KGS--Staff--Daniel F. Merriam

Dr. Daniel F. Merriam

Dr. Merriam has retired from the Survey.

Senior Research Scientist (emeritus)

Address Information

Kansas Geological Survey
1930 Constant Avenue
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66047-3724

Phone: 785-864-2127
e-mail: dmerriam@kgs.ku.edu

Education

BS in Geology, University of Kansas, 1949
MS in Geology, University of Kansas, 1953
PhD, University of Kansas, 1961
MSc in Geology, Leicester University (England), 1969
DSc, Leicester University (England), 1975

Professional Experience

Union Oil Company of California: geologist, 1949-51, summer 1952
Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas: geologist, 1953-58; Head of Basic Geology, 1958-63; Chief of Geologic Research, 1963-71
Syracuse University: Jessie Page Heroy Professor of Geology, 1971-81; head, Department of Geology, 1971-80
Wichita State University: Endowment Association Distinguished Professor of the Natural Sciences, 1981-91; emeritus 1997; chairman, Department of Geology, 1981-87
Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas: Senior Research Scientist, 1991-1997; emeritus 1997

Research Interests

My research interests have been on the Late Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Tertiary regional stratigraphy of the Midcontinent and Recent and Pleistocene sediments of Florida Bay. In particular, I have concentrated on the cyclic nature of the Permo-Pennsylvanian units. In recent years, I have investigated the relation of the stratigraphic units to structure on both a regional and local scale. The origin and development of plains-type folds and relation of the geothermal field to the folds has been of special interest. Because most of the subsurface data come from the drilling of boreholes in search of petroleum, I have been concerned with the petroleum geology of Kansas and development of the cratonic basins. The application of quantitative techniques in the evaluation of geological problems of the Midcontinent has been a focus for the last 35 years.

Recent Publications

Basin Analysis and Geothermal Studies

Macfarlane, P.A., Förster, A., Merriam, D.F., Schrötter, J., and Healey, J.M., 2002, The transmission of heat and monitoring fluid movement in the Cretaceous Dakota aquifer, western Kansas: Hydrogeology Jour., accepted.

Doveton, J.H., Förster, A., and Merriam, D.F., 2002, Estimation of heat-flow from nuclear logs and drill-stem test (DST) temperature data: Oklahoma Geol. Survey Circ., in press.

Förster, A., Merriam, D.F., and Watney, W.L., 2001, Temperature analysis in the mature hydrocarbon province of Kansas: utilizing a large database of well-completion histories, in Merriam, D.F., and Davis, J.C., Geologic Modeling and Simulation: Sedimentary Systems: Kluwer Acad./Plenum Press, New York, p. 285-301.

Merriam, D.F., 1999, Geologic events affecting geothermal conditions in the Cherokee Basin, southeastern Kansas: review and assessment: Kansas Acad. Sci. Trans., v. 102, no. 3/4, p. 71-82.

Förster, A., and Merriam, D.F., 1999, Problems and potential of industrial temperature data from a cratonic basin environment, in Förster, A., and Merriam, D.F., eds., Geothermics in Basin Analysis: Plenum Press, New York, p. 35-59.

Förster, A., Merriam, D.F., and Hoth, P., 1998, Geohistory and thermal maturation in the Cherokee Basin (Midcontinent, USA)--results from modeling: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull., v. 82, no. 9, p. 1673-1693.

Förster, A., Merriam, D.F., and Davis, J.C., 1997, Spatial analysis of temperature (BHT/DST) data and consequences for heat-flow determination in sedimentary basins: Geologische Rundschau, v. 86, no. 2, p. 252-261.

Förster, A., Schrötter, J., Merriam, D.F., and Blackwell, D.D., 1997, Application of optical-fibre temperature logging, an example in a sedimentary environment: Geophysics, v. 62, no. 4, p. 1107-1113.

Förster, A., and Merriam, D.F., 1997, Heat flow in the Cretaceous of northwestern Kansas and implications for regional hydrology: Kansas Geol. Survey Bull. 204, pt. 1; http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Current/1997/forster/forster1.html

Doveton, J.H., Förster, A., and Merriam, D.F., 1997, Predicting thermal conductivity from petrophysical logs: a Midcontinent Paleozoic case study, in Pawlowky-Glahn, V., ed., Proc. IAMG'97, pt. 1: Intern. Ctr. for Num. Methods in Engineering (Barcelona, Spain), p. 212-217.

Förster, A., Merriam, D.F., and Davis, J.C., 1996, Statistical analysis of some bottom-hole temperature (BHT) correction factors for the Cherokee Basin, southeastern Kansas: Tulsa Geol. Soc. Trans., p. 3-9.

Förster, A., and Merriam, D.F., 1995, A bottom-hole temperature analysis in the American Midcontinent (Kansas): implications to the applicability of BHTs in geothermal studies: Intern. Geothermal Assoc., World Geothermal Congress (Florence, Italy) Proc., v. 2, p. 777-782.

Förster, A., and Merriam, D.F., 1994, Some aspects of geothermics in basin analysis: Intern. Assoc. Math. Geology Ann. Conf., Papers and Extended Abstracts Tech. Program (Mt. Tremblant, Quebec, Canada), p. 134-140.

Förster, A., and Merriam, D.F., 1993, Geothermal field interpretation in south-central Kansas for parts of the Nemha Anticline and flanking Cherokee and Sedgwick Basins: Basin Research, v. 5, no. 4, p. 213-234.

Förster, A., Merriam, D.F., and Brower, J.C., 1993, Relationship of geological and geothermal field properties: Midcontinent area, USA, an example: Math. Geology, v. 25, no. 7, p. 937-947.

Structural Studies

Merriam, D.F., and Förster, A., 2002, Paleoearthquakes and Late Paleozoic recurrent structural movement in the Midcontinent (USA) as revealed by stratigraphic and sedimentological evidence, in Ettensohn, F.R., Rast, N., and Breet, C.E., eds., Ancient Seismites: Geol. Soc. America Spec. Paper 359, in press.

Merriam, D.F., and Förster, A., 2000, The origin and development of plains-type folds during the Cretaceous in central and western Kansas: The Compass, v. 75, nos. 2-3, p. 45-56.

Merriam, D.F., Herzfeld, U.C., and Fuhr, B.A., 1999, An integrated approach to petroleum exploration on the Pratt Anticline, Pratt County, Kansas: Natural Resources Research, v. 8, no. 1, p. 69-86.

Merriam, D.F., and Förster, A., 1999, Subtle and not-so-subtle anticlinal structures and their geothermal overprint in the Salina Basin, north-central Kansas: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Midcontinent Regional Meeting (Wichita, Kansas), Transactions, p. 15-21.

Förster, A., and Merriam, D.F., 1997, Analyzing low-amplitude folds in simple geological environments, in Pawlowky-Glahn, V., ed., Proc. IAMG'97, pt. 1: Intern. Ctr. for Num. Methods in Engineering (Barcelona, Spain), p. 331-336.

Merriam, D.F., and Förster, A., 1996, Precambrian basement control on 'plains-type folds' (compactional features) in the Midcontinent region, USA, in Oncken, O., and Janssen, C., eds., Basement Tectonics 11: Kluwer Acad. Publ., Dordrecht, p. 149-166.

Geological Mapping

Merriam, D.F., 2002, Geologic map of Douglas County: Kansas Geol. Survey Map M-96, scale 1:50:000, in press.

erriam, D.F., 1999, Geologic map of Coffey County: Kansas Geol. Survey Map M-59, scale 1:50,000.

Merriam, D.F., 1998, Geologic map of Woodson County: Kansas Geol. Survey Map M-52.

Merriam, D.F., 1997, Geologic map of Greenwood County: Kansas Geol. Survey Map M-50, scale 1:50,000.

Merriam, D.F., 1996, Geologic map of Elk County: Kansas Geol. Survey Map M-49, scale l:50,000.

Merriam, D.F., 1995, Geologic map of Chautauqua County: Kansas Geol. Survey Map M-43, scale: 1:50,000.

Quantitative Geology

Brower, J.C., and Merriam, D.F., 2001, Thematic map analysis using multiple regression: Math. Geology, v. 33, no. 3, p. 353-368.

Merriam, D.F., and Robinson, J.E., 1997, Harmonic analysis of sedimentary cyclic sequences in Kansas, Midcontinent, USA: Math. Geology, v. 29, no. 8, p. 953- 962.

Merriam, D.F., and Scherer, W., 1996, Comparison and integration of spatial data using covariance matrices: Math. Geology, v. 28, no. 5, p. 657-671.

Merriam, D.F., Herzfeld, U.C., and Förster, A., 1996, Pairwise comparison of spatial map data, in Förster, A., and Merriam, D.F., eds., Geologic Modeling and Mapping: Plenum Press, New York, p. 215-228.

Krumbein, W.C., Scherer, W., and Merriam, D.F., 1995, CORSURF: a covariance matrix trend analysis program: Computers & Geosciences, v. 21, no. 9, p. 1065-1089.

Herzfeld, U.C., and Merriam, D.F., 1995, Optimization techniques for integrating spatial data: Math. Geology, v. 27, no. 5, p. 559-588.

Merriam, D.F., and Herzfeld, U.C., 1994, Approches to thematic map comparison and integration: Intern. Assoc. Math. Geology Ann. Conf., Papers and Extended Abstracts Tech. Program (Mt. Tremblant, Quebec, Canada), p. 229-235.

Merriam, D.F., Herzfeld, U.C., and Förster, A., 1993, Integration of geophysical data for basin analysis: Proc. 3rd Intern. Brasilian Geophysical Soc. Congress (Rio de Janeiro), v. 2, p. 1025-1030.

History of Geology

Merriam, D.F., 2002, Exploring for petroleum in the Flatlands: history of oil and gas exploration in Kansas: Oil-Industry History, v. 2, no. 1, in press.

Merriam, D.F., 2001, Andrei Borisovich Vistelius: a dominant figure in 20th Century mathematical geology: Natural Resources Research, v. 10, no. 4, p. 297-304.

Merriam, D.F., 1999, 'Plains-type folds' in the Midcontinent region (USA): chronicling a concept: Jour. Earth Science History, v. 18, no. 2, p. 264-294.

Merriam, D.F., 1999, Reminiscences of the Editor of the Kansas Geological Survey Computer Contributions, 1966-1970 & a byte: Computers & Geosciences, v 25, no. 4, p. 321-334.

Merriam, D.F., 1996, Kansas 19th Century geologic maps: Kansas Acad. Sci. Trans., v. 99, no. 3/4, p. 95-114.

Merriam, D.F., 1994, Edwin James--chronicler of geology in the American West: Earth Sci. History, v. 13, no. 2, p. 115-120.

Merriam, D.F., 1992, Linnaeus' 1747 geological profile (cross section) of Kinne-Kulla, south-central Sweden: The Compass, v. 69, no. 4, p. 320-325.

Merriam, D.F., 1992, Linnaeus' 1734 Dalaresa and his geological observations: Kansas Acad. Sci. Trans., v. 95, no. 1/2, p. 211-223.

Miscellaneous

Merriam, D.F., 2002, The armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus [Linnaeus]) invasion of Kansas: Kansas Acad. Science Trans., v. 105, no. 1/2, p. 44-50.

Gerlach, P., and Merriam, D.F., 2001, The resource-full Mississippian of Kansas: Oklahoma Geol. Survey Circ. 105, p. 129-138.

Merriam, D.F., 2001, Geology of the Tall Grass Nature Preserve, Chase County, Kansas: Kansas Geol. Survey Map 99, chart.

Babcock, L.E., and Merriam, D.F., 2000, Horseshoe crabs (Arthropoda: Xiphosurida) from Pennsylvanian lagerstätten of Kansas and elsewhere: Kansas Acad. Science Trans., v. 103, no. 1-2, p. 76-94.

Babcock, L.E., Merriam, D.F., and West, R.R., 2000, Paleolimulus, an early limuline (Xiphosurida), from Pennsylvanian-Permian lagerstätten of Kansas, and taphonomic comparison with modern Limulus: Lethaia, v. 33, no. 1, p. 1-13.

Olea, R.A., Davis, J.C., and Merriam, D.F., 1997, Automatic regional wireline log lithostratigraphic correlation in Kansas using Correlator, in Pawlowky-Glahn, V., ed., Proc. IAMG'97, pt. 1: Intern. Ctr. for Num. Methods in Eng., Barcelona, Spain, p. 343-348.

Merriam, D.F., and Mettille, T.D., 1995, Geologic mapping on Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) images in Kansas: Kansas Acad. Sci. Trans., v. 98, no. 3-4, p. 162-166.

Scherer, W., and Merriam, D.F., 1995, Organic petrography of the Nodaway coal (Upper Pennsylvanian) in eastern Kansas: Kansas Acad. Sci. Trans., v. 98, no. 3-4, p. 130-143.

Scherer, W., and Merriam, D.F., 1994, Vitrinite reflectance of Pennsylvanian coals in southeastern Kansas as a measure of depth of burial: Kansas Acad. Science Trans., v. 97, no 3-4, p. 127-135.

Payne K., and Merriam, D.F., 1993, Impact of geoscience specialist journals: a study in use patterns: Geoscience Inform. Soc. Proc., v. 23, p. 57-63.

Obituaries and Memorials

Merriam, D.F., and Kirchoff, E., 2002, Vassil T. Vuchev (1935-2001): Jour. Math. Geology, in press.

Merriam, D.F., 2001, Paul Tasch (1910-2001): Geol. Soc. America Memorials, submitted.

Merriam, D.F., 2000, Maxim K. Elias (1889-1982): Geol. Soc. America Memorials, p. 73-75.

Merriam, D.F., and Harbaugh, J.W., 2000, Robert M. Dreyer (1914-1997): Geol. Soc. America Memorials, p. 1-2.

Merriam, D.F., and Cowdery, R.D., 1999, Robert F. Walters (1914-1998): Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull., v. 83, no. 2, p. 372; Geological Society America: 2 pages.

Merriam, D.F., 1993, John Cedric Griffiths, 1912-1992: Computers & Geosciences, v. 19, no. 1, p. iii-iv; Geol. Soc. London Ann. Rept. 1993, p. 27-28.

Merriam, D.F., 1984, Geoffrey W(illiam) Hill, 1928-1982: Computers & Geosciences, v. 10, no. 2-3, p. 187-189.

Merriam, D.F., 1979, Peter Colley Sylvester-Bradley: Geol. Soc. America, 4 p.

Merriam, D.F., 1975, Raymond Cecil Moore: Geol. Soc. London, Ann. Rept. 1974, p. 42-43.

Kansas Geological Survey
Updated March 2002
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