Geological Insights & Event News

The January 2026 newsletter features Dr. Mike Zawaski, FLC Visiting Assistant Professor, on 3.71 Ga calc-silicate schists and quartzites from the Isua Supracrustal Belt. Altered basalt or the world’s oldest stromatolites? President Nate Klema recaps a float trip on the Klamath River through the Cascadia subduction zone from the back-arc to the sea. Jim Corken announces dates for two spring field trips in the planning stages: the Paradox Basin and Ouray. Cindy French summarizes features on the new Foundation website page and announces next month’s speaker, Foundation recipient Amit Milo.

Fourteen Fort Lewis College Geoscience seniors will hold a poster session on their senior thesis research projects for our members. Topics covered include mineralization in the Mineral Farms mining district of Ouray, Cenozoic plutons and dikes, aquafer analysis and subduction zone lithologies. Field Trip Chair Jim Corken reviewed the November trip to Sand Canyon and laid out spring plans. The FCG Foundation is ahead on donations compared to last year but are still encouraging contributions. They are also looking for a volunteer to serve on their board next year.

Dr. Smith will update the FCGS on a joint CCUS project between Advanced Hydrocarbon Stratigraphy and N.M. Tech. By extracting volatiles from core samples and well cuttings from the San Juan Basin and Four Corners Platform, the group are re-evaluating historical interpretations of hydrocarbon migration pathways and seals. The new model can be used to predict the effectiveness of targeted zones for storing captured gases. President Nate Klema puts the recent flooding in LaPlata County in context by comparison with historical data and finds this is at odds with the more sensational AI summary.

Dr. Missy Eppes from UNC-Charlotte will speak on rock fractures caused by thermal stresses, which create long-term, sub-critical cracking, rather than one catastrophic fracturing event. President Nate Klema reviews exfoliation in both igneous and sedimentary bedrock outcrops. Jim Corken announces two fall field trips (Hidden Valley in Durango on October 18th and Sand Canyon, west of Cortez, on November 15th). Cindy French announces that a Foundation M.S. grant recipient will present to the society in 2026 on 1.23 Ga old stromatolites and bimodal magmatism in the Burro Mountains of NM.

September 2025 newsletter features Bruce Fouke presenting biomineralization research connecting Yellowstone thermal processes to human tissue calcification. President Nate Klema reports on geological observations from Ladakh expedition along the Indus Suture Zone. Foundation announces new officers and seeks increased donations after receiving only $1200 year-to-date.

April 2025 newsletter features Magdalena Sandoval Donahue on writing the Roadside Geology of New Mexico guidebook. President David Gonzales explores metallic mineral colors through band gap theory and atomic structure. Foundation awards $2900 in M.S. thesis grants to four students. Spring field trips to Aztec Arches and San Juan Basin paleobiology sites.