Application of Hydrogeophysical Imaging in the Reynolds Creek Critical Zone Observatory

Abstract

Holbrook, at the University of Wyoming, and his student Brady Flinchum for being so generous with their data, insight, and time, with their help my understanding of the critical zone was greatly advanced. The countless professors and students in the BSU Geosciences department, who were all so generous with their insights into the hydrologic and geomorphic implications of this work. Mark Seyfried and Steve Van Vactor at the USDA ARS for providing the hydrologic data that made this work come together. The at least two dozen volunteer graduate and undergraduate students who were deceived into participating in grueling field campaigns in the middle of a hot summer. Of my fellows students Aida Mendieta, Diego Domenzain, Amy Streimke, and Paden Gould, were brave enough to participate in multiple surveys and thus invaluable in the field. And lastly the Reynolds Creek Critical Zone Observatory for funding me and this research.

Signatures of Hydrologic Function Across the Critical Zone Observatory Network

“… f Seismic refraction surveys along four north‐south oriented transects, where the weathered‐fresh bedrock boundary is inferred to reside at the 3,500 m/s P wave velocity contour (Nielson, 2017). …”

“…e Depth to what is inferred to be "relatively unweathered bedrock" in two boreholes (Buss et al, 2013). f Seismic refraction surveys along four north-south oriented transects, where the weathered-fresh bedrock boundary is inferred to reside at the 3,500 m/s P wave velocity contour (Nielson, 2017). g Seismic refraction survey along a single north-south transect, where the weathered-fresh bedrock boundary is inferred to reside at the 4,000 m/s P wave velocity contour (Holbrook et al, 2014).…”

Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed and Critical Zone Observatory

“…This work has only begun at the RCEW, with a recent investigation into the viability of snow-drift-dependent aspen groves (Soderquist et al, 2018). Investigation of deep weathering in the critical zone at different elevations indicates, tentatively, that the ongoing migration of the rain-snow transition elevation may be impacting granite weathering (Nielson, 2017).…”

Seismic Refraction and Electrical Resistivity Tests for Fracture Induced Anisotropy in a Mountain Watershed

“…Having a detailed analysis on stress at the DCEW will help us better predict zones of high fracturing. An increase in weathering with decreasing elevations has also been observed at Johnston's Draw, Reynolds Creek Critical Zone Observatory, by Nielson (2017).…”