YBRA

YELLOWSTONE-BIGHORN

RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

Launching scientific field campaigns

YBRA Based Research

For generations, the YBRA has been a basecamp for scientists investigating a diverse array of field research within the region. Here we spotlight some of the recent ongoing projects that have used the YBRA as a home base for field campaigns.

Jason Schein

Elevation Science Institute
Red Lodge, Montana

Schein and the Elevation Science Institute have been conducting paleontological field research in the Bighorn Basin since 2017, using the YBRA as their camp base for summer operations. Elevation Science conducts extensive annual field campaigns that include educational programs for college students and citizen scientists of all ages and from around the world.

Learn more about their research and recent publications on their website.

John Weber

Grand Valley State University (GVSU)
Allendale, Michigan

Weber’s involved in two on-going collaborations between scientists at GVSU, Korea University, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and the University of Houston:

A neotectonic study of the southern Red Rock fault in Southwestern Montana, was initially part of the 2022 University of Houston YBRA field geology course. The fault sits on the eastern flank of the NW-SE trending Tendoy Range; the east-bounding normal fault represents a modern expression of “Basin and Range style” extension that sits in the northern arm of the Yellowstone parabola, in the wake of the migrating Yellowstone “hot spot” swell. Through GPS strain analysis it was determined that the Red Rock fault is in a locked interseismic stage building elastic strain. An estimated age of the last rupture on the fault of 10.6 ± 4.3 ka was determined from fault scarp diffusion analysis. The project produced possible rupture scenarios with moment magnitude for each fault segment and hard linking of segments, and used dGNSS coordinates, drone images, and SfM (Structure from Motion) analysis to plot and map in high-fidelity the Chute Canyon fault scarp, terraces, and alluvial fans. Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) beryllium-10 age dating of key landforms and deposits that interact with the fault is underway in collaboration with Korea University and the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.  

A Rock Creek and East Rosebud valley glacial and fluvioglacial deposit analysis, building on the 1967 work of Prof. Dale Ritter regarding terrace development along the front of the Beartooth Mountains, is ongoing. Weber and collaborator Prof. Yeong Bae Soeng (Korea University) along with students are working to re-map landforms using LiDAR, augmenting the mapping with terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) beryllium-10 age dating of the Quaternary glacial and fluvioglacial deposits. TCN dating is also underway on additionally regionally significant benches, relatively high elevation relict fluvioglacial terraces, such as the Polecat Bench, Wyoming.

Jacob Thacker

Montana State University Billings (MSUB)
Billings, Montana

Thacker is involved in mapping the Line Creek Plateau portion of the Beartooth Mountains that sits above YBRA. The work actively involves MSUB students in the field mapping, as well as in the lab to process and analyze samples. Funding so far has been provided by internal grants and an EDMAP grant from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Barely mapped in high resolution since the 1950’s, the Line Creek Plateau contains a key rock unit that provides information on the timing of Cretaceous tectonic and magmatic processes in south-central Montana. This rock, an igneous porphyry, is restricted to the southeast Beartooth Mountains, and cobbles of the porphyry are also found in the mid-Cretaceous Frontier Formation in Bighorn Basin. Work involves mapping the extent and types of the porphyry, their relationship to range-front Laramide faults that uplifted the Beartooth Mountains, and analyzing samples of the porphyry with zircon geochronology and trace and major element geochemistry.

Recent student abstracts from this work:
Brailer, N.A., Thacker, J.O., Michelfelder, G., 2024, Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of Line Creek Plateau porphyry outcrops (Beartooth Mountains) and Frontier Formation porphyry cobbles (Bighorn Basin), Montana and Wyoming: GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 56, n. 4.

Cunningham, E., Forquer, D., Thacker, J.O., VanderLeest, R.A., 2024, Geologic Mapping of Intermediate Porphyritic Intrusions on the Line Creek Plateau, Southeastern Beartooth Mountains, MT and WY: GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 56, n. 4.

Thomas J. Kalakay

Rocky Mountain College
Billings, Montana

With a combined passion for backcountry adventure and geological field research, Kalakay has hiked and climbed throughout most of the Beartooth Range. His research-based fieldwork is focused mainly westward of the YBRA, in the northwestern half of the Beartooths, termed the North Snowy Block (NSB). Kalakay has taught geology field courses at the YBRA every year since 2004, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Houston.

Much of the focus of Kalakay’s research has been resolving the timing and kinematics of the Snowy Shear Zone, a “suture” zone that developed during a late Archean Himalayan-style collision, that defines the western side of the Beartooth uplift. Complete with large-scale fold nappes and leucogranites, it likely connects with the better-known Madison mylonite zone farther to the southwest. Project collaborators have included both Jeff Webber (Stockton University) and David Foster (University of Florida).

Kalakay has mapped a series of the leopard-rock dikes, a type of porphyritic metadolerite dike, found in the Beartooth Range and in collaboration with Kevin Chamberlain (University of Wyoming), is working on preliminary age determinations.

A research component of both Kalakay’s teaching with the Rocky Mountain College Field Methods curriculum and University of Houston-YBRA Field Camp course, builds on Licciardi and Pierce’s 2008 work determining cosmogenic exposure-age chronologies of the Pinedale terminal moraines of the Clarks Fork Canyon. Kalakay’s student-driven work focuses primarily on surficial geology, working to establish relative chronologies for glacial and potentially post-glacial landforms and deposits. A history of glacial outburst floods at the Clarks Fork, has resulted in a complex history of glaciofluvial terraces that is as of yet unresolved.

Lageson, D.R., Kalakay, T.J., and Foster, D.A., 2020, Mountain building: The orogenic evolution of Montana, in Metesh, J.J., and Vuke, S.M., eds., Geology of Montana—Geologic History: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication 122, v. 1.

Webber, J.R., Avelar Flores, A., Del Turco, A., Kalakay, T.J., Williams, M.L., and Mogk, D., 2019, Undefining the Snowy Shear Zone — A Tectonometamorphic Approach to Understanding Polyphase Deformation within the Western Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains of Montana, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 51, No. 1, Paper No. 39-5.

Jerry Bartholomew

University of Memphis (Emeritus)
Memphis, Tennessee

Bartholomew has conducted research over decades with graduate students in regions surrounding the YBRA. A collaboration with Will Jackson (State Geologist of Tennessee) investigated the deformation associated with paleoseismic events in the Bighorn Basin, leading to refined insights into Laramide tectonism. Work with Graham Ellsworth (Donlin Gold LLC) on the analysis of fracture sets associated with the Dead Indian Hill and Heart Mountain detachments that followed the Laramide, has helped clarify the brittle fracture sequencing for the region.

Bartholomew, M.J., Stewart, K.G., Wise, D.U., and Ballantyne, H.A., 2008, Field Guide: Paleoseismites: Indicators of Laramide tectonism and other events near the Bighorn Basin, Montana and Wyoming, p. 135-158 in Thomas, R.C., and Gibson, R.I., eds., The Red Lodge Area, Montana: Tobacco Root Geological Society 33th Annual Field Conference – July 31 – August 3, 2008: Northwest Geology, v. 37, 172p.

Stewart, K.G., Bartholomew, M.J., Ballantyne, H.A., 2008, Laramide paleoseismites of the Bighorn Basin, p.249-264 in R.G. Raynolds, ed., Roaming the Rocky Mountains and Environs: Geological Field Trips: Geological Society of America Field Guide 10, Denver, Colorado, 310p.

Jackson, W.T., Jr., Bartholomew, M.J., Dupre, W.R., Armstrong, T.F., Stewart, K.G., 2016, Campanian paleoseismites of the Elk Basin anticline, northern Big Horn Basin, U.S.A.: A record of initial Laramide deformation: Journal of Sedimentary Research, V.86, p.394-407.

Jackson, W., Jr., McKay, M., Bartholomew, M., Allison, D., Spurgeon, D., Shaulis, B., Van Tongerren, J., Jacob Sertera, J., 2019, Laramide tectonism recorded by Late Cretaceous paleoseismites in the northern Bighorn Basin, USA: Field indicators of an applied end load stress: Geology, v. 47, no.11, p. 1059-1063.

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Beartooth Artist-in-Residence Program (BAiR)

The Carbon County Arts Guild & Depot Gallery has partnered with the Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association (YBRA) to offer artists a chance to have uninterrupted time to work on their art in a natural setting. This is opportunity is the Beartooth Artist-in-Residence Program (BAiR). Applications are being accepted now through April 30, 2025. Photo by

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2025 YBRA Uplift Award

The YBRA is pleased to recognize Joan Brownell and Denece Lord as the 2025 YBRA Uplift Award for Outstanding Support recipients. 

Brownell and Lord have both individually, and in partnership, contributed to aspects of the preservation and recognition of the YBRA in the historic archives of Montana history.

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2024 Dutcher Award

INTRODUCING the 2024 YBRA Dutcher Award recipient, Prof. John Weber! The Dutcher Award, established in 2002 for exceptional service to the organization, is the highest award bestowed on a YBRA member. Weber, a Professor of Geology at Grand Valley State University (Allendale, Michigan) has served on the YBRA Board for over two decades, working as

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CCHR Grant for the Fanshawe!

The Fanshawe Lodge was one of several projects selected for 2025 funding under the Carbon County Historic Rehabilitation Grant Program (CCHR)! This initiative, supported by a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant from the National Park Service, Department of Interior, provides funds to help revitalize and restore historic buildings in Carbon County. Work on the Fanshawe

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Sisson is Recipient of the 2024 University of Houston Faculty Award for Excellence in Service!

The YBRA’s own Jinny Sisson is the University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) 2024 recipient of the Faculty Award for Excellence in Service! This award recognizes faculty members who have made significant contributions to the university, college, or department. This includes service in areas such as editorial roles, grant review panels,

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Tippet Rise Geo-Paleo Tours

Located near Fishtail, Montana on a 10,260-acre working sheep and cattle ranch, Tippet Rise is known for its summer concert series as well as its large-scale outdoor sculpture installations. The unique geological features of the region have given rise to a limited series of annual summer Geo-Paleo tours. Guided by a YBRA geologist in partnership

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The YBRA is a non-profit organization that was established in 1936 to "further fundamental geological science and the training of students under exceptionally favorable conditions."

YBRA conducts geology and other applied field science in the northern Rocky Mountains of Montana and Wyoming.

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