Dr. Carol D. Frost

Carol Frost joined the University of Wyoming faculty in 1983 as an assistant professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics, where she established the radiogenic isotope geology laboratory. Her research interests include the origin and evolution of the continental crust, the classification and petrogenesis of granites and related rocks, and the application of environmental isotopes to problems related to energy and environment. Although her geological research spans the globe from Norway to New Zealand, many of the critical observations that catalyzed new ideas and interpretations have come from the spectacular exposures in Wyoming of some of the world’s oldest and best-preserved ancient crust.

 

Professor Emerita Frost taught a wide array of undergraduate and graduate courses, including physical geology, geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology, isotope geology, and Earth system science. She continues her activities in geoscience education with public lectures and geoscience educational videos and articles.

 

Frost is currently on the board of directors of the British Geological Survey and is Principal Editor of Elements magazine. In January 2018 Dr. Frost completed a 3-year term as Division Director for Earth Sciences at the National Science Foundation. She also has served UW in a variety of administrative positions including founding Director of the School of Energy Resources, Associate Vice President of Research, and Vice President for Special Projects. In these roles she undertook varied initiatives, including the formation of an institutional research program in carbon sequestration, development and implementation of a strategic plan to raise the quality of graduate education, coordination of a faculty task force establishing an interdisciplinary program in biodiversity conservation, and a successful program to raise undergraduate assured admission standards at UW. More information about her administrative record is available via the “administrative experience” link on the left sidebar.

 

Carol and her husband, Eric Nye, are the parents of a grown son and daughter who refer to their mother as “a bit of a jock.” She tries to live up to this description by doing as much skiing, running, and hiking as possible.

Professional Awards

2019                       Fellow, Geological Society of America

2016                       Geochemistry Fellow, Geochemical Society and European Association of Geochemistry

2008                      George Duke Humphrey Award (UW’s highest faculty award)

2001                       Wyoming Professor of the Year

2000                      University of Wyoming Presidential Speaker

1998                       Fellow, Mineralogical Society of America

Selected Professional Service

2025-2027            Principal Editor, Elements magazine

2024-2025           Co-chair, National Academies consensus study “Optimizing the USGS Mineral Resources Program Science Portfolio”

2023-present      Member, British Geological Survey Board of Directors and Chair, British Geological Survey Science Advisory Committee

Selected Recent Publications

(from a total of more than 130 papers and books) 

Frost, B.R., Lindsley, D.H., Frost, C.D., Swapp, S.M., Lewis, M., Jackson, L.J. and Brown, T.C., The Laramie anorthosite complex and Sherman batholith. GSA Books, in press.

 

Frost, C.D., Swapp, S.M., Hoch. A.R., Runyon, S.E., Petrogenesis of the Rattlesnake Hills alkaline magmatic complex, Wyoming, USA: potential for rare-earth-element enrichment. Journal of Petrology, revised version submitted June 2025.

 

Frost, C.D., Swapp, S.M., Stern, R.J. (writers), 2025, Where are the oldest rocks in the U.S.? UT-Dallas Geoscience Studio, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SLCzt89LRc

 

Frost, C.D., Mueller, P.A., Bickford, M.E., Stern, R.J., 2025, USA’s oldest rock? A simple question with a complex answer. GSA Today, v. 35(3), p 4-10. doi: 10.1130/GSAT613A.1.

 

Frost, C.D., and Mueller, P.A., 2024, Archean cratons: time capsules of the early Earth. Elements, v. 20(3), p. 162-167. doi: 10.2138/gselements.20.3.162

 

Mueller, P.A., and Frost, C.D., 2024, Archean cratons: terms, concepts, and analytical approaches. Elements, v. 20(3), p. 157-161. Doi: 10.2138/gselements.20.3.157

 

Snoke, A.W., Barnes, C.G., Howard, K.A., Romanoski, A., Premo, W.R., Hetherington, C.J., Strike, A.T., Frost, C.D., Copeland, P., and Lee, S-Y., 2024, Paleogene mid-crustal intrusions in the Ruby Mountains-East Humboldt Range metamorphic core complex, northeastern Nevada. Geosphere, https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02673.1

 

Frost, C.D., Swapp, S.M., Stern, R.J. (writers), 2023, How do continents form: Archean cratons tell the story, UT-Dallas Geoscience Studio,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuUNHx19jPA

Frost, C.D., Mueller, P.A., Mogk, D.W., Frost, B.R., and Henry, D.J., 2023, Creating continents: Archean cratons tell the story. GSA Today, v. 33 no. 1, p. 4-10, doi: 10.1130/GSATG541A.1

Bedrosian, P.A., and Frost, C.D., 2022, Geophysical extent of the Wyoming Province: Insights into ancient subduction and craton stability. GSA Bulletin, 18 p., doi:10.1130/B36417.1

Mogk, D., Frost, C., Mueller, P., Frost, B., and Henry D., 2022, Crustal genesis and evolution of the Archean Wyoming Province: continental growth through vertical magmatic and horizontal tectonic processes. In Whitmeyer, S.J., Williams, M.L., and Kellett, D.A., and Tikoff, B., Laurentia: An evolving continent. GSA Memoir 220, p 1-24. doi:10.1130/2022.1220(01)

Frost, C.D., and Frost, B.R., 2022, Petrologic constraints on the origin of Proterozoic ferroan granites of the Laurentian margin. In Whitmeyer, S.J., Williams, M.L., Kellett, D.A., and Tikoff, B., Laurentia: An evolving continent. GSA Memoir 220, 24 p., https://doi.org/10.1130/2022.1220(10).

Bedle, H., Cooper, C.M., and Frost, C.D., 2021, Nature versus nurture: preservation and destruction of Archean cratons. Tectonics, 40, e2021TC006714. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021TC006714.

Frost, C.D., and Da Prat, F.A., 2021, Petrogenetic and tectonic interpretation of strongly peraluminous granitic rocks and their significance in the Archean rock record. MSA Presidential Address, American Mineralogist, v. 106, p. 1195-1208, https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2022-8001.

Frost, B.R., Frost, C.D., Anderson, J.L., Barnes, C.G., Wilson, M., 2019, A more informative way to name plutonic rocks—comment by Frost et al. GSA Today, v. 29 (June), 38-39. doi.org/10.1130/GSATG405C.1Hough, G., Swapp, S., Frost, C, and Fayek, M., 2019, Sulfur Isotopes in Biogenically and Abiogenically Derived Uranium Roll-Front Deposits. Economic Geology, v 114, no 2, pp 353-373.

Swapp, S.M., Frost, C.D., Frost, B.R., Fitz-Gerald, D.B., 2018, 2.7 Ga high-pressure granulites of the Teton Range: record of Neoarchean continent collision and exhumation. Geosphere, v. 14(3) doi .org /10 .1130 /GES01607.1, 20 p.  

Frost, B.R., Swapp, S.M., Frost, C.D., Bagdonas, D.A., and Chamberlain, K.R., Neoarchean tectonic history of the Teton Range: record of accretion against the present-day western margin of the Wyoming Province. Geosphere, v. 14(3), doi:10.1130/GES01559.1, 23 p. 

Frost, C. D., McLaughlin, J.F., Frost, B.R., Fanning, C.M., Swapp, S.M., Kruckenberg, S.C., Gonzalez, J., 2016, Hadean origins of Paleoarchean continental crust in the central Wyoming Province. GSA Bulletin, 129(3-4), 259-280. 

Bagdonas, D.A., Frost, C.D., and Fanning, C.M., 2016, The Neoarchean Wyoming Batholith: a voluminous, homogeneous granite inboard of a continental arc. American Mineralogist, 101, 1268-1284. http://dx.doi.org/10.2138/am-2015-5512 

Frost, C.D., Swapp, S.M., Frost, B.R., Finley-Blasi, L., and Fitz-Gerald, D.B., 2016, Leucogranites of the Teton Range, Wyoming: a record of Archean collisional orogeny. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 185, 528-549. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2015.12.015. 

Frost, C.D., Frost, B.R., and Beard, J.S., 2016, On silica-rich granitoids and their eruptive equivalents. American Mineralogist, 101, 1268-1284. doi:10.2138/am-2015-5307. 

Frost, C.D., 2014, Mapping the Teton Range. Rocky Mountain Geology, 42, 198. 

Duke, G.I., Carlson, R.W., Frost, C.D., Hearn, B.C., Eby, G.N., 2014, Continent-scale linearity of kimberlite-carbonatite magmatism, mid-continent North America. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 403, 1-14. 

Quillinan, S., Frost, C.D., 2014, Carbon isotope characterization of Powder River Basin Coal Bed Waters: Key to minimizing unnecessary water production and implications for exploration and timing of biogenic gas. International Journal of Coal Geology, in press. 

McLaughlin, J.F., Bagdonas, D., Frost, C.D., Frost, B.R., 2013, Geologic Map of the Stampede Meadows quadrangle, Fremont County, Wyoming. Wyoming State Geological Survey Bedrock Geologic Map, 1:24,000 scale. 

McArthur, K.L., Frost, C.D., Barnes, C.G., Prestvik, T., Nordgulen, Ø., 2013, Tectonic reconstruction and sediment provenance of a far-traveled oceanic nappe, Helgeland Nappe Complex, west-central Norway. Journal of the Geological Society of London, doi 10.1144/SP390.3

Marko, W.T., Barnes, C.G., Yoshinobu, A.S., Frost, C.D., Nordgulen, Ø., 2013, Geology, geochemistry, and emplacement conditions of the Vega instrusive complex: an example of large-scale crustal anatexis in north-central Norway. Journal of the Geological Society of London, doi 10.1144/SP390.x. 

Mailloux, J., Ogle, K., Frost, C.D., 2013, Using a Bayesian statistical model to determine the amount of coal bed natural gas coproduced water in the Powder River, Wyoming and Montana. Hydrologic Processes, doi: 10.1002/hyp9784.

Frost, C.D., and Frost, B.R., 2013, Proterozoic Intraplate Ferroan Magmatism. Precambrian Research, v. 228. p. 151-163.

Dall’Agnol, R., Frost, C.D., and Ramo, T., 2012, IGCP Project 510 “A-type granites and related rocks through time”: project vita, results and contribution to granite research. Lithos, v. 151, p.1-16.

Quillinan, S.A., McLaughlin, J.F., Frost, C.D., 2012, Geochemical and stable isotopic analysis of the Tongue River and associated tributaries in the Powder River Basin: an analysis of the cause of annual elevated salinity in spring runoff. Wyoming State Geological Survey Report of Investigation No. 63, 15 pages.

Barnes, C.G., Frost, C.D., Nordgulen, O., Prestvik T., 2012, Magma hybridization in the middle crust, possible consequences for MASH magmatism. Geosphere, v. 8, 518-533.

McLaughlin, J.F., Frost, C.D., Sharma, S., 2011, Isotopic analysis of Atlantic Rim waters, Carbon County, Wyoming: a new tool for characterizing coalbed natural gas systems. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 95, p. 191-217.

Frost, C.D., and Mailloux, J.M., 2011, Establishing appropriate water quality numeric standards under the Clean Water Act: lessons from a case study of coalbed methane produced water discharge to the Powder River, Wyoming and Montana. Wyoming Law Review, v. 11, no. 1, 1-23.

Frost, C.D., and Frost, B.R., 2011, On ferroan (A-type) granites: their compositional variability and modes of origin. Journal of Petrology 52, 39-53.

Frost, C.D. and Jakle, A.C., 2010, Geologic carbon sequestration in Wyoming: prospects and progress. Rocky Mountain Geology, v. 45, p. 83-91.

Lynds, R., Campbell-Stone, E., Becker, T.P., Frost, C. 2010, Stratigraphic evaluation of reservoir and seal in a natural CO2field: Lower Paleozoic, Moxa Arch, southwest Wyoming. Rocky Mountain Geology, v. 45, p. 113-132.

Smith, M.S., Sharma, S., Wyckoff, T.B., and Frost, C.D., 2010, Baseline Geochemical Characterization of Potential Receiving Reservoirs for Carbon Dioxide in the Greater Green River Basin, Wyoming. Rocky Mountain Geology, v. 45, p. 93-111.

Stewart, E.D., Link, P.K., Fanning, C.M., Frost, C.D., McCurry, M., 2010, Non-North American sediment in the Mesoproterozoic upper Belt Supergroup and Lemhi Group: new constraints on a proto-Rodinia. Geology, v, 38, 927-930.

Frost, C.D., Brinck, E.L., Mailloux, J., Sharma, S., Campbell, C.E., Carter, S.A., Pearson, B.N., 2010, Innovative approaches for tracing water co-produced with coalbed natural gas: applications of strontium and carbon isotopes of produced water in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana (invited). In K.J. Reddy (ed.) Coalbed Methane: Energy and Environment, Nova Science Publishers, New York (in press).

Frost, C.D., Frost, B.R., Lindsley, D.H., Chamberlain, K.R., Swapp, S.M., Scoates, J.S., 2010, Geochemical and isotopic evolution of the anorthositic plutons of the Laramie anorthosite complex: explanations for variations in silica activity and oxygen fugacity of massif anorthosites. Canadian Mineralogist, v. 48, 925-946.

Lindsley, D.H., Frost, B.R., Frost, C.D., Scoates, J.S., 2010, Petrology, geochemistry, and structure of the Chugwater anorthosite, Laramie Anorthosite complex, S.E. Wyoming, U.S.A. Canadian Mineralogist, v. 48, 887-923.

Schwartz, J.J., Snoke, A.W., Frost, C.D., Barnes, C.G., Gromet, L.P., Johnson, K., 2010, Structural and isotopic characteristics of the Wallowa-Baker terrane boundary: evidence for a lithospheric terrane boundary in the Blue Mountains Province, northeast Oregon. Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 122, 517-536, doi:10.1130/B26493.1.

Brinck, E.L., Frost, C.D., 2009, Evaluation of amendments used to prevent sodification of irrigated fields. Applied Geochemistry, v. 24, p. 2113-2122, doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2009.09.001.

Fenner, J.N., and Frost, C.D. 2009, Modern Wyoming plant and pronghorn isoscapes and their implications for archaeology. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 102, p 149-156. Doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2008.09.003.

Barnes, C.G., Prestvik, T., Li, Y., McCulloch, L., Yoshinobu, A.S., Frost, C.D., 2009, Growth and zoning of the Hortavær intrusive complex, a layered alkaline pluton in the Norwegian Caledonides. Geosphere v.5, p 286-301; doi: 10.1130/GES00210.1.

Frost, B.R., and Frost, C.D., 2008, A geochemical classification for feldspathic rocks. Journal of Petrology, v. 49 no. 11, 1955-1969. Doi:10.1093/petrology/egn054.

Campbell, C.E., Pearson, B.N., and Frost, C.D. 2008, Strontium isotopes as indicators of aquifer communication in an area of coal bed natural gas production, Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana. Rocky Mountain Geology, v. 43, no. 2, 149-175.

Brinck, E.L., Drever, J.I., and Frost, C.D., 2008, The geochemical evolution of water co-produced with coal bed natural gas in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. Environmental Geosciences v. 15, no. 4, p. 153-171. Doi:10.1306/eg.01290807017.

Sharma, S., and Frost, C.D., 2008, Tracing coal bed natural gas co-produced water using stable isotopes of carbon. Ground Water, v. 46, 329-334.

Frost, B.R., and Frost, C.D., 2008, On Charnockites. Gondwana Research 12, 30-44. doi:10.1016/j.gr.2007.07.006.

Barnes, C.G., Frost, C.D., McArthur, K., Barnes, M.A., Allen, C.M., Nordgulen, Ø., Prestvik, T., and Yoshinobu, A.S., 2007, Timing of sedimentation, metamorphism, and plutonism in the Helgeland Nappe Complex, north-central Norwegian Caledonides. Geosphere v.3: 683-703doi:10.1130/GES00138.1.

Frost, C.D., von Blanckenburg, F., Schoenberg, R., Frost, B.R., and Swapp, S.M. 2007. Preservation of Fe isotope heterogeneities during diagenesis and metamorphism of banded iron formation. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 153: 211-235, doi 10.1007/s00410-006-0141-0.

Brinck, E.L., and Frost, C.D. 2007. Detecting infiltration and impacts of introduced water using strontium isotopes. Ground Water, v. 45: 554-569, doi:10.1111/j.1745-6584.2007.00345.x.

Frost, C.D., Barnes, C.G., and Snoke, A.W., 2006, Nd and Sr isotopic data from argillaceous rocks of the Galice Formation and Rattlesnake Creek terrane, Klamath Mountains: evidence for the input of Precambrian sources.  In A.W. Snoke and C.G. Barnes, eds., Geological studies in the Klamath Mountains province, California and Oregon, Geological Society of America Special Paper 410, 103-120.

Frost, C.D., Frost, B.R., Kirkwood, R., Chamberlain, K.R., 2006.  The tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) to granodiorite-granite (GG) transition in the Late Archean plutonic rocks of the central Wyoming province. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 43, 1419-1444.

Textbook 

Frost, B.R., and Frost, C.D., 2014, Essentials of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Cambridge University Press, published in November 2013, ISBN 978-1-107-02754-1.