Professor
Department: Earth Sciences
University System: Montana State University - Bozeman
Website(s): http://www.montana.edu/earthsciences/directory/1524287/david-lageson
Professional Summary:
Broadly speaking, my research program addresses various aspects of the structural geology and tectonic evolution of the Rocky Mountains, from Montana to Colorado (focusing on the Sevier and Laramide orogens). I would describe myself as a field-based structural geologist, with primary interests in brittle deformation of the upper crust and its sedimentary cover. Western Montana comprises an important and very active segment of the intermountain seismic belt. This is indeed earthquake country! The seismically active northeast margin of the Basin and Range extensional province overlaps the Sevier and Laramide orogens in western Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, in addition to active seismicity surrounding the Yellowstone hotspot. Therefore, I am particularly interested in the many ways by which preexisting Laramide/Sevier contractile structures are “exploited” or reactivated by young, earthquake-generating, normal fault systems (such as the Hebgen Lake, Red Canyon, Madison, Centennial, and Teton fault systems).