Faculty

faculty

 

 Janok Bhattacharya
 Professor of Geology / Robert Sheriff Professor of Sequence Stratigraphy, Deltaic Systems
 Ph.D. 1989 McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
 B.Sc. 1981 Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada

 Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department
 University of Houston
 Houston, Texas 77204-5007

 Office: 229 SR 1
 Phone: (713) 743-4720
 Fax:
 jpbhattacharya@uh.edu


Research Interests

My general research program is mostly focused on investigating the sequence stratigraphy and 3D facies architecture of shallow marine, paralic, and fluvial depositional systems. Although much industry exploration effort is currently focused on deepwater depositional systems, about 50% of global oil production is currently from shallow marine, paralic and fluvial strata. Despite the continued importance of these reservoir types, ours is one of the only research programs devoted to this important area.

I am also investigating the interrelationships between structure and stratigraphy as a paired process. Specific projects are aimed at examining the effects of meso-scale tectonic structure on high-frequency sequence stratigraphic architecture in foreland basins and the relationship between sedimentation processes and formation of growth faults associated with deltaic depositional systems.

My research program is founded on the fundamentals of sedimentology, fieldwork, facies analysis, and sequence stratigraphy. Our program also crosses the boundaries between geophysics and engineering disciplines and provides an important environment for teamwork and integration that we believe provides a model for industry.
 
Curriculum Vitae
 
Bhattacharya Sedimentology Home Page
 
Teaching
Currently I teach the following courses:

Sequence Stratigraphy GEOL 6380 - Graduate course in sequence stratigraphy, including historical overview, seismic stratigraphy and application to outcrop, core and well logs.

Historical Geology GEOL 1376 - Freshman overview of the history of our planet and of life on earth, evolution, and global change in a geologic perspective.

I also teach short courses in rivers, deltas, sequence stratigraphy and petroleum geology

My UH courses can be accessed through "vnet.uh.edu"


 

Selected Publications

Bhattacharya, J.P., 2006, Deltas, In: Walker, R.G., and Posamentier, H., (eds.) Facies Models revisited, SEPM Special Publication, v. 84, p. 237-292.

Vakarelov, B., Bhattacharya, J.P., and Nebrigic, D., 2006, The Importance of High-Frequency Tectonic Sequences during Greenhouse Times of Earth History, Geology, v. 34; p. 797800; doi: 10.1130/G22348.1

Giosan, L. and Bhattacharya, J.P., 2005, New Directions in Delta Research. In: Giosan, L., and Bhattacharya, J.P., (eds.). River Deltas: Concepts, Models and Examples, SEPM Special Publication, v. 83, p. 3-10. CLICK ON THE BLUE ARROW TO GET THE PDF FILE

Olariu, C., and Bhattacharya, J.P., 2006, Terminal Distributary Channels and Delta Front Architecture of River-dominated delta systems. Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 76, p.212-233, Perspectives, DOI: 10.2110/jsr.2006.026

Lee, K., Zeng, X, McMechan, G.A., Howell Jr., C.D., Bhattacharya, J.P., Marcy, F., Olariu, C., 2005, A GPR survey of a delta-front reservoir analog in the Wall Creek Member, Frontier Formation, Wyoming. AAPG Bulletin, V. 89, No. 9 P. 1139-1155, DOI:10.1306/042705040106. CLICK BLUE ARROW TO GET FILE

Gani, M.R. and Bhattacharya, J.P., 2005, Bedding correlation vs, facies correlation in deltas: Lessons for Quaternary stratigraphy, In: Giosan, L., and Bhattacharya, J.P., (eds.). River Deltas: Concepts, Models and Examples, SEPM Special Publication v. 83, p. 31-48. CLICK ON BLIUE ARROW FOR PDF

Bhattacharya, J. P., Payenberg, T.H.D., Lang, S.C. and Bourke, M., 2005, Dynamic river channels suggest a long-lived Noachian crater lake on Mars. Geophysical Research Letters, .V. 32, L10201, doi:10.1029/2005GL022747.

Giosan, L, Donnelly J.P., Vespremeanu, E., Bhattacharya, J.P., Olariu, C., Buonaiuto, F.S., 2005, River delta morphodynamics: Examples from Danube delta. In: Giosan, L., and Bhattacharya, J.P., (eds.). River Deltas: Concepts, Models and Examples, SEPM Special Publication, v. 83, p. 393-411.

White, C. D., B. J. Willis, S. P. Dutton, J. P. Bhattacharya, and K. Narayanan, 2004, Sedimentology, statistics, and flow behavior for a tide-influenced deltaic sandstone, Frontier Formation, Wyoming, United States, in: In: G.M. Grammer and P.M. Harris, and G.P. Eberli (eds.) Integration of outcrop and modern analogs in reservoir modeling: AAPG Memoir 80, p. 129  152. CLICK ON BLUE ARROW FOR PDF

MacEachern, J., Bann, K., Bhattacharya, J.P., and Howell, C.D., 2005, Ichnology of Deltas. In: Giosan, L., and Bhattacharya, J.P., (eds.). River Deltas: Concepts, Models and Examples, SEPM Special Publication, v. 83, p. 49-85.

Giosan, L. and Bhattacharya, J.P., (editors), 2005, River Deltas: Concepts, Models and Examples, SEPM Special Publication, v.83, 502p.

Bhattacharya, J.P., and Tye, R.S., 2004, Searching for Modern Ferron Analogs and Application to Subsurface Interpretation. , in T. C. Chidsey, Jr., R. D. Adams, and T. H. Morris, eds., The fluvial-deltaic Ferron Sandstone: regional to wellbore-scale outcrop analog studies and application to reservoir modeling. AAPG Studies in Geology 50, p.39-57. CLICK BLUE ARROW FOR PDF

Bhattacharya, J.P., and Davies, R.K., 2004, Sedimentology and structure of growth faults at the base of the Ferron Member along Muddy Creek, Utah, In: T.C. Chidsey, R.D. Adams, and T.H. Morris (eds.) The Fluvial-deltaic Ferron Sandstone: Regional-to-Wellbore-scale outcrop analog studies and applications to reservoir modeling, AAPG Studies in Geology 50. P. 279-304. CLICK BLUE ARROW FOR PDF

Corbeanu, R.M., Wizevich, M.C., Bhattacharya, J.P., Zeng, X., and McMechan, G.A., 2004, Three-dimensional architecture of ancient lower delta-plain point bars using ground penetrating-radar, Cretaceous Ferron Sandstone, Utah, In: T.C. Chidsey, R.D. Adams, and T.H. Morris (eds.) The Fluvial-deltaic Ferron Sandstone: Regional-to-Wellbore-scale outcrop analog studies and applications to reservoir modeling, AAPG Studies in Geology 50, p.427-449.

Bhattacharya, J.P., and Giosan, L., 2003, Wave-influenced deltas: geomorphological implications for facies reconstruction. Sedimentology, v. 50. p.187-210. CLICK THE BLUE ARROW TO GET THE PDF FILE

Bhattacharya, J.P., 2003, Deltas and Estuaries, In: Middleton G.V. (editor) Encyclopedia of Sedimentology, Kluwer Academic, p.145-152.

Bhattacharya, J.P., and Davies, R.K., 2001, Growth faults at the prodelta to deltafront transition, Cretaceous Ferron Sandstone, Utah. Marine and Petroleum Geology. V. 18, p. 525-534.

Bhattacharya, J.P., and Willis, B.J., 2001, Lowstand Deltas in the Frontier Formation, Powder River Basin, Wyoming: Implications for sequence stratigraphic models, U.S.A., AAPG Bulletin, v. 85, p.261-294. CLICK BLUE ARROW TO GET PDF FILE