Surficial Working Group

Surficial Working Group of the Intermountain West Project

Research topics

• Tectonic and Hydrologic Controls on Evolving Western United States River Systems:  Evaluating the complicated interplay of tectonics and hydrology in drainage development; sediment supply to basins and river corridors; and the location of potential aggregate/construction materials and critical mineral resources. Current emphasis on the upper Arkansas River, the North and South Platte Rivers, San Juan River, and Rio Grande. 
• Geologic History of Critical Minerals and Contaminants in River Systems:  Characterizing geochemistry, provenance, and age of river terrace deposits to identify potential changes in the distribution, concentration, and sources of critical minerals and contaminants through the geologic past and into the present following mining activities. Current emphasis on the San Juan River system and Colorado Plateau.
• Geologic Mapping and Characterization of Unconsolidated Surficial Deposits:  Identifying and locating sand and gravel resources for infrastructural development and critical mineral resources. Current work within the Colorado Plateau, central Colorado Rocky Mountains, southern Wyoming basins, and Owens-Panamint-Death Valley systems of Nevada and California.
• Hydrologic Evolution of Desert Lakes and Wetlands: Evaluating the effects of desert basin hydrology on water availability and critical mineral-rich evaporite/brine development in terminal basins using mapping, stratigraphic analyses, geochronology, and stable isotopes of lake, spring discharge, and alluvial deposits. Current emphasis on Lake Estancia (New Mexico), and the China - Searles - Panamint - Death Valley flow system (California and Nevada).