Chief, Energy Resources Section - Stratigraphy, basin analysis, tectonics, and petroleum geology
Education and/or Training
Ph.D. candidate (2000-2004), University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.S. 1999, University of Wisconsin-Madison (Geology)
B.S. 1997, University of Alaska, Fairbanks (Geology)
Projects and/or Research Interests
As Chief of the Energy Resources Section, I provide administrative and technical leadership for the Division's various applied energy research programs around the state. I also lead the Brooks Range foothills and North Slope program, an ongoing multi-agency collaborative effort to acquire and publish high quality geologic data to improve our understanding of the regional petroleum system and entice new exploration investment in Alaska. Over the last decade, this has involved field programs across the central North Slope, focusing on stratigraphic and structural problems that bear on the hydrocarbon potential of the region. We also integrate these topical field studies with available subsurface data to better inform our bedrock geologic mapping. In addition, I participate in our Cook Inlet and Interior basins programs, offering expertise in sedimentary geology and tectonics.
My background is primarily in outcrop-based clastic sedimentology and stratigraphy. I have experience in a variety of depositional systems, ranging from lacustrine to fan-deltaic to deep water fan deposits. I've conducted fieldwork in a number of regions, most notably Permian nonmarine basins in northwestern China, the Cretaceous foreland basin in northern Alaska, and Jurassic-Cenozoic forearc strata in Alaska's Cook Inlet. My main research interests involve the application of sequence stratigraphy and provenance to regional tectonic problems and petroleum geology.
Professional Experience
2022-present, Chief, Energy Resources, State of Alaska, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, AK
2004-2022, Research Geologist, State of Alaska, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, AK
2002, Development Geologist (intern), BP Exploration, Anchorage, AK
2000, Field Geologist (intern) Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Houston, TX
1999, Exploration Geologist (intern), Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Houston, TX
Selected Professional Activities
APPOINTMENTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
2007-present, Affiliate Professor, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Department of Geoscience
2011-2016, Alaska representative in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists House of Delegates
2009-2011, Board of Directors, Alaska Geological Society
2003, Bailey Distinguished Research Fellowship, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2000 & 2001, Lewis G. Weeks Research Fellowship, University of Wisconsin-Madison
AWARDS
2002, H. Victor Church Award, Best Technical Presentation, American Association of Petroleum Geologists
2002, Distinguished Graduate Student Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2002, Weeks Outstanding Research Paper Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2000, Student Research Award, Sigma XI-The Scientific Research Society
2000, John T. Dillon Award for outstanding tectonic work in Alaska, Geological Society of America
2000, John Teagle Award for Petroleum Geology, American Association of Petroleum Geologists
2000, Outstanding Research Award, Geological Society of America
SCIENTIFIC MEETING LEADERSHIP
2022, Session Chair, The Geological Evolution of Northern Alaska (GSA)
2017, Co-leader, Brookian topset core workshop-depositional setting and reservoir facies in the Nanushuk Formation (AAPG)
2016, Organizing committee member and oral session chair, Alaska Geological Society technical conference
2015, Session chair, Tectonics, sedimentation, and energy resource potential of the Northern Cordillera (GSA)
2014, Session chair, Forearc basin tectonics and sedimentation (GSA)
2012, Co-leader, Brooks Range fold and thrust belt workshop (Alaska Geological Society)
2011, Symposium chair, Geology and hydrocarbon potential of the North Slope, offshore Beaufort, and Chukchi Seas (AAPG)
2007, 2008, & 2010, Organized 2-day technical conferences on oil and gas geology of the North Slope, Cook Inlet, and Bristol Bay
2006, Symposium chair, The Brooks Range orogen: A symposium in honor of Gil Mull (AAPG)
2006, Joint theme session chair, Foreland basin systems: Archives of coupled structural and sedimentary processes (GSA/AAPG)
FIELD TRIP LEADERSHIP
2019, 2018, & 2004-2008, Field trip leader, Structure, stratigraphy and petroleum geology of the Brooks Range and North Slope
2017, Field trip leader, Geology of northern Alaska--A transect along the Dalton Highway (AAPG)
2012, Co-leader, Mesozoic stratigraphy, structure and petroleum geology of Cook Inlet
2011, Contributing field trip leader, Sedimentology, reservoir quality and tectonics, Neogene, Cook Inlet (AAPG)
Selected Publications
- Gillis, R.J., Wartes, M.A., Herriott, T.M., LePain, D.L., Benowitz, J.A., Wypych, Alicja, Donelick, R.A., O'Sullivan, P.B., and Layer, P.W., 2022, 40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb geochronology of Cretaceous-Paleocene igneous rocks and Cenozoic strata of northwestern Cook Inlet, Alaska: Linkages between arc magmatism, cooling, faulting, and forearc subsidence: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Professional Report 125 v. 1.1, 78 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30554
- LePain, D.L., Wartes, M.A., Kirkham, R.A., and Mongrain, J.R., 2021, Measured stratigraphic section in the upper Schrader Bluff Formation (Late Campanian-Maastrichtian?), Ivishak River, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2021-3, 11 p., 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/30693
- Zhang, Jinyu, Flaig, P.P., Wartes, M.A., Aschoff, Jennifer, and Shuster, Mark, 2021, Integrating stratigraphic modelling, inversion analysis, and shelf-margin records to guide provenance analyses: An example from the Cretaceous Colville Basin, Arctic Alaska: Basin Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/bre.12543
- Harun, N.T., and Wartes, M.A., 2020, Preliminary characterization of two coals from the upper Prince Creek Formation, Sagwon Bluffs, North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2020-4, 13 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30556
- Herriott, T.M., Crowley, J.L., Schmitz, M.D., Wartes, M.A., and Gillis, R.J., 2019, Exploring the law of detrital zircon: LA-ICP-MS and CA-TIMS geochronology of Jurassic forearc strata, Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA: Geology, v. 47.
https://doi.org/10.1130/G46312.1
- Herriott, T.M., Wartes, M.A., O'Sullivan, P.B., and Gillis, R.J., 2019, Detrital zircon maximum depositional dates for the Jurassic Chinitna and Naknek Formations, lower Cook Inlet, Alaska: A preliminary view: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2019-5, 11 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30180
- Helmold, K.P., Wartes, M.A., Gillis, R.J., LePain, D.L., Herriott, T.M., Stanley, R.G., and Wilson, M.D., 2018, Secular changes in Cenozoic arc magmatism recorded by trends in forearc-basin sandstone composition, Cook Inlet, southern Alaska, in Ingersoll, R.V., Lawton, T.F., and Graham, S.A., eds., Tectonics, Sedimentary Basins, and Provenance: A Celebration of William R. Dickinson's career: Geological Society of America, Special Paper 50, p. 591-615. https://doi.org/10.1130/2018.2540(26)
- Herriott, T.M., Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., Gillis, R.J., Shellenbaum, D.P., Willingham, A.L., and Mauel, D.J., 2018, Geologic map of the Umiat-Gubik area, central North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2018-6, 55 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:63,360. https://doi.org/10.14509/30099
- Herriott, T.M., and Wartes, M.A., 2017, Discovery of a 35-meter-thick, oil-stained sandstone interval in outcrop of the Tonnie Siltstone Member, Chinitna Formation, lower Cook Inlet, south-central Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2017-5, 12 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29837
- Gillis, R.J., Benowitz, J.A., O'Sullivan, P.B., Layer, P.W., and Wartes, M.A., 2017, Zircon U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar results from dikes collected within the Bruin Bay fault zone, lower Cook Inlet: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Raw Data File 2017-7, 14 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29750
- Herriott, T.M., Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., 2017, Deep-water canyons and sequence-stratigraphic framework of the Upper Jurassic Naknek Formation, south-central Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2017-4, 53 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29707
- Newberry, R.J., Herriott, T.M., Wartes, M.A., Gillis, R.J., and Wypych, Alicja, 2016, Major-oxide and trace-element geochemistry of mafic rocks in the Carboniferous Lisburne Group, Ivishak River area, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Raw Data File 2016-2, 2 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29563
- Herriott, T.M., Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., and Harun, N.T., 2016, Preliminary stratigraphic architecture of the Middle Jurassic Paveloff Siltstone Member, Chinitna Formation, Tuxedni Bay area, Cook Inlet, Alaska, in Herriott, T.M., ed., Petroleum-related geologic studies in lower Cook Inlet during 2015, Iniskin-Tuxedni region, south-central Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2016-1-5, p. 39-44. https://doi.org/10.14509/29539
- Herriott, T.M., Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., 2016, Record of a Late Jurassic deep-water canyon at Chisik Island, south-central Alaska: Further delineation of Naknek Formation depositional systems in lower Cook Inlet, in Herriott, T.M., ed., Petroleum-related geologic studies in lower Cook Inlet during 2015, Iniskin-Tuxedni region, south-central Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2016-1-6, p. 45-49. https://doi.org/10.14509/29540
- Wartes, M.A., Gillis, R.J., and Harun, N.T., 2016, Revised mapping of the Upper Jurassic Naknek Formation in a footwall syncline associated with the Bruin Bay fault system, Chinitna Bay region, western Cook Inlet, Alaska, in Herriott, T.M., ed., Petroleum-related geologic studies in lower Cook Inlet during 2015, Iniskin-Tuxedni region, south-central Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2016-1-8, p. 59-66. https://doi.org/10.14509/29542
- Shimer, G.T., Benowitz, J.A., Layer, P.W., McCarthy, P.J., Hanks, C.L., and Wartes, M.A., 2016, 40Ar/39Ar ages and geochemical characterization of Cretaceous bentonites in the Nanushuk, Seabee, Tuluvak, and Schrader Bluff formations, North Slope, Alaska: Cretaceous Research, v. 57, p. 325-341. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2015.04.008
- Wartes, M.A., and Herriott, T.M., 2015, Oil-stained sandstone in the Middle Jurassic lower Paveloff Siltstone Member of the Chinitna Formation: Exploring the potential role of facies variations in controlling diagenesis and reservoir quality in western Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2015-7, 9 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29533
- Wartes, M.A., ed., 2015, Energy-related studies during the 2014 field season, western Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2015-5, 62 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29455
- Wartes, M.A., 2015, An introduction to 2014 field studies in western Cook Inlet, Alaska, in Wartes, M.A., ed., Energy-related studies during the 2014 field season, western Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2015-5-1, p. 1-4. https://doi.org/10.14509/29456
- Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., Herriott, T.M., and Helmold, K.P., 2015, Preliminary facies analysis of the lower sandstone member of the Upper Jurassic Naknek Formation, northern Chinitna Bay, Alaska, in Wartes, M.A., ed., Energy-related studies during the 2014 field season, western Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2015-5-8, p. 49-55. https://doi.org/10.14509/29463
- Herriott, T.M., Decker, P.L., and Wartes, M.A., 2015, Evidence of a submarine canyon in the Snug Harbor Siltstone and Pomeroy Arkose Members, Naknek Formation, south-central Alaska: Implications for the distribution of coarse-grained sediment in Upper Jurassic strata of Cook Inlet, in Wartes, M.A., ed., Energy-related studies during the 2014 field season, western Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2015-5-9, p. 57-62. https://doi.org/10.14509/29464
- van der Kolk, D.A., Whalen, M.T., and Wartes, M.A., 2015, Source-rock potential of the Lower Cretaceous Pebble shale unit, northeastern Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2015-1, 37 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29401
- Wallace, W.K., Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., Delaney, P.R., Gillis, R.J., Loveland, A.M., and Reifenstuhl, R.R., 2014, Interpretations of seismic reflection data and structural cross sections for the Kavik River map area, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2011-3B, 19 p., 3 sheets. https://doi.org/10.14509/25399
- Herriott, T.M., and Wartes, M.A., 2014, Geologic-mapping-based observations of the Middle Jurassic Chinitna Formation and Upper Jurassic Naknek Formation in the Tilted Hills, Iniskin Peninsula, Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2014-3, 23 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/27305
- Gillis, R.J., Wartes, M.A., Herriott, T.M., Bull, K.F., Decker, P.L., and Betka, P.M., 2014, Overview of new 1:63,360-scale geologic mapping of the Iniskin Peninsula, lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, in Gillis, R.J., ed., Cook Inlet program 2013 field studies: Observations and preliminary interpretations from new 1:63,360-scale geologic mapping of the Iniskin Peninsula, lower Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2014-2-1, p. 3-6. https://doi.org/10.14509/27306
- Herriott, T.M., and Wartes, M.A., 2014, Brief overview of geologic mapping of the Middle Jurassic Chinitna Formation and Upper Jurassic Naknek Formation in the Tilted Hills, Iniskin Peninsula, Cook Inlet, Alaska, in Gillis, R.J., ed., Cook Inlet program 2013 field studies: Observations and preliminary interpretations from new 1:63,360-scale geologic mapping of the Iniskin Peninsula, lower Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2014-2-2, p. 7-11. https://doi.org/10.14509/27307
- Wartes, M.A., and Herriott, T.M., 2014, A new occurrence of oil-stained rocks within a small fault zone involving the Middle Jurassic Cynthia Falls Formation, Tuxedni Group, northern Iniskin Peninsula, in Gillis, R.J., ed., Cook Inlet program 2013 field studies: Observations and preliminary interpretations from new 1:63,360-scale geologic mapping of the Iniskin Peninsula, lower Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2014-2-5, p. 23-27. https://doi.org/10.14509/27310
- Wartes, M.A., and Herriott, T.M., 2014, Discovery of oil-stained sandstone within the Chinitna Formation, northern Iniskin Peninsula, in Gillis, R.J., ed., Cook Inlet program 2013 field studies: Observations and preliminary interpretations from new 1:63,360-scale geologic mapping of the Iniskin Peninsula, lower Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2014-2-6, p. 29-31. https://doi.org/10.14509/27311
- Houseknecht, D.W., and Wartes, M.A., 2013, Clinoform deposition across a boundary between orogenic front and foredeep -- an example from the Lower Cretaceous in Arctic Alaska: Terra Nova, v. 0, p. 1-6.
- Gillis, R.J., Stanley, R.G., LePain, D.L., Mauel, D.J., Herriott, T.M., Helmold, K.P., Peterson, C.S., Wartes, M.A., and Shellenbaum, D.P., 2013, Status of a reconnaissance field study of the Susitna basin, 2011: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2013-4, 8 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/25015
- Wartes, M.A., Gillis, R.J., Herriott, T.M., Stanley, R.G., Helmold, K.P., Peterson, C.S., and Benowitz, J.A., 2013, Summary of 2012 reconnaissance field studies related to the petroleum geology of the Nenana basin, interior Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2013-2, 13 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/24880
- Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., Stanley, R.G., Herriott, T.M., Helmold, K.P., and Gillis, R.J., 2013, Preliminary stratigraphy and facies analysis of the Upper Cretaceous Kaguyak Formation, including a brief summary of newly discovered oil stain, upper Alaska Peninsula, in Gillis, R.J., ed., Overview of 2012 field studies: Upper Alaska Peninsula and west side of lower Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2013-1F, p. 25-32. https://doi.org/10.14509/24849
- Gillis, R.J., Swenson, R.F., Wartes, M.A., and Frohman, R.A., 2013, Reconnaissance investigations of the Bruin Bay fault system along the western margin of lower Cook Inlet and upper Alaska Peninsula, in Gillis, R.J., ed., Overview of 2012 field studies: Upper Alaska Peninsula and west side of lower Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2013-1G, p. 33-37. https://doi.org/10.14509/24850
- Wartes, M.A., Herriott, T.M., Helmold, K.P., and Gillis, R.J., 2013, Preliminary stratigraphic interpretation of the Naknek Formation: Evidence for Late Jurassic activity on the Bruin Bay fault, Iniskin Peninsula, lower Cook Inlet, in Gillis, R.J., ed., Overview of 2012 field studies: Upper Alaska Peninsula and west side of lower Cook Inlet, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2013-1H, p. 39-46. https://doi.org/10.14509/24851
- Swenson, R.F., Wartes, M.A., LePain, D.L., and Clough, J.G., 2012, Fossil fuel and geothermal energy sources for local use in Alaska: Summary of available information: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 66, 144 p., 2 sheets, scale 1:3,700,000. https://doi.org/10.14509/24264
- Montayne, Simone, Wartes, M.A., and Clough, J.G., 2012, Summary of fossil fuel and geothermal resource potential in the Bering Straits energy region, in Swenson, R.F., Wartes, M.A., LePain, D.L., and Clough, J.G., Fossil fuel and geothermal energy sources for local use in Alaska: Summary of available information: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 66C, p. 23-32. https://doi.org/10.14509/24426
- Wartes, M.A., 2012, Summary of fossil fuel and geothermal resource potential in the North Slope energy region, in Swenson, R.F., Wartes, M.A., LePain, D.L., and Clough, J.G., Fossil fuel and geothermal energy sources for local use in Alaska: Summary of available information: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 66H, p. 73-82. https://doi.org/10.14509/24431
- Wartes, M.A., 2012, Summary of fossil fuel and geothermal resource potential in the northwest Arctic energy region, in Swenson, R.F., Wartes, M.A., LePain, D.L., and Clough, J.G., Fossil fuel and geothermal energy sources for local use in Alaska: Summary of available information: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 66I, p. 83-93. https://doi.org/10.14509/24432
- LePain, D.L., and Wartes, M.A., 2012, Summary of fossil fuel and geothermal resource potential in the Yukon-Koyukuk/Upper Tanana energy region, in Swenson, R.F., Wartes, M.A., LePain, D.L., and Clough, J.G., Fossil fuel and geothermal energy sources for local use in Alaska: Summary of available information: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 66L, p. 123-136. https://doi.org/10.14509/24435
- Wartes, M.A., and Weakland, J.R., comp., 2012, Geologic basins and energy resources of Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Miscellaneous Publication 146, 1 sheet, scale 1:3,700,000. https://doi.org/10.14509/24064
- Fiorillo, A.R., Decker, P.L., LePain, D.L., Wartes, M.A., and McCarthy, P.J., 2010, A probable neoceratopsian manus track from the Nanushuk Formation (Albian, Northern Alaska): Journal of Iberian Geology, v. 36, no. 2, p. 165-174. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_JIGE.2010.v36.n2.4
- LePain, D.L., Wartes, M.A., McCarthy, P.J., Stanley, R.G., Silliphant, L.J., Peterson, Shaun, Shellenbaum, D.P., Helmold, K.P., Decker, P.L., Mongrain, J.R., and Gillis, R.J., 2009, Facies associations, sand body geometry, and depositional systems in Late Oligocene-Pliocene Strata, southern Kenai Peninsula, Cook Inlet, Alaska: Report on progress during the 2006-07 field season, in LePain, D.L., ed., Preliminary results of recent geologic investigations in the Homer-Kachemak Bay area, Cook Inlet basin: Progress during the 2006-2007 field season: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2009-8A, p. 1-97. https://doi.org/10.14509/20162
- Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., eds., 2008, Preliminary results of recent geologic field investigations in the Brooks Range Foothills and North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2008-1, 206 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/16083
- Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., 2008, Overview of recent geologic field investigations, North Slope and Brooks Range foothills, Alaska, in Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., eds., Preliminary results of recent geologic field investigations in the Brooks Range Foothills and North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2008-1A, p. 1-10, 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/16085
- Wartes, M.A., 2008, Measured section and facies analysis of the Lower Cretaceous Fortress Mountain Formation, Atigun syncline, northern Alaska, in Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., eds., Preliminary results of recent geologic field investigations in the Brooks Range Foothills and North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2008-1B, p. 11-24, 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/16086
- Wartes, M.A., 2008, Evaluation of stratigraphic continuity between the Fortress Mountain and Nanushuk Formations in the central Brooks Range foothills--Are they partly correlative?, in Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., eds., Preliminary results of recent geologic field investigations in the Brooks Range Foothills and North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2008-1C, p. 25-39. https://doi.org/10.14509/16087
- LePain, D.L., Decker, P.L., and Wartes, M.A., 2008, Measured sections and preliminary interpretations of the Nanushuk Formation exposed along the Colville River near the confluences with the Awuna and Killik rivers, in Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., eds., Preliminary results of recent geologic field investigations in the Brooks Range Foothills and North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2008-1D, p. 41-45, 4 sheets. https://doi.org/10.14509/16088
- Decker, P.L., and Wartes, M.A., 2008, Geochemistry of the Aupuk gas seep along the Colville River--Evidence for a thermogenic origin, in Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., eds., Preliminary results of recent geologic field investigations in the Brooks Range Foothills and North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2008-1E, p. 47-54. https://doi.org/10.14509/16084
- Decker, P.L., Wartes, M.A., Wallace, W.K., Houseknecht, D.W., Schenk, C.J., Gillis, R.J., and Mongrain, J.R., 2008, Stratigraphic and structural investigations in the Ivishak River and Gilead Creek areas: Progress during 2007, in Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., eds., Preliminary results of recent geologic field investigations in the Brooks Range Foothills and North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2008-1F, p. 55-83, 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/16089
- Houseknecht, D.W., Schenk, C.J., and Wartes, M.A., 2007, Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of the Cretaceous Fortress Mountain and Torok Formations exposed along the Siksikpuk River, north-central Alaska, in Haeussler, P.J., and Galloway, J.P., eds., Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska, 2006: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1739-D, 20 p., 1 sheet. https://dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/24605
- Greene, T.J., Carroll, A.R., Wartes, M.A., Graham, S.A., and Wooden, J.L., 2005, Integrated provenance analysis of a complex orogenic terrane: Mesozoic uplift of the Bogda Shan and inception of the Turpan-Hami basin, NW China: Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 75, no. 2, p. 268-279.
- Carroll, A.R., and Wartes, M.A., 2003, Organic carbon burial by large Permian lakes, northwest China, in Chan, M.A., and Archer, A.W., eds., Extreme depositional environments: Mega end members in geologic time: Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America, Special Paper no. 370, p. 91-104.
- Wartes, M.A., Carroll, A.R., and Greene, T.J., 2002, Permian sedimentary record of the Turpan-Hami basin and adjacent regions, northwest China: Constraints on post-amalgamation tectonics: Geological Society of America, Bulletin v. 114, p. 131-152.
- Greene, T.J., Carroll, A.R., Hendrix, M.S., Graham, S.A., Wartes, M.A., and Abbink, O., 2001, Sedimentary record of Mesozoic deformation and inception of the Turpan-Hami basin, northwest China, in Hendrix, M.S., and Davis, G.A., eds., Paleozoic and Mesozoic tectonic evolution of central Asia--from continental assembly to intracontinental deformation: Geological Society of America, Memoir no. 194, p. 317-340.
- Wartes, M.A., Carroll, A.R., Greene, T.J., Cheng, K., and Ting, H., 2000, Permian lacustrine deposits of the Junggar and Turpan-Hami basins, northwest China, in Gierlowski-Kordesch, E., and Kelts, K., eds., Lake basins through space and time: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Studies in Geology no. 46, p. 123-132.
- Wartes, M.A., and Reifenstuhl, R.R., 1998, Preliminary petrography and provenance of six Lower Cretaceous sandstones, northwestern Brooks Range, Alaska, in Clough, J.G., and Larson, Frank, eds., Short notes on Alaska geology 1997: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Professional Report 118K, p. 131-140. https://doi.org/10.14509/2338
Selected Presentations
- Wartes, M.A., 2022, Inhabiting the scene - Reflections on the contributions of Charles G. (Gil) Mull and other pioneering geologists of northern Alaska [invited]: Alaska Geology, Newsletter of the Alaska Geological Society, v. 52, no. 8, p. 4-6. https://www.alaskageology.org/uploads/1/1/9/5/119566579/april_2022_newsletter.pdf
- Wartes, M.A., Stanley, R.G., Lillis, P.G., Helmold, K.P., Herriott, T.M., Decker, P.L., and Gillis, R.J., 2017, Preliminary observations on the stratigraphy, tectonics, and petroleum geology of Upper Cretaceous rocks in lower Cook Inlet, southern Alaska: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Pacific Section Annual Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska, 21-24 May.
- Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., LePain, D.L., Gillis, R.J., and Herriott, T.M., 2017, Overview of Late Cretaceous depositional systems of the Colville foreland basin, east-central North Slope, Alaska: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Pacific Section Annual Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska, 21-24 May.
- Wartes, M.A., 2017, New insights into the regional stratigraphy of the Brookian Sequence in northern Alaska: Case studies on the power of merging outcrop and subsurface data: Alaska Geology, Newsletter of the Alaska Geological Society, v. 47, no. 5, p. 1-2. http://www.alaskageology.org/documents/17/January%202017%20Newsletter.pdf
- Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., LePain, D.L., Gillis, R.J., and Herriott, T.M., 2016, Regional stratigraphy of the Brookian Sequence: A summary of underexplored petroleum plays on the North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Miners Association Biennial Convention, Fairbanks, Alaska, 4-9 April, 2016.
- Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., 2015, Late Jurassic glaciers during the Mesozoic greenhouse: Evidence from the Lower Naknek Formation, southern Alaska: Geological Society of America Cordilleran Section Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska, 11-13 May, 2015.
- Wartes, M.A., Helmold, K.P., Gillis, R.J., LePain, D.L., Herriott, T.M., Stanley, R.G., Finzel, E.S., and Jones, J.V., 2015, Secular changes in Cenozoic arc magmatism and its influence on forearc basin sandstone composition and reservoir quality in Cook Inlet, southern Alaska: Geological Society of America Cordilleran Section Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska, 11-13 May, 2015.
- Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., Gillis, R.J., Herriott, T.M., and LePain, D.L., 2014, Predicting deep-water reservoirs in the Brookian Sequence: Underexplored plays on the North Slope, Alaska (presentation): Alaska Geological Society Technical Conference, Anchorage, Alaska, May 15, 2014: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 46 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29545
- Wartes, M.A., Herriott, T.M., Decker, P.L., Stanley, R.G., Gillis, R.J., and Helmold, K.P., 2014, Enigmatic Late Cretaceous tectonic subsidence of the Cook Inlet forearc basin during major subduction accretion, southern Alaska: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs v. 46, no. 6, p. 375. https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2014AM/webprogram/Paper249580.html
- Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., Gillis, R.J., Herriott, T.M., and LePain, D.L., 2014, Regional stratigraphy of the Brookian Sequence: A summary of underexplored deep-water plays on the North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Geological Society Annual Technical Conference, Abstracts with Programs, Anchorage, Alaska, p. 14.
- Wartes, M.A., 2012, Stratigraphy of northern Alaska, with an emphasis on the Cretaceous-Cenozoic foreland basin: Alaska Geological Society Fold and Thrust Belt Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska.
- Wartes, M.A., Wallace, W.K., Houseknecht, D.W., Swenson, R.F., Mull, C.G., Decker, P.L., and O'Sullivan, P.B., 2011, The early to middle Cretaceous foreland basin record of Brooks Range tectonics, northern Alaska: Sixth International Conference on Arctic Margins, Fairbanks, Alaska. http://www2.gi.alaska.edu/ICAMVI/Abstracts/Abstracts.htm#116
- Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., and Gillis, R.J., 2011, Improving the nomenclature of the Brookian depositional system in northern Alaska: The role of sequence stratigraphy: Pacific Section AAPG meeting, Anchorage, Alaska. http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/pdfz/abstracts/pdf/2011/pacific/abstracts/ndx_wartes.html
- Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., Houseknecht, D.W., Gillis, R.J., and LePain, D.L., 2011, Foreland basin response to Paleocene rejuvenation in the Brooks Range, northern Alaska (presentation): AAPG 3P Arctic, The Polar Petroleum Potential Conference & Exhibition, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, August 30 - September 2, 2011: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 37 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29547
- Wartes, M.A., Herriott, T.M., Helmold, K.P., Gillis, R.J., LePain, D.L., and Stanley, R.G., 2011, Stratigraphic evidence for Late Jurassic activity on the Bruin Bay Fault, Iniskin Peninsula, lower Cook Inlet, Alaska: Pacific Section AAPG meeting, Anchorage, Alaska. http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/pdfz/abstracts/pdf/2011/pacific/abstracts/ndx_wartes02.html
- Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., LePain, D.L., Gillis, R.J., and O'Sullivan, P., 2010, Late Cretaceous depositional systems in the Colville foreland basin, east-central North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Geological Society Annual Technical Conference, Abstracts.
- Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., LePain, D.L., Gillis, R.J., and O'Sullivan, P., 2009, New constraints on the evolution of late Cretaceous depositional systems in the Colville Foreland basin, east-central North Slope, Alaska: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs v. 41, no. 7, p. 301. https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2009AM/finalprogram/abstract_167355.htm
- Wartes, M.A., Wallace, W.K., Swenson, R.F., Houseknecht, D.W., Mull, C.G., and O'Sullivan, P.B., 2009, The early to middle Cretaceous foreland basin record of Brooks Range tectonics, northern Alaska: Penrose Conference, Geological Society of America: Tectonic development of the Amerasia Basin, Alberta, Canada, 4-9 October.
- Wartes, M.A., Loveland, A.L., Wallace, W.K., Gillis, R.J., Peapples, P.R., Reifenstuhl, R.R., and Mull, C.G., 2007, Geology of the Kavik River area, east-central North Slope, Alaska: Preliminary results of the 2006 STATEMAP project [abs.]: Alaska Geological Society Annual Technical Conference, Abstracts.
- Wartes, M.A., O'Sullivan, P.B., and Carroll, A.R., 2006, Enigmatic Permian U-Pb zircon ages from igneous clasts found in mid-Cretaceous deposits of the Colville Foreland basin, northern Alaska [abs.]: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs v. 38, no. 5, p. 89. https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006CD/finalprogram/abstract_104658.htm
- Wartes, M.A., 2006, Slab detachment--an explanation for the mid-Cretaceous evolution of the Brookian Orogeny, northern Alaska [abs.]: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs v. 38, no. 5, p. 34. https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006CD/finalprogram/abstract_104662.htm
- Wartes, M.A., and Swenson, R., 2005, New constraints on the structural and stratigraphic development of the proximal Colville Foreland basin: Implications for burial history and oil and gas exploration in the central Brooks Range Foothills, northern Alaska [abs.]: Joint meeting Pacific Section AAPG and Cordilleran Section GSA, v. 37, no. 4, p. 92. http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2005CD/finalprogram/abstract_85846.htm
- Wartes, M.A., and Swenson, R., 2005, Reconstructing the evolution of the Brooks Range orogenic wedge: Preliminary structural and stratigraphic evidence from the Siksikpuk River area, northern Alaska [abs.]: Alaska Geological Society Annual Technical Conference, Abstracts Volume, Fairbanks, Alaska.
- Wartes, M.A., and Carroll, A.R., 2003, Provenance analysis of the lower Cretaceous Colville foreland basin; new constraints on the unroofing history of the Brooks Range, northern Alaska [abs.]: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs v. 35, no. 6, September 2003, p. 514. https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2003AM/finalprogram/abstract_63919.htm
- Wartes, M.A., 2003, Exploring the possible role of slab detachment in the mid-Cretaceous tectonic and sedimentary evolution of northern Alaska [abs]: Fourth International Conference on Arctic Margins, Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada.
- Wartes, M.A., and Carroll, A.R., 2002, Detailed facies analysis of the Lower Cretaceous Fortress Mountain Formation, Atigun syncline, northern Alaska [abs.]: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Bulletin v. 86, no. 6, p. 1162. http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/abstracts/html/2002/pacific/wartes.htm
- Wartes, M.A., and Carroll, A.R., 1999, Early permian post-orogenic extension of the ancestral Tian Shan Range, northwest China [abs.]: American Geophysical Union, Eos, Transactions v. 80, no. 46, p. 1018.
- Wartes, M.A., Carroll, A.R., and Greene, T.J., 1999, Permian sedimentary evolution of the Junggar and Turpan-Hami basins, northwest China [abs.]: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs v. 31, no. 7, p. 291.
- Wartes, M.A., Greene, T.J., and Carroll, A.R., 1998, Permian lacustrine paleogeography of the Junggar and Turpan-Hami basins, northwest China: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Meeting Abstracts.
- Wartes, M.A., 1997, Mesozoic stratigraphy at Surprise Creek: preliminary evidence for anomalous Brookian tectonism and burial history, northwestern Brooks Range, Alaska [abs.]: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs v. 29, no. 6, p. 274. https://www.searchanddiscovery.com/abstracts/html/1998/annual/abstracts/679.htm
