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Amy Gilmer, PhD

I am an igneous petrologist interested in the role magmatic processes play in driving plate tectonics, building mountains, forming of volcanic belts and their associated geologic hazards, and forming hydrothermal ore deposits. 

My research is focused on the evolution of magmatic systems. I study extinct systems, using exposures to explore internal processes driving magma, analogous to the plumbing systems feeding active volcanoes. I combine field geology, geochronology, geochemistry, and petrology to constrain conditions of magmatic storage and differentiation that result in either eruption or pluton emplacement and help us understand the larger architecture of magmatic systems. 

 

Professional Experience

  • Research Geologist (2018-present)

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, U.S. Geological Survey (2017-2018)

  • Geologist, Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources (2001-2012)

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Geological Science, University of Bristol (2016)

  • M.S., Geological Science, The University of Texas at Austin (2001)

  • B.S., Geology, College of William and Mary (1999)

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 13

Data Release for Geologic Map of Petroglyph National Monument and Vicinity, Bernalillo County, New Mexico

This geologic map depicts and briefly describes geologic units underlying Petroglyph National Monument and immediately adjacent areas in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The Monument is underlain dominantly by Quaternary basalts of the Albuquerque Volcanoes volcanic field, a series of basin-filling volcanic flows and associated vents from a monogenetic volcanic highland along the eastern margin of t
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Filter Total Items: 13

A supervolcano and its sidekicks: A 100 ka eruptive chronology of the Fish Canyon Tuff and associated units of the La Garita magmatic system

Establishing temporal constrains on major volcanic eruptions is limited by the precision of existing geochronometers. Prior work on the La Garita caldera, created by the eruption of the Fish Canyon Tuff, failed to resolve temporal differences between pre-, syn-, and post-collapse eruptive units. Here, we report 40Ar/39Ar geochronologic data supporting a ca. 100 ka eruptive history of the La Garita
Authors
Leah E. Morgan, Samuel Johnstone, Amy K. Gilmer, Michael A. Cosca, Ren A. Thompson
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Gilmer, A.K., Sparks, R.S.J., Rust, A.C., Tapster, Simon, Webb, A.D., and Barfod, D.N., Geology of the Don Manuel igneous complex, central Chile: Implications for igneous processes in porphyry copper systems:GSA Bulletin, 129 (7-8): 920–946.
Blundy, J., Mavrogenes, J., Tattitch, B., Sparks, S., and Gilmer, A. 2015, Generation of porphyry copper deposits by gas-brine reaction in volcanic arcs: Nature Geoscience, 8, 235-240.
Pratt, T.L., Horton, J.W., Spears, D.B., Gilmer, A.K., and McNamara, D.E., 2014, The 2011 Virginia Mw 5.8 earthquake: Insights from seismic reflection imaging into the influence of older structures on eastern US seismicity: Geological Society of America Special Papers, 509, SPE509-16.
Shah, A.K., Horton, J.W., Burton, W.C., Spears, D.B., and Gilmer, A.K., 2014, Subsurface geologic features of the 2011 central Virginia earthquakes revealed by airborne geophysics: Geological Society of America Special Papers, 509, SPE509-17.
Gilmer, A.K., Kyle, J.R., Connelly, J.N., and Mathur, R.D., and Henry, CD., 2003, Extension of Laramide magmatism in southwestern North America into Trans-Pecos Texas: Geology, v. 31, no. 5, p. 447-450.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 13

Data Release for Geologic Map of Petroglyph National Monument and Vicinity, Bernalillo County, New Mexico

This geologic map depicts and briefly describes geologic units underlying Petroglyph National Monument and immediately adjacent areas in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The Monument is underlain dominantly by Quaternary basalts of the Albuquerque Volcanoes volcanic field, a series of basin-filling volcanic flows and associated vents from a monogenetic volcanic highland along the eastern margin of t
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Filter Total Items: 13

A supervolcano and its sidekicks: A 100 ka eruptive chronology of the Fish Canyon Tuff and associated units of the La Garita magmatic system

Establishing temporal constrains on major volcanic eruptions is limited by the precision of existing geochronometers. Prior work on the La Garita caldera, created by the eruption of the Fish Canyon Tuff, failed to resolve temporal differences between pre-, syn-, and post-collapse eruptive units. Here, we report 40Ar/39Ar geochronologic data supporting a ca. 100 ka eruptive history of the La Garita
Authors
Leah E. Morgan, Samuel Johnstone, Amy K. Gilmer, Michael A. Cosca, Ren A. Thompson
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Gilmer, A.K., Sparks, R.S.J., Rust, A.C., Tapster, Simon, Webb, A.D., and Barfod, D.N., Geology of the Don Manuel igneous complex, central Chile: Implications for igneous processes in porphyry copper systems:GSA Bulletin, 129 (7-8): 920–946.
Blundy, J., Mavrogenes, J., Tattitch, B., Sparks, S., and Gilmer, A. 2015, Generation of porphyry copper deposits by gas-brine reaction in volcanic arcs: Nature Geoscience, 8, 235-240.
Pratt, T.L., Horton, J.W., Spears, D.B., Gilmer, A.K., and McNamara, D.E., 2014, The 2011 Virginia Mw 5.8 earthquake: Insights from seismic reflection imaging into the influence of older structures on eastern US seismicity: Geological Society of America Special Papers, 509, SPE509-16.
Shah, A.K., Horton, J.W., Burton, W.C., Spears, D.B., and Gilmer, A.K., 2014, Subsurface geologic features of the 2011 central Virginia earthquakes revealed by airborne geophysics: Geological Society of America Special Papers, 509, SPE509-17.
Gilmer, A.K., Kyle, J.R., Connelly, J.N., and Mathur, R.D., and Henry, CD., 2003, Extension of Laramide magmatism in southwestern North America into Trans-Pecos Texas: Geology, v. 31, no. 5, p. 447-450.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

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