Tarpley

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Conference ‘an amazing experience’ for geology students

Students shared research, went on field trips at Geological Society of America meeting

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