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Joseph Colgan

I study magmatism and deformation of the earth’s crust, and how these processes influence the formation and distribution of natural resources and geologic hazards. This work involves geologic mapping at different scales, interpretation of subsurface and geophysical data, and laboratory analyses to determine the age and composition of rocks and minerals.

Professional Experience

  • 2014 - present     Research Geologist, USGS, Denver CO

  • 2009 - 2014         Research Geologist, USGS, Menlo Park CA

  • 2006 - 2009         Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow, USGS, Menlo Park CA

  • 1999 - 2005         Teaching and Research Assistant, Stanford University, Stanford CA

  • 1998 - 1999         Earth Science Intern, USGS, Menlo Park CA

Education and Certifications

  • 2005      Ph.D., Geological & Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford CA

  • 1998      B.A., Geology, Carleton College, Northfield MN

Honors and Awards

  • 2012 - Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering (PECASE)

Science and Products

Precambrian bedrock and Paleozoic sedimentary cover in the upper Midwest

National Geologic Mapping

To “bring together detailed national, and continental resolution 2D and 3D data produced throughout the USGS and state partners,” NGS developed a model in which geologic map databases produced by the USGS and State Geological Surveys can be assembled into compilation maps by an automated process, enabling rapid delivery of a new national map that can grow thereafter with contributions from the...
By
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
National Geologic Mapping

National Geologic Mapping

To “bring together detailed national, and continental resolution 2D and 3D data produced throughout the USGS and state partners,” NGS developed a model in which geologic map databases produced by the USGS and State Geological Surveys can be assembled into compilation maps by an automated process, enabling rapid delivery of a new national map that can grow thereafter with contributions from the...
Learn More
View toward Blanca Peak, Colorado

National Geologic Synthesis

Surface (2D) and subsurface (3D) geologic data are critical for resource management, infrastructure design, hazards characterization, and basic earth science research. To meet these needs in a digital landscape, geologic maps must transition from static publications to machine-readable and discoverable digital databases that enable spatial analyses and queries (Shelton and others, 2022). In 2019...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
National Geologic Synthesis

National Geologic Synthesis

Surface (2D) and subsurface (3D) geologic data are critical for resource management, infrastructure design, hazards characterization, and basic earth science research. To meet these needs in a digital landscape, geologic maps must transition from static publications to machine-readable and discoverable digital databases that enable spatial analyses and queries (Shelton and others, 2022). In 2019...
Learn More
USGS science for a changing world logo

Serving the U.S. Geological Survey’s geochronological data

Geochronological data provide essential information necessary for understanding the timing of geologic processes and events, as well as quantifying rates and timescales key to geologic mapping, mineral and energy resource and hazard assessments. The USGS’s National Geochronological Database (NGDB) contains over 30,000 radiometric ages, but no formal update has occurred in over 20 years...
By
Community for Data Integration (CDI)
Serving the U.S. Geological Survey’s geochronological data

Serving the U.S. Geological Survey’s geochronological data

Geochronological data provide essential information necessary for understanding the timing of geologic processes and events, as well as quantifying rates and timescales key to geologic mapping, mineral and energy resource and hazard assessments. The USGS’s National Geochronological Database (NGDB) contains over 30,000 radiometric ages, but no formal update has occurred in over 20 years. This
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 19

Digital database of the previously published Geologic Map of Alabama (Special Map 221) Digital database of the previously published Geologic Map of Alabama (Special Map 221)

A digital version of the 1:500,000 scale geologic map of Alabama (Osborne and others, 1989) was required for a new national compilation of state geologic maps and U.S. Geological Survey regional maps, but the map had not previously been digitized. The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s (NCGMP) National Geologic Synthesis Project worked with the Geological Survey of...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Cooperative National Geologic Map: Precambrian geology Cooperative National Geologic Map: Precambrian geology

The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) was directed by Congress to create a new geologic map of the United States” by “bring[ing] together detailed national and continental-resolution 2D and 3D information produced throughout the Survey and by federal and state partners” (House Report 116-100). To fulfill this goal, the NCGMP created a map synthesis engine...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Cooperative National Geologic Map: Pre-Quaternary geology Cooperative National Geologic Map: Pre-Quaternary geology

The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) was directed by Congress to create a new geologic map of the United States” by “bring[ing] together detailed national and continental-resolution 2D and 3D information produced throughout the Survey and by federal and state partners” (House Report 116-100). To fulfill this goal, the NCGMP created a map synthesis engine...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Cooperative National Geologic Map: Quaternary geology Cooperative National Geologic Map: Quaternary geology

The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) was directed by Congress to create a new geologic map of the United States” by “bring[ing] together detailed national and continental-resolution 2D and 3D information produced throughout the Survey and by federal and state partners” (House Report 116-100). To fulfill this goal, the NCGMP created a map synthesis engine...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Cooperative National Geologic Map: Earth’s surface geology Cooperative National Geologic Map: Earth’s surface geology

The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) was directed by Congress to create a new geologic map of the United States” by “bring[ing] together detailed national and continental-resolution 2D and 3D information produced throughout the Survey and by federal and state partners” (House Report 116-100). To fulfill this goal, the NCGMP created a map synthesis engine...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Digital database of the geologic map of the southern Stillwater Range, Nevada Digital database of the geologic map of the southern Stillwater Range, Nevada

This data set is a geospatial database for the 1:24,000 scale Geologic Map of the Southern Stillwater Range, Nevada (John and others, 2024). It contains all the geologic spatial information and text unit descriptions from the printed map, in the Geologic Map Schema (GeMS) format for digital geologic maps maintained by the USGS’ National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCMGP). Base...
By
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Geologic map of the southern Stillwater Range, Nevada Geologic map of the southern Stillwater Range, Nevada

The southern Stillwater Range in west-central Nevada contains the western part of the Oligocene Stillwater-Clan Alpine caldera complex, which extends about 55 kilometers (km) east from the west side of the Stillwater Range to the northwestern Desatoya Mountains. The complex consists of at least seven nested ignimbrite calderas and subjacent plutonic rocks emplaced into a complex basement...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Geologic map of the Caetano caldera, Lander and Eureka counties, Nevada Geologic map of the Caetano caldera, Lander and Eureka counties, Nevada

The Eocene (34 Ma) Caetano caldera in north-central Nevada offers an exceptional opportunity to study the physical and petrogenetic evolution of a large (20 km by 10–18 km pre-extensional dimensions) silicic magma chamber, from precursor magmatism to caldera collapse and intrusion of resurgent plutons. Caldera-related rocks shown on this map include two units of crystal-rich intracaldera

Map showing inventory and regional susceptibility for Holocene debris flows, and related fast-moving landslides in the conterminous United States Map showing inventory and regional susceptibility for Holocene debris flows, and related fast-moving landslides in the conterminous United States

Introduction Debris flows, debris avalanches, mud flows and lahars are fast-moving landslides that occur in a wide variety of environments throughout the world. They are particularly dangerous to life and property because they move quickly, destroy objects in their paths, and often strike without warning. This map represents a significant effort to compile the locations of known debris...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center
Filter Total Items: 41

A synthesis engine for constructing geologic maps of the United States A synthesis engine for constructing geologic maps of the United States

The geologic history of the United States is cataloged in thousands of geologic maps produced during many decades. However, the disparate nature of these individual maps makes it challenging to assess resources, research geologic histories, or characterize natural hazards holistically across the Nation. The U.S. House of Representatives 2020 appropriations bill for the U.S. Department of...
Authors
Samuel Johnstone, Joseph P. Colgan, Warren P. Roe
By
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Late Triassic paleogeography of southern Laurentia and its fringing arcs: Insights from detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry, Auld Lang Syne basin (Nevada, USA) Late Triassic paleogeography of southern Laurentia and its fringing arcs: Insights from detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry, Auld Lang Syne basin (Nevada, USA)

Fluvial strata of the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation and Dockum Group, exposed across the Western Interior of North America, have long been interpreted to record a transcontinental river system that connected the ancestral Ouachita orogen of Texas and Oklahoma, USA, to the Auld Lang Syne basin of northwestern Nevada, USA, its inferred marine terminus. Fluvial strata are well...
Authors
Theresa Maude Schwartz, Sandra J. Wyld, Joseph P. Colgan, Douglas W. Prihar
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Paleogene sedimentary basin development in southern Nevada, USA Paleogene sedimentary basin development in southern Nevada, USA

The cause of the transition from Mesozoic and early Cenozoic crustal shortening to later extension in the western United States is debated. In many parts of the extant Sevier hinterland, now the Basin and Range Province, the sedimentary sections that provide the most direct record of that transition remain poorly studied and lack meaningful age control. In this paper, we present field
Authors
Jens-Erik Lundstern, Theresa Maude Schwartz, Cameron Mark Mercer, Joseph P. Colgan, Jeremiah B. Workman, Leah E. Morgan
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Timing of rhyolite intrusion and Carlin-type gold mineralization at the Cortez Hills Carlin-type deposit, Nevada, USA Timing of rhyolite intrusion and Carlin-type gold mineralization at the Cortez Hills Carlin-type deposit, Nevada, USA

Carlin-type gold deposits (CTDs) of Nevada are the largest producers of gold in the United States, a leader in world gold production. Although much has been resolved about the characteristics and origin of CTDs in Nevada, major questions remain, especially about (1) the role of magmatism, whether only a source of heat or also metals, (2) whether CTDs only formed in the Eocene, and (3)...
Authors
Christopher D. Henry, David A. John, Robert W. Leonardson, William T McIntosh, Matt T. Heizler, Joseph P. Colgan, Kathryn E. Watts
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s U.S. GeoFramework Initiative — Delivering a digital database of geologic map information by 2030 The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s U.S. GeoFramework Initiative — Delivering a digital database of geologic map information by 2030

The U.S. Geological Survey's National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program's U.S. GeoFramework Initiative responds to Congressional direction to implement the National Geologic Map Database Phase Three. The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative aims to create and deliver a new digital geologic framework of the United States by 2030. This Fact Sheet outlines the collaborations needed and plans...
Authors
Jenna L. Shelton, William Andrews, Joseph P. Colgan, Samuel Johnstone, David R. Soller, Richard Berg, Donald S. Sweetkind, Kristine L. Zellman, John Brock, Kate Ritzel
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

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)

Geologic maps are the fundamental building blocks of surface and subsurface three-dimensional geologic framework models of the Earth’s crust. However, as the production and availability of geologic map databases continues to increase, inconsistent data models and the lack of synthesized, national geologic map data at scales appropriate for informed decision making negatively affect the...
Authors
Kenzie J. Turner, Jeremiah B. Workman, Joseph P. Colgan, Amy K. Gilmer, Margaret E. Berry, Samuel Johnstone, Kathleen F. Warrell, Marieke Dechesne, D. Paco VanSistine, Ren A. Thompson, Adam M. Hudson, Kristine L. Zellman, Donald S. Sweetkind, Chester A. Ruleman
By
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Henry, C.D., Bell, J.W., John, D.A., and Colgan, J.P., 2013, Preliminary geologic map of the West Gate quadrangle, Churchill County, Nevada: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Open-File Report 13-9, scale 1:24,000.
Henry, C.D., Hinz, N.H., Faulds, J.E., Colgan, J.P., John, D.A., Brooks, E.R., Cassel, E.J., Garside, L.J., Davis, D.A., and Castor, S.B., 2012, Eocene–Early Miocene paleotopography of the Sierra Nevada–Great Basin–Nevadaplano based on widespread ash-flow tuffs and paleovalleys: Geosphere, v. 8, p. 1–27, doi:10.1130/GES00727.1.
Colgan, J.P., Wyld, S.J., and Wright, J., 2010, Geologic map of the Vicksburg Canyon 7.5’ quadrangle, Humboldt County, Nevada: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Map M169, scale 1:24,000.
Lerch, D.W., Klemperer, S.L., Egger, A.E., Colgan, J.P., and Miller, E.L., 2009, The northwestern margin of the Basin and Range Province, part 1: Reflection profiling of the moderate-angle (35°) Surprise Valley Fault: Tectonophysics, v. 488(1–4), p. 143–149, doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2009.05.028.
Mattinson, C.G., Colgan, J.P., Metcalf, J.R., Miller E.L., and Wooden, J.L., 2007, Late Cretaceous to Paleocene metamorphism and magmatism in the Funeral Mountains metamorphic core complex, Death Valley, California, in Cloos, M., Carlson, W.D., Gilbert, M.C., Liou, J.G., and Sorensen, S.S., eds., Convergent Margin Terranes and Associated Regions: A Tribute to W.G. Ernst: Geological Society of America Special Paper 419, p. 205–223, doi:10.1130/2006.2419(11).
Lerch, D.W., Klemperer, S.L., Glen, J.M.G., Ponce, D.A., Miller, E.L., and Colgan, J.P., 2007, Crustal structure of the northwestern Basin and Range Province and its transition to unextended volcanic plateaus: Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Geosystems, v. 8, doi:10.1029/2006GC001429.
Colgan, J.P., Dumitru, T.A., Reiners, P.W., Wooden, J.L., and Miller, E.L., 2006, Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Basin and Range Province in northwestern Nevada: American Journal of Science, v. 306(8), p. 616–654.
Colgan, J.P., Dumitru, T.A., McWilliams, M.O., and Miller, E.L., 2006, Timing of Cenozoic volcanism and Basin and Range extension in northwestern Nevada: new constraints from the northern Pine Forest Range: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 118(1-2), p. 126–139, doi:10.1130/B25681.1.
Colgan, J.P., Dumitru, T.A., and Miller, E.L., 2004, Diachroneity of Basin and Range faulting and Yellowstone hotpsot volcanism in northwestern Nevada: Geology, v. 32(2), p. 121–124, doi:10.1130/G20037.1.

**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.

Science and Products

Precambrian bedrock and Paleozoic sedimentary cover in the upper Midwest

National Geologic Mapping

To “bring together detailed national, and continental resolution 2D and 3D data produced throughout the USGS and state partners,” NGS developed a model in which geologic map databases produced by the USGS and State Geological Surveys can be assembled into compilation maps by an automated process, enabling rapid delivery of a new national map that can grow thereafter with contributions from the...
By
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
National Geologic Mapping

National Geologic Mapping

To “bring together detailed national, and continental resolution 2D and 3D data produced throughout the USGS and state partners,” NGS developed a model in which geologic map databases produced by the USGS and State Geological Surveys can be assembled into compilation maps by an automated process, enabling rapid delivery of a new national map that can grow thereafter with contributions from the...
Learn More
View toward Blanca Peak, Colorado

National Geologic Synthesis

Surface (2D) and subsurface (3D) geologic data are critical for resource management, infrastructure design, hazards characterization, and basic earth science research. To meet these needs in a digital landscape, geologic maps must transition from static publications to machine-readable and discoverable digital databases that enable spatial analyses and queries (Shelton and others, 2022). In 2019...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
National Geologic Synthesis

National Geologic Synthesis

Surface (2D) and subsurface (3D) geologic data are critical for resource management, infrastructure design, hazards characterization, and basic earth science research. To meet these needs in a digital landscape, geologic maps must transition from static publications to machine-readable and discoverable digital databases that enable spatial analyses and queries (Shelton and others, 2022). In 2019...
Learn More
USGS science for a changing world logo

Serving the U.S. Geological Survey’s geochronological data

Geochronological data provide essential information necessary for understanding the timing of geologic processes and events, as well as quantifying rates and timescales key to geologic mapping, mineral and energy resource and hazard assessments. The USGS’s National Geochronological Database (NGDB) contains over 30,000 radiometric ages, but no formal update has occurred in over 20 years...
By
Community for Data Integration (CDI)
Serving the U.S. Geological Survey’s geochronological data

Serving the U.S. Geological Survey’s geochronological data

Geochronological data provide essential information necessary for understanding the timing of geologic processes and events, as well as quantifying rates and timescales key to geologic mapping, mineral and energy resource and hazard assessments. The USGS’s National Geochronological Database (NGDB) contains over 30,000 radiometric ages, but no formal update has occurred in over 20 years. This
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 19

Digital database of the previously published Geologic Map of Alabama (Special Map 221) Digital database of the previously published Geologic Map of Alabama (Special Map 221)

A digital version of the 1:500,000 scale geologic map of Alabama (Osborne and others, 1989) was required for a new national compilation of state geologic maps and U.S. Geological Survey regional maps, but the map had not previously been digitized. The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s (NCGMP) National Geologic Synthesis Project worked with the Geological Survey of...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Cooperative National Geologic Map: Precambrian geology Cooperative National Geologic Map: Precambrian geology

The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) was directed by Congress to create a new geologic map of the United States” by “bring[ing] together detailed national and continental-resolution 2D and 3D information produced throughout the Survey and by federal and state partners” (House Report 116-100). To fulfill this goal, the NCGMP created a map synthesis engine...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Cooperative National Geologic Map: Pre-Quaternary geology Cooperative National Geologic Map: Pre-Quaternary geology

The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) was directed by Congress to create a new geologic map of the United States” by “bring[ing] together detailed national and continental-resolution 2D and 3D information produced throughout the Survey and by federal and state partners” (House Report 116-100). To fulfill this goal, the NCGMP created a map synthesis engine...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Cooperative National Geologic Map: Quaternary geology Cooperative National Geologic Map: Quaternary geology

The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) was directed by Congress to create a new geologic map of the United States” by “bring[ing] together detailed national and continental-resolution 2D and 3D information produced throughout the Survey and by federal and state partners” (House Report 116-100). To fulfill this goal, the NCGMP created a map synthesis engine...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Cooperative National Geologic Map: Earth’s surface geology Cooperative National Geologic Map: Earth’s surface geology

The USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) was directed by Congress to create a new geologic map of the United States” by “bring[ing] together detailed national and continental-resolution 2D and 3D information produced throughout the Survey and by federal and state partners” (House Report 116-100). To fulfill this goal, the NCGMP created a map synthesis engine...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Digital database of the geologic map of the southern Stillwater Range, Nevada Digital database of the geologic map of the southern Stillwater Range, Nevada

This data set is a geospatial database for the 1:24,000 scale Geologic Map of the Southern Stillwater Range, Nevada (John and others, 2024). It contains all the geologic spatial information and text unit descriptions from the printed map, in the Geologic Map Schema (GeMS) format for digital geologic maps maintained by the USGS’ National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCMGP). Base...
By
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Geologic map of the southern Stillwater Range, Nevada Geologic map of the southern Stillwater Range, Nevada

The southern Stillwater Range in west-central Nevada contains the western part of the Oligocene Stillwater-Clan Alpine caldera complex, which extends about 55 kilometers (km) east from the west side of the Stillwater Range to the northwestern Desatoya Mountains. The complex consists of at least seven nested ignimbrite calderas and subjacent plutonic rocks emplaced into a complex basement...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Geologic map of the Caetano caldera, Lander and Eureka counties, Nevada Geologic map of the Caetano caldera, Lander and Eureka counties, Nevada

The Eocene (34 Ma) Caetano caldera in north-central Nevada offers an exceptional opportunity to study the physical and petrogenetic evolution of a large (20 km by 10–18 km pre-extensional dimensions) silicic magma chamber, from precursor magmatism to caldera collapse and intrusion of resurgent plutons. Caldera-related rocks shown on this map include two units of crystal-rich intracaldera

Map showing inventory and regional susceptibility for Holocene debris flows, and related fast-moving landslides in the conterminous United States Map showing inventory and regional susceptibility for Holocene debris flows, and related fast-moving landslides in the conterminous United States

Introduction Debris flows, debris avalanches, mud flows and lahars are fast-moving landslides that occur in a wide variety of environments throughout the world. They are particularly dangerous to life and property because they move quickly, destroy objects in their paths, and often strike without warning. This map represents a significant effort to compile the locations of known debris...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center
Filter Total Items: 41

A synthesis engine for constructing geologic maps of the United States A synthesis engine for constructing geologic maps of the United States

The geologic history of the United States is cataloged in thousands of geologic maps produced during many decades. However, the disparate nature of these individual maps makes it challenging to assess resources, research geologic histories, or characterize natural hazards holistically across the Nation. The U.S. House of Representatives 2020 appropriations bill for the U.S. Department of...
Authors
Samuel Johnstone, Joseph P. Colgan, Warren P. Roe
By
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Late Triassic paleogeography of southern Laurentia and its fringing arcs: Insights from detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry, Auld Lang Syne basin (Nevada, USA) Late Triassic paleogeography of southern Laurentia and its fringing arcs: Insights from detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry, Auld Lang Syne basin (Nevada, USA)

Fluvial strata of the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation and Dockum Group, exposed across the Western Interior of North America, have long been interpreted to record a transcontinental river system that connected the ancestral Ouachita orogen of Texas and Oklahoma, USA, to the Auld Lang Syne basin of northwestern Nevada, USA, its inferred marine terminus. Fluvial strata are well...
Authors
Theresa Maude Schwartz, Sandra J. Wyld, Joseph P. Colgan, Douglas W. Prihar
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Paleogene sedimentary basin development in southern Nevada, USA Paleogene sedimentary basin development in southern Nevada, USA

The cause of the transition from Mesozoic and early Cenozoic crustal shortening to later extension in the western United States is debated. In many parts of the extant Sevier hinterland, now the Basin and Range Province, the sedimentary sections that provide the most direct record of that transition remain poorly studied and lack meaningful age control. In this paper, we present field
Authors
Jens-Erik Lundstern, Theresa Maude Schwartz, Cameron Mark Mercer, Joseph P. Colgan, Jeremiah B. Workman, Leah E. Morgan
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Timing of rhyolite intrusion and Carlin-type gold mineralization at the Cortez Hills Carlin-type deposit, Nevada, USA Timing of rhyolite intrusion and Carlin-type gold mineralization at the Cortez Hills Carlin-type deposit, Nevada, USA

Carlin-type gold deposits (CTDs) of Nevada are the largest producers of gold in the United States, a leader in world gold production. Although much has been resolved about the characteristics and origin of CTDs in Nevada, major questions remain, especially about (1) the role of magmatism, whether only a source of heat or also metals, (2) whether CTDs only formed in the Eocene, and (3)...
Authors
Christopher D. Henry, David A. John, Robert W. Leonardson, William T McIntosh, Matt T. Heizler, Joseph P. Colgan, Kathryn E. Watts
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s U.S. GeoFramework Initiative — Delivering a digital database of geologic map information by 2030 The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s U.S. GeoFramework Initiative — Delivering a digital database of geologic map information by 2030

The U.S. Geological Survey's National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program's U.S. GeoFramework Initiative responds to Congressional direction to implement the National Geologic Map Database Phase Three. The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative aims to create and deliver a new digital geologic framework of the United States by 2030. This Fact Sheet outlines the collaborations needed and plans...
Authors
Jenna L. Shelton, William Andrews, Joseph P. Colgan, Samuel Johnstone, David R. Soller, Richard Berg, Donald S. Sweetkind, Kristine L. Zellman, John Brock, Kate Ritzel
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

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)

Geologic maps are the fundamental building blocks of surface and subsurface three-dimensional geologic framework models of the Earth’s crust. However, as the production and availability of geologic map databases continues to increase, inconsistent data models and the lack of synthesized, national geologic map data at scales appropriate for informed decision making negatively affect the...
Authors
Kenzie J. Turner, Jeremiah B. Workman, Joseph P. Colgan, Amy K. Gilmer, Margaret E. Berry, Samuel Johnstone, Kathleen F. Warrell, Marieke Dechesne, D. Paco VanSistine, Ren A. Thompson, Adam M. Hudson, Kristine L. Zellman, Donald S. Sweetkind, Chester A. Ruleman
By
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Henry, C.D., Bell, J.W., John, D.A., and Colgan, J.P., 2013, Preliminary geologic map of the West Gate quadrangle, Churchill County, Nevada: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Open-File Report 13-9, scale 1:24,000.
Henry, C.D., Hinz, N.H., Faulds, J.E., Colgan, J.P., John, D.A., Brooks, E.R., Cassel, E.J., Garside, L.J., Davis, D.A., and Castor, S.B., 2012, Eocene–Early Miocene paleotopography of the Sierra Nevada–Great Basin–Nevadaplano based on widespread ash-flow tuffs and paleovalleys: Geosphere, v. 8, p. 1–27, doi:10.1130/GES00727.1.
Colgan, J.P., Wyld, S.J., and Wright, J., 2010, Geologic map of the Vicksburg Canyon 7.5’ quadrangle, Humboldt County, Nevada: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Map M169, scale 1:24,000.
Lerch, D.W., Klemperer, S.L., Egger, A.E., Colgan, J.P., and Miller, E.L., 2009, The northwestern margin of the Basin and Range Province, part 1: Reflection profiling of the moderate-angle (35°) Surprise Valley Fault: Tectonophysics, v. 488(1–4), p. 143–149, doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2009.05.028.
Mattinson, C.G., Colgan, J.P., Metcalf, J.R., Miller E.L., and Wooden, J.L., 2007, Late Cretaceous to Paleocene metamorphism and magmatism in the Funeral Mountains metamorphic core complex, Death Valley, California, in Cloos, M., Carlson, W.D., Gilbert, M.C., Liou, J.G., and Sorensen, S.S., eds., Convergent Margin Terranes and Associated Regions: A Tribute to W.G. Ernst: Geological Society of America Special Paper 419, p. 205–223, doi:10.1130/2006.2419(11).
Lerch, D.W., Klemperer, S.L., Glen, J.M.G., Ponce, D.A., Miller, E.L., and Colgan, J.P., 2007, Crustal structure of the northwestern Basin and Range Province and its transition to unextended volcanic plateaus: Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Geosystems, v. 8, doi:10.1029/2006GC001429.
Colgan, J.P., Dumitru, T.A., Reiners, P.W., Wooden, J.L., and Miller, E.L., 2006, Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Basin and Range Province in northwestern Nevada: American Journal of Science, v. 306(8), p. 616–654.
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**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.

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