Proposal title: geologic map of a portion of the wheeler mountain and mount ellis 7.5? Quadrangles, gallatin range, southwest montana: detailing the precambrian framework of north america and the…

The U.S. Geological Survey awarded a cooperative agreement totaling $134,525 to Montana State University on May 1, 2026, under the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (CFDA 15.810), EDMAP component, to produce a 1:24,000-scale geologic map of portions of the Wheeler Mountain and Mount Ellis 7.5-minute quadrangles in the Gallatin Range, southwest Montana.

The project generates USGS GEMS-compliant mapping products addressing three research goals: improving resolution of mapped lithologies and structures in the Precambrian basement, determining fault kinematics and timing and their relationship to Eocene volcanism, and investigating thermal effects of Phanerozoic sedimentation, volcanism, and tectonism on the Precambrian basement. Activities include geologic field mapping, acquisition of geochronologic and thermochronologic age and thermal history data, whole-rock geochemical analysis, and presentation at the Geological Society of America Annual Connects Meeting. Deliverables comprise a GEMS transmittal letter, a technical report in USGS EDMAP standards, one 1:24,000-scale geologic map covering the Hyalite-Sourdough Canyon area encompassing the southeast portion of the Wheeler 7.5-minute quadrangle and western half of the Mount Ellis 7.5-minute quadrangle, geochronologic data submitted to the USGS Geochron Database, and whole-rock geochemical data submitted to the USGS National Geochemical Database.

Work is performed in Montana with Montana State University providing workforce development through primary mapper, field assistants, and Principal Investigator Orme. The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology participates with Dr. Stuart Parker and Dr. Jesse Mosolf contributing to the research effort.

Period of performance runs May 1, 2026 through November 30, 2027.

Proposal title: geologic map of a portion of the wheeler mountain and mount ellis 7.5? Quadrangles, gallatin range, southwest montana: detailing the precambrian framework of north america and the subsequent thermal effects of phanerozoic sedimentation, tectonism, and volcanism project period: 05/01/2026-11/30/2027 purpose the purpose of this project is to generate a high-quality 1:24,000 scale USGS gems-compliant geologic map for portions of the wheeler mountain and mount ellis 7.5? Quadrangles, gallatin range, southwest montana. The research will address three primary research goals: (1) improve the resolution of mapped lithologies and structures in the precambrian basement, largely undifferentiated on current maps at the 1:100,000 scale, (2) determine the kinematics and timing of mapped faults, and relationship, if any, to eocene volcanism, and (3) investigate the effects of phanerozoic sedimentation, volcanism, and tectonism on the thermal history of the precambrian basement. Activities 1. Geologic mapping 2. Acquisition of age and thermal history data through geochronology and thermochronology 3. Acquisition of whole rock geochemistry that will inform on the composition of rocks 4. Presentation at the geological society of america annual connects meeting. Deliverables and outcomes 1. Gems transmittal letter 2. Technical report prepared in compliance with USGS edmap standards. 3. One 1:24,000 scale geologic map of the hyalite-sourdough canyon area, including the SE portion of the wheeler 7.5? Quadrangle and western half of the MT. Ellis 7.5? Quadrangle. 4. Geochronologic data will be submitted to the USGS geochron database. 5. Whole rock geochemical data will be submitted to the USGS national geochemical database. Intended beneficiary(IES) 1. Montana state university: research conducted by primary mapper and field assistants (workforce development) and PI orme 2. Montana bureau of mines and geology: DR. Stuart parker and DR. Jesse mosolf 3. Gallatin county, montana: the location of the proposed mapping is within gallatin county, a frequented area for recreation, hunting, and logging. 4. State of montana: the location of the proposed mapping, hyalite canyon, is the most recreated area outside of a national park in montana. 5. United states of america: the geologic map produced will contribute to the national understanding of earth?s resources and geology. Subrecipient activities: n/a, no sub-contractors