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GSA2016 ANNUAL MEETING & EXPOSITION
Pardee Keynote Symposia
Pardee Keynote Symposia are named in honor of GSA Fellow and
benefactor Joseph Thomas Pardee (1871–1960) via a bequest from
Mary Pardee Kelly. Pardee is perhaps best known for his work on
Glacial Lake Missoula. These symposia consist of invited presen-
tations covering a broad range of topics.
P1. Mastery of the Subsurface: The Challenge to Improve
Subsurface Energy Systems
Sun., 25 Sept., 2–5:30 p.m., Mile High Ballroom 2A/3A
Advocates: Claudia I. Mora; George Guthrie; Susan S. Hubbard;
Marianne Walck
Subsurface energy sources satisfy more than 80% of total U.S.
energy needs. The economic, sustainable, and environmentally
sound utilization of our subsurface resources poses crosscutting
research and technology challenges: Can we understand, monitor,
image, and ultimately predict the behavior of subsurface injected
fluids, the state of stress and seismicity in the subsurface, and the
integrity of a wellbore? Can we build the knowledge and tools
needed to allow us adaptive control of subsurface fractures and
fluid flow? Speakers will present geological challenges, state of the sediments, Mesozoic ophiolites, volcanic-arc rocks and subduc-
art, and research goals to meet the subsurface energy challenge.
An open discussion will explore how research activities across
federal labs, universities, and industry can be integrated to
resolving these key challenges in subsurface science.
P2. When Oil and Water Mix: Understanding the
Environmental Impacts of Shale Development
Mon., 26 Sept., 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Mile High Ballroom 2A/3A
Cosponsors: GSA Hydrogeology Division; GSA Environmental
and Engineering Geology Division; GSA Energy Geology Division;
GSA Geology and Health Division
Advocates: Daniel J. Soeder; Michael Focasio; Douglas B. Kent
Geoscientists have faced questions from the public for many
years about the potential impacts of oil and gas production on the
environment. This has been ratcheted up with the advent of shale
gas development and high-volume hydraulic fracturing. Sparse
data and few studies initially caused a great deal of uncertainty,
but an avalanche of investigations in recent years have been
providing solid information. Researchers will present findings on
the future development of oil and gas resources, advances in
extraction, and improvements in understanding the potential
human and environmental health impacts.
P3. Exploring the Third Zone: The Geology of Pluto, Charon,
and the Kuiper Belt
GSA TODAY | MAY 2016 Tues., 27 Sept., 1:30–5:30 p.m., Mile High Ballroom 2A/3A
Cosponsors: GSA Planetary Geology Division; AGU Planetary
Sciences Section
Advocates: William B. McKinnon; S. Alan Stern; Jeffrey M. Moore
NASA’s New Horizons mission has revealed surprisingly
complex geology on the surfaces of Pluto and Charon. This
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symposium explores the geological diversity and ongoing activity
on present members of the Kuiper belt (the Solar System’s “Third
Zone”), such as Pluto, and former members, such as Triton,
widely viewed as an icy dwarf planet captured by Neptune.
Saturn’s midsize satellite Phoebe and the largest asteroid, Ceres,
have also been hypothesized to come from the Kuiper belt. This
symposium will address, and a panel will discuss, the geological
commonalities between these worlds and the future exploration of
the Third Zone.
P4. Geologic Evolution of Cuba
Wed., 28 Sept., 8 a.m.–noon., Mile High Ballroom 2A/3A
Advocates: Robert Stern; Manuel Antonio Iturralde-Vinent;
Antonio Casco-Garcia; Yamirka Rojas-Agramonte; J. Brendan
Murphy; Darrel S. Cowan
Cuba, the largest island in the Greater Antilles, has a complex
geology that is key for understanding North American and
Caribbean plate interactions, including Mesozoic passive margin
tion/collision metamorphic complexes, and Cenozoic synorogenic
basins related to collision with North America. This session will
bring together geoscientists from Cuba, the U.S., and Europe to
better constrain and understand the geologic evolution of Cuba
and its surroundings. This is a joint event between the geological
societies of the two nations, the first one in many years and a new
start to what we hope will become a strong relationship.
P5. The High Plains Aquifer: Can It Be Managed for Today
and the Future?
Tues., 27 Sept., 8 a.m.–noon, Mile High Ballroom 2A/3A
Cosponsors: GSA Geology and Society Division; GSA Geology and
Public Policy Committee; GSA Hydrogeology Division; National
Ground Water Association; GSA Sedimentary Geology Division;
Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM); GSA Soils and Soil
Processes Interdisciplinary Interest Group
Advocates: Susan Stover; Rex C. Buchanan
The High Plains aquifer provides water to portions of eight
states, supporting irrigation, feedlots, dairies, ethanol plants, and
communities. For decades, geoscientists have measured, modeled,
and communicated the declines of this primary source of water to
help society make informed decisions on its use and management.
The documentary examines the conflicts, politics, economics,
and scarcity that irrigators and residents of west Texas are facing.
Are we making an impact?