As a child, Jorden Hayes, a doctoral student in the
Department of Geology and Geophysics, enjoyed science and geology, but she did
not realize the depth of her passion until she was an undergraduate studying Television
Communications with the goal of becoming a meteorologist. Soon, she realized
how much she enjoyed math and geology, and eventually switched her major to
geophysics.
Today, Jorden’s passion has led her to WyCEHG at the
University of Wyoming to pursue her PhD under the advisement of Dr. SteveHolbrook. Her research revolves around creating geophysical images of subsurface
environments. Creating these images will help researchers estimate how much
water is stored in the subsurface and help them better understand the processes
happening underground.
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| Jorden Hayes |
“These images help scientists interpret geological processes
such as weathering, water storage, and flow,” says Jorden. “Understanding these
processes is critical to improving water management and predicting how climate
change will impact our future water resources.”
The first step to create a seismic image involves hitting a
metal plate with a sledgehammer. The energy from this action is then sent into
the earth and picked up by a line of geophones, which are instruments used to
measure ground motion.
“That gives you seismic traces,” says Jorden. “The next step
is to take it to the lab and do an initial analysis of the data. Finally, you
take and model that data, which, in my case, involves using the Yellowstone Supercomputer.”
After data in the field is collected, the final data
analysis and modeling can take up to weeks or months.
Jorden’s research is an integral
part of WyCEHG and its mission.
“One of the goals of WyCEHG is to advance innovations in
near-surface geophysical methodology,” she says. Jorden’s work will allow
WyCEHG to better reach their goal of understanding subsurface environments.
Jorden has learned a lot about her chosen field through her
experience with WyCEHG, but that isn’t all she’s gained.
“How to integrate science across disciplines would probably
be the biggest thing I’ve gained,” she says. “The fact that I’ve been sitting
down with hydrologists, ecologists, and people that study isotopes, I’ve
learned a lot about how to interact, how to ask questions, and how to learn.”
Jorden enjoys her research, and
views science in a way many non-scientists don’t.
“Science is way more
creative than some realize,” she says. “From designing experiments and surveys
to making interpretations, creativity abounds. Also, scientific discovery is
incredibility motivating and rewarding.”
For other students in STEM
fields, Jorden offers helpful advice.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions, never stop learning and
get your hands dirty,” she says. “Start there and find people and mentors who
are going to encourage you along the way.”
By Robin Rasmussen
Photo courtesy of Jorden Hayes