Rise of the Colorado Plateau: A Synthesis of Paleoelevation Constraints From the Region and a Path Forward Using Temperature-Based Elevation Proxies

The Colorado Plateau’s complex landscape has motivated over a century of debate, key to which is understanding the timing and processes surface uplift greater Plateau region, its interactions with erosion, drainage reorganization, evolution. Here, we evaluate what known about history from prior paleoelevation estimates region by synthesizing evaluating 1) in context inferred geologic, geomorphic, thermochronologic constraints, 2) light recent isotopic paleobotanical proxy method advancements. Altogether, existing data suggest that half-modern elevations were attained end Laramide orogeny (∼40 Ma), near-modern mid-Miocene (∼16 Ma). However, our analysis methods highlights need improve carbonate floral archives including ∼6–16 Ma Bidahochi ∼34 Florissant Formations explore understudied (with respect paleoelevation) basin deposits fill knowledge gaps. We argue there are opportunities leverage advancements temperature-based paleoaltimetry refine history; for instance, via systematic comparison clumped isotope thermometry applied lacustrine carbonates span both space time, use paleoclimate model mediated lapse rates reconstruction.