Past Meetings

Past Meetings

Expand a section to view details related to the meeting listed.

For more details look up the sessions in the on-line technical program

Sunday 8–11:15 a.m. WSCC, Room 3B
14-T83. Unconventional Energy Resources: Advances and Evolution in Tight Reservoir Assessment and Production

Sunday 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. WSCC, Halls 4EF
66-T78. Environmental Impact Studies for Energy Geology (Posters)

Sunday 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. WSCC, Halls 4EF
67-T83. Unconventional Energy Resources: Advances and Evolution in Tight Reservoir Assessment and Production (Posters)

Monday 1:30–4:45 p.m. WSCC, Room 602/603
133-T78. Environmental Impact Studies for Energy Geology

Tuesday 8–11:15 a.m. WSCC, Room 602/603
201-T79. Geologic Energy Research I

Tuesday 1:30–4:30 p.m. WSCC, Room 602/603
230-T79. Geologic Energy Research II

Wednesday 8–11:35 a.m. WSCC, Room 602/603
308 T80. Geothermal Energy

Wednesday 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m. WSCC, Halls 4EF
347-T79. Geologic Energy Research (Posters)

Wednesday 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m. WSCC, Halls 4EF
348 T80. Geothermal Energy (Posters)

T78. Environmental Impacts of Coal Utilization

GSA Energy Geology Division; GSA Environmental and Engineering Geology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division; GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; GSA Geology and Health Division
Laura Ruhl, Amrika Deonarine

This session explores the environmental impacts associated with coal utilization. Relevant topics include fate of coal combustion byproducts, emissions from coal fired power plants, and environmental and health impacts of coal mining.


T101. Celebrating 125 Years of Coal and Source Rock Science: From Fundamental Principles to Applied Technology

GSA Energy Geology Division

Jennifer M.K. O'Keefe, Mark A. Engle, Victoria Hudspith

This session highlights recent advances in coal science. Topics include, but are not limited to, characterization of coal and coal combustion products, organic petrology, coal gasification/liquefaction, coalbed methane, carbon sequestration, paleoecology, stratigraphy, and sedimentology.

GSA Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Oct. 9-12, 2011

Coal Division Sessions and Sessions of Similar Interest at the GSA Annual Meeting

Tuesday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Coal Combustion Products and Impacts on the Society (GSA Geology and Health Division)
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2011AM/finalprogram/session_28707.htm
Room M100BC

Tuesday, 1:30 PM-5:30 PM
Coal Systems: Sedimentation, Petrology, Natural Resources, and Environmental Sustainability (GSA Energy Geology Division)
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2011AM/finalprogram/session_28593.htm
Room M100FG

Tuesday, 5:45 PM-7:45 PM
Business Meeting and Awards Reception
Minneapolis Convention Center: Room M100FG

Wednesday, 9:00 AM-600PM
Coal Geology (Posters): New Developments in Environmental and Geochemical Coal Research (GSA Energy Geology Division)
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2011AM/finalprogram/session_29846.htm
Hall C


We invite you to submit an abstract to either of two sessions sponsored by the GSA Energy Geology Division at the annual meeting to be held October 31 through November 3 in Denver, Colorado:  

(1) Topical Session T26, “Advances in Clean Coal Technology, Carbon Sequestration, and Enhanced Resource Recovery.”  This session is designed to provide an overview of the research being performed by the geological community on clean coal technology. Topics to be covered include carbon sequestration and CO2-enhanced resource recovery technology in saline formations, depleted petroleum reservoirs, and coal, which are critical components of clean coal technology that are diversifying the global energy portfolio while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  
Jack C. Pashin, Stephen F. Greb

(2) Topical Session T27, “Frontiers in Coal Science: Basic Research to Applied Technology.”  This session highlights recent advances in coal science. Topics include environmental effects of coal utilization, characterization of coal combustion products, coal gasification/liquefaction, coal bed methane, economics of coal use, carbon sequestration, coal petrology, and sedimentology.  
Sharon M. Swanson, Ronald H. Affolter

North-Central Section, Evansville, IN, April 24-25, 2008

Technical Session

12. Coal for the 21st Century: New Science for New Applications.
Maria Mastalerz, Indiana Geological Survey; John A. Rupp, Indiana Geological Survey.

We propose this session to be variable in scope and include various aspects of coal geology, coal science, and their applications. We would like to assemble papers on coal resources and reserves, coal quality, and coal geochemistry as they relate to continuing coal utilization. Other topics to be included are coalbed methane potential and CO2 storage in coal beds.

Post-meeting Field Trip

9. Aspects of Pennsylvanian Stratigraphy, Sedimentation, and Conodonts, Southwestern Indiana.
Cosponsored by the Pander Society.
Sat., April 26.
Carl B. Rexroad, Indiana Geological Survey; Penny Meighen, Marshall Miller & Assoc.; John Nelson, Illinois State Geological Survey.

In order to gain an understanding of the stratigraphic setting, sedimentation, and conodonts of the somewhat repetitive Pennsylvanian rock sequences in southwestern Indiana, this trip will visit two coal mines exposing thick sections that show several stratigraphic units. We will also visit outcrops representing greater spans of the Pennsylvanian, providing an opportunity to collect from eight or nine stratigraphic units.

Cost: US$38; includes transportation, lunch, and handout. Min.: 9; max.: 27. Hard hats (available on loan) and steel-toe boots will be required to enter mines.

Geological Society of America 2007 Annual Meeting
Oct. 28-31, Denver, Colorado

2007 Annual business meeting

The 2007 CGD annual business meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 29, 5:30-6:30 pm, Room 502, Colorado Convention Center, Denver. Your division officers hope to see you there!

Coal Topical Sessions

T5. Materials Flow in Coal UtilizationGSA Energy Geology Division; GSA Geology and Society DivisionAllan Kolker, James C. Hower, Ronald H. Affolter http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007AM/finalprogram/session_19360.htm

This session tracks the disposition of materials from “cradle to grave” during coal utilization for electric power generation. Relevant topics include coal quality, utility emissions, fate of coal combustion products, and related environmental issues. Oral.
Coal Geology; Environmental Geoscience; Public Policy

T6. Microbial Origin of Hydrocarbon Gases in Coal Beds and Sedimentary BasinsGSA Energy Geology DivisionDonald Klein, Kevin W. Mandernack, Romeo M. Flores http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007AM/finalprogram/session_19573.htm

Recent contributions from biogeochemistry, sedimentary geology, isotope geochemistry, and molecular biology will be discussed, in relation to better understanding biogenic gas formation in subbituminous coal beds in the Powder River Basin and other sedimentary basins. Oral.
Coal Geology; Geomicrobiology; Hydrogeology

T71. Modern and Ancient Fire Systems: Implications for Geomorphology, Sedimentology, Coal Geology and PaleontologyGSA Engineering Geology Division; GSA Coal Geology Division; Paleontological SocietyAndrew C. Scott, Susan Cannon, Ian J. Glasspool http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007AM/finalprogram/session_19573.htm

Widespread occurrence of charcoal contributes to our understanding of ancient fire systems and also impacts on coal quality. This session highlights current understanding of modern and ancient fire systems and its relevance to earth science. Oral.
Engineering Geology; Coal Geology; Paleontology, Paleoecology/Taphonomy

Poster session

Coal Geology (Posters). Colorado Convention Center Exhibit Hall E/F
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007AM/finalprogram/session_20136.htm

Note: There is no general coal geology oral session this year

Coal field trips at the annual meeting

403. Cornucopia of Coal and Coalbed Gas in the Powder River Basin: From Mining and Utilization to Methane and MethanogensCosponsored by GSA Energy Geology Division; GSA Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division; GSA Hydrology DivisionThurs.–Fri., 25–26 Oct. http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/ft_pre.htm

Romeo M. Flores, USGS-Denver +1-303-236-7774, rflores@usgs.gov; Jason D. Putnam; Margaret S. Ellis; Michael E. Brownfield; Edward L. Heffern; Gary D. Stricker. The Powder River Basin (PRB) in Wyoming and Montana contains abundant, thick subbituminous coals of the Paleocene Fort Union Formation. The coals are surface mined and developed for coalbed methane (CBM). PRB mines make up 35% of the total U.S. coal production, forecast to be 40% by 2030, and supplies fuel to 144 power plants nationwide. The total cumulative gas production from 19,000 CBM wells, projected to be 50,000 wells by 2020, is 2.2 trillion ft3 (since 1987). This two-day field trip to the PRB highlights exploration, development, distribution, and utilization of this cornucopia of fuel energy. Day one includes tours at the Wyodak coal mine and nearby 330 megawatt Wyodak power plant in east Gillette. Mining in the 100-ft-thick Wyodak coal bed has supplied feed coal to the power plant since 1978. Study of the feed coal provides data useful for characterizing the physical and chemical properties of the combustion products. These data make it possible to predict fly ash properties and modes of occurrence of selected trace elements in the ash. Day two includes tours at CBM facilities. Drilling operations, completed wells, gas compression, and surface water disposal complexes are examined to gain insight about CBM exploration, development, and gas acquisition in the PRB. The CBM production from 6 to10 coal beds at 200- to 2500-ft depths is >2,000,000 ft3 per day. A study of the microbial origin of the coalbed gas revealed by methanogens of coproduced water and coal reservoirs is also discussed.
Min: 10; max: 25. Cost US$290 (1ON, L, D)

407. Coal Geology in the Mesaverde Group along the Eastern Edge of the Greater Green River Basin in Northwestern Colorado and South-Central Wyoming Cosponsored by GSA Coal Geology DivisionFri.–Sat., 26–27 Oct. http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/ft_pre.htmNick Jones, Wyoming State Geological Survey, +1-307-766-2286 ext. 243, njones@uwyo.edu.

This trip begins in Denver and travels through northwestern Colorado and southwestern Wyoming. We will visit several coal mines (both surface and underground) and observe coal-stratigraphic variability in the Mesaverde Group from outcrops (coal blooms) along the eastern extent of the Greater Green River Basin. At stops during the trip, information regarding the geology will include stratigraphic nomenclature of the Mesaverde Group, depositional environments, peat forming systems, and the resultant coal resources. Other topics of discussion will include coal distribution, utilization, coal conversion technologies, and coalbed natural gas developments along the eastern edge of the Atlantic Rim.
Min: 5; max: 30. Cost US$205 (1ON, L, R)

417. Revisiting the South Cañon Number 1 Coal Mine Fire during a Geologic Excursion from Denver to Glenwood Springs, Colorado Cosponsored by GSA Energy Geology Division Sun., 28 Oct. http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/ft_dur.htm Glenn B. Stracher, East Georgia College, +1-478-289-2073, stracher@ega.edu ; Nancy Lindsley-Griffin; Steven Renner; Janet Lynn Stracher, Jim Viellenave.

While en route from Denver to Glenwood Springs, Colorado we will discuss important geologic features observable from milepost markers along the way. Traveling west of Glenwood Springs to South Canyon, we will visit the locale where an underground coal-mine fire has been burning since 1910. While in the canyon, gas vents, ground fissures and subsidence, and forest fires associated with the South Cañon Number 1 Coal Mine fire will be examined and their origin and environmental significance discussed. Field-trip attendees are encouraged to participate in the following demonstrations: VaporTec passive soil gas sampling, mineral sampling at hot-gas vents, in situ gas analysis using Drager tubes, and gas collection techniques for complete coal-fire gas analysis. The trip involves hiking, includes snacks and lunch, and culminates in a relaxing dip in Glenwood Spring's "Hot Springs Pool," before returning to Denver. Field-trip guides include specialists in structural and economic geology, mineralogy and petrology, geochemistry, coal geology, and remote sensing.
Min: 12; max: 45. Cost US $75 (L, R)