Project abstract summaryproject title: UST western bitter spring valley mapping project: training undergraduate geoscientistsproject period: 09 01 2023- 08 31 2024 award purpose the proposed project…

Project abstract summaryproject title: UST western bitter spring valley mapping project: training undergraduate geoscientistsproject period: 09 01 2023- 08 31 2024 award purpose the proposed project will have two main purposes 1) to train undergraduate students and prepare them for graduate school and industry and 2) to tackle questions of continental rifting in the central basin and range by building on past edmap work and contributing to the larger goal of refining tectonic models of extension and fully constraining the structural and paleogeographic evolution of the central basin and range extension north of lake mead along the arizona-nevada border. This geographic area is an ideal location to train undergraduates and study major normal and strike-slip fault systems that accommodate large-magnitude extension. Activities to be performed students will collect volcanic tuff samples to help with correlations across faults and for chornostratigraphy in the project area. The primary investigator will work in the field along with the lead student and two assistants to begin fieldwork subsequently, the lead mapper will continue with one assistant while the primary investigator will work with the other assistant in a separate area. Observations found during mapping, along with subsequent analysis of volcanic samples, will allow students to develop the full chronostratigraphic framework of the study area. Deliverable products the students will complete a digital 1:10,000 map of the study area in arcpro with an accompanying report that includes a description of mapping units and structural analysis. Intended beneficiary(IES) the benefits of this mapping project and associated scientific investigations will be: mentoring of the supported students. Additionally, the project will offer a great educational opportunity and IT will add to the available geologic data from the area that will contribute to a larger effort to develop tectonic models of the central basin and range. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award. N a