Richard H. Groshong, Jr.


Professor Emeritus


B.S. 1965, Bucknell University
M.A. 1967, University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. 1971, Brown University
E-mail: rgroshong@geo.ua.edu

Research Interests

Professor Groshong's research program focuses on the interpretation, validation, and prediction techniques for compressional, extensional, and vertical structures. He and his students are exploring the predictive capabilities of 2-D and 3-D structural balancing, restoring, and modeling techniques. The primary objects of study are the extensional and compressional structures of the Black Warrior foreland basin and the adjacent Appalachian Valley and Ridge province, the extensional and vertical structures of the northern Gulf of Mexico basin, and laboratory models. A strong emphasis is placed on using 3-D computer programs such as GeoSec3D, 3DMove, Giabase, and Tecplot, all available in the departmentŐs computer laboratories.

Professional Activities and Awards

Professor Groshong is on the Editorial Board of Tectonophysics, and a member of the AAPG Research Committee. He is past Chairman of the Structure and Tectonics Division of GSA and past Chairman of the GSA Penrose Grant Committee, and has been an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer. In 1988 he was a visiting Chaired Professor at the Universite de Lausanne.

Images of a 3D model of the Gilbertown Graben System:(click on an image to see a larger version)

Gilbertown Graben system, formed above the updip limit of salt in the Gulf of Mexico in south Alabama, view west.
Fault cutoff map (Allan diagram) of the Selma and Eutaw Formations against the Gilbertown fault of the Gilbertown graben system, view southwest (3x vertical exaggeration).
Faulted surface of the Eutaw Formation in the Gilbertown graben system, view southeast (3x vertical exaggeration). The fault surfaces are omitted for clarity. The Gilbertown oil field is located along the Gilbertown fault zone that runs diagonally across the center of the screen.

Representative Publications


1999, Groshong, R. H., Jr., 3-D structural geology: Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 324 p.

1998, Qi, J., Pashin, J. C., and Groshong, R. H., Jr., Structure and evolution of North Choctaw Ridge Field, Alabama, a salt-related footwall uplift along the peripheral fault system, Gulf Coast Basin: Transactions of Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, v. 48, p. 349-360 (Best Paper Award, 1998).

1998, Pashin, J. C. and Groshong, R. H., Jr. and Jin, G., Structural modeling of a fractured chalk reservoir: Toward revitalizing Gilbertown field, Choctaw County, Alabama: Transactions of Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, v. 48, p. 335-348.

1998, Pashin, J. C. and Groshong, R. H., Jr., Structural control of coalbed methane in Alabama: Internat. Jour. Coal Geol., v. 38, p. 89-113.

1998, Carlson, E. C., Benson, D. J., Groshong, R. H., Jr. and Mancini, E. A., Improved oil recovery from heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs associated with paleotopographic basement structures: Appleton Field, Alabama: Proceedings Eleventh SPE/DOE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, v. 2, paper SPE 39664, p. 99-105.

1997, Benson, D. J., Mancini, E. A., Groshong, R. H., Jr., Fang, J. H., Pultz, L. M., and Carlson, E. S., Petroleum geology of Appleton field, Escambia County, Alabama: Transactions of Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, p. 35-42.

1996, Groshong, R. H., Jr. and Epard, J.-L., Computerized cross section balance and restoration, in D. G. DePaor, ed., Structural Geology and Personal Computers: Elsevier Science Ltd., Pergamon Imprint, p. 477-498.

1996, Groshong, R. H., Jr., Construction and validation of extensional cross sections using lost area and strain, with application to the Rhine Graben, in Buchanan, P. G. and Nieuwland, D. A., eds., Modern Developments in Structural Interpretation, Validation and Modelling: Geological Society Special Publication No. 99, p. 79-87.

1995, Epard, J.-L. and Groshong, R. H., Jr., Kinematic model of detachment folding including limb rotation, fixed hinges and layer-parallel strain: Tectonophysics, v. 247, p. 85-103.

1995, Pashin, J. C., Groshong, R. H., Jr. and Wang, S., Thin-skinned structures influence gas production in Alabama coalbed methane fields: Intergas '95, International Unconventional Gas Symposium, p. 39-52.

1994,Groshong, R. H., Jr., Area balance, depth to detachment and strain in extension: Tectonics, v. 13, p. 1488-1497.

1994, Groshong, R. H., Jr., and Epard, J. -L. The role of strain in area-constant detachment folding: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 16, 18, p. 613-618.

1993, Brewer, R.C. and Groshong, R. H., Jr., Restoration of cross sections above intrusive salt domes: AAPG Bulletin, v. 77, p. 1769-1780.

1993, Epard, J.-L., and Groshong, R. H., Jr., Excess-area and depth to detachment: AAPG Bulletin, v. 77, p. 1291-1302.

1993, Ferrill, D. A., and Groshong, R. H., Jr., Kinematic model for the curvature of the Subalpine Chain, France: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 15, p. 523-541.

1993, Wang, S., Groshong, R. H., Jr., and Pashin, J. C., Thin-skinned normal faults in Deerlick Creek coalbed-methane field, Black Warrior Basin, Alabama: Alabama Geological Society, 30th Annual Field Trip, Guidebook, p. 69-78.

1991, Wu, S., and Groshong, R. H., Jr., Low-temperature deformation of sandstone, southern Appalachian fold-thrust belt: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 103, p. 861-875.

1990, Groshong, R. H., Jr., Unique determination of normal fault shape from hanging-wall bed geometry in detached half grabens: Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae, v. 83, p. 455-471.

1989, Groshong, R. H., Jr., Half-graben structures: Balanced models of extensional fault-bend folds: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 101, p. 96-105.

1988, Groshong, R. H., Jr., and Usdansky, S. I., Kinematic models of plane-roofed duplex styles: Geological Society of America Special Paper 222, p. 197-206.

1988, Groshong, R. H., Jr, Structural evolution in the Anniston CSD at Gadsden, Alabama, in Coleman and others, (editors), Structure of the Wills Valley anticline - Lookout Mountain syncline between the Rising Fawn and Anniston CSD's, northeast Alabama: A Guidebook for the 25th Annual Field Trip, Alabama Geological Society, p. 44-48, 69-76.

1988, Groshong, R. H., Jr., Low-temperature deformation mechanisms and their interpretation: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 100, p. 1329-1360.

1984, Groshong, R. H., Jr., Pfiffner, O. A., and Pringle, L., Strain partitioning in the Helvetic thrust belt of eastern Switzerland from the leading edge to the internal zone: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 6, p. 5-18.