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Theresa Schwartz

I am a Research Geologist with wide-ranging interests in the realm of tectonics and sedimentary basins.

I use the principles of sedimentary geology, geochronology, and associated fields to perform geologic mapping and conduct geologic research that together enhance our understanding of the geologic framework of the western USA. This work enables public access to regional geological information and directly supports regional assessments of energy, mineral, water, and industrial material resources, as well as geologic hazards.

Professional Experience

  • 2019-present: Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO

  • 2018-2019: Assistant Research Professor, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO

  • 2017-2019: Science Editor, American Journal Experts

  • 2015-2017: Assistant Professor of Geology, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA

  • 2014 (summer): Geoscience Intern, Hess Corporation, Houston, TX

  • 2011 (summer): Geoscience Intern, NEOS GeoSolutions, Pleasanton, CA

  • 2010-2015: Graduate Research Sedimentologist, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Education and Certifications

  • 2010: BS-Geology, Allegheny College

  • 2015: PhD-Geological & Environmental Sciences, Stanford University

Science and Products

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Filter Total Items: 13

A stratigraphic approach to inferring depositional ages from detrital geochronology data A stratigraphic approach to inferring depositional ages from detrital geochronology data

With the increasing use of detrital geochronology data for provenance analyses, we have also developed new constraints on the age of otherwise undateable sedimentary deposits. Because a deposit can be no older than its youngest mineral constituent, the youngest defensible detrital mineral age defines the maximum depositional age of the sampled bed. Defining the youngest `defensible' age...
Authors
Samuel Johnstone, Theresa M. Schwartz, Christopher S. Holm-Denoma
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Sickmann, Z., Schwartz, T.M., Malkowski, M.A., Dobbs, S., and Graham, S.A., 2019, Interpreting large detrital geochronology data sets in retroarc foreland basins: An example from the Magallanes-Austral Basin, southernmost Patagonia: Lithosphere, v. 11, no. 5, p. 620-642. doi:10.1130/L1060.1
Daniels, B.G., Hubbard, S.M., Romans, B.W., Malkowski, M.A., Matthews, W.A., Bernhardt, A., Kaempfe, S.A., Jobe, Z.R., Fosdick, J.C., Schwartz, T.M., Fildani, A., and Graham, S.A., 2019, Revised chronostratigraphic framework for the Cretaceous Magallanes-Austral Basin, Ultima Esperanza Province, Chile: Journal of South American Earth Sciences, v. 94. doi:10.1016/j.jsames.2019.05.025
Johnstone, S.A., Schwartz, T.M., and Holm-Denoma, C., 2019, A stratigraphic approach to inferring depositional ages from detrital geochronology data: Frontiers in Earth Science, v. 7. doi:10.3389/feart.2019.00057
Schwartz, T.M., Methner, K., Mulch, A., Graham, S.A., and Chamberlain, C.P., 2019, Paleogene topographic and climatic evolution of the Northern Rocky Mountains from integrated sedimentary and isotopic data: GSA Bulletin, v. 131, no. 7-8, p. 1203-1223. doi:10.1130/B32068.1
Sickmann, Z.T., Schwartz, T.M., and Graham, S.A., 2018, Refining stratigraphy and tectonic history using detrital zircon maximum depositional age: an example from the Cerro Fortaleza Formation, Austral Basin, southern Patagonia: Basin Research, v. 30, iss. 4, p. 708-729. doi:10.1111/bre.12272
Malkowski, M.A., Schwartz, T.M., Sharman, G.R., Sickmann, Z., and Graham, S.A., 2017, Stratigraphic and provenance variations in the early evolution of the Magallanes-Austral foreland basin: implications for the role of longitudinal vs. transverse sediment dispersal during oblique arc-continent collision: GSA Bulletin, v. 129, no. 3-4, p. 349-371. doi:10.1130/B31549.1
Schwartz, TM, Fosdick, JC, and Graham, SA (2017) Using detrital zircon U-Pb ages to calculate Late Cretaceous sedimentation rates in the Magallanes-Austral Basin, Patagonia. Basin Research, v. 29. doi:10.1111/bre.12198
Schwartz, T.M., and Graham, S.A., 2017, Depositional history and provenance of Paleogene strata in the Sage Creek basin, southwestern Montana: Geosphere, v. 13, no. 4, p. 1285-1309. doi:10.1130/GES01450.1
Sharman, G.R., Schwartz, T.M., Shumaker, L.E., Trigg, C., Nieminski, N., Sickmann, Z., Malkowski, M.A., Hourigan, J.K., Schulein, B.J., and Graham, S.A., 2017, Submarine mass-failure within the shelfal-deltaic Domengine Formation (Eocene), California: Geosphere, v. 13, no. 3, p. 1285-1309. doi:10.1130/GES01442.1
Schwartz, T.M., and Graham, S.A., 2015, Stratigraphic architecture of a tide-influenced shelf-edge delta, Upper Cretaceous Dorotea Formation, Magallanes-Austral Basin, Patagonia: Sedimentology, v. 62, iss. 4, p. 1039-1077. doi:10.1111/sed/12176
Schwartz, T.M., and Schwartz, R.K., 2013, Paleogene post-compressional intermontane basin evolution along the frontal Cordilleran fold-and-thrust belt of southwestern Montana: GSA Bulletin, v. 125, no. 5-6, p. 961-984. doi:10.1130/B30766.1

**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

No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 13

A stratigraphic approach to inferring depositional ages from detrital geochronology data A stratigraphic approach to inferring depositional ages from detrital geochronology data

With the increasing use of detrital geochronology data for provenance analyses, we have also developed new constraints on the age of otherwise undateable sedimentary deposits. Because a deposit can be no older than its youngest mineral constituent, the youngest defensible detrital mineral age defines the maximum depositional age of the sampled bed. Defining the youngest `defensible' age...
Authors
Samuel Johnstone, Theresa M. Schwartz, Christopher S. Holm-Denoma
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Sickmann, Z., Schwartz, T.M., Malkowski, M.A., Dobbs, S., and Graham, S.A., 2019, Interpreting large detrital geochronology data sets in retroarc foreland basins: An example from the Magallanes-Austral Basin, southernmost Patagonia: Lithosphere, v. 11, no. 5, p. 620-642. doi:10.1130/L1060.1
Daniels, B.G., Hubbard, S.M., Romans, B.W., Malkowski, M.A., Matthews, W.A., Bernhardt, A., Kaempfe, S.A., Jobe, Z.R., Fosdick, J.C., Schwartz, T.M., Fildani, A., and Graham, S.A., 2019, Revised chronostratigraphic framework for the Cretaceous Magallanes-Austral Basin, Ultima Esperanza Province, Chile: Journal of South American Earth Sciences, v. 94. doi:10.1016/j.jsames.2019.05.025
Johnstone, S.A., Schwartz, T.M., and Holm-Denoma, C., 2019, A stratigraphic approach to inferring depositional ages from detrital geochronology data: Frontiers in Earth Science, v. 7. doi:10.3389/feart.2019.00057
Schwartz, T.M., Methner, K., Mulch, A., Graham, S.A., and Chamberlain, C.P., 2019, Paleogene topographic and climatic evolution of the Northern Rocky Mountains from integrated sedimentary and isotopic data: GSA Bulletin, v. 131, no. 7-8, p. 1203-1223. doi:10.1130/B32068.1
Sickmann, Z.T., Schwartz, T.M., and Graham, S.A., 2018, Refining stratigraphy and tectonic history using detrital zircon maximum depositional age: an example from the Cerro Fortaleza Formation, Austral Basin, southern Patagonia: Basin Research, v. 30, iss. 4, p. 708-729. doi:10.1111/bre.12272
Malkowski, M.A., Schwartz, T.M., Sharman, G.R., Sickmann, Z., and Graham, S.A., 2017, Stratigraphic and provenance variations in the early evolution of the Magallanes-Austral foreland basin: implications for the role of longitudinal vs. transverse sediment dispersal during oblique arc-continent collision: GSA Bulletin, v. 129, no. 3-4, p. 349-371. doi:10.1130/B31549.1
Schwartz, TM, Fosdick, JC, and Graham, SA (2017) Using detrital zircon U-Pb ages to calculate Late Cretaceous sedimentation rates in the Magallanes-Austral Basin, Patagonia. Basin Research, v. 29. doi:10.1111/bre.12198
Schwartz, T.M., and Graham, S.A., 2017, Depositional history and provenance of Paleogene strata in the Sage Creek basin, southwestern Montana: Geosphere, v. 13, no. 4, p. 1285-1309. doi:10.1130/GES01450.1
Sharman, G.R., Schwartz, T.M., Shumaker, L.E., Trigg, C., Nieminski, N., Sickmann, Z., Malkowski, M.A., Hourigan, J.K., Schulein, B.J., and Graham, S.A., 2017, Submarine mass-failure within the shelfal-deltaic Domengine Formation (Eocene), California: Geosphere, v. 13, no. 3, p. 1285-1309. doi:10.1130/GES01442.1
Schwartz, T.M., and Graham, S.A., 2015, Stratigraphic architecture of a tide-influenced shelf-edge delta, Upper Cretaceous Dorotea Formation, Magallanes-Austral Basin, Patagonia: Sedimentology, v. 62, iss. 4, p. 1039-1077. doi:10.1111/sed/12176
Schwartz, T.M., and Schwartz, R.K., 2013, Paleogene post-compressional intermontane basin evolution along the frontal Cordilleran fold-and-thrust belt of southwestern Montana: GSA Bulletin, v. 125, no. 5-6, p. 961-984. doi:10.1130/B30766.1

**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.

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