Professional Background

Dr. Michael L. Wells earned his B.S. degree in Geology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University. Between his undergraduate and graduate education, he worked for the US Geological Survey in Denver, Colorado, and in gold exploration in southern Oregon. Subsequent to graduate studies, he taught at Colgate University for one academic year as a PEW Foundation Teaching Fellow, and was a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the US Geological Survey in Menlo Park. Dr. Wells received the Graduate College's UNLV Foundation Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award for the 1997/98 academic year.

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Teaching

Courses Taught:

Undergraduate:
• GEY 101 Geological Concepts
• GEY 341 Structural Geology
• GEY 348 Field Geology 1
• GEY 370 Intermediate Field Geology
• GEY 371 Advanced Field Geology
• GEY 443 Plate Tectonics

Graduate:
• GEY 643 Plate Tectonics
• GEY 745 Advanced Structural Geology
• GEY 746 Strain and Microstructural Analysis
• GEY 747 Geological Evolution of Western North America
• GEY 796 Graduate Seminar in Geology

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Research Interests

Dr. Wells is a structural geologist, with current research interests including: the processes of contraction and extension in the internides of mountain belts, in particular the Mesozoic Cordilleran Orogen of the western United States and; the timing and mechanisms of exhumation of mid-crustal rocks during Cenozoic extension. These studies are carried out by integrating field-structural studies with modern techniques of strain and kinematic analysis. Additionally, thermochronology is applied to structural studies to link the structural history of deformed rocks to their thermal histories, in an effort to determine the progressive deformation and kinematic trajectories within orogenic belts.

Recent Funded Research

National Science Foundation: Testing theories of synconvergent extension in the hinterland of the Sevier orogen, July 2006-June 2009 (collaborative research with Tom Hoisch at NAU and Jeffrey Vervoot at WSU).

National Science Foundation: Orogen Hinterland Evolution: Testing hypotheses using the Cretaceous to Eocene stratigraphic record in eastern Nevada, USA, August 2006-September 2008, A.D. Hanson (PI), Wells (Co-PI).

National Science Foundation: Thrust burial, metamorphism, and episodic tectonic exhumation of the hinterland of the Sevier orogenic belt, northwestern Utah and southern Idaho, June 1998 - May 2001 (collaborative research with Dr. Thomas D. Hoisch at Northern Arizona University).

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Selected Publications (since 2000)

Wells, M.L., Struthers, J.S., Snee, L.W., Walker, J.D., and Blythe, A.E., in prep., Miocene extensional reactivation of an Eocene extensional shear zone, Grouse Creek Mountains, Utah: for Geological Society of America (GSA) Bulletin.

Wells, M.L., Burgett, D.B., Spell, T.L., Hoisch, T.D., and Grove, M., in prep., Tectonic implications of the age, origin, and polarity of the Iron Mountains shear zone, southeastern California: for Tectonics.

Hoisch, T.D., Wells, M.L., Grove, M., in press, Age trends in garnet-hosted monazite inclusions from upper amphibolite facies schist in the northern Grouse Creek Mountains, Utah, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

Wells, M.L, in press, Geologic Map of the Kelton Pass 7.5’ Quadrangle, Box Elder County, Utah: Utah Geological Survey Map 1##, xx p., 2 sheets, scale 1:24,000. 

Wells, M.L., Hoisch, T.D., 2008, Delamination of mantle lithosphere as the cause of widespread Late Cretaceous extension and anatexis in the southwestern Cordilleran orogen: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 120, p. 515-530, doi: 10.1130/B26006.1. Available .pdf

Wells, M.L., Spell, T.L., Hoisch, T.D., Arriola, T., and Zanetti, K.A., 2008, Laserprobe ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of strain fringes: Mid-Cretaceous synconvergent orogen-parallel extension in the hinterland of the Sevier orogen: Tectonics, doi: 10.1029/2007TC002153. Available .pdf

Harris, C.R., Hoisch, T.D., and Wells, M.L., 2007, Construction of a composite pressure-temperature path: revealing the synorogenic burial and exhumation history of the Sevier hinterland, USA: Journal of Metamorphic Geology. Available .pdf

Kula, J.L., Tulloch, A., Spell, T.L., and Wells, M.L., 2007, Two-stage rifting of Zealandia - Australia - Antarctica: evidence from ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar thermochronometry of the Sisters shear zone, Stewart Island, New Zealand: Geology. Available .pdf

Wells, M.L., Beyene, M.A., Spell, T.L., Kula, J.L., Miller, D.M. and Zanetti, K.A., 2005, The Pinto shear zone, a Laramide synconvergent extensional shear zone in the Mojave Desert region of the southwestern United States: Journal of Structural Geology, v 27, pp 1697-1720. Available .pdf

Hoisch, T.D., Wells, M.L., and Hanson, L.M., 2002, Pressure-temperature paths from garnet zoning: Evidence for multiple episodes of thrust burial separated by exhumation in the hinterland of the Sevier orogenic belt: American Mineralogist, v. 87, p. 115-131. Available .pdf

Wells, M.L., 2001, Rheological control on the initial geometry of the Raft River detachment fault and shear zone, western United States: Tectonics, v. 20, p. 435-457.  Available .pdf

Abstracts (since 2001)

Hoisch, T.D., Wells, M.L., 2008, Textural evidence from garnet schist for a major synorogenic exhumation event in the hinterland of the Sevier orogenic belt: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 40, p. 76.

Wells, M.L., 2008, Tectonic implications of Late Cretaceous extension and granite production in the Mojave Desert region:  Delamination of mantle lithosphere at the onset of the Laramide orogeny?: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 40, p. 48.

Wells, M.L., Hoisch, T.D., 2008, Multiple triggers for multiple episodes of synconvergent extension in the Sevier hinterland: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 40, p. 76.

Styger, S., Hoisch, T.D., and Wells, M.L., 2008, A preliminary metamorphic pressure-temperature path from the Funeral Mountains, California:  a record of thrusting and exhumation in the Sevier orogen: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 40, p. 94.

Druschke, P., Hanson, A.D., and Wells, M.L., 2008, Detrital zircon provenance of Cretaceous to Eocene strata in the Sevier hinterland, Central Nevada: Implications for tectonics and paleogeography: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 40, p. 78.

Mulch, Andreas, Chamberlain, C. Page, Teyssier, Christian, Wells, Michael L., Perkins, Michael E., 2007, Stable isotope paleoaltimetry in coupled basin-detachment systems of the North American Cordillera: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs.

Cruz-Aribe, A., Hoisch, T.D., Wells, M.L., Vervoort, J., 2007, Adding the t to garnet P-T paths using the Lu-Hf method: Age constraints on thrusting and exhumation events in the hinterland of the Sevier orogen: AGU Annual Meeting, Abstract.

Wells, M.L., Spell, T.L., Arriola, T., and Hoisch, T.S., 2007, A mid-Cretaceous age for synconvergent orogen-parallel extension in the interior of the Sevier orogen constrained by laserprobe ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of strain fringes: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs.

Druschke, P., Hanson, A.D., Wells, M.L., 2007, Late Cretaceous extensional collapse of the Sevier hinterland: Structural and stratigraphic evidence from the Sheep Pass Formation, east-central Nevada: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs.

Brichau, S., Stockli, D.F., Wells, M.L., Dewane, T.J., Schroeder, J., and Hager, C., 2006, Thermochronometric constraints on the timing and geometry of extensional faulting in the Whipple and Iron Mountains, Colorado River extensional corridor: Fall AGU Meeting, Abstract.

Kula, J.L., Tulloch, A., Spell, T.L., and Wells, M.L., 2006, Thermochronometry of the Sisters shear zone, Stewart Island, New Zealand: Implications for driving mechanisms and multi-stage evolution of the breakup of Gondwana's margin: Fall AGU Meeting, Abstract.

Cosca, M.A., Mulch, A., Teyssier, C., Wells, M.L., and Chamberlain, C.P., 2006, Recovering the timing of mylonitization from coupled ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and hydrogen isotope data: 16th Annual V.M. Goldschmidt Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Kula, J.L., Tullock, A., Spell, T.L., and Wells, M.L., 2005, Timing of continental extension leading to separation of eastern New Zealand from west Antarctica: ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar thermochronometry from Stewart Island: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs.

Mulch, A , Teyssier, C, Chamberlain, C. P., Vennemann, T., Cosca, M., Wells, M.L., 2004, Ain't No Mountain High Enough: Reconstructing Paleoelevation of Eroded Orogens: Fall AGU Meeting, Abstract.

Mulch, A., Teyssier, C., Chamberlain, P., Vennemann, T., Cosca, M., Wells, M.L., 2004, How high was the Cordillera? Eocene elevation of the North American Cordillera recorded in stable isotope composition of detachment mylonites: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. 

Hoisch, T.D., and Wells, M.L., 2004, Correlation between Th-Pb ion microprobe ages of monazite inclusions in garnet and garnet growth zoning from upper amphibolite facies schist: Implications for dating garnet: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, vol.36, p.134. 

Wells, M.L., Hoisch, T.D., Kula, J.L., Burgett, D., 2004, Removal of mantle lithosphere, synconvergent extension and crustal anatexis in the Late Cretaceous Cordilleran interior: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. 

Wells, M.L., Sheeley, J.C., Spell, T.L., Kelly, E.D., and Hoisch, T.D., 2004, Eocene extension in northwestern Utah-southern Idaho: Early motion on the polyphase Middle Mountain shear zone: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 36, p. 73. 

Kelly, E.D., Hoisch, T.D., and Wells, M.L., 2004, Metamorphic pressure-temperature paths and isotopic dating in the hanging wall of a major thrust, Sevier hinterland, south-central Idaho: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 36, p. 9. 

Smith, A.G., Wells, M.L., Foster, D., 2003, Timing and development of an orogen-parallel lineation and of frontal thrusting in the southern Cordilleran fold-thrust belt, New York Mountains, California: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 35, p. 513. 

Kelly, Eric, Hoisch, T.D., and Wells, M.L., 2003, Pressure-temperature paths and Th-Pb monazite dating in the hanging wall of a major thrust in the hinterland of the Sevier orogenic belt, Albion Mountains, south-central Idaho: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 35, p. 632. 

Wells, M.L., Spell, T.L., Grove, M., 2002, Late Cretaceous intrusion and extensional exhumation of the Cadiz Valley Batholith, Iron Mountains, southeastern California: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 34, p. 178. 

Kula, J.L., Spell, T.L., Wells, M.L., 2002, Syntectonic intrusion and exhumation of a Mesozoic plutonic complex in the Late Cretaceous, Granite Mountains, southeastern California: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 34, p. 249. 

Hoisch, T.D., Wells, M.L., Grove, M., Bailley, T., Harris, C., and Kelly, E., 2002, Dating of garnet growth in upper amphibolitie facies schist by Thorium-Lead ion microprobe dating on monazite inclusions: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 34, p. 311-312. 

Wells, M.L., and Hoisch, T.D., 2002, Latest Cretaceous to Early Eocene renewed shortening in the interior of the Sevier-Laramide Orogen: Insitu Th-Pb microprobe dating of monazite: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 34, p. 510. 

Sheely, J.C., Wells, M.L., Spell, T.L., 2001, Timing and kinematics of an Eocene-Miocene shear zone, Grouse Creek Mountains, Utah: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 33, no. 7. 

Dudash, S.L., Hoisch, T.D., and Wells, M.L., 2001, Polymetamorphism of Archean pelitic schist in the Grouse Creek Mountains, northwestern Utah: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 33, no. 3. 

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Students

• Mengesha Beyene, in progress, Magnitude, timing, and rates of Mesozoic    burial and Mesozoic-Cenozoic exhumation, Funeral Mountains,    southeastern California [PhD Dissertation]
• Tonia Arriola, 2008, Vorticity analysis of orogen-parallel flow, Grouse Creek    Mountains, Utah [MS Thesis]
• Joseph Kula, 2007, Thermochronologic constraints on Mesozoic tectonism in    southwest U.S. and New Zealand; and investigating muscovite stability and    argon degassing behavior with implications for ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar thermochronology    [PhD Dissertation]
• Jay Sheeley, 2001, Kinematics and timing of normal faulting in a    metamorphic core complex, Grouse Creek Mountains, Utah [MS Thesis]
• Mengesha Beyene, 2000, Kinematics and timing of the Pinto shear zone,    New York Mountains, northeastern Mojave Desert, California [MS Thesis]   

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External Committee Members

• Alicia Cruz-Uribe (NAU), in progress, Pressure-temperature-time paths from    garnet schists in the hinterland of the Sevier orogen: investigating the    causes of synorogenic extension, Raft River Mountains, Utah [MS]
• Sheena Styger (NAU), in progress, Mechanisms of synconvergent extension    as understood through pressure, temperature, time paths from the    hinterland of the Sevier orogen, Funeral Mountains, southeastern California    [MS]
• Caroline Harris (NAU), Metamorphic petrology of the footwall of the Basin-    Elba fault, Albion Mountains, southern Idaho [MS, 12/04]
• Eric Kelly (NAU), Thermochronology and P-T paths of the hanging wall to the    Basin-Elba fault, Albion Mountains, southern Idaho [MS, 8/05]
• Stephanie Dudash (NAU), Polymetamorphism of a 2.5 Ga schist in the    Grouse Creek Mountains, northwestern Utah [MS, 8/01]

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