A Conceptual Model for the Development and Persistence of Soap Holes (Unique Prairie Groundwater Discharge Features)

Soap holes manifest as localized areas of water-saturated, weak sediments which render farmland uncroppable and hazardous. The formation mechanisms and global distribution are largely unknown, despite being inferred as groundwater discharge phenomena on the Alberta prairies over 50 years ago. Here, the first conceptual model for soap hole development and persistence is created using time-series hydraulic and temperature data, electrical resistivity tomography, sediment analyses, and geochemical data (sediment and groundwater) from two locations in Alberta, Canada. The soap holes developed in smectite-rich, dominantly colloidal-size glacial sediments under strong flowing artesian conditions, resulting in quick conditions and liquefaction. Geoelectric and hydraulic conductivity contrasts (2-5 orders of magnitude), as well as groundwater geochemistry, suggest preferential groundwater flow of artesian aquifer provenance through a low permeability confining layer. In addition to natural occurrences, a proportion of soap holes may be the consequence of explosive-source seismic conducted for oil and gas exploration in Alberta.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geoscience

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Science

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Woods, Landon G.

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Ryan, M. Cathryn
• Lauer, Rachel M.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Karchewski, Brandon
• Wong, Ron C. K.

• soap holes
• quick conditions
• electrical resistivity tomography (ERT)
• flowing artesian
• clays
• smectite

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/36404

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:1880/110219