Geological Insights & Event News

Dr. Jessica Thompson Jobe from USGS Geologic Hazards Science Center discussing cryptic active faults on the margin of the Colorado Plateau and Rio Grande Rift in northern New Mexico. Jon Harvey encourages members to explore the USGS Quaternary Faults database and highlights potential M6-7 earthquake hazards from previously unrecognized faults with low slip rates. Newsletter includes extensive virtual field trip resources during COVID-19 isolation, upcoming 2021 speaker schedule, job openings for Project Geologist and Mine Surveyor positions, and regional geology meeting announcements.

November 2020 newsletter features Eric Kuhn and John Fleck discussing their book "Science Be Dammed: How Ignoring Inconvenient Science Drained the Colorado River." President Jon Harvey reflects on virtual meetings and fall semester field work at Fort Lewis College. Newsletter includes extensive virtual field trip resources during COVID-19 isolation, launches 2021 FCGS calendar photo submission project with November 27th deadline, and announces Rocky Mountain Section AAPG Teacher of the Year award to Rhoda Perkes. Meeting held via Zoom on November 19, 2020.

Dr. Donahue presents new insights into episodic uplift of the southern Rockies using detrital zircon and low temperature thermochronology to track cooling and erosion across the range. Prez Sez highlights last month’s Colorado River talk, urges rain amid record low Animas flows, and previews November’s Science be Dammed program. This meting will be held online through Zoom.

September 2020 newsletter features Dr. Alan Kasprak on flow alteration and vegetation impacts from Glen Canyon Dam along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. FCGS transitions to virtual Zoom meetings due to COVID-19 with breakout room socializing. RMS-AAPG 2020 meeting cancelled with $10,059 loss. Election results confirm David Schiowitz as President-Elect, Ron Brogden as Foundation Treasurer. 57% of members need to renew dues. Foundation awards $1,000 grants to two graduate students. Lynda Krivanek obituary included.

The March 2020 Newsletter highlights Dr. Jon Harvey’s UAV surveys of the Missionary Ridge rockfall, which evolved through spring-driven scarp failure, debris buildup, and a 2019 dam break that sent major flows downslope. Prez Sabina Kraushaar reports the March meeting’s COVID 19 postponement, introduces President Elect candidate David Schiowitz, and thanks board and field trip volunteers. Upcoming field trips: Harding Pegmatite Mine and Cedar Mesa Sandstone.

Features Laura Hartman from BLM discussing cryptotephra geochemical fingerprinting and tephrochronology in ice cores. President Sabina Kraushaar reports on NAPE conference observations about oil and gas industry trends. Call for papers announced for September 2020 RMS-AAPG meeting in Grand Junction. Photo contest first round winners revealed: Charlie Burnham (1st), Gary Gianninny (2nd), Kallea Cohen and Steve Cumella (tied 3rd). Spring field trips scheduled to Harding Pegmatite Mine and Cedar Mesa Formation.