Bio: Kristin DeBone is a graduate student at Texas Christian University getting a Masters in Geology. She received a strong background in geology with her undergraduate degree from Sam Houston State University (SHSU). While there she was lucky enough to work on three undergraduate research projects, as a teaching assistant for two years, and as the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) technician for a year. Her current thesis work is on the only known basaltic Paleocene volcano in the Trans-Pecos Igneous Province.

Abstract: The only known Paleocene basaltic volcanic complex in the Trans-Pecos igneous province in west Texas was recently discovered by Dr. Thomas Lehman (Texas Tech University), who invited me to investigate it. My work shows that pyroclastic deposits of the volcanic complex are intercalated with Paleocene fluvial strata of the Black Peaks Formation. Characteristics of the pyroclastic deposits indicate eruption predominantly from subsurface phreatomagmatic explosions, which occurred from the violent interaction between groundwater and uprising magma. Volcanic bombs up to 1 meter in diameter indicate close proximity to vents. The volcanic complex consists of basaltic tephra ring deposits with a complicated structure and numerous small-scale faults and folds. Detailed mapping has identified 36 fossilized trees entombed within the pyroclastic deposits.