Marcus Gary

Marcus Gary
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
Principal Geoscientist, Aquifer Science, Edwards Aquifer Authority


Office: JGB
Mailcode: C1100

I'm a karst hydrogeologist who specializes in investigations that expand our understanding of karst processes, and study the implications that karst hydrogeology has on natural resource management. I received my Ph.D. in hydrogeology from the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin in 2009, and a B.S. degree from the same institution in 2001. My dissertation focused on defining the geological processes that formed one of the deepest underwater cave systems in the world, Sistema Zacaton. This multi-disciplinary research included studies utilizing geophysics, geomicrobiology, hydrology, field mapping, geochemistry, and numerous related topics. Most notably, Sistema Zacaton was explored by the DEPTHX autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), also known as the Deep Phreatic Thermal Explorer, developed and tested with funding from NASA. The DEPTHX probe produced a detailed 3-D spatial dataset used to characterize this underwater cave system. I also worked for 8 years as a hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, 4 years as a private environmental consultant, and am currently the Field Operations Project Manager for the Edwards Aquifer Authority in San Antonio, Texas. Since 2011, I have taught a class in Applied Karst Hydrogeology at the Jackson School of Geosciences, integrating research objectives of the Edwards Aquifer Authority with this class, strongly emphasizing field hydrogeology. Prior to my career in geosciences, I worked as a commercial diver (A.S. in Marine Technology - College of Oceaneering, 1994), working for over 8 years in the offshore oil industry, conducting marine archeological surveys, managing hyperbaric medical facilities, exploring underwater caves, and recovering ICBMs for the U.S. military in the south Pacific.

Areas of Expertise

Karst Hydrogeology


Research Locations



Current Research Programs & Projects

Trinity-Edwards Inter-Formational Flow


Graduate Students

Daphne Smith , M.S., expected 2024 (Committee Member)
Howdy! I use geophysical techniques (neutron probe & nuclear magnetic resonance) to explore moisture dynamics in unsaturated fractured bedrock at the White Family Outdoor Learning Center here in Central Texas. At the field site, there are thin to absent soil beds, and trees are rooted directly into bedrock. My research has focused on determining what role the root-zone has in...

Caroline Hackett, M.S., 2018 (Co-supervisor)
Department of Geosciences

Jenna Kromann, M.S. (Co-supervisor)
2015


Undergraduate Students

Tim Eishen (2012)
Jeffery Watson (2013)
Tiffany Kocis (2013)
Catherine Rohan (2014)
Sam Lilliard (2015)
Kendall Yates (2016)


YearSemesterCourse
2023Fall GEO 391K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2023Fall GEO 377K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2022Fall GEO 391K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2022Fall GEO 377K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2021Fall GEO 391K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2021Fall GEO 377K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2020Fall GEO 377K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2019Fall GEO 377K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2019Fall GEO 391K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2018Spring GEO 391K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2018Spring GEO 377K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2017Spring GEO 391K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2017Spring GEO 377K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2016Spring GEO 377K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2015Spring GEO 391K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2015Spring GEO 377K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2014Spring GEO 377K Applied Karst Hydrogeology
2014Spring GEO 391K Applied Karst Hydrogeology

Photos of research of the Sistema Zacaton karst area

The Edwards Aquifer Authority
Website of the EAA.

DEPTHX Project

DEPTHX blog

Karst Hydrogeology and Speleogenesis of Sistema Zacaton
Re-published dissertation of Marcus Gary, published by the Association of Mexican Cave Studies