Rather than continuing to clutter the main page with all the extra papers that might be of some interest, I have collected them here with occasional comments (so a partially annotated bibliography, if you will). This is by no means comprehensive but reflects some of the material examined for class. Older links migh t be directly to a publisher's page; more recent ones are doi links. Updating has been hit-and-miss depending on time I have to update things when I am updating material for class. I also have not been pruning things to remove older papers that maybe aren't adding much information anymore...CHJ.

Overview

• Dickinson, Evolution of the North American Cordillera, Ann. Rev. Earth Plan. Sci., 32, 13-45, 2004. (kind of an executive overview with a bit of opinion)

Precambrian

• If you want a summary of one model of the Precambrian assembly of North America, Whitmeyer and Karlstrom. Tectonic model for the Proterozoic growth of North America. Geosphere (2007) vol. 3 (4) pp. 220-259 fits the bill.
• Paleoproterozoic assembly of western U.S.
  • Reed, J. C., Jr., T. T. Ball, G. L. Farmer, and W. B. Hamilton, A broader view, in Precambrian: Conterminous U. S., The Geology of North America, vol. C-2, edited by J. C. Reed, Jr. and others, pp. 614-622 (Farmer's section), Geol. Soc. Amer., Boulder, Colo., 1993
    
  • Rämö, O. T., and J. P. Calzia, Nd isotopic composition of cratonic rocks in the southern Death Valley region; evidence for a substantial Archean source component in Mojavia, Geology, 26, (10), 891-894, 1998.
  • Bennett, V. C., and D. J. DePaolo, Proterozoic crustal history of the western United States as determined by neodymium isotopic mapping, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 99 (5), 674-685, 1988
  • Duebendorfer, E. M., K. R. Chamberlain, and C. S. Jones, Paleoproterozoic tectonic history of the Cerbat Mountains, northwestern Arizona: Implications for crustal assembly in the southwestern United States, Geol Soc Am Bull, 113 (5), 575-590, 2001
  • Jones, J. V., III, J. N Connelly, K. E. Karlstrom, M. L. Williams, M. F. Doe, Age, provenance, and tectonic setting of Paleoproterozoic quartzite successions in the southwestern United States, GSA Bulletin; 121 (1-2); p. 247-264; DOI: 10.1130/B26351.1, 2009 [suggest some orthoquartzites on Yavapai crust predate Mazatzal orogeny--includes some rocks in Colorado]
  • Almeida, R. V., Cai, Y., Hemming, S. R., Christie-Blick, N., & Neiswanger, L. S. (2016). Reexamination of the Crustal Boundary Context of Mesoproterozoic Granites in Southern Nevada Using U-Pb Zircon Chronology and Nd and Pb Isotopic Compositions. Journal of Geology, 124(3), 313–329. Refines Mojavia, incorporating most of the data from older studies.
• Correlations of bedrock geology of WUS with other regions
• Moores, E.M., Southwest U.S.-East Antarctic (SWEAT) connection: a hypothesis. Geology 19, 425-428, 1991.
• Borg, S. G., and D. J. DePaolo, Laurentia, Australia, and Antarctica As a Late Proterozoic Supercontinent - Constraints From Isotopic Mapping, Geology, 22, (4), 307-310, 1994. [SWEAT reconstruction; Uses Nd provinces to align Precambrian terranes]
  • followup along same lines: Goodge, J.W., J. D. Vervoort, C. M. Fanning, D. M. Brecke, G. L. Farmer, I. S. Williams, P. M. Myrow, and D. J. DePaolo, A Positive Test of East Antarctica-Laurentia Juxtaposition Within the Rodinia Supercontinent, Science, 321 (5886), 235-240, 2008. [Adds Hf isotopes to Nd, picks particularly on 1.4 Ga rocks in US and Antarctica, which addresses argument against SWEAT in Li et al, 2008]
• Burrett, C., & Berry, R. (2000). Proterozoic Australia-Western United States (AUSWUS) fit between Laurentia and Australia. Geology, 28(2), 103-106. doi:10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<103:PAUSAF>2.0.CO;2 [Australia moves up]
• Sears, J., & Price, R. (2003). Tightening the Siberian connection to western Laurentia. GSA Bulletin, 115(8), 943-953. [Siberia opposite WUS, push Australia farther to the south. Detailed geologic followup Sears 2007 below]
• Rodinia (late Proterozoic supercontinent)
  • Hoffman, P. F., Did the breakout of Laurentia turn Gondwanaland inside-out?, Science 252 , pp. 1409-1412, 1991 (one prominent original source of Rodinia idea, though others out there)
  • X. Li, X, S.V. Bogdanova, A.S. Collins, A. Davidson, B. De Waele, R.E. Ernst, I.C.W. Fitzsimons, R.A. Fuck, D.P. Gladkochub, J. Jacobs, K.E. Karlstrom, S. Lu, L.M. Natapov, V. Pease, S.A. Pisarevsky, K. Thrane and V. Vernikovsky, Assembly, configuration, and break-up history of Rodinia: A synthesis, Precambrian Research, 160 (1-2),p.179-210, 2008. [one of a few attempts to come up with a comprehensive Rodinia model]
• Middle-Late Proterozoic strata dating and tectonics
  (There is a lot out there, and a lot of detail in many of these papers falls below any level of interest we are likely to have)
  • Link, P. K., N. Christie-Blick, W. J. Devlin, D. P. Elston, R. J. Horodyski, M. Levy, J. M. G. Miller, R. C. Pearson, A. Prave, J. H. Stewart, D. Winston, L. A. Wright, and C. T. Wrucke, Middle and Late Proterozoic stratified rocks of the western U.S. Cordillera, Colorado Plateau, and Basin and Range province, in Precambrian: Conterminous U.S., The Geology of North America, vol. C-2, edited by J. C. Reed, Jr., M. E. Bickford, R. S. Houston, P. K. Link, D. W. Rankin, P. K. Sims and W. R. Van Schmus, pp. 463-595, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colorado, 1993. [overview of correlations that predates most use of SHRIMP-style U-Pb work; has a decent recapitulation of the tectonic environments of these rocks].
  • Barth AP, Wooden J, Coleman DS, Vogel MB, Assembling and Disassembling California: A Zircon and Monazite Geochronologic Framework for Proterozoic Crustal Evolution in Southern California. J Geol, 117 (3) pp. 221-239, 2009 [actually covers several issues, suggest Mojavia recycled 1.9-1.79 Ga crust, that Ivanpah compressional orogeny affected region 1795-1640 Ma, modifies some estimates on Neoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic ages, and detrital zircons from west and south suggest continued presence of western continent into Neoproterozoic time (Big Bear Group quartzites)]
  • Timmons, J. M., K. E. Karlstrom, C. M. Dehler, J. W. Geissman, and M. T. Heizler, Proterozoic multistage (ca. 1.1 and 0.8 Ga) extension recorded in the Grand Canyon Supergroup and establishment of northwest- and north-trending tectonic grains in the southwestern United States, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 113, 163-180, 2001. [new Ar-Ar and U-Pb dates buttress interpretation]
    • J. Michael Timmons, Karl E. Karlstrom, Matthew. T. Heizler, Samuel A. Bowring, George E. Gehrels, Laura J. Crossey, Tectonic inferences from the ca. 1255-1100 Ma Unkar Group and Nankoweap Formation, Grand Canyon: Intracratonic deformation and basin formation during protracted Grenville orogenesis, Geol. Soc. Am. Bulletin, 117, 1573-1595, 2005. [Adds low-T thermochron and an early (1250 Ma) compressional episode to earlier story]
  • Stewart, J. H., G. E. Gehrels, A. P. Barth, P. K. Link, B. N. Christie, and C. T. Wrucke, Detrital zircon provenance of Mesoproterozoic to Cambrian arenites in the Western United States and northwestern Mexico, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 113, 1343-1356, 2001. [detrital zircon observations on sources of late pC sediments, generally correlated with North American sources--compare with Barth et al 2009. Prefers match to Australia and Kalahari-Congo craton for few potentially exotic zircons]
  • Sears, J., Belt-Purcell Basin: Keystone of the Rocky Mountain fold-and-thrust belt, United States and Canada, in Sears, J.W., Harms, T.A., and Evenchick, C.A., eds., Whence the Mountains? Inquiries into the Evolution of Orogenic Systems: A Volume in Honor of Raymond A. Price: Geological Society of America Special Paper 433, p. 147-166, doi: 10.1130/2007.2433(07), 2007. [focuses on palinspastic restoration of basin and connections to Siberian rocks interpreted to be conjugate margin and source area for sediments, cites some ~2000 U-Pb dates that revised understanding of Belt rocks. Related to Sears and Price paper mentioned above]
  • Colpron M, Logan JM, Mortensen JK, U-Pb zircon age constraint for late Neoproterozoic rifting and initiation of the lower Paleozoic passive margin of western Laurentia, Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 39 (2): 133-143, 2002 [U-Pb date puts Windermere in SE Canada Cordillera at older than 570 Ma; these volcanics at base of Hamill/Gog probably represent initiation of miogeocline; this paper interprets two rifting episodes, one in north older than one in south]
  • Corsetti, F. A., and A. J. Kaufman, Stratigraphic investigations of carbon isotope anomalies and Neoproterozoic ice ages in Death Valley, California, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 115, 916-932, 2003. [another view of how to interpret the Amargosa rocks using isotopic excursions] --if you want more on d¹³C timescale attempts in Neoproterozoic/Ediacarian, Halverson et al., GSA Bull 2005 is a starting point.
  • Weil, A.B., J. W. Geissman, and J.M. Ashby, A New paleomagnetic pole for the Neoproterozoic Uinta Mountain supergroup, Central Rocky Mountain States, USA. Precambrian Res, 147 (3-4) pp. 234-259, 2006. [Discusses state of late pC paleomag poles and, to lesser extent, use in correlating strata]
  • Dehler, C. M., Fanning, C. M., Link, P. K., Kingsbury, E. M., & Rybczynski, D. (2010). Maximum depositional age and provenance of the Uinta Mountain Group and Big Cottonwood Formation, northern Utah: Paleogeography of rifting western Laurentia. Geological Society Of America Bulletin, 122(9-10), 1686-1699. doi:10.1130/B30094.1 [detrital zircons as young as 766 Ma makes Uinta group probably equivalent to Chaur in Grand Canyon]
  • Mahon, R.C., Dehler, C.M., Link, P.K., Karlstrom, K.E., and Gehrels, G.E., 2014, Geochronologic and stratigraphic constraints on the Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic Pahrump Group, Death Valley, California: A record of the assembly, stability, and breakup of Rodinia: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 126, p. 652–664, doi: 10.1130/B30956.1. [Breaks the Crystal Spring into an older part and renames younger part Horse Thief Springs Frm. Correlates Crystal Spring with Unkar Group of Grand Canyon, Horse Thief Spring with Nankoweep.]
  • Goodge, J.W., Fanning, C.M., Fisher, C.M., and Vervoort, J.D., 2017, Proterozoic crustal evolution of central East Antarctica_ Age and isotopic evidence from glacial igneous clasts, and links with Australia and Laurentia: Precambrian Research, v. 299, p. 151–176, doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2017.07.026. [Describes some of the Mesoproterozoic stuff found in Antarctica and connects these to Australia and Laurentia. Summarizes history from assembly of Nuna/Columbia supercontinent to Rodinia]
  • Xu, Y.-J., Cawood, P.A., Zhang, H.-C., Zi, J.-W., Zhou, J.-B., Li, L.-X., and Du, Y.-S., 2020, The Mesoproterozoic Baoban Complex, South China: A missing fragment of western Laurentian lithosphere: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 132, p. 1404–1418, doi: 10.1130/B35380.1. [Finds a piece of the Belt in South China]
  • Box, S.E., Pritchard, C.J., Stephens, T.S., and O’Sullivan, P.B., 2020, Between the supercontinents: Mesoproterozoic Deer Trail Group, an intermediate age unit between the Mesoproterozoic Belt–Purcell Supergroup and the Neoproterozoic Windermere Supergroup in northeastern Washington, USA: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 57, p. 1411–1427, doi: 10.1139/cjes-2019-0188. [Describes the metamorphosed western equivalent of part of the Belt and some younger rocks that carry the connections with other continents forward some in time.]
• Saylor, J. E., Knowles, J. N., Horton, B. K., Nie, J., & Mora, A.. Mixing of Source Populations Recorded in Detrital Zircon U-Pb Age Spectra of Modern River Sands. The Journal of Geology, 121(1), 17-33. doi:10.1086/668683, 2013 [tests just what matters in detrital zircon populations]

Latest Precambrian-Paleozoic Miogeocline

Also note that overall histories, such as Dickinson (2006, Geosphere)

• Bond, G. C., and M. A. Kominz, Construction of tectonic subsidence curves for the early Paleozoic miogeocline, southern Canadian Rocky Mountains; implications for subsidence mechanisms, age of breakup, and crustal thinning, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 95, (2), 155-173, 1984. [Lays out the basic setup for backstripping to get at subsidence; also considers 2-D aspects of subsidence].
• Levy, M., and N. Christie Blick, Tectonic subsidence of the early Paleozoic passive continental margin in eastern California and southern Nevada, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 103, (12), 1590-1606, 1991. [kind of Bond and Kominz for the southern Cordilleran miogeocline, but with some removal of later deformation].
• Fedo, C. M., and J. D. Cooper, Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of Neoproterozoic and Cambrian units across a craton-margin hinge zone, southeastern California, and implications for the early evolution of the Cordilleran margin, Sediment. Geol., 141, 501-522, 2001. [trying to reconcile all the datasets here, but mainly detailed stratigraphy across Mojave Desert from craton out into miogeocline]
• Bond, G. C., and M. A. Kominz, Evolution of Thought On Passive Continental Margins From the Origin of Geosynclinal Theory (Approximately 1860) to the Present, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 100, (12), 1909-1933, 1988.
• McKenzie, D., Some remarks on the development of sedimentary basins, Earth Plan. Sci. Letts., 40, 25-32, 1978. [where 1-D thermal subsidence was really first applied to sedimentary basins]
• Hölzel M, R. Faber,and M.Wagreich, DeCompactionTool: Software for subsidence analysis including statistical error quantification. Comput Geosci, 34 (11) pp. 1454-1460, 2008. [a recent code to actually do decompactions and get subsidence histories-shows all the gory details of this process]
• Lund. Geometry of the Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic rift margin of western Laurentia: Implications for mineral deposit settings. Geosphere, 4 (2) pp. 429-444, 2008. [Using other criteria to try to reconstruct the age and geometry of the rifted margin, particularly relying on the concept of "upper plate" and "lower plate" margins]
• Crafford, A.E.J, Paleozoic tectonic domains of Nevada: An interpretive discussion to accompany the geologic map of Nevada. Geosphere, 4 (1) pp. 260-291, 2008. [although much of this concerns some of the late Paleozoic orogenies in the region, also provides some info on the miogeocline itself].
• Xie, X., & Heller, P. (2009). Plate tectonics and basin subsidence history. Geological Society Of America Bulletin, 121(1/2), 55-64. doi:10.1130/B26398.1 [not explicitly dealing with the miogeocline but contrasting tectonic subsidence curves in different environments]
• Macdonald, F. A., Halverson, G. P., Strauss, J. V., Smith, E. F., Cox, G., Sperling, E. A., & Roots, C. F. (2012). Early Neoproterozoic Basin Formation in Yukon, Canada: Implications for the make-up and break-up of Rodinia. Geoscience Canada, 39, 77–99. [From far NW end of Cordilleran miogeocline, provides a different perspective on elements of the late pC geology of Laurentia]
• Yonkee, W. A., Dehler, C. D., Link, P. K., Balgord, E. A., Keeley, J. A., Hayes, D. S., et al. (2014). Tectono-stratigraphic framework of Neoproterozoic to Cambrian strata, west-central U.S.: Protracted rifting, glaciation, and evolution of the North American Cordilleran margin. Earth Science Reviews, 136(C), 59–95, doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.05.004. [Review focused on Utah pC sediments, proposing more specific ages and generating tectonic subsidence curves back into the Neoproterozoic]
• Witkosky, R., and Wernicke, B.P., 2018, Subsidence history of the Ediacaran Johnnie Formation and related strata of southwest Laurentia: Implications for the age and duration of the Shuram isotopic excursion and animal evolution: Geosphere, v. 14, p. 2245–2276, doi: 10.1130/GES01678.1. [Many things here; for us, revisits the thermal subsidence history of this region and argues that there is really only one onset of cooling back near 640 Ma or older; younger one is an artifact of change in sedimentation. Would like to see this argued out some...]

Paleozoic Ancestral Rockies

(something of the ugly stepchild to the Laramide, this gets much less attention and is often thought of as an older Laramide orogeny with less stuff to study)

• Leary, R.J., Umhoefer, P.J., Smith, M.E., and Riggs, N., 2017, A three-sided orogen: A new tectonic model for Ancestral Rocky Mountain uplift and basin development: Geology, 45 (8), p. 735-738, doi: 10.1130/G39041.1. [Consider all three margins: southeast, southwest, and west, and argue for the southwest.
  • Poole, F.G., Perry, W.J., Madrid, R.J., and Amaya-Martínez, R., 2005, Tectonic synthesis of the Ouachita-Marathon-Sonora orogenic margin of southern Laurentia: Stratigraphic and structural implications for timing of deformational events and plate-tectonic model, in The Mojave-Sonora Megashear Hypothesis: Development, Assessment, and Alternatives, Geological Society of America, Spec. Paper 393, p. 543–596, doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2393-0.543. [Connects Pennsylvanian deformation in Sonora with the Ouachita deformation to the east. Contrast the shortening directions found here with those required by Leary et al. Argues against any truncation after this episode in late Mississippian-late Permian]
• Ye, H. Z., L. Royden, C. Burchfiel, and M. Schuepbach, Late Paleozoic deformation of interior North America: The greater Ancestral Rocky Mountains, Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull., 80, 1397-1432, 1996. [Overview of the whole orogen; infer compressional origin from a margin to SW]
  • Kluth, C. F., Late Paleozoic deformation of interior North America: The Greater Ancestral Rocky Mountains: Discussion, Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull., 82, 2272-2276, 1998.
  • Ye, H. Z., L. Royden, C. Burchfiel, and M. Schuepbach, Late Paleozoic deformation of interior North America: The Greater Ancestral Rocky Mountains: Reply, Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull., 82, 2277-2279, 1998.
• Sweet, D. E., & Soreghan, G. S. (2010). Late Paleozoic tectonics and paleogeography of the ancestral Front Range: Structural, stratigraphic, and sedimentologic evidence from the Fountain Formation (Manitou Springs, Colorado). Geological Society Of America Bulletin, 122(3-4), 575-594. doi:10.1130/B26554.1[details on edge of Ute Mtn Fault, shows that Fountain is both syn- and post-depositional, suggests east-to-west younging is maybe not as robust as others have suggested]
• Hoy, R. G., and K. D. Ridgway, Syndepositional thrust-related deformation and sedimentation in an Ancestral Rocky Mountains basin, Central Colorado trough, Colorado, USA, GSA Bulletin; 2002; 114 (7), p. 804-828; DOI: 10.1130/0016-7606(2002)114, 2002.
  • Smith, T. M., Saylor, J. E., Lapen, T. J., Hatfield, K., and Sundell, K. E., 2023, Identifying sources of non- unique detrital age distributions through integrated provenance analysis: An example from the Paleozoic Central Colorado Trough: Geosphere, v. 19, no. 2, p. 471-492, doi: 10.1130/Ges02541.1. [Looking at zircons southwest of Sweet and Soregham paper, suggests changes in drainage during ARM deformation]
• Barbeau, D.L., A flexural model for the Paradox Basin: implications for the tectonics of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains, Basin Research, 15 (1), 97-115, 2003. [in essence, testing Ye et al.'s ideas for origin of Ancestral Rockies more firmly]
• Sweet, D. E., Brotherton, J. L., Chowdhury, N. U. M. K., and Ramsey, C. E., 2021, Tectonic subsidence analysis of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains from the interior to the southern margin: Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, v. 576, ARTN 110508, doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2021.110508. [greatly expands on earlier subsidence analyses, argues that there are two patterns in ARM, one from contractional loading and another with phases of more rapid subsidence from strike-slip faulting]
  • Jones, A. J., Sturmer, D. M., Bidgoli, T. S., Dietsch, C., and Möller, A., 2021, Sediment routing and provenance of shallow to deep marine sandstones in the late Paleozoic Oquirrh Basin, Utah: Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, v. 578, ARTN 110582, doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2021.110582. [more detailed subsidence analysis than Johnson et al. in Oquirrh basin; argues for two phases, one ARM to the east and one related to Antler/Sonoma to the west].
  • Johnson, S. Y., M. A. Chan, and E. A. Konopka, Pennsylvanian and Early Permian paleogeography of the Uinta­Piceance basin region, northwestern Colorado and northeastern Utah, U. S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper, 1787CC, 1-35, 1992. [detailed stratigraphic info, but the tectonic subsidence curves are of greatest interest to us].
• Sturmer, D.M., Trexler, J.H., Jr., and Cashman, P.H., 2018, Tectonic Analysis of the Pennsylvanian Ely-Bird Spring Basin: Late Paleozoic Tectonism on the Southwestern Laurentia Margin and the Distal Limit of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains: Tectonics, v. 37, p. 604–620, doi: 10.1002/2017TC004769. [Compares behavior of Nevada Pennsylvanian basins with Ancestral Rockies' basins and finds they behave differently, suggesting different sources of stress. Papers below fill in details on the Nevada work]
  • Trexler JH, Cashman PH, Snyder WS, and Davydov VI. Late Paleozoic tectonism in Nevada: Timing, kinematics, and tectonic significance. Geol Soc Am Bull, 116 (5-6) pp. 525-538, 2004. [emphasis on Pennsylvanian-Permian contraction in eastern Nevada suggest there may be more going on on the western margin than is usually presumed--this is a prelude to a 2013 GSA presentation]
  • Cashman, P. H., Villa, D. E., Taylor, W., Davydov, V. I., & Trexler, J. H. (2011). Late Paleozoic contractional and extensional deformation at Edna Mountain, Nevada. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 123(3-4), 651–668. [Reinterpret a Pennsylvanian fault as a major extensional fault--how does this fit in?]
• Soreghan, G. S., Keller, G. R., Gilbert, M. C., Chase, C. G., & Sweet, D. E. (2012). Load-induced subsidence of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains recorded by preservation of Permian landscapes. Geosphere, 8(3), 654-668. doi:10.1130/GES00681.1 [a very different idea for how Ancestral Rockies worked and especially ended]
  • Soreghan, G. S., Sweet, D. E., Marra, K. R., Eble, C. F., Soreghan, M. J., Elmore, R. D., et al. (2007). An exhumed late Paleozoic canyon in the Rocky Mountains. Journal of Geology, 115, 473-481.[Suggests Unaweep Canyon in Uncompahgre Plateau is late Paleozoic, which ends up motivating 2012 paper]
    • Hood, W. C. (2009). An Exhumed Late Paleozoic Canyon in the Rocky Mountains: A Discussion. Journal Of Geology, 117(2), 210-214. doi:10.1086/595789
    • Soreghan, G. S., Sweet, D. E., Marra, K. R., Eble, C. F., Soreghan, M. J., Elmore, R. D., et al. (2009). An Exhumed Late Paleozoic Canyon in the Rocky Mountains: A Reply. Journal Of Geology, 117(2), 215-220. doi:10.1086/595788
• Dickinson, W. R., and T. F. Lawton, Sequential intercontinental suturing as the ultimate control for Pennsylvanian Ancestral Rocky Mountains deformation, Geology, 31 (7), p. 609-612; DOI: 10.1130/0091-7613(2003)031, 2003 [in essense, updating Kluth's papers below, suggests east to west development of basins]
• Kluth, C. F., Plate tectonics of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains, Amer. Assoc. Petr. Geol. Memoir, 41, 353-369, 1986. [update and more detail than 1981 Geology paper]
  • Kluth, C. F., and P. J. Coney, Plate tectonics of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains, Geology, 9 ,p. 10-15, 1981. [Ancestral Rockies as final event in Ouachita orogenies, complex of high-angle faulting driven from the south]
    • Goldstein, A. G., C. F. Kluth, and P. J. Coney, Plate tectonics of the ancestral Rocky Mountains: Discussion and reply, Geology, 9, 387-389, 1981.
    • Warner, L. A., C. F. Kluth, and P. J. Coney, Plate tectonics of the ancestral Rocky Mountains: Discussion and reply, Geology, 11, 120-122, 1983.
• Marshak, S., K. Karlstrom, and J. M. Timmons, Inversion of Proterozoic extensional faults; an explanation for the pattern of Laramide and Ancestral Rockies intracratonic deformation, United States, Geology (Boulder), 28, 735-738, 2000. [title says it all]
• Budnik, R. T., Left-lateral intraplate deformation along the ancestral Rocky Mountains: Implications for late Paleozoic plate motions, Tectonophysics, 132, 195-214, 1986. [Old strike-slip interpretation of the Ancestral Rockies]
• Frahme, C. W., and E. B. Vaughn, Paleozoic geology and seismic stratigraphy of the northern Uncompahgre Front, Grant County, Utah,in Lowell, J.D. and R. Gries (eds.), Rocky Mountain foreland basins and uplifts, Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, 201-211, 1983. [source of some industry info showing that at least part of the Uncompahgre Plateau's southern boundary is an overhanging thrust]
• Stevenson, G. M., and D. L. Baars, The Paradox; a pull-apart basin of Pennsylvanian age, AAPG Memoir, 41, 513-539, 1986. [An extensional interpretation of the Ancestral Rockies]

Antler Orogeny

(again, note syntheses like Dickinson, 2006, Geosphere paper. Some papers on Paleozoic exotic terranes also touch on this; some looking for lost pieces of Antler in truncation list)

• Giles, K. A., and W. R. Dickinson, The interplay of eustasy and lithospheric flexure in forming stratigraphic sequences in foreland settings: An example from the Antler foreland, Nevada and Utah, in Stratigraphic Evolution of Foreland Basins, SEPM Special Publication, vol. 52, edited by S. L. Dorobek and G. M. Ross, pp. 187-211, SEPM, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1995. [Interpretation of foredeep sedimentation in terms of flexure from Antler orogen].
  • Waschbusch, P. J., and L. H. Royden. Episodicity in foredeep basins. Geology, 20 (10) pp. 915-918, 1992. [discusses how forebulges might hang on weaknesses instead of migrating smoothly]
• Linde, G. M., Trexler, J. H. J., Cashman, P. H., Gehrels, G., & Dickinson, W. R. (2016). Detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry of the Roberts Mountains allochthon: New insights into the early Paleozoic tectonics of western North America. Geosphere, 12(3), 1016–1031. [Detrital zircons: where were the allocthon's sediments derived? Not nearby miogeocline].
  • Linde, G.M., Trexler, J.H., Jr., Cashman, P.H., Gehrels, G., and Dickinson, W.R., 2017, Three-Dimensional Evolution of the Early Paleozoic Western Laurentian Margin: New Insights From Detrital Zircon U-Pb Geochronology and Hf Isotope Geochemistry of the Harmony Formation of Nevada: Tectonics, v. 36, p. 2347–2369, doi: 10.1002/2017TC004520. [Argue Harmony is western Laurentian]
  • Noble, P. J., and Finney, S. C., 1999, Recognition of fine-scale imbricate thrusts in lower Paleozoic orogenic belts - An example from the Roberts Mountains allochthon, Nevada: Geology, v. 27, no. 6, p. 543-546, doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0543:Rofsit>2.3.Co;2. [Shows that original type section of Vinini is in fact structurally complex; identification of Pz allochthon units needs to be done with care]
• Ketner, K. B. (2012). An alternative hypothesis for the mid-Paleozoic Antler orogeny in Nevada, U.S. Geol. Surv Prof. Paper 1790.[Argues there was no Devonian-Mississippian Antler orogeny, merely landslides of some carbonates into a deeper basin. Ketner has the curious habit of publishing his ideas as USGS PPs]
• Wright, J., and Wyld, S., 2006, Gondwana, Iapetan, Cordilleran interactions: A geodynamic model for the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the North American Cordillera, in Haggart, J., Enkin, R., and Monger, J., eds., Paleogeography of the North American Cordillera: Evidence for and against Large-Scale Displacements: Geological Association of Canada Special Paper 46, p. 377–408. [Paper only; argues for origin far away to south]
• Colpron, M., & Nelson, J. L. (2009). A Palaeozoic Northwest Passage: incursion of Caledonian, Baltican and Siberian terranes into eastern Panthalassa, and the early evolution of the North American Cordillera. In P. A. Cawood & A. Krφner (Eds.), Earth Accretionary Systems in Space and Time (Vol. 318, pp. 273–307). Geological Society, London, Special Publications. [Really more for exotic terranes, but associates Antler with arrival of outboard terranes like Trinity/Shoo Fly].
• Morrow, J. R., & Sandberg, C. A. (2008). Evolution of Devonian carbonate-shelf margin, Nevada. Geosphere, 4(2), 445. doi:10.1130/GES00134.1[detailed discussion of the Devonian in Nevada and the earliest evidence of the Antler orogeny]
• Burchfiel, B. C., and L. H. Royden, Antler Orogeny: A Mediterranean-type orogeny, Geology, 19, (1), 66-69, doi 10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019%3C0066:AOAMTO%3E2.3.CO;2, 1991. [unusual explanation of the absence of an arc in the Antler orogeny; became more popular over time before strike-slip interpretations gained traction]
• Crafford, A.E.J, Paleozoic tectonic domains of Nevada: An interpretive discussion to accompany the geologic map of Nevada. Geosphere, 4 (1) pp. 260-291, 2008. [draws domains across Nevada, reinterprets Antler as transpressional and extending into the early Pennsylvanian].
• Smith, M. T., W. R. Dickinson, and G. E. Gehrels, Contractional Nature of Devonian-Mississippian Antler Tectonism Along the North-American Continental Margin, Geology, 21, (1), 21-24, 1993. [propose that Antler extended north along Canadian margin and was contractional even where normal faults are preserved]
• Turner, R. J. W., R. J. Madrid, and E. L. Miller, Roberts Mountains allochthon: Stratigraphic comparison with Lower Paleozoic outer continental-margin strata of the northern Canadian Cordillera, Geology, 17, (4), 341-344, 1989. [correlates early Paleozoic offshore events all along margin from Nevada to northern Canada, suggests these rocks emplaced in Antler all along this margin, does include Dev-Miss extensional event but does place these rocks to east on thrusts]
  • Johnson, J. G., and M. A. Murphy, Roberts Mountains allochthon: Stratigraphic comparison with Lower Paleozoic outer continental-margin strata of the northern Canadian Cordillera - Comment, Geology, 17, (11), 1063, 1989. [mostly minor quibbles]
  • Turner, R. J. W., R. J. Madrid, and E. L. Miller, Roberts Mountains allochthon: Stratigraphic comparison with Lower Paleozoic outer continental-margin strata of the northern Canadian Cordillera - Reply, Geology, 17, (11), 1063-1064, 1989.
• Trexler JH, Cashman PH, Snyder WS, and Davydov VI. Late Paleozoic tectonism in Nevada: Timing, kinematics, and tectonic significance. Geol Soc Am Bull, 116 (5-6) pp. 525-538, 2004. [emphasis on Pennsylvanian-Permian contraction in eastern Nevada]
• Trexler, J. H., Cashman PH, Cole JC, Snyder WS, Tosdal RM, Davydov VI. Widespread effects of middle Mississippian deformation in the Great Basin of western North America. Geol Soc Am Bull, 115 (10) pp. 1278-1288, 2003 [at the young end of Antler time]
• Gehrels, G. E., W. R. Dickinson, B. C. D. Riley, S. C. Finney, and M. T. Smith, Detrital zircon geochronology of the Roberts Mountains Allochthon, Nevada, in Paleozoic and Triassic paleogeography and tectonics of western Nevada and Northern California., edited by J. Soreghan Michael and E. Gehrels George, Geol Soc. Am. Spec. Paper, 347, Geological Society of America (GSA). Boulder, Colorado., 2000. [Zircon evidence that Roberts Mountain allochthon is not far travelled and not near volcanic arc. Link does not get free access. Several other articles in the same volume on zircons in the region]
  • Gehrels, G. E., and W. R. Dickinson, Detrital zircon provenance of Cambrian to Triassic miogeoclinal and eugeoclinal strata in Nevada, Am. J. Sci., 295, 18-48, 1995. [somewhat older but more easily available attack on relation of Roberts Mtn allocthon and Golconda allocthon to North American miogeoclinal strata]
• Speed, R. C., and N. H. Sleep, Antler orogeny and foreland basin: A model, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 93, 815-828, 1982. [arc-continent collision model for Antler orogeny]
  • Johnson, J. G., A. Pendergast (discussion) and R. C. Speed and N. H. Sleep (reply), Antler orogeny and foreland basin: A model: Discussion and reply, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 94 (5), 684-5, 1983 [how much have Antler relationships been disrupted?]
• Miller, E. L., M. M. Miller, C. H. Stevens, J. E. Wright, and R. Madrid, Late Paleozoic paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the western U.S. Cordillera, in The Cordilleran Orogen: Conterminous U.S., The Geology of North America, vol. G-3, edited by B. C. Burchfiel, P. W. Lipman and M. L. Zoback, pp. 57-106, Geol. Soc. Amer., Boulder, Colo., 1992. [Summary overview of material to that point]

Paleozoic truncation of margin/Subduction initiation?

Numerous papers in GSA Special Paper 393 address ideas related to some strike-slip truncation of the Cordilleran margin in late Paleozoic to mid Mesozoic time. Stevens and Stone have a number of more detailed papers on the Permian geology of the Death Valley-Inyo Mountains region. You can get lost in the wilderness on this topic... [Several papers above have implications here, esp. Poole et al 2005]

• Lawton, T.F., Cashman, P.H., Trexler, J.H., Jr., and Taylor, W.J., 2017, The late Paleozoic Southwestern Laurentian Borderland: Geology, v. 45, p. 675–678, doi: 10.1130/G39071.1. [Integrates newer notions of strike-slip in Antler and Pennsylvanian deformation in east Nevada to propose that truncation of miogeocline was largely just left-lateral system moving inboard].
  • Clemens-Knott, D., and Gevedon, M., 2023, Using discordant U-Pb zircon data to re-evaluate the El Paso terrane: Late Paleozoic tectonomagmatic evolution of east- central California (USA) and intense hydrothermal activity in the Jurassic Sierra Nevada arc: Geosphere, v. 19, no. 2, p. 531-557, doi: 10.1130/Ges02547.1. [Pushes through lead loss for DZs in El Paso terrane, find Laurentian rocks and infer piece of Roberts Mtn Allochthon, reinforces Lawton et al]
• Stevens, C.H., Stone, P., and Miller, J.S., 2005, A new reconstruction of the Paleozoic continental margin of southwestern North America: Implications for the nature and timing of continental truncation and the possible role of the Mojave-Sonora megashear, in Anderson, T.H., Nourse, J.A., McKee, J.W., and Steiner, M.B., eds., The Mojave-Sonora megashear hypothesis: Development, assessment, and alternatives: Geological Society of America Special Paper 393, p. 597–618. doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2393-0.597. [takes their Death Valley area work and applies it to interpreting the evolution of the plate boundary; in a sense update of 1988 Geology paper]
  • Stevens CH, Stone P. The Pennsylvanian-Early Permian Bird Spring Carbonate Shelf, Southeastern California: Fusulinid Biostratigraphy, Paleogeographic Evolution, and Tectonic Implications. Geological Society of America Special Paper, 429 pp. 1-82 , 2007. [detailed biostratigraphy of these late Paleozoic strata and one interpretation; latest from these authors who have argued for late Paleozoic truncation based on similar, earlier work.]
  • Stevens, C. H., P. Stone, G. C. Dunne, D. C. Greene, J. D. Walker, and B. J. Swanson, Paleozoic and Mesozoic evolution of East-central California, in Integrated Earth and Environmental Evolution of the Southwestern United States, edited by W.G. Ernst and C. A. Nelson, pp. 119-160, Bellweather Publ., Columbia Maryland, 1998, also same text in Int. Geol. Review, 39 (9), 788-829, 1997. [A lot here, but of interest to us is the material on the possible truncation of the miogeocline].
• Rains, J. L., Marsaglia, K. M., & Dunne, G. C. (2012). Stratigraphic record of subduction initiation in the Permian metasedimentary succession of the El Paso Mountains, California. Lithosphere, 4(6), 533-552. doi:10.1130/L165.1 [Suggests that development of arc in Permian constrains date of truncation]
• Saleeby, J., & Dunne, G. (2015). Temporal and tectonic relations of early Mesozoic arc magmatism, southern Sierra Nevada, California. In T. H. Anderson, A. N. Didenko, C. L. Johnson, A. I. Khanchuk, & J. H. MacDonald Jr. (Eds.), Late Jurassic Margin of Laurasia–A Record of Faulting Accommodating Plate Rotation, Geological Society of Americ Special Paper 513, pp. 223–268, doi: 10.1130/2015.2513(05). [Synthesis of truncation, arc initiation and ac development; includes some speculations on exotic terranes]
• Stevens, C. H. and P. Stone. Structure and regional significance of the Late Permian(?) Sierra Nevada-Death Valley thrust system, east-central California. Earth-Sci Rev, 73 (1-4) pp. 103-113,2005. [probably clearest paper attempting to reconcile the numerous Permian thrusts with the inferred Pennsylvanian truncation preferred by these authors; use thrust trends to argue in part for that truncation]
  • Stevens, C., and Stone, P., 2005, Interpretation of the Last Chance thrust, Death Valley region, California, as an Early Permian décollement in a previously undeformed shale basin: Earth-Science Reviews, v. 73, p. 79–101, doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2005.04.005. [complement to other paper; although parallel to older miogeocline thought to be post-truncation]
• Stewart, J. H., Evidence for Mojave-Sonora megashear—Systematic left-lateral offset of Neoproterozoic to Lower Jurassic strata and facies, western United States and northwestern Mexico, Geological Society of America Special Papers, 393, p. 209-231, doi:10.1130/0-8137-2393-0.209, 2005. [Stewart's compilations of isopachs over the years have suggested that the Paleozoic miogeocline was truncated at its SW end. Not free access].
• Dickinson, W. R., and T. F. Lawton, Carboniferous to Cretaceous assembly and fragmentation of Mexico, GSA Bulletin, 113 (9); p. 1142-1160; DOI: 10.1130/0016-7606(2001)113, 2001 [addresses constraints in Mexico on truncation and bordering orogenies]
• Snow, J. K., Large-magnitude Permian shortening and continental margin tectonics in the southern Cordillera, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 104, 80-105, 1992. [Implicitly argues against any truncation of the Paleozoic margin; adds in major Permian shortening event to explain features Stevens and Stone interpreted as due to strike-slip deformation]
  • Stone, P., and C. H. Stevens, Large-magnitude Permian shortening and continental-margin tectonics in the southern Cordillera: Discussion, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 105, 279-280, 1993. [dispute relations leading to Permian age for Last Chance thrust; they later accept this age and incorporate it in their interpretations]
  • Snow, J. K., and B. Wernicke, Large-magnitude Permian shortening and continental-margin tectonics in the southern Cordillera: Reply, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 105, 280-283, 1993. [defend correlations as retrodeformable, argue Stone and Stevens model kinematically flawed]
• Riggs, N. R., Oberling, Z. A., Howell, E. R., Parker, W. G., Barth, A. P., Cecil, M. R., & Martz, J. W. (2016). Sources of volcanic detritus in the basal Chinle Formation, southwestern Laurentia, and implications for the Early Mesozoic magmatic arc. Geosphere, 12(2), 439–463. [Use zircons in basal Chinle to support magmatic arc by 280 Ma but fluvial connection to mainland only about 230-240 Ma; latest in a long series]

Sonoma Orogeny

For whatever reason, this orogeny has been the orphan stepchild of WUS tectonics for some time--often mentioned as an aside in later papers on the Antler or Penn-Perm truncation of the miogeocline.

• Caravaca, G., Brayard, A., Vennin, E., Guiraud, M., Le Pourhiet, L., Grosjean, A.-S., Thomazo, C., Olivier, N., Fara, E., Escarguel, G., Bylundi, K.G., Jenks, J.F., and Stephen, D.A., 2018, Controlling factors for differential subsidence in the Sonoma Foreland Basin (Early Triassic, western USA): Geological Magazine, v. 155, p. 1305–1329, doi: 10.1017/S0016756817000164. [Approaches Sonoma Orogeny from the foredeep, uses it to explore strength of lithosphere].
• Gehrels, G. E., Introduction to detrital zircon studies of Paleozoic and Triassic strata in western Nevada and Northern California, in Paleozoic and Triassic paleogeography and tectonics of western Nevada and Northern California., Special Paper - Geological Society of America, vol. 347, edited by J. Soreghan Michael and E. Gehrels George, pp. 1-17, Geological Society of America (GSA), Boulder, Colorado, 2000. [provides detailed explanation of detrital zircon techniques and establishes their miogeoclinal reference; not free link]
• Gehrels, G. E., W. R. Dickinson, B. J. Darby, J. P. Harding, J. D. Manuszak, B. C. D. Riley, M. S. Spurlin, S. C. Finney, G. H. Girty, D. S. Harwood, M. M. Miller, J. I. Satterfield, M. T. Smith, W. S. Snyder, E. T. Wallin, and S. J. Wyld, Tectonic implications of detrital zircon data from Paleozoic and Triassic strata in western Nevada and Northern California, in Paleozoic and Triassic paleogeography and tectonics of western Nevada and Northern California., Special Paper - Geological Society of America, vol. 347, edited by J. Soreghan Michael and E. Gehrels George, pp. 133-150, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colorado, 2000. [main overview of zircon-based connections between tectonic packages. Apparently there is not yet an LA-ICPMS type update to this]
  • Gehrels, G.E., and Dickinson, W.R., Detrital zircon provenance of Cambrian to Triassic miogeoclinal and eugeoclinal strata in Nevada:American Journal of Science, 295, p.18-48, 1995 [older but more clearly focused paper connecting the deep-water facies rocks to North America]
• Ketner, K. B., The Inskip Formation, the Harmony Formation, and the Havallah Sequence of Northwestern Nevada—An Interrelated Paleozoic Assemblage in the Home of the Sonoma Orogeny, U.S.Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper, 1757, 21 pp., 2008. [greatly revises Sonoma orogeny, argues that allocthon originated in Canada and travelled parallel to the margin but there was no late Permian orogeny senso stricto and notes absence of any clastic foredeep strata, etc., and proposes that the Golconda thrust is in fact Jurassic. Author does not seem to be making an impression on the literature...]
• Wyld, S. J., Permo-Triassic Tectonism in Volcanic Arc Sequences of the Western United States Cordillera and Implications For the Sonoma Orogeny, Tectonics, 10, 1007-1017, 1991.
• Gehrels, G. E., and J. H. Stewart, Detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology of Cambrian to Triassic miogeoclinal and eugeoclinal strata of Sonora, Mexico, Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, 103, 2471-2487, 1998. [attempts to determine if the miogeocline to the SW of Death Valley was removed to the SSE; results are inconclusive]
• Miller, E. L., M. M. Miller, C. H. Stevens, J. E. Wright, and R. Madrid, Late Paleozoic paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the western U.S. Cordillera, in The Cordilleran Orogen: Conterminous U.S., The Geology of North America, vol. G-3, edited by B. C. Burchfiel, P. W. Lipman and M. L. Zoback, pp. 57-106, Geol. Soc. Amer., Boulder, Colo., 1992. [overview of many issues on Somona and Antler orogenies].
• Gabrielse, H., Snyder, W.S., and Stewart, J.H., Sonoma orogeny and Permian to Triassic tectonism in western North America (Penrose Conference Report): Geology, 11, p.484-486, 1983 [oft-cited source for standard Sonoma orogeny story]
• Roback, R. C., and N. W. Walker, Provenance, Detrital Zircon U-Pb Geochronometry, and Tectonic Significance of Permian to Lower Triassic Sandstone in Southeastern Quesnellia, British-Columbia and Washington, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 107, 665-675, 1995. [considers the position of Quesnellia, somewhat equivalent to the Klamaths/northern Sierra but in southern Canada, northern Washington; its attachment to North America might be equivalent of Sonoman orogeny to north].
• Vetz, N.Q., 2011, Geochronologic and Isotopic Investigation of the Koipato Formation, Northwestern Great Basin, Nevada: Implications for Late Permian-Early Triassic Tectonics Along the Western U.S. Cordillera, M.S. Thesis, Boise State Univ., 163 p. Argues that Koipato volcanics capping Golconda allocthon were emplaced on continental crust, also better defines dates and extent (mostly Lower Triassic, though base might be late Permian).

Exotic Terranes

• Kent, D. V., & Irving, E.. Influence of inclination error in sedimentary rocks on the Triassic and Jurassic apparent pole wander path for North America and implications for Cordilleran tectonics. Journal Of Geophysical Research, 115, art. B10103. doi:10.1029/2009JB007205 , 2010 [redefines North American APW path to account for flattening and determines that North American motions are different than previously assumed, yielding sinistral displacement relative to exotic terranes from Triassic to early K]
• Colpron, M., & Nelson, J. L. (2009). A Palaeozoic Northwest Passage: incursion of Caledonian, Baltican and Siberian terranes into eastern Panthalassa, and the early evolution of the North American Cordillera. In P. A. Cawood & A. Krφner (Eds.), Earth Accretionary Systems in Space and Time (Vol. 318, pp. 273–307). Geological Society, London, Special Publications. [Gets many terranes from NE Laurentia/Baltica by sliding them across the northern end of Laurentia].
• Haggart, J.W., R. J. Enkin and J. W.H. Monger (eds.) Paleogeography of the North American Cordillera : evidence for and against large-scale displacements, Geol. Assoc. Canada Spec. Paper, 46, 420 pp., 2006 [from a conference in 2003; yes, the geological papers ask for relatively small translations and the paleomagnetic papers insist on large ones, still]
• Gerald M. Ross, G.M., P. J. Patchett, M. Hamilton, L. Heaman, P. G. DeCelles, E. Rosenberg, and M. K. Giovanni, Evolution of the Cordilleran orogen (southwestern Alberta, Canada) inferred from detrital mineral geochronology, geochemistry, and Nd isotopes in the foreland basin, Geological Society of America Bulletin,117, p. 747-763, 2005 [looking at this from the continent side to see when juvenile terranes make a significant contribution to foredeep sediments; this is also relevant for the evolution of the fold-and-thrust belt in Canada]
• Belasky, P., Stevens, C., & Hanger, R., Early Permian location of western North American terranes based on brachiopod, fusulinid, and coral biogeography, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 179 (3-4), 20 May 2002, pp. 245-266, 2002 [revision to some degree of paleontological basis for northward motion of exotic terranes]
• Patchett, P. J., and G. E. Gehrels, Continental influence of Canadian Cordilleran terranes from Nd isotopic study, and significance for crustal growth processes, Journal of Geology, 106, 269-280, 1998. [Documents non-Precambrian origin for some of the terranes in western Canada].
• Butler, R. F., G. E. Gehrels, and D. R. Bazard, Paleomagnetism of Paleozoic strata of the Alexander terrane, southeastern Alaska, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 109, p. 1372-1388, 1997 [Suggests original continent of the Alexander terrane from paleomag and detrital zircons]
  • Gehrels, G. E., R. F. Butler, and D. R. Bazard, Detrital zircon geochronology of the Alexander terrane, southeastern Alaska, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 108, 722-734, 1996. [More of the detrital zircon aspects of the story]
  • Brown, E. H., Gehrels, G. E., & Valencia, V. A.. Chilliwack composite terrane in northwest Washington: Neoproterozoic-Silurian passive margin basement, Ordovician-Silurian arc inception. Canadian Journal Of Earth Sciences, 47(10), 1347-1366. doi:10.1139/E10-047, 2010. [A real poser: suggests close ties of gneissic basement to Yukon-Tanana terrane Paleozoic arcs, but also has ties to Alexander terrane, which is very far travelled]
  • White, C., Gehrels, G. E., Pecha, M., Giesler, D., Yokelson, I., McClelland, W. C., & Butler, R. F. (2016). U-Pb and Hf isotope analysis of detrital zircons from Paleozoic strata of the southern Alexander terrane (southeast Alaska). Lithosphere, 8(1), 83–96, DOI: 10.1130/L475.1. [Further solidifies association of Alexander Terrane and Baltica]
• Dorsey, R. J., and T. A. LaMaskin, Stratigraphic record of Triassic-Jurassic collisional tectonics in the Blue Mountains province, northeastern Oregon, American Journal of Science, 307 (12), P.1167-1193; doi:10.2475/10.2007.03, 2007 [suggests that parts of the Blue Mountains collided with western U.S. in early Mesozoic, driving some of early shortening; usually these rocks tied to Wrangellia]
• Gehrels, G., Rusmore M, Woodsworth G, Crawford M, Andronicos C, Hollister L, Patchett J, Ducea MN, Butler R, Klepeis K, Davidson C, Friedman R, Haggart J, Mahoney B, Crawford W, Pearson D, Girardi J, U-Th-Pb geochronology of the Coast Mountains batholith in north-coastal British Columbia: Constraints on age and tectonic evolution. Geol Soc Am Bull (2009) vol. 121 (9-10) pp. 1341-1361, 2009 [Coast Ranges batholith interpreted as stitching Insular and Intermontaine terranes in mid-Cretaceous, and Insular is thought to come from the north, not south]
  • Rusmore, M.E., Bogue, S.W., and Woodsworth, G.J., 2013, Paleogeography of the Insular and Intermontane terranes reconsidered: Evidence from the southern Coast Mountains Batholith, British Columbia: Lithosphere, v. 5, p. 521–536, doi: 10.1130/L288.1.
• Irving, E., and P. J. Wynne, Part A, Paleomagnetism: Review and tectonic implications, Chapter 3, in Geology of the Cordilleran Orogen in Canada, Geology of Canada, v. 4, edited by H. Gabrielse and C. J. Yorath, pp. 61-86, Geol. Surv. Canada, 1991. [also called The Geology of North America, vol. G-2].
• Saleeby, J. B., Petrotectonic and paleogeographic settings of U.S. Cordilleran ophiolites, in The Cordilleran Orogen: Conterminous U.S., The Geology of North America, vol. G-3, edited by B. C. Burchfiel, P. W. Lipman and M. L. Zoback, pp. 653-682, Geol. Soc. Amer., Boulder, Colorado, 1992.
• Saleeby, J. B., and C. Busby-Spera, Early Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the western U.S. Cordillera, in The Cordilleran Orogen: Conterminous U.S., The Geology of North America, vol. G-3, edited by B. C. Burchfiel, P. W. Lipman and M. L. Zoback, pp. 107-168, Geol. Soc. Amer., Boulder, Colorado, 1992.
• Baja-B.C. (northward motion of terranes in latest Cretaceous to early Tertiary)
  • Umhoefer, P. J., Northward translation of “Baja British Columbia” along the Late Cretaceous to Paleocene margin of western North America: Tectonics, 6, p. 377-394, 1987.
  • Irving, E., P. J. Wynne, D. J. Thorkelson, and P. Schiarizza, Large (1000 to 4000 km) northward movements of tectonic domains in the northern Cordillera, 83 to 45 Ma, J. Geophys. Res., 101, 17,901 - 17,916, 1996. [Generally summarizes paleomagnetic arguments for large displacements to this point]
  • Stephen T. Johnston, S. T., P. J. Wynne, D. Francis, C. J. R. Hart, R. J. Enkin, and D. C. Engebretson, Yellowstone in Yukon: The Late Cretaceous Carmacks Group, Geology, 24, p. 997-1000, 1996. [low-latitude paleomag plus arguments that volcanics were early Yellowstone hotspot, argues for profound displacement of Intermontane terrane. Carmacks erupted across Yukon-Tanana and Stikene terranes]
    • McCausland, P.J.A, D.T.A. Symons, C. J. R. Hart, Rethinking "Yellowstone in Yukon"and Baja British Columbia: Paleomagnetism of the Late Cretaceous Swede Dome stock, northern Canadian Cordillera, J. Geophys. Res., 110, B12107, doi:10.1029/2005JB003742, 2005 [argue that Carmacks paleomag is messed up and inconsistent with other observations; also argues that Carmacks could still be Yellowstone, but Pacific hotspots have migrated south, so not indicative of large displacements]
    • Symons, D.T.A., Kawasaki, K., and P.J.A. McCausland, The Yukon-Tanana terrane: Part of North America at similar to 215 Ma from paleomagnetism of the Taylor Mountain batholith, Alaska, Tectonophysics, 465 (1-4), 60-74, 2009. [Disconnects Yukon-Tanana from Intermontane terranes, argues Yukon-Tanana para-autocthonous, Intermontane far travelled]
  • Cowan, D., Brandon, M., and Garver, J., 1997, Geologic tests of hypotheses for large coastwise displacements—A critique illustrated by the Baja British Columbia controversy:American Journal of Science, 297, p.117-173, 1997. [Tries to break logjam by suggesting critical tests; reviews arguments to this point]
    • Mahoney, J. B.,Mustard, P. S.,Haggart, J.W.,Friedman, R.M.,Fanning, C.M.,and McNicoll, V.J.,Archean zircons in Cretaceous strata of the western Canadian Cordillera: The “Baja B.C.”hypothesis fails a “crucial test”, Geology, 27,p.195-198, 1999. [use detrital zircons to argue that Insular superterrain must have been near its present latitude in Cretaceous--inspired by Cowan et al. 1997]
    • Housen, B. A., and M. E. Beck, Jr., Testing terrane transport; an inclusive approach to the Baja B.C. controversy, Geology (Boulder), 27, 1143-1146, 1999. [response to Mahoney et al. refuting zircon interpretation and arguing for paleomag interpretation]
  • Butler, R. F., G. E. Gehrels, and K. P. Kodama, A moderate translation alternative to the Baja British Columbia hypothesis, GSA Today, 11, 4-10, 2001.
  • Stamatakos, J. A., J. M. Trop, and K. D. Ridgway, Late Cretaceous paleogeography of Wrangellia: Paleomagnetism of the MacColl Ridge Formation, southern Alaska, revisited, Geology, 29 (10), p. 947-950; doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029, 2001. [Gets a less extreme amount of post-Cretaceous motion for part of Wrangellia, but this is northern part in Alaska; moved 15±8° north and rotated substantially]
  • Enkin RJ, Mahoney JB, Baker J, Riesterer J, Haskin ML, Deciphering shallow paleomagnetic inclinations: 2. Implications from Late Cretaceous strata overlapping the Insular/Intermontane Superterrane boundary in the southern Canadian Cordillera. J Geophys Res, 108 (B4) pp. 2186, 2003 [pull off the interesting trick of supporting an overlap assemblege connecting Insular and Intermontane terranes and arguing for even more profound displacements]
  • Housen, B. A., and R. J. Dorsey, Paleomagnetism and tectonic significance of Albian and Cenomanian turbidites, Ochoco Basin, Mitchell Inlier, central Oregon, J. Geophys. Res., 110, B07102, doi:10.1029/2004JB003458, 2005. [Blue Mtns province in eastern Oregon moved 16±4°N from paleomag since Cretaceous; relation to some of the other terranes a bit vague but this is often tied to Wrangellia]
    • LaMaskin, T. A., Vervoort, J. D., Dorsey, R. J., & Wright, J. E,. Early Mesozoic paleogeography and tectonic evolution of the western United States: Insights from detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology, Blue Mountains Province, northeastern Oregon. Geological Society Of America Bulletin, 123(9-10), 1939-1965. doi:10.1130/B30260.1, 2011. [detrital zircons of this area look a lot like miogeocline in Jurassic, suggesting limited younger northward transport]
    • LaMaskin, T. A., Dorsey, R. J., Vervoort, J. D., Schmitz, M. D., Tumpane, K. P., & Moore, N. O. (2015). Westward Growth of Laurentia by Pre–Late Jurassic Terrane Accretion, Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho, United States. The Journal of Geology, 123(3), 233–267. DOI: 10.1086/681724 [Further buttresses arguments for Wallowa accreting to North America in Jurassic]
      • Gray, K. D. (2016). Westward Growth of Laurentia by Pre–Late Jurassic Terrane Accretion, Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho, United States: A Discussion. The Journal of Geology, 124(1), 137–141. doi: /10.1086/684119 [Salmon River suture's activity in Cretaceous thought to reflect accretion of Wallowa]
      • LaMaskin, T. A., & Dorsey, R. J. (2016). Westward Growth of Laurentia by Pre–Late Jurassic Terrane Accretion, Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho, United States: A Reply. The Journal of Geology, 124(1), 143–147.doi: 10.1086/684120 [Suggest other reasons why Salmon River/West Idaho Shear Zone were active in Cretaceous]
  • Miller IM, Brandon MT, and Hickey LJ, Using leaf margin analysis to estimate the mid-Cretaceous (Albian) paleolatitude of the Baja BC block. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 245 (1-2) pp. 95-114, 2006. [A new wrinkle. Suggest subtropical origin most consistent with origin far to the south]
  • Krijgsman, W. and L. Tauxe. E/I corrected paleolatitudes for the sedimentary rocks of the Baja British Columbia hypothesis. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 242 (1-2) pp. 205-216, 2006. [attempts to fix sedimentary paleomag for possible flattening, end up supporting Baja-BC interpretation]
  • Dalby, A. P., Patterson, R. T., & Haggart, J. W, Distribution of Albian-Cenomanian Foraminifera From Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, Canada: Constraints on the Timing of the Northward Migration of the Wrangellia Terrane. The Journal of Foraminiferal Research, 39(3), 231-245, doi: 10.2113/gsjfr.39.3.231, 2009. [Suggests that Albian boreal fossils indicate northerly position of Wrangellia at that time, opposing Baja-BC interpretation]
  • Paleomag of the Mt. Stuart batholith (a curious case of parry and thrust in chronological order...; I've tried to capture the full range of discussion to illustrate the arc of an idea while omitting a rather considerable literature on the origin of the magma and the deformation accompanying emplacement)
    • Beck, M. E., Jr., and Noson, L., 1972, Anomalous paleolatitudes in Cretaceous granitic rocks: Nature, Physical Science, v. 235, p. 11-13. [Start of northward transport arguments in Cretaceous-Early Tertiary; 3 stable sites in Mt. Stuart batholith]
    • Beck, M. E., Jr., 1976, Discordant paleomagnetic pole positions as evidence of regional shear in the western Cordillera of North America: American Journal of Science, v. 276, p. 694-712, 1976. [Includes Mt. Stuart, more complete than older paper, argues from pattern of paleomag seen for combination of northward displacement and clockwise rotation, but notes tilt could be a factor]
    • Beck, M. E., Jr., Burmester, R. F., and Schoonover, R., Paleomagnetism and tectonics of the Cretaceous Mt. Stuart batholith of Washington: Translation or tilt?: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 56, p. 336 -342, 1981 [second paleomagnetic study of the Mt. Stuart batholith; argues that Euler pole placing batholith on margin of North America is best; this places Mt. Stuart at modern position of southern Baja California]
    • Irving, E., Woodsworth, W., Wynne, P., and Morrison, A., Paleomagnetic evidence for displacement from the south of the Coast Plutonic Complex: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 22, p. 584 -598, 1985. [This is not Mt. Stuart strictly speaking but tends to get rolled into the same arguments; these data advanced to support large displacement hypothesis]
    • Butler,R., Gehrels,G., McClelland,W., May,S.R., and Klepacki, D., Discordant paleomagnetic poles from the Canadian Coast Plutonic Complex: Regional tilt rather than large-scale displacement?, Geology, 17,p.691-694, 1989. [argue that a tilt of Mt. Stuart and other plutonic bodies explains paleomag and is more acceptable geologically. Mt Stuart depends mostly on relations with country rock]
      
      • Miller, R. B., Johnson, S. Y., and McDougall, J. W., Discordant paleomagnetic poles from the Canadian Coast Plutonic Complex: Regional tilt rather than large displacement?: Comment :Geology, 18,p. 1164 -1165, 1990. [contest geologic basis for tilting]
      • Butler,R., Gehrels,G., McClelland,W., May,S.R., and Klepacki, D., Discordant paleomagnetic poles from the Canadian Coast Plutonic Complex: Regional tilt rather than large-scale displacement?:Geology, 18, p. 1165-1166, 1990.[contests Miller et al, argues more forcefully that sediments nearly record amount of tilt needed to reconcile paleomag with only 500 km displacement]
      • Umhoefer, P. J., J. F. Magloughlin, Comment on "Discordant paleomagnetic poles from the Canadian Coast Plutonic Complex: Regional tilt rather than large-scale displacement", Geology, 18, p. 800-802, 1990. [considerable focus on the Mt. Stuart batholith as a place to dispute Butler et al. Argue that all tilt or all displacement interpretations merely end members, go on to suggest some tilting evidence is superimposing multiple events--e.g., reheating as tilting of K-Ar dates]
      • R. F. Butler, G. E. Gehrels, W. C. McClelland, S. R. May, and D. Klepacki, Reply on "Discordant paleomagnetic poles from the Canadian Coast Plutonic Complex: Regional tilt rather than large-scale displacement", Geology, 18, p. 800-802, 1990, [defend their position that large displacements unnecessary and arguments for tilt]
    • Ague, J. J., and Brandon, M. T., Tilt and northward offset of Cordilleran batholiths resolved using igneous barometry: Nature, v. 360, p. 146 -149, doi:10.1038/360146a0, 1992. [Instead of relying on the country rock tilts, use paleodepths to find paleohorizontal, suggest significant tilting but still large displacements]
    • Ague, J. J., and Brandon, M. T., Regional tilt of the Mt. Stuart batholith, Washington, determined using aluminum-in-
      hornblende barometry: Implications for northward translation of Baja British Columbia: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 108, p. 471- 488, 1996 [much more complete than 1992 paper, same conclusion: Mt. Stuart moved 3000 km to north and was tilted down to southeast]
      • Anderson, J. L., Regional tilt of the Mount Stuart batholith, Washington, determined using aluminum- in-hornblende barometry: Implications for northward translation of Baja British Columbia: Discussion: Geological Society of America Bulletin, 109, p. 1223-1225, 1997 [argues Al-in-hornblende geobarometer too poorly calibrated for this use]
      • Ague, J. J., and Brandon, M. T., Regional tilt of the Mount Stuart batholith, Washington, determined using aluminum-in-
        hornblende barometry: Implications for northward translation of Baja British Columbia: Discussion: Geological Society of America Bulletin, 109, p. 1225-1227, 1997 [suggests Anderson's calibration issues for other lithologies outside range of calibration for geobarometer, notes consistency with other geologic info]
      • Paterson, S. R., Robert B. Miller, Regional tilt of the Mount Stuart batholith, Washington, determined using aluminum-in-hornblende barometry: Implications for northward translation of Baja British Columbia: Discussion: Geological Society of America Bulletin, 110 (5); p. 685-687; DOI: 10.1130/0016-7606(1998)110, 1998 [note complexities evident in more recent paleomag than the Beck work (Lund et al. abstracts) and that Windy Pass thrust, active as batholith emplaced, probably deformed the pluton; also notes difficulties with the paleomag]
      • Ague, J. J., Regional tilt of the Mount Stuart batholith, Washington, determined using aluminum-in-hornblende barometry: Implications for northward translation of Baja British Columbia: Reply: Geological Society of America Bulletin, 110 (5); p. 685-687; DOI: 10.1130/0016-7606(1998)110, 1998 [refutes point by point; basically that the scale of structures Paterson worries about don't affect things at the batholith scale]
      • Hoskin, P. W. O.; Steinitz, A., Mount Stuart amphibole; intra-sample variation and Al-in-hornblende barometry reassessed, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 72, no. 12S, p. A393, Jul 2008 [abstract at Goldschimdt conference suggesting that the geobarometry of Ague and Brandon done on the rims of hornblende that was in fact not in magmatic equilibrium]
      • Anderson, J. L., Morrison, J., & Paterson, S. R. , Post-emplacement fluids and pluton thermobarometry: Mount Stuart batholith, Washington Cascades. International Geology Review, 54(5), 491-508. doi:10.1080/00206814.2012.663165, 2012 [interestingly delayed 4 years in reviews in another journal; argues there was a lot of alteration from late stage metamorphism, though they conclude the pluton today is about upright but magnetic minerals suspect]
    • Butler RF, Gehrels GE, Baldwin SL, Davidson C, Paleomagnetism and geochronology of the Ecstall pluton in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia: Evidence for local deformation rather than large-scale transport. J Geophys Res, 107 (B1) , doi: 10.1029/2001JB000270, art.. 2009, 2002 [again, not Mt. Stuart, but the same kind of discussion of tilt vs. displacement and bears on Mt. Stuart, this time coming down in favor of local tilts using a number of kinds of data.]
      • Beck, M. E., and B. A. Housen. Comment on "Paleomagnetism and geochronology of the Ecstall pluton in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia: Evidence for local deformation rather than large-scale transport'' by R. F. Butler et al. J Geophys Res, 110 (B1) doi:10.1029/2004JB003346, art.. B01101, 2005. [argue that while Ecstall pluton might be folded, paleomag from Mt. Stuart shows strong northward displacement and seems likely Ecstall participated]
      • Butler RF, Gehrels GE, and Davidson C, Reply to comment by M. E. Beck and B. A. Housen on "Paleomagnetism and geochronology of the Ecstall pluton in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia: Evidence for local deformation rather than large-scale transport''. J Geophys Res,110 (B1) doi:10.1029/2004JB003439, art. B01102, 2005. [Defends geologic basis for the fold chosen and attacks the large-displacement hypothesis as getting unwieldy. Suggest that alternate fold axis of Beck and Housen is chosen to make paleomag consistent with large displacement and lacks geologic basis]
      • Brownlee, S. J., & Renne, P. R., Thermal history of the Ecstall pluton from ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology and thermal modeling. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 74(15), 4375-4391. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2010.04.023, 2010. [East side of pluton was reheated and probably pluton was tilted down-to-the-west, bringing paleomag in line with Baja-BC 3000 km displacement]
      • Brownlee, S. J., Feinberg, J. M., Kasama, T., Harrison, R. J., Scott, G. R., & Renne, P. R, Magnetic properties of ilmenite-hematite single crystals from the Ecstall pluton near Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 12(9), 2011, doi:10.1029/2011GC003622, 2011. [exceptionally detailed minerological/micromagnetic study of Ecstall rocks concludes they are valid recorders of the field when the pluton cooled and so supports large-magnitude offset interpretation but notes this doesn't rule out structural complications]
    • Housen B.A., Beck M.E., Burmester R.F., Fawcett T., Petro G., Sargent R., Addis K, Curtis K, Ladd J, Liner N, Molitor B, Montgomery T, Mynatt I, Palmer B, Tucker D, and White I, Paleomagnetism of the Mount Stuart batholith revisited again: What has been learned since 1972?. Am J Sci, 303 (4) pp. 263-299, 2003. [Class reexamination of paleomag data relevant to Mt. Stuart comes to similar conclusion to original work]
• Plate reconstructions (see also below)
• Debiche, M. G., A. Cox, and D. Engebretson, The Motion of Allochthonous Terranes, Special Paper Geological Society of America, 207, 1-49, 1987. [this continues to be cited although the plate reconstruction underneath it is probably in error]
• Engebretson, D. C., A. Cox, and R. G. Gordon, Relative motions between oceanic and continental plates in the Pacific Basin, Special Paper Geological Society of America, 206, 1-59, 1985. [Although the premise of the hotspot reconstruction has severe limits, this paper really clarified how terranes could have very large latitudinal motions and provided a plate tectonic construct for understanding these terranes]
• Wilson, K. M., W. W. Hay, and C. N. Wold, Mesozoic evolution of exotic terranes and marginal seas, western North America, Marine Geology, 102, 311-361, 1991. [This is Bill Hay's very alternative view to the western U.S., with numerous arcs, marginal seas, and subduction zones]
• Stock, J., and P. Molnar, Uncertainties and implications of the Late Cretaceous and Tertiary position of North America relative to the Farallon, Kula, and Pacific plates, Tectonics, 7, 1339-1384, 1988. [How to do plate reconstructions with uncertainties]
• Doubrovine, P. and J. Tarduno. A revised kinematic model for the relative motion between Pacific oceanic plates and North America since the Late Cretaceous. J Geophys Res, 113 (B12) art.. B12101, doi: 10.1029/2008JB005585, 2008. [updated ocean floor-based plate reconstruction]
• Domeier, M., & Torsvik, T. H. (2014). Plate tectonics in the late Paleozoic. Geoscience Frontiers, 5(3), 303–350. doi: 10.1016/j.gsf.2014.01.002. An attempt to reconcile "continental drift" style reconstructions with a more physically realistic collection of lithospheric plates; this is kind of the tip of a Torsvik iceberg of related papers.
• Clennett, E.J., Sigloch, K., Mihalynuk, M.G., Seton, M., Henderson, M.A., Hosseini, K., Mohammadzaheri, A., Johnston, S.T., and Müller, R.D., 2020, A Quantitative Tomotectonic Plate Reconstruction of Western North America and the Eastern Pacific Basin: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 20, p. 25, doi: 10.1029/2020GC009117. [Using mantle tomography to infer a number of smaller plates in eastern paleo-Pacific in Mesozoic; note pretty inconsistent with Sierra plutonic history]
• Merdith, A.S., Williams, S.E., Collins, A.S., Tetley, M.G., Mulder, J.A., Blades, M.L., Young, A., Armistead, S.E., Cannon, J., Zahirovic, S., and Müller, R.D., 2021, Extending full-plate tectonic models into deep time: Linking the Neoproterozoic and the Phanerozoic: Earth-Science Reviews, v. 214, doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103477. [Extends a full plate model back to ~1 Ga, mainly with paleomag and continental geology]

Ribbon continents and westward-dipping subduction?

Started by Hildebrand, then bolstered by tomography and some geodynamics from Karin Sigloch and company...just how North American is the west coast?

• Sigloch, K., and Mihalynuk, M. G., 2017, Mantle and geological evidence for a Late Jurassic−Cretaceous suture spanning North America: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 129, no. 11/12, p. 1489-1520, doi: 10.1130/B31529.1. [OK, this is using mantle tomography to argue for some kind of west-dipping subduction in the Jurassic into the Cretaceous, which in turn would imply material has been accreted onto North America]
  • Sigloch, K., and Mihalynuk, M. G., 2013, Intra-oceanic subduction shaped the assembly of Cordilleran North America: Nature, v. 496, no. 7443, p. 50-56, doi: 10.1038/nature12019. [This is the short, earlier version of the 2017 paper]
  • Pavlis, G. L., Sigloch, K., Burdick, S., Fouch, M. J., and Vernon, F. L., 2012, Unraveling the geometry of the Farallon plate: Synthesis of three-dimensional imaging results from USArray: Tectonophysics, v. 532-535, no. C, p. 82-102, doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2012.02.008. [Comparison of a number of different tomographic models for the westerm U.S.; just what is robust and what is noise?--included here because of the later Sigloch work.]
• Clennett, E. J., Sigloch, K., Mihalynuk, M. G., Seton, M., Henderson, M. A., Hosseini, K., Mohammadzaheri, A., Johnston, S. T., and Müller, R. D., 2020, A Quantitative Tomotectonic Plate Reconstruction of Western North America and the Eastern Pacific Basin: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 20, no. 8, p. 25, doi: 10.1029/2020GC009117. [Makes a number of new plates in the Mesozoic eastern Pacific to create seismic anomalies in modern mantle]
  • Li, Y. C., Liu, L. J., Peng, D. D., Dong, H., and Li, S. Z., 2023, Evaluating tomotectonic plate reconstructions using geodynamic models with data assimilation, the case for North America: Earth-Science Reviews, v. 244, 104518, doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104518. [Argues that lateral motion of subducted material is demanded by global geodynamics, which then undercuts a key claim of Clennett and Sigloch papers]
• Hildebrand, R. S., 2009, Did Westward Subduction Cause Cretaceous–Tertiary Orogeny in the North American Cordillera?: Geological Society of America Special Paper, v. 457, p. 71, doi: 10.1130/2009.2457.
• Hildebrand, R.S., 2012, Mesozoic Assembly of the North American Cordillera: Geological Society of America Special Paper 495, 182 p., doi:10.1130 /9780813724959. [A cool 250 pages arguing that there is a late Cretaceous suture in the western U.S. requiring westward subduction until the Laramide; in some ways provided a connection for Sigloch's group's tomography with evolution of North America].
• Pavlis, T. L., Amato, J. M., Trop, J. M., Ridgway, K. D., Whittaker, A. C., and Gehrels, G. E., 2019, Subduction polarity in ancient arcs: A call to integrate geology and geophysics to decipher the Mesozoic tectonic history of the Northern Cordillera of North America: GSA Today, v. 29, no. 11, doi: 10.1130/GSATG402.1. [Not believers in major west-dipping subduction past the mid-Jurassic]
  • Sigloch, K., and Mihalynuk, M. G., 2020, Comment on GSA Today article by Pavlis et al., 2019: “Subduction Polarity in Ancient Arcs: A Call to Integrate Geology and Geophysics to Decipher the Mesozoic Tectonic History of the Northern Cordillera of North America”: GSA Today, v. 30, p. e47-e50, doi: 10.1130/GSATG431C.1.
  • Pavlis, T., Amato, J., Trop, J., Ridgway, K., Roeske, S., and Gehrels, G., 2020, Subduction Polarity in Ancient Arcs: A Call to Integrate Geology and Geophysics to Decipher the Mesozoic Tectonic History of the Northern Cordillera of North America: REPLY: GSA Today, p. e51-e58, doi: 10.1130/GSATG465Y.1.
• LaMaskin, T. A., Rivas, J. A., Barbeau, D. L., Schwartz, J. J., Russell, J. A., and Chapman, A. D., 2022, A crucial geologic test of Late Jurassic exotic collision versus endemic re-accretion in the Klamath Mountains Province, western United States, with implications for the assembly of western North America: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 134, no. 3-4, p. 965-988, doi: 10.1130/B35981. [Although this is the Klamaths, it is directly testing the idea of arc collision and west-dipping subduction and argues those events are not compatible with this geology].

Nevadan Orogeny, Arc Polarity, mainly Jurassic?

Is there a Nevadan orogeny? Were arcs accreted in the Jurassic? Most of this is too much detail for a lot of this class...

• Chapman, A. D., Ernst, W. G., Gottlieb, E., Powerman, V., and Metzger, E. P., 2015, Detrital zircon geochronology of Neoproterozoic–Lower Cambrian passive-margin strata of the White-Inyo Range, east-central California: Implications for the Mojave–Snow Lake fault hypothesis: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 127, no. 7/8, p. 926-944, doi: 10.1130/B31142.1. [Puts forward a low-angle normal fault mechanism for getting the Snow Lake rocks in place; shows the Snow Lake rocks DZ pattern. So doesn't need big strike-slip fault]
• Schweickert, R. A., 2015, Jurassic evolution of the Western Sierra Nevada metamorphic province, in Anderson, T. H., Didenko, A. N., Johnson, C. L., Khanchuk, A. I., and MacDonald, J. H., Jr., eds., Late Jurassic Margin of Laurasia—A Record of Faulting Accommodating Plate Rotation: Geol. Soc. America Special Paper: v. 513, p. 299-358, doi: 10.1130/2015.2513(08), http://specialpapers.gsapubs.org/lookup/doi/10.1130/2015.2513(08). [This is the view supporting a Nevadan orogeny in the Jurassic along with some west-dipping subduction, with a lot of detail from years of mapping]
• Arkula, C., Lom, N., Wakabayashi, J., -Downing, G. R., Qayyum, A., Dekkers, M. J., Lippert, P. C., and van Hinsbergen, D. J. J., 2023, The forearc ophiolites of California formed during trench-parallel spreading: Kinematic reconstruction of the western USA Cordillera since the Jurassic: Earth-Science Reviews, v. 237, 104275, doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2022.104275. [supports in situ creation of Coast Range ophiolite rather than exotic block attached in Nevadan orogeny]

Sevier Orogeny (fold-and-thrust belt)

• DeCelles, P. G., and G. Mitra, History of the Sevier orogenic wedge in terms of critical taper models, Northeast Utah and Southwest Wyoming, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 107, 454-462, 1995
• Jordan, T. E., Thrust loads and foreland basin evolution, Cretaceous, western United States, Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull., 65, 2506-2520, 1981. [Early attempt to use plate flexure to understand the history of a thrust belt]
• Lageson, D. R., J. G. Schmitt, B. K. Horton, T. J. Kalakay, and B. R. Burton, Influence of Late Cretaceous magmatism on the Sevier orogenic wedge, western Montana, Geology, 29, 723-726, 2001. [A somewhat different use of Coulomb wedge positing changes in wedge properties ]
• Allmendinger, R. W., Fold and thrust tectonics of the western United States exclusive of the accreted terranes, in The Cordilleran Orogen: Conterminous U.S., The Geology of North America, vol. G-3, edited by B. C. Burchfiel, P. W. Lipman and M. L. Zoback, pp. 583-607, Geol. Soc. Amer., Boulder, Colorado, 1992. [overview of state of the field c. 1990.]
• DeCelles. Late Jurassic to Eocene evolution of the Cordilleran thrust belt and foreland basin system, western USA. Am J Sci, 304 (2) pp. 105-168, 2004. [DeCelles overview of the whole of the orogen]
  • DeCelles, P. G., Late Cretaceous-Paleocene synorogenic sedimentation and kinematic history of the Sevier thrust belt, northeast Utah and southwest Wyoming, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 106, 32-56, 1994. [Geology that was interpreted in DeCelles and Mitra paper]
  • DeCelles and Coogan. Regional structure and kinematic history of the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt, central Utah. Geol Soc Am Bull, 118 (7-8) pp. 841-864, 2006 [details in area to the south of the previous work]
• Miall, A. D., Initiation of the Western Interior foreland basin. Geology, 37 (4) pp. 383-384, 2009. [Brief recent perspective on when the foredeep in front of fol-and-thrust belt initially developed]
• Critical wedge/Coulomb wedge theory:
  • Moores, E. M., and R. J. Twiss, Tectonics, pp. 174-178 (also Fig. 7.27), W. H. Freeman & Co., New York, 1995. [the Cliff Notes version]
  • Davis, D., J. Suppe, and F. A. Dahlen, Mechanics of fold-and-thrust belts and accretionary wedges: Cohesive Coulomb theory, Journal of Geophysical Research, 88, 1153-1172, 1983. [where this started]
  • Dahlen, F. A., and T. D. Barr, Brittle Frictional Mountain Building .1. Deformation and Mechanical Energy Budget, J. Geophys. Res., 94, 3906-3922, 1989. [This and the following two papers attempt to consider a number of implications for running a Coulomb wedge over time]
  • Barr, T. D., and F. A. Dahlen, Brittle frictional mountain building .2. Thermal structure and heat budget, J. Geophys. Res., 94, 3923-3947, 1989.
  • Barr, T. D., F. A. Dahlen, and D. C. McPhail, Brittle Frictional Mountain Building 3. Low-Grade Metamorphism, J. Geophys. Res., 96 (B6), 10,319-10,338, 1991.
  • Dahlen, F. A., Critical taper model of fold-and-thrust belts and accretionary wedges, Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Scis., 18, 55-99, 1990 [not free for CU; overview from one of the principal authors]
  • Chapple, W. M., Mechanics of thin-skinned fold-and-thrust belts, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull, 89 (8), 1189-1198; DOI: 10.1130/0016-7606(1978)89, 1978. [this actually broke a logjam in thinking about fold-and-thrust belts, but uses a plastic rheology]
    • Elliott, D., Mechanics of thin-skinned fold-and-thrust belts-Discussion, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 91, 185-187, 1980. [disputes mathematics of Chapple's solution; Elliott had previously written on this. Chapple was fatally ill by this time and did not respond]
    • Rod, E., Mechanics of thin-skinned fold-and-thrust belts-Discussion, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 91, 188, 1980. [a rather cheesy disputation of the paper]
  • Price, R. A., The mechanical paradox of large overthrusts, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 100 (12), 1898-1908, 1988. [argues that solution to thrust-sheet paradox is in episodic motion of parts of the fault]
    • Washington, P. A., The mechanical paradox of large overthrusts-Alternative interpretation, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 102 (4), 529-532, 1990. [defends critical wedge theory against Price's assertion it is oversimplified; Price's response follows and is that internal deformation of fold-and-thrust belt is beyond critical-wedge theory]
  • Stockmal, G.S., C. Beaumont, M. Nguyen, and B. Lee, Mechanics of thin-skinned fold-and-thrust belts: Insights from numerical models, Geological Society of America Special Papers, 433, 63 - 98, 2007. [Not free link. Physical solution within fold-and-thrust belt illustrating structures that Coulomb wedge can't quite address; notes that issue remains with very weak faults required to reproduce thrust belt geometries.]

Balancing sections (related to Sevier and Laramide topics)

• Suppe, J., Geometry and kinematics of fault-bend folding, Am J Sci, 283 (7) pp. 684-721, 1983. [A very influential approach to constructing cross sections that are balanced and generally retrodeformable; Suppe's approach led to a large number of reinterpretations of folds, including blind thrusts in places like California that began experiencing earthquakes on such structures starting with the Coalinga earthquake of 1983]
  • Medwedeff, D.A., and J. Suppe, Multibend fault-bend folding. Journal of Structural Geology, 19 (3-4) pp. 279-292, 1997 [more recent update illustrating some complex fold geometries possible with fault-bend fold structures]
• Erslev, E. A, Trishear fault-propagation folding, Geology, 19 (6) pp. 617-620, 1991. [Particularly developed and applicable to foreland structures in crystalline rock, it seems; an alternative to the fault-bend fold style advocated by Suppe]

Laramide orogeny: Timing

• Dickinson, W. R., Klute, M., Hayes, M., Janecke, S. U., Lundin, E., McKittrick, M., & Olivares, M. (1988). Paleogeographic and Paleotectonic Setting of Laramide Sedimentary Basins in the Central Rocky-Mountain Region. GSA Bulletin, 100, 1023-1039. [Influential overview of constraints from sedimentation]
  • Fan, M., Decelles, P. G., Gehrels, G. E., Dettman, D. L., Quade, J., & Peyton, S. L. (2011). Sedimentology, detrital zircon geochronology, and stable isotope geochemistry of the lower Eocene strata in the Wind River Basin, central Wyoming. Geological Society Of America Bulletin, 123(5-6), 979-996. doi:10.1130/B30235.1 [detailed look at one basin in particular]
• Cather, S. M. (2004). Laramide Orogeny in Central and Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. New Mexico Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ., 11, 203-248. [Includes structural arguments for some early Laramide activity in NW New Mexico]
• Tindall, S. E., Storm, L. P., Jenesky, T. A., & Simpson, E. L. (2010). Growth faults in the Kaiparowits Basin, Utah, pinpoint initial Laramide deformation in the western Colorado Plateau. Lithosphere, 2(4), 221-231. doi:10.1130/L79.1 [Very early Laramide style deformation in SW Colorado Plateau]
• Heller, P. L., Mathers, G., Dueker, K., & Foreman, B. (2013). Far-traveled latest Cretaceous-Paleocene conglomerates of the Southern Rocky Mountains, USA: Record of transient Laramide tectonism. Geological Society Of America Bulletin, 125(3-4), 490-498. doi:10.1130/B30699.1, 2013 [suggests some conglomerates associated with unconformities during Laramide reflect plateau subduction]

Laramide Orogeny: Structural style and displacement

• Brown, W. G., Deformational style of Laramide uplifts in the Wyoming foreland, in Interaction of the Rocky Mountain Foreland and the Cordilleran thrust belt, Geological Society of America Memoir, vol. 171, edited by C. J. Schmidt and W. J. Perry, Jr., pp. 1-25, Geol. Soc. Am., Boulder, Colo., 1988. [Reviews some of the older ideas for the geometry of Laramide faults]
• Smithson S.B., J. Brewer, S. Kaufman, J. Oliver, and C. Hurich, Nature of Wind River Thrust, Wyoming, from COCORP deep-reflection data and from gravity data, Geology, 6 (11) pp. 648-652, 1978. [Direct evidence that at leat one major range-bounding fault was a thrust; Greis (1983) paper also confirms low-angle thrusts from industry data for a number of other structures]
• Erslev, E. A., Thrusts, back-thrusts, and detachment of Rocky Mountain foreland arches, in Laramide Basement deformation in the Rocky Mountain Foreland of the Western United States, Geol. Soc. Am. Spec. Paper, vol. 280, edited by C. J. Schmidt, R. B. Chase and E. A. Erslev, pp. 339-358, Geol. Soc. Amer., Boulder, Colo., 1993. [stands back and looks at the whole of Laramide deformation to infer that shortening is relatively constant along NE-SW profiles across Wyoming]
  • Erslev, E. A.. Basement balancing of Rocky Mountain Foreland uplifts, Geology, 14 (3) pp. 259-262, 1986. [earlier paper discussing how to balance sections that include basement]
• Erslev, E. A. and N. V. Koenig. Three-dimensional kinematics of Laramide, basement-involved Rocky Mountain deformation, USA: Insights from minor faults and GIS-enhanced structure maps. Geol. Soc. Am. Memoir, 204 pp. 125-150, 2009. [compilation of fold and fault information for region to attempt to test ideas on influence of older structure and evolution of shortening direction with time]
  • Amrouch, K., Lacombe, O., Bellahsen, N., Daniel, J.-M., & Callot, J.-P. (2010). Stress and strain patterns, kinematics and deformation mechanisms in a basement-cored anticline: Sheep Mountain Anticline, Wyoming. Tectonics, 29(1), TC1005. doi:10.1029/2009TC002525
• Bird, P., 1998, Kinematic history of the Laramide orogeny in latitudes 35 degrees-49 degrees N, western United States, Tectonics, 17, (5), 780-801, doi:10.1029/98TC02698. [compiles displacement histories across most Laramide structures and integrates to get displacement rate fields during the Laramide]
  • Thacker, J. O., Karlstrom, K. E., Kelley, S. A., Crow, R. S., and Kendall, J. J., 2023, Late Cretaceous time-transgressive onset of Laramide arch exhumation and basin subsidence across northern Arizona-New Mexico, USA, and the role of a dehydrating Farallon flat slab: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 135, no. 1-2, p. 389-406, doi: 10.1130/B36245.1. [Seems to be finding a different temporal pattern in deformation]
• Parker, S. D., and Pearson, D. M., 2023, A kinematic model linking the Sevier and Laramide belts in the Idaho-Montana fold-thrust belt, US Cordillera: Geosphere, v. 19, no. 6, p. 1565-1588, doi: 10.1130/Ges02649.1. [looks to get shortening and connections from thin-skinned through thick-skinned area]
• Stress inversion methodology (additional refs on handout; also in more recent structural geology texts)
  • Angelier, J., Determination of the mean principal directions of stresses for a given fault population, Tectonophysics, 56, T17 - T26, 1979. (kind of the start of all this)
  • Angelier, J., Tectonic analysis of fault slip data sets: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 89, p. 5835-5848, 1984.(a more thorough discussion and demonstration of this approach)
    
  • Angelier, J., Inversion of field data in fault tectonics to obtain the regional stress: III. A new rapid direct inversion method by analytical means, Geophys. J. Int., 103 (2), pp. 363 - 376, 1990. (not free; one of the more recent restatements of this technique)
  • Krantz, Robert W., ORTHORHOMBIC FAULT PATTERNS: THE ODD AXIS MODEL AND SLIP VECTOR ORIENTATION, Tectonics, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 483-495, 1989. (effect of 3-D strain fields on fault geometries)
  • Pollard, D. D., S. D. Saltzer, and A. M. Rubin, Stress Inversion Methods - Are They Based on Faulty Assumptions?, J. Struct. Geol., 15, 1045-1054, 1993. [title says it all; mainly arguing the fault interactions can interfere with these approaches]
  • Sperner, B., and Zweigel, P., A plea for more caution in fault-slip analysis, Tectonophysics, 482 (1-4), 29-41, 2010
  • Lacombe, O., Do fault slip data inversions actually yield "paleostresses" that can be compared with contemporary stresses? A critical discussion. Comptes Rendus Geoscience, 344(3-4), 159-173. doi:10.1016/j.crte.2012.01.006, 2012.
• Minor fault analyses
  • Bump, A. P., and G. H. Davis. Late Cretaceous-early Tertiary Laramide deformation of the northern Colorado Plateau, Utah and Colorado. Journal of Structural Geology, 25, pp. 421-440, 2003 (argues for multiple shortening directions in Colorado Plateau)
  • Bump, A.P., Three-dimensional Laramide deformation of the Colorado Plateau: Competing stresses from the Sevier thrust belt and the flat Farallon slab. Tectonics, 23 (1) art. TC1008, 2004. (takes the two orthogonal shortening directions and argues they are synchronous and thus result of triaxial strain)
  • Varga, R. J., Rocky Mountain foreland uplifts: Products of a rotating stress field or strain partitioning?, Geology, 21, (12), 1115-1118, 1993. (finds principal shortening normal to uplift trends, but argues this is an effect of strain partitioning)

Late Cretaeous seaway: Sedimentology

This is not remotely comprehensive as this is a rich literature; these are some 2011 papers pointing out interesting aspects of the sedimentation.

• Lawton, T. F., & Bradford, B. A.,. Correlation and Provenance of Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Fluvial Strata, Utah, USA, from Zircon U-Pb Geochronology and Petrography. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 81(7-8), 495-512. doi:10.2110/jsr.2011.45, 2011.
• Aschoff, J., & Steel, R., Anomalous clastic wedge development during the Sevier-Laramide transition, North American Cordilleran foreland basin, USA. Geological Society Of America Bulletin, 123, 1822-1835. doi:10.1130/B30248.1, 2011.
• Fan, M., Decelles, P. G., Gehrels, G. E., Dettman, D. L., Quade, J., & Peyton, S. L. (2011). Sedimentology, detrital zircon geochronology, and stable isotope geochemistry of the lower Eocene strata in the Wind River Basin, central Wyoming. Geological Society Of America Bulletin, 123(5-6), 979-996. doi:10.1130/B30235.1, 2011
• Fielding, C. R.. Foreland basin structural growth recorded in the Turonian Ferron Sandstone of the Western Interior Seaway Basin, USA. Geology, 39 (12), 1107-1110. doi:10.1130/G32411.1, 2011.

Late Cretaceous subsidence: Dynamic topography

• Catuneanu O, A.R. Sweet, and A.D. Miall, Reciprocal stratigraphy of the Campanian-Paleocene Western Interior of North America. Sediment. Geol., 134 (3-4), pp. 235-255, 2000. [Tries to separate tectonic loads from sea level changes by comparing forebulge and foredeep sedimentation rates]
  • Catuneau, O., C. Beaumont, and P. Waschbusch, Interplay of static loads and subduction dynamics in foreland basins: Reciprocal stratigraphies and the ''missing'' peripheral bulge, Geology. 25 (12) pp. 1087-1090, 1997.[first intro to this idea, less detail]
    • Burgess, P. M., Interplay of static loads and subduction dynamics in foreland basins: Reciprocal stratigraphies and the "missing" peripheral bulge: Comment. Geology, 27 (1) pp. 93-94, 1999. (reply follows on pp. 94-5) [Complains that forebulges generally pretty small in overall picture, that dynamic effects easily identified without reciprocal stratigraphy, and that orogenic loads migrate and thus complicate picture. Reply notes misinterpretation of "static" load, defends physics as applied and notes that it is not absolute amplitudes of features but their change in time that matters]
• Mitrovica J.X., C. Beaumont, and G. T. Jarvis, Tilting of continental interiors by the dynamical effects of subduction, Tectonics, 8 (5) pp. 1079-1094, 1989. [kind of the start of the dynamic topography thread in the western U.S.]
• Liu, S., and D. Nummedal, Late Cretaceous subsidence in Wyoming: Quantifying the dynamic component. Geology, 32 (5) pp. 397, 2004 [detailed look at sedimentation in southern Wyoming and how much seems unrelated to flexural subsidence]
  • Liu, S., Nummedal, D., & Liu, L., Migration of dynamic subsidence across the Late Cretaceous United States Western Interior Basin in response to Farallon plate subduction. Geology, 39(6), 555-558. doi:10.1130/G31692.1, 2011. [Does Nummedal rename colleagues Liu? Similar in working with backstripped strata, argues there is a dynamic component from 98-74 Ma moving west to east with Farallon slab]
• Painter, C. S., & Carrapa, B., Flexural versus dynamic processes of subsidence in the North American Cordillera foreland basin. Geophysical Research Letters, 4249-4253. doi:10.1002/grl.50831, 2013 [Suggests that the dynamic component in Liu & Nummedal is instead impingement of the load on stiffer part of North America]
• Burgess P.M., M. Gurnis, and L. Moresi, Formation of sequences in the cratonic interior of North America by interaction between mantle, eustatic, and stratigraphic processes. Geol Soc America Bull, 109 (12) pp. 1515-1535, 1997. [Application of numerical models assuming fixed slab geometries to sedimentary history of North America]
• Gurnis, M., Phanerozoic marine inundation of continents driven by dynamic topography above subducting slabs, Nature, 364, pp. 589-593, 1993. [global scale advances and retreats of sea level by variations in subduction and not ridge/spreading parameters]
• Tovish, A., G. Schubert, and B.P. Luyendyk, Mantle flow pressure and the angle of subduction - non-Newtonian corner flows J. Geophys. Res., 83 (NB12) pp. 5892-5898, 1978. [similar to the calculations also seen in Turcotte and Schubert, but adds non-Newtonian rheology; argues there is a range where slab dips are unstable]

Franciscan Complex

(Currently just a stub of a few references)

• Wakabayashi, J., 2015, Anatomy of a subduction complex: architecture of the Franciscan Complex, California, at multiple length and time scales: International Geology Review, v. 57, no. 5-8, p. 669-746, doi: 10.1080/00206814.2014.998728. [pretty substantial review paper on the geology of the Franciscan]
• Schmidt, W. L., and Platt, J. P., 2020, Metamorphic Temperatures and Pressures across the Eastern Franciscan: Implications for Underplating and Exhumation: Lithosphere, v. 2020, no. 1, 8853351, doi: 10.2113/2020/8853351. [Argue from detailed mapping and P-T work that Franciscan seems to be episodic additions of relatively coherent material]
• Wakabayashi, J., 2021, Subduction and exhumation slip accommodation at depths of 10–80 km inferred from field geology of exhumed rocks: Evidence for temporal-spatial localization of slip, in Wakabayashi, J., and Dilek, Y., eds., Plate Tectonics, Ophiolites, and Societal Significance of Geology: A Celebration of the Career of Eldridge Moores: GSA Special Paper: v. 552: Boulder, Colorado, Geol. Soc. Amer., p. 257-296, doi: 10.1130/2021.2552(12).
• Wakabayashi, J., 2022, Along-Strike Variation in Accretion, Non-accretion, and Subduction Erosion Recorded in Rocks of the Jurassic-Neogene Convergent Plate Margin of California: Frontiers in Earth Science, v. 10, 818171, doi: 10.3389/feart.2022.818171. [Basically, while accretion episodic, subdcution continuous]

Pelona/Orocopia/Rand schists

[As with many topics, there is a lot more literature on this out there...]

• Chapman, A. D., 2017, The Pelona-Orocopia-Rand and related schists of southern California: a review of the best-known archive of shallow subduction on the planet: International Geology Review, v. 59, no. 5-6, p. 664-701, doi: 10.1080/00206814.2016.1230836. [Relatively recent overview of the POR schists]
• Saleeby, J. B.,Segmentation of the Laramide Slab - evidence from the southern Sierra Nevada region. Geol Soc America Bull, 115 (6) pp. 655-668, 2003. [Structural geology at the north end of the schist belt; considers emplacement to be as slab steepens and under extensional tectonism at surface]
• Jacobson, C. E., Grove, M., Pedrick, J. N., Barth, A. P., Marsaglia, K. M., Gehrels, G. E., & Nourse, J. A., Late Cretaceous-early Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the southern California margin inferred from provenance of trench and forearc sediments. GSA Bulletin, 123(3-4), 485-506. doi:10.1130/B30238.1, 2011.[2011 update on constrained dating of schist emplacement and ties to original sediments]
  • Grove, M., C. E. Jacobson, A. P. Barth and A. Vucic, Temporal and spatial trends of Late Cretaceous-early Tertiary underplating Pelona and related schist beneath southern California and southwestern Arizona. Geological Society of America Special Paper, 374 pp. 381-406, 2003. [Presents detrital zircon and geochronological constraints on emplacement ages of schists; interprets variation as long-lived underplating progressively expanding inland]
• Jacobson CE, Barth AP, Grove M, Late Cretaceous protolith age and provenance of the Pelona and Orocopia Schists, southern California: Implications for evolution of the Cordilleran margin. Geology, 28 (3) pp. 219-222, 2000. [Earlier dating with detrital zircons focused on southern schists, noting that north-to-south decrease in ages not consistent with Baja-B.C. cause for schists]
• Kidder, S., and M. N. Ducea. High temperatures and inverted metamorphism in the schist of Sierra de Salinas, California. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 241 (3-4) pp. 422-437, 2006. [Dates emplacement somewhat younger than Grove et al., argues that metamorphic gradient has to be conduction from overriding plate and not shear heating]
  • Ducea M.N., S. Kidder, J. Chesley, J. Saleeby, Tectonic underplating of trench sediments beneath magmatic arcs: the central California example. Int Geol Rev, 51 (1) pp. 1-26, 2009. [more recent paper focusing on relation of underthrusting and cessation of magmatism in Salinian region]
• Jacobson, C. E., Hourigan, J. K., Haxel, G. B., and Grove, M., 2017, Extreme latest Cretaceous–Paleogene low-angle subduction: Zircon ages from Orocopia Schist at Cemetery Ridge, southwestern Arizona, USA: Geology, v. 45, no. 10, p. 951-954, doi: 10.1130/G39278.1. [Describes meta-peridotite inferred to be from upper plate; carries underplating of sediments farther inboard]
  • Haxel, G. B., Epstein, G. S., Jacobson, C. E., Wittke, J. H., Standlee, K. G., and Mulligan, S. R., 2022, Mantle peridotite and associated metasomatic rocks in the Orocopia Schist subduction channel (latest Cretaceous) at Cemetery Ridge, southwest Arizona: Geologic map, petrology, and structural setting. Arizona Geological Survey Contributed Report CR-22-A, 85 p., map scale 1:2000.. [Massive datadump including some guide material]
• Seymour, N. M., Strickland, E. D., Singleton, J. S., Stockli, D. F., and Wong, M. S., 2018, Laramide subduction and metamorphism of the Orocopia Schist, northern Plomosa Mountains, west-central Arizona: Insights from zircon U-Pb geochronology: Geology, v. 46, no. 10, p. 847-850, doi: 10.1130/G45059.1. [In addition to expanding the region with Orocopia Schist, the timing estimates here suggest some of the previous ages on other POR schists likely too young due to mmic overgrowth of zircon]
  • Strickland, E. D., Singleton, J. S., and Haxel, G. B., 2018, Orocopia Schist in the northern Plomosa Mountains, west-central Arizona: A Laramide subduction complex exhumed in a Miocene metamorphic core complex: Lithosphere, v. 10, no. 6, p. 723-742, doi: 10.1130/L742.1. [Kind of companion paper with much of the detailed geology of the area]
• Chapman, J. B., 2021, Diapiric relamination of the Orocopia Schist (southwestern US) during low-angle subduction: Geology, v. 49, no. 8, p. 983-987, doi: 10.1130/G48647.1. [Recognizing that the Cemetery Ridge and Plomosa Mtns outcrops of Orocopia Schist present problems for simple underplating, propose kind of relamination by a diapir of sedimentary rock]
• Chapman, A., Kidder, S., & Saleeby, J. B.. Role of extrusion of the Rand and Sierra de Salinas schists in Late Cretaceous extension and rotation of the southern Sierra Nevada and vicinity. Tectonics, TC5006, doi:10.1029/2009TC002597, 2010. [Develops model for emplacement at shallower crustal levels of these schists]
• Cloos, M., & Shreve, R. L. Subduction-channel model of prism accretion, melange formation, sediment subduction, and subduction erosion at convergent plate margins:1. Background and description. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 128(3-4), 455-500, 1988.[One model for bringing high pressure rocks back up; this is probably more relevant for blueschist blocks within the Franciscan complex]
• Ring, U., & Brandon, M. T.,. Exhumation Settings, Part I: Relatively Simple Cases. International Geology Review, 50(2), 97-120. doi:10.2747/0020-6814.50.2.97, 2008. [Broad overview of how deeply buried rocks can be brought up]
  • Ring, U., & Brandon, M. T. Kinematic data for the Coast Range fault and implications for exhumation of the Franciscan subduction complex. Geology, 22(8), 735-738, 1994. [Suggests out-of-sequence thrusts can attenuate section and thus bring high-grade Coast Range rocks to surface]
• Platt, J. P., and Schmidt, W. L., 2024, Is the Inverted Field Gradient in the Catalina Schist Terrane Primary or Constructional?: Tectonics, v. 43, no. 2, e2023TC008021, doi: 10.1029/2023TC008021. [Catalina Schist kind of an oddity, but this work finds the inverted metamorphic gradient is in fact not primary but was constructed as subdcution zone cooled down...does this have implications for POR schists?]

Laramide models

• Tikoff, B., Housen, B. A., Maxson, J. A., Nelson, E. M., Trevino, S., and Shipley, T. F., 2023, Hit-and-run model for Cretaceous–Paleogene tectonism along the western margin of Laurentia, in Whitmeyer, S. J., Williams, M. L., Kellett, D. A., and Tikoff, B., eds., Laurentia: Turning Points in the Evolution of a Continent: Geol. Soc. Am. Memoir: v. 220: Boulder, Colo., Geological Society of America, p. 659-705, doi: 10.1130/2022.1220(32). [The updated version, largely posits the paleomag as being OK and works outward from there]
  • Maxson, J., and B. Tikoff, Hit-and-run collision model for the Laramide orogeny, western United States, Geology, 24, (11), 968-972, 1996. [Baja-B.C. drives Laramide, the original]
• Livaccari, R. F., Role of crustal thickening and extensional collapse in the tectonic evolution of the Sevier-Laramide Orogeny, Western United States, Geology, 19, (11), 1104-1107, 1991. [Extension in Sevier hinterland drives Laramide shortening]
• Bird, P., Formation of the Rocky Mountains, Western United States; a continuum computer model, Science, 239, (4847), 1501-1507, 1988. [quantitative apex of flat slab models for the Laramide]
  • Bird, P., Laramide crustal thickening event in the Rocky Mountain foreland and Great Plains. Tectonics, 3 (7) pp. 741-75, 1984. [this longer paper does a better job providing insight into the basic physics Bird uses in the 1988 paper, as well as summarizing the literature to this point]
  • Saleeby, J. B.,Segmentation of the Laramide Slab - evidence from the southern Sierra Nevada region. Geol Soc America Bull, 115 (6) pp. 655-668, 2003. [suggests a more limited Laramide flat slab than Bird and most earlier workers had; also notes more difficulties in removing lithosphere than Livaccari and Parry (1993)]
• Livaccari, R. F., and F. V. Perry, Isotopic evidence for preservation of Cordilleran lithospheric mantle during the Sevier-Laramide Orogeny, Western United States, Geology, 21, (8), 719-722, 1993. [tests Bird model of massive removal of lithosphere]
  • Bird, P., Isotopic evidence for preservation of Cordilleran lithospheric mantle during the Sevier-Laramide Orogeny, Western United States: Comment, Geology, 22, (7), 670-671, 1994. [argues removed lithosphere could have flowed back in by laminar flow]
  • Perry, F. V., and R. F. Livaccari, Isotopic evidence for preservation of Cordilleran lithospheric mantle during the Sevier-Laramide Orogeny, Western United States: Reply, Geology, 22, (7), 671-672, 1994.[Responds that lithosphere present before slab rollback]
• Bird, P., Kinematic history of the Laramide orogeny in latitudes 35 degrees-49 degrees N, western United States, Tectonics, 17, (5), 780-801, 1998. [tests shortening directions predicted by different models]
• English, J. M., and S.T. Johnston. The Laramide orogeny: What were the driving forces? Int Geol Rev, 46 (9) pp. 833-838, 2004. [Concludes we don't know what caused the Laramide deformation. A companion paper of sorts in EPSL in 2003 concluded that magmatic gap was consistent with a flat slab in region where magmatism is absent]
• Humphreys, E.D., Relation of flat subduction to magmatism and deformation in the western United States. Geological Society of America Memoirs, 204 pp. 85-98, 2009. [A recent overview, rather sketchy on details, of cause of Laramide; really more interested in consequences of slab removal]
• Liu, L., Gurnis, M., Seton, M., Saleeby, J. B., Mueller, R. D., & Jackson, J. M., The role of oceanic plateau subduction in the Laramide orogeny. Nature Geoscience, 3(5), 353-357. doi:10.1038/NGEO829, 2010. [Propose that Shatsky conjugate plateau drove Laramide topographic changes based on plate reconstruction preceding 80 Ma and inverse modeling of modern seismic anomalies]
  • Schwartz, J. J., Lackey, J. S., Miranda, E. A., Klepeis, K. A., Mora-Klepeis, G., Robles, F., and Bixler, J. D., 2023, Magmatic surge requires two-stage model for the Laramide orogeny: Nature Communications, v. 14, no. 1, 3841, doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-39473-7. [Arcs present in Mojave c. 75 Ma preclude oceanic plateau subduction as usually posited]
• Jones, C. H., Farmer, G. L., Sageman, B., & Zhong, S. Hydrodynamic mechanism for the Laramide orogeny. Geosphere, 7(1), 183-201. doi:10.1130/GES00575.1, 2011. [Alternative to flat slab positing that interactions of slab and Wyoming craton generated forces capable of starting Laramide orogeny]
  • Thacker, J. O., Karlstrom, K. E., Kelley, S. A., Crow, R. S., and Kendall, J. J., 2023, Late Cretaceous time-transgressive onset of Laramide arch exhumation and basin subsidence across northern Arizona-New Mexico, USA, and the role of a dehydrating Farallon flat slab: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 135, no. 1-2, p. 389-406, doi: 10.1130/B36245.1. [Argues that there is indeed a time-transgression to deformation in Colorado Plateau, which they tie to presence of flat slab]

Laramide analogy papers (esp. the flat slab and geology of the Sierra Pampeanas):

• Jordan, T. E., and R. W. Allmendinger, The Sierras Pampeanas of Argentina: A modern analogue of Rocky Mountain foreland deformation, American Journal of Science, 286, (10), 737-764, 1986. [not the first but probably most complete comparison]
• Cahill, T. A., and B. L. Isacks, Seismicity and shape of the subducted Nazca Plate, Journal of Geophysical Research, 97, (12), 17,503-17,529, 1992. [one of several showing the geometry of subduction as illuminated by seismicity]
• O'Driscoll, L. J., Richards, M. A., & Humphreys, E. D., Nazca-South America interactions and the late Eocene-late Oligocene flat-slab episode in the central Andes. Tectonics, 31(2). doi:10.1029/2011TC003036, 2012. [Suggests mountain building of Puna & Altplano tied to interactions of subducting plate with cratons of South America]

Dynamics of flat slabs

• van Hunen J, A. P. van den Berg,and N. J. Vlaar, Various mechanisms to induce present-day shallow flat subduction and implications for the younger Earth: a numerical parameter study. Physics of The Earth and Planetary Interiors, 146 (1-2) pp. 179-194, 2004.[provides an overview of physical mechanisms for shallowing subduction as well as range of parameters when such shallowing is likely]
• Espurt N, F. Funiciello, J. Martinod, B. Guillaume, V. Regard, C. Faccenna, and S. Brusset, Flat subduction dynamics and deformation of the South American plate: Insights from analog modeling. Tectonics, 27 (3), art. TC3011, doi:10.1029/2007TC002175, 2008. [most notably, shows impact of buoyant plateau on subduction geometry as well as the topography in the overriding plate]
• Skinner, S. M., & Clayton, R. W., The lack of correlation between flat slabs and bathymetric impactors in South America. Earth And Planetary Science Letters, 371-372(C), 1-5. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2013.04.013, 2013. [Suggests flat slabs are not typically the result of subducting buoyant oceanic features]

Hinterland extension and geobarometry

• Winter, John D., 27.4 Geothermobarometry, in An Introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, pp. 543-559, 2001. [this explains how geobarometry works and what assumptions it needs; a second edition in 2010 has updated material]
• Bauville, A., and Yamato, P., 2021, Pressure-to-Depth Conversion Models for Metamorphic Rocks: Derivation and Applications: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 22, p. 1–24, doi: 10.1029/2020GC009280. [Basically argues that most isothermal decompression is an artifact of changes in horizontal stresses, which supports idea that "overpressure" is an important issue in interpreting geobarometry; presents a "two-point" method for determining if this is the case]
  • Yamato, P., and Brun, J.P., 2017, Metamorphic record of catastrophic pressure drops in subduction zones: Nature Geoscience, v. 10, p. 46–50, doi: 10.1038/ngeo2852. [Suggest change in stress regime in subduction zones will produce apparent uplift by reducing horizontal stresses]
• Blackford, N. R., Long, S. P., Stout, A., Rodgers, D. W., Cooper, C. M., Kramer, K., Di Fiori, R. V., and Soignard, E., 2022, Late Cretaceous upper-crustal thermal structure of the Sevier hinterland: Implications for the geodynamics of the Nevadaplano: Geosphere, v. 18, no. 1, p. 183-210, doi: 10.1130/Ges02386.1. [Argues that thermal gradients observed are incompatable with very deep burial of rocks showing high pressures, so argues these are demonstrating that petrologic pressures are not lithostatic]
• Zuza, A.V., Thorman, C.H., Henry, C.D., Levy, D.A., Dee, S., Long, S.P., Sandberg, C.A., and Soignard, E., 2020, Pulsed Mesozoic Deformation in the Cordilleran Hinterland and Evolution of the Nevadaplano: Insights from the Pequop Mountains, NE Nevada: Lithosphere, v. 2020, p. 1–24, doi: 10.2113/2020/8850336 [Argues that structural reconstructions do not allow a lot of Cretaceous thickening or later decompression, supporting idea that overpressures are affecting geobarometry].
• Reuber, G., Kaus, B.J.P., Schmalholz, S.M., and White, R.W., 2016, Nonlithostatic pressure during subduction and collision and the formation of (ultra)high-pressure rocks: Geology, v. 44, p. 343–346, doi: 10.1130/G37595.1. [Although addressing subduction zones, argues can get overpressure by rheological means]
• Wernicke, B. P., and S. R. Getty, Intracrustal subduction and gravity currents in the deep crust; Sm-Nd, Ar-Ar, and thermobarometric constraints from the Skagit gneiss complex, Washington, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 109, 1149-1166, 1997. [Unusual means of decompressing lower crustal rocks]
• Hodges, K. V. and Walker, J. D., Extension in the Cretaceous Sevier orogen, North American Cordillera. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 104, pp. 560-569, 1992. [Argues there was a lot of decompression of lower crust in Cretaceous]
  • Hodges, K. V., A. W. Snoke, and H. A. Hurlow, Thermal evolution of a portion of the Sevier Hinterland; the northern Ruby Mountains-East Humboldt Range and Wood Hills, northeastern Nevada, Tectonics, 11, 154-164, 1992.
  • Harris, CR, T. D. Hoisch, and M. Wells, Construction of a composite pressure-temperature path: revealing the synorogenic burial and exhumation history of the Sevier hinterland, USA. J Metamorph Geol, 25 (8) pp. 915-934, 2007 [zoned garnet P-T work from NE Nevada]
• Druschke, P, A.D. Hanson, M.L. Wells, T. Rasbury, D. F. Stockli, and G. E. Gehrels, Synconvergent surface-breaking normal faults of Late Cretaceous age within the Sevier hinterland, east-central Nevada, Geology, 37 (5) pp. 447-450, 2009 [Argument for surface-breaking normal faulting as Sevier/Laramide shortening ongoing]
  • Druschke, P., Hanson, A. D., Wells, M. L., Gehrels, G. E., & Stockli, D.. Paleogeographic isolation of the Cretaceous to Eocene Sevier hinterland, east-central Nevada: Insights from U-Pb and (U-Th)/He detrital zircon ages of hinterland strata. GSA Bulletin, 123(5-6), 1141-1160. doi:10.1130/B30029.1, 2011. [tends to support an altiplano-ish environment with locally derived sediments and nothing from elsewhere in the Cordillera]
  • Druschke, P, A.D. Hanson, and M.L. Wells, Structural, stratigraphic, and geochronologic evidence for extension predating Palaeogene volcanism in the Sevier hinterland, east-central Nevada. Int Geol Rev, 51 (7-8) pp. 743-775, 2009 [longer and more purely geologic discussion with same conclusion as Geology paper]
• Martin, A, S. Wyld, J. Wright and J. Bradford, The Lower Cretaceous King Lear Formation, northwest Nevada: Implications for Mesozoic orogenesis in the western U.S. Cordillera. Geol Soc Am Bull, 122 (3-4) pp. 537-562, 2010. [argues that these nonmarine sediments post date all contraction and postdate significant Mesozoic extension in this area]
• Wells, M. L., Hoisch, T. D., Cruz-Uribe, A. M., & Vervoort, J. D. Geodynamics of synconvergent extension and tectonic mode switching: Constraints from the Sevier-Laramide orogen. Tectonics, 31(1). doi:10.1029/2011TC002913, 2012. [focus on repeated episodes of high and low pressure events in rocks]
  • Miller, E. L., Konstantinou, A., & Strickland, A. (2012). Comment on "Geodynamics of synconvergent extension and tectonic mode switching: Constraints from the Sevier-Laramide orogen" by Michael L. Wells et al. Tectonics, 31(4), TC4015. doi:10.1029/2012TC003103, 2012. [Mainly argues there is no igneous activity when deblobbing occurred]
  • Wells, M. L., & Hoisch, T. D.. Reply to comment by E. L. Miller et al. on "Geodynamics of synconvergent extension and tectonic mode switching: Constraints from the Sevier-Laramide orogen." Tectonics, 31(4), TC4016. doi:10.1029/2012TC003136, 2012. [admits an absence of known igneous rocks but argues there are possibilities and volume need not be great]
  • Wells, M. L., and T. D. Hoisch. The role of mantle delamination in widespread Late Cretaceous extension and magmatism in the Cordilleran orogen, western United States. Geol Soc Am Bull, 120 (5-6) pp. 515-530, 2008. [overview of extensional interpretations along with a different interpretation--expands earlier inferences from the Mojave across the Sevier hinterland]
  • Wells, M. L., Alternating contraction and extension in the hinterlands of orogenic belts: An example from the Raft River Mountains, Utah. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 109, pp. 107-126, 1997. [structural geologic interpretation of multiple deformation events in one area thought to have extended in Sevier time]
  • Wells, M. L., T. L. Spell, T. D. Hoisch, T. Arriola, and K. A. Zanetti, Laser-probe ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of strain fringes: Mid-Cretaceous synconvergent orogen-parallel extension in the interior of the Sevier orogen, Tectonics, 27, TC3012, doi:10.1029/2007TC002153, 2008 [date syndeformational micas with Ar-Ar to conclude that extension parallel to trend of orogen occurred in 110-100 Ma range]
• Sullivan, W.A. and A. W. Snoke. Comparative anatomy of core-complex development in the northeastern Great Basin, U.S.A., Rocky Mountain Geology,42 (1) pp. 1-29, 2007. [Considers full history of core complexes but also summarizes somewhat different view of the Mesozoic extensional history]
• Long, S. P., Magnitudes and spatial patterns of erosional exhumation in the Sevier hinterland, eastern Nevada and western Utah, USA: Insights from a Paleogene paleogeologic map. Geosphere, 8(4), 881–901. doi:10.1130/GES00783.1, 2012.[uses estimates of removal of material after Mesozoic thrusting and prior to Paleogene cover to infer an area of relatively low relief and incision in the center of the hinterland]
• Nevadaplano/crustal thickness
  • Chapman, J. B., Ducea, M. N., DeCelles, P. G., and Profeta, L., 2015, Tracking changes in crustal thickness during orogenic evolution with Sr/Y: An example from the North American Cordillera: Geology, v. 43, no. 10, p. 919-922, doi: 10.1130/G36996.1. [Uses Sr/Y proxy to find Sevier hinterland thickened quite a bit]

Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic igneous activity:

• DeCelles, P. G., Ducea, M. N., Kapp, P., & Zandt, G.. Cyclicity in Cordilleran orogenic systems. Nature Geoscience, 2(4), 251–257. doi:10.1038/ngeo469, 2009 [further development of Ducea's arguments that sediment underthrusting is critical to arc development]
  • Ducea, M., The California arc: Thick granitic batholiths, eclogitic residues, lithospheric-scale thrusting, and magmatic flare-ups, GSA Today, 11, 4-10, 2001. [argues that pulses of high-volume magmatic activity come as sediments thrust under arcs]
  • Ducea, M. N., and M. Barton. Igniting flare-up events in Cordilleran arcs. Geol, 35 (11) pp. 1047-1050, 2007 [the reviewed version of this idea, with somewhat greater detail]
• Cao, W., Paterson, S., Saleeby, J., and Zalunardo, S., 2016, Bulk arc strain, crustal thickening, magma emplacement, and mass balances in the Mesozoic Sierra Nevada arc: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 84, no. C, p. 14-30, doi: 10.1016/j.jsg.2015.11.002. [Argues that Sierra arc got very thick both by horizontal shortening and by iigneous additions]
  • Cao, W., and Paterson, S., 2016, A mass balance and isostasy model: Exploring the interplay between magmatism, deformation and surface erosion in continental arcs using central Sierra Nevada as a case study: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 17, no. 6, p. 2194-2212, doi: 10.1002/2015GC006229. [more general interpretion largely based on material in above paper]
• Cao, W., Kaus, B. J. P., and Paterson, S., 2016, Intrusion of granitic magma into the continental crust facilitated by magma pulsing and dike-diapir interactions: Numerical simulations: Tectonics, v. 35, no. 6, p. 1575-1594, doi: 10.1002/2015TC004076. [Numerical models of how magmas can intrude]
• Glazner, A. F., Plutonism, oblique subduction, and continental growth: An example from the Mesozoic of California, Geology, 19, p. 784-786, 1991. [Suggest plutonism only when space made by tectonics in the arc; at other times, just volcanism--contrast with Cao et al]
  • Ingersoll, R. V., Comment on Plutonism, oblique subduction, and continental growth: An example from the Mesozoic of California, Geology, 20 (3), 280-1, 1992. Reply follows, pp. 281-2.
• Armstrong, R. L. and P. L. Ward, Late Triassic to earliest Eocene magmatism in the North American Cordillera: Implications for the western interior basin, in Evolution of the Western Interior Basin (W.G.E. Caldwell and E. G. Kaufmann, eds.), Geol. Assoc. Canada Spec. Paper, 39 pp. 49-72, 1993 [Link to Ward website; Major compilation of radiometric ages to early 1990s from Mesozoic and early Cenozoic through whole Cordillera]
  • Ward, P. L., Subduction cycles under western North America during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras: Geol. Soc. Special Paper, 299, p. 1-45, 1995 [relates major plutonic episodes to times between substantial contractional episodes]
  • Tobisch, O.T , J. B. Saleeby, and R. S. Fiske, Structural history of continental volcanic arc rocks, eastern Sierra Nevada, California - A case for extensional tectonics. Tectonics, 5 (1) pp. 65-94, 1986. [infers many batholithic structures previously interpreted as compressional as extensional, cited by Ward but retracted in later work by these authors]
  • Tobisch O.T., R. S. Fiske, J. B. Saleeby, E. Holt, S. S. Sorensen, Steep tilting of metavolcanic rocks by multiple mechanisms, central Sierra Nevada, California. Geol Soc Am Bull,112 (7) pp. 1043-1058, 2000. [explicitly notes that Tobisch et al. 1986, not supported]
  • Sharp, et al. Development of Cretaceous transpressional cleavage synchronous with batholith emplacement, central Sierra Nevada, California Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 112(7), 2000. [overlapping authors, seems with another paper in same issue to retract extensional interpretation of Tobisch et al. 1986]
• DeGraaff-Surpless, K, S. A. Graham, J. L. Wooden, and M. O. McWilliams, Detrital zircon provenance analysis of the Great Valley Group, California: Evolution of an arc-forearc system. Geol Soc Am Bull, 114 (12) pp. 1564-1580, 2002. (Erratum published in 2003)[Contains a lot of detrital zircons from the arc that indicate significant volcanism at times without much plutonism]
• Barth, A. P., Wooden, J. L., Jacobson, C. E., & Economos, R. C., Detrital zircon as a proxy for tracking the magmatic arc system: The California arc example. Geology, 41(2), 223–226. doi:10.1130/G33619.1, 2013. [Builds on other studies to argue for 5 phases of activity in arc]
• Ernst, W, U. Martens, and V. Valencia, U-Pb ages of detrital zircons in Pacheco Pass metagraywackes: Sierran-Klamath source of mid-Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous Franciscan deposition and underplating. Tectonics, 28 (6) paper TC6011, 2009. [detrital zircons both connecting Franciscan accretionary rocks to North America and indicating major volcanic pulses when Sierran plutonism was minor]
• Control of arc position:
  • England, P. C., Engdahl, E., & Thatcher, W., Systematic variation in the depths of slabs beneath arc volcanoes. Geophysical Journal International, 156(2), 377–408. doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2003.02132.x, 2004 [compilation of arc front position against slab depth; looks at variations to try and control mechanism]
    • England, P. C., & Katz, R. F., Melting above the anhydrous solidus controls the location of volcanic arcs. Nature, 467(7316), 700–703. doi:10.1038/nature09417, 2010 [expands on earlier paper to argue that arc is at position of trenchmost position of anhydrous solidus]
  • Syracuse, E. M. & Abers, G. A. Global compilation of variations in slab depth beneath arc volcanoes and implications. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 7, Q05017, doi:10.1029/2005GC001045, 2006. [A more seismological perspective incorporating differences between seismicity and slab top--Benioff zone will descend into the slab--and considering
  • Grove, T. L., Till, C. B., Lev, E., Chatterjee, N., & Mιdard, E.,. Kinematic variables and water transport control the formation and location of arc volcanoes. Nature, 459(7247), 694–697. doi:10.1038/nature08044, 2009 [A different take on this from a petrologic perspective; infer arc postion a function of chlorite breakdown in slab and maximum temperature in mantle wedge]
    • England, P. C., & Katz, R. F., Global systematics of arc volcano position. Nature, 468(7325), E6–E7. doi:10.1038/nature09154, 2010. [A comment on Grove et al. where they attack both the presentation of correlations and the numerical models; reply (p. E7-8) follows and defends original work]
• Moho depth
  • Luffi, P., and Ducea, M. N., 2022, Chemical Mohometry: Assessing Crustal Thickness of Ancient Orogens Using Geochemical and Isotopic Data: Reviews of Geophysics, v. 60, no. 2, e2021RG000753, doi: 10.1029/2021RG000753. [reviews proxies such as Y/Sr and La/Yb for estimating Moho depth, advocates combining multiple proxies]
    • Profeta, L., Ducea, M. N., Chapman, J. B., Paterson, S. R., Gonzales, S. M. H., Kirsch, M., Petrescu, L., and DeCelles, P. G., 2015, Quantifying crustal thickness over time in magmatic arcs: Scientific Reports, v. 5, 17786, doi: 10.1038/srep17786. [Mostly the Sr/Y and La/Yb proxies, applies to much of the Cordilleran arc]
    • Chapman, J. B., Ducea, M. N., DeCelles, P. G., and Profeta, L., 2015, Tracking changes in crustal thickness during orogenic evolution with Sr/Y: An example from the North American Cordillera: Geology, v. 43, no. 10, p. 919-922, doi: 10.1130/G36996.1. [Provides basis for Sr/Y proxy, applies to Sevier hinterland]
• Laramide:
  • Mutschler, F. E., E. E. Larson, and R. M. Bruce, Laramide and younger magmatism in Colorado; new petrologic and tectonic variations on old themes, in Cenozoic volcanism in the Southern Rocky Mountains updated; a tribute to Rudy C. Epis; Part 1., Colorado School of Mines Quarterly, vol. 82; 4, edited by W. Drexler John and E. Larson Edwin, pp. 1-47, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, United States, 1987. [argues for mantle source in part for Colorado Mineral Belt, notes failure of arc explanation]
  • Stein, H. J., and J. G. Crock, Late Cretaceous-Tertiary magmatism in the Colorado Mineral Belt; Rare earth element and samarium-neodymium isotopic studies, in The nature and origin of Cordilleran magmatism,Geol. Soc. Am. Memoir, vol. 174, edited by J. L. Anderson, pp. 195-223, Geol. Soc. Am., Boulder, Colorado, 1990.

Core complexes:

Core complexes in the western U.S. were a subject of intense interest in the late 1970s (when their extensional origin became apparent) to the early 1990s; the literature is far too broad to fully embrace here. In particular, there are a large number of field geologic studies that describe the history of various core complexes. This list is more focused on the potential processes that could produce such features.

• Brace, W. F., and D. L. Kohlstedt, Limits on lithospheric stress imposed by laboratory experiments, J. Geophys. Res., 85, 6248-6252, 1980. [Seminal paper on changes in stress-strain relations in the lithosphere and what probably dictates them; essential to understanding many theories on core complexes]
  • Jackson, J., Strength of the continental lithosphere: Time to abandon the jelly sandwich?: GSA Today, v. 12, no. 9, doi: 10.1130/1052-5173(2002)012<0004:SOTCLT>2.0.CO;2, p. 4-10, 2002. [the "jelly sandwich" is the weak lower crust suggested by Brace and Kohlsetdt]
• Davis, G. H., and P. J. Coney. Geologic development of the Coridilleran metamorphic core complexes, Geology, 7 (3) pp. 120-124, 1979 [one of the first papers to outline core complexes as major Cenozoic extensional structures]
  • DeWitt, E., Comment on " Geologic development of the Coridilleran metamorphic core complexes", Geology, 8(1), pp. 6-7, 1980. (Reply follows on p. 8) [Argues a lot of core complexes are Mesozoic, and illustrates to some degree the challenge that emerged in understanding these things]
• Crittenden, M. D., Jr., P. J. Coney, and G. H. Davis, editors, Cordilleran Metamorphic Core Complexes, Geol. Soc. Am. Memoir, 153, 490 pp., 1980. [Contains much of the early literature that defined core complexes as we understand them today]
• Coney, P. J., and T. A. Harms, Cordilleran metamorphic core complexes - Cenozoic extensional relics of Mesozoic compression. Geology, 12 (9) pp. 550-554, 1984. [generally cited for suggesting that core complexes were result of crustal welt in hinterland of Mesozoic contractional belts]
• Platt, J. P., Behr, W. M., & Cooper, F. J. (2015). Metamorphic core complexes: windows into the mechanics and rheology of the crust. Journal of the Geological Society, 172(1), 9–27. doi: 10.1144/jgs2014-036 [relatively recent overview of core complexes globally]
• Gans, P. B., An open system, 2-layer crustal stretching model for the eastern Great Basin, Tectonics, 6, 1-12, 1987. [clearly outlined the problem of high-strain areas being adjacent to low-strain areas, solves it with magmatic additions]
  • Miller, E., P. Gans, and J. Garing, The Snake Range décollement: An exhumed mid-Tertiary ductile-brittle transition, Tectonics, 2 (3), 239-263, doi:10.1029/TC002i003p00239, 1983. [Tail end of a large debate on whether core complexes were bounded by major shear zones or vertically different modes of extension, the so-called "simple-shear" vs. "in-situ" or "pure-shear" modes of extension. This was one of the last major pure shear papers]
  • Bartley, J. M., and B. P. Wernicke, The Snake Range Decollement interpreted as a major extensional shear zone, Tectonics, 3 (6), 647-657, 1984 [in essences, the return salvo to Miller et al., 1983]
    • Gans, P., and E. Miller, Comment on “The Snake Range Decollement interpreted as a major extensional shear zone” by John. M. Bartley And Brian P. Wernicke, Tectonics, 4 (4), 411-415, 1985. [and back...]
    • Wernicke, B. P., and J. M. Bartley, Reply, Tectonics, 4 (4), 417-419, 1985.[..and forth]
• Block, L., and L. H. Royden, Core complex geometries and regional scale flow in the lower crust, Tectonics, 9, 557-567, 1990. [shows why you need crustal flow]
• Kruse, S., M. K. McNutt, J. Phipps-Morgan, L. Royden, and B. Wernicke, Lithospheric extension near Lake Mead, Nevada; a model for ductile flow in the lower crust, J. Geophys. Res., 96, 4435-4456, 1991. [one of the earliest papers to apply a physical model to flow in the lower crust generating core complexes]
• Wernicke, B., The fluid crustal layer and its implications for continental dynamics, in Exposed Cross-Sections of the Continental Crust, NATO Advanced Studies Institute, Series C, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, vol. 317, edited by M. H. Salisbury and D. M. Fountain, pp. 509-544, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Norwell, Mass., 1990.
• Sullivan, W. A., and A. W. Snoke. Comparative anatomy of core-complex development in the northeastern Great Basin, U.S.A. Rocky Mountain Geology, 42 (1) pp. 1-29 , 2007. [a relatively recent comparison of structures and dates in several core complexes, including Mesozoic events]
• Buck, W.R., Flexural rotation of normal faults: Tectonics, 7 pp. 959-973, 1988. [Physical basis for a "rolling hinge" model where low-angle faults are not active at low angles]
  • Buck, W. R., Modes of continental lithospheric extension, J. Geophys. Res., 96, 20,161-20,178, 1991. [expands on earlier work, using relatively simple conceptulization of the problem, shows under what conditions core complexes might be expected]
  • Buck, W. R. Effect of lithospheric thickness on the formation of high- and low-angle normal faults. Geology 21, 933-936, 1993.
  • Spencer, J.E., The role of tectonic denudation in the warping and uplift of low-angle normal faults: Geology, 12 pp. 95-98 doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(1984)12<95:ROTDIW>2.0.CO;2, 1984 [predates rolling hinge, invoked isostasy to explain domal shape of core-complex-bounding faults]
  • Wernicke, B., and Axen, G.J., 1988, On the role of isostasy in the evolution of normal fault systems: Geology, v. 16 pp. 848-851 doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(1988)016<0848:OTROII>2.3.CO;2, 1988 [this has been a popular touchstone for "rolling hinge" model of low-angle faults, but is tangled in the specific application to the Virgin-Beaver Dam Mtns, which isn't fully represented here]
    • Daniel G. Carpenter, James A. Carpenter, Michael D. Bradley, Ulrich A. Franz, Spence J. Reber, Gary J. Axen, and Brian P. Wernicke, Comment and Reply on "On the role of isostasy in the evolution of normal fault systems", Geology, 17, p. 774-776, 1989. [Objection to folding being late Cenozoic]
• Henry, C. D., Ash-flow tuffs and paleovalleys in northeastern Nevada: Implications for Eocene paleogeography and extension in the Sevier hinterland, northern Great Basin. Geosphere, 4(1), 1. doi:10.1130/GES00122.1, 2008. [Casts doubt on significant extensional tectonism in Eocene associated with decompression of deep crustal rocks as paleovalleys appear intact]
  • Colgan, J. P., & Henry, C. D. (2009). Rapid middle Miocene collapse of the Mesozoic orogenic plateau in north-central Nevada. International Geology Review, 51(9-11), 920–961. doi:10.1080/00206810903056731, 2009. [Expands on the theme above to argue that major extension really is middle Miocene and very little preceded that]
• Konstantinou, A., Strickland, A., Miller, E. L., & Wooden, J. P. (2012). Multistage Cenozoic extension of the Albion-Raft River-Grouse Creek metamorphic core complex: Geochronologic and stratigraphic constraints. Geosphere, 8(6), 1429–1466. doi:10.1130/GES00778.1, 2012.[Separates decompression and magmatism from surface extension, arguing for limited Eocene surface extension during decompression and then unroofing through surfcae extension starting 13-14 Ma]

Basin and Range driving forces + some overview

• Long, S.P., 2019, Geometry and magnitude of extension in the Basin and Range Province (39°N), Utah, Nevada, and California, USA: Constraints from a province-scale cross section: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 131, p. 99–119, doi: 10.1130/B31974.1. [more recent overview of extensional history of the northern Basin and Range]
• Fleitout L, and C. Froidevaux, Tectonics and topography for a lithosphere containing density heterogeneities. Tectonics, 1 (1) pp. 21-56, 1982 [somewhat difficult but thorough exposition of role of body forces in tectonics]
• Jones, C. H., L. J. Sonder, and J. R. Unruh, Lithospheric gravitational potential energy and past orogenesis: Implications for conditions of initial basin and range and Laramide deformation. Geology, 26 pp. 639-642, 1998 [outlines evolution of body forces for Basin and Range and Rockies]
• Sonder, L. J., and C. H. Jones. Western United States extension: How the West was widened. Annu Rev Earth Pl Sc, 27 pp. 417-462+3 color plates, 1999. [this is rather long and is more a reference than a paper to study closely]

Low-angle normal faults:

Another subject littered with a lot of stuff, so this is just a small subset of the literature. LANFs were a big deal in the 1980s into the 1990s, but interest has waned even as problems remain.

• Axen, G. J., Research Focus: Significance of large-displacement, low-angle normal faults, Geology, 35 (3), 287-288, 2007. [short, recent overview of argument over slip on low-angle faults when at low angle]
• Wernicke, B., Low-angle normal faults in the Basin and Range Province: nappe tectonics in an extending orogen. Nature 291, 645 - 648, doi:10.1038/291645a0, 1981. [not free at CU. Although earlier work had been pointing at possibly active low-angle normal faults, this crystalized the idea]
• Buck, W. R. Effect of lithospheric thickness on the formation of high- and low-angle normal faults. Geology 21, 933-936, 1993. [more specifically addresses low-angle normal faults with large displacements]
  • Lavier LL, W. R. Buck, and A.N.B. Poliakov, Self-consistent rolling-hinge model for the evolution of large-offset low-angle normal faults. Geology vol. 27 (12) pp. 1127-1130, 1999.
• Sevier Desert Detachment: although only one of several proposed LANFs, this one has attracted a lot of attention and serves to illustrate a lot of the problems in these interpretations. It is kind of the Baja-BC of extensional faults, though here opposition is focused in a single prolific camp. Also, there is a move to try and drill this potential detachment fault (though webpages have not been updated since workshop was held, so this looks like it is well on a back burner).
  • Allmendinger, R. W., James W. Sharp, Douglas Von Tish, Laura Serpa, Larry Brown, Sidney Kaufman, Jack Oliver, and Robert B. Smith
    Cenozoic and Mesozoic structure of the eastern Basin and Range province, Utah, from COCORP seismic-reflection data
    Geology, 11, p. 532-536, 1983.[Although McDonald (1976) first suggested a large low-angle normal fault under the Sevier Desert, this paper served to advance the idea to the broader community]
  • Von Tish, D.B., R. W. Allmendinger, and J. W. Sharp, History of Cenozoic extension in central Sevier Desert, west-central Utah, From COCORP seismic reflection data. AAPG Bull (1985) vol. 69 (7) pp. 1077-1087, 1985 [more thorough geologic history from COCORP interpretation]
    • Mitchell, G. C., And R. E. McDonald. History of Cenozoic extension in central Sevier Desert, west-central Utah, from COCORP seismic reflection data - Discussion. AAPG Bull, 70 (8) pp. 1015-1021, 1986.
    • Von Tish, D.B., R. W. Allmendinger, and J. W. Sharp, History of Cenozoic extension in central Sevier Desert, west-central Utah, From COCORP seismic reflection data-Reply, AAPG Bull., 70 (8), 1022-1024, 1986.
  • Anders, M. H., and N. Christie-Blick. Is the Sevier Desert reflection of west-central Utah a normal fault?, Geology, 22 (9) pp. 771-774, 1994
    • Allmendinger, R. W. and F. Royse, Is the Sevier Desert reflection of west-central Utah a normal fault - Comment, Geology, 23 (7) pp. 669-670, 1995 (reply on p. 670)
  • Otton, J. K., Western frontal fault of the Canyon Range: Is it the breakaway zone of the Sevier Desert detachment?: Geology, 23 (6), p. 547-550, 1995. [argues that detachment is exposed]
    • Wills, S., and M. H. Anders. Western frontal fault of the canyon range: Is it the breakaway zone of the Sevier desert detachment? Comment. Geology, 24 (7) pp. 667-668, 1996. (Otton's reply follows on p. 668-9)
  • Coogan, J., and P. G. DeCelles. Extensional collapse along the Sevier Desert reflection, northern Sevier Desert basin, western United States. Geology, 24 (10) pp. 933-936, 1996. [argument for large extension from trying to reconstruct the Mesozoic fold-and-thrust belt]
    • Anders, M.H., N. Christie-Blick,and S. Wills. Extensional collapse along the Sevier Desert reflection, northern Sevier Desert basin, western United States: Comment. Geology, 26 (5) pp. 474-474, 1998. (Coogan and DeCelles reply on p. 475)
  • Stockli, D.F., Linn, J.K., Walker, J.D., and Dumitru, T.A., 2001, Miocene unroofing of the Canyon Range during extension along the Sevier Desert detachment, west central Utah: Tectonics, 20, p. 289-307, doi: 10.1029/2000TC001237, 2001.
  • Anders, M.H., Christie-Blick, N., Wills, S., and Krueger, S.W., 2001, Rock deformation studies in the Mineral Mountains and Sevier Desert of west-central Utah: Implications for upper crustal low-angle normal faulting: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 113, p. 895-907, doi: 10.1130/0016-7606(2001)113<0895: RDSITM>2.0.CO;2. 7613(1995)023<0547:WFFOTC>2.3.CO;2. , 2001 [in essence, finds that structures at exposed detachment are inconsistent with materials found in wells penetrating reflector interpreted to be the detachment]
  • Niemi, N. A., Wernicke, B. P., Friedrich, A. M., Simons, M., Bennett, R. A., & Davis, J. L. (2004). BARGEN continuous GPS data across the eastern Basin and Range province, and implications for fault system dynamics. Geophysical Journal International, 159(3), 842–862. doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2004.02454.x, 2004.[while focused on other things, suggests Sevier detachment is active and evident in geodesy]
  • Wills, S, M. H. Anders, and N. Christie-Blick, Pattern of Mesozoic thrust surfaces and Tertiary normal faults in the Sevier Desert subsurface, west-central Utah. Am J Sci, 305 (1) pp. 42-100, 2005.
    
  • DeCelles, P. G., and J. Coogan. Regional structure and kinematic history of the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt, central Utah. Geol Soc Am Bull, 118 (7-8) pp. 841-864, 2006 [not so much the paper but the comment and reply that interest us here]
    • Christie-Blick, N. and M. Anders. Regional structure and kinematic history of the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt, central Utah: Discussion. Geol Soc Am Bull, 119 (3-4) pp. 506-507, 2007.
    • Coogan, J., and P. G. DeCelles. Regional structure and kinematic history of the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt, central Utah: Reply. Geol Soc Am Bull, 119 (3-4) pp. 508-512, 2007.
  • McBride, J. H., Stephenson, W. J., & Prussen McBride, E. I., Reanalysis of the COCORP Utah Line 1 deep seismic reflection profile: Toward an improved understanding of the Sevier Desert detachment question. Geosphere, 6(6), 840–854. doi:10.1130/GES00546.1, 2010. [Something for everybody: suggests that the reflector might be polygenetic but reprocessing makes it pretty planar, seemingly in line with LANF]
  • Anders, M. H., Christie-Blick, N., & Malinverno, A., Cominco American well: Implications for the reconstruction of the Sevier orogen and basin and range extension in west-central Utah. American Journal Of Science, 312(5), 508–533. doi:10.2475/05.2012.02, 2012.[Challenges interpretation of a well constraining the DeCelles reconstruction of Sevier Desert]

Paleoelevation

This is a rapidly growing segment of the literature and so is rapidly getting out of hand for thoroughness; I have included a number of followup studies that generally confirm interpretations of earlier work for completeness.

• General overviews of techniques:
  • Kohn, M. (Editor), Paleoaltimetry: Geochemical and Thermodynamic Approaches, Rev. Minerol. Geochem., 66, 278 pp., 2007.[has contributions from most of the major players in this game]
  • Ghosh, P., Eiler, J., Campana, S. E., & Feeney, R. F. (2007). Calibration of the carbonate "clumped isotope" paleothermometer for otoliths. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 71(11), 2736–2744. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2007.03.015, 2007[describes and calibrates clumped isotope technique for estimating paleotemperatures]
  • Poage, M., & Chamberlain, C. P., Empirical relationships between elevation and the stable isotope composition of precipitation and surface waters: Considerations for studies of paleoelevation change. American Journal of Science, 301, 1–15, doi: 10.2475/ajs.301.1.1, 2001. [As the title says. It is worth contemplating the scatter in their figure 1]
    • Chamberlain, C. P., & Poage, M., Reconstructing the paleotopography of mountain belts from the isotopic composition of authigenic minerals. Geology, 28(2), 115–118, doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<115:RTPOMB>2.0.CO;2, 2000. [A relatively early application of isotopic techniques to paleoelevation of the Sierra]
    • Lechler, A. R., & Niemi, N. A.,. The influence of snow sublimation on the isotopic composition of spring and surface waters in the southwestern United States: Implications for stable isotope-based paleoaltimetry and hydrologic studies. GSA Bulletin, 124(3-4), 318–334. doi:10.1130/B30467.1, 2012. [Finds that modern isotopic ratios east of Sierra inconsistent with rainout models and suggest that sublimation of snow skews isotopic ratios where snow important]
    • Galewsky, J., Orographic precipitation isotopic ratios in stratified atmospheric flows: Implications for paleoelevation studies. Geology, 37 (9) pp. 791-794, 2009. [indicates that assumptions underlying most oxygen and hydrogen isotope paleoaltimetry are likely compromised in real-world situations, Specifically notes issues in Sierra Nevada]
      • Galewsky, J., Rain shadow development during the growth of mountain ranges: An atmospheric dynamics perspective. JGR-Solid Earth And Planets, 114, F01018. doi:10.1029/2008JF001085, 2009 [addresses how rain shadows are not linearly dependent on mountain elevation]
    • Feng, R., Poulsen, C. J., Werner, M., Chamberlain, C. P., Mix, H. T., & Mulch, A. (2013). Early Cenozoic evolution of topography, climate, and stable isotopes in precipitation in the North American Cordillera. American Journal Of Science, 313(7), 613–648. doi:10.2475/07.2013.01, 2013. [Testing models for western US--listed again below--but this goes into substantial detail on all the effects on isotopic fractionation]
  • Sahagian, D. L., Proussevitch, A., & Carlson, W., Analysis of vesicular basalts and lava emplacement processes for application as a paleobarometer/paleoaltimeter. Journal of Geology, 110(6), 671–685, 2002. [Tries vesicle size measurements in Hawaii]
  • Axelrod, D. I., Paleoelevation estimated from Tertiary floras, in Integrated Earth and Environmental Evolution of the Southwestern United States: The Clarence A. Hall, Jr. Volume, edited by W. G. Ernst and C. A. Nelson, pp. 70-79, Bellweather Publ., Columbia, Maryland, 1998. [A final blast from a pioneer in this with paleotological materials who preferred comparing flora at the genera scale to leaf physiognomy]
  • Forest, C., Wolfe, J. A., Molnar, P., & Emanuel, K., Paleoaltimetry incorporating atmospheric physics and botanical estimates of paleoclimate. GSA Bulletin, 111, 497–511, doi: 10.1130/0016-7606(1999)111<0497:PIAPAB>2.3.CO;2, 1999. [Lays out an approach to use paleobotany more correctly from a meteorological perspective and covers basics of CLAMP]
    • Peppe, D. J., Royer, D. L., Wilf, P., & Kowalski, E. A. (2010). Quantification of large uncertainties in fossil leaf paleoaltimetry. Tectonics, 29(3), TC3015. doi:10.1029/2009TC002549, 2010.[ArguesCLAMP-based paleobotanically based estimates are very uncertain]
    • Spicer, R. A., & Yang, J. (2010). Quantification of uncertainties in fossil leaf paleoaltimetry: Does leaf size matter? Tectonics, 29(6), n/a–n/a. doi:10.1029/2010TC002741, 2010. [In essence a rebuttal to Peppe et al.]
    • Little, S. A., Kembel, S. W., & Wilf, P, Paleotemperature Proxies from Leaf Fossils Reinterpreted in Light of Evolutionary History, PLoS ONE, 5(12), e15161. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0015161.s001, 2010. [Reexamines floral assemblage underlying CLAMP approach and argues there are serious problems in using it for past times, including phylogenesis]
    • Peppe, D. J., Royer, D. L., Cariglino, B., Oliver, S. Y., Newman, S., Leight, E., et al., Sensitivity of leaf size and shape to climate: global patterns and paleoclimatic applications. New Phytologist, 190(3), 724–739. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03615.x, 2011.[Argues CLAMP was troubled and in essence expand that style of multidimensional analysis to generate new relationships]
  • England, P., and P. Molnar, Surface uplift, uplift of rocks, and exhumation of rocks, Geology, 18, 1173-1177, 1990. [Argued that rock uplift, as measured by P-T work or, more commonly, erosion rates inferred from fission-track studies, was not relevant to changes in mean surface elevation]
    • Hatfield, C. B., Surface uplift, uplift of rocks, and exhumation of rocks: Comment, Geology, 19, 1051, 1991.
    • England, P., and P. Molnar, Surface uplift, uplift of rocks, and exhumation of rocks: Reply, Geology, 19, 1051-1052, 1991.
    • Pinter, N., and E. A. Keller, Surface uplift, uplift of rocks, and exhumation of rocks: Comment, Geology, 19, 1053, 1991.
    • England, P., and P. Molnar, Surface uplift, uplift of rocks, and exhumation of rocks: Reply, Geology, 19, 1053-1054, 1991.
• Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau [note several relevant papers on incision history listed farther down, so this is only partial list]
  • Wolfe, J. A., C. E. Forest, and P. Molnar, Paleobotanical evidence of Eocene and Oligocene paleoaltitudes in midlatitude western North America, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 110, 664-678, 1998. [Finds bulk of western U.S. was higher in early Tertiary]
  • Gregory, K. M., and C. G. Chase, Tectonic significance of paleobotanically estimated climate and altitude of the late Eocene erosion surface, Colorado, Geology, 20, 581-585, 1992. [Challenge to long-held belief that Rockies rose in late Tertiary]
    • Gregory, K. M., and C. G. Chase. Tectonic and climatic significance of a Late Eocene low-relief, high-level geomorphic surface, Colorado. J Geophys Res-Sol Ea, 99 pp. 20141-20160, 1994 [Tries to reconcile paleoelvation of earlier paper with erosional history by developing an argument that late Cenozoic incision could be climatic]
  • Sahagian, D, Proussevitch AA, and W. D. Carlson WD, Timing of Colorado Plateau uplift: Initial constraints from vesicular basalt-derived paleoelevations. Geology, 30 (9) pp. 807-810, 2002 [uses vesicle sizes in basalts to find that Colorado Plateau has been rising through mainly late Tertiary time]
    • Libarkin, J. C., and C. G. Chase, Timing of Colorado Plateau uplift: Initial constraints from vesicular basalt-derived paleoelevations: Comment, Geology, 31 (2), 191-192, 2003 (reply follows on 192) [quibbles with the functions drawn through paleoelevations]
  • Huntington, K. W., Wernicke, B. P., & Eiler, J., Influence of climate change and uplift on Colorado Plateau paleotemperatures from carbonate clumped isotope thermometry. Tectonics, 29(3), TC3005. doi:10.1029/2009TC002449, 2010 [Infers that warmer paleotemperatures in Miocene in Colorado Plateau Bidahochi Frm are solely from climatic change and no post Bidahochi uplift]
  • Carroll A.R., A. C. Doebbert, A. L. Booth, C. P. Chamberlain, M. K. Rhodes-Carson, M. E. Smith, C. M. Johnson, and B. L. Beard, Capture of high-altitude precipitation by a low-altitude Eocene lake, Western US. Geology, 36 (10) pp. 791-794 , 2008 [infers change in oxygen isotopes of lake sediments reflects addition of high-altitude source and not change in local elevation]
    • Davis, S.J., B.A. Wiegand, A. Carroll, and C. P. Chamberlain, The effect of drainage reorganization on paleoaltimetry studies: An example from the Paleogene Laramide foreland. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 275 (3-4) pp. 258-268, 2008. [Illustrates complications in oxygen-isotope work from possible changes in drainage systems]
  • Davis, S. J, A. Mulch, A. Carroll, T. W. Horton, and C. P. Chamberlain, Paleogene landscape evolution of the central North American Cordillera: Developing topography and hydrology in the Laramide foreland. Geol Soc Am Bull, 121 (1-2) pp. 100-116, 2009. [Uses data in earlier paper to try and build a story of the evolution of the SW Wyoming-N Utah-NW Colorado region in early-middle Tertiary, inferring that isotopic changes and drainage integrations reflected a north-to-south increase in elevation over this time frame]
  • Davis, S. J., Mix, H. T., Wiegand, B. A., Carroll, A. R., & Chamberlain, C. P,. Synorogenic Evolution of Large-Scale Drainage Patterns: Isotope Paleohydrology of Sequential Laramide Basins. American Journal Of Science, 309(7), 549–602. doi:10.2475/07.2009.02, 2009. [Adds some data from NW Colorado to the mix]
• Basin and Range
  • Wolfe, J. A., H. E. Schorn, C. E. Forest, and P. Molnar, Paleobotanical evidence for high altitudes in Nevada during the Miocene, Science, 276, 1672-1675, 1997. [Infers from leaf fossils that Nevada was higher prior to last episode of normal faulting]
  • Mulch, A, C. Teyssier, M. A. Cosca, O. Vanderhaeghe, and T. W. Vennemann, Reconstructing paleoelevation in eroded orogens. Geology, 32 (6) pp. 525-528, 2004. [boldly interprets hydrogen isotopes in muscovites in core complex for paleoelevation]
  • Horton, T.W., D. K. Sjostrom, M. J. Abruzzese, M. A. Poage, J. R. Waldbauer, M. Hren, J. Wooden, and C. P. Chamberlain, Spatial and temporal variation of Cenozoic surface elevation in the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada. Am J Sci, 304 pp. 862-888, 2004. [Mainly oxygen isotope work showing early Tertiary uplift followed by subsidence in Miocene]
    • Mix, H. T., Mulch, A., Kent-Corson, M. L., & Chamberlain, C. P., Cenozoic migration of topography in the North American Cordillera. Geology, 39(1), 87–90. doi:10.1130/G31450.1, 2011[Propose north-to-south uplift in Eocene associated with slab removal]
    • Chamberlain, C. P., Mix, H. T., Mulch, A., Hren, M. T., Kent-Corson, M. L., Davis, S. J., et al., The Cenozoic climatic and topographic evolution of the western North American Cordillera. American Journal Of Science, 312(2), 213–262. doi:10.2475/02.2012.05, 2012. [Overview adding a bit more to Mix et al and lots more detail but same story: 50-23 Ma sweep of elevation from north to south in Sevier hinterland followed by collapse in mid-Miocene; adds suggestion that monsoon extended well to north in Eocene and rebuts Molnar criticisms of Sierra work]
    • Feng, R., Poulsen, C. J., Werner, M., Chamberlain, C. P., Mix, H. T., & Mulch, A., Early Cenozoic evolution of topography, climate, and stable isotopes in precipitation in the North American Cordillera. American Journal Of Science, 313(7), 613–648. doi:10.2475/07.2013.01, 2013. [Supports earlier elevation history while attacking the basis for that interpretation--deserves some careful examination]
  • Lechler, A. R., Niemi, N. A., Hren, M. T., & Lohmann, K. C., Paleoelevation estimates for the northern and central proto-Basin and Range from carbonate clumped isotope thermometry. Tectonics, 32(3), 295–316. doi:10.1002/tect.20016, 2013. [infers low (<3 km) elevations in Sevier hinterland in latest K-early Tertiary from clumped isotopes, leading to support of 'open system' (magmatic) creation of much modern crust]
• Sierra Nevada
  • Small, E. E., and R. S. Anderson, Geomorphically driven Late Cenozoic uplift in the Sierra Nevada, California, Science, 270, 277-280, 1995. [Argues that incision of canyons in Sierra is unrelated to changes in mean elevation]
  • House M.A., B. P. Wernicke, and K.A. Farley, Dating topography of the Sierra Nevada, California, using apatite (U-Th)/He ages. Nature, 396 (6706) pp. 66-69, 1998. [unusual in that it infers high Sierra in early Tertiary from inferred river canyons found with (U-Th)/He dates]
    • House M.A., B. P. Wernicke, and K.A. Farley, Paleo-geomorphology of the Sierra Nevada, California, from (U-Th)/He ages in apatite. Am J Sci., 301 (2) pp. 77-102, 2001 [adds a second profile lacking variations]
    • Clark M, G. Maheo, J. B. Saleeby, K. A. Farley, The non-equilibrium landscape of the southern Sierra Nevada, California. GSA Today, 15 (9) pp. 4-10, 2005. [adds data in Kern Canyon region and reinterprets House et al. for much lower ancient Sierra]
  • Jones, C. H., G. L. Farmer, and J. R. Unruh, Tectonics of Pliocene removal of lithosphere of the Sierra Nevada, California. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 116 (11-12) pp. 1408, 2004. [infers younger Sierran uplift from Eocene channel geometries and younger geologic constraints, specifically addressing House et al. interpretations]
  • Poage, M. A., and C. P. Chamberlain. Stable isotopic evidence for a Pre-Middle Miocene rain shadow in the western Basin and Range: Implications for the paleotopography of the Sierra Nevada. Tectonics, 21 (4), paper 1034, 2002. [Uses oxygen isotopes in minerals to estimate evolution of rain shadow, finds Sierran rainshadow unchanged over last ~15 Ma]
    • Mulch A., A. M. Sarna-Wojcicki, M. E. Perkins, and C.P. Chamberlain, A Miocene to Pleistocene climate and elevation record of the Sierra Nevada (California). P Natl Acad Sci USA, 105 (19) pp. 6819-6824, 2008. [using oxygen isotopes in volcanic glasses, infers unchanged rain shadow since at least Miocene]
  • Lechler, A. R., & Galewsky, J., Refining paleoaltimetry reconstructions of the Sierra Nevada, California, using air parcel trajectories. Geology, 41(2), 259–262. doi:10.1130/G33553.1, 2013 [finds that precipitating air parcels on east side of Sierra don't usually come over Sierra, confirming Galewsky JGR paper above]
  • Mulch, A., S. A. Graham, and C. P. Chamberlain, Hydrogen isotopes in Eocene river gravels and paleoelevation of the Sierra Nevada. Science, 313 (5783) pp. 87-89, 2006. [infers Eocene Sierra at or near modern elevations]
    • Cassel E.J., S. A. Graham, and C. P. Chamberlain, Cenozoic tectonic and topographic evolution of the northern Sierra Nevada, California, through stable isotope paleoaltimetry in volcanic glass. Geology, 37 (6) pp. 547-550, 2009. [adds Oligocene volcanic glass measurements to get similar story for rain shadow/high Sierra in Oligocene]
    • Cassel, E. J., Graham, S. A., Chamberlain, C. P., & Henry, C. D., Early Cenozoic topography, morphology, and tectonics of the northern Sierra Nevada and western Basin and Range. Geosphere, 8(2), 229–249. doi:10.1130/GES00671.1, 2012. [Latest update on isotopic paleoelevations continues to be interpreted as steep Sierra in Eocene and flat area to east]
    • Cassel, E. J., Grove, M., & Graham, S. A., Eocene drainage evolution and erosion of the Sierra Nevada batholith across northern California and Nevada. American Journal Of Science, 312(2), 117–144. doi:10.2475/02.2012.03, 2012. [Infers a diachronous change in paleodrainages; my own read is these seem to simply reflect different channels; contrast with Cecil et al. paleodrainage interpretation]
  • Henry, C. D., Hinz, N. H., Faulds, J. E., Colgan, J. P., John, D. A., Brooks, E. R., et al. (2012). Eocene-Early Miocene paleotopography of the Sierra Nevada-Great Basin-Nevadaplano based on widespread ash-flow tuffs and paleovalleys. Geosphere, 8(1), 1–27. doi:10.1130/GES00727.1, 2012. [update on geometry of early Tertiary drainages across the Sierra with less emphasis on the grades of these]
  • Cecil, M. R., Ducea, M. N., Reiners, P., Gehrels, G., Mulch, A., Allen, C., & Campbell, I., Provenance of Eocene river sediments from the central northern Sierra Nevada and implications for paleotopography. Tectonics, 29(6), TC6010. doi:10.1029/2010TC002717, 2010.. [Infers Eocene streams were headed within the Sierra; contrast with Cassel et al. Am J Sci. 2012 paper]
  • Crowley B., P. Koch, and E. Davis, Stable isotope constraints on the elevation history of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California. Geol Soc Am Bull, 120 (5-6) pp. 588-598, 2008 [similar story for high Sierra in Miocene from isotopes in horse teeth]
  • Hren M., M. Pagani, D. Erwin, and M. Brandon, Biomarker reconstruction of the early Eocene paleotopography and paleoclimate of the northern Sierra Nevada. Geology, 38 (1) pp. 7-10, 2010. [finds high Sierra in Eocene from hydrogen isotopes and biomarker in fossil leaves]
  • Molnar, P., Deuterium and oxygen isotopes, paleoelevations of the Sierra Nevada, and Cenozoic climate, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 122(7/8), 1106-1115, doi:10.1130/B30001.1, 2010 [argues that differences in atmospheric dynamics limit quantitative predictions of ancient elevation: Sierra could have been much lower and still yielded isotopic ratios seen]
  • Cassel, E. J., & Graham, S. A. (2011). Paleovalley morphology and fluvial system evolution of Eocene-Oligocene sediments ("auriferous gravels"), northern Sierra Nevada, California: Implications for climate, tectonics, and topography. GSA Bulletin, 123, 1699–1719. doi:10.1130/B30356.1, 2011. [Infer that paleovalley deposits from Eocene could have been deposited at modern grade and that thalwegs of these channels are diachronous and thus inferring paleochannels is in error.]
    • Cecil, M. R., Chase, C. G., & Wolfe, J. A., Geologic and stratigraphic context of paleoflora from Eocene river systems, Northern Sierra Nevada, California. Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 258, 119–128, 2007. [Rather difficult to find paper that includes a paleochannel grade estimate seemingly incompatible with the Cassel & Graham interpretation]
  • Wakabayashi, J., Paleochannels, stream incision, erosion, topographic evolution, and alternative explanations of paleoaltimetry, Sierra Nevada, California. Geosphere, 9(2), 191–215. doi:10.1130/GES00814.1, 2013. [Largely a reaction to the Stanford old Sierra arguments advocating recent uplift of the range].
  • Saleeby, J. B., Saleeby, Z., & Le Pourhiet, L. (2013). Epeirogenic transients related to mantle lithosphere removal in the southern Sierra Nevada region, California: Part II. Implications of rock uplift and basin subsidence relations. Geosphere, 9(3), 394–425. doi:10.1130/GES00816.1, 2013. [Includes some of arguments for recent rapid uplift of southwestern Sierra; remained in Cecil et al. paper in press late 2013]
    • Mahιo, G., Saleeby, J. B., Saleeby, Z., & Farley, K. A. (2009). Tectonic control on southern Sierra Nevada topography, California. Tectonics, 28. doi:10.1029/2008TC002340, 2009. [Defines normal faulting and related uplift from geomorphology and low-temperature geochronometers]
  • Hammond, W. C., Blewitt, G., Li, Z., Plag, H. P., & Kreemer, C, Contemporary uplift of the Sierra Nevada, western United States, from GPS and InSAR measurements. Geology, 40(7), 667–670. doi:10.1130/G32968.1, 2012. [Combines InSAR and GPS to argue Sierra is presently rising]

Ignimbrite Flareup and Extension-Magmatism relationships

• Armstrong , R. L., and P. Ward. Evolving geographic patterns of Cenozoic magmatism in the North American cordillera - The temporal and spatial association of magmatism and metamorphic core complexes. Journal of Geophysical Research, 96 (B8) pp. 13201-13224, 1991 [last major pre-NAVDAT summary of magmatic sweeps; also contends that magmatism is a precondition for core complexes]
  • Gans, P. B., Mahood, G. A., & Schermer, E, Synextensional magmatism in the Basin and Range Province; A case study from the eastern Great Basin. Geological Society of America Special Papers, 233, 53 pp., doi:10.1130/SPE233-p1,1989. [More specific support for connection of magmatism and extension]
  • Gans, P. B., & Borhrson, W. A., Suppression of volcanism during rapid extension in the Basin and Range Province, United States. Science, 279(5347), 66–68. doi:10.1126/science.279.5347.66, 1998. [Would seem a retraction or at least a redefinition of "synextensional"]
• Best, M. G., and Christiansen, E. H., Limited extension during peak Tertiary volcanism, Great Basin of Nevada and Utah: Journal of Geophysical Research, 96, no. 8, p. 13,509-13,528, 1991. [Obviously differs with Armstrong and Ward. From more detailed study within overall region. Both part of a special issue on magmatism and tectonics]
• Axen, G. J., Taylor, W. J., and Bartley, J. M., Space-time patterns and tectonic controls of Tertiary extension and magmatism in the Great Basin of the Western United States: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 105 (1), p. 56-76, 1993 [infer extension preceded volcanism in southern Nevada]
• Sawyer, D. A., Fleck, R. J., Lanphere, M. A., Warren, R. G., Broxton, D. E., and Hudson, M. R., Episodic caldera volcanism in the Miocene southwestern Nevada volcanic field: Revised stratigraphic framework, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology, and implications for magmatism and extension: Geological Society of America Bulletin, 106 (10), p. 1304-1318, 1994 [infer that magmatism deflects deformation, noting absence of large basin-range faulting through SW Nevada volcanic field. This was arguably the end of the igmibrite flareup]
• Spencer, J. E., Richard, S. M., Reynolds, S. J., Miller, R. J., Shafiqullah, M., Gilbert, W. G., and Grubensky, M. J., 1995, Spatial and temporal relationships between mid-Tertiary magnetism and extension in southwestern Arizona: Journal of Geophysical Research, 100 (6), p. 10,321-10,351. [Rather iffier than stuff in Great Basin; seems broadly to overlap but in detail not to]
• Best, M. G., Christiansen, E. H., & Gromme, S., Introduction: The 36-18 Ma southern Great Basin, USA, ignimbrite province and flareup: Swarms of subduction-related supervolcanoes. Geosphere, 9(2), 260–274. doi:10.1130/GES00870.1, 2013. [Overview of interpretation that ignimbrite flare up is the migration of the volcanic arc]
  • Henry, C., & John, D. A., Magmatism, ash-flow tuffs, and calderas of the ignimbrite flareup in the western Nevada volcanic field, Great Basin, USA. Geosphere, 9(4), 951. doi:10.1130/GES00867.S6, 2013.

Sierra Nevada Structure

• Older, thick Sierran papers
  • Lawson, A. C., 1936, The Sierra Nevada in the light of isostasy: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 47, p. 1691-1712, 1936. [First attempt to infer crustal structure of Sierra in the past on geologic and isostatic bounds]
    • Byerly, P., Comments on "The Sierra Nevada in the light of isostasy," by A. C. Lawson: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 48 (suppl), p. 2025-2031, 1938 (?). [seismological justification for a thick crust from observations of a delay to Tinemaha from coastal California earthquakes]
  • Oliver, H. W., M.F. Kane, and L.C. Pakiser, Gravity anomalies in the central Sierra Nevada, California, J Geophys Res, 66 (12) pp. 4265-4271, 1961. [presents first high density gravity survey in Sierra, confirming older seismic models from 1940s and 1950s with a thick crustal root]
  • Eaton, J. P., Crustal structure in northern and central California from seismic evidence: Bull. Calif. Div. Mines Geol.:, 190, p. 419-426, 1966. [analysis of 1962 long distance refraction profiles along the Sierran axis that confirmed and refined older thick crust interpretation]
  • Carder, D. S., Qamar, A., and McEvilly, T. V., Trans-California seismic profile—Pahute Mesa to San Francisco Bay: Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am., v. 60, p. 1829-1846, 1970 [east-west profile across the Sierra has arrivals from east too early for a thick crustal root]
    • Carder, D. S., Trans-California seismic profile, Death Valley to Monterey Bay: Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am., v. 63, p. 571-586, 1973 [replaces a thick Sierran crustal root with low velocity upper mantle]
  • Oliver, H. W., 1977, Gravity and magnetic investigation of the Sierra Nevada batholith, California: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 88, p. 445-461. [use gravity to confirm thick Sierran crust and reject Carder-type thin crust models]
  • Pakiser, L. C., and Brune, J. N., Seismic models of the root of the Sierra Nevada: Science, v. 210, p. 1088-1094, 1980. [Introduces travel times observed from an earthquake near Truckee that seem to require a thick crust. Actually a response to Carder's models of a thin Sierran crust, suggesting an east-dipping high-velocity "waveguide" could explain the Carder observations (unfortunately, high-velocity "waveguides" tend to disperse energy and are an unlikely solution).]
  • Bolt, B. A., and Gutdeutsch, R., Reinterpretation by ray tracing of a transverse refraction profile through the California Sierra Nevada, part I: Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am., 72, p. 889-900, 1982. [A response to both Pakiser and Brune (1980) and Carder papers, curiously seems to find that the Carder model works better but argue that something like Pakiser and Brune want is more likely. There was never a part II]
  • Chase, C. G., and T. C. Wallace, Uplift of the Sierra Nevada of California, Geology, 14, 730-733, 1986. [An interesting proposal for how a very thick Mesozoic root could have produced a late Cenozoic uplift through flexure].
    • Chase, C. G., and Wallace, T. C., Flexural isostasy and uplift of the Sierra Nevada of California: J. Geophys. Res., 93, p. 2795-2802, 1988. [expands upon the idea of Chase and Wallace 1986 by better modeling flexural stresses]
    • Kennelly, P. J., and Chase, C. G., Flexure and isostatic residual gravity of the Sierra Nevada: J. Geophys. Res., 94 (B2), p. 1759-1764, 1989. [attempts to justify "overcompensated" Sierra with gravity analysis; unfortunately, the near-surface anomalies make this interpretation highly non-unique]
  • Savage, M. K., Li, L., Eaton, J. P., Jones, C. H., and Brune, J. N., Earthquake refraction profiles of the root of the Sierra Nevada: Tectonics, 13, no. 4, p. 803-817, 1994. [attempt to reconcile observations of Pakiser and Brune by adding a large number of other earthquake observations. These have never been fully explained for Sierran structure]
• General application of gravity anomalies
  • Simpson, R. W., and R. C. Jachens, Gravity methods in regional studies, Mem. Geol. Soc. Am., 172, Geol. Soc. Am., 35-44, doi:10.1130/MEM172-p35, 1989. [provides a general background for how to interpret gravity anomalies]
  • Jachens, R. C., R. W. Simpson, R. J. Blakely, and R. W. Saltus, Isostatic residual gravity and crustal geology of the United States, Mem. Geol. Soc. Am., 172, Geol. Soc. Am., 405-424, doi:10.1130/MEM172-p405, 1989. [contains the explanation of trouble with common interpretations of the isostatic gravity anomaly]
• Saltus, R. W., and A. H. Lachenbruch, Thermal evolution of the Sierra Nevada: Tectonic implications of new heat flow data, Tectonics, 10, (2), 325-344, 1991. [correlations of surface density and heat flow indicate that surface variations should extend to greater depth; also adds to heat flow measurements in Sierra]
  • Oliver, H. W., Moore, J. G., and Sikora, R. F., 1993, Internal structure of the Sierra Nevada batholith based on specific gravity and gravity measurements: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 20, no. 20, p. 2179-2182. [more brute force, generation of synthetic isostatic residual gravity maps for surface densities extrapolated to different depths concludes surface variations extend to ~10 km depth, but deeper to east and shallower to west]
• Jones, C. H., Is extension in Death Valley accomodated by thinning of the mantle lithosphere beneath the Sierra Nevada, California?, Tectonics, 6, 449-473, 1987. [Contains an overview of the work done that led to the interpretation of a thick root]
• Jones, C. H., H. Kanamori, and S. W. Roecker, Missing roots and mantle "drips": Regional P_n and teleseismic arrival times in the southern Sierra Nevada and vicinity, California, J. Geophys. Res., 99, 4567-4601, 1994. [Gravity and refraction portions suggest a thin crust under High Sierra]
• Saleeby, J. B., Progress in tectonic and petrogenetic studies in an exposed cross-section of young (~100 Ma) continental crust, southern Sierra Nevada, California, in Exposed Cross-Sections of the Continental Crust, NATO Advanced Studies Institute, Series C, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, vol. 317, edited by M. H. Salisbury, pp. 137-158, D. Reidel Publishing Co., Norwell, Mass., 1990. [Surface geologic constraints on the variations with depth in the batholith, though interpreted in framework of older geophysical interpretations of the Sierra]
• Ducea, M. N., and J. B. Saleeby, Buoyancy sources for a large, unrooted mountain range, the Sierra Nevada, California: Evidence from xenolith thermobarometry, J. Geophys. Res., 101, (B4), 8229-8244, 1996. [First of several papers reconstructing the batholith's deeper parts from xenoliths]
  • Ducea, M. N., and J. B. Saleeby, The age and origin of a thick mafic-ultramafic keel from beneath the Sierra Nevada batholith, Contrib. Minerol. Petrol., 133, 169-185, 1998.
• Fliedner, M. M., Ruppert, S., and SSCD Working Group, Three-dimensional crustal structure of the southern Sierra Nevada from seismic fan profiles and gravity modeling: Geology, v. 24, p. 367-370, 1996. ["Modern" refraction profile across and along Sierra shows a thin crust; convinced those unconvinced by Jones et al. 1994]
  • Ruppert, S., Fliedner, M. M., and Zandt, G., 1998, Thin crust and active upper mantle beneath Southern Sierra Nevada: Tectonophysics, v. 286, no. 1-4, p. 237-252. [Fuller presentation of the main refraction profiles from 1993 experiment]
  • Fliedner MM, Klemperer SL, Christensen NI, Three-dimensional seismic model of the Sierra Nevada arc, California, and its implications for crustal and upper mantle composition. J Geophys Res, 105 (B5) pp. 10899-10921, 2000. [Relies on fan shots to fill in gaps; not clear these are not contaminated by near-profile velocities]
• Wernicke, B., R. Clayton, M. Ducea, C. H. Jones, S. Park, S. Ruppert, J. Saleeby, J. K. Snow, L. Squires, M. Fliedner, G. Jiracek, R. Keller, S. Klemperer, J. Luetgert, P. Malin, K. Miller, W. Mooney, H. Oliver, and R. Phinney, Origin of high mountains in the continents: The southern Sierra Nevada, Science, 271, 190-193, 1996. [Highlights of the 1993 SSCD project's results, including speculation that the Sierra could be lowering in elevation]
• Jones, C. H., and Phinney, R. A., 1998, Seismic structure of the lithosphere from teleseismic converted arrivals observed at small arrays in the southern Sierra Nevada and vicinity, California: Journal of Geophysical Research, 103 (B5), p. 10,065-10,090., 1998 [confirms thin crust under crest, thickening to west using receiver functions from 1993 experiment]
• Frassetto, A., Zandt, G., Gilbert, H. J., Owens, T. J., & Jones, C. H. (2011). Structure of the Sierra Nevada from receiver functions and implications for lithospheric foundering. Geosphere, 7(4), 898–921. doi:10.1130/GES00570.1, 2011. [SNEP receiver function results confirming absence of thick crust all along eastern Sierra but revealing odd thick crust in foothills on west]
• Mantle structure:
  • Crough, S. T., & Thompson, G. A. (1977). Upper Mantle Origin of Sierra Nevada Uplift. Geology, 5(7), 396–399, 1977.[One of the earliest suggestions that Sierran uplift originated in the mantle]
  • Mavko, B. B., and Thompson, G. A., Crustal and upper mantle structure of the northern and central Sierra Nevada: J. Geophys. Res., v. 88, p. 5874-5892, 1983. [from teleseismic delay time variations in the northern Sierra, infers thinning mantle lithosphere from north to south responsible for part of the elevation of the Sierra]
  • Ducea, M. N., & Saleeby, J. B. (1996). Buoyancy sources for a large, unrooted mountain range, the Sierra Nevada, California: Evidence from xenolith thermobarometry. JGR-Solid Earth And Planets, 101(B4), 8229–8244, 1996. [First of several papers explicitly inferring from a temporal change in xenoliths that a dense lower crust/upper mantle had been removed in Neogene]
  • Park, S., Mantle heterogeneity beneath eastern California from magnetotelluric measurements. JGR-Solid Earth, 109(B9), B09406. doi:10.1029/2003JB002948, 2004. [MT image and separation into temperature and melt components]
    • Ostos, L., & Park, S. K., Foundering lithosphere imaged with magnetotelluric data beneath Yosemite National Park, California. Geosphere, 8(1), 98–104. doi:10.1130/GES00657.1, 2012. [MT profile to north of Park 2004 looks pretty similar]
  • Gilbert, H., Yang, Y., Forsyth, D. W., Jones, C. H., Owens, T. J., Zandt, G., & Stachnik, J. C., Imaging lithospheric foundering in the structure of the Sierra Nevada. Geosphere, 8(6), 1310–1330. doi:10.1130/GES00790.1, 2012. [Surface wave model of Sierran crust and mantle]

Neogene Plate Boundary Changes

• Atwater, T., Implications of plate tectonics for the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of western North America, Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., 81, 3513-3536, 1970. [Classic early interpretation of WUS in terms of plate tectonics].
  • Stock, J., and P. Molnar, Uncertainties and implications of the Late Cretaceous and Tertiary position of North America relative to the Farallon, Kula, and Pacific plates, Tectonics, 7, 1339-1384, 1988. [How to do plate reconstructions with uncertainties]
  • Atwater, T. M., Plate tectonic history of the northeast Pacific and western North America, The Geology of North America, vol. N, Geological Society of America, 21-72, 1989. [overview of methods and chief results to late 1980s].
  • Atwater, T. and J. Stock. Pacific North America plate tectonics of the Neogene southwestern United States: An update. Int Geol Rev, 40 (5) pp. 375-402, 1998. [updated reconstruction using improved reconstructions all along the plate circuit]
• Popov, A. A., Sobolev, S. V., & Zoback, M. D,. Modeling evolution of the San Andreas Fault system in northern and central California. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 13(8),doi:10.1029/2012GC004086 , 2012. [Tests between cooling slab window vs. attached slab to produce changes in SAF position relative to the old trench]
• Dickinson, W. R., and Snyder, W. S., 1979, Geometry of subducted slabs related to San Andreas transform: J. Geol., 87, p. 609-627, 1979. [clearly showed how a ridge encountering a trench does not lead to any subducted ridge, but instead a hole opens in the trailing edge of the slab]
  • Thorkelson, D. J. and R. P. Taylor, Cordilleran slab windows. Geology, 17 (9) pp. 833-836 , 1989 [mainly focused on northern slab window/slab gap in British Columbia and Pacific Northwest]
• Fox KF, Fleck RJ, Curtis GH, and Meyer CE, Implications of the northwestwardly younger age of the volcanic-rocks of west-central California, Geol Soc Am Bull, 96 (5) pp. 647-654, 1985. [connects the slab window more explicitly to volcanic evolution in coastal California]
  • Dickinson, W. R., Tectonic implications of Cenozoic volcanism in coastal California, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 109 (8), 936-954, 1997. [In essence, an update of Fox et al.]
• Wilson DS, McCrory PA, Stanley RG, Implications of volcanism in coastal California for the Neogene deformation history of western North America. Tectonics, 24 (3), doi: 10.1029/2003TC001621, art. TC3008, 2005 [attempts to use volcanic history at coast to infer intraplate deformation to east; includes their own reconstruction of Neogene deformation and a revised Neogene plate reconstruction]
• Pallares C, Maury RC, Bellon H, Royer J, Calmus T, Aguillon-Robles A, Cotten J, Benoit M, Michaud F, Bourgois J, Slab-tearing following ridge-trench collision: Evidence from Miocene volcanism in Baja California, Mexico. J Volcanol Geoth Res, 161 (1-2) pp. 95-117, 2007. [Attempts to examine the process of creating a slab gap through volcanic rocks in Baja California]
  • Wang, Y., Forsyth, D. W., Rau, C. J., Carriero, N., Schmandt, B., Gaherty, J. B., & Savage, B.,. Fossil slabs attached to unsubducted fragments of the Farallon plate. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America, 110(14), 5342–5346. doi:10.1073/pnas.1214880110, 2013. [Shows seismic anomaly consistent with Guadalupe microplate and advances this idea farther to argue that Isabella anomaly under SE San Joaquin Valley is also a slab fragment]
  • Pikser, J. E., Forsyth, D. W., & Hirth, G. (2012). Along-strike translation of a fossil slab. Earth And Planetary Science Letters, 331-332(C), 315–321. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2012.03.027, 2012. [Has the curious distinction of a model to explain a hypothesis that was stalled in review; suggests Montery slab fragment could survive transport]
  • McCrory, P. A., & Wilson, D. S. (2013). A kinematic model for the formation of the Siletz-Crescent forearc terrane by capture of coherent fragments of the Farallon and Resurrection plates. Tectonics, 32(3), 718–736. doi:10.1002/tect.20045, 2013. [Not quite the same as this is a Paleogene slab-capture paper, but interesting to compare with those above]

Columbia River Basalts/Snake River Plain/Yellowstone

Arguments about a plume model for Yellowstone and the Columbia River Flood Basalts/Steens basalts are also more forcefully presented in contributions to the Mantle Plumes website. Note that while these are not peer reviewed, the contributors frequently have publications in the literature to back up their arguments. Related material, some directly addressing this topic, can be found in GSA Special Paper 388, Plate, Plumes, and Paradigms and GSA Special Paper 430, Plate, Plumes and Planetary Processes (free versions of most of the papers can be found on the mantleplumes website along with discussions that can be both enlightening and confusing)

• Kincaid, C., Druken, K. A., Griffiths, R. W., & Stegman, D. R. (2013). Bifurcation of the Yellowstone plume driven by subduction-induced mantle flow. Nature Geoscience, 6(5), 395–399. doi:10.1038/ngeo1774, 2013 [Yellowstone is a plume--and so is Newberry, based on analog modeling]
• Long, M. D., Till, C. B., Druken, K. A., Carlson, R. W., Wagner, L. S., Fouch, M. J., et al.. Mantle dynamics beneath the Pacific Northwest and the generation of voluminous back-arc volcanism. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 13(8), doi:10.1029/2012GC004189, 2012. [A keystone paper from the High Lava Plains experiment. Columbia River basalts from enhanced back arc upwelling due to slab rollback]
  • James, D. E., Fouch, M. J., Carlson, R. W., & Roth, J. B., Slab fragmentation, edge flow and the origin of the Yellowstone hotspot track. Earth And Planetary Science Letters, 311(1-2), 124–135. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2011.09.007, 2011 [Teleseismic tomography of High Lava Plains experiment arguing that part of Farallon slab is under Yellowstone and argues for origin through disrupted subduction system--here a break parallel to the subduction direction]
• Liu, L., & Stegman, D. R., Origin of Columbia River flood basalt controlled by propagating rupture of the Farallon slab. Nature, 482(7385), 386–389. doi:10.1038/nature10749, 2012. [Not a plume, not a back arc, now a slab break]
  • Lee, C.-T. A., & Grand, S. P., Intraplate volcanism. Nature, 482, 314–315, 2012. [News and Views on the Liu & Stegman paper frames the issues concisely while noting that the explanation in Liu and Stegman predicts many similar events that are not observed]
• Coble, M.A., and Mahood, G.A., 2012, Initial impingement of the Yellowstone plume located by widespread silicic volcanism contemporaneous with Columbia River flood basalts: Geology, v. 40, p. 655–658, doi: 10.1130/G32692.1. [Has plume break through subducting slab to launch CRB and Yellowstone]
  • Leonard, T., and Liu, L., 2016, The role of a mantle plume in the formation of Yellowstone volcanism: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 43, p. 1132–1139, doi: 10.1002/2015GL067131. [From modelling argue that the antibuoyancy of the slab will overwhelm a plume and not produce the patterns seen in the region]
• Pierce, K. L. and L. A. Morgan. Is the track of the Yellowstone hotspot driven by a deep mantle plume? Review of volcanism, faulting, and uplift in light of new data. J Volcanol Geoth Res., 188 (1-3) pp. 1-25, 2009. [A recent review concluding that this volcanism originates in a mantle plume]
• Christiansen, R., G. R. Foulger, and J. R. Evans, Upper-mantle origin of the Yellowstone hotspot. Geol Soc Am Bull, 114 (10) pp. 1245-1256, 2002. [reviews tectonic arguments against Yellowstone-Snake River Plain volcanism being a plume with an interpretation of existing seismic tomography to argue against a plume origin]
  • Christiansen, R. L., and R. S. Yeats, Post-Laramide geology of the U.S. Cordilleran region, in The Geology of North America, vol.G-3, Geol. Soc. Am., 261-406, 1992. [esp. pp. 378-383; contrary view of hotspot origin to Yellowstone and Columbia Plateau]
  • Jordan BT, Grunder AL, Duncan RA, Deino AL, Geochronology of age-progressive volcanism of the Oregon High Lava Plains: Implications for the plume interpretation of Yellowstone. J Geophys Res, 109 (B10) pp. B10202, 2004. [although confirming the relationship highlighted in above papers, these authors interpret east-to-west younging of volcanism as edge of mantle plumehead]
• Geist, D., and M. Richards, Origin of the Columbia Plateau and Snake River plain: Deflection of the Yellowstone plume, Geology, 21, 789-792, 1993. [Older paper seeking to reconcile multiple source regions for flood basalts relative to later Yellowstone trend by bending a plume around the subducting Juan de Fuca slab]
• Hooper, P.R., G. B. Binger, and K. R. Lees, Ages of the Steens and Columbia River flood basalts and their relationship to extension-related calc-alkalic volcanism in eastern Oregon, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 114, 43-50, 2002. [puts Steens basalt prior to main Columbia River basalts]
  • Brueseke M.E., M. T. Heizler, W. K. Hart, and S. A. Mertzman, Distribution and geochronology of Oregon Plateau (USA) flood basalt volcanism: The Steens Basalt revisited. J Volcanol Geoth Res, 161 (3) pp. 187-214, 2007. [Shows Steens basalts actually erupted over a longer time interval and probably from multiple vents, so overlap in time with Columbia River Basalt]
• Wolff, J.A., F.C. Ramos, G.L. Hart, J.D. Patterson, and A.D. Brandon, Columbia River flood basalts from a centralized crustal magmatic system. Nat Geosci, 1 (3) pp. 177-180, 2008. [argues geochemical variations in these basalts consistent with evolution of a single magma system]
• Tikoff B, B. Benford, and S. Giorgis, Lithospheric control on the initiation of the Yellowstone hotspot: Chronic reactivation of lithospheric scars. Int Geol Rev, 50 (3) pp. 305-324, 2008 [emphasizes role of Western Idaho Shear Zone and, to a lesser degree, Northern Nevada Rift in localizing beginning of Yellowstone volcanic trend]
  • Shervais, J. W. and B.B. Hanan. Lithospheric topography, tilted plumes, and the track of the Snake River-Yellowstone hot spot. Tectonics, 27 (5) art. TC5004 , 2008. [Explores interference of older lithospheric structure with an emerging plume to generate Columbia Plateau-Snake River Plains volcanism]
• Zoback M.L., E.H.McKee, R. J. Blakely,and G.A.Thompson, The Northern Nevada Rift - Regional tectonomagmatic relations and Middle Miocene stress direction. Geol Soc Am Bull, vol. 106 pp. 371-382, 1994. [Describes long dike-like structure coeval with Columbia River basalt]
  • Colgan, J. P., Reappraisal of the relationship between the northern Nevada rift and Miocene extension in the northern Basin and Range Province. Geology, 41(2), 211–214. doi:10.1130/G33512., 2013 [Challenges the stress interpretation of the northern Nevada rift]
• Carlson, R. W., and W. K. Hart, Crustal Genesis on the Oregon Plateau, J. Geophys. Res., 92, 6191-6206, 1987. [Back-arc origin for Columbia River basalts]
  • Smith, A.D. Back-arc convection model for Columbia River Basalt genesis. Tectonophysics, 207 (3-4) pp. 269-285, 1992. [Variation on Carlson and Hart's model
• Yuan, H. Y., and K. Dueker. Teleseismic P-wave tomogram of the Yellowstone plume. Geophys. Res. Lett. 32 (7) art.. L07304, 2005 [body-wave tomography from PASSCAL portable experiments showing a low-velocity body extending under Yellowstone to NW to ~500 km depth but not deeper]
  • Fee, D., and K.Dueker. Mantle transition zone topography and structure beneath the Yellowstone hotspot. Geophys. Res. Lett. (2004) vol. 31 (18) art. L18603, 2004. [Use P-to-S conversions from 410- and 660-km discontinuities to show no plume directly under Yellowstone, though one through 410 to NW possible, no plume seen transiting the 660]
  • Zhou, Y., 2018, Anomalous mantle transition zone beneath the Yellowstone hotspot track: Nature Geoscience, v. 11, p. 449–453, doi: 10.1038/s41561-018-0126-4. [Argues from his tomography that slab fragments are in the way of a plume; suggest "reverse subduction" for SRP and Yellowstone]
• Waite, GP, R. B, Smith, and R.M. Allen, V-P and V-S structure of the Yellowstone hot spot from teleseismic tomography: Evidence for an upper mantle plume. J Geophys Res., 111 (B4) art. B04303, 2006 [another tomographic model of Yellowstone portable experiment studies concluding a plume is imaged to the base of the transition zone]
• Schutt, D. and K. G. Dueker. Temperature of the plume layer beneath the Yellowstone hotspot. Geology, 36 (8) pp. 623-626, 2008. [Finds low velocities under Yellowstone at ~80 km depth are at least 55-80°C hotter than normal mid-ocean ridge mantle]

Late Tertiary erosion (focus on Colorado Plateau)

• England, P. C., and P. Molnar. Surface uplift, uplift of rocks, and exhumation of rocks. Geology,18 (12) pp. 1173-1177, 1990.
• Christiansen, R. L., and R. S. Yeats, Post-Laramide geology of the U.S. Cordilleran region, in The Geology of North America, vol.G-3, Geol. Soc. Am., 261-406, 1992. [pp. 350-357 summarize traditional evidence for uplift/erosion]
• Cather, S.M., Chapin, C.E., and Kelley, S.A., 2012, Diachronous episodes of Cenozoic erosion in southwestern North America and their relationship to surface uplift, paleoclimate, paleodrainage, and paleoaltimetry: Geosphere, v. 8, p. 1177–1206, doi: 10.1130/GES00801.1. [mostly focused on tectonic implications of erosion in the Southern Rockies and Colorado Plateau]
  • Epis, R. C., and Chapin, C. E., 1975, Geomorphic and tectonic implications of the post-Laramide, Late Eocene erosion surface in the Southern Rocky Mountains, in Curtis, B. F., ed., Cenozoic History of the Southern Rocky Mountains: Geol. Soc. Am. Mem.: 144, p. 45-74, 1975. [classic interpretation of erosional history in the Southern Rocky Mountains]
• Dumitru, T. A., I. R. Duddy, and P. F. Green, Mesozoic-Cenozoic burial, uplift, and erosion history of the west-central Colorado Plateau, Geology, 22, 499-502, 1994. [Fission track interpretation of cooling events in Colorado Plateau]
• Steidtmann, J. R., and L. T. Middleton, Fault chronology and uplift history of the southern Wind River Range, Wyoming; implications for Laramide and post-Laramide deformation in the Rocky Mountain foreland, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 103, 472-485, 1991. [One of several older fission-track papers on the Rocky Mtns.]
• Roy M., S. A. Kelley, F. Pazzaglia, S. Cather, and M. House, Middle Tertiary buoyancy modification and its relationship to rock exhumation, cooling, and subsequent extension at the eastern margin of the Colorado Plateau. Geology, 32 (10) pp. 925-928, 2004. [summarizes work largely led by Kelley on erosion in New Mexico in middle Tertiary inferred from fission tracks]
• Holm, R. F., Cenozoic paleogeography of the central Mogollon Rim-southern Colorado Plateau region, Arizona, revealed by Tertiary gravel deposits, Oligocene to Pleistocene lava flows, and incised streams, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 113 (11), 1467-1485, 2001.
• Elston, D. P., and R. A. Young, Cretaceous-Eocene (Laramide) landscape development and Oligocene-Pliocene drainage reorganization of transition zone and Colorado Plateau, Arizona, J. Geophys. Res., 96, 12,389-12,406, 1991. [A rather different view, suggesting erosion is much older than usually thought, showing some of the perils in interpreting erosion]
  • Young, R. A.. The Laramide-Paleogene History of the Western Grand Canyon Region: Setting the Stage. Colorado River: Origin and Evolution, pp. 7-15, 2001. [updates and recaps arguments Elston and Young made]
  • Young, R.A., 2011, Brief Cenozoic Geologic History of the Peach Springs Quadrangle and the Hualapai Plateau, Mohave County, Arizona (Hualapai Indian Reservation), Az Geol. Surv Contributed Report CR-11-O, 28 pp. [description and map of the geologic relations near the western Grand Canyon, arguing for post 6 Ma incision.]
• R.M. Flowers, B.P. Wernicke, and K.A. Farley, Unroofing, incision, and uplift history of the southwestern Colorado Plateau from apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronometry,Geological Society of America Bulletin, 120, p. 571-587, 2008 [concurs with idea of a lot of erosion in western Grand Canyon in late K to early T and generally more erosion on southern Plateau margin]
  • Hill, C. A., and W. D. Ranney. A proposed Laramide proto-Grand Canyon. Geomorphology, 102 (3-4) pp. 482-495, 2008. [more complex evolution for Colorado River presumes some lag gravels tell of southward flowing streams in middle Tertiary; infer internal drainage evolution for much of Cz (which makes one wonder, how do sediments escape an internal draiange basin?)]
• Polyak V., C. Hill, and Y.Asmerom, Age and evolution of the Grand Canyon revealed by U-Pb dating of water table-type speleothems. Science, 319 (5868) pp. 1377-1380, 2008. [try to date canyon from drops in water table recorded by cave features, suggests canyon cutting by ~20 Ma]
  • Pearthree P, Spencer JE, Faulds JE, and P. House, Comment on "Age and Evolution of the Grand Canyon Revealed by U-Pb Dating of Water Table-Type Speleothems". Science, 321 (5896) pp. 1634c-1634c, 2008. [similar to Pederson comment in reinterpreting older water-level drop ages]
  • Pederson, J, Young R, Lucchitta I, Beard LS, Billingsley G, Comment on "age and evolution of the Grand Canyon revealed by U-Pb dating of water table-type speleothems". Science, 321 (5896) pp. 1634b, 2008 [corrects some errors on timing at Grand Wash Cliffs, reminds reader of Muddy Creek problem, suggests two points suggesting older canyon are related to other phenomena]
  • Polyak, V., C. Hill, and Y.Asmerom Response to comments on the "age and evolution of the Grand Canyon revealed by U-Pb dating of water table-type speleothems". Science, 321 (5896) pp. 1634d, 2008 [defend need for pre-6 Ma incision, arguing sites nearer river are too old for simple post-6Ma incision]
• Pelletier, J. D., Numerical modeling of the late Cenozoic geomorphic evolution of Grand Canyon, Arizona. Geological Society Of America Bulletin, 122, (3-4) pp. 595-608, 2010. [Considers models like traditional 6Ma canyon cutting and 17 Ma older canyon and can more or less make modern canyon either way]
• Roberts, G. G., White, N. J., Martin-Brandis, G. L., & Crosby, A. G,. An uplift history of the Colorado Plateau and its surroundings from inverse modeling of longitudinal river profiles. Tectonics, 31(4), TC4022. doi:10.1029/2012TC003107, 2012 [a geomorphic and sedimentological approach covering the whole of the region infers 3 phases of uplift: Laramide, mid-Miocene, and modern-but kind of a proof of concept as models are quite simple--which also shows how many interpretations are possible]
  • Pederson, J.L., and Tressler, C., 2012, Colorado River long-profile metrics, knickzones and their meaning: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 345-348, p. 171–179, doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2012.06.047. [Argue that knickzones on the Colorado system are from variations in rock strength except in Desolation Canyon].
• Riebe CS, J. W. Kirchner, D. E. Granger, and R. C. Finkel, Erosional equilibrium and disequilibrium in the Sierra Nevada, inferred from cosmogenic Al-26 and Be-10 in alluvial sediment. Geology, 28 (9) pp. 803-806, 2000. [Cosmogenically derived erosion rates showing low rates on all slopes away from recent disequilibrium landscapes (knickpoints, fault scarps) and much higher rates where affected by such disequilibrium features]
• Kirchner J. W., R. C. Finkel, C. S. Riebe, D. E. Granger, J. L. Clayton, J. G. King, and W. F. Megahan, Mountain erosion over 10 yr, 10 k.y., and 10 m.y. time scales, Geology, 29 (7): 591 - 594, 2001. [modern measurements of river transport imply lower erosion rates than inferred from cosmogenic or low-T thermometry studies]

Neotectonics/Geodesy

• Wernicke, BP, Davis J, Niemi NA, Luffi P, Bisnath S, Active megadetachment beneath the western United States. J Geophys Res, 113 (B11) pp. 26, 2008 [a very speculative paper that, though, highlights an interesting intersection of geodesy and tectonics]
• Flesch L.M., W. E. Holt, A. J. Haines, L. Wen, and B. M. Shen-Tu, The dynamics of western North America: stress magnitudes and the relative role of gravitational potential energy, plate interaction at the boundary and basal tractions. Geophys J Int, 169 (3) pp. 866-896, 2007. [Attempt to fit geodetic strain rates by varying relative contributions of body forces (GPE), boundary tractions, and basal shear inferred from a convection model]
  • Klein E, L.M. Flesch , W. E. Holt, and A. J. Haines, Evidence of long-term weakness on seismogenic faults in western North America from dynamic modeling. J Geophys Res, 114 art. B03402, 2009 [attempt to repeat Flesch et al. calculations solely within the crust]
  • Flesch, L. M., W. E. Holt, A. J. Haines, and B. M. Shen-Tu. Dynamics of the Pacific-North American plate boundary in the western United States. Science (2000) vol. 287 (5454) pp. 834-836, 2000 [Combines plate edge forces and a simple attempt at GPE to predict overall stresses; derives viscosity variations from strain/stress ratio].
• Humphreys, E. D. and D. D. Coblentz. North American dynamics and western U.S. tectonics. Reviews of Geophysics, 45 (3) art. RG3001, 2007. [Similar in some respects to papers above, this one is more strongly focused on forces side of the calculations]
• Comparisons over time: geodesy, seismology, geology
  • Gourmelen, N. and F. Amelung. Postseismic mantle relaxation in the Central Nevada Seismic Belt. Science, 310 (5753) pp. 1473-1476, 2005 [Correct GPS for post-seismic relaxation to remove contraction from Basin and Range GPS]
  • Friedrich, A. M., J. Lee, B. P. Wernicke, and K. Sieh, Geologic context of geodetic data across a Basin and Range normal fault, Crescent Valley, Nevada. Tectonics, 23 (2) pp. TC2015, 2004. [Compares contraction between BARGEN sites with trenching across normal fault in same area]
  • Friedrich A.M., B. P. Wernicke, N. A. Niemi, R. A. Bennett, and J. L. Davis, Comparison of geodetic and geologic data from the Wasatch region, Utah, and implications for the spectral character of Earth deformation at periods of 10 to 10 million years. Journal Of Geophysical Research, 108 (B4) art. 2199, 2003. [analyses multiple datasets across Wasatch Fault to consider time-scale dependence of slip/strain rates]
  • Bird, P., Long-term fault slip rates, distributed deformation rates, and forecast of seismicity in the western United States from joint fitting of community geologic, geodetic, and stress direction data sets. Journal Of Geophysical Research, 114 (B11) art. B11403, 2009 [somewhat different goal: unified kinematic model of western U.S., which among other things is basis for arguing that permanent deformation off major faults is responsible for ~1/3 of geodetic strain and models assuming elastic blocks separated by a few faults cannot be correct]
  • Allmendinger, R.W., J. P. Loveless, M.E. Pritchard, and B. Meade, From decades to epochs: Spanning the gap between geodesy and structural geology of active mountain belts. Journal of Structural Geology, 31 (11) pp. 1409-1422, 2009 [opposite end of the spectrum in some sense, but compares a continuum approach with a model of finite blocks separated by faults; unlike Bird, above, think these are both equivalent]

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