Marine Geology and Geophysics Facilities

Active Tectonics and Seafloor Mapping Laboratory

The Seafloor Mapping Laboratory supports tectonic and geologic investigations and specializes in three-dimensional geographic information systems (GIS) visualization of multiple datasets, and real-time seafloor geophysical data collection at sea. It can acquire and process sidescan sonar and multi-beam swath data, including deep-towed, shallow-towed, and hull-mounted systems. A processing package can handle the unique difficulties of deep-towed sidescan sonar data, which is then integrated into our GIS. Real-time GIS can be analyzed at sea, allowing interpretation of new shipboard data from sonars, multi-beam systems, submersibles, and remotely controlled vehicles. The laboratory is exploring the new field of submarine paleoseismology (pre-historic earthquakes) at major submarine plate boundaries, and also specializes in interpretation of geologic and geophysical data for habitat investigations. For further information, contact Dr. Chris Goldfinger.

Coastal Imaging Laboratory

The Coastal Imaging Laboratory specializes in the extraction of wave and beach measurements from video imagery. The laboratory is the primary site for archive and analysis of the Argus program images of long-term nearshore behavior. Digitization of real time or videotape data is also carried out on either of two Sun workstations with Imaging Technology image processors or on a Silicon Graphics Indy. For more information, contact Prof. Rob Holman.

Coring Facility

The COAS marine geology group operates a facility for sampling the seafloor via coring and dredging. Available equipment includes large (4-inch diameter) and small (2.5-inch diameter) piston corers, gravity corers, box corers, and an eight-tube multi-corer. OSU coring technicians have been active in seagoing operations since 1971. One of two such national facilities with a broad range of coring capabilities, the OSU group will contract coring operations on any ship with appropriate wire and winch capabilities. Core description and archiving services are available from the OSU core repository. For information on current prices and equipment availability, contact Prof. Nick Pisias.

Electron Microprobe Laboratory

The Oregon State University Electron Microprobe Laboratory, located in Burt 150, utilizes and maintains a Cameca SX-100 Electron Microprobe equipped with 5 wavelength dispersive spectrometers (WDS) and one energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) with thin window for light element detection. The probe has high intensity dispersive crystals for high sensitivity trace element analysis, and a high precision sample stage with 0.1 um stepping capability. The probe is equipped with Cameca Peak Site analysis and imaging software. The SX-100 is capable of quantitative analyses from Z = 4 (Be) to 92 (U) uranium. It has the capability for high-resolution elemental mapping and trace element analysis at low concentrations (generally to 100’s of ppm). The probe has a high speed back scattered electron (BSE) imaging system, transmitted and reflected light imaging, and automated calibration and analysis. The Electron Microprobe Laboratory maintains a wide range of in-house calibration standards for quantitative analyses of silicates, sulfides, carbonates, oxides, and alloys. For more information, contact Frank Tepley.

Experimental Petrology Laboratory

This laboratory can reproduce the conditions under which lava crystallizes. The equipment includes three vertical quench furnaces, each capable of precise control of temperature and the chemical activity of oxygen. In addition, the laboratory contains the equipment necessary to mount, section, and polish the experimental run products. The research conducted at the laboratory ranges from experimental determination of the partitioning of trace elements in natural systems, to the phase equilibria of basalts, to the development of new techniques for the re-homogenization of melt inclusions from naturally occurring lavas. For further information, contact Profs. Roger Nielsen or Martin Fisk.

Micropaleontology Laboratory

COAS maintains two micropaleontology laboratories that specialize in calcareous fossils such as benthic and planktic foraminifera (see Prof. Alan Mix for further information), and siliceous fossils such as radiolarians and diatoms (see Prof. Nick Pisias for further information). Each of these laboratories includes sample preparation facilities, a variety of microscopy and microphotography capabilities, and reference collections of fossil species.

OSU/COAS Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometer Facility

This regional facility is used extensively by OSU and COAS researchers, university and private researchers from throughout North America, and international researchers. The laboratory houses three gas-source isotope-ratio mass spectrometers with diverse inlet systems to study natural abundances of light stable isotopes in solids, liquids, and gases. For more information, contact Prof. Alan Mix.

OSU/COAS Marine Geology Sample Repository

COAS operates the Marine Geology Sample Repository, a 36,000 cubic foot refrigerated sediment core archive and processing laboratory, as a national facility. The repository contains over 5,000 deep-sea sediment cores collected from all major ocean basins; rock samples from more than 500 dredges, ALVIN dives or ROV tows; 2,200 manganese nodules; 1,500 sediment trap samples; and nearly 700 plankton tow samples. Sediment and rock samples are available to qualified investigators. The laboratory includes core splitting, sampling, and photographic facilities in addition to gamma density, magnetic susceptibility and line-scan digital-imaging capabilities. Sample archiving and describing services, as well as use of the repository's major analytical equipment, are available on a cost-recharge basis. For more information, contact Prof. Alan Mix.

W. M. Keck Collaboratory for Plasma Spectrometry

The W.M. Keck Collaboratory for Plasma Spectrometry has four plasma spectrometers: Nu Plasma multi-collector ICP-MS, VG Elemental Axiom SC high-resolution ICP-MS, VG Elemental ExCell quadrupole ICP-MS, and Varian Liberty 150 ICP-AES. Sampling devices include an excimer laser, ion chromatograph, custom-built shell-cleaning apparatus, and autosamplers. This instrumentation represents the preeminent emerging technology in inorganic elemental analysis. A diverse group of collaborating scientists can access a new, world-class chemical analysis facility (including a clean room), interactively generating, interpreting and sharing technology, data, and ideas. High-speed switching and routing hardware can deliver nearly 10 Gb/s to each office/lab and a classroom, making it possible for real-time interaction between remote users and the facility instruments. For more information on the W.M. Keck Collaboratory for Plasma Spectrometry, please contact Andy Ungerer, Collaboratory Manager, or Gary Klinkhammer, Collaboratory Director.

40AR/39AR Geochronology Laboratory

The Noble Gas Mass Spectrometry Laboratory employs the 40Ar-39Ar dating method to determining the crystallization age of geologic material and is equipped with a Mass Analyser Products MAP 215-50 rare-gas mass spectrometer. Gas extraction is achieved using either a double-vacuum Heine low-blank resistance furnace or a Merchantek carbon-dioxide continuous-fire laser. The laboratory is also equipped with a rock-preparation facility for mineral separations. For more information, contact Prof. Robert Duncan.

Seismic Station

COAS has been operating a seismic station since 1962, when one of the original stations of the WorldWide Seismic Station Network (WWSSN) was installed in a vault on the outskirts of Corvallis. This station has been periodically upgraded and is currently one of the stations of the Global Seismic Network (GSN) and the United States National Seismograph Network (USNSN). For further information, contact Prof. John Nabelek.

Seismic Imaging

COAS operates a computer laboratory to image the structure of the Earth's subsurface using seismic and other geophysical techniques at scales that range from meters to tens of kilometers. In addition to "home-grown" software, we serve as a test-bed and training ground for state-of-the-art commercial imaging and modeling software packages, including Paradigm Geophysical's Focus 2D/3D, Seismic Microtechnology's Kingdom Suite, and Northwest Geophysical Associates' GM-SYS. Field acquisition of data is accomplished using seismic instrumentation borrowed from national instrument pools (IRIS, OBSIP). For further information, contact Prof. Anne Trehu.

Electromagnetic Imaging

COAS operates computer facilities and creates innovative software for imaging the 3D variations of electrical conductivity in the Earth's crust and mantle; to extract signals from electromagnetic and oceanographic data using advanced time-series analysis methods; to study the tidal response of the ocean; and to model the hydrology of the seafloor. For further information, contact Prof. Gary Egbert and Prof. Adam Schultz.

Hydrothermal, Marine, and Observatory Instrumentation

COAS maintains an ocean observatory instrumentation research and development facility and has the ability to design and fabricate state-of-the-art deep ocean and terrestrial sensors and scientific instruments. We build and operate hydrothermal sampling and monitoring instrumentation capable of operations at full ocean depth, in hostile environmental conditions, and of measuring and sampling hydrothermal and cold seep fluids for chemical analysis and microbial incubation. We also maintain ocean-bottom magnetometer equipment of our own design, as well as long-period magnetotelluric instruments for terrestrial and under-water use. A full range of computer-aided design and schematic capture and production software is maintained, and instruments are supplied to other groups around the world. For further information, contact Prof. Adam Schultz.