The Colorado front range: anatomy of a Laramide uplift

By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Along a transect across the Front Range from Denver to the Blue River valley near Dillon, the trip explores the geologic framework and Laramide (Late Cretaceous to early Eocene) uplift history of this basement-cored mountain range. Specific items for discussion at various stops are (1) the sedimentary and structural record along the upturned eastern margin of the range, which contains several discontinuous, east-directed reverse faults; (2) the western structural margin of the range, which contains a minimum of 9 km of thrust overhang and is significantly different in structural style from the eastern margin; (3) mid- to late-Tertiary modifications to the western margin of the range from extensional faulting along the northern Rio Grande rift trend; (4) the thermal and uplift history of the range as revealed by apatite fission track analysis; (5) the Proterozoic basement of the range, including the significance of northeast-trending shear zones; and (6) the geologic setting of the Colorado mineral belt, formed during Laramide and mid-Tertiary igneous activity.

Study Area

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title The Colorado front range: anatomy of a Laramide uplift
DOI 10.1130/0-8137-0005-1.89
Volume 5
Year Published 2004
Language English
Publisher Geological Society of America
Publisher location Boulder, CO
Description 20 p.
Larger Work Type Book chapter
Larger Work Subtype Book Chapter
Larger Work Title GSA Field Guide
First page 89
Last page 108
Country United States
State Colorado
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details