Grimmia teretinervis is thought to occur sporadically across the North American continent. New site records from Alberta, the Yukon Territory, and Alaska are linked to the margin of the Cretaceous epicontinental seaway. Geological maps from other areas of the continent reveal that G. teretinervis is associated with deposits from other ancient epicontinental seaways. All areas have experienced either faulting or fluvial erosion that have exposed massive sections of calcareous sediments that are suitable microhabitats for G. teretinervis.