Amy Gilmer, PhD
I am an igneous petrologist interested in the role magmatic processes play in driving plate tectonics, building mountains, forming of volcanic belts and their associated geologic hazards, and forming hydrothermal ore deposits.
My research is focused on the evolution of magmatic systems. I study extinct systems, using exposures to explore internal processes driving magma, analogous to the plumbing systems feeding active volcanoes. I combine field geology, geochronology, geochemistry, and petrology to constrain conditions of magmatic storage and differentiation that result in either eruption or pluton emplacement and help us understand the larger architecture of magmatic systems.
Professional Experience
Research Geologist (2018-present)
Postdoctoral Fellow, U.S. Geological Survey (2017-2018)
Geologist, Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources (2001-2012)
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geological Science, University of Bristol (2016)
M.S., Geological Science, The University of Texas at Austin (2001)
B.S., Geology, College of William and Mary (1999)
Science and Products
Igneous and Metamorphic Working Group
USGS Geochron: A database of USGS geochronological and thermochronological data
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West
Serving the U.S. Geological Survey’s geochronological data
Bedrock geologic map database for the Aztec 1-degree x 2-degree quadrangle, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado Bedrock geologic map database for the Aztec 1-degree x 2-degree quadrangle, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado
USGS Geochron: Data Compilation Templates (2.0, June 2025) USGS Geochron: Data Compilation Templates (2.0, June 2025)
Zircon U-Pb data for Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Gunnison block, central Colorado, USA Zircon U-Pb data for Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Gunnison block, central Colorado, USA
Whole rock geochemistry for the Central Death Valley volcanic field, California Whole rock geochemistry for the Central Death Valley volcanic field, California
Bedrock geologic map database for the Blanca Peak, Walsenburg, Trinidad, and Alamosa 30' x 60' quadrangles, Colorado Bedrock geologic map database for the Blanca Peak, Walsenburg, Trinidad, and Alamosa 30' x 60' quadrangles, Colorado
Data release of zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole-rock isotope geochemistry for drill core samples from Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming Data release of zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole-rock isotope geochemistry for drill core samples from Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming
Data release of isotope geochemistry, mineral chemistry, and geochronology for a Proterozoic paragneiss sampled from drill core from North Dakota Data release of isotope geochemistry, mineral chemistry, and geochronology for a Proterozoic paragneiss sampled from drill core from North Dakota
Data release of monazite and xenotime geochronology for Proterozoic rocks in central Colorado and monazite and zircon geochronology and whole-rock isotope geochemistry fo a Proterozoic drill core sample from western Colorado Data release of monazite and xenotime geochronology for Proterozoic rocks in central Colorado and monazite and zircon geochronology and whole-rock isotope geochemistry fo a Proterozoic drill core sample from western Colorado
Zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole rock geochemistry for pre-ignimbrite volcanoes within the San Juan locus of the mid-Cenozoic Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field, Colorado Zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole rock geochemistry for pre-ignimbrite volcanoes within the San Juan locus of the mid-Cenozoic Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field, Colorado
Bedrock geologic map database for the Durango 1-degree x 2-degree quadrangle, southern Colorado: Contributions to the National Geologic Map (ver. 2.0, June 2024) Bedrock geologic map database for the Durango 1-degree x 2-degree quadrangle, southern Colorado: Contributions to the National Geologic Map (ver. 2.0, June 2024)
Data Release of Geochemical, Geochronologic, and Isotopic Data for Precambrian to Cenozoic Rocks from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming Data Release of Geochemical, Geochronologic, and Isotopic Data for Precambrian to Cenozoic Rocks from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming
Zircon U-Pb data for Proterozoic rocks in southwestern Colorado and rocks from drill core from Wyoming, Montana, and Nebraska Zircon U-Pb data for Proterozoic rocks in southwestern Colorado and rocks from drill core from Wyoming, Montana, and Nebraska
Geologic map of Petroglyph National Monument and vicinity, Bernalillo County, New Mexico Geologic map of Petroglyph National Monument and vicinity, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
Finding the hidden orogeny – The Proterozoic polymetamorphic history of northern New Mexico Finding the hidden orogeny – The Proterozoic polymetamorphic history of northern New Mexico
Re-evaluating the tectonic affinity of Proterozoic crustal provinces in the Southwest USA: Detrital zircon evidence for a Laurentian source for the Yavapai and Mojave Provinces Re-evaluating the tectonic affinity of Proterozoic crustal provinces in the Southwest USA: Detrital zircon evidence for a Laurentian source for the Yavapai and Mojave Provinces
Geochemical and geochronologic evidence for a contiguous northeastern Wyoming Province Geochemical and geochronologic evidence for a contiguous northeastern Wyoming Province
Paleoproterozoic reworking of Archean crust and extreme back-arc metamorphism in the enigmatic southern Trans-Hudson orogen Paleoproterozoic reworking of Archean crust and extreme back-arc metamorphism in the enigmatic southern Trans-Hudson orogen
Heterogeneous multi-stage accretionary orogenesis — Evidence from the Gunnison block in the Yavapai Province, southwest USA Heterogeneous multi-stage accretionary orogenesis — Evidence from the Gunnison block in the Yavapai Province, southwest USA
Precursors to a continental-arc ignimbrite flare-up: Early central volcanoes of the San Juan Mountains, Colorado, USA Precursors to a continental-arc ignimbrite flare-up: Early central volcanoes of the San Juan Mountains, Colorado, USA
Geochemical evidence for evolving Proterozoic crustal thickness and orogenic styles in southwestern Laurentia Geochemical evidence for evolving Proterozoic crustal thickness and orogenic styles in southwestern Laurentia
Monazite and xenotime petrochronologic constraints on four Proterozoic tectonic episodes and ca. 1705 Ma age of the Uncompahgre Formation, southwestern Colorado, USA Monazite and xenotime petrochronologic constraints on four Proterozoic tectonic episodes and ca. 1705 Ma age of the Uncompahgre Formation, southwestern Colorado, USA
Community for data integration 2019 project report Community for data integration 2019 project report
Revised age and regional correlations of Cenozoic strata on Bat Mountain, Death Valley region, California, USA, from zircon U-Pb geochronology of sandstones and ash-fall tuffs Revised age and regional correlations of Cenozoic strata on Bat Mountain, Death Valley region, California, USA, from zircon U-Pb geochronology of sandstones and ash-fall tuffs
The Seamless Integrated Geologic Mapping (SIGMa) extension to the Geologic Map Schema (GeMS) The Seamless Integrated Geologic Mapping (SIGMa) extension to the Geologic Map Schema (GeMS)
Postcaldera intrusive magmatism at the Platoro caldera complex, Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field, Colorado, USA Postcaldera intrusive magmatism at the Platoro caldera complex, Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field, Colorado, USA
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Intermountain West Seamless Geologic Map Explorer Intermountain West Seamless Geologic Map Explorer
USGS Geochron Database Explorer USGS Geochron Database Explorer
Science and Products
Igneous and Metamorphic Working Group
USGS Geochron: A database of USGS geochronological and thermochronological data
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West
Serving the U.S. Geological Survey’s geochronological data
Bedrock geologic map database for the Aztec 1-degree x 2-degree quadrangle, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado Bedrock geologic map database for the Aztec 1-degree x 2-degree quadrangle, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado
USGS Geochron: Data Compilation Templates (2.0, June 2025) USGS Geochron: Data Compilation Templates (2.0, June 2025)
Zircon U-Pb data for Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Gunnison block, central Colorado, USA Zircon U-Pb data for Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Gunnison block, central Colorado, USA
Whole rock geochemistry for the Central Death Valley volcanic field, California Whole rock geochemistry for the Central Death Valley volcanic field, California
Bedrock geologic map database for the Blanca Peak, Walsenburg, Trinidad, and Alamosa 30' x 60' quadrangles, Colorado Bedrock geologic map database for the Blanca Peak, Walsenburg, Trinidad, and Alamosa 30' x 60' quadrangles, Colorado
Data release of zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole-rock isotope geochemistry for drill core samples from Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming Data release of zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole-rock isotope geochemistry for drill core samples from Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming
Data release of isotope geochemistry, mineral chemistry, and geochronology for a Proterozoic paragneiss sampled from drill core from North Dakota Data release of isotope geochemistry, mineral chemistry, and geochronology for a Proterozoic paragneiss sampled from drill core from North Dakota
Data release of monazite and xenotime geochronology for Proterozoic rocks in central Colorado and monazite and zircon geochronology and whole-rock isotope geochemistry fo a Proterozoic drill core sample from western Colorado Data release of monazite and xenotime geochronology for Proterozoic rocks in central Colorado and monazite and zircon geochronology and whole-rock isotope geochemistry fo a Proterozoic drill core sample from western Colorado
Zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole rock geochemistry for pre-ignimbrite volcanoes within the San Juan locus of the mid-Cenozoic Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field, Colorado Zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole rock geochemistry for pre-ignimbrite volcanoes within the San Juan locus of the mid-Cenozoic Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field, Colorado
Bedrock geologic map database for the Durango 1-degree x 2-degree quadrangle, southern Colorado: Contributions to the National Geologic Map (ver. 2.0, June 2024) Bedrock geologic map database for the Durango 1-degree x 2-degree quadrangle, southern Colorado: Contributions to the National Geologic Map (ver. 2.0, June 2024)
Data Release of Geochemical, Geochronologic, and Isotopic Data for Precambrian to Cenozoic Rocks from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming Data Release of Geochemical, Geochronologic, and Isotopic Data for Precambrian to Cenozoic Rocks from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming
Zircon U-Pb data for Proterozoic rocks in southwestern Colorado and rocks from drill core from Wyoming, Montana, and Nebraska Zircon U-Pb data for Proterozoic rocks in southwestern Colorado and rocks from drill core from Wyoming, Montana, and Nebraska
Geologic map of Petroglyph National Monument and vicinity, Bernalillo County, New Mexico Geologic map of Petroglyph National Monument and vicinity, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
Finding the hidden orogeny – The Proterozoic polymetamorphic history of northern New Mexico Finding the hidden orogeny – The Proterozoic polymetamorphic history of northern New Mexico
Re-evaluating the tectonic affinity of Proterozoic crustal provinces in the Southwest USA: Detrital zircon evidence for a Laurentian source for the Yavapai and Mojave Provinces Re-evaluating the tectonic affinity of Proterozoic crustal provinces in the Southwest USA: Detrital zircon evidence for a Laurentian source for the Yavapai and Mojave Provinces
Geochemical and geochronologic evidence for a contiguous northeastern Wyoming Province Geochemical and geochronologic evidence for a contiguous northeastern Wyoming Province
Paleoproterozoic reworking of Archean crust and extreme back-arc metamorphism in the enigmatic southern Trans-Hudson orogen Paleoproterozoic reworking of Archean crust and extreme back-arc metamorphism in the enigmatic southern Trans-Hudson orogen
Heterogeneous multi-stage accretionary orogenesis — Evidence from the Gunnison block in the Yavapai Province, southwest USA Heterogeneous multi-stage accretionary orogenesis — Evidence from the Gunnison block in the Yavapai Province, southwest USA
Precursors to a continental-arc ignimbrite flare-up: Early central volcanoes of the San Juan Mountains, Colorado, USA Precursors to a continental-arc ignimbrite flare-up: Early central volcanoes of the San Juan Mountains, Colorado, USA
Geochemical evidence for evolving Proterozoic crustal thickness and orogenic styles in southwestern Laurentia Geochemical evidence for evolving Proterozoic crustal thickness and orogenic styles in southwestern Laurentia
Monazite and xenotime petrochronologic constraints on four Proterozoic tectonic episodes and ca. 1705 Ma age of the Uncompahgre Formation, southwestern Colorado, USA Monazite and xenotime petrochronologic constraints on four Proterozoic tectonic episodes and ca. 1705 Ma age of the Uncompahgre Formation, southwestern Colorado, USA
Community for data integration 2019 project report Community for data integration 2019 project report
Revised age and regional correlations of Cenozoic strata on Bat Mountain, Death Valley region, California, USA, from zircon U-Pb geochronology of sandstones and ash-fall tuffs Revised age and regional correlations of Cenozoic strata on Bat Mountain, Death Valley region, California, USA, from zircon U-Pb geochronology of sandstones and ash-fall tuffs
The Seamless Integrated Geologic Mapping (SIGMa) extension to the Geologic Map Schema (GeMS) The Seamless Integrated Geologic Mapping (SIGMa) extension to the Geologic Map Schema (GeMS)
Postcaldera intrusive magmatism at the Platoro caldera complex, Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field, Colorado, USA Postcaldera intrusive magmatism at the Platoro caldera complex, Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field, Colorado, USA
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.