Research Areas

My principal scientific interests are in the fields of sedimentary petrology, diagenesis, geological carbon sequestration, and environmental and petroleum geology. Topics I’m currently working on include:

  • Geologic controls on induced seismicity
  • The relationship between carbonate cementation, fluid flow, microbial activity and permeability heterogeneity in clastic sedimentary rocks.
  • Controls on fault-zone cementation, fluid flow, and the relationship of fault zone diagenesis to permeability.
  • Reservoir/seal analysis for petroleum systems and proposed carbon sequestration sites

Publications

Cather, M., Rose-Coss, D., Gallagher, S., Trujillo, N., Cather, S., Hollingworth, R.S., Mozley, P.S., and Leary, R.J., 2021, Deposition, diagenesis, and sequence stratigraphy of the Pennsylvanian Morrowan and Atokan intervals at Farnesworth Unit: Energies, v. 14, doi.org/10.3390/en14041057.

Barnes, H., Hinojosa, J.R., Spinelli, G.A., Mozley, P.S., Koning, D., Sproule, T.G., and Wilson, J.L., 2021, Detecting fault zone characteristics and paleo-valley incision using electrical resistivity: Loma Blanca Fault, New Mexico: Geophysics, v. 86, p. 1-53.

Sproule, T.G, Spinelli, G.A., Wilson, J.L., Fort, M.D., Mozley, P.S., and Ciarico, J., 2020, The effects of fault-zone cementation on groundwater flow at the field scale: Groundwater, doi.org/10.1111/gwat.13062.

Petrie, E.S., Bradbury, K.K., Cuccio, L., Smith, K., Evans, J.P., Ortiz, P., Kerner, K., Person, M., Mozley, P., 2020, Geologic characterization of nonconformities using outcrop and core analogs: hydrologic implications for injection-induced seismicity: Solid Earth, v. 5., p. 1803-1821.

Wu, Z., Luhmann, A.J., Rinehart, A.J., Mozley, P.S., Dewers, T.A., Heath, J.E., and Majumdar, B.S., 2020, Chemo‐mechanical Alterations Induced From CO2 Injection in Carbonate‐Cemented Sandstone: An Experimental Study at 71 °C and 29 MPa: Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth: v. 125, doi.org/10.1029/201JB019096.

Yoon, H., Ingraham, M.D., Grigg, J., Rosandick, B., Rinehart, A., Mook, W.M., Dewers, T., and Mozley, P., 2020, Impact of depositional and diagenetic heterogeneity on multiscale mechanical behavior of Mancos Shale, New Mexico and Utah, USA. In: Camp, W.K., Fishman, N.S., Hackley, P.C., Macquaker, J.H.S,, Milliken, K.L., Taylor, K.G. (Eds.), Mudstone Diagenesis: Research Perspectives for Shale Hydrocarbon Reservoirs, Seals, and Source Rocks, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Memoir 120, p. 121-148.

Williams, R.T., Mozley, P.S., Sharp, W.D., Goodwin, L.B., 2019, U‐Th Dating of Syntectonic Calcite Veins Reveals the Dynamic Nature of Fracture Cementation and Healing in Faults: AGU Geophysical Research Letters, v. 46. p. 12900-12908, doi.org/10.1029/2019GL085403.

Dewers, T., Heath, J., Yoon, H., Ingraham, M., Grigg, J., Mozley, P., Quintana, E., Karpyn, Z., 2019, Pore-to core characterization of shale muliphysics, in, Vialle, S., Arjo-Fraklin, J., and Carey, WJ.W., eds., Geological Carbon Storage: Subsurface Seals and Caprock Integrity: American Geophysical Union, Geophysical Monograph 238, 45 - 70.

Ortiz, J.P., Person, M.A., Mozley, P.S., Evans, J.P., and Bilek, S.L., 2018, The role of fault‐zone architectural elements on pore pressure propagation and induced seismicity: Groundwater (in press), doi: 10.1111/gwat.12818.

Williams, R.T., Beard, B.L., Goodwin, L.B., Sharp, W.D., Johnson, C.M., and Mozley, P.S., 2018, Radiogenic isotopes record a ‘drop in a bucket’ – A fingerprint of multi-kilometer-scale fluid pathways inferred to drive fault-valve behavior: Jourrnal of Structural Geology (in press), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2018.07.023

Williams, R.T., Goodwin, L.B., Sharp, W.D., Mozley, P.S., 2017, A 400,000-year record of earthquake frequency for an intraplate fault: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, , v. 114, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1617945114..

Williams, R.T., Goodwin, L.B., Mozley, P.S., 2017, Diagenetic controls on the evolution of fault-zone architecture and permeability structure: implications for fault-zone fluid transport in extensional basins: GSA Bulletin, v. 129, p. 464-478, doi: 10.1130/B31443.1.

Ampomah, W., Balch, R., Cather, M., Rose-Coss, D., Zhenxue, D., Heath, J., Dewers, T., and Mozley, P., 2016, Evaluation of CO2 storage mechanisms in CO2 enhanced oil recovery sites: Application to Morrow Sandstone reservoir: Energy and Fuels, v. 30, p. 8545–8555, doi: 10.1021.

Zhang, Y., Edel, S., Pepin, J., Person, M., Broadhead, R., Ortiz, J., Bilek, S., Mozley, P., Evans, J., 2016, Exploring the potential linkages between oil-field brine reinjection, crystalline basement permeability, and triggered seismicity for the Dagger Draw oil field, southeastern New Mexico, USA using hydrologic modeling: Geofluids, v. 16, p. 971-987, doi: 10.1111/gfl.12199.

Mozley, P.S., Heath, J., Dewers, T., and Bauer, S., 2016, Origin and heterogeneity of pore sizes in the Mount Simon Sandstone and Eau Claire Formation: Implications for multiphase fluid flow: Geosphere, v. 12, p. 1–21, doi:10.1130/GES01245.1.

Raduha, S., Butler, D., Mozley, P., Person, M., Evans, J., Heath, J., Dewers, T., Stauffer, P., Gable, C., and Kelkar, S., 2016, Potential seal bypass and caprock storage produced by deformation-band-to-opening-mode-fracture transition at the reservoir/caprock interface: Geofluids, v. 16, p. 752-768, doi: 10.1111/gfl.12177.

El-Shawaihdi, M.H., Mozley, P.S., Boaz, N.T., Salloum, F., Pavlakis, P., Muftah, A., and Triantaphyllou, M., 2016, Stratigraphy of the Neogene Sahabi units in the Sirt Basin, northeast Libya: Journal of African Earth Sciences Journal of African Earth Sciences, v. 118, p. 87-106.

Williams, R.T., Goodwin, L.B., Mozley, P.S., Beard, B.L., and Johnson, C.M., 2015, Tectonic controls on fault zone flow pathways in the Rio Grande rift, New Mexico, USA: Geology, doi:10.1130/G36799.1

Rainoldi, A.L., Franchini, M., Beaufort, D., Mozley, P., Giusiano, A., Cesaretti, N., Patrier, P., Impiccini, A., and Pons, J., 2015, Mineral reactions associated with hydrocarbon paleo-migration in the Huincul High, Neuquén Basin, Argentina: Geological Society of America Bulletin, doi: 10.1130/B31201.1.

Dale, A., John, C.M., Mozley, P.S., Smalley, P.C., and Muggeridge, A.H., 2014, Time-capsule concretions: unlocking burial diagenetic processes in the Mancos Shale using carbonate clumped isotopes: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 394, p. 30-37.

El-Shawaihdi, M.H., Muftah, A.M., Mozley, P.S., and Boaz, N.T., 2014, New age constraints for Neogene sediments of the Sahabi area, Libya (Sirt Basin) using strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) geochronology and calcareous nannofossils: Journal of African Earth Sciences: v. 89, p. 42-49.

Zhang, Y., Person, M., Rupp, J., Ellet, K., Celia, M.A., Gable, C.W., Bowen, B., Evans, J., Bandilla, K., Mozley, P.S., Dewers, T., and Elliot, T., 2013, Hydrogeologic controls on induced seismicity in crystalline basement rocks due to fluid injection into basal reservoirs: Groundwater, v. 51, p. 525-538.

Heath, J.E., Dewers, T.A., McPherson, B.J., Petrusak, R., Chidsey, T.C. Jr., Rinehart, A.J., and Mozley, P.S., 2011, Pore networks in continental and marine mudstones: characteristics and controls on sealing behavior: Geosphere, v. 7, p. 429-454.

White, R., Spinelli, G.A., Mozley, P.S., and N.W. Dunbar, 2010, Importance of volcanic glass alteration to sediment stabilization, offshore Japan: Sedimentology, v. 58, p. 1138-1154.

Seright, R.S., Campbell, A.R. and Mozley, P.S., 2009, Stability of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamides at elevated temperatures in the absence of divalent cations: Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE Journal, 121460, p. 1–15. doi:10.2118/121460-MS

Spinelli, G.A., Mozley, P.S., Tobin, H.J., Hoffman, N., and Underwood, M.B., 2007, Diagenetic control of sediment strength and pore collapse in sediment approaching the Nankai Trough subduction zone: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 119, p. 337-390.

Mozley, P.S., and Burns, S.J., 2006, Climatic significance of Holocene beachrock sites along shorelines of the Red Sea: Discussion: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 90, p. 971-973.

Delude-Roy, N., Davis, J.M., Mozley, P.S., and Hall, J.S., 2006, The effect of carbonate cementation on permeability heterogeneity in fluvial aquifers: Sedimentary Geology (Special issue on heterogeneity in sedimentary aquifers), v. 184, p. 267-280. doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.11.005. Abstract.

Mozley, P.S., Davis, J.M., 2005, Internal structure and mode of growth of elongate calcite concretions: Evidence for small-scale, microbially induced, chemical heterogeneity in groundwater: Geological Society of America Bulletin 117(11):1400-1412. doi: 10.1130/B25618.1. Abstract.

Bensing, J.P., Mozley, P.S., and Dunbar, N.W., 2005, Importance of clay in iron transport and sediment reddening: Evidence from reduction features of the Abo Formation, New Mexico: Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 75(4), p. 562-571.

Hall, J.S., Mozley, P.S., Davis, J.M., and Delude-Roy, N., 2004, Environments of formation and controls on spatial distribution of calcite cementation in Plio-Pleistocene fluvial deposits, New Mexico, USA: Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 74(5), p. 643-653.

Mozley, P.S., 2002, Diagenetic Structures, in Encyclopedia of Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks (Ed. by G. Middleton): Kluwer Academic Press, 219-225.

Goodwin, L.B., Mozley, P.S., Moore, J.C., and Haneberg, W.C., 1999, Faults and subsurface fluid flow in the shallow crust: An introduction, in, Haneberg, W.C., Mozley, P.S., Moore, J.C., and Goodwin, L.B., eds., Faults and Subsurface Fluid Flow in the Shallow Crust, AGU Monograph 113, p. 1-5.

Heynekamp, M.R., Goodwin, L.B., Mozley, P.S., and Haneberg, W.C., 1999, Controls on fault-zone architecture in poorly lithified sediments, Rio Grande Rift, New Mexico: Implications for fault-zone permeability and fluid flow, in, Haneberg, W.C., Mozley, P.S., Moore, J.C., and Goodwin, L.B., eds., Faults and Subsurface Fluid Flow in the Shallow Crust, AGU Monograph 113, p. 27-49.

Sigda, J.M., Goodwin, L.B., Mozley, P.S., and Wilson, J.L., 1999, Permeability alteration in small-displacement faults within poorly consolidated sediments: central Rio Grande Rift, New Mexico, in, Haneberg, W.C., Mozley, P.S., Moore, J.C., and Goodwin, L.B., eds., Faults and Subsurface Fluid Flow in the Shallow Crust, AGU Monograph 113, p. 51 – 68.

Whitworth, T.M., Haneberg, W.C., Mozley, P.S., and Goodwin, L.B., 1999, Solute sieving induced calcite precipitation on pulverized quartz sand ?? experimental results and implications for the membrane behavior of fault gouge, in, Haneberg, W.C., Mozley, P.S., Moore, J.C., and Goodwin, L.B., eds., Faults and Subsurface Fluid Flow in the Shallow Crust, AGU Monograph 113, p. 149-158.

Klein, J.S., Mozley, P.S., Campbell, A., and Cole, R., 1999, Spatial distribution of carbon and oxygen isotopes in laterally extensive carbonate cemented layers: implications for mode of growth and subsurface identification: Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 69, p. 184-201.

Beckner, J., and Mozley, P.S., 1998, Origin and spatial distribution of early phreatic and vadose calcite cements in the Zia Formation, Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico, USA, in, S. Morad, ed., Carbonate cements in sandstones: International Association of Sedimentologists Special Publication 26, p. 27-51.

Lambert, M.R., Cole, R.D., and Mozley, P.S., 1997, Controls on permeability heterogeneity in the Tocito Sandstone (Upper Cretaceous), northwest New Mexico: in, Anderson, O. and Kues, B.S., eds., New Mexico Geological Society Guidebook, 48th Field Conference, Mesozoic Geology and Paleontology of the Four Corners Region, p. 217-228.

Mozley, P.S., 1996, The internal structure of carbonate concretions: A critical evaluation of the concentric model of concretion growth: Sedimentary Geology, v. 103, p. 85-91.

Mozley, P.S., and Davis, J.M.D., 1996, Relationship between oriented calcite concretions and permeability correlation structure in an alluvial aquifer, Sierra Ladrones Formation, New Mexico: Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. A66, p. 11-16.

Mozley, P.S., Beckner, J., and Whitworth, T.M., 1995, Spatial distribution of calcite cement in the Santa Fe Group, Albuquerque Basin, NM: Implications for groundwater resources: New Mexico Geology, Special Issue: Albuquerque Basin — studies in hydrogeology, v. 17, p. 88-93.

Mozley, P.S., and Goodwin, L., 1995, Patterns of cementation along a Cenozoic normal fault: A record of paleoflow orientations: Geology, v. 23, p 539-542.

Mozley, P.S., and Burns, S.J., 1993, Oxygen and carbon isotopic composition of marine carbonate concretions: an overview: reply: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 63, p. 1008.

Mozley, P.S., and Wersin, P., 1993, Isotopic composition of siderite as an indicator of depositional environment: reply: Geology, v. 21, p. 380.

Mozley, P.S., and Burns, S.J., 1993, Oxygen and carbon isotopic composition of marine carbonate concretions: an overview: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 63, p. 73-83.

Mozley, P.S., and Carothers, W., 1992, Geochemistry of siderite in the Kuparuk Formation, Alaska: Influence of water/sediment interaction and microbial activity on early pore-water chemistry, Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 62, p. 681-692.

Mozley, P.S., and Wersin, P., 1992, Isotopic composition of siderite as an indicator of depositional environment: Geology, v. 20, p. 817-820.

Mozley, P.S., and Hoernle, K., 1990, Geochemistry of carbonate cements in the Sag River and Shublik Formations (Triassic/Jurassic), North Slope, Alaska: Implications for the geochemical evolution of formation waters: Sedimentology, v. 37, p. 817-836.

Mozley, P.S., 1989, Complex compositional zonation in concretionary siderite: Implications for geochemical studies: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 59, p. 815-818.

Mozley, P.S., 1989, Relation between depositional environment and the elemental composition of early diagenetic siderite: Geology, v. 17, p. 704- 706.