Forward stratigraphic modeling of the sediments of the US Mid-Atlantic margin
This project involves the development of a forward stratigraphic model that can reproduce the Miocene stratigraphic sequences observed on seismic data offshore New Jersey. The model functionally parameterizes thermal subsidence, lithospheric flexure, compaction, sediment transport (geometrically or dynamically), sea-level, and sediment-supply variations and simulates the formation of deltaic stratal architectures through time. It will be applied to assess implications for the GMGSL record and MDT on the US mid-Atlantic margin.
Publications and presentations
Schmelz, W.J., Miller, K.G., Mountain, G.S., Steckler, M., & Browning, J.V., 2024. Sensitivity of modelled passive margin stratigraphy to variations in sea level, sediment supply and subsidence. Basin Research, 36, e12854. Link
Mid-Atlantic margin Mantle Dynamic Topography (MDT) and global sea level
The objective for this initiative was to statistically model the relationship between sea-level estimates from the Mid-Atlantic margin and components of global mean geocentric sea level (GMGSL, or eustasy), then decompose the model to isolate regional components that are likely generated by variations in MDT. The signal associated with these MDT components was then analyzed to learn how MDT was expressed across the Mid-Atlantic margin through time and what effect it may have had on GMGSL estimates made from Mid-Atlantic margin data.
Publications and presentations
Schmelz, W.J., Miller, K.G., Kopp, R.E., Mountain, G.S., and Browning, J.V., 2021. Influence of Mantle Dynamic Topographical Variations on US Mid-Atlantic Continental Margin Estimates of Sea-level Change. Geophysical Research Letters, 48, e2020GL090521. Link
Schmelz, W.J., Miller, Kenneth G., Kopp, Robert E., Mountain, Gregory S. and Browning, James V., 2020. Statistical Modeling to Measure the Influence of Mantle Dynamic Topography on Cenozoic Mid-Atlantic Margin Sea-level Records. Geological Society of America, 2020 GSA Annual Meeting, October 2020. Abstract
Evaluation of Mid-Atlantic U.S. Offshore Carbon Storage Resources
This initiative has comprised geological and economic studies to evaluate the suitability of potential carbon storage resources along the US mid-Atlantic margin. In 2024, Rutgers, in collaboration with Battelle National Laboratories, received a 3-year Department of Energy grant to build on our prior stratigraphic and reservoir characterizations to refine evaluations of the potential reservoir systems identified in the Baltimore Canyon Trough and Georges Bank Basin. Our work highlights the suitability of Early to mid-Cretaceous sandstones within the Baltimore Canyon and Georges Bank offshore stratigraphic basins for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). CCS represents a mature technology that can be used : 1) to permanently store carbon dioxide emissions from point sources like electricity-generating power plants in the offshore geological reservoirs we have identified; and 2) as a bridge or precursor to adopting a true negative emissions paradigm like the application of CCS with CO2 captured from electricity generation processes driven by the combustion of biofuels, i.e., bioenergy with CCS (BECCS).
In 2024, Rutgers, in collaboration with Battelle National Laboratories, received a 3-year Department of Energy grant to build on our prior stratigraphic and reservoir characterizations to refine evaluations of the potential reservoir systems identified in the Baltimore Canyon and Georges Bank Basins. Key aspects include:
- Detailed geological storage assessment and economic evaluations based on prior studies (Miller et al., 2018; Schmelz et al., 2020a, 2020b, 2024; Baldwin et al., 2022; Jordan et al., 2022).
- Engineering and design analysis for CCS deployment, including pipeline and shipping logistics.
- Environmental justice assessments to balance benefits of CCS deployment with potential impacts on local communities.
- Public outreach to engage stakeholders and address concerns.
These efforts aim to explore concepts associated with the adoption of offshore carbon storage technologies, assess environmental and economic implications, and pave the way for commercial deployment, contributing to significant reductions in CO2 emissions for New Jersey, the mid-Atlantic region, and beyond.
Publications and presentations
Schmelz, W.J., Miller, K.G., Adams, A.C., Graham, S.J., Mountain, G.S., Browning, J.V., & Baldwin, K.E., (2024). Cretaceous sequence stratigraphy of Georges Bank Basin: Implications for carbon storage. AAPG Bulletin. Link
Baldwin, K.E., Miller, K.G., Schmelz, W.J., Mountain, G.S., Jordan, L.M. and Browning, J.V., 2022. Cretaceous sequence stratigraphy of the northern Baltimore Canyon Trough: Implications for basin evolution and carbon storage. Geosphere, 18(6), pp.1885-1909. Link
Jordan, L.M., Browning, J.V., Miller, K.G. and Schmelz, W.J., 2022. Quantitative biostratigraphic analysis and age estimates of Middle Cretaceous sequences in the Baltimore Canyon Trough, offshore Mid-Atlantic US Margin. Journal of Foraminiferal Research, 52(4), pp.229-247. Link
Schmelz, W.J., Miller, K.G., Mountain, G.S., Browning, J.V., and Baldwin, K.E., 2020a. Onshore-offshore correlations of Cretaceous fluvial-deltaic sequences, southern Baltimore Canyon Trough. AAPG Bulletin, 104(2), pp.411-448. Link
Schmelz, W.J., Hochman, G., Miller, K.G., 2020b. Total Cost of Carbon Capture and Storage Implemented at a Regional Scale: Northeastern and Midwestern United States. Journal of The Royal Society Interface, v.10, no.5. Link
Miller, K.G., Lombardi, C.J., Browning, J.V., Schmelz, W.J., Gallegos, G., Mountain, G. S., & Baldwin, K. E., 2018. Back To Basics of Sequence Stratigraphy: Early Miocene and Mid-cretaceous Examples from the New Jersey Paleoshelf. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 88(1), 148-176. Link
Schmelz, W.J., Miller, Kenneth G., Mountain, Gregory S. and Browning, James V., 2018. Revised Stratigraphic Synthesis of the Baltimore Canyon Trough: Implications for Reservoir Identification and Analysis. AAPG, AAPG ACE 2018, Salt Lake City, UT. May 2018. Abstract
Schmelz, W.J., Miller, Kenneth G., Mountain, Gregory S. and Browning, James V., 2017. Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis of Cretaceous Strata in the Southern Baltimore Canyon Trough: an Integration of Geological and Geophysical Data. Geological Society of America, 2017 GSA Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA. October 2017. Abstract
Coastal geomorphology
This research focuses on measuring and analyzing coastal topographical change using highly accurate RTK-GNSS, UAV-photogrammetry, and lidar data. We aim to relate these observed changes to measurments of physical forcing acting on New Jersey's coasts over a variety of timescales, ranging from hours to decades. The overarching goal is to better understand how coastal processes drive geomorphological change, to inform coastal resource management decisions, and to support coastal resilience and the responsible stewardship of the coastal environment.
Publications and presentations
Schmelz, W.J., Spector, A., Neitzke-Adamo, L., & Miller, K.G. (2024). Semi-empirically modelling barrier sediment transport in response to hydrodynamic forcing using UAV-derived topographical data (Holgate, New Jersey). Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. Link
Schmelz, W.J., Psuty, N.P., 2022. Application of geomorphological maps and LiDAR to volumetrically measure coastal geomorphological change from Hurricane Sandy at Fire Island National Seashore. Geomorphology, p.108262. Link
Liu, J., Schmelz, W.J., and Miller, K.G., 2022. Characterization of Historical Storm Events from the Stratigraphy of a Modern Barrier Spit Using Ground Penetrating Radar and RTK-GNSS Topography. AGU Fall Meeting 2022.
Psuty N.P., Schmelz W.J., Habeck A.S., 2018. Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network geomorphological monitoring protocol: Part III – coastal landform elevation models. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NCBN/NRR—2018/1712. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. PDF | Link
Schmelz, W.J., Greenberg, J., Beal, I., Psuty, N.P. Comparative Analysis of Geomorphological Maps to Generate Metrics of Change Caused by Hurricane Sandy on Fire Island. 10th Biennial Science Conference, Fire Island National Seashore, Patchogue, NY, April 2016.
Schmelz, W.J., Spahn, A., Ames, K., Greenberg, J., Beal, I., and Psuty, N.P. Interactions of Sediment Supply and Coastal Topography at Sandy Hook, New Jersey (Gateway National Recreation Area). Geological Society of America, GSA Annual Meeting 2015, Baltimore, MD. November 2015. Abstract