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Lisa Zieman, PhD

Lisa Zieman is a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow with the GMEG Science Center in Spokane, WA. Lisa received a MSc from the University of Rochester in 2019 and a PhD in Geological Sciences from the University of Arizona in 2023. Since joining the USGS in 2023, Lisa has focused on magmatic ore deposits and Precambrian tectonic controls on critical mineral systems.

As a Mendenhall researcher with the USGS, Lisa is studying the emplacement of Precambrian mineralized layered mafic intrusions (Stillwater Complex, MT and Lake Owen Complex, WY) and Archean komatiitic greenstones in the Wyoming Province using radiogenic isotope systems (Re-Os, Sm-Nd), geochronology, and PGE geochemistry. Prior to joining the USGS, Lisa studied deep continental arc processes for her PhD, focusing on arclogite and mantle xenoliths from the North Andes. She used thermobarometry, radiogenic and stable isotopes (Re-Os, Nd, O), zircon geochronology, and basalt geochemistry to investigate rates and dynamics of lower crustal foundering. She is also interested in heavy stable isotope systematics and has worked on Zr stable isotopes.

Professional Experience

  • Aug 2023-present, Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow, U.S. Geological Survey, Spokane, WA

  • Aug 2017-May 2019, Teaching Assistant - Petrology and Mineralogy, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

  • June 2017-Aug 2017, Geology intern, U.S. Forest Service, Milwaukee, WI

  • Aug 2014-May 2016, General Chemistry Teaching Assistant, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D Geological Sciences, University of Arizona, 2023

  • M.S. Geological Sciences, University of Rochester, 2019

  • B.S. Chemistry and Geology, St. Lawrence University, 2017

Honors and Awards

  • 2017, Outstanding Senior Scholar-Athlete Award, St. Lawrence University

Science and Products

Geochemistry, olivine chemistry, microXRF chemical maps, and isotope geochemistry of komatiitic volcanic rocks and U-Pb geochronology of metasedimentary rocks from the Bradley Peak and South Pass greenstone terranes, Wyoming Province Geochemistry, olivine chemistry, microXRF chemical maps, and isotope geochemistry of komatiitic volcanic rocks and U-Pb geochronology of metasedimentary rocks from the Bradley Peak and South Pass greenstone terranes, Wyoming Province

Bradley Peak and South Pass are two ca. 2.7 Ga greenstone terranes in the Archean Wyoming Province, USA that contain mafic-ultramafic metavolcanic rocks. This dataset contains five Comma Separated Value (CSV) files of tabular data, a data dictionary for tabular data (Data_Dictionary.csv), a shapefile with sample locations, and microXRF images. Wholerock_geochemistry.csv includes whole...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Thin section images of hand samples and drill core from mafic to ultramafic rocks (ver 2.0, August 2025) Thin section images of hand samples and drill core from mafic to ultramafic rocks (ver 2.0, August 2025)

These datasets include photographic images of thin sections created from hand samples and drill core collected from mafic to ultramafic rocks from different locations across the U.S., shapefiles representing the locations of the hand samples and/or drill core collars, and images showing examples of the approximate scale on the thin section images. The samples were collected in order to...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Petrogenesis and mineralization potential of spinifex komatiitic basalts in the Bradley Peak greenstone terrane, Wyoming Province Petrogenesis and mineralization potential of spinifex komatiitic basalts in the Bradley Peak greenstone terrane, Wyoming Province

Komatiitic volcanic rocks are important hosts of Ni sulfide mineralization and record early Earth evolution; however, those in the well-studied Archean Wyoming Province have received little attention. Here, we elucidate the timing and petrogenesis of the Bradley Peak komatiitic volcanic rocks using field and textural observations, geochronology, and geochemistry. Detrital and igneous...
Authors
Lisa Zieman, Michael Jenkins, Jacob Poletti
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Petrogenesis and mineralization potential of the Bradley Peak komatiitic basalts, Wyoming Province Petrogenesis and mineralization potential of the Bradley Peak komatiitic basalts, Wyoming Province

The ca. 2.72 Ga Bradley Peak greenstone terrane in the Wyoming Province contains spinifex- and cumulate-textured komatiitic volcanic rocks that may host Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineralization. New whole rock geochemistry classifies these rocks as Al-undepleted komatiitic basalts derived from a parental melt with ~17 wt. % MgO. Isotopic data (Sm-Nd, Re-Os) and REE profiles suggest a plume...
Authors
Lisa Zieman, Michael Jenkins, Michael L. Zientek, Jacob Poletti, Alan D. Rooney
By
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Geochemistry of Archean komatiitic greenstone terranes of the Wyoming Province: Implications for geodynamic setting and mineralization Geochemistry of Archean komatiitic greenstone terranes of the Wyoming Province: Implications for geodynamic setting and mineralization

No abstract available.
Authors
Lisa Zieman, Jacob Poletti, Michael Jenkins
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Science and Products

Geochemistry, olivine chemistry, microXRF chemical maps, and isotope geochemistry of komatiitic volcanic rocks and U-Pb geochronology of metasedimentary rocks from the Bradley Peak and South Pass greenstone terranes, Wyoming Province Geochemistry, olivine chemistry, microXRF chemical maps, and isotope geochemistry of komatiitic volcanic rocks and U-Pb geochronology of metasedimentary rocks from the Bradley Peak and South Pass greenstone terranes, Wyoming Province

Bradley Peak and South Pass are two ca. 2.7 Ga greenstone terranes in the Archean Wyoming Province, USA that contain mafic-ultramafic metavolcanic rocks. This dataset contains five Comma Separated Value (CSV) files of tabular data, a data dictionary for tabular data (Data_Dictionary.csv), a shapefile with sample locations, and microXRF images. Wholerock_geochemistry.csv includes whole...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Thin section images of hand samples and drill core from mafic to ultramafic rocks (ver 2.0, August 2025) Thin section images of hand samples and drill core from mafic to ultramafic rocks (ver 2.0, August 2025)

These datasets include photographic images of thin sections created from hand samples and drill core collected from mafic to ultramafic rocks from different locations across the U.S., shapefiles representing the locations of the hand samples and/or drill core collars, and images showing examples of the approximate scale on the thin section images. The samples were collected in order to...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Petrogenesis and mineralization potential of spinifex komatiitic basalts in the Bradley Peak greenstone terrane, Wyoming Province Petrogenesis and mineralization potential of spinifex komatiitic basalts in the Bradley Peak greenstone terrane, Wyoming Province

Komatiitic volcanic rocks are important hosts of Ni sulfide mineralization and record early Earth evolution; however, those in the well-studied Archean Wyoming Province have received little attention. Here, we elucidate the timing and petrogenesis of the Bradley Peak komatiitic volcanic rocks using field and textural observations, geochronology, and geochemistry. Detrital and igneous...
Authors
Lisa Zieman, Michael Jenkins, Jacob Poletti
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Petrogenesis and mineralization potential of the Bradley Peak komatiitic basalts, Wyoming Province Petrogenesis and mineralization potential of the Bradley Peak komatiitic basalts, Wyoming Province

The ca. 2.72 Ga Bradley Peak greenstone terrane in the Wyoming Province contains spinifex- and cumulate-textured komatiitic volcanic rocks that may host Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineralization. New whole rock geochemistry classifies these rocks as Al-undepleted komatiitic basalts derived from a parental melt with ~17 wt. % MgO. Isotopic data (Sm-Nd, Re-Os) and REE profiles suggest a plume...
Authors
Lisa Zieman, Michael Jenkins, Michael L. Zientek, Jacob Poletti, Alan D. Rooney
By
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Geochemistry of Archean komatiitic greenstone terranes of the Wyoming Province: Implications for geodynamic setting and mineralization Geochemistry of Archean komatiitic greenstone terranes of the Wyoming Province: Implications for geodynamic setting and mineralization

No abstract available.
Authors
Lisa Zieman, Jacob Poletti, Michael Jenkins
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
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