The Sedimentary Basin Analysis and Modeling Lab focuses on developing and improving geologic techniques and applications in the search for energy, water and mineral resources in sedimentary basins. The lab trains the next generation of geoscientists looking at critical societal issues - our need for energy and mineral resources.

Expertise includes characterization and modeling of subsurface and outcrop analogs, sequence and seismic stratigraphy, microbial carbonate reservoirs, and communicating uncertainty in geologic data. Applied research includes both material investigations and theoretical pursuits.

Pure Research

THEME TOPICS PERSONNEL
Artificial intelligence applications in sedimentology and stratigraphy Visualizing stratigraphic knowledge and reasoning
  • Wm Parcell
  • collaborators:
    • Ernest Mancini - Univ. of Alabama
    • Joe Benson - Univ. of Alabama
    • Wen-Tai Yang - Univ. of Alabama
Fuzzy logic approach to modeling surface dynamics in carbonate systems
Modeling stratigraphic sequences using multi-valued logic
Philosophical and historical approaches to stratigraphic interpretation. Conceptual geologic models of Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680)
  • Wm Parcell
Visualizing stratigraphic knowledge and reasoning
  • Wm Parcell
  • collaborators:
    • Wm Vanderburgh - Wichita State Univ.
Expert systems and semiotics to communicate geologic uncertainty
  • Wm Parcell
  • collaborators:
    • Lisa M. Parcell - Wichita State Univ.

Applied Research

THEME TOPICS PERSONNEL (students marked with *)

Computer simulations for geologic field work, education, and geoinformatics.

3D and 360 visualization

  • Wm Parcell
  • external collaborators:
    • Austin Parcell - Trinity Univ.

 

 

Sedimentary basin analysis and reservoir characterization

Application: subsurface resources and storage (incl. hydrothermal and hydrocarbons)

Characterization of Mesozoic paleoenvironments:

  • Cretaceous Eagle Formation, northern Bighorn Basin, using trace element concentrations
  • Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation, northern Bighorn Basin, Using trace element concentrations
  • Stratigraphy and depositional facies in the Middle Jurassic, WY and MT
  • Wm Parcell
  • *Julia Schwartz (2023-present)
  • *Jack Dalton (2023-present)
  • *Kyle Day (2010-2012)
  • *Clark Gilbert (2010-2012)
  • *Charles Lapeyre (2010-2012)
  • *Monica Williams (2002-2005)

Development of ancient microbial carbonate fabrics:

  • Jurassic Smackover Formation, AL and MS
  • Ordovician Arbuckle Group, MO and KS
  • Jurassic microbialite in Western Europe (France, England, Spain, Portugal)
  • Middle Jurassic Gypsum Spring and Sundance Formations, WY and MT

 

  • Wm Parcell
  • *Mitch Baker (2023 - present)
  • *Kyle Day (2010-2012)
  • *Peter Whieland (2010-2012)
  • *Ganganath Korelegadara (2005-2009)
  • *Chamandika Warusavitharana (2012-2014)
  • *Manwika Ploynoi (2002-2004)
  • collaborators:
    • Joe Benson - Univ. of Alabama
    • Ernest Mancini - Univ. of Alabama
    • Llinas - Univ. of Alabama
    • Ahr - Texas A&M Univ.
    • Aurell - Universidad de Zaragoza

Petroleum reservoir characterization:

  • Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation, AL
  • Cretaceous reservoir systems, AL and MS
  • Wm Parcell
  • *Kyle Day (2010-2012)
  • *Ganganath Korelegadara (2005-2009)
  • *Peter Wheiland (2012-2014)
  • collaborators:
    • Ernest Mancini - Univ. of Alabama
    • Marcello Badali - Univ. of Alabama
    • Joe Benson - Univ. of Alabama
    • Juan Carlos Llinas - Univ. of Alabama
    • Wayne Ahr - Texas A&M Univ.