The Department is well-equipped for research with standard research tools expected in an Earth Science department, but also hi-tech and specialized research equipment available, as summarized below.

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⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Geochronology Lab

(Dr Jim Lee, Dr John Hanes, Dr Doug Archibald)

• Age-dating facilities based on the Argon-Argon dating method.
• Age Range: 100,000 years and older
• Suitable material: Hornblende, micas, and feldspars commonly are used, and some volcanic rocks and slates are suitable for analysis as whole rocks..
• Laser microprobe: one MAP 216 mass spectrometer, on-line computer data collection and analysis, and an ultra-high vacuum argon extraction system using either a LEXEL 3500 argon laser or a NEW WAVE 30W CO2 laser with a facetted lens or a resistance furnace for the heating of sample.

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Computational Geomechanics Lab

(Dr. Mark Diederichs, Dr. Jean Hutchinson)

• Mutliple multi-core workstation laboratory with state-of-the-art geomechanical, geotechnical and geoenvironmental software including RocScience (PHASE2,DIPS,EXAMINE3D,SLIDE,SETTLE3D,etc), Itasca (FLAC2D, FLAC3D, UDEC, 3DEC, PFC, PFC3D), Plaxis, ModFlow, ArcGIS, Rockware, CAD
• Full waveform micro-seismic system for acoustic measurement for rock testing
• Access to shared state-of-the-art rock testing facilities

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Geomechanics Imaging Lab

(Dr. Jean Hutchinson, Dr. Mark Diederichs)

• LEICA HDS6000 (ultra high speed, high res, phase-based) Lidar imaging system
• Optech ILRIS3D Long-Range (time-of-flight) Lidar system
• Polyworks, Cyclone, Split-FX, Vulcan Software and high-performance workstations

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X-ray Diffraction and Clay Mineral Lab

(Dr Ron Peterson)

• Separation of clay minerals
• Stoe Debye-Scherrer powder diffractometer
• Enraf-Nonius CAD4 Diffractometer
• Gandolphi, Guinier, and Debye-Scherrer powder cameras
• Precession Camera

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Networked Computing Facilities

• Earth Systems Information Laboratory which is well equipped with geological software including ER Mapper, ESRI (Arc/view), and GOCAD++ three-dimensional geological visualization packages.
• Image processing and print production facilities (600 dpi postscript laser printer, LFR personal slide maker, and hi-res scanner).
• TCP/IP Networked Pentium and Workstation-class computers
• Internet access

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Thin-Section/Rock-Cutting Lab

• In-house facilities for making thin-sections, polished thin-sections, and microprobe mounts
• Slabbing saws, trim saws, and polishing equipment
• Rock crushing equipment

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