Ren Thompson, PhD
Ren Thompson is a Research Geologist with the Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Science and Products
Data Release for Geologic Map of Petroglyph National Monument and Vicinity, Bernalillo County, New Mexico Data Release for Geologic Map of Petroglyph National Monument and Vicinity, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
This geologic map depicts and briefly describes geologic units underlying Petroglyph National Monument and immediately adjacent areas in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The Monument is underlain dominantly by Quaternary basalts of the Albuquerque Volcanoes volcanic field, a series of basin-filling volcanic flows and associated vents from a monogenetic volcanic highland along the eastern...
Data release for Middle Pleistocene formation of the Rio Grande Gorge, San Luis Valley, south-central Colorado and north-central New Mexico, USA: Process, timing, and downstream implications Data release for Middle Pleistocene formation of the Rio Grande Gorge, San Luis Valley, south-central Colorado and north-central New Mexico, USA: Process, timing, and downstream implications
This dataset includes tables of 3He-isotopic data used to calculate surface exposure ages for samples of basalt, and U- and Th-isotopic data used to calculate uranium-series age estimates (230Th/U method) and initial 234U/238U activity ratios for samples of pedogenic carbonate formed in soils on alluvial fans in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA. These data are included in the...
Data release of geospatial map database, argon geochronology and geochemistry data for: Geologic map of the San Antonio Mountain area, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado Data release of geospatial map database, argon geochronology and geochemistry data for: Geologic map of the San Antonio Mountain area, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado
This dataset accompanies publication "Geologic map of the San Antonio Mountain area, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado". Data presented here include the digital geologic database, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and major and trace element chemistry from lava flows and an ignimbrite. The geologic database includes spatial feature classes and non-spatial tables that collectively contain...
Filter Total Items: 14
Geologic map of the Montoso Peak quadrangle, Santa Fe and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico Geologic map of the Montoso Peak quadrangle, Santa Fe and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico
The Montoso Peak quadrangle is underlain by volcanic rocks and associated sediments of the Cerros del Rio volcanic field in the southern part of the Española Basin that record volcanic, faulting, alluvial, colluvial, and eolian processes over the past three million years. The geology was mapped from 1997 to 1999 and modified in 2004 to 2008. The geologic mapping was carried out in...
Geologic Map of The Volcanoes Quadrangle, Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico Geologic Map of The Volcanoes Quadrangle, Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico
This geologic map, in support of the U.S. Geological Survey Middle Rio Grande Basin Geologic Mapping Project, shows the spatial distribution of surficial deposits, lava flows, and related sediments of the Albuquerque volcanoes, upper Santa Fe Group sediments, faults, and fault-related structural features. These deposits are on, along, and beneath the Llano de Albuquerque (West Mesa) west...
Geologic Map of the San Luis Quadrangle, Costilla County, Colorado Geologic Map of the San Luis Quadrangle, Costilla County, Colorado
The map area includes San Luis and the primarily rural surrounding area. San Luis, the county seat of Costilla County, is the oldest surviving settlement in Colorado (1851). West of the town are San Pedro and San Luis mesas (basalt-covered tablelands), which are horsts with the San Luis fault zone to the east and the southern Sangre de Cristo fault zone to the west. The map also includes...
Rebuilding Mount St. Helens Rebuilding Mount St. Helens
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens, Washington exploded in a spectacular and devastating eruption that shocked the world. The eruption, one of the most powerful in the history of the United States, removed 2.7 cubic kilometers of rock from the volcano's edifice, the bulk of which had been constructed by nearly 4,000 years of lava-dome-building eruptions. In seconds, the mountain's summit...
Geologic map of the La Mesita Negra SE Quadrangle, Bernalillo County, New Mexico Geologic map of the La Mesita Negra SE Quadrangle, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
Geologic mapping, in support of the USGS Middle Rio Grande Basin Geologic Mapping Project, shows the spatial distribution of artificial-fill, alluvial, colluvial, and eolian deposits, lava flows and related sediments of the Albuquerque volcanoes, and upper Santa Fe Group sediments. These deposits are on, beneath, and along the West Mesa (Llano de Albuquerque) just west of Albuquerque...
Filter Total Items: 30
A shallow rift basin segmented in space and time: The southern San Luis Basin, Rio Grande rift, northern New Mexico, U.S.A. A shallow rift basin segmented in space and time: The southern San Luis Basin, Rio Grande rift, northern New Mexico, U.S.A.
Interpretation of gravity, magnetotelluric, and aeromagnetic data in conjunction with geologic constraints reveals details of basin geometry, thickness, and spatiotemporal evolution of the southern San Luis Basin, one of the major basins of the northern Rio Grande rift. Spatial variations of low-density basin-fill thickness are estimated primarily using a 3D gravity inversion method that...
Authors
Benjamin J. Drenth, V. J. Grauch, Kenzie J. Turner, Brian D. Rodriguez, Ren A. Thompson, Paul W. Bauer
Middle Pleistocene formation of the Rio Grande Gorge, San Luis Valley, south-central Colorado and north-central New Mexico, USA: Process, timing, and downstream implications Middle Pleistocene formation of the Rio Grande Gorge, San Luis Valley, south-central Colorado and north-central New Mexico, USA: Process, timing, and downstream implications
The Rio Grande is the fourth longest river in North America extending over 3,000 km from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico. The Pleistocene evolution of this river from individual subbasins into a coalesced fluvial system has been long debated. Herein, we constrain the middle Pleistocene evolution of the northernmost and largest Rio Grande basin, the San Luis basin, and the...
Authors
Chester A. Ruleman, Adam M. Hudson, Ren A. Thompson, Daniel P. Miggins, James B. Paces, Brent M. Goehring
A supervolcano and its sidekicks: A 100 ka eruptive chronology of the Fish Canyon Tuff and associated units of the La Garita magmatic system A supervolcano and its sidekicks: A 100 ka eruptive chronology of the Fish Canyon Tuff and associated units of the La Garita magmatic system
Establishing temporal constrains on major volcanic eruptions is limited by the precision of existing geochronometers. Prior work on the La Garita caldera, created by the eruption of the Fish Canyon Tuff, failed to resolve temporal differences between pre-, syn-, and post-collapse eruptive units. Here, we report 40Ar/39Ar geochronologic data supporting a ca. 100 ka eruptive history of the...
Authors
Leah E. Morgan, Samuel Johnstone, Amy K. Gilmer, Michael A. Cosca, Ren A. Thompson
Establishing chronologies for alluvial-fan sequences with analysis of high-resolution topographic data: San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA Establishing chronologies for alluvial-fan sequences with analysis of high-resolution topographic data: San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA
On active alluvial fans, debris-flow deposits and frequent avulsions produce a rough topographic surface. As is the case in many initially rough landforms produced by catastrophic processes, the topography of alluvial fans is progressively smoothed, producing textural differences useful in establishing relative age criteria for fans. Here, we outline an approach for defining a...
Authors
Samuel Johnstone, Adam M. Hudson, Sylvia Nicovich, Chester A. Ruleman, Robert M. Sare, Ren A. Thompson
Geomorphic evolution of the San Luis Basin and Rio Grande in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico Geomorphic evolution of the San Luis Basin and Rio Grande in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico
The San Luis Basin encompasses the largest structural and hydrologic basin of the Rio Grande rift. On this field trip, we will examine the timing of transition of the San Luis Basin from hydrologically closed, aggrading subbasins to a continuous fluvial system that eroded the basin, formed the Rio Grande gorge, and ultimately, integrated the Rio Grande from Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico...
Authors
Chester A. Ruleman, Michael Machette, Ren A. Thompson, Dan M Miggins, Brent M Goehring, James B. Paces
Geologic cross sections and preliminary geologic map of the Questa Area, Taos County, New Mexico Geologic cross sections and preliminary geologic map of the Questa Area, Taos County, New Mexico
In 2011, the senior authors were contacted by Ron Gardiner of Questa, and Village of Questa Mayor Esther Garcia, to discuss the existing and future groundwater supply for the Village of Questa. This meeting led to the development of a plan in 2013 to perform an integrated geologic, geophysical, and hydrogeologic investigation of the Questa area by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology &...
Authors
Paul W. Bauer, V. J. S. Grauch, Peggy S. Johnson, Ren A. Thompson, Benjamin J. Drenth, Keith I. Kelson
Science and Products
Data Release for Geologic Map of Petroglyph National Monument and Vicinity, Bernalillo County, New Mexico Data Release for Geologic Map of Petroglyph National Monument and Vicinity, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
This geologic map depicts and briefly describes geologic units underlying Petroglyph National Monument and immediately adjacent areas in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The Monument is underlain dominantly by Quaternary basalts of the Albuquerque Volcanoes volcanic field, a series of basin-filling volcanic flows and associated vents from a monogenetic volcanic highland along the eastern...
Data release for Middle Pleistocene formation of the Rio Grande Gorge, San Luis Valley, south-central Colorado and north-central New Mexico, USA: Process, timing, and downstream implications Data release for Middle Pleistocene formation of the Rio Grande Gorge, San Luis Valley, south-central Colorado and north-central New Mexico, USA: Process, timing, and downstream implications
This dataset includes tables of 3He-isotopic data used to calculate surface exposure ages for samples of basalt, and U- and Th-isotopic data used to calculate uranium-series age estimates (230Th/U method) and initial 234U/238U activity ratios for samples of pedogenic carbonate formed in soils on alluvial fans in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA. These data are included in the...
Data release of geospatial map database, argon geochronology and geochemistry data for: Geologic map of the San Antonio Mountain area, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado Data release of geospatial map database, argon geochronology and geochemistry data for: Geologic map of the San Antonio Mountain area, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado
This dataset accompanies publication "Geologic map of the San Antonio Mountain area, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado". Data presented here include the digital geologic database, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and major and trace element chemistry from lava flows and an ignimbrite. The geologic database includes spatial feature classes and non-spatial tables that collectively contain...
Filter Total Items: 14
Geologic map of the Montoso Peak quadrangle, Santa Fe and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico Geologic map of the Montoso Peak quadrangle, Santa Fe and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico
The Montoso Peak quadrangle is underlain by volcanic rocks and associated sediments of the Cerros del Rio volcanic field in the southern part of the Española Basin that record volcanic, faulting, alluvial, colluvial, and eolian processes over the past three million years. The geology was mapped from 1997 to 1999 and modified in 2004 to 2008. The geologic mapping was carried out in...
Geologic Map of The Volcanoes Quadrangle, Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico Geologic Map of The Volcanoes Quadrangle, Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico
This geologic map, in support of the U.S. Geological Survey Middle Rio Grande Basin Geologic Mapping Project, shows the spatial distribution of surficial deposits, lava flows, and related sediments of the Albuquerque volcanoes, upper Santa Fe Group sediments, faults, and fault-related structural features. These deposits are on, along, and beneath the Llano de Albuquerque (West Mesa) west...
Geologic Map of the San Luis Quadrangle, Costilla County, Colorado Geologic Map of the San Luis Quadrangle, Costilla County, Colorado
The map area includes San Luis and the primarily rural surrounding area. San Luis, the county seat of Costilla County, is the oldest surviving settlement in Colorado (1851). West of the town are San Pedro and San Luis mesas (basalt-covered tablelands), which are horsts with the San Luis fault zone to the east and the southern Sangre de Cristo fault zone to the west. The map also includes...
Rebuilding Mount St. Helens Rebuilding Mount St. Helens
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens, Washington exploded in a spectacular and devastating eruption that shocked the world. The eruption, one of the most powerful in the history of the United States, removed 2.7 cubic kilometers of rock from the volcano's edifice, the bulk of which had been constructed by nearly 4,000 years of lava-dome-building eruptions. In seconds, the mountain's summit...
Geologic map of the La Mesita Negra SE Quadrangle, Bernalillo County, New Mexico Geologic map of the La Mesita Negra SE Quadrangle, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
Geologic mapping, in support of the USGS Middle Rio Grande Basin Geologic Mapping Project, shows the spatial distribution of artificial-fill, alluvial, colluvial, and eolian deposits, lava flows and related sediments of the Albuquerque volcanoes, and upper Santa Fe Group sediments. These deposits are on, beneath, and along the West Mesa (Llano de Albuquerque) just west of Albuquerque...
Filter Total Items: 30
A shallow rift basin segmented in space and time: The southern San Luis Basin, Rio Grande rift, northern New Mexico, U.S.A. A shallow rift basin segmented in space and time: The southern San Luis Basin, Rio Grande rift, northern New Mexico, U.S.A.
Interpretation of gravity, magnetotelluric, and aeromagnetic data in conjunction with geologic constraints reveals details of basin geometry, thickness, and spatiotemporal evolution of the southern San Luis Basin, one of the major basins of the northern Rio Grande rift. Spatial variations of low-density basin-fill thickness are estimated primarily using a 3D gravity inversion method that...
Authors
Benjamin J. Drenth, V. J. Grauch, Kenzie J. Turner, Brian D. Rodriguez, Ren A. Thompson, Paul W. Bauer
Middle Pleistocene formation of the Rio Grande Gorge, San Luis Valley, south-central Colorado and north-central New Mexico, USA: Process, timing, and downstream implications Middle Pleistocene formation of the Rio Grande Gorge, San Luis Valley, south-central Colorado and north-central New Mexico, USA: Process, timing, and downstream implications
The Rio Grande is the fourth longest river in North America extending over 3,000 km from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico. The Pleistocene evolution of this river from individual subbasins into a coalesced fluvial system has been long debated. Herein, we constrain the middle Pleistocene evolution of the northernmost and largest Rio Grande basin, the San Luis basin, and the...
Authors
Chester A. Ruleman, Adam M. Hudson, Ren A. Thompson, Daniel P. Miggins, James B. Paces, Brent M. Goehring
A supervolcano and its sidekicks: A 100 ka eruptive chronology of the Fish Canyon Tuff and associated units of the La Garita magmatic system A supervolcano and its sidekicks: A 100 ka eruptive chronology of the Fish Canyon Tuff and associated units of the La Garita magmatic system
Establishing temporal constrains on major volcanic eruptions is limited by the precision of existing geochronometers. Prior work on the La Garita caldera, created by the eruption of the Fish Canyon Tuff, failed to resolve temporal differences between pre-, syn-, and post-collapse eruptive units. Here, we report 40Ar/39Ar geochronologic data supporting a ca. 100 ka eruptive history of the...
Authors
Leah E. Morgan, Samuel Johnstone, Amy K. Gilmer, Michael A. Cosca, Ren A. Thompson
Establishing chronologies for alluvial-fan sequences with analysis of high-resolution topographic data: San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA Establishing chronologies for alluvial-fan sequences with analysis of high-resolution topographic data: San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA
On active alluvial fans, debris-flow deposits and frequent avulsions produce a rough topographic surface. As is the case in many initially rough landforms produced by catastrophic processes, the topography of alluvial fans is progressively smoothed, producing textural differences useful in establishing relative age criteria for fans. Here, we outline an approach for defining a...
Authors
Samuel Johnstone, Adam M. Hudson, Sylvia Nicovich, Chester A. Ruleman, Robert M. Sare, Ren A. Thompson
Geomorphic evolution of the San Luis Basin and Rio Grande in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico Geomorphic evolution of the San Luis Basin and Rio Grande in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico
The San Luis Basin encompasses the largest structural and hydrologic basin of the Rio Grande rift. On this field trip, we will examine the timing of transition of the San Luis Basin from hydrologically closed, aggrading subbasins to a continuous fluvial system that eroded the basin, formed the Rio Grande gorge, and ultimately, integrated the Rio Grande from Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico...
Authors
Chester A. Ruleman, Michael Machette, Ren A. Thompson, Dan M Miggins, Brent M Goehring, James B. Paces
Geologic cross sections and preliminary geologic map of the Questa Area, Taos County, New Mexico Geologic cross sections and preliminary geologic map of the Questa Area, Taos County, New Mexico
In 2011, the senior authors were contacted by Ron Gardiner of Questa, and Village of Questa Mayor Esther Garcia, to discuss the existing and future groundwater supply for the Village of Questa. This meeting led to the development of a plan in 2013 to perform an integrated geologic, geophysical, and hydrogeologic investigation of the Questa area by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology &...
Authors
Paul W. Bauer, V. J. S. Grauch, Peggy S. Johnson, Ren A. Thompson, Benjamin J. Drenth, Keith I. Kelson