21 Advancements in the Proterozoic tectonics of western North America

This session highlights recent developments in understanding of the Proterozoic tectonic record of western Laurentia, particularly its relation to critical mineral resources. Insights derived from all disciplines and approaches are welcome.

Tuesday, 19 May 2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Alvarado F

Participants

• Chair Chloe Bonamici
• Chair Graham Baird
• Chair Mark Holland

Presentations

• 9:05 AM
  Tectonic Setting and Preliminary U-Pb Garnet Dating of Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum Felsic Pegmatites in the Northern Colorado Front Range
  Graham Baird, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO and Desmond Saldivar, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO and Kyle Thoutt, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO and Alvaro Sotelo, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO and Kevin Mahan, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO and Cullen Kortyna, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO and Rebecca Flowers, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
  410556 (Technical Sessions)
• 9:25 AM
  Channelized flow or vertical ascent in the Wet Mountains: Do crustal position, fluid activity, and strain partitioning control melt mobility during partial melting of thickening Mesoproterozoic crust?
  Ruth Aronoff, Furman University, Greenville, SC and Tyler Grambling, Denison University, Granville, OH and Michelle Gevedon, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO and Elizabeth Spradlin, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO
  410713 (Technical Sessions)
• 9:45 AM
  Mesoproterozoic (~1.33 Ga) Greenschist-Facies Mylonites and Brittle-Plastic Faults Record NW-SE Shortening in the Skin Gulch Shear Zone, Northern Colorado Front Range
  John Singleton, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO and Samantha Malavarca, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO and Dylan Frawley, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO and Hunter Broeder, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO and Audra Lorton, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
  410641 (Technical Sessions)
• 10:05 AM
  WIDESPREAD GRENVILLE-AGED SHEAR ZONE REACTIVATION IN COLORADO, USA REVEALS PERSISTENT WEAKNESS IN THE CONTINENTAL LITHOSPHERE
  Alexander Lusk and Ian Hillenbrand, Denver, CO and Jay Thompson, U.S. Geological Survey -, Denver, CO and Michael Frothingham, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO and Joseph Allen, Concord University, Athens, WV and Heather Lowers, US Geological Survey, Denver, CO and Jackson Swartz
  410627 (Technical Sessions)
• 10:35 AM
  Mesoproterozoic Deposition, Alteration, and Metamorphism of the Trampas Group Basin, Picuris Range, New Mexico
  Taryn Isenburg, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI and Chloe Bonamici, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
  410494 (Technical Sessions)
• 10:55 AM
  Mesoproterozoic Mylonites, REE Mineralization, and Orogeny at Mountain Pass
  Ian Hillenbrand, Denver, CO and Kathryn Watts, United States Geological Survey, Spokane, WA and Jay Thompson, Denver, CO and David Miller, United States Geological Survey, Fremont, CA and Erin Benson, Pullman, WA and Karl Karlstrom, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM and Alexander Lusk, Denver, CO and Heather Lowers, US Geological Survey, Denver, CO
  410621 (Technical Sessions)