Audrey Hucks

Audrey Hucks is a classic example of the kind of person and student that excels within the multi-disciplinary G3, Center for Geomechanics, Geofluids and Geohazards.

The Search for a Flexible Interdisciplinary Program
Born in Central Florida but attending high school in New Jersey, Audrey planned to major in Astrophysics at Rice University in Houston. Her plans changed dramatically after an introductory oceanography class. Hooked more by studying the ocean and the structures under the sea floor rather than the heavens above, Audrey changed her major to Geology.

Finding her interests in hydrology and structural geology, Audrey searched for a PhD program that would allow her the freedom to pursue an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the interaction of rocks and fluids. Audrey also wanted flexibility for ultimately choosing a career path. Unsure of exactly where she wanted to end up, she also searched for a program that would yield the preparation and access to careers in the energy industry, environmental consulting or academia.

G3 and The Nankai Trough Project
In professor Peter Flemings and the G3 Center, Audrey found everything on her check list—including a fascinating project to study fluid flow at a tectonically active margin. The Nankai Trough (offshore Japan) experiences frequent earthquakes and is an ideal setting for studying pressure responses to subduction-zone earthquakes. Analysis of pressure data from the Nankai will also help in developing improved pressure monitoring instruments for low-permeability marine sediments.

While cultivating her skills in numerical modeling and signal processing, Audrey has been developing a mathematical model to help explain how pressures measured in the Nankai Trough with “ACORK” instruments relate to pressure changes in the surrounding marine mud. Four years of ACORK data contain large pressure pulses (“transients”) and long-term changes that may be deformation-related. The data also include sinusoidal pressure changes due to tides. The tidal pressure responses in less permeable stratigraphic intervals have small amplitudes and lag pressure changes at the seafloor—the compressible ACORK instrument apparently filters pressure changes in less permeable formations.

In August of 2006, Audrey had the opportunity to sail on a Japanese research cruise to recover new ACORK data. A remote-operated vehicle facilitates the data download by connecting with the ACORK instrument on the seafloor. Audrey assisted in the data download from the ship’s control room, where live video footage from the remote-operated vehicle played on television monitors. The data download was successful, and the new data include more exciting pressure transients that may be deformation-induced.

Audrey misses working with a terrific crew of scientists and technicians, craves more sushi, and looks forward to the next cruise.

Active and Happy in Central PA
An active athlete with interests ranging from football to cross-country skiing to fly-fishing, Audrey has found a happy home in Central Pennsylvania.

Audrey loves attending Penn State football games and enjoys being back in the east where there are four seasons!