Chance B. Ronemus

Research Group

I've worked with great groups of undergraduate researchers at Montana State, the University of Arizona, and now Idaho State on projects from the Beartooth Mountains of Montana to the Malargüe basin of Argentina.

My current group consists of three undergraduate researchers at Idaho state University, who are working on assessing Mesozoic terrane accretion/translation in Mesozoic Chile using the forearc basin record.

Parker Hazelbush

(Anticipated BS Spring 2026)

Parker Hazelbush in the field in Chile, holding a crinoid-bearing hand specimen

Parker is a Senior at ISU in the Geology major. He recently conducted fieldwork in South America and is working on interpreting the evolution of Mesozoic deep water deposits in coastal Chile using field-based sedimentology and his paleontological expertise (see some spectacular crinoids if you zoom in on his hand specimen above). He's interested in entering the mining industry following completion of his degree.

Amarissa Cramer

(Anticipated BS Spring 2027)

Amarissa Cramer working at a microscope in the lab

Amarissa is a Junior in the Geology major at ISU. She recently dated zircons from Mesozoic sandstones in Chile via U-Pb geochronology at the University of Arizona LaserChron Center, and she's working on assessing what they can tell us about the history of terrane accretion (or lack thereof) along the western margin of South America. She's interested in pursuing a Masters in geosciences and gaining more international experience in the field.

Tiana Hursh

(Anticipated BS Spring 2027)

Tiana Hursh during fieldwork in Chile

Tiana is a Junior at ISU in the Geological Engineering major. She conducted fieldwork in South America in winter 2025/2026 and is now preparing zircon for LA-ICP-MS analysis at ISU on our new triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. She'll be presenting her results at ISU RCWS 2026 and GSA Connects 2026. Tiana is interested in pursuing graduate study in geosciences and working on engineering solutions to groundwater challenges.

Photos of current and former students in action.

Robbie Mantha changing a flat tire on a field vehicle
MSU SUR student Robbie Mantha won't let a flat tire stop him from getting to the outcrop!
Tiana showing off her Christmas doodle at field camp
Tiana is proud of her Christmas doodle!
Christmas celebration at the los Molles field camp
A very merry los Molles Christmas, thanks to Tiana!
Group photo of the ISU team with Stanford collaborators Steve Graham and Steve Dobbs
Tiana, Parker, Kurt, and I with Stanford collaborators Steve Graham and Steve Dobbs (Steve^2)
MSU SUR students examining a large block of blueschist
MSU SUR students getting up close and personal with a block of blueschist.
Dom D'amato mapping in the Highland Mountains of Montana
MSU mentee Dom D'amato maps the structure of the Highland Mountains, MT.
Parker swinging a rock hammer at an outcrop
Parker demonstrating the correct use of a geologic rock hammer
Tiana and Parker hiking in the High Andes
Tiana and Parker in the High Andes
Chris Kussmaul fly fishing a mountain stream during fieldwork
MSU field assistant Chris Kussmaul takes a break from sampling to catch a trout on the fly.
Field camp students gathered around an outcrop
MSU and Indiana University field camp students explore an outcrop.
Parker and Chance with Chilean collaborators Ismael Murillo and María Rodríguez
Parker and I with Chilean collaborators Ismael Murillo and María Rodríguez
Faisal Sabor's research poster at GSA Connects
UA mentee Faisal Sabor's poster was presented at GSA Connects. Good job Faisal!
Tiana and Parker measuring a stratigraphic section of the Los Molles Formation
Tiana and Parker measuring the Los Molles Formation
Field camp students studying folded rocks in the Tobacco Root Mountains
MSU and Indiana University field camp students find some structure in the Tobacco Root mountains.
MSU SUR students in the Great Valley forearc basin
MSU SUR students in the Great Valley forearc basin.
Saré Campbell separating zircon in the lab
MSU mentee Saré Campbell separating zircon.
Chris Kussmaul hiking across the Beartooth Plateau, Montana
MSU field assistant Chris Kussmaul in search of Archean gneiss on the Beartooth Plateau, MT.
Amarissa climbing on mylonitic rock in the Catalina core complex
Amarissa enjoying the mylonites of the Catalina core complex!
Tiana with field assistant Santiago
Tiana with our field assistant, Santiago
Group selfie at a campsite in the High Andes
Selfie at our campsite in the High Andes
Tiana holding locos, a Chilean seafood
Tiana with her favorite seafood---Locos!
Parker and Tiana herding goats in the High Andes
Parker and Tiana herding goats in the High Andes

Courses Taught

I've served as a field camp assistant instructor and graduate teaching assistant in laboratory, classroom, and field settings. Here's a list of my instructional experience.