T15. Advances in Subsurface Characterization for Energy Exploration and Utilization (Oral Session, 0.25 CEUs) T17. The Heat Beneath our Feet: Geologic Controls on Geothermal Resources in the Rocky Mountain Region (0.15 CEUs) T15. Advances in Subsurface Characterization for Energy Exploration and Utilization (Oral Session, 0.25 CEUs)

FT26RM04. New Insights into the Heat Source for the Valles Caldera Geothermal System Based on Geophysics (0.8 CEUs)

SC26RM04. Geothermal 101: Systems, Resources, and Characterization (0.4 CEUs)

T21. Hazards and Resources Mapping in the Southwest US: Applications and Future Opportunities (Oral Session, 0.15 CEUs) T13. Geologic Mapping in the West (Poster Session, 0.2 CEUs) T15. Advances in Subsurface Characterization for Energy Exploration and Utilization (Oral Session, 0.25 CEUs)

FT26RM01. What You Can Do with Superb Rift Basin-Fill Exposures: Recent Lithostratigraphic, Paleoclimatic, Biostratigraphic, and Structural Studies of the Espanola Basin, New Mexico (USA) (1.0 CEUs) FT26RM03. Stratigraphy, Age Control, and Evolution of Lake Socorro, a Late Miocene Playa Lake in the Socorro Basin: Implications for Early Downstream-Directed Integration of the Ancestral Rio Grande (1.0 CEUs)

SC26RM02. Ground Penetrating Radar: Principles & Practice (0.3 CEUs)

T32. Advancements in the Proterozoic tectonics of western North America (Oral Session 0.15 CEUs) T11. Advancements in the Proterozoic tectonics of western North America (Poster Session, 0.2 CEUs) T20. Critical Minerals Potential in the Land of Enchantment: Past Production and Future Potential (Oral Session, 0.35 CEUs) T16. Geological and Geochemical Investigations of Critical Minerals in New Mexico and Beyond, and Technological Advances in Extraction of Critical Minerals (Oral Session, 0.35 CEUs) T18. Mining Legacies and Environmental Remediation in the Southwest (0.15 CEUs)

FT26RM02. Indigenous Geology in New Mexico (0.9 CEUs)

SC26RM05. Critical Minerals in the Basin and Range (0.4 CEUs)

T23. Climate Change and Extreme Heat in the Rocky Mountain Southwest: Impacts, Adaptation, and Geoscience Perspectives (Oral Session, 0.2 CEUs) T26. Everyday Geoscience (Oral Session, 0.25 CEUs) T18. Mining Legacies and Environmental Remediation in the Southwest (0.15 CEUs)

FT26RM02. Indigenous Geology in New Mexico (0.9 CEUs)

SC26RM05. Critical Minerals in the Basin and Range (0.4 CEUs)

Learning and CEUs

GSA is introducing Professional Learning Pathways at 2026 Section Meetings-curated tracks that organize sessions, short courses, and field experiences into coherent, workforce-aligned themes.

Learning Pathways

Follow a structured pathway to build applied skills in high-demand areas of geoscience.

Participants can:

earn verified CEUs,
receive a digital badge,
obtain documented recognition of their structured learning,
and build progress toward future GSA Certificate opportunities (for select pathways).

Some pathways offer enough CEUs to complete meeting-level pathway recognition (1.0 CEU), while others allow participants to begin building progress toward longer-term Professional Learning Pathways across multiple GSA meetings.

Rocky Mountain Section Meeting-Only Track Options

Geothermal: Subsurface fluid flow, heat transport, resource assessment, and applied exploration and development of geothermal energy.

Track Options Available at All Section Meetings

Geologic Mapping & Digital Field Methods: Field mapping, GIS workflows, digital data capture, and applied interpretation.

Critical Minerals: Mineral resource assessment, applied exploration and environmental considerations, and supply chains.

Geoheritage: Structured pathways aligned with geoheritage, education, and applied geoscience outreach.

Build Your Pathway

To earn pathway recognition, complete at least 1.0 CEU (10 contact hours) of aligned programming, including participation across at least two program formats (e.g., technical session + field trip or short course).

These pathways are designed to complement-not replace-professional licensure and certification. They provide documented continuing education and competency-focused professional development.

Geothermal

Participants interested in this pathway can begin exploring the geothermal pathway through the activities listed below. These activities contribute toward longer-term Professional Learning Pathways offered across GSA meetings.

Geologic Mapping & Digital Field Methods

Participants interested in this pathway can begin building CEUs in digital mapping and field data collection methods through the activities listed below. These activities contribute toward longer-term Professional Learning Pathways offered across GSA meetings.

Critical Minerals

Participants may begin exploring the critical minerals pathway through the sessions listed below. These activities contribute toward longer-term Professional Learning Pathways available across GSA meetings and events.

Geoheritage

Participants may begin exploring the geoheritage pathway through the activities listed below. These activities contribute toward longer-term Professional Learning Pathways available across GSA meetings and events.

Submitting Pathway Activities

After participating in sessions, field trips, or short courses aligned with a Professional Learning Pathway at an event, you can submit your activities to document your progress and verify your CEUs.

To earn pathway recognition, complete at least 1.0 CEU (10 contact hours) of aligned programming, including participation across at least two program formats (for example, a technical session plus a field trip or short course).

Prepare to provide:

a list of the sessions, courses, and field trips you completed within the pathway;
a brief reflection on the technical sessions you attended; and
your total CEUs earned.

Submit your pathway activities within 30 days of the meeting. Your submission allows GSA to verify CEUs, confirm pathway recognition at the meeting, and track progress toward future GSA Certificate opportunities where available.

Once submitted, the GSA team will review your materials and notify you of your pathway progress within 7-10 business days. Questions? Contact education@geosociety.org.

Submit

Mentoring

If you enjoy sharing your enthusiasm and experience in applied geology, please consider mentoring at a GSA section meeting. Being a mentor is a rewarding experience that helps young geoscientists find their career paths. Mentoring opportunities at section meetings include roundtable mentoring at the Mann and Shlemon Mentor Lunches, and the Geoscience Career Exploration Session. To learn more, or sign up to mentor, contact Jessica Harbeson at gsamentors@geosociety.org.

CEUs

Section meetings offer an excellent opportunity to earn CEUs toward your continuing education requirements for your employer, K-12 school, or professional registration. The CEU certificate may be downloaded from the meeting website after the meeting.

Learn more about CEUs